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Showing posts from April, 2013

Part 1: Greatest Albums ever Reviews: What's Going On

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This is a new segment of my blog which i am going to dedicate to Old (but not forgotten) artists. The first Albums I will Do this for is Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On" , this is not my favourite album and would not even be in my top 50, but due to it being a critics favourite it gets to go first. Tracklist  1. What's Going On 2. What's Happening Brother  3. Flyin' High (In The Friendly Sky) 4. Save The Children 5. God Is Love 6. Mercy Mercy Me 7. Right On 8. Whole Holy 9. Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler) This album was an album full of firsts, the first album that Marvin produced, his first solo effort without Tammi Terell and the first Motown record that was politically motivated. It was also Marvin And Soul Music's first Concept Album as well as Motown's first album which credited Session Musicians. So even if this album was bad, it would be in the history books anyway. BUT it wasn't bad. No. Not at all. The Album

The Top 5 Canadian Artists

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Canada; The USA's better behaved brother. This younger  sibling's contribution to the music world is often overlooked or confused for American musical accomplishments. So here i am trying to make people stop and think that "hey, Canada ain't half bad" or maybe just make people know Neil Young Is Canadian not American. The Band -  1964-1977 1983-1999   Perhaps  the best  backing  band ever when they backed Bob Dylan, although their backing of Bob Dylan is  truly  one of their smallest  accomplishments  as they are known to have inspired every artist  going  at the end of the 60s.  BEST 3 Albums Music From Big Pink  (1968) The Band (1969)  Stage Fright (1970)  Joni Mitchell 1967-Present  Now this girl is my favourite Female Artist ever. So why is she only 4th on this list ? well firstly this list is sorted into numbers, and secondly because despite her brilliance she does not match up to some of the others on this list.  BEST 3

The Strypes.... again....

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Hurray it's that time of the month, you know the time, the time i begin to start raving on about how much i love the strypes!!!!! WHAT?!!? you don't know who they are?..... Go google them now, or look at my post on them.... or suffer the consequences.... But seriously i love the stripes, not in a weird Jimmy Saville way... they're the same age as me anyway but.... I'm also straight so it'd be very weird... However i'm not here to write about my sexual orientation, i'm here to talk about the most amazing Irish Boys ever. Yes better than Boyzone, yes better than Westlife... better than rory Gallagher, Gary Moore and Thin Lizzy... maybe not yet. Now words can't describe how amazing they are, so maybe their songs will. Monkey Blue Collar Jane Rollin' & Tumblin'

Top 10 Songs to Celebrate Man U's Championship

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Now i realise i haven't posted too regularly, i've been revising.... what i have!  None the less i manage to take time off this revising to discover than Man U won the premier League so i figured "10 Songs about post here we come" because lets face it, it's a pretty easy thing to do. 1. We Are The Champions - Queen 2. Kiss Them Goodbye - Steam  3. Thunderstruck - AC/DC 4. Right Here, Right Now - Fatboy Slim 5. Final Countdown - Europe 6.  Gold On The Ceiling - The Black Keys 7.  Don't You Forget About Me - Simple Minds 8. Another One Bites The Dust - Queen 9. Rock And Roll Part 2 - Gary Glitter 10. Born To Run - Bruce Springsteen

The Top 7 Festivals of 2013

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Festival Season is just around the corner. Everyone has got their tickets... i haven't yet but i've got several ones i'm looking at. So heres my opinion of the top 10 festivals of 2013 1. Glastobury Festival  - UK -  26th -30th June Bruce Springsteen Performing there in 2009 What else could it be? honestly every year it will top each list, and each year the line up improves. This year you could be in with a chance to see Rolling Stones, Arctic Monkeys, Mumford & Sons, Elvis Costello, Dizzee Rascal, Primal Scream and many many more. 2. Reading & Leeds Festival - UK  -  21st - 25th August A Best of Video about the festival. The reading and leeds festival is also known for constantly churning out incredible line ups and this year it isn't different with a ticket to this you could see;  Green Day, Fall Out Boy, Biffy Clyro, Eminem, Nine Inch Nails and many more. 3. Rock Werchter - Belgium  -  4th - 7th July  Tame Impala performing (not a

The Real Chronicles Of Marnia

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The Chronicles of Marnia a tale of woe, loss and defeat but with no lions, witches or wardrobes. Whys that? Maybe because you can't fit it on a disc. Yep The Chronicles of Marnia is actually not some shoddy fan fiction re-working of C.S.Lewis's prized work, they are actually a rather awesomely named album by the guitar virtuoso Marnie Stern who apparently you can joke with about her parent's unusual name choices. The album itself is rather well crafted and among the better albums of this  year so far, but i know what you're all thinking "That's because you were laughing at the title all the way through the album". Im not going to say i wasn't  laughing all the way through about the title but i will say that i did listen to it, and what i heard i liked. Marnie is one of those guitarists who is unique she is incredible with the guitar and her voice flows so easily alongside her guitars cries.  C.S Lewis you just got out done.

"Live A Little" and try listening to Florrie

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"FLORRIE'S RELEASED A NEW SONG AHHHH"  That was my reaction when i saw her Facebook profile announcing a new song, after waiting through timeless centuries (or maybe a year, time goes fast when you having fun after all) for her first track since her "Late" EP released back in May of last year. Now if you're thinking who is she?????? you may remember her as the beauty from the Nina Ricci advert and the face of that perfume which as a manly man i never used *Cough* *Cough*.  In fact apparently she was in other adverts for them... i don't recall seeing them, but since when has any one heard a multi-national company lie before (Looking at you coca cola). Now off the bat im going to admit if you like my posts on the blues or rock im not sure if you'll enjoy this. It's Synth-Poppy with a tad of 60s added in creating what im going to call "Decent Pop" a rare thing i know.  However back to her song, "live a little" is a son

Oli Brown & His Magical Blues Tunes.

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Oli Brown. To many of you that name may not mean anything to you, to some of you however it may strike you that i'm writing about the modern bluesmen Oli Brown born 1989.  Oli first picked up the guitar at the age of 12 in 2002, clearly talented at it by the age of 15 he was invited to America as the guest of American Blues band Blinddog Smokin'. This first trip saw Oli share the stage with both Taj Mahal and Buddy Guy. His debut album "Open Road" was released in 2008 to great reviews as well as being rated 2nd Best album of the year by Blues Matters! magazine. After this, his band 'The Oli Brown Band was the ONLY!!!! UK act to be selected for the 2008 International Blues Convention in Memphis. In 2010 Oli Began work on his second album alongside legendary producer, Mike Vernon (Fleetwood Mac, Eric Clapton, John Mayall, David Bowie, etc), Mike came out of retirement JUST to produce this album. If that however isnt enough to make you listen to "Heads I

Joanne Shaw Taylor - A Legend in the making?

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Joanne Shaw Taylor born 1986 is one of many aspiring young musicians active on the blues scene over here in Britain. However she is not just "one" of the musicians she is "The" musician of the moment in the blues scene. Born and raised in Birmingham, UK she heard the music of Blues Legends like Stevie Ray Vaughan, Albert Collins and Jimi Hendrix and immediately became hooked on the blues. Her professional life inside the blues world started however when she turned 16 when Dave Stewart (Best known for his work with Eurythmics) invited her to join his supergroup D.U.P. It wasn't long before her talent and skill caught the eyes and attention of the music industry with  her debut album "White Sugar" released in 2009 gaining attention from the musical world, this album among her other 3, is a true blues piece of magic in our century and for me easily ranks as one of the better blues album of the 00s as well as the best album of 2009. Apparently it wasn&#

Top 10 Songs about children.

As i'm certain you all know a royal baby is on its way, whether you're a member of the commonwealth or not I'm certain the media has force-fed you this information. Or maybe you're going to have a child yourself, congratulations if that is the case. So what songs will be on this list? Mainly Rock Songs, and some songs you may not believe are about children, they are in fact. 1. Pearl Jam - Daughter A song about a young girl with learning disabilities, this song attempts to highlight her everyday struggles.  2. Thin Lizzy - Sarah This song was about Phil Lynott's hopes and dreams for his new born daughter. 3. John Lennon - Beautiful Boy (Darling Boy) A song about John comforting his son Sean after he had a nightmare. 4. Elton John - Blessed This song expresses the hope of Elton's Songwriting partner Bernie Taupin that he will have a child before he gets too old. 5. Bob Dylan - Forever Young A Song reflecting his sons birth. 6. Stevie Wond

The Saga Of The Singer-Songwriter

When i mention the term singer songwrtier people will mention the great Bob Dylan for sure. But this term has meant something for generations and it is beginign to mean alot more with the new influx of singer-songwriters born in the early 1990s, In this post i am going to try to introduce you to the big game players of this boom. A Brief History Of The Singer-Songwriter Before the 1930s the singer-songwriters were a assorted bunch of unknown people who passed on tunes made by their ancestors. The first Great Singer-Songwriter was Robert Johnson the legendary blues figure who died at the age of 27, and left a legacy that was and is revered by all people who appreciate the blues. Following Johnson's untimely death the music world became seperated into two sectors the Songwriters and the performers neither willing to bridge the gap.  But in the 50s during the great blues boom and the start of Rock 'n' Roll songwriting and singing became the norm although most songwr

The Strypes - The Greatest Band full of teens

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Now if you have picked up a music magazine over the past few months you may of stumbled across a little band of irish teens. These boys are talented. Lets make that clear they are talented as hell, think early rolling stones having a baby with early yardbirds and that the strypes. They've released a single recently and are doing rather spiffing all round. Several of the most noticeable musicians around have even championed them, with Elton John, Dave Grohl and Paul Weller being a few of those people. Now i don't often brag but i am honest  proud of myself for finding them a while back. Don't judge them based on appearance cause if you do you will only start thinking they're terrible, they are all 16/15 and they are all more talented than me, you and probably your next door neighbour.

Top 5 Grunge Albums

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Grunge; One of the most succesful music genres to spring up over the past 30 years, Headed by the group Nirvana you can guess who will be prominent in this list. But this list will also try to bring attention to some of the other brilliant albums of this genre. 5- MTV Unplugged In New York - Nirvana - Released 1994  The Final Nirvana Album, the one that proved to anyone that doubted them that they could infact play their instruments. It was made just 5 months before Cobain Died, and it was one of his last public appearances. 4- Daydream Nation - Sonic Youth - Released 1988 3- Superuknown- Soundgarden - Released 1994 2- Ten - Pearl Jam - Released 1992 1- Nevermind - Nirvana - Released 1991 

Top 5 Prog Rock Albums

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5- Moving Pictures - Rush - Released 1981 4- Animals - Pink Floyd - Released 1977 3- Close To The Edge - Yes - Released 1972 2- Aqualung - Jethro Tull - Released 1971 1 - The Dark Side To The Moon -Pink Floyd - Released 1973

5 Songs About Capital Punishment

One Of the biggest stories in the news today (excluding the death of thatcher and north korea) is that Amnesty International are saying that the death penalty is beginging to wain in many of the countris which currently use it. We all have our views on whether or not it should remain or not, Personally i believe in the whole eye for a eye proverb. But i'm not going to start lecturing you about politics. So Instead here is my personal selection for 5 Songs about Capital Punishment. 1. Johnny Cash- 25 Minutes to go 2. Pearl Jam - Dead Man 3. Fairport Convention - Poor Will & The Jolly Hangman 4. Phil Ochs - Iron Lady 5. Tupac - 16 On Death Row

The 5 Greatest albums of 2013.... So Far

So we  have reached the fourth month of this ungodly music and we have had hundreds of new albums chucked in our face, some mediocre, many sub-lime, but a few are true gems, and right now i think i'll tell you about my gem collection of 2013. 5. Bad Blood - Bastille  This album was to be honest a bit of a letdown for me, I've been waiting for it since october of last year and it truly doesn't hold up against their early EPs but now that everyone is talking about "how great Bastille are' I'm hoping maybe it'll point some people towards our thriving indie scene.  The stand out tracks of this album are  Pompeii ,  Bad Blood (On a EP released last november as well),  Flaws ,  Overjoyed  and  Things We Lost In Fire . The Biggest problem with this album is that their trying to appease everyone the songs are a hotpot of genres and.... well really they should of been spending their time perfecting one genre rather than 50. 4. The Messenger- Johnny

10 Songs to kick off your Doomsday - OPPUM KIM JONG UN STYLE?

So as i've heard (i say heard i mean its literally being force fed you) North korea are delightful future overlords will be firing one of their "supreme leaders" rockets towards us. So i figure we need some lovely songs to celebrate our death day. I'm a bit late for the mayan apocalypse party by now :( 1.  The Doors - The End 2.  R.E.M - It's The End Of The World 3.  Blue Oyster Cult - (Don't Fear) The Reaper 4. U2- Until The End Of The World 5. Pink Floyd -Run Like Hell 6. Bad Moon Rising - Creedence Clearwater Revival 7. Undertow - Genesis  8. Jimi Hendrix - All Along the Watchtower 9. Prince - 1999 10. Jeff Buckley - The Last Goodbye
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Top 5 Punk Albums  5 - The Scream - Siouxsie And The Banshees - Released 1978 4- New York Dolls - New York Dolls - Released 1973 3- Never Mind The Bollocks -Heres the Sex Pistols - Sex Pistols - Released 1976 2- The Ramones - The Ramones - Released 1976 1- London Calling - The Clash - Released 1979

Top 10 Anti-Thatcher Songs

Now as you will know Margaret Thatcher died. Thats right the iron Lady is dead. One of only 3 people who truly brought down Communism is dead. And i for one can't actually say i'll be mourning her. I Hated her in life and i'll hate her in death, but does hating her mean i'll insult her memory aloud? No, No it won't. So in a special memorial to her here are 10 songs which should help get those anti-thatcher parties raving. 1. BLUES BAND - MAGGIES FARM 2. Morrissey- Margaret On The Guillotine 3. Elvis Costello - Tramp The Dirt Down 4. Hefner - The Day That Thatcher Dies 5. The Larks- Maggie Maggie Maggie (Out Out Out) 6. V.I.M- Maggie's Last Party 7. Billy Bragg- Thatcherites 8. Crass - How Does It Feel 9. Pink Floyd - Fletcher Memorial Home 10. The Notsensibles- I'm In Love With Margaret Thatcher FUCK YOU THATCHER !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Top 5 Beatles Albums

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This type of list has been done a million times, and there's a reason why. You can't label the Beatles (as a whole) as any Genre, hence why i'm showing you the best of the best. Although I can't help but stress the fact that i Love the Beatles and may be (ever so slightly) bias towards them. 5- Abbey Road - Released 1969 Ah, yes the most iconic album cover of all time. The "greatest" Beatles album.  So why is at number 5? Well, why don't you the educated reader of this post look at is track listing. If you're a casual Beatles fan you may recognise songs like "Something", "Octopus's Garden", "Here Comes The Sun or "Come Together" but how many of the other songs can you identify with based just on the title? not many i'll bet. I can just about remember half the songs by reading their title the other half... well don't ask me! 4- Rubber Soul - Released 1965 Now this is a album. This is