Quasi French

Portland duo-turned-trio Quasi have recently announced details of their eighth studio album entitled 'American Gong'. The album has been mixed by Steve Fisk, Tucker Martine and Dave Fridmann and has been set for release through Domino in the UK & Europe, and Kill Rock Stars in the US. The album will also come with a 2CD option with a bonus album, 'So Far, So Good: A Quasi Anthology', which contains a selection of 13 of the best tracks from the Quasi back catalogue.

To celebrate its release, they are giving away an album track to fans, named 'Laissez Les Bon Temps Rouler'. You can either sign up for the track here or you can sign up using the embedded form below.

   

Review: Editors, You Don't Know Love

After the storming 'Papillon' Editors return bringing with them a track which, in my opinion, was the highlight of current album 'In This Light and On This Evening. 'You Don't Know Love' is the album's dark, brooding ballad and, despite having over a minute cut for the radio version it still retains its core elements. a steady build up, complete with ‘ooohs’ and ‘aaahs’, before bringing Tom’s increasingly emotive vocals over a rare example of their signature guitar riffs.

Added to this is the extremely surreal video to accompany the song, directed by the same people responsible for the 'Smokers Outside The Hospital Doors'. It features a suited man performing acrobatics, dancing and fighting a woman and her hair. It makes a lot more sense if you watch the video below. Then again, it still doesn't make much sense anyway!

Daisy Dares to Dream

Daisy Coburn, otherwise known as Daisy Dares You, has been making significant ripples in the music industry over the past month or two. At only sixteen years of age she's already been named on just about every 'Sound of 2010' list going, notably the BBC's and The Times'. Now the rest of the general public gets to hear her brand of pop-punk with the release of debut single 'Number One Enemy', which features recent chart-topping act Chipmunk.

Now, it's great for her that she's been able to attract a number one scoring artist but, for me, his segment completely spoils the track. Firsly, it's completely out of tone with the rest of the song, which is a very radio friendly and infectious blend of spunky power pop, rock. Secondly, I believe that music, like theatre should have a 'Fourth Wall' and that we don't need to be reminded of who's done the track whilst we're still listening to it. It's one of the reasons that I'm not too fond of rap and hip hop, too many egos, though at least most of them have had enough success to have earned the right to big themselves up.

And it's a shame because, like I said, it's otherwise a great little song. However this collaboration will get her more recognition and it's likely to score high in the charts. Here's hoping that her next offering will keep the same standard...just without the chipmunk.

Teenagers Refuse to Grow Up

After their interview with us in October teenagersintokyo have been off putting the finishing touches to their debut album, due out later this year, and are back with the latest offering from it, 'Peter Pan'. It's a pretty solid track, with an atmospheric guitar line laid over a thumping drum beat and atmospheric vocals thrown in to the mix with good effect.

The band are obviously gaining a name for themselves with current critical darlings The Horrors (who were awarded the best album of 2009 title by NME, though how seriously anyone can take a list from NME is debatable) offering a remix of the track. You can download 'Peter Pan' remixed by The Horrors here.

And just for good measure, here's the original...

Feeder turn Renegade

The recent departure of drummer Mark Richardson for a Skunk Anansie reunion seems to have shaken up Grant and Taka, the two core members of the band, and the mysterious 'Renegades' campaign is the result. As of yet it is still unclear whether this shroud of mystery is a clever promotional device to whip up anticipation ahead of the latest Feeder release or a new side project. However, the recent announcement of a packaged mini tour, including three nights in London, complete with a four track 'Renegades EP' would seem to hint at the latter.

Due to the small scale nature of the shows some have already sold out but you may still be able to get tickets through Feeder's website. The package includes a ticket to the gig of your choice, a limited edition 'Renegades EP', a special Renegades t-shirt, and a selection of badges.

They seem to have retained the sound from 'Silent Cry', making it even heavier in places, especially in 'Sentimental', which can be found below. The latest offering 'Renegades' can now be downloaded free of charge from the link above.

Gyratory System: The Sound-Board Breathes

Ok so, again, massive apologies for the lack of posts recently. I've got a treat for you here now though in the shape of the entire Gyratory System album 'The Sound-Board Breathes'. The brain child of Dr. Andrew Blick, described as an 'effects trumpet player and producer', it's a crazy mix of improvised synths, electronica and brass combining to create a unique sound. Blick himself describes the influence of artists who do "what they do with live instruments where you can’t tell what the instruments are" and it would certainly take more than an expert ear to pick out the individual elements within this album. The album itself has been gaining great critical reviews and is embedded below.

The band have also made their track 'Splurge Gun' available for a free download, which can be found here.

Interview: I Was A King

Ok, so I haven't posted for a couple of weeks due to some personal reasons but now I'm back with a whole host of treats for you and first up is this 'Getting to Know' interview with Frode from I Was A King...

Hi Frode, can you introduce yourselves and tell us a little bit about the history of the band?
We are a Norwegian group called I was a King. First time name was used to name a recording was in 2004. It started out as my home recording project back then, and has taken a lot of different directions since then. The first album entitled “Losing something good for something better” came out in 2007. We actually then did two shows in UK which was a lot of fun. The current line up has been together since January this year, which actually is the longest lasting line up.

It must be quite nerve racking when you set out to try and make it in a different country. How do you handle that?
I mostly just try and focus on the fun part of it. We are really lucky to be able to travel around, see new places, meet new people and of course play music in front of people.

How different is the music scene in the USA and UK to the one in Norway?
Both USA and UK has a lot stronger musical traditions and history, which also means that scenes are a lot bigger. Norway is a small country and the different scenes aren't really big.

The album was recorded over such a short period of time, does that mean that a lot of the music was almost improvised?
Yes a lot of the songs on the album are first or second takes. I’ve been recording both IWAK albums starting out with just me on guitar and my friend Emil on drums. The way we’ve worked every time is that I go through the song once, so he gets an impression of structure, then we hit record, and takes what comes out of it. I tend to get very impatient working in the studio, so this is the best way to work for sure.

You worked with a lot of collaborators on the album, the most notable perhaps being Sufjan Stevens. How did that come about?
The reason we went to Brooklyn to record was that I really needed to get out of Oslo to find new inspiration, and new surroundings. Also I have a lot of friends who live there, wich includes Sufjan Stevens, Gary Olson and Daniel Smith who all helped out making this album something I’m really proud of.. It was so inspiring to work with all these amazing people in the same room.

You’ve said before that you don’t like keeping your style too similar. Have you got anything in mind stylistically for the next album?
I have been thinking a lot about what will come next, but haven’t had time to write very much lately. But I know for sure that next one will be different.

What three tracks of yours would you recommend for people to look up?
My 3 favorites of the album, i think are Not Like This, Breathe and Weighing Anchor. I guess they give a pretty decent impression about our sound and music.

And finally, what’s the plan for the rest of the year?
We’re doing a week of shows in UK now in November, which includes opening for one of my old favorites Swervedriver in Oxford. Can’t wait to see them live.