Blitzkrieg Unsung

So, once a month Lammo does his "Blitzkrieg Pop" - 30 songs in 60 minutes. I can't profess to be that good - but I'm clearing a few on my unsung backlist by summarising a selection of bands in one short sentence, which will hopefully encourage you to listen to them more. That's the theory at any rate...

Wolfgang - Instrumental alternative well written tunes

Souls of Diotima - Foreign, nice acoustic bits, then it gets raucous!

Andrew Kevin Newton - 80s influence? No, 60s. No, 80s again. Yes, definitely 80s.

Amphibic - Guitar-based indie. Some soothing, some more standard.

Detroit Social Club - Remember 90s American bands? Sing along, but not in an anthemic way.

The Lies - Energetic Indie Rock.

TOTW11: Take That - Up all Night

It's been a while since I've mentioned Friendly Fires. Every time they release a song I safely say that I like it, but I never seem to get as far as making it a huge hit. Skeleton Boy is no exception really - it's got a brilliantly memorable chorus, and a catchy beat, but I think overall it just lacks a bit of overall memorability.

I'm really liking the tracks that are appearing from Jools Holland's "Informer" album. I've mentioned the title track with Ruby Turner previously, and I went by with Louise Marshall is similarly brilliant. Very different - reminds me a bit of Peter Gabriel (That'll do), with it's slow and smooth tones. And no honky-tonk either!

Out tomorrow, it's taken me a while to mention Better than this by Keane. From cowbells, to stylophone (created via a keyboard). Catchy, and definitely fun. I know I've said it before, but this continues to prove the point that the "Perfect Symmetry" relaunch of the band is very productive.

I would never ever have thought that Take That could be a TOTW. But Up all Night doesn't sound like Take That. First time I heard it I wondered if Ben's Brother were back. OK, so the chorus sounds a bit like "Just flip out the back, Jack / Make a new Plan, Stan / You don't need to be coy Roy " (50 Ways to lose your lover), but it's catchy. It's a classic 3 minute pop song - I love the melodic changes at "I'm so tired of waiting"; and much as it pains me to say it, it shows that Gary Barlow is a very talent song writer.

Technorati Tags: Friendly Fires,Jools Holland,Louise Marshall,Keane,Take That

PS - This is the first time I've been unable to link to the official video for a song. I normally like linking to the official clip, even if it's no embeddable, to refer to the artist. However, the official video for Up all Night isn't available in the UK, thanks to the much reported PRS / youtube row. It's a shame, and I am considering varying how I link to tracks in the future until it's resolved.

Unsung: Piano

Normally I wouldn't set out to listen to a band like Piano from their description. "Alternative / Rock / Progressive" is what their myspace says, and normally when a myspace listing includes "Rock", it means rock - which I'm not a fan of. I'd listen if asked (so keep those e-mails coming in folks), but not set out to find them. However, when there's a legal element - in that one member is also an active "blawger" - I'm prepared to give it a go. And "Alternative" is always promising...

First things first - bit of background. Piano is a well known band in Japan. But still unheard of in the UK. Why Japan, perhaps Chris can explain, or maybe it's just a weird fact of life. Still, if they can sell out venues half way round the world, they're not all that bad.

And I can see why. OK, I can't stand The Intended, unless it's just intended to drive rats away from the tuneless screaming. That's not a criticism of the band, that's a criticism of the style of music. But all is not lost - that was at the end of the playlist.

Immediately before that, I was finding myself enjoying Free Association Imagery, which is much more melancholy, legato, and harmonic. Even songs like Two Wrongs don't make a right are clearly musically sound. As I'm not overly qualified to comment though, I asked a "heavier" (as in musical taste, he's actually quite small) mate to give his brief opinion:

"Hmmm, it seems pretty good.
The vocals are very Funeral For A Friend-esque, without the screaming parts. Though I can't say i'm personally a fan of their emo style of singing.
The guitar's are hooky like bands like 12 Guage Alliance and InMe.
But yeah, overall they're pretty good, and technically seem pretty together, good use of volume (I know there's a technical term for it, but it's passed me by)
I quite like it really, the drums aren't particularly ground breaking, but it works well with the style of music.
Their best song on their MySpace is probably "Home is where the heart is"."

I think that counts as praise!

TOTW10: Doves - Kingdom of Rust

I keep mentioned Dan Black, and I keep repeating my assertions that he's a very talented artist. I don't think there's anything else I can add about Alone (9March) that I've not already said in previous weeks, other than to watch this space :)

Something very very different is Black Hearted Love by P J Harvey & John Parish. The duo last collaborated in 1996, and a new 10-track collection called "A Woman A Man Walked by" is due out at the end of the month, and this is the opening track. Dark and moody matches Polly's vocal style perfectly, and Parish's multi-instrument talents with the brooding guitars just makes it a disturbing, but well written and immaculate track.

Talking about comebacks, it feels like it's been ages since Doves have been about - 2005 in fact. But, here they are with Kingdom of Rust (30March). It's almost classic in its style, orchestral, and emotive. Very promising for the album.

Technorati Tags: Dan Black,P J Harvey,John Parish,Doves

Unsung - Also now available in Audio Format

Yes, the special treat I've been working on is a podcast, which you can now download (and I hope you do) to listen the music all in one go.

It's very much a first attempt, production qualities do require a bit of work, so constructive comments are very welcome!

The Common Empire - Hoodlums - Amanda Applewood - Me-My-Head -  Amazing Baby - Bombay Bicycle Club

Technorati Tags: The Common Empire,Hoodlums,Amanda Applewood,Me-My-Head,Amazing Baby,Bombay Bicycle Club

TOTW: February Last Chance

A bit later than planned, and as I'm keen to do some work on the 'special feature' tonight I'm not going to say too much.

I am a bit wary about selecting this track as a last chance, because given it's 23rd Feb release it's still getting airplay, and it might still end up as a normal TOTW as a result.

However, it's such a good tune, it's not worth taking the risk. Quite different some of the other tracks on the album (more of which will invariable follow). Piano dominant, which shows nice variety - and that after the first few bars Adelle is about to start singing, and an easy to remember chorus. It is, of course, The Ting Tings - We Walk.

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Technorati Tags: Ting Tings

Up & Under

Obvious track to start the "U" playlist, but who's version. Well, obviously not Robson & Jerome or Gareth Gates - but it's a tough call between the original Jimmy Young version, or the most famous one with the Righteous Brothers. Well, I can make pottery with the latter...

I'm also quite impressed with myself in getting two tracks in opposite themes by the same artist. Don't think I've managed that before...

The letter U

Technorati Tags: Righteous Brothers,Queen,The Drifters,Billy Joel,Diana Ross