Ben the Musical Beard

An average blog, created by an above average blogger (with a beard) with some better than average music for you to try out.

[benthemusicalbeard]

15 Jul 2020

Hello there and thank you muchly for taking the time to read my little music blog. The premise is very simple; I pick three songs I like, some new some old, and write a little description about the artist and if you like what you hear then the rest is up to you to go searching for more material from said artist! I am merely a facilitator to hopefully bring some new sounds into your life. This week, three more songs I hope you enjoy, let us begin! 

First up this week and UK based post punk group Warmduscher. Formed by members of different groups following an impromptu New Years Eve jam session the group have released three albums to date and have wondered onto my musical radar this week. The song I’m sharing is not only their most popular on Spotify but also the one which appeared on my weekly mix this week and is the standout track from all the nonsense I usually get recommended! The song is taken from their latest album, the 2019 release ‘Tainted Lunch’, which I have given a listen to with as positive an outlook as one can give as punk music is not really my cup of tea. The album is quirky in part with tracks ‘Fill It, Don’t Spill It’ and ‘Precious Things’ bordering on the surreal but the stronger tracks like ‘Disco Peanuts’, ‘Dream Lotion’ and the track I’m sharing ‘Midnight Dipper’, whilst still quirky and funky are definitely worth a listen for all those wanting to be slightly confused by some electronic post punk! From the odd track I’ve sampled from their earlier albums ‘Tainted Lunch’ certainly appears to be their most outlandish effort but overall enjoyable nevertheless.

Warmduscher - Midnight Dipper - https://youtu.be/1blq4KCLYpA

Second up this week and the talented Emmy The Great. Born Emma-Lee Moss in Hong Kong to a Chinese mother and English father she has lived in the UK since the age of 12 but sings in both English and Chinese. Falling within the folk/indie folk genre her style of music is poetic in both musical composition and lyrically. Having released three albums as well as a host of EP’s and collaborations, this week I have listened to her first album ‘First Love’ which was released in 2009 and re-released a decade later on vinyl. The album received mixed reviews upon release with the NME criticising her "constant stance of diary-entry victim-hood" but I find the album to be a refreshing experience, one in which I find myself focusing so much on the quick fire and intelligent lyrics that I almost forget there is music at all! For me the victim-hood gives the album substance due to her lyrical aptitude to convey the history of that personal experience and the way the lyrics captivate you and tell you a meaningful story. Endless other albums draw upon personal experience, it is after all the main inspiration for writing music and whilst many fail to connect with the listener, happily this one has been a good find. It’s an album which is certainly best played when you have chance to listen to the words of the tracks, I shall be interested to see if her follow up albums ‘Virtue’ from 2011 and ‘Second Love’ from 2016 grab my attention in the same way that this one has. 

Emmy The Great - 24 - https://youtu.be/nGverngX1Es

Finally this week and an old favourite courtesy of Blur. We all know Blur and I won’t insult your intelligence by telling you much about them. Britpop ‘happened’ just at the stage I was really getting into music and the main players were Oasis, Pulp, Blur, Ocean Colour Scene, Cast etc etc. So many great bands and recently I found a brilliant playlist on Spotify called ‘Britpop Classics’. 7 hours and 16 minutes of superb music mainly from the 90′s and it got me thinking about the Oasis v Blur battle that occurred around August 1995 when ‘Country House’ released by Blur went up against the Oasis single ‘Roll With It’ in the charts. Blur ended up on the winning side that time and rightfully so as Country House is a better song in my opinion. Whilst Oasis have always been my preferred Britpop act I always had a soft spot for Blur as many of their tracks are much fuller and rounded than the more simpler indie sing-a-long hits from Oasis. My favourite Blur track I have chosen to share with you is a live version from the ‘Parklive’ album which was from Hyde Park during the London 2012 closing ceremony celebrations. The track has widely been regarded as a masterpiece amongst Blur’s catalogue of songs whilst at the same time not being one of the main hits the band achieved with the likes of ‘Parklife’, ‘Girls & Boys’ or ‘Country House’ always being the first that spring to mind. I was fortunate enough to see Blur in their warm up gig for that 2012 Hyde Park outing and I am not ashamed to admit that I welled up a fraction when this song was played. When the crowd joined in with the chorus, as they do on the live version here, in the least pretentious way possible I was in some sort of weird musical nirvana where it just felt right. It felt like I was meant to be there at that time hearing that song and gladly when it appears on my shuffle on whatever playlist of mine it finds itself on, needless to say it get’s a full airing. (n.b. other Britpop acts and songs are available, see aforementioned Britpop Playlist). 

Blur - This Is A Low (live) - https://youtu.be/VpaO7ST0br4

Three more tracks to give a listen to, until next time we meet stay safe. End of communique. 

[benthemusicalbeard]

2 Jul 2020

Hello there. Welcome to this weeks posting of three more songs accompanied by my random utterings. Mix of new and old this week as I found myself returning to some old stuff, rather like comfort eating during lock down I have gone to my comfort music. Let’s get started.

Some new music first courtesy of the three sisters of HAIM. Their new album ‘Women In Music Pt. III’ which was originally planned for earlier in the year was deferred until this last week due to Covid-19. One of the most anticipated albums of the year I have given it a listen this week and my prognosis is that it’s difficult to dislike HAIM really! Their music drifts between rock, pop & R&B and the new album, co-produced by one of the sisters, contains strong singles combined with album tracks which are no less lacking in quality and enjoyment. There were three singles which preceded the album and only one of these, ‘Now I’m In It’ would be worthy of a place amongst the album. Standout tracks for me are singles ‘The Steps’ and ‘Don’t Wanna’ as well as album track I’m sharing. After listening to the latest album I returned to their debut ‘Days Are Gone’ last night and it reaffirms my comment that it’s hard to dislike HAIM. A brilliant debut album with popular singles ‘Falling’ and ‘If I Could Change Your Mind’ to the fabulous title track ‘Days Are Gone’. A band with so many great songs, the new album is certainly worth a listen and worthy of the anticipation which surrounded it.

HAIM - 3AM - https://youtu.be/oEp2DkHMxJM

Second this week and one of those bands which I should have loved during my earlier years. They were around when I was getting into music. They are indie. They are reasonably mainstream, yet for the life of me I do not know why it’s taken me so long to properly listen to Teenage Fanclub. The Scottish rockers have been together since 1989 and to date have released ten albums since their 1990 debut ‘A Catholic Education’. As a group they have never had the same success as the likes of Oasis, Blur, Stone Roses et al but are by no means any less talented individually as songwriters. Speaking to a friend in the week after hearing one of their songs he owned up to having one album packed away in a cardboard box in the garage somewhere which he said would be a good starting point, and it was! That album was the group’s third album, 1991 release called ‘Bandwagonesque’. The most successful of their early albums it had more structured guitar riffs and the band’s trademark harmonious vocals took shape which earned the band a comparison to the vocal skills of the Beach Boys. Having been born in 1984 I do suspect that if I was maybe 4-5 years older I would’ve got into Teenage Fanclub in a big way. The album ‘Bandwagonesque’ contains some great tracks which maybe didn’t get the plaudits and subsequent recognition they deserved. Follow up albums which provided more commercial success were 1995′s ‘Grand Prix’ and the 1997 album ‘Songs From Northern Britain’ which were both top ten albums in the UK and lead Liam Gallagher of label mates Oasis to call the band "the second best band in the world, second only to Oasis”. There is something simple yet enjoyable about Teenage Fanclub, further to the track I’m sharing try out ‘Baby Lee’, ‘Sparky’s Dream’ and ‘Ain’t That Enough’.

Teenage Fanclub - The Concept - https://youtu.be/7JYH1pVbqpQ

A change of tempo for the third song this week. Rock and indie music is my staple diet generally but the very first album I purchased with my hard earned money was ‘Fatboy Slim - You’ve Come A Long Way Baby’ and despite not really getting fully into the house music genre I must say I have always kept one eye on Fatboy Slim and enjoyed most of what he has to offer us. During the current lock down I have been enjoying his hour long Lock Down Mixes he has been doing (see his Instagram page). Whilst most of the mix is made up of samples and remixed tracks from other artists he occasionally slips in a sample of his own material which immediately gives me the urge to dig out his albums. Fatboy Slim aka Norman Cook released his first album ‘Better Living Through Chemistry’ in 1996 but found massive critical acclaim and commercial success with ‘You’ve Come A Long Way Baby’ in 1998 with singles ‘The Rockafeller Skank’, ‘Gangster Trippin’, ‘Right Here Right Now’ and ‘Praise You’. Follow up albums ‘Halfway Between The Gutter & The Stars’ and ‘Palookaville’, whilst both top 20 albums, were never the success of their 1998 predecessor. Cook’s last studio album ‘Palookaville’ was released in 2004 but since then he has released endless remixes, non-album and live tracks and albums and it’s these I’ve been reminded of this week. As well as the music being a great listen if there was one thing which Fatboy Slim’s songs also had it was always a great music video. Think of Christopher Walken dancing in ‘Weapon Of Choice’ or the am-dram dance troupe video for ‘Praise You’. The song I’m sharing is a track which appeared on a Greatest Hits album and the accompanying video is another to add to the list of brilliant music videos. For those doing workout’s or going for runs and cycles during lock down I cannot recommend these Lock Down Mixes enough and fair play to ‘Big Norm’ for pulling me back into the albums which I’ve always had a soft spot for despite my rock allegiances!

Fatboy Slim - Champion Sound - https://youtu.be/eaH5aABl1sk

There we go, three more for you to have a listen to. You can thank me later.....

[benthemusicalbeard]

18 Jun 2020

Evening reader. Or greetings for whichever time of your day you find yourself reading this.....I always have trouble starting these posts! Anyway, three more songs this week to let into your lives. Please give them a little listen and if you’re keen on a particular song then enjoy what other material the artists have to offer.

First up this week and a side project for the band Vulfpeck (featured in previous posts) who have called themselves the Fearless Flyers. Vulfpeck themselves are a funk band from Michigan who have released four studio albums preceded by four EP’s since their formation in 2011. Their sound is just about the funkiest thing going, favourite songs of mine being ‘Back Pocket’ as well as instrumental efforts ‘Fugue State’ and ‘Dean Town’. In 2018 Vulfpeck’s record label released an EP by the ‘Fearless Flyers Quartet’ consisting of Vulfpeck bass player Joe Dart, Vulfpeck touring guitarist Cory Wong as well as drummer Nate Smith, and Snarky Puppy guitarist Mark Lattieri. The EP’s opening track ‘Ace of Aces’ sets the stall out early that this is a platform for each contributor to show off their individual skill sets. Catchy and funky in equal measures the EP continues with what should probably be their flagship song ‘Introducing the Fearless Flyers’ which sets off at a frantic pace with drummer, guitarist and bass player alike jamming their way through a brilliant funk concept track. The EP also features creative funk versions of ‘Under The Sea’ and ‘Signed Sealed Delivered’ which are very in keeping with the almost improvisational nature of the EP. The follow up EP in 2019 entitled ‘Fearless Flyers II’ is more of the same from the group with similar assistance from contributors. Last week the group released their third EP entitled ‘Tailwinds...’ and things have been turned up to eleven! The first two tracks are slightly tweaked versions of songs from the first EP with opening tracks ‘Nate Smith Is The Ace of Aces’ and ‘Introducing Delta Force’ having something a little extra on the originals. The track I’m sharing is the final track from the five song EP, another updated version but this time of a Vulfpeck EP track. I’m hopeful at some stage they find enough studio time to create an album as for fans of Vulfpeck, Fearless Flyers are just that bit funkier, sharper and captivating to listen to.

Fearless Flyers - The Birdwatcher - https://youtu.be/gBpawgFnTjo

Second this week and new music from Travis. Not everyone's cup of tea I appreciate but their brand of soft indie rock now enters it’s fourth (FOURTH!!) decade since their debut album ‘Good Feeling’ landed in 1997. I was always a fan of Travis as I found their songs catchy and loaded with feel-good factor at a time when they were competing for airwaves with Coldplay who were just coming to prominence around the turn of the century. Travis’ second album ‘The Man Who’ from 1999 was a huge success, singles ‘Why Does It Always Rain On Me’ and ‘Turn’, so much of a success in fact that at the 2010 Brit Awards it was runner up as Best Album Of The Last 30 Years to Oasis - (What’s The Story) Morning Glory?, and that’s quite an album! The 2003 album ‘12 Memories’, which is a very underrated album in my opinion, was a change of direction for the band with songs covering the light topics of domestic violence and the invasion of Iraq, all in the aftermath of drummer Neil Primrose suffering serious spinal injuries in 2002. More recently, singles taken from the two latest Travis albums have been a little lacking in something. The sound hasn’t developed much since The Man Who so the band relies heavily on the catchiness of it’s tunes and the sing-a-bility of it’s lyrics. I’m happy to report that their new single ‘A Ghost’ is both those things. Annoyingly catchy and with a brilliant video with artwork from lead singer Fran Healy. As a band who graced my teenage years I’m glad to see them back. Like an old friend I haven’t spoken to for a long time, I’ll happily sit and listen to what they’ve to say, or in this case, sing to me.

Travis - A Ghost - https://youtu.be/9gArvGIQHdU

Finally this week and another band from my teenage years, more specifically the lead singer of that group that I saw live many years ago and have always been a fan of. The band are Supergrass and their lead singer is the king of the sideburn, Gaz Coombes. Supergrass songs were always enjoyable to listen to and the more upbeat the song then the more popular it seemed to be, adequately proven by their top songs on Spotify which contain amongst others the classic hits ‘Alright’, ‘Moving’, ‘Pumping On Your Stereo’ and ‘Sun Hits The Sky’ which are full of energy, brilliant toe tapping Britpop which endeared them to millions. Gaz Coombes decided to release solo material as Supergrass went into hiatus (a musical furlough scheme if you will) in 2010. He has released three albums to date and this week I have been enjoying the second and third of those albums having purchased the first, 2012′s ‘Here Come The Bombs’. At this stage I’m unsure as to why follow up albums ‘Matador’ and ‘World’s Strongest Man’ passed me by but I’ve given them a listen this week and have enjoyed them enormously. ‘Matador’ was a more mellow and slower paced follow up to his debut album than many were expecting but songs like ‘The Girl Who Fell To Earth’ provide enough of Coombes’ magnetism to make them enjoyable nevertheless. With ‘World’s Strongest Man’ Coombes has developed further his style with more focus on the production and musical details instead of a verse followed by a big bold Britpop chorus. Standout track for me ‘Walk The Walk’ shows Coombes at his creative best which leads us back to Supergrass who came out of hiatus in 2019. Some of my favourite bands of recent years have had to develop their sounds to evolve as a band but when I listen to Coombes and the way he has progressed musically there is always that bit of me itching to dance around like a chump to Supergrass. We will see what direction they decide upon for any new music they have in store for us.

Gaz Coombes - Walk The Walk - https://youtu.be/KGBpBZu4hfk

Posting completed. For those keen observers I appreciate this post is a day late but there were power issues on my laptop last night, in that I didn’t have any as with the rain I came home to a power cut which was bad news for an already depleted laptop battery......anyway! Until next time, stay safe. x

[benthemusicalbeard]

3 Jun 2020

Afternoon! I hope you are all keeping well as lock down progresses. We have seen a slight easing of restrictions around certain activities and without sounding like a judgemental parent, I trust you are all still abiding by the rules! Some new music to accompany you as you go about your days. Music is one of the key things keeping me sane, that and over-barbecued sausages and strawberry ice cream as weather looks to be picking up for whatever format our summer takes.

First this week I give you Jacob Collier. The London born multi instrumentalist and producer appeared on my radar this week with the song I’m sharing. His musical talents first entered the public domain with a viral YouTube video of a split screen version of ‘Don’t You Worry ‘bout A Thing’ and subsequent signature to Quincy Jones’ management company. Collier developed a solo audio-visual experience based around track loops using his enviable special talents on multiple instruments. His style is a infuriatingly catchy mix of a cappella improv and reharmonisation mainly with a contemporary jazz groove. His debut album in 2016 titled ‘In My Room’ was recorded and produced by him from his family home and songs from this album won him two Grammy awards; his arrangements of ‘Flintstones’ and another Stevie Wonder song ‘You & I’. A further two albums have been released, the first two parts of a four part volume album collaborating with many different artists and introducing new styles and sounds. The first two albums, ‘Djesse Vol 1′ and ‘Djesse Vol 2′ were released to high acclaim and a further two Grammy awards followed for his arrangements of ‘All Night Long’ and ‘Moon River’. He has returned with a new single taken from ‘Djesse Vol 3′ to be released this summer and the one I’m sharing is the third of these singles to be released, a great track which fully showcases Collier’s undeniable talents.

Jacob Collier feat. Mahalia & Ty Dolla $ign - All I Need - https://youtu.be/MJpiozQUJvE

Second up this week and the legendary Tony Allen. He sadly passed away in April this year and I kept meaning to share one of my favourite tracks of his and to introduce you to the guy who pretty much single-handedly founded the Afrobeat genre. Allen was born in Nigeria in 1940 and was a well respected drummer by the age of 20 playing with many notorious Nigerian jazz musicians in bit part. It wasn’t until 1964 though when Allen was invited to play in famous Afrobeat artist Fela Kuti’s new band that he found a permanent role. They subsequently became known as Fela & Afrika ‘70 and as a group they recorded over 30 albums together and it was during this time that Allen developed and introduced the wider world to his style which had evolved from a purely jazz sound to that of Afrobeat, a mix of African rhythm which is instantly recognisable but containing jazz and soul rhythmic elements. By 1979 the group were experiencing difficulties in the form of arguments over artistic leadership and royalties owed to the band so Allen decided to depart, taking many of Afrika ‘70 with him, to start a new group. Since 1980 Allen performed alongside a plethora of musical artists from all genres keen to utilise the beats of Allen. One of the more well known collaborations were the ‘supergroup’ ‘The Good, The Bad & The Queen’ which introduced Allen to Albarn, as well as The Clash’s Paul Simonon and The Verve’s Simon Tong. Albarn would work with Allen multiple times, even including Allen on the latest Gorillaz album. Allen maintained his status as a pioneer of Afrobeat and was present on tens of albums all wanting a safe pair of hands on drums whilst providing his unique style and rhythm and that’s what sets him apart. You can often tell a guitarist from the style or sound of their play but not very often you can do that with a drummer but Allen is that exception. A true great.

Tony Allen feat. Damon Albarn - Go Back - https://youtu.be/8-hMkHkoFrU

Last but by no means least this week we have the talented Alexander Wolfe. A singer songwriter from Cambridge, Wolfe’s first dip into the music world was when he formed a band called ‘Taxi’ with Jamie Cullum. The band had reasonable success but disbanded mainly due to Cullum’s pending solo deal which elevated him to stardom whilst Wolfe was left to go it alone. His debut solo album ‘Morning Brings A Flood’ was released in 2010 I have listened to this album at great length this week. A wonderful album containing songs packed with emotion and worthy of the acclaim it got, standout tracks for me are ‘Lazybones’ and ‘Movement’. The album was followed by the 2012 acoustic album ‘Skeletons’ and the 2014 ‘From The Shallows’, the latter containing songs which achieved mainstream airplay in ‘Trick Of The Light’ and ‘Sunburn’. His latest album ‘Little Death’ came in 2019 following a small break after liquidation of the label he was signed to. An album which is a snapshot of Wolfe and his life, it contains some beautiful songs none more so than the ode ‘Catherine’. The song I’ve chosen to share I actually found due to my interest in comedian Spencer Jones who appears in the video to the song. The track is used in the TV series Flack and lyrically at least describes Wolfe’s mental torment with himself, offset against a very sweet video with comedian Jones at his unique and weird best.

Alexander Wolfe - Tired Of Me - https://youtu.be/xY60j_YI5Lw

Three more songs there for you to listen to, accompanied by plenty of back catalogue from each artist show you be a fan of their sound. Until next time we speak, stay safe x

[benthemusicalbeard]

20 May 2020

Hello there. Thanks for taking the time out of your busy schedules in lockdown to give my blog a little read. Over the last few weeks I’ve spent more of my day with music playing than not so when there is no music playing it feels just plain wrong! Three more songs this week, let us begin.

I’m not a huge radio listener as adverts annoy the bejesus out of me. However, when I forget my phone on my weekly commute to the shops I tend to listen to BBC’s very own 6Music as it seems to play more of the style of stuff I enjoy. During this week’s trip to the shops I was introduced to Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs. Catchy name I know. Shortened to Pigs x7 they are a heavy metal rock band from Newcastle who have just released their third album ‘Viscerals’. I have to be in a certain mood for heavy metal but Pigs x7′s brand of Sabbath-sounding thrash metal and sonic echoes on the vocals made me sit in the car park for an extra few minutes until the song I’m sharing had concluded. I have subsequently listened to ‘Viscerals’ this week and it’s been refreshing to hear this genre of music again I must admit. Other than the song I’m sharing the tracks ‘Reducer’ and ‘World’s Crust’ would not look out of place on an old Sabbath album. Two previous albums, their 2017 debut ‘Feed The Rats’ and the 2018 follow up ‘King Of Cowards’ look to have promise, solely for the fact that each contain songs over 10 minutes in length which harks back to a time in rock when music was written for the creative nature and the passion rather than for the play time restrictions of those pesky radio stations.....

Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs - Rubbernecker - https://youtu.be/WV2w2395jZo

Second up this week and its a welcome return of another favourite of mine, Kilmarnock’s very own Biffy Clyro. One of the best live acts I’ve ever seen Biffy Clyro were always a band in my opinion who had exceptional songs but never got the attention or airplay they deserved. That all changed with the 2009 album ‘Only Revolutions’ which I remember being played everywhere. It was the first of their albums I purchased, on the strength of the opening track ‘The Captain’ as well as ‘That Golden Role’ and my favourite song off the album the rock ballad ‘Many Of Horror’. After listening to this album I was then itching to buy their first four albums to get a feel for how the bands sound had developed from their 2002 debut ‘Blackened Sky’. The sounds of the earlier albums, with songs like ‘57′, were wonderfully complicated and very technical. ‘Only Revolutions’ felt as though it was written with the aim of more mainstream success which usually spells the end for any band but the opposite was true for Biffy. Their follow up album ‘Opposites’ was met with critical acclaim with a sound which had evolved from Only Revolutions, and they had now established themselves as one of Britain’s most popular rock bands. Gladly the group are back with new material, the first track from the upcoming album was released in January this year and the latest single, the track I’m sharing, released just last week. So far their single ‘Instant History’ has been their best received new material which NME described as a ‘dance-tinged banger’, and this description is bang on the money. Not a true reflection of the other singles released thus far or, as I read, the album due for release in August but glad to see Biffy Clyro back with new material. See what you think! 

Biffy Clyro - Tiny Indoor Fireworks - https://youtu.be/4ccSb7V30-Y

Finally this week and something a lot less frantic than the first two tracks, the talented Laura Marling is back with a new album. One of the most important figures in British folk music over the last decade Marling has returned with her seventh album, an album written to a fictional daughter. Her back catalogue has garnered her an endless list of nominations and awards and whether or not a fan of the folk genre you cannot ignore her song writing abilities. Her new album ‘Song For Our Daughter’ contains more stripped down compositions from previous albums which Marling attributes to the imaginary daughter the album is aimed at and stating it allowed her to offer her "all the confidences and affirmations I found so difficult to provide myself". I heard the track ‘Fortune’ mid week and loved the naivety of the sound whilst the lyrics tell the story of a mother planning to run away. Other stand out track ‘Blow By Blow’ is a brilliant ballad which sees Marling keeping it simple again but this time on the piano, an instrument she admits she is less proficient on so by default she keeps it simple. During this period of lockdown many critics have claimed this album to be the best album released so far and as I mentioned in my last post two weeks ago, those artists using this period of inactivity to write and perform new material, they have just been trumped by Marling at her most simplistic best. 

Laura Marling - Fortune - https://youtu.be/7WtwvgkxkOU

Three more song for you enjoy, I’ll be back in two more weeks when I shall be on annual leave. You’ll not be surprised to know that I won’t be venturing too far but I guarantee one thing. As I’m sat here typing this now towards the end of a gorgeous day I’m sure the weather Gods will see that my ‘holiday’ is graced with rain and high winds! Anyway.......stay safe!

[benthemusicalbeard]

6 May 2020

Hello there! I hope you are all safe and well and behaving like model citizens. Some more music for you to let into your lives. Plenty of new music on the radar this past fortnight, yet strangely it’s old favourites which have dominated my listening. Let’s get started.

I know I mention him in almost every other blog entry but the new album of Tom Misch has been released and it really needs a quick review! Following on from his debut album ‘Geography’, Misch has paired up with drummer Yussef Dayes and produced an exceptional follow up titled ‘What Kinda Music’. I shared the title track from the album when it was released mid February; a happier time when we were allowed to go outside and I didn’t feel guilty about not washing my hands every twenty minutes. Anyway.....this new album is more of an experience than it is a musical statement. Both musicians appear to bring out the best in each other and the album is certainly more about the music than the meaning of any of the lyrics, many of which hardly seem necessary to the song and are instantly forgettable. But focusing on the music is all you need to do to realise the brilliance of Misch’s songwriting and production accompanied and then some by the tightness and jazz feel of Dayes’ percussion, all of which has created an album with a reverberating flow which doesn’t have stand-out tracks but does not have a weak link at any point. Interesting to see whether or not they continue to write and perform together, I for one hope they do.

Tom Misch, Yussef Dayes - I Did It For You - https://youtu.be/gYriJcOJYKg

Now then. Oasis. Not a new concept to many of you but I was surprised to hear that they have a released a ‘new’ song for the first time since 2009. Uncovered amongst hundreds of unmarked CD’s at his house, Noel Gallagher came across the song ‘Don’t Stop’ which he feared had been lost forever. With true Gallagher style he concludes a recent interview as to how he came across the song with the quote ‘you’re welcome by the way!’. The song is thought to have been written in the mid-2000′s and intended for inclusion on either their 2005 ‘Don’t Believe The Truth’ or 2008′s ‘Dig Out Your Soul’ albums before being overlooked for other material. Like many people my age Oasis were the soundtrack to our childhood. Their standout tracks rightfully described more as anthems and even their album filler tracks just seemed better than songs their contemporaries could muster. This new find is an acoustic ballad similar to that of a firm favourite of mine ‘Talk Tonight’. Listening to each album ’Don’t Stop’ was destined for it certainly feels it would’ve been a better fit on ‘Don’t Believe The Truth’ which was more reliant on acoustics than the overworked sound of ‘Dig Out Your Soul’. I was lucky enough to see them a few times live and just because of their popularity at the time when I was getting into music they are one of, if not the band of my generation. I hope there is more ‘new’ old material to be found!

Oasis - Don’t Stop - https://youtu.be/6BPDktJNBwE

Finally this week and a song written with the aim of raising money for the NHS. Whilst in lock down, I have been curious to see if any artist would release new material, maybe with the intention of fund raising but mainly because they had added time on their hands. I have since read that many artists such as Bono and Brian May have penned new material whilst the likes of McFly have revamped old hits of their own. I mean, Matt Lucas has even done a new version of the comedy tune ‘Baked Potato’! All have done this with the hope of raising some funds for the fight against Coronavirus and this is commendable. Whilst trawling through the list of artists however one name stood out to me, that of Joel Stoker. Lead singer with indie band The Rifles, whom I have been a fan of since their 2006 debut ‘No Love Lost’, Stoker has written and released the aptly named ‘Stuck Inside’. The reason I like it is because it is in keeping with The Rifles lyrical style of life commentary. The lyrics to ‘Stuck Inside’ as you would imagine depict boredom in isolation but if you read the lyrics without listening to the music you’d think it a dreary poem or lyrics to a Radiohead song! The song reminds me of ‘Toe Rag’ from the album ‘The Great Escape’, the lyrics of which describe the monotony of catching the bus to work and encountering the same people day in day out at the bus stop. Many of The Rifles lyrics describe some of the most innocuous life events but the accompanying music on ‘Stuck Inside’ is more upbeat and has a feel of better things to come, more than many of their album tracks and for that reason it gets my vote as the best isolation song I’ve heard.......so far. 

The Rifles - Stuck Inside - https://youtu.be/d-gVIYHag6U

So there we go, three more songs for you. Hope you enjoy them, added to my playlist for those wanting an eclectic playlist to accompany their wall climbing activities whilst on lock down. Stay safe everyone x

[benthemusicalbeard]

22 Apr 2020

Greetings reader, I trust this blog posting finds you well. I am currently 5 weeks, 9 Zoom quizzes, 4 bottles of wine and 3 toad in the holes into my isolation. I find music & film are a big factor in me keeping my sanity otherwise I’d be sitting each night after a days work just staring at the walls. Three more songs this week for you to get your metaphoric teeth into.

First this week and a new single from an old favourite of mine. Damon Gough aka Badly Drawn Boy has returned with a new single and new sound, away from the flowing acoustic he has become best loved for. His first album ‘Hour Of The Bewilderbeast’ in 2000 was a wonderful introduction to the innocence of his lyrics and the simplistic nature of his music. Whilst people will argue it’s not the most exciting music in the world the album clicked with me, with personal highlights from the album being ‘Once Around The Block’ and ‘Another Pearl’. Following the soundtrack album to the film About A Boy in 2002, later that year the album ‘Have You Fed The Fish’ was released and is a firm favourite of mine. Tracks ‘All Possibilities’ and ‘You Were Right’ charted well and are strong tracks in support of other brilliant compositions ‘Born Again’ and ‘What Is It Now?’. Follow up albums have reverted more towards the style of the debut album with fewer of the songs grabbing me the same way. That said, Gough is never afraid to show off a full range of obscure instruments in his music with albums ‘One Plus One Is One’ and ‘Is There Nothing We Can Do?’ containing Gough on clavinets, melotrons and a Wurlitzer Fun-Maker. This new single is his first output for nearly 8 years and listening to the intro you’d never guess it was him. We’ll see in what musical direction the forthcoming album takes us.

Badly Drawn Boy - Banana Skin Shoes - https://youtu.be/9DoVsGK87NM

Second this week and a song I’ve played over and over far too much this last week! The track is called ‘Daddy’s Car’ and is a collaboration between ambient music pioneer & all round musical God Brian Eno and founding member of Underworld Karl Hyde. Eno has collaborated with dozens of artists in the past, U2, Coldplay, Bowie to name drop a few and Eno had worked previously with Hyde as featured artist on an Underworld track ‘Beebop Hurry’. The track I’m sharing is taken from their debut album together, the 2014 release ‘Someday World’ and features, amongst others, guest musicians Will Champion from Coldplay and saxophonist Andy Mackay from Roxy Music. The album sits firmly within the electronic music genre as you would expect but this is one of those albums in my opinion where the average tracks outweigh the good. Another strong track from the album is ‘Who Rings The Bell’ and is only one of the few tracks where Hyde sounds like he wants to be on the album. Tracks ‘The Satellites’ and ‘Strip It Down’ whilst enjoyable musically give Hyde no room for manoeuvre and the involvement of vocals slightly ruins them. When it works, it works very well and in ‘Daddy’s Car’ they have a track which mixes strong vocals and a catchy synth loop which I cannot get out my head! Their second album ‘High Life’ was released only 2 months after the first and is an experimental art rock album with leftover ideas from the first album. Oddly, whilst experimental, the fewer vocals from Hyde allow this album to be musically stronger than ‘Someday World’. Hope you enjoy the track Daddy’s Car as much as I have.

Eno + Hyde - Daddy’s Car - https://youtu.be/rDAuBFLkqpQ

Third and final song this week comes courtesy of Worcester based indie band Peace. I must admit to never hearing of the band before a song of theirs made its way onto my weekly Spotify ‘you should hear this’ type playlist we get every Monday and I thought it special enough to share. Formed in 2009 they received positive feedback from their 2012 debut EP, which is where the track I’m sharing is taken from. This EP lead NME to compare the band and their music to that of contemporaries The Maccabees and Foals although doubt was cast following the release of their debut album ‘In Love’ in 2013 as some reviewers questioned whether the band had developed from the initial hype. Two of the tracks from their EP made it onto the debut album, for me the strongest songs were left behind! I have listened to the first album and consider it to be my favourite of the three. It's a heavier indie sound which I enjoy more and from opening track ‘Higher Than The Sun’ to Maccabees sounding final track ‘Bloodshake’ it is a good debut album and one which is worthy of the positive reviews it garnered. The second album released in 2015 ‘Happy People’ and their latest album, the 2018 ‘Kindness Is The New Rock And Roll’ are good to listen to and have within each of them songs with catchy hooks and clever songwriting but the debut album is still the strongest for me. Combined with their early EP you have to ask the question whether reviews that the group wouldn’t live up to their hype were on the money. Regardless, enjoy this track from their EP, a 10 minute psychedelic journey for you to enjoy!

Peace - 1998 (Delicious) - https://youtu.be/kiGJ8XatRks

Posting done for this week, please stay safe out there in the big bad world. I can heartily recommend getting as much music as you can into your life, whether it be some new sounds to immerse yourself in or some old classics you love hearing again and again I’m finding music as a vital ally in fighting boredom!

[benthemusicalbeard]

8 Apr 2020

Welcome reader and I trust that this blog posting finds you very well indeed considering the current lock down we should all be observing. During this time working from home I have had non stop music playing which in one respect has been great and helps me to stay sane whilst staring at a screen all day. On the other hand though I could fill this blog with about 30 new tracks I’ve listened to but I have chosen the following three for, what I hope will be your enjoyment.

Firstly this week and I was saddened to hear of the passing of a true great, Bill Withers. As I have said previously it is sadly not until a legend passes that you truly realise how much great music they have. You are probably all aware of Withers’ best known tracks ‘Ain’t No Sunshine’ and ‘Lovely Day’, sounding almost effortless and as enjoyable now as ever before. I have revisited the album ‘Still Bill’, his second album released in 1972 which I love for it’s use of personal experience in much of what he writes about. The track I’m sharing is my favourite of his and tells the story of being a willing partner in an otherwise bad relationship. The lyrics of other tracks from the album tell stories of paranoia of younger, more attractive men encroaching on his territory with the opposite sex as well as lyrics describing the need for love and for solidarity. Either side of the track I’m sharing on the album are the songs ‘Who Is He (And What Is He To You)?’ and ‘Lean On Me’, you’ll struggle to find a better three tracks in succession on any album. One thing I have read about Withers’ since his passing is the notion that his music is discrete, not bold and brash, and still sounding as smooth and as fresh as the day it was released. This album is is the perfect embodiment of this and should be enjoyed many many times over.

Bill Withers - Use Me - https://youtu.be/EZldnP0lhHA

Second up this week and a group formed as a side project to Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds who released two albums, with hints towards a third to complete the ‘musical trilogy’, that group are Grinderman. Essentially the same members as The Bad Seeds, the group were formed as a way to experiment with some songs and lyrics that Cave had been messing around with during one of their live tours. The early rehearsals were said to be a rawer sound than much of the Bad Seeds output at the time and the self-titled debut album was released in 2007 to critical acclaim. Personal highlights of the album are the track ‘No Pussy Blues’ and the upbeat psychedelic inspired ‘Honey Bee (Let’s Fly To Mars)’. The song I’ve chosen to share is my favourite off the second album which hand on heart I have not listened to in any great detail but the song I’m sharing appeared on a daily mix on Spotify and I loved it. The track is described by Cave as an ‘atypical straightforward love song’ and contains lyrics which list out exaggerated and unrealistic promises to a lover, my favourite being ‘the spinal chord of JFK, wrapped in Marilyn Monroe’s negligee.....’ Quite. With a bit of time on my hands I will be giving this second album released in 2010, ‘Grinderman 2′, a bit more attention. Fingers crossed for a third album as this track is a little gem.

Grinderman - Palaces Of Montezuma - https://youtu.be/30U1-5-k1P4

Finally this week and the sort of music I tend to turn to when it’s late at night and I’ve got a few real ales in me! That music is blues and with the current situation allowing me to play more music than would normally be possible I’ve rediscovered my love of the genre and where better place to start than with B.B. King. Born Riley B. King in 1925 he went onto earn the nickname ‘King Of The Blues’ which you don’t do by accident. He was the pioneer of a form of solo style playing which influenced just about every other blues guitarist after him. According to font of all inaccuracies Wikipedia, King had 43 albums which stretched from his 1959 debut right through to his final album in 2008, not to mention the various compilations and live albums. The song I’m choosing to share is taken from his very first compilation album, the exceptional ‘Singin’ The Blues’ which contains songs from King’s earliest studio sessions in the late 1940′s. Now strictly speaking the song I’m sharing was actually written by guitarist Lowell Fusion in 1948 but was also King’s first hit after he covered it in 1951. I suppose more than any other genre I understand when people complain that all blues sounds the same but therein lies the beauty of it. Those who know a thing or two about blues (and don’t for one second think I include myself in that bracket) can tell a player of a guitar just the by the style and uniqueness of the way the strings bend as they play, just like a blues harmonica player can be identified by the slightest tell. Each player has their own unique way of interpreting the blues genre which makes it a much more personal to listen to. Those of you who have never actively listened to blues then there really is no better place to start than with The King Of The Blues.

B.B. King - 3 O’Clock Blues - https://youtu.be/nPeTtg3fTB8

Posting done, I could be tempted to switch back to weekly postings if I find it in myself to share with you good people all this impressive music! In the meantime, stay safe and look out for each other.

[benthemusicalbeard]

25 Mar 2020

Evening all, I hope you are all staying safe during these difficult times. With isolation being the name of the game, I have been exploring some old films during the past few weeks since I mentioned a month or so back that I wanted to do another film soundtrack posting. My inner geek was tremendously excited about this. 

I have nothing but respect for film composers. If I had my time again I’d love to learn how to be more musical and study the art of writing music for films. Whilst this posting will be aimed at use of songs in films rather than film scores themselves, just spend ten minutes checking out the works of Lalo Schifrin, John Barry and Henry Mancini. As well as releasing popular music they are responsible for some of the most recognisable themes of all time including Mission Impossible, James Bond and The Pink Panther respectively. Then we bring in John Williams. I watched a BBC4 documentary the other night on his music. Each composition instantly recognisable. Star Wars suite, themes from E.T,  Superman, Indiana Jones, the list is endless. Name me another film composer with a more impressive roster of great songs.......I’ll wait......! Now the aim of this posting is to identify some songs which have made it onto soundtracks of films, ones which I think are worthy of a post. So let’s begin.

Firstly let’s honour someone who has passed away during this last week. The song ‘Just Dropped In (To See What Condition My Condition Is In)’ is used in a famous scene of a film in which a Saddam Hussein look-a-like works at a bowling alley, shortly before Flea from the Red Hot Chili Peppers chases the main character dressed in red Lycra with a giant pair of scissors......for those who don’t know what I’m prattling on about, you’ve obviously never seen The Big Lebowski. The song is by Kenny Rogers & The First Edition, a song released in 1967 which was one of only a couple of hit singles from the band before splitting in 1976 and leading Rogers onto enjoy a long and successful solo career. It’s often not until the passing of a great songwriter such as Rogers you learn how many great songs are his. ‘Islands In The Stream’ and ‘The Gambler’ being the obvious two you will have heard of but having had some of his songs on whilst typing this blog I should really explore some more of his music. The use of ‘Just Dropped In’ in The Big Lebowski is the perfect track to accompany The Dude and his dreamt musical interlude about his passions of ten pin bowling and his favourite pornographic film Logjammin’. A brilliant piece of cinema right there!! Enjoy the clip below, not the whole song but the clip from the film which the song accompanies.

Kenny Rogers & The First Edition - Just Dropped In - https://youtu.be/Xz0bwQr5xWY

Second song I’ve chosen is a brilliant soulful jazz song courtesy of Nina Simone. The track is used on the soundtrack to a film set mainly in Italy, the other songs on the soundtrack are a mix if Italian love and folk songs which really work in the film. The film in question is Guy Ritchie’s ‘The Man From U.N.C.L.E’ and isn’t the greatest you’ll ever watch but the music certainly helps improve the experience. Simone’s track ‘Take Care Of Business’ is used right at the end of the film but it is my favourite fro the movie and one of many of Simone’s tracks used in film. I immediately recall the use of her version of ‘Sinnerman’ in my favourite scene in the 1999 remake of The Thomas Crown Affair in the art gallery with a group of bowler hat adorned gents carrying brief cases (I’ll add the clip below if you haven’t seen it!). The song ‘Take Care Of Business’ is the last track on Simone’s 1965 album ‘I Put A Spell On You’, a timeless jazz album from Simone also containing the popular track ‘Feeling Good’ which has been covered by many artists since. If in the mood for a little soulful jazz then you can’t go wrong with this album. I’ve included the ‘Sinnerman’ clip from The Thomas Crown Affair for your enjoyment.

Nina Simone - Take Care Of Business - https://youtu.be/w0HOECoc7Xw

The Thomas Crown Affair - Sinnerman - https://youtu.be/MODlCaeiT0M

Third and final song in my soundtrack special is another song which plays as the end credits roll in, this time accompanied by a backdrop of falling buildings and the immortal words spoken by Edward Norton’s character, ‘you’ve met me at a very strange time in my life....’. That film is of course Fight Club and doesn’t contain that many popular songs, the score for the film was done by break-beat duo Dust Brothers who decided upon a heavily computerized and sampled score. The track I’m sharing is by Pixies and is titled ‘Where Is My Mind?’ taken from their 1988 debut album ‘Surfer Rosa’. It was never released as a single but has become one of the bands signature songs, enhanced by it’s inclusion in Fight Club. Pixies have always been successful in the UK with follow up albums ‘Doolittle’, ‘Bossanova’ and ‘Trompe le Monde’ all reaching the Top 10 UK albums chart. The band split in 1993 with no real reason as to why but each band member went straight onto other projects so it was believed that Pixies were finished for good. In late 2003 though a number of calls between band members lead to some initial rehearsals which soon evolved into a reunion tour in 2004, thereafter the band were once again writing new material. It wasn’t until 2014 however that a new album was released titled ‘Indie Cindy’ which contained the single ‘Bagboy’. The new sound was more mature but still as grungy and having given it the once over it sounds as though it could’ve easily followed ‘Trompe le Monde’ without the need for the 10 year hiatus. Another song of theirs I love is ‘Here Comes Your Man’ which commences with a tremendous Hendrix-chord!

Pixies - Where Is My Mind? - https://youtu.be/49FB9hhoO6c

Well I finally got round to the movie music posting and I’m glad I did. With the current situation there will be many more films being viewed in the coming evenings! Just remains for me to wish you all the safest of social distancing negotiations whilst this country of ours is in lock down. Look out for each other and for God’s sake stick some music on to help you get through your days! Until next time.

[benthemusicalbeard]

11 Mar 2020

What ho music fans! Apologies this is a week late, a bit of bad planning on the part of yours truly. It won’t (might) happen again....! Again I have parked the soundtrack posting as there are still songs I have enjoyed recently I wish to share with anyone who cares to listen. Let us begin!

First up and we have American rapper Action Bronson. Hailing from New York he is up there with one of the most random acts I’ve been introduced to of late. A hip-hop artist who likes to rap about food and his favourite sports teams, a style of music I’m not generally a fan of but lyrics I could certainly get on board with! He has released five albums to date and has been present on endless collaborations, both as a featured artist and as a guest appearance. The album the song is taken from is the 2015 release ‘Mr Wonderful’ and contains a few of his most popular and most streamed songs, namely ‘Baby Blue’, ‘Actin Crazy’ and ‘Easy Rider’ and also contains songs co-written with Mark Ronson and Zane Lowe amongst many others. The album is not your average hip-hop album because as well as using samples and loops it contains a real band on many of the songs, the sleeve notes for the album contains a long list of talented musicians and vocalists. Other than the song being shared give the smooth listening ‘Terry’ and ‘A Light In The Addict’ a listen. 

Action Bronson - City Boy Blues - https://youtu.be/HCpwIbfqoSw

Secondly this week and an act who I’ve known about for a number of years but never taken the time to explore. That artist is Simon Green AKA Bonobo, described as a key figure in the down-tempo electronica scene of the early 2000′s. He originates from good old Blighty but is now based in Los Angeles and his style of music relies heavily on soothing samples and beats culminating into songs which are pretty difficult not to enjoy. He has released six albums so far, the latest in 2017 being the biggest commercial success of his career and having given it a listen this week it registers about a 8.7 on the Eggleshaw ambient-o-meter. The highlight for me is the track ‘Kerala’ which samples an uptempo electronica beat but brings it back down with a glorious harp loop and harmonic backing vocals, well worth a listen. I wanted to start at the beginning of the discography and got as far as one of my favourite titled albums of all time, Bonobo’s second album, the 2003 release ‘Dial M for Monkey’ which contains the song I’m sharing. This album makes me understand why Bonobo is considered important in the down-tempo genre. Fans of Zero 7, Royksopp, Air etc will definitely enjoy this album. It’s a brilliant album for both having on in the background but also if you do give it the full attention it won’t disappoint and contains many good elements, the tracks ‘Noctuary’ and ‘Pick Up’ being my favourites.

Bonobo - Flutter - https://youtu.be/C2pG8EtH6CM

Last up this week and a track which is my ultimate ‘OMG / I’d forgotten about’ track which I heard for the first time in years on BBC 6 Music, to which I owe a huge thank you! The song I was reacquainted with was ‘For Lovers’ by Wolfman, real name Peter Wolfe, and featuring vocals from Pete Doherty. The song was originally written in the mid 1990′s by Wolfe who recorded a demo of the track with a friend. Wolfe and Doherty met in 2001 and shared a passion for music and drugs so were always bound to hit it off. In 2003 they re-recorded a version of ‘For Lovers’, which was produced by Jake Fior, and the song not only reached a high of number seven in the singles charts was also nominated for an Ivor Novello Award for songwriting. I remember the song being one of the anthems of my first year at University. Every student bar played it, every mate of mine at Uni loved the track and every mixtape of songs from the year contained it. The story of Doherty was already established having burst onto the scene around the turn of the century with The Libertines, and had later success with Babyshambles but the only info on Wolfe after ‘For Lovers’ relates to a few song writing credits for Libertines & Babyshambles as well as some time spent at Her Majesty’s pleasure for drug related offences surrounding the overdose of film maker Robin Whitehead who was found dead in Wolfe’s flat. The song remains though as a underrated love song, describing the intentions of two lovers to run away with each other. I listen to it and I’m transformed to a time in 2004, a time where I’m probably late for a lecture as was often the way.....

Wolfman feat. Pete Doherty - For Lovers - https://youtu.be/oLY0eUtVlXo

Thanks for reading this far. I shall endeavour to remember to post again in two weeks! Enjoy the songs and there is hopefully something in there that you will listen to again and again.

[benthemusicalbeard]

19 Feb 2020

Wilkommen auf meinem blog! Trust this posting finds you well? I have shelved the thought of a soundtrack posting until next time, simply because I have found three songs I cannot wait to post and share with you all. Let’s crack on!

First up tonight and Parcels. Originally from Australia but now based in Berlin, Germany they are a five piece electropop group that I have enjoyed listening to very much this last week. I first heard their song ‘Anotherclock’ as part of my weekly Spotify dump of new songs I should listen to and I found it to be one of many singles the band released in 2016 before a Daft Punk collaboration in 2017 with a track entitled ‘Overnight’. This collab enabled their previous singles to attract a new attention and helped the group gather a fanbase and popularity ahead of their self titled debut album in 2018. The group describe themselves as “sort of a blend between electro-pop and disco-soul" and the sound on the album is as fun as it is timeless. They manage to make an album containing elements of soul, funk, pop and disco sound as though it is from another era when at the same time making it sound contemporary. For the music fan in me I particularly like the final song on the album ‘Credits’ which is exactly that, a song written to celebrate and thank all the people who helped with the making of the album. A nice touch to round off an already impressive debut album, I look forward to their next.

Parcels - Tieduprightnow - https://youtu.be/_2qsU8FGU_E

Second up we have the musical talents of Curtis Harding. Born in Saginaw, Michigan he was introduced to music at a very early age having toured around the country with his family as his Mother was a gospel singer. He has released two albums to date, his 2014 debut ‘Soul Power’ and a 2017 follow up ‘Face Your Fear’. The albums utilize his soulful vocal talent whilst also drawing upon gospel, R&B, rock and good old fashioned blues. Before his album releases he had worked as a backing singer to CeeLo Green and worked with him on his first two albums, leading onto him meeting Danger Mouse who subsequently produced Harding’s second album. Leaving Green to pursue a solo career turned out to be a smart move and in 2014 the debut album was released to favourable reviews. I have listened mainly to Harding’s second album, which contains the song I’m sharing, and there are also some really strong songs which should not be overlooked. Give ‘Till The End’ and ‘Need Your Love’ a good listen as well as what I’m sharing. If you like modern soul as I do then you cannot go wrong with listening to what Curtis Harding has to offer.

Curtis Harding - On & On - https://youtu.be/NzPW69YVz44

Third and final song to share today and it’s a welcome return Tom Misch. Since I first heard his 2018 debut album ‘Geography’ Misch has been a presence on just about every playlist I create. It’s nice to find one of those artists that you enjoy pretty much anything musical they create. Further to the album are a number of EP’s and mixtapes which he released, as well as some outstanding remixes of works by other artists such as Michael Kiwanuka and Jordan Rakei. Needless to say he’s a favourite of mine and now he is back with new music. On his Instagram profile he has been teasing us with some musical jam sessions with UK drummer and producer Yussef Dayes and a new single has been released. The song entitled ‘What Kinda Music’ combines the effortless flow of Misch’s harmonics and vocals with the tight, ‘hear every beat’ drumming style of Dayes to create a promising sign of what his new album has in store for us. If you are reading this and discovering Misch for the first time then Geography is a must listen album! 

Tom Misch feat. Yussef Dayes - What Kinda Music - https://youtu.be/4az3mKDOrEo

Hey, what do you know.....another posting completed. Hope you enjoy the music and tolerate my utterings! Until next time music fans.

[benthemusicalbeard]

6 Feb 2019

Hello there reader! I hope this blog posting finds you well? This week, three songs which I have been listening to more than any other and my hope is to try and sell them to make you go give them a listen.......here goes!

First this week and a blues rock band from California named Rival Sons. They were formed in 2009 and have been relentless writers and performers since their debut album release in 2009. I was recommended the band by ‘if you like x, then you must like y’ on Spotify which doesn’t always work but in this case it has hit the bullseye. Fans of later Black Keys material (El Camino, Turn Blue etc) will appreciate the sound of Rival Sons which is a mix of blues rock with raw sounding rock and roll accompanying guitar riffs. It is refreshing for a California band to have a style and sound which is usually associated with the blues origins of Chicago and the deep South. The band have released six albums to date and after each release the band are renowned for their extensive touring dates. The song I’m sharing is taken from their fourth album, the 2014 release ‘Great Western Valkyrie’ which contains other highlights further to the one I’m sharing, give ‘Good Luck’ and ‘Electric Man’ a little listen. This album is a good starting point as it is the truest reflection of their sound as band, a good listen for fans of the blues rock genre.

Rival Sons - Good Things - https://youtu.be/PPNQHPf0OZo

Second this week and some far out Swedish alternative music from Goat. I have to say this is a bit of a random one even for me as I’ve only heard two of their songs so far but both I really like so I’ll be finding some time this week to investigate their music further. The song I’m sharing I heard during an episode of The Grand Tour (other motoring shows are available) and the flute riff grabbed me and I was whistling it for days. The band themselves were formed in the Swedish town of Korpilombolo and have released three albums to date from what I can see, as well as host of EP’s and non-album singles. Indeed, the song I’m sharing is one of these songs without a parent album. The style of music in these songs reminds me of a psychedelic rock group from the 60′s with crazily winding guitar riffs, distorted bass lines and vocals which sounds as though the singer is straining their voice ten metres from the microphone. This may not be everyone’s cup of hot brown but from the little I’ve heard I will take an educated guess that listening the music of Goat is about the experience of the band, much more than just the music itself.

Goat - Let It Burn - https://youtu.be/pGSl3nHBjYU

Finally this week and a talented musical artist called Mocky. Born Dominic Salole, he is a multi-instrumentalist, producer and composer from Saskatchewan, Canada. Sampling music from each of his seven albums it is safe to say that a number of genres are covered in his back catalogue. Name a genre and you’ll find it in there somewhere. The song I first heard of his falls well within the hip hop section of his early albums but this is not the only musical style I have enjoyed of his! The song I’m sharing is from his second album, the 2004 release ‘Are + Be’ which is heavily influenced by hip hop. Later albums ditch this style in favour of a more funk infused easy listening with flicks of jazz creating a very easy sound to get on board with. His fourth album released in 2009 titled ‘Saskomodie’ is mainly instrumental and explores some very melodic lounge harmonies. More recent albums utilise Mocky’s skills as a producer with his latest album, the 2018 release ‘A Day At United’ was performed and recorded inside one day at a recording studio, playing songs which Mocky himself had spent a few weeks previous developing. These tracks are a mix of trip hop with a bit more easy listening for your delight. Overall it’s difficult not to like Mocky due to his diverse music but understandably equally frustrating because as you get into an album or a certain genre of his music, the next album you listen to is completely different, no denying the man’s talents for creating music.

Mocky feat. Taylor Savvy - Catch A Moment In Time - https://youtu.be/9cjTZPc8SXk

Posting done. Maybe another soundtrack posting in two weeks with some songs taken from films......I’ve been watching loads of films of late and there are some belting songs to share with the group! Peace and love

[benthemusicalbeard]

22 Jan 2020

Hello Reader, I trust this posting finds you well. Back to the normal format of three songs to give a listen to and if you like them, which I of course hope that you do, that you feel in some way compelled to listen to more from each artist. 

At this stage I should quickly point you in the direction of new album releases from bands Field Music, Ephemerals & Bombay Bicycle Club, all of which have been released in the last ten days and will be forming the basis of my listening during the next few days!

First song this week comes from one of my random Spotify journeys during which I found the group Mamas Gun. The five piece group formed in London in 2008 and have released four albums to date. The song I heard first of theirs, the one I’m sharing, grabbed me straight away. The group straddle the genres of soul, pop and funk which combines to a wholesome, easy listening, summery sound for you to use in your battle against the winter months! Uncut magazine claimed the group’s style to be ‘as heart-warmingly catchy as anything from Stevie Wonder's '70s purple patch’ which if you can get close to that promises to be half decent. I’ve listened to the latest album from which the song I’m sharing is from, 2018′s ‘Golden Days’ which was met with wide acclaim and it’s an album I will return to when the summer is upon us, I’ll call it now but could well be my album of my summer. As well as the shared track give opening track ‘You Make My Life A Better Place’ & ‘I Need A Win’ a good listen!

Mamas Gun - London Girls - https://youtu.be/tKq4SXlKwEU

Second this week and Teleman. Whilst driving I don’t really listen to the radio that much but I really ought to as I unearthed this little gem last night on my way back from work. I hate adverts on radio, so tend to stick to BBC radio, more specifically 6Music. Without wanting to sound like an advert of my own it’s a great mix of old and new, right across the alternative & indie genres. On my way home I tuned in and caught a song which I immediately did some research on when I got in. The song was called ‘Dusseldorf’ by London indie-pop group Teleman. Reading up on them they have been championed since their inception by Mark Riley, no coincidence it was on his show I heard them. Formed in 2012 after three of the band members left the defunct Pete & The Pirates, they have supported the likes of Maximo Park, Kaiser Chiefs & Suede on UK Tours and have released three albums of their own. Whilst working very hard (in case my bosses are reading this) I listen to music and gave their second album, the 2016 ‘Brilliant Sanity’ a listen as Dusseldorf is the opening track from this album. The record has a sense of the new wave to it, ‘Dusseldorf’ also has a twinge of Kraftwerk about it, and owes a lot of it’s success to the vocals & melodies of guitar & synth playing brothers Thomas & Jonny Sanders. There are some other standout tracks, namely ‘Tangerine’ and ‘Melrose’, the latter being a quirky synth driven album track which builds to a dramatic finale. Well worth a listen to fans of the indie pop genre and I look forward to listening to their other albums in the coming days.

Teleman - Dusseldorf - https://youtu.be/QN7YA4FO7TY

Finally tonight and a left field choice, Wishbone Ash. I won’t be offended if you’ve never heard of them. I have been aware of them since the age of about 5 or 6 when I first went rooting through my Dad’s vinyl collection. Due to his (and subsequently my) need to alphabetise his music Wishbone Ash was the band name towards the end of his collection, only to be out-alphabeted by Yardbirds, Yes and ZZ Top from memory. In amongst the boring coloured album sleeves was the album ‘Argus’ by Wishbone Ash which I remember for having some sort of warrior figure on the cover standing facing a sunrise morning, complete with standard issue daft helmet and spear. It wasn’t until a number of years later that I took temporary ownership of the records that I could finally see what they sounded like. Verdict, not too bad! Originating from the rock hotbed of Torquay (citation needed here....) the band achieved success in the early 1970′s with their first eight albums all reaching Top 40 in the album charts, Argus itself peaking at number 3. The group are still going strong to this day, albeit with an altered lineup, and released their 22nd album in 2014. However, at the height of their fame they were considered a pioneering rock group with their use of harmony twin guitars as evidenced in the song I’ve picked of theirs to share. The two original guitarists in the group, Andy Powell & Ted Turner have, on numerous occasions, been included in polls for the most influential guitarists of all time. Flying slightly under the radar of bigger rock groups of the time, Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, Sabbath, Deep Purple etc. their brand of bluesy, folk and heavy rock with a tinge of the progressive has not aged as well as music of their contemporaries, but it is as equally as important to the most rockiest of rock fan.

Wishbone Ash - Runaway - https://youtu.be/sD6OWWxt6h8

There we have it. I have added these tracks to the Spotify playlist like what I said I would do! https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5xBbDj3MupuzhrJYTFw9wC  Please feel free to give it an add, a listen, a sniff etc. It contains every song from the blog and will be updated with each posting. Until next time!

[benthemusicalbeard]

8 Jan 2020

Happy New Year Reader! Yes, yes, yes.......I know I said in my last post that I would do an ‘End Of Year’ review type bonus thingy-ma-jig bonanza.......but I was too busy doing other things and totes forgot but better late than never eh?!  

Here are a few of my highlights of the year, a ‘best of’ package of sorts with my favourite albums, discoveries and tracks of the year which I have tried to narrow down into a ‘in no particular order’ listing.....

Favourite Albums Of 2019

1) Michael Kiwanuka - KIWANUKA - must have taken him ages to come up with that title.....this album is a more than satisfactory follow up to his multi nominated/award winning 2016 album ‘Love & Hate’. This album is more than the sum of it’s parts, a brilliantly written album which combines many styles and influences. 

2) Brittany Howard - Jaime - a stunning debut album. No other words needed. Just enjoy the power, the soul, the love contained within. 

3) St Paul & The Broken Bones - Young Sick Camelia - OK, not released in 2019 but I was a little late to the party! Released in September 2018 but one of my firm favourites in 2019, listen to ‘GotItBad’ and see if it gives you the same funk fix as it did me!

Favourite Discoveries of 2019 - Top 3

1) St Paul & The Broken Bones would be the opening entry here. If my Spotify listening habits are to be believed then I listened to them more than anybody else in 2019. Their latest album released in 2018 ‘Young Sick Camelia’ is a modern soul classic and an album I have had on repeat so much that sooner or later I will have saturated it and will despise it’s very existence! 

2) Brittany Howard burst into my life after I saw her play Jools Holland towards the end of the year and since hearing her I’ve been telling everyone about her! Lead singer with the Alabama Shakes, but currently on hiatus, she has taken the chance to release her debut album Jaime and it’s full of bluesy soul music, just a perfect listen.

3) Dermot Kennedy was introduced to me by a friend and I was lucky enough to see him live in December in Nottingham. A brilliant singer songwriter whose debut album ‘Without Fear’ has perfectly filled that gap between the truly acoustic performers and those Sheeran-esque pop ballads which we are inundated with. The album is well worth 50mins 36secs of your time.

Favourite Songs of 2019 - Top 5

1) Tame Impala - Patience - taken from their upcoming album to be released in February the track is a dancey homage to their own brand of psychedelic infused rock and is as catchy as they come. Coupled with the early release of the other single ‘Borderline’ this has already got ‘Ben’s Favourite Album of 2020′ written all over it. https://youtu.be/rUmV-MorIKc

2) Charlie Cunningham - Minimum - pointed in his direction by another friend, this acoustic work of art was taken from his debut 2017 album ‘Lines’ and is easily one of my most listened to tracks of the year. https://youtu.be/2QQI_mzl_ww

3) Michael Kiwanuka - You Ain’t The Problem - opening track from his self titled 2019 album, quickly getting a reputation for a safe pair of hands when it comes to song writing with meaning. https://youtu.be/ivvs_qL6t_c

4) Incubus - Into The Summer - a little nostalgic of me as I’m fairly certain that if I did not have such adoration for Incubus growing up I’m sure I would have let this song pass me by. Back with a bang and a great song with a retro feel after the disappointing last album. https://youtu.be/2dn6gRWaoc0

5) Bombay Bicycle Club - Eat, Sleep, Wake (Nothing But You) - a welcome return to the musical scene for this group with a song which features on their new album being released in a few weeks from now. The main riff stuck in my mind from the moment I first heard it. https://youtu.be/zFb86yrodxE

Too many honorable mentions really to include but I will be adding all the songs I’ve ever posted to a new Spotify list so feel free to follow that and indulge yourself in all posted songs from August 2018! Happy Near Year once again and here’s to 2020. 

[benthemusicalbeard]

27 Nov 2019

Good evening reader, I trust this blog posting finds you well. Nothing much to report this end other than my initial hatred of all things Christmas as they start appearing from the middle of November like the ‘big day’ is right round the corner. December 1st hits and I’m full of the joys but I’m never in the festive mood during this two week period in November! More songs to enjoy, having been working some odd shifts at work I have found more time to listen to new music and these three I’m sharing today are some gems which have entered my musical zone of terror within the last few weeks. So....

Firstly this week we have the solo project of Kasabian guitarist and songwriter Serge Pizzorno, the name for this side project is The S.L.P, which are the initials to his full name Sergio Lorenzo Pizzorno. Are you keeping up so far? The debut single ‘Favourites’ from his self titled album was released in May this year and features female rapper Little Simz. I only recently heard the song I’m sharing after it appearing on my Spotify release radar thingamajig, and I instantly thought it to be new material from Kasabian. Despite being a solo project you certainly recognise the sound, the more electronic / trippy nature of a recent Kasabian album, away from the more rock inspired early albums. Having listened to the album is certainly explores the boundaries of that Kasabian sound and borrows a bit of influence from hip-hop, footage of live performances from Pizzorno himself show him swaggering around stage in a white vest and chains. Overall it is a very good album and Pizzorno has done his reputation as a gifted songwriter no harm at all which is not always the case in such instances where members of a group fly the nest and try their hand at going it alone. Besides ‘Favourites’ and the song I’m sharing, another great listen is the dance inspired single ‘Nobody Else’.

The S.L.P - ((trance)) - https://youtu.be/xSuDTcJy__c

Secondly this week we have the outrageous talents of Brittany Howard. I saw her on Later with Jools Holland and as a fan of the show I’m often doing other things and have it on in the background but was stopped dead in my tracks when I heard her music. She is best known as the lead singer of the American band Alabama Shakes but has just released her first solo album ‘Jaime’. Born in Alabama herself, her solo style certainly relies upon strong roots rock, blues and gospel all blended together with Howard’s exceptionally soulful voice. It is no surprise that reading reviews of the album it has received worldwide acclaim, one Guardian article I found described Howard’s efforts as a work of art, ‘artists often take on solo projects to get things out of their system before regrouping, but those things are rarely as beautiful as they are here.’ Alabama Shakes went on hiatus in 2018 to allow Howard to pursue her solo project and I’m very glad they did! Not only is the music uplifting and almost spiritual at times but the content of the songs draws upon personal experience with songs describing the racism her parents faced as a mixed-race couple in the deep South, her religion and forbidden love. The album itself takes it’s name from Howard’s sister who sadly passed away at a young age from a rare form of cancer but who taught Brittany how to write a song and she has put all those talents and more to good use. One of my favourite albums of the year. Enjoy this live session version of the song I’ve chosen to share.

Brittany Howard - He Loves Me - https://youtu.be/IVdqdMcT1yA

Finally this week and the electronic indie sounds of Metronomy. The band are from Devon and formed in 1999, their hobbies are combined harvesters, bobbing for apples and Scrumpy......sorry, standard Devon jibe I couldn’t resist. Their hobbies are, of course, making splendid music and in front man Joseph Mount they have one of the most talented around. Not only is he the driving force and lead singer and songwriter for the band but has also mixed and produced for the likes of Gorillaz, Klaxons and Lady Gaga to name but a few. The band themselves took a while to release their debut album which was released in 2006 titled ‘Pip Paine (Pay The £5000 You Owe) which was a very experimental electronic album which having heard a few tracks from is an acquired taste. I first came across the group myself after a friend pointed me in the direction of their single ‘The Bay’ taken from their third album, the 2011 ‘The English Riviera’. By this time it’s safe to say the band had found their sound and the album is awash with catchy electro rock with other singles such as ‘The Look’ making this an enjoyable album. I have recently learnt of their newest material and upon inspection there is one song I’ve heard which I cannot stop listening to. The latest album, their sixth, is entitled ‘Metronomy Forever’ and has been branded in the indietronica genre which to you and me means it contains a little less electro and slightly more rock from the pure electronica genre. Yet to get my teeth into the rest of the album but the song I’m sharing is very enjoyable and I also look forward to giving their other albums a listen over the coming days.

Metronomy - Insecurity - https://youtu.be/sQURcGezM2c

Songs done. Hope you enjoy the listening experience. I will be doing one last post for the year in three weeks time (18 Dec 2019) which will contain my highlights from the year and a few bonus tracks to give a listen to over the festive period! Ta ta for now, be lucky x

[benthemusicalbeard]

13 Nov 2019

What Ho! Hope this posting finds you well? I think this week I have found three songs which are as far from each other musically as is possible! All songs I have recently discovered and one which I have gone back to. Let’s begin!

Question, who doesn’t like a little bit of space age rock?! No? I introduce you to the group HENGE. Now please bear with me here as trying to find out about the group is easier said than done. They are a four piece band who use Manchester as their ‘Earth base’.......intrigued?! Well the four members according to their website are Grok, Goo, Zpor and Nom. One human, one from Venus, one of Agriculan descent and the other from Nommo. Glad you asked now aren’t you. They are a little off the wall and this comes across in their music. They have released one EP called ‘Cosmic Dross’ and one album to date entitled ‘Attention Earth!’ and the genre has been classed as space-rock/prog-funk. The idea that they are a band from outer space who have come to Earth to teach us their ways harks back to the crazy theatrical prog rock days of the Seventies but the music is very contemporary. It is a refreshingly original sound and the group have already gathered quite the cult following from various festival appearances and sell-out live performances dressed in all their alien finery, they have certainly made a grand entrance on the music scene. Who knows when their next material will be released, they are probably on some sort of Halley’s Comet orbit so we can expect their next album to be released on Earth sometime in 2093, but WHAT an album is promises to be! The video to the song will tell you all you need to know....!

HENGE - Indigo Dust - https://youtu.be/SXMDdxN493s

Well, how do I follow that up?! With some Gang Starr. The American hip hop duo have released their first material in sixteen years, but nine years since the untimely death of founding member Guru. According to articles I have read about the duo, from 2006 until his death in 2010 Guru was against the idea of releasing any further albums and referred to his co-founder, DJ Premier, as his ‘ex DJ’. The album consists of old vocal loops from Guru and is destined to be the last album to bear the Gang Starr name. Released last week, their seventh album ‘One Of The Best Yet’ is the first album released since their 2003 release ‘The Ownerz’ which is where I first heard of them. As a request I did a mix tape for a friend and it contained the single ‘Rite Where U Stand’ feat Jadakiss. Hip-hop is not my go to music and I am not as informed on such matters as others I know but occasionally an act like Gang Starr make it into my music circulation and I am enjoying the latest output. From the lyrics of the songs it is clear Guru had clearly grown disillusioned with the industry as well as swipes at lesser rappers and lamenting about how nobody really raps anymore. If you are a fan of the genre however I recommend the album and the feeling of inevitability about this being ‘the end’ in much the same way as Blackstar by Bowie had us feeling, albeit with a bit more swearing!

Gang Starr - Bad Name - https://youtu.be/JygHtlGt9Kc

Finally tonight and a Welsh-US indie band called Drowners. The band formed in 2011 after Welsh born lead singer and guitarist Matthew Hitt moved to New York to pursue a modelling career. I was given their debut album as a present one birthday a few years back and I gave it a listen, then it took up residency on my shelf. A few weeks back I saw it and thought I’d give it another go and I have to say the album took me by surprise, mainly because I wondered why I hadn’t made more of a fuss the first time I listened to it. The album in question is their self-titled 2014 debut and is filled with toe tapping indie tracks which would not have been out of place on an Inbetweeners closing credit! In the same mould as The Cribs or The Rifles, further to the song I’m sharing, their tracks ‘Long Hair’ and ‘Pure Pleasure’ are the type of song I should’ve really paid more attention to first time around. In light of rediscovering the band I learnt of their second album released in 2016 entitled ‘On Desire’ which I shall be giving a listen to in the coming weeks. It’s the kind of music that all indie lovers will enjoy, very much of a muchness with many of their fellow indie bands, you just have to wonder why they never caught on the same way as their music is equally as enjoyable.

Drowners - Luv, Hold Me Down - https://youtu.be/VuFYXj5k8ug

Another posting done. Heading towards a Christmas posting which will be involve something a little special, as well as review of my highlights of the week, with a few bonus tracks to fill your festive season! Until next time.....

[benthemusicalbeard]

30 Oct 2019

Evening all, trust you are in fine fettle. I’m not playing games tonight. Three songs that you need to let into your life. I will confess at this stage that two of them are relatively new picks as I have only heard them for the first time this week so have had to do a little bit of research in able to fill a blog posting, just posting three YouTube links and telling you to get on with it is, at best, a little underwhelming! So.....

Opening song tonight comes courtesy of King Princess. This is actually the stage name of Mikaela Straus who was born in New York and has just released her debut album titled ‘Cheap Queen’. I first heard her singing as a guest vocalist on a track from the new Mark Ronson album, the track being called ‘Pieces Of Us’ which is a great track (more to follow on that...!). Her album was released last week and I’m still getting to grips with it but the song I’m sharing was the first single she ever released, as part of her only EP release in 2018 titled ‘Make My Bed’, which I have listened to this week you’ll be pleased to hear. Her style on the EP is indie pop and even with the strength of the songs on the EP none of the tracks have made it onto her debut album so I await and see how impressive these are. The song I’m sharing was introduced to a wider audience, not only because it’s very good, but also because Harry Styles tweeted a lyric from the song which evidently alerted people to the track. I look forward to listening to the debut album but on the strength of the EP, as well being signed to Mark Ronson’s label, a huge prospect!

King Princess - 1950 - https://youtu.be/LNxWTS25Tbk

Second tonight and following on from being mentioned above I share with you the talented Mr Mark Ronson. I recently saw a documentary on him discussing all things musical as well as insight into his upbringing and introduction to the music scene in New York in the early 1990′s. I would like to share his latest album with you which I listened to after watching his documentary and it is a definite change in styles from his earlier album releases. I brought his second album ‘Version’ in 2007 on the basis I was obsessed with his version of ‘Stop Me If You Think You’ve Heard This One Before’ by the Smiths. His version was perfectly accompanied by the vocal talents of Daniel Merriweather and was a track and album I listened to a lot, also containing as it did the Amy Winehouse version of ‘Valerie’. His latest album ‘Late Night Feelings’ is a perfect title for the song style and lyrics which you are introduced to from the opening track. All vocals on the album are provided by female vocalists, and some talented lot they are! In addition to King Princess, we are also introduced to the harmonic Lykke Li as well as a great song with Miley Cyrus, ‘Nothing Breaks Like A Heart’. Best vocalist for me just so happens to appear on my favourite song on the album, the one I’m sharing. Her name is YEBBA and she has a voice which Ronson himself rates as one of the top five he has had the pleasure to work with. If you get chance to watch the documentary it is worth a watch to see how much the music industry means to him, and to see what he means to other people in the musical industry.

Mark Ronson feat. YEBBA - Don’t Leave Me Lonely - https://youtu.be/FQT1gVMUmdw

Finally this week and some Welsh indie courtesy of Boy Azooga. Formed in Cardiff in 2017 they are Davey Newington on vocals and guitars who is joined by ‘other’ members when playing live. They are another act who are only one album into what we all hope is a long music career for them. Their album ‘1, 2, Kung Fu!’ has been described as dreampop, another one of these pissy genres they keep inventing! Genre aside, the album is a great listen and contains tracks which will stick in your mind instantly, just listen to the synth intro and bassline from ‘Face Behind Her Cigarette’. I was introduced to the song I’m sharing after it featured on my new music weekly thing-a-ma-jig on Spotify and the slight melancholy in the opening guitar chords precede an easy listening indie ballad. A close second favourite on the album is ‘Taxi To Your Head’ which would not be out of place on a Tame Impala album. According to an interview following on from supporting Noel Gallagher and the High Flying Birds, Liam Gallagher claimed Boy Azooga to be one of his favourite up and coming artists. I am now on the lookout for future works which will be a follow up to what is an impressive debut album.

Boy Azooga - Jerry - https://youtu.be/T3EfrGJNIVA

Three more songs for you to deliberate, cogitate and digest (all said in a Lloyd Grossman voice). See you in two weeks!