Take:Talk:Tune

From new-age rock to the old fashioned blues, my blog explores music through my inquisitive and pleasantly naive eyes.

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Future Of The Left - "The Lord Hates A Coward"

Here's a reason why I haven't written anything in a while, I've been headbanging around my life, listening to angsty music, hating everyone and being criticized for my newly achieved 'William Riker' beard. Yes, a trekky reference, WHAT!? Shut up and listen to a band rip on the shit stuff would you, you agree, you just don't know how to put it so poetically.

This song is almost the perfect opening to this band. It has pretty much no deceitful first impression, it instead comes as abrupt as that weird guy that insists that he knows all the dirty political secrets from within his secluded lair, about 30 feet away from the local newsagents, just past the pub...where all the kids were told not to go near else they be grounded, or molested, depends on how open the parents were with their children.

They are absolutely full of hate for the normal world, clearly a bunch of mad bastards and very clever with their music; easily something to get drunk over. So, let's get a few pints, get some heated political debates going and then throw each other about rhythmically. Actually, fuck the debates, let's just say fuck the tories and start chanting "Ding Dong, The Witch is Dead!"

They're currently writing some new stuff, they've also released more than just Curses and are currently booking for new live shows; definitely including a few festivals on the lineup according to their Facebook. Actually, why don't you do yourself a favour, click here, search for their social media accounts, link up and instantly feel better about yourself. Laters taters!

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Darkstar - "Amplified Ease" While I've been away abusing my sense of reality by imagining I have the perfect Gentleman's personal Gentlemonkey called Barry to fetch me pizza and cucumber sticks, I've also been recording new personal material with my new band, who are all "Absolute Star"'s (pun intended). If you want a reason why I still didn't write anything, it's simply because there was nothing to say. Until Darkstar was invited to the party! It's a groove that soothes me, it sums up a distant memory, an upcoming promise of green fields, drugs and sleeping with a fencepost. Yes, the festival season is coming and I can't wait. The pulsing bassline, the ethereal sounds emulating the blinding wink of sunlight and UV warmth, the unified voices projecting the sound of a party...I think "Amplified Ease" has set a tone, that's growing in decibels until my head happily explodes. Get me to a field quick! Darkstar have recently released a new album through Warp Records called News From Nowhere and have just about finished touring around the world. But don't worry, I imagine further dates are coming. For their latest, check out their website here. Peace y'all!

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Black Dollar Bills - "House Of Love"

Anyone? Yeah, I wee'd myself a little too. After seeing them live, it's become a dirty obsession to passively stalk these gents and make sure everyone I know was aware of their existence. Too much? Well fuck you then...and go see them for yourself. The screaming is blood curdling, almost. Mixed with the guitar licks and aggressive drums, this is the kind of punky blues I love. I want to say rock and heavy but it's not, it's bluesy more than rock and a big 'punkfuckyou' rather than heavy. The originality is ripe, having some kind of similarity to acts such as the surfer rocking pixies and yet and more chunky riff focused acts such as Clutch. In fact, if The Pixies and Clutch made badass, screaming, brummy babies...it would be these guys. I think that's pretty original. Their latest shenanigans are on their website as well as various other things. They play around the UK and have recently finished a tour of dates. The sooner the new ones are released, the better! If I see you there, the keyword is "Make like a tree and split". Fuck knows what happens then.

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Mac DeMarco - "Ode to Viceroy"

Hello again Tumblr's. I present another victory in the fight for musical justice. Mac Demarco's "Ode to Viceroy". A simple and groovy singer/songwriter that I couldn't help but drift away with as the deceptive weather outside chills me. It's got a mixed, spacey vibe that comes across as very airwave. It's got some basis in the radio and some roots the past and I can see myself putting this guy on the car radio. If there was more noise, it would only make it sound more genuine, it's the kind of sound I want to fluctuate, I want it to be out of time and I need it to be out of tune. So, I don't want anyone not listening to it. Here. Get your teeth round this one.

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Natalie Prass - "Bird Of Prey" She's whispering into my ear, via the secret audio formula that slips past the cynic, softly kisses the ego and smiles at the pessimist. I'm now convinced that she is an enchantress. When this track started, I had no opinion, I was just listening to her lyrics, acknowledging the simplicity of the music but imagining the circumstances that this song is representing. There is purity and lust, innocence through fear and a delicate beauty. And with all my good intentions, the circumstances can only be this way once and forever. That's a bit soppy of me but growing a pair of testicles isn't very possible when your three biggest critics, the cynic, the ego and the pessimist are bound and gagged by an audio sorceress love ninja who goes by the name of Natalie Prass. Whatever plan she has concocted in taking over the world, I'm in. This track is available to buy online and she is also performing at a few places in the US, latest info you can find here too. If her plan of attack goes really well, we'll see her on the horizon ready to dominate our little slice of life over the great pond in no time. Here's to hoping!

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St. Vincent - "Grot" Well here I am, I welcome myself back with open arms. With this as my angelic entrance music to my WWE facade, I would call myself 'The Absentee'. Granted, that's not very menacing and I won't be getting any belts in this season or any other...but if this song doesn't pin you down and count you out, then you just simply aren't listening. The mixture between the harmonious and a sense of melodic dissidence is gripping. You want more? Then listen to it again, it surprises me every time to hear that crunch, thrashing the make-believe rainbows across the room like a toddler on a tantrum. Dystopia, chaos, defraction. I want to start every word with some kind of negative and destructive syllable but end it with a sense of order, out of disorder. I don't think there are words long enough, so I'll just listen to it again. You will find St. Vincent performing with David Byrne recently and the near future at two confirmed festival dates this year, you can catch the latest info on her website. If there is really anything else you feel you need to know about this act before you devote some of your precious listening time to finding out for yourself, then you should remove your ears and donate them to someone worthy.

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Penny Dreadful are pretty...awful actually.

I don't quite know what to say to the world, bit I'm not sorry. I didn't write about music for almost a week but deal with it. I have a day job and I painfully think about every reader (all 37 of them), so take my sought after life force and lap it up like the vampires you are. In the process though, get yourself down to a Penny Dreadful gig. Yes, they're awful but real punk has always had the gift of making awful into art. Fact.   However, there is a bloke in the audience, that prefers, more than drugs, more than violence...some weetabix. This is more inspirational than a Rocky montage.   This shouldn't be in a punk gig, by far. I'm missing the distance of human civilisation, the irrational violence...where the fuck is the moshpit? Yeah, there isn't a group of sweaty twenty-somethings to shoulder barge. What is this world coming to?   In all honesty though, this is a Marmite band. In the right mood, you either love them or you hate them, simple. But I love them. They've got energy, presence and a sense of fuck you I can't sing but I make music like a boss anyway.   I would hyperlink you but I wrote this on a phone so, whatever. (Www.pennydreadfulband.net)

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Black Cab Sessions brings you John c. Reilly & Friends - "Rosyanne" Some would say this is a good enough reason to learn an instrument and take it with you on your next cab ride because John C Reilly wouldn't be charged for this extraordinary performance with his buddies and neither should you, as long as you can safely maintain your claim of being Mr Reilly here. Otherwise, pay up and stop bumming around with cabbies and your poorly strung guitar, you weirdo!

There's always something magical when a highly motivational American character comes to town, as we know John C Reilly is a well established Hollywood star, comedian and all round entertainer. So he doesn't need any more of my arse licking, yeah, enough of you Mr 'Oh Really' Reilly. No, the limelight belongs with the five blokes that put together Black Cab Sessions. That's right, nothing simpler than the biggest hotshots from around the globe playing a single track in the back of a London cab to an undisclosed location. All I can say is bravo. It's a brave thing taking on such a concept with the possibility of owing a lot in cab fare to begin with. They've clearly made up for it with something extra thrown in too, as they've have acts in such as The Futureheads, Champagne Champagne, Brian Wilson and Mumford & Sons, plus even more being added every so often. So have a look here at their latest, what they're all about and some contact details if you're an act yourself. One more reason to jump into a cab instead of the tube.

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Jayseelee - "Gumnut Style" Cheerful tears in eyes, I couldn't stop chuckling to the musical irony but the sheer talent just adds to the cover. It's brilliant, just as brilliant as the original. Well done girls. I'll be joining you on the dance floor. There's not a serious word I can say about this cover while listening to it. I can't stop laughing because all I know is the Psy Dance; our collective spin-off of a Pokémon move for a dance maneuver. In all seriousness though, I give it a week before you see it in most open mic nights. "Heeeeeyyyy Sexy Lady! Op Op Op! Oppan Gangnam Style!" That's how the human race rolls as of late. Prove me wrong. Like their FB page here and catch up on what the girls have been doing this year and beyond. Who knows, maybe you'll really like them for more than just their quirky, flirty and bubbly attitude on camera; almost as fun as a bikini car wash except no bikinis, no hoses, truly beautiful voices and a guitar. Effectively, that comparison is entirely redundant but it feels right.

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The Slow Revolt - "This Dark Matter" Let's put some electronic perspective back into this blog now. This track is rocking me side to side in my half-witty state of play...the after work hours, the late night jazz, the lock-in and the lights in the swimming pool. This is what's happening right now. It's the bass and catchy off-beat every so often, such good vocals and light sounds on a relatively heavy track, in other words, it's strutting down the sidewalk like Principal Skinner just got laid. There's not much more I even want to say, I hope that image burns into your mind every time you play this song, to remind you of how cool you really are. The Slow Revolt are playing tonight in London and a few more UK dates as spring progresses, check out the details here and don't forget to put your best strut on. Otherwise, bring your mother along to keep you in check.

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Bear's Den - "Stubborn Beast" Let's not pay any attention to anything else right now, tell your life to fuck off for a second while you press that inviting little triangle above in the picture of five strapping young musicians. They're called Bear's Den and they're singing out of a van, can't get more down to earth than that really. It's a nice ethos created here in my bedroom and my headphones, all I can see is this window into the 'road' that is so talked about and that so many bands have been on. This is the raw element of a band on tour that has the ability to drop shop and blow your socks off. Sublime melodies and such a great steady rhythm that I can imagine being a fantastic addition to a traditional music circle, a little prayer to nature maybe, who knows it could even be just a few beers at a barn. Currently on their Agape Tour around the UK and Ireland they've got dates planned all over the place, you'll be seeing me there for sure. I won't embarrass you with a dance though. For more on Bear's Den and where to next see them, click here or feel bad.

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Lau - "Lang Set 2011" Continuing in my folk focused stupor, I bring you Lau's "Lang Set", the kind of music you walk into, brightening you up after being soaked in bitter Scottish rain on your way to a warm rural inn for a fresh salmon dinner, an ale and the company of friends. It's as close to a fairytale scenario that exists in the real world and, people, I couldn't recommend it any higher than I already do, "Lang Set" is this kind of memory for me, anyone else who has had this experience understands. During these fourteen minutes I am greeted with an overall sense of satisfaction, it's progressive and thoughtful. There's highs and then there are lows, there's even a little of that Middle Earth feel in there somewhere but that's just my inner-nerd scrambling for a sense of common ground. Like an annoying friend who has nothing in common with everyone else on the table but insists on letting everyone know that they also went to the same gig and did the same things...stumbling when challenged with remembering who was even playing leading to everyone mutually and silently agreeing this imposter forfeits the right to take part in further social arrangements, permanently. Lau have recently recieved a well deserved "Best Group" award from the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards 2013 and are currently touring Australia. Don't worry though, they're back in the UK soon with a ton of dates starting in April 2013, so you should get involved here and start planning on making some magical memories with Lau live.

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Passenger - "I'll be your man" The coming together of four great talented musicians from separate walks of life is an occasion to treasure in the mind of a adoring writer. The combined musicalities of Jack Williams, Stu Larsen and Emma Stevens with Mike Rosenburg a.k.a Passenger has created this uplifting rendition entitled "I'll be your man", a folk collaboration written by Rosenburg and recorded within hours of meeting his featured companions. The magic of music, ladies and gentlemen, it brings more people together than Christmas could ever take credit for. It's worth noting, however, Passengers colourful past and no-where-near-ending career, established in 2003 with school friends, Rosenburg and the group released only one album called Wicked Man's Rest before going their separate ways in 2007. Rosenburg continued as Passenger despite the break up and has kept it up right the way through until now, with a bright future and beautiful music to boot. He's currently set to release a new album on the 18th Feb this year and is currently on tour in Europe, followed by a tour around Australasia. Get yourself onto their website for the latest on Rosenburg's exploits. Also make sure don't miss out on the opportunity to get acquainted with Emma Stevens, Stu Larsen and Jack Williams as well.

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Rachel Surmanni - "Waltz" A beautiful and humble song from scottish folk artist Rachel Sermanni, featuring a run, hop, skip and a jump with her dancing partner, the White Rabbit, in the deceptively cold sun-kissed highlands. Scotland's own Little Red Riding Hood in Wonderland. There's a traditional value I appreciate in this song about the notion of childhood nostalgia where life is simpler in the thoughts of love. Where a dance can be innocent and intimate all at the same time. Sermanni's voice is so undeniably precious, perfectly uplifting like a soft breeze carried by the waltzing rhythm and delicate melodies. To put it simply, I think I love her and her Scottish bùrn wonderland she has created. She has recently been added to a double-disc compilation album, compiled by Dermot O-Leary, with her version of Jackson 5's "I Want You Back" and is currently touring the UK and Europe. Go check out her latest here and be sure to go see her shows. If I get any sort of acknowledgement you've turned up because I told you to, you may get a free pint on me and a warm, fuzzy feeling inside spending your hard earned money on someone quite talented instead of sitting at home watching the television featuring someone, chances being, decidedly untalented. Well done, sirs.

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Paul Thomas Saunders - "Appointment in Samarra" My head is spinning and it's not from the Norovirus. This song is my cure to that desolate empty feeling left behind by the sudden, and uncontrollable, spilling of my guts. Yes, it's a grim picture but this song is that pretty, it's disgusting. The ghostly reverb-laden ambient vocals are delicately holding the structure of the song together, complimented by the drifting organs, the slow march and the desert born guitar riff. Paul Thomas Saunders is a galactic stranger, a hitchhiker in space, neither here nor there and an inter-dimensional man of mystery. Easily a man of many words with nothing to say. And I like him. Bravo! The group have an EP available online, are gearing up for Swiss festival 'One Of A Million Musikfestival Baden' though not much else released in tour news. I'm sure you'll catch them drifting around, shooting the odd video and always writing new material so keep in touch with their latest here. I'm to make sure I see what all the fuss is about up close, I have a feeling we're not the only ones in this universe watching this space. Hash tag alien conspiracy!

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Matt Corby - "Untitled"

It's happened again, someone has pleasantly surprised me from down-under. That's right, Matt Corby strikes a delicate blues chord and I swoon, under those buzzed charms from his electric rhythms I can't resist the temptations to let myself feel a little bit dazzled, to let my guard down and just let this man sing directly into my memories' soundtrack. There is some criticism to be had in the name of the song, as there are no doubt many that are left untitled but then when you listen to it you realise there is no name here, it's just an emotion to be felt and a connection to a seemingly broken man to be embraced. I can't shake that Jeff Buckley spirit in this song in the opening. Then it continues to be the traditional and beautiful polka/blues folk that we adore in these heartfelt expressions of the open hearted men and women we so preciously cling to; to express what we could never begin to fathom making tangible ourselves. It's magic, it's raw and it's everywhere from the quality of the filming, to the beautiful set, to the quality of the recording, to the vibrant power Matt Corby puts into his performance. There's not much in the form of latest news from Matt's website and no planned tours advertised, but keep in touch with the latest here because once there are dates released, I couldn't imagine his show would be something worth missing. Ever.

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Put yourself in my shoes for a moment. I've gone out to my local with the closer friends, you know, the types that fuck with you on a regular basis for a laugh and a joke, professionalism means nothing. The local music hub is renowned for it's poor quality bands at times and rarely circulates any really decent gigs, though that's not their fault, I've just grown up here believing everything is shit. I usually walk in, get a few pints in, courtesy of the league of gentlemen I keep in my company and proceed to sit down and enjoy the two hours of audio boredom followed by swift critical debate in the car on the way home; debating parties usually consisting of me and...me. This night took a different turn, yes there was a moment where a squeaky teen was repeatedly, and poorly, putting across his point of 'not doing what I tell him', with a few staggered "Fuck You"'s every so often but tonight was something real special, an unexpected discovery of epic proportions. I'm telling you, I was more excited than Brian Cox would be exploring a nebulae in the star ship Enterprise. My shining star in the sky? Well, it's Pre Sleep Monologue. They're a gruff and shockingly sexy blues rock band from the West Midlands, consisting of three members; vocalist/bassist Katie, vocalist/guitarist Toby and drummer Tosh. They've also recently released a fantastic EP "Primitive Blues" originally written by blues artist Dirty Ray who features with Pre Sleep Monologue on the EP. They have an incredible energy on stage, it was one of those moments where I refused to pee or remove my eyes for more than a second until every song was finished, even then, I wanted more and they did not disappoint. They're currently playing a small tour around the UK in various local venues so keep an eye out, as well as that, for all things Pre Sleep Monologue click here. Pre Sleep Monologue will also be featuring on my upcoming webcasts next month, if you see me out and about, utter the words "It's a cold day in July" to get yourself a free pint. But, don't make it creepy.