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The National - Trouble Will Find Me |
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‘Where do The National go from here?’ is what echoed after the release of their previous studio album ‘High Violet’ in 2010. Arena tours? With their expansive back catalogue and their new mainstream success now behind them, possibly. Cult heroes? With their huge fan base of everyone from hipsters in skinny jeans to Dad Rock lovers rediscovery their groove, probably.
They are in fact somewhere in between the two. Arena shows dotted across an expansive 2013 tour The National have been growing from strength to strength ever since Boxer was released. It was critically acclaimed, and by some listed as the best album of the decade, and similar pressure grew around the band before the release of High Violet, which arrived with more of the same, where nothing disappointed.
Trouble Will Find Me is the band’s sixth studio album, and one that far from disappoints. Released at a time where marketing campaigns reign supreme (I’m looking at you Daft Punk), to try and capture mainstream success. The band could have found this a struggle. However, this record is everything you want and more, from anthems like Sea of Love to classic National songs such as Demons and I Need My Girl. It provides a full cultural experience.
Yes there is never one album where every song is incredible; there is always a filler. Even a filler on a National record is still slicker than your average.
Where the charts are dominated by pop acts loved by one half, and then complained about by the other half, Trouble Will Find Me is a refreshing change for the latter. The National have returned with another classic record and proves that they are here to stay.
10/11
@thejoeeley
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A remix of Farao's debut single 'Skin' by Ghosting Season |
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Farao is a young Norwegian based in London, with links to Tuung. ‘Skin’ is a powerful, dramatic song that trades on her sometimes wistful, sometimes harsh voice, with a dense instrumental backing and some clunky drums. The cover picture on the single’s sleeve is great too; the designer’s cut half her head off, but in a nice way.
Ghosting Season are two dark Manc lads who also use the wonderful name ‘worriedaboutsatan’. Their remix sorts out the drums, but makes Skin sound like Everything but the Girl; it will probably do well on the cooler dance floors, but takes away some of Farao’s originality.
Kevin Hand
Farao will be performing her first UK headline show on the 29th May at The Sebright Arms.
Check out the new remix of Farao's debut single 'Skin' by Ghosting Season for yourself HERE
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The Phantom Light - Sky Lanterns |
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Seven piece Swansea/Bristol outfit 'The Phantom Light', have released a five song EP called ‘Sky Lanterns’. Named after a 1935 film called The Phantom Light set on the desolate coast of Wales, the band’s music on this EP could really reflect that sometimes bleak but wonderful landscape.
Like Newcastle’s Lanterns on the Lake, the title song and EP opener, ‘Sky Lanterns’ starts gently then builds throughout into a final ‘wall of guitars’ crescendo and quite honestly, the whole adventure of these lengthy songs is like a widescreen movie between your ears.
The Phantom Light are Anthony Jones (vocals), Aisha Chaouche (backing vocals), Shaun Moseley (keyboards/synth), Jason Jones (guitars/synths), Simon Jones (guitars), Ed Purcell (bass), Matt James (drums).
Pete
9/11
photo of the band taken by John Wellings
The EP is available as a download and will also be available as a very limited edition CD which can be purchased on Bandcamp There is also a music video from the EP and the Band Website
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The Hot Lights - Outside On The Tracks |
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The Hot Lights have a vibrant guitar led sound evoking the world of Big Star, Teenage Fanclub and The Posies.
The band actually hail from Cambridge but it’s an American heritage that predominates the five songs on this debut EP. Every upbeat song is a toe-tapper with the sweet ballad of ‘Mistakes’ snuck into the middle of the ep. Fingers crossed this will end up a nice companion to a long hot summer!
Take a listen to the EP yourself HERE
Pete
9/11
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Josh Ritter - ‘The Beast In Its Tracks’. |
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Quiet acoustic break-up records always brings the best out in artists it seems. Happily Josh seems to have found a new love by the end of the record but either way; this is a collection of fine songs.
I do wonder sometimes whether these types off records can be a bit one sided, i.e., if the person on the other side of the relationship could tell his or her side of the story, would that make an even more interesting record? Still I not sure anyone could surpass ‘Rumours’ on that score.
In my own mind Josh Ritter’s career runs in parallel with that of Josh Rouse, this time around the former on his sixth album and the latter just releasing his ninth. Both records are returns to form; I guess you could even throw Ron Sexsmith into the mix. All these guys are fabulous singer / songwriters and are all finding their muse again lately.
As I said at the start, there are quality songs on ‘The Beast In Its Tracks’. Different vocal styles even, a Dylanesque vocal at times. Josh has laid his life out for all to see on this record, so enjoy, perhaps next time, we can suggest some imaginary tales of Americana, to ease his burden.
9/11
Pete
1. Third Arm
2. Evil Eye
3. A Certain Light
4. Hopeful
5. Nightmares
6. New Lover
7. Heart's Ease
8. In Your Arms Again
9. The Appleblossom Rag
10. Bonfire
11. In Your Arms Awhile
12. Joy to You Baby
13. Lights
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