Namie Amuro is a fine example of mimicking western talent, and her new double A-side single Dear Diary and Fighter are both highly listenable, with classy videos. A shame these are only the short versions, guess the full versions are limited to Japanese paying services. Still check out her site for more content.
While I write about games, technology and gadgets, I'm always on the lookout for new tunes
to play and bands to see live. This blog is dedicated to what I find, enjoy!
Get Twisted for Halloween
Hello DJ Bl3nd, apparently a master inspiration-lifting thief of every sample I've heard in the last 10 years. Literally every sound on this track I'm sure I've heard somewhere before. Still, he's managed to cram them in around a Halloween theme, with a modestly spooky video, which seems appropriate for today, so enjoy!
Night Riots are the best kind
With a debut album 'Love Gloom' out this week, let's check in on Night Riots, a Californian band (oh dear), who met in high school (don't like where this is going). Yet, who are way, way, way from being yet another pop punk act. Yes, it is possible!
There's loads of musical depth and maturity to this track, and singer Travis Hawley definitely has the angsty vibe of a potential major front man. Good luck to them, check out their music and support them with a distinctive range of merch!
There's loads of musical depth and maturity to this track, and singer Travis Hawley definitely has the angsty vibe of a potential major front man. Good luck to them, check out their music and support them with a distinctive range of merch!
This Mother Forever takes a while to get going
Canadian punks sounds rather oxymoronic, but hey - whatever, I guess they have angst too! Anyway, this 15-minute epic does take a while to get going, like five minutes. But when it does, This Mother Forever is pretty unstoppable with punk opera epic breaks and fine instrumentals!
If you want to support the band, some limited editions are available.
If you want to support the band, some limited editions are available.
Head Nine Miles South to find the Bones
Wow, that's some seriously impressive guitar work going on in this bluesy rock anthem. The rest of the track and the video, not so in love with - why is everyone playing instruments blindfolded all of a sudden (Kings of Leon last month)? But I could listen to that menacing thrumming over every episode of that other Bones!
Shinedown asking personal questions... How Did You Love
Okay, Florida's Shinedown are really big. I did not know that! This is probably the first track I've heard from them in a few years, and I can see why they have a big following. How Did You Love is aurally raw and passionate, with enough grittiness to lift it above being preachy.
Me like, although the video leaves it crying out for a more thudding baseline to go with all the grim overtones, and as they're touring with Iron Maiden next year, pushing all the sliders up would help!
Me like, although the video leaves it crying out for a more thudding baseline to go with all the grim overtones, and as they're touring with Iron Maiden next year, pushing all the sliders up would help!
Not that Days Like These!
Days like these is a common enough theme in songs, but it works really well in - what I guess I have to call - this evolved pop punk vibe. From Canadian trio No King for Countrymen, which is an intriguing title in itself, there's a lot of heart and soul, with just enough party to keep things ticking over.
Will have to investigate the rest of their tracks, and hope they make it big enough to hit Europe where I think this would get a great reception live.
Will have to investigate the rest of their tracks, and hope they make it big enough to hit Europe where I think this would get a great reception live.
Garbage are still Magnetized
All the bands from my younger days are back and kicking tracks around, Feeder, Ugly Kid Joe, and now Garbage - just about to set out on a world tour. They still have that classy electronic rocky crossover sound and Shirl's perfect-for-any-chorus voice, all highly evident in this new track that throws all the best bits of science lessons into its video.
Off around the world again with Tricot
All the work is being done on the instruments on this track from Japanese trio Tricot, its a brilliant four minutes of listening, even if you don't have a clue what the lyrics mean. The band they vary from ska to pure pop, dig into their archive for plenty of crazed pop sensibilities being retuned in a jocular Japanese style - love it!
Boston Manor don't have Lead Feet, alright!
A big hello to Boston Manor who hail from Blackpool, and are on tour in November with album Be Nothing just hitting the shelves. Its hard to pin down what's massively different about them, but they play with enough swings between finesse and gritty to make their tracks very listenable.
New track Lead Feet should be a winner live! Check them out.
New track Lead Feet should be a winner live! Check them out.
Summer isn't over with Waterparks
Is autumn starting to get you down? Tune into Waterparks, a Texan band who are riding the never-ending pop punk wave to their own endless summer. Stupid For You is catchy, it is uplifting and jangly, it makes you want to dye your hair and kiss a girl at the bus stop!
Their new album is out in a month and while there's no video for this yet, their previous effort Crave demonstrates that essential sense of humor that all these bands are contractually obliged to possess.
Their new album is out in a month and while there's no video for this yet, their previous effort Crave demonstrates that essential sense of humor that all these bands are contractually obliged to possess.
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