Album artwork –

This entry was inspired whilst I was packing up mr precious CDs, but also from other people complaining about album artwork. Enjoy.

Album artwork –

What is all the fuss?

Here is question that I would to have answered. When have you ever bought an album based on the front? My answer based on my own opinion is never. Surely you buy your music based on the concept that you actually bloody like it, or is that just a stupid statement. Whenever a new album comes out from highly anticipated artist, there is always criticism about the album artwork. If that is something that you are concerned about then is it not the age old statement of do not judge a book by its cover?

There are a few numbers of artists who have recently come under scrutiny for the uninspired album cover, or the lack of so to say. Even the album covers that people delve further into so see if it means something more than they are being told. Nine tines out of ten though there is nothing else behind it, other than they liked the look and it seemed a fitting cover. So why all the controversy then? Could it be that the album is that amazing, they need something to pick at (it is not often you find an album that is track for track stupendous)? Or is it that people want to delve into the minds of the artist further? The answer is probably none of these. In this day an age people enjoy picking the tiniest fault with anything. This is the job a critic is it not. Yes we are here to praise the product, but also we need to find fault also. Nothing is ever absolutely perfect in life so it won’t be in music.

One of the controversial album covers that brought a lot of media attention to it was that of Hard-Fi second album “once upon a time in the west”. This caused many tongues wagging as the outer sleeve of the album was designed as colour it in your self kind of project. Now this was just the outer sleeve, the inner case actually had how the cover should look, which again brought criticism towards it. It was thought that design was not original and very uninspiring. Again you’re not going to go into a record store and refuse to buy the album on principle that its album artwork is not up to scratch. So why is there big problem with it? It is how the musician wanted it, how they wanted it to be seen so shouldn’t we just accept it.

More recently the Arctic Monkeys have come under fire for simply having their name on the cover. Again there were cries of why have they done this? But I found that it stood out more in the shop. You don’t have to try and search for the small text to see if it is the band you are wanting. It is simple it helps you save time and effort in the long run. “Suck it and see” is not the first album of the Monkeys to come under scrutiny. If you remember the debut then you will remember that concerns were raised with the image of a guy smoking on the cover. It was said that they were promoting that smoking is acceptable. But that image has stuck in your mind has it not. Soon as you see that image then you know what album it is and what band it is.

 So the concept of having a simple image or no image actually does work, you just don’t realise it, you are more concerned with why they haven’t put any thought into it, when in reality they have. What they set out to achieve has worked. They have got you interested in the album, and you are now probably thinking I will buy it just to see if it is actually any good. In my opinion it doesn’t matter what is on the outside it is the content on the inside, that grabs my attention. So keep that in mind when you are listening or reading something about a bands artwork.   

the big supergroup debate.

Hello everyone,

well i ain't going to waffle on, like i usually do, but I would love to see your version of a supergroup.

Super groups or

Super overrated

Recently I have heard many conversations about who would you have in your super group. I find this very interesting as it can show just how diverse your actual music taste is. It also brings out debates in people, for example, “I would have Freddie Mercury as front man” your friend may then object heavily to your opinion. This will then generally create a debate and then get other people to join in. This was ever more so evident on a trip to Milton Keynes to see the Foo Fighters. Now one solution to this problem would be to get Dave Grohl to front everything (the man did record a full album by himself, because he was bored). Now that does sound like of a more likely idea, but does not create fun or a conversation now does it. 

There are two ways in which you can partake in this theory. You can either form your own super group. To do this the rules are simple, you can pick anyone you feel that is worthy of the position you are going to put them in, they can also be dead or alive (it does not matter as this is not really going to happen). Now in theory this does seem to be easy but look at the bigger picture. How many amazing front men and woman have there been over the years, ones that have gone down in history to be the greatest front man (and woman) of all time. As you carefully select your chosen member of this heathen rock group you will soon start to see that you will choose someone and then think oh no I want so, so and so.

Or the second way you can take part is choosing who you would go see if you never seen them. The rules are still simple but have a few restrictions. For instance you have to choose a female artist, a male artist, a band, and so on. Again you can choose anyone you want. This is your fantasy after all.

Some people do feel that a super group is too clichéd, that they should be left alone. If this was the case we wouldn’t have great records such as the “Them crooked Vultures”. Also why shouldn’t people who are incredibly talented people create something beautiful and outstanding together? Just because they have made a name for themselves with other projects, then that does not mean they can’t play outside of that band. Also this is only a game we play with friends and anyone else who cares to join in with it.

So lighten up and try it. See who you will come up with. enjoy the conversations and debates that it will bring. Enjoy finding new people out from it. More importantly it is only a bit of fun. Yes you can get eager and so into it and push your opinions onto others but just enjoy it. Below is my super group now it changes all the time as I go on my musical journey of finding new people and new music. So this is not set in stone.

Front person = David Bowie

Drummer = Keith Moon (The Who) / Taylor Hawkins (Foo fighters) / Dave Grohl (Nirvana and front man of the Foo Fighters)

Guitar = Matt Bellamy (Muse) / Jimi Hendrix

Bass = Flea (Red Hot Chilli Peppers)

The machine AKA The music industry

Hi everyone

hope you enjot this one. after much thinking and listening to what people thought about the Amy Winehouse shambles it made me think that the whole industry needs a shake up. Highlight what actually goes on and get better rights and conditions for artists. Anyways enough of me ranting enjoy.

The Machine AKA

The music industry.

With the recent and somewhat shocking performance from Amy Winehouse in Belgrade, it is hard to see how management even allowed her to go stage. It has only just come out that it was her management that pretty much just pushed her on to the stage, to make her put on that shambles performance, which occurred. Why would they do that to someone who is troubled and is crying out for help? To her management company she is nothing more than a money earner for them. Another reason they would do this is for press. They knew that all eyes would be on her for returning to the stage, so why not create a story form it in the process. The fact that is inhumane, does not count but the fact she brought herself publicity, means a hell of a lot.

Many managements are known for feeding the musicians habits. It is quite a well-known fact that The Libertines were an example of this, Red Hot Chilli Peppers also, and not mention Guns ‘n’ Roses. To get the artists to be at their best, this is how companies thought they could get it. To me this is not managing a talented person; you are creating a deeper problem, which in the end could cost you more.

Record companies do not care about the artist really; they are out to make more and more money. X factor is good example of this they may not plough them with alcohol and drugs yet. They instead say they are training them for this lifestyle. Before the live shows, you have to go under a grueling process of having your teeth whitened and a whole image overhaul. This is so you are more aesthetically pleasing to people. Sorry I forgot that your image is what sells the records, not your actual talent.

When you get signed you go through this whole grueling process, get your image sorted first, record your material, get a bit of publicity, tour the hell out of your material, maybe a day off, and then the cycle starts again. Everyone is apart of this machine, that is the music industry. Like it or loath it, that is what the whole industry is about. If you cannot hack it then you will not stay in it for very long.

Pink Floyds “Welcome to the machine” hits the nail on the head, right from the title. Maybe if it was not for the “machine” then the amazingly talented Syd Barrett may have stayed with group. Instead, he saw it for what it was and got out. Yet he was still a tortured soul. The lyrics “what did you dream, it’s alright, we told you what to dream. You dreamed of a big star, you played a mean guitar” symbolizes the power that record companies do have over the artists. They big you up make you enjoy all of the benefits, let you experience the nice side, then allow you to crash and burn.

Not all of it is down to the record companies and management. The musicians are people and they do have a mind of their own. They could say no, but they also choose not to. They think this is the life for them, they do not realise what is going to happen, and to their management team they are nothing but money earners. They don’t care if you give yourself a habit or do yourself harm, why should they, they will just find another version of you out there.

My advice to any young band or artist out there, would be keep it small. If this is what you love to do then you will appreciate it for what it is. Appreciate the beginning of that special formation you have, enjoy the small venues, the loving fans and the intimate crowds, for as soon as you start to get bigger and bigger. The Belgrade fiasco could soon be you. The Guns ‘n’ Roses riots could happen to you. Or even if you happen to fall into that bracket through sheer talent, then good on you. Just know what happened to your predecessors and learn from their mistakes. Make your experience your own and more importantly make it count. So many talented people get lost in this industry and it is a crying shame.   

Arctic Monkeys - Suck it and see quite literally

Hi everyone,
                    After extensive listening and forming my own opinions, I decided to write a review on the album so enjoy.

Arctic Monkeys –

Suck it and see,

Quite literally.

I love it when a new album comes out. I get all excited and giddy, when I go to purchase it. So this was even more so the case when, the new Arctic Monkeys album came out. I have to say I was hoping that this would be better than Humbug, and by does it beat the last album hands down. It’s about time we heard Alex and the boys back to there normal selves.

Don’t get me wrong Humbug is a great album, but it lacked what the Arctic Monkeys are all about, and that is the quick witted lyrics that come from Turner, mixed with fast paced beats from the rest of the guys. Humbug was a different direction and was met with a lot of bad comments and opinions but strip it away and it is a great album. It is good that a band experiments, you don’t want to be hearing and buying the same thing over and over again, it gets tiring. So I will still give them 10 out of 10 for effort of Humbug. So as many critics didn’t like or believe in Humbug, a lot was riding on the next album.

Suck it and see, does not disappoint. “She’s Thunderstorms” leads you into what you think that it is going to be another Humbug inspired track, but as it gets going you soon realize that the boys are back. Turner’s quick witted and poetic lyrics come alive with the melodies. It is also nice to hear Alex’s voice back to how it was in the first 2 albums rather than the dark sultry pitches he undertook on the last album.

Although the album does seem dark it still has that toe tapping feel that, the Arctic Monkeys always seem to give a record. “Black treacle” is a prime example of this. You can’t help but keep to the beat of Matt Helders. It also seems that they are sticking it too the man, so to speak with the lyric “and you talk the talk alright, but do you walk the walk or catch the train?” insinuating that this album is to push into the critics face and ask, do they even know what they are talking about.

“The hellcat spangled shalalala” takes you back to the “Whatever people think” album. The poetic concept that runs through this song so strongly, that you can’t help but sing and smile at “sing another fucking shalalala.” This is the type of song you would want to here midway through a night out to sing-along with your mates.

The title in its self is, instructing you to just get on with it. Overcome your fears and just taste what is inside this album cover. You will not be disappointed in this album. From start to finish, you will love it and then repeat the process again.

These boys seem to have incorporated all previous 3 albums, into this wonderfully pleasant record, and it has worked. They have carefully selected the best parts of its predecessor. Although “Whatever people say I am” is flawless, find a problem with that album and we will see how many people actually agree with you. From a band that in 2004 and 2005 were playing the tiniest venues and even the unsigned stages at festivals, and now they are on their fourth album. This band has come under as much scrutiny and criticism that a band of their age would only ever get after a few decades. This though shows how in demand they are. People should really just listen to this amazing album and let them take you on a journey of sarcasm and wit, which only these lads can get across. You really should just “suck it and see” with this album, no doubt you will fall in love with it.  

Little bands do matter

Hello everyone,

wow 2 blogs in one day this won't happen that much. this topic is something that I have been thinking of for a while. As my blog is mainly about music this is something that means alot to me. without supporting local bands we will end up with the same music just a different day. So please read and enjoy.

Little bands are

What matter

So with everyone moaning about the line up of Leeds fest, I for one think it is a fantastic one. I love the fact Muse are headlining the Friday night. Although I would prefer them to close it, but hey I am not going to complain, they are playing and that is all that counts. Upon first look at the main stage it is a bit weak but when you delve in to all the other stages you are in for a real treat.

The people who are moaning and complaining clearly have not heard the new and exciting debut album from Mona, the fantastic debut from Frankie and the heartstrings and not to mention the first solo album of Miles Kane, which is out of this world. All of these new albums and bands that are coming out are, our future headline acts at festivals. Muse had to start at the bottom and work their way up, so did Pulp, Coldplay and look how Oasis started out, yes once they were noticed they were catapulted to stardom, but before then little places small stages. All these big bands had to start somewhere, and these are what the smaller tents are for to build these acts up and get them bigger audiences. I will be the first to admit some bands just can’t hack it on the main stages. It is sad to see and even to say they just don’t have the material yet to make it. Notice how I said yet.

You will find that the average music fan does become out of tune with what is new and out in world at the moment. It does cost a lot of money to keep in touch, there is the constant release of new albums, and then there is the tour to follow and then magazines so you can find all of these exciting new things. The one thing that a true music fan will always do (even if they do get out of touch) is go and see the various stages at a festival, or even see the support acts at a gig, of their favorite this band. This way you are getting out there and seeing the new exciting things that are happening, in the music world.

This was evident for me when I recently went to see, The subways at Leeds. We were there just in time to see one of the best support acts I have seen in a while. This band were called Young Aviators, these guys certainly got the crowd going for the main act (who were also amazing). They had a presence on stage that I have not seen in a while from a 3 piece band. They were interacting with the crowd as if they were playing a home crowd, and even brought an onlooker to the stage to become their dancer. It is these attributes of a band that will see these guys go far and accomplish things within the music world, which others will not. Most people that night found that these Irish wonders were an incredible act and couldn’t wait to see more.

So for the people who seem to just sit in the main arena of festivals, to just go see the main headline act, and not experience the full essence of what bands are like before they get to that main stage headlining slot, do not complain about the line up being “crap” or that it’s “same line up again”. If you do not like it then simply do not go. You can not argue that ticket prices are extortionate when you only aim to go to see 3 bands out of the entire weekend, when there are all these little gems hidden away, for you to find and experience. A festival ticket on average costs £200 you break this down over the 3 days and see the little bands you will get your moneys worth. More often than not also the small stages have the better crowds who make the gig even better.

Next time you’re at a gig and you think I will have one more beer, the headline isn’t on until 9, think again and go see the small bands. You will soon see what you are missing out on. These gems are the ones that will be shaping our musical future and the way we listen to music. Don’t get stuck with the old, keep experiencing new things. Music is a wonderful tool that can be appreciated in many ways. These little bands are what are creating the new innovative sounds; you won’t find people like Coldplay changing. They will stick to the Radiohead era for as long as they can (and no I am not slating Radiohead, but they are depressing). Same with the likes of U2 they won’t change, same album time and time again, it gets tiring. So get out there and enjoy your local band, because there will be one rehearsing like mad, just to play that small stage, keep that in mind when you see one of them.     

Live E.P review of Pengilly's

Hello everyone,

I have recently wrote a review of a Leeds band that people should really look into. They are unsigned, but have recently released an outstanding E.P that is beautiful and glorious. Please check them out, and enjoy my review.

Pengilly’s E.P launch

Left bank centre

1^st June 2011

The band soon take to the stage with a glorious opening from a superb choir, with vocals from Ric Hollingberry and co, singing a hymn that opens this wonderful and magical evening. It gives a taste of what is to come, and the crowd can’t wait.

They then launch in to Toby’s Hill with its light vocals and soothing lyrics, you can’t help but watch them, and be mesmerized by this spectacular performance. The setting of the left bank centre is perfect for this band the acoustics just bounce off one another, leading the audience to a very powerful show.

Ode VIII has soft finger picking guitar parts, which helps lead you on a journey with this band. The stage was rather on the small side, but was not an issue for this rather large, yet beautifully instrumental band, they all took their parts and enticed this crowd spectacularly.

 As the night flowed and the sun setting leaving the fairy lights to do the job, this group of extraordinary people made each, and everyone in the room feel like it was just them watching this band.

Further on we are in treated to a cover version of Jason Derulo’s “Whatcha say”. Wondering how this was going to work when I heard the opening chords and not sure if they were going to do the original, they soon set to work making this their own and succeeded. You ever get a chance to see Pengilly’s then I suggest you do.

pete Doherty - waste of space or talented soul

Hello everyone,

Pete Doherty – waste of space

or a talented soul.

For many years now Pete Doherty has been a love hate character for many people. You either love him for his music and talent, in which people believe he has him. Or you hate him for being a drain on our society, and that he gets away with everything just because he is famous.

What is the first thing you think of when you hear the name Pete Doherty, is it scum, drug addicted waste of space or a drain on society. These are some of what people do actually think when they hear the continuous stories of this drug addicted getting away with all the convictions that he has. They have every right to think this as if this was any other person who had just been found with an amount of a class A drug on them, they would be dealt with appropriately. For someone who has a criminal record such as Doherty then prison should be the case for him but time after time he gets away with it, released with a caution, or a fine if the judge is feeling strict. Pete is a re-offender who without a proper punishment will just keep on re-offending, well wouldn’t you if you knew you were going to get away with it.

To some people though that is not the first thing they think of when they hear his name. You think of one half of one of the most innovative and exciting bands on this planet, you think of beautiful lyricist, or just an all round entertainer who has a few problems. I for one fall into this category. I try not to think of his habits outside of music, because that is what brings him down. People can say what they want about him, but he was apart of the Libertines, who with only 2 albums under his belt (well 1 and a half as he wasn’t there for most of the second) created a massive hype, and also a legendry band who would change so many lives.

Within two albums Bilo and Biggles as Doherty and Barat call themselves, created genre defining music, which was based on the trials and tribulations of their friendship, but with a hint of finding the real “Albion” the world watched as Pete and Carl tore chunks out of each other, within the confines of their lyrics to the point where they both couldn’t take no more and parted ways. A short lived fairytale trip round album for their fans, but they continued to make music. Doherty is always in the limelight about all the bad things that he has done and why women should be with him, but what about his lyrics. These seem to get missed somewhere in the media hype.

If you actually read his lyrics then you see tortured soul laying his heart on the line. He does this in such a beautiful way it takes the listener (or reader) on a journey to the heart of Albion, Where everything is perfectly fine and nothing will hurt or bother you. If you take the “For Lovers” song, which was done with wolfman you hear someone who is in love, which could be interpreted for his love of heroin, but he still forgives them for whatever it is that they have done. Albion is a perfect of Pete’s two worlds coming together and not forming well. He lives in the real world but wants to be in Albion this perfect world for him. “Talk over, Gin in teacups, and leaves on the lawn, Violence in bus stops, and the pale thin girl with eyes forlorn.”

People can say what they want about Pete but to us Libs fans the man is a lyrical genius and we always hope that he sort his demons on and return to his post as Carl’s right hand man. Yes he a drug addict, and a drain on tax payers money when he has to go to trail and what not, but that has nothing to do with his writing abilities, and the power to make his fans go on a journey with him. I don’t ever think oh just because he writes good songs and goes out with models he should be let off, he should have the same punishment as everyone else. To those people who also say that he should be made an example of, then what about the little unknown people who still get away with things, should they not be made an example of also. Pete can do what he wants, he is a grown man but it can not doubted that he is a talented human being, who we hope to get more and more out of in the following years. A Libertines permanent reunion would also be nice.