Ten Favourite Musical Moments in 2010 - Part Two (Numbers 5-1)
Here's the top five musical highlights of 2010 for me a variety of reasons. I've rambled on below...
5. Soap&Skin – Live at Union Chapel
I’m still a little confused by this show. It was so intense, so spectacular but also completely nuts / on-edge that I can’t get my head around it. I thought Anja was on the brink of a breakdown at the time, I still do but I have been told it was all “part of the show” but I have not seen someone tackle/ appear to tackle so many stage demons as Soap&Skin that night.
Yet for someone who had to fight back the tears a few times and had to stop to gain composure on a couple of occasions the show was phenomenal, really it was just absolutely amazing. From the majestic beauty of “Cynthia” and “Mr Gaunt Pt. 1000” to the incredibly amazing heathen like possessed chants of “Marche Funebre”. That particular song is the best finale I’ve seen all year and second only to “There is no Light” for show stopping. Here it is from another show:
It defied any logic I could come up with that someone who was struggling to compose themselves just minutes before could come up to the front of the stage of Union Chapel and literally belt out a demonic and utterly mesmerizing performance like Anja did during “Marche Funebre”.
One thing I do know is that when Soap&Skin return I’ll be in attendance.
Read my show review at the time here.
----------------------------------------
4. Holly Miranda – August – I’d Rather Go Blind / NYC Taper / Fiume Nights Session…
One of my biggest regrets of the year (in a musical sense) is July 26th. Holly Miranda was playing the Borderline, I had a ticket but the mixture of being at a Christening up north the day before and a general lethargic attitude meant I didn’t go.
How silly I was because just a few weeks later I completely fell for Holly’s music mainly thanks to this clip of her covering Etta James...
Holly Miranda "I'd Rather be Blind" from Yours Truly on Vimeo.
That was soon followed by this amazing session with Marques Toliver…
Fiume Night 10 _ Holly Miranda _ williamsburgh, april 2009 from Vincent Moon / petites planetes on Vimeo.
Soon after NYC Taper put a few recordings online. (Download them here and here). By this point I was completely smitten and in denial that just a few weeks earlier I’d missed a chance to see her live myself, especially as Holly hasn’t returned to the UK since.
Least these sessions and recordings have given me a taste of what her live show would have been like and boy does it sound good. There hasn’t been any news since the summer, hopefully we’ll see a return soon in early 2011 (fingers crossed).
Holly’s album ‘The Magician’s Private Library’ came out in February and has been criminally overlooked on the whole, make sure you give it a listen because it’s one of the years best without doubt.
Download some of the above sessions here.
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3. Wildbirds & Peacedrums – Live at the Lexington and the jaw-dropping brilliance of “There is No Light”…
Probably my favourite gig of the year was Wildbirds & Peacedrums live at the Lexington, I’m not very good at decided something for certain like that but without doubt the biggest “Oh My Fucking God This Is AMAZING” moment was during “There is No Light”. It was epic, the drumming of Andreas Werliin was incredibly intense and the vocals of Mariam’s are above extraordinary. The strength and range of her voice is simply amazing. It was what they call a “Goosebumps” moment.
This isn’t the same show, but it gives you an idea:
It was not a one song show, “My Heart” is equally amazing, the encore saw a beautiful cover of “Wild is the Wind”. Another older song “Today/Tomorrow” again is the perfect song with yet another epic drum peak.
Their amazing performance reduced The Lexington to silence (seems a lot of my favourite gigs this year have been there!) and definitely one of the highlights of my musical year.
Wildbirds & Peacedrums - Wild is the Wind (Live at The Lexington) by morrisday
Read my initial thoughts here and more of W&P’s here.
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2. Caitlin Rose – August / September shows
The late summer of 2010 was all about Caitlin Rose, from August 19th to October 4th I saw her seven times, then once again in November. I saw her solo, with half a band, a full band and in a variety of locations, none of them disappointed, all of them left me feeling that Caitlin is something special.
From playing to 600 or so people at XOYO with the full band and performing almost a ‘rock & roll’ show to the 150 people squeezed into Brixton Windmill for an intimate show just as Radio Two started to champion her Caitlin has triumphed and succeeded to win over the hearts of so many people.
Her beautiful voice, endearing personality and above all wonderful lyrics and songs have been the sound track to so many of my days this year that I owe an awful lot to the Nashville singer.
‘Own Side Now’ is finally due for a US release in March 2011, I do hope it doesn’t mean Caitlin will forget us over here, I doubt it, it does seem that she’s at home in London – I hope so – you’re welcome here whenever Caitlin. Sometime soon please!
Read my original live review of Caitlin here and here, an interview here and the full archive for some live material, album review and general Caitlin love-in.
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1. The Joy Formidable – The NME Tour and March Tour.
These were simply a brilliant few weeks, if you’ve read this rambling shambles of a blog for any length of time you’ll know I’m pretty obsessed with The Joy Formidable, it was good to see them on some of the biggest stages they’ve ever headlined, even if the later tour was an NME sponsored event and had one of the worst supports I’ve ever heard (Flats) and also one of the most boring bands ever (Chapel Club).
The Joy Formidable are one of the most energetic and engaging bands I’ve ever come across. Every single show is an experience full of relentless energy. I’ve seen them about 20 times (so far) and I’ve never walked away one bit disappointed apart from that the show was over. The NME tour stepped it up a notch more from the March tour, the sound is expanding, their performances are show stopping and with songs like Spectrum / Whirring / The Greatest Light etc the material is suited to the live arena. Never do the guys disappoint, they give everything they have 100% of the time and then a little bit more too. Something a bit like this (hope there is a full recording of this – upcoming DVD maybe?!):
Hear a few recordings from the tour in the TJF archive here.
Plenty more to come in 2011, including ‘The Big Roar’….
Showing posts with label Wildbirds and Peacedrums. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Wildbirds and Peacedrums. Show all posts
Sunday, 26 December 2010
Wednesday, 1 December 2010
Just Music That I Like’s Twenty Five Favourite Albums of 2010 - Part One
Just Music That I Like’s Twenty Five Favourite Albums of 2010 aka The Best 25 Albums of the Year.
I was originally going to do just a top ten, but there are so many great records this year that I’ve done a top twenty five as I found it impossible not to include a couple of the records here. Though don’t expect to see Kayne, Boi Boi, Janelle and co making an impromptu appearance to make me look cool, I know I'm not.
I’ll release this in five parts due to the length of the posts. 25-21 below, then the next five daily - just to keep you in suspense (or something). Will update links below once posted. Anyone want to comment, speculate, disagree, recommend something better, the feel free to below.
This is by no means a gospel but these are the albums that I have listened to the most this year, those which have made me smile, laugh, relax. In a nutshell my favourite albums of 2010. So without any more waffle:
Direct Links to Albums: 25 - 21 // 20 - 16 // 15 - 11 // 10 - 6 // 5 - 1
25. Scary Mansion – Made Me Cry
http://scarymansion.tumblr.com/
Order
// Criminally overlooked on release at the start of 2010 ‘Made me Cry’ is Leah Hayes’ second album recorded as Scary Mansion.
No Law kicks off proceedings brilliantly, a lively and engaging start with layers of reverb, explosive synths and guitars.
Hayes' voice is an appealing one, naturally fragile, its breathy sincerity works more majestically well on energetic songs like “Scum Inside” (a more urgent re-working from Scary Mansion’s debut). Its heart achingly beautiful in places; “On My Mind” is a poignant piano led track and a definite highlight, although I’m not sure there is a need for the prolonged silence that follows it before closure.
‘Make Me Cry’ is a melancholic joy that flows from start to finish wonderfully well, at only nine tracks it’s all too fleeting a trip, but is worthy of much higher praise and acclaim that it's received to date.
Previously: Scary Mansion covered Chris Isaak’s “Wicked Game” with amazing effect, you can hear it here, as well as a more (for me) in-different cover of Cyndi Lauper’s “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” too.
Listen:
Scary Mansion - No Law by morrisday
Watch:
24. Sharon Van Etten - Epic
www.sharonvanetten.com/
Order // Epic shows a more varied range of styles to Sharon Van Etten's debut LP. Lyrically the overriding feeling is that of love and heartbreak, dealing with the aftermath of a romantic break-up. However, instead of turning into a sad, defeated victim the lyrics show signs of strength and resilience.
The biggest strength of the album is in the vocals, throughout they are simply stunning, Sharon's husky gorgeous voice goes through an amazing range of over the course of the album, melancholy folk, up-tempo alt-country, pure driven pop, rock and even a little experimental all within half an hour.
"Peace Sign" the most urgent track and carries a political anti-war statement housed as a rock song, the country-tinged "Save Yourself" would fit straight into any Nashville barroom.
Though 'Epic' is pretty short for a full length record at just seven songs and half an hour in length, it does save the best tracks for the later half of the record. The highlights for me are the instantly accessible "Don't Do It" along with the bluesy feel of "One Day" and finally "Love More" which closes the LP with a slow burning harrowing beauty of a song full of shimmering harmonium and heartbreak with a wonderful emotional climax.
Full of emotion and sentiment 'Epic' is beautifully crafted, the seven songs capture different moods and highlight the amazing talents of Sharon.
Listen:
Sharon Van Etten - Don't Do It by morrisday
Watch:
23. Zazie Von Einem Anderen Stern – regen:tropfen
www.myspace.com/zazievoneinemanderenstern
Order // Zazie Von Einem Anderen Stern; the name doesn't exactly roll off the tongue, but the German "unconventional" classical pianist has produced a stunning debut album entitled 'regen:tropfen' (rain:drops)..
Now classical music is not my thing at all, and I mean at all, let alone one where the few vocal tracks are in German. However, this is quite astonishing.
From start to finish you are transported on a wholly emotive and absorbing journey, I love albums that are a complete experience and "regen:tropfen" is just that, no quick singular download from iTunes here.
Essentially the tracks are piano based melancholic compositions. There are times when you hear loads of weird noises and sounds, such as birds / traffic / babies and the like, then also random German speech but the sound of the piano heard almost throughout brings it all together and makes each track really beautiful, the themes are melancholy without doubt but also endearing and blissful.
I have absolutely no idea what Zazie is saying (I did Spanish at school!) but the vocal tracks are fragile, delicate and to simply sum this whole experience up, wonderful.
Listen:
Zazie Von Einem Anderen Stern - regentropfen by morrisday
Order // LCD Soundsystem’s work has always been hit and miss for me, this the third album is the most consistent yet (although I know I’m in a minority there), it sits amongst a genre I’m not particularly fond of, but James Murphy sure knows how to make you dance.
Disco-rock, dance-punk I’m not sure how to pigeonhole it, but ‘This is Happening’ works well for numerous reasons. The ‘Heroes’ esque “All I Want” is a fantastic ballad, if musically that similar to the Bowie classic that I can’t believe the lawyers haven’t come knocking. The punchy, amusing “Drunk Girls” and the bouncy “Pow Pow” are dance-floor friendly anthems. “Dance Yrself Clean” takes far too long to get going, but once it does the payback is worth it.
Those highs are certainly enough to make this a likeable dance album.
Listen:
LCD Soundsystem - Pow Pow by morrisday
Watch:
21. Wildbirds & Peacedrums – Rivers
I was originally going to do just a top ten, but there are so many great records this year that I’ve done a top twenty five as I found it impossible not to include a couple of the records here. Though don’t expect to see Kayne, Boi Boi, Janelle and co making an impromptu appearance to make me look cool, I know I'm not.
I’ll release this in five parts due to the length of the posts. 25-21 below, then the next five daily - just to keep you in suspense (or something). Will update links below once posted. Anyone want to comment, speculate, disagree, recommend something better, the feel free to below.
This is by no means a gospel but these are the albums that I have listened to the most this year, those which have made me smile, laugh, relax. In a nutshell my favourite albums of 2010. So without any more waffle:
Direct Links to Albums: 25 - 21 // 20 - 16 // 15 - 11 // 10 - 6 // 5 - 1
25. Scary Mansion – Made Me Cry
Order
// Criminally overlooked on release at the start of 2010 ‘Made me Cry’ is Leah Hayes’ second album recorded as Scary Mansion. No Law kicks off proceedings brilliantly, a lively and engaging start with layers of reverb, explosive synths and guitars.
Hayes' voice is an appealing one, naturally fragile, its breathy sincerity works more majestically well on energetic songs like “Scum Inside” (a more urgent re-working from Scary Mansion’s debut). Its heart achingly beautiful in places; “On My Mind” is a poignant piano led track and a definite highlight, although I’m not sure there is a need for the prolonged silence that follows it before closure.
‘Make Me Cry’ is a melancholic joy that flows from start to finish wonderfully well, at only nine tracks it’s all too fleeting a trip, but is worthy of much higher praise and acclaim that it's received to date.
Previously: Scary Mansion covered Chris Isaak’s “Wicked Game” with amazing effect, you can hear it here, as well as a more (for me) in-different cover of Cyndi Lauper’s “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” too.
Listen:
Scary Mansion - No Law by morrisday
Watch:
24. Sharon Van Etten - Epic
Order // Epic shows a more varied range of styles to Sharon Van Etten's debut LP. Lyrically the overriding feeling is that of love and heartbreak, dealing with the aftermath of a romantic break-up. However, instead of turning into a sad, defeated victim the lyrics show signs of strength and resilience.
The biggest strength of the album is in the vocals, throughout they are simply stunning, Sharon's husky gorgeous voice goes through an amazing range of over the course of the album, melancholy folk, up-tempo alt-country, pure driven pop, rock and even a little experimental all within half an hour.
"Peace Sign" the most urgent track and carries a political anti-war statement housed as a rock song, the country-tinged "Save Yourself" would fit straight into any Nashville barroom.
Though 'Epic' is pretty short for a full length record at just seven songs and half an hour in length, it does save the best tracks for the later half of the record. The highlights for me are the instantly accessible "Don't Do It" along with the bluesy feel of "One Day" and finally "Love More" which closes the LP with a slow burning harrowing beauty of a song full of shimmering harmonium and heartbreak with a wonderful emotional climax.
Full of emotion and sentiment 'Epic' is beautifully crafted, the seven songs capture different moods and highlight the amazing talents of Sharon.
Listen:
Sharon Van Etten - Don't Do It by morrisday
Watch:
23. Zazie Von Einem Anderen Stern – regen:tropfen
Order // Zazie Von Einem Anderen Stern; the name doesn't exactly roll off the tongue, but the German "unconventional" classical pianist has produced a stunning debut album entitled 'regen:tropfen' (rain:drops)..
Now classical music is not my thing at all, and I mean at all, let alone one where the few vocal tracks are in German. However, this is quite astonishing.
From start to finish you are transported on a wholly emotive and absorbing journey, I love albums that are a complete experience and "regen:tropfen" is just that, no quick singular download from iTunes here.
Essentially the tracks are piano based melancholic compositions. There are times when you hear loads of weird noises and sounds, such as birds / traffic / babies and the like, then also random German speech but the sound of the piano heard almost throughout brings it all together and makes each track really beautiful, the themes are melancholy without doubt but also endearing and blissful.
I have absolutely no idea what Zazie is saying (I did Spanish at school!) but the vocal tracks are fragile, delicate and to simply sum this whole experience up, wonderful.
Listen:
Zazie Von Einem Anderen Stern - regentropfen by morrisday
22. LCD Soundsystem – This Is Happening
Order // LCD Soundsystem’s work has always been hit and miss for me, this the third album is the most consistent yet (although I know I’m in a minority there), it sits amongst a genre I’m not particularly fond of, but James Murphy sure knows how to make you dance.
Disco-rock, dance-punk I’m not sure how to pigeonhole it, but ‘This is Happening’ works well for numerous reasons. The ‘Heroes’ esque “All I Want” is a fantastic ballad, if musically that similar to the Bowie classic that I can’t believe the lawyers haven’t come knocking. The punchy, amusing “Drunk Girls” and the bouncy “Pow Pow” are dance-floor friendly anthems. “Dance Yrself Clean” takes far too long to get going, but once it does the payback is worth it.
Those highs are certainly enough to make this a likeable dance album.
Listen:
LCD Soundsystem - Pow Pow by morrisday
21. Wildbirds & Peacedrums – Rivers
Order // Why it took me until the release of the release of the Iris EP to fall for Wildbirds & Peacedrums is one of life’s mysteries. Rivers, their third release is the first that deviates from the duo’s impressive percussion and voice combination.
The first half of Rivers sees them joined by an entire choir which adds an eerie, religious sound to the trademark steel-pan military drumming and Miriam’s exquisite voice. That voice, it’s simply unbelievable in its power.
There are some captivating almost medieval moments, the echoing, ritualistic chants during “Fight For Me” create a brutal, tribal call that could almost have you cowering under your bed. “Peeling of the Layers” is on the other hand a beautiful experience, the military drumbeats and the voice one of real understated beauty.
The second half is more minimal and the results are gorgeous, hushed and tranquil “The Drop” stands out as an incredible performance. The steel drum evident throughout on the cohesive ‘Iris’ side, it’s most upbeat moment is on "The Well".
Like so many of my favourite artists, W&P are even more spectacular live. If you’ve not seen some of the videos I’ve posted previously make sure you do, even better go and see them next time they are in town.
Previously: Wildbirds & Peacedrums archive for links to some amazing videos from the band, a couple of live sessions and more.
Listen:
Listen:
Watch:
Sunday, 21 November 2010
Wildbirds & Peacedrums #6 - StageExitLeft Videos
I so wish I was there when this was recorded:
Wildbirds & Peacedrums with TWENTY drummers doing There is no Light = yes please.
You can watch a lot, lot more via the youtube channel of StageExitLeft here. Do so, to date a mere 200 people have seen that extraordinary performance above. Here's Today/Tomorrow too:
If that's too much drumming for you, there is also a 'standard' show videos in there too. Happy Christmas.
"My Heart":
Wildbirds & Peacedrums with TWENTY drummers doing There is no Light = yes please.
You can watch a lot, lot more via the youtube channel of StageExitLeft here. Do so, to date a mere 200 people have seen that extraordinary performance above. Here's Today/Tomorrow too:
If that's too much drumming for you, there is also a 'standard' show videos in there too. Happy Christmas.
"My Heart":
Tuesday, 31 August 2010
Friday, 27 August 2010
Wildbirds & Peacedrums #4 - Live at The Lexington Review
On Thursday this might just have changed. I was in utter awe at the brilliance of the performance of Mariam Wallentin and Andreas Werliin, Wildbirds & Peacedrums.
I am somewhat of a late comer, only discovering the duo with the release of their Retina EP around May time, therefore this was the first time I'd seen them live. It will not be the last.
Tuesday, 27 July 2010
Wildbirds & Peacedrums #3 - "Rivers" Album Review
Wildbirds & Peacedrums - Bleed Like There Was No Other Flood from Leaf Label on Vimeo.
www.myspace.com/wildbirdsandpeacedrums
http://theleaflabel.com/wildbirdsandpeacedrums
I know I only just posted about these, but this album is just so good I had to try and write it down again. I don't do reviews very well, so I do apologise if it's not up to your normal standard, but I'm not after being paid and I don't want your job, so let's not worry about that...
There is also some new and special news, in addition to the duo show announced for 26th Aug at the wonderful Lexington, there will be an additional show "with Voices" planned for Union Chapel on November 27th - ticket link. These will be special, very special.
Wildbirds and Peacedrums have created a true masterpiece, from start to finish Rivers (the Retina and Iris EP's combined on one double CD) is sublime and beautifully crafted.
Opener Bleed Like There Was No Other Flood is captivating and exquisite, Retina's tracks on the whole are embodied with a choir's echoing and chanting, Andreas Werliin's machine like drumming and Mariam Wallentin's voice resonating above all. Fight For Me is brutal, an energetic ride that cries out for hearing in a live show. Peeling of the Layers is just beautiful, the drumbeats almost military in nature, the voice one of real understated beauty.
Mariam's vocal's make this album a masterpiece for me, powerful yet beautiful at the same time.
There is an almost religious feel throughout, you find yourself in a ritualistic trance, completely immersed in the atmosphere of the record.
Retina is the opus, whereas Iris more subdued, however this is not to say Iris suffers for it, rarely will you hear anything other than the minimalist beat of the steel drum with Mariam's warm vocal delivery over it, but these songs need no more. Highlights for me are The Well and The Wave.
Honestly, breathtaking does not do this album justice. This is a band that is constantly evolving and improving.
Rivers is a guarantee for a place in the end of year lists throughout the internet.
8.6 / 10
Tuesday, 20 July 2010
Wildbirds and Peacedrums #2 - New Show & Album News
www.myspace.com/wildbirdsandpeacedrums
http://theleaflabel.com/wildbirdsandpeacedrums
I was very, very excited to see this get announced on the bands myspace...
"RIVERS CELEBRATION IN LONDON THE 26th of AUG!!
YEEEES
soon our double CD RIVERS is out and we will celebrate it with a duo bonus show at The Lexington the 26th of August, be there with us!
Here is some news about it from our label: http://www.theleaflabel.com/en/news/view/208
and here is the direct ticket link: http://theleaflabel.net/buy/riversticketposter-bundle/
and then the fall will come and we will among other things go to Japan and then do our with Voices tour in Europe and then after that we can start over again- you see we can already hear our next cd in our heads ;)..
have a wonderful summer of what is left of it and see you in the fall!!
XX
m and a"
So, yes, what are you doing, click on the link above and buy the album and ticket or just the album but it's just £18 for immediate download, the CD and a ticket to the gig - bargain or what.
I've got both sexy white vinyl EP's already and this album will without doubt be in my top ten of the year, it is exquisite, beautiful and beyond rewarding on multiple listens. Listen to it.
Go forth and listen to their last London show here
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