of Montreal ~ Concorde 2 Brighton 27th April 2012

I've seen of Montreal 2 times prior to this show & both times the gig proved to be a neon psycadelic treat to all the senses. Not so much a gig as a fully realised trip an of Montreal gig always stands out in my mind with it's interesting choreography and use of projections, not to mention the band are just incredibly tight with Kevin Barnes commanding the stage as good as any certified pop star. This show blew even the absaloutly incredible performance at ATP 2008 out of the water with the real stand out was the stellar performance of 'She's A Rejecor' which totally blew me and the rest of the crowds collective minds. Words can never do an of Montreal show justice so I'm just going to say that this was one of the best gigs I've ever been to in my life, period. 

Album Review: Death Grips - The Money Store

Ever wondered what a concussion in a night club would feel like? I'm pretty sure Death Grips have put out a definitive answer & I now introduuce you to the album that'll top many best of 2012 lists as well as many worst of 2012 lists. Polarising is a polite way to put this album, you'll either absolutely love it or simply be put off the moment the noise comes out of the speakers. This abrasive effort of Hardcore meets Hip Hop is loud, dirty and ugly and doesn't try to be anything else. Having said that 'The Money Store' is a hell of a lot more approachable then the first album 'Ex Military' with songs such as 'The Fever (Aye Aye)', 'The Cage' & 'I've Seen Footage' perhaps easing people in but even if it's a major label release calling anything on here mainstream or truly approachable would be foolish. As it is the dirty & loud controlled chaos  on show here really appeals to me & I think this album is nothing short of incredible. But as I said you'll either love it or hate it, so don't take this review as a definitive recommendation
                                                                                

Album Review: Moonface - Heartbreaking Bravery

It comes with much regret to say that the latest Spencer Krug is yet another in a long run of disappointments, what happened? Krug has gone from a guy that used to produce several good to great albums/EPs a year but as of late it's all been so mediocre. I came into this album really wanting to love it, what with the EPs showing some promise and all & the fact Spencer has produced 3 of my favourite albums of all time with Sunset Rubdown and Wolf Parade but this LP commits one of the great sins, it's totally forgettable. Much like Expo'86 (the last Wolf Parade album) you forget you've even listened to it almost as soon as it's over, sure the lyrics here are heart felt and very strongly written but other then the quite fantastic and intense'Faraway Lightning' and the epic 'Yesterday's Fire' it all comes across as a watered down version of his previous outings & bands he's been involved in. It's not a bad album it just holds no real impact what's so ever, it's mediocre.

Label: Jagjaguwar

Recommended Songs: Yesterday's Fire, Faraway Lightning

Album Of The Week #2: Mike Patton - Mondo Cane

All that needs to be said is this album is Mike Fucking Patton lending his hand on Italian pop music from the 50s and 60s.... I mean after that description alone you should already want to listen to this and of course that's why I'm not going to say anything more then that. It's Mike Patton doing Italian pop songs! What's not to love? And if you think you've come up with an answer to that question then sorry, go away, I don't want to know you.

Spotify Playlist: 100 Of My Favourite Songs From The Past 10 Years (2002 - 2012)

Album Review: La Sera - Sees The Light

This is the second album this year I've listened to from the Vivian Girls camp & whilst I've never been much more then a passing fan of the band I really enjoy this. Frankie Roses effort 'Interstellar' hooked me in with it's rather catchy and excellent song 'Know Me' but turned out to be lacking in any depth, it was kind of repetitive and really didn't offer much in the way of ideas. Now this album doesn't offer much new to the table but what it does do well is it does both Girly guitar pop and straight up Indie rock very well with songs such as the excellent 'I Can't Keep You in My Mind' etched into my head already and receiving several plays on this here computer. In essence an album about love, a girl pop band album at it's core that follows a very melodic traditional Indie rock formula which often harkens back to bands such as Weezer & the Pixies, if that sounds good to you, you'll probably enjoy this album.

Label: Hardly Art

Recommended Songs: I Can't Keep You in My Mind, How Far We've Come Now, Break My Heart, It's Over Now, Drive On

Album Review: Bobby Conn - Macaroni

The is a lot that can be said about politically driven albums & fun/funky isn't often one of those things. This album takes Indie Rock & infuses it with funky disco vibes to make an album bursting at the rims full of character and identity. Given the subject matter this album could easily be self indulgent and ham fisted & whilst I wouldn't exactly call the lyrical content & message subtle it certainly isn't ham fisted in it's approach and most certainly doesn't get in the way of the music. The are huge choruses, excitable and dynamic vocal deliveries and brilliant interplay between bass, guitar, strings and synth which all seems determined as it might to make you dance & just forget about all your problems despite slapping you in the face with them. A surprise for me, never hearing of this artist before, but I'm almost certain to give this one plenty more listens once the dust settles, it just has so much personality! Think Devo meets Jay Retard after a date with !!! and a brief exchange with The Apples In Stereo and you've sort of got an idea of what this album sounds like & it's a whole lot of fun.

Label: Fire Records

Stand Out Songs: Macaroni, Govt, Face Blind, GREEED, Afterschool