Who The F#%k Are: The Strypes

The Strypes are an Irish rhythm and blues quartet formed in 2011.  After a few tweaks to their line up, the band released an EP entitled Young Gifted & Blue in 2012, which raised their profile significantly.  Dave Grohl, Sir Elton John, Paul Weller and Noel Gallagher are all fans.  In fact, the band are signed to John's management company.  Did I mention that the average age of the band is sixteen years old?  

The band are currently working on a debut album with highly-acclaimed record producer Chris Thomas (whose credits include The Beatles, Sex Pistols, Inxs and Pulp).  In the meantime, their debut single 'Blue Collar Jane' is available on iTunes and you can watch the video below.  

Thanks for reading!

Who The F#%k Are: Big Skies

Berlin based four-piece, Big Skies describe themselves as "psychedelic Britpop" (a term that immediately piqued my interest).  Formed by lifelong friends James Cubitt (vocals/guitar), Adam Neal (bass/vocals) and Jack Wharton (guitar/vocals) in late 2011, the trio left the claustrophobic London scene for the more artistically satisfying confines of Berlin where they met Canadian drummer Alexander Cumming.  

While they list influences such as The Jesus and Mary Chain and The Cure, there are also echoes of Going Blank Again-era Ride and, of course, the mid-90s Britpop explosion.

You could say the sky's the limit (too predictable?) for this up-and-coming band.  They have just played their biggest gig to date, opening for Palma Violets.  As of this writing, Big Skies only have three songs available on their Soundcloud page, my favourite being 'Stay Alive', which you can hear below.  Here's hoping for more.

bigskiesofficial.com

Thanks for reading.

Album Review: SUEDE - BLOODSPORTS

Most times when a band with a substantial back catalogue claim their new album is "their best yet" or a cross between two of their most well received efforts, it usually turns out to be either not the case at all or an overhyped mess.  Suede's "comeback" album Bloodsports finds the band picking up where they left off circa 1996's Coming Up.  In essence, this is the follow up that Head Music just wasn't.

Bloodsports opens with a trifecta of songs ('Barriers', 'Snowblind', and first single 'It Starts And Ends With You') that are better than anything on 2002's A New Morning.  Clearly, it wasn't only the fans who had a bad taste left in their mouths by that release.  'Sabotage' is soaked in gothic glamour and 'Hit Me' is a glam pop rocker.  'Sometimes I Feel I'll Float Away' taps into the spirit of 1992's b-side 'To The Birds'.

Bloodsports isn't perfect.  It does come close, were it not for a couple of ballads ('Always' and 'Faultlines') that end the album with a whimper rather than the bang it begins with.  That said, Bloodsports is a great return to form.  Here's hoping for more!

Standout tracks: 'It Starts And Ends With You', 'Hit Me' and 'Sometimes I Feel I'll Float Away'

Have You Heard: Primal Scream - '2013'

Primal Scream are back with the first taste of their upcoming "more rock" new album More Light.  The fittingly titled '2013' features the guitar stylings of My Bloody Valentine's Kevin Shields.  '2013' will be available on February 25th as a digital single with the full album arriving on May 6th.  

Check out the somewhat disturbing video for '2013' below.

Thanks for reading!

Who The F#%k Are: Wild Belle

I've been on a Songza kick lately.  It's a great service.  Sometimes I know exactly what I want to listen to, other times, not so much.  That's when I defer to the Songza music concierge.  Tonight, I was looking for something a little downtempo, to unwind and read a bit.  Boom!  Into my lap falls a great band from Chicago, Wild Belle.  Needless to say, I didn't end up reading at all (hence what you're reading).

This brother-and-sister due have a sound that's a mix of Specials and English Beat grooves and Santigold meets Lana Del Rey vocals.  And how about that sax? Killer!  The fact that they're from Chicago was a complete but pleasant surprise.  They only have two songs released at the moment, but a debut album, Isles, is slated for release on March 12th.  So get on your best pork-pie hat and braces on and check out Wild Belle.

Thanks for reading!

Suede Are Back In A Big Way

Yesterday saw the release of the first official single from Suede's upcoming Bloodsports album.  After an eleven year hiatus, 'It Starts and Ends With You' is a return to form for the Britpop veterans.  The video goes for the age old standby of soundstage performance, but at this point, I'm just happy to have new Suede music that doesn't sound like anything on A New Morning.    While this is the first "official" release from the record, we've already been treated to the album track 'Barriers'.  

Bloodsports is released on March 18th in the UK and March 19th in North America.

Thanks for reading!

The Return of the Guitar Hero: Johnny Marr

While surfing Facebook yesterday, my cousin posted a status update stating (very tongue in cheek) that when she grows up she wants to be The Smiths.  Her identity crisis aside, that got me thinking about my favourite Smiths songs, which in turn, peaked my excitement for the forthcoming solo release by former Smith/Modest Mouse/The Cribs guitar hero, Johnny Marr.  

Set for release on North American shores on February 26th, The Messenger is Marr's first proper solo album (2003's Boomslang was released under the Johnny Marr + The Healers moniker and was more of a collaborative band effort).  The first single (and title track) was released back in late November.  In early December, another track from the album was leaked released, titled 'The Right Thing Right'.  Yes, I'm a little behind on this, but the Christmas season was a killer.  In any event, check them out below.  Thanks for reading.

'The Right Thing Right'

'The Messenger'