The Amorettes- Our Black Heart, Camden, London 24/05/16
Its not very often I take a real liking to a band as quickly as I have with The Amorettes. Last night was the third time I've seen them since December, and each time I've come away beaming having thoroughly enjoyed myself. Admittedly they may not be a household name as of yet, but believe me, they are one of the freshest and most exciting new bands around at the moment.
L-R Gill, Heather, Hannah
The band consists of Gill on vocals/lead guitar, Heather on Bass and Hannah on drums. 2016 has been a busy year for the girls so far. They've been finishing off work on their new album, release on June 27th, as well as a full UK tour supporting fellow British rockers The Treatment. They have also been lucky enough to bag support slots in the past with the likes of Europe, Black Star Riders, Thunder and Ash. I actually went to their recent show in Portsmouth and personally I thought they played The Treatment off the stage. But that's not the gig I'm writing about...
Album cover for White Hot Heat
Their new album 'White Hot Heat' follows on from their independently released 2010 debut 'Haulin' Ass' and the 2015 follow up 'Game On'. The new album, fan funded through Pledge Music, has so far been a success where they are currently sitting at 280% of their original target. Produced by Luke Morley (lead guitarist for British rock legends Thunder) the album also has writing input from Black Star Riders front man Ricky Warwick.
Last night's show in Camden, was one of two shows on offer to Pledge campaigners to go along and be among some of the first to hear the new songs played live. Having seen them before I knew what to expect, but even so they were superb. They play simple, straight forward, no nonsense rock and roll and they play it very, very well.
Sprinkling the set with old favourites such as 'Son of a Gun', 'Fire at Will' and 'Bull by the Horns', the bulk of the set was made up songs from the new album. The new songs went down really well, including 'Let the Neighbours Call the Cops' which is due to be the lead single. They haven't deviated far from the formula but they really have no need to. They're a rock and roll band and that's exactly what you get. Some of the riffs sounded heavier in comparison to 'Game On' but thats far from a criticism. If anything, it enhanced their sound even more. They have a tight sound and the songs are very well put together.
Playing other new songs such as 'Come 'n' Get It', 'White Russian Roulette' and 'Eyes on the Prize' they finished the set with the thumping 'Stealing Thunder' before ending with the popular 'Hot and Heavy'. They then came back on stage for what seemed an unplanned encore of 'Daddy's Got Money' and 'Shoot From the Hip' before thanking the fans and leaving the stage.
What seemed like nerves for the first few songs soon disapperated and once they got into their stride there was no stopping them. The venue could only hold a maximum of 100 people and each and every person left having had a fantastic nights entertainment.
They are busy with festivals this summer, including the mighty Download festival at Castle Donington where they are due to play on the Friday. There is still time to contribute to their Pledge campaign too, which I strongly suggest you have a look at. They are a superb band, they deserve it and you won't regret it.
Sometimes I like to break from the norm and go and see an artist that is totally different from the rock or indie gigs that I tend to frequent. So was the case when I saw that Foxes had a date in my neck of the woods.
It was a bit of a spontaneous decision to go, I hadn't planned on going until about a fortnight before; lucky, as the original tour had been postponed due to illness. As it turned out, I had made the right decision to go.
Promoting her second album 'All I Need', which was released earlier this year, Foxes, real name Louisa Rose Allen, brought her exciting brand of "experimental pop" to a packed Concorde 2 in Brighton. The setlist included singles 'Body Talk' and 'Better Love' as well as favourites off her debut including the title track 'Glorious' and the phenomenal 'Youth'. She also wasn't afraid to show her vulnerable side with tracks such as 'If You Leave Me Now' before finishing the set with the wonderful 'Let Got For Tonight'.
As a performer she is fantastic. She has a great vocal range, demonstrated when she held some impressive long notes, and dances around the stage with bounds of energy. At the same time however she was very humble, taking time to stress how grateful she was that everybody had come out to support her and her music. A special mention should also go to her backing band, a very talented group of musicians who take a back seat but provide the backbone for Foxes to do her thing.
All in all this was a thoroughly enjoyable evening. From 'lighters in the air' moments to having the whole room bouncing she held the audience and they responded accordingly. She arrived on the back of huge criticial acclaim and from where I was standing I can see exactly what the fuss is about. Definitely an artist to check out during the summer festival season.
We Are Scientists might not be one of the household names when you think of indie bands from the 2000s, but dismiss them at your peril. On the road promoting their latest album 'Helter Seltzer', they finished the tour in style on the south coast. The Californian trio, fronted by guitarist and singer Keith Murray and bassist Chris Cain, bought their electrifying brand of indie rock to a packed out Concorde 2 and left the place buzzing.
It was my first time seeing them live. I was due to see them at a festival last summer, but due to the dreaded timing clash at festivals, I wasn't able to catch them. I rectified that though when I saw the date in Brighton come up. I'm glad I did, they were fantastic.
With five albums behind them, they have a strong pool of songs to choose from and playing hits such as 'Nobody Move, Nobody Get Hurt', 'Rules Don't Stop' and 'The Great Escape' they didn't disappoint. There was a great atmosphere with people up on shoulders and huge sing alongs, especially to their biggest hit 'After Hours'. Even the new songs such as 'Buckle' and 'In My Head' went down well with the crowd.
They may have been part of the Indie scene that gained popularity in the mid-00s, but they still sound fresh and current. Their stage show is lively and they offer a good interaction with the crowd. This was typified with Keith Murray ending the night in the crowd during the encore. All in all, it was brilliant and thoroughly enjoyable evening. If you get a chance to see them at a festival this summer, it will be a good way to spend your time.
Well, I haven't done one of these for a while. Ages infact. So I do apologise if I'm a bit rusty, but I thought I'd get back in the saddle after an extended break and give this blogging malarky another go.
What better way to get back into things than a round up of the year so far. As its May (already! where's the year gone?) thought it was a good excuse to have a look at what 2016 has thrown up so far. As usual its a mix of old and new artists with a mix of genres and styles thrown into the mix as well.
If nothing else, you may find your new favourite song.
Birdy- Keeping Your Head Up: The success that Birdy has achieved at a young age shows that age is no barrier if the talent is there. Still only 19 years old, she released her third studio album 'Beautiful Lies' in March of this year. 'Keeping Your Head Up' is the lead single from the album, managing to show off her wonderful voice whilst being of a more upbeat style than some of her previous work. There are similarities to Florence and the Machine sound wise, which isn't a bad thing, but her signature sound is still the backbone of the album. She is a major talent and one that is only going to get stronger. If you don't believe me, all you have to do is watch her performing her hit single 'Wings' live.
Biffy Clyro- Wolves of Winter: Scottish rock titans Biffy Clyro made their return this year with the fabulous single 'Wolves of Winter'. It is the first single off their seventh studio album 'Ellipsis'. Not due for release until July, 'Wolves of Winter' is some appetiser, consisting of the signature heavy Biffy sound. If the rest of the album is like this, it is going to be a good one. They are one band I have yet had the privilege to see live, but that is going to change on their next UK tour.
Black Stone Cherry- Wembley Arena, London 2014
Black Stone Cherry- The Way of the Future: Southern State Hard rockers Black Stone Cherry made their return this year their mighty new album 'Kentucky'. Named after their home town, and where they recorded it, the band wanted to hark back to a heavier sound more in keeping with their early albums. Its safe to say that they have succeeded. I'm a big fan of Black Stone Cherry and even though they have always had a heavy sound, its nice to hear the 'radio friendly' side have a slightly harder edge. 'Kentucky' is the band's fifth album and they appear to be going from strength to strength.
Blossoms- Brighton 2016
Blossoms- At Most a Kiss: A new band on the scene for 2016, so new they don't have a debut album yet, but that hasn't stopped Stockport indie band Blossoms making significant waves. They finished fourth on the BBC's Sound of 2016 and listening to Blossoms' brand of Indie pop, its easy to see why they are so highly rated. 'At Most a Kiss' is a synthy number with 80's influences laced into it giving it a modern, youthful edge. In a recent interview with NME, front man Tom Ogden proclaimed "We don’t wanna be underground. We wanna become a big band.” Time will tell whether this comes true, but they've made a very good start.
Brian Fallon- Wonderful Life: I was gutted last year when, after seeing them for the third time, The Gaslight Anthem announced they were going on a indefinite hiatus. There had been rumours of a split, so the news of a break was a bit worrying. Gaslight fans needn't worry though as the band's front man, Brian Fallon, has come up with a fantastic album. It's not his first project away from his day job, but it is his first 'solo' effort and its a cracker. It treads a more mellow path than the Gaslight Anthem but the DNA is still there that fans will recognise. 'Wonderful Life' is the lead single from the album and shows that there is life beyond Gaslight Anthem.
Catfish and the Bottlemen- Brighton 2016
Catfish and the Bottlemen- Soundcheck: What a couple of years its been for Catfish and the Bottlemen. I saw them around 18 months ago, not long after the release of their debut album, at Concorde 2 in Brighton and they were superb. A band with a lot of youthful energy but with the material and stage craft to back it up. Roll forward to 2016, and after picking up the Best British Breakthrough Act award at the Brits, they have album number two on the way. 'Soundcheck' is one of the first singles off the album and its business as usual. Its very catchy, very accomplished indie rock. There is a maturity to their sound which translates into their superb live show. If they carry on the trajectory they are on, they could well be the next British indie superstars.
Elle King- America's Sweetheart: 'America's Sweetheart' is the latest single by L.A. born singer songwriter Elle King. Its the third single from her album 'Love Stuff' and is the follow up to the wonderful 'Ex's and Oh's' released last year. It showcases her strong and distinctive vocals, something that helps her stand out against her contemporaries. She is a very talented singer and definitely one to keep an eye out for.
James- Nothing But Love: 'Nothing But Love' is the latest single by Manchester veterans James from their latest album 'Girl at the End of the World'. It gained publicity after it came within a whisker of knocking Adele's '25' off the top of the UK charts after being ahead at the midweek count, but ulitmately had to settle for the number two spot. With total career albums sales of well over 25 million world wide though its hardly surprising. Their enduring popularity is based around quality song writing and a loyal fanbase, showcased by another sell out tour. It's good to see them still going strong and in Tim Booth they have one of the British music's best and underrated front men.
James Bay- Best Fake Smile: 2015 was a huge year for Herfordshire born singer songwriter James Bay. Not only did it see the release of his debut album 'Chaos and the Calm', the album that had already spawned the platinum selling hit single 'Hold Back the River', he played the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury, had a sold out UK tour and recieved multiple nominations for both the Brits and Grammy Awards. Onto 2016 then, and it's more of the same. In the same way that 'Hold Back the River' and Bay's other hit single 'If You Ever Want to be in Love' dominated the airwaves, 'Best Fake Smile' is following in their footsteps. It's not hard to see why, its upbeat and catchy and showcases why 'Chaos and the Calm' was so critically acclaimed.
Jake Bugg- On My One: 'On My One' is the lead single by Jake Bugg off his latest album by the same name. This is Bugg's third album following on from 2013's Shangri La. Not bad for someone who is still only 22. His debut in 2012 though proved that age doesn't matter, and this maturity shines through on his latest single. Not only is there an 'old head on young shoulders' aura to the lyrics, the same can be applied the delvery. Very simple, stripped back and highlights Bugg's distinctive vocals.If the rest of the album is anything like this then we're in for a treat.
Ladyhawke- Sweet Fascination: Another pleasant surprise this year has been the return of New Zealand born synth-pop singer Ladyhawke. Best known for her 2008 hit single 'My Delerium', surprisingly her new album 'Wild Things' is only her third. Good things come to those who wait however and its business as usual. I really enjoy her sound and her brand of synth-laden indie rock is extremely catchy. She has stated the reason for the large gap between albums was due to the fact she didn't want to release something she wasn't proud of. Well she can most definitely be proud of this and I'm very much looking forward to seeing her on tour in June.
Lissie- Don't You Give Up On Me: One of the most underrated female singer/songwriters around has come back with new music this year, with Lissie releasing her third album 'My Wild West'. The folk rock singer is one of my favourite artists, not just because of her music, but the genuine, down the earth aurora she has. This comes across in her music with her distinctive husky vocals giving her a Stevie Nicks-esque qualities. She has a strong back catalogue from her previous two albums and this carries on with 'Don't You Give Up On Me', the lead single from the new album. Its an upbeat, singalong song and showcases what an underrated talent she is.
Royal Blood- Portsmouth 2015
Royal Blood- Where Are You Now?: It's really good to hear Royal Blood back. Their self titled debut went straight to number one in 2014 and they finished touring late last year taking some much deserved time off before work on album number two was to begin. Written for use in the hit US show 'Vinyl', 'Where Are You Now' offers an insight into what the album may sound like. The signs are good, the worry always was 'how do they follow up their debut without making a carbon copy?' Well they've managed it here by making subtle changes. Nothing radical, more refining what was already there. Second album syndrome can strike down any artist after a successful debut, but judging by this, Royal Blood have already cracked it.
Sick Puppies: Stick to your Guns: It's strange how much things can change in 5 years. 2011 saw the international release of 'Tri Polar' the third album by Aussie band Sick Puppies. It's one of my top 10 favourite albums, its superb and I was lucky enough to see them when they toured the UK for their 2013 follow up 'Connect'. Roll forward to 2016 however, singer Shimon Moore is gone and has been replaced by Bryan Scott. New singer and a slightly new style. They always had a hard edge to some of their songs, but 'Stick to Your Guns' is a lot heavier and more aggressive and I have to say, I really like it. The band has moved on, changed direction and I'm really looking forward to hearing the rest of the album.
Sixx AM- You Have Come to the Right Place: 2015 saw the end of one of rock's most infamous bands as Motley Crue concluded their 'All Bad Things Must Come to an End' tour and 'retired'. As the saying goes though, as one door closes another one opens and the end of the Crue means bassist Nikki Sixx can concentrate on his other project Sixx AM with, now ex-GnR, guitarist DJ Ashba and singer/producer James Michaels. 2016 sees the release of an ambitious double album 'Prayers of the Damned' with part one released at the end of April. It will actually be albums 4 & 5 from the band but the first as a 'full time band'. 'You Have Come to the Right Place' is one of the lead singles and showcases the band's hard hitting style. Comparisons to Motley Crue would be unjustified, this is a totally different project; modern hard rock from a band who can now concentrate wholly on themselves.
Stereophonics- White Lies: 'White Lies' is the fourth single taken from the 2015 album 'Keep the Village Alive' by Welsh indie rock veterans Stereophonics. Kelly Jones and co have always had the knack of writing fantastic songs, from the early 'Local Boy in the Photograph' to the mighty 'Dakota' to 'C'est la Vie' they have always stuck to their guns and done their own thing. Now almost 20 years on from their debut album, this latest single shows a band at the top of their game. It may not have the punchy lead guitar of older material, but it shows a depth and quality of song writing by a band happy doing their own thing. With a raft of big shows this summer, including a headline slot at the Isle of Wight festival and playing Cardiff City Stadium, 2016 is set to be another big year.
The Coral- Miss Fortune: The words "The Coral" and "new music" in the same sentence came as a bit of a surprise when I heard the announcement of their new single on the radio. Penning hits such as 'Dreaming of You' and 'In the Morning' which were staples of the indie surge of the early to mid 2000s, this new album is their second since the return off hiatus. 'Miss Fortune' is the second single from the album and fans of psychedelic indie rock will be very happy. Defintely shows that after 8 albums, there is much more to the band than the radio hits.
Volbeat- The Devil's Bleeding Crown: My day was made the other week when Danish metal/hard rock outfit Volbeat gave a teaser for their new album 'Seal the Deal and Let's Boogie'. 'The Devil's Bleeding Crown' is the lead single off the new album, due for release in June, and it shows a band pretty much continuing from where their previous album left off. They have always had a distinctive sound, mixing Johnny Cash and Elvis Pressley influences together with hard rock and thrash metal, but this new single maintains an added 'mainstream' edge that became apparent in their last album. I like it, if it means that Volbeat expand their audience that can only be a good thing. I'm a big fan of Volbeat, they have some fantastic songs and this is another one that can be added to the list..
Weezer- Do You Wanna Get High?: It's been 22 years since Weezer released their eponymous debut, aka the Blue album. Roll forward to this year and they are back with another eponymous record, their third, this one known as the White album. I like Weezer, they have a fun and distinctive sound and they don't pretend to be something they are not. The White album catches this in a nutshell and it is quite possibly one of the strongest records they have put out in recent years. Rivers Cuomos described it as a 'beach album' and that description is 100% accurate; it is a perfect summer album. 'Do You Wanna Get High?' is classic Weezer, catchy light hearted rock at its finest.
White- Brighton 2016
White- Living Fiction: You could be forgiven for not having heard of this band prior to reading this. Partly due to this being one of their first singles, and partly down to the fact their inception was kept closely under wraps. Named simply White, a symbolic break from the band members' past projects, White are an exciting new addition to the indie music scene. I first heard them through MTV Rocks and immediately loved the catchy indie vibes that it gave off. So much so when I saw they had a date in Brighton I snapped up some tickets and went along. They didn't disappoint. It was a tiny venue with a cramped stage but they gave a very energetic performance and already have a strong collection of songs. There is a sprinkling of Franz Ferdinand in their sound, but they are not a copy, they are very much their own band and one I highly recommend you keep an eye on.
You can also listen to the list in full here via my Spotify playlist
Well there you have it, 20 of the best songs so far this year. I hope you've enjoyed reading it, any feedback will be gladly welcomed. Share it freely as you wish.
Thanks for reading, until next time :)
p.s. all photos that appear in this post were taken by yours truly at concerts I attended which may account for the poor quality.
Brandon Flowers- O2 Brixton Academy, 22nd May 2015
Right I’m going to be honest about this from the start, I’m
writing this review as a fan so there may be more than a hint of bias. The
Killers are by far and away my favourite band (2 years since Wembley! Where’s
the time gone?) so I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to see Brandon without
his regular band mates.
Having seen The Killers three times previously I knew he was
good. He is a brilliant frontman; singer, performer and stage craft are all top
notch. But that was with The Killers, would he be as good performing his own
material? The answer was an emphatic yes… and some.
I had been in possession of his new album The Desired Effect
got a week before the show and fell in love with it on the first listen. It is
brilliant from start to finish and with the drip feed of singles leading up to
its release you got the idea there was going to be a strong pool of songs to
choose from. Each of the singles that were played were instant fan favourites
and crowd pleasers.
Flowers kicked the show off with ‘Untangled Love’ which
unsurprisingly is an 80s enthused party anthem. The slow build up leading up to
the big sing along chorus made it a perfect opener. He followed it up with ‘Can’t
Deny My Love’ which sounds awesome live; it sounds a much mightier beast in a
live environment. Released as the lead single here in the UK it was the best
known of the ‘new’ songs and definitely went down well with the crowd.
He then went back to his previous solo effort ‘Flamingo’ playing
the wonderful ‘Crossfire’, the ‘Mr Brightside’ of his debut. It’s his most
famous solo hit and had every single person inside Brixton singing along. He
followed it up with ‘Magdalena’ another song from Flamingo, a song that very
much channels ‘Spaceman’ vibes, keeping up the high energy start.
So far so good.
He then slowed it down by going back to some old Killers
material and playing a wonderful yet completely different version of ‘Jenny Was
a Friend of Mine’. Usually it is a huge high energy sing/dance along anthem,
but this is was a more laid back affair. It wasn’t in a lounge style as such,
but it shows the versatility and class of the music. Definitely went down well
with the crowd as it is a popular fan favourite. Flowers bookended the song by
asking the crowd whether they thought the subject in song was guilty or not (he
is). He followed that up with ‘Lonely Town’, another one of the pre-release
singles. This was in fact better than the album version as it didn’t have that
little auto tune interlude in the middle.
My night was then made when he played ‘Digging Up the Heart’,
my personal favourite off the new album. Having been looking at recent setlists
and noticing its omission I had no idea it was going to be played. I’ve heard it described as the ‘Walk of Life’
of the album, but in a way it’s similar to From Here on Out from Battleborn. It’s
an upbeat song that you cannot stand still to. The second surprise of the night
then followed when Killers fan favourite Human started and for 4 minutes we
were all at a Killers concert. Even better it wasn’t played in a different style;
it was played as heard on the original. It was a great and unexpected addition
to the setlist.
He then slowed it down again before ending the set with one
of my favourites off Flamingo ‘Only the Young’ and then the Jacques Lu Cont
remix version of ‘Mr Brightside’… which again had the whole of Brixton academy
singing as one. It might not have been the original but that didn’t matter, the
chance to sing along to ‘Mr Brightside’ in a live environment is a special
moment, especially when you have 4/5000 other Killers fans in the room with
you.
As ‘Mr Brightside’ drew to a close Flowers trooped off stage
with his band, with the crowd not letting up till his return. As on the
previous night, he had a special guest accompany him for the encore and we were
lucky enough to have the brilliant Chrissie Hynde join Brandon on stage. They performed
a cover of The Pretenders classic ‘Don’t Get Me Wrong’ before duetting on ‘Between Me and You’. He then finished off
a fantastic evening with ‘I Can Change’, which sounds even better live than it
does on the album before rounding it off with the brilliant ‘Still Want You’ complete with
crowd participation.
It was a fantastic evening and has given me the bug for
seeing The Killers again, something that had been lying dormant for the last
two years. The music may be different, as are the musicians who join him on
stage, but the songs of the same superb quality of any Killers material. The only
disappointment was that they didn’t play a cover of ‘Read My Mind’, my all-time
favourite Killers song as they had done the previous night, but you can’t have
everything. An inclusion of ‘Jilted Lovers and Broken Hearts’ would have been
nice too.
All in all it was a fantastic evening and lived up to and surpassed
expectations.
Just have to wait for the next Killers tour now….
Setlist
Untangled Love
Can't Deny My Love
Crossfire
Magdalena
Hard Enough
Jenny Was a Friend of Mine
Lonely Town
Diggin' Up the Heart
Human
Swallow It
The Way It's Always Been (Acoustic)
Only the Young
Mr Brightside (Jacques Lu Cont Remix)
Encore
Don't Get Me Wrong feat. Chrissie Hynde
Between Me and You feat. Chrissie Hynde
I Can Change
Still Want You
Well I have neglected this massively over the last few months, but as 2014 has drawn to a close its seems appropriate to have a round up of some of the best music that graced the last 12 months.
As ever, it is the usual eclectic mix of genres with returning veterans and explosive debuts.
This is in alphabetical order, so not ranking them in order of what is best. Its also all my personal preference. There is a lot of music and big songs not included, but you can't include them all.
So sit back and have a look back at some of the best songs from the past year, although some do deviate from that timeline.
AC/DC- Play Ball: The hard rock icons are back with their first
album since 2008’s Black Ice. It’s AC/DC so you already know what it’s going to
sound like. I’m just looking forward to July 2015 when I will be seeing them at
Wembley Stadium.
Anastacia- Stupid Little Things: That’s right, from AC/DC to
Anastacia. The lead single from her sixth studio album, ‘Stupid Little Things’
shows a classy return from one of the most distinctive voices in pop. It’s a
very catchy song and it was good to hear her back in the charts.
Augustines- Cruel City: They may have shortened their name from We
Are Augustines, but there has been not cutting of quality with the bands second
album. ‘Cruel City’ is a perfect example of the Brooklyn band’s catchy yet
moodful indie tones. A band well worth persevering with.
Band of Skulls- Hoochie Coochie: The Southampton trio returned this
year with their third album ‘Himalyan.’ After much hype I decided to get
tickets to see them at Brighton and they blew me away. I had really liked this
single beforehand, but live it is something else. A very talented band that is
doing very well for itself given a distinct lack of coverage from the
mainstream media.
Beans on Toast- A Whole Lot of Loving: I had never heard of Beans
on Toast until this year, when this bearded man with a guitar stepped out on
stage as the opening act for on Frank Turner’s tour back in February. He only
played a handful of songs but he won me over completely, enough for me to see
him at his own stand-alone show in Brighton last month. With his songs mostly
about sex, drugs or politics, he is very down to earth and has a wonderful
ability to tell a story through his songs. Well worth giving a listen because
you will find yourself a gem.
Bipolar Sunshine- Where Did the Love Go?: After two Eps in 2013 Adio
Marchant aka, Bipolar Sunshine, returned in 2014 with a third EP entitled ‘Where
Did the Love Go’. The title track is an absolute stunner; it is quite
incredible that this didn’t get the airplay or recognition it deserves as it has
all the attributes to be a flyaway mainstream success. Take a listen and spread
the word.
Black Stone Cherry- Never Surrender: The Kentucky rockers returned
triumphantly with their fourth album culminating in them headlining the mighty
Wembley Arena in November. The only disappointment was that this song didn’t
make the set-list. It’s an absolute monster which would have sounded fantastic
live.
Black Keys- Gotta Get Away: When I first heard this on the radio I
thought it was an old 1970s classic rock track, so I was quite surprised when I
discovered it was the blues rock duo. It’s a cracking song with proper old
school rock vibes. One that is going to sound great on their 2015 UK tour,
which unfortunately I am not attending.
Bruno Mars- Uptown Funk: Ok so this is Mark Ronson feat Bruno Mars but I'm too lazy to move it on the list.A very late addition to this list as it
has only just hit the charts over here, but it definitely deserves its place.
It went straight to number one, is getting lots of radio play and it isn’t hard
to see why. It is simply and fantastic song. When I first heard it I thought it
was a 1970s funk song, something from Nile Rogers maybe, but then I twigged.
Canterbury- Expensive Imitation: One of the most pleasant surprises
of the year was my discovery of British rock band Canterbury. ‘Expensive
Imitation’ is a fantastic song. However it appears I have discovered them a few
months too late as the band has since announced they will not be recording
anymore music. It’s a real shame as we’ll be missing out on more music like
this.
Catfish & the Bottlemen- Fallout: One of the best live acts I
saw all year, Catfish and the Bottlemen have had an extraordinary 2014. Their
rise has been quite phenomenal, and with tracks like Fallout, their live show
is an absolute riot. Make sure to catch them in 2015, because if it’s anything
like their Brighton show this month, you will love it.
Chrissie Hynde- Dark Sunglasses: Former Pretenders frontwoman
Chrissie Hynde returned this year with her first solo album and after the debut
single it was clear she was onto a winner. With her distinctive voice and
style, ‘Dark Sunglasses’ had a habit of embedding itself into your conscience
after its fair share of radio play. A triumphant return from a talented lady.
Ed Sheeran- Sing: How do you follow up a massively successful debut
album? By writing an even better follow up, smashing America and selling out
three nights at Wembley Stadium. That’s how. Fair to say, 2014 has been pretty
good for Ed Sheeran. Looks like 2015 will be going the same way.
ELO- Long Black Road: Ok so not strictly released this year, but I
still think it’s worthy of a place on this list. ‘Long Black Road’ featured in
the film ‘American Hustle’, one of the most anticipated films of the year. In
fact after seeing the premier, BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show host Chris Evans
played this song twice in a row the following morning. I can understand why and
I’m glad he did. It’s a proper, old school classic rock track which would have slipped
under the radar.
Family of the Year- Hero: Wait… this song is from 2012. Well that
might be true, but I discovered the song this year through airplay on Absolute
Radio and it is too good not to include here. Give it a listen and you will
understand why.
Foo Fighters- Something From Nothing: One of the most eagerly
anticipated albums of the year was definitely Foo Fighters latest LP. ‘Something From Nothing’, the first single, shows the band in top form. Bit of a slow
burner, but well worth the wait, it is typical Foos. Even includes the riff of
the Dio classic ‘Holy Diver’. Looking forward to hearing it at their Wembley
show in the summer.
Gaslight Anthem- Rollin’ and Tumblin’: What people may not know is
that New Jersey band Gaslight Anthem came perilously close to calling it a day
after Brian Fallon had become disillusioned with life in the band. Thankfully
they pulled themselves back from the brink and went back to the studio. The
result was their fifth studio album ‘Get Hurt’, and although it doesn’t stray
too far from the sound of previous albums, it is still top class. They are a
very talented band who make top class music, and this is no exception.
George Ezra- Listen to the Man: Sorry for sounding like a hipster
(excuse me while I swallow some bile), but I saw George Ezra on his prealbum
release tour. I went on the strength of ‘Budapest’ and ‘Casey O’’ and I made a
prediction afterwards that he would be massive. Low and behold 3 months later
his album is at number one. This is my favourite song off the album, made even
better by a fantastic video with special guest Sir Ian McKellen.
Grant Nicholas- Joan of Arc: Known as the frontman of British rock institute
Feeder, Grant Nicholas decided to take a break from the band after their last UK tour in 2012 and pursue a
solo album. Being a big Feeder fan I was really looking forward to it. It didn’t
disappoint. Created with the help of fans via Pledge Music (I got a signed copy
of the album via the site), Nicholas’ solo album has a very different sound to
the rock and indie of Feeder. It’s a very mellow and laid back acoustic sound
and shows his strength as a songwriter. The album reached number 29 in the UK
charts, an impressive feat given that it had very little mainstream attention.
HAIM- If I Could Change Your Mind: There isn’t much I can say about
Haim that I haven’t said before. I am a massive fan and was fortunate to see
them last year. They are even better live than on record, somewhere this song
really stands out. The fifth single from their enormous debut album ‘Days Are
Gone’, ‘If I Could Change Your Mind’ showcases the sister’s ability to mix
catchy rock pop with their distinctive harmonies. Very much looking forward to
their next album.
Hozier- Take Me to Church: Actually released as a single from his
first EP in 2013, ‘Take Me To Church’ has since gained a lot of airplay after
the worldwide release of Hozier’s debut album. Selling over a million copies in the US alone, it isn't difficult to understand why it is such a hit.
Imelda May- Tribal: Imelda May has grown to be one of my favourite
artists. Not only does she appear twice on this list, but I saw her twice live
this year and blew me away both times. Her band and she are incredibly talented
musicians, something you really appreciate in a live environment.The title track from their latest
album is a great place to start if you are in the mood for some rockabilly.
Jacqui Abbot and Paul Heaton- DIY: Two members of 90s indie pop
band Beautiful South reunited this year with big success for a brilliant
collaborative album. ‘DIY’ is a fantastic song, very catchy and you couldn’t
get away from it on the radio.
James Bay- Hold Back the River: There has been some hype
surrounding the name James Bay, with comparisons being made to Ben Howard. Judging
by this song, he is someone to sit up and take notice of. The second single
from his debut album, ‘Hold Back the River’ is a wonderful indie folk song;
very upbeat and cheerful. The song charted at number 18 in the UK charts upon
release.
Jamie T- Zombie: I have radio station XFM to thank for introducing
me to this song. Thanks to them endlessly playing it while I was work, it didn’t
take long for this song to grow on me. It is one of the best indie songs of the
year, a real sing along anthem. Instantly catchy and with a great video, it has
been one of my favourite songs of recent weeks.
Jungle- Busy Earnin’: Another song I have XFM to thank for, ‘Busy
Earnin’’ is the third single from London based indie soul outfit Jungle.
Releasing their debut album this year, the band have slowly been making a name
for themselves, appearing at Glastonbury and Reading & Leeds festivals here
in the UK. With the song also on the soundtracks for both the FIFA 15 and Forza
Horizon 2 video games, their music is going to be exposed to a wide audience
throughout the coming year.
Kacey Musgraves- Follow Your Arrow: A brilliant track from American
Country singer Kacey Musgraves. ‘Follow Your Arrow’ is a very bouncy, liberal
song with a very modern feel. It’s very
catchy and will soon have you singing along.
Kaiser Chiefs- Coming Home: Fifth studio album from Yorkshire indie
rockers Kaiser Chiefs shows a band with a more mature and grown up sound. I don’t
mean that in a negative way, it’s just their sound has evolved a lot since
their debut, and they are all the better for it. They still remain a brilliant
live act and I am very much looking forward to seeing them on their UK tour
next month.
Kongos- Come With Me Now: Funny how songs sometimes take time to
get noticed. Originally released in 2011, it has taken three years for KONGOS’ ‘Come
with Me Now’ to have an effect on the charts. Good things come to those who
wait though, and the song has been picked up and is now a runaway success. Have
to say, it took a while for it to grow on me, but now I love it.
Lenny Kravitz- The Chamber: The lead single from his tenth studio
album, ‘The Chamber’ is an instant Kravitz classic. Whether it’s the hook, the
bassline or the sing along chorus, it’s up there with some of his best work.
Levellers feat Imelda May- Beautiful Day: I saw the Levellers for
the first time this year at OnBlackheath festival in London. They were
brilliant, and they even brought a special guest on stage with them. Imelda May
was on the same bill and joined the band to perform ‘Beautiful Day’, a re-recording
of their classic for their upcoming ‘Greatest Hits’ album. I fell in love with
it on first listen, and in my opinion it sounds much better than the original.
But then I’m a big fan of Imelda May, so may be a bit biased.
Manic Street Preachers- Futurology: The evergreen Manic Street
Preachers released their 12th studio album in 2014 to critical acclaim, with
many citing it as a band returning to top form. I’d certainly go along with
that. The title track ‘Futurology’ showcases the band’s trademark sound with
James Dean Bradfield’s distinctive vocals. Good
to see the Welsh icons back.
Milky Chance- Down by the River: Another acoustic singer song writing
duo who have established themselves this year are German born Milky Chance. Even
though there is a lot of choice in this particular genre at the moment, these guys
have managed to create their own style and with the massive popularity of their
music, it’s safe to say that is has worked for them.
Molly- Children of the Universe: Now this is a very rare occurrence,
a Eurovision song that I actually like. And it was little old Britain’s entry
as well. We still lost, but that doesn’t detract from the fact that this is a
cracking song. Singer Molly Smitten Downes has a very distinctive voice and
this pop anthem really showcases her talent. Hopefully it can be used as a springboard
to future success.
Nerina Pallot- Happy Day: 12 months, 12 Eps. Quite a challenge but one that
has been a success. The new songs sound good with a varied sound. Choosing just
one for here was difficult. Nerina is still one of my favourite live artists. I
saw her for the second time Brighton and not only is she incredibly talented,
she is funny and very entertaining. A criminally underrated artist who you
would do well to go and see.
Nick Mulvey- Cucurucu: Another singer songwriter who has had a
breakthrough year in 2014 is British singer Nick Mulvey. Releasing his debut album ‘First Mind’ to
critical acclaim, ‘Cucurucu’ is a perfect introduction to his brand of acoustic
folk rock. It has a wonderfully slow build up to the chorus, where the title is
used a perfect hook. A very catchy and bouncy song that is perfect for the
summer months.
Noel Gallagher-In the Heat of the Moment: The preceding single to
the ex-Oasis guitarist’s second solo album, ‘In the Heat of the Moment’ is a
classic Noel Gallagher song. It has his signature sound stamped all over it and
is as good as anything from his debut High Flying Birds effort. With the album due for release in March, we
can only hope the rest of the album is as good as this.
Paolo Nutini-Scream (Funk My Life Up): Back in 2009, after the success
of his second album ‘Sunny Side Up’, Paolo Nutini was one of the hottest
artists in British music. Fast forward five quiet years later and I was
starting to wonder if we were due another album. Low and behold, in late 2013,
it was announced a new album had been recorded and a month later this was released
as the first single. A cocktail of soul, funk and folk mixed with his
distinctive vocals makes it a perfect, upbeat way to open the album. A sure
fire Nutini classic.
Paloma Faith- Only Love Can Hurt Like This: British soul sensation
returned to the charts this year with her third album, with this song the
second single off the album. It’s a brilliant song, something reaffirmed by it
becoming Faith’s highest charting single to date, peaking at number 6 in the UK
charts.
Pure Love- Hurricane: Fronted by ex-Gallows frontman Frank Carter,
Pure Love are a really fun band and an absolute riot in a live environment. I
had the pleasure of seeing them on tour last year at a tiny club in Brighton
and they were fantastic. Sadly they are now on an ‘indefinite hiatus’, but they
did give us fans three more songs before their departure. ‘Hurricane’ is taken
from their ‘Bunny EP’ and wouldn’t have been out of place on their debut album ‘Anthems’.
It is a big, foot stomping anthem in itself and shows that rock doesn't have to
be serious.
Queen-Let Me in Your Heart Again: Taken from their recent compilation
album ‘Queen Forever’, ‘Let Me In Your Heart Again’ is the first Queen single to
include Freddie Mercury and bassist John Deacon since 1995. The song was
originally recorded in 1983, but failed to make the final track listing on ‘The
Works’. It finally gets an airing in time for Queen’s January UK tour with US
singer Adam Lambert.
Radkey- Romace Dawn: A band to watch out for in 2015 is American
band Rakey. Consisting of three brothers, I first came across them at Calling
Festival in London back in the summer where they were supporting Aerosmith. I
was impressed with their sound and energy and immediately checked them out when
I got home and downloaded their EP. ‘Romance Dawn’ is a big sing along anthem,
which should be getting more radio play. These guys have the potential to make
it big, so here’s hoping they have a big 2015.
Rodriguez- I Wonder: Another song not from 2014. This one is actually
from the 1970s, by a little known singer called Sixto Rodriguez. I say little
known, that is not strictly true, but things could have been a lot different.
To give you an idea of what you have been missing out on, listen to this. It
has one of the best bass lines you will ever hear. If you are unfamiliar with his story, you need
to watch the documentary ‘Searching for Sugarman’. It really is a fantastic story.
Royal Blood- Figure it Out: Who says rock is dead? Royal Blood, the
duo from Brighton (actually two towns close to me, near Brighton on the South
Coast), have had a remarkable year.
They’ve opened for the Arctic Monkeys, had packed out tents at every
festival appearance and then their album went straight to number one. To top it
off, they will open for the mighty Foo Fighters at Wembley Stadium next summer,
something I am really looking forward
to.
Saint Motel- My Type: One of my favourite finds of the year has
been LA band Saint Motel. One of the main reasons, apart from making really
good music, is the fact that the more I listen to them, the more I can’t pigeon
hole them. They seem to be genre free. They just make really fun, easy to
listen to music. At a push they could be classed as indie, and they will
certainly be a massive success at festivals this coming year. I saw them live
in Brighton in November and they were fantastic. 2015 is going to be a big year
for them.
Sam Smith- Stay With Me: Quite a year for the British singer
songwriter. One million album sales in both the UK and US charts has seen Smith
storm into the public consciousness. With his gentle piano ballads, he is got
the perfect recipe to be universally popular and is reaping the rewards.
Slash- 30 Years to Life: I have to admit I am a big fan of Slash,
so when I heard he was doing a new album with Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators,
I was really excited. I wasn’t disappointed. The title track ‘World on Fire’
was good, but this is one of my personal favourites from the album. It’s a real
sing along and head banger at the same time, the album’s ‘Paradise City’ as it
were. It really stands out in a live environment so if you get the chance to
go, do it.
Southern- Shout It: Belfast brother and sister duo Thom and Lucy
Southern are one of the best kept musical secrets of 2014. I heard their song ‘Shout
It’ on MTV Rocks and was instantly hooked. What I really liked was their style
of blues mixed with the perfect compliments of their voices. I liked them
enough to see them live in Brighton and they were fantastic. Met them afterwards
and they were very down to earth and genuine. They are going to go far.
The Pretty Reckless- Follow Me Down: Taylor Momsen and her band The
Pretty Reckless made a triumphant return this year with the difficult second album.
Titled ‘Going to Hell’, a couple of singles, the title track and ‘Heaven Knows’
were released at the back end of last year. However it’s this, the opening
track that is my favourite. Opening with an, intimate, sound effect the song
bursts into a heavy riff that is just as dirty as the intro. With less than ambiguous lyrics and Momsen’s
attitude filled delivery, it is a fitting way to start the album.
The Pierces- Kings: If what you are looking for in music is
brilliant songs with a wonderful harmony, then look no further than Catherine
and Allison Pierce, more commonly known as The Pierces. Their harmony on record
is brilliant, but stunning to listen to live. There is a definite vibe between
the two of them that is magnified in a live environment. ‘Kings’ was the first
single from their latest album ‘Creation’, and show cases the sister’s talents
perfectly.
So there you have it, a selection of 50 of the best songs from 2014.
Thanks for reading
Happy New Year to you all, hope 2015 treats you well.
Sprinkling the set with old favourites such as 'Son of a Gun', 'Fire at Will' and 'Bull by the Horns', the bulk of the set was made up songs from the new album. The new songs went down really well, including 'Let the Neighbours Call the Cops' which is due to be the lead single. They haven't deviated far from the formula but they really have no need to. They're a rock and roll band and that's exactly what you get. Some of the riffs sounded heavier in comparison to 'Game On' but thats far from a criticism. If anything, it enhanced their sound even more. They have a tight sound and the songs are very well put together.
What seemed like nerves for the first few songs soon disapperated and once they got into their stride there was no stopping them. The venue could only hold a maximum of 100 people and each and every person left having had a fantastic nights entertainment.
