Wonderful Life

I highly recommend checking out this band, Hurts, comprised of Theo Hutchcraft and Adam Anderson, from Manchester, England. Hutchcraft and Anderson were both previously in two promising indie bands, Bureau and The Daggers, but are now signed to Biff Stannard's new Sony subsidary imprint, Major Label. Check out their myspace for their upcoming single Wonderful Life (1.11.09). The other great news is they are supposedly finishing up their debut album for release next year.

P.S. - I hope they come to the USA sometime next year too.

http://www.myspace.com/ithurts

http://www.nme.com/news/nme/48606

http://www.nme.com/blog/index.php?blog=15&p=7390&more=1&c=1

Hmm.. Live Monkeys

Anyone care to give me a donation of $150 so I can go see Arctic Monkeys in Chicago? Haha. No, it is okay, really, I will be fine.

If you can, go see them when they play the US in December, they are a great live band.

In Loving Memory Of A Name?

The truth that XTC will never be again is beginning to sink in, as they become the sort of thing their song In Loving Memory Of A Name spoke of- a thing of the past. Even with the news of XTC reissues coming*, it is hard not feel the loss of new material from the members of XTC. Oh well, maybe Colin Moulding will eventually make that solo album?

*Thanks to MaxPower33 from the XTC Back Porch forum for the link to the article about the upcoming XTC reissues. Link here - http://www.thedailyswarm.com/headlines/xtc-getting-reissued-along-secret-side-project-dukes-stratosphear/

If you do not listen to XTC, what are you, living under a media manufactured rock? Listen now, anything they did is classic!

Can You Ceeee Me

The three C's of Humbug,; Crying Lighting, Cornerstone, and Catapult. Brilliant.

To The Top Of The Toppermost

Remember when The Beatles used to say that? Not to anyone outside the band of course, but John to Paul? When Arctic Monkeys first because popular I was convinced they were the next The Beatles. Of course, that is impossible, but damn if they have not become an incredible band. They are a shining example of a brilliant band in an era full of lazy, mediocre rock bands who are oddly popular. How many bands put out three records, three non-album singles, and an E.P. in roughly 3.5-4 years? Not to mention Alex Turner's solid side project, The Last Shadow Puppets. Not many bands still make good b-sides, it appears to be a tradition that is quickly disappearing in the digital age. Even Oasis have put out sub par b-sides in recent years. Not Arctic Monkeys, their b-sides are as good as any of their album tracks, sometimes even better. Then you get those tracks that aren't released, or carry over to future releases, such as Secret Door. With the release of Humbug it sounds like Arctic Monkeys took the time to refine, expand, and improve on their sound and songwriting. Their melodies and arrangements are better than ever, and Alex Turner is growing as a lyricist, trying new things and writing better pieces. Go out and listen to their upcoming single, Cornerstone. It expands on previous releases such as No Buses and The Bakery, and appears to show a great confidence in the band by putting the track on the album and releasing it as a single. Where Arctic Monkeys really shine however is the b-side Catapult. They manage to Merge the sound of their all their work together into 3:28 of brilliance. The band really comes together on this track, with some of the tightest arrangements on Arctic Monkeys song yet. Arctic Monkeys are one of the only bands it seems who understand the importance of a good arrangement and flow in a song. Have you heard some of their contemporaries songs? Some are choppy. Not Arctic Monkeys. They know how to write, perform, and record a perfect song. If you have not heard their new single, or album, go check them out and give them time, you won't be sorry you did.