Friday 19 December 2008

Hear New Music 004

I know, it's been a while.



Shall we get started? This conversation has gotten a little awkward. By the way, everyone chose Dennis right?






1. A Wilhelm Scream - The Rip
How better to start than by ripping out your jugular with one big chord, and then dance on your body with deuling guitars? I mean, it's just perfect. Apart from the dying. Anyway, this is a great quick song from the excellent live band A Wilhelm Scream, who I recently caught tearing up a stage in Belgium. Those Belgians are crazy! In the nice way.
MP3 | Source

2. Eaten By Tigers - Secrets of the Plains
This is a seemingly internet only song from the London band who I just can't get enough of. I bought their EP online and proudly wear the badges they sent at every oppertunity. I cannot praise this band enough. For lack of disriptive words, they sound like Errors having tea with 65daysofstatic while eating up a healthy diet of This Will Destroy You. What more could you ask for? Oh, a side dish of genocide.
MP3 | Source

3. Turbonegro - All My Friends Are Dead
When you think about it, which I clearly didn't, this isn't the best song to put after a song about genocide, but it's just too good. "All my friends are dead, they got kicked in the head, All my friends are dead." Cheerful bunch. Well, actually they kinda are! If you've ever seen Turbonegro live, and you should, you will know that they bring the party! Even to Belgium!
MP3 | Source

4. Alexisonfire - Accidents
An 'oldie' but a goodie. Okay, so it's not that old, maybe five years? It doesn't matter, it's a great song, and one of their best, especially live. Thw whoa-oh-oh's are oh-so perfect, yet don't feel overly faked, especially in a song about (what one can only assume) a song about life and death in the ER. Great song.
MP3 | Source

5. No Trigger - More To Offer
Here's another great song. You know a band are good when you see them supporting a band you love (A Wilhelm Scream at King Tuts in Glasgow), and buy their album almost immediately after the show. It was a great choice, as the album is incredible, as this song well represents. If you get the chance, catch this band live.
MP3 | Source

6. Russian Circles - Death Rides A Horse
Russian Circles are as close to brilliance as any band could be. They have post-metal/rock brilliance simmering under their guitar fiddleing and bass and drums thundering. Add all that to great riffs and incredible song writing and you have one of the best bands out now. Imagine Mastodon jamming without singing and you might get it.
MP3 | Source

7. Errors - National Prism
Remember how I described Eaten By Tigers way back there? Yeah, well this is the band I meant. Errors hail from Glasgow, and I have a bigger link to the band than you'd ever have guessed. My mum did Steev's hair for his prom due to the fact that that he's friends with my sister. And now they're this good a band. Who would've thought it? Not me! A great song, by a great band.
MP3 | Source

8. Lost on Purpose - Friends
Now lets bring the tone back down. Firstly, in music terms, and secondly, in lyrical content. Yet again, let us welcome back singing about your friends as they die. "It won't be long until our friends are dead." Aww, how nice. Still, this is one of the best acoustic songs I've ever heard, so y'know... fuck it.
MP3 | Source

9. Mansions - OMG
This young boy is hailed as the next big acoustic star, and rightly so, with his great free EP Mr Boddy circulating over at Punknews.org. The EP is so good I listened to it 3 times in a row, and still had no idea which song to pick for this. I opted for this one purely because I love the triple guitar in the midddle, and anyone who doesn't? Well then, tough luck!
Mr. Boddy EP Zip | Source

10. Pompeii - Rabbit Ears
See, theres this thing I can't find. Does america have indie bands? If they do, they're probably from the UK, or sound like this band. Which, for me, is a great reason to go and live in the states. If this truely is what American Indie sounds like, I'd like to do a swap, America can have our terrible scene, while we steal their incedible one, starting with Pompeii. Yes, please.
Eyeball Awareness 3 Compolation Zip | Source

11. Attica! Attica! - A Dirge For The Underground
I don't know much about this band, in fact I'm not sure where this Mp3 came from (it was the Red Leader Records site). What I do know is that they sound like Alkaline Trio when they wrote good music, compared to now when they are boring. Plus, they have this great vocal section in the middle which is just fraking brilliant.
Red Leader Records Sampler 2008 Zip | Source

12. 31 Knots - Compass Commands
Another band I think I randomly downloaded from Fat Wreck, this one are killer. They have a great swagger and drunken caberet feel with the simple piano clicking into place with a great vocal lead and brilliant sounding guitars. Check it out, now.
MP3 | Source

13. Walking Concert - What's Your New Thing
I heard this song years ago, and I loved it. I actively seeked this one out so I could share its brilliance with you. Just a quick, simple, american Indie style. Enjoy.
MP3 | Source

14. Panthers - We Are Louder
Again, I knew of this song previously, and thought I could really blow your faces off with it. If you don't like the start, hang in there, it's not just noise. It's a slow building lumbering huge epic. Crazy, right? Truely, they are "getting, louder." (A general note, this song should have come from Epic records site, but that link didn't work, after a bit of searching, I found it on download.com which said it was from Vice records themselves. Going slightly outside my own boundries, but who cares? It's christmas!)
MP3 | Source

15. Architects - Always
This is basically the only metal you're getting this time, so enjoy it! Architects were great when they brought their debut album 'Nightmares' out, and even though this one took a longer time to impress on me, especially with the new vocalist, it's hefty brilliant. It has all those elements that made them the best Metal band in britain when they first came out. Post-rock hints, chug-a-thon beatdown, great lyrics and an altogether Misery Signals-esque sound, which is never ever bad.
Century Media Fall Sampler 2008 Zip | Source

16. You.May.Die.in.the.Desert - Can I Get More Steel in My Monitors
Of course, there comes a time in a CD when you need to wind down. But this isn't it. No, this near seven minute post-rock/odd timing funk-rock song keeps the party going just a little bit longer. It's Battles inviting Ahleuchatistas to rock out with them and Shels, who brought along their buddies This Will Destroy You. Ahhhh, what a lovely tea party.
MP3 | Source

17. Elliott Smith - Twilight
Now, lets start winding down with an oldie from acoustic genius Elliot Smith. This song is just incredible. I love it. You will too. And it blends seemlessly into the last song.
MP3 | Source

18. Red Sparowes - Alone And Unaware, The Landscape Was Transformed In Front Of Our Eyes.
I've loved this song for years. Even if I can't get into Red Sparowes as much as I'd like, this song always remains on playlists, tapes, mp3 players and CDs no matter what. I love this big pretty song, and it is my pleasure to share the love further with you. Post-rock at it's finest.
MP3 | Source

Till next time.
Carl

003 Single

These great bands just keep on giving.

Especially this one:

Defiance, Ohio

While it was easy to pick Defiance, Ohio as the Single, it was hard to pick specific tracks. They share so many, and I couldn't find one I didn't like. Yes, even without the support of a label like Quote Unquote, Defiance, Ohio share all their music online. I love the internet.



1. The List
2. The Years, The Fears, The Sleep
3. The Year

Bonus: Hair Pool (live)

More MP3s!

There's this great little website called If You Make It where bands come to the site runners house, sit on a pink couch, and play a song. You, the viewer, can watch all of these songs via the magic of recorded video and the internet. In an interesting twist, they also share music. Not only the Mp3s from these sessions, but recently entire albums! The bonus song here is a great new song from the band when they added their bottoms to the pink couch.

004 has been prodding me saying 'release me!' so I'll get to it soon! Hopefully before christmas.

Till then,
Carl

Thursday 18 December 2008

Reuben top 25 part two.

10. No One Wins the War (217 points)
Reuben’s first song on their first album was surely a sign that the entire album was to be a great success. “One of the band's favourite songs,” Was a fairly big statement to make when they had 50 songs, how they feel about it now, with more than 100, is unknown. What we can determine though, is that the fans agreed, and what better way to show it, than it kicking off the top ten? Undoubtedly, the song is about growing as a person, with the opening lyric “You try my patience and I break your outer shell, Inside there's sweetness, but you hide it so well,” revealing a hidden poet in Jamie Lenman’s lyrics.

9. Three Hail Marys (230 points)

Where number ten allowed Jamie to grow as a person, this third album banger showed Jamie’s lyrics in an entirely different light. Three Hail Marys showed Reuben at their most stadium sounding. The song is large, anthemic, fist-pumping Nirvana-esque brilliance. Of course, Nirvana seemed to be a huge influence on Reuben, having stated it many times, not least in the lyrics to a fellow album track ‘Crushed By The Weight of Enormous Bullshit’ stating “I can still remember when I first heard the riff that opens "Nevermind" Up...My neck hairs stood up stiff”. Their influence on the band appears many times, whether in the style of lyrics, the sound of some songs (especially earlier), or just the chaotic nature of some songs. “And I am going to break, these things in my heart, Dark and disgusting, Feeling and growing, Taking over.”

8. Blamethrower (259 points)


This huge riff beast is one of the most potent on the band’s second album ‘Very Fast Very Dangerous’ with the basic message of ‘Take the blame, and don’t pass the buck,’ laced throughout the song. The anger from Jamie towards these people is also evident in the vocals and the nature of the song, making it a thunderous and shouty song, while still maintaining a cool head and perfect sound. One of the first songs to be heard from the second album, it was a huge difference from Reuben’s first, which is nothing short of a good sign, especially to Reuben fans. You got to blame somebody for all your fucking mistakes, so someone else will pay for all the bad choices that you make, and it is all your fault that you feel angry like you do, But you cannot admit it and you're stuck thinking: "Now I don't feel so fucking good.””

7. Freddy Kreuger (260 points)


Of course, in all this aggression, Reuben are just a pop band at heart, with songs like this bursting out of Radio’s everywhere, and oozing good feeling. This is a lament to Reuben themselves, and was probably the one song every fan wanted to hear live more than any other. The anthemic chorus and sing-a-long lyrics are so potent and evident that you can understand it being the biggest acclaim the band ever got, getting a huge amount of play on music channels, and even circulating the radio stations at high velocity. Of course, it’s just a song that shows Reuben are just fun at heart, a message that came through with every interview and live show they ever did. Of course, the lyrics are probably about being sick of everything, even horror films, but that doesn’t matter… does it? My name is Freddy Kreuger, and I've got the Elm Street Blues, I've got a hand like a knife rack, and I die in every film.”

6. We're All Going Home in an Ambulance (272 points)

This was probably the first recorded song I had heard from the third album, showing me a darker, more intelligent band behind the wheel. The songs lyrics are about a more serious topic than I thought Reuben were capable of; the tolerance for bullying and, in a way, racism. This is captured quite clearly within the lyrics, and how Jamie himself went through a few ordeals to inspire it. He tells of how At school the choices I made were rock and roll bands and getting good grades. But brains and wearing all black, to some of these guys, it's like a red flag,” and further “I wish I had the guts to stand up for myself, and for others as well, against these fuckers.” Obviously, while it’s a tough subject for him, the song received huge acclaim from fans and newcomers alike, who heard the song on a Rock Sound CD. The song is an incredible act, and is definitely one of my top 5. “I once saw a man, with blood on his face, from beating up black kids, I could hardly breathe.”

5. Lights Out (274 points)

In perfectly odd fashion, this was one of the first songs heard from the second album, also having been put on a Rock Sound CD. What are the chances? This song was a chance for Reuben to experiment, it was their way of “attempting to try and create dynamism without heading straight for the distortion pedal.” Of course, they succeeded and created a great song too. Thomas Lockyer from the Reuben forums thought so, as he put it number one, “Lights Out is my favourite Reuben song above all other Reuben songs for a few reasons. …It has a great distinctive riff, a few nice vocal additions from Jon, it's easy to sing along to, but I think the main reason is the fact that a lot of people can relate to… the lyrics. Most (if not all) other Reuben songs also have these qualities, but Lights Out does it in a different way which keeps me listening again and again.” I couldn’t have said it better myself, so I won’t.

4. A Short History of Nearly Everything (389 points)

This one is my personal favourite. It starts with this huge lumbering bass riff, and slowly brings the other instruments in, ready to charge forward with the great intensity that Reuben fans can expect by the end of the third album. As Reuben do so well, they show great emotion and burgeoning passion for their music, especially in this song, with piano taking the lead for a while, before the song breaks down to complete silence, only to explode into a chasm of wonderful storytelling and sound. Essentially, the song is about a time when Jamie and a friend climbed a big hill, and had a great day doing it, but it feels like so much more. Even Barry Ronayne agrees stating, “It’s one of the best songs to close an album that I've heard.” He also states that on more than one occasion, the song gives him “chills”. I know that feeling. “Do you remember our best adventure? Stealing off to climb Westers Hill? Creeping out of our house at midnight? Do you remember on the way down after,
I cut my leg right open on that fence? And I cried and I cried...”

3. Shambles (403 points)

How fitting too, that the last song by Reuben to be released sits so high up on a list celebrating their music. Not only that, but it was also the last song on their first ever EP! Maybe I should explain. When the Pilot EP came out back in 2001, the band named Angel had just decided to change their name to Reuben. On that EP, for the first 100 copies anyway, a two minute long song called Shambles graced the ears of fans, and they were intrigued. A rumour started to float around that the band were going to put a bigger, longer version of it on the EP, but the studio time ran out, and the short, two minute version was added instead. For years, Reuben fans cried out to hear the long version, and in 2008, they got their wish. The re-recorded song was much more in depth and showed Reuben’s progression as a band to the fullest extent, bursting with a kind of unrealised brilliance. Just before Reuben were laid to rest, their final song showed them at perhaps their most alive. Stick close to me and I won't let you go, all of this is worth it if it meant a thing to you, so suffer me, if that is all that you can do. I am good, I am good.”

2. Stuck in My Throat (411 points)


When I saw this rocketing up the chart, I couldn’t quite understand it. I had never been the biggest fan of this song, the first proper single from Reuben’s debut album. I had my doubts when I first heard it, whether the album would be as good as I hoped. Of course, I got the album and loved it straight through; with this nestling quite nicely as an album track. It was only when I listened to the song by itself, doing this list now, reading other fans words that it all really clicked. In the words of forum member Wordsfromreuben, “It’s that dirty opening riff. It’s that awkward intensity that accompanies genius lyrical content. It’s that incredibly slick transition from growling to singing that only a Lenman can provide.” It’s everything that Reuben encapsulated as a band. I love it more now than ever, as do I understand it more too. Time is a great thing. “I thought I saw you stray but I love you anyway. And I'd like us to be forever. That's what I tried to say, but it gets stuck in my throat, and words are missing.”

1. Return of the Jedi (453 points)

No Reuben song is more deserving of the number one spot. This is the one song that any Reuben fan can understand; even it spelled the end of the band long before it ever happened. In truth (and the words of Dave Venom), it’s a song that “rages against the music industry with such venom”, while still keeping the Reuben upbeat pop sensibility, and utter lyrical grace. It’s Reuben at their most truthful, stating, “these here Helmet rip offs, they don't buy my lunch, so I will get a real job in the office, and I wont bother to make my music, and I wont bother to sing my songs.” It shows certain vulnerability for their way of life and the state the music industry is in these days. For these kinds of bands who devote their lives cannot make a living off of their love, where so many others can, forcing them to get other jobs and spend less and less time being creative, until their world becomes squashed. “Piracy is piracy if you sail the seven seas or surf the net, Record firms, they're making losses but they spend it like they're making it… so your favourite bands they don't make that second album- dropped by their label cos they can't pay it back- it killed them!” Also with this song, the band take a firm stance against the record labels which have dragged them and so many other bands down into the gutter, and the piracy that causes them to loose their steady paycheck. It’s a heavy song, lyrically and musically, but still swings around with a forceful dancing beat. It’s Reuben in their finest hour, and there is nowhere else it should be than here.

Still, there is a message to be taken from it. Reuben didn’t give up there, and in fact went on to record another album, a Christmas single, and an EP. Felix Carter explains, “the "Sure..." sung in the last seconds of the song, I always took to be a sarcastic retraction of the previous verse (“I wont bother to make my music”). As if he was so in love with music that it had become an indispensable part of him, and regardless of how poor he was, or unsuccessful, he could never give up music. It's an inspiring sentiment for any musician; now bathed in the twisted light of irony, given Reuben's decline.” What else is left to say?

The gap in the hearts of Reuben’s fans will never be filled, unless they come back of course. No band comes close. None. (Cheesy, but true.)

But the saddest part of it all? We’ll never get that Doctor Who themed album!

Still, at least he gets a name drop in their Christmas single:



Carl England

Wednesday 17 December 2008

Reuben top 25 part one.

In 2008, arguably the UK’s best underground band, Reuben, split up. Well, okay, “indefinite Hiatus”, but how many bands have said that and then never act on it? The band’s official forum blossomed with uproar, memories, emotion and heartache. Reuben’s fans are loyal, I can tell you that, and everybody who had a farewell message to the band almost broke their keyboard with their huge goodbyes. It is for that reason that I have delivered this list to you. You may not know the band, but maybe this, and their music, will change your mind.

Reuben’s ten-year history had its ups and downs, including headlining festivals, having their Christmas dreams shattered, stealing fans from Metallica, almost breaking the top 40 and then breaking up. Along the way, they wrote and recorded over one hundred songs, released three albums, eleven singles, six EP’s, a huge double-disk DVD and even had time to pose as their favourite Doctor’s. This list tries to chart their musical successes by taking the votes from dozens of fans, and compiling them to find out what is truly Reuben’s greatest song.

25. Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em (118 points)

Starting off the list is a great little song that was first heard on Zane Lowe’s Radio 1 show when he had them in doing a session. It’s tough little riff and fast yet complex structure made sure fans knew that album two was going to deliver, hard. I got a band and a woman too,
I got a plan and a focussed view and that's cool for twenty one”

24. Moving to Blackwater (133 points)

This slow little number was the bands final single from album number one, and personally, I think it was an odd choice. After the first (‘Stuck In My Throat’) terrorized the listener and the second (‘Freddy Kreuger’) was a poptastic wonder, it was an odd choice to see Reuben pick this, slower effort instead of something a little more crowd pleasing. However, it stuck it out and is now favoured by many as a great song, landing itself in many top 5’s. My smile is fragile, my heart is held together with string and sellotape, be gentle.”

23. Parties Break Hearts (140 points)

This one is a dirty little rocker. One for the riffs, the dancing and certainly a little bit of sexual innuendo too. A brilliant song, which is one of my personal favourites, and clearly I’m not the only one. And the word on everyone's lips is 'oxygen'. And before I can catch my breath it's time to drink and dance again.”

22. Good Luck (153 points)

Jamie Lenman donned his acoustic and a lovely girl vocalist for this, more intimate effort. This song about two separate events in Jamie’s life, which just made him want to say, “Good Luck, I hope I never see you again”. It’s a brilliantly written song, which a lot of people can connect too in some way, and I personally am thankful it made it onto this list. Cause if you hurt me, I will hate you, it's just as simple as that, it's not mature, and it's not progressive, that doesn't alter the fact…”

21. Alpha Signal Three (153 points)

Bringing in another guest vocalist for this, almost entirely aggressive look at a relationship with a girl, this song shows the more powerfully focused side of Reuben’s heavy tendencies. Take shouting, add thundering bass and guitar, chuck in some brilliant riotous drumming and stir it up with a healthy dose of great lyrics, and you might have an idea of how bloody good this song is. “I guess I loved her, But I still made her cry.”

20. Scared of the Police (158 points)



Reuben’s first single showed a side to them that was almost undeniably the way of things to come, at least for their upcoming first album. It was heavy yet very melodic, with a healthy dose of singing and shouting too, and yet still had a sense of originality and burgeoning talent. “I’m scared of your anger, and I don’t know what causes it, and you know that it hurts me, but I like you.”

19. Suffocation of the Soul (161 points)

With their third album, Reuben showed more promise than ever before, writing a great amount of songs that just exploded with ideas and stories. This song seems to be about Jamie loosing his mind a little, with hints towards it focussing on his relationships and being a member of the band. It is a powerful song, which could have many meanings that only one man now working in an office knows. I could create like it was stealing, I loved to sing how I was feeling. I had a soul that burned for beauty, but who gives a shit? I must admit, I've lost it a little bit, I've lost it a little bit.”

18. Horrorshow (163 points)

Another great from the early days of Reuben, this is the second song from their debut album ‘Racecar Is Racecar Backwards’. It seems to explore Jamie’s mind, encouraging memories for him while playing with Reuben, and showing a darker side to his personality that may not necessarily come through otherwise. Also, it shows his more dependant side on people with lyrics like I try my best and now I don't sleep, I never rest. My aching heart is emptiest when I'm alone.”

17. Best Enemies (165 points)

A more quiet sombre number, this song explains Jamie at one of his clearly saddest moments, when his girlfriend has clearly been doing something bad behind his back, and he’s had let go a woman who he felt very attached too. This shows Jamie at one of is more heart-wrenching moments, and is a perfect example of the contrast from one song to the next in Reuben’s back catalogue. So now the tears come easily and she promises to change her ways, but it's not about what you do, it is who you are that matters these days”

16. Cities on Fire (168 points)



Like many people, the day when Reuben released new material, live, on compilations or online, was the best day of the week. Reuben would always surprise, intrigue and keep you held close for the entire running time. So when I first heard ‘Cities Of Fire’ live, I was flabbergasted and loved it instantly. Before I would hear it on CD, I would hear it twice more live, and by the second time, I sang along with nearly the entire chorus. This song, inspired by the Great Fire Of London, sounds so warm, yet so abrasive, that it feels exactly as it should when describing a city ablaze. So play your violin, and breathe the sulphur in,
take it on the chin, as London sheds its skin.”

15. Dusk (171 points)

To reach the end of Reuben’s first album unaffected would be a feat. And if you had, this song would surely change your mind. The song, described by the band themselves as being about “the exhaustion that the band felt in creating their first album” and everything they went through to get to that point, funding the money for it’s inception out of their own pockets. The song itself is sombre, yet satirical and pretty frank in its description of themselves as a band. “This situation, it tears us apart, and we joke about it, we make jokes of ourselves.”

14. Every Time a Teenager Listens to Drum N’ Bass a Rockstar Dies (176 points)

At this second album stage, this was a new thing for Reuben, as it was the first to feature a pre-song computer "beats" section, and it became a live favourite quickly due to this and it’s potent chorus line. It would seem like this is about the age-old description of someone who spends all their time with their girlfriend and leaves their friends behind, to abusive remarks.
”You're so pretty, and I'm so stupid...”
became a favourite live line quickly, and it showed Reuben’s great fanbase, who would belt these lyrics back at the band, to the extent that they themselves wouldn’t have to sing them at all.

13. Let’s Stop Hanging Out (179 points)



One of Reuben’s early singles, it was a surprise to many that this was re-recorded for their debut album. Personally, I don’t see why, as it was possibly one of their best songs up to that point, and clearly, is still held up high in many fans minds. It’s chanted chorus and potent mixture of melodic and aggressive lyrics made this a live favourite quickly, and Reuben gained a new fan in the shape of MTV’s own Zane Lowe. “Oh, lets stop hanging out, Let's stop having fun, you deserve to be with no one!”

12. Banner Held High (183 points)

Personally, I was surprised to see this up this high, considering it’s a b-side on a very early single. That though, has nothing to do with the song. The song is a rip-roaring blast festival in which your face wouldn’t last 3 seconds. This song was originally favoured over the eventual A-side choice of ‘Stux’, to no avail, as it ended up 22 spaces higher in this list than aforementioned single choice. Social interaction, it makes me sick down to my stomach, I'm just building up a network, of these people I pretend to know.”

11. Fall of the Bastille (195 points)

Personally, I think this song is about a time in Jamie’s life when he was young, and his girlfriend dumped him. Well, it may not sound like an inspiring time of life, but it’s what happened after that which I think inspired the lyrics. It seems like Jamie’s dad’s words of comfort helped him out, and got him back on the right path. Who knows, it’s all conjecture really. If you say "nothing left to lose", then you have not lost your voice, and if you've got the guts to choose, I will still give you the choice”