Monday 22 August 2011

Weekly Catch-Up - The Start of Something Special


I feel that I have not been satisfying my very few readers’ needs for Music and I feel a bit guilty as the Monthly Playlist just seems to grow higher and higher daily.

Thus, I am starting the beginning of a new Era and new form for The Arrogant Critique. It goes by the name of The Weekly Catch-Up. It will be like you have my IPod with you, although I will be one weeks ahead of you.

It’s been quite a heavy week with 20 topping the Catch-Up Playlist. Here they are;





Joe Goddard – Gabriel (feat. Valentina)

Currently one of my favourite tracks at the moment, not my general cuppa but maybe a speck of Balearic sanguine is still pumping around my system and so I have fallen. Valentina has a such a sultry but emotional voice, and Joe Goddard drops a great beat with the excellent mix of a sinister voice.
Arrogant Rating - 3.9/5


Class Actress – Keep You

As La Roux fafs about trying to do a second album she needs to watch her toes as this girl is a ‘Class’ act.
Arrogant Rating – 3.6/5



Class Actress - Keep You by honeyjam

AWOLNATION - Sail

Great heavy beats, a song to put on full volume when you’re in that ‘Fuck you’ mood!! I always have a sinister smile sweep my face when listening to this.
Arrogant Rating – 4.1/5
Woodkid - Iron   

Another song killing it with an orchestra (Chilly Gonzales being the previous person), and is tipped to be the on the Assassin’s Creed soundtrack. But to be honest I don’t give a shit about Assassins Creed really, this song is just epic.
Arrogant Rating – 4/5

Woodkid - Iron by discobiblio


Light Asylum – Dark Allies

A high charged song flowing very nicely with the previous choices, which was my desire. A sense a bit of Muse with The Klaxons’ left foot but that may just be me. Supposedly the video is good, but internet at work is fucking up so I can’t make an informed decision. Yes, I am skiving a tad.

Arrogant Rating – 3.5/5



Yoav – We all are Dancing

Now this is Ibiza for me, incredible soft beat that progressively pounces on you; whilst Yoav carries on not being bothered with flawless vocals.

Arrogant Rating – 3.8/5
New Ivory – A Knight

Such an underrated song even I didn’t notice it on my IPod, I just thought it was always there. These do sound more like the Klaxons.
Arrogant Rating – 4/5


The Carpels – Handshake




What Indie used to sound like, pure and simple. But can someone tell me who they sound like, they ring true with another artist, Pete and the Pirates possibly? Let me know.

Arrogant Rating – 3.4/5
The Carpels - Handshakes (Single available from 21st August 2011) by One Beat Records


Friendly Fires – Blue Cassette

No real introduction needed, they have smashed it again.

Arrogant Rating – 3.9/5
Friendly Fires "Blue Cassette" by moderntonic.com


Gypsy and the Cat – Jona Vark



This song has been lolling about on the radio for some time now but I always forget it. Here you go son have a bubble on here for a while.

Arrogant Rating – 3.6/5
Gypsy And The Cat - Jona Vark by mybigmouth





Boy – Little Numbers

An instant classic who has also been avoiding me as MotorFM (soon to be FluxFM I think) have wrongly labeled it as Big Boi – Numbers which is as far away as you can get.

Arrogant Rating – 3.7/5
BOY - Little Numbers by FLEXXTERN


Mother Mother – Baby don’t Dance

The second song on their album, not as good as The Stand, but it’s passable. Lead singer sometimes reminds me here of Mika which is slightly off-putting  

Arrogant Rating – 3.4/5
Mother Mother – Baby Dont Dance by ruizit0


Cashier No. 9 – Lost at Sea

A ‘filler’ rather than a ‘fulfiller’. Enough said.

Arrogant Rating – 3.3/5

Ocean Colour Scene – Riverboat
An exciting song about an environmentally unfriendly and unsanitary estuary.
Arrogant Rating – 3.5/5

The Kills – Heart is a Beating Drum

Second song from The Kills to be mentioned on this blog, I reckon they have gotten better.
Arrogant Rating – 3.8/5
The Kills - Heart Is A Beating Drum by MSS1306


Polock - Fireworks

I thought it was a bit of a lame song when I first heard it, my opinion hasn’t really changed but you know you have to show a variety from the spectrum. Also they only had some blokes remix, but to be honest he couldn’t put much life into it either.

Arrogant Rating – 2.8/5
Polock - Fireworks (Kostrok Remix) *FREE DOWNLOAD* by KOSTROK


The Black Rabbits – Hurry Hurry

Got this band from another Blogger whilst doing a bit of research and at first thought it was OK, but it’s starting to grow. The slightly disfigured child of The Fratellis and The Libertines.

Arrogant Rating – 3.3/5
The Black Rabbits - Hurry, Hurry by theblackrabbits


(Hanni El Khatib looking fresh)
Hanni El Khatib – Dead Wrong

I cannot get enough of this song, I’m sure I’m in for a restraining order very soon. A Palestinian and Filipino who is making 50’s music like Buddy Holly this really brings a beautiful tear to my eye, what are the odds hey? I will also add that his album will be reviewed soon and it is apart from this song very modern

Arrogant Rating – 4.2/5
Hanni El Khatib - Dead Wrong by MelihMucuk



(The Stepkids are off their cakes)
 The Stepkids – Shadow on Behalf

These Psychadelic Funky Mothers have hit it on the head with this chilled, futuristic and beautiful song. If you liked Unknown Mortal Orchestra you will very much like the Stepkids.

Arrogant Rating – 3.8/5
Shadows On Behalf by The Stepkids


Tropics – Mouves

Tropics are definitely the Pepper to The Stepkids Salt and they seem to have that upbeat kick which Pepper boasts over it condiment rival.

Arrogant Rating – 3.7/5
Tropics - Mouves (Promo) by pdis_inpartmaint


Kristin Hersh – Your Ghost

A haunting way to end this week’s Catch-Up Playlist. An exceptionally moving song but not I recommend that it is not for all occasions maybe steer from bringing this out at your next house party.

Arrogant Rating – 3.9/5


And that concludes this week’s Catch-Up Playlist. If you have any recommendations on songs for next week; or just want to let me know I am a swell guy, who’s skiving off work and the risk of being sacked is worthwhile. I would even be happy to hear from those who want me to fuck off!

Sunday 21 August 2011

The Dreams of Lovers in the Crimson Sky


In the crimson sky,
The verses of two lovers breathe,
Gently, hands entwined,
At the seat of eternity.

Their song, whispers through the world
Like the scent of a rose.
The beasts of hell
Whimper at the whisper
Of their unified voice.

A dream, a sweet honeycombed dream.

Where the veils of mystery are swept away
With a single note
Of their glorified beauty.
A beauty, so vivid, so enchanting.
That a lonesome drop of its essence
Would destroy that city of Angels.

But I, whose heart was forever cracked
With the misery of this poisonous world.

Whose eternity was smeared,
With the disfigured and tarred disdain of those enemies.

I opened my eyes,
And with that speck of truthful,
Razor blade light,
Glimpsed a shimmer of that dream.

My heart blessed and soul healed.

I took up my sword,
I left this world behind,
I joined that dream,
With you in the crimson sky.

Institutionalised Prison


The place of the damned
Is but the crumbling fabric of our ageing mind.
Depleting, suffering mind.
However it extenuates,
To the harrowed grounds
Of this childhood place.

Transmuting those,
Whose bare feet are swallowed
By the overpowering green mounds,
Moulding their mind into negation.

Although its nurturing hand sculpted these words,
Its tiresome flesh rots sour with the plague of rats.
Engulfing lives
And history.

Under the arches,
The echoed slap underfoot celebrates dubiously in your ears
Whilst a myriad of
Inverted faces
Stare back
Lavishly caressing their mirrors.

Lady Fortune however
Is not faithful to those,
Whose only master is themselves.
And the cuckoldry head of reality will slip,
Treacherously bleeding their eyes
Towards Ophelia’s Lake.

Th’unseen truth
Of the house of the dead
Will surface.
Leaving a wake of bloodied victims.
Whose inverted faces will snap their necks
As the light of life draws near.

Funny how time heals

So as I was going through all my old, accumulated junk, in preparation for German migration when I come accross some poetry, which I had written about three years ago at my former school.

I couldn't believe how dark and sinister my writing was and what a heart crushing experience I went through. So I thought it was only fair to give its right on my blog. Because as we all now who we really are, are sometimes only the battles we have fought.

This detour and mild distraction from the music will only be brief.

True the shot was,
Which pierced my fortified soul,
The serene softness of her lips,
Wished on the winds of my love,
Sensual seductions searching for the rhythm of my heart.
The walls of my soul
Fell deeper
Than those of our first parents.
The sweet sound of her love flared my nostrils,
Too greedily. I drank.
As the quiescent beauty of angels
Hid my vision from demons, ravaging
For the acrid drop of my pain.

Loves lullaby.
Softly filtered melodically into the phantasm of purple caves.
So deep its caves that our breaths
Mingled
And within the entwined roots of our fingers,
Our blood passed.
One celestial being.
Ascended by loves caressing hands.

Times golden coat,
The shard of light,
Enhanced,
Beautified,
Illuminated our waterfall.
Its shimmering rays of nectar,
Purged and purified nightmares of the past.
Its hazy synaesthesiatic pleasure,
Enveloped my mind.
Extended its hand.
Formed subtle rainbows with its
Beauteous pearls of sweat.
To take me home.

But harder
Its pummelled vice-like…
My head cracked,
My foot stuck in the lair of its crevices,
Corroded me,
Like the other rocks.

Smoke rose high around me,
Her supple body
Suffocated by the cars.
Scrambling
Desperate
Tasting the mud for her perfume,
Smeared visions.
I looked up through the myriad
Of faceless faces
Her hand is in his.

Thursday 18 August 2011

Shabazz Palaces - This Man is three Shillings Short of a Pound

Black Up (2011)


The label Sub Pop, who currently have on their books at the moment bands such as Fleet Foxes, CSS, Foals and The Go! Team, recently signed its first ever Hip Hop who go by the name of Shabazz Palaces. So why on earth has an Indie/Alt Rock label like Sub Pop suddenly upped sticks and decided to stake their claim on the universal musical monopoly board?

And this is what they had to say about their new angle;
“If Bedouins herded beats instead of goats and settled in Seattle
 Instead of the Atlas Mountains, this would be their album”

Now before I go on whack on this first tune and realise what Sub Pop were on about!!
(Oh yeah and put you headphones on full, trust me.)



Shabazz Palaces – Youlogy
Arrogant Rating – 4.2/5



Seattle born Ishmael ‘Butterfly’ Butler has incredibly mastered the art of musical alchemy entwining Rap, Dubstep and Old Skool Hip Hop. Not only that, Ishmael is clearly ‘crazier than a bag of angel dust’. Not only does he have the superb lyrical artistry of Notorious himself but perhaps he actually is slightly deluded. I say this for the following reasons.
·         The absurd and unnecessarily long and complex song titles including;

Swerve…The Reaping of all that is Worthwhile (Noir not Withstanding)

And my favourite of all time;

32 Leaves Dipped in Blackness Making Clouds forming Altered Carbon
Shabazz Palaces constantly float in this fog of mystery as Ishmael refuses to name anyone who has had any part in the production of Black Up. Moreover, after refusing any type of publicity, Shabazz Palaces accepted an interview with Pitchfork on the grounds that absolutely no Image, of any sort, of himself must be used or taken. Moreover, this Ishmael’s previous pseudonym was Palaceer Lazaro, where he was a part of the Grammy award-winning group Diggable Planets. Thus perhaps all this solitary confinement is to alleviate any previous memories and have a clean slate. He is still is crazy than a somersaulting snail no doubt about it.
Even if he is three shillings short of a pound he is a musical genius, the Rain man of Hip Hop.
I think Swerve…The Reaping of all that is Worthwhile (Noir not Withstanding) is the most mainstream on Butler’s album and possibly the biggest head banger. With a heavy foot-stomping bass that will leave pot-holes; dream-like female vocals juxtaposed by an anonymous female’s harsh lyrics (sounds a bit like Nicki Minaj); all topped off with a clever samba outro. Incredible!
Then songs like An Echo from the Hosts that Profess Infinitum offers an awkward synth-ed future sound with Butler’s naturally enchanting lyrics; all cemented with a heavy drop stalking it.

Free Press and Curl is a bass and gunshot filled frenzy, whereas Are You...Can You...Were You? (Felt) and Recollections of The Wraith offer a slower and sometimes haunted sound.

Thus it is clear to say with Shabazz's lucid lyrics, heart pounding beat, obscure sounds and wavering desert voice. Black Up is an incredible adventure.

Just for the fuck of it, and because it is incredibly obscure here is the full Track-list (not in album order)
1)   A Treatease Dedicated To The Avian Airess from North East Nubis.
2)   The King's New Clothes Were Made By His Own Hands.
3)   Recollections of the Wraith.
4)   Endeavors for Never (The last time we spoke you said you were not     here. I saw you though.)
5)   Youlogy.
6)   Swerve ... the Reeping of All That Is Worthwhile (Noir not Withstanding).
7)   32 Leaves Dipped in Blackness Making Clouds forming Altered Carbon.
8)    Yeah You.
9)    Free Press and Curl.
10)  Are you... Can you... Were you? (Felt).

Arrogant Rating - 4.3/5 (This crazy clown might just be the future of Hip Hop)

[Shabazz Palaces] [Hip Hop] [Rap] [New Band] [The Arrogant Critique] BlogCatalog

Wednesday 17 August 2011

And they say being 'Premature' is always a bad thing!

So now I am back in the musical saddle again, on the two week home straight onto my next plane to Deutschland. Coming onto the scene again and there is an ocean of incredible music this month, but I have realized on my IPod there is a backlog worse than an accident on the M4. So there is a clear need for an unexpected mid month release of tunes, before I can properly get stuck in. Thus I am presenting you with the premature ‘Monthly Playlist’; prepare for a messy time and make sure you don’t get it in the eyes.

I've decided to scrap the whole here's a few recommendations thing as some got lost in the sea of SoundCloud last time.

Thus the unique voice for the unique music critics presents Premature September Playlist

Wilco – I Might
At first it was a bit Beach Boys-esque, and then the foot-tapping bass and chords lolled in; I also like the xylophone, very kitsch.
Arrogant Rating – 3.9/5  (and yeah, I am now using odd decimals so if you don’t like it..)
Wilco - I Might by weallwantsome1


Trashmonkeys –Attitudes in Stereo
I love when the chorus kicks in, ‘Oh Oh Attitudes in Stereo’. Perhaps a be a bit an oldie, but definitely a goodie.
Arrogant Rating – 3.2/5 They best clean up.
Attitudes in Stereo by Trashmonkeys


Jonathan Jeremiah – Happiness
An incredible, chilled song that you seem to have heard a hundred times although it is new; the beautiful violins add more depth to a well rounded song. Same sounds as Alexander Ebert.

Arrogant Rating – 3.8/5 I have found it Johnno my son

Happiness (Live) - Jonathan Jeremiah by PRoborgh


Black Gold – Shine
I have a lot of solemn tunes this month which is perhaps because of my impending voyage. Shine melts in your mouth.
Arrogant Rating – 4/5 Shines brighter than fools gold.
Black Gold - Shine by 247QM


Sweet Sweet Moon – Smoke Up
I reckon more of a grow-er than a show-er. Pulls of some quite lame lyrics though ‘my knees are skin, my eyes are broken, I’m gonna ride a shooting star’.
Arrogant Rating – 4.2/5
Sweet Sweet Moon - Smoke Up by Siluh Records

Emma Louise – Jungle
Perhaps could be placed on this months’ Solemn List. But in reality it is quite uplifting and the voice is angelic a bit similar to Florence and the Machines however I fell a bit purer.
Arrogant Rating – 3.8/5 I was going to mention something about downstairs but that would just be pushing for a pun/poon (I apologise).
Jungle by Emma-Louise

Bombay Bicycle Club – Shuffle
It has a catchy beat and a nice piano flutter in the intro. What more would you expect from Bombay Bicycle Club.
Arrogant Rating – 3.4/5
Bombay Bicycle Club - Shuffle by Bombay Bicycle Club

Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds
Typical Oasis feeling to the single to Mr Noel’s single. It has the same chords and nuances as ever.
Arrogant Rating – 2.7/5 It’s no high flyer, and if you were high probably wouldn’t even notice that it’s a new single.
Anna Sun – Walk the Moon
If I could describe it in a couple of poignant statements; the intro is The Wanted vs. Born Slippy, and then throw The Futureheads at its knees and you are almost there.
Arrogant Rating – 3.4/5 I enjoy the oxymoron of artist and song.
Anna Sun by Walk The Moon

The Rozzes – Indians
I love this band who I reckon are the reality and future of Indie, great echoes of The Libertines and the lead singer sounds uncannily like Pete himself. They are also exceptionally young, greatly promising.
Arrogant Rating – 3.7/5 They’re so young they probably still play ‘Cowboys and Indians’.

Indians by The Rozzes


The Pains of Being Pure at Heart –Even in Dreams
It seems I have gotten a bit mushy but trust me after a few turns these bad boys will play a key role in your ears.
Arrogant Rating – 3.6/5 
The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart - Even in Dreams by Vicente P. EDPMC

Portugal. the Man – Got it all
Ha-ha! So we meet again Portugal. The Man. I feel bad because I completely slated them before, well fuck it it’s only one good song.
Arrogant Rating – 3.4/5 You’ve had your song now fuck off again.

Portugal. The Man - Got It All (This Can't Be Living Now) by Portugaltheman


Crystal Antlers – Summer Solstice
Crystal Antlers are hotly tipped this year with some classifying them as a contender with Metronomy. I haven’t got into them yet but they do show promise, perhaps more research is needed?
Arrogant Rating – 3.5/5  


Crystal Antlers - Summer Solstice by INgroovesmarketing


The Decemberists – Down by the River
I am a staunch fan after their previous song ‘This is why we fight’. There are a few folky country western vibes in this which I am digging.
Arrogant Rating – 3.7/5  


The Decemberists - Down By The River - Backstage at Bonnaroo by Lightning100

Cage the Elephants – Around my Head
I love the song, but find the Shaun of the Dead video slightly confusing. I wouldn’t have put it on but SoundCloud gave me no choice.
Arrogant Rating – 3.8/5 When did necrophilia become the ‘ghoul’ thing to do?




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