Must-Have Summer Playlist 08/11

This is the beginning of a monthly ‘Top 15 of …’ or in this case ‘Summer Playlist’, potentially the most important article of mine as it is a rundown of previously reviewed tunes and a mélange of the sounds you need to have as your summer playlist.

As I prepare for the summer and Ibiza, I look to the potential tunes of September. I originally wanted to do a ‘Top 15’ however it would have been a crime to leave some of my babies out. Hence here is my ‘Summer Playlist’ for September.

My particular recommendations are;

Toddla T ft. Roots Manuva – Watch me Dance

Arrogant Rating – 3.5/5 (you just know it’s going to be huge)

Alexander Ebert - Truth

Arrogant Rating – 4/5 (Truthfully incredible Folk)

Mother Mother – The Stand

Arrogant Rating – 4/5 (If you can’t stand it then go home, ‘Everyone’s Fucked and They don’t even Know’)

Unknown Mortal Orchestra – How Can you Luv Me

Arrogant Rating – 4.5/5 (All of them are great and they will be my next review)

Holy Ghost – Do it Again

Arrogant Rating – 3.5/5 (Holy shit I like an electro-ish song - a bit like Chromeo)

Wilder – Skyful of Rainbows

Arrogant Rating – 3.5/5 (Perhaps there is some light at the end of the…for synth indie)

The Mischiefs – Girl don’t go to Work

Arrogant Rating - 3.5/5 (Arctic Monkeys spliced with Ska, very cheeky)

I also I need to note that there is no specific order.

Beat! Beat! Beat! - We Are Waves by beatbeatbeat
Wilder - Skyful of Rainbows by Jose_Luix
EMA - Milkman by WorkItMedia
Grouplove - Colours by xemper
Holy Ghost - Do It Again by Vitalic Noise
Sappho (demo) by TRIBES
Badango by canjarave
Thought Ballune by TheSoundsOfSweetNothing
Unknown Mortal Orchestra - How Can U Luv Me by guil-laume
Chapel Club - 'Surfacing' by east city records
Good For Nothing by Hard Fi
Toddla T - 'Watch Me Dance' (Radio Edit) with Roots Manuva by toddla_t
Ghostpoet - Run Run Run by ramcguckin71 
Sound of Rum - Slow Slow by ramcguckin71
Danger Mouse & Daniele Luppi - Two Against One (Ft. Jack White) by MMMusic The Stand by Mother Mother
Telekinesis - "Gotta Get It Right Now" by 2046songs
The Mischiefs - Girl dont go to work by themischiefs
Options by gomeztheband
Cults - Abducted by cultscultscults
Metronomy - The Bay by D9000
Alexander by AlexanderEbert
Young Rebel Set - Lions Mouth (Producer, Mixer) by 140dB Management The Cults - Go Outside by pcagx

Cage the Elephant - Around my Head
http://snd.sc/pC2Fiv

Let's Kurt to the chase!

Tribes

This un-kept rugged Camden lot is tipped to be the ‘next English Nirvana’, and in some respects tracks like ‘We were Children’ and ‘Girlfriend’ have share the same discerning characteristics of Cobain and the gang. Tribes also share Nirvana’s eclectic variety of musical styles; with the mumbling vocals and energy-sapped depressive rifts on the one hand and the more upbeat anarchic guitar slamming cords similar to Smells like Teen Spirit. However I don’t agree with classifying bands to one single genre or a predeceasing band, and Tribes have a lot more to offer than simply a Nirvana tribute band. They have musical talent no question about it, and do show signs of a unique sound with one of my favourites Sappho.

There is one concern; I do get the feeling that Tribes have an unhealthy obsession with God, or lack of him. In Sappho we are presented with the horrific ordeal of ‘tell[ing] a child that there’s no God up in the sky and it’s all a lie’, similarly in Nightdriving ‘what use is God if you can’t see him….what use is God if you never win’. It is clear to see that these guys clearly have had hard lives if they feel so religiously ostracised by the Almighty. I say this all with a smattering of cynicism, because one thing that irritates me the most is blaming someone you don’t even believe in about your awful life. I would allow all this hatred if they got beaten up by nuns at Sunday school, but I very much doubt this is the case.  

      (Johnny Lloyd (vocals, guitar), Jim Cratchley (bass), Miguel Demelo (drums) and Dan White (guitar)
                                                      looking pretty hard done by; poor lads.)

But I’m being unfair as the band is clearly pretty hardcore; I mean the band got together in summer of 2009 after the guitarist was caught trying to steal the drummer's wallet, which is very Rock’n’Roll, or is that just more satire.

All in all I like the music which I suppose is the main thing. For example you don’t need to like the parents to like their daughter, do you?

Check out;      

Tribes - We Were Children by ramcguckin71



Sappho (demo) by TRIBES



Coming Of Age (Clip) by TRIBES


Arrogant Rating - 3/5 (Musically yes, but whatever you do don't Come as you are)

The Council wont kick 'em out and they are here to stay

Gypsy Punk

I got introduced to Gogol Bordello about 3 or so years ago and since then I have been avidly listening to their album Gypsy Punks Underdog World Strike (2005). It helped I was studying Russian and could understand some lyrics from Santa Marinella which were similar in Ukrainian. Anyway the accordions and violins just rallied my Irish blood. Furthermore who can’t be charmed by the enigmatic legend which is Eugene Hütz, if his Gypsy Caravan was parked on your land you wouldn’t be calling the council, that’s for sure.

However after what I believe was a slightly disappointing album Trans-Continental Hustle (2010)  I decided to go on the hunt for more Gypsy Punk bands and see what was cracking about. For something that I believed was quite a niche scene I was surprised when a ton of Gypsy Punk talent flooded my ears; here’s to Katzenjammer, and Blackbird Raum.

Katzenjammer

So Katzenjammer, what can I say about this four piece female Norwegian band? Well their name translates literally as ‘cat's wail’ and figuratively as ‘the sense of bewilderment and confusion on a hangover’ in German. Well they certainly have summed up their style; the songs Demon Kitty and Tea with Cinammon which have a circus quality about them give off that sense of bewilderment, a musical equivalent to the ether fuelled circus scene in Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas.

I must say that overall I was impressed with this strange group of women’s varying style and use of instruments; they also have been known to use cartoons to inspire their music in particular Tom and Jerry and Donald Duck. Seriously this band is fucked up; it’s like having a bunch of 12 year olds fucked off blue Smarties. Well ladies it definitely has paid off, their debut album Le Pop (2009) is definitely worth a gander.

Check out;

Katzenjammer - Demon Kitty Rag by ramcguckin71
A Bar In Amsterdam by Propeller Recordings


Katzenjammer – Tea with Cinnamon         



Katzenjammer - Le Pop by ramcguckin71

Arrogant Rating – 3/5 (A hangover is just a clear sign of a good night)

Blackbird Raum

Although having influences from Gypsy Punk, Blackbird Raum have created a new genre of music which is called Anarcho-Punk, to me it sounds like fucking Pirate-Punk. You have to listen to believe it; seriously I felt like I was pissed on the Jolly Roger with a hook for a hand. This band from Santa Cruz, California have clearly watched all of the Pirates of the Caribbean series and just wish for it to be like the old days, a simpler time, rum, rape, pillage and voyaging the high seas. They sure make me laugh and where people will probably think this is not music but a farce I quite like it; I’ve always wanted to be a pirate.

I’ve only got one criticism guys, please change you name to Blackbeard Raum it would suit you more.

Check out;


Blackbird Raum- Witches by ramcguckin71

Blackbird Raum – Honey in the Hair

Blackbird Raum - Honey In The Hair by ramcguckin71

Blackbird Raum – Witches

Blackbird Raum – A Rat in my Dream

Arrogant Rating – 3/5 (better whack out a barrel of grog or you’ll have a fucking mutiny)

I will finish off with a list of a two noteworthy bands and there sounds;

Balkan Beat Box – Hermetico (This Israeli band is not really Gypsy-Punk but are just incredible, if you stay seated during the song well I guess you are a paraplegic)

Neobiljni Pesimisti – Srbija i Ja (Is Gypsy-Punk bottled)

Neozbiljni pesimisti - Srbija i Ja

Neozbiljni pesimisti - Srbija i Ja by ramcguckin71

Balkan beat box-hermetico

Balkan beat box-hermetico by ramcguckin71

On to the next one

Rap/Hip Hop Scene

On a Rap/Hip Hop scene I'm hedging three bets this summer which are Ghostpoet, Sound of Rum and Odd Future Wolf Gang Kill Them All (OFWGKTA).

I will start off with the runner in this year's Mercury Awards Ghostpoet. My first thoughts on Ghostpoet are if Roots Manuva rapped on a hangover he would sound like this. That's not a bad thing, in fact his soft whispering voice and backing Trip-Hop beats are perfect for slowly drinking yourself into a stupor on a summers evening. Ghostpoet has recently brought out his debut album Peanut Butter Blues and Melancholy Jam.

Ghostpoet’s style is that of a lucid dream and patter of melancholy, his content spans a myriad of life experiences, similar to that of The Streets. Ghostpoet succinctly analyses all the troubles we daily face; relationships, drugs and depression a musical social commentator.  Run Run Run remains my favourite track so far with lyrics such as;

‘Rain ain't soothing it jus' soak deep'n'side bones and dark in a darker tone. But, light seeps to pitter through. On and off like light-switch, nothing more that I could do.’

His sound is so chilled even he sounds half asleep, I love it.

Check out;

Ghostpoet - Cash and Carry Me Home

Ghostpoet - Run Run Run

Ghospoet - Liiines

Ghostpoet - Survive It

Arrogant Rating: 4/5 (Insight into the phantasm of life)

Second in line is Sound of Rum who is ripping up the UK hip-hop scene with Kate Tempest’s mind melting lyrics which split your ear drums with piercing delivery. These are the type of hyperbolic compliments being thrown around the hip-hop water cooler.  I must admit her lyrics are incredible with context that can rival the Poet Laureate’s and in that respect she deserves all this praise; however for me in general it is the accompaniment to Kate’s lyrics that are generally languid. Apart from their single Slow Slow, I feel like Kate has let herself down. On the other hand their live performance is meant to be outstanding.

Sound of Rum – Slow Slow

Arrogant Rating: 2.5/5 (Are you wasted?)   

Finally, the Rap group which is setting alight to America, leaving a wake of burning geriatric Rappers is Odd Future Wolf Gang Kill Them All (OFWGKTA). Led by Tyler, The Creator (20) OFWGKTA has completely caught me off guard with its diabolic lyrics and skull smashing beats. Their explosive content reminds me a bit of some of the apocalyptic sounds from Foreign Beggars - Asylum Speakers (2003). I must stress that comparison can only be taken lightly, as these guys are in a world of their own. I generally stay clear from the American Rap scene but these guys are sick. I particularly enjoy Tyler, The Creator’s repertoire, his flow is actually hypnotising. The person who stole it for me was Tyler’s nephew Earl Sweatshirt (17) his cheeky but still menacing style makes him future for me, this duo is unstoppable. Oh yeah, did I mention they skateboard!

So the stagnant ageing waters which is the American Rap scene has just been doused with chlorine, put your fucking trunks on! Oh yeah, did I mention they skateboard!


Check out;

OFWGKTA – Orange Juice

Tyler the Creator, Earl Sweatshirt - AssMilk

Tyler the Creator - Yonkers  

Arrogant Rating – 4/5 (Certainly killed them all)

As an afterthought; just this minute I have heard Roots Manuva’s new song with Toddla T – Watch me dance. Thoughts on the matter; you know it’s going to be big, and it’s like heroine, you might throw up the first time but you know you are hooked. I preferred his less mainstream catalogue, but this certainly is addictive.

Arrogant Rating – 3.5/5 ( I’d throw shapes to it)

Sound of Rum - Slow Slow

Sound of Rum - Slow Slow by ramcguckin71

Ghostpoet - Cash and Carry Me Home

Ghostpoet - Cash and Carry Me Home by ramcguckin71

Ghostpoet - Run Run Run

Ghostpoet - Run Run Run by ramcguckin71

The Blog Begins

So this is my first Blog ever and it comes at a time where I have just came out from under a rock of which I have spent the last three years in a musical desert. Naturally I have been hearing all the generic stuff, but I have had enough. This summer will literally be the summer of music as I dive back into the scene of music from all walks of life and find my tunes of the summer.

For the last three weeks I have been scouring the Internet and listening to the best indie radio on the planet MotorFM to compile a list of music that will fuck up this summer - well at least my summer.

The Amplifetes

First and foremost I have to let you into the best kept secret of the past couple of years and the name is The Amplifetes. This Swedish quartet is practically god in my opinion and the lead singer looks like The Resurrection himself, I mean if God had facial hair!

 (Our main man J.C commonly known as Peter Ågren looking a bit lost in religious contemplation with his disciples (other band members); Henrik Jonback, Henrik Korpi and Tommy Spaanheden)

Hailing from all types of previous musical experiences these producer and songwriters have worked with Kelis, Madonna, Grandmaster Flash and Peter Bjorn and John. Their psychedelic, electric-pop mélange is highly addictive and should change your life if you have an ounce of it in you. The Amplifetes brought out their album The Amplifetes in September 2010; the discerning lexis of Peter Agren revealed on Meme Magazine their aim for world domination.

'The album is an attempt to smash all of our favourite musical styles and influences – and I mean all of them – together into a miniature snow ball, drop it down a steel factory chimney from a helicopter and record the sound it makes with a Dictaphone.'

I couldn't put it better myself, it definitely is unique. 

Check out;

The Amplifetes. Whizz Kid by PFAS
The Amplifetes - It's My Life by Playground Music
The Amplifetes - Somebody New by Playground Music

If you have any sense you will stop what you are doing and get out of the dark which is your existence before The Amplifetes. I'm not joking; get this on your IPod now!

Arrogant Rating: 4.5/5 (Fucking Awesome)