Sun Structures / Temples Debut Album Review

With glittery eye shadow and 70s glam-rock style James Bagshaw and his fellow Temples members have taken the music scene as their own and given us a fresh sound. Recently all the bands floating the the forefront of our attention have been the loosely phrased ‘guitar bands’, who whilst still being good and unique within their own genre, tend to still churn out the similar types of sounds, however Temples have inserted a shot of dreamy pscho-pop into the mixing pot. And whilst other famous psychedelic pop band Tame Impala have taken their inspiration from the sun drenched isles of Western Australia, Temples have managed to drain their inspiration from none other than the moderately less sun drenched Kettering, UK. 

Sun Structures is Temples debut album, which is long overdue after spending years touring and supporting, and growing a loyal fanbase with their smattering of online material, with famous supporters such as Noel Gallagher and Johnny Marr hailing them as ones to watch. The album keeps to a very similar style throughout, with few versus and longer keyboard/synth instrumentals, highlighted by the echoey fingerpicking curtesy of Bagshaw’s famous 12 string guitar. The woozy sound has the opportunity to disconnect you from the drab train journey or walk home in which you are listening, and take you into another dimension where things don’t matter and the world is filled with swaying colour. James’ lyrics breath an airy and relaxing air, even when you can’t distinguish what he is saying, and the entire work as a unit has a charming appeal. 

Obviously no album is perfect, and my criticism relates back to my review of Temple’s gig in Leeds last year, where I pointed out how excited I was to hear Ankh on the album, considering it the best song on their set. However, Ankh failed to make the cut, a disappointment in that I feel it would have slot in nicely towards the end.

It is easy to want to constantly compare a new band to all the other new bands that being reviewed and written about, yet I can honestly say that despite having similarities with the aforementioned Tame Impala it is difficult to compare. Granted their have been woozy psychedelic pop in the past, and Temples have in no way created a never before heard sound, however they have brought this sound back into the charts, and with a debut album as successful as this one I believe they’ll be around for a while, and I’d love to tip them as the festival sound of 2014, as any of the top festivals would be stupid not to have them. 

7/10 
Highlights : Sun Structures, Colours to Life and Shelter Song. 
Release Date: 10th February 

Swim Deep / Manchester Ritz

Last night Swim Deep took to The Ritz in Manchester for a one of show, set up by magazine The Fly. They were joined by Brighton band Magic Gang and Cambridge guys Bloody Knees.

Magic Gang started the evening with an enthusiastic performance, with a hazy indie pop sound that suited Swim Deep fans down to the ground. I was really impressed listening to these guys, and was disappointed to come home and find they only had one song online! I would really like to hear more from them and would definitely see them again if they were to venture back up North!

*On a side and completely shallow note, this band is made up of four very attractive people, which is always a plus point.* 

Next up was Bloody Knees, who we were eager to see after spending quite a bit of time talking to them outside the venue, or as bassist Sam commented 'being chat up by the band' (obviously referring to my very attractive friend Molly)! These guys had a completely different sound, much more raw and early Nirvana-esquqe, with screechy lyrics and great bass lines. They got the crowd moving, which was much-needed as they're not a band you want to stand still and listen to. The lead singer told the crowd how he'd lost his job in order to play the gig tonight, and for that reason alone we should be buying their split single released this month! 

Swim Deep entered the stage to the sound of the Jurrasic Park theme tune, which was interesting! They came out in coordinated white tops and patterned trousers, and immediately they showed a sense of enjoying the show. They opened with album favourite Francisco, a popular song that reminds almost everyone I know of summer 2013. As the usual front row hysterical chanting ensued, the band (mainly Cavan) responded well, waving at fans and answering them as they shouted stuff at the stage, which was met with more screaming. Popular roadie Mikey was evidently having a great time, singing along to each song (which surely he must be SICK of hearing by now?) and wearing a fez, and keyboardist James was busy grooving away with his little hand dancing. 

One of the things that separated this gig to the last 8 times I've seen them was the addition of the song Beach Justice in their set. As one of their first ever sound cloud uploads that didn't make it onto the album it was excellent to hear it again, as it was played when I saw them at The Brudnell on their first tour. I hate to say that the crowd sort of quietened for this song, as many of the fans didn't seem to know the words leaving only the very old fans singing along, and I urge any new fan who hasn't heard their earlier stuff to listen to it now. Beach Justice and Isla Vista are songs that should have made it to the album, and are probably two of their best. They also played festival favourite cover Girls Just Wanna Have Fun, which as always gets everyone going as an 80s classic. 

A highlight was obviously their final song, King City. It works so well as an end song because it is nearly everyones favourite, pretty much everyones first SD song they hear. Austin takes centre stage and danced in a way that I can only describe as karaoke dancing, which was amusing and entertaining, and the fact that both lead singers of Magic Gang and Bloody Knees were dragged over us crowd surfing was also pretty funny. This show was so enthusiastic and energetic it really changed my feelings for swim deep, as I was starting to go off them until last night when I remembered how fun they are live. A one of show worked in their favour, as it had a special occasion feel to it. Overall an excellent show. 

Drowners Album Review

Welsh/American band Drowners fronted by welsh singer-come-model Matt Hitt and New Yorkians Jack Ridley, Erik Snyder and Lakis Pavlou have streamed their brand new, debut self-titled album a week earlier than release on 27th January, and have followed their four singles with an accumulation of short and snappy indie pop songs that make one brilliant album.

I'm excited by this album the minute it starts, with fantastically upbeat Ways to Phrase a Rejection, with a great jumpy start to set the album off following into a decent guitar fuelled intro. Matt's lyrics fast and upbeat to the time of the rest of the music. The entire song wakes up the album and kicks it into shape. I could say that its a shame this song is only 1:46 long, but the phrases 'quit while you're ahead' and 'leave them wanting more' seems to be the successful attitude adopted with Drowners music. The band then plunge into well known 2013 summer classic Long Hair, a song that I for one have had spinning on my record player all year, remind me of summery happy times, and making me wish I looked like Alexa Chung (see music video). 

We then get a slightly more electro-pop intro to recently released single Luv, Hold Me Down, however their electronic sound lasts only about 5 minuets until the heavy guitar riff is back. Like Long Hair, this song has a catchy and punctual chorus making it a great sing along song.  Another familiar with You've Got It Wrong (with opening slightly too similar to Long Hair but we'll let that one slide) and more mellow Unzip Your Harrington with imagery hailing back to teenage relationships. The album finishes up with final familiar song Shell Across the Tongue and carefree, fun song Well, People Will Talk and end things on a high. 

I've never seen this band before due to their UK touring being very limited, so apart from four songs already released this was all new to me, which helped me take a fresh and un-obscured view to the album as a whole. The album, I believe, typifies what Indie Pop music is all about, and to use the despicable term 'guitar music' it really follows in the footsteps of, for example, The Vaccines with their short and snappy guitar riff tunes in the 'guitar music' trend. I can't wait for this band to tour the UK, and hope they get to it soon! I also hope that when the time comes to name 2014 albums of the year that this album won't be easily forgotten due to its very early release, as I feel it could really place as one of my personal albums of the year. 

Listen to the album stream here

Interview with Baby Strange

(I managed to get an interview with Baby Strange for my recent college assignment, and figured I might as well put it on my blog as my tutor isn't really going to appreciate it as much as actual fans of Baby Strange.)

Glasgow rockers Baby Strange impressed me and the rest of Palma Violets fan base ( I do hope) in their support slot on the Rattlesnake Rodeo Tour of 2013. They have also been widely selected as an up and coming act for 2014. They very kindly nominated front man Johnny to answer my questions via email... 

What was your favourite album of 2013? 
John Grant- Pale Green Ghosts 

How did it feel being asked to support Palma Violets? I
t was great to be asked, we get on really well with those guys so playing a run of shows with them was a lot of fun. 

(Honest answer) Favourite city you’ve played in?

I really like playing London. It’s been great the past few times we've played there. 

How does it feel having people wanting to get photos with you outside of gigs?
It’s cool, we don’t mind it at all, we do charge £10 per photo though... 

What are your plans for 2014? Any new music coming out?
We’re going to start working on our album this year, we’ve done a few tracks already and they sounds really exciting. 

Which band do you think deserves to get big in 2014?
Twin Mirrors 

Which festival would you love to play in 2014?  
Bennicassim sounds good, a few of my friends went last year and said it was great.

The Importance of the Book Shop

Aside from music another passion of mine is books and reading, and when shopping on Monday I realised how important the book shop is.

Now, I must admit, I shop for the majority of my books on amazon because it is easy and cheap and those unfortunately are the trappings of life. However, whilst on Brick Lane this week I popped into one of my favourite shops, the Brick Lane Bookshop, a cute little shop nestled in between vintage clothes stores and slightly overpowered by the very famous Rough Trade. Whilst picking out a book I realised how important the atmosphere of the shop is, I love that the books are crammed onto shelves, and to take one out you then have the awkward task of slotting it back in, resisting the temptation to just shove it in another space and taking away the clean tidiness of it all. I also feel that the book being on those shelves is a recommendation in itself. I appreciate that everybody has different likes and dislikes when it comes to books, but as a general rule you know that each book that has been brought into this shop is classed as a good, well written read. It's almost like a readers version of a record store. You aren't going to like every record in there, but you know that by the record being in the store it is a well made and respectable record that you should give a chance!

I feel like in todays society of quick buys and convenience we sometimes overlook the joy of finding something and shopping for something, and the personal feel attached to it. I guess a bookshop takes you back to appreciating feeling a product in your hands before you buy it, getting a feel of the book and flicking through it, something you don't tend to get with amazon.

I bought one of my favourite ever books from there ages ago, the book Stardust by Neil Gaiman. The fantasy book follows the journey of princes, witches and lowly Tristan in order to find a fallen star and use it for what each of them needs it for. Based in the fictional world of Stormhold it is a fantastic fantasy story, written by the same author who wrote the amazing story Coraline. The book I picked up from there this week was Dark Places by Gillian Flynn. I was quite sure I would like this book as I read Flynn's Gone Girl a few months ago and found it extremely unique and enjoyable.

So next time you want a book but you have no idea what you want to read, avoid amazon and head to whatever local book store you can find, have a read of some blurbs and pick up a book that will surely not disappoint. I fully intend to write a blog post based on some of my favourite books and recommendations, but that will most likely be a fairly long post so I'll leave it here for now!

From Submarine to Trainspotting .... Films with the BEST Soundtracks.

A film's soundtrack can make or break a film. A film with a slightly above average storyline can be greatly improved to something watchable using the choice of music. It takes a skilled song writer to create music specifically for a film, and a skilled song selector to choose from the outstanding number of songs out there to find the perfect ones for that film moment. Here are my personal favourite films, based on their soundtracks....

 Submarine 

Submarine is this generation's emotional indie film, directed by Richard Ayoade, and with a beautifully written soundtrack by Alex Turner. This soundtrack consists of four, fairly slow songs that reflect the atmosphere of the film absolutely perfectly. I think the songwriting skills here are what makes me think Alex is an absolute genius. Stripped of the rest of the Arctic Monkeys, its just Alex and his guitar. You can hear emotion in his voice as he sings the words songs filled with beautiful imagery.

Lord of the Rings 
The soundtrack for Lord of the Rings heads in a completely different direction, as the whole thing was composed using entire orchestras for use in the film. However, I think it should definitely be credited as a soundtrack genius. The choirs of people singing and the build up of the instruments really reflects the trials and trauma of the films storyline! Whilst it is a very stereotypical sound for a fiction film, it is done so perfectly. You can hear uplifting sections in the music, which builds up to catastrophic ends.

 Trainspotting 
Trainspotting is an absolutely amazing film with some real britpop hits. The whole film has a very 'screw everything' attitude to it, which is reflected with its 80s and 90s pop songs. This films wins with its soundtrack purely with the use of Lou Reed's Perfect Day as Mark Renton enters a heroin induced state in which nothing everything is distorted. I can't say I've ever found myself in that state, but I can say that's one of the songs I can imagine playing in my head. And, saying that, if anyone can be trusted to write a heroin song it's most definitley Mr Lou Reed.

Record Stores Are the Way Forward

I am here to talk to you about the importance of vinyl. Last year I was given the gift of a record player, something I had wanted for some time. I got a reconditioned vintage one on ebay and started checking out record shops, something I only ever did to buy posters before hand. I feel there is something really special about owning vinyl. The only way I can think to describe it is that it is the most physical form of owning music. There is nothing more exciting than waiting till the day an album is released and heading to your local record shop (personal favourites being Jumbo Records and Crash Records in Leeds) and leaving with a bag containing your new record. That, compared to downloading the album off iTunes, or even buying the cd, is less personal in comparison. You really feel as if you are making your best effort for this album that you have been so desperate to hear.

I also draw on the atmosphere of a record store. The feeling of heading into a shop that is wall to wall with good music. Posters on the walls, gig adverts pinned to the boards and shelves and shelves of plastic wrapped vinyl sleeves in badly organised alphabetical order that you must trawl through to find your record. You then have the pride of taken your chosen record of immaculate music taste to the till and chatting to whoever works there about records/music/gigs and feeling really involved.

So, you've done the shop thing and you then have the excitement of getting home to listen to your record. Another great thing about vinyl listening is that you must be there to physically interact with the music listening. It is not enough to just press a button as you would with a computer, you must turn it on and wait for it to speed up, then delicately treat your record when turning it over half way through the listening. This, I've found, means you end up stopping to listen to your music more. Rather than putting music on in the background and doing something else you are actively sat listening to your music. It gives you more chance to experience and appreciate the music without being distracted by other things!

Finally, if there is anything better than having a good CD collection, it's having a good record collection. It's something to be proud of, something to display and show off about. I always tend to have the album I last listened to proudly displayed next to my record player, and in years to come when I believe I will really appreciate my signed records, the sounds of my teenage years!