Valtari- Sigur Rós, Sigur Rós, Sigur Rós oh how you melt my heart

Here is a band from Iceland who's music may be compared to a slow glacial movement elementally quantified and captured via the form of music. Music so stunning that it becomes equally as beautiful and captivating as that of the components of nature that so many poets and artists have failed to capture and elaborate upon via their many forms of artistic expression. 

I recall the ambiance of a festival performance I caught of theirs years back, the swaying movement of the crowd. It was and still remains one of the pivotal music experiences of my life. 

The pace of the songs on this album aesthetically summons all kinds of images to the forefront of the listeners mind. I am on a mountain top and the air is fresh and I am free from all, lost in the music... This is what not good but GREAT music does to you. It allows you to lose yourself in the moment. 

Acoustically rising and meandering its way to becoming a post-rock/pop crossover record while ever maintaining that this is and always will be; their territory... their genre which no one else can touch. Ever maintaining their singular place amongst the folk who still buy albums: The band's stamp of approval is pretty much the only way a lot of people are dealing with a lengthily 7+-minute song with an invented language - again which is purely and solely theirs. Teasing out the melodies and musically extravagant, this album will without a doubt live up to the expectations of all Sigur Rós fans.

Nell Bryden new album is a triumphant return

Listening to 'Shake The Tree' one would have to do a double take to make sure that it is still the same artist who released album "Second Time Around", which later became "What Does it Take.." under new deal with Cooking Vinyl. But fast forward a year or two and here is a new sound from a voice we have all grown to love, only it's altered somewhat in as natural a progression as nature would intend in an artist that is all about growth. 

Nell Bryden is back and she means business. Looking sassy as ever and still found with a guitar in hand, she is exerting a fierceness that means only one thing; defiance. With a swift exit from her last label and newly signed to Warner ADA, she has regrouped with her old team in Ireland and is about to embark on the new lp's release which will no doubt see her imminent return to the Island who embraced her wholeheartedly. Champions from Ian Dempsey to Pat Kenny to John Creedon and Ralph Mc Clean up North of the border. She travelled the length and breadth of the country and was never afraid to put the effort in. Loved by punters and musicians alike. Which is why perhaps, she has just announced a small warm up show to take place in The Ruby Sessions on July 10th prior to her Electric Picnic performance on August 31st. I for one, will be there.

Now onto the album. 12 tracks, spanning from jazz fused numbers to full on colossal ballads that if the likes of Snow Patrol, Lady Antebellum or Leona Lewis released would go straight to no.1. Lets hope that the force of being signed to a major label like Warner can realise some of the set backs of the latter albums obstacles in a market place consumed by authoritative majors with the pulling power of gods still reining in on what is played on radio. Judging by recent announcements however it seems that radio are warming up to the new album both here and in the UK.

Buildings and Treetops with If I Forget are her latest offerings to the Irish market and it is well suited for those who recall her hit single Second Time Around -  If I Forget forges that union and Building & Treetops tell of an ever evolving songstress full of prowess. Vocally the album itself is a triumphant return way past her typical form. Perhaps its with the inclusion of Grammy Award winning producers Mark Taylor for Metrophonic productions or maybe it's down to the artist herself and her resilience to keep going forward. 

This record is a bold statement from Bryden that defies anyone who ever doubted the music and should stabilise her with a long lasting career. catchy as hell, with hooks in all the right places and a voice that surpasses supreme- Nell Bryden is ready to 'shake the tree' of the music industry. And demand the recognition she so well deserves.


Stand out tracks: every damn song on the album..
Fav tracks: SIRENS, SHAKE THE TREE * BUILDINGS & TREETOPS.

For those of you who can not wait any longer for the album to be released: Nell has announced a FREE DOWNLOAD of "Buildings And Treetops" for Twitterusers. Visit http://www.twitmusic.com/nellbrydenTwitmusic

Justin Bieber announces European "secret concerts"

Justin Bieber has teased fans by revealing that he is currently on his way to Europe for a series of "secret concerts".

The hitmaker is due to unveil his forthcoming studio album, 'Believe', next month and is hot on the promotional trail for the record, and told his 22.4 million followers on Twitter that he is travelling across the pond for a set of unannounced shows.

"Ok. going to board. OFF TO EUROPE! PHASE 1 of operation secret concerts! lol. OSLO first stop. See u soon....and... when i land #DieInYourArms and #BOYFRIEND will be out!! Countdown and then #BIEBERBLAST !!!! thanks! see u soon. much love. #BELIEVE"

I can hardly contain my excitement. No. Really...

Reggae Aint dead. It's alive inside the Barley Mob

With MARLEY doing so well in independent cinemas around the country and a resurgence in Reggae music on the rise - it's rather fitting the The Barley Mob get a look in. This band are fun, aware of their musicality and work in pure unison with each other that in turn creates an evenly balanced out sound on their new single STAND UP RISE UP BIG UP!

It's not screaming out mainstream but it is what it is; a top notch take on Reggae by an Irish band who do it better than any of their peers. Play it, play it very loud and smile. It'll demand that much of you. Full list of gig dates can be found here. I'd imagine their live show will be something to behold.

Gossip

Drenched in melancholy but disguised as something hypnotically sugary : Gossip's latest album, A Joyful Noise, is an audible charade eschewed in brilliant beats and catchy lines that hit home to the listener in an instant. 

Taking a delicate approach to the vocal delivery on this record as it becomes more and more of an emotional roller-coaster. Such is the case on 'Casualties of War' and "I'm not in love with you, I'm just involved with you" on the equally honest heart wrenching 'Involved'. 

The album is a brutally honest affair with pristine alt-pop production from Xenomania (Girls Aloud, Sugababes, Kylie Minogue). It ticks every box and despite a rather disturbing album cover which I really do not like looking at, this album is superb in every way.

Ocho

An electronic dream in full lush mode, Ocho (don't ask me how its pronounced or where they came up with the dreadful name) are an Irish Electronic duo comprised of Stace Gill and Dos (? Ok as we can see names are not their strong point). But please do not let titles or names deter you from the stunning music that this pair can produce. 

From start to finish the album draws you in. Albeit you have to be a certain sombre, winding down mood to allow it to do so. This is not an album that you could put on the stereo at any time of the day, more so it's like an academy award winning film with so many undertones of genius, one would have to watch it a couple of times before it all settles into the mind. I don't envision this will ever make it onto radio, but it is certainly a sound-scopic adventure of all sorts that I could easily imagine being the back drop of certain TV shows and Film's. If the Cohen Brothers wrote an electronic album and spent 2 or 3 years in doing so, this would probably be what it'd sound like. Tarantino would probably be jealous too.

There is a cover track of the Ronettes well known "Be My Baby' and I hardly recognised it was there on the first listen, they do such a great job and making it their own.

An over all sophisticated album from a duo who will travel up the ranks slowly but surely. I hope they do well. It's a slow burner and requires the love and attention of time and consideration, something that in this industry is becoming more and more rare and undefined.

GiftedLive.com delivering new kind of online gig experience

GiftedLive.com are bringing you closer to the bands you love, without you having to leave the comfort of your home. - 

This is what I got in last week via email from the sites PR - A bold statement to make to us  gig goers who get our adrenaline rush from the dark sweaty atmosphere of actually attending a gig, but as I read on... you are also given the choice to go to the actual gig too- but seeing it's in Belfast and I am in Dublin..I reckon I'll be catching it online! 


So in true Charlie Sheen style this a *WINNING* ingredient for a music treat! In gig going terms and virtual terms!

The pr notes go on....(below).. 


And after checking out the site ourselves here, this is well worth checking out. I'll be tuning in from the comfort of my home that's for sure! I like me a bit of Kopek and The Answer, oh and A Plastic Rose! YES PLEASE!

Where you ever at a gig and yet the sound quality wasn’t quite right for you? Did you ever envy those up at the front of stage? Never got into the VIP area you so desperately wanted to be in? That feeling will vanish once you watch your favourite band live -in real time- on your very own front of house seat, from your own home/desk top or mobile device.

 

And yes we know that if you stay at home, you might feel that you’re not sharing the gig experience with other people – something that many music buffs and fans enjoy– but how many of us would prefer to take to the sofa over a crowded mosh pit with a select gathering of friends? And take to the web-based alternative - Don’t answer that- because at GiftedLive.com the choice is yours.

For those who do however want to attend the gigs in person, tickets are priced at £10 and are available at the door of The Empire Music Hall Belfast from 8:30pm onwards on the night of each show.

June & July line up announced:

Thursday 7th June:

Duke Special 

The 1930s 

Tieranniesaur 

Pugwash 

Window Seats 

Gavin James

+ Special Performances by

A Plastic Rose (Launch 'Live' show at 9pm - exclusive acoustic performance)

More Than Conquerors 

Tom McShane 

Elspeth

Thursday 5th July:

The Answer (Exclusive performance of 'Rise' album)

David Kitt

Kopek 

The Riptide Movement 

Cosmo Jarvis 

BeeMickSee

+ Special Recorded Performances by

General Fiasco 

Shake!

Droids

To attend the above gigs in person:

Doors: 8:30pm / Adm: £10 @ The Belfast Empire

or

See it for FREE Online

Shows starts at 9pm on @ http://www.giftedlive.com/

www.facebook/giftedlive

www.Twitter.com/gifted_live

Kopek- top notch rockin' and a rollin

Kopek won $100,000 in a Global battle of the bands competition coming in first place and have been touring the world, all across Europe to LA and back ever since. Equipped with album 'White Collar Lies', which recently got its Irish Release date in May 2012, this band are destined ( without trying to sound overly cliched here)- for Rockn'Roll god like status in the not too distant future.. and why? because they have an album that merits it, that's why.

They are ultimately still an unsigned Irish band, released via Religion Records an Irish Indie, they have placed numerous tracks from the album across a wide range of Tv and Film including, Saw 3d, American Pie Reunion and multiple MTV's teeny bopper shows... the latter... is a bit dodgy but hey, they are cleaning up, that's what matters here.

With a dedicated online fan base, have you seen their facebook page! they might just have the most dedicated fans in the country from all over the globe. Again its no surprise, they interact daily with their fans, and its not some pr facade - they take in the time to be personal and their fans matter to them. So in true honest hard grafting style - they are gaining more and more acclaim.

I have heard them across radio, which always makes me smile. It's a great thing to hear and see a band come up in conversation, online, offline and on the radio over and over.. signals good things...

Now back to the album... WCL ( as their fans call it- 'white collar lies'..) was first released stateside about a year ago and has been released in different countries on-going. Now available in Ireland and all of Europe, it's gathering momentum at every corner. From opener LOVE IS DEAD - a throbbing dirge that chronicles the band’s fallen heroes, to wit; “John is dead, Jim is dead, James is dead, Michael’s dead”, the album urges you to press the repeat button, pull down the window and drive with a swagger similar to that of the album.

Perfect rhythms, diesel fueled roaring guitar riffs and sexy ass bass lines the entire way throughout; if this album was a vehicle for mass destruction it would surpass being a high end Merc or a 7 series BMW and go straight to Military Tank stomping over all in its way. The only direction Kopek are headed is to the top of the pile of their struggling peers. I always think; there is no point is being a lesser version of something else that's already been done.. there are plenty of Led Zeppelin/Greenday/Blink 182 wannabes or Jimmy Hendrix guitar heroes, but KOPEK combine them all and deliver their own kind of modern rock fused with pop friendly anthems.

White Collar lies is out now!

Tracks worth checking out asap: Love Is Dead, Cocaine Chest Pains & Floridian.

There are no weak songs on this album, just rip roaring rock/pop gems that will shine a very big light on all-things Kopek for the future. 10/10

While you're here listen to this:

Hat & Cara

Ever get an album makes you feel that a reunion with an old forgotten -but much loved friend- has occurred?. Well that is the feeling I got when I pressed play on this stunning album. From the stomping opener of 'Power' to the reeling old time-ness of 'Company underground'. This pair could share a direct family line to Seasick Steve? Do they? 

Last track 'Rusty River' is one of my favourites. Simplistic banjo and whistle. It fuels images of the wild west and a camp fire sing a long. This is one act who I want to be on the road with. I'd imagine the fun to be had would be quite a unique experiance in a time where ipods and technology seems to drown out traditional values and family/friend time. The vibes throughout echos the past and is soaked in originality and free flowing effortless musicianship of the highest degree.

This album is superbly produced and an all round triumphant ode to what folk music used to be; original and outright enjoyable. Organically layered to capture a live sound, you can close your eyes and see them sitting among you.

Hat Fitz & Cara Robinson are the ultimate folk duo.

Go do your self a favour and buy this. It will renew your faith that real music still does exist in the world. One of the bets albums I have received this year. 11/10!