Long songs aren't really my thing. With snappy short songs like Wreckin' Bar by The Vaccines and Parquet Courts' Careers In Combat taking over my playlists, why should I bother with long songs? It takes a pretty special long song to win my heart. Firstly, what do I regard as a "long song?" We'll go with over 6:30. Here are some of my favourites that I actually have the patience to listen to all the way through:
The Horrors - Sea Within A Sea
The Horrors are the band to turn to for very good long songs. In the case of Sea Within A Sea, it's the last two minutes or so that just make it. That's what you're waiting for. The whole song builds up to that do do do do DO DO DO bit. It gives you chills doesn't it? Amazing. Obviously the whole song is pretty incredible but it's all about the last bit.
The Horrors - Oceans Burning
Similarly to Sea Within A Sea, the best bit of Oceans Burning is arguably the last bit. The whole thing is this swirly, luxurious build up to that bit that makes you think "oh my god man, The Horrors are the best band ever!" You're probably lying if you say this song hasn't made you even a bit #emotional and it is just the most perfect closer to the sophisticated swoosh of Skying.
Drenge - Let's Pretend
This is probably a great long song because it doesn't actually feel like it's that long. It feels like a few songs sandwiched together, keeping you interested the whole way through. The fact that it's also very good helps too.
Muse - Citizen Erased
I completely forgot all about this one until I was sifting through iTunes looking for any tracks I'd missed. This doesn't feel like seven minutes at all, courtesy of some whirring and pretty in your face guitars and some interesting lyrics. The last three minutes or so feels like some kind of rebirth or something I dunno man how else would you describe it
Girls - Hellhole Ratrace
This track KILLS. Arguably one of Girls' best songs, the one that makes everyone feel a lil' bit sad and like they should do more with their lives than sit in the dark listening to Girls illuminated only by the glow of their laptop screen. Owens' lyrics here are so fantastic that the length of the track becomes irrelevant. It could be four hours long and still be the most amazing song.SO COME ON COME ON COME ON COME ON AND DANCE WITH ME
Parquet Courts - He's Seeing Paths
Another track that doesn't feel as long as it is thanks to some cowbell and other funky sounds. The cowbell and the buzzer just makes this song.
MONEY - Goodnight London
None of Money's songs are particularly short, but Goodnight London is in fact the longest on debut The Shadow Of Heaven. Money are the best at making the most chilling, hauntingly beautiful songs and this is certainly no exception. Discussing New York and London, this track thrives on piano and eerie, amazing lyrics.
(Other honourable mentions include Spanish Sahara by Foals, Left Myself Behind by TOY and Colours Fade by Blood Red Shoes but I can't be bothered to write about any more)
Showing posts with label parquet courts. Show all posts
Showing posts with label parquet courts. Show all posts
Sunday, 2 February 2014
Wednesday, 8 January 2014
Seventeen songs to make you feel like you're in an American high school movie
I don't wanna go to school I don't wanna take the call: A playlist
There are the perfect walking songs, then there are the perfect walking into school/college songs. The ones that make you feel like you're in a stereotypical American high school movie or TV show, walking in slow motion through the doors and down the corridors. I have spent many months testing songs in this situation to bring you this definitive compilation of fabulous tracks. (I haven't really)Stick these on when you're walking around school or college for maximum movie vibes.
Tracks:
- The Strokes - You Only Live Once
- The Orwells - Who Needs You
- SKATERS - Are We Just Doomed?
- DIIV - Follow
- Splashh - Vacation
- Swim Deep - Francisco
- Dom - Living In America
- Temples - Colours To Life
- Cults - We've Got It
- Girls - Honey Bunny
- Mac Demarco - Ode To Viceroy
- Drenge - Backwaters
- Tame Impala - Mind Mischief
- Melody's Echo Chamber - I Follow You
- Solange - Losing You
- Foals - Inhaler
- Parquet Courts - He's Seeing Paths
(Image from digitaljournal.com)
Friday, 20 December 2013
Look at us in New York City
Look at us in New York City: a playlist
I luuuuv New York. Even though I have never been there and it's my absolute dream to, it is one of my favourite cities, next to London, which luckily I don't live too far away from and can visit frequently. New York has thrown up a load of amazing bands and I decided to put together a collection of tracks from some cool bands / artists that are based in NYC. With some tracks about New York thrown in for good measure.
Did you know you can only have two tracks by the same artist or from the same album on 8tracks? I didn't until now.
Tracks:
- The Strokes - New York City Cops
- Parquet Courts - Master Of My Craft
- SKATERS - I Wanna Dance (But I Don't Know How)
- Drowners - Luv, Hold Me Down
- Blood Orange - Bad Girls
- Vampire Weekend - Diane Young
- Cults - Go Outside
- DIIV - Past Lives
- The Drums - Forever And Ever Amen
- SKATERS - Deadbolt
- Blood Orange - I'm Sorry We Lied
- The Strokes - Hard To Explain
- Parquet Courts - Stoned And Starving
- Christopher Owens - New York City
- The Drums - Best Friend
- DIIV - Wait
(Image from coach.com via Pinterest)
Thursday, 19 December 2013
The somewhat obligatory favourites of 2013 post: part one
It's nearing the end of 2013 wow yes it's flown by etc etc but now is the time where everybody and their non existent pet ostrich bust out lists of their favourite albums, songs, videos, gigs, whatever. I am not exempt from this and making lists is so much fun so here are my favourite albums of 2013!
In my opinion there haven't been that many great albums this year, but a handful were outstanding and some others a bit disappointing. But we won't talk about those. (Yet, at least)
White Lies - Big TV
White Lies' third album was always going to be amazing. White Lies can do no wrong. White Lies are the best thing since sliced bread. And I appreciate the concept of sliced bread a lot considering I cannot cut bread straight. After an incredible debut and an equally good follow up album full of atmospheric anthems that make you want to dash to your nearest mountain and shout at the top of your voice, Big TV certainly had a lot to live up to. But it definitely didn't disappoint. Like, at all. Even after the opening seconds of Getting Even, the first glimpse into what's on Big TV (oh yes what a pun) you just knew that this was gonna be one of the best albums this year. Big TV totally lives up to it's name see it's bursting with big choruses, big vibes and in general big tunes that enhance the White Lies live experience even further.
Favourite tracks: Mother Tongue, Big TV, Goldmine, There Goes Our Love Again
Drenge - Drenge
Drenge appear to be one of those bands that you either love or just aren't your cup of tea. You can either absolutely love them and feel like, proper #hardcore or something when you listen to them, or a bit like "what on earth is this noise up in my grill?" Admittedly, to begin with I was feeling the latter. But after a few more listens of Bloodsports I eventually came around. The album itself sealed the deal for me, as well as many other people I assume. A whole 38 minutes of mosh pit worthy anthems, (oh my god that is the cringest thing ever but it's the only way I can describe them)from the rowdy sounds of Bloodsports and Gun Crazy to the frankly quite incredible Let's Pretend (I'm not much of a fan of longer tracks so that is saying something) and the enthralling Fuckabout, there is something for everyone. Well, almost I guess.
Favourite tracks: Face Like A Skull, Bloodsports, Backwaters
Cults - Static
Cults are another band that to me can do no wrong. After an amazing 60's infused debut in 2011 (a pretty good year album wise, let's be honest) everyone was kind of left wondering what had happened to Cults for a while. I Can Hardly Make You Mine popped up spontaneously over the summer and showed the world that they hadn't lost any of the charm that littered their first album. Static is somewhat darker, with the slower tones of High Road and No Hope giving the album a slight twist. Madeline's very distinctive vocal style paired with the somewhat repetitive and samey tracks (in a good way) certainly aren't for everyone but they totally are for me so I'm putting Static in my top albums of the year, ennit.
Favourite Tracks: I Can Hardly Make You Mine, so Far, We've Got It
Splashh - Comfort
I felt like I was waiting my whole life for this album (okay so about a year but we all know I'm a fan of hyperbole) and the release delay of three months certainly didn't help. But when it did eventually drop (a whole month earlier than expected on the nicest blue vinyl that just about makes it the best piece of plastic I own) I'd say it went straight into my top three of the year. Since the majority of the tracks were previously singles it takes some getting used to to hear them all collectively as one album. Every song is amazing nonetheless and the term "summer soundtrack" defined. In my opinion it's actually quite an under-appreciated album, perhaps overlooked by other releases like Where The Heaven Are We and In Love, you know all of those bands that surfaced around mid 2012.
Favourite Tracks: All I Wanna Do, Headspins, Need It, Lemonade
MONEY - The Shadow Of Heaven
Another how do I put this? Somewhat disgustingly under-appreciated (that's pretty extreme) album, this time from Manchester's MONEY. This is not the album to stick on at a party, but instead a hauntingly charming collection of tracks to give you goosebumps. Their sound is unique; light and eerie and incomparable. Big and atmospheric yet soft and subtle, tough to describe. Either way it's a fantastic album, infused with hints of piano and drenched in frontman Jamie Lee's elaborate vocals.
Favourite tracks: Hold Me Forever, Who's Going To Love You Now, Bluebell Fields, Goodnight London
Other honourable mentions:
Palma Violets - 180
Favourites: Best Of Friends, Last Of The Summer Wine, Step Up For The Cool Cats, 14
Peace - In Love
Favourites: Bloodshake, California Daze, Lovesick, Waste Of Paint
Icona Pop - This Is... Icona Pop
Favourites: I Love It, Light Me Up, All Night
Parquet Courts - Light Up Gold
Favourites: Stoned And Starving, Light Up Gold II, Master Of My Craft, Careers In Combat
In my opinion there haven't been that many great albums this year, but a handful were outstanding and some others a bit disappointing. But we won't talk about those. (Yet, at least)
White Lies - Big TV
White Lies' third album was always going to be amazing. White Lies can do no wrong. White Lies are the best thing since sliced bread. And I appreciate the concept of sliced bread a lot considering I cannot cut bread straight. After an incredible debut and an equally good follow up album full of atmospheric anthems that make you want to dash to your nearest mountain and shout at the top of your voice, Big TV certainly had a lot to live up to. But it definitely didn't disappoint. Like, at all. Even after the opening seconds of Getting Even, the first glimpse into what's on Big TV (oh yes what a pun) you just knew that this was gonna be one of the best albums this year. Big TV totally lives up to it's name see it's bursting with big choruses, big vibes and in general big tunes that enhance the White Lies live experience even further.
Favourite tracks: Mother Tongue, Big TV, Goldmine, There Goes Our Love Again
Drenge - Drenge
Drenge appear to be one of those bands that you either love or just aren't your cup of tea. You can either absolutely love them and feel like, proper #hardcore or something when you listen to them, or a bit like "what on earth is this noise up in my grill?" Admittedly, to begin with I was feeling the latter. But after a few more listens of Bloodsports I eventually came around. The album itself sealed the deal for me, as well as many other people I assume. A whole 38 minutes of mosh pit worthy anthems, (oh my god that is the cringest thing ever but it's the only way I can describe them)from the rowdy sounds of Bloodsports and Gun Crazy to the frankly quite incredible Let's Pretend (I'm not much of a fan of longer tracks so that is saying something) and the enthralling Fuckabout, there is something for everyone. Well, almost I guess.
Favourite tracks: Face Like A Skull, Bloodsports, Backwaters
Cults - Static
Cults are another band that to me can do no wrong. After an amazing 60's infused debut in 2011 (a pretty good year album wise, let's be honest) everyone was kind of left wondering what had happened to Cults for a while. I Can Hardly Make You Mine popped up spontaneously over the summer and showed the world that they hadn't lost any of the charm that littered their first album. Static is somewhat darker, with the slower tones of High Road and No Hope giving the album a slight twist. Madeline's very distinctive vocal style paired with the somewhat repetitive and samey tracks (in a good way) certainly aren't for everyone but they totally are for me so I'm putting Static in my top albums of the year, ennit.
Favourite Tracks: I Can Hardly Make You Mine, so Far, We've Got It
Splashh - Comfort
I felt like I was waiting my whole life for this album (okay so about a year but we all know I'm a fan of hyperbole) and the release delay of three months certainly didn't help. But when it did eventually drop (a whole month earlier than expected on the nicest blue vinyl that just about makes it the best piece of plastic I own) I'd say it went straight into my top three of the year. Since the majority of the tracks were previously singles it takes some getting used to to hear them all collectively as one album. Every song is amazing nonetheless and the term "summer soundtrack" defined. In my opinion it's actually quite an under-appreciated album, perhaps overlooked by other releases like Where The Heaven Are We and In Love, you know all of those bands that surfaced around mid 2012.
Favourite Tracks: All I Wanna Do, Headspins, Need It, Lemonade
MONEY - The Shadow Of Heaven
Another how do I put this? Somewhat disgustingly under-appreciated (that's pretty extreme) album, this time from Manchester's MONEY. This is not the album to stick on at a party, but instead a hauntingly charming collection of tracks to give you goosebumps. Their sound is unique; light and eerie and incomparable. Big and atmospheric yet soft and subtle, tough to describe. Either way it's a fantastic album, infused with hints of piano and drenched in frontman Jamie Lee's elaborate vocals.
Favourite tracks: Hold Me Forever, Who's Going To Love You Now, Bluebell Fields, Goodnight London
Other honourable mentions:
Palma Violets - 180
Favourites: Best Of Friends, Last Of The Summer Wine, Step Up For The Cool Cats, 14
Peace - In Love
Favourites: Bloodshake, California Daze, Lovesick, Waste Of Paint
Icona Pop - This Is... Icona Pop
Favourites: I Love It, Light Me Up, All Night
Parquet Courts - Light Up Gold
Favourites: Stoned And Starving, Light Up Gold II, Master Of My Craft, Careers In Combat
Friday, 18 October 2013
Like, really good songs I can't stop listening to
These past couple of weeks I've found myself listening to some -radicool- new music and slowly (very slowly) trying to get through the long list of albums I need to listen to. Amongst all of this exciting stuff are some real gems.
Parquet Courts - He's Seeing Paths
He's Seeing Paths is the final track on Parquet Courts' brand new EP, Tally All The Things That You Broke. In true Parquet Courts style, it's weird. About seven minutes of cow bell and intercom buzzer kind of weird. But it's good weird. After listening to so many songs under two minutes my tolerance for long songs has dropped significantly. Although this is pretty much the same all the way through, it sure doesn't feel like it. And it's a real headbopper. And a good walking speed. What more could you want?
Kanye West - Bound 2
I went to see Spector a couple of weeks ago and this was the track they walked out to. I haven't managed to give Yeezus a full listen so this was the first track from it I heard, when Kanye performed on Later Live with Jools Holland. I like it, like, a lot. I'd say it was in my top five Kanye tracks and I can't quite put my finger on why.
Cults - So Far
A slice of Cults' new album Static (which is out now how exciting!!) that retains the 60's girl group ballady quality that featured on their debut. Potentially my favourite from the album. (It was also one of the tracks that was in the album trailer)
Icona Pop - All Night
I'll be the first to admit that while I don't like the majority of "chart music," Blurred Lines is a catchy song and Icona Pop are really good. Let's face it, I Love It is a strong contender for best song of the year. The Swedish duo have a real talent in creating the most infectious, singalong pop music. All Night is almost too catchy to hate. I reckon Icona Pop's album is gonna be a real game changer.
SKATERS - Deadbolt
Keeping with this New York theme (see Parquet Courts, Cults) Skaters' new track is worth a listen. They aren't half good at putting together a chorus that you want to shout at people in the street (won't you give me one more try / or kiss my friends goodbye, I wanna dance but I don't know how) and if this track is anything to go by their debut album will be something special. And the laugh at the end followed by "no problem" Skaters' 'slogan' if you like, just makes it.
MONEY - Bluebell Fields
I've heard a bit about Money and I thought I'd give them a listen because I really like the artwork for their album Shadow Of Heaven (okay that is not the main reason but merely a key factor - I was curious to see what they sounded like because the word money capitalised just screams obscene rap, doesn't it?) and when I got to Bluebell Fields I had to hit repeat. No obscene rap here, just hauntingly pretty, dreamy echoes.
Parquet Courts - He's Seeing Paths
He's Seeing Paths is the final track on Parquet Courts' brand new EP, Tally All The Things That You Broke. In true Parquet Courts style, it's weird. About seven minutes of cow bell and intercom buzzer kind of weird. But it's good weird. After listening to so many songs under two minutes my tolerance for long songs has dropped significantly. Although this is pretty much the same all the way through, it sure doesn't feel like it. And it's a real headbopper. And a good walking speed. What more could you want?
Kanye West - Bound 2
I went to see Spector a couple of weeks ago and this was the track they walked out to. I haven't managed to give Yeezus a full listen so this was the first track from it I heard, when Kanye performed on Later Live with Jools Holland. I like it, like, a lot. I'd say it was in my top five Kanye tracks and I can't quite put my finger on why.
Cults - So Far
A slice of Cults' new album Static (which is out now how exciting!!) that retains the 60's girl group ballady quality that featured on their debut. Potentially my favourite from the album. (It was also one of the tracks that was in the album trailer)
Icona Pop - All Night
I'll be the first to admit that while I don't like the majority of "chart music," Blurred Lines is a catchy song and Icona Pop are really good. Let's face it, I Love It is a strong contender for best song of the year. The Swedish duo have a real talent in creating the most infectious, singalong pop music. All Night is almost too catchy to hate. I reckon Icona Pop's album is gonna be a real game changer.
SKATERS - Deadbolt
Keeping with this New York theme (see Parquet Courts, Cults) Skaters' new track is worth a listen. They aren't half good at putting together a chorus that you want to shout at people in the street (won't you give me one more try / or kiss my friends goodbye, I wanna dance but I don't know how) and if this track is anything to go by their debut album will be something special. And the laugh at the end followed by "no problem" Skaters' 'slogan' if you like, just makes it.
MONEY - Bluebell Fields
I've heard a bit about Money and I thought I'd give them a listen because I really like the artwork for their album Shadow Of Heaven (okay that is not the main reason but merely a key factor - I was curious to see what they sounded like because the word money capitalised just screams obscene rap, doesn't it?) and when I got to Bluebell Fields I had to hit repeat. No obscene rap here, just hauntingly pretty, dreamy echoes.
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