Thursday, August 31, 2006

Get in to: The Format


Right, i've been nice about this. I've tried my best. Now, those who haved paid attention to my recomendation of this band have been very happy with the discovery, but there's a lot of you akward buggers being stubborn. I don't think you get it. They. Are. Great. I like to try and think of it as a cross between Bright Eyes and Dogs Die In Hot Cars. But also nothing like that =P Oh sod it, on with the songs.


# The First Single - The Format

Now most mp3 blogs have already featured lots of random Format tracks already, so, to try and be a bit different, i thought i'd pick a single track from each of the two EPs and two albums. First up comes from, as far as i'm aware, their first release, purely titled EP. The track above is actually also the opening track for the following album; Interventions & Lullabies, but the version here is much more rough, and personally i just love the "one two three four" at the beginning (because i'm weird). I've left the title as purely The First Single because i believe it was only altered to The First Single (Cause A Scene) for the single release. I'm sure you're very excited to know such important information *sighs*. Moving on...

"Let's cause a scene, clap our hands and stomp our feet, or something, yeah something, i just gotta get myself, over me."


# Wait, Wait, Wait - The Format

Coming from Interventions & Lullabies, this is the second track and is a lovely little number. I love how soft and relaxed it feels, but then how bouncy the chorus kicks in. It's an excellent combination that really gives the song some *oomf* I'm sure that has a correct spelling but i have no idea what it might be.

"The song won't stop 'til the tape runs out"


# Janet - The Format

This version of Janet comes from the Snails EP, wich is available on its own, but personally i picked it up as part of the combo pack from here. It's another great happy bouncy song that just, god, i wish i had've had all this tracks for the entire summer, but sadly i just didn't get hold of most of their stuff until too late. I guess there's always next year...

"I'm falling in love with you balloons or no balloons, so it's time i forget the past and just learn to love what i have, 'cause i love waking up to your laugh."


# The Compromise - The Format

Finally, i think the hardest choice is the track to pick from Dog Problems. It's a great album and the one that really is grabbing the Format new fans by the hundreds if not thousands. If you're still not sure about this band, get hold of this album. I really don't think there's anyway anyone could regret it. It's so, awesome! And, of course, it has dogs on the cover. DOGS! =D Anyway, a few people have told me this is their favourite track off the album, and i've just wacked it up as i'm finding it increasingly difficult to pick any tracks out over the rest.

"Meet me in the middle, well come on lets make up a dance, and we'll agree to call it the compromise."


And that's The Format. I could chuck on a demo or acoustic track on the end here, but i'm not gonig to. Four tracks. Lsiten to them. Love them. BUY THE ALBUMS!

Monday, August 07, 2006

10% luck, 20% skill, 15% concentrated power of will...




# Remember The Name - Fort Minor

I saw Eddie last week and we exchanged some new stuff we'd each been listening to (i guess one of the few bonuses of friends being away at uni is they find lots of new cool music!) and this was one of my favourite he got me listening to. It's a side project of Linkin Park's Mike Shinoda if you didn't know, bringing a rap/hip-hop outing. I'm sure already that's bringing up some flags but just listen to this track. I'll admit some of the stuff off the album isn't that great, but at least 3 of them (Remember The Name, Feel Like Home, Where'd You Go) are *decent* in that i'd happily have them alongside any LP tracks on my mp3 player. I've put a link on the above picture though because Amazon are currently selling the limited edition version of the album with a bonus dvd for £1.96. That's right, less than two pounds! It's insane, but they quite often sell off the cd/dvd sets for under than a fiver. Gotta love that website...


# Gangster Trippin - Fatboy Slim

I really think everyone should buy the Fatboy Slim best of album, Why Try Harder. There aren't many people who could say they don't like *any* of Norman Cooks excellent tracks, and it features the legendary Rockafeller Skank and Weapon Of Choice as well as the superb remixes of Groove Armada's Shakin' That Ass and Cornershop's Brimful of Asha. Those alone are tracks everyone should have, before you start adding in the others such as Praise You, Wonderful Night and Right Here, Right Now. Hmv sell the 'normal' version of the album for £9.99 with the limited edition that suprise suprise comes with a bonus dvd of ten really good music videos for a little extra at £11.99.


# Two Left Feet - The Holloways

Han got me into this bouncy little indie band with the track Generator that i've undoubtable already posted some time back. I've only heard a few other tracks of theirs, but they've all been fairly good, so when i saw this new little single at hmv i had to pick it up, and i'm really glad i did. Two Left Feet is the A side and not suprisingly the best track on the cd, but if you like it, why not splash out a whole £1.99 for 3 tracks and the video =) (and "because singles suck" is not a valid reason!)


# Already Over - Orson

When i first heard about this band i just thought "meh" basically and didn't intend to bother with them. However, i kept getting Bright Idea stuck in my head and against my best intentions found myself liking it. A lot. Damn radio! Anyway i went for it and bought the album and i'm muchly glad i did. I've been finding it rather hard to define the quality of the album that makes it feel so familiar. It just seems to be kind of stereotypical american radio rock, but somehow in a really cool and enjoyable way, at least for me. When i first played the album through i found myself wondering how i could've only jsut purchased the cd when almost every song felt like a part of my musical past already? See, i can't really word what i mean. But yes, it feels really nice and familiar. Sometimes that can be a bit shite, but at the same time not every single album i buy has to be ground breaking or amazingly fresh because that just gets dull. Hopefully you feel the same.

Thursday, August 03, 2006

My Bubbles...

It's been longer than i would've liked, but i spose less than two weeks is still an improvement on previous gaps. Once again i have far too many new bands/songs to share with you than i have webspace/time for, so i'll just pick a few and hope you think as great as i do. Lets start off with the wonderful new cd that showed up at my door today...




# Intro & Fanfare
# Theme From Family Guy

Above you'll find the first two tracks from the cd, and i think you'll see why i love it already. I wasn't sure what to think when i first saw about this cd, but it really is good. A whole set of random Family Guy songs including the lovely "All Cartoons Are Fuckin' Dicks" which tells us how big an arsehole various cartoon characters really are, and also spills the beans on Scrappy Doos parents! The album also comes with a bonus dvd featuring the 'making of' as well as Stewie Griffon's Sexy Party, a rather odd but as ever brilliantly funny little song (with full music video). Buy it!


# Underwear Goes Inside The Pants - Lazy Boy

I heard this song on radio 1 last week sometime. I wasn't paying much attention until the part about giving money to the homeless guy came on, and i just thought "that's so fookin right!" and upon obtaining the song, i just fell in love with practically everything it says. It's like sunscrean, but actually really good!

"This homeless guy asked me for money the other day, I was about to give it to him and I thought, he's just gonna to use it on drugs or alcohol. And then I thought, that's what I'm going to use it on."


# Sweet Dreams, Sweet Cheeks - Los Campesinos!

Keep an eye on this band. I really think they're going to make a proper name for themselves. As far as i'm aware they've only recorded four songs, which comprise their upcoming EP. They are great. I've already shared You! Me! Dancing! with you and i've just got hold of this track and i'm loving it already. Someone make them come to Ipswich please!

"One blink for yes, two blinks for no, sweet dreams sweet cheeks we leave alone."


Okay, i'm tired. Trust me there's loads more where those came from, and i'll try and post again at the weekend or early next week. I doubt you really care, but, y'know.