A Puzzle Wrapped Inside an Enigma

Occasionally in this crazy world, a rock band pop up who confuse and perplex the masses with their musical stylings. The current group of popsters that the kids are, apparently, going mad for are Biffy Clyro. Typically late off the mark, I have just got hold of 'Puzzle', the new album from the Scottish rockers, and I just can't decide what I think of it.

At times they sound like a hybrid of The Liars, Queens of the Stone Age and System of a Down. Which is fine by me. But then a few tracks later, they start to venture into emotion-filled Stained/Idlewild/Jimmy Eat World territory. Then it goes a bit Blink 182/Busted. All of which is not necessarily a bad thing, but it confuses me. Also, they all have different lengths of beard.

It is an impressive feat, to display such variety within one album. It took Manic Street Preachers the best part of 10 years to go from angry, smashy, cutty rock rebels to moaning, weeping, hoovering jesses. That's right. JESSES.

Anyway, I can't make up my mind. So you'll have to do it for me. Fly pretties. Do my bidding.

Biffy Clyro: Living Is A Problem Because Everything Dies

Biffy Clyro: As Dust Dances

Shake Your Moneymaker

Ah, indie bands with girl singers. Sleeper. Catatonia. Sneaker Pimps. They are every 14 year old boy's greatest Smash Hits fantasy. One group who seem to have avoided being lumped in with all the rest are Rilo Kiley. They have all the right ingredients - stunningly attractive female lead; three generic-looking guys behind her playing the instruments; and some decent indie pop tunes.

However, something seems to have changed with their new album, 'Under The Blacklight'. They've gone all funky! It's always dangerous when indie bands start to think they're James Brown. Manic Street Preachers tried it to limited success on 'Miss Europa Disco Dancer' from 'Know Your Enemy'. Pulp tried their hand at sultry, seedy funk on 'This Is Hardcore'.

Here, though, it seems as if Rilo Kiley have pulled it off. They've bought a slap bass, a couple of synthesisers and they're bringing back the funk. This is not a massive departure for them - Lewis' voice is still instantly recognisable, the clangy guitars and steady beats are still there, but it sounds like the band have been through a car wash and come out all new and shiny like. They have experimented, like all good bands should, and evolved, like all great bands do.

All together now - "Funkeee..."

Rilo Kiley: The Moneymaker

and specially for Megan, who before today was a Rilo Kiley virgin, here's an old song:

Rilo Kiley: A Better Son/Daughter

Further evidence to support the argument that there is nothing hotter than
a) a female singer
b) a female singer saying 'fuck'

Introducing your new favourite band

Ok, so maybe I am jumping on a bandwagon which left the station a few years ago. And maybe I am hypocritcally embracing everything about the NME/Zane Lowe scene that I have previously professed to abhor. But I don't care. Because Canadian five-piece You Say Party! We Say Die! have won my heart. Despite a slew of great albums this year, it has been a while since I heard a new band who blow me away quite as much as these guys. The best comparison I can offer is a mixture of Sleater Kinney, Franz Ferdinand and The Alma Boobies, which doesn't sound great written down but trust me, it sounds a hell of a lot better on record.

Here is a track from their first album, 'Hit The Floor' released in 2005. Told you I was a latecomer. Their recent album 'Lose All Time' was released in April this year.

You Say Party! We Say Die!: Stockholm Syndrome pt i

Ps No Radiohead album anytime soon. Boo.

Some people never work a day in their lives, don't know what work even means

So after three years of getting free money from the government to sit around playing Mario Kart and eating ice pops, the real world has hit me like a lead frisbee. In the words of Dolly Parton, 'Working nine to five, what a way to make a living. Barely getting by, it's all taking and no giving.' And people say she's just a big pair of tits.

Anyway, to that end here's the king of cheerful tunes, uncle Bobby Dylan, with a reminder that the sad songs are the best. Stay in school kids.

Bob Dylan: Working Man's Blues

[left click it and it might take you to the file. who knows.]

David Sandström & Co cover Wilco

Second Wilco related post in the past 10 days but it's worth it.
Previously, 'Jesus etc' never jumped out at me from the album 'Yankee Hotel Foxtrot', but this is one of the most beautiful cover versions I've ever heard. If you know the original you will love this, and if you don't, you should.

I had a bad dream

Continuing the theme of blogging about bands that I really should have blogged about before, here are Idlewild.

I got into Idlewild when their second album, '100 Broken Windows' came out in 2000, and I saw them live at the Birmingham Academy a couple of years later. I subsequently went back to their superb debut, 'Hope is Important', and watched them become more and more commercial and stadium rock oriented, but without losing their knack for a decent tune.

Here are a couple of my favourites:


Idlewild: Let Me Sleep Next To The Mirror

Idlewild: Everyone Says You're So Fragile

Anyone can play guitar...

...but no-one can play as well as Nels Cline. 'Impossible Germany' is a diamond in the rough of Wilco's recent album 'Sky Blue Sky'. Check it. Unless you are Jonny Greenwood or Brian May, you will never ever come close to playing guitar like that.