Mike Glover’s in-no-way clichéd end of year list

Dec 312011
 
Adele-1a

Well ladies and gentlemen, it’s that time of year again where we get hammered, cop-off with Pam from the office and struggle to get home after the new year’s festivities. It’s also the time when we reflect, look back, and argue about who was great and who was woeful over this past year we called 2011. So in the spirit of these things, here are my picks for the single and album of the year.

Single of the Year – Adele – Set Fire To The Rain

Well, there was no contest really? It HAD to be an Adele song. 2011 was the north-Londoner’s year by a margin so big that her rivals, including Messrs Gaga and Rihanna couldn’t even get near her. Out of the 4 singles she’s released from her second album ’21′, ‘Set Fire To The Rain’ stood out most with it’s pain-induced vocals, beautiful strings, and a name which is wonderfully confusing but is nonetheless frickin’ awesome. Adele proved this year that if you’re a female singer you didn’t need “tits to get hits” (to quote the lady herself). An all round success story and it couldn’t have happened to a better artist. World domination to follow in 2012.

Honourable mention – Maroon 5 ft Christina Aguilera – Moves Like Jagger.

Catchy-as-hell pop and an unashamed floor-filler. Moves indeed.

Album of the Year – Foo Fighters – Wasting Light

As previously mentioned, 2011 was dominated by Adele and her all conquering album ’21′ for the British charts from it’s February release ’til about last week if I’m lying. But for one week in it’s ridiculously long run at the top, Adele was shoved to king of the losers into second place in the UK album charts way back in April. Her victors were the Foo Fighters. Their 7th album ‘Wasting Light’ was a crowning achievement for the band anyway, in that the entire thing had been recorded on analogue tape, and was completely devoid of all computer-wizardry post production akin to most artists in this day and age. But it was a great achievement considering we are in the age of the RnB popstar, where guitars are well and truly in second place at the moment. Well the Foo’s reminded us and the world that it’s still cool to just have 5 guys on guitars and drums and set the world alight.

The album is a triumph on almost every track. Opener ‘Bridge Burning’ is what I’m actually convinced is the audio-equivalent of a smack to the face (in the best way possible). The singles have all been home-runs, something which the Foo’s don’t always pull off (I’m looking at you, Resolve). ‘Rope’ became a summer anthem for anybody lucky enough to see the Foo’s in Milton Keynes or at T in the Park, with it’s brilliant main riff. ‘Walk’ was anthemic enough it was considered good enough for a Norse God (see Thor), and ‘Arlandria’ was just simply a great rock tune. The album itself had gems such as ‘Back and Forth’ and ‘A Matter of Time’ which fused that trademark hard-rock with that trademark quiet-then-loud singing style which Dave Grohl has mastered. It’s also worth mentioning the involvement of producer Butch Vig, as he really put his stamp on this record thoroughly. His hiring paid dividends too, with ‘Wasting Light’ going to number 1 in over ten countries, including for the first time in their careers their home-nation of the USA.

Mr Grohl may have opened up the album screaming ‘These are my famous last words/My number’s up bridges will burn’, but if anything, these 5 guys showed that they aren’t going anywhere anytime soon. And I for one, couldn’t be happier.

Honourable mention – Adele – 21

Come on, you all know why. Miles away the star of 2011. Best of British.

Well that’s my picks for 2011′s best single and album. If you disagree, leave a comment below. Just don’t expect me to read them come January 1st 2012. Now where’s Pam…

Happy New Year everybody!

(@Like_Mike10)

Here’s the video for ‘Walk’ by Foo Fighters. Lol away

Live Gig Review! Plastic Palace night @ Osale Rooms 17/12/11

Dec 312011
 
The Ambersons live music Christmas Gala

It’s a week and a bit before Christmas, and there’s festive cheer all around in Warrington town, and none more-so than in Osale Rooms, which is holding one of its infamous (well, to those that remember it as the old WA1) nights, Plastic Palace. There’s DJ’s working the first floor, but it’s upstairs in to the dark, somewhat cosy-feeling attic of the place, that some of Warrington’s bands are out in force tonight. Could they bring the festive cheer to even the most bah-humbug of the Warrington masses?

First up is Selfish Lovers, a female-fronted pop band with a lot of snap behind the pop. Front-woman Amy Bielizna claims to have a throat infection and asks us to bare with her under-performing vocals. Well throughout she needn’t have worried, as her and the rest of the band, especially guitarist Phillip Bond, excel perfectly in their charming set. ‘Knowledge Is The Bomb’ sounds wonderfully anthemic, perfectly driven by a great guitar lead. Another, ‘Summer Song’ may be off season, but it still works here tonight brilliantly. Amy’s vocals sounded great here considering this was towards the end of her band’s set. Well-played. 4/5

Bill Davro were second head-liners and were once again nothing short of amazing. The crowd really came in for these wonderful Warrington favourites, and they really didn’t disappoint. Their cover of ‘All I Want For Christmas’ working a lot better this time round than back in November for the Warrington Winter Music Festival. Class 5/5

Now tonight’s headliners are The Ambersons. I’ve never seen this band before and I’m really looking forward to seeing these after them being so highly recommended. Well it’s a shame to say that they didn’t quite pull off the hype that others had suggested to me. Their music didn’t exactly set the venue alight. It cannot be said though that they are a poor set of musicians. Technically speaking they were right on par. But their brand of mid-tempo indie-pop just didn’t sit well with this reviewer. It seemed to reflect on the crowd as well as they seemed to lose them as their set went on. Not a bad band, just not the right night for them. 2/5

A mixed night then over all then on the live front for Osale Rooms and Plastic Palace but for free entry before 11pm and a fantastic night from the Hawt Mess DJ’s after the gig, one really can’t complain about the night. A thoroughly enjoyable night, roll on next time with a new roster of bands.

Mike Glover 2011 (@Like_Mike10)

And for our featured video, a live acoustic version of ‘Orbit’ by Selfish Lovers

The Ambersons – Christmas Gala Affair @ Osale Rooms

Dec 112011
 

The Ambersons live music Christmas GalaAre you fed up with that same old Christmas music already? Well fear not, we have a Christmas twist. Osale Rooms Warrington, fast gaining a reputation as Warrington’s best live music venue, is hosting a Christmas bash with a line-up that includes some of the best music Warrington has to offer. The event will take place on 17/12/2011 (a Saturday night!).

Two bands whom we’ve previously covered, you could almost describe them as Prince Baron regulars – Bill Davro and The Ambersons, will be joined on the bill by the Selfish Lovers. We admit to knowing little about the latter, so will copy and paste from their own band profile to get a better idea of what to expect.

“If you like pop music with a sprinkle of something different then checkout selfish?lovers..they’re unpretentious and work purely on the ethic that good pop music speaks for itself.”

We’ll see.

Another great addition to this musical celebration are the Plastic Palace DJ’s, who have provided plenty of great nights spinning tunes in both Warrington and Manchester. It might be a lie to say that their club nights are renowned throughout the North West, but their club nights are renowned throughout the North West.

Keep an eye on Prince Baron Records during the coming week for an exclusive interview with headliners The Ambersons.

The Ambersons 2011 Christmas music video! Bonus. Facebook event extra bonus.

Foster the People – Helena Beat

Dec 092011
 

Now i’ll be honest when I came across Foster The People last year I was excited and claimed that they would be the next big thing and after the massive success of “Pumped Up Kids” im more than a little smug.

However there’s always the danger when a song does so well that it can overshadow your other work, you don’t want to be the next Chesney Hawkes!

Now there’s a song on their debut album Torches which I believe wipes the floor with “Pumped Up Kicks” called “Helena Beat”.

Now it was released in America back in may 2011 as the bands second single release. The single reached ninth place in the alternative charts and first in the Canadian counterpart, it was then shipped to the UK for radio play back in September. However for some reason it seems to have not been given the airplay and credit where its due, which is quite perplexing considering it was chosen as Radio 1′s Greg James ‘record of the week’.

“Helena Beat” is a typical dance driven song by the American indie group, yet on the other hand the song delves in to much darker, deeper sounding synths which wouldn’t sound out of place on a Kraftwerk album, although Mark Pontius percussion on the track keeps the single up to date and modern.

Front man Mark Foster’s instantly recognisable voice rivals Barry Gibb’s high tones on this track which is by no means a bad thing and compliments the track just right.

My one criticism of “Helena Beat” would be the end of the song, the sound seems to build up throughout the track and wants to really kick in at the end, disappointingly however it seems to fizzle and fade out. But alas its still the best indietronica song ive heard in a while.

The track produced by Greg Kurstin also has a rather watch worthy video to accompany it, directed by Ace Norton. The video takes place in a post apocalyptic world influenced strongly by the mad max films of the eighties in which a ruthless tribe of children take foster the people capture. After the children give the band members and their van a good beating they begin experimenting on mark foster leading to him being changed back into a child….. Very odd but well worth a watch, now due to its violent and disturbing content the video didn’t gain much airplay so if your of a nervous disposition you may want to shut your eyes and listen to this gem, enjoy.

The Black Keys – Lonely Boy

Dec 082011
 

Today I bring you a real hip shaker!

A song which will be the first release from the much anticipated new album El Camino by the brilliant Black Keys. Now ive been a fan of these guys since I heard the classy, swing of “Tighten Up” and have been looking forward to el Camino for quite a while, and from the sounds of this taster new track fans need not to be afraid.

In fact they should be very excited! ‘Lonely Boy’ the taster track for El Camino brings with it all the swagger and swing as previous tracks but also brings a new sense of maturity to there sound. Lonely boy is one of those songs that when you listen to it you instantly feel a connection with, this may be due to the retro/1960’s twang of Dan Auerbach guitar which sounds as if its just been re-stringed by Muddy Waters himself.

By the looks of things the style of Rockabilly is very much in demand at present with the black keys joining a number of other artists finding a glut of fans to dance and jig away to their music. Warrington’s very own Kindest of Thieves believe it’s the way forward and those boys sound pretty dam good to me. Black Keys drummer and producer Patrick Carney’s drumming is as tight as ever giving lonely boy the feel good back bone which is truly complemented by the more than brilliant vocals by Auerbach giving them their easily recognisable sound. However there is a distinct drive in the new songs that ive heard, faster with solid structuring. Auerbach stated in a recent interview talking about the new album that;

“The new album doesn’t sound like Brothers. It doesn’t have that open soul feel to it. It’s way more driving and the tempos are really fast.”

The song is only outdone by the fantastic video that accompanies “Lonely Boy” directed by Jesse Dylan, a must to watch to you up on these dark winter nights, so here it is Lonely boy from the album El Camino out December 6th 2011.

Kasabian Live – Liverpool Echo Arena 4/12/2011

Dec 072011
 

kasabianThis epic night was kicked off by fantastic support by Miles Kane who continues to impress with his solo campaign promoting colour of the trap released earlier in the year. Miles melodic pop driven songs pleased the gathering crowds. Inhaler went down a treat which was probably expected after the singles success, in my opinion its one of this years top single releases with Kane reinventing his sound after the last shadow puppets album success back in April 2008.

I have to say my personal favourite he played on the night was telepathy, Kane manages to bring together every essence of cool in this track, imagine James bond playing Keith Richards telecaster and your halfway there.

Then came the act everyone had came to see the mighty Kasabian!

Now the last time I watched kasabien was way back in 2004 performing at the Manchester Apollo when the band were just breaking on to the music scene. Now a lot has changed since those days after three U.k album number ones and I was looking forward to seeing how the band had progressed and grown. Well I wasn’t disappointed as soon as the band opened with new single days are forgotten which is a glorious track rich in depth and typical kasabian drama.

The band played a great mix of tracks from all four albums in a perfect mix of favourites such as shoot the runner, where did all the love go?,Vlad the impaler, processed beats, fire and the mighty empire which lit up the crowd unlike the failing stage lights that left the guys playing in complete darkness however the true professionals turned this into an opportunity to get the crowd involved. With lead guitarist Surge shouting for everyone to get out their mobile phones lights in the air to light up the arena. It might be a little cliché but by George it sets up a great atmosphere. Apart from this slight hiccup the night was a more than amazing success. Kasabian performed brilliantly, confidently and with the swagger only truly, great bands can pull off.

I don’t believe there could have been a disappointed fan in the house at this gig maybe at the lack of change they’d be getting out of thirty pound when buying a t shirt but this isn’t about overpriced band merchandise its about epic music by the current greatest band in Britain.

Below is the official music video for the bands latest single, “Days Are Forgotten”

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