Broken Social Scene

So I get to see this amazing band tonight.

8pm.
Mandela Hall.
Belfast.
Northern Ireland..

..going to be amazing. Expect a post tomorrow. Oh yes..

the future is bright with blue skies

Today's post was a lengthy one. Hopefully in future all posts will have length, yet be concise, and most importantly: Informative. I had planned to post something tonight, but I guess now I won't since it's late. Went out for dinner earlier, and then a play, so the evening was good - a rest from typing away incessantly on this laptop. The rest of the evening shall be spent trawling through the sites of labels and finding good mp3's... hopefully there shall be a gem among the rough. The post-rock theme shall end, very soon, with new posts on:



Sigur Ros,



...and Múm. Once the theme is over, expect to see a number of posts on Broken Social Scene, and their intrinsic bands - Stars, et al... - why? Because I'm going to see Broken Social Scene on Friday in Belfast. And I'm excited. I'll tell you how it goes.

After-Noise

Continuing on with the post-rock/(whatever you call it) theme, todays post will feature the Danish band, Efterklang, who's name literally translates as "after-noise". On their website this band claim to have a "6th member who makes films for their songs". Personally, I think that's pretty cool, as I think visuals can add to music alot. For example the video for "Your Ex-Lover Is Dead" by Stars is incredibly sad, and perfectly suited to the song *note: expect to see a post on Stars very soon. Another aspect of this band that I found interesting is that they run their own label, Rumraket, despite not being signed to it themselves, as they're signed to The Leaf Label. Hold tight, this is going to be a long post. The band of 5 core members, also have the Icelandic string quartet Amina, most famous for their extraordinary work with Sigur Rós, guesting on many of their recordings. Thus it should come as no surprise that their music is at times compared with the work of Sigur Rós *note: expect a post on Sigur Rós very soon as it captures the often dream-like spacious aural landscapesand shimmering oceans that Sigur Rós' music not only touches upon, but also frequently dives into. 34 musicians guested the recordings of Tripper, Efterklang's 2004 release, and it was met with complimentary reviews by both Pitchfork - "astonishing... this music should continue to reverberate in your memory", and the Guardian - "Five stars"..



Efterklang

Redrop
Swarming (Antenne Version)
Monopolist

So here are a bunch of songs that I found on their website. Listed in the order that I heard them, - self-indulgence, anyone? - they're well worth listening to. Luckily, I trawled the internet a little more, and have found some other stuff of interest, like this song, courtesy of The Leaf Label.

... More Efterklang

Step Aside

Alright, I'll come out with it. I linked to that song and didn't listen to it. But, now I am listening to it, and I assure you, it is well worth your time. I can't decide whether it's uplifting or not. It's quite vibrant, with subdued vocals, and if you are into cross-referencing your music then "Step Aside" sounds like a song that Stars might release - for two reasons:

a) The music is pulsating, multi-layered and well-executed
b) Both male and female vocals feature, competing for attention

I apologise for this being a rather sprawling post. Might I offer up a few reasons? It's meant to be the warmest day in February, and although I can't find any hyperlinks to back this information up, (it was a passing comment from a passing person, as I recall), it certainly feels like it. Currently typing up this long-delayed post in the stuffy library, I'm looking out at a blue sky with those fluffy white clouds most apparent in summer months, where young girls and boys sit outside on the grass and laugh and joke, rest and meditate on what the future holds. Through the ancient glass I see the sprawling cityscape - a mass of gray and one green spire - laid out underneath these clouds, and I can just imagine finding shapes in them. But I won't.

Another reason for this being a sporadic post is that I'm listening to Belle and Sebastian *note expect a post on Belle and Sebastian very soon and Stars, and both bands are distracting me in that feel-good way which makes one unable to think straight. For all of this you have my apologies. Here is my consolatory gift:

... Even More Efterklang

Swarming - Official Video
Chapter 6 film taken from Efterklang's live show
Prey And Predator film taken from Efterklang's live show
Collecting Shields video - Unofficial *note: quicktime

Quick note: there are Quicktime and Real Player versions of the videos I have posted, if you would like those instead please go here. The reason I have posted the Windows Media Player versions of the first three videos: I use Winamp and believe it is the best media player out there, as it supports nearly all file types, including .m4a (iPod compatible files). So, in future, all videos will be posted as .wmv, if at all possible, although to be fair, Quicktime is also good. Personally, I despise Real Player. So there's no link to it, *smile*..

Like this band? If so, then please buy their albums here. You might notice, that this is the first post where I have actually had a "buy" link. The fault is all mine. Mainly because I've been lazy up 'til this point, with short-posts, etc etc... however, I plan to make this blog actually quite good so from now on there will only be lazy posts when there is no time left. Tick tock. Tick. Talk...

to wish someone a long and prosperous journey

...that is the meaning of "Godspeed" of course. So going to make this a short post since I'm incredibly tired and my brain isn't really functioning properly. This post, is of course about Godspeed You! Black Emperor [who used to be called Godspeed You Black Emperor!, but obviously thought the quotation mark made more of a statement in the middle like that]. And they are of course the band I mentioned yesterday in my post about Explosions in the Sky. I found out a little more about them, too. Thus, I shall quote from here:

"They had never played a show, and somehow got this gig booked on July 4th as Breaker Morant. That night as we finished the remarkable set, we sat out, watching the fireworks, and they decided that they were going to be called Explosions In The Sky from now on."

Pretty cool, eh? If you follow the link above then you can download another seven live session tracks from them. Just in case you lacked incentive.

But enough. Godspeed..'s music is "by turns harrowing, mordant, violent, indulgent, delicate, and unspeakably beautiful," as described by Epitonic. And although you can find MP3 samples on the band's official website, there are two full songs on this Epitonic page. So go there for these songs:



Godspeed You! Black Emperor

Lift Yr. Skinny Fists Like Antennas To Heaven
The Buildings They Are Sleeping Now

You'll need to enter your email address, but don't worry, I doubt you'll receive any emails from the now seemingly defunct Epitonic site, [I haven't. At all. Ever. Except for a confirmation email]. Oh, and you should also appreciate the wondrous nature of that first song title!!

Bonus:

Jeniferever - From Across The Sea

Look at the sky - it's parting

So for the rest of the week we'll be going on a "post-rock" binge, bringing you the very best from the genre, admired by some, detested by others. We'll get away from the dead-on, straight-ahead music I always feature and have a look at some sprawling masterpieces; beautiful, epic songs for you to enjoy...

Basically, Explosions in the Sky are brilliant. Sounding similar to Godspeed You! Black Emperor, they are perhaps a tiny bit more accessible. Less silence. More emotion? Nah, but seemingly more... focus. Well, without further ado, here's the tracks. I hope you enjoy them... I especially like "Have You Passed Through This Night?" The intro and everything reminds me of that Godspeed... song, where it starts with the guy talking, "the car was on fire", etc.



Explosions in the Sky

A Poor Man's Memory
Have You Passed Through This Night?

For more go here.

Self-explanatory? 

Moving Pictures

...and this is the end


Ever watched The Rock? If not, you really should. For the action/thriller genre it's really quite fabulous. Funny, witty one-liners carry the engaging story to a perhaps predictable conclusion. But that's what these films are all about - light entertainment, with a pinch of thought-provocation.

"Losers always say about how they did their best... meanwhile the winners go home and fuck the prom queen"

A brilliant line. So yea, the screenshot above is from the film. It should encourage you to watch it 'cause that's a really beautiful piece of cinema...

Anyway. If you want more than just action/trillers, check out I ♥ Huckabees... it's an amazing film. I'll go find a review and post it... 'cause it's well worth watching.



"Yea, ok, I get it. Everything is the same, even though everything is different"

A startling comedy which touches on the subject of existentialism (in particular, existentialism and existential nihilism - philosophers such as Sartre were into this).

The Scotsman

this is the beginning...



Yes... so for no reason whatsoever I have decided to edit a photo of me in Edinburgh and make it look like I'm on TV... I added noise, I made it a barrel lens. Interesting, eh? Nah, didn't think so, though I do like this photo. It seems very classy to me... I Am The Scotsman. Or not.

But in case you wanted to hear some music, then... tough. You have to wait for the next post. Ah well, but it'll be good. Honest.

Only joking of course... there was actually a point to this. Really... look:

The 50 Best Scottish Bands Of All Time (as voted for by the public) are as follows:

1 Belle & Sebastian
2 Travis
3 Idlewild
4 Wet Wet Wet
5 Sensational Alex Harvey Band
6 Simple Minds
7 Teenage Fanclub
8 Bay City Rollers
9 Primal Scream
10 The Proclaimers
11 Texas
12 Mull historical society
13 Big country
14 Snow Patrol
15 Franz Ferdinand
16 Bis
17 Deacon Blue
18 Fish
19 Jesus and Mary Chain
20 Mogwai
21 Runrig
22 Trash Can Sinatras
23 Del Amitri
24 Orange Juice
25 Nazareth
26 Beta Band
27 Biffy Clyro
28 Altered Images
29 Aztec Camera
30 Eddi Reader
31 Goodbye Mr Mackenzie
32 Fire Engines
33 Delgados
34 Arab strap
35 Vaselines
36 Associates
37 The Pastels
38 Eurythmics
39 Aereogramme
40 Blue Nile
41 Boards of Canada
42 Rezillos
43 Incredible string band
44 Cocteau twins
45 Dogs Die in Hot Cars
46 Spare Snare
47 Average White Band
48 Lulu
49 Skids
50 Shamen

As published in The List. Travis are second. Sorry, what?!

Jeniferever

Swedish beauty... so here you have it. think Sigur Ros. only different. got it? good. expect an update at some point...



Jeniferever

Kap Farvel
for the world is hollow and i have touched the sky
you only move twice

Bonus (totally unrelated):

Sia - Breathe Me

Some things are just too funny to go unnoticed

For instance:

Taking the piss out of the news on RTE (RTeyelashy)
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Taking the piss out of The Thrills... (centra... centra... central bank... you're not that far)

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Check out these animations here. They're "pure mad deadly".

Sharpen a knife too often and it blunts

Next to Argyle you are June Perfume

So... you should definitely check out Scissors for Lefty. Indie-rock that makes me want to dance. and indie kids love to dance, even if they pretend they're too emo to do anything other than stand in the corner holding onto their scarves for dear life as if they're the ropes that they're clinging onto that will save them from drowning; as if they're a lifeline...

well i don't care.. let go of your scarf. it's a piece of wool/cotton/[polyester?]; it's manufactured [or is yours hand-woven?]; - it is nothing more than fabric. Are we cold or are we trendy? - somedays I really do not know. But essentially, does it matter? No, of course not. Let go and then let's go! let go of your scarf, stop standing in the corner, stop staring at the floor - take a look around you and get your groove on.. listenin' to Next To Argyle. let's face it.. "I could be wrong... but I'm not".

This band make me excited. listen to the stutter near the start of "Next to Argyle". i love that. "we should cele- br br br -brate". Who else has executed the singing stammer so perfectly other than Brand New? [It's k-k-k-k-controversial]

The following is a Neutral Milk Hotel reference.. [I've only ever listened to one song. I'm sure they're as good as they're cracked up to be. but anyway..]

"We will float until we learn to swim"... will we? No. We will float about until we learn to dance. hey-ho, let's go.



Scissors for Lefty

Next To Argyle
Save It, Cory
Marsha

P.S. For more information about this band go to this post at Sixeyes.. I realise that I didn't say much about style, content, record labels - any of that... I'm sorry. I'm too excited.

Beat Radio MP3's

You should like this band... I discovered them today and think I love them. Minimal electronic (the occasional bleep here and there, the drum machine, the minimalism)... aside from that, the voice is very indie. It's enjoyable... it's brilliant... the lyrics are interesting, made prettier by the singer's voice... "I saw something in your eyes - it made me smile"... so, here you go. (These are linked from their site...)

"the great big sea" [their forthcoming EP]

Mexico
Treetops

Demos

Ancient
Elegy
Million Miles
Places
Another Loveless Anthem
Everything is Temporary

If you like the music, as you should, visit them at their MySpace page too. maybe add them if you want.

Funky? [defined...]

Sweet... here's a definition of the word funky:

funky... (adj. funkier, funkiest)
Having a moldy or musty smell: funky cheese; funky cellars.
Having a strong, offensive, unwashed odor.
Music.
Of or relating to music that has an earthy quality reminiscent of the blues.
Combining elements of jazz, blues, and soul and characterized by syncopated rhythm and a heavy, repetitive bass line.
Slang.
Earthy and uncomplicated; natural: “At the opposite end of Dallas's culinary spectrum is funky regional fare” (Jacqueline Friedrich).
Slang.
Characterized by originality and modishness; unconventional: “a bizarre, funky [hotel] dressed up as a ship, with mock portholes and mirrored ceilings over the beds” (Ann Louise Bardach).
Outlandishly vulgar or eccentric in a humorous or tongue-in-cheek manner; campy: “funky caricatures of sexpot glamour” (Pauline Kael)...

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Well, no matter whether it's been [properly] defined or [still remains] undefined...

[Right-click and save target as] if you want to hear to hear a funky song... I like it. it's not bluesy at all. so that definition is wrong... or I'm wrong to call it funky sometimes it's bleepy. it's a pop song. but not conventionally... it's psychadelic [and it's very very catchy indeed]. you'll like it. it's called...

Dracula by Marbles

For your information... Marbles are the side-project of Apples in Stereo frontman Robert Schneider...

P.S. I linked it implicitly and explicitly so that it can be found easily. some of you won't realise that I really did mean Let's get funky!

Funny picture...

This... is such a class picture!!!! 

It's just a print screen from a video I watched online... it's the song "Chill Out Nation" (no, me neither)... and its video is an animated cat, on a motorbike, driving around...

Find it at this website

We'll be fine... MP3's

So, right... see the way I said I was new to this. I guess that's true. Got an EZArchive account and have no idea how to use it. so all these are just linked from different websites... right-click and save target as. Except "...*" means it has to be streamed... ok? Ok. Sweet. Enjoy it. Please?

Mix Tape - We'll be fine...

The Scarlet Twilight - Echoes in the Wilderness...*
Broken Social Scene - Major Label Debut (fast)
The Spill Canvas - All Hail The Heartbreaker...*
Dispatch - The General
Maritime - If All My Days Go By
Voxtrot - The Start of Something
The Inconsolable - We, Emmanuel Light, Love Ocean
Sufjan Stevens - That was the worst Christmas ever
Wilco/Jeff Tweedy - Via Chicago
The Decemberists - Everything I try to do, Nothing seems to turn out right
Antje Duvakot - Judas
Nizlopi - Faith
Great Lake Swimmers - Moving Pictures, Silent Films
Final Fantasy - Peach Plum Pear
Reverie Sound Revue - Walking Around Waiting Downtown
The Silent Type - Ink And Blood
Death Cab for Cutie - Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)
The Motion Sick - The Day After
Say Hi To Your Mom - Hooplas Involving Circus Tricks
The Voom Blooms - Politics and Cigarettes
The Tah-Dah's - Mix Tape = Love
Sufjan Stevens - Lo How A Rose E'er Blooming

a little drink to tide me over...

Thinking... "I'm so happy now that I've got a mixer"...



That was also Halloween night... thought I'd post these so you can familiarise yourselves with the face behind the words. that's all. it's time to sleep for me. i can't wait..x

P.S. This clock says it's 5:06 PM... it's not even close... it's 01:10 AM... i hate clocks that lie.

Mixtape - we'll be fine as soon as you say you love me

Mixtape to be put up first thing tomorrow... look forward to it. Here's the playlist, in order it's to be played.

"We'll be fine as soon as you say you love me"

Broken Social Scene - Major Label Debut (fast)
The Spill Canvas - All Hail The Heartbreaker
Dispatch - The General
Maritime - If All My Days Go By
Voxtrot - The Start of Something

[break - the inconsolable]

Sufjan Stevens - That was the worst Christmas ever
Wilco/Jeff Tweedy - Via Chicago
The Decemberists - Everything I try to do, Nothing seems to turn out right
Antje Duvakot - Judas
Nizlopi - Faith
Great Lake Swimmers - Moving Pictures, Silent Films
Final Fantasy - Peach Plum Pear
Reverie Sound Revue - Walking Around Waiting Downtown

[break - the inconsolable]

The Silent Type - Ink And Blood
Death Cab for Cutie - Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)
The Motion Sick - The Day After
Say Hi To Your Mom - Hooplas Involving Circus Tricks
The Voom Blooms - Politics and Cigarettes
The Tah-Dah's - Mix Tape = Love
Sufjan Stevens - Lo How A Rose E'er Blooming

Hope it looks good.. x

MySpace - my lyrics

[ This post is taken straight from the blog on MySpace. I thought you might like to see the lyrics I posted... plus, it's an advertisement for it. since it has my profile. and also... this is the best part... bands i like, in alphabetical order!!!... That is all ]

So... I really did spend too long updating my myspace. bit sad really. and my profile is all done now i reckon... except for books. so many books/authors missing. same for music i guess... anyway, i hate "about me" sections. bit silly. hard to say anything sensical. but still. uhm.. yea. since i've nothing else to say I think I'll post some lyrics from ages ago for the fun. I pure love the word darling. not really.

Lolla (or... lol-la.. as in that's funny, lad)

Bury the hatchet
But not in my back
I swear I'll give you the answer
Six days away from the front page
And a few last breaths away from death
And even though I know you...
I'll romance you like I'm young and charming
Even though I know you know I'm not, darling

Bury the hatchet
Old excuses have brought up new evidence
The gloves you wore 6 months before have left threads
They're embedded deep within my spine
Let's not forget about the sparkling wine
Darling, the champagne isn't ready so let's make some of our
Own pain and when wedding bells ring in your ears,
Promise me you won't forget this.

You told me it was merely a headache
But I think it was heartache
Yea, it's one word, but one plus one is one
So maybe it means more than that
An equation that has more letters than numbers
Well, isn't that called a diary?
Darling, I lost the little black book
But it's ok, I guess you kept the black box
And I still know your number off by heart anyway

So what if I open this?
And I play back the tape?
Will you bury the hatchet?
Or will you just forget me?
Even though you know me, I'll try and seem charming
It's hardly surprising that we're still going
Full-speed towards the oncoming trainwreck
Darling, hasn't it ever occurred to you
That these two damaged souls were always meant for each other?

Darling, I lost the little red box
You gave to me on our wedding day
The one with all the frills, that says "strings attached"
I know I know.. I'm sorry
And I guess you kept the black box
The one that's our little secret
It explains where we went wrong
(but we don't have to know)

Bye now. love. x

[ This Photograph is Proof ] I'm a rockstar..

Halloween night - I thought I was a rockstar. Take a look at me...



...maybe I am?

Photographic Commentary

Here's what this photograph says to me:

"i am class"
"where's the strap go?"
"i'm dead confused"
"if i look down long enough the camera will stop pointing at me"
"i am god with a guitar"

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Anyways, no use acting like a rockstar and not being one. So, without much further ado...

The Scarlet Twilight - This is me on my own, with a guitar, a computer, and Cool Edit... all instrumental...

Vodka, Stamps, Flowers - This is me with a friend from work... one song has vocals, and is actually rather good, I believe. The other is instrumental but still worth a listen.