A Music Year In Review - 2013

Happy 2014!

 

That's right folks, we have successfully made it through the past 12 months of music and can start gearing ourselves up for what could be the best year of music to date. But in the mean time, let's cast our minds back to some of the music highlights of the last year:

 

Haim

 

Anyone who has ever met me in person understands how much I love these edgy sisters from Los Angeles. Their impressive debut album, Days Are Gone, went straight to #1 in the UK charts during the last few months of 2013  and their popularity has rapidly grown, leading to sold out UK shows all across the country. It was refreshing to see them perform on Jools Holland's Annual Hootenanny on New Years Eve on BBC2, with Don't Save Me, Forever, and Oh Well, and most definitely helped to give the programme that great universal appeal that you expect to see from a Jools Holland music show. I expect to hear a lot more musical greatness from the band over the next year. Just you wait!

 

Lily Allen

 

The UK department store, John Lewis, knew they were on to a winner when they came up with their 2013 animated Christmas advert. And the bigger winner happened to be Lily Allen's immaculate cover of the Keane classic, Somewhere Only We Know, which also went in at #1 close to the end of the year. Allen's rendition of the song matched the tone and atmosphere of the advert perfectly and catapulted Allen back into the forefront of the industry once more.

 

 

 

Some of the other music highlights of the past year have got to be Tom Odell being the first male to win the Critics Choice Award at The Brit Awards 2013, Bastille releasing their first studio album, Bad Blood, back in March, London Grammar's incredible single, Strong, The Killers performing at Wembley Stadium in June, and The Milk Carton Kids in all their live performance glory.

 

This year already looks like the one to beat, with the likes of Taylor Swift, The Backstreet Boys and Elbow touring the UK in the coming months. Oh, and for all of you #DA2014 fans out there, be prepared for the ultimate music comeback of the year from the incredible David Archuleta.

 

It's going to be a sensational year of music. Now it's time to get listening!

 

 

Band In Focus: The Killers

Listen up UK fans of The Killers!

 

The Las Vegas natives are celebrating the release of their greatest hits album titled Direct Hits, with a special launch gig on the 6th November at the Eventim Hammersmith Apollo in London. The album, out November 11th, features all the classics such as Mr Brightside, Somebody Told Me and When You Were Young to name a few, with two new songs, Shot At The Night (Out 4th November as a single) and Just Another Girl, added to the track list.

 

To celebrate the occasion, I thought I'd look back at their Wembley Stadium show from the 22nd June 2013 and pick out the best bit:

 

 

 The Wembley Song

 

You've probably already heard it, but if you haven't, you'll love it. The song, which was especially written by the band for this performance in London, celebrates the band playing the stadium and commemorates all of the concert predecessors who have played at the venue in bygone days. Music nostalgia is always going to capture the emotions of the fans. The crowd loved it. And by 'loved it', I mean that every single one of the 50,000 fans in the audience were on their feet cheering and singing along to the catchy chorus. Absolute genius. I'm glad I was there to see it for myself.

 

 

 

Tickets to the Hammersmith Apollo launch gig go on sale in just a few days, so keep checking the relevant sites for tickets, as the concert is bound to sell out fast!

 

The Killers at Wembley Stadium, June 2013

 

 

 

 

 

Friday Favourites

It's that time of the week again. Oh yes, it's Friday Favourites!

 

This week, I've been in a surprisingly contemplative mood. Don't worry folks, there's no need to start worrying for me just yet! I feel as if the best music tends to be written when a songwriter or artist is at this stage with their emotions. I don't think I'll personally be going back to my roots and picking up my song writing pen any time soon, but I have listened to some solidly emotive tracks this week.

 

1. London Grammar-.Strong

I didn't take any notice of London Grammar until I saw an advert for their debut studio album titled If You Wait, on the TV a few weeks ago. Yes, those music ads on the television really do work at enticing new fans and sales! Since then, I've developed quite an attachment to this song. The track's almost "haunting" qualities engage the listener and also assure the listener into a sense of security.

 

 

 

 

 

2.Haim- Running If You Call My Name

This has been on repeat ever since the album release date. Running If You Call My Name is the last track on the standard album and truly ends it on a high. It leaves you wanting to listen to the whole album again and again. And that's exactly what I did.

 

 

 3. Keane- She Has No Time/Bedshaped

 

I knew that some classic Keane would make it into my favourites this week, but I didn't realise I would find it so difficult to choose between She Has No Time and Bedshaped, so I chose both! The songs are both from the band's debut, titled Hopes and Fears, which was released back in 2004 and has been one of my favourite albums ever since. So many people have told me that they listen to these tracks when they need some time to think. And I can wholeheartly understand why. Both have the unique ability to conjure up pure emotion in a blink of an eye. Keane completely deserve the success they have had to date. You need to see them perform live if you ever get the opportunity; they are outstanding. Talking of seeing them live; Keane are streaming their Berlin concert on November 6 live at cinemas across the world, so there's no excuse to hold back.

 

I've also been listening to a lot of The Milk Carton Kids and Haim, but that's probably not a surprise to any of you! If you're looking for something a little different to listen to this week, I'm loving John Newman. His newly released album, Tribute, is seriously good stuff.

That's it for this week! Stay tuned for my thoughts on Arcade Fire's new album in the coming weeks!
 

Music Review: The Milk Carton Kids

It's official. I have a new music obsession:

The Milk Carton Kids

The Californian folk duo have stolen my heart with their brooding melodies, intelligent lyrics and effortless charm. The duo instantly became a favourite of mine when a friend mentioned them back in July. Hours later, and after swift iTunes purchases of all three of their albums; Retrospect, Prologue and The Ash & Clay, I was sold.

A few weeks after I first heard about them, I felt as if I had struck gold when I found out they were playing at Union Chapel in London just weeks later. That show happened last month. It's safe to say that I've been to quite a few shows over the last few years, but Joey Ryan and Kenneth Pattengale have somehow managed to take the spot of My Favourite Concert to date. There was something so ethereal about them playing their music at Union Chapel, a working church, surrounded by the stained glass windows and candle light. I could have sat there in the pews listening for hours.

If you've never listened to the guys before, here's a few recommendations to get you started:

Michigan: This track, taken from their incredible second album titled Prologue, is one of their classics. The memorable lyrics and lulling melody instantly stops you in your tracks and encourages you to think. My best friend, who only found out about the duo when I 'dragged' her along to their gig last month, is obsessed with this song. For someone who's a brand new fan, The Milk Carton Kids have made a perfect first impression on her. Needless to say, this song is on repeat for both of us!

Honey, Honey: Another classic. This will get your feet tapping to no end. All of their songs bring out the best in their voices, but if you listen closely, some great vocal qualities cane be heard  throughout the course of the song.  

Charlie: One word. Beautiful. This song is taken from their album, Retrospect, which was released under their first names and last names before they were officially The Milk Carton Kids.

Now, I don't think there's anything left to say apart from, Give Them a Listen!

Music Review: Haim - Days Are Gone

The album is finally here. Finally. I don't know about you, but I've been eagerly awaiting the UK release for months. And I'm so glad I can finally hold a physical copy of the CD in my hands whilst listening to the solid musical craftsmanship, or should I say craftswomanship, in its full and everlasting glory.  

 

Falling is the perfect intro into the album and into the siblings' work. It's always interesting to see what a band picks as the song to take the Track Number 1 spot on the album. The first fifteen seconds of Falling entice you into continuing to listen with the undeniable strong sense of direction that's apparent from the use of striking, almost heart-like beats. Haim have managed to capture the build of the song so naturally, yet so effectively, that it puts an already dodgy classic pop boyband "key change after the second chorus" to even more shame.

 

Haim's debut album- Days Are Gone

Can we just talk about The Wire for a minute, please?! I love the fact that Danielle, Este and Alana get to show off their cracking vocals separately during the four minutes and six seconds of the song. Seriously good stuff.

 

The title track on an album can at times be hideously bland and un-thought provoking, but it's safe to say that Haim's title track, Days Are Gone, is refreshing, catchy and fits the album's direction perfectly.

 

After the sensational response the band received after releasing their single, Don't Save Me, last year, it was not a surprise to see that the album went straight to #1 in the UK charts last week. And I think we all know why. We haven't seen a female-led band of this kind who have charisma and genuine music ability of this genre to boot for a long time. They know what they're good at when it comes to making music and I'm happy to say it's exactly what the music-loving public wants to hear. Someone get me tickets to their sold out London shows!

Friday Favourites

Oh yes. Favourites written the UK way!

 

Now back to the music:

 

Every week, I am going to attempt the mighty task of picking three of my most favourite and most listened to songs from the week to share with you. There are no genre rules or age restrictions. Anything goes. Even the cheesy pop wonders from the UK charts in the 90's might make a sneaky comeback. And I might even mention some of my all-time favourite hymns too.

 

 

1. Elbow- The Loneliness of a Tower Crane Driver

 

To start off the series, I've chosen to stay true to my roots and choose one of my new favourite British bands. Elbow have been on the music scene for years and have truly made a name for themselves in the live-music world. Although Elbow have been making quality music for many years, I have to admit that it took one of my American friends countless hours of persuasion to get me to listen to more than just Grounds For Divorce. I now realise that I should have listened to him a lot sooner. This certain American's power of persuasion worked in more ways than one, and after receiving Elbow's incredible album, The Seldom Seen Kid, as a birthday present, it only took me one full listen to get me hooked. The album has a mix of extremely thought-provoking songs which conjure up a wide range of thoughts and emotions. One of these songs happens to be The Loneliness of a Tower Crane Driver. So good. The "lulling" quality at the beginning of the song sets the scene perfectly for the opening lyrics and really carries the piece throughout the different stages of the song.

 

 

2. Fleetwood Mac- Dreams

 

This is an absolutely obvious choice for me. A bit too obvious now that I think about it. But I cannot help it, this song is beautifully written. This song instantly puts me at ease, which is surprising due to the song's subject matter. I'm a sucker for a good intro, and this one hits the spot; simple and completely effective. Stevie Nicks makes songwriting seems like a piece of cake and I really wish it was! It probably doesn't help that I'm listening to their Greatest Hits album as I write this as I'm now deeply regretting the fact that I missed out on tickets to their now sold out UK tour dates which were released last month. I also love the cover version of the song by the Irish pop/folk band, The Corrs, which was released back in 1998.

 

 

3. Misty Miller- You Know What I Mean

 

I was a fan of her previous releases, but when I heard her latest EP, Girlfriend, I realised she had taken a big step forward with her musical choices and writing style. I love the nod to rock influences of bygone days throughout  You Know What I Mean. The entire EP is definitely worth listening to if you want a faultless mix of songs which seem to sum up Misty's strong sense of new musical direction. Girlfriend also has a great vibe attached to it, which sets Misty Miller up nicely for lots of continued future success.

I hope you enjoyed the first Friday Favourites! Let me know what you think of the songs and artists mentioned above. I'd love to hear your Friday Favourites of the week too!

Music Review: Don't Run Away- David Archuleta

He may be serving as a full-time missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Chile for two years, but that hasn't stopped the talented musician from releasing new music for our listening pleasure!

Since leaving the States to serve as a missionary in South America a year ago, David has already released two incredible albums in that time, with a third record scheduled to be released on 26th March this year, titled No Matter How Far.

Now let's get started on the actual review itself!

Don't Run Away is the ever so catchy first release off the soon to be released album and doesn't disappoint. There's something about the first two seconds of the song that just draws me in. There's also something very reminiscent of his self-titled debut album about it which instantly made me want to pause the song and rewind back to the start again for another sneaky listen.

It is incredibly satisfying to hear the simplicity of the first bridge at about 38 seconds into the song which leads onto a perfectly structured chorus, filled with just enough power and emotion to keep the listener engaged with the ideas and emotions that the song is conveying to the audience.

David's voice is truly captivating throughout the song. It is obvious to any fan that has been supporting since the beginning that his voice has developed and matured over time and has been able to acquire a stronger dimension and tone which allows him to bring new strength to his music.

Don't Run Away had been produced by the incredible songwriting and production duo, David Sneddon and James Bauer-Mein, otherwise known as The Nexus. The production on the song is just right and really adds a great set of dynamics that any music lover could appreciate. I've been a fan of Sneddon's work since his Fame Academy days, so was pleased to see his production skills in action with Bauer-Mein on the song.

With less than a month to wait for the release of No Matter How Far, I'm already expecting great things from everyone's favourite multi-tasking missionary, Elder Archuleta!