ARCTIC MONKEYS @ BIRMINGHAM NIA 20/11/09

Winners of the Mercury Prize and several BRIT awards, the Arctic Monkeys have bitten back with the Humbug tour, showcasing tracks off the newest album, ‘Humbug’. Strolling on stage with longer hair than the last time they toured in the UK they began with a track off the new album ‘Dance Little Liar’. Introducing themselves Alex Turner greeted the crowd with ‘Hello Birmingham, you sexy bastards’. As everyone went crazy they unleashed a series of well known favourites (‘Brianstorm’, This House is a Circus’, ‘Still Take You Home’ and ‘I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor’) that were greatly received by now ecstatic ‘Monkeys fans.

‘Sketchead’ could be considered an odd choice for their setlist as its the b-side to the Arctic Monkeys most recent single ‘Cornerstone’. The track slightly resembles John Cooper-Clarke’s ‘evidently chickentown’, relating more so to social commentary than their more current music. While Alex Turner swaggered around the stage he ditched the guitar and just sang. It’s true to say that their success is being demonstrated in a variety of ways; Turner no longer playing all songs is one and the confetti ending. The final song, prior to the encore concluded with an explosion of paper confetti raining down onto the crowd. While this touch was adorable and added an edge to the generic ‘indie band’ style performance it didn’t seem very them considering the laddish reputation they had.
The encore was a real treat for fans as Alex Turner sang a verse from classic Arctic Monkeys track ‘Mardy Bum’ during ‘Florescent Adolescent’. ‘505’ ended the show in an explosive manner.

While this was an impressive show, maybe one of the best I’ve been to there seemed to be less chemistry between the band and Alex Turner seemed drunk. In terms of audience participation it wasn’t mind blowing, yet the Arctic Monkeys never fail to play a blinding show and give people exactly what they want. Even if they don’t say anything.

10/10

Dizzee Rascal's Dirtee Cash

Dizzee Rascal's Dirtee Cash

He’s collaborated with some of the most influential people in pop; Lily Allen, Armand Van Helden and Alex Turner (Arctic Monkeys) to create some alternative hip-hop/pop classics, most notably ‘Dance Wiv Me’ in which he teamed up with Calvin Harris. Dizzee Rascal always seems to be a little ahead of the trends, creating something a little unlike anything of the time and he has done that again with his newest single ‘Dirtee Cash’.

Don’t be suprised if the first time you hear it you’re not a fan, I wasn’t either. Imagine you’re back in the early 90’s and ’Dirtee Cash’ wouldn’t have seemed out of place at all, yet compared to the chart successes of JLS and Cheryl Cole, it just seems a little too much out of touch with now. The more soulful featured female vocal just makes it even more retro along with the looped sample of a Stevie V hit of the same name.

In comparison to the rest of Dizzee’s album, its a gem, along with singles already released from the album and still should appeal to the hip-hop dance niche that he had created with the most previous chart-toppers.

The Holloways Are Back With 'No Smoke, No Mirrors'

Happy-go-lucky indie pop band, The Holloways have come back three years after ‘So, This Is Great Britain?’ with follow up album ‘No Smoke, No Mirrors’. In these three years the band have seemed to have gone through some changes. The image has changed, with them ditching the grubby vests and knit hats for a more sophisticated blazer and cardigan look.

Besides this shift in image there has been a shift in sounds with the fiddle that was so prominent in the first album sounding more discreet than before and everything just sounding more mature. As the fans have grown up so have the Holloways, the album is not about pulling girls or the fact ‘there’s nothing for the kids to do today’.

So the album. They’ve stuck by the feel good music (despire they tend to sing about how crap something is) yet have lost there way a little way when it comes to what to write about maybe. Yes, everyone can relate to that moment you lose your tv remote (‘Public Service Broadcast’) and we are all familiar with those kids who sit at the back of the bus like they own it (‘On The Bus’) yet thats not what people want to hear about. Their album has been released around the same time as the likes of Jamie T and just before the Editors and it is in no way comparable. Lyrically and musically weak and appealing to a niche that is minuscule.

The Monobloggers

The Monobloggers

The Monobloggers hailing from little midlands city, Wolverhampton have already had the opportunity to create a 6 track EP 9 ('Argh! Rock!')with the producer who has most recently produced Ocean Colour Scenes soon to be released album.

The EP is okay, not exceptional, these guys have a way to come before they develop into chart toppers but I can see their potential. The best track would have to be 'Yesterday', purely because the vocals are the best. On the other tracks the vocals are a little sub-standard but hey, they have plenty of time to improve considering the oldest member is the ripe age of 18.

Check out tracks from their new EP at:

http://www.myspace.com/themonobloggers

Arctic Monkeys at Reading

Arctic Monkeys at Reading

Having created a second album with as much hype and success as the first album the third instalment from the sheffield bunch had a high standard to match and better. ‘Humbug’ recieved a poor grade from nme and many fans are disappointed with the effort.
Listening to the album myself I get it, Frontman, Alex Turner is trying to move away from the boy who wrote debut album ‘Whatever people say I am, thats what I’m not’ but with this he’s sacraficed all the ‘monkeys casual fans. With the transition he’s grown his hair (now looking like a member of The Strokes) and decided that complex metaphorical lyrics is where he should be.
Keeping in mind this new Arctic monkeys I still expected an explosive performance at Reading festival on saturday. Fast-paced, exciting and interesting yet thats not how it seemed. Coverage on BBC projected what seemed a drunk Turner who didn’t seem too interested in what he was there for also drummer, Matt Helders seemed bored towards the end of their performance. If this is what one of britains best new bands has turned into then they’ll be in for a rude awakening soon as the Reading performance seemed to disappoint many.

The king is dead...

The king is dead...

Yes, I'm not going mad, I know Elvis died back in 1977 but on about the King of pop, Michael Jackson who unfortunately passed away on 25th June 2009. Although the eccentric star hasn't always been the public's favourite celebrity; he is possibly one of the most influential artists of the past century and this is a major achievement.

I'm not a fan of Michael Jackson himself, but the music he produced over the years, the iconic moonwalk and memorable music videos are what won him all this respect and credibility as a pop star. Starting a music career from a young age with the Jackson five he's always remained in the limelight, especially as a young and attractive man. Sadly as the years whittled away he became more peculiar and felt it necessary to change himself physically, looking less and less like the handsome black man he once was. It's true to say that is bizarre lifestyle has possibly created a warped image of him as far as media portrayal is concerned due to his extravagant Neverland ranch and criminal trials that have faced him over the years.

As the creator of the best selling album of all time with sales of Jackson's 'Thriller' album being 57 million copies Michael Jackson won't be forgotten. He'll go down in history with the likes of Elvis Presley and John Lennon and other majorly influencial artists who tragically died young.

Song of the day, Elvis Costello, Pump it up

Elvis Costello; producer, singer and song writer. As a musician he may not be everyone's cup of tea but he certainly has a likeable personality (ignoring the racist comments once made about soul legends James Brown and Ray Charles) with his unusual dancing in the video of 'Pump it up' which is the song of my day. Although the main riff may have been ripped off by Rogue Traders it still remains to be amazing despite their horrendous efforts with it.

So, basically this is a little encouragement to go and listen to Mr Costello today if not one of the best albums he has produced (The Specials- The Specials).