Oh no here we go again!!!
This year’s next best thing already sounding like last year’s next best thing which in fact sounds like the next best thing of 1985.
The songs here are no different to anything I’ve heard from a new band in a few years – no better than anything I have in my iTunes library – so why should I listen to it?
Why don’t I like it? They were nominated for Best New Band in NME, won the Mojo Breakthrough Award and everyone seems to love them – so why don’t I? Could be the black coats (if you read my rant in Chicken Sandwich discussion you’ll know I don’t like bands in black coats) – could it be that I’ve heard it all before?
Let’s look at Death, the first track on the album, a thumping bass line to open which I usually like, then the vocals kick in:
“I love the feeling when we lift up
watching the world so small below
I love the dreaming when i think of
the safety in the clouds out my window”
Not bad lyrics, a wee bit immature and arty but I’ll forgive that as I’m in a good mood – but then the song starts to spiral downwards with the next lines:
“I wonder what keeps us so high up
could there be a love beneath these wings” (sic)
and so on and so on and so on with 20-year old Harry McVeigh (singer/guitarist’s) warbling “this fears got a hold on me” – methinks this song has got a hold on me and it’s making my head hurt and my stomach turn – life’s too short to listen to crap like this – where’s the delete button – there done it
Do yourself a favour, buy Bell X1 or The Music or Scott Matthews or Death Cab for Cutie.
“could there be a love beneath these wings”?? Bleugh. Even I cringed at that.
Thanks for your support – I’m wondering when I’ll receive a post trying to justify this stuff, saying how fab and arty White Lies are – how I don’t understand what they’re trying to do/say and how wrong I am to question them. Maybe they’ll say I’m just too old, too blinkered, too deaf?
Sorry but if its crap its crap – doesn’t matter if its new music/old music – if its crap its crap
I’m trying to think of any arty farty people we know but am coming up blank. Ask the kids!
I’m a big fan of White Lies and cannot understand why you not like them as much as me. They are really good at writing good songs and as I was too young to see bands like this in the 80′s then I will enjoy them now – so leave them alone.
Hi,
Thanks for posting – I can understand what you mean but don’t really see that White Lies are the answer.
I appreciate that you have a different opinion as you are younger and have to experience a variety of musical sources. But and this is a big BUT; you will soon realize that crap is crap and that White Lies (and other new bands) will not contribute or be part of the music scene for any length of time. Do yourself a favour listen to Colour Haze – true music.
I had to laugh at your response to Sin again’s post there, and whilst I agree with your sentiments, lets not be too harsh on the youngster. I don’t think we can blame the attitude on his (or her) age however. I see that Spacepig Junior has started contributing to the posts and he’s not exactly close to pushing up the daisies yet. Could be something to do with his upbringing (of course it is, I know who’s responsible for that), but I think you’ll find that his taste in music is rather varied and interesting.
No, its got nothing to do with age, but more what can be crammed into the few years experiences we have had. Now I get the feeling that Sin again has just started out on his (or her) exploration of the music world fairly much on his (sod it Sin again, are you male or female?) own. To be highly commended I might add. I think however that it is our responsibility to open up this world for him and rather than just slag off his choice of music, offer alternatives that may be more worthy of consideration (and financial outlay).
To this end young sinner, I suggest that you at least explore some of the following bands: Colour Haze has already mentioned and I implore you to give them at least a few listenings. But also seek out: Can, Guru Guru, Birth Control, Faust (as mentioned elsewhere but the hysterical canine may disagree on that one), Rory Gallagher, Hawkwind. More to the point, tell us what you already know and I’ll base my recommendations on that.
Finally I would just like to add that I also think that White Lies are crap, but hey, each to their own, the world would be really boring if everyone liked the same music so good on you (as long as you don’t start recommending Kaiser Chiefs or Kings of Leon).
Spacepig – you are a voice of reason – maybe I was a bit harsh – but hey life’s harsh especially with crap like White Lies and Oasis blaring from speakers.
You say that Spacepig Junior has a rather varied and interesting taste in music – laughing puppy is the same – maybe I should rant at Sin Agains father who obviously grew up on Duran Duran, Spandau Ballet and Howard Jones and has influenced the poor boy.
Lets wait to hear his (it is a boy) recommendations then grasshopper we can advise
Laughing Dog,
Well I don’t actually remember much about my dad before his accident – but after he wasn’t right. I dont normally talk about this but I do remember him playing one song over and over and over and over again, once I brought some friends home and he played The Wurzlers “Blackbird I’ll have ye” song for around 3 hours (we’re from Somerset) another time he played Frankie Goes to Hollywoods “Relax” at full volume til police came then blamed Radio 1 cos they wouldn’t play it the poice were OK in end.
He did love BBC Radio Bristol where they only played commercial stuff so maybe you right my dad did influence my musical taste shame he had the accident
Hi Sinisish type dude, good to see you back. Whilst I have every sympathy for your father’s accident whatever it was, he has no excuse for attempted brainwashing of The Wurzels type. I think that after that you do need some careful nurturing. Do you realise that you come from the same stomping ground as The Ozric Tentacles?
It’s not very often that I support the British police, but on this occasion I will give them the benefit of the doubt. Is there a law in your country regarding child abuse? And if so, can it be applied retrospectively?
Stick with us my young friend, we will cater for your every musical need.
A few recommendations for your ears
The Music – Welcome to the North
Bell X1 – Flock
Aynsley Lister – Equilibrium
Ben Harper – Life on Mars
All available to buy in Doha
Enjoy
Thanks Mr. Dog already bought Life on Mars this weekend and it sounds OK. I not normally like live CDs but this sounds better then most.
Couldnt find the others in Virgin but I was in a rush will look again
Never mind Virgin! Get yourself on to Amazon and keep me in a job!
I like Virgins plus Amazon takes to long to deliver when you live in Middle East. Actually having Virgin here in Doha is grand I have lived in places where the nearest CD shop is 1000KM’s away
Note to Mr LD – really love Ben Harper also bought his latest CD with Relentless 7 plus I have borrowed 2 Bell X1CDs from a friend who also recommended them. I told him he should join us on your blog as he would enjoy.
Good luck
Mr. SA
Nice one Mr Sin – glad you’re enjoying.
And thanks for contributing to my blog – you have made some good posts, especially like the AC/DC gig review it must have been heaven to be there – am jealous – you know the live music scene here that great.
Hi Mr Mac
Thanks for posting – glad you enjoyed the my rant about White Lies, do you agree or not?
Also, what is your opinion of the Music Mix – I am currently putting together next months mix and would be grateful for your feedback
Welcome to Musicforthemonth.com
Hi Mr Mac
Welcome to the blog, I just hope your taste in music is healthier than your taste in food!
Let us know what you listen to, we won’t be too harsh on you (honest guv!).
Hi Bill,
Thanks for your kind comments it is appreciated as the Internet can be a lonely place.
The most important part of my blog is the Music Mix where I upload 20 songs that really mean alot to me and I hope will inspire others to listen to and hopefully explore further and buy – as the music is really what its all about. With this in mind did you like last months mix? Can I improve anything?
Also you may have read Mr. Spacepigs recommendations – he may be a wee bit like Victor Meldrew but he knows what he likes and has recommended some great music to me (Colour Haze, Siena Root) that have truly added colour and flavour to my music collection – can you recommend some artist/band who you think I (and my readers) would like?
Laughing Dog
I don’t beeleeve it!!! Victor Meldrew? Hah I could teach him a thing or two.
Watch out or I’ll start recommending some more bands for you to go spending your hard gotten loot on!
Cant wait my friend
OK, you asked for it!!
Several years ago found myself at some obscure festival in a forgotten corner of Europe somewhere watching bands such as Manfred Mann’s Earth Band, Ozric Tentacles, IQ, Big Brother & The Holding Company (without Janis, I’m not that old) you get the picture?
Anyway the locals started asking me if I was looking forward to this amazing band who were playing on the Sunday. When I told them that I had never heard of them they were incredulous – “what do you mean you’ve never heard of them?” they cried as one. “Don’t you ever watch movies?’ Well, the straightforward answer was no, I am not really much of a movie fan.
So arrangements were made to meet up for this set.
Usually before seeing a band I don’t know I will attempt to hear a few songs, just so I know what to expect, but this time I went in totally ignorant. The band came on and, to put it mildly, within 2 minutes I was hooked. The band’s name? Tito & Tarantula.
You might have come across them as the house band in From Dusk Till Dawn. Have a look at this link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n6dRSJAQzLA
or, for a better idea of how it’s done live, look up this one:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6p0ShXsdZhU
Since then I’ve got everything they have ever done and that has lead me to a whole host of related bands. Let me know what you think.
See, I don’t only listen to Prog!
You do end up in some strange places my friend – but in this case it was a blessing must have been one hell of a night. Thanks for link to film I’m not a movie fan either, its only last weekend I watched Slumdog Millionaire, anyway great clip – though Mrs Dog was a wee bit curious as to what I was watching.
Am very very tempted to look at purchasing some Tito and Tarantula but I’m still catching up on some other new stuff I’ve bought and will not be able to do them justice just yet – though I may buy the soundtrack to the film that looks a wheeze