Your Own Personal Jesus

So everyone already knows how good this song is but lately it has been sitting even more sweetly for me and after seeing Depeche Mode perform an amazing live set on MusicMax I felt compelled to post!

Now it is no secret that Depeche Mode are quite ground breaking and brilliant however to be honest I always glossed over them as having some songs that mildly held my attention for brief timepoints. Until I saw Depeche Mode performing "Personal Jesus" live and I was quite taken by it. It had all the addictive cult like attributes of a Hillsong Gathering, as if the polarized equivalents to those Hillsong hippies had come out en masse and were completely enveloped in the song. While it had a real summoning of the demons type vibe to it, there was something so alluring about it too.

Anyone describing their favourite bands like to throw out statements like "they commanded the stage" and a large proportion of such comments are right, but this was strange, it was as if Depeche Mode owned the crowd, they were literally preachers of the damned with cult like precision and I was quite happy for them to own me for those brief moments of evil bliss.

Here is three different interpretations of the track "Personal Jesus".

MP3: Depeche Mode - Personal Jesus
The original version and I am still going to say it is the best also. It really captures a wonderful period of music and a band at their prime.

MP3: Johnny Cash - Personal Jesus
God rest his soul, Old Johnny never did things by halves. The subtle use of piano against the stripped back noises of the guitar are just brilliant. My favourite interpretation of this song. Cash hasn't set out to really go over the top with changing from the original form, but it's like hearing the gospel from one preacher to the next. Cash speaks from the gospel of Depeche but the sermon is all his own!

MP3: Marilyn Manson - Personal Jesus (Mp3 comming soon)
Marilyn must be pissed. When you hear this song it is as if Marilyn was destined to cover it. While it lends itself well to Marilyn's style of music, It's quite safe, doesn't really add much apart from a predictable stomp and guitar crunch to keep the metal heads joyfully frowning.

You Tube: Depeche Mode - Personal Jesus

Now this wasn't the performance I viewed whilst sitting on my ass watching t.v but none the less I think it encapsulates the overall energy they give off.

Depeche Mode have a new 3 DVD set of their live performance at Milan so if you're looking for a Christmas present for me, there is no excuse, I've given you the hints.

Tracklisting:
Personal Jesus (‘Violater’ 1990)
Just Can't Get Enough (‘Speak And Spell’, 1981)
Everything Counts (‘Construction Time Again, 1983)
Enjoy The Silence (‘Violator’, 1990)
Shake The Disease (‘The Singles 81-85’, 1985)
See You (‘A Broken Frame’, 1982)
It's No Good (‘Ultra’, 1997)
Strangelove (‘Music For The Masses’, 1987)
Suffer Well (‘Playing The Angel’, 2005)
Dream On (‘Exciter’, 2001)
People Are People (‘Some Great Reward’, 1984)
Martyr* (Best Of)
Walking In My Shoes (‘Songs of Faith and Devotion’, 1993)
I Feel You (‘Songs of Faith and Devotion’, 1993)
Precious (‘Playing The Angel’, 2005)
Master And Servant (‘Some Great Reward’, 1984)
New Life (‘Speak And Spell’, 1981)
Never Let Me Down Again (‘Music For The Masses’, 1987)

Thanks to MusicMax for the tracklisting.

I Don't Wanna Tell Her

The Magic Numbers burst onto the music scene with a debut album of bubble gum beautiful tracks which dipped and flowed so magically. The band all well shaped like a number 0 or alittle bumpy like an 8 but none the less, to me it was magic. They are the kind of music no one wants to admit to liking, no one wants to say "hey my name is (insert name here) and whilst I drive up the Great Western Highway to work each day and sing as if I am a back up singer for the magic numbers".

Well. "hey my name is Pix and whilst I drive up the Great Western Highway to work each day and sing proudly as if I am a back up singer for The Magic Numbers".

But ofcourse, ofcourse, the curse of the follow up would be a hurdle The Magic Numbers would need to encounter and overcome before anyone adopted the new songs into their cheesy sing-along collection. Early reviews I'd read on other blogs were very critical and upon hearing the tracks they offered, It was bloody accurate. The music was dull, average, more sleepy than it was bubbly. The tracks I heard were "Most of the time" & "Undecided" which to me aimed to be as sweet as "I see you, you see me" but just didn't make the cut to still be in the running to become America's Next Top Model. Shockingly, even a tinge more toward Joss Stone than anything which could be assimilated with quality.

But lucky I am a so up myself that I am skeptical of all those yank bloggers and their warped opinions. So I decided to hear the entire album for myself. Turns out, those nobs must have listened to the album in reverse, under water whilst at a Sam Champion concert, because what I heard was splendid. I just don't think the majority of yanks could digest the amounts of pure sugar that The Magic Numbers seek to inject.

While there will isn't anything to rival the overflowing amounts of sugar we hear in "Love me like you" or "Forever Lost", "Those the brokes" is solid if not airing a fraction too close to safe. None the less, I can fault it apart from saying possibly it lacks the alluring punch of their debut.

As always, see for yourself and let me know if I'm way off.

Mp3: The Magic Numbers - This is a song

Youtube: The Magic Numbers - Take a Chance

Brand New Brand New

2003 won't be remembered as a champagne year for music, however in that particular year Brand New released their career defining LP Deja Entendu. Previously just a pop-punk band with a few witty one liners, Jesse Lacey and co. moved from their roots and recorded an intelligent and emotional album full of wry lyrics and soft/loud dynamics. It was dubbed an emo classic by many silly journos, despite the fact it is clearly not an emo album. In spite of this, it was elevated to the status as one of the most cherished musical possessions of my youth.

Much to my pleasure, Brand New are back. After leaking tracks from the album earlier in the year on Lacey's personal blog, the band hit the studio for real, kept only two of those tracks and delivered The Devil and God Are Raging Inside of Me. The album is another step away from the pop/punk of Your Favourite Weapon and continues the progress made on Deja Entendu. This time the song titles are truncated, lyrics sharper and more incisive, musically far more textured and intricate and it still maintains much of those soft/loud dynamics that were executed so well on their last album. A duality seems be occuring inside Lacey's lyrics, with the albums title hinting at the good vs evil idea that permeates the record.

I will stop talking about it now, just give it a listen.


MP3: Brand New - Sowing Season (Yeah)
MYSPACE: Brand New
Buy The Devil and God Are Raging Inside of Me at Amazon

Irishman wins Aussie Idol

Wow, what a surprise. Someone good actually won Australian Idol.

Something was different about Idol this year. Maybe its because I missed much of the series due to other commitments, but for what I saw it was much more impressive than previous years. Bobby Flynn was a revelation, his voice fragile yet stunning who performed a ridiculously cool bossa-nova cover of a Rick James classic. The heart-throb Dean Geyer was booted off before much more ugly contestants. Boring artists like that blockhead Ricky were being voted out early. Guitars and pianos were being used by the contestants, and they could actually play them. Things were different.

Then I noticed Damien Leith. A dorky looking 30 year old Irish born tenor who made a Damien Rice track sound less James Blunt and more Jeff Buckley, and who had a knockout range and beautiful tone. I never thought he would win. He was too individual, not attractive enough and too good for the Idol demographic to embrace I thought. I was wrong, and thank goodness I was. Well done Damien, maybe the Australian public isn't so stupid after all.


Watch him sing 'Nessun Dorma' and you will understand. For no formal singing lessons beforehand, its pretty remarkable.

I Don't Believe in Ghosts

Photo by Boudist

Allow me to set the scene.

Monday Morning 7am.
Before going to waste horrid amounts of money on car registration and then go to work, I decided to sit on the computer and try and find some solace in the fact that it is 7am and I am awake, ready for a day of work. To my delight I discover that Kings of Leon are playing a DJ set down at Candy's along with some other interesting prospects. Immediately the call goes out to fellow whiteboy Chris. Upon finishing work at 5pm I discover my fellow whiteboy is keen as mustard and after some calls whiteboy Dj Albert is also in. The trio formed and a night at Candy's awaits.

Upon arriving at Candy's Apartment there is a modest queue of good looking people and being good looking also, we join.

The Vendettas were the first act that we saw and surprisingly it was the first time I have seen them perform. I wouldn't say they had me foaming at the mouth with anticipation from their track "Running" which I'd heard but Dom from Who the Bloody Hell spoke highly of them on a previous conversation at Candy's, so my ears were primed.

Ofcourse what caught my eye instantly was front woman Larissa Rate. Now with her angelic yet saucy figure standing in front of me I was further supported in my belief that anything you can do, Sydney does better. Move over Patience Hodgson, you may think you've got the sexiest yelp in music but your wrong, as The Vendettas got further into the set it, Patience became a distant memory in my mind and I remained on my tip toes for the entire show, eyes glued to Larissa Rate. If you add the style to the oodles of sexuality sparking from her body, you could ask nothing more. Rate knew exactly how to work the crowd and while the music did the talking, the moment Rate poured water down her chest and unbuttoned that little red cardigan, Life wasn't much sweeter. What a fucking front woman and what an amazing piece of ass. My only wish was that the Boudist man was on hand to capture her on film.

Promptly and confidently The Vendettas ripped through a set which didn't let up and it certainly made me take note that my previous opinions on the band we lacking. So I got informed and I loved what I saw... and heard.

Myspace: The Vendettas

The Instant were next on the cards and after riding high on infatuation from The Vendettas, I thought I was in for a good night. I thought. The Instant gave myself and my counterparts a perfect chance to sit down and honestly, after running on 4 hours sleep all weekend, they provided me with an ideal chance to take a much needed nap. That's right, I sat on one of those love lounge things and began to go to sleep only to have Larissa from The Vendettas stand not 5 metres from my person and begin texting away, whoever it was they are a lucky son of a bitch. I wanted to say something, but I was like a school boy, smelly and lacking in anything that would be epic enough to be memorable, hell I would have been shooting for anything that even sounded remotely normal. I remained

Now I don't like being harsh... or maybe I do but the point is that The Instant may very well be a half decent band, but they could of fooled me. They build this ellaborate first track and I thought yeh you're already boring me, then, I realise Ok these guys are not going to be pressing their voices against the microphone but STILL I keenly watched on awaiting the AHH moment where everything comes into place. But nothing. The front man if you will a.k.a the guy who moved around the most looked like the frontman of Walk the Earth and I couldn't tell you much else because of my nap time. They were as mismatched on the bill as they were forgettable. I know they are making some waves that a lot of kids are diggin and indeed I think there were about 5 people who actually got whatever this post-rock lullaby was aiming for.

Give me a pound of weed, fresh cookies and a night chilling with Surfjan Stevens, I might get whatever the fuck they were on about, but for me to change my mind on these ones, I am going to have to heard something, anything that is remotely moving. You want prog-rock instrumental, go see All India Radio, because quite frankly they shit all over these Newcastle boys.

I mean hey, I've heard rumours they are only young and people will say "oww Pix give em time", well when I pay 15 bux to attend a show at my favourite venue, I don't have four years for you to learn how to be interesting.

Myspace: The Instant

Photo by Boudist

The Ghosts were the next to part take in this smorgasboard of fashionable proportions and they had received a lot of blog time around the place. I myself was quite taken by the demo "Red" which resulted in quite a sense of anticipations.

They start of quite average, nothing overly special to report. I was saddened that the singer was not sporting the drew-carey glasses I had previously seen him wearing in promo shots. Now the set did travel along quite nicely, they were throwing out all the right punches but they were a bit lost on me. I'd love A) hear more than one of their songs on mp3 & B) give them a chance to sink in because I liked what I heard, but all the way through my mind is recalling how many amazing things I'd heard and to tell the truth they didn't deliver to the mammoth proportions I had hoped for. After talking them up to my fellow whiteboys, I felt alittle embarrassed and quite short changed.

The set did really flair when The Ghosts broke out into "Red" but it then dipped again I felt. Might of been an idea to play the one song everyone knows last instead of mid set. Now don't get me wrong they didn't do anything wrong but they played it mighty safe and visually were quite unstimulating.

Finally on The Ghosts, I am not sure if it was the vocalist or the sound girl but his vocals were as difficult to hear as good music on Stereogum. Improvement needed for me to give them anything more than that I'm afraid.

Now onto the biggest flop of the night, fucking Kings of Leon. Let me tell now I absolutely adore and idolize these fuckers. They would be without a shadow of doubt one of my most favourite artists and surely my favourite rock n roll band. My decision to attend my first Big Day Out was as much to do with Metallica as it was to do with Kings of Leon, they are simply a class act.

Foolishly after seeing some of my other favourites like Midnight Juggernauts, The Valentinos & Van She completely rip the dj set to the max. I was excited to think another favourite would be doing the same. However, the two boys (from my drunken haze I believe it was Matt & Jared) from Kings of Leon were totally fucking terrible. I have done a better set in my computer room on virtual dj.

There was not a single "mix" to be heard, nor did they even try. It was as if they just loaded up Winamp and pressed Automix. Needless to say Dj Albert was almost in tears to witness such a lack of respect for the Candy's crowd. These people are come of Sydney's finest and for the Kings of get up there and starfish it was both an insult and I guess it partly highlighted for me they know how good they are and they don't really care.

Then there was the song selection. Equally as fucking shit as the mix. The Datsuns "Harmonic Generator" & The Strokes. Sorry but it's not 2004 anymore you wankers. I mean seriously, while I don't expect them to rock socks like Valentinos or Van She who are actual Dj's and who live and breath that kind of stuff, I do fucking expect them to be tastemakers, they travel the world and hear a bucket load of music, surely they'd be able to get some of it fucking right.

In half an hour or so it was all over and they left, not to many sad farewells either. The crowd were forced to starfish it too because the Kings gave us all nothing to dance to AND as a final nail in the coffin, I don't think that the two fellas from Kings actually turned and twiddled any of the nobs.

I'd have to say the Dj (whose name I don't know) worked the crowd a millions time better than Kings of Leon. That dude with the curly black hair couldn't mix to save his mums life but his track selection was absolutely brilliant. Throwing up anything from "Burning" by Whitest Boy Alive to "Boom shake shake shake the room". He got the crowd going only to have the Kings clear out the place. To say I was disappointed wouldn't be accurate, to say that Kings of Leon shouldn't have even bothered turning up would be more appropriate because the rest of the night was good. Seeing Aussie bands is never a bad thing, even the ones I don't like.

After being royally fucked over by the Kings (irony), we decided to head for home. It breaks me to think Dj Albert came out all that way and didn't get to bust out his A-list moves.

Myspace: Kings of Leon

In summary, the night belonged to The Vendettas. Upon leaving I spied one of the guitarists and possibly some of the other members all piling into the one car in true rockstar fashion and I couldn't hold it in anymore. If I didn't have the balls to approach Larissa, I still needed to get my message across. My typical western sydney remarks I made then still sit with me now, "The Vendettas fucking shit all over those other wankers". Toots of there horn and a polite thankyou left me content I had atleast said something. Looking back now, I am never going to have any blogger mystique if I keep blurting my love out.

All in all it wasn't my best night at Candy's but it beats the hell out of Bloc.

Hot Chip will break your legs

Now the Big Day Out 2007 line up has been upgraded from 'average' to 'good' with the addition of UK indie -pop kids and one of my favourite bands Hot Chip. This is very exciting news, as Hot Chip are clearly a very good band and 'The Warning' was easily one of the best releases of the year with its awkward yet emotive lyrics and ever engaging rhythm section. While we are on the subject of Hot Chip, they have posted a new track at their MySpace page entitled 'I Became A Volunteer' which a quirky electro-pop plodder that is very Hot Chip. Also they will be releasing their own installment of the famed DJ Kicks series early in the new year which should be quite exciting.

Myspace: Hot Chip

Cough Cough

Im Back!

To let out all that exam stress, and there was plenty there, I turned to this band.
I think that Chicago, Illinois' Coughs are one of the most startling yet under-appreciated bands around at the moment. They take the well-worn punk aesthetic and mix it with spazzed-up lo-fi noise to deliver a subtle-as-a-meat-axe sound..



With two drummers pushing and shoving each other, trying in vain to tear apart any semblance of rhythm and a time signature and a female lead singer clearly possessed by some kind of demonic force, chaos ensues. However its the type of chaos that I can surely live with. Other nu-punk purveyors like Be Your Own Pet (who I like very much) should tremble at the sound of this band. If only all nightmares were this good.


MP3: Coughs - Dark Powers.


Speaking of music, Air will be releasing a new album entitled 'Pocket Symphony' on the 6th March next year. Apparently some Japanese instrumentation may make its way onto the record as well as the pipes of Jarvis Cocker. Track listing and details here.

Hold Me Closer Record Label

Now let's all get one thing clear, the great epiphany that resulted care of Belles Will Ring is not something that will happen all the time. The vast majority of anything a record label sends the way of a blogger is generally crap that no one else likes and they hope a fragmented market of middle earth cyber freaks might latch on and shift a few units.

However I myself am like a resident of the Penrith with half a tank of petrol and tommorrow is payday. Ok so that IS me. But my point is I am enjoying a run of enjoyable music being sent my way. Obviously anything that gets sent from a label needs to be approached with added speculation and caution. Personally, I tend to be over paranoid which led to my 5 second dismissal of that guy from Art Brut.

The Tiny Dancers are on the Parlophone Label mind you upon listening to these guys, you would not need to be told that they are from the UK. Now lets all get it out of the way now, yes they are apart of EMI Records. But I thought hey I'll try and be objective even despite some of their label mates including The Dandy Warhols, Yellowcard & Coldplay, these douchebags were evened out by the grandeur of Queen, The Beatles & Radiohead. So in my logic, it all cancels out the other.

Ok, Bloody hell tell em the price son! The PRICE! (Adapt to the music)

The Tiny Dancers have a sound that is very appropriate to the now. Don't let the name put you off too much, their music is very emotive, moody. The track I have been exposed to and the track I shall be exposing you good people to is "20 to 9" and it brings a real nostalgia in that it almost summons the ghosts of England's psychedelic past and fleshes them out to mix with a bit of fresh air.

In one of the strangest predictions I think I'll ever make this side of Thursday morning, the chorus of "20 to 9" screams "put me in a commercial for something, anything". Not only that but really infect the good tv watchers of the world.

Initially I was concerned that The Tiny Dancers were one of those UK Bands like Keane who try and pull off the epic card, but I now think they allow the music to soar and sway in the wind just enough to fall short of horribly epic but rather land comfortably on the tip of splendour.

For me to triumph The Tiny Dancers as anything further, I am going to have to get my hands on more music and much like when a food critic eats a classic blueberry pudding, you can't say truely how good it is until you endured passing it through the other end. Ok band analogy to use in the same post as such an intriguing band as The Tiny Dancers.

I tell ya on a side note, put Belles Will Ring with The Tiny Dancers and you ave a very aptly suited touring pair not to mention their cover art almost rivals The Grates.

Mp3: The Tiny Dancers - "20 to 9"
Myspace: The Tiny Dancers

Lions and Tigers and Lions Ep is out 20th November on Paralophone.
Click Here (US) or Here (UK) to Buy.

Holding Down the Fort

O.k I really need to start sleeping more often, however with Chris burning down three exams in three days I feel it my obligation to show the boss I can hold down the fort haha. The life of a university student is something I am sure a lot of bloggers can sympathise with.



The chances of being onto a good thing and having S/Club to thank for it are always high these days. However upon downloading "elegance" & "lucky punks" from S/Club I merely gave it a listen and brushed it away probably in my pointless search for the latest MSTRKRFT remix.

I would have saved myself a lot of time and a lot of grief if I had been alittle more diligent from an audio-attentive perspective. Vespers are just simply oozing with brilliance. The music has like a gravity to it that just draws you in but in all fairness it is nothing that I would consider earth shattering. But exploit this music to compliment some of the finest and recognisable vocals in Australia, then you've got the right chemical reaction for triumph.

With the benefit of hindsight, I seriously don't get what was wrong with me. Vespers are dare I go as far as saying one of only a few bands who are catching the credibility flagpole for Aussie rock and just barely being able to keep it flying. Vespers to me are everything good rock music can and should be in Australia and what I love most is that the Vespers much like say Cog are some how so strongly and potently Australian yet they are the kind of music that you'd whack in the player and show someone from Overseas. This is Aussie music to make you proud.

I hope if we can get enough people to embrace the Vespers, we might just be forgiven for spawning Eskimoe Joe. What I am curious about is, the Vespers sound has a real radio friendly sound and I cannot understand why they aren't winning ARIA's and producing b-grade follow ups? Could they just been an unchartered, untapped gold mine that may just be left in its natural beauty to flourish?

Mp3: Vespers - Elegance
Myspace: Vespers

S/Club: Vespers Post #1
S/Club: Vespers Post #2

We Don't Have No Future

It is hard to fathom that I may have possibly gone off electro for a week or two, but I did. However I'm back in the saddle so I thought I'd take you all along for the ride. I don't know if that analogy is better or worse than some of the cheesy one's I threw in my top 25 Bands List for the 2006 Annual A-Reminder Top 25 Bands List of which most of my favourite electro stylers missed out.

No Van She, No Valentinos yet a dormant year for Nick Cave (#12) & Architecture in Helsinki (#6) put them right up the higher end of the votes? What is going on?

I'll tell ya what is going on, It just goes to show that Australian Blogger are a diverse and beautiful bunch. Despite what radio presents us, there is an abundance of new and exciting, too much to fit into the one list. Even more so I am glad we aren't all the same, We don't want to turn into American bloggers where credibility is scarce and everyone blogs about The Decemberists (boring).

Moving on.



In a classic example of my overlapping and contradicting thought processes, Games has/have/do pump out some sweet effortless electro from those abundant American shore I am so quick to mock. I go onto these guys by chance really upon browsing the slums of myspace, the only place i can listen to Tigercity - Are you sensation as I cannot get my dirty electro hands on the mp3. Hint Hint for anyone who has it.

Whilst featuring Joel Ford from the amazing Tigercity, Games takes a bit more of a moral high ground / slow ground when it comes to making electro. It certainly does not embody the instantaneous groove of Tigercity but I mean once it gets there, it can get under your skin all the same.

Musically the tracks try so little that it is almost pretentious. But when all is said and done and you've got to nominate someone to clean your dirty sheets, you know you'll choose a sound like Games to do it to, even though they'll just make em dirtier.

Mp3: Games - No Future

Myspace: Games - More Mp3's available for free download.
Myspace: Tigercity

As always my good people, I like to add alittle Youtube for a bit of irrelevant spice. For those of you with chef backgrounds like myself, it would be like adding Basil to a light rocket salad, it is all just fucking grass anyone and the tight asses should try the veal.

Fedde Le Grand - Put Your Hands Up For Detroit

This is one of those songs like "Get myself into it" where blogger have already had a gut full of it but now we have to put up with the rest of the world discovering it when if they had just listened to us bloggers in the first place, they'd be six months ahead of themselves (which would then mean they are still six months behind on something else? right?) Ok that point is alittle lost on me.

Watch Me Work It, I'm Perfect

Princess Superstar has been a little quiet of late it would seem, however she has been operating under the guise of Dj's are not Rockstars, a duo featuring Alexander Technique and herself who ride the decks as the mix, mash and rhyme their way around the world. Recently they came down under and played at Sydney's Kink and according to one whiteboydancefloor correspondent it was a fantastic show, with Superstar looking and sounding as fine and filthy as ever as they spun some dirty beats. They have recorded some pretty hot mixes and recently released the 'European Accent' 12". Check their myspace for another hot remix of Roxy Music's 'Love is the Drug'. Dj's aren't rockstars, but they are getting pretty close to it.

MYSPACE: DJ's are not Rockstars






Seriously I am almost sick of hearing about how good Modular are as a record label (Almost). I guess thats what you have to expect from a label with a seriously hip roster of talent, and once again they have teamed up much of this hot roster with one of the hippest yet overpriced clothing labels in the country Ksubi (formerly Tsubi) to bring you the Ksubi/Modular Christmas Party. The line up is horredously good. Headlined by Klaxons (who are the only abhorration here), the gig will feature New Young Pony Club, Van She, The Ghosts and with DJ sets from Cut Copy, The Avalanches, Bang Gang, Riot In Belgium and the Modular DJ's. Tickets are 55 big ones (another dent in my pocket), and will be onsale tomorrow the 10th November from Moshtix, Ksubi stores and the Modular website. Sydney's show will be on the 1st December at The Forum at Moore Park.

Modular website

Big Day Out Announcment #2 & New Sounds!

Ok let's get this out of the way. Big Day Out 2nd Announcement and still, I'm not head over heels for the line up. I am going to have a bit of fun and just rant away and put shit on the line up because that is what you all expect. Ow didnt you know? All bloggers are jaded nerds with button up shirts.

Yeh you want us.

Big Day Out 2007 Part 2.

The Streets - Another album, another Big Day Out. Mike Skinner, I love you but get a fucking life and another festival to play.
Kasabian - O0o0o0o Attitude, I'll be rude. "ima tell ya what i'll do, i'll break your face in two, and spread your teeth and blood all over this neighbourhood!"
Crystal Method DJs - yeh i think you were relevant when i was about 4.
Justice - Owww baby owww baby. You are worth the admission itself.
Trivium - Any band that is described as having "neck-snapping riffs" is compensating for something. Like maybe a vitamin t(alent) deficiency
John Cooper Clarke - No comment. I've never even heard of you. But if he is anything like the Sex Pistol he can go back under his rock of insignificance.
Afra & The Incredible Beatbox Band - Refer to sentiments regarding The Streets.
Lily Allen - Just because people in America blog about you doesn't make you talented. Quite the opposite I've found. Yeh Stereogum is thinking god why did i post Sam champion.
Lupe Fiasco - You know Kanye, but right now he aint too popular. So i think ill give you a kick.push.punch in the face.
Diplo - If Diplo and Justice were back to back, I'd attend for just those time slots. Diplo is still hot as hell and one can only imagine what he has instore for Australia.
John Butler Trio - Yeh Yeh. Good for the festivals. No arguments or else whiteboydancefloor will lose its byron bay audience. Ow thats right, none of you have computers or jobs to buy them.
Something for Kate - Hey call me soft, I am a massive fan. But when I saw them at Big Day Out, I wished I had a pillow.
You Am I - Yeh have another one Tim Rogers that makes you play like an even bigger rockstar.
Little Birdy - Little Birdy is the punchline to the following joke. What's almost as bad as Magic Dirt playing music?.
The Presets - Conquered the world and deserved to comeback to a floor stomping ovation.
Bob Evans - Punchline to another joke. What is Worse than being Bernard Fanning?.
The Drones - Eh. Eh. Eh.
The Butterfly Effect - They only need to play one song and you've got the gist of the others.
love [tattoo] - Yeh whoever you are. I am not going to even bother researching you.
Shapeshifter - Im nit going to take the puss just bucause they are frum new zuland.

Hey I haven't even ruled out going you know hehe.




If their first band photo doesn't just give it away, Defunct Asylum are 4 males from Western Sydney who you may have guessed don't mind a stiff cold ale from time to time. Featuring former Lucretia guitarist Luke Connolly as well as a trio of accomplished young lads, Defunct Asylum produce the kind of straight edged rock that is easily digestable and would certainly get you stomping that foot of yours while your down at the pub watching them show you their props whilst you yourself are downing a nice cold beverage.

They only last week recorded an E.p featuring 5 tracks of brickwall rock. I think Defunct Asylum would be the first to admit their sound does have a commercial appeal to it but I mean the right sprinkle of it and hey what is commerical these day eh? Vocally at times it is quite possibly influenced by a young Daniel Johns and musically I think it has the possibility to rival a live aesthetic with that of Full Scale (R.I.P). Throughout all 5 tracks, there is a very obvious pulse that runs throughout the E.P and it makes for a C.D which is easy to slip into and listen to from start to finish without distraction.

Defunct Asylum it seems are proudly the sum of their influences and I certainly enjoy the angle their embracing music from. The music and lyrics doesn't concern itself with being over serious or doom and gloomy which also ticks another box in my criteria. All too often in the blogosphere we are all too concerned with the band who has the right amount of hype surrounding them, but in this case as the music demonstrates clearly, fuck the hype and just rock out. You know, old style where it is actually ok to be a big daggy and mosh like your young and uninhibited again. Oww and of course for those who are familiar with / fans of Lucretia which Luke Connolly was the lead guitarist of, rest assured that every morsel of musical goodness which Defunct Asylum serve is topped with a spicy layer of guitar solo to send your tastebuds to heaven.

After only being together for a very short 4 months, all the right signs are there. Soon to be gigging at a venue near you, those lucky (or unlucky whichever way you see it) to be residents of Penrith can check Defunct Asylum working their live chops down on:

Thursday Night @ Embassy Hotel.

It might be hard but take a moment to pull yourself away from your favourite band which Pitchfork hyped up with 8.435675325 Stars and check Defunct Asylum. It's gripping and tasty tunes which we give to you all for exclusive download! Aren't we nice? (Don't answer that... bitches).These are available only for a limited time so call now... I mean, check them out!

Mp3: Defunct Asylum - New Direction
Mp3: Defunct Asylum - Tomorrow Gone

Myspace: Defunct Asylum

Pretentious, Moi?

Don't we all. Electronic music listeners have been spoiled for choice this year, with fantastic releases from artists like 120 Days, Junior Boys, Herbert and now Lindstrom. He has just released a compilation of recent 12" releases entitled Its a Feedelity Affair, and this great track 'I Feel Space' is taken off it. I really enjoy his versatility, how he chops between groove-worthy disco and smooth downtempo electronica. It is dance music for a more sophisticated palate so I doubt you will find these tracks on any Ministry of Sound compilation anytime soon.

MP3: Lindstrom - I Feel Space




Isn't it facinating that Sandi Thom's sorry excuse of a song 'I Wish I Was a Punk Rocker' is now in its 10th consecutive week at number one in the Australian singles charts. Apparently this is a record, the previous record being held by the equally bad 'Hips Don't Lie' by Shakira and Wyclef Jean. I also discovered the other day she will be playing at one of Sydney's finest music venues, the Enmore Theatre which is relatively large, obviously scheduled there due to demand for tickets. I guess it further shows that this theory may infact be occuring. The more handsome, intelligent upper class will be listening to Lindstrom while the unnattractive lower class will have Sandi Thom whistling through their vacant heads. 'I wish I was a punk rocker with flowers in my hair' has to be one of the lamest lyrics ever written and musically the song is so vapid, yet one Daily Telegraph writer had the gall to proclaim it 'Australia's unofficial anthem of 2006'. The line 'When Accountants didn't have control' from the song made me mad as well, as I am a commerce student and without those accountants in sure Sandi Thom wouldn't be so wealthy right now.

/end rant

Better Than Nothing

Friends, Well Wishers & Disappointed Hype Machine Mp3 Junkies.

Been a fairly slow news day in my opinion and my computer is not being very complimentary toward posting mp3s so I am going to take a bit of an easier road.

I'll be the first to admit I am definitely a well wisher of Robbie Williams. While i must also admit I think Justin Timberlake is slowly taking if not already taken his throne as king of music that the finest ladies flock to, you can't deny Robbie Williams is still in that uber class of pop singers.

I'm still not actually sure what the point to rudebox is apart from another means of reinstating the British as the most unintelligent and unarticulate rappers the world has ever seen. Ow wait no I'll retract that statement, I forgot that Aussie friggin hip hop wasn't just a horrible nightmare that I awake from.

However, back to my Robbie Williams point... His newer single Lovelight has a certain entrauling quality to it. The film clip is so sexually charged without being overt and the chick wandering through the masses strikes me as Natalie Portman-esque. Knowing my luck it probably is her and I didn't do my research. Aww well, stuff it.

The point is that Robbie doesn't really go for the usual route with this pop song but still incorporates all the elevator keyboard jaunts, processed boom chik boom chik beats, falsetto vocals, bounding brass sections and mysteriously absent back up singers. I think it's fantastic.

Youtube: Robbie Williams - Lovelight

Don't try and fight it just because you know he could have your girlfriend getting off through the tv screen and it takes you 40 minutes and a Harrison Ford movie marathon to even get her to look at you.

Addition*** One is never enough. Youtube brings me more gold. It's not as good as the original but hey, it's still cheesy goodness.

YouTube: Ben Kweller - Ice Ice Baby

Also. Head over to Brown Cardigan to see Charlie Brown go Hey Ya!~

Good Vibrations 2007

Another Aussie music festival tradition to rival the rest of them is Good Vibrations, a celebration of anything designed to get people dancing in a beautiful parkland setting. It always attracts the big names, with James Brown headlining last years event and from all reports blew everyone away. This years line up has just been announced, and already pre-sale tickets are gone. So here is the line up...

Beastie Boys
Jurassic 5
Timo Maas
Cassius
Nightmares On Wax
Desyn Masiello
Rahzel
DJ Yoda
Cut Copy
Ursula 1000
London Elektricity
Fort Knox Five & Thunderball
DJ Dan
Kraak & Smaak
Cicada

Hoorah, what an exciting line up, it looks like there are plenty of goodies for everybody. In case you haven't heard them, two artists i'm particularly excited about are Cicada and Cassius, who should get the crowd grooving, along with the rest of the line-up. Tickets are on sale 9am Monday November 6 so I would suggest getting in quick to beat those evil scalpers. Who needs Big Day Out when you have great festivals like this.


Sat 10th Feb – Sidney Myer Music Bowl, Melbourne
Sun 11th Feb – Doug Jennings Park, Gold Coast
Sat 17th Feb – Centennial Park, Sydney
Sun 18th Feb - Belvoir Amphitheatre, Perth

Good Vibrations Website

More Circus, Less War!

Photo thanks to some site off google.

Not that it matters to any of you but both myself and fellow WBDF blogger Chris are in an insanely trendy soccer team known as the Funboys F.C. Up until this point we had been coasting undefeated and up until tonight we were yet to experience the pains of defeat. As you may have guessed, up until tonight means we lost (2-1). What's worse, we lost to poor opposition.

Now, defeat was a pill easily swallowed during my footballing days as I played against some of the players who now call the NRL home. But soccer was my unchained melody, my special place and defeat was no so easy. As sure as it is 2:22 in the morning and I cannot get defeat off my mind, it got me thinking... What is a random mixtape I could make which would be so pointless and non related to one another that I would be so perplexed by the ridiculousness, I would not remember the fact that I (the left footer) was open down the right side all day with the goal favouring my deadly left foot yet all those right footed putz'es couldnt get the ball to me. I'm not cut you are. So I thought in the process of me randomly listening away, you could get some music to download, enjoy and purchase for yourselves (yeh you better).

Here is what I come up with.

Mp3: Peaches - Downtown
This song is so everything that contrasts to what is Peaches. "Downtown" is slick, in parts laissez-faire, clean and easily digestable. Yet that which is Peaches is met with contradiction and unadmitted excitement. I am unsure how she does it, but she does... and I like.
 
Mp3: Xui Xui - Buzz Saw (This song is a mess but so am I Remix)
Chris describes Xui Xui best but I'll try to put my own slant on it (no racism intended). Clearly this song is the  ideal track to avoid the thought of defeat. It is like a lobotomy, it literally erases all other thoughts from your mind and you dont know what to think, what to do. I thought to myself do I keep listening or are they commanding to turn it off. While i love this song unconditionally, sometimes I dont know if listening to all of it was a morbid privilege which should have been bestowed upon to me. What I mean is, this song is a mess and SO AM I!

Mp3: Regina Spektor - Fidelity
Ok Ok, Here comes the Sun followed by Fidelity. I am going a bit soft here arent I? Well the song following this only backs that assumption up more and I dont care. Let us call this one of those times where you take a break from the dancefloor, hope to snag one of those comfy by always used make out lounges at Candy's Apartment and you sit back and enjoy the thoughts revolving through your own head, free from whatever is going on around you. While I love the beauty that is in this song, nothing will ever compare in my mind to Regina Spektor playing this song with just a piano on Conan O'Brien's Late Night Show. It even blew Conan away and when an artist can hold my attention through the TV with a 70+ channel foxtel remote in my hand, I say I dont care if Stereogum blogged about you, I am not going to let their horrifically stale opinions put me off the fact you are amazing. Yeh take that Technorati, I hope stereogums reads this. Might give him some tips on how to be less of a music hoare. Oww sure I'll blog about an S Club 7 reunion said Stereogum as he choked on $100 bills.

Mp3: Surfjan Stevens - The predatory wasp of the palisades is out to get us
Finally, I get what 100000000000000000000000000000 million bloggers have been saying. Surfjan is breathtakingly good!!! I was so down hearted that I just couldn't get what the heck made this guy so reverred and special. But I have seen the light, and the light makes me float a few inches off the ground everytime i hear this song. It wussy, light, fluffy, poofy, non masculine, any negative buzz word you can think of, but I love it and so will you. Or else your too gay to even be gay.

Mp3: Cirque Du Soleil - Zydeko (i hope this works).
Told you it was random. But if you are aware of the latest Cirque Du Soleil to come out in the US, I'm sure you could 6 degree me from this travelling circus to The Beatles. While i am unsure if it is due to my witnessing of a performance by this outfit that entrenches the magical, universal songs into my heart, but this music makes me feel like I have just gone and experienced every pocket of musical culture Europe has to offer. And without getting over political, In a day an age now where cockbags like Greenday rule the airwaves, sometimes you need nothing more than to have an experience like Cirque Du Soleil take you away. Rather than worrying about paying your bills, be more envious of the fact your not able to move like a mystical creature or juggle 4 balls at once while singing a song. I say more circus and less war.

Photo by none other than Mr Boudist

In other exciting news, congrats must go to Sydney Blog favourites Young & The Restless for taking out this year's Triple J Unearthed Competition. It is no small feet to achieve and they fought off some very stiff competition. We all know the great heights other bands have gone onto from winning this competition and I have no doubts that a similar rise is destined and deserved for Young & The Restless. Jerry from Who the Hell must be feeling like a very proud parent now and he has every right to, well done mate! It is just yet another indication of the sublime tastes which Sydney Bloggers possess.

Head over to the Young & The Restless Triple J Unearthed Page to download the mp3s which sent them all the way to the top. It is no secret that these lovely lads and lasses have got the exact sound that Australia and the world are foaming at the mouth for and while I will admit for me it certainly wasn't love at first sight, once the love was there, it was there (vague or what).

How the Arias Should of Gone! (Maybe)

Ok, so we all now how much of a joke the ARIA's are/were/will be. So I've decided rather than be too bitter, I'm going to pretend I am someone important and give out my own awards. So you all have two complete shams to hack on! No worries guys. I chucked in some mp3's and youtubes to make it interesting. No worries.


Best Breakthrough (literally)

Ladies and Gentlemen, I know the ARIA's are meant to be about excellence by AUSTRALIAN's in the field of music, But this is the best excuse I'll get to show you all Hard Gay Ramen. The legend of Japan. So Here he is! Okayyyyy

Best Breakthrough Artist

Screw the Grates, Im committing the cardinal sin of changing my post.

Young & The Restless!!!

Who won this year's Triple J unearthed competition. Congrats!

Best Breakthrough Single
Van She - "Kelly"

Best Urban Release
This award has been discontinued and subsequently 40 ARIA's sent to the Hilltop Hoods house to appease them for an award where they have no competition because Australian Hip Hop is the most redundant and crap thing this country has. It's worse than Jet.

Best Electro Pop Release
Van She - Van She Ep

Best Country Release
This award has been discontinued.

Best Independent Release
Please. Who is REALLY independent these days. Hilltop Hoods, Waifs & John Butler can share this one between them for the next 50 years.

Best Rock Album
Augie March - Moo, You Bloody Choir

Ok it is not that rock but they needed to win something here!

Best Adult Contemporary Album
Bob Evans - Suburban Songbook.

I'll let Bob have this one on the account no one wants an award this crap. You beat Paul Kelly no doubt. Thats nothing to be proud of, most people think he's not even alive anymore accept for wine-trendy 45 year old singles in St Kilda.

Best Music DVD
Useless Award. DVD's are for Napoleon Dynamite fans, not Eskimoe Joe freaks.

Best Dance Release
The Presets - Beams

(What Should be) Highest Selling Album
Ajax - Spin City

Highest Selling Single
Midnight Juggernauts - 45 & Rising.

I don't care if it was even a single or not.

Best Group
Bang Gang - Is there any group than is hotter right now? I think not.

Best Cover Art
Ajax - Spin City

Best Video - Dual Winners

The Presets - Are you the one?

Sneaky Sound System - I Love It

Best Classic (minus the al) Album

Icehouse - Man of Colours

Best Jazz Album
The Necks – Chemist

Chris likes em. They can stay i guess...

Best World Music Album
The Cat Empire - Cities: The Cat Empire Project

Best Children’s Album
The Grates - Gravity Wont Get You High

Best Comedy Release
TV Rock - Flaunt It

Best Blues & Roots Album
The Audreys - Between Last Night & Us

Best Female Artist
Princess Superstar or Patience Hodgson

Best Male Artist
Ajax. Can't go past him.

Hall of Fame Inductees
Midnight Oil & Ice House

Single of the Year
Sneaky Sound System - I Love It

Shame the majority of their other music is poor by comparison.

Album of the Year

The Sleepy Jackson - Personality. One was a spider, One was a bird.

Now You'll notice some of the albums / artists and tracks I'm giving awards to are not quite as recent as you'd think. But I figure it is better late than never to give em a bit of recognition through a shammed awards list!