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The End Of The Blog?

I was intending to do another mass review today but I'm a bit distracted. There's always been this split in my interest between this blog and the main Cool Noise site. I love being able to post regularly here but I know that bands prefer a review on the main site.

I've been playing with Wordpress over the past few weeks and it's really easy to install. It also can import all your posts from a Blogspot blog - although it loses embedded videos and pictures. It has occurred to me that I could move the blog over onto Cool Noise wholesale. The problem is the amount of time it would take because it would mean writing a template from scratch to match the original design (all pages were written manually in HTML and I don't have time to rewrite them all). Then I would have to try to get all the links changed.

Hmmm, do I really want to take this task on?

Day 31 of 365: Led Man

Led Man's music encompasses Rock and Pop, with soulful funky touches. What makes him stand apart is a wonderful gravelly voice and some devilish songwriting. The track Ways That We Fall Apart is one of my favourite songs of the past year (I was going to feature it in my planed but abandoned Podcast). If you are very old you may remember Kevin Ayers and Ways is as good as Kevin at his very best.

Led Man

Day 30 of 365: Modern American Science

It's not so long since I reviewed Modern American Science's first EP. It has three of the finest emotional tracks you could hope to hear. The nearest equivalent is a couple of alt-country bands who mix a touch of sadness with inspiring melodies (Scud Mountain Boys/ Songs: Ohia).

Modern American Science

Day 29 of 365: Shut Your Eyes And You'll Burst Into Flames

Another Leeds band. Another that seems to have few recognisable musical antecedents. Impossible to describe other than to say there's a freshness of approach and a willingness to take risks similar to the alternative post-punk explosion.

Shut Your Eyes And You'll Burst Into Flames

Have I Got Noise For You

First, a mention of recent CDs:

Introstay by Years Around The Sun

Beautiful music that reminds me of The Go-Betweens in the Cattle and Cain period. I even think one of them looks like Grant McLennan.

Years Around The Sun

Can't go back by *Armstrong

Debut single from a young Rock band who have energy and enthusiasm and an understanding of melody.

*Armstrong

Twenty Years of Love and Pain...They Feel The Same by Gojo' music

Political Roots music from Wolverhampton. A little bit of Blues, a bit of funk and lots of fine acoustic guitar playing.

Gojo' Music

Now the reason for the title of this post. I received 10 CDs from Italy. Eight of these CDs are firmly in the Hardcore camp ranging from the high octane guitar and shouting to the post-electronica remix of Hardcore. I'm actually a bit sad to pass them on but my new reviewer RichardTheGreat actually knows about this style of music. I don't know if they read my appeal for Hardcore and Metal on the site but this is like manna from heaven. To name a few of the bands they are Orange Man Theory, Ensoph (my particular favourite), 7 Times Suicide, Madwork, and Straight Opposition.

For a sample try Orange Man Theory and Ensoph

Day 28 of 365: These Monsters

The maturity of the the music that These monsters make shines through, even though they look young and are at the first self-produced EP stage. They are chilled when they want to be chilled, and yet they effortlessly turn up the dial to full power. These Monsters are Post Rock instrumental in the Mogwai vein with atmospheric textures you can let wash over you like ocean waves.

These Monsters

Syd Barrett

It's just been announced that Syd Barrett died last Friday. Truth is Syd was lost to the world a long time ago. But his star burnt bright for a short while. Here is a glimpse of his genius, live in 1967 playing Astronomy Domine.

Day 27 of 365: Scouting For Girls

Songs from a more innocent age from a band in their early stages. It's simply pop music. A sort of pop music that only the English (and the Scandinavians) can produce: quirky, charming, and off-kilter. Have no fear, you will hear of this band again. They have some marketing nous - you can join the Wolf Cubs for free and you get a free CD, badge and booklet. They release each CD with a handy scouting booklet. I predict that these will become highly prized collectible items (I'm eagerly awaiting mine). But hey, who cares; the world as a few more songs that celebrate life and love.

Day 26 of 365: Belarus

This is the Belarus video I last mentioned a month ago in another context. This is epic Indie. This is a band that write great songs and are there to inspire you.

Day 25 of 365: Things In Herds

Do you ever like to spend time alone. To get away from everyone and have time to think. Turn the lights low and just sit quietly and mull things over. Well, there is a soundtrack for that. A soundtrack that will sweat out any disappointment in love you have ever experienced. I listen and it hurts as they drag that emotion up - but I always feel better afterwards. Things In Herds touch me like no other band.

Things In Herds on MySpace

Times They Are A Changin'

Having just posted about An Immaculate Affair, I read today that they have parted company with their singer Mychael (whose voice I liked so much). Time to download the tracks off the myspace site before they are replaced. I hope AIA prosper with a new front man but I also desperately want to hear Mychael again in some other project.

Day 24 of 365: The Half Rabbits

Todays highly recommended lesser known band was easy. I just opened my mail and there it was: Tiny Knives For Tiny Minds an EP by The Half Rabbits. Three tracks of very confident Indie rock. Great songs, insistent guitar work and rhythmic variation. You can hear the swagger in the singer's voice and it really is a voice that warrants a big swagger with its power and depth. Certainly made my night.

Dare I even mention that they are from Oxford (where I currently reside) so I think I might even have a reason for leaving the house one evening.

The Half Rabbits

Fugitive From The Law (rant)

I'm in hiding currently. I used a swear word in my blog a few days ago. Now I read about the action being taken against such depravity in Britain at the moment.

A man fined 80 pounds for saying a metal detector was a "piece of shit that wouldn't stop anyone".

An 18 year old who answered the question "What have you been up to?" with "Fuck All" and was fined 80 pounds.

Best of all is the quote from the second story:

"Swearing and abusive behaviour certainly is not normal behaviour and I feel it should never be used in a public place," said councillor Julie Rook.

What world is she living in? 1950's Britain? But even in the 50's it was only the fucking middle class that said "Sugar" instead of shit. The upper and working classes called a spade a shit shovel.

Give the police, the councils any power and this what they do with it. Swearing AT people is aggresive and unpleasant. But no, use any "bad" word now and six policemen jump on you.

I'm waiting for armed police to break down the door as I write...