James Arden checks out the garage rockers latest album.
The Christian rock band from Brighton bring religion to the masses.
Recipe for modern R'n'B album: liberal helpings of guest rappers and an overdose of sexual euphemisms.
The Yorker presents this week's succinct guide to goings-on of the musical variety, both locally and nationally. Here you'll find previews of a selection of single releases from the week ahead, as well as a guide to the hottest tickets in town for live music. Plus a round-up of goings on at the Grammy and Brit Awards.
While there was little in the way of the on-stage controversy that has dogged the event in recent years ("Imma' let you finish but..." etc.), last night's 53rd Annual Grammy Awards did not pass by without a degree of surprise. The biggest shock was the lack of a clean sweep from any act in particular, a feature that has become a large part of the ceremony's stereotype (see Beyoncé's six-trophy haul last year).
Eminem in particular was tipped for glory in the run-in with ten nominations but he ultimately triumphed in only two categories, inspiring numerous predictable-but-funny-nonetheless headlines utilising the rapper's hit 'Lose Yourself'. He was beaten to the much-coveted 'Best album' prize by Arcade Fire with their LP The Suburbs, an impressive acknowledgement of the Canadian rock band's recent cracking of the mainstream. Lady Gaga also left her mark on the evening's events, and not just in her seizing of significant awards ('Best pop vocal album' for The Fame Monster and 'Best female pop vocal performance' for 'Bad Romance'); the pop-queen made her entrance held aloft by in an egg-shaped cocoon.
The evening proved reasonably fruitful for British music too, with Muse picking up 'Best rock album' for The Resistance and La Roux claiming the 'Best electronic/dance album' category with their self-titled debut.
If only tomorrow night's Brit Awards were capable of following this example of something that might be vaguely described as unpredictability. The list of nominations reads for the most-part like a who's who of anyone even vaguely in-vogue in the music business: the 'British Single' category reads like a the 'Recent Downloaded' tab on your younger sibling's iTunes.
However, there are some well deserved nods for more interesting acts occupying various perches on the fame spectrum. Led Zepplin frontman Robert Plant pops up in the 'British Male Solo Artist' category (presumably for his recent work with Band of Joy who are actually a six-piece but nevermind, let's humour them on this one) while folk darling Laura Marling is up for 'British Female Solo Artist'. Ohio band The National are finally recognised in 'International Breakthrough Act' (though someone should probably point out that they've been going for over a decade and last year released their fifth studio album) while Kanye West, Robyn and Cee Lo Green all receive nods in other international categories. The Glee Cast are also nominated, make of this what you will...
Review all the nominations and remind yourself just who some of the acts are in this video:
If you have a reading week then why not use the extra 'study time' to feed your cultural campus appetite? On Wednesday 16th, the Sir Jack Lyons Concert Hall hosts the University Chamber Orchestra's annual concert. Conducted by John Stringer and third-year music student Daniel Parkinson, the ensemble present a programme that includes Mozart's Magic Flute Overture, Fauré's Pelléas et Mélisande suite and Ravel's popular jazz-influenced Piano Concerto performed by Paul Sild. The following day (Thursday 17th), the hall also sees students from the music department join forces with children from four local primary schools for The Darkening Green, the project of composer James Whittle. The concert combines music composed by Whittle and the children based on William Blake's Songs of Innocence and Experience.
More York student music can be heard this weekend up in Scarborough as part of the annual Yorkshire arts festival Coastival. Representing our fair establishment is the University Jazz Orchestra as they collaborate for a concert on Sunday 20th with Scarborough-based band Everyone An Army and local musicians Dan Whinney and Ben Sullivan as part of three days of arts entertainment (18th-20th). Other highlights include revered folk-punk band Levellers and former-Inspiral Carpets frontman Tom Hingley.
If you find yourself twiddling your thumbs on Sunday evening, you can remedy the situation by grabbing your coat and a willing/gullible friend and heading off to one of two quality gigs in the city centre (or both if you happen to be endowed with some sort of super-power). The Duchess hosts hot property Leeds band Vessels currently touring in support of Helioscope, the follow-up to their highly acclaimed 2009 debut White Fields & Open Devices. Meanwhile, Stereo offer more roots-based entertainment in the shape of up-and-coming quartet Polly and the Billets Doux. Take your pick.
Over at Fibbers, if you aren't one of the lucky few to possess a ticket for Frank Turner's sold out appearance on Thursday, then why not console yourself to the strains of Frankie And The Heartstrings on Friday? The hotly tipped Sunderland outfit are on the road flogging their new album Hunger. And while you're there, avoid a similar 'left-out' feeling by pre-booking tickets for the visit of beat-boxing sensation Beardyman on Monday 21st. If you gave me one minute to try and sum up what this sickeningly talented man can do, I wouldn't; I'd tell you to watch this instead:
Lady Gaga - Born This Way'
Lady Gaga’s much anticipated return has already been polarising fans, particularly drawing comparisons to Madonna’s ‘Express Yourself’. Traces of Madge’s ‘80s hit are certainly evoked, leaning more into poppy territory than usual, but it’s so friggin’ catchy that you can’t just listen to it once. Combine this with its universal all-embracing message, and I can already picture crowds in their thousands chanting 'I’m on the right track baby, I was born this way!'
Natalija Sasic
Lykke Li - I Follow Rivers'
As the first single from the second album, 'I Follow Rivers' has an interesting and exhilarating back drop comprising a selection of eclectic instruments. Complimented by Li's simple yet dramatic vocals, the Swedish born singer creates a mellow air to the track, whilst going a little more mainstream than on her previous record. Surprisingly catchy - you'll find yourself humming it for days after just one listen!
Faye Dobson
The XX are nominated for best album. IT CAME OUT IN 2009 FOOLS. Also can't believe they've managed to say "The National" and "glee cast" in the same breath. NME Awards have some interesting nominations, so long as you ignore half their categories, which are stupid.
You must log in to submit a comment.
Report