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 and album releases from the week ahead, as well as a guide to the hottest tickets in town for live music.
If the exam season is proving too much for you and you simply can't find the time to trek all the way into town for your live music fix then worry not! Simply drop into the Music Department during the day between Tuesday and Friday this week to catch one of the many student Final Recitals taking place. Each concert is just half an hour in length and there is no charge for admission. Just take a look at the schedule for details.
If your own schedule has become more relaxed by the weekend and you find yourself twiddling your thumbs as you didn't manage to grab tickets to Adam Ant & The Good The Mad And The Lovely Posse at The Duchess, then you're in luck. On Saturday 4th June, head over to Fibbers where Fratellis frontman Jon Fratelli (maybe you, like me, had always wondered where they got their name from...) will be offering up material from his debut solo album Psycho Jukebox for your delectation. Meanwhile, on Sunday 5th you can catch more great music next door at The Duchess, as it plays host to Irish folk songstress Cara Dillon, Currently touring in support of her fourth studio album Hill Of Thieves, released on her own shiny new record label. You can sample her dulcet tones yourself below:
This week sees the return of thoughtful indie quartet Death Cab For Cutie, who release their LP Codes and Keys today. It certainly feels like it's been more than three years since 2008's acclaimed Narrow Stairs, and accordingly the Washington band are presenting a revitalised sound, frontman Ben Gibbard suggesting a departure from their previous guitar-based efforts.
Meanwhile, in the time it's taken for Gibbard & Co. to produce a new record, Glasgow trio Sparrow and the Workshop have practically established their careers. After initial success with an EP in 2009 and a debut album the following year, the group are today releasing their second full-length LP. As its title suggests, Spitting Daggers sees the band stray further from their folk roots, incorporating acerbic guitar effects within grittier songs. You can dip your ear into the album by listening to its taster single, 'Snakes in the Grass' below. With what appears to be a belated Easter theme, the video charts the band's hunt for colourful eggs:
Wiz Khalifa - 'Roll Up'
This song makes me feel like I have to invent new insults. Getting through its three minutes and fifty-seven seconds is an endurance test of almost unparalleled torture. And I just did that. Twice. I think my favourite part is the utterly shameless and hilariously incongruous product placement for the phone app of an internet search engine about half way through. My three year-old cousin has created more innovative music than this with a key-tar and a toy trumpet. Following the second listen I was paralysed by its awfulness. My housemates found me two hours later staring blankly at my laptop. Oh just go and listen to Will Smith, the lot of you. - Lucie Vincer
Wiley ft. Ed Sheeran - 'If I Could'
Opening promisingly with a spacious loop bed, rapper Wiley lures in man-of-the-moment Ed Sheeran to provide wistful backing-vocals for his latest single offering. Unfortunately, ‘If I Could’ is all too fleeting and its three variation-less minutes leave you feeling short-changed. While there is lyrical inventiveness to be enjoyed here, you can’t help wondering exactly what point Wiley is trying to make; he frequently seems to be making broad statements both about life and the music industry, but the collective result is somewhat incoherent. The video only serves to confuse matters further, throwing occasional nods to Gaza, Bob Marley and ‘the hood’ (sadly not the villain from Thunderbirds). ‘I can still have a chart run’, he claims; it doesn’t reflect well on the charts. - Rich Powell
For more regular updates on local and national musical happenings, follow us on Twitter! We are @YorkerArts.
comment deleted by a moderator Um anonymous I really don't think the person was slagging off hip-hop R+B etc in general, it was just this song was, in their view, not very good. And that is a perfectly legitimate opinion to have, just as your opinion that is is good is a perfectly legitimate opinion to have
In addition we do cover hip-hop positively, we just reviewed Goblin by Tyler the Creator (and a very good album it is too in my opinion). Just pointing that out.
well #2 i don't think you read the prior comment properly as it was referring to past articles. However, as it has now been deleted, i don't suppose we can argue this point. so much for freedom of speech... FYI in the real world, writers don't delete negative comments - it's called constructive criticism, you take it onboard and move on.
Cara Dillon is absolutely brilliant live - I saw her in Belfast several years ago, and her voice is perfection.
You must log in to submit a comment.
Report