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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.
The Duchess seems to have pinched the pick of the live circuit crop this week with three stand-out gigs, beginning with the visit of The Sadies on Tuesday 7th. Boasting a sound that draws on folk, indie and psychadelia in equal measure, the Canadian quartet are currently warming up ahead of their set at this year's Godspeed You! Black Emperor-curated ATP Nightmare Before Christmas in Minehead, Somerset. They are followed on Wednesday 8th by the Detroit-based Electric Six. While you may be only familiar with the group through their 2003 hit singles 'Danger! High Voltage' and 'Gaybar', the group have released seven studio albums since then and in addition recorded a live album in Oxford just a couple of weeks ago.
The venue is then set to punctuate the weekend in style with a performance from Dundee band The View on Saturday 11th. While the group initially formed in 2005 as a cover band, they were encouraged to write their own material and soon came to the attention of the music broadcasting hierachy. Five years, two acclaimed albums and numerous tours and festival appearances later, the quintet are set to release their third LP early next year and their visit to York is probably considered a must if you read NME.
The University Concert Series also has a busy week ahead with three major concerts; on Wednesday 8th the University Choir presents it's autumn term concert, a performance of Brahms' masterpiece the German Requiem in Central Hall. Arranged for piano-duet accompaniment, the work is also joined on the programme by Vaughan Williams' Mystical Songs.
On Friday, the Sir Jack Lyons Concert Hall hosts Chimera, a contemporary music ensemble featuring students from across the music department. This term's programme features works by Thomas Adès, Thomas Simaku and Philip Cashian's Chamber Concerto with a free pre-concert talk given by the composer himself. The following evening, the same stage presents the European Union Baroque Orchestra directed by Lars Ulrick Mortensen; they bring a varied programme containing works by composers as popular as Vivaldi and Albinoni, and as little known as Zelenka and Locatelli.
Finally, there is one truly special act that Fibbers have lured in, Chantel McGregor who performs on Friday 10th. A prodigiously talented guitarist and singer, she is now in her early twenties and is touring with unique performances of rock and blues standards as well on top of her own songs. See and hear her performing a Hendrix classic here:
Flying the British flag in the run up to Christmas this week is Natasha Bedingfield who releases her fourth studio album today. Somewhat attention-seekingly titled Strip Me, the album was completed in July and, with a handful of influential industry boffins having chipped into the project, it looks to be a fitting follow up to 2008's Pocketful Of Sunshine.
Crossing the pond gives us a sublime-to-ridiculous range to choose from this week. Good news first, Canadian electronica maestro deadmau5 unveils his third studio album in as many years today. Released through Virgin Records, 4x4=12 is said to be Joel Thomas Zimmerman's first 'artist album', with his two previous LPs being considered compilations.
Pitched comfortably between the great and the ghastly comes American rapper T.I. with No Mercy, his seventh studio album in nine years. After a comparatively long pause of two years, this LP marks a turning point in the musician's career; he's claimed that on this release he will be refraining from 'gun talk'. Wonderful.
But finally, what you've all been waiting for. It's Jessica Simpson. Yes. She's back. But it gets better; she's only gone and made a Christmas album! Drawing together original songs and timeless classics, Happy Christmas (a title of mulled wine-spluttering innovation) looks set to be the landmark release of the season. Even Willie Nelson couldn't resist a bit part in 'Merry Christmas Baby'. Get yourself into the festive spirit (or better still, drink some; it'll cushion the blow, honest) with lead single 'My Only Wish', a track that appears to be a shameless reworking of 'All I Want For Christmas Is You'. I think this video was made by Jessica's fans. How adorable.
Local Natives – 'Who Knows Who Cares'
Heavy on the harmony and violin melody this track meanders majestically from beginning to end. The Local Natives surprised many unsuspecting festival goers, and music critics alike, this summer with breathtaking performances on the UK festival circuit. An exciting harmony heavy, melodic folk-rock band from California, 'Who Knows Who Cares' epitomises the laid back beauty that this band exude in their music. It's the last single from their truly captivating album Gorilla Manor, definitely worth checking out.
Hugh White
Patrick Wolf - 'Time Of My Life'
Patrick’s back, after a year off, with more of his unique classical/electronic sampling mixture, and he doesn’t disappoint. Written after a bad break up, he’s admitting that the time of his life is over whilst retaining some cheerful irony – ‘happy without you’. From the grand and dramatic string opening to the raw emotion-filled bridges and catchy chorus, this song just works, and should satisfy old fans whilst gently introducing newcomers to his distinctive style.
Charlotte Tobitt
Kings Of Leon - 'Pyro'
‘Pyro’, a slower, softer offering, is definitely one of the highlights from new album Come Around Sundown. Steady drum beats are base for a work that showcases guitar skill and frontman Caleb Followill’s vocal ability. Plucked broken chords create a mellow tone to demonstrate the band’s complete workings of the pop-rock spectrum. Whilst some believe Kings Of Leon have ‘sold-out’ to the mainstream, tracks such as this depict a maturity in their production and delivery. ‘I won’t ever be a cornerstone’ sings Followill; but this signifies the group as cornerstone of 21st century music.
Alex Jackson
the view are a bad, bad band
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