Cali rapper Murs has teamed up with Terrace Martin for an album called Melrose and has released a video for one of the tracks on the record.
Fresh Kicks is an ode to fly shoes and gives a nice shout out to Nike SB amongst others. If you’re a sneaker freak or just like some minimal beats and raps, then this is definitely one for you. The collaborative album is out now, so have a watch below and grab the album if you’re into it.
Even if you’re not, watch it for Murs’ hair. We love it.
Among Brothers
Homes
Barely Regal
Having introduced themselves with the excellent Zero Years compilation last Spring, Cardiff based label Barely Regal have moved on to release the debut EP from Among Brothers. Featuring both of the label’s co-founders, Among Brothers are a six piece chamber pop outfit, combining jittery electronic rhythms with a colorful mixture of guitar, keys and violin. Although this might be a well trodden path, the band’s purposeful and emotive songwriting makes this EP a compelling listen.
Things start very brightly with ‘Montgolfier’, the record’s first and possibly best song. Serving as a welcoming opening statement, the use of choral vocals creates a terrific urgency and drives the song through it’s modest 2 minute length. Comparisons to Efterklang will inevitably be made here but this is no criticism, as few bands could pull this off with such conviction. Arguably the song stops a little short (it really could go on for a lot longer), but its short length whets your appetite nicely.
From here, the results are more mixed, but there are flashes of inspiration throughout. Particularly album closer ‘Great Famine Family’ which runs ‘Montgolfier’ close for the EP’s best track. Again choral vocals are used effectively here, creating a euphoric climax punctuated with intimate piano and subtle electronic glitches. In fact, the barely-there electronic bleeps and scuffles are particuarly effective, perhaps another nod to early Efterklang records.
While ‘Homes’ is a strong first release by any standard, there are also signs that there is something better to come from Among Brothers. For Barely Regal, too, this is another promising release from a growing indie label.
Sleekly Lion.
Lower Than Atlantis
Beech Like The Tree
A Wolf At Your Door Records
Beech Like The Tree is Lower Than Atlantis’ homage to their mate model Josh Beech and it demonstrates just why these young UK rockers are becoming such hot property. The track shows off the band’s songwriting prowess and their slight departure away from their punk roots. Essentially, what this song is is anthemic singalong rock. Where many British acts find themselves leaning toward a more American sound / style, LTA are quintessentially British – a quality that should stand them in good stead as they head off on a mammoth two month tour of the US this month. Those Americans love a good British accent.
With a sound that’s accessible but genuinely quite unique, Lower Than Atlantis are marrying their underground roots with some potentially massive rock melodies which are bound to wend their way into your head and not let go until you are constantly singing the band’s hooks. And the tunes aren’t catchy in an annoying way but in an organic, get under your skin kind of way that just perpetuates enthusiasm for the band and what they’re doing on the songs unleashed so far from forthcoming album ‘World Record’ (set for release 25th April on A Wolf At Your Door Records).
Having built their way up through the UK underground, LTA have started to get some serious mainstream attention on this latest single with Zane Lowe bestowing his ‘Hottest Record’ accolade and the likes of Greg James playing it on daytime Radio 1. With tracks as catchy as this and a burgeoning fanbase of kids and media alike, this is a band who are set to go far in 2011 so watch this space.
Winegums.
Yelawolf has spoken about his love of skateboarding but has assured both fans and skaters alike that he won’t be exploiting it.
Whilst he has never shied away from being a skater nor ever held himself back from professing his love for a good schralp, he recently said in an interview that he didn’t want to make tracks specifically about skating, as Lupe Fiasco and Pharrell have done in the past. He explained:
“It’s something I do, it’s something that I love doing, but it’s nothing that I’d ever want to exploit. I think skateboarders respect that, and I think that’s why I’ve been embraced within that culture, because I don’t want to write records about skateboarding. I don’t think it’s necessary, I don’t think it’s cool.”
You can see him on a board in the video below, for the remix of I Wish, which also sees him wearing arguably the best sweatshirt of all time.
When it’s still grey and cloudy outside, all you really need is an injection of sunshine and this new track from TiRon and Ayomari is just that.
If you’re into it, you can grab his two free mixtapes, both with excellent condiment related titles here: Ketchup and MSTRD.
Now whilst they’re downloading, get your shades on, kick back and chill…
TiRon & Ayomari – What You Waiting On from The Cafeteria Line on Vimeo.
Hip Hop producer Kno has been delivered a cease and desist order.
The beatmaker for rap group Cunninlynguists used uncleared samples on their A Piece Of Strange album from 2006 and was recently reprimanded as a result. However, he has said that he will keep on making beats and he was aware of what he was doing, in an interview with AboveGround:
“The music I make infringes on copyrights. I am aware of this and have been aware of this, that is why I don’t stress getting rich off of it, I tell people to download it if they want to and I sink any money I do make back into making more records…even if I were to give it away for free., it would still end up on YouTube and I’d still get served by Google-searching lawyers and publishing houses who think they might be able to squeeze money out of me.”
We checked out Darkest Hour at the Garage the other night and it was shred-tastic.
The band have a new album out shortly and have posted a track from it called Your Everyday Disaster online at ArtistDirect.com. So head over there for your riff-fix.
The new album is titled The Human Romance and it will be released in Europe on March 7th through Century Media Records.
Canadian band Protest The Hero will be releasing their third album Scurrilous on March 21st via Spinefarm Records. The album will be 10 tracks long and serves as the follow-up to 2008’s Fortress which featured Bloodmeat, a favourite of some of us at Crossfire.
More details are coming soon but in the meantime enjoy their awesome new press photo [eyes to the right here, people], check the tracklisting and watch the video to Bloodmeat below. This one’s going to be a biggun!
1. C’est la Vie
2. Hair-Trigger
3. Tandem
4. Moonlight
5. Tapestry
6. Dunsel
7. The Reign of Unending Terror
8. Termites
9. Tongue-Splitter
10. Sex Tapes
South Central have unleashed their new video onto the net and it’s one hell of a ride.
Watch the video below, for their upcoming single The Day I Die, out on March 14th as a sniper picks off all those in his sights except for the mysterious hooded duo walking straight down the middle of all the carnage.
2011 will see an album drop too, so keep those peepers peeled!
Sonisphere was one of our favourite festivals last year, despite stiff competition! This year’s line-up is looking even more impressive than last year’s with Weezer, Airbourne and Architects the latest acts to be added to the bill.
Not too shabby considering The Big 4 (Metallica, Anthrax, Slayer, Megadeth), Biffy Clyro and Slipknot are also playing and there will no doubt be a multitude of up and coming and established acts to be unveiled in the weeks leading up to the festival.
Sonisphere takes place 8th – 10th July 2011 at Knebworth House. For tickets and more info click here. The line up so far is:
THE BIG 4 – METALLICA, SLAYER, MEGADETH, ANTHRAX
BIFFY CLYRO
SLIPKNOT
AIRBOURNE
ARCHITECTS
DIAMOND HEAD
IN FLAMES
MASTODON
MOTÖRHEAD
PARKWAY DRIVE
WEEZER
We definitely want a repeat of Weezer’s brilliant antics at Reading and Leeds last year: