Category: Buzz Chart

Yes, John Darnielle is back with a brand new Mountain Goats album, the rather splendid Heretic Pride, which everyone in HQ know, I was pissing myself excited to get hold of after waiting for ages.

No return to the old-style, grotty lo-fi Panasonic boombox recordings, which I really wish he would do, but another well polished and beautifully constructed masterpiece. Having just featured on Aesop Rock’s recent track ‘Coffee’ (also incredible), Darnielle has taken a more positive outlook and sound with this album, compared to the slightly more morose and downbeat sounds of previous albums, such as All Hail West Texas, which wallowed in lost longing.

So, a happy album and happy singing from a very distinct voice that blows away the awful warblings and screeches of recent voclaists, ala Nash and Allen. Not many people can make folk music cool, but Mountain Goats do oh so very well, and combined with giving away opening track Sax Rohmer #1 for free and an incredible video filmed by Ace Norton (yes, that’s right, Aes Rock video director), Herectic Pride is one of my top albums for this year so far. A lot seems to suggest that Darnielle might go back to the ‘Hail Satan’ stylings if the latest collaborations and videos are anything to go by, all my fingers are crossed for that one, but for now, this is perfect.

When you think of the Wu Tang Clan, you can’t help but picture the Samurai obsessed rappers bounding around, ripping the hell out of beats in their own individual way. Their debut, 36 Chambers, is one of the all time classics and their has always been weight on their shoulders as people wonder if they can ever reach those heady heights again.

The feedback has been mixed, with some people saying it lacks bangers and others claiming the new laid back style shows another step in the maturity of RZA’s production. I’m firmly esconsed in the latter, as I think this album gives the Wu collective a perfect chance to show they’ve still got it whilst at the same time switching their style so they can move out of their comfort zone.

Don’t get me wrong though, there are some straight up flames on this record, Rushing Elephants being the perfect example of a heavy slamming beat which Raekwon takes apart on the opening verse. But it is the likes of The Heart Gently Weeps which uses a Beatles tune and the brilliant Wolves [which you can hear above], featuring the sublime George Clinton.

The Wu are back and it was well worth the wait.

Abjekt.

DJ Alibi is a Russian-Canadian producer on Tres Records, and when you’re on Tres Records, you’re basically acknowledged as being great. Home to Giant Panda and People Under The Stairs, it’s a label that guarantees smooth beats to get those heads nodding and those feet tapping.

Having heard the brilliant Let’s Ride featuring the initmitable styles of Insight on the vocals on DJ Alibi’s myspace, I knew I had to check out the rest of the album and when I did, I wasn’t disappointed. It’s full of summery hip hop goodness with great percussion and when he ropes in his MC mates Bamboombox, Insight and Giant Panda, it gives it an even greater dimension.

The track you can hear above is Guns Of Kabul, one of the standout tracks on a cracking record, and from the first second the drums come in, you’re hooked. Crank it up!

Abjekt

If you haven’t discovered Black Mountain yet, be prepared because they’re not what you might think. At first the name conjures up visions of Tolkein-esque ravaged peaks, but these Mountains definitely come with added technicolour. Imagine if Wolf Mother got trapped in the telepod from ‘The Fly’ with Deep Purple instead of Jeff Goldblum. That is Black Mountain. They combine psychedelic organ weirdness with heavy guitar chugging, which dives back down into slow droning harmonies – perfect for when you’re a little bit intoxicated.

Not surprising when some members of the band work in a Vancouver rehab centre for heroin addiction. The highs and lows these guys see everyday clearly come across in their music with the record getting progressively more droning and organ-driven. But it’s the beginning of the album that shines here, with the slow chord, string-laden ‘Angels‘ showing that ‘In The Future’ definitely tops their previous releases.

Moose

Move over Winehouse, there’s a new pretender for your crown as soul queen of London.

Hailing from Brixton, Adele Adkins is blessed with a smooth, sultry tone to her voice, a deep and soulful resonance that’s enough to give you goose bumps. Following the success of her limited edition debut single ‘Hometown Glory‘, Adele is back with the Eg White co -written/produced ‘ Chasing Pavements‘.

With an understated, beautifully subtle opening the track transcends into a wonderfully full and sound, the rich and sincere vocals intertwined with spine tingling strings. Whilst a little overly sentimental in parts, the track is a smooth introduction to the maintstream for Adele, who possess real talent both with her vocal range and song writing, and an earnest sincerity to her tracks that belie her young age.

With her Jim Abbiss (Artic Monkeys, Kasabian) produced album ‘19‘ due out shortly, and the enthusiastic airplay she’s enjoying (including a slot in the Live Lounge on Radio 1) this is one UK artist who could prove worthy of the hype. With a hauntingly beautiful voice, and a plethora of emotive intelligent tracks up her sleeves, this girl could go stellar. Watch this space…and watch that crown Wino…

Dee Massey

Going from the electro screamo collaboration known as Test Icicles to the grunge classical Light speed Champion, Dev Hynes has really challenged himself this time as there are high expectations all round after his performance in the far-fetched Test Icicles. Hynes has made an impressive attempt to pull off this challenge after his previous project left the scene with such a huge following. The pressure is on…

This little catchy number is the 3rd single set to be released by this new found country-rock songster. With help from singer/ songwriter Emmy the Great, they form an immense bond which interacts well. ‘Tell Me What It’s Worth‘ brings more of a chilled out vibe to the table, throughout the song it picks up more and more, even announcing hiccupping which is a first. Nice one.

Falling Off The Lavender Bridge is Light Speed Champions debut album which is due for release later this year. I would recommend it as part of your collection. Keep it up Dev….

Holly Louise.

A record that has been making some waves in the underground over the last few months has been the debut album from 22 year old Blu who has teamed up with Exile on the beats. Exile was known to some for his part in the duo Emanon with Aloe Blacc and with his vintage beats lacing the path for the newcomer’s rhymes, it seems like a perfect match.

Whilst many have said this is going to be known as a classic in the future, it is probably far too early to tell if this has lasting value, but one thing is for sure – it is a great record. It’s one of those albums that you can stick on when you’re moping about and instantly feel good about the world and with the long, cold nights at the moment, this is an instant remedy.

The track you can hear above is My World Is… which showcases the soulful Exile’s talent as well as giving a platform for Blu to show just why he is being touted as one of the hottest rhymesayers in the underground. He tells us “I’ma ride til I crash” but with tracks like this, he won’t be doing that any time soon.

Abjekt.

Back in the 16th of July last year, the remaining members of classic UK punk band The Ruts regrouped with ex-Black Flag frontman Henry Rollins for a now legendary show at the Islington Academy in London.

The reason for this was guitarist Paul Fox was dying of inoperable lung cancer and the Ruts and their friends and peers in bands like The Damned, Misty In Roots and UK Subs came together for what was an incredible night as The Ruts played for the last time in their lives for their friend Paul. You can read all about it here.

Paul sadly died in October of last year but later this month sees another celebration of his life and a DVD of that classic night last year. This month also sees the releases of an exclusive download of ‘Babylons Burning’ from the gig featuring Rollins on vocals. Check it out:

A NIGHT OF LIVE MUSIC & FILM
Presented by HENRY ROLLINS
At The Shepherds Bush Empire, London
Friday 25th January
7pm

James Sherry

Amidst the over-produced dross that so often passes for punk rock these days, it’s great to discover a band (better still, a home-grown band) that reminds you just how fucking powerful and life-affirming the genre can be when it’s done properly.

Wakefield quintet Milloy are one such band, and ‘More Than A Machine‘ is their stormer of a debut album. There are no wasted words or notes on offer here; just songs like ‘Hammer & Blades‘ and ‘February‘ that rock out in the vein of Leatherface, Hot Water Music and early Snuff. If you like the sound of gruff Northern vocals, rough-edged melodies and duelling guitars, then Milloy are definitely for you.

Strictly speaking, this is a re-release, which combines the original version of ‘MTAM‘ (on Crackle Records, from 2005) with bonus tracks from the band’s split EP with Billy No Mates. But you probably hadn’t heard it first time around, and this lot deserve all the exposure they can get. Nice one, Household Name. Nice one, Milloy.

Check out ‘Blackjack’ on the link above.

Alex Gosman

Fancy getting fucked up this Christmas? Let’s face it, that’s what the Christmas spirit is about for most of us – an excuse to get wasted. Fuck it, it’s Christmas, let’s double the excess and ballbags to the consequences.

Big fat Canadian punk fuckers Fucked Up have got themselves into the Christmas spirit with a cheeky little single called ‘David Christmas‘ – ‘take heed of the brightest star shining in the sky, take heed of the arrival of the three men oh so wise’ they scream in true punk rock fashion, successfully bringing the spirit of Christmas to the bleak and cynical world of hardcore punk. Better still, ‘David Christmas‘ is a cracking slice of Fucked Up’s stomping street-hardcore sound.

The B-side is even better and features answer messages from all of their celebrity friends including Nelly Furtado, Cole Black Lips, Davey Havoc and many more. You need this for xmas. If you can find it that is, 1000 7″ singles only and they’ve already all gone. Too slow punks, too slow. But hear it here…

James Sherry