Architects have announced they will be supporting A Day To Remember on their March tour of the UK.
Check them out at the following dates:
9th – Newcastle – O2 Academy 2
10th – Glasgow – ABC
11th – Manchester – Academy
12th – London – HMV Forum
13th – Bristol – Uni Anson Rooms
14th – Birmingham – O2 Academy 2
Dizzee Rascal has always had hits, that goes without saying. From pure grime I Luv U through Stand Up Tall to guitar based Sirens, he has shown he can rock over any beat and produce catchy anthems. The problem he’s had is that his albums tend to have a fair amount of filler, so whilst his Best Of would be brilliant, it’s hard to listen to an entire album without skipping tracks.
On his new record, Tongue N Cheek, the East London rapper has countered that with a fully listenable which covers the gamut from pop to dance and even managing to break out an 80’s sounding track without coming off like a trend follower. Indeed, whilst the lyrics are pretty standard fare – I’m awesome, I can get girls, I’m rich – it’s Dizzee’s off-kilter delivery and unbeatable voice that makes that seem unimportant.
It’s not just the sing-along potential of Bonkers and Dance Wiv Me that makes this album fun, its tracks such as Dirrtee Cash, Money Money and the fantastic Can’t Tek No More which switch it up and show Dizzee to be the versatile rapper he is.
Whilst the likes of Bizzle and Kano have fallen by the wayside, Dizzee goes from strength to strength and this is arguably the pinnacle of his career so far. He’s going to be here for a long time yet and as long as he’s banging out records like this, it’s going to be fun having him around.
Abjekt.
Speech Debelle has ditched her label and slated them for poor sales.
The rapper, who won the Mercury Prize this year, blamed Big Dada for the record not selling well saying “I was disappointed in the people I was working with. I wasn’t on a big label and the machine wasn’t there”.
However we at Crossfire are huge fans of Ninja Tune and Big Dada and the people who work there and bring up the likes of Blockhead, Roots Manuva, Toddla T, Ghislain Poirier and Thavius Beck, and we know they work as hard as any label out there.
Looks like sour grapes from Debelle. Let’s see if her next album, on another label, sells millions…
It’s a classic tune, but have you ever seen pigs, penguins, bears and a Swedish Chef sing Bohemian Rhapsody? No? Well now you can:
Heaven, London
17th November 2009
Manchester Orchestra are one of those bands you might’ve heard of but haven’t quite got around to checking out yet. Well, check them out quick. Every soul who they’ve played to in their diligent trips to the UK over the past couple of years seems to have been drawn back to the band like a moth to a lightbulb whenever they come back to these shores.The audience at Heaven tonight is rapt and enjoying every second.
The fascinating thing about Manchester Orchestra’s live set is the intense range of dynamics on show. From the softly softly acoustic portions, tackled solo by frontman Andy where you can hear every murmur in the crowd, to the full on intensity and delicious but ear-assaulting jaggedness of their rockier material such as current single ‘Shake It Out’. Keyboardist Chris often takes to his own drumkit (yes, a second in addition to Jeremiah’s regular kit) at poignant louder moments, building the concentration of power in the music to an overwhelming height only to be stripped right back again to its bare bones.
The singles from latest album ‘Mean Everything To Nothing’ are clear standout tracks here with ‘Shake It Out’ and the radio-friendly but emotive ‘I’ve Got Friends’ being surefire crowd pleasers. Having said that, every single track the band bring out is beautifully crafted and executed in the live arena with such aplomb, that you can’t help but be in awe of their talents. They tread the fine line between perfectionism and rocking out without a care in the world so the music sounds free and easy yet tightly observed and flawlessly performed at the same time. The members of Manchester Orchestra are clearly beyond comfortable playing with each other and have developed that sixth sense of understanding what each other is doing that comes when you have played and worked hard in an ensemble for long enough. True brilliance at work.
Winey G
There may well be a new album by The Strokes on the way.
Nikolai Fraiture of the band wrote on his twitter that he and the band’s manager went to look at studios in New York, ready for a recording session in January.
Julian Casablancas, who has recently put out a solo album, also stated that the band were due to get together in January. Watch this space.
Blood Red Shoes will play some new songs in London this Wednesday [25th].
The duo will play a set at the Cro Bar in Soho and entry is on a first-come, first-served basis. They have said the new album is heavier than the last and they’re looking forward to showing it off. To remind you of what they’re about, check the video below.
It was a strange one to witness on a on a Monday night in a cold London Town but LA’s OG hardcore act Germs flew into town to the Water Rats last night and they tore the place up good and proper.
Fronted by actor Shane West playing the role of Darby Crash who died from a heroin overdose in 1980 the band fueled by the original line up of smiley guitarist Pat Smear, bassist Lorna Doom, and bonkers drummer Don Bolles. played a 40 minute set with no security people in front of a sweaty, raucous crowd.
Look out for a live review this week and of you were wondering how this all came about after so long then check out the trailer to the film What We Do Is Secret here.
The Brian Jonestown Massacre are streaming their new album in its entirety online.
The album, titled Who Killed Sgt. Pepper?, is set to be released on January 1st 2010 and can be heard in full at the official site. The tracks are uploaded to YouTube so get set for a weird ride! Here’s a taster:
Pulled Apart By Horses have revealed dates for their new UK tour.
The band, who will be curating an “Xmas Alldayer Show” at the Cockpit in Leeds on December 5th, will hit the following dates in December:
3rd – High Wycombe, Bucks New Union
5th – Leeds, The Cockpit (Xmas Alldayer Show)(5)
15th – Glasgow, Captains Rest
16th – Edinburgh, Sneaky Pete’s
19th – Southend, Chinnerys