Sub Pop Records turned 20 this week! Awww! To celebrate, they mounted an attack on the Seattle Space Needle, and proudly flew their freak flag. Matador Record's 20th is next year. Will we get to see their flag flying from the Empire State Building? A commemorative bull fight in Central Park featuring Cat Power? The DFA lighting bolt replacing the Statue of Liberty's Flame in 2021? Maybe Modular will hang a giant disco ball from the Harbour Bridge. Oh wait...

Feature Album Review - Wild Beasts: Limbo, Panto

I never know what to expect from bands signed to or affiliated with UK record label, Domino but I have to admit, I’m very rarely disappointed. Newly signed four piece, Wild Beasts are no exception.

I came to the album with no clue as to what I was getting myself into. I sat down, pressed play on my CD player and came to some odd 40 minutes later.

Wild Beasts debut album, Limbo Panto had me mesmerised from the first minute right up until the last. So much so that if you had of asked me what I thought after that first listen I would have been at a loss to tell you.

Now that I’ve had time to break free from the spell I have to conclude that I adore it. The unpredictability coupled with the ingenious melodies and unique vocals make for a distractingly vivid listen.

I’ve often found myself preaching as to the importance of ‘the album’ and the way songs should fit and flow within their given context. Wild Beasts have created one of the most satisfying examples of an album that I’ve heard in a long time.

Limbo Panto is an experience, that much is for sure but if I had to distinguish certain tracks for individual consumption then I suppose I’d I have to go with songs like ‘Devil’s Crayon’, ‘His Grinning Skull’, ‘Brave Bulging Buoyant Clairvoyants’ and the stunning closer ‘Cheerio Chaps, Cheering Goodbye’.

There is very little I can honestly think to compare Wild Beasts sound but to experience their music is to be drawn into a world of dramatic performance, everything is heightened and overblown but in the best possible, most enjoyable way. I sincerely doubt this kind of record would appeal to the masses. It’s imperfect nature would just be too much for most to bare but I find it charming and recommend it to all who are brave enough to give it a go.

I'm a loser, baby

Dear Beck,

Happy Birthday [for yesterday]

38 eh? Fuck you're getting old.
Though I bet your Thetan is older or whatever you believe in...
Also, I heard your knew album kind of blows?
Whats the dealio?
I haven't actually heard it yet so It could actually be alright.
What's the go with musicians releasing albums on their birthdays? Cat Power did it with Jukebox too, is it so people will not say anything bad about it 'coz it's your birthday and all? Who knows...


Yours truly,
Tegan

the day we realised we should have become sculpture artists..

....well at least lesley did.

Seriously.

Feature Album Review - The Early Learnings of Eugene McGuinness

2008 has been an amazing year for new music so far, with a myriad of bands bringing out near jaw-droopingly good debut releases. From Cajun Dance Party to The Silents to Vampire Weekend I’ve just been continually surprised and delighted.

Another fantastic debut which has just come to my attention is actually a mini album of 8 tracks by an incredible young songwriter by the name of Eugene McGuinness. The album is entitled The Early Learning’s of Eugene McGuinness and is one of the rawest most satisfyingly beautiful collection of songs I’ve heard in a long while.

I hadn’t heard a bar of McGuinness’ work before listening to the record but I was instantly taken with his quirky, addictive and melodic sound. This twenty-something lad from Liverpool has undoubtedly become an instant favourite of mine. Especially with tracks such as the catchy opener ‘High Score’ as well as his first single ‘Monsters Under The Bed’.

Other tracks of note include, ‘Bold Street’, ‘A Child Lost In Tesco’ and ‘A Girl Whom My Eyes Shine For But My Shoes Run From’.

But when it comes down to it I can’t seem to gush enough about the merits of this recording as a whole. The Early Learning’s Of is such a beautiful collection of tracks. McGuinness has a gift for stringing a song together that very few seem to possess.

The Early Learning’s Of is only the beginning though. A first effort. The knowledge of that alone leaves me in a state of frenzied anticipation for what’s to come. If my instincts are working at all then it’s only going to get better from here on in.

Apparently a full length release has just finished being recorded and has a tentative release date of October this year. I for one am dying to hear it. If you’re looking for a new exciting musical obsession then give Eugene McGuinness a listen and get in on the ground floor of what’s bound to be a highly crowded bandwagon.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY PATRICK!!!

The Lovely Mr Patrick Wolf turned 25 yesterday on the 30th of June. So in honor of that here's Patty performing Bluebells live in his lounge room...