After watching T4 Fashion programme Frock Me and witnessing two student fashion designers attempting to find the new Gothic look that is supposedly this season's trend (Can't imagine swarms of Bristol uni fashionistas dressing like the Living dead, though there's certainly nothing wrong with that.) I thought it would give me an excuse to post about some of my beloved bands and artists that are about as fluffy as a cockroach.
The Cure
Finally, after what seems like forever, The Cure have a new album out. I know it's only been four years since their last record, but it seems like an age since we heard Robert Smith's lovelorn, melancholic vocals. It's good to be back.
Finally, after what seems like forever, The Cure have a new album out. I know it's only been four years since their last record, but it seems like an age since we heard Robert Smith's lovelorn, melancholic vocals. It's good to be back. Following on from their previous albums, 4.13 Dream retains some of its gothic charm, but with a more polished sheen. Songs like 'Sleep When I'm Dead' have memorable choruses that are almost as spooky as they are moreish, and although some of the songs on here are more mellow than before, you only need to hear 'Scream' to know that The Cure are back to doing what they do best. The climax of this track gives me chills and would be the perfect soundtrack to any cliche horror film. This really is The Cure at their most savage and brutal, listening to this track is like being punched in the gut. What surprises me is that there's been hardly a mention of the grandeur, gothic masterpiece that is 4.13 Dream in many of the music blogs I subscribe to. It makes me wonder if, with the influx of 80's style bands, some have forgotten about one of the original Gothic bands that engulfed the decade. If you're a fan of Joy Division or Black Kids and haven't heard of them, you're in for a treat.
4.13 Dream is Available to buy on iTunes, however you may want to physically buy the album if you can, there's been a lot of fuss lately, with Robert Smith advising fans not to use the iTunes store to buy the album, due to pricing issues.
4.13 Dream is Available to buy on iTunes, however you may want to physically buy the album if you can, there's been a lot of fuss lately, with Robert Smith advising fans not to use the iTunes store to buy the album, due to pricing issues.
The Horrors
Elsewhere, skulking in the clubs in deepest, darkest-Shoreditch- a very different group of doom merchants are set to resurrect the dead with their Zombie Garage rock. Reminiscent of seminal Echo and the Bunnymen but with slightly more balls, the skinny jeaned group make psychobilly sounds edgy enough to wake the dead. Farris and co. are one of the few bands that can make the organ sound cool, and add a new twist to the horror cliche, making short snippets of music dark and funky enough to get all of London's scene kids moving. Favourites of the NME, the fivesome have released only one album, Strange House, and are currently (so their Myspace tells me) recording their new album. I seriously recommend you listen to Strange House, even if the whole horror chic isn't your thing, they may surprise you. Plus, isn't their hair actually amazing?
Strange House is available to download on ITunes and is probably available to buy if you're still into the whole CD thing. If so, get with the times grandad!
Here's a video of their first single, Sheena is a Parasite' which was so apparently controversial that it was banned from airing. Enjoy. :)
Elsewhere, skulking in the clubs in deepest, darkest-Shoreditch- a very different group of doom merchants are set to resurrect the dead with their Zombie Garage rock. Reminiscent of seminal Echo and the Bunnymen but with slightly more balls, the skinny jeaned group make psychobilly sounds edgy enough to wake the dead. Farris and co. are one of the few bands that can make the organ sound cool, and add a new twist to the horror cliche, making short snippets of music dark and funky enough to get all of London's scene kids moving. Favourites of the NME, the fivesome have released only one album, Strange House, and are currently (so their Myspace tells me) recording their new album. I seriously recommend you listen to Strange House, even if the whole horror chic isn't your thing, they may surprise you. Plus, isn't their hair actually amazing?Strange House is available to download on ITunes and is probably available to buy if you're still into the whole CD thing. If so, get with the times grandad!
Here's a video of their first single, Sheena is a Parasite' which was so apparently controversial that it was banned from airing. Enjoy. :)
Ipso Facto
Following in the footsteps of Her Majesty Siouxsie Sioux, hauntingly beautiful girl group Ipso Facto are a band on everybody's radar at the moment. A far cry from the pristine pop of other all girl bands, Ipso Facto produce psychedelic rock/indie that, strangely, reminds me of The Long Blondes more than anything else. Listening to their songs, it's as if you're in a carnival haunted house and are being attacked by a clown that is just too happy. But in a good way. They are the modern equivalent of Siouxsie and the Banshees and are definitely ones to watch. Plus, they have a xylophone player, and everyone loves a xylophone.
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