Bittersweet Silence

So, The Verve are to split- again.

Is anyone really that bothered?

Aaaaanyone?

Nope?

Didn't think so.

This is the third time in the band's career that they've decided to split, and I very much doubt it will be the last.

It is alleged that Verve guitarist Nick McCabe and bassist Simon Jones are no longer on speaking terms with lead singer Richard Ashcroft, following on from a statement on Myspace by McCabe saying that the and are on an "indefinite holiday." It's hardly a holiday if you're not going to come back, now is it? A source close to the band told the Sunday Mirror that the band haven't spoken to the frontman since doing V festival last year: "As far as Nick and Simon are concerned, Verve no longer exists," claiming that Ashcroft was using the reformation as an attempt to resurrect his failed solo career (though if you've heard any of his solo stuff, you know that it would only be the equivalent of flogging a dead horse).


Although the music industry is collectively rolling their eyes, the source also reputed that even if Ashcroft was to come back with his tail between his legs, the pair would simply tell him to "fuck off." But instead of filling their 'holiday' with sudoku and Tweeting, McCabe and Jones have formed a new band, Black Ships, with Goldfrapp violinist Davide Rossi. Let's hope their upcoming debut is better than the last Verve album, which was a bit of a letdown for me.


Still, nothing compares to the seminal Bittersweet Symphony. The song of my childhood, my dad would often play this in the car on family holidays, it still manages to bring a shiver down my spine and an overwhelming sense of hope.


This was my Glastonbury 'moment' circa 2008. Enjoy.

Songs to Make you go Aaaw..

Possibly the quaintest songs I've ever heard. Beautiful.

Coeur de Pirate

This week I've been obsessed with all things French; binging on Nutella and a whole lot of bread, and I finally got round to watching Persepolis which I'd definitely recommend if you want a bittersweet tale of war and, errm, Punk. I've also been lucky enough to find this song by Coeur de Pirate, a solo project of French Canadian Beatrice Martin, that's guaranteed to give you toothache with it's saccharine sweetness.

Coeur de Pirate- Comme des Enfants.MP3


I also managed to unearth an unfamiliar Soko track that absolutely melts my heart. I really am pathetic when it comes to music, aren't I?

Soko

This song is drenched in naive innocence and shows the usually blunt and cold Soko as a vulnerable girl in love. Aaw bless.

For fans of plinky plonky piano, I'd definitely check this out:

Soko- Take my Heart.MP3

Mystery of Le Mousquetaires

In an effort to prolong my boredom during the liberating but somewhat monotonous holidays, I've been delving into the underground realms of Folk Noir. Folk Noir (a branch of Neofolk) is described as music that shows 'dark undertones-' so like most folk then, I mean the genre has never been one full of chirpy prozac ridden harmonies and rosy cheeked youths playing xylophones, has it?
(Well, certainly not the type of folk I am accustomed to anyway).

Le Fils des Trois Mousquetaires

What strikes me as interesting about this band is that there is absolutely no information about them on t'internet; I found them on Last.fm which directed me to their Myspace page, only to have it tell me to go back to their Last.fm page, quite an odd promo tactic. And all without any trace of a bio. Strange. Infact, the only bit of information I have regarding this band is that they're from Belgium. Not that it matters a great deal, the music speaks more than any amount of biographical waffle.


There's something very distinctive and almost alluring about the mysterious gent's voice which suggests he's either a devout Doherty fan, or is his slightly more demure and possibly Belgian twin. But, for all we know, the guy could be your run of the mill butcher from Bruges who just happens to like a good singsong.


If this is typical Folk Noir then the Beatles must have been the emo kids of the 60's, there's not much in the way of sinister, brutal melodies here. The songs amble along at their own pace, slowly drawing you in before leaving you feeling thoroughly hypnotised. Although there are tinges of melancholy in wistful She Won't Be Home, it's certainly not going to be the music you'd top yourself to. I actually find the vocals to have a highly therapeutic effect on me, most notably Lullaby that plays up to its name entirely; gentle rocking acoustic chords over the top of the vocalists smooth as honey melody, perfect for chilling out and contemplating life.


Or just good to have a nap to, either way I like it.


Looking on the band's Last.fm page, there's one comment that pretty much sums up my opinion of these guys and Folk Noir in general: 'strange beauty.'

Le Fils de Trois Mousquetaires- Lullaby.MP3

Le Fils de Trois Mousquetairs- She Won't Be Home.MP3

New Florence Track

The follow up to Rabbit Heart (Raise it Up), Drumming Song is now available to watch on Youtube and Myspace.

Florence + The Machine - Drumming Song


I love Florence, it's no secret that she has an amazing voice and writes songs catchier than swine flu at an old folks' home, and her new single is no exception. This track is one of the more melodramatic stompers on her album, taking the jilted drumbeat and using it to create something almost tribal. However, it does seem that there's no real chorus here, or at least not one that stands out amazingly, but since when do songs need a chorus to be great? Bohemian Rhapsody went down quite well so I hear, and that was obviously a collection of about 4 different songs meshed together, with not much of a refrain in sight.

Florence and the Machine's new single, Drumming Song, is available to buy from 7th September.

Her album Lungs is out now- well worth the pennies in your pocket!

Is This It?

I've been meaning to post this track for a while. I was lucky enough to see a surprise set from the quirky ginger hippy at the DirtyBoots stage on the Thursday night of Glastonbury, and as well as being pleasantly surprised at his wit between songs, this track in particular rekindled my love of his music.



This was the only video I could find as it's a new one, and for a live track the quality is pretty good.




If this has whet your whistle for Mr Newton Faulkner's blend of chilled yet uplifting 'pop,' then I'd also recommend downloading People Should Smile More and Massive Attack cover Teardrop, as well as his chart hit Dream Catch Me.
His new album Rebuilt by Humans is out on September 21st.

It's About Time!

Finally after 3 long years since the release of the epic and grandiose Black Holes and Revelations, Muse are back with more mahoosive tunes. In the run up to the new album titled 'Resistance,' Muse have let the track United States of Eurasia out into the blogosphere.

There's definitely more than a touch of Queen here, with Bellamy's silky smooth vocals against the opening piano backing oozing elegance right up until the very Bohemian Rhapsody guitar riff is introduced. However, I would go as far as saying it packs more of a punch than the seminal track. There's something else at work here that I can't quite put my finger on- maybe it's the chromatic Middle Eastern vibe or just the amazing musicianship, but I think this track incorporates everything that is Muse: a sense of controlled urgency that draws you in, right before hitting you around the face with a lethal dose of rock.



So to sum up- I love this track.



What do you think, Queen rip-off or a sign of good things to come from Muse's next album?



United States of Eurasia.MP3

In For The Kill

It's a been a while, I know, but I've been suffering from writing drought. That is, I've found tons of new music for you lovely people but just don't have the motivation to write anything amazing about them. Keep your eyes peeled though as I shall be letting you in on the bizarre realm of Alex Gladwell in the near future- watch this space...



For now, here's a much less annoying version of In For The Kill by the brilliantly named Fog Joggers.



It's no secret that the lead singer of La Roux's voice leaves me cold, so I much prefer this more mellow version, the husky vocals work tremendously well as does the low key vibe to the track; which is almost the perfect elevator music, don't you think?