LCD Soundsystem are happening

LUMINOUS Plectrum favourites LCD Soundsystem have revealed the name and cover art of their new album.
Titled This Is Happening, the cover features James Murphy boogying in a rather dapper looking outfit.
It's widely rumoured that This Is Happening is going to be Murphy's last but LP has a feeling it could be the album of 2010, and potentially a defining classic of the 21st century.
2007's Sound of Silver was a blast from start to finish and really cemented Murphy's place as one of the most important musicians working today.
If he's managed to build on the devine All My Friends and the lucious Someone Great, this is set to be at the top of all critics' top ten lists at the end of the year.

LCD Soundsystem -- Drunk Girls



THIS is officially the first song released from This Is Happening.
It's promising, sounding a little like a up-tempo Boys Keep Swinging by Bowie, and definitely whets our appetite in anticipation for the new effort.
It follows the tested LCD Soundsystem way of producing just fun time party music that never takes itself seriously. Check it out.

Classic track: The Smiths -- Reel Around the Fountain

SURELY one of the greatest songs Mozza ever penned.

"I dreamt about you last night,
And fell out of bed twice,
Two lumps please,
You're the bee's knees,
But so am I."

MGMT - rox or sux?

INSANELY popular psychodelic outfit MGMT found commerical success with the release of Oracular Spectacular, an album so full of inane guff it was on the cards fairweather listeners would lap it up.
But my was I surprised when I heard their new track Flash Delirium on Radio 6 the other week. It's a delicious, spacious, supersonic fantasy that's actually a charming listen.
What is hilarious is the amount of negative feedback it's received from Fearne Cotton-loving morons who'd much rather "slum" it out with the cast of Hollyoaks at V-Fest than try to listen to something that could take an ounce of effort to get into.
Case in point, no coincindence here (honest!): Listening to Fearne Cotton play Flash Delirium for the first time on her show the other day, a barrage of e-mails burst through the station's Outlook account with views such as "OH MY GOD, this is terrible! Why can't they make songs like Kids all the time?" and "Woah, what the hell has happened to MGMT? They suck now!".
It's called progression and I'm glad they've taken this direction. Hopefully they'll have a bit of fun playing live knowing audiences aren't there to hear Kids, Electric Feel or that other one about drugs and stuff.
I'm actually looking forward to their new album, Congratulations, due for release at some point this year on the back of this effort.
Congratualtions, MGMT, you've just made a new fan.

MGMT -- Flash Delirium

Album review: Frightened Rabbit -- The Winter of Mixed Drinks

THE Scots have produced a few special bands over the years.The Beta Band, The Jesus and Mary Chain, Orange Juice, Mogwai and, to some extent, Franz Ferdinand have offered some aural pleasure in the past.Frightened Rabbit are an exciting and critically acclaimed Scottish export and saw their popularity explode into life following the release of The Midnight Organ Fight – an intense folk-rock classic.Its follow up, The Winter of Mixed Drinks, is a more polished affair that musically expands on their previous efforts.It’s a lot bigger and heavier and still has the witty, archetypical Scottish lyrics that make Frightened Rabbit such an enjoyable listen.While it’s great they’re pushing out all the boundaries, the Winter of Mixed Drinks isn’t as charming or luscious as its predecessor, despite boasting one of their most sellable tracks yet in the form of Nothing Like You, which should see the band gaining new fans and some well deserved media exposure.Swim Until You Can’t See Land is a jolly clap-along bar shanty while Living In Colour is a punchy, vibrant number.Despite the positive points, Not Miserable touches on embarrassing U2/Coldplay/Elbow turgid status, strings ‘n’ all, and Foot Shooter feels thick, isolated and cold.There isn’t enough variety in this album for it to be a mainstay in the record player but perhaps it’s a slow burner.I’m not sure about the mixed drinks, but it’s definitely an album that gives the listener mixed feelings.It was always going to be difficult for a band to follow up a classic and they’ve given it a good go, but they’re definitely one of the best Scottish bands out there.For every dirge band like Biffy Clyro, thank God there’s a Frightened Rabbit.

Watch Frightened Rabbit's quirky video for Nothing Like You:

Album review: Liars -- Sisterworld

LIARS are predictable. They are predictable in so much of how unpredictable their music is.
They’re clearly not a fan of painting by numbers and I doubt Picasso even comes close to how abstract their kind of art is.
Sisterworld is sinister. It’s dark. It’s not an easy listen, but it is ultimately rewarding.
The jaw-dropping opener, Scissor, starts off with a brooding organ under singer Angus Andrews’ Nick Cave-esque vocals before the tension is cut with a well-sharpened life as it bursts into a fury of distorted guitars and thumping drums.
No Barrier Fun slows the pulse but Here Comes All the People bares a ghoulish piano and bass riff that would fit right at home in a blood-thirsty Stephen King thriller.
The frenzied package of Scarecrows On A Killer Slant is vintage Liars while The Overachivers is reminiscent of Bleach-era Nirvana, and could be their most radio-friendly anthem yet.
Goodnight Everything is a delicious slow burner while the album’s conclusion, Too Much, Too Much, perhaps ends the album on an uplifting note.
Sisterworld is a great album. This review may sound a little negative but it’s because the album, for me, is negative. It's definitely not a radio friendly unit shifter.
If there is a sisterworld, and it’s anything like this album, I don’t want to ever visit it.

Liars -- Scissor

The National are back

I’M moist with anticipation for the new The National album, High Violet, which is scheduled for a May release.
Those chaps at Pitchfork uploaded a video from the US chat show Late Night with Jimmy Fallon featuring The National performing the opening track to the new LP, Terrible Love, and it sounds as if High Violet is going to build on the stellar Boxer.
It’s typical god-like stuff from arguably one of the greatest bands around today. It flourishes into a stirring anthem, hopefully setting the pace for the rest of the album.
Seeing them close the John Peel Stage at Glastonbury 2008 was zen-like stuff.
Here’s the performance for you to enjoy:
The National Debuts
The only downside to The National is the uncanny likeness drummer Brian Dessner has to John Lennon.



Schmickles!

Albums I can't stop listening to so far this week

TODAY may be Monday but I may as well post up the albums which have been tickling my eardrums over the past seven days.

The Drums -- Summertime EP!

THIS year's buzz band haven't been out of my stereo/iPod since last year and Summertime! gets brighter and more exciting with each listen. Having caught them on the NME tour, they're definitely the best band I've seen this year so far. This is surf-pop at its best.
Stand out track:
Down By The Water


Liars -- Sisterworld

LISTENING to Liars is a bit like that black stuff Marmite. Some people love them, some people hate them. Admittedly, sometimes listening to Liars can feel like doing a press up with a sumo wrestler on your back but with a little more persistence you'll reap the benefits (and a stronger backbone). Sisterworld is freaky, but that comes with the territory. I love it and I can't wait to get under its skin a little more (and for it to get under mine). Expect a review of this up by the end of the week.
Stand out track:
Scissor

Washed Out -- Life of Leisure EP

THIS is pure pop escapism. The relaxing synths, distorted soft vocals, muffled funky bass and echoed effects make this the perfect chill out record for 2010. This EP won't leave you feeling washed out - it'll leave you glowing.

Stand out track:
Feel It All Around




Wire -- Pink Flag

I don't just listen to brand new music 24/7, you know. Pink Flag is arguably one of the greatest albums ever. It has held firm against the tests of time and still sounds as fresh as ever. Why can't there be more bands like Wire? From the opening jangles of the guitar on Reuters, to the penetrating opening drums on Pink Flag to the genius of Feeling Called Love, this album contains some of the greatest pieces of pop music in history.
Stand out track:
Pink Flag