Soundtrack of 2011: The Year in Review

So, 2011 is behind us, and depending on how much stock you put in the Gregorian calendar (or maybe even Boris Johnson’s ability to safely plan global sporting events), the best part of human history has probably passed us by as well. All told 2011 has been a strange year; infamous people died all over the shop, and the members of McFly found out people like them more when they’re not playing music. The population of Great Britain got overly excited as two people they don’t actually know got married, whilst Arabia experienced the longest spring since records began. On top of all this an American Presidential hopeful quoted Pokémon in a political speech... Progress truly is a beautiful thing.

Musically, 2011 also ended up being a bit of an odd year. Innovation was seemingly confined to expounding upon dubstep, a genre that slowly started saturating the pop music market place at the beginning of the year. By the end of 2011 however, chart music had co-opted dubsteps’ double time beats and wavey bass forms into a formula for mundane and unfulfilling chart success: 'Flo Rida'  anyone? What made the charts of 2011 all the more unbearable was the abundant and cheap use of sampling, often without imagination.

2011 for all intensive purposes was the year of the remix or re-hash, depending on your sentiments. In a year in which dullards churned out duller tunes, it was largely down to Producers to rework spoilt canvases into something worth appreciating. Indie music provided a wealth of all right tunes, which, when revamped by creative minds (usually adding this years bassy flavours) felt exciting; well, on first listen at least. With so few memorable tunes coming directly from the original artists themselves, 2011 proves difficult to remember fondly; it sort of felt like one huge megamix: most of which was filler or the DJ messing around with that phaser effect before unleashing the killer drop. 

Of course, talking in generalities is dangerous, and there are always exceptions to the broad statements and theories like those I'm spewing. In fact, I’m pretty sure over the last 12 months I have seen and heard a number of exceptions. I'm also pretty sure I quite like remixes... So! Enough with the negativity! Here are some tunes that did make me smile, and hopefully will make you smile as well. Furthermore, they are neatly listed in vaguely logical and intelligible ways, so everybody wins. Except Charlie Sheen. He wins waaay to often.

POP

Regardless of your opinion about ‘Pop Music’ (the most contentious categorisation in modern music) sometimes it is quite fun. Thus, in no particular order here are 10 of the best ‘Pop indulgences’ of 2011:

1. Madeon – Pop Culture
2. 3lau – All Night Long
3. Coldplay – Paradise
4. Krewella –  One Minute
5. Olly Murs ft. Rizzle kicks – Heart Skips A Beat
6. Emeli Sande – Heaven
7. Group Love (Captain Cuts Remix) – Colours
8. Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros (Whole Z Remix) - Home
9. Mausi – Sol
10. Patrick Wolf – Time of My Life

Worthy Mentions

Adele - Rolling in the Deep
Katy B - On a Mission

Live Music

I was fortunate enough to see loads of live music in 2011. Not only was I was lucky enough to attend Glastonbury for a 3^rd time, I also got see a studio recording of ‘Later.. with Jools Holland’. Not forgetting the countless gigs I managed to attend. So, below you will find 10 live highlights of 2011 with a brief and less than illuminating explanation. Regardless of the ordering, they are all definitely worth seeing if you get the chance.

1. James Blake - Bass, so much bass
2. Morrisey - Still controversial, still a genius 
3. Queens of the Stone Age - Josh Homme = the epitome of on stage cool
4. Pretty Lights - Big beat bliss
5. Wild Beasts - Chilling and haunting 
6. Ben Folds - All round awesome-ness
7. Barenaked Ladies - Showmen, and the best fun
8. Dananananaykroyd - Inspired crowd control 
9. Bright Eyes - Amazing songwriting, only lessened by his choice of cape
10. B.B King - Owner of the greatest guitar tone ever

Worthy Mentions

Flying Lotus - Electro, but not as you used to know it
Duke - Guitar and beatbox fun 
Bo Ningen - Eccentric J-Rock with attitude and a unique dress sense.

10 Albums of 2011

This year, just choosing 10 albums has been incredibly difficult. In the last year (to my infinite shame) I’ve bought a lot more digital singles, individual tracks and E.P.s than ever before. I’ve also probably seen more music than I’ve actually bought. These two factors combined have definitely not done my album collection any favours.  Regardless, I did buy and enjoy a good number, the highlights of which are listed below. I’ve also put a small description, and a representative track to try and persuade you they are all really pretty good.


1) Cloud Control - Bliss Release

Chilled out, arty and down right summery Aussie vibes 

Representative Track: There's Nothing In the Water We Can't Fight


2) Wild Beasts - Smother 

Probably the most distinctive and imaginative outfit in the UK right now... Every track on this album is sublime 

Representative Track: Bed of Nails


3) Bonobo - Black Sands 

Originality and genius that remixes itself. 


Representative Track: Eyes Down


4) Bon Iver - Bon Iver 

Delicate composition in union with a concept

Representative Track: Holocene


5) Crystal Fighters - Star of Love 

Heartfelt, tribal, and with killer bass 

Representative Track: Champion Sound


6) Little Comets - In Search Of Illusive Little Comets

It's (meta)physically impossible not to smile whilst listening to this album. Its just so happy and upbeat. 

Representative Track: Lost Time


7) The Naked and Famous - Passive Me, Aggressive You 

New Zealander synth-pop goodness. Some filler, but the killers is twice as potent. 


Representative Track: Punching in a Dream


8) Ben Folds - Best Imitation of Myself: A Retrospective 


A must have for any fan, and a rounded introduction for any first time listeners. 

Representative Track: Landed [Strings Version]


9) Yuck - Yuck 

DIY Garage Grunge

Representative Track: Georgia


10) Radiohead - King Of Limbs


Radiohead being progressive. Again. 

Representative Track: Giving up the Ghost


Worthy Mentions


Fleet Foxes - Helplessness Blues 
Foo Fighters - Wasting Light 
Jenny and Johnny - I'm Having Fun Now 
The Horrors - skying

15 of the Best Tracks of 2011

Whilst great albums where thin on the ground, 'one-off' greats where plentiful in 2011. I am therefore proud to present, 15 of the best (in a very loose, if not irrelevant order).

1. Bonobo - Kiara (with Prelude) 
2. Jonsi - Go Do
3. Bon Iver - Towers
4. Cloud Control - There's Nothing In the Water We Can't Fight
5. Wild Beasts - Albatross  
6. The Naked and Famous - Young Blood
7. Yuck - Get Away
8. Metronomy - The Look
9. DZ Deathrays - Gebbie St 
10. The Strokes - Under Cover of Darkness
11. Coyote Kisses - Acid Wolfpack  
12. The Burns Unit - Send Them Kids to War
13. Pretty Lights - Run DMC "It's Tricky" Remix
14. Exitmusic - The Sea
15. The Horrors  - Still Life

Worthy Mentions

Jenny and Johnny - Big Wave
Radiohead  - Lotus Flower

Bon Iver - Skinny Love (Das Kapital Re-rub)
Glitch Mob - Bad Wing
Jamie Woon - Lady Luck
Little Comets - Tricolour
Peter, Bjorn and John - Second Chance
Karen Anne - My Name Is Trouble
Gruff Rhys - Sensations In The Dark
Fenech-Soler - Demons
Belle and Sebastian - I Want The World To Stop

Friends and Local Music

2011 also proved to be a productive year for my musically inclined friends and acquaintances. A wealth of musical goodness has been crafted by these guys 'n' gals, so do check them out:

Mausi

Hailing from Italy via Newcastle, this lot are responsible for one of the summeriest tunes this year: Sol. Imagine Italian sunshine trapped in a bottle of Newcy Brown (actually don’t, that’s completely inaccurate and gross).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3rkQEmnzFbg

Grinsidious

Marrying synthpop, jazz guitar, rock and dubstep is no easy feat, but these guys do it supremely.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YARDVETlTCg

His Majesty

Indie Rock as only the French Rivera can create. Upbeat, happy, and stylish.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x2hOaY3EzFo

Oliver Corrigan

Single handedly re-writing the Jazz fusion rule book.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a4BflPvF0SA&feature=plcp&context=C3a0680cUDOEgsToPDskL9pTzlLosm8TduUfLna4O0

Emperor (DnB)

If you struggle take consume your recommended daily allowance of bass, this guys is you’re 5-a-day, and some.

http://soundcloud.com/the_emperor/emperor-serene

Birds Vs Planes

After rocking Radio One’s Big Weekend in Carlisle, this Cumbrian band keep going from strength to strength.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kLs1wH6TMec&list=FLvJTQN0bitt1ptlHotpZRew&index=54&feature=plpp_video

Fiona Clayton

Room full of Owls singer Fiona Clayton has had another storming solo year. Radio 1's big weekend amongst the highlights. 

http://www.youtube.com/user/fionaclaytonmusic

Rob Heron and the Tea Pad Orchestra

Proveyors of most pleasant vibes, from Newcastle Via the Lakes

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GbcSLgyTI90

 

Polarsets

Releasing songs through Kitsuné, this Newcastle outfit have had a pretty grand year.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eMENBKenNmc

Little Comets

With an album at the start of the year, and an E.P. to close it, the Little Comets continue to be one of the most exciting, upbeat bands around.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VWBpNy5lN94

Kill it Kid

With their second album ‘Feet Fall Heavy’ released this year, Kill it Kid continue to, well, Kill it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J6HZQnyf2Fc

Outro

Now, by no means am I claiming this review of the year to be definitive. to be honest, this review of 2011 has been more an overview of what soundtracked my year personally. This of course means I have been blissfully ignorant of lots of amazing work, and I would love it if you, the reader, suggested bands and tracks for me to check out! I'd appreciate it lots. Truly.

For example, in writing this review I spotted that I completely overlooked Foster the People, and PJ Harvey (admittedly an absolute travesty given the critical reception and Mercury success PJ Harvey has had). So please do comment! I'd hate to miss anything else. 

Thanks for reading, and best wishes for 2012 and beyond!

Scott 

James Blake - Enough Thunder - Tweeted 'First Listen' Review

Recently I have taken to tweeting my immediate reaction to albums as I listen to them, in their entirety, for the first time. I click play, let the album play through, and tweet. I haven't edited my tweets, just laid them out to read as an article as best they can.

Without further ado here are my tweets for: James Blake - Enough Thunder 

I acquired James Blake - Enough Thunder today. Time for a first listen review! #nowplaying

I've seen Blake live, and I have his self-titled album, as well as his CMYK EP. Based on this I've concluded he's a bit of a minimalist...Therefore, starting from now, you will only get one tweet per tack... ready, set, go!

Once we all agree - Blake has a unique and somewhat haunting ability to move a listener with the soundscapes he crafts and his voice alone

We might feel unsound - when ill fitting beats and most abrasive noise is melted by a few strokes of ivory

Fall Creek Boys Choir - theres a strange and talented dog playing the piano by this creek; and Bon Iver's going with the creek's flow...

A case of you - Soul-full, and a great demo of Blakes largely overlooked vocal ability. Some nice imagery, but also some clichés...

Not long now - experimental, but constructed intelligently. The chords change naturally, whilst supplementary concepts jostle for attention

Enough Thunder - a piano and voice accompaniment close out the E.P. The Piano travels, and the voice follows, as thunder chases lightning

The Horrors - Skying - Tweeted 'First Listen' Review

Recently I have taken to tweeting my immediate reaction to albums as I listen to them, in their entirety, for the first time. I click play, let the album play through, and tweet. I haven't edited my tweets, just laid them out to read as an article as best they can.

Without further ado here are my tweets for: The Horrors - Skying 

Just put the Horror's album on. Time for a first listen review! #firstlisten

The first track 'changing the rain' is appropriately named. It's piddling down out side. But? what are they going to change it into? The sleeve notes don't really help me understand this mysterious practice of 'changing rain'. I'm inclined to go with rainbows. Or snow. They seem like scientifically viable options. More realistic than changing rain into DVDs, for example.


First thoughts on the Album, 1 and 1/2 tracks in. I like it, the lyrics aren't easy to follow. The vocal is definitely part of the sound. Clearly audible lyrics aren't exactly being prioritised over the general atmosphere of the tracks. They blur into the greater sound. All the tracks so far have been trippy, and full bodied. Sort of like a hippy wine might be.


Track 3, I can see through you, the intro seemed a bit Human league. 


Skying so far has a very cohesive sound. No stand out tracks on the album as yet. I'm guessing the horrors wished to produce a body of work. There is a clear sound and concept flowing through 'skying'. 'Endless Blue' is the first track to challenge the image of the others.


Endless Blue has a lethargic introduction; sharp contrast to cutting guitars and an abrupt change of energy which define the tracks' body.


'Dive in' was a bit of a dream to listen to. It lets your mind wander.


'Still Life' is playing now. The only track I've heard prior to this first play. The reverse effect on the guitar reminds me of this...The Velvet Underground Venus in Furs:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9nGsUbZpCKM&feature=fvst The Horrors track is much breezier. It feels a Brighter track.


Got to say, 'Still life' is a very arty name for a track.


The brass in the back ground, and the build up lend Still life an almost anthemic quality.


'Wild Eyed', the next track feels much darker. I'm finding it a difficult listen, but I can appreciate the way it is changing...


Its amazing how well the Album artwork summarises the sound of the album. A wash of interplaying colours distorting an idlic vision. This is the kind of album that plays havoc with Synesthesia. It's hard to explain but, like the album cover artwork, I cannot ascribe one colour to what I'm listening to.


'Moving further away' might be my favourite so far... Only 2 tracks left. Still time to change my mind. 


'Monica Gems' seems out of sorts. Elements of it are superb, then others are leaving me really cold.


'Oceans Burning', has a very progressive rock start! Didn't see that coming! Stirring thoughts of Pink Floyd in my head (too far?).


4:30mins in to oceans burning. Didn't realise it was 7minutes long! Progressive was a good call!
Here's another word I'm yet to use and feel I should: Ambient. You can tell its indie as there was not super fast guitar solo, or double bass drums...


Its' all over now, so time for a few final judgements.


I think the drums may have let the album down a little. They were a bit same-y. Thin in places.
At the same time, if the drumming was more complicated, I'm not sure it would fit. Though, thats probably a moot point. I got a little bored of the echo vocals as well, despite being pleasantly surprised by cool hair sing-y man's voice.


Its definitely music to brighten up a darkened room. The tracks are full of atmosphere, and the album is worth some attention. It's not to everyones taste for sure. If you want to try it, I recommend you darken a room. Press play, and let your mind wander. Maybe whilst wearing retro clothes and studying 80s polaroids by the glow of your light up casio watch... Maybe.

DZ Deathrays - 'Ruined my life' - Tweeted 'First Listen' Review

I have taken to tweeting my immediate reaction to albums as I listen to them, in their entirety, for the first time. I simply click play, let the album play through, and tweet. 

I haven't edited my tweets, just laid them out to read as an article as best they can. So without further ado here are my tweets for: DZ Deathrays - 'Ruined my life'

Just bought the new DZ Deathrays' album... first listen time?? It's been a while... All right twitter, lets see if this band are as cool as their name! #nowplaying (and first listen reviewing) DZ Death Rays - Ruined My Life

First track, Blue Blood and straight off I'm getting that 'Death from Above 1979 feeling', and I love it. On to track two faster than the Flash can run after 16 cans of redbull...Track 2 - Licking Knives. I wonder if it was by licking knives the singer came to sound so much like Sebastien Grainger?

Track 3 - Yeah - another example of the different shades of fuzz you can put on a guitar and mix with effects pedals... darker in feel

The mess up - Track 4 - DZ have a very cohesive sound, they keep phasing from DFA to White stripes and back again... it's cool

Wow, onto track 5 faster than Sonic after over dosing on chilli dogs. This one's pace and pent up anger, brilliantly channeled.

Track 6 - the one that made me buy this E.P. Through decent headphones it's got a crushing introduction.

This steezy DZ E.P. is riff heavy; heavy being the operative...No idea where Gebbie Street is though...Google maps tells me Brisbane...

That's it, short and sweet. 6 songs, and refreshingly, none longer than 3 minutes 51.

At worst DZ Deathrays are a DFA 1979 tribute act who got bored and wrote new material. From where I stand, thats never going to be that bad.

"DZ - thrash pop band from Brisbane, Australia. Started playing house parties will most likely end at one. This is the middle part." #dudes

http://dzdeathrays.tumblr.com/

Bon Iver - Bon Iver - Tweeted 'first listen' Review

Recently I have taken to tweeting my immediate reaction to albums as I listen to them in their entirety for the first time. I click play, let the album play, and tweet. I haven't edited my tweets, just laid them out to read as an article as best they can.

Without further ado here are my tweets for Bon Iver - Bon Iver *The first of these first listen reviews I did - You'll probably be able to tell. 

You know that feeling you get when you put on a record and its everything you hope and fear embodied in sound. I'm getting that right now. its been a while since I got the shivers listening to something...Haunting. 

I might Tweet first listens more. My mind is unraveling with the music, and my thoughts are awash with sonic wonderment. Well, its all over, it all got a bit 80s at the end. Well, it was a bit 80s most of the way through. Like the Hoff. David 80's face Hoff.

Crystal Fighters - Star of Love Deluxe Edition - Tweeted 'first listen' Review

Recently I have taken to tweeting my immediate reaction to albums as I listen to them in their entirety for the first time. I click play, let the album play, and tweet. I haven't edited my tweets, just laid them out to read as an article as best they can.

Without further ado here are my tweets for Crystal Fighters - Star of Love (Deluxe Edition)

Bought the crystal fighters album. Time for a tweeted first listen? Yeah! not done one since Bon Iver (who I forgot to name when reviewing).


I'm going to multitask. By the end of the eve I might even have another blog post done. Glastonbury Revisited. 


"From somewhere high above the old hills of our home, Love will come to conquer" - I haven't even pressed play and this album has a message. 


1st track "Solar System". Captivated and caught up in the bass. 60 seconds not yet gone. First impressions - Intelligent tribal dub. The first thing that stands out about this album is how well 'tribal' beats and dub step style bass can interplay. The effect of the vocals on this crystal fighters album is also entrancing. They make industrial tones sound much more organic. xtatic truth - this is the first song on the album I recognise. 


I can sense Reggae undertones in the lead vocals... they could polarise. 


Crystal Fighters - Champion Sound - to date I've only heard this on Jools. So far the recording is much more refined, softer and expressive. 


after a down tempo song (that didn't rock my world) the beats back. Nice use of track contrast. 


"At home" is pleasantly surprising. Considering my preconception as to what this album would hold, this album is more varied than expected. 


Next track "I love London", you can tell it wasn't written over the last week, lets put it that way....


"Swallow" - I've been listening to this for months. Evidence that dub bass can fit and enhance more conventional song writing. Incredible. 


Crystal fighters: "With You" - How indie synth heavy dance music should be? Definitely. 


Into the acoustic bonus tracks. Pretty cool. The spanish language their guitars are speaking adds sunshine warmth missing on other tracks. Acoustic Version Espanyol - Me Gusta... Estupendo! Think I might actually be more in the mood for these acoustic tracks. As much as I love electro, its just not human. 


I'm on the last track. The album has highs and lows. Definitely well intentioned, both in its sentiments and its musical ambitions. Not everything works, but not everything has to. It sets the ground work for some exciting concepts to be explored further. It also shows how timeless acoustic music is, and how no matter how inhuman a sound you can create, it can always be humanised. On the whole, a sterling record. It had lows, but the highs always help you forget.

Glastonbury 2011 Revisited - Part 2: The Music

Simply put, the standard of music at Glastonbury 2011 was excellent. I saw unspeakable amounts of music. I watched artists I had never heard of and heroes I had only ever dreamed of seeing. As in previous years the majority of special moments where found away from the main stages. Having said that, Glastonbury is pretty hard to not enjoy. In the following post I will list everyone I saw, and then I will pick out a few highlights to talk about. I've also sneaked in a few links, and some of my own photos.

The Bands and Artists I watched:

With Love From Humans!
Lampliter
Ms Dynamite
Metronomy
Mona
Beardyman
The Naked and Famous
Catlin Rose
Jenny and Johnny
B.B. King
Bright Eyes
Biffy Clyro
Morrisey
Billy Bragg and Badly Drawn Boy
Chase and Status
Ceelo Green
Bare Naked Ladies
Tame Impala
Yuck
Dry the River
Pulled Apart by Horses
Jessie J
Patrick Wolf
Warpaint
Anna Calvi
Jimmy Eat World
Shlomo
Pulp
James Blake
Wild Beasts
Don Mclean
Air Castles
Foot Clan
Everything Everything
Gruff Rhys
Hercules and the Love Affair
Pretty Lights
Bellowhead
Kool and the Gang
City and Colour
Queens of the Stone Age
Beyonce

My Highlights


As with any festival there are countless highlights and memories. Here are just a few that instantly spring to mind.

James Blake:

In all truth and honesty I wasn't really pushed for seeing James Blake. My brother was really keen to go so I unenthusiastically followed. Before watching him I had already decided that James Blake was a mopey bloke who could only play a few chords, say a few words, who then felt compelled to repeat them as if he had Techno-y OCD. I thought there was a limit to James Blake. How wrong I was.

I'm not going to argue James Blake is limitless, that wouldn't make any sense. However his sound isn't nearly as limited as it might first seem. What I was completely obliviously to prior to watching him was that James Blake's genius is found in the subterranean. I still cannot believe how much bass he produced. The Park Stage and the surrounding hills felt alive. The kick drum gave the ground a heart beat, and the bass bestowed breath.

It is only after listening to James Blake both live and recorded you see his variety. His recorded works seem to emphasise the negative and empty spaces in music; pauses combine with an all engulfing bass to trick the listener into thinking that the gaps between melody are emptier than they are. He makes music you have to want to listen to. You have to vest yourself into it to reap the rewards. Live however Blake is a different animal; the bass compels you to move, where as his recorded material compels you to contemplate. When he keys a chord in front of you sound barrels and waves toward you, the swell pushed forward by every kick, crash and beat.

Blake's set at Glastonbury was one of those moments only nature could conspire to recreate. He got the 'sundown slot'. A setting sun combined with unearthly vibrations truly forged a timeless memory; one he most probably got the best view of.

Set (highlight) Highlights (it was all good):

The Whilhelm Scream - Ethereal and entrancing; I completely lost myself in this song.
Limit to Your Love - The bass might resonate and echo within me and those hills forever.

Barenaked Ladies: 

I have a soft spot for BNL. Amazing musicians, intelligent lyrics, but most overwhelming they are funny, lovely people. Their set was over way too quickly. I can't recommend them enough. Pure light hearted, fair spirited fun.

Set Highlights:

Its all been done
Brian Wilson
If I had a million dollars
Two weeks

Morrisey:

One of the greatest voices I've ever had the pleasure of listening to. One of the greatest lyricists ever to live. The poet of our time.

I feel he is also a man ahead of his times. His views seem extreme now, but all great minds are misunderstood in the time they inhabit. I think history will be kind to him.

He was also in that famous band.

Set Highlights (again, every song was a highlight):

Everyday feels like sunday
There is a light that never goes out

Link to full set

Queens of the Stone Age:

For those who witnessed this performance I'm pretty sure Josh Homme proved himself to be the coolest and nicest guy in Rock 'n' Roll. He even made smoking look cool, a feat that hasn't been achieved in England since the 1st of July 2007.

Set Highlights:

Go with the flow
Make it wit chu
No one knows

Super Cool Music Battle - Round 1: "Shoe-gaze" - Fight!

Hello! Long time no speak / type.

On the evening of Friday the 29th of July I gave my good friend Joe (Aka "Nil Recurring") a ring on the old telephone. We'd both been suffering from a lack of inspiration lately, so we devised a plan to kick start our creativity! A music battle!

To make it a proper contest we laid down some rules...


The Rules:

• You must write one original song (from scratch - that means no existing riffs or melodies you've been struggling to use until now)
• Tracks must be 2 to 4 minutes in duration. 
• Any music created must be within the genre agreed when battle was declared- we agreed our battle would be a "Shoe-gaze" battle.
• All battles must have a time limit - we gave ourselves 2 days to make the tracks. 

Super Cool Music Battle FAQs


How do you know who's won.
We just spent 2 days messing around and playing music, we already won. Though, I guess general consensus is an appropriate indicator of who is victorious... 

What does the winner get? 

Internet cool points - let's be honest they're the only points that count... just ask this cool cat http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J---aiyznGQ

Is there only 3 questions in this FAQs section, including this one?

...erm...yes

The Tracks

Below this text you, the lovely reader, will find a link to both our tracks. Please feel free to make comments and pass judgement (I have also written a little about mine). As you will see, we both approached the Shoe-gaze genre brief with very different ideas in mind.

Joe's Track - "Matter "

My Track - "Stare at the Stars"

About "Stare at the Stars" 

I had fun making my track. I do enjoy cutting loose and writing from scratch. However, I really missed my bass guitar on this one. I found it hard to write pure shoe-gazing/stargazing music unable to start from a grungey bass-line. Having said that, I did take the opportunity to play around with an electric piano, break from the norms of my own writing style and the shoegaze genre. I named the track "Stare at the Stars" because firstly, I was feeling pretentious and secondly, it's what I can't do beneath London skies. A glimpse of a single star in London is a rarity, stark contrast to dream heavy skies of the Lakes. I like to think if London had clearer skies its people might be less impersonal. If Londerners had opportunity to wonder at a glassy night sky I believe it would inspire a sense of togetherness. Perhaps it would invoke some sort of common fear of solitude, a feeling of loneliness only felt when you stare to the soul of the universe; a loneliness that inspires only one remedy - peace and camaraderie. Perhaps... I'm feeling particularly Romantic right now... 

Anyway, back on track (literally):

I like to think had I written this song 30 years ago it could have been used in the darker scenes of this 80's bond film. I know, I know, its not a perfect fit. 

On a side note: Timothy Dalton was the best Bond, and I love the Living Daylights soundtrack. If this musical challenge didn't involve writing original shoe-gaze style songs I would probably just have condensed the Living Daylights into 2 minutes and yelled "SHOEGAZE!" as an outro. 


Plus, for the record A-ha are genius (you were thinking it, but I said it). 

I also noticed something quite interesting when writing this song, not about music, per say, but more about how I felt about this track when I was writing, and when I was done...

When I write to a brief the music never seems to feel it has as much depth as the songs that I have written I feel I have personally invested in (I'm yet to properly record any of these by the way, they're not yet ready for sharing). I guess the shallow nature of music produced and not lovingly created is sort of to be expected. It probably also explains why the charts are predominantly filled with dancey music and flowery but relatively meaningless lyrics - if you get to serious, or personal, you start to eliminate people who can relate to your emotions, experiences, and tastes. By the end of it you have no audience... or in my case a lot of words in a blog, and no fan base.

I wonder how many musicians regret music they have released into the spheres because it is not representative of their musical aims and ambitions? Or how many musicians regret not putting enough of their self into their art? Is this thought too Dorian Gray? Perhaps. Maybe it doesn't even matter what the recording artist thinks; once the vibrations have been immortalised on recorded and released to the masses who owns that work? These works cease to change, but appear evolving in changing in contexts. Records are static dynamism embodied; a point in time that can be interpreted differently upon every occasion it is listened to and relived, yet exists in only one permanent form.

Music is amazing.

*And yes, the above may be used as evidence of an inflated ego...

Super New Spontaneous Session Track

When I first got into the whole music malarky, myself and a friend wrote a track called 'super new' (an inspired name I'm sure you'll agree). It was never really very good, but it keeps getting rearranged, and reappearing in a myriad of forms. I think I wrote and recorded this version in about two or three hours... in one sitting. You can probably tell. I just used one guitar and garage band hence the beats (though I did try to be inventive with them). Also, at somepoint I was going to put bass on this track, but I think I forgot I recorded it, so I'm just going to leave it as it is. The next super new reinvention probably will have bass anyway so all's good.

Scott’s Record Store Day 24 Hour Song Writing Challenge

It dawned on me yesterday that I would not be able to make it to an independent record store this Record Store Day. This saddened me. Then, last night (Friday the 15^th of April 2011), at approximately 7pm I decided I would compose a song from scratch in less than 24 hours to coincide with record store day (for fun - music is supposed to be fun). A challenge I unexpectedly succeeded in completing much faster than I anticipated (I even managed to have a full night sleep). In the end the below track took me about 7 hours work from idea to internet, working at a pretty mellow pace. 

This track as you may have noticed is both short and instrumental. Annoyingly I have misplaced my microphone, if I had not I would certainly have added vocals as well as recorded real percussion. For lack of another alternative I had to settle for garage band beats and loops (hopefully I’ll get my hands on something more pro and interesting sounding soon).  Also, I'm pretty sure I could easily extend this song to 3 minutes, but I’m not going to; to do so now would feel force, not mention at odds with the writing process and the vibe of the track.

For anybody interested in 'what ifs', the vocals would have been about the photograph I took that accompanies the track: a frost bitten pier on Derwent Water, Keswick.

Everything you hear (bar the drums) I produced on three instruments – a guitar and bass guitar, as well as a retro Yamaha keyboard – played into garage band. Not particularly high tech.

Anyway, I hope you enjoy it!

and

Happy Record Store Day!

Scott