OHMYGOSH! just got an email from the Patrick Wolf mailing list and it has this to say-

"The Return of Patrick Wolf

We can now announce that Patrick is getting ready to release his fifth album.

As yet without a title, we can tell you that you will be able to hear the first sounds from the album next week.

The first track to be taken from the album, 'Time Of My Life' will be getting its first play on Nick Grimshaw's Radio 1 show on Wednesday 3rd December.

Discussing the first single, Patrick says: "'Time Of My Life' is a song that I began writing at the end of a relationship in 2006 and then finished three years later during a temporary break up in my current relationship. The new album has a direct narrative about love and optimism surviving through adversity and recession. I wanted to celebrate the love and hope I have found in the last few years."

Released on December 6 'Time Of My Life' will be available on very limited edition 7" vinyl featuring a Leonard Cohen cover of 'Anthem' on the Bside."

Super excited!!!

Can not wait to hear it!

It seems to me that the more you learn about Bowie the less you really seem to know. Clearly one of the most mysterious figures in popular culture. Love him. Love his music. Love his lovely androgynous-ness.

For anyone who loves Bowie but for whatever reason hasn't seen Velvet Goldmine then go away because obviously you're daft. Jokes... but seriously it's a BRILLIANT film based loosely on the enigma that is glam rock Bowie and I feel that everyone should watch it. Even if you think Bowie's a bit rubbish (not that I can understand how that could be but anyhow...moving on).

I'm going to go listen to Space Oddity and have a bit of a cry. Only maybe without the cry.

Good times for a change
See, the luck I've had
Can make a good man
Turn bad

So please please please
Let me, let me, let me
Let me get what I want
This time


Haven't had a dream in a long time
See, the life I've had
Can make a good man bad


So for once in my life
Let me get what I want
Lord knows, it would be the first time
Lord knows, it would be the first time

It's time again for another retro review! this one is from March 2008 and reading this it occurs to me that I can't remember the last time I listened to this album. Time to remedy that me thinks. Do enjoy.x

THE SILENTS - THINGS TO LEARN

Some bands have the ability to grab your attention from the get go, seemingly with little to no effort. Perth based indie four piece, The Silents are one such band.

From the first time I heard their debut EP, Flicker and Flames, I was hooked. Their raw garage rock resonance teamed with their somewhat psychedelic sounding lyrics and 90’s indie pop tendencies made them difficult to ignore.

Almost two years later and The Silents are set to release their debut full length album, Things To Learn and I for one could not be more excited.

The album is a perfect example of everything The Silents are and offer. This strong collection of well written and produced songs is one of the best Australian debuts of its kind to be released in a long time.

Stand out tracks include previous EP released numbers, ‘Nightcrawl’ and ‘23’ and current single, ‘Little Girl Lost’ as well as ‘Ophelia’, ‘Generation Space’ and the title track, ‘Things To Learn’.

The Silents are a band well worth keeping an ear out for. In their short time together they’ve released two successful EP’s one amazing album and toured extensively including support slots alongside the likes of Maximo Park, The Vines, You Am I and Black Rebel Motorcycle Club.

Where they’ll go next is anyone’s guess but there’s no denying wherever it is, it’ll be great. The Silents are Oz legends in the making and are quickly becoming one of my favourite bands to boot. So get out there and buy their album, Things To Learn (out March 29 through Ivy League Records). Chances are - You’re going to love it.

Another retro review. This one is from April 08 and I love this album now so much more then I did when I wrote this... enjoy.x

We Are Scientists - Brain Thrust Mastery



Having released an incredible debut LP with, With Love And Squalor it was always going to be a trial for We Are Scientists to come up with a follow up which could top it.

Since the release of their new album, Brain Thrust Mastery I’ve given up on the idea of them being able to “top it” and resigned myself to the fact that the once distinctive We Are Scientists ‘sound’ is no more.

It’s difficult to say what brought about this change in the two years between releases but the one obvious difference is the loss of drummer, Michael Tapper. The abrupt change in style could be due to his absence or his absence could have been because of the style change. At the moment it’s really just a matter for the chicken vs. egg court.

Despite any initial disappointments I may have felt upon hearing Brain Thrust Mastery I can’t seem to help but be drawn into it’s many charms and favours. Even without the addition of Tapper the boys from Brooklyn have a certain quirky appeal which set them apart from the others.

Remaining members Keith Murray and Chris Cain’s new found appreciation for the 80’s does not go unnoticed with many tracks having a distinctively Duran Duran-esque vibe. Including current single ‘After Hours’, which has managed to stake it’s claim as one of the albums highlights.

Other noteworthy tracks include the addictive opener, ‘Ghouls’ as well as ‘Lets See It’, ‘Impatience’, ‘Spoken For’ and ‘That’s What Counts’.

During an American tour last year Murray and Cain were seen to be taking the stage before each set, testing out their stand-up comedy routine. It’s antics like this which guarantee We Are Scientists remain one of the more interesting bands on the indie scene. Their wit and humour keeping them from fading into obscurity.

If you’re already a WAS fan then by all means check out Brain Thrust Mastery but be sure to keep an open mind. I promise you it won’t be what you expect.

-Lesley

Just found out (thanks to nme.com) that the amazing Carl Barat has finished recording his solo album!!!! There's no official release date yet but I could not be more excited!!!! YAY!

Apparently it's going to be quite different from anything he's done in the past. Less guitar, more piano. I can not wait to hear what he's come up with. I should go before I hyperventilate...

this man never fails to amaze me

Another old review. This one is from April 2008 and reading this has inspired me to go dig this album out and give it a spin. enjoy.x

CAJUN DANCE PARTY - THE COLOURFUL LIFE



Every now and then a new band comes along who capture your imagination and heart in equal measure. Every time you hear them you get a little thrill and you just know you’re going to love whatever they do next.

At the moment that band for me is the ever lovely London based five piece, Cajun Dance Party. They released 2 singles last year both of which I feel head over heels for from the first listen. And now, finally, they’re releasing their debut album, The Colourful Life.

As most people are aware there is an unofficial rule that when you anticipate greatness there’s always a chance you’re going to be disappointed. Thankfully my blind trust in Cajun Dance Party to release an amazing debut was not in vain.

The standouts include previous singles, ‘The Next Untouchable’, ‘Amylase’ and ‘The Race’ as well as the ‘The Firework’, ‘Buttercup’ and the beautifully melancholy ‘Time Falls’.

The Colourful Life is everything I hoped it to be - vibrant, fun, memorable and inspired. All of which is made just that little bit more impressive by one simple fact. Cajun Dance Party is made up of a group of 18 year olds.

These truly talented teens give me more hope for the future of music then almost any other band on the scene today. Their fresh, optimistic and somewhat naïve approach to music is already leading them to amazing places.

Not only are they releasing their debut this month they also have plans to release their sophomore album later in the year after they’ve finished high school. Which is, if nothing else, inspiringly ambitious.

Cajun Dance Party are without a doubt a band to watch for. They’re already proving their worth and it’s still early days. These kids could go anywhere and chances are they will. So give The Colourful Life a listen. It’ll make a fantastic addition to any indie lovers music collection.

-Lesley

Another retro review, this one's from June 2008. Hope you enjoy.

The Futureheads - This is Not the World

For a band who were considering calling it a day, The Futureheads are doing surprisingly well. The four piece, north-east UK rock-popsters have recently released their third full length album entitled, This Is Not The World.

The Futureheads hit the scene in 2004 in quite a big way with their debut self titled LP. Their immediate, catchy tunes and pop punk sensibilities ensured them an almost instantaneous dedicated fan following.

2006; however, saw many people with a strong sense of disillusionment at The Futureheads sound and direction. With their Sophomore album, News and Tributes being far more polished and mainstream then their original efforts.

Two years later the boys seem to have both returned to their roots and taken a few giant steps forward. This Is Not The World is everything you could possibly want from a Futureheads release.

The album takes no time at all to fall in love with. It’s simple and memorable formula is what good pop music is all about. From first listen you’ll be humming the opening track (and coincidentally, the first single), ‘The Beginning Of The Twist’.

Other undeniably stand out tracks include ‘Think Tonight’, ‘Hard To Bear’, ‘Work Is Never Done’, ‘Everything’s Changing Today’ and the current single, ‘Radio Heart’ which I has been stuck in my head for what seems like days now.

Don’t get me wrong, This Is Not The World is nowhere near one of the best albums I’ve heard of late. I can’t imagine it becoming a future ‘classic’ release, far from it but it’s without a doubt fun and likeable. The kind of album which lifts your spirits and increases the urge to embarrass yourself on the dance floor (either literally or figuratively).

If you’ve yet to hear this album then I strongly recommend getting down to your local record store and grabbing yourself a copy. Your CD player will thank you for it.

-Lesley

Another old review. This one's from July 08' and I still listen to this mini album and artist in general ALL the time. So beautiful. Enjoy.x

EUGENE McCGUINNESS - THE EARLY LEARNINGS OF

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.

-Lesley Rickman

New She and Him track! So exciting!

Another old album review. This one is from August 08

THE VINES - MELODIA

The Vines were one of the biggest buzz bands on the planet in 2002 with the release of their phenomenal debut album, Highly Evolved. It seemed there wasn't a teenager in the country who couldn't sing you the chorus of their hit single, ‘Get Free’.

Its been six years, three studio albums, several line-up changes, one medical diagnosis and countless mind altering performances but The Vines are one band that have proved the buzz doesn't always have to be short lived.

Despite any difficulties and negativity the band have suffered over the years, frontman Craig Nicholls is still one of the coolest people in rock for one simple reason. He has the ability to write an 'album'. Some people may see this as a weakness and in some cases it may be. After all what's the point in being able to create 40 plus minutes of aurally pleasing psychosis if the songs don't work as well individually?

Personally that's what I find most appealing about The Vines back catalogue. There's just something incredible about a band who can only really be appreciated in full.

The newest album, Melodia is no exception. As always I became highly skeptical about this release after hearing the first single to be lifted from the album, 'He's a Rocker'. The song just didn't grab me but when it's included within the context of the album as a whole I can't help but like it.

While I still maintain the album should be judged as a whole, If I had to choose stand out tracks then I couldn't go past the brilliant opener 'Get Out' as well as 'Autumn Shade III', 'Orange Amber', 'True as The Night' ' Scream' and 'She Is Gone'.

If you're already a Vines convert then you won't have any issues with new album but if you're new to their sound then Melodia might not be the best place to start but by all means give it a go.

-Lesley Rickman

I just stumbled across some of my old album reviews I've written over the past few years and it made me nostalgic so I thought I'd start posting them here occasionally. I'm only going to post the ones of albums that I adore so if you haven't heard any of these then be sure to check them out. I promise it will be worth the effort.

This review is from October 2008. enjoy.

TOM COONEY - PRESQUE VU

Atmospheric, innovative and emotional. Brisbane based, Tom Cooney’s uniquely addictive tunes live and breathe at the heart of all these things.

This young and accomplished folk artist is fast becoming the one to watch in the Oz music scene. After quitting his job and focusing solely on his music career two years ago Cooney has achieved an extraordinary amount. The release of a mini album Hold Me Down, live performances including appearances at Homebake and Splendour in the grass as well as supports slots with the likes of Fionn Regan and M. Ward and the continuing reinvention of self made record label, El Nino El Nino which he shares with two of his closest friends.

But the most substantial and exciting accomplishment is the final release of his debut full length album, Presque Vu. The results of which are near hauntingly beautiful collection of songs which leave the listener certain in the knowledge that by merely listening to these tracks they are becoming part of something bother larger and contradicting more intimate then themselves.

The album is full of honest simplicity. The calmingly serene melodies take hold from the first instance, their appeal frightingly fierce.

The stand out tracks include ‘Mountains In The Sky’, Giulia’, ‘Beneath The Wheel’, ‘The Rivers The Same’ and the memorably spare closer ‘Silence’.

Tom Cooney’s acoustic genius would no doubt appeal to fans of artists such as Fionn Regan, Sondre Lerche, I Am Kloot and Ryan Adams. Presque Vu is an album the likes of which have not necessarily been missing from the Australian scene of late but are definitely leaning towards the rare side. Cooney has managed to debut with a record that not only manages to showcase his abilities as a songwriter in a smart and accessible way but also cements him as someone to watch for. This is only the beginning of what’s sure to be an incredible journey and I for one am looking forward to tagging along for the ride.

- Lesley Rickman

In the past two weeks I've been to 3 very lovely gigs. All of which were in Sydney. This year has been somewhat lacking for gigs so this was a very nice change indeed. The talented people I went to see were -

Les Claypool

The Whitlams (with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra)


Patrick Wolf

I've been quite the Patrick Wolf fan for some years now. I jumped on the bandwagon a bit before the Magic Position days, so I still had a bit of history to catch up on.

I honestly can't think of another young musician who inspires such change and diversity of image and style.

Wolf's career is such that you can almost see him evolve musically from child into man.

The lovely Patrick's physical image is as ever changing as his music, altering from album to album.

When Patty first hit the scene he looked a little something like this >>

He was a sweet faced innocent with pale blonde locks and a violin. though, once you listened to the sometimes sinister often disturbing lyrics of his debut album, Lycanthropy, it became apparent that this boy was only innocent in looks. To be truthful, I wouldn't of had it any other way.

After a short break the boy wonder hit us hard with possibly my favourite of his albums, Wind in the Wires. This time Wolf was sporting dark locks which more than suited the dark and haunting themes of his sophomore release. If you haven't heard the track Tristan then I don't think we can be friends...

When it came time for the release of the third studio album Patrick had changed form yet again, all-be it somewhat more dramatically. The Magic Position was and is Wolf's most optimistic and altogether pop album to date. To show this, his hair once again went under the dye. This time it was a bright glorious red. >>

And when it comes to this years release, The Bachelor, things seem to have come full circle, the blonde has reappeared. The darkness has reappeared but he is by no means repeating himself. The constant changes more then ensure that his music and he himself never appear stale or repetitious.

Patrick Wolf is a true original. Something more than a little hard to find these days. His music is infectious, smart and affecting. Everything that he is and everything that he does is worth it's weight in gold. At least in my over stated slightly dramatic opinion. Mr. Wolf is a legend in the making and I for one am glad I'm strapped in for the ride.

I just ordered these and can not wait for them to show up. I've been looking for good headphones FOREVER! yay!!!!

They're Zumreed brand and you can find them on modcloth.com or just buy them on ebay like I did...

Tell me your favourite brand of headphones! my boyfriend has some Sennheiser's and they sound pretty AMAZING.

I was going to get some but these are just sooo much prettier and actually a little cheaper too.

xxx

Ridiculously excited round about now!

Was just on the Spoon website and as it turns out they put up a free download a few weeks ago and I didn't know about it.

But that's all rectified now. The track is an a Capella version of The Ghost of You Lingers. Such a gorgeous song in general and this version is simply incredible.

Spoon would have to be one of my all time favourite bands. Britt Daniels can do no wrong.

If you for some reason haven't heard of Spoon then I don't know whats wrong with you...Get out there and give them a listen. You can hear their stuff on myspace, their official website (www.spoontheband.com), lastfm and numerous other places I'm sure.

I plan on spending the day lapping up the goodness that is Spoon and if you have any sense, you will to.

Happy listening!!!

A while ago I came across Pulp's seminal 1995 album, Different Class in limited edition form. I of course was obliged to buy it straight away since in my clear insanity I didn't actually already own the album in any capacity.

Pulp are one of those bands so easy to love but so easy to over look. But over look them I will no longer do. Jarvis Cocker, quite frankly, rocks my socks. Pulp were (and are) amazing but it's his solo works that really get under my skin.

In fact Angela is probably one of my favourite singles of the year. Besides, if there were ever a time to become smitten with Mr Cocker now would be it. It seems that this most incredible of men is involved in just about every kind of project you can think of right now. He's everywhere. And I intend to enjoy it while it lasts!

The only thing I won't be able to enjoy/take advantage of is his trip to Australia as in my broke state I can not afford the simple joy a ticket to one of his gigs would bring. Alas I will just have to surfice with the Jarvis in my head. Not that I mind. He's pretty fabulous.