I suppose the world’s biggest band or so at the moment does not need any introduction, but still – let me pretend it still is 2004 or whenever I downloaded these off of SoulSeek. the band was admittedly not as famous back then, but they were definitely as good as they are now. these demos shows a new band in town, eager to show off their newly discovered skills at composing and performing music. the music is in fact extremely eager. they play fast, intense and energetic punk tracks, with several tracks clocking in well under three minutes – some even under two. the waililng guitars are loud as can be. the whole sound picture is generally fast and loud. crashing drums, distorted and crisp guitars, shouted vocals and fast bass. but what perhaps makes Arctic Monkeys stand out the most are their intelligent and observant lyrics, penned by guitarist/vocalist Alex Turner. some have even compared him to Jarvis Cocker (that might be a bit over the top though), due to how he manages to put down what’s going on in his world to paper. there’s no “bigger picture” here, it’s just Turner and the way he sees the world. what’s going on in his head. whether it’s clever observations on the youth cliques, patronizing words on a scumbag, or simple straightforward tunes about love – Turner knows his shit when it comes to writing. and so does he when it comes to killing his guitar, like Jamie Cook also does his fair share of. so if you’re into crisp and deadly guitars, loud and fast drumming, melodic and hasty bass and shouted vocals that tells stories – this is for you. download it!
archive for the ‘general rock’ category
Arctic Monkeys – Don’t Believe the Hype
Thursday, March 19th, 2009Beowulf – A Rock Operetta
Sunday, March 1st, 2009this has a great intro that’s just so “right”. really sets the mood. haunting. the violin, the percussion, the vocals… mysterious-like, dark atmosphere. then a more “orthodox” melody starts rockin’. and it really does rock. funky yet sensitive stuff. it’s spaced out track with f’ucked up vocals and punchy, distorted guitars. but it’s also fantastic folky stuff, complete with flutes and what sounds like some sort of goblet drum, like a djembe or whatever. then it’s also Dr. Dre-ish hip-hop with awesome beats and great vocals. it’s an opera. and it allows itself to do whatever the fuck it wants to. and all of it is awesome. also there’s a Ray Charles impersonation. what’s not to love? if Green Day has made you think that a “rock opera” is equal to major suckage – get this, and Beowulf change your opinion on rock operas all together. if you on the other hand *like* rock operas… then why are you still reading this? DOWNLOAD IT!
Silje Halstensen – Feedback Promo
Tuesday, February 10th, 2009this is a girl and a guitar and some other instruments. it’s as cozy as possible, without getting obnoxious. the guitars are kind of emo, and there’s some inventive drumming. also she has a nice voice. it’s very pwitty. download it and give it a go.
Sinnssyk Ugle – Pistola/Chloe O’Brian Demo
Tuesday, February 10th, 2009indie rock hipsters Sinnssyk Ugle make very diverse music, without going insane. their tracks tend to sound very different, both in regards to the atmosphere and the overall composition. so if you want to hear two very different but equally well-crafted tracks, you should give this sharp and edgy rock band a go.
Sinnssyk Ugle – Odas Liv Demo
Tuesday, February 10th, 2009Sinnssyk Ugle are a rock band that could just as well have been straight outta England… if they didn’t sing in Norwegian. but they do. and that sets them apart from the English indie rock bands. other things that sets them apart are how well they create stories, how different every song is and the sharp guitars. this is clever music. get clever.
boyhitscar – 8 track demos 30-22-00
Tuesday, February 10th, 2009boyhitscar are a rock band from the US. they make rock music with very much heart and soul. these demos have harmonic guitars, a deep and fuzzy bass, mostly upbeat and creative drumming, and painfully frail vocals that somehow are very powerful despite the frailty. the guitars show a clearly eastern influence. this gives boyhitscar a kind of spiritual sound, that sounds somewhat trance-ish. as in a trance, not the genre trance. anyway it’s good, get it.
Hit Factory – Party Animals
Tuesday, February 10th, 2009this is basically pop rock. but it’s pretty fucking epic anyway. the sound is huge. and it’s definitely album rock, because these songs all sound like they belong together. it’s tightly produced, and despite basically being a pop album, it has a lot of different sounds to it. noise, alternative rock and ambient are all present. it sounds a bit BritPop influenced, like Radiohead. but at the same time there’s so much folk stuff. and it’s too darn happy to be Radiohead. gotta love this album. upbeat and definitely happy pop music for the masses (that means you!). get it. :D
Steadman – Revive
Sunday, February 8th, 2009I once said this is like the best UK album ever. I might have exaggerated. but probably not. because it’s AWESOME. mad catchy, and straight up fun to listen to. great music. it’s simple but at the same time it almost crosses over to being epic. especially on the title track Revive, that reminds us of all the great English acts throughout time – all at once. let the nostalgia commence! at the same time Steadman sounds very fresh. it’s old and new at the same time. it’s ambitious as hell. “everyone” can produce a catchy backbone. what Steadman are doing here is paying attention to detail. there are no “good” songs here. only marveollous songs. every track is filled with remarkable litte details. from the thumpy drums and energetic guitar harmonies, to the sheer epicness. there’s alarmingly brutal electric guitars on top of relaxed but at the same time intense and passionate acoustic guitars, bass and angst bunny vocals. perfectly synchronized and timed. nothing is too dominating or too lazy. and this album is like the previous one, not filled with the semi-complicated pseudo poetry about simple that many “poets” choose to write about. instead it’s simple words about complicated things. no pompous imagery or long dictionary-words that no one understands anyway. and where Coldplay, Starsailor, Keane, and the older The Verve, Radiohead and The Stone Roses are melancholic and even depressing, Steadman are basically always optimistic, yet extremely sensitive. sensitive and fragile, yet powerful and attention-seeking. like Steadman’s unique vocals, with the Thom Yorke nerves and Ian Brown angst and its very own edge, quality, and impressing diversity. also notice how the band incorporates influences from the very elite of British music the last forty years. there’s The Beends/Ok Computer Radiohead, The Verve vibes, The Stone Roses feel and so on. but also The Beatles, The Dave Clark Five, The Kinks and even The rolling Stones and Led Zeppelin and their blues-rhythms. and the production and mixing shines so bright, it makes The Dark Side of the Moon shine less than the dark side of the moon shines on earth (mild exaggeration). what this means is that if put on in ten , twenty or fifty years time – one might be confused as to what year it comes from, because it has a timeless sound. it has loads of obvious influences, but at the same time it’s all very much Steadman at all times. so everyone needs to get this funny and danceable album to get in the mood. it’s the most accessible album ever made or so. all the tracks are super catchy. Steadman are a really good rock’n'roll band that puts a smile on people’s faces. it provokes feelings. good feelings. if everybody listened to this album daily, it would put psychiatrists out of jobs all over the world. there’s just way too much to say about this album! so I’m ending with (the obvious) encouranging everybody to get it, because you need to have it! and don’t forget to donate: http://www.steadmanband.com/shop.html
Steadman – Loser Friendly
Sunday, February 8th, 2009one of the best British bands of all time are cool. they give their music away for free. so you should feel encouraged, if not enforced to download their albums. the first one is called Loser Friendly. and it’s really good. some classic tunes on here. rock with heart. and what makes Simon Steadman really stands out is his lyrics. while all the rock stars out there are busy writing very complicated and heavy words about simple matters, Simon manages to write simple words about really complicated stuff. and that is impressing and admirable. No Big Deal for instance – easily the BEST SONG THERE EVER WAS. yes I tend to get carried away with this band. it’s awesome. very melodic and catchy, and very intense and emotional. just download it. and get the miscellaneous stuff to. some very touching tracks right there. also if you want a goodie bag, and to sleep better at night, donate! http://www.steadmanband.com/shop.html – I’m sure they could “utilise” the money. maybe they can make more albums? if so – that is in our best interest for sure. because this arrogantly brilliant début album is a piece of conteporary rock that’s really wonderfully carried out. a broad musical sound in addition to borderline genius lyrics, if not just genius lyrics; period. it’s musically challenging and lyrically uplifting. it might take a few listens to get hooked, but it’s worth listening to over and over again. it’s like typical Britpop meeting ace folk rock and big, epic movie-sountracks. it’s just plain beautiful. there’s a punchy and catchy opening that begs you to put the player on repeat-track already at the first track. and every song feels like this. you just want to hear it over and over again. but *all* the tracks are so fucking awesome, that you’re basically forced to put on repeat-album. you will be blown away by the explosions of violins and passionate, mellow vocals; the psychedelc melodies that are complex and accessible all at once; the caging lyrics… to put it easy: get this!