I'm trying to book a gig for one of my own bands for June (I have a fourth of July party gig for the other) as well as practicing my solo stuff. I'm glad to say my dulcitar playing, while it will never be as good as my singing, will soon at least be good enough for self-accompaniment so I can get gigs without waiting for the others.
Anyway, that's an aside for now... who's my next vote for?
"An recant" says the captcha, which is not so wonderful but you can't have it all. Choices are.
"Shiny Armour" by Mountain of Fire which is a delicious piece of English eccentricity, reminding me of the Rolling Stones Circa 1965.
"Write Back" by MINIATURE DINOSAURS Also eccentric, also delicious but more eighties.
"Too Late" by MAMOOLIAN which is less eccentric but the singer sounds as one might imagine Alex from Clockwork Orange might sound if he chose to sing.
"Crayoned Face" by CASEY FALLEN. I'm a little biased here because this band is in my library on Last.fm
But despite my bias in favour of Casey Fallen, on this occasion I'm going to vote for Laura Bowen. She sounds a lot like Lily Allen. I hadn't realised when I reviewed this before that she's only like fourteen? Awesome.
Monday, 26 April 2010
Sunday, 25 April 2010
Another vote
Okay, I'll choose another of my votes today to blog. Today's Capcha brings me "and Bedrock", which I think could be a band name if "then Jericho" could be.
First choice is Make it alone by Emerald. Competently played rock music what more can I say?
Next is Au Natural by The Compression. They have the everyday indie sound down pat. I could easily be listening to someone else.
Easily You by Jeff Jepson is next. I don't remember whether I liked it before, but today I find this dull.
And then there's Zappa Town by Milk. I remember this interminable intro from before but eventually it starts to sound like Wire which can only be a good thing. I can forgive them the vocals and lyrics in the context of this vote.
But that forgiveness is to no avail because the last entrant is Love is Delirious by Beaux and that's a track I love. It's production is appalling but the song is terrific so that's who I'll vote for this time.
First choice is Make it alone by Emerald. Competently played rock music what more can I say?
Next is Au Natural by The Compression. They have the everyday indie sound down pat. I could easily be listening to someone else.
Easily You by Jeff Jepson is next. I don't remember whether I liked it before, but today I find this dull.
And then there's Zappa Town by Milk. I remember this interminable intro from before but eventually it starts to sound like Wire which can only be a good thing. I can forgive them the vocals and lyrics in the context of this vote.
But that forgiveness is to no avail because the last entrant is Love is Delirious by Beaux and that's a track I love. It's production is appalling but the song is terrific so that's who I'll vote for this time.
Saturday, 24 April 2010
Carrying On
Okay, well I'm not gonna stop. I'm gonna link to GEMIINII RIISIING's homepage and recommend people listen to her cover versions of "Don't Fear the Reaper" and "The Nurse Who Loved Me" as well as her own music. And if you're ever in or around Eugene, Oregon, then go see her. http://gemiiniiriisiing.com/
But this blog is about storming the charts and my experience of it. I've voted for several songs so far and can tell you, I'm disappointed that so many people thought the whole thing about storm the charts was to support particular bands, rather than to hear new music and get it into the charts. I'm much more disappointed than that that some people (whether a band or misguided fans) decided to cheat. It's not surprising the voting system had to be changed... after all, if we cheat, then what's to stop THEM manipulating the charts to make the sex pistols number two again?
The new system is a lot fairer, but I have to say there are about 50 tracks I want to vote for. The odds ought to be that at least one of them is in every other random five but it doesn't seem to work that way, so I find myself voting for records I'm not all that enamoured with. I know... I'll do another vote now and talk you through my reasoning.
So... the capture said "quite can", which is much more boring than some of the choices. But let's see who I've got.
Alita's Curse, Leron Thomas, Stephen Langstaff, Sykes and the Chernobyl Children. From what I remember of listenign before, I think I'd go for Stephen Langstaff, but I'll listen again to be sure.
I'll go to You Tube by preference, because I like videos and because you tube loads quickly, and because I don't have to try to remember which track I wanted to listen to.
Alita's Curse remind me of my late teens, queuing up outside Cambridge Corn Exchange to see Motorhead, but enjoying the Lightning Raiders almost as much. But I'm not bopping around now nor am I the lonely geek I was back in 1979. It's not as exciting as I remembered it... but it's still good stuff, which is a relief.
I get irritated by the time taken for LERON THOMAS's myspace page to decide to load its music player. When it finally does, I have to look for "Fashion". I like it, but I'm not gonna vote for it.
STEPHEN LANGSTAFF's voice is like Feargal Sharkey's and as good as I remember him, although there is a long moment when I wondered if he'd ever start singing. "Saw the Angels" is good stuff even if it does take a while to get going.
No thank you, I don't want to watch SYKES's video again, I'm there to listen to one track lads, not to watch your holiday snaps from the M62. This time, I let my irritation drive me straight on to the next track.
And then it's the CHERNOBYL CHILDREN. I'm sorry, I DID enjoy System of a Down's "Pizza Pie" but "Hot Dog", is not remotely tasty.
So, I'll vote for Stephen Langstaff and on to some more anonymous voting.
But this blog is about storming the charts and my experience of it. I've voted for several songs so far and can tell you, I'm disappointed that so many people thought the whole thing about storm the charts was to support particular bands, rather than to hear new music and get it into the charts. I'm much more disappointed than that that some people (whether a band or misguided fans) decided to cheat. It's not surprising the voting system had to be changed... after all, if we cheat, then what's to stop THEM manipulating the charts to make the sex pistols number two again?
The new system is a lot fairer, but I have to say there are about 50 tracks I want to vote for. The odds ought to be that at least one of them is in every other random five but it doesn't seem to work that way, so I find myself voting for records I'm not all that enamoured with. I know... I'll do another vote now and talk you through my reasoning.
So... the capture said "quite can", which is much more boring than some of the choices. But let's see who I've got.
Alita's Curse, Leron Thomas, Stephen Langstaff, Sykes and the Chernobyl Children. From what I remember of listenign before, I think I'd go for Stephen Langstaff, but I'll listen again to be sure.
I'll go to You Tube by preference, because I like videos and because you tube loads quickly, and because I don't have to try to remember which track I wanted to listen to.
Alita's Curse remind me of my late teens, queuing up outside Cambridge Corn Exchange to see Motorhead, but enjoying the Lightning Raiders almost as much. But I'm not bopping around now nor am I the lonely geek I was back in 1979. It's not as exciting as I remembered it... but it's still good stuff, which is a relief.
I get irritated by the time taken for LERON THOMAS's myspace page to decide to load its music player. When it finally does, I have to look for "Fashion". I like it, but I'm not gonna vote for it.
STEPHEN LANGSTAFF's voice is like Feargal Sharkey's and as good as I remember him, although there is a long moment when I wondered if he'd ever start singing. "Saw the Angels" is good stuff even if it does take a while to get going.
No thank you, I don't want to watch SYKES's video again, I'm there to listen to one track lads, not to watch your holiday snaps from the M62. This time, I let my irritation drive me straight on to the next track.
And then it's the CHERNOBYL CHILDREN. I'm sorry, I DID enjoy System of a Down's "Pizza Pie" but "Hot Dog", is not remotely tasty.
So, I'll vote for Stephen Langstaff and on to some more anonymous voting.
Thursday, 22 April 2010
Mutation
Okay, the voting is going well now, and we've already selected four of the forty. I'm not sure there's a lot of point in me reviewing the remaining hundred and something tracks I haven't yet reviewed, because by now, if people want to vote, they'll have listened to tracks and made up their own minds, which is the purpose of the exercise.
So, the next question is, do I jack this blog in until next year, or do I let it mutate into something else in the meantime. One thing Storm the Charts has shown is that there is a LOT of music out there that is not even being considered by those who decide what will be seen in mainstream media outlets. I'd like to look at some of that so if anyone has any stuff they feel I ought to be listening to, then I'm happy to listen.
I made no secret when I first joined Wes's group of my desire to see an end to the charts and I hoped (and still hope) this campaign would break them. As far as I'm concerned, every radio station should be like BBC radio 6, with people playing music without playlists and just showing what's out there that's good. I think that's something I can do, providing links to music people might not know but might love. Let me know what you think. If people like the idea, I'll start, next time with some music by Jessica Haeckel aka Gemiinii Riisiing, from Eugene, Oregon who just happens to be one of my friends on myspace.
Another idea I have is to talk about my own attempts to "storm the charts". My wife says I'm too old to be serious about music, so do others. But currently I'm playing with two bands plus doing solo work, some duets and a bit of backing singing. It's not what you'd call a career though. Perhaps I'll write about that too, but I don't want to be too boring so, we'll see what happened.
Ladies and Gentlemen, I'm all ears.
So, the next question is, do I jack this blog in until next year, or do I let it mutate into something else in the meantime. One thing Storm the Charts has shown is that there is a LOT of music out there that is not even being considered by those who decide what will be seen in mainstream media outlets. I'd like to look at some of that so if anyone has any stuff they feel I ought to be listening to, then I'm happy to listen.
I made no secret when I first joined Wes's group of my desire to see an end to the charts and I hoped (and still hope) this campaign would break them. As far as I'm concerned, every radio station should be like BBC radio 6, with people playing music without playlists and just showing what's out there that's good. I think that's something I can do, providing links to music people might not know but might love. Let me know what you think. If people like the idea, I'll start, next time with some music by Jessica Haeckel aka Gemiinii Riisiing, from Eugene, Oregon who just happens to be one of my friends on myspace.
Another idea I have is to talk about my own attempts to "storm the charts". My wife says I'm too old to be serious about music, so do others. But currently I'm playing with two bands plus doing solo work, some duets and a bit of backing singing. It's not what you'd call a career though. Perhaps I'll write about that too, but I don't want to be too boring so, we'll see what happened.
Ladies and Gentlemen, I'm all ears.
Wednesday, 14 April 2010
And they're off
I've made no posts for the past couple of days mainly due to a serious attempt by Transport for London to rip me off. On the plus side, I've discovered my negotiation skills are so good, I could probably even successfully manage a Christian Black Metal band (if such a thing isn't a contradiction in terms) or maybe sort out the Middle East.
But that's another story. Voting has been going on and in the process of voting, I've listened to most of the tracks I've yet to review. I don't think I'm going to review all the rest, but there are lots more and I should at least try so here goes... no more pretense at a chart though.
STEVELESS - "The Obligatory Love Song", I'm sorry, I just don't get this. I must be getting old. ***
IONISE - "Reborn". Someone on Join MY Band dot com told me that 'metal isn't rock'. They were joking right? This, for example, is clearly both. This band have potential. ****
THE LAST GRAND - "Alive". Okay Middle of the Road rock. (Can I still say AoR or is this tripple A these days?) ****
CHOKER - "Here". Now this is a great song, my only issue is the singer's phrasing in places but this is easily overcome. Choker will be great. *****
DESI VALENTINE - "Had I Known". This is how rock music is done. ***** plus
ANIELKA - "Grow Up". Nice voice but the song is, if anything too lightweight for what is clearly a powerful voice that deserves better. ****
FUTURE/PERFECT - "The Hunter". It's 1982 and I'm young again but this time I promised myself I wouldn't **** up... at least not in the same way. ***** Plus
ALEX DIGLEY - "Doors". He says his music is Celtic/Grindcore/Zouk. I'm not sure how that would sound but I love it. Is Swci Boscowen the backing vocalist on here? ***** double plus
BRITISH INTELLIGENCE - "Streetfight". A rather heavy electronica with some interesting rhythms. *****
But that's another story. Voting has been going on and in the process of voting, I've listened to most of the tracks I've yet to review. I don't think I'm going to review all the rest, but there are lots more and I should at least try so here goes... no more pretense at a chart though.
STEVELESS - "The Obligatory Love Song", I'm sorry, I just don't get this. I must be getting old. ***
IONISE - "Reborn". Someone on Join MY Band dot com told me that 'metal isn't rock'. They were joking right? This, for example, is clearly both. This band have potential. ****
THE LAST GRAND - "Alive". Okay Middle of the Road rock. (Can I still say AoR or is this tripple A these days?) ****
CHOKER - "Here". Now this is a great song, my only issue is the singer's phrasing in places but this is easily overcome. Choker will be great. *****
DESI VALENTINE - "Had I Known". This is how rock music is done. ***** plus
ANIELKA - "Grow Up". Nice voice but the song is, if anything too lightweight for what is clearly a powerful voice that deserves better. ****
FUTURE/PERFECT - "The Hunter". It's 1982 and I'm young again but this time I promised myself I wouldn't **** up... at least not in the same way. ***** Plus
ALEX DIGLEY - "Doors". He says his music is Celtic/Grindcore/Zouk. I'm not sure how that would sound but I love it. Is Swci Boscowen the backing vocalist on here? ***** double plus
BRITISH INTELLIGENCE - "Streetfight". A rather heavy electronica with some interesting rhythms. *****
Sunday, 11 April 2010
Top Twenties and the Like...
Here we are, with less than two hours to go before we start voting and I've realised something. The problem is with the charts themselves. There is so MUCH great music out there and yet the charts are limited to similar sounding stuff over and over again. I don't know why this is, but I'm hoping we can break the mould with storm the charts, and hopefully force some other means of measuring success in music.
For what it's worth, here's my top twenty at this late stage, but below that are some tracks that are no longer in my top twenty but I can hardly bear to lose them.
1. Middleman - "Good to Be Back"
2. Emily Needs - "Peacemaker"
3. King Kananga - "Pnosvu"
4. Maroon Town - "Cumbia Infernal"
5. Hysterical Injury - "Three"
6. Zoey van Goey - "We Don't Have That Kind of Bread"
7. The Wailingest Cats - "Hider in the House"
8. Miyagi - "Cry Cry Cry"
9. National Snack - "Rock n Roll"
10. Mental Health - "Bombastic Mind"
11. Ludwig Amadeus - "God Only Knows My Shoesize"
12. Valhalla Smith - "A Portion of Blame"
13. 3rd Bar - "You Are"
14. What Would Jesus Drive - "The Girls Are in Charge"
15. K J McEvoy - "Sleeping Soundly"
16. Antonio Lulic - "The Sound of the Girl Next Door, Singing"
17. The Benwahs - "Comne to Mine"
18. Vile Electrodes - "Play With Fire"
19. Heypenny - "Cop Car"
20. Swci Boscowen - "Min Nos Monterey"
So that's my top twenty but there are other acts could hardly bear not to include. In no particular order: The Soviets; Daniela Maria; Paul van Ryan; Fiona Sally Miller; Doris Brendel; Risa Hall; Knew Jerus'lem; Cinnamon Antics; Dirty Electro; Mr Love and Justice.
I seem to have come up with a top thirty and still have another couple of hundred tracks to listen to.
For what it's worth, here's my top twenty at this late stage, but below that are some tracks that are no longer in my top twenty but I can hardly bear to lose them.
1. Middleman - "Good to Be Back"
2. Emily Needs - "Peacemaker"
3. King Kananga - "Pnosvu"
4. Maroon Town - "Cumbia Infernal"
5. Hysterical Injury - "Three"
6. Zoey van Goey - "We Don't Have That Kind of Bread"
7. The Wailingest Cats - "Hider in the House"
8. Miyagi - "Cry Cry Cry"
9. National Snack - "Rock n Roll"
10. Mental Health - "Bombastic Mind"
11. Ludwig Amadeus - "God Only Knows My Shoesize"
12. Valhalla Smith - "A Portion of Blame"
13. 3rd Bar - "You Are"
14. What Would Jesus Drive - "The Girls Are in Charge"
15. K J McEvoy - "Sleeping Soundly"
16. Antonio Lulic - "The Sound of the Girl Next Door, Singing"
17. The Benwahs - "Comne to Mine"
18. Vile Electrodes - "Play With Fire"
19. Heypenny - "Cop Car"
20. Swci Boscowen - "Min Nos Monterey"
So that's my top twenty but there are other acts could hardly bear not to include. In no particular order: The Soviets; Daniela Maria; Paul van Ryan; Fiona Sally Miller; Doris Brendel; Risa Hall; Knew Jerus'lem; Cinnamon Antics; Dirty Electro; Mr Love and Justice.
I seem to have come up with a top thirty and still have another couple of hundred tracks to listen to.
Telekom
The woods are lovely, dark and deep, but I have promises to keep, and miles to go before I sleep.
NATIONAL SNACK - "Rock n Roll". Does what it says on the tin. ***** Plus. New number 9
IVYRISE - "1000 feet". It's hard to keep coming up with constructive comments for technically good tunes that just don't move me emotionally. ****
LUDWIG AMADEUS - "God Only Knows My Shoesize". The video is awesome, although I doubt it'd get on MTV for fear of legal action. The song is excellent. ***** plus. New number 11.
SHADE AMAN - "A Million Miles". Her voice and musical style remind me of Jill Scott. ***** plus
CHRIS WHITING - "Frank and Honest". This is well done but sounds very nineteen seventies. ***
COLOURS OF ONE - "RLD". Sounds like Toto. Light AoR, perhaps one day it'll be a theme tune. ****
BEN WILLIAMS - "Let It Rain". Foottapping headnodding acoustic deliciousness. *****
LAURA JORDEN - "Give It". Sounds like Motown brought into the twenty first century. What's not to like. ***** plus. This really should have been a top twenty record, but I 've reached the point where there's nothing in my top twenty I can bear to say goodbye to.
NATIONAL SNACK - "Rock n Roll". Does what it says on the tin. ***** Plus. New number 9
IVYRISE - "1000 feet". It's hard to keep coming up with constructive comments for technically good tunes that just don't move me emotionally. ****
LUDWIG AMADEUS - "God Only Knows My Shoesize". The video is awesome, although I doubt it'd get on MTV for fear of legal action. The song is excellent. ***** plus. New number 11.
SHADE AMAN - "A Million Miles". Her voice and musical style remind me of Jill Scott. ***** plus
CHRIS WHITING - "Frank and Honest". This is well done but sounds very nineteen seventies. ***
COLOURS OF ONE - "RLD". Sounds like Toto. Light AoR, perhaps one day it'll be a theme tune. ****
BEN WILLIAMS - "Let It Rain". Foottapping headnodding acoustic deliciousness. *****
LAURA JORDEN - "Give It". Sounds like Motown brought into the twenty first century. What's not to like. ***** plus. This really should have been a top twenty record, but I 've reached the point where there's nothing in my top twenty I can bear to say goodbye to.
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