Festivals 2008 - Part 1

So here is the first in a series of posts of who to watch out for at festivals this year, whether you are watching them on TV or lucky enough to be going. Personally, I'm going to Glastonbury, Latitude and Leeds Festival.

Ill start with the big names (essentially the headliners), then bands who the media are going to said festival performance as "the turning point in their career", then bands I think are going to catch peoples eyes and be big next year off the back of their performances, then bands I'm looking forward to that probably won't get much media attention.

So, the big names.

Jay-Z
Playing: Glastonbury, O2 Wireless

Lots of controversy around this with various members of the music industry weighing in their opinions on whether or not he "belongs" at Glastonbury. Personally, I couldn't care less. I'm not a fan, and will end up watching Massive Attack on the Other Stage, but I think claiming it's because he's headlining that the festival hasn't sold out yet is unfair. However, I'm sure he will put on a great show with various special guests (Beyonce and Rhianna are almost certain to turn up at some point) and I'd probably catch a bit of his set if I was at home, will be broadcast live on BBC2.


The Verve
Playing: T In The Park/Oxegen, Glastonbury, V Festival (and maybe a few others)

I'll be watching them at Glastonbury. Hopefully with new material to showcase, along with the classics such as Bittersweet Symphony or Sonnet, they have the potential to be amazing.


Rage Against The Machine
Playing: Leeds/Reading, T In The Park/Oxegen

I'm so excited about this, a band I never thought I'd get the chance to see. Hopefully they will live up to the expectations of everyone going to see them. Arguably, they are just doing it for the money, but I can't wait to see them. Killing In The Name will probably be the best song I see live this summer.


Muse
Playing: V Festival

I'm gutted they aren't headlining Glastonbury, but never mind. They are the greatest live band in the world from what I've seen. They put on the best show and the bands performance itself is epic. They are planning to play some new stuff apparently so I look forward to hearing recordings when the surface, I'm looking forward to see if V is on TV again this year.


The Killers
Playing: Leeds/Reading

I'm so excited about finally getting to see The Killers, I've wanted to since I heard 2004's Hot Fuss, but after watching their stunning Glastonbury performance on BBC last year (where they obliterated Arctic Monkeys) I got more desperate to see them. They are playing the Sunday at Leeds and hopefully they will be the perfect way of rounding off the summer (weather permitting).


So, those are probably the sets to catch on TV if you can. Glastonbury, T In The Park (not Oxegen) and Reading (they say its Reading & Leeds but it just isn't) will be broadcast on the BBC, so theres the highlights on BBC2, BBC3 and BBCi for about a week after the festival finishes.

Album Of The Month - May: Death Cab For Cutie - Narrow Stairs

May was a far better month for music that April. There was the genius that is For Emma, Forever Ago by Justin Vernon under the name of Bon Iver. Also, Pendulum released the follow up to 2005's Hold Your Colour, In Silico. Both of which I really like, though neither come close to what was always going to be the album of the month. Death Cab For Cutie's 6th studio album Narrow Stairs.

I have been waiting for this album since I got into this band last summer. I'd listened to 2005's Plans around the time of it's release but never really paid them much attention, however, since I discovered their other albums last summer, they have quickly become one of my favourite bands.

I was apprehensive as clicked download, partly because of all the fakes that had been circling the internet and getting me excited only to disappoint, but mainly because this is the first DCFC album to be released since I got into them and I had no idea what to expect. I'd heard so many mixed opinions of it, reviewers that had previously hated the band saying it was amazing and many people saying the band had completely changed their approach and ideas about music.

I'll start with the obvious point, there is clearly a change in sound here, but it has definitely been exaggerate. The major difference is the recording method, for the first time in ages the band have recorded the album live in the studio all at once rather than using various, seperately recorded tracks as was done on Plans. This results in a far more raw sound, the music at the end of opener Bixby Canyon Bridge is just static, something that you'd never had found on Plans.

As far as the lyrics go, Narrow Stairs probably isn't Ben at his best (to find this, see 2001's The Photo Album), but it's still stunning in parts. It follows much the same pattern as previous DCFC albums lyrically, telling story's of loneliness (Your New Twin Sized Bed) and failed relationships (The Ice Is Getting Thinner). You Can Do Better Than Me stands out in particular, and the line "I'm beginning to think we stay together out of fear of dying alone" is especially poignant.

Musically, there is clearly something different about this record beyond the record technique. At points they have hit the button marked "epic", such as first single I Will Possess Your Heart or the stunning Grapevine Fires. However, DCFC also show their talents to write perfect indie-pop (No Sunlight, Long Division) and slow, rumbling ballads (Talking Bird). Various aspects show the bands musical talent it ways previous albums haven't managed to, the drums in particular stand out in a way they haven't on previous albums. The ending of Pity & Fear is something I'm especially looking forward to hearing live.

There are echoes of past DCFC here. Cath..., is classic Ben lyrically, but the guitar has that little bit extra to it. This is feel the entire album gives, it's classic DCFC, with that little bit extra added. Theres such a sense that the only reason these 11 tracks are on this record is because the band themselves love them, they have clearly worked really hard on creating a new sound they love and you get the sense they made this album for themselves more than anyone else. Saying that, Narrow Stairs doesn't sound self-involved in the slightest, theres just a sense of "we hope you like this, we do", rather than then "heres our single and 10 other tracks that sound like it" that so many bands put out nowadays.

Narrow Stairs is a stunning album, it just takes a bit of getting used to after having listened to DCFC's other albums so much. It's not their best, but is quickly rising in my opinions. Every track has new bits to pick up on each time you listen and each track is almost entirely different from the next (excluding You Can Do Better Than Me/Grapevine Fires, which merge together so perfectly that I'm pretty sure they were recorded together). The thundering Bixby Canyon Bridge contrast with the epic I Will Possess Your Heart, which contrasts again with the delightfully poppy No Sunlight. What Death Cab For Cutie have created is something magical, beautiful and tragic all at the same time, not their best work, but if Narrow Stairs is the one DCFC album that is remembered in 20 years time, I won't be surprised.

Recent listenings...

I've not posted for ages, here is a quick run down of what I'm really into at the moment before I do album of the month for May.

Coldplay
The band are set to released their 4th album Viva La Vida or Death And All His Friends on June 12th and I'm getting very excited about it. They have released two tracks from it for free, first single Violet Hill and title track Viva La Vida. Both sound brilliant, far better than anything from 2005's X & Y, which was a bit of a disappointment after the genius of their first two albums.

Bon Iver
Jason Vernon, or Bon Iver, retreated into the woods of Wisconsin for 3 months after his band split up and his girlfriend left him. He lived almost in complete solidarity, except for his dad bring him supplies every 10 days. While her was there he wrote his 2007 debut For Emma, Forever Ago (released in the UK May 12th, 2008), and it's stunning. There are just no way to put it into words how beautiful this album really is. It's so personal, it feels almost intrusive listening to it (yes, I did steal that from Uncut's review).

Pendulum
I've spent about a week listening to their new album In Silico over and over again, and I really like it. Granted, it sounds nothing like their 2005 debut Hold Your Colour, and it's not as good either, but still, it's packed with tune after tune as is the first album. The main issue is how you approach listening to it. If you are expecting a continuation of the same kind of sound as you got with Hold Your Colour, you will be disappointed. It sounds nothing like it, far more vocals, recorded using live instruments and written as it has been specifically so it can be played live. However, In Silico is clearly not meant to sound like their debut and the fact that they've completely changed their sound at the risk of loosing a lot of fans shows far more guts than band that just churn out albums that sound the same over and over. There is no way they would have been able to write another album like Hold Your Colour and it be anywhere near as good, so they have obviously put a lot of effort into making a new sound for themselves rather than just repeating what they know they are good.
So, to sum up that rant. I really like In Silico, and am looking forward to hearing the new tracks live later this year.

The Subways
A few new tracks from the young English trio's 2nd album All Or Nothing (released 30th June 2008) have been released and the album is shaping up to something quite special. 2005's debut Young For Eternity had some great songs but a lot of filler tracks but I have high hopes for the new one. They have gone for a much heavier sound as first single Girls & Boys shows withs is manic Muse-esque riff. Second single Alright (out 16th June 2008) isn't quite as heavy but it's good to get a taste of the variation the album will have. Looking forward to hearing this one.


Thats pretty much it for new stuff I've been listening to recently, old stuff I've been getting back into includes:

Bloc Party - Silent Alarm
It turns out Francis was right, the bands 2005 debut is better than last years A Weekend In The City

The Rifles - No Love Lost
I really liked this album when I first heard it early last year, been listening over and over since they supported Milburn on Saturday

Milburn
What can I say here... Milburn have been such a big influence of my life (as in gigs/nights out etc) over last 2 years. The farewell gig on Saturday was amazing and I'll miss them a lot.

Bright Eyes
In anticipation of Conor Oberst's solo album out later this year and seeing him at Leeds Festival in August

Album Of The Month - April: The Last Shadow Puppets - The Age Of The Understatement

Easily the most anticipated album of the month, The Last Shadow Puppets' The Age Of The Understatement. I'm still not sure about this album. On first listen, I was disappointed, nothing of note stood out and the band's debut single, the title track, was easily my favourite track. However, I persevered with it, and after another few listens I started to really get into it, however, I think I may have listened once to many times and I'm now bored of it.

It's not that it's a bad album in the slightest. The lyrics are of the quality you'd expect to get when to set Mr Turner to work, and the tracks where Miles has clearly taken the reigns are also far better than expected. The music itself is good as well, there are some great little guitar riffs (not surprisingly reminiscent of the kind found on Favourite Worst Nightmare) and the strings arranged by Owen Pallett of Final Fantasy add an entirely new level to the album. They have the ability to raise a track that starts out slightly dull to an epic ending, as Standing Next To Me demonstrates.

There problem with the album is that it feels like there has been far more effort into making it sound epic than writing a quality album with what they have. It's good to hear people having a crack at something a bit different, and where it has worked, it yields stunning results. Sometimes, they have either pushed it a bit far (see The Chamber) or not pushed it anywhere near enough (see closing track The Time Has Come Again).

I do like it, but it's far from brilliant and rather than applauding the clever, insightful lyrics from the two front men, it is Owen that the praise should be heaped on, as without the strings this record would be nothing (granted, the whole point of the record is a huge sounding album with strings). The arrangement is perfect. Epic and almost overwhelming when it needs to be, but equally adept at fading perfectly into the background.

So, while it is very enjoyable and interesting in places, its just as dull in others. Overall, I hope Alex sticks with the Arctics to be perfectly honest.

Album Of The Month - March: Frank Turner - Love, Ire & Song

There was not much I was looking forward to in March, but there have been a few jems. MGMT's debut "Oracular Spectacular" is full of happy, dancey indie tunes, and is something I downloaded just for the hell of it, but now im really glad I did. Also, We Are Scientist's 2nd album "Brain Thrust Mastery" was my favourite for so long. The bands new style is by no means a bad thing, it makes up for the manic tracks of the first album with brilliant, almost ballad-like, indie love songs. Elsewhere, Muse released possibly the greatest live album of all time and The Raconteurs' 2nd effort "Consolers Of The Lonely" was a huge improvement on their 2006 debut.


So I picked the only album I was really looking forward to in March. I have been waiting for this album since I discovered his 2007 debut "Sleep Is For The Week" (released January last year) last autumn. It was full of perfectly craft folk-punk tracks, and surprisingly good lyrics. However, where the first showed potential for Frank to become a song writer to remember, his second album has flashes of brilliance that I would put up their with the likes of Alex Turner or Pete Doherty.

The lines "Live is about love, last minutes and lost evenings, about fire in out bellies and furtive little feelings, and the aching amplitudes that set our needles all a-flickering, and help us with remembering that the only thing left to do is live." from opener "I Knew Prufrock Before He Got Famous" are some of the best lyrics I've heard in ages, if not ever, especially when combined with brilliant delivery.

Without meaning to focus too much on the lyrics, they are some of the easiest to relate to. Tracks "Photosynthesis" (featuring backing vocals from The Holloways) and "Reasons Not To Be An Idiot" are about how you shouldn't follow the "grow up, get job, get family" stereotype. "You just got used to saying no, because its a lovely sunny day, and you hide yourself away. You've only got yourself to blame, get up, get down and get outside" from "Reasons..." and "If all you ever do with your life is photosynthesize, then you deserve every hour of your sleepless night that you waste wondering when you're gonna die" from "Photosynthesis", seem to sum this up perfectly.

Other highlights are "Substitute", title-track "Love, Ire & Song" and closer "Jet Lag" (which is absolutely beautiful), where the line "You always ask if I'm ok, but it's not the same as being happy" particularly stands out. However, to single out tracks isn't really fair. Every single track is brilliant in it's own right. The first track I heard off this album was, first single, "Photosynthesis", and I played it over and over and didn't get bored, and the same goes for every other track on here.

I could go on and on quoting lyrics and describing every song, and I'm on my 3rd listen through now, and I seriously thing that the opening track "I Knew Prufrock..." is one of the best songs I've heard. Ever.

Musically, this is one of the few albums that anyone could like. I understand the criticism of other bands I like, for example, I can see why some people would find Death Cab For Cutie boring. However, not here, maybe the odd track, but there is a track on here for everyone to relate to. This is easily the best album of the year so far, and if it's not in my top 5 at the end of the year I'll be suprised. I am completely, head-over-heels in love with Love, Ire & Song. Ben Gibbard? Frank Turner is the most underrated song writer of all time, and still one of the greatest.

The Last Shadow Puppets

The hype is starting to rise around this collaboration of Alex Turner (Arctic Monkeys) and Miles Kane (The Rascals). The album "The Age Of The Understatement" is due out on the 21st of April with the first single of the same name out the week before. Now, before I start, I'll make it plain. I'm a huge Alex Turner fan, he's one of my favourite lyricists of all time. In contrast, I do not like The Rascals, as far as I can tell from what I've heard and seeing them live twice (both times supporting Arctic Monkeys) they are just a less talented version of Arctic Monkeys.

As soon as you hear this, you can't help thinking "thats Arctic Monkeys doing a version of Muse's Knights Of Cydonia". The galloping rhythm, as well as many of the effects on the guitars, sound like the epic ending to Muse's 4th album, but without the huge ending riff. So, a disappointment? Hardly.

As for the sound itself(and this is going on hearing one song), the description in this months Uncut: "The Last Shadow Puppets album is a big production number", seems to suit it well. There's definitely far more to it musically than anything by Arctic Monkeys or The Rascals. It's got a full orchestra, arranged by Owen Pallett, who also arranged for Arcade Fire. Lyrically, it's as good as you'd expect from Alex, but Miles clearly knows what he's doing as well, and his talent is far more present here than it is in any Rascals song I've heard.

This song has grown on me so much since I first heard it, and I have high hopes for the album. The duo clearly compliment each other perfectly, their voices suit each others really well, although Turner's is far more prominent here than Kane's.

So, here is the single, to be released April 14th, enjoy::

The Last Shadow Puppets - The Age Of The Understatement

Muse - HAARP

With an estimated 75,000 people a night, more people attended Muse at Wembley Stadium last year than attended Leeds Festival or Glastonbury... unless people went to both nights...

Anyways, HAARP is a double disc album, the first being 13 tracks, recorded on July 16th, and the second, a 20 track DVD, recorded on the 17th. Just listening to the opening track Knights Of Cydonia gives me shivers down my spine, and from watching the DVD you really do see why Muse seem to own a monopoly on Best Live Act awards. Basically, it's the most stunning thing you've ever seen, the bands performance is brilliant, it's clear to see how far they have come as musicians if you compare with 2002's live DVD "Hullabaloo", recorded live in Paris.

So here is a taster, it's not on the album, it's the iTunes bonus track.

City Of Delusion (Live At Wembley)

I tried to upload a video, but it didn't work, so go HERE to watch Unintended - Live At Wembley

So listen/watch, then go and buy HAARP (it £12 at Tesco, and for a album and a DVD that's pretty good) and revel in the pure brilliance of the greatest band on the planet.

Ben Gibbard - 6Music

The genius that is Ben Gibbard (of Death Cab For Cutie and The Postal Service) was in the BBC 6Music hub on Tuesday with, bassist for Death Cab For Cutie, Nicholas Harmer.

He played Cath, from Death Cab For Cutie's 6th (proper) album "Narrow Stairs", due out May (either 12th or 26th, I'm not sure), which sounded really good, I can't wait to hear the album version with the full band. He also played "Title & Registration" from Death Cab's 2003 album "Transatlanticism".

Here is the full session, including the two songs and some talking.

DOWNLOAD

Pendulum - In Silico Taster

Pendulum's new album "In Silico" is due out May 12th, and they have changed their sound a lot as I have mentioned on here quite a bit... basically, they have gone for a far more rocky-dance feel.

Anyways, this is a Mini-mix of the new album by one of the band members, and it gives a good idea what the new album is going to sound like

Pendulum ‘In Silico’ (El Hornet Mini-Mix)

1. Showdown
2. Granite
3. Granite (Dillinja Mix)
4. Granite (Breakfastaz Mix)
5. Visions
6. The Other Side
7. Propane Nightmares (Van She Mix)
8. Different
9. Mutiny
10. Propane Nightmares
11. Propane Nightmares VIP
12. Propane Nightmares (Cell Dweller Mix)
13. Midnight Runner
14. 9000 Miles
15. The Tempest


DOWNLOAD

Album Of The Month - February: Laura Marling - Alas, I Cannot Swim

Last month was a bit of a cop out, Radiohead's In Rainbows was released in October 2007 really... but nevermind, it's just such an amazing album. The best album that was properly released in January this year was easily Lightspeed Champion - Falling Off The Lavender Bridge. Quite a shock album, I hadn't heard anything except a demo last summer and wasn't really expecting much but it completely blew me away.

On to February, there were a few candidates once again. Hot Chip's 3rd album "Made In The Dark" is outstanding, though there may be a few too many slow tracks on it. I also discovered Nada Surf this month, their 5th studio album "Lucky" has some amazing tracks but isn't really anywhere near as good as 1998's "The Proximity Effect".

So, I picked one of the best debuts I've heard in ages and one of the albums I was most looking forward to this year. The most important thing to bare in mind when listening to this album is that Laura Marling is only 18, and that this album represents her potential to be the next huge folk act in England more than anything. Still, in it's own right, Alas, I Cannot Swim is amazing.

There is the obvious comparison with the other recent songstresses to come out of the London area in recent times, despite Laura sounding nothing like the likes of Kate Nash, Adele or Lily Allen. If comparison is forced, as it so often is nowadays, then, to be blunt, everything about this album is better than every aspect of the other's albums.

The lyrics on some songs, especially "Night Terror" and "Failure", are exceptional, as is the music. The backing vocals merge perfectly with Laura's own voice and the production is perfect. It's not over done, you can hear her laughing at the end of one track, and the folk sound of the acoustic guitar has not been damaged.

Overall, it's amazing, but theres so much potential here it's clear to see how good her next album should be. If you can write lyrics as deep as some on here are at 18, imagine how good it will be with a bit more life experience. It shows how bad it is to lump people together so quickly. The difference between Laura, someone who has been playing guitar since the were 3, and people who join drama schools and are willing to do anything to be famous *cough*Kate Nash*cough* is evident, and, to be honest, to put this majestic album in the same group as Made Of Bricks, should be a crime.

Best Tracks:
Old Stone
Night Terror
Captain & The Hour Glass

In Silico

Apparently the title of Pendulum's next album, and apparently it will be released on March 17th, with single "Propane" being released the week before, March 10th.

Propane (Zane Lowe Session)

This is a session version, so the album version will be alot more clean, and with out Zane Lowe talking over the end, but it sounds immense.

It's clearly aimed towards the new live show, and here is a taster of how the live show sounds:

DOWNLOAD .ZIP FILE

Tracklist:
1. Blood Sugar
2. Fasten Your Seatbelts
3. Another Planet
4. Slam (with extended guitar intro)
5. Hold Your Colour


This is bound to be in contention for album of the year.

Kanye West & Daft Punk

The Grammy Awards were this week... Kanye West performed Stonger live with Daft Punk (the band who did the song that Kanye sampled on Stronger)

It's better than the original, the only problem is that the swear words are muted... either that or he just did say them.

DOWNLOAD

There a really good video on Youtube, which I will put here as soon as I work out how to do that.

Video is here...

Enjoy.

Diamonds Are Forever

If you saw/heard Arctic Monkeys live at Glastonbury last year, you might have heard them do this. Anyways, here is a studio version, it's such a good cover...

DOWNLOAD

Gnarls Barkley?

Anyone remember them? Made up DJ Dangermouse and that fat bloke... They did that song a few years ago... yes? Their album had some really good tunes on it.

Anyways, here's their new track:

Run

It's pretty good

Album Of The Month - January: Radiohead - In Rainbows

This is a lot tougher than I thought it was going to be at the beginning of the month. There really was not a lot to catch the eye on a list of albums released this month. The only album of any note was Field Manual by Chris Walla (of Death Cab For Cutie) and while there are some great tracks on their, it's nothing on anything Death Cab have ever released.
The most hyped album of this month is easily 19 by Adele. She is clearly seen by the record label as a less coked up version of Amy Winehouse, still, theres no denying she can definitely sing. Stand out tracks include "My Same" and album closer "Hometown Glory". Still, its far from brilliant.


And so, I've picked the latest masterpiece of an album from Thom Yorke & Co. I put this album in my top 10 of last year, and named it my album of October (when it was released for download only, where fans could pay what they wanted for it), however, as it was released on CD this year, and I didn't review it last year, I'm doing it now.

It's a definite case of out with the new, in with the old where In Rainbows in concerned. From start of opener "15 Step", it's obvious they have worked hard to bring back the far rawer sound of older albums, particularly 1993's Pablo Honey. The more recent albums were criticised for being too polished and it's clear they have really taken that on board.

Stand out tracks on the album include "Bodysnatchers" (the first single to be released, back in October), which harks back to Radiohead's older heavier tracks, such as "Creep" or "Paranoid Andriod". Apart from this track, the rest appears to be a lot lighter, there is far more acoustic guitar than electric present here, as can be seen in "Nude", which is possibly the best track on the album. New single "Jigsaw Falling Into Place" proves that Radiohead can write singles without moving from their sound at all and closer "Videotape" is just magical.

Radiohead have somehow managed to create an album that represents everything thats great about them, whilst moving forward and altering their sound ever so subtly. In Rainbows is unlikely to be knocking OK Computer off it's pedestal as "The Greatest Album Ever", and on reflection, it probably doesn't deserve to, but there are some truly epic tracks on here, and it probably more likely that In Rainbows will be looked back on as a great achievement in a few years, rather than gain the recognition it deserves instantly.

Best Tracks:
Bodysnatchers
Nude
Videotape

DOWNLOAD

Laura Marling

The latest female singer-songwriter to be picked up by the record labels looking to make a quick profit, since the success of Kate Nash last year, and the as good as guaranteed No.1 album "19" by Adele. However, she clearly has a lot of potential, shes only 17... really worth a listen...


Ghosts - New single, out today (28th January)

New Romantic - From the My Manic And I EP

London Town - From The London Town EP


Her debut album Alas I Cannot Swim is out February 11th.

Pendulum

Clearly, they are next massive dance act that can actually play live, rather than just using computers, following in the footsteps of acts like Faithless, Prodigy etc. The new stuff is clearly more aimed at the live show.

Here is their Prodigy remix. It's amazing.


And they also do DJ sets, and they are pretty good. Here is an hour long one at Leeds, its got a few of their own songs in, merged into a lot of other remixes. It's one track, it would be impossible to split up. Listen out for the White Stripes remix at the beginning...

DOWNLOAD

The Wombats - Patience

One of the best covers ever done in Jo Whiley's Live Lounge on Radio 1. It's still not that great a song but it's an amazing cover so...

download!

Top 10 Of 2007, and what to look forward to in 2008

My overall top 10 albums:

1. Arctic Monkeys - Favourite Worst Nightmare
Best track: Do Me A Favour

2. Editors - An End Has A Start
Best track: Escape The Nest

3. The Cribs - Men's Needs, Women's Needs, Whatever
Best track: I'm A Realist

4. Radiohead - In Rainbows
Best track: Bodysnatchers

5. Enter Shikari - Take To The Skies
Best track: Ok, Time For Plan B

6. GoodBooks - Control
Best track: Walk With Me

7. Foo Fighters - Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace
Best track: Home

8. Bloc Party - A Weekend In The City
Best track: Waiting For The 7:18

9. Jimmy Eat World - Chase This Light
Best track: Chase This Light

10. The Wombats Proudly Present: A Guide To Love, Loss And Desperation
Best track: Patricia The Stripper


Albums to look forward to in 2008:

Death Cab For Cutie - TBA (Due out May 2008)
So far they have 5 (6 if you count You Can Play These Songs With Chords) perfect albums, there's no reason why this one should be any different.

Bromheads Jacket - TBA (No release date yet, hopefully early summer)
2006's Dits From The Commuter Belt was a raw, heavy withdrawl from the rest of the music coming out of Sheffield, and was all the better for it, as well as being packed with unheard tracks. Album No. 2 should be just as amazing.


as well as (hopefully):

Arctic Monkeys 3rd album
Seems to be pushing it to get this recorded and released by the end of the year, so more likely to be early 2009

Muse 5th album
Again, it's probably unlikely that this will be released this year, and it's more likely that they will concentrate on the rumour tour of UK stadiums following the huge success of their shows at Wembley Stadium last summer. Still, it would be amazing to hear some new material from the best band on the planet. Apparently is going to be "electronic and experimental"...

The Streets 4th album
Apparently, Mike Sinner is currently recording this, and hopfully it will get released this year. Having recently disbanded "The Beat" record label and removing the pressure of other bands from his time. And the sample placed on Skinner's MySpace of new track "Everything Is Borrowed" shows he will be returning to the sound of 2002's debut, Original Pirate Material. Hopefully it will be an improvement on 2006's The Hardest Way To Make An Easy Living.

Review Of The Year 2007

What with exams and the like, I'm never going to have time to write a review of every month, so heres a quick list of the best album from each month, and my overall top 10 of the year.

January:
Jamie T - Panic Prevention
A refreshingly individual approach to modern youth culture i.e. drinking.
Best track: Operation

February:
Bloc Party - A Weekend In The City
Any band approaching their "difficult second album" should listen to this.
Best track: Waiting For The 7:18

March:
Enter Shikari - Take To The Skies
Not everyones cup of tea, but one of my favourites of the year.
Best track: Ok, Time For Plan B

April:
Arctic Monkeys - Favourite Worst Nightmare
Another band changing their sound. Much more focused on funky guitar riffs rather than just thrashing out chords. Alex's lyrical genius is present as always.
Best track: Do Me A Favour

May:
The Cribs - Men's Needs, Women's Needs, Whatever
The Cribs 3rd album is arguably their best, and the album that got me into them. It's not as raw as their previous efforts, but the excellent production makes the music and lyrics far more accessible.
Best track: I'm A Realist

June:
Editors - An End Has A Start
Lyrically and musically, theres so much more to this album than their 2005 debut "The Back Room". It's so atmospheric and inspiring. Lyrically it's based on getting over troubles in your life.
Best track: Escape The Nest

July:
GoodBooks - Control
Subjects of this album include World Wars 1 & 2, ancient curses and lesbian crushes. Perfect pop music, such a great album. It's perfect, I love it.
Best track: Walk With Me

August:
Kala - M.I.A
I've only really heard this album once and liked what I heard. I honestly can't come up with an album I really liked that was released in August, so anyone have any ideas?
Best track: Paper Planes (from one listen)

September:
Foo Fighters - Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace
Dave Ghrol & Co's 6th album and their most refined. It's very different from their old stuff, but its still great. Essentially, how 2005's In Your Honour should have sounded plus a lot more.
Best track: Home

October:
Radiohead - In Rainbows (digital release)
Famous for fans being aloud to pay what they want for it, and not released on CD until December 31st, Radiohead's 7th album returns to the older, less refined and produced sound of 1995's The Bends, and it's amazing.
Best track: Bodysnatchers

November:
The Wombats Proudly Present: A Guide To Love, Loss And Desperation
This album has been produced to perfection, that being not too much. It's raw, the drums and bass are heavy and it really gets across the energy that this band have live.
Best track: Patricia The Stripper

December:
I can't find any albums i remotely like never mind think are great released in December so any ideas welcome...