NEXT(men)

I bought the new Nextmen album - Join the Dots - as well as (re-)buying Amongst the Madness for posterities sake. I was going to write about it but, I'm afraid I am not really all that enamoured with it. In an otherwise blandly semi-grimey album there are some highlights but, in the grandest of grand schemes of things. Nothing amazing.

DISCLAIMER - I like to change my mind.

I still stand by my statement of Amongst the Madness being one of my seminal (not sure if that is the right word) albums. I'll get back to you on that though.

INSTEAD. I shall review the Drowned in Sound - Great Escape playlist. Why. Because, I had not heard most of the bands on here 'til this morning. And I like talking about music. AND. My boss is in meetings all day. AAAAND I learned to embed stuff today! WooooWooooo I'm a genius.

Great Escape 2010 - DiStapebyseaninsound

Maybes by Mount Kimbie - Ambient. Lo-fi intro (I say intro, but it lasts for most of the song) then it wonders into a captivatingly choppy tin-can blip-blop beat. (see Debruit - Nigeria What?, Flying Lotus - Cosmogramma) Is alright. I've ended up listening to it a few times so far, but it's not worth getting into a long term relationship for.

Quitter's Raga by Gold Panda - COMPLETELY uninspired by them at the Barfly. THIS track however has a bit of a Marmite feel to it. Either you'll love the bunny-hopping, impossible to dance to nature of the CD-skipping sitar/shamisen feel to it, OR you'll hate the fact that it feels like the track is skipping CONTRANTLY (see Jib Kidder - The Return) Strangely Massive Attack meet Fourtet feel to the laid back beat coupled with the intricate (some might call it messy) use of noises but all in all. I like it.

Tryan Song by FOE - Is a fuzzier, slightly drunken comparison to the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. It was far to easy for me to say that. Not all that impressed. (see 65Days of static... Maybe?)

A/B Machines by Sleigh Bells - So i was all like. This is boring overly stylised vocals. This'll be boring. THEN. KABLAMMY. MEATY. HEAVY. BASS. I was won over. They even add some uplifting synthed-up harmonies on the vocals. Why because they can. It's like female Animal Collective on mescaline and steroids (the angry side of steroids) having just made babies with Kap Bambino. Only thing I have heard remotely like this is Civil Civic. Instantly love this. It'sa walking down the street 'bopping' in your own head. Out on a night out, it's getting late and this appears out of nowhere suddenly it's 7am and life is good. JAWEsOME.

Young Hearts Spark Fire by Japandroids - Not a bit fan of Japandroids. Maybe I'm getting old because I would have loved this 10 years ago. On a SLIGHTLY different note. I really like We were promised Jetpacks. Check them out if you are looking for good guitar-based indie musics. Nothing personal Japandroids (i actually think you have a cool name)

Party Wounds by Rolo Tomassi - Lets face it. You're no Dillinger Escape Plan. But (there is always a but with me I suppose. I am the ultimate devil's advocate) the drums are freekin cool. Nothing unique but they stand out above the shredding riffing and the distinctly average, vaguely uninteresting vocals. All in all. Tight. Good. SLIGHTLY (infantessimally) different. Like the schizophrenic feel but not bowled over. I think I am being moody. Ask me again tomorrow

Forever Dancing by MASKS - instantly interested. It's like Bright eyes but with amps and electricity. (I can't believe I haven't mentioned Postal Service so far). This does get a bit tired after 2minutes of the same but it builds a little then does the ending to Karma Police. Omar Rodrigues need not fear for his crown of long drawn out instrumentals YET. Next song. NEXT... SONG

Devil's Show by Let's buy Happiness - Pretty. She sounds like she has a nose stud/ring. I love the meter of her phrases. It's like how Kate Nash's mum wishes she turned out. Very dreamy. Out of a mould-dreamy. I could list a bajillion soundalikes (six pence none the richer but more English with a female Coldplay-bridgey bit) but I won't. Enjoy this. Nothing more. Nothing less.

Becoming a Jackal by Villagers - WOW. When did Dave Matthews die and come back as part Fleet Foxes part Monsters of Folk hybrid? I like that. I am clutching at straws to be that whitty. I am a sucker for pretty (a word I use to often) folk music. So I like this. Hints of Simon and Garfunkel, hence the Fleet Foxes comparison, so very enjoyable if you like that kind of thing. NOTHING even close to bass. Nope. None. How much bass? None. Ok. so no much bass then. Gottit?

Dansi Dans by For a Minor Reflection - see Vanessa Carlton mainly because it has a piano-based melody. It is instrumental but severely lacking in every way that Sigur Ros isn't. The best part is the last 30seconds. I like major chord progressions couples with a crescendo and rising drums. Worth a listen? Maybe(ish)

Euphoratron 3030 - Deltron 3030...

Global controls will will have to be imposed

and a new world governing body WILL BE created to enforce them

Global controls will will have to be imposed

and a new world governing body WILL BE created to enforce them

Global controls will will have to be imposed

and a new world governing body WILL BE created to enforce them

Global controls will will have to be imposed

and a new world governing body WILL BE created to enforce them

Global controls will will have to be imposed

and a new world governing body WILL BE created to enforce them

I am about to give you a lesson in the trippier-hoppier side of sci-fi Hip-hop. Let me introduce you to

Del The Funky Homosapien - MC

Dan the Automator - Producer

Kid Koala - general wizardry - Turntablist

You don't have to be wet for Isaac Asimov to enjoy this (but a slight interest in star wars or robots or something COULD help a bit). Genuinely not much like any other album i have ever owned. I once likened it to Nextmen - Amongst the Madness but that was once. This is now. Proper hip-hop but with the best example of geekishness I/we/you could ever dream of.

It is basically focused around the how the universe at the year 3030 after it has been taken over by evil warlord robot when our saviour and rap battler Deltron "Be there for the INTERANTIONAL RAP BATTLES... THEY'RE INSUPITUOUS" and his ship come along and save the day through battle rapping. Checkout Battlesong for an example of interstellar battle-rapping if you are not well versed.

I want to go into infinite detail but I can't. I have been listening to it all morning and every 30seconds I giggle (like a little girl) to myself about how much I love that bit or I can't believe that that makes sense or what a cool little reference to the 21st century that was. The 21st century was soooo last millennium.

You got MY favourite opening track(s) to ANY album anywhere (including Kid A). Clichéd as it may be, the use of Euphoric chorals over a HEFTY beat is niiiiiiice BUT then you get Del wondering in like a rhinoceros. I remember hearing a snippet of this a long time ago, and from then on i was HOOKED. I am fairly sure anyone else would be too.

Del Tha Funkee Homosapien. POSSIBLY the COOLEST monica EVER. I'm a bit jealous. With his I'm-massive-and-intimidating (sounding) words. Rhythimically, there is a slow but definite assuredness to everything he touches (see Clint Eastwood - Gorillaz... "OH IT's THAT DUDE!") while conjuring up some amazing celestial-cerebral spacescapes.

Now Dan the Automator. If you had heard Dr. Octagon - Octagonologist you probably would not be all that surprised but what Deltron 'Zee' has to offer. You also got Handsome Boy Modelling School, Gorillaz and Kasabian. All credit to the fella. I THINK this is where he and Damon Albarn first collaborated. SO, again. Important and awesome. Tasty.

Kid Koala is some kind of audio-magician. On top of that, his album artwork is usually pure genius. He manages to blend noises, beats, spoken word, sound effect and instructions on shaping clay into captivating (not sure what to call them) tracks. Much fun to had especially trying to drunkenly sing alot the obscure noises on the tube. Try it. (maybe)

If you open the inlay of the CD you will see many more (including Damon Albarn - more props to him I guess. He is annoyingly, actually talented. Sickening really). All of whom are worth a listen on their own. So. Go. Do. It.

All is well with the Cosmos