St JEROMES LANEWAY FESTIVAL REVIEW
Thanks to FASTERLOUDER for the pic.
ok, so this is nearly a week late sure, but you know what? I got there. Took me ages, but I got there.
Laneway Festival last weekend was killer. The venue is amazingo, and man, that lineup…jeepers. When I reviewed last years, I wrote something along the lines of it being a music bloggers wet dream. Well, this years was more like I actually meant to do it, not any of this of crap, look at the mess I’ve made during my sleep. This years was more like, let’s make more mess and stay awake and do some more.
Ok, so enough of the wank talk.
The first band we saw was The Holidays. We actually missed Buchanan due to the whole floods thing that happened last weekend. Took us a little longer to get to the venue. Pissed off I missed Buchanan, but glad I caught some of The Holidays set. If these guys were to play in a few years time at Laneway, I think their set would be mid afternoon, not one of the openers. No secret about my love for the guys, they’re album of last year made my top 10, and Broken Bones was one of my fave tracks from last year. They’re gonna get heaps big me thinks. Live, they’re really solid. I remember remarking to my mate that they’re heaps tighter than the last time we saw them (supporting Bluejuice early last year). Band on ze rise me thinks.
After Holidays, we caught some of World’s End Press. Same with Holidays, I reckon these guys will be closing a stage in a few years time. But that’s more because they’re stuff suits a bit more of a late night thing. Watching they’re pretty darn stellar disco indie stuff at 1 in the afternoon was kinda strange. But man, they do rock it live. I’d heard things about these boys, and now I know it’s true. Definitely a band that will be up there with Cutters and Juggers as big amazing Aussie bands doing big amazing things os.
World’s End Press – Faithful
From World’s End Press we went a little dark. PVT were good. But I dunno, there seemed to be something lacking from their set. I like them, but to be honest, I only have their last album. They were good, but yeah, something lacking. We left these guys and saw a tiny bit of Jenny and Johnny. These guys were pretty great. Indie guitar pop lovey dovey shit. But it’s good.
Until then, the bands were good, but if I went home at that point, I wouldn’t have been that happy with it all. The bands were all really good, but I didn’t have that moment where you go home thinking man, let’s not ever forget that.
Then we saw Beach House. To say that they were good, well, man. They were in my top three of the day, easily. Maybe 2nd best. Victoria is one of those indie goddess babes that you only think about seeing live. Teen Dream was massive here – made #2 on my albums list. Everything about them was great. I remember thinking ‘man, this is swoons galore’. supes was. Tracks like Zebra and Norway definitely helped the swooning.
Beach House – Norway
After Beach House, things got interesting. The intention was to go an check out Blonde Redhead, but they had swapped spots with Holy Fuck. So we decided to stay at this stage and check out Two Door Cinema Club. I wasn’t that fussed on these guys before Laneway. They can write some amazing pop songs, but they didn’t really do it for me. That, and I was sceptical about them live. Their songs are so quick and tight that I thought they wouldn’t be able to pull it all off. I was mistaken though. After a massive wait (40mins and missing out on Holy Fuck) and seeing the crowd go crazy apeshit, they actually pulled it off damn well. It still lacked something for me though. But that probably says more about my music snobbery than anything else.
Next up was Yeasayer. We were towards the back for these guys, so I think I missed out on the best parts, but tracks like O.N.E., Madder Red and Ambling Alp were all massive, and tight and killer. After those dudes we managed to check out a tiny bit of Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti, and man, gold pants? Really? I didn’t get these guys at all.
Then it was off to check out Blonde Redhead in their later timeslot. These guys were easily the surprise of the day. I knew they had good songs, but wow. They were tight as hell, had that super loud wall of sound thing going on, and well, then there’s the songs. Pop song perfection these guys are. So glad I was these guys.
Blonde Redhead – Spring And By Summer Fall
And then there was Cutters.
Although their set incorporates a bit of techy stuff (I love tech, but I think I love In Ghost Colours so much that it skews what I hear just a bit), they were solid. They even had a door onstage, which although it was a little wanky, kinda worked. People thought that the only reason they had it on stage was so that they could enter the stage that way (mind you, the door was front and centre). They did enter the door that way, and you could tell that even they thought it was a little funny. But then, man, that door had some magic powers or something. It moved around, they’re were images on it, it was it’s own little light show. It was having a party. And so were we (bad segue anyone?!). I love Cutters and probably will until I die. Anything they do, I love (and I’m sure i’ll love Zonoscope after a few more listens).
Out There On The Ice seems to be nearly everyone’s favourite track of there’s. Don’t even think it’s was released as a single, but they always pull it out live. I loved them. Can’t say it enough.
Cut Copy – Out There On The Ice
All in all, it was pretty darn good. Food didn’t run out also which was a good thing. Bring on next year. The guys always put on a great festival.
The 10 Best Albums of 2010
you want the best? Well i’ll give you the best.
*ahh…when i say ‘the best’, just to clarify, i don’t actually mean ‘the best’…i mean the best.
Ok, so now that’s out of the way (what?!), we can start this best albums of 2010 list.
First off, man, some absolutely killer albums released this year. And me being me, of course there’s a whole heap of different styles that make my list.
This year has been a bit of a strange one for me. Being so heavily involved with uni work, this here thing has taken a small bit of a backseat, especially in the latter half of the year. So, it’s only been in the last two weeks or so that I’ve started to go back through the heaps of albumsI bought and was fortunate enough to be sent over the past year. Of course, there are obvious standouts, albums that stay with you for the whole year. And then there’s albums you only bought a few days ago that are so mind-boggingly good that you just gotta include the thing in this damn list.
So yeah, I started off with a list of about 36. Then I got a list of 29. Then it was down to 15. To dwindle that down to 10 was freaking hard.
But like last year, I at least wanted to give the ones that didn’t make it a mention.
In no particular order, the albums that nearly made it are: Rat vs Possum – Daughter of Sunshine, Parades – Foreign Tapes, Otouto – PIP, PVT – Church With No Magic, Super Melody – Destination Unknown, Shit Robot – From The Cradle To The Rave, Gold Panda – Lucky Shiner, Carl Fox – Chunky Rainbow, Adam Kesher – Challenging Nature, Caribou – Swim, Faux Pas – Noiseworks, Eddy Current Suppression Ring – Rush To Relax.
The 5 that so nearly made it were: Mount Kimbie – Crooks & Lovers, Miami Horror – Illumination, LCD Soundsystem – This Is Happening, Grinderman – Grinderman 2, Kanye West – My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy.
But yes, let’s get to the good stuff. These are in a tentative order, so don’t take too much notice of it!
10. The Holidays – Post Paradise
There is such a nice summery feel to this album. Having been impressed by The Holidays earlier on this year when they supported Bluejuice, I was hanging out for this album for a while. So glad I ended up getting it. Their sound has changed heaps (you can stream two of their earlier tracks on Hype Machine), and I think the inclusion of the percussion and the more funk/hip-hop influenced beats makes sure that they have their own sound.
9. Surf City – Kudos
I heard about these guys on the always good Incoming show on 3RRR here in Melbourne. Surf City are from New Zealand and have got a bit of blog love over the past year. Their album Kudos, is their first release here…and yes! It’s got this quality that seems to be missed by so many of these other bands. Maybe it’s the fact that they have the word ‘surf’ in their title. Or maybe it’s the way it sounds polished without being too polished. It has this clean production that still manages to sound raw and unpolished which I really really dig.
8. Four Tet – There Is Love In You
Ok, so I find it difficult to include an electronic based album in my top 10 list. But when it’s Four Tet, I’m willing to chuck that out the window. This, perhaps like the Holy Fuck album is what I like about good electronic/dance music. It pushes, and it’s innovative. It’s not boring, and it actually makes you want to move – the music has the power, not your brain telling your foot that it’s probably better if you tap along.
7. Holy Fuck – Latin.
Call me an idiot, but I always assumed that Holy Fuck were some metal band. Haha…think I may’ve been a little wrong about that. Found out about these guys through Triple J (again). And man, wow. They are the dance/electronic/live act I think bands should aim to be like. They hit the nail on the head. And man, what an intro…straight into this driving groove and it just goes and goes and goes and takes you someplace.
6. Dan Kelly – Dan Kelly’s Dream.
What a sweet local album. Dan Kelly is such an interesting songwriter, and he writes songs where you HAVE to listen to the lyrics because they paint such a vivid picture. I only knew a little of Kelly’s previous work, and yeah, I guess I liked it. I think the fact that this album also got a fair bit of promotion, from that great underwater themed take 5 with Zan on Triple J, to Dylan Lewis playing him on his show on Nova made me stand up and take some notice. Another reason would be that it’s a fun album, and it feels familiar. It reminds me of Melbourne for some reason, but in a summery way, not like all those wintery dark based Melbourne bands.
Dan Kelly – Hold On, I’m Coming On
5. Efterklang – Magic Chairs
This was easily an early contender for album of the year for me. Knowing absolutely nothing of these guys before this record, maybe I’m going in a little naively, but hey, whatyagonnado?. Opening track Modern Drift is easily one of my faves, and the track Raincoats I think I’ll always remember due to the fact that it always seems to come on when it gets super rainy outside.
4. Midnight Juggernauts – The Crystal Axis
This is definitely one of the most solid local releases of the year, but like the Juggers first record, it seemed to have flown under the radar a little bit. They still got a fair bit of play and interview time, but I dunno, I suppose I expected more for an album that I know quite a few people were anticipating. I did an album review of this back in May and I described it as ‘warm’…whilst the Axis is still dark in it’s sound, it has this warm quality to it. It’s also a hell of a lot more percussive. There are little woodblock kinda grooves working their way right through the disc, which is all kinds of cool.
Midnight Juggernauts – Cannibal Freeway
3. Yeasayer – Odd Blood
This was one of the first albums I got this year…and I’m definitely pleased I did. To me, this album seemed to nearly reach the level of hype that Phoenix’s record did last year. And definitely in Australia. O.N.E. was an absolute monster of a song. But to me, I think it was that first single Ambling Alp. Perhaps one of the greatest pop songs of the year? The album moves you, and not in some wanky corny way. I mean, it actually moves you. It takes you from one place to another and I’m definitely happy to be taken (ok, that did end up sounding a little wanky right?!)
2. Beach House – Teen Dream
This, with the Yeasayer record was probably one of the most hyped albums of the year. And well, it made my top 10 list didn’t it?! I remember calling this pop perfection, and it really kinda is. It has these beautiful tracks right throughout. It’s one of those albums where it forces you to relax, and I love that. These guys are playing at Laneway next year and I reckon they’re going to be awesome!
1. Surfer Blood – Astro Coast
I don’t know how many lists will have this as number one…and i predict it will only make it into a few lists at that. For me, it is the opening track Floating Vibes. There’s something about that opening guitar that reels me in and keeps me there for the whole disc. To me, this thing sounds fresh, and it works as an album. This year has been full of different kinds of music for me, or at least stuff that I wouldn’t listen to all that much. I think this record is testament to that.
Laneway 2011 LINEUP!
ok. So this morning, Triple J slowly let out the lineup for the St Jeromes Laneway Festival for next year…
wow.
I think that’s all I can say! Most of the bands I’ve been hanging out to see but haven’t been able to coz of the year that is Honours Thesis are on this list.
Cutters (AM SO FREAKING PUMPED TO SEE THESE BOYS LIVE AGAIN!) played at Parklife which would’ve been awesome.
Yeasayer and Beach House played at Splendour.
And then there’s PVT, Rat Vs Possum, The Holidays, Bear In Heaven, Deerhunter, Holy Fuck, Gotye…man, the list just goes on and on. It’s like a bloggers wet dream…or nightmare (Too many great bands in only one day!)
Anyway, you can check out the lineup just below. You can check out my mini review of last years here. Also make sure you check out a few tracks from the bands playin.
I am freaking excited!
…
Ariel Pink
Beach House
Bear in Heaven
Blonde Redhead
!!!
Cut Copy
Deerhunter
Foals
Gotye
Holy Fuck
Jenny and Johnny
Les Savy Fav
Local Native
Menomena
The Antlers
The Holidays
PVT (PVT – Window)
Rat vs Possum (Rat Vs Possum – Binti Jua)
Stornoway
Two Door Cinema Club
Violet Soho
Warpaint
World’s End Press (World’s End Press – Golden Child)
Yeasayer (Yeasayer – O.N.E)
remix that #8
ok. Some killer new remixes just for you. well…when I say ‘new’, some may be a little old. But only a month or two. Anyway, on with it I say.
First cap off the rank is is a remix of a dude I really wish I saw at Laneway. The guy’s name is Whitley. The song is Head First Down. Whitley’s label organised a remix comp for the track…which even I had a shot at. Never finished it though. Anyway, enough of me. More of the guys that won the comp. No Device may be known to bloggers out there for their pretty nice remixes of some Aussie acts like Dappled Cities, Washington and Lisa Mitchell. With Head First Down, they take what was a pretty anthemic track and make it all down tempo and moody. Works pretty well too! (If you want to download this one, head over to the Universal Music website to download it.
Whitley – Head First Down (No Device Remix)
Second. Well well well…could maamf ever feature another Phoenix remix? Well…yeah, I suppose we could. This one comes courtesy of Poindexter, who’s out of Portland, Oregon. Just about every blogger out there will tell you how good the original is, but, as Poindexter himself puts it “This is probably the millionth remix you’ve received of this track but it’s the only one that matters”. And whilst he did put that forward with a little winky smiley face, a little tongue in cheek, it is pretty good. The thing I like about this one is the key change, and how he seems to utilise every chord known in the verse before the chorus kicks in.
Phoenix – Fences (The Poindexter Remix)
Third on the list. I think in 6 months time, Delphic may be what Phoenix is in terms of the number of remixes done. I’ve received 3 remixes for the track so far and expect a few more. I think the best thing about the original is that not only is it an awesome track by it’s self, it’s also got this “come remix me” vibe about it. There’s so much you can do with it, especially with the cut up vocals. This remix is by a dude from the UK called Doc Daneeka. He mixes up the cut up vocals to great effect I reckon. Makes it a little breaksy, a little dubby, and a little grimey (he did dub his remix the ‘All For Space Grime’ after all).
Delphic – Doubt (Doc Daneeka All For Space Grime Mix)
Last. This guy is turning out to be a bit of a favourite. I loved his remix of Sweet Disposition that dropped last year, as did a lot of other blogs out there. The dude’s name is Alan Wilkis and he has a knack of putting a whole new spin on tracks. Well duh, isn’t that what a remix is? Yeah, but I think Wilkis does it in such an original way which just works so well. The obvious choice for Sweet Disposition would be to capitalise on the whole big all encompassing sound, the soundscape if you like. Wilkis puts this killer drum pattern underneath it that ramps it up and makes it something completely different. He’s done nearly the same with the Yeasayer track Ambling Alp. You say Yeasayer and you think pretty heavily blogged (For good reason though – I just picked up their second album the other day and man, early contender for album of the year for me). Anyway, Wilkis gives it a four-on-the-floor kick, and keeps it minimal(ish), not like the layers used in the original. He’s kept those horns and repeated them and man. It just kills. The dude has skills.
Yeasayer – Ambling Alp (Alan Wilkis Remix)
Good list eh? You know it.
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