I always tell myself that I must feature more rock music because it has always been one of my primary passions. As time’s gone on I’ve failed in that though and fallen into constantly writing about the ‘traditional’ blog sound which is something I never wanted to do as a sole focus. Hopefully, I can start to remedy this situation by sharing the new Young Guns video for Learn My Lesson with you. The song itself has been around for a few weeks now, ever since it debuted on Zane Lowe’s show as his hottest record in the world earlier this month, and is the first single to be taken from their forthcoming second album. It would seem to herald a slightly more mature sound from the band while maintaining that distinctive edge that allows you to identify it’s them surprisingly quickly for a guitar band. The video that accompanies it is rather epic and whoever directed it definitely deserves recognition for the some of truly stunning and striking shots that are peppered throughout. Undoubtedly, if you are a fan of the band, both the song and the video will find an instant appeal, and will hopefully be the start of the regular appearance of rock/guitar music on here.
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Young Guns – Learn My Lesson
The Minutes – Black Keys
As a fan of rock music in general it was inevitable that I was going to find myself enjoying Black Keys by Dublin trio The Minutes the moment I pressed play. The song, which will be their next single released on October 31st, is a genuine piece of rock ‘n’ roll largely due to Mark Austin’s bluesy vocals. It’s got that almost Quo style guitar sound that makes it irresistible to dance to (or perhaps more specifically subconsciously tap your foot to) and is universally catchy in a way that very few rock bands seem to manage at the moment.
You can catch The Minutes on tour, dates below.
31st Oct – Bull & Gate, London *Single release show*
2nd Nov – Water Rats, London
3rd Nov – Pyramid centre, Portsmouth *w/ Flogging Molly*
4th Nov – Forum, London *w/ Flogging Molly*
5th Nov – Academy 2, Manchester *w/ Flogging Molly*
6th Nov – UEA, Norwich *w/ Flogging Molly*
28th Nov – Rockcity, Nottingham *w/ Flogging Molly*
29th Nov – Wulfrun Hall, Wolverhampton *w/ Flogging Molly*
30th Nov – Coal Exchange, Cardiff *w/Flogging Molly*
Introducing…Jumping Ships
It’s been a while since I featured an Introducing…, so when an email landed in my inbox yesterday presenting not only a new, good quality rock band but one that is reasonably local, I felt the need to spread the word about Jumping Ships. Formed in 2008 and hailing from Brighton, the quartet have already received the backing of 6Music’s Steve Lamacq, BBC Introducing and Rocksound; all off the back of a self-recorded introduction Liberty Row. Since then they have gone on to release their debut EP Orientation, and support Bombay Bicycle Club & General Fiasco; certainly gaining them a reputation as ones to watch.
Fresh from extensive live appearances alongside fellow buzz bands Young Guns, The Joy Formidable & Twin Atlantic, they return with their latest EP Heart & Hope. The song itself is infectious and upbeat; everything you would expect from a proper pop/rock anthem. There are a lot of bands out there working tirelessly to reinstate the reputation of rock music, and prove it to still be an exciting genre of music; Jumping Ships are one of the few doing it with success. The great thing about them is that they are one of the few who also possess the ability to achieve commercial acclaim, such is the appeal of their instantly affecting anthemic sounds. With its great hook, Heart & Hope should charm you, and help convince that indie/rock/pop (sorry for the vagueness!) is still very much relevant and engaging, with its unfaltering energy that encourages you to loose your inhibitions and jump around ridiculously; precisely what the best music of this genre should do! Quite simply then, pay attention because Jumping Ships are well worth watching out for!
Heart and Hope – Jumping Ships by alcopop
Also find below, another track from the Heart and Hope EP, the much rawer, yet lyrically more affective, Loose Canon, available to download with love from Alcopop!
Loose Cannon – Jumping Ships by eclecticallychallenged
Foo Fighters – Rope
On the night that Dave Grohl (correctly) collects the God Like Genius Award at the NME Awards it seems only right that tonight’s post is dedicated to Foo Fighters’ new song Rope which premiered on Radio 1 earlier today. If you heard last week’s demo White Limo you would be forgiven for expecting this new offering to be an onslaught of sound; in fact it’s not. Don’t get me wrong it’s still epic, but it’s less of a metal sound. In fact, personally, I think it sounds more like some of their older stuff; I can’t help but hear shades of Monkey Wrench coming through in the chorus. It sounds like classic Foo Fighters and is a promising sign that Wasting Light is going to be worth the wait. If, as everyone seems convinced of, rock music really is dead, someone forgot to tell Dave Grohl!
Rope by Foo Fighters
We Are The Ocean – What It Feels Like
I’ve dedicated a lot of time to relaxed, laid-back music-makers recently, so today I thought I’d revert to a bit of rock! If you haven’t heard of them, We Are The Ocean are a 5 piece getting set to release their second album. One of the many undercurrent guitar bands in the UK, they stand out by mixing hardcore verses with melodic choruses, creating an accessible and appealing rock sound for those who are fans of the genre and those who are not. New single, What It Feels Like displays this perfectly. An auto-tuned introduction segways into a roaring verse which, unusually for the style of delivery, is completely coherent, allowing every single word to pack a punch. However, it is the chorus which really sets this song, and with it the band, from so many others. It’s more than merely catchy, it’s epic. The sort of melodies and sentiment that will sound best sung back at the band by a thousand voices in the middle of a festival. As the song reaches it’s climax the band add another layer by stripping back to Liam Cromby’s stunning vocals and a simple drum beat and rhythm guitar. Altogether, it blends into a multi-facted track that should delight many, and if the cries of the beginning are not to your taste, at least listen to the song as far as the chorus because the lyrics “Have you forgotten what it feels like to be loved” will be in your head indefinitely!
What It Feels Like – We Are The Ocean by eclecticallychallenged
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