Spinout Records Present Adam Shaw

I think is enough of the indie stuff for this week. Let’s listen to some upbeat tracks and dance your worries away.  Just enjoy yourself for this long-weekend. So get your lazy bum bum up and start get groovy. No, you don’t have to hit the club to do so. Just clear up your room and download this album and  tadah…you are set to go. Have a nice weekend folks!

An electronica/dance album that you should not miss. Present by Adam Shaw.

*Download link not longer available.

Spinout Records Present Adam Shaw

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Absolutes by Barcelona

Actually, I wanted to blog about a new album but after I re-watched the video ‘Kuroshio Sea’ I decided to blog about this album instead. You guys really have to watch the video because it was really amazing and surely would left you in awe. I in fact did posted the video in my personal blog before, well good things should be share again right.

Anyway, the video will be posted below. So, focus on the album now. This is the first album released by Barcelona back in 2007. Though, they did launched another ‘remastered’ version when they were signed by Universal Motown in 2009. But, I think I prefer the original version.

Absolutes without doubt is one great album. There is no single weak songs in it. Is kinda surprising considering this is their debut album. And they have already shows us how outstanding they were. It was a pure bliss listening to this album. My personal favourite for sure is Please Don’t Go, Get Up, Get Up, Get Up, Response, Numb, You Will Pull Through, Stars, First Floor People….well basically I almost listed out the whole track list. Hehe…

 

Well, quite a number of tracks like Please, Get up, Pull through, and First Floor People is a bit dark but is not depressing like Damien Rice-style. It was serene enough to listen, occasionally with some indescribable feeling when listening to it. It is not boring also. It somehow have ‘magic’ to capture your attention and just listen.

The lyrics are somehow like a mirage. Like is there, yet is not there. Somehow, it does not make quite sense but after a few times listening to it. You will went ‘Aha’ as is like the meanings had been always there waiting for you to be discover. It just like wine tasting. You have to sip a few more and let the wine ‘run’ around your mouth then with a gentle push of your tongue the wine slip down your throat. Then embrace yourself in the aftertaste.

The music, oh how should I begin. “Please Don’t Go” has the most amazing tune I think. It gave me this strange worldliness feeling like I’m in some vast snowy white land. “Get up, Get up, Get up” has a intense tune at the end. If you listen to it carefully, the tune get much more intense and the pitch get higher and higher and with that the song ends with a single tune. It really sounds like the choir is cheering for the persona to stand up and with the ending note the persona finally was on his two feet with his fists toward the sky. Perfect.

If you are an Indie Pop digger, this is an album you should not miss. As a matter of fact, if you like Coldplay, The Fray, Keane most probably this album would appeal to you too. In fact, the song ‘It’s about time’ remind me of the album Under the Iron Sea by Keane.

I really can’t wait for their second album. Is been 3 years since 2007. Is about time  they come out with a second album.

Please Don’t Go (not official video) but think this is awesome.

Kuroshio Sea - 2nd largest aquarium tank in the world - (song is Please don't go by Barcelona) from Jon Rawlinson on Vimeo.

Oh looks like they are working on their 2nd album :) Can’t Wait!

Absolutes by Barcelona

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Broadcast 2000 by Broadcast 2000

Obviously this is an self-titled album Broadcast 2000 by Broadcast 2000. Which was the band first debut album and just released a week ago. So, yeah is a very new album. Broadcast 200 is a British acoustic indie-folk band which was the brainchild of multitalented singer-songwriter Joe Steer. And this album does live up to his name, multitalented. 

There were so many instruments that being played out in the entire album and yet they were harmonious enough to create such soothing symphonies. Broadcast 2000 offer a similar warm, low-key takes on indie folk with interesting mixes of different instruments. It was light and a bit upbeat if you compare it to the other indie/folk singer, like Damien Rice, Ray Lamontagne. It is somewhere in between Friska Viljor and Noah and the Whale. And definitely is a joy for those who like The Sleeper by The Leisure Society because I did. Hehe…

There were so many outstanding songs in this album. The album kick off with Rouse Your Bones which started with glockenspiel which plays a major role in this album. Another track was That Sinking Feeling, gosh this song is like a instruments convention meeting. There were so many musical instruments played through out the entire song, double bass, violin, glockenspiel, percussion, ukulele and cello. It’s mind blowing good. Get Up and Go is another masterpiece, the glockenspiel carries the song perfectly. I never thought glockenspiel can be play like this. I used to hate glockenspiel sound as it was very annoying now after listening to this album it totally change my perception on that instrument.

I Hold My Breath is another highlight which started off with glockenspiel then the cellos come in and change the ‘flavour’ of the song. Gonna Build A Mountain was mostly base on ukulele.

No doubt this is an amazing album. And Broadcast 2000 is going to be a successful band if Steer continue to lead the band.

This is the official music video of Get Up and Go by Broadcast 2000. Which I think is using the stop motion concept to film the video. The actors actually ‘freezes’ while the video is still rolling. Mind you it is not a combination of pictures,

Broadcast 2000 by Broadcast 2000

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Fly Yellow Moon by Fyfe Dangerfield

Fly Yellow Moon by Fyfe Dangerfield is his first own debut album released on 18th January 2010. Yeah it is a quite new ablum. It should not be confuse with Guillemots to which he belongs to that band. Honestly speaking I have no idea what band it is since this is the first time I heard about this band but apparently it was nominated for BRIT Award. Maybe is time for me to check it out.

Anyway back to this album. I don’t exactly get hooked on it the first time when I listen to it. But, it gets better over time. Now, I’m hooked after listening to it for a few time. It is a quality album, no doubt about it. The whole album was done in 5 days flat and all the songs were written and composed by Fyfe Dangerfield Unbelievable! And yet all the lyrics were high qualities.

The album kick off with the song “When You Walk In the Room”. Blasting out from my speaker as like announcing spring is here. It was a joyous song. And the first few notes of the song is incredible. So going to make it into my ringtone. The upbeat sound of the piano and drum and not to forget the occasional scream of Dangerfield. It was such an uplifting song with lyric ‘no one is pulling me down into the ground’ and chorus ‘i want you endlessly’. How can one not sense his passion in this song? 

The single of this album “She Needs Me” pretty much speaks for itself. Apparently, Dangerfield produced this album when he is in love. So, yeah this is a album for those who are intoxicated with the love poison. Valentines is just around the corner folks! So go fall in love. The lyric went like this ‘This is where I want to be; I am yours and you can do what you like with me’ and the chorus ‘she needs me’. Oh yeah, cheesy yet lovely! Now where’s my cupid!?

Another upbeat tracks “Faster Than the Setting Sun” is equally stunning. Though, the lyric is a bit  repetitive but the music of this song manage is really good. One thing though, the opening of this song keep remind me of “Low” from the album X&Y by Coldplay.

Few of the slow pace songs from this album are really good too. “Barricades” sound like “Hallelujah” from Leonard Cohen at the beginning and continues with a really amazing mellow ends. “Firebird” is such a melodic song which almost sound like a lullaby and it ends with the lyric ‘all the world is asleep’ and ‘as long as you’re mine we can conquer light on a bicycle made for two.’ Not forgetting ‘Livewire’ which Dangerfield sings off with such a mildly and pleasant voice accompany by his acoustic guitar.

This is certainly going to be one of the best album for 2010. What a kick start eh!

She needs me by Fyfe Dangerfield

Fly Yellow Moon by Fyfe Dangerfield

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Close to Paradise by Patrick Watson

Actually I introduced a song “The Great Escape by Patrick Watson” from this album in my personal blog a year ago. But then well, since it was so long ago and since I just wrote only that song from that album. Well, what the heck. I might just introduce the whole album then. On second thought, I think I also did wrote about “To build a home ( from Cinematic Orchestra)” 

Close to Paradise by Patrick Watson was launched back in 2006. Since then, this album have received a lot of positive criticism from professional reviews and won the Polaris Music Prize in 2007. A Canadian music award to the best album of the year. Yeap, Patrick Watson is truly a talented Canadian. Canada do produced a lot of songbirds don’t you agree. Like Celine Dion, Paul Anka, Avril Lagvine, Shania Twain, Leonard Cohen, Nelly Furtado and so on…

Of course with no doubt that my favourite song from this album is “The Great Escape” (no no not the stefani version) which I intro in my personal blog last time. Other song that are fantastic Actually, I don’t think I can said like that because it would not be fair. The whole album actually bring you to another level the way how you listen to music. Every song in this album is different. Some might causes you to have chill down your spine, slip into the skin (pun intended) Some might made you to be  really depressive. Some just bring you the sense of longing and remind you of your home that you had long forgotten. Some might bring you closer to paradise, ok scratch that. That just a lame joke. eheh…

Track list: Bold were my pick.

1. "Close to Paradise"
2. "Daydreamer"
3. "Slip Into Your Skin"
4. "Giver"
5. "Weight of the World"
6. "The Storm"
7. "Mr. Tom"
8. "Luscious Life"
9. "Drifters"
10. "Man Under the Sea"
11. "The Great Escape"
12. "Sleeping Beauty"
13. "Bright Shiny Lights"
14. '”To Build a Home (Cinematic Orchestrate) “ *depends on version I like his cover though.

Look likes, I almost picked all the songs in the album. Oh well, it’s really good!

Ok, “The Great Escape” was featured in Grey’s Anatomy. So, yeah I knew him from this show. Told’ya this show have the greatest soundtrack of all time. I have teary eyes when I watch this episode especially at this particular scene. I’m sentimental :P

And this is the original MV for “The Great Escape” which I strongly recommend to watch. C’est magnifique!

The first time I heard this song, I have chill! So incredible done and he do live so perfectly!

Ok , I know there are a lot of youtube videos in this post but please bear with me. Just let me express how much I love this album and I’m so eager to share it in this blog.

Last one I promise!!!

Close to Paradise by Patrick Watson

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New Moon OST

Ok forget about the cheesy movie. I know is quite a few months since the movie showed in the cinema. But, one have to admit the soundtracks of the New Moon are good. Same goes with The Twilight OST. Well, it shouldn’t be a surprise at all as both movies music supervisor was Alexandra Patsavas. She is the one who in charge of Grey’s Anatomy, Gossip Girls, The O.C, Private Practice, Boston Public, Mad Men, Roswell and many more American series' music supervisor. You actually can sense her influences in all those movies as she likes to pick indie band music and alternative rock band music to fuse into the drama/movie.

Personally, I do think New Moon OST is one of the best OST of our time. Of course, you can’t compare it to the mammoth Titanic OST. That is way out of league. Anyway, this OST included quite a number of indie-rock heavyweight Death Cab for Cutie, Bon Iver and Grizzly Bear. As for alternative rock band it included Radiohead, Muse, The Killers and Band of Skulls. Need I say more? The former 3 bands were all incredible successful worldwide.

sure many female fans gaga over this

There was one song in this OST that even after I watched the movie the song still linger in my mind. That’s Possibility by Lykke Li which can be heard at the scene where Bella sits and thinks while months go by. Perhaps, it was the scene that looked so melancholic and when this song started to play the whole scene and the song just standout. Another 2 songs that worth to mention is A White Demon Love Song by The Killers (played at the Credit) and Satellite Heart by Anya Marina (played when Edward send Bella home after the birthday party). It can be said that New Moon OST is much more atmospheric and hushed if compare to The Twilight OST which is much more rock based etc. Paramore , Linkin Park…

Possibility by Lyyke Li (fans video short version)

So tell me when you hear my heart stop,
you're the only one that knows.
Tell me when you hear my silence,
there's a possibility I wouldn't know.

So tell me when my sorrow's over,
you're the reason why I'm closed.
Tell me when you hear me falling,
there's a possibility it wouldn't show.
mmmmm....

Satellite Heart by Anna Marina (fans video short version)

I'm a satellite heart
lost in the dark
I'm spun out so far
you stop, I start
But I'll be true to you

I'm a satellite heart
lost in the dark
I'm spun out so far
you stop I start

But I'll be true to you no matter what you do
Yeah, I'll be true to you

New Moon OST

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Slow Show by The National

Slow Show is from the album Boxer by The National which was released in  2007. Off topic a bit, I have been always a fans of Coldplay. It was my favourite band. But somehow the X&Y album seems to lost it touch. Luckily, the Viva La Vida brings Coldplay back for good because I’m so going to fall for The National if Coldplay fails to produce another decent album after the mediocre X&Y.

The National is an American indie band and is a good amazing band. Boxer is another worth-every-penny album. Every song in the album are perfectly done. Slow Show is one of my favourite from this album. Beautiful and subtle yet with amazing vague intense lyric. The music oh my the music in the song is a masterpiece. I was hooked when I heard the first note. The piano part is an attention grabber.

 

This is a version from AOL (live no piano) and my interpretation of the lyric are as below.

Studio version with piano at 3.00 mins my favourite part of this song.

Standing at the punch table swallowing punch
can’t pay attention to the sound of anyone
a little more stupid, a little more scared
every minute more unprepared

(The persona was getting drunk and no longer pay any attention to the surrounding anymore. Feeling more and more hopeless)

I made a mistake in my life today
everything I love gets lost in drawers
I want to start over, I want to be winning
way out of sync from the beginning

(Something went wrong today, he had made a mistake perhaps a fight with his lover. Everything he love (friendship/relationship…) is a mess now. He is seeking for a fresh start. He want to start over. He want to be good. He is not by himself lately [way out of sync] maybe that’s why he had a fight with his love ones.)

I wanna hurry home to you
put on a slow, dumb show for you
and crack you up
so you can put a blue ribbon on my brain
god I’m very, very frightening
I’ll overdo it

(He is missing his love ones badly, wishing to be right beside his love ones. Regretting what he did earlier on. He is willing to do anything just to wish that the one he love is happy. Yet somehow, he scares it will backfire, afraid that he would annoyed his love ones)

Looking for somewhere to stand and stay
I leaned on the wall and the wall leaned away
Can I get a minute of not being nervous
and not thinking of my dick
My leg is sparkles, my leg is pins
I better get my shit together, better gather my shit in
You could drive a car through my head in five minutes
from one side of it to the other

(He is finding himself. Trying to define who he is [looking somewhere to stand; perhaps explaining the part ‘way out of sync’ in verse two.] Trying very hard to get himself back on track but failed/or finding someone to rely on. [wall as metaphor] He need to be focus. Get a hold of himself only then he can reconcile with his love ones)

I wanna hurry home to you
put on a slow, dumb show for you
and crack you up
so you can put a blue ribbon on my brain
god I’m very, very frightening
I’ll overdo it

 
You know I dreamed about you
for twenty-nine years before I saw you
You know I dreamed about you
I missed you for
for twenty-nine years

You know I dreamed about you
for twenty-nine years before I saw you
You know I dreamed about you
I missed you for
for twenty-nine years

(She is the one for him)

Slow Show by The National

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Speaking a Dead Language by Joy Williams

 Speaking of a Dead Language was included in an EP launched by Joy Williams back in 2009. It was a double EP actually Songs from This, Song from That. And this song was in the second part/cd, Song from That. 

I heard it first on Grey’s Anatomy season 6 premier. Oh, Grey’s Anatomy certainly have a lot of great songs don’t they? Anyway, this song is called Speaking a Dead Language. It was sad and yet beautiful. Haunting in a way too. One of my favourite from Joy Williams. I really wonder when would she going to comes out a full album. She have been launching EPs for few years now.

Is kinda sucks you know when knowing all this amazing artists that had been struggling for being recognize in the entertainment world for years. Yet they never  managed to shine. All the music industry now were filled with money-sucking albums. Not even worth a penny to listen to.

Anyway, here is the song. I love the part ‘oh i wonder…’.  I think it is singing about a couple that started out as a perfect couple all lovely dovey and as time pass by they just drift apart. Is kinda obvious ‘and somewhere in the talking, the meaning faded out’. And I do think the song title was actually a metaphor for love. It was actually implying the love as a language. ‘You’re speaking a dead language, dead language, you don’t sound like yourself’ as like the other half have change. He/she not longer committed in the relationship anymore. For once they were happily together , they were just in love ‘we were so sure, so innocent’. Yet, all these comes  to an end ‘oh i wonder, when all this stop making sense’. And the song end with a rhetorical question ‘can we ever go back again’. Which clearly means that this is the end for them.

 

 

We built a tall, tall tower
towards the sun, towards the sun
took some words and built a wall
between our love, between our love

And somewhere in all the talking
the meaning faded out

Oh I wonder
when did it all stop making sense
I don't understand
cuz I remember
we were so sure, so innocent
o but that was then
can we ever go back again
can we ever go back again

You're Speaking a dead, dead language
you don't sound like yourself
I hope it's just lost in translation
why don't you show, don't try to tell

brick by brick we started crumbling
if we don't stop, it's gonna fall

Oh I wonder
when did it all stop making sense
I don't understand
cuz I remember
we were so sure, so innocent
o but that was then
can we ever go back again
can we ever go back again

hold your breath
look around
try to add it up
pin it down
but you can't

Oh I wonder
when did it all stop making sense
I don't understand
cuz I remember
we were so sure, so innocent
o but that was then
can we ever go back again
can we ever go back again

Speaking a Dead Language by Joy Williams

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