October 2011
1 post
June 2010
5 posts
Nietzsche Said It Best →
I’m still favouring Wordpress over Tumblr. Which means all the good stuff is going on over there!! Come over for summer jams, Snoop singing about True Blood, and a beautiful debut from Perfume Genius.
Tumblr, I'm cheating on you with Wordpress.
Tumblr is wonderful. No doubt about that. But for my blogging needs, Wordpress has come to fill my requirements more satisfactorily.
So, while I shall still visit Tumblr for all its visual niceties, NIETZSCHE SAID IT BEST will officially continue at its new home RIGHT HERE ON WORDPRESS. If you want to carry on hearing the mutterings of your typical music junkie, please head over and take a look,...
21 tags
Dot to Dot Manchester (A.K.A. the day I saw 19...
Dot to Dot has been running since 2005, but 2010 saw it travel to Manchester for the first time. I’ve always been one to admire the line-ups of one-day festivals, forget about them, and later indulge in a great deal of self-berating as everyone talks about just how fantastic this set was, and how unmissable that performance was. So when the Dot to Dot flyer landed in my lap, I thought to myself...
3 tags
Eminem - Won't Back Down (Feat. P!nk)
When Eminem recently released the tracklisting for his new album, Recovery, many people were surprised to see appearances by Rihanna and P!nk. Oftentimes in the past Eminem has used popstars such as them as fodder for his verbal tirades; many of his fans were outraged and came out with intelligent and cerebral statements such as “OMFG WHY IS HE F***ING DOING A COLLABO WITH THESE B****ES...
2 tags
Kylie Minogue - All The Lovers (Video Premiere)
Kylie is back. And she’s brought a humongous, naked, writhing human pyramid with her. Which strangely makes me like the song a lot more…watch it below.
May 2010
15 posts
1 tag
Peggy Sue
Peggy Sue are a band from Brighton. They make folk/blues/alternative music and are nothing short of wonderful. Today I am especially captivated by the track ‘February Snow’ from their debut album Fossils And Other Phantoms, watch a live performance of it below. Then you should probably listen to some more songs at their MySpace. That is all. Well done for doing that.
3 tags
Passion Pit - Sleepyhead (Neo Tokyo Remix)
Neo Tokyo has been doing some fantastic remixes. Ellie Goulding’s ‘Guns and Horses’ EP (and 7” picture disc), featured his re-working of the song; another favourite of mine is his version of Passion Pit’s 2008 song ‘Sleepyhead’. The song retains its original level of energy and fun, but a heavier beat and bassline are added, much increasing the likelihood...
3 tags
Marina & the diamonds @ Manchester Academy 2...
The last time Marina & the Diamonds played Manchester, it was at the 200 or so capacity Deaf Institute, a charming and much loved venue, but ultimately just a room above a trendy bar. Whilst that crowd had its fair share of Diamonds (they’re the fans, come on you now that by now), this time there is a much more palpable excitement in the air. It could be the heat of what is likely to be...
3 tags
Come party with Lady Gaga (Caitlin Moran's Times...
Caitlin Moran was recently granted the rare opportunity to interview Lady GaGa. The interview was published today, and the results are nothing but mind-blowing. Seriously, this is all anyone can, and should, be talking about today. I was already a huge GaGa fan, but in this article the woman surpasses all of my expectations and my love for her is now reborn and renewed. Think I’m talking...
6 tags
Free tracks from Subpop thank you very much.
Would you like 14 free tracks from Subpop, including Dum Dum Girls, Wolf Parade and The Ruby Suns? Of course you would. Listen to and download the tracks via the Soundcloud player below…
2010 Free Downloads by subpop
2 tags
Robyn - Dancing On My Own (Video Premiere)
Continuing the Robyn theme, here’s her new video for ‘Dancing On My Own’, directed by Max Vitali.
Robyn ‘Dancing On My Own’ (Official Video) from Robyn on Vimeo.
3 tags
Kelis & Robyn announce JOINT TOUR!
Kelis and Robyn, two amazing gals who I have a lot of love for, announced their new tour via Twitter. A little unusual? Yes. Adorable? Indeed.
Robyn: hey mama, I’m bored. U feel like doing something? Kelis: Love to. Thinking it’d be fun 2 hit the road together? Robyn: That’s what I’M thinking. I got my strobes ready & some new dancing shoes as well. We could do this!...
1 tag
Arcade Fire - The Suburbs/Month of May 12"
Arcade Fire have put two short clips from their new 12”, ‘The Suburbs/Month of May’ onto their website. Both are very short and don’t really give much away but as an Arcade Fire fan it still makes me excited to hear the full songs, and see them in their headline slot at Leeds this summer!! Listen to the clips below.
A. The Suburbs AA. Month of May
1 tag
Janelle Monáe - Tightrope (on Letterman) UM WOW
Janelle Monáe performed Tightrope on Letterman and it was frankly incredible. If you aren’t already a fan, this performance will make you one. Just watch. Complete league of her own this woman.
2 tags
Sleigh Bells - Treats
Sleigh Bells are making my life right now. Their debut album Treats was released this week and can be streamed via the widget below thanks to the always awesome NPR.
This album is simply BANGING. Crashing drums, heavy stomping beats, sparkling vocals and so much energy you’ll be needing a giant nap afterwards (especially after the lethargic-ness of repeated plays of The National’s...
2 tags
Beyoncé - Why Don't You Love Me (Video Premiere)
Beyoncé is STILL releasing songs from I Am…Sasha Fierce. No seriously, have I counted wrong or is this the NINTH single to be taken from it?! Surely that has to be some kind of record?
Anyway, numbers aside, Beyoncé has just released the video for this single, which is set to be released May 17th (although it has already reached the #1 spot on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart).
The...
3 tags
Ellie Goulding - Guns and Horses (Remixes)
Guns and Horses is Ellie’s next single, set to be released May 17th. As with every other Goulding single so far, the remixes are springing up fast.
Ellie herself has expressed a liking for Monsieur Adi’s effort, I personally prefer the James Rutledge remix. Monsieur Adi has turned it into a six and half minute epic, drawing out the vocals and adding more strings, building up into a...
1 tag
Robyn - Don't Fucking Tell Me What To Do
If things were different in my life, I wouldn’t like this song at all.
As it is, I have a lot complain, moan, and bitch about…consequently…love. The vocals aren’t particularly special, the lyrics aren’t complex…this song is all about ATTITUDE. And it has enough of that (accompanied by an effing wicked beat) to make it a jam.
The leaks have been springing up...
2 tags
New SPARK tracks
Remember that post about Spark?
She’s just uploaded two new songs ‘Blow’ and ‘Damage Done’ to her MySpace…go ch-ch-check them out. Like now.
SPARK
1 tag
Crystal Castles
I haven’t written about this album yet because I’ve been way too busy listening to it on repeat. Whilst dancing, sleeping, reading, running…seriously EVERYTHING.
I’m not even going to write a full review, I’m just going to say that if this record isn’t in your life already I am more than slightly disappointed in you, but will give you a few hours to rectify...
April 2010
19 posts
2 tags
M.I.A - Born Free (Video Premiere)
The video for M.I.A’s new song ‘Born Free’ just dropped and it’s interesting to say the least.
It contains sex, violence, police brutality…about as NSFW as you can get. Not for the fainthearted.
M.I.A, Born Free from ROMAIN-GAVRAS on Vimeo.
It’s well shot and I (semi) understand the message it’s trying to convey, but it all seems too severe. With...
4 tags
Marina & the diamonds - I Am Not A Robot (CLOCK...
The day has finally come. Marina & the diamonds’ ‘I Am Not A Robot’ gets it re-release today, along with an amazing remix package. Which includes the long awaited, long overdue, much hyped, Clock Opera remix. Was it worth the wait?
For the first minute of the track I didn’t think so. But then I realised that Clock Opera have not only reworked the music, adding...
2 tags
Stream: Broken Social Scene - Forgiveness Rock...
Broken Social Scene’s new album Forgiveness Rock Record, their fourth (and first in 5 years) is set for release May 4th but you can stream it in its entirety thanks to NPR.
2 tags
LCD Soundsystem - This Is Happening (Album Stream)
LCD Soundsystem’s third and possibly final (sob!) album is streaming RIGHT NOW on their website, ahead of its release on May 17th.
If you know what’s good for you you’ll go there right now.
5 tags
Chiddy Bang - Hey London
Chiddy Bang are probably most known for ‘The Opposite of Adults’, their song sampling MGMT’s ‘Kids’. They’ve taken plenty of other songs and put a fresh spin on them (my personal favourite being their Under The Sheets remix), as well as making music in their own right. Most recently they have released Air Swell, a mini-mixtape. One track I’m particularly...
3 tags
Hot Chip - She Wolf (Shakira cover)
Hot Chip were in the Live Lounge on April 10th and did a brilliant cover of Shakira’s ‘She Wolf’. It wasn’t substantially different from the original, although I’m not sure how true that can be when it’s 5 geeky guys singing an electro version compared to a Bolivian sex-goddess writhing in a cage…
Download it here thanks to our good friends over at Pretty...
2 tags
I Am Not An L.A. Robot
Whilst in L.A. recently, Marina & the diamonds shot footage for use during her upcoming UK tour, having said that “If there is any part of the diamond castle that is missing a brick, it’s the live show”. She commented that she misses choreography and performance and is going to bring to life the vision she has in her mind.
Here is the first of these videos, featuring Marina...
2 tags
Spark
(Warning: Contains more Marina gushing)
Spark is an 18 year old singer from London. Her real name is Jess Morgan, she’s been writing songs since she was 12 and according to her MySpace if you want a good idea of what she’s like you should do the following:
“Create this image in your head: Female. Eighteen years old but with a combination of characteristics in both personality...
2 tags
Ellie Goulding - Guns and Horses (Video Premiere)
The next single from Ellie Goulding’s no.1 album Lights is ‘Guns and Horses’, set to be released May 7th. Ellie had this to say about the track:
“I wrote Guns And Horses about a romance that began online (hence the lyric ‘you found me, at a screen you sit at permanently’). I wanted the guy to feel more than he did for me but through no fault of his own he...
9 tags
Marina & the diamonds - I Am Not A Robot EP
As previously mentioned Marina & the diamonds’ next single is ‘I Am Not A Robot’, set to be released April 26th. The EP is set to feature the aforementioned remix from Passion Pit, as well as contributions from Clock Opera and Doorly. The Clock Opera remix has been highly praised by both Marina’s label 679 Artists and Neon Gold (who went as far as to say it was their...
5 tags
Wait What - The Notorious xx (Mixtape)
Have you heard this mixtape yet? Probably. I hope so.
I heard it at the beginning of the month when it was featured on one of my favourite blogs Pretty Much Amazing. I approached it skeptically, wondering how well Biggie and The xx would fit together, no matter how talented the remixer. There are moments where the combination does feel a little forced, when the tempo and lyrics of the original...
2 tags
Free Kill Rock Stars sampler
We all know Kill Rock Stars are an amazing label. To brighten up your day today they’re giving you a free sampler containing some brilliant tracks. The tracklist is below and you can download the zip here
01 ELLIOTT SMITH “Angeles” from Either/Or 02 THE THERMALS “Now We Can See” from Now We Can See 03 GOSSIP “Standing In the Way of Control” from Standing...
3 tags
Jónsi - Go
The Sigur Rós frontman has released his debut solo album, and it’s lush, ethereal and utterly wonderful. It’s not all airy and lightness though, there’s real substance here, found in the fast paced drum beats and complex layering of instruments. This is an album you’ll listen to many times and hear something new with each play.
Thanks to the good guys over at Spinner you...
12 tags
NEON GOLD AMAZINGNESS
Neon Gold Records is basically two American college kids who decided to save up some money, work really hard, and release some records. Somehow this idea has developed in to a giant ball of amazingness. They were instrumental in the early stages of the careers of Marina & the diamonds and Ellie Goulding, and have also released records for Yes Giantess, Freelance Whales, Passion Pit, The...
3 tags
Amanda Palmer FREE AT LAST
After two years fighting to be freed from her restrictive contract with Roadrunner Records, the almighty Amanda Palmer has achieved her goal!! She now holds ownership rights to any music she makes, and after years of having anything and everything she makes owned by someone else, she is VERY happy about it. To celebrate she has recorded a new track and is giving it away for free here (where you...
2 tags
Gil Scott-Heron (feat. Nas) - New York Is Killing...
If you haven’t got around to listening to Gil Scott-Heron’s most recent masterpiece I’m New Here, I suggest you stop what you’re doing and check it out RIGHT NOW. It’s hard to describe what Gil does, being part musician, part poet, part author. As for the music itself, is it blues? Rap? Hip-hop? There are even ambient and dubstep elements in there. Whatever it is,...
1 tag
LCD Soundsystem - Drunk Girls
The new LCD Soundsystem track is as amazing as expected. It is taken from their upcoming untitled (and possibly final) album.
Drunk girls know that love is an astronaut / It comes back but it’s never the same
6 tags
Ellie Goulding @ Club Academy 30/03/10
It would be easy to imagine Ellie Goulding’s live show as being extravagant; an excuse for the much hyped and glorified ‘folktronica’ singer to flex her ego and essentially show off. But this is incredibly far from the truth. Whilst the majority of performers receiving the amount of attention she has (winning the Brits Critics Choice Award and topping the BBC’s Sound of 2010 Poll) may find...
1 tag
We Are Scientists - Rules Don't Stop (Video)
I think I like this more than Ok Go’s ‘This Too Shall Pass’.
Okay, maybe not, but it sure is fun. What is that hanging from Keith’s pocket? I want.
March 2010
10 posts
4 tags
Broken Bells - Broken Bells
Broken Bells are James Mercer and Brian Burton, better known as founder and front man of The Shins, and super producer/musician Danger Mouse. One may worry what might happen when you cross Oh, Inverted World with the stupidly over-played ‘Crazy’, but there’s no need to panic (or frankly, be a little scared).
At first listen, you may be mistaking for thinking you are indeed...
4 tags
Blood Red Shoes - A Fire Like This
A Fire Like This is an incredible album. The kind of incredible that makes you excited, makes you grin from ear to ear, and makes you believe in the power of music to lift you from your existential funk. Or, to quote Butch Walker, maybe it’s just me.
I’ve never really paid much attention to Blood Red Shoes before. Not because I didn’t rate them as musicians, or even because I...
3 tags
Hot Chip - I Feel Better (Video Premiere)
Hot Chip’s new video for ‘I Feel Better’ premiered yesterday. The clip, directed by none other than Peter Serafinowicz, stars comedian Ross Lee as a frankly terrifying bald, white-robed, Jesus type figure who proceeds to laser the hell out of a band (very) closely resembling JLS. The whole thing creeped me the hell out, but it’s definitely memorable. Nice work Mr...
3 tags
Lady GaGa & Beyoncé - Telephone (Video Premiere)
The build up to this video has been intense. Does it live up to all the hype? Hell yes. GaGa delivers an epic 9 minutes and 32 seconds of craziness involving fights in a women’s prison, the poisoning of a restaurant full of people, the infamous ‘Pussy Wagon’ from Kill Bill, and some epic dancing-whilst-dressed-as-the-American-flag. The product placement involved is insane and...
2 tags
An Horse
An Horse are a great band. I recently listened to their debut album Rearrange Beds for the first time since being completely obsessed with it last year. It still sounds just as fantastic. The band consists of Australians Kate Cooper and Damon Cox, who are currently writing new material for a follow up album after a year of touring in their own right as well as providing support for Tegan and Sara...
3 tags
Marina & the diamonds - I Am Not A Robot (Passion...
Marina & the diamonds’ next single has been announced as ‘I Am Not A Robot’. Yes, you’d be right in thinking that it has already been released as a single, but now that Marina is receiving a considerably higher amount of attention, it seems only right to re-release her favourite song from debut album The Family Jewels and let it get the proper reception it deserves. Or...
1 tag
MGMT - Flash Delirium
After the huge success of MGMTs debut album Oracular Spectacular, people are understandably excited about the follow up, Congratulations which is set to be released April 13th. The duo are attempting to heighten the excitement leading to its release by being, well, slightly weird about it. First of all, that picture up there is the album art. Weird. Secondly, they’ve said that no singles...
2 tags
Ellie Goulding - Lights
For someone who has received such an incredible amount of attention, Ellie Goulding certainly seems to be taking it all in her stride. In interviews she comes across as a grounded and level-headed individual who is doing what she does to the best of her ability and not taking much notice of all the media attention. Which is probably an attitude that will keep her from going insane with the...
1 tag
Ok Go - This Too Shall Pass (Video)
The last time everyone went crazy over an Ok Go video it was all about treadmills and highly coordinated stepping over said treadmills. This time, it’s a giant game of Mouse Trap. Or something along those lines. Except they didn’t make it from little plastic pieces and it took a little more than a few minutes of childlike play. More like a couple of months and a lot of help from NASA....
1 tag
Steel Train - Turnpike Ghost
Steel Train are still touring with Tegan and Sara throughout the US. But they’ve found time to release this new track, ‘Turnpike Ghost’, to you for free through Spin.com or their website.
Like most Steel Train songs, this one is filled with energy and vibrance. It’s short and sweet at just 2:45 but from the skipping intro to the thumping drums and lyrics telling you...