Band of the Moment #1

So, first up in our (hopefully) weekly new segment ‘Band of the Moment’ is the London based, ‘The Vex’. We first saw these last weekend supporting the legendary indie icon Pete Doherty and were blown away by the energy and performance from these boys. Little did we realise that this was actually 4 members of previous Mixed Musings favourites (and the now defunct) KRAKATOA.

The band had captured the room within minutes, their Clash-esque rock and roll irresistible, especially in a moment when guitar music is in such dire straits. Fast, punchy songs intermingle with slow Ska moments have the room bouncing and jumping, had you walked in at that moment you would have believed this was actually the headline act of the evening.  

Officially launched this week, we’re glad to have been able to witness the first gig for The Vex as we’re sure within the year they’ll be massive. If bands like The Vaccines and Tribes can come from relative obscurity to full blown radio favourites then the Vex had better be prepared for the same. While it’s a shame to learn KRAKATOA have split, at least from the ashes of them an even better band have arrived. catch them now and spread the word.

Check out our favourite song ‘Invictus’ over on their soundcloud (we accept no responsibility for loss of hours listening to them.)

http://soundcloud.com/thevexofficial

and connect with them at;

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/thevexofficial
Youtube – http://www.youtube.com/TheVexOfficial
MySpace – http://www.myspace.com/TheVexOfficial

Baby by Tribes - Album Review

So, January continues on and the second potential album of the year has already been released – ‘Baby’ by new Camden heroes, Tribes.

Having only heard three singles before the album, (We Were Children, Sappho and when My Day Comes) I was very much looking forward to this album full of loud, brash guitar led anthems however the band that emerge from ‘Baby’ demonstrate roots that are reaching into far different genres from the last real Camden Heroes, The Libertines.  Sure the leather jackets, scruffy hair, skinny jeans suggests they could be just another landfill indie band who grew up upon early naughties music yet Tribes prove they’re a more than that. 2011 was the year of the Vaccines, and while the hype hasn’t quite reached that level yet, signs are looking good that Tribes will take the best new band crown for 2012.

Opening with strong contender, “Whenever”, a slow builder which slips into my favourite track on the album, “We Were Children” (The video filmed atop a shop in Camden as the police try get in) how’s that for rock and roll? Some songs you feel you know immediately and the loud choruses are catchy and easy, however at times you feel like some of these songs belong on a different album. There are sounds that lead from Warpaint to Gaslight anthem through nostalgic Brit-pop and the beginning of “Alone or with friends” is very reminiscent of Radiohead’s “Fake Plastic Tree’s”.

Stand out Tracks;

We Were Children

Loud, brash guitars, big sing-a-long chorus. What more do you want? Guaranteed to be an anthem of the year.

Walking in the Street

An instant favourite, the catchy riff is reminiscent of 90’s American rock music. A definite song that blows away the winter blues and has you wanting summer to hurry up.

All in all ‘Baby’ is a little disappointing. I was hoping for a band that could return with a frenetic guitar packed album, similar to ‘Up the Bracket’ or ‘Is this it’. While Tribes might not be that band, it doesn’t mean this is a bad album, in fact it’s very, very good. Just not quite what I was hoping/expecting.

Rating: 7/10

A short break in Albion

Pungent whifs of teen spirit keep me awake on the train home after yet another Peter Doherty gig. As always as soon as he walks on the crowd surge to the barrier, where it becomes a throng of sweaty bodies entwining. Yet despite this frankly disgusting image, there is something quite comforting in the fact that inhibitions are forgotton as the first chord of ‘Sheepskin Tearaway’ rings out to the dying moments of Albion hugs, sweat, cheers and friendships are created and all is good in the world.

What is it about this 31 year old man, who ten years ago created a new generation of leather jackets, skinny jeans, long hair rebelling youth,that can still capture the hearts of those who don’t read the Daily mail?  No two gigs have ever had the same crowd, from the young angry teens to the mature married couples his able to reach a chord in all of us. Something which no artist has been able to do since. It’s still the Libertines songs which generate the most frenetic responses, no doubt reaching a new generation after the Reading and Leeds sets a few years back,  but there is a growing crowd who call for the babyshambles and Grace/Wastelands songs.

The Maccabees - Given to the Wild review

So finally the first major album of the year, the highly anticipated third album from the Maccabees has been released, and having been told to expect a different album from the boys they’ve provided just that.

The build up to the album had the band stating to the NME that the album is “the first time we’ve been allowed to sound like we want” and if this is true, whoever prevented this sound from coming out years ago should be sacked immediately. Given to the Wild is an amazing record.

Those hoping for more of the big stabbing guitars of lead single ‘Pelican’ will be a little disappointed. The lead single is the most energetic song as they’ve mostly thrown out those big sing-a-long choruses and Indie-rock riffs from the previous albums and replaced them with a far more diverse and powerful collection - proving the band have come on leaps and bounds in the intervening two years since Wall of Arms. Easing in with a 2 minute intro which moulds itself unnoticeably into one of my stand out singles, ‘Child’. The record goes from strength to strength as Orlando’s haunting vocals entwine magnificently with the rest of the band. Of course there are still the edges of Indie-Rock, but ‘Given to the Wild’ Is a clear departure from the records of old as The Maccabees shed the ‘landfill Indie’ Tag that was so incorrectly placed upon them.

Stand out singles for me are;

 ‘Slowly One’

Orlando’s vocals hauntingly draw you in before the distorted guitars build into a crescendo fitting for a band that will be leaping their way up the Festival bill this summer.

‘Feel to Follow’

My favourite single on the album, it again builds and builds to a huge climax which will guarantee to have you jumping around when you see them live next but is somehow equally able to be a relaxed and chilled single as you listen to it on your i-Pod.

‘Child’

Another one that builds into a big crescendo, Orlando’s vocals are incredibly soft and along with the simple beat ease you into the record before the 3 minute mark hits and the band explode into pace and rhythm.

‘Given to the Wild’ is the work of a band at the top of their game. They’ve successfully managed to shed the ‘landfill’ insults critics threw at them in the past but have been able to provide enough of the ‘maccabees’ we’ve grown to love to keep their fans happy. It may only be 2 weeks into the 2012 but this will certainly feature on most end of year lists. Yes, at times it feels a little to polished and perfect but the band has matured massively since ‘Wall of Arms’ and we’ll leave you with the fitting lyrics from the final song on the album, “We grew up at midnight, we were only kids then.”

Rating - 9/10

What to look forward to in 2012...

So the New Year is upon us and as we nurse the after effects from the celebrations and many of us prepare for the slog back to work tomorrow what have we got to look forward to in the upcoming year?

Well musically 2012 is looking incredibly strong. By far the reformed Stone Roses taking to the stage 15 years after they split should be the biggest moment, but what about these live events that are coinciding with the Olympics? Will it really be the Rolling Stones celebrating their 50^th anniversary? Well things are looking that was as the whole band were in London last month rehearsing. Then we’ve also got the reformed Beach Boys out for their 50^th as well, and if the suns shining you can bet it’ll be good. But beyond these ‘classic’ bands what’s hot for this forthcoming year?

1)      The Maccabees – Given to the Wild

By far my most anticipated release of the year, Pelican and Feel to Follow are among the best songs the band have released and they’re just getting stronger and stronger live (smashing it at Brixton last month). 2012 will be the year of the Maccabees, going from Indie darlings to fully blown household names. Mark my words, they’re coming.

2)      Tribes – Baby

Being pretty late on the bandwagon for these I only knew of the single ‘Sappho’ before I saw these play last month. I regret this. They were quality and having youtubed as much of their stuff as I can since then, they really deserve to be successful this year; will they reach the Vaccines level of hype? I’m not sure, but if you’ve not heard of them yet, get this album.

3)      Queens of the Stone Age – as yet untitled

It’s been 5 years since they released Eva Vulgaris and it’s about time we get another one! Rumours started last summer and it appears they will be releasing a new record this year. If you’ve not yet seen QOTSA live yet then make sure you do this summer (if they tour) as they are something else.

4)      Lana Del Ray – Born to Die

You would have to of been living under a rock not to have heard ‘Video Games’ at some point last year and Elizabeth Grant (AKA Lana Del Ray) releases her first album this month. IS she the new GaGa? Do we really care? The music so far has been catchy and she’ll be big next year regardless of what anyone thinks.

I can’t narrow down a 5^th stand out album as to be honest looking into the releases for next year there’s far too many! The long awaited 2^nd albums from Mumford and Sons and The XX are highlights for me, then we have Franz Ferdinand and The Killers releasing new material and rumours of new records from the Cribs (now minus Marr), Smith Westerns, Muse, the Vaccines et al is proving 2012 should be a good year for new releases.