Shooting Up On Phat Beats

Okay I used some street slang, so sue me.
I've been on something of a new music binge of late; looking for new bands, musicians or albums that tickle my fancy (just where on the body is the fancy anyway?). This doesn't necessarily mean the music is new to everyone, far from it. Onwards!


The xx - I finally got around to listening to the whole self-titled album and fell in love with the sound right away. The song Intro has been in my possession for some time thanks to a certain someone and it gets listened to enough to make my abuse of other music in my possession almost criminal. The songs have a sound unto themselves and I struggle to find another artist or band to compare them to. Smooth vocals and electronic beats that are more calm and mellow than their nightclub counterparts make for a great debut album. If you haven't heard a track then hop on the information super highway and give one a go. If it piques your interest then you'll most likely enjoy the whole album.


Bitter Ruin - A gem uncovered by the ever wonderful LastFM recommendation list. Not a vastly popular band, this duo nevertheless deserves some recognition in the big, wide world. Consisting of an acoustic guitar with some quick fingers, male vocals that invoke similarities to Jonathan Rhys Meyers and female vocals that give me a Jane Horrocks vibe in their range, Bitter Ruin are the sound of noir-folk if there ever was one. Give this and this a listen and form your own opinion.


Dethklok - This quasi-imaginary band, stars of the hilarious animated show Metalocalypse, have two albums to date. I acquired the first some time ago and still find the melodic death metallers amusing when they spout lyrics like 'Do you folks like coffee? Real coffee, from the hills of Columbia' to the shred of a guitar and thump of drums. The second album is a recent acquirement though and the change is instantly noticeable. The music has found deeper comfort in epic melodies that a Viking biker might listen to on his weekly pillage, while the lyrics have moved away from the jokes and become those of a true death metal band; all aggression and violence. And still the riffs and guitar solos are something to behold. If you don't mind some fast and heavy rock music then this might be right up your street.


Hugh Laurie - As half of Fry & Laurie, the bumbling higher up to Blackadder or the ever scowling Dr. Greg House, this man already impresses the world. Somehow he has managed to do it again using that fantastic genre of music, blues. A collection of songs in the New Orleans style of blues that often can be overshadowed by the country and rock variants, Laurie has taken his own musical talent, fused it with legends in the industry from producers to musicians to singers (Tom Jones? Oh yeah) and crafted something that is everything I want from a blues album. He jokes, he acts and now he sings. You don't have to be down to listen to these blues.


Semisonic - Another band that I was fully aware of but never got around to giving them the full attention of someone who is forever flitting from subject to subject. The soundtrack to the film 10 Things I Hate About You introduced me the song F.N.T. and the joy that came with it. Some time later (years!) I managed to get a hold of the album Feeling Strangely Fine that includes the hit track Secret Smile. 90's music always did sound good to me. This is an album I can put on at almost any time. Mellow tracks, energetic tracks, feel good tracks, this is Semisonic at their best. While not for everyone, I still say give them a chance, for you might just find a track that sticks with you.


That's all from me folks!

NOTE: Please don't sue me. I'm a poor little writer with a slightly used blog and some fuzzy hair.