This week sees the first actual single release from Beady Eye, 'The Roller'. Not to break tradition after reviewing taster tracks 'Bring The Light' and 'Four Letter Word', here's what I thought of it:
Unless you have been living in some sort of music vacuum, you may have caught a little bit of attention being paid to Beady Eye. Ex-Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher has taken the ex-members of his ex-band and formed this new project, as you will have heard. It's been almost impossible to escape if you follow the music world with any regularity; Gallagher has graced this covers of NME and Q, while anyone who follows this blog will know I am unapologetic in my following of the Gallagher brothers.
It's not surprising this kind of attention would have been afforded to one of the last surviving rock stars. He may be more domesticated nowadays, but Liam Gallagher is one of the characters of the music world; hated by many but he would be missed by even more if his snarling antics weren't here. So fair enough, he was going to get the attention he deserves for a man of his stature forming a new band. But as the release of debut album, 'Different Gear, Still Speeding' approaches, it's time for Beady Eye to prove that there is substance behind the front and talk of the, er, confident Liam Gallagher. Enter 'The Roller'.
The band's debut single takes a slightly different approach from piano-fuzed 'Bring The Light' and rocker 'Four Letter Word' - it's more of a 'slowie'. A more touching effort from the four-piece, 'The Roller' is a guitar-backed sing-a-long loosely about saving someone, more reserved than its predecessors but with Liam's best vocals yet; the same snarl but heartfelt and as strong as ever. It's a shrewd choice for a first single; radio-friendly and catchy enough to get stuck in your head.
And it's the substance they needed to come up with. Expectations flittered from the highs of Oasis lovers to the lows of Oasis haters, but most expected the rather simplistic Liam songs from his former band; namely 'Little James', 'The Meaning Of Soul', 'Ain't Got Nothin'' etc. But so far, they have been treated to a very decent array of good songs; this the most personal and heartfelt effort yet from a band that seems to be picking up more fans by the day.
'The Roller' is a fine song for any band to be coming up with, but for Beady Eye it's an important release. After the two teaser songs, many would have classed them with the in-your-face style of both 'Bring The Light' and 'Four Letter Word', but this track shows already there is a diversity from their output. And as long as the quality remains as high as it has been so far, Beady Eye could be on their way to becoming a very good band, and may justify the attention thats been paid to them so far. And how about this for a bit of news; 'The Roller' went in at Number 31 in the charts this week; the same as 'Supersonic' did for Oasis. Weird.
And here is 'The Roller', complete with the obviously chilled, low-budget yet interesting video. Enjoy.
As one of my top three new bands for this year, I was eager to hear 'The Big Roar' from Welsh band The Joy Formidable, so here's what I thought of it:
It’s the same with most new bands. A couple of years touring on the underground scene, with brief moments of exposure; usually thanks to NME and/or Radio One is usually the way of things. If the band is any good, you build up the reputation amongst an increasingly dedicated set of loyal fans and you may have your stab at the mainstream by releasing an EP or album. So step up The Joy Formidable to have your go at the big time.
But already I have been harsh to this band. The Welsh rockers have formed a superb live reputation on the gig scene; they have their set of dedicated fans and they have some other big fans as well; they opened the Other Stage at Glastonbury 2010 and supported Sir Paul McCartney at the Millennium Stadium the day before. Not bad for an ‘up-and-coming’ band.
So it comes to the physical releases. EP ‘A Balloon Called Moaning’ was brought out in 2009 following single releases throughout 2008, but now it is debut album time; with ‘The Big Roar’ now available for public consumption. And is that burgeoning reputation damaged? Not at all. In fact, it’s now bigger than ever.
‘The Big Roar’ turns out to be a very precise name for an album full of noise, confidence and power that sees The Joy Formidable live up to their billing as one of the bands to look out for at the moment. Linkable to Arcade Fire due to the atmospheric art rock feel, ‘The Big Roar’ goes further by linking dreamy guitar pop to punk rock and grunge to create an ever-changing and constantly evolving album. And to top it off, the soaring vocals of lead singer Ritzy Brian see this record take off into the indie stratosphere.
‘The Everchanging Spectrum of Life’ sums this up perfectly; multi-layered indie bliss going from a dreamy waltz and ‘the dangers of showing any kind of weakness’ lyric to pounding rock with a wall-of-noise approach you will become accustomed to. The waves of guitars continue in building gem ‘I Don’t Want to See You Like This’ and in ‘Whirring’; which shifts from breezy pop to raucous racket with style. Already available are tracks ‘Austere’ and ‘Cradle’, both fast-paced rockers and rampant enough to draw in your typical indie fan from first listen.
The punk-rock side to ‘The Big Roar’ is what is setting The Joy Formidable apart though. ‘The Magnifying Glass’ and ‘Chapter 2’ both draw their roots from punk and grunge; thundering drums, angry guitars and fused productions. ‘Buoy’ is a haunting and heavy track lifted by Brian’s lofty voice, while ‘Llaw = Wall’ goes in the opposite direction as Rhydian Dafydd takes the role in an Editors-style explosive epic.
The album’s best moment comes in ‘A Heavy Abacus’ as all the elements combine; led by guitars and a crescendo of noise rock, atmospheric to the max and Brian on top form to see a masterful release at the chorus. ‘The Greatest Light is the Greatest Shade’ caps just over 45 minutes of indie/art rock at its best. The weakest moment; the dreamy ‘Maruyama’; is only that as it is the shortest song.
‘The Big Roar’ is an exceptional effort from the Welsh three-piece; an album that awes in its constant movement and tangible power, with brilliant Ritzy Brian vocals the immediate draw. So I return to my opening statement; it’s the same with most new bands. It’s not the same with The Joy Formidable. And I get the feeling it won’t be long before they are not just a new band, but a big band as well.
A great debut album from the band that have been linked to the likes of The Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Manic Street Preachers and Muse, not bad ay? And here's my favourite track, 'A Heavy Abacus'.
Beady Eye - World Outside My Room: This quite lovely Kinks/Beatles style acoustic number shows Liam isn't all about the belters.
Brother - Time Machine: Featured in my last post but it has taken a permanent residence inside my head; a gem of indie rock 'n'roll.
The Rolling Stones - Angie: Jagger in one of his most sincere vocals for this great slower Stones number.
Kings of Leon - Red Morning Light: Their best song without a doubt. Fans of FIFA might remember this fast-paced rocker from 2004.
The Charlatans - Blackened Blue Eyes: Just popped up on shuffle and now I've listened to this dreamy and moody track over ten times in an hour, great indie pop.
And here is Beady Eye, with 'World Outside My Room'. Enjoy :)
Just a little added extra to the albums to look forward to in 2011. Whereas this year promises the returns of many of music's great bands, there is still some new music to look forward to also. Staying in with my type of music, here are my three top bands I'm looking forward to hearing this year:
BROTHER
The mouthy four-piece from Slough are certainly causing a stir in the music world. Exposure in NME and on Radio One has seen Brother come to the fore as one of the best guitar bands emerging at the moment, rumoured to be bringing back Britpop for the 21st century. Tracks 'Darling Buds of May' and 'New Year's Day' are very good little songs, but 'Time Machine' is a gem that grabs hold much like early Arctic Monkeys and Oasis tracks did. Plus the band have a Gallagher-esque arrogance, claiming 'they will be the biggest band in the world'. Keep an eye out.
Here's taster track 'Time Machine' from Brother
THE VACCINES
The most well-known of the three bands, thanks to their hotly-tipped status for 2011. 'Post Break-Up Sex' has received good plays on Radio One, while The Vaccines have featured a lot in NME and finishing third in BBC's Sound of 2011 poll. Their shows have also picked up a lot of good press, their pacy but catchy guitar style winning many indie fans and shows no sign of slowing down. The debut album is out in March, plus they have festival slots in the summer, so you will know a lot more about the Vaccines come Autumn. Big tips for this year.
And here is 'Post Break-Up Sex' from The Vaccines
THE JOY FORMIDABLE
These Welsh rockers already have a big reputation on the underground music scene after extensive tours in the last few years, but this month sees the release of their debut album 'The Big Roar'. Formed in 2007, songs 'Cradle' and 'Austere' have been available for three years now and have no shortage of fans; their wall-of-noise approach similar to that of Arcade Fire with a dreamy pop twist. Unusually mature music for an up-and-coming band, they have an almost legendary brilliant live show to boot and supported Sir Paul McCartney recently at the Millennium Stadium. Not bad, ay? Look out for my review of 'The Big Roar' coming soon.
And here's track 'Cradle' from the Joy Formidable:
Three great-sounding bands and I'm very much looking forward to seeing them do well in 2011. My favourite? The Vaccines have built up a lot of buzz around themselves, and The Joy Formidable have got some great tunes behind them. But for me, the return to rock 'n' roll with Brother is winning it out for me at the moment. But that could change any moment. Stay tuned.
2010 is over, a decade of music is up and we move onto the next one. But as we go into 2011, it's the titans of the Noughties that will light this year up with their respective returns. Last year saw Kings of Leon, Kanye West and My Chemical Romance return to form, but this year sees the comebacks of some of the biggest bands of today. So, here are my top ten albums to look forward to over the next twelve months:
10. Florence + The Machine
A second album is a difficult thing. It can make or break a career; destroy a blossoming debut and its reputation, or thrust a band or singer into the mainstream. Florence certainly enjoyed a fine debut. 'Lungs' sold massively, her live show and on-stage presence became commonly beloved in the music world and it has been almost impossible to escape her booming vocals on 'You've Got The Love' or 'Dog Days Are Over' since the album was released in 2009. And she is writing the follow-up to her immensely successful debut, in that difficult second album position. If she carries on doing what made her successful; those loud vocals, hooking melodies and odd lyrics; she can avoid the dreaded flop and shoot herself to even headier heights.
EXPECT IT: Latter part of the year
(Here's new track 'Strangeness And Charm' from her live show, a similarly-styled taster of the new album)
9. Bombay Bicycle Club
It's fair to say I'm heaping a lot of praise and expectation on this band in equal measure, but with their fine debut 'I Had The Blues...' and my album of 2010, the acoustic 'Flaws', BBC have the potential to go very far. They are expected to plug the guitars back in for 2011's release, returning to their debut style and the music that has given them a solid following since their 2006 V Festival opening performance. Song names 'Bad Timing', 'The Sleep Song' and 'Beggars' have been mooted in NME, but not much more will be heard until the middle of the year. But these London boys have a big reputation with two great albums to back it up, so expect this release to push them nearer the limelight.
EXPECT IT: June
8. Kanye West + Jay Z
The titans of hip-hop have collaborated and recorded an album in France, due to be called 'Watch The Throne'. But rather interestingly from first release 'H.A.M.', it could have been better. Slightly languid, and many will be hoping to hear more from the two icons who made it. And this has served only to make the album much more anticipated. I mean, it should be great, right? Jay-Z's 'The Blueprint 3' was good, and Kanye West's last album was many people's shout for best album of 2010. But I think a lot of people will want a bit more than 'H.A.M.', and we all probably know deep down that it will be a fine record.
EXPECT IT: March-time
7. Foo Fighters
Dave Grohl is back and he has a mission statement; to reclaim Foo Fighters' post as the biggest rock band on the planet. It's ominous when someone of such great talent comes out with something so bold, and followed by the quote 'I think Foo Fighters just made the best record we've ever made', it's an exciting thing. The Foos are busy in 2011 aswell, the Isle of Wight Festival and a Godlike Genius award from NME just two appointments in what promises to be a big 12 months in their career. And if it follows on in the same style as their previous releases, Foo Fighters have a big chance to stake their claim as the biggest group in the world.
EXPECT IT: Springtime
6. Coldplay
Despite selling millions of albums, selling out Wembley Stadium and becoming one of the undisputed biggest bands around, Coldplay still feel that they haven't delivered their masterpiece. 'Viva La Vida' was probably the closest they've got; big tunes met the typical Chris Martin melancholy to create an epic album, but the foursome still feel that they have something to prove. And that means good news for fans of the band such as myself, as a talented lyricist like Martin, backed by his band of top-class musicians, with something to prove means they are still trying hard. Expect big things from Coldplay.
EXPECT IT: Springtime
5. Kasabian
Move over Oasis, Kasabian are here and ready to take their place at the head of British rock 'n' roll. 'West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum' was a big album for Tom Meighan and Co.; well received and sticking to their roots, spurting monster tunes 'Underdog' and 'Fire', with the gems 'Fast Fuse' and 'Thick As Thieves' only adding to their building reputation. With an almost legendarily good live show also on their CV, this album could really catapult Kasabian into the halls of Britain's best. As Noel Gallagher once said, 'if Kasabian aren't playing stadiums soon, someone will have really messed up'. Their fourth release could seal this.
EXPECT IT: By the summer (hopefully, according to Serge)
4. Arctic Monkeys
I was not part of the crowd that disliked 'Humbug', but it was a sizeable group that weren't fans of the Arctic's departure from Sheffield-fuelled indie rock. But 'Humbug' did see Alex Turner evolve the group into a good and true rock band, influenced by Josh Homme and producing some great guitar tunes. And that was good to see from one of Britain's leading guitar bands, and I'd expect to see a similar progression with the next release. Hopefully something a bit more optimistic after the moody style of 'Humbug', a slight return to the joys of 'Favourite Worst Nightmare'. But no matter what they come out with, it will be one of the most anticipated albums of 2011. EXPECT IT: Late springtime
3. Blink 182 I'm not ashamed to admit I'm a huge Blink 182 fan, and the anticipation of this album does outweigh that of Kasabian and Arctic Monkeys releases. It's been a long 8 years since 'Blink 182' was released, and their presence has been in the pop-punk genre that the likes of Paramore don't quite live up to. I would expect a slight change in style but good old Blink at the heart: maybe a departure from 'All The Small Things' and 'What's My Age Again?' and into the more heavier and experimental sides that the band members ventured into in Angels and Airwaves and +44. But whatever the outcome, and with good noises coming from the Blink camp, I cannot wait for this album to show itself. EXPECT IT: Summertime
2. The Strokes Another huge American band of the Noughties is making its comeback this year, with this one probably the bigger of the two. While Blink have a core group of fans, The Strokes have a loyal following of indie kids that have been captivated since 2001's generation defining 'Is This It?'. But it has been a decade now since that epic release, and six years since 'First Impressions of Earth', so you could say the New York five-piece have something to prove. Add into this rumours of discontent in The Strokes camp (Julian Casablancas recorded vocals separate to the band playing), it all adds to a hugely anticipated release. The Isle of Wight Festival show last year showed they are still a potent force on the stage, which all adds up to a fine showing from Casablancas and Co. in 2011. EXPECT IT: In March
1. Beady Eye
Surprise, surprise, the return of Liam Gallagher is my number one album to look forward in 2011. Already out are two tantalising tasters of up-and-coming album 'Different Gear, Still Speeding'; the raucous piano-jig 'Bring The Light' and in-yer-face rocker 'Four Letter Word' both raising expectations further. Haters of Oasis will no doubt have reasons to hate this one too, but fans have been eagerly waiting for the results of the Gallagher brother fall-out; and Liam is the one to strike first. And in rock 'n' roll's most compelling story in the last 20 years, Gallagher Junior seems to have taken an early lead, with all the press surrounding Beady Eye being so far surprisingly positive and praise coming from most angles of the musical press, only heightening excitement further. Roll on February. EXPECT IT: 28th of the month of February
Also, counting in an expected Red Hot Chili Peppers release (just missing out on the top ten, expect it much later on - autumn time), only an unlikely Killers reunion would see all my current favourite bands releasing in 2011. On top of this, the likes of Plan B, Paul Weller, Elbow, The Maccabees, Radiohead, The Ting Tings, Kaiser Chiefs, Friendly Fires, R.E.M. and Outkast are all set to make a return in 2011, surely making it one of the best years for music in recent memory. And the icing on the cake? The Lonely Island are set to release the follow-up to 2009's 'Incredibad'. 2011 is going to be a goood year.
COMING SOON: My Top Three Up-and-Coming Bands of 2011
After the piano-fused 'Bring The Light' was released to give us a mere taster of Beady Eye, the excitement and expectation has only grown surrounding Liam Gallagher's new band ... with all the members from Oasis. Now, we have a second song from the up-and-coming album 'Different Gear, Still Speeding' and here's what I think:
Liam Gallagher was never going to go into dubstep. Neither was he going to call in his rapper friends and go in a more hip-hop direction. Katherine Jenkins wasn't hanging by her telephone, waiting for a call to make a guest appearance on this up-and-coming album, much like Snoop Dogg or Marilyn Manson were never pencilled in for cameo appearances. I'm sure the likes of Jay-Z, Hayley Williams, James Blunt and Damien Rice never came up in talks in the Beady Eye office. There was only one way they were going to go; rock 'n' roll.
Of course, this is no great surprise. Beady Eye, at the end of the day, is just Oasis without Noel Gallagher. You still have Chris Sharrock, Andy Bell and Gem Archer in there, who formed the latter day Oasis and have shown in their songwriting (excluding Sharrock) where their influences lie; the same Beatley-Stonesy-Sex Pistoly place that the Gallaghers hail from. And Liam Gallagher is one of the last remaining rock stars; lairy, arrogant and a right knob at times. So rock and roll was the only way that Beady Eye was going to go. And 'Four Letter Word' is that in a nutshell.
Bold and brash from the off, 'Four Letter Word' sees Beady Eye arrive. It's out and out rock 'n' roll; thundering drums, whining guitars and the verse-bridge-chorus formula that the Gallaghers built their success on. The band are on form here; an energetic and powerful performance from all involved and as the first song on their up-and-coming debut album, a statement of intent. And it's the perfect platform for Liam's raucous vocals to fully make their return, with his distinctively twisted voice blaring through 'Nothing ever lasts forever', with maybe more than a sideways glance in Oasis' direction. Beady Eye are well and truly here, along with a psychedelically fused video.
Beady Eye were never going to be a million miles away from Oasis, but that's not a bad thing. Oasis were one of the mainstays of British rock for almost twenty years until their unceremonious break-up in 2009, so why wouldn't Gallagher Junior want to follow that on? British rock 'n' roll is at its best when it's raw, pacy and shouted at you, and while not a classic, 'Four Letter Word' is British rock 'n' roll.
Luckily for Liam, it's just unique enough to be considered different from his previous band, saving himself from some of the criticism that will undoubtedly be thrown his way. But at the core of it, it's a good rock song; guitar-laden, as arrogant as it's lead singer and equally as bold. While many are waiting for Beady Eye to release a duffer, 'Four Letter Word' only increases the excitement ahead of 'Different Gear, Still Speeding'.
Another good release from Oasis Part 2, and here is 'Four Letter Word' from Beady Eye. Enjoy.
