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The Courteeners - Bierkeller, Bristol

I went along to see "The Courteeners" play a set of songs from their debut album "St Jude" last week at the sticky floor Bierkeller in Bristol.
Take my advice don't stand still for too long if you go see a band here, the floor is like super-glue and you won't be moving at all if you do!

Ever since the manic reception for the "Arctic Monkeys" back in the summer of 2005 the bench mark for new bands have been threefold; Sell Out Gigs, Manic Crowds and Audience members knowing and singing along to all the words.
It was bitter cold outside and the touts were offering cheap tickets, not a good start for my three tick boxes, but it was early as I wanted to see the one of the support bands, "The Rascals" fronted by no less than Miles Kane of "The Last Shadow Puppets" fame, on the very edge of a number one album. With their retro "Chris Isaak" sounding guitar and great songwriting I really enjoyed them, as did the crowd, and I am thoroughly looking forward to their forthcoming album "Rascalize" due out early June.

By the time they had finished the room was packed, so I guess the touts did all right in the end. The crowd, all resplendent in their Thursday night best, were singing along heartily to "Oasis - Definitely Maybe" and the atmosphere was electric, on they came, and as expected a set list filled with the "St Jude" album, and some singles and b-sides, well they have not got much else have they?
The crowd dutifully bounced up and down and sang along to all the songs, think "Oasis", "Libertines", "The Enemy", "Fratellis" and "The View", and you may be close. The last three songs had everybody, and I mean everybody, singing and bopping away, stood on the tables and benches it was just like the oompah nights that the 'keller is famous for.

Anyway, my verdict? Well, they certainly ticked all the three boxes and could very well be the next big thing, more accessible to a wider audience than the "Arctic Monkeys" but a wow with the students they may very well have it all. Big up and thanks to my mate Keith who acted as scribe and noted down all of the set list for you faithful:

• Aftershow (from St Jude)
• Kimberley (B-side to 2nd single Acrylic CD version)
• Acrylic (2nd Single)
• Smiths Disco (B-side to Not 19 forever)
• Slowdown (B-side to What Took You So Long single)
• Kings Of The New Road (from St Jude)
• Please Don't (from St Jude)
• Cavorting (Debut Single)
• Bide Your Time (from St Jude)
• Fallowfield Hillbilly (from St Jude)
• No You Didn't, No You Don't (from St Jude)
• An Ex Is An Ex For A Reason (B-side to 2nd Single Acrylic 7" version)
• Yesterday, Today (from St Jude)
• If It Wasn't For Me (from St Jude)
• Not Nineteen Forever (from St Jude)
• What Took You So Long? (from St Jude)

Album Of The Week: Tindersticks - The Hungry Saw

'Tindersticks - The Hungry Saw' is the album of the week this week. This is the seventh studio album from the Tindersticks and sees the now much slimmed down band. Comprising just three of the original members, Stuart Staples, Dave Boulter and Neil Fraser produce another lovely selection of sensitive and measured songs. The Nottingham based cult band have not put any new material out since 2003's 'Waiting For The Moon'.
Staples is another in the line of musicians who have built and equipped studios in France where the three of them, with some additional musical help, recorded this album in 2007.

The Hungry Saw somehow reflects the laid back almost melancholy of his French hideaway in rural Limousin. A predominantly retro feel is present reflecting the 50's and early 60's with Stuart's Bryan Ferry like Baritone, a mumbling drawl airing past regrets, loves and losses with the same aplomb as he has done for the last 17 years!!
Fans will love this album, and for those of you that have not heard them instrumental tracks "E-Type" and "The Organist Entertains" can be thoroughly enjoyed!
Check out a couple of the tracks at the Tindersticks Myspace page.

Previous albums still available from the Tindersticks:

• Tindersticks - Tindersticks (First album)
• Tindersticks - Trouble Every Day
• Tindersticks - Working For The Man

Coldplay - New free download available now!!

I noticed today that the 'Coldplay - Viva La Vida (Or Death And All His Friends)' CD, due out on 16th June, has started to receive some ramped up pre-awareness.
Starting from Tuesday, 29th April at 12:15pm you can pick up a free download of the first single 'Violet Hill' HERE from the official Coldplay web site, but my friends, if you want a copy for free do it very quickly, the download will only be available for a week and then you will have to pay for it from iTunes.
The single will also be available as a free 7" on the cover of NME's Wednesday 7th May issue, if you want one I would pre-order it from your local newsagent now! By the way, be one of the first to see the confirmed artwork here!

In another unprecedented headline grabbing move the band have also announced two free gigs. The first, on June 16th will be at London's Brixton Academy, and the second will follow four nights later on June 20th at Madison Square Gardens.
Tickets for both gigs will be distributed through a free to enter contest also on the bands official website, details will be announced very soon so keep your eye on: www.coldplay.com for the announcement. V (concert) for the UK and A (Show) for the US, and good luck, hope to see you at the show!
You can pre-order Coldplay - Viva La Vida from CD WOW! now for just £7.99 with free shipping worldwide!! Other Coldplay albums available are:

• Parachutes
• A Rush Of Blood To The Head
• X & Y

In the meantime, while looking for some suitable material for this piece I came across a great Misheard Lyrics version of 'Clocks' on You Tube, Enjoy!!

New Release Game, Tuesday 29th April

Grand Theft Auto Four
Also known as GTA IV and GTA 4, it must be one of the most anticipated new games ever released, available on both "Playstation 3" and "XBox 360" formats this is reputed to be a game that will revolutionise gaming forever.
This, the ninth in the GTA series, is set in Liberty city, heavily based on New York. Slightly smaller than San Andreas, but with no wasted land such as desert, it has been reported that it will take a minimum of one hour to get from one side of the city to the other!

You play as Niko Bellic, an Eastern European immigrant with a murky and violent past. Hoping to start a new life in a new country you arrive to meet your cousin, Roman, but his promises of ready wealth, fast cars and loose women are all lies, he is in fact up to his ears in debt.
You must quickly adjust to a new hard life in America, if you want to grab your slice of the American pie, perseverance and hard work might just help you grab it! After the initial loading sequence there are no more loading pages to sit through in the entire game, even when moving from an interior to an exterior environment.
Rockstars own RAGE gaming engine combined with the Euphoria games animation engine has allowed far greater detail, pedestrians sit, smoke and eat, the streets have pot holes and rubble, cell phone and internet use is far enhanced, you can even get different effects from the rising and setting sun's reflections on the buildings.
As always in the form of a third person shoot them up, and a driving game with the addition of pretty extreme violence, and already a top seller on pre-sales, this is the game to buy this week!
Here is a "GTA 4 trailer" posted by GTA themselves on YouTube.

New Release CDs - Monday 28th April

WOW! What a week for new releases this has turned out to be. My selection for the top three will all be BIG, mark my words you doubters! So here in reverse prime number release order you go:

Madonna - Hard Candy
The eleventh release from the undisputed queen of pop. The mega success of her last release Confessions On A Dancefloor sold over 2 million copies on the week of release and a staggering 10 million plus to date, but may just be set to be overtaken by this latest opus.
This is almost predictably another about turn for Madonna, as she moves from the electro pop of the previous offering to a harder urban sound that is more a return to her underground R & B roots.
Produced in collaboration with Timbaland and Justin Timberlake, who both appear on the lead single "4 minutes", Pharrell Williams and Nate "Danja" Hills. And along the way some vocal collaborations with Timberlake and Kanye West, Madonna herself has said that the album took much longer to complete than any of her previous efforts, mainly due to the complicated scheduling of all the involved parties.
This album will no doubt appeal to a much wider American audience than her previous effort, and as such I predict it will out sell it's predecessor!! For a track by track breakdown check out this post from hit40uk.

Portishead - Third
Now I wonder if you can guess which number studio release this is from the band from just outside Bristol?!? Their second offering confusingly titled "Portishead" came eleven years ago, and apart from their live offering 'PNYC Live' the year after, we have not heard much from the "founders" of Trip Hop.
The title may not be quite as imaginative as you could summon your good selves, but the advertising campaign, placing the semi translucent 3 over thousands of parking signs (as per the cover) is a beauty!
As with a lot of their songs the first single 'Machine Gun (youtube clip)' is so simple in its beat, yet so full of things to listen to, and of course there is Beth's unmistakable voice. "The Rip" blooms and builds to a stunning climax, "We Carry On" bowls along at a surprising pace and I also like "Threads" maybe as close to classic Portishead as you can get.
Well, was the album worth the wait? When so much is expected of a band, and the wait has been so long, disappointment often comes, but from what I have heard this is as unmistakeably Portishead as the first taste of a new seasons strawberry.

Sam Sparro - Sam Sparro
This is the first full length release from the Australian born singer and songwriter hwo has since lived in the USA and now the UK. The second single from this album "Black And Gold" seen here courtesy of YouTube, debuted at #23 in the UK charts and peaked at #2.
It reminds me so much of the legendary 'Stevie Wonder' from his 'Innervisions' and 'Fulfillingness First Finale' period that I had to do a second take (if you are a young Sam Sparro fan and never heard of Stevie Wonder I suggest you check him out!).
This is an assured and confident debut, Sam stands out from the crowd of similar artists with his mix of Soul and electro-funk, think of 'Jamie Lidell' and 'Seal', this is a Soul album full of funk, thoroughly modern but as retro as you can get. He may just get a space on my CD rack next to the mighty Stevie Wonder!

So, there you have it, might just be worth a fiver on these being number one, two and three at your local bookies (remember: if you gamble, risk only what you can afford to lose!).
Can't see what you are looking for here? Check out the full list of New Release CDs and Pre-Release CDs at CD WOW!   

New Release DVDs - Monday 28th April

Well, here we are nearly at the end of April, a third of the year gone already. It's hard to believe really but I tell you no lies my friends. So,I was just about to pack the DVD player away for the summer (it never really happens does it?), and checked out this weeks new releases, top of the pile was one I have been waiting for:

The Golden Compass
This also comes as a Platinum Series 2 Disc Set and is based on the first book in the best selling trilogy by author Philip Pullman. The set, comprising "Northern Lights", "The Subtle Knife" and "The Amber Spyglass" follow the adventures of Lyra (Dakota Blue Richards), a twelve year old girl who is trying to rescue a friend, Roger (Ben Walker) who has been kidnapped by the mysterious Gobblers.

This, as you can imagine, proves to be far more difficult than a walk in the park. Lyria is taken through different dimensions in a vivid imagined world where we meet the likes of Armoured Polar Bears! Although not strictly following the books (perceived) anti-religious stance this is none the less an exciting fantasy adventure film for all of the family.
With Nicole Kidman playing, for the first time, the antagonist, Lyra's caretaker Marisa Coulter, and the voice of Ian McKellen as Lorek, the armoured polar bear, it is not without a great cast either. Lyra's quest is to save not only her world, but ours as well!
Will the other two books make the big screen? Only time will tell, but I, for one, really hope so. Here is The Golden Compass - Official Trailer from our friends at YouTube.

Benidorm: Series One
All six episodes from the first series of the BAFTA award nominated ITV series written by Derren Litten, who co-wrote the Catherine Tate Show. Featuring a stellar cast of some of the UK's best comedy actors (Johnny Vegas, Wendy Richards), the series focuses on exploiting the commonly perceived working class stereotype of this popular Spanish holiday resort.

As a taster here is a clip from Benidorm: Series One from the good folk at YouTube. Following various families and groups, look out for Gavin and Troy on their first break together, Geoff Maltby and his Mum and my favourites the Garvey family on their first trip abroad along with Janice's Sun worshipping Fag smoking Mum Madge, who has the very realistic knack of having a bad word to say about everybody. You have got to love her!
Easy watching and split into nice handy parts, this is a great DVD for those odd moments (well lots of them actually) when there is nothing to watch on the TV. Want to see some more? A second series comprising eight episodes started to air in March 2008.

Halloween (2007)
Written, produced and directed by famous musician Rob Zombie, his previous offerings "House of 1000 Corpses" and "The Devils Rejects" are both the workings of a genre fanatic and hail close to the ultimate in horror slasher gore movies, and this my good friends is no exception, as you can see by this official "Rob Zombies Halloween Trailer from YouTube.
Both based on, and a prequel to, the original 1978 film of the same name, this the latest in the Halloween franchise starts with a ten year old Michael Myers murdering his sister, her boyfriend and his mothers boyfriend on Halloween eve. After the longest trial in state history Michael is committed to Smiths Grove sanitarium under the supervision of Dr Sam Loomis, where he becomes fixated by his paper mache masks. During one of his mothers frequent visits he kills a nurse, as you would, and she tops herself. During transfer he escapes and makes his way back to Haddonfield where he arrives on, yep you guessed it, Halloween!
The story then picks up the original film which is pretty faithfully replicated. A true gore fest this is not for the faint hearted so grab that cushion before you start watching!

Can't see anything here that appeals to you? Hard to believe, but if not why don't you check out all the Pre Release DVDs at CD WOW!

Liverpool Sound City

As I write we are about a month away from the Liverpool Sound City event. The city was this year named as the European Capital of Culture and has some 350 events organised to celebrate the honour.

With it's history of music, seen by some as the birth place of modern pop, this event has to be the highlight of the year. Running over four days May 27th to 30th and culminating in a Paul McCartney headlined gig at the world famous Anfield Stadium, home of Liverpool FC, on 1st June.

The event has some 150 acts appearing at 30 or so venues, including the world famous Cavern, the Barfly and the Carling Academy's over the course of the four days.

Featuring such artists as: "Wombats", "Reverend & the Makers", "Hadouken", "Mystery Jets" and many many more, you can buy a gold festival pass for just £40 (£30 for early birds!) Visit the web site for details, what a steal!
But my friends, here is the good bit! Liverpool Sound City is to become the first music industry convention to broadcast it's entire proceedings on the good old internet. Working with virtual community Second Life they are giving you the chance to be able to watch all of the performances, and witness the conferences. Bluetooth will also be in place at all of the venues so that content and promotional material can be transmitted directly to the mobile phones of people attending the panels and events. Wow, modern technology, it's a wonderful thing don't you know!!

Lovely Leona Lewis Makes American History

'Leona Lewis' has made the history books in the US by becoming the first UK artist to top both the singles and albums charts with a debut release.
On the chart countdown on Wednesday she became only the 2nd ever British female artist to enter the Billboard 200 chart at #1 with her debut album 'Spirit', replacing country star George Strait at the top.

In the 63 year history of the Billboard Chart 'Sade' was the only other female artist to hit #1 when 'The Promise' spent a three week run at the top in 1986, however this was not a debut entry.
This was topped on Thursday when Leona's debut single "Bleeding Love" returned to #1 just two weeks after being replaced by 'Mariah Carey'. It has been 18 years since a UK artist has topped both charts 'Phil Collins - But Seriously' and 'Sinead O'Conner' with 'I Do Not Want What I Have Not Got' (UK signed!) both managed the feat in 1990, not with debuts though!

Lovely Leona joins an elite bunch in the billboard history... only 14 artists have had an album debut at #1 and she is joining the elite ranks of Elton John, U2, Pink Floyd, The Beatles, Rod Stewart and Radiohead whose 'In Rainbows' debuted at #1 earlier this year, to name but a few.
With an appearance on American Idol (estimated audience 25 - 30 million) introducing her to a whole new bunch of Americans, and the new single 'Better In Time' already in the chart before it's official release, watch this space.
May the Spirit be with you!

B-52s - New Entry for an Older Band

The 'B-52's - Funplex' entered the UK chart at #73 this week. It may not have been as high an entry as 'Alvin & The Chipmunks - OST' (#61) or 'Blood Red Shoes - Box of Secrets' (#47) or even 'Children of Bodum - Bloodrunk' (#44).

Not a wholly impressive performance you may think, but hey, this is their first album of new material since 1992! It's been quite a few years since Love Shack baby!
'Funplex' debuted at #11 in the US earlier this month, and is the tenth chart album so far in a career that spans back to their formation in 1977 when, after a drunken night out, they decided to form a band.
With little or no musical experience they performed earlier shows with taped guitar and drums! The line up has remained unchanged since then except for the untimely death of guitarist Ricky Wilson (Cindy's brother) in 1985.

Always ahead of their time the new album is as fresh as ever, you can check a few tracks out on the B-52's Myspace page. This post from Arjan Writes has a video link for the title track Funplex!
So, taking a look at the cover picture, and the video, can you imagine that they are all over 50? Well, 'tis true my friends, Cindy Wilson is 51, Keith Strickland 54, Fred Schneider 56 and Kate Pierson turns 60 this month!
Fair play to them I say!

Parlotones @ The Cooler in Bristol

I saw the "Parlotones" at The Cooler in Bristol last week. I was fresh off the plane, well maybe not so fresh actually, and made my way down to the venue.
Waiting patiently for my first Parlotones experience, having only heard a couple of their tracks prior to the gig I was not totally sure what to expect but had liked what I had already heard.

From the first track 'Louder Than Bombs' I knew this was a band that I would like, reminding me very much of 'Bush', and some 'Coldplay' and 'Snow Patrol'. This is indie head-nodding driving your car fast down a country lane in the summer rock at it's best.
The Parlotones have been going from strength to strength in their home country of South Africa since they were formed in 1998, and are used to playing to sell out arena shows back at home, but far from viewing a small club crowd in Bristol as a chore the band threw themselves into the performance. Tracks like "Rock, Paper Scissors", "Here Comes The Man", "Dragonflies and Astronauts" and "Beautiful" are all potential singles.
I was speaking to a guy called Dan after the show, he had been speaking to the band and they were talking about playing with Razorlight. Must have been great to support them said Dan, actually they were supporting us was the jovial reply! And I can see why!

I have already ordered my copy of the album. Get yours too before everybody is talking about them and be snug when you can say, "Oh, The Parlotones, I picked up on them absolutely ages ago".
You can take a listen to some of the tracks on their MySpace page. But beware, I still have "Louder Than Bombs" on a very high rotation in my head four days after the gig!

Must put a word in for one of their support bands as well... 'Puzzlebox' are a bit like 'Muse' and 'Alice In Chains' (just my opinion). You may have heard of them as "Haze", a name change just occurred. These guys have some great rock tunes, clever construction and good solid guitar playing, a great young band and one to watch for the future my friends!
Here is a great post, containing an interview with Kahn Morbee (Vocals and Guitar) from the Chiz.