Smalltalk

So this past week, Nigel Godrich, often known as the producer and "6th member" of Radiohead, announced a new side-project named Ultraísta, along with a new song Smalltalk. Besides using his musical genius to shape the sounds of bands like Radiohead and Beck, Godrich has ventured into writing and performing this past couple of years, from composing the soundtrack for the (awesome) Scott Pilgrim movie to performing with Thom Yorke's other band Atoms for Peace.

So it doesn't come as that big a surprise that he has his own project now. It's not entirely his own solo project, but a collaboration with London artist Laura Bettinson (whose solo work goes by the name Dimbleby & Capper) and drummer Joey Waronker, who is also part of Atoms for Peace. And yet it's kinda obvious that Nigel's the mastermind behind the sound of this new group, or at least the only song they are yet to put out.

The sound and feel of the track just seems to have "Nigel Godrich" stamped all over it, despite being dancier and catchier than anything he's ever done. The lush synths and that syncopated beat with the dry snare are such hallmarks of his sound, especially in his work with Thom Yorke's solo stuff like The Eraser. The track Hearing Damage is a great example. But Smalltalk does have a different vibe to it, almost with an 80's dance feel (helped by the video too, link below). Bettinson's vocals complete the track, effortlessly sexy and addictive at the same time.

Ultraísta - Smalltalk

Cortez The Killer (Acoustic)

I don't think i say or even think this enough, but i love Neil Young. That just came to mind as i was listening to this amazing acoustic version of Cortez The Killer that i came across.

In its original state, it's usually a thundering beast of a song, with the gale winds from Neil's guitar solos leaving you in its wake as if a hurricane blew by. But with just Neil and an acoustic guitar that he plays so beautifully here, it feels completely different. This version distills all the pain and beauty in the story Neil's telling and lays it out front. That of a forgotten people, of lives and loves that we won't ever know. 10 minutes of pure beauty.

Your Acting's like The End of the World

It is a major travesty that there is only one video of The Drones performing this live, and it isn't of the best quality. I am digging this song so hard at the moment, it's probably becoming my favourite track on their 2008 epic Havilah. And it's not like it didn't have competition, amongst a number of truly brilliant songs on that record.

It might just be the catchiest song Gareth Liddiard has written. On an album as filled with monster riffs and heavy dissonance as Havilah, the fact they chose to end it with a light acoustic number like this one is astounding. And yet it takes nothing away from its weight and emotional heft as a closer. The song itself is made by the lovely interplay between Liddiard on rhythm guitar and Dan Luscombe's delicate embellishments on the lead.

As usual with any Liddiard song, the lyrics are a highlight as well. He always delivers some cracking lines, whatever the subject matter of the song. This one feels alot more personal, at least compared to songs where he's singing about anything from worldwide injustice to astronauts peeing in their spacesuits. In this one, the lyrics hint at personal tragedy and a failed relationship, belied by the humorous wordplay and the jovial mood of the music. In fact, the dark and morbid humour that Liddiard hides in his lyrics are one of my favourite things about The Drones. Favourite line in this song? 'You should move out to the country man, and look after your health / These cities show you to your seat, and then they make you eat yourself'

Four years is too long a time to be waiting for a new album from The Drones. A band i desperately need to see live too.

The Drones - Your Acting's Like The End of the World

Another happy techno post

Just some tunes i've been feeling lately.

Jacques Greene - Another Girl
The Field - Is This Power
Aphex Twin - Alberto Balsam
Modeselektor - Berlin
Burial/Four Tet - Wolf Cub

Arcade Fire at the Bridge School Benefit 2011

Ever since i saw them in Manchester a couple of months back, Arcade Fire have slowly worked their way up the ranks in my list of favourite bands. As good as they are on record, they are a simply band to be experienced live. Last night, they played the first night of Neil Young's annual Bridge School Benefit concert and it was a cracker of a set.

They played a fully acoustic set of seven songs, tweaking some of them to fit, giving songs like Intervention a softer, emotive feel compared to their usual fist pumping oomph. One of those was Empty Room, and they turned in an absolutely stunning version, slowing it down almost into a country waltz ballad. It was the highlight of the set for me, along with their cover of Helpless, joined by Neil Young himself on stage. Empty Room is at 7:30 on the video above, and Helpless is at 27:00.

43

I really should dust this off. But first i need some sleep.

Powderfinger

Powderfinger by Neil Young, by himself on his trusty acoustic. Love how different this feels from band version, feels so much more fragile and heartbreaking. Sure its missing that awesome riff, but this version brings you so much closer to the story Neil's telling, and it feels closer to your heart. And what a story. A story of a young man forced to protect his family, though its not clear from what. A civil war? A police crackdown? But once the 3 minutes are up, you feel like you've been through everything with him, up until he tells you to remember him.

Six to eight

Your fire makes it all worthwhile

From AFI's The Art of Drowning. The 13 year old version of myself used to rock so hard to this. In fact, AFI might have been the first band i was crazy about. Got me (thinking i was) all punk and stuff. Lucky i didn't go down the goth route too. Maybe i should catch up on some AFI.

Sound and Vision

From Bowie's classic record Low. It starts with these three snare shots that sound like your mind being cracked open, and what comes next is pure joy. The shimmery guitar, the unbelievably happy bass, and celestial synths that come in. Its contrasted with the agoraphobic lyrics that are in line with his classic Berlin paranoia. Simply one my favourite songs of all time, one of the best i've ever heard.

Think i'll pack it in

See the lonely boy, out on the weekend, trying to make it pay
Can't relate to joy, he tries to speak and, can't begin to say

Doug Paisley's cover of Neil Young's Out On The Weekend. I was reading an old interview Neil did, and he was talking about how he wrote this song when he was head over heels in love. Its funny, because i've always related the song and specifically the two lines above to a feeling of loneliness.

But after reading what he said, my perspective on the song has changed totally. From my assumption that the "lonely boy" lost the girl he loved and can't imagine being happy again; to a warmer image of him being with her and being so full of joy that he doesn't know how to relate to and can't express it. Funny how words twist.

Straight to video

You are my centre when i spin away

Dubstep-ish remix of Radiohead's 'Videotape' by XxXy. Fuckin delightful.

We are the robots

Kraftwerk when they were in Singapore. Not being there is one of my life's greatest regrets.