Seems So Out of Context

I spent this weekend going to see none other than Frank Turner live in Manchester, kind of a strange gig because Funeral For a Friend were playing in another part of the venue so as you can imagine - EMO! The gig was sold out which was good because there was a large crowd and Frank even did some crowd surfing (I don't think that's happened since Million Dead). He has a new single out 'Long Live the Queen' with all the proceeds going to charity so go and buy it! Instructions are on his website and he might even get into the top 40 :o well anyway I leave you with this live cover, which you might recognise and makes the title of this post make more sense.

Free of the best

"The best things in life are free". A completely stupid phrase as nothing's completely free! However, some things don't cost any pennies. Often I find 'free' albums, but upon playing them realise they are complete nonsense and have hurt my ears!! This of course is not always the case and more importantly this is not the case (in my opinion) of the albums in this post. They're all completely free and legal to download, which makes it all the better.

Exits - The Boxer Rebellion
(http://www.last.fm/music/The+Boxer+Rebellion/Exits)
The Boxer Rebellion are a band I saw years ago in Nottingham when they supported the Raveonettes. At the time I was suprised to find I actually enjoyed their music, which is quite unusual for a band I'm hearing first time round at a gig. They had a perfect blend of distorted guitars and slower stuff (I'm sure there are proper musical terms for this!). It wasn't until about 6 months ago that I got round to getting their album, Exits. As I remembered from 3 years previously, their sound was varied and captivating. The true masterpiece on this album is 'We Have This Place Surrounded', a track that continually builds and adds many contrasting layers, but never feels cluttered. Other notable tracks being 'Cowboys and Engines' mainly for the intro and erm....well to be honest, all of it!!!

The Seldom Seen Kid - Elbow
(http://www.last.fm/music/Elbow/The+Seldom+Seen+Kid)
Not strictly a download, but you can listen to it for free from last.fm. The Seldom Seen Kid got awarded the Mercury Prize this year. Of course this doesn't necessarily mean it's any good, as I can think of plent of albums awarded prizes in recent years that sucked. The album has several high points such as The Bones Of You, with it's tasty bassline, Mirrorball and it's lovely plinky plonky piano and The Fix with guest vocals by some other guy that isn't Guy (Garvey)! I do find the albums tails off towards the end with nothing to really look forward to in the last 3 songs, but the previous 9 certainly make up for it.

State Of Ruin Bonus Disc - Alter Der Ruine
(oops)
At this point I was going to talk about a free remix CD distributed by Alter Der Ruine, however it seems the link has expired. Ah well. This is a great album despite being based on only about 4 songs, which is proves the excellent work done by contributors. Especially when you consider that the track 'Morning Sobriety' has both incarnations as a roarry bassline in the One Level Down remix and a much more chilled outing with the Embodi remix.

Japanese Mathematics

A math-rock band from japan? Yes, exactly and they're called LITE. I found this band just recently and being an admirer of math-rock (who isn't?) I liked them straight away. They're technically very good and also touring in the UK right now although not venturing northwards into Scotland :( so go see them if you can! Their tour dates are on their website and myspace. I leave you with a their video for 'Ghost Dance' where they seem to be trapped in a box and you should be able to listen to 'Ef' on our player (on the side).

Powder Blue

Her eyes are just like black spiders...

I funking love Elbow! They're one of the few bands I can listen to whatever mood I'm in and they make me smile. They're also one band I keep forgetting exist. This would be a shame were it not for the fact that I get the excitement of rehearing their music every time I find one of their albums!

I'm so happy they got the Mercury Prize this year :D

Oh my Blog!

Blogging has been down to a bear minimum which is strange seeing as I've had nothing to do for months. So I've decided to treat you with two new items a shiny new blog post and if you look to the right there should be a new music player, hopefully less annoying than the last one and it should be easier to update. I'll leave you with a picture of the autumn sunset in Edinburgh. Hopefully music updates soon.