Tuesday 25 February 2014

Arctic Monkeys

After gaining a cult following for their transcendent album “Fluorescent Adolescents,” indie-punk band Arctic Monkey’s fifth studio release AM lives up to the band’s rising expectations, while evolving into something more meaningful than previous albums.
           
Though harboring a fan base that can easily be labeled as “leather-jacket,” lead singer Alex Turner’s lyrical turn-of-phrase often results in something more evocative than his song titles might suggest. Much of what AM is built off of is not only Turner’s tactful though impulsive songwriting, but the emotional barriers he sometimes neglected in previous albums. Take this line from AM’s lead single Do I Wanna Know?, “Maybe I’m too busy being yours too fall for somebody new.” This brand of more sensitive songwriting is not exhibited in previous albums, accounting for a lot of the album’s commercial and critical achievements as well as improving on the band’s value itself. What separates AM from its predecessors is the emotional undercurrent seamlessly woven into the greaser-style sound Turner spends most of his time working on. And along with their classically indie-strummed guitar solos, Turner’s diverse (and nonetheless beautiful) vocal range and the band’s innovative song structure that’s kept listeners rapt for over a decade, AM proves to be the most haunting yet of the Monkeys’ albums.


Though some might say it clashes altogether with their slicked-back and stolid personality, the depth in which AM is built upon actually improves on the punk-rockers’ individualized sound, and with the angsty spirit that the band is renowned for playing live, there is no stopping Arctic Monkeys.

Wednesday 15 January 2014

MODERN CURE - Q&A.

Modern Cure are a five piece indie pop rock band fresh out of college. Their vocalist is Victoria Geale, playing guitar is Will Smyth and Oliver Marshall, playing bass is Joshua Keddie and keeping the band in time is Alex Quigley on the drums. The band formed for a High Schools Battle of the Bands and after finding success decided to continue playing together. 



With their fresh indie rock sound and quirky, enthralling vocals, Modern Cure are an exciting new act. Their track 'The Streets' features strong, anthemic rhythm section and an upbeat beat that is a perfect summer tune. The vocals are endearing, with light harmonies and Victoria Geale's distinctive voice lending the track a lighter side.



We caught up with Modern Cure recently!



When did you guys start playing together?


We formed halfway through 2011 to play in our school's battle of the bands. We had all been in other bands before, but we wanted to play together. We won the junior section at Rock Challenge Tasmania, so we've kept it together since then.


How would you describe your music?

Our style instrumentally is inspired by bands that we listen to like The Wombats, The Kooks, The Strokes and Two Door Cinema Club. If anyone asked us how we would describe our music we would say enjoyable to play.


What are you working on right now?


We're currently working on getting a substantial original set written and rehearsed, as well as recording for future release. As we continue to write music we like our previous songs less, so we find it kind of hard to have a forty-five minute set that we're all happy with. It's great that we think our music keeps getting better though, so there is a positive to it.


What will Modern Cure be up to in 2014?


We've been working on an EP for nearly nine months now, but we keep on changing our minds as to what should be on it, and also write better music that we then have to record. Hopefully we will have it out both digitally and physically by the end of the year. We also want to play a lot more live shows and establish ourselves as a prominent force in the local music scene here in Launceston, which is why we're working hard on getting a strong set together.


How did you get your band name?


Choosing a band name was pretty difficult, it took lots of brain storming and terrible ideas before we came up with Modern Cure. We thought it sounded cool, but like a lot of band names its just a play on words and doesn't really mean anything.

Listen to Modern Cure performing 'The Streets' at Breath of Life festival!

Friday 3 January 2014

TOO WEIRD TO LIVE, TOO RARE TO DIE! - REVIEW.

I think I speak for everybody when I say that Panic! At the Disco has come a long way since releasing one of their most renowned songs "I Write Sins Not Tragedies." The lyrical complexity has grown greatly from "And, yes, but what a shame, what a shame the poor groom's bride is a whore," to "This is gospel for the fallen ones locked away in permanent slumber." However, regardless of the meaning (or lack of) it is guaranteed that P!ATD will bring you infectious vibes and catchy tunes. 
Four for you p!atd, you go p!atd
All joking aside, Too Weird To Live, Too Rare To Die is most likely the best album that they have ever released. Although this has been called the "party" album because of upbeat songs like Miss Jackson and Vegas lights it also accompanies significant, momentous songs with deep meanings like "This is Gospel," that states "these words are knives and often leave scars," which is a very powerful phrase. 

The album cover pretty much sums it all up
This album was released October 8, 2013 with 10 incisive songs. My personal favorite would have to be "The End of All Things," which is actually very ironic because it's about a never ceasing love. 

Panic! At the Disco is playing February 23, 2014 in Sydney, Australia @ Soundwave Festival :-)