Skunk Anansie - Tear The Place Up

Just a quick entry today for all the crazy Skunk Anansie fans out there like myself. In case you haven already heard the news, Skunk are back and back with a bang. As detailed in a previous article:
http://letstalkmusicpeople.blogspot.com/search/label/Skunk%20Anansie

Skunk Anansie have returned for a greatest hits tour and have also recorded three new tracks. Below is the video for their brand spanking new video which is so upbeat and totally rocking it just begs the question, Why did you ever break up??

Anyway, class half full and all that witch talk am just over the moon that one of best rock outfits to have surfaced from the merky streets of London are back at least for the minute to complete a European greatest hits tour. With the forthcoming London, Amsterdam and Brussels gigs already sold out for this tour I highly recommend in getting your lazy backside down to the ticket shop quick smart.

I have the usual 3 key elements to sort out before I can book my ticket for the Glasgow show in November which am sure all you poor music fans like myself can relate to:

1. Money


2. Work


3. Girlfriend

Once I have all tricked and porky pied my way past these 3 obstacles I hope to be on my way to Glasgow for what am sure will be an unbelievable night. Lets all hope Skunk Anansie decide to make this return a permanent fixture. fingers crossed.

Skunk Anansie - Tear The Place Up - Video Exclusive

Friendly Fires

Friendly Fires, the splendidly-named trio hailing from St Albans, first ventured into showbiz using the medium of instrumental, Fugazi-esque hardcore. Realising that it wasn't really them, and thankfully lightening up a bit, Ed, Edd and Jack ventured forth into the world of disco and headed towards a far more interesting and musically rewarding future. It's one that's found them feted by the likes of Zane Lowe, Colin Murray and Rob Da Bank, loved by Guardian and NME alike, and now on XL – fast becoming a label that's the home of the hits.


Friendly Fires rattles along quite nicely. There may not be an immediacy or instant large to the angle of the Fires' jangle, but after a couple of listens you're wondering why they didn't release it at the height of summer, as it would've sounded perfect. Self-produced, with the exception of the Paul Epworth-produced single and lead track, Jump In The Pool, and recorded under Ed's parent’s house, it's an album that sounds at home on both the radio and down the rave-up.



Earlier tracks, Paris and On Board are particularly ebullient and joyous, bringing to mind classic Chicago house textures with hand-in-air rushing moments. In The Hospital has the sweaty urgency of LCD Soundsystem, and Photobooth may destroy Earth itself, once a few choice remixes are commissioned. Lovesick is downright amazing: potentially the tune that turns the band from skinny indie groovers into chart-eating pop behemoths. Certain choruses and breakdowns mark this as a post-Klaxons album but that's about as much as FF has in common with the nu-rave herberts. Friendly Fires sound more like an excitable, puppy-like version of The Rapture or Cut Copy.


Overall, Friendly Fires – along with Late Of The Pier and Wild Beasts – have shown that there's some more forward-thinking and multiplex bands for people who've grown bored of the identikit indie gristle. A bit of sparkle and magic is all you need, and your life improves immeasurably.

Article by: Ian Wade
http://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/ncqv/

The Temper Trap

The Temper Trap are a 4 piece electro rock outfit from down under. I was put onto this exceptional band by a close friend of mine, (JS). The band have a unique sound that incorporates pulsating drum and bass grooves with high pitched vocals that cut right through every song and become increasingly catchy.

Over the last few days I have been watching their videos and constantly repeating their tracks on myspace, http://www.myspace.com/thetempertrap. I highly recommend any new comer to this band to go and check them out right this very second, just be prepared to be drawn into the first class row of dance-rock, Aussie style.

The myspace page contains three songs by the band:

1. Fader


2. Sweet Disposition


3. Science Of Fear

Each of the three songs as mentioned above are all worthy singles for the band and each song commands a steady shake of my right leg whilst listening, always a clear indicator that its a rocking tune, you know what I mean, right??

Anyway my personal fav on their myspace page is the "Science Of Fear" which is just a great song that I can't get enough of at the minute. This song would fit in any situation, the car, the night club, the rock club, 4am at my friend Monty's house, graduation, sweet 16th, ok ok you get the picture.

The bands debut album "Conditions" will be released in the UK on the 10th of August 2009. After hearing the three tracks on myspace as mentioned above am eager to here what else the album will have in store.

If you happen to like this band please click on the "comment" link at the top of this post and tell me which of the three myspace songs you think rocks the most. If you think am getting too excited and these guys arent the be all and end all then please comment as well.

Oh and a big thanks to my old friend JS for putting me onto this band, I really should listen to this fountain of strange musical knowledge on a more regular basis.