It's no secret that Gallows have been having a turbulent time lately. In an earlier post, when 'Black Eyes' was the song of the weekI talked about the departure of Frank Carter to start up side project Pure Love, and the acquisition of Alexisonfire's Wade Macneil into the Gallows ranks.
It seems that this unusual choice of frontman has paid off though, as the incendiary 40 second assault of 'True Colours' kicks in. With a different but equally brutal vocal style from his predecessor, Wade brings a new dimension to the band which will surely give upcoming EP 'Death Is Birth' a fresh edge.
And So I Watch You From Afar- 'Search:Party:Animal'
OK, so it's been longer than a week, but at least you've had the summery vibes of Don Broco to tide you over. Why so long between posts? A mix of starting uni work, being typically horribly ill as the weather changes, and a busy and bustling social life (am I being sarcastic about that? I don't even know). Anyway, new post now! And it's a long old band name to be sure.
I didn't know anything about ASIWYFA until about a month ago when I saw them transform Moles into a writhing sweatbox of sheer tech-rock enjoyment and mirth. Since then I've been hooked on their latest album 'Gangs' and have listened to this track more times than is probably healthy. I find their music really interesting, both technical and intense, with some really cool riffs and a solid rhythm section, they've got a lot going for them.
One of the highlights of my year is seeing Don Broco at Hevy Festival in August. Proof that they are not only great on record but also live, the show was fun and intense, as Rob Damiani and the Bedford crew rattled through the best of their back catalogue. After reviewing their EP 'Big Fat Smile' for Dead Press I became a fan of their infectious alternative noise, and their latest track 'We're On Holiday', like other tracks 'Metalface' and 'Do What We Do', is imbued with the high-spirited personality of the band's members. It also helps that the chorus is damn catchy and the video is a right laugh too. Enjoy!
I saw Manchester Orchestra last Sunday and they absolutely blew me away. They're a great live band with three albums of great songs to back them up. Andy Hull is a charming frontman and the rest of the group are so well practiced at what they do it's impossible not to enjoy their music. Though there were many highlights of the show (check >Here< for my full review!) 'Where Have You Been?' has been a favourite of mine since I first started getting in to them. Live it was even more intense and brilliant, but for now the album version will just have to do. But the next time they're in the UK make sure to get a ticket to see them; they entirely exceeded my expectations and the gig is probably the highlight of my year so far. Go See Them! :D
Letlive- 'Muther'
I'm absolutely willing to admit that I was wrong about Letlive. The first time I heard them over a year ago I just didn't get it. I think I must have been played a bad song, because if I'd heard 'Muther' back then I would no doubt have all their albums in my possession by now. Frontman Jason Aalon Butler was recently voted by Kerrang! readers as the greatest rock star in the world, which I found very surprising, as I'm sure thousands of other people did flicking through the magazine. But this made me curious to hear more of Letlive. A friend played me this a few days ago and now I'm genuinely impressed with this bands' music.
'Ukulele Songs' is one of my favourite albums at the moment. Eddie Vedder is a rich, warm vocalist, and I've been a fan of his ever since I heard 'Ten' by Pearl Jam when I was first getting in to the whole Seattle grunge scene maybe 8 or 9 years ago. His voice is just so versatile; he can do raw and powerful, sweeping and soulful, as well as the taut and delicate tones that accompany his ukulele here.
On my first listen through of the album I wasn't entirely taken by the concept. After listening to Vedder singing with a full back-up of guitars and drums for so many years the sinuous, surprisingly haunting sound of the lone uke running beside the stripped back vocals came at odds with my expectations, and I thought that it could have done with more variety in feel and theme. It is an album that takes some dedication to prize out its subtleties, but it is worth the time. The song writing is deceptively deep and the sentiments are endearing.
I think 'Goodbye' would make a great break-up song. It is the sound of a clean, pure sadness expressed with real honesty. There's no schmaltz or melodrama to dull the melancholy in Vedder's lyrics, and it is all the more poignant because of it. I realise how emo that sounds, but give it a listen and I think you'll hear what I mean. I'm sure next week's will be a happier track!
Blink are back! I am very excited, especially if the rest of new album 'Neighborhoods' continues in the same vein as this track. I've always been a huge fan of Travis Barker; I've been trying to play some of his beats since the first time I ever picked up drum sticks, and I can still only just make it through 'First Date' without my arms flying off. So the first thing that jumps out at me on 'Up All Night' is the great drums, but it's also nice to hear Mark and Tom again, and to hear some Angels And Airwaves-influenced electronics in the mix. Tom has clearly taken comments about his nasally whine to heart and tried to tone them down, and there is defintely the impression on this song that the band as a whole are taking their music a bit more seriously. I'm definitely looking forward to hearing more from the album and picking it up when it's released (hopefully) on 26th September.
