Our 14th Mixtape Monday. Enjoy.
FIBLAR x
Collage by Amelia
Monday, 3 February 2014
The Family Rain - Under The Volcano album review
After months of hype, debut album Under The Volcano by Bath's The Family Rain is finally out of the studio and onto the shelves. The deluxe version comprises of thirteen songs, kicking off with Carnival, which they previously released a different version of as a free download early last year. The new version (from the album) is less frantic and seemingly more mature, with added "ooooh"s for effect. Personally, I prefer the original version; raw and gritty, just how I like it, although the new one seems more fitting with the album. Next up are singles Trust Me... I'm A Genius and Feel Better (FRANK), both of which are fast-paced, in line with most of the rest of the record, and include kick-ass riffs from all members of the band, each making you want to move as much as the other.In contrast to this, fourth track Don't Waste Your Time provides the darkest moment of the album; a slower affair, it's the song that makes you stop and think amidst the raucous of the rest. Frontman Will Walter, with backing vocals from his brothers, repeats the lyric "Don't waste your time on me, I will only let you down" with increasing intensity, until you start to believe it. Intriguingly, this track seems to have stemmed from the hidden track from the Trust Me... I'm A Genius 7" record, entitled Memento, which is INCREDIBLY dark and intense (I love it), even more so than the album track.
Following this are Reason To Die, accompanied by Kasabian-esque wails, and the extremely melodic Binocular and On My Back. Binocular is an oxymoron in a song - an upbeat, happy-happy tune but with lyrics that, in my eyes, tell the tale of a break-up which resulted in one party stalking the other, through his binoculars. Creepy.
The extremely catchy Pushing It is next, followed by slow-starter Together, one of the more forgettable tracks from the record, and then my personal favourite All The Best. The latter is a song full of sentiment and feeling, one that would be a brilliant gig-closer as it would probably provoke a huge, festival style singalong to Will's crooning of "When my world is ending / And I'm dealt a final breath / I will fill my lungs for one last time / And wish you all the best."The penultimate two tracks are White Marble Soup, which I could imagine being sung by an old American swinging on his rocking chair on his porch with a straw hat on, and Alexander, about someone (called Alexander, funnily enough) whose mother has died, but he doesn't mind because she left him some money in her will. How lovely.
Finally is another previous single, Friction; whining guitar riffs and handclaps included, it is a well chosen end to a marvellous album from the brothers from Bath. I would recommend this album to all those who have not listened to The Family Rain yet, and, of course, all those who have. Written by Molly McGrath
7.5/10
Sunday, 2 February 2014
The Best Samples in Music
There's always the ignorant few that dismiss sampling as "stealing", adopting phrases along the lines of "Omg that band totally stole that riff, that it totally ridiculous". But sampling successfully is a real skill (slowly glossing past some previous attempts), here are my pick of the best sample in music.
BOUND 2 – KANYE WEST
Although the whole of Kanye West's back catalog would work for this post, Bound 2 is by far my
favourite track on the album, opening with the modest piano before the glorious
charm of Charlie Wilson, and of course (the highlight of the track) the "Uh-huh,
honey" sampled from "Sweet Nothings" by Brenda Lee. Despite Kanye
using multiple samples in this track, the obvious stand out is the children’s
choir-esque vocals of ‘Bound' by The Ponderosa
Twins Plus One providing the glistening gem that features in all of
West’s music. This sample is bopping your soldiers whilst frantically tapping
away at your laptop finishing your homework on a Sunday evening, it’s take your
dog for a walk in the pitch dark and aching to break out into a high school
musical shimmy down the road. He embraces his ever so slightly misogynistic
signature lyrics, and still manages to be both courteous and putting his laundry first, “I wanna fuck you hard on the sink,
After that give you somethin’ to drink, step back can’t get spunk on the mink” (and
who the hell is Jerome?).
CAN I KICK IT – A TRIBE CALLED QUEST
Arguably one of the best hip hop groups of the 20th Century, A Tribe
Called Quest managed to encapsulate the warmth and beauty of Lou Reed’s ‘Walkon the Wild Side’, sampling it on their track Can I Kick It. They seamlessly
combined it with the grove and rhythm that the band always delivered, with the
smooth and flowing sound of Reed’s piece being teamed with the simple yet
highly effective beat. In a complete U-turn to Kanye’s choppy and disjointed
use of sampling, A Tribe Called Quest blended in ‘Walk on the Wild Side’ to
such a degree it sounds as if it were an original element of the song. This
track will always remind me of skidding on my kitchen, wearing my bed socks
eating a choc-ice; and I’m not entirely sure why.
NEWPRINCE (CROWN ON THE GROUND) - CHILDISH GAMBINO
The slightly more frenzied option on this post, Childish Gambino uses Sleigh
Bells’ ‘Crown on the Ground’ to create this loud, bordering on manic and very
dance at a house party worthy track. The siren like sound of Sleigh Bells track
grant this song an obnoxious and arrogant yet perfect opening, paving the way
for Childish Gambino’s (real name Donald Glover) simple yet
suave “I do not talk, I am just a rapper” before launching into a mammoth of a
song. What’s unusual about this track is that no specific piece of the sampled
song is lifted, instead what seems like Childish Gambino pressing play on the
YouTube video of Crown on the ground whilst he raps over it. Because of this
there are clashes between his and Alexis Krauss’ vocals,
resulting in a highly successful and bordering on beautiful track.
PAPER PLANES – M.I.A.
Perhaps the obvious choice when talking about samples used in modern music,
M.I.A uses the Clash’s ‘Straight to Hell’ for her most known track, launching her
onto endless playlists for parties and being played in Topshop (it’s no
surprise the YouTube video has almost 42.5 million views). This track opens
with a spirally and glossy sound, reinventing the guitar sounds of The Clash
into a far more sleek and modern take - the opening bars of this track are
instantly recognisable, even if only yelled by a tipsy 14 year old at a
houseparty (“all i wanna do is *gun shot gun shot gun shot gun shot cash
register sound*”). The rest of the Clash’s song is ignored, but is also unnecessary,
as the few seconds M.I.A does lift are repeated throughout creating the right
genre balancing sound that she always toys with, I dare you to find a teenager
that hasn't danced profusely to this song – complete with the gun shaped hand
gestures – whilst sipping on apple cider.
And the rest:
Kendrick Lamar feat. Dr Dre ~ The Recipe (sample)
KiD CUDi ~ The Prayer (sample)
Beastie Boys ~ Rhymin and Stealin (sample)
EPMD ~ Strictly Business (sample)
Jay Z and Kanye West ~ Otis (sample)
Februrary playlist
Ah February, you old swine. As much as I have a limited quantity of violent feelings towards this time of year, it always feels as though it is a rather confused month. Everyone seems to recognise January as being the worst month of the 12, despite the fact that some nice things actually happen (my dad's birthday, for example). Because February often feels neither here nor there, I am personally left feeling quite melancholic, for several reasons - first of all it is still freezing cold, furthermore, it is still spine-breakingly freezing cold (I rest my slightly frozen metaphorical case). Therefore, in my frankly "mmmm lists" centred brain, I have taken it upon myself to create a playlist in order to make you feel like you could take on the world (or even go outside for the first time all weekend!) Also, seeing as Andrew VanWyngarden's birthday was yesterday (frontman of MGMT, all round good-egg) there will be a few tracks of theirs rightfully featured.
> Brian Eno // MGMT
It wouldn't be a Sunday playlist without this gem of psychedelic wonder. An ode to the synth master himself, it's quirky and energetic, with a strong beat and the odd twinkling synth to keep your desire for beautiful melodies satisfied for approx 4 minutes 32 seconds (NB: Times depend on the frequency of you replaying the last minute)
> Colours To Life // Temples
Another suitably uplifting and trippy wonder from Kettering golden boys, this track contains enough lo-fi whirring noises and spaced-out moments of glittering guitars that should at least guarantee you'll get out of bed on a Monday morning...
> Get off Of My Cloud // The Rolling Stones
"HEY HEY YOU YOU GET OFF OF MY CLOUD!" enough said.
> Best friend // The Drums
Admittedly, this isn't the most gladdening of songs for a supposedly 'cheery' playlist. Complete with tale of lost friends and a moping Johnny Pierce in full brooding mode, it seems unlikely that it would enliven even the most optimistic soul. However, the music behind the dark lyrics is quite the opposite; a jangly rhythm that pushes the song along with the aid of an angular bass line that somehow makes the emotional wreck that is my mind-set experience a temporary window of happiness.
> Morning Crumble // Holidays
Gently whirling guitars and a strong bass line with softly delivered lyrics makes you feel like you're on 'holiday' (wow appropriate) and engaging in some romance not to dissimilar to those badly acted out in rom coms. A clear winner for making you want to get up and "do stuff" (#lifelessons).
> Kooks // David Bowie
Reportedly written for his son, 'Kooks' for me, is essentially an ode to childhood belonging and feeling like your parents could do anything and everything for you, until the crushing moment when you realise that they're only human, and they can't hit your ex-boyfriend in the face for you. The score has just the right tempo for a bit of head-bobbing-and-old-man-foot-tapping to occur. "IF YOU STAY WITH US YOU'RE GONNA BE PRETTY KOOKY TOO."
> Your Life Is A Lie // MGMT
It would initially seem that this song is telling you that everything in your life is done with utter distaste, but on closer inspection, it feels like an ode to getting out of a boring life. It's a bit of a self esteem booster, as though you're being told to leave your boring house in a boring street and go and do something half interesting. Deal with it, folks.
> Can't Buy Me Love // The Beatles
What could a supposedly 'happy' playlist be without the 1964 classic?
> Dreamin // Mac DeMarco
Cymbals have managed to make this song so very 60's it seems like the 60's couldn't have created this track. Although it's slow and wandering qualities give it a feeling of desolation at times, it has enough contrasting moments of light to make you feel like a hip New Yorker when you walk around school.
> Ask // The smiths
"SHYNESS CAN STOP YOU FROM DOING ALL THE THINGS IN LIFE YOU'D LIKE TO" Anything I write about this would ruin it for myself and everyone else, it is simply too pretty for human words.
> Surf Bitches // Best Friends
"I WANNA BUILD A PEPPERMINT ISLAND" Lo-Fi vocals and guitar riffs are delivered in the style of FIDLAR, while a stronger driving force behind the music to give it a pacier feel remains. A New favourite.
I hope that some of these songs will help you face February and beyond. What are your favourite tracks for this time of year?
Lots of love, Paige x x x
> Brian Eno // MGMT
It wouldn't be a Sunday playlist without this gem of psychedelic wonder. An ode to the synth master himself, it's quirky and energetic, with a strong beat and the odd twinkling synth to keep your desire for beautiful melodies satisfied for approx 4 minutes 32 seconds (NB: Times depend on the frequency of you replaying the last minute)
> Colours To Life // Temples
Another suitably uplifting and trippy wonder from Kettering golden boys, this track contains enough lo-fi whirring noises and spaced-out moments of glittering guitars that should at least guarantee you'll get out of bed on a Monday morning...
> Get off Of My Cloud // The Rolling Stones
"HEY HEY YOU YOU GET OFF OF MY CLOUD!" enough said.
> Best friend // The Drums
Admittedly, this isn't the most gladdening of songs for a supposedly 'cheery' playlist. Complete with tale of lost friends and a moping Johnny Pierce in full brooding mode, it seems unlikely that it would enliven even the most optimistic soul. However, the music behind the dark lyrics is quite the opposite; a jangly rhythm that pushes the song along with the aid of an angular bass line that somehow makes the emotional wreck that is my mind-set experience a temporary window of happiness.
> Morning Crumble // Holidays
Gently whirling guitars and a strong bass line with softly delivered lyrics makes you feel like you're on 'holiday' (wow appropriate) and engaging in some romance not to dissimilar to those badly acted out in rom coms. A clear winner for making you want to get up and "do stuff" (#lifelessons).
> Kooks // David Bowie
Reportedly written for his son, 'Kooks' for me, is essentially an ode to childhood belonging and feeling like your parents could do anything and everything for you, until the crushing moment when you realise that they're only human, and they can't hit your ex-boyfriend in the face for you. The score has just the right tempo for a bit of head-bobbing-and-old-man-foot-tapping to occur. "IF YOU STAY WITH US YOU'RE GONNA BE PRETTY KOOKY TOO."
> Your Life Is A Lie // MGMT
It would initially seem that this song is telling you that everything in your life is done with utter distaste, but on closer inspection, it feels like an ode to getting out of a boring life. It's a bit of a self esteem booster, as though you're being told to leave your boring house in a boring street and go and do something half interesting. Deal with it, folks.
> Can't Buy Me Love // The Beatles
What could a supposedly 'happy' playlist be without the 1964 classic?
> Dreamin // Mac DeMarco
Cymbals have managed to make this song so very 60's it seems like the 60's couldn't have created this track. Although it's slow and wandering qualities give it a feeling of desolation at times, it has enough contrasting moments of light to make you feel like a hip New Yorker when you walk around school.
> Ask // The smiths
"SHYNESS CAN STOP YOU FROM DOING ALL THE THINGS IN LIFE YOU'D LIKE TO" Anything I write about this would ruin it for myself and everyone else, it is simply too pretty for human words.
> Surf Bitches // Best Friends
"I WANNA BUILD A PEPPERMINT ISLAND" Lo-Fi vocals and guitar riffs are delivered in the style of FIDLAR, while a stronger driving force behind the music to give it a pacier feel remains. A New favourite.
I hope that some of these songs will help you face February and beyond. What are your favourite tracks for this time of year?
Lots of love, Paige x x x
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