Album Of The Week: Radiohead-The King of Limbs

Radiohead are back on the scene with their killer new album "The King of Limbs". This promises to keep you guessing, leaving you unsure whether you like it or not at first listen. This is undoubtably Radiohead but you wonder  what is missing. At first as I listened, I felt they had made a very simple, minimalist album of the standard verse/chorus/verse/chorus/bridge structure but as i continued to listen over and over again i began to delve deeper in to to each song, dissecting each part in my head. Yes, Radiohead may have delivered a more simple album in regards to some of their earlier albums such as "OK Computer" and "Hail To The Thief" but it definitely does not lack emotion or musicality that we now expect from Radiohead. There being only eight tracks on the album does make me wonder if there is another album not too far away.

The album opens with the track "Bloom". A classical piano run repeated, slowly develops in to a electronic based song with instruments slowly joining at appropriate times. Thom York comes in with his uniquely haunting vocals to take the track to another level. The song seems to just roll along until a big orchestral crescendo. Magnificent as it is we fall back in to the main frame of the track where York starts a call and response to himself. The song slowly fades, then suddenly stops.
The tracks do develop but not to the extent of "OK Computer", "Kid A" or "Hail To The Thief". There are some very interesting tracks on this album. "Little By Little" has this almost arabic vibe going on but still, its Radiohead. "Feral"feels like a B-Side off "Kid A"or "Amnesiac". Again it doe not develop much or contain lots of instruments or ideas that we are so used to expecting by now. This is not a bad thing though. "Give Up The Ghost" and "Seperator" feel very natural with the use of real instruments. These two are beautiful songs. So calm and collected they send you in to a world of your own. They would fit very well on "In Rainbows". The stand out track for me is "Codex". An beautifully peaceful track that would send a tear rolling down any listeners cheek. It is probably the simplest track on the album but this means nothing to the heart. It is an emotional song as a whole that touches you till the end.  The main instruments through out the song are piano, vocals, drum machine playing a basic metronome beat and a modular sounding effect typical of band member Jonny Greenwood. It comes to an orchestral breakdown with the piano leading through till it slowly fades out, finishing the song.

A lot of Radiohead fans have bee disappointed with "The King of Limbs" which is a shame. I believe it is an amazing album. Different to their past works it show cases their 26 year career in 8 elegantly timeless tracks. It is much slower and quieter then their other albums but this is what i love about the album. As all Radiohead fans know the boys do not like making the same thing twice and with "The King of Limbs" they have once again achieved this.

KENNIGO-Down The Doorway

Named after a street on the Gold Coast this Brisbane trio is making waves for all the right reasons. With their fresh and vibrant sound these boys will capture your hearts and minds. Their first single 'Down The Doorway' is a beautiful tune that seems to just capture the moment. The simplicity of acoustic and electric guitar, drums and vocals is all Kennigo need to work their magic. The music video is also a work or art. Amazing shots of an unknown girl doing her thing and the trio dancing at dusk near the ocean blends with the music so well. Keep your eyes and ears peeled for these boys because you do not want to miss them. Go to their website for shows and more news on Kennigo
http://www.kennigo.com/

Album Of The Week: Incubus - A Crow Left Of The Murder

In 2004 alternative rockers Incubus released what i believe to be their best release to date, A Crow Left Of The Murder. Its full of punchy, rocking riffs, obscure yet hypnotizing melodies and harmonious vocals which leaves your mind content and your body wanting more. This is the first release without bass player and founding member Alex Katunich and with The Roots bass player Ben Kenny. This album takes the best parts of their previous albums and combines them to make a classic yet unique release. These is the obscure melodies from their first album 'Fungus Amongus', the almost metal riffs and screaming vocals from their second album 'SCIENCE', the catchy hooks and majestic vocals from album three 'Make Yourself' and the simplicity of song writing from album four 'Morning View'.
Guitarist Mike Einziger takes stage on A Crow Left... composing most songs and melodies. His brilliant guitar abilities are show cased on tracks such as 'Sick Sad Little World' and 'Priceless'. Brandon Boyd also steps it up on this album as a singer and song writer. On the track 'Southern Girl' Brandon takes you to the heart of a lover story which is not ment to be. You are moved because you understand. 'Smile Lines' shows off his beautiful vocals which he is well known now for.
This album has songs for all occasions. If you are feeling confident and ready to take on the world then 'Megalomaniac', 'Sick Sad Little World' and 'Pistola' are the ones for you but if you are feeling down and need to be picked up or just in a chilled out mood then 'Talk Shows On Mute', 'Southern Girl' and 'Here in My Room' will answer your feelings. There is a reason why this album is in my top 5 albums ever. Its because I always find something new or fresh when i listen to it, it answers my emotions in most cases and i am able to listen to it from start to finish, then from start to finished straight after. Have a listen and see what you think.

Alex Plota

The Strokes Are Back!!!!!

New York rockers The Strokes are back with their new single 'Undercover of Darkness'. When I heard the news I was beaming with anticipation. What would their new release sound like? Would they venture in to unfamiliar territory? Could it be better then their previous singles? All these questions were answered in the  opening seconds. This is the same Strokes we know and love. The boys have come back with a hip and rocking new single to get our mouths wet for their new album 'Angles' on the 18th of March 2011.

'Undercover of Darkness' takes us back to the sounds of their debut album 'Is This It'. Its catchy, simple and fun. Nick and Albert show us they still know how to party with their signature hooks and head bopping melodies. Julians still the king of modern day crooning with his smooth and unique vocals. There is a ripping solo that leads in to a atmospheric breakdown that gives you goose bumps. This tune is upbeat and funky, just the way we want to The Strokes to be. They prove that after 6 years between albums and side projects along the way they still have it. If 'Undercover of Darkness' is anything to go by, and i think it is, 'Angles' will be an absolute killer.

Foals with special guests Holy F**k and Last Dinosaurs, Enmore Theatre 9th of Feb 2011

The night began with Brisbane youngsters, Last Dinosaurs getting the crowd fired up with their brand of indie/pop rock. Don't judge them by their age. This guys know how to rock, tearing through their set of tracks from their EP "Back from the dead". Last dinosaurs infectious tunes proves this was the perfect opening band for Foals. With catchy beats and whimsical melodies these boys won the crowd over. The crowd favourite from the boys seemed to be "Honolulu" which got them screaming "HEY" at appropriate times. Last dinosaurs, though young, seemed very comfortable on stage and i suggest we will see more of them in the future.

As the night drew on and the Enmore Theatre got more and more full, canadian indie/electro experimentalists Holy F**K pounded out a glorious set of thumping beats, rhythmic bass and sporadic melodies that only got the crowd even more excited for headliners Foals. Holy F**K were in fine form continually changing different instruments and pieces of equipment to construct their unique sound. I thought they were an odd selection to open for Foals but they convinced me other wise as their set powered on. 

The night was getting later and the crowd was getting fuller. you could feel the anticipation in the air for Foals. Then the lights go down and you know its time. One by one each member comes on stage and takes up his instrument as if to go in to battle. The crowd goes mental but the loudest cheer comes as singer Yannis comes on stage and stands centre stage. The band opens with 'Blue Blood' from their most recent album 'Total Love Forever'. It is obvious that the crowd came to see one band only, Foals. The standing section explodes with everyone present jumping to Foals catchy/syncopated sound. Foals mixed their set up with half songs from 'Total Love Forever' and their debut release 'Antidotes'. Everyone seemed to know all their songs which made for great crowd participation and an unbelievable concert. As if the crowd could not get any more intense, singer Yannis decides to get intimate with the crowd and stage dives in to the arms of his adoring fans. This occurs twice sending everyone forward to get a feel for the young Brit Big favourites from the night were 'Cassius', 'Miami' and 'Spanish Sahara'. The Oxford five piece well and truly came and conquered sydney for the second time in 6 months and we are looking forward to them doing it again.

Alex Plota

The White Stripes Call It A Day

After 14 years of blues soaked rock The White Stripes have called it a day explaining that they would like to keep the music and the memories pure. I first got in to The White Stripes in 2003 when they released their widely popular album Elephant, with the singles Seven Nation Army and The Hardest Button To Button. When I first heard the opening riff in Seven Nation Army i was hooked. The simple riff just sounded so badass that i needed to hear more. The song explodes when the duet enters the breakdown. You can not help but shake your head. I started going backwards in the catalog and bought White Blood Cells, which is now my favourite. It opens with Dead Leaves On The Dirty Ground, a raw but tender song that captures The White Stripes so well. Fell In Love With A Girl is such a rocking song that you find yourself tapping you foot and nodding your head. Each song on each album by The White Stripes makes you want to pick up the guitar and start a band. Jack White is the perfect leader that gives off the "I dont give a f**k" persona that attracts you to the band.

The White Stripes showed so may people blues and got them hooked, me included. They never lost their roots through out their career, which is something a lot of bands do through the years. I guess we can still enjoy Jack in his other musical ventures but it will never be the same as with Meg. The simple drums and guitar, rhythm and melody. They captured our hearts. The world morns the lost of one of the most influential blues/rock acts of the 2000's

Alex Plota