What You Should Be Listening To...
You should be listening to the XX. I don't care who you are, this is an amazing record. Why do I love the XX? The music is simple, but more than anything, the chemistry of Romy Madley Croft and Oliver Sim is beyond. BEYOND, PEOPLE. They're two shy kids from London who went to school together and started writing songs together. But get this, they were never together when they were writing: they would email lyrics back and forth because they were too self-conscious to share while they were in each other's presence. Is that not the sweetest thing?
There is something about the way they sing, they really get a vibe across that they are deeply in love with each other (even though they're not, apparently) and it's rare that you find a duo who do that so perfectly and consistently. And you know something is good when Karl Lagerfeld uses it on the runway ('VCR' featured for his A/W 2010 collection the past March... props). Buy this album and you will be far from disappointed. Indie music at its very best.
Tracks To Check Out:
All of them. Seriously, I started making a list for you, and realized it had every song on the album. In total, it's not even forty minutes long though, so you can literally go through the whole thing while you're getting ready in the morning. Or heading to bed. Whatever. Just listen to it.
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I discovered Glasvegas thanks to a tip from the Lady herself -- Gaga, that is -- and immediately fell for these Scottish boys. Alternative rock, thick Scottish accent, fantastic sound. One thing they did very well was make sure all the songs flowed seamlessly together on the album. You lose sense of where one track ends and the next begins when you listen the whole way through. I get chills everytime I give it a listen. There's a lot of sadness on the album, there's violence, there's people dying and parents leaving and cheating on your lover and whatnot. But somehow I don't feel sad when I'm listening. Mostly, I just feel like I'm listening to great music.
Tracks To Check Out:
1. 'Flowers and Football Tops'
This record was written about the murder of Kriss Donald in Glasgow apparently. It's a beautiful song, and currently one of my favorites of all time. Keep your ears open for when James Allen sings 'You Are My Sunshine' at the very end. It just breaks my heart.
2. 'Geraldine'
This one is great too, it's about the lead singer's 'social worker' who is always trying to make sure he's taken care of. You get a sense of how Allen is always trying to break away from this person, not wanting to trust them, but they keep reeling him back in, assuring him that he's safe with them no matter what. Lyrically, I just love it, with lines like what I've useed for the title of this post, and "when you say that I'm no good and you feel like walking, I need to make sure you know that's just the prescription talking".
3. 'It's My Own Cheating Heart That Makes Me Cry'
Boy cheats on girl. Boy feels guilty. Boy becomes suspicious that girl is cheating on him. Boy realizes this is just a manifestation of his own guilt. Excellent song.
4. 'Daddy's Gone'
Again, incredibly sad, but you love it anyway. Basically, a boy's father leaves him and his mum, and the song is the kid learning to cope with the loss of his dad. You get the sense that he might never really accept the fact, despite his constant repetitions of it. Served over distinctly British musicality.
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The third record you ought to be listening to is another from the UK, but it's a bit older than the others. The Stone Roses' debut album is critically acclaimed, as a matter of fact, it is considered one of the greatest British albums ever released. In case you forgot, bands like the Beatles and the Rolling Stones are also British. So if it's in contention for best in Britain, it's in contention for best in the world by extension. The Stone Roses were also leaders of the infamous Madchester movement along with the Happy Mondays. Unfortunately, the band broke up back in 1996, but hey, the music lives on. Impeccable compliation of songs that everyone ought to own.
Tracks To Check Out:
1. 'Waterfall'
This is my driving song. Seriously, it's perfect for roadtrips. The lead guitar part is excellent; it's fun and summer-y, makes you think of just being excited to go somewhere you've never been before.
2. 'Don't Stop'
Worth checking this one out simply because the entire instrumental track is that of 'Waterfall' played backwards. Because 'Waterfall' is just that good. So good that it can be played backwards and still be an amazing.
3. 'Fools Gold'
This song is just cool. No other descriptors present. Wicked guitar riff, just a classic, no contest. "The Marquis de Sade don't wear no boots like these". Damn straight.
Official Site
Peace, love, and floating,
Gill Ford
 |
| 1. The xx - XX - 2009 |
There is something about the way they sing, they really get a vibe across that they are deeply in love with each other (even though they're not, apparently) and it's rare that you find a duo who do that so perfectly and consistently. And you know something is good when Karl Lagerfeld uses it on the runway ('VCR' featured for his A/W 2010 collection the past March... props). Buy this album and you will be far from disappointed. Indie music at its very best.
Tracks To Check Out:
All of them. Seriously, I started making a list for you, and realized it had every song on the album. In total, it's not even forty minutes long though, so you can literally go through the whole thing while you're getting ready in the morning. Or heading to bed. Whatever. Just listen to it.
Official Website
Myspace
 |
| 2. Glasvegas - Glasvegas - 2008 |
Tracks To Check Out:
1. 'Flowers and Football Tops'
This record was written about the murder of Kriss Donald in Glasgow apparently. It's a beautiful song, and currently one of my favorites of all time. Keep your ears open for when James Allen sings 'You Are My Sunshine' at the very end. It just breaks my heart.
2. 'Geraldine'
This one is great too, it's about the lead singer's 'social worker' who is always trying to make sure he's taken care of. You get a sense of how Allen is always trying to break away from this person, not wanting to trust them, but they keep reeling him back in, assuring him that he's safe with them no matter what. Lyrically, I just love it, with lines like what I've useed for the title of this post, and "when you say that I'm no good and you feel like walking, I need to make sure you know that's just the prescription talking".
3. 'It's My Own Cheating Heart That Makes Me Cry'
Boy cheats on girl. Boy feels guilty. Boy becomes suspicious that girl is cheating on him. Boy realizes this is just a manifestation of his own guilt. Excellent song.
4. 'Daddy's Gone'
Again, incredibly sad, but you love it anyway. Basically, a boy's father leaves him and his mum, and the song is the kid learning to cope with the loss of his dad. You get the sense that he might never really accept the fact, despite his constant repetitions of it. Served over distinctly British musicality.
Official Website
Myspace
 |
| 3. The Stone Roses - The Stone Roses - 1989 |
Tracks To Check Out:
1. 'Waterfall'
This is my driving song. Seriously, it's perfect for roadtrips. The lead guitar part is excellent; it's fun and summer-y, makes you think of just being excited to go somewhere you've never been before.
2. 'Don't Stop'
Worth checking this one out simply because the entire instrumental track is that of 'Waterfall' played backwards. Because 'Waterfall' is just that good. So good that it can be played backwards and still be an amazing.
3. 'Fools Gold'
This song is just cool. No other descriptors present. Wicked guitar riff, just a classic, no contest. "The Marquis de Sade don't wear no boots like these". Damn straight.
Official Site
Peace, love, and floating,
Gill Ford
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