Foals - 'Total Life Forever' (2010)

1. Blue Blood
2. Miami
3. Total Life Forever
4. Black Gold
5. Spanish Sahara
6. This Orient
7. Fugue
8. After Glow
9. Alabaster
10. 2 Trees
11. What Remains

English 5 piece Foals are back with their second full length LP 'Total Life Forever'. After the wonderful debut album 'Antidotes', released back in March 2008, the follow-up was always going to be a tough one. Would it be another case of second album syndrome or more of the same? As per usual, songs were to be found on the internet prior to the full album release. I made sure to avoid these until I had the full works as one.

The album opens up with 'Blue Blood' and a perfect example of how far the band have come since the debut. Immediately the vocals from front man Yannis (Philippakis) sound much better than on the first album. The guitar picking and ringing is present as we are treated to a slow building introductory song. It all kicks in and the strong presence of the music over lyrics can be heard as the bass takes rhythm, and centre stage, as the parts all work together. 'Miami' follows and opens with a hip-hop style sounding beat. Quick guitar and deep bass will keep your head bopping. The drums sound great and never seem to miss a beat, despite the speed in which they are going. I don't hear many keyboards on the album, but a sound I am happy for the band to be without. Title track 'Total Life Forever' brings listeners back to the sound they are used to from the first album and does not disappoint. Songs like 'Black Gold', '2 Trees', 'This Orient' and 'What Remains' are typically decent album tracks but nothing of major significance while others such as 'Fugue' and 'Alabaster' make up the traditional slow side of the band's music. The band seem to have gone for a more 'progressive' sound than the first album and this is very evident in the likes of 'After Glow' and, my firm favourite, 'Spanish Sahara'. This would also be true for the opening track too. Long building crescendos of musical wonder. This is where I feel Foals are at their best.

So, much the same as the first album in some ways and in some ways something completely different. Foals are taking their music that little bit further and trying out something new. The prog idea works for them as long as they keep it relatively simple. I don't see their need for additional samples and machinery when I can hear them do it so well without.

For me I really enjoyed this album. Great for dancing to and no doubt would be great to see, and hear, live. And to answer the original question...this is by no means a poor second album. It may be slightly different and a bit bolder than the first but this one can hold its own. I know I will be looking forward to more of this, or more of 'Antidotes'. Either way, it's all good.

Jay-Z - 'The Blueprint 3' (2009)

1. What We Talkin’ About
2. Thank You
3. D.O.A (Death of Auto-tune)
4. Run This Town
5. Empire State of Mind
6. Real As It Gets
7. On To The Next One
8. Off That
9. A Star Is Born
10. Venus Vs Mars
11. Already Home
12. Hate
13. Reminder
14. So Ambitious
15. Young Forever

Walks into the room with slight limp in the hippity hop style, takes off earphones and turns on the laptop, takes a drink of Sukie and pours some out for the homies.

Ok so I said that this would be the last chance for me and Jay-Z but before I get into the nitty gritty of it all ill give you a bit of background to when it started. I first heard Jay on Trevor Nelson’s the Lick on MTV many moons ago, these were the days of Blink 182, Limp Bizkit, nails getting painted (on guys) and the world was ablaze with Foo Fighters and Green Day mania, well not for me, I was starry eyed and listening to Biggie, 2Pac, and yes I was a bit of a whigga. Anyway I wasn’t too fussed on ‘Hard knock life’ as the Annie sample didn’t really do it for me but I was hooked none the less as he was rhyming about being on the streets, hustling, very much what I was doing on the mean streets of Finaghy back in the noughties, I could relate. I went to Our Price, yes Our Price and got the album and from then on I became a big fan. Several albums later he was still doing the business and all was rosy in the Jay-Z garden until along came the Limelight, The Strokes and the Kings of Leon, Jay was disregarded like the career of Mace, who??, exactly. Don’t get me wrong I havent completely stayed away from hip hop there have been some shining lights in there with Clipse, The Cool Kids and Sway but I havent hit the heady days of then. Jay had a return to form with the Black Album with ‘bangers’ such as ‘Dirt of your shoulder’, ‘Encore’ and ‘Change Clothes’ even being mixed by Dangermouse to make the grey album with Jay’s raps and the Beatles White Album behind but still I havent flinched so this was the album to decide if I would keep on with him or look back with fondness and my massive size xxl Fubu top.

Jay is famous for his rapping style which involves the music already being recorded and him walking into the recording studio and just saying his lines, not written down, just as he stands. Now I applaud him for this but still take five minutes and at least write something down, even Biggie in his heyday had to use a pen and paper and his lyrics are classics, Super Nintendo, Sega, Genesis, when I was dead broke man I couldn’t picture this. I think comparing the two this is were Jay falls down and why he isn’t really as highly regarded as Biggie or 2Pac. One of my main gripes is the constant talking about how much money he has or what they drink or what clothes they wear, fair enough these people are millionaires and will not be rapping about the political situation in Burma or the Trident missile system but seriously it gets a bit dull after a while if you’ve heard the word Rolex in a song about 20 times, they might aswell just call their songs ‘Product Placement’. Ok so im getting off point but I think its true that people prefer to hear about growing up, making their way through and getting signed, the best example is Kayne West’s ‘Last Call’ when he describes how he was sending demo tapes out and almost making it only to be knocked back time and time again then signing to Rockafella after nearly being evicted. After all these ideas were bouncing about my head I finally managed to listen to Blueprint 3 and so….

Before I listened to the album I was familiar with the track, ‘Empire State of Mind’ which has Alicia Keys on the chorus singing something about New York, I wasn’t too sure as the words are indecipherable but New York is mentioned quite a bit, not bad by all accounts for the first single. From the beginning of the album I have a list in my head what is usually mentioned, Lexus, Money, Brooklyn and a lot of Uh Uh Uh Yeahs (due to the non writing down lyrics I imagine) The first five songs have me checking them all off with ease and then the second half of the album, well its 15 songs long so I was barely through it but it had the same effect. In the album there are a lot of featurings which as anyone knows plays havoc with your itunes, yes go into get info and put them all into one artist. The featurings in this case are Rihanna, Kayne West and Kid Cudi who are pretty good in their songs but at this stage there is nothing jumping out at me. I listened to this album while walking home and I got distracted by the park so I think that’s an indication of the lasting impact. Anyway overall its ok, not great but not too bad, I think its one which I doubt ill be visiting again. Maybe Jay-Z is just good for those songs which fill a dancefloor and he lacks a bit of substance, in fairness after ten albums id be running out of things to say! I don’t think ill avoid his next album but my interest is just not what it once was, and yes I still have that Fubu top, its good for winters ill have you know.

Japandroids - 'Post Nothing' (2009)

1. The Boys are Leaving Town
2. Young Hearts Spark Fire
3. Wet Hair
4. Rockers East Vancouver
5. Heart Sweats
6. Crazy/Forever
7. Sovereignity
8. I Quit Girls


I like to hark back to the good old days, unfiltered cigarettes, casual sexism (women drivers) and music that came out in the last 12months or so and in this case its Japandroid’s ‘Post Nothing’. Over the last while we've been besieged with bands with two solitary members, No Age, Death from Above, Simon and Garfunk to name but three but one of the outstanders has to be these two guys from Vancouver. On the first listen I was hooked like someone on meow meow or the bite size bars of Milka that ive been devouring like some sort of crazed mongoose on a snake, or is it the other way about, either way it’s a great album.

The first track the ‘Boys are leaving Town’ does exactly what it says on the tin with shouting, great rifts and the feeling that these guys are going somewhere (on tour to be precise) With only a drummer and guitar you would think they are lacking a few other instruments but they make up for it with big and brashey tunes that come one after another until the final ‘I Quit Girls’ which is a coming home at 5 in the morning song after a very long night. The standout track for myself is ‘Rockers East Vancouver’, actually ‘Wet Hair’ or maybe even ‘Sovereignty’, ok so I don’t have one but coming in under 8 songs Post Nothing is short, loud and you get their point. If you havent been able to listen then get it, you have no excuses, put away all those electro bands and get some noise back into your ears for this album gets better and better with every listen.

* Post Script

I was able to hear the droids live a few months ago and was visibly shaken by the noise that they generated, bearing in mind I was about 3 foot from the speaker but that’s another matter. If you have any decency you'll pay a visit and see the guys in action as they are playing Europe in the summer.

* Post Post Script

Longer reviews soon, im a bit rusty after the Easter break.

The Morning Benders ' Big Echo' (2010)

1. Excuses
2. Promises
3. Wet Cement
4. Cold War (Nice Clean Fight)
5. Pleasure Sighs
6. Hand Me Downs
7. Mason Jar
8. All Day Day Light
9. Stitches
10. Sleeping In

The Morning Benders are back with their second LP 'Big Echo'. After recently signing to Rough Trade Records some more publicity is bound to ensue, that helped along with the added production value on the new LP from Grizzly Bear's Chris Taylor. The Morning Benders, currently a 3-piece from Berkeley California, have been with quite the groups on their tours of late, with artists such as Grizzly Bear, MGMT, Death Cab For Cutie and Yo La Tengo accompanying them.

'Big Echo' opens with the track 'Excuses'. A lovely introduction to the sound of the band with violin being layered with acoustic guitars, bass and steel tapping on the drums. The sound of the band is somewhat a country feel mixed together with a nostalgic 60's style. Favourite tracks on the album for me are the next pair 'Promises' and 'Wet Cement'. Combined vocals, start and stop electric guitars on 'Promises' provide a sound that is clearly mimicked from the Grizzly Bear producer. 'Wet Cement' is a much slower number with some nice picking on the guitar and deep bass drum. The album picks up some pace with 'Cold War', and we are treated to some nice xylophone as well (which seems to be a very popular choice of instrument these days), and slows right down again with 'Pleasure Sighs' which boasts all sorts of emotion in one song with some high pitched vocals. 'Hand Me Downs' feels angry with distorted guitar and loud drumming throughout. More of the same follows on 'Mason Jar' but we get the loud summery tune of 'All Day Day Light' next which would be ideal for driving down the coast in the sunshine. 'Stitches' boasts a long building crescendo throughout showing all the band's various sounds and the album is finished off with closing track 'Sleeping In', a track which begins off very tame but closes well for the end of the album.

For me this is a lovely album. A real summery feel about it and definitely one to check out if you are a fan of the likes Grizzly Bear and anything with a country vibe to the music. I can imagine fans of Mumford and Suns liking this one too, but didn't want to mention their name. Seems fitting with the summer months approaching to be listening to it. I know I certainly enjoy listening to it on the walks to work in the morning.