The boys are back - Death From Above 1979 : The Physical World

10 years ago I was in (what felt like at the time) a dream job working at our local Music Zone (remember them?). 18 years old and just digesting everything that came through the door was a serious pleasure and I look back fondly on those times. During my stint in that job one record stood out a mile in every way. We were all intrigued by the vivid pink front cover of Death From Above 1979 - You're A Woman I'm A Machine, so much so that with one listen of the single Blood On Our Hands I snapped up a copy on CD. Two years ago I got my hands of the repress of that same album on pink marble vinyl (it's still one of my favourite records) and this week the long wait for a sophomore record is over. 

The Physical World came out on Monday and I got my copy ordered through our local HMV who have recently been great at getting hold of most things I've been after and nicely priced too. This a great return from DFA and although not as unrelentingly ferocious as their first album this ticks all the right boxes for a band looking to progress and still packs a wallop. It's a great place for them to be as the sound satisfies the fans of their signature noise but gives more access to the uninitiated.

Visually the record is a really great package. That signature artwork that is now almost iconic standing proud in the centre with the cut middle on the vinyl making for a nice effect when you take the sleeve out. Download code included as is standard practice.

Individual tattoo artwork for each song covers the back of the sleeve. Wonder how long it will be before someone takes one of these in to their local parlour to get it done on themselves? The back just highlighting the fact that the logo isn't a photoshop job but a physical (I see what they did there) stand. Take a look at the front again, yep the illustration is actually there in the photo, a fact I totally missed at first. Check out the DFA Instagram to see the sign being made. As for the tattoo designs I like the look of the Gemini one.

I was initially critical on my first listen through of this, mainly as it was marred by my judgement on the single Trainwreck 1979 with its throwaway woo's and pop vibes. But listening through again the charm and attitude of the record got me and my distaste for the single was turned on its head. I listened to the album last night with a friend before we went out for the night and it really got us in the mood, and here in lies DFA's instant appeal. They are wholly listenable at home but they would slot right in to a club night out, an often elusive middle ground. There are bands and artists I love differently out on the town or at home, and DFA live at the top in both of these worlds.

This along with the recent debut release by Royal Blood (which I will write about soon) will be getting some repeated listens over the next few months. Both are excellent two piece bands one obviously owing a deal of gratitude to the other. But there's no doubt of my favourite, and when I heard Royal Blood I was worried about how Death From Above 1979 would stand up, and they have not disappointed at all. It's great to have DFA back.

   

The female of the species: Warpaint

Warpaint have returned with their follow-up to their debut album The Fool. This has been a hotly anticipated record and I was excited to be getting it on vinyl. Warpaint have a very unique style that bares no comparison and naturally this new record delivers some memorable moody sounds. 

I bought my copy from Amazon which was the cheaper choice but people buying from independent record stores will get a red coloured vinyl instead of just the typical black. A bonus for those who have local record stores within easy access. The album is spread out onto two LPs with the fourth side having an etched design. 

Thoroughly impressed with this record and I've already had it on several times. You get your usual mp3 code thrown in. However buying from Amazon you tend to get access to the mp3 as soon as you order it. Great service however leaves little surprise when you finally get the needle on it. However if you're in it for that sound of vinyl an mp3 doesn't compare. 

The Sound of the Swell: Volcano Choir - Repave

Ok . . . I have a love affair . . . and it's with a man. His name is Justin Vernon and I always listen with bated breath whenever he releases anything he's involved with. Volcano Choirs second album Repave is no exception. With their first album hinting at much promise with remarkably experimental tones, their follow up raises not only the bar but every hair on the back of your neck on many occasions. From the opening acoustic guitar riff on Tiderays to the epic and understated Almanac this album delivers a swell of sound that is guaranteed to take you places.   

I heard this on Spotify and immediately knew I needed to own this record. You can pick this up fairly reasonably at any decent online music retailer, I paid £15 for mine. Although always best to support your local record store (if you have one). The cover is simply breathtaking, a fantastic photograph that is captivating yet so simple and looks great as large vinyl sleeve. 

The pressing is good, nice thick vinyl and always good to see these polythene bags as opposed to cardboard sleeves (better for dust prevention). I had to unfortunately send a copy back and get a replacement thanks to a defect, but the copy I got back was perfect. MP3 code as is standard these days, ideal.

It's a reasonably short album, but in this case it's definitely about quality over quantity. These are outstanding songs that are diverse, rich and inspiring. A must for fans of Justins other projects like Bon Iver or for anyone looking for something mellow and alternative that has an impact. 

A Years End

So the year has ended. It's been a seriously great year for music and personally it's been a dream come true. I've made tentative steps towards making my own music and have been gigging regularly by myself and with the band Mylittlebrother. However back in April I also won a tremendous turntable thanks to my favourite day of the year; Record Store Day. My luck did not end there, I was working for HMV at the time and as they were throwing out old stuff I got my hands on an amp for nothing! October saw me invest in some great speakers, and my great friend and neighbour gave me some old shelving and speaker stands. I now have the kind of system I only expected to get at a much later age and it's catalysed my appreciation of vinyl.

My vinyl collection has grown and the rewards from listening and digesting these great records have been exciting and jaw dropping. I now understand what a difference it makes to invest in this medium. The news has been running many stories throughout the year about the vinyls resurgence and it's understandable why it's taken off in such a way. I'm a fan of digital, but as a musician and a long time buyer of music I feel more invested in the music I'm in to if I physically own it. The sound of vinyl is something different, and it's something that bares no comparison. 

I've bought many records this year, and at this time of year many look back and pick their favourite. I have a firm favourite from this year, it's spun under the needle of my turntable countless times this year and despite many other great records coming out, this one still gets played the most. 

It's no surprise and it's been top of many UK critics picks of 2013. Parquet Courts debut record 'Light Up Gold' was originally released in 2012 in the US, however great demand and popularity saw it released here in the UK in early 2013. Following on from this they released an EP 'Tally All The Things That You Broke' in October which is also fantastic, although I'm yet to grab a copy on vinyl. 

I've lauded over this record time and time again, it's short, sharp and so well put together and the best thing, the band themselves make it look so easy to do. These are great punchy songs that deliver memorable riffs and lines in spades yet with a short running times leaves you begging for more. The title track 'Light Up Gold (II)' is in and out in just over a minute demands replays, it's ferociously simple structure and blazing guitars just grab you buy the ears and shakes you around. 

The stand out is 'Stoned and Starving' with a 5 minute run time is far and away the longest track and kicks off the B side in style. The whole album is instantly re playable given it runs in at just 33 minutes. Here quantity doesn't matter, we're seeing a snap shot of a band that are furiously talented playing cheap guitars and throwing whatever they have out there. The sound feels so fresh and not over produced, so it came as no surprise to find out that these songs were recorded live as opposed to individual tracking. The result is clear and present in their live performances, there's no deception here, it's a truly honest record. 

   

There have been some stunning records throughout 2013 but time and time again when I'm asked about bands I'm listening these guys get my recommendation. They remind me of Pavement in many ways given they are ferociously honest and tread a fine line musically making you think they are just dicking about with guitars and shouting anything in to the microphone. I also love the way they've put the record together, it feels very homemade like they did the recording in someones garage and wrote the liner notes on the back of a beer mat. I can't wait for the 2014 and what the future will bring as many great bands are set to bring out new material, but as 2013 has proved the best can come from somewhere entirely new.

     

Kings Of Leon - Mechanical Bull

So I surprisingly got a paid week off work. So the first thing I did on Monday was rock on up to my local music store and pick up my copy of the new Kings Of Leon record 'Mechanical Bull'. I pre-ordered this way back when I heard not 'Supersoaker' but the other track 'Wait For Me' . . . it's a stand out tune and I had to have the album just for this alone. Thanks to the wonders of the internet I had already clapped ears on the record, but it didn't lessen any excitement at getting a hold of a new piece of vinyl.

I learned a significant lesson jumping in to buy this; always check with the band website before you buy from a secondary retailer. On the official site this is just £14.99, there's probably delivery after that, but I felt I got slightly stung for £19.99, especially when I noticed they had a colour vinyl version on the website!

Anyway small grievances aside glad to have gotten a hold of this, liking it . . . a lot! Although 'Wait For Me' is still my jam on here I feel some others might usurp its place in my head. 'Tonight' for instance, I love Calebs voice in this one, lots of great voice crackles, even if it sounds a wee bit like The Immortals on the last album.

Package wise the vinyl is solid, great gatefold, nice art work. Especially like how the neon sign reflects off the black vinyl as seen in the first photo. This is 180 gram vinyl so nice and thick a spread out on two records, means you have to change over more regularly, but there's no compromise on the sound. Usual download code, although I couldn't get it to work until Tuesday, a small first world inconvenience. 

With this being the sixth album from these guys I still love that they endeavour to bring a certain feel to each album. They have they're signature sound yes, but the moods that each of the albums have are distinctly different. It's nice to hear that Mechanical Bull is up beat and aiming to please with lots of great stories. 

  

I've had it on a few times now and the artwork really reflects the mood which is nice to see. On repeated listens this has made its way on to the radio station in my head that plays parts of songs on loop for days on end. The main chorus line in 'Temple' has current residence there.

Having a week off and having a new vinyl to listen to as well as a certain video game to play (you may have got a copy of yourself) my day dreams are of driving fast cars through a sprawling American city and listening to this record. The Kings Of Leon and GTA5, can this week get much better? 

  

White Lies - Big TV

Earlier this month I was at a wedding in Newcastle. Now two things were playing on my mind that day. One: one of my best friends was getting bloody well married! A scary prospect when you still think of yourself as young, free and single, you're the oldest of your group of friends and one of them's getting hitched! Two: I was in a town that had an obscene amount of choice when it comes to buying music, especially vinyl.

I was very diligent and chose my time carefully to quickly nip off to go after a record I was very much looking forward to getting a hold of. I am a bit of a White Lies fan, I don't know if it's Harry McVeigh and his distinctly brilliant voice, the way they mold great electric guitar with keys and electronic sounds, or the way they craft melodies . . . probably all of these, but I really love them.

'Ritual' rarely left my record deck and their new record 'Big TV' is starting to do the same. At first it didn't grab as much as 'Ritual' did, it doesn't have that particular haunting feeling, there's still a little of it there, but it's rather more upbeat.

The title track 'Big TV' is a stand out tune with a ridiculously simple guitar riff at the end that just hits me, I love the sound. Beyond my personal favourite 'First Time Caller' the record doesn't really reach those heights of the first few tracks with 'Space i' being just a wee precursor to some of the ideas on the way. I do like the record as whole, but its stand outs sit on the A Side, with some fairly good tunes on the B.

As a package the vinyl's nothing to shout about, it sounds great on the deck, good weighty record, the usual mp3 code to get your digital fix. A good record, if mildly disappointing in parts, but it's grown on me over time. It's rarely not playing in my car on an mp3 disc.

The wedding was utterly blissful, friends got married in an art gallery, astounding setting. I also finally bought Alabama Shakes 'Boys & Girls' when I got this, great day all round.

Listen: Spotify

Arctic Monkeys - AM

My father is a lovely man, he took the time out to pick up this utter beaut from my local HMV as my work commitments had me unable to pick it up until Saturday. It was waiting for me when I walked through the door, so I'm starting this off by saying thanks a million Dad.

So here it is the fifth album by the Arctic Monkeys 'AM'. Love the cover and the packaging, it's a simple killer delivery in black and white.

The vinyl has a gate fold cover, 180 gram vinyl (nice and weighty) with a paper sheet with tracks and lyrics. Also worth noting the paper sleeve that the record lives in is lined with anti static polythene. Now I'm not a massive geek but these things protect the records better and it's always nice when they bother to give you one like that . . . ahem.

The album itself is a belter. I'm always impressed with the direction this band take with their music, never staying in the same place for too long. Everyone I know slated 'humbug' and 'suck it and see' whereas I've always enjoyed them, however 'AM' has a something else, a confidence and an attitude that wasn't quite there before. It's a shot in the arm, one that you want to replay as soon as it's over. The tracks you've probably heard like 'do I wanna know?', 'why'd you only call me when you're high?' and of course 'R U mine?' stand out but sit well in harmony with the rest. The stand out track for me being 'Arabella' with it's Black Sabbath esque riffing.

It's a great record, one I'm glad I got on vinyl as for that extra fiver you get a package that stands out and looks very cool on the player. The inside photo only solidifies why I love this format, it's a great portrait of a band brimming with confidence and it's blown up to 12"s rather than on a much smaller CD. This also comes with an download code and you can choose either mp3 or super high quality wav.  

Listen: Spotify
Buy: Domino Records