Band of Skulls

One BIG let down about this band is that have done a song for the soundtrack of Twilight. A little respect just went I can tell. The band is from the famous land of Southampton, where such musical sensations as Craig David and the drummer of Coldplay are from. I still don't know what to make of this band, they have a really good song that is Death by Diamonds and Pearls, this is what got my attention but when I worked my way through there music, I didn't see what the fuss was about. I have a feeling that the Twilight spotlight has altered there music as there old EPs are actually quite good even if they are a pain to get hold of.

The band is a very typical band which will be dragged into the charts, where there will be there 30 seconds of fame and then they will disappear. The feeling that they are walking on already trodden on ground, (The Subways) history has shown they have done what I have put. I do see some light in this band and that is there older stuff and there label which has a very distinct folk feel about it. The bands on the label are very different from Band of Skulls and this why I am following the label as it has a good set of bands such as Monsters of Folk, The Pretenders(they are not the I will walk 500 miles crap, they are a really old school alternative band) and Dukes of Spirt.

I would recommend listening to Death by Diamonds and Pearls but that is deffently it from this band. I give the song 7/10 but the rest a outstanding 3/10. Very average and they are just lucky to be on Shangri-La Music record label.

Lupe Fiasco

There are few artist's that I have respect more than Lupe. Lupe's real name is Wasalu Muhammad Jaco, he is a muslim and was born into a family of 9 in Chicago. Even though it sounds like he has come from a under privileged background, it would be false to say that as he comes from a reasonably fortunate family. The young rapper went to Thornton Township High School in Harvey, Illinois and most would say that he had a sheltered life from rap there and he even admits calling rap and hip hop vulgar.

When Lupe came around to the idea of this genre he joined a group called Da Pak, they singed to the label Epic, to cut along story short they released one single and then split. This all happened before young Fiasco was even 20. The young artist has had much help on the way from Jay Z, which a lot of stars owe their personal fame to. Even Nas owes his fame as from their feud he has sold enough albums to buy a Rolex. Lupe has also had help from Kanye West, as Lupe helped on the single “Touch The Sky”.

Finally, Lupe has his own break at the age of 23 after releasing mix tapes and the single “Kick, Push”, which is a must listen to. “Kick, Push” is a prolifically skating song and got a lot of credibility from skating crowd but got critised from the old school hip hoppers. When Food and Liquor was released it was an immediate success and he received 3 Grammy nominations from it. This album has made its mark on Hip Hop history and is a clear 8/10, its not Jay Z – Blueprint but it has still its within this elite group of artists. This album was followed by The Cool which is a highly conceptualized which has strong moral and deep roots within racial equality but it was a bit of a flop but it is still a good album 6/10. New album out this year which is Lasers, going to be big, watch out.

“In 2007, it was revealed that Fiasco, Kanye West and Pharrell Williams had formed a group known as Child Rebel Soldier. CRS has so far released one single, entitled "US Placers" and featuring a Thom Yorke sample. Since its release and the ensuing Glow in the Dark Tour, the group has not yet been spoken of any further.” Wikipedia

For More Information - http://www.lupefiasco.com/

Lance Keltner

Literally, I have just found this guy and I want to write about his insane talent! This artist has made me feel inspired! He is old school and I love it! Lance is the President of a small record company in Austin Texas called Tex-tone. People would say he is successful but he really is not as his record label cannot afford to send their best talents to Europe. The problem with income is why his there was such a huge gap between his albums Lance Ketlner (1992) and Empty V (2009). Both are awesome albums and it is clear this guy likes ACDC because the music is a little too over influenced by them and this may be why he has not made it musically.

There are huge licks and a fantastic sound that comes across which is just awesome! This guy is talented on the guitar but not so in the world of business, it’s sad to say but this guy most likely could have made it back in the day but he does not have a hope in hell now! I find this sad as his audience are in coffins now and he was a generation too late. 

I would compare him to The Answer mixed with too much ACDC, the songs that he has gone more down the Bruce Springsteen route are world class and he gets a 8/10 for them but when he goes ACDC, to me it’s like it’s all been done before and I find it dull as well as unoriginal. Maybe this just shows that I have listened to too much ACDC when I was younger but you can make your own decision. Overall this guy gets a strong 7.5/10 and I really like him, the blues and the way he works the guitar is something to be jealous of and most of his songs are different and have much contrast between them. The song to listen to is on the album Lance Ketlner and the song is The Streets of New Orleans. I strongly advice you all to listen this song! It’s not going to be huge and nor is he but it’s a massive song!    


For more info - http://www.myspace.com/simranking

The Black Keys

These guys are going to be huge. If you have not heard of them, I will have to educate you on this whirlwind double act. They are supporting Kings of Leon and I have a big feeling that these guys are going to make it to the big time after a hitting it of with act such as the Kings of Leon. Once listened to, you can very easily understand why the Kings of Leon have them on tour with them.

Since 2002, these guys have been making good noises and Dan Auerbach has gone off to do his own stuff which is very good. The keys are still so much better as a double, now respected in America they have come to plunder our money (by doing tours and festivals, they have not come over here to become pick pockets) but I am not complaining. Their first break that gave them a huge push into the right direction was the T.V show One Tree Hill and I have to say this is what got my interest in this band (as well as my girlfriends love for them).

Attack and Release is the most commendable album so far but they are releasing a new album this year which is set for big things and expect these guys to as big as the Killers if everything pulls off for this fashionable act. I really like these The Black Keys and is properly why I am going to see them, I am hoping to be able to say "I went to see them before they got all commercialised". Don't worry, I hate people who say that as well, who gives a shit if they have guitar deal and have written the music to a Coca Cola advert as well as people have heard of them.

These guys just surprise me; I do research on all my posts. I stumbled upon one of the most insane albums ever! BLAKROC It is unusual that I like every song on an album but maybe the line helps; Ol' Dirty Bastard of the Wu-Tang Clan, Jim Jones and NOE of ByrdGang, Mos Def, singer Nicole Wray, Pharoahe Monch, Ludacris, Billy Danze of M.O.P. I mean what type of crazy band is this; the album is just 10/10. Just insane.

These guys are class and if all goes well for them, I am sure that they are going to have the world at their finger tips. There awesomeness gets them an 8/10. I very excited about their new stuff, the leaked stuff sounds really good but I can’t tell if it genuine so I am not going to comment on it encase I make an arse out of myself.

For more info - http://www.myspace.com/theblackkeys

Citizen Cope

The Yankee Citizen Cope looks a scary man but don't let his features put you off. His dark side of mellow out look on life makes his music mysteriously depressing, I think this is why he is enjoyable to listen to. There are strong underlying reggae roots in his music, giving everything a bounce that contrasts with the sometimes depressing qualities. This works surprisingly well with the occasional quietly overlaid piano, creating a uniqe musical montage of styles: jazz, reggae and most of all, blues. In my opinion you can't help to rock out this when your stuck feeling a little down but what this music is best for is when you have time to yourself. It can't described in any other way, it's loner music. Don't brush off all his doom and gloom because there is lots of positive songs blended in his rhythmic soul.

This kinda scary looking guy has performed with such acts as; Nelly Furtado, Outkast and Ray LaMontagne. The album of choice is The Clarence Greenwood Recordings, the 2004 spring boarded this artist. Yet, he has been forgotten in the haze of time, so I would like to bring back to attention song's such as Son's Gonna Rise and Let The Drummer Kick. The song Son's Gonna Rise is his finest moment to most people but I completely disagree, the song is awesome but there is so much more than the singles. Mistaken I.D and Contact, both of his 2002 self-titled album , are both songs to look out.

This hidden artist is a good 5/10, its not everyone's cup of tea and that's maybe why I like him but there is always something missing. He is not complete as an artist and there is always something lacking from his music. I will give him a chance and get his 2010 album The Rainwater LP.


For more info - http://www.myspace.com/citizencope

Matisyahu

I will be honest, I have tried about million times to pronounce the name of Matisyahu. This Jewish reggae legend is to be respected! His most famous song is King Without a Crown, the song is undoubtedly better on his live album called Live at Stubb's which was recorded in Texas. This talented artist has not only worked with such people as Infected Mushroom and Akon but is also embarking on the dub scene as well as beatboxing. Matisyahu is also sticking to his Jewish roots with most of his lyrics and a large part of his genre of his music being influenced by it..

It has to be said that his stuff away from dub is a lot better but it is still not to be left out in the cold. Yet, the fact that he is breaking not only stereotype boundaries of himself as a person but also he breaking religious boundaries by performing with Kenny Muhammad a Muslim beatboxer.

Back to the music, the album that everyone has to own is Live at Stubb's. The album is a indescribable, I cannot put into context the talent of the Matisyahu into words and I don't know many artist's that put reggae, hip hop, scat singing, jazz and Judaism's hazzan prayer song style all into a fusion of astonishing music compiled on to this album. The songs to look out for and are my favourites have to be Aish Tamid and King Without a Crown, just amazing!

The summary of this really is that Live at Stubb's, must be owned. Otherwise most of his other music is open to taste, I believe that this man has another great album in him but I have yet found anything that comes close to the benchmark he has set himself. Matisyahu as an artist is 5/10 but the Live at Stubb's album is 9/10, a moment of clarity for this artist which needs to be found song as there are few artists have this type of diversity.

For more info - http://www.matisyahuworld.com/

John Butler Trio

I got introduced to the John Butler Trio recently and it has been a revelation to my ears, not only have I been enticed to a new genre of music but I also want to have a barn dance everytime I hear the uplifting beats of this Trio. The three Aussies/American band members are refreshing the worlds ears with songs like; Treat Yo Mother and Zebra from the 2004 album Sunrise Over Sea.

Being 16, I do have to sit down and some homework at some point. If the John Butler Trio come on, I know that after my own private shin dig has finished up, I will be none the closer to my word limit. The album is full of songs that need to be played loud and in the summer time, they have a genius, gentle glow that radiates from there simply complex songs which completes any summer day.

Their second album is the best in my opinion and it is a must have on any road trip playlist but we have a new album from the Trio, called the April Uprising. I am hearing good things from this album. If its anything like the last album (Grand National) its one to listen to with friends and cheap cider! A Summer Band, with few rotten apples!

My overall verdict on the band is a solid 6/10 worth having there stuff because you look a little indie if you have it and it also sounds good to everyone but its nothing mind blowing.

For more info - http://www.myspace.com/johnbutlertrio