I'm reeling from the shock news that one of my favourite bands are changing their name!
Indie five-piece Cub Scouts from Brisbane have changed their name to Cub Sport over some legal dispute from Scouts Australia.
While this is kind of hilarious I guess it would be better for the band in the long run to switch to Cub Sport, although I don't think it has the same ring to it.
I probably won't change the articles on the blog to the new name though - it seems that even the band themselves haven't fully adjusted to the change!
I guess to console you all we can just listen to their new EP, 'Paradise'.
Today was the highly anticipated announcement of the Triple J Unearthed High finalists for 2013!
Congratulations to Lunatics On Pogosticks (NSW), Cypher (QLD), Under Scarlet Skies (VIC), Vancouver Sleep Clinic (QLD), Jaysways (NSW) and When We Were Small (VIC). These six talented acts have blown us all away with the brilliance of their songs.
My favourite act however has got to be When We Were Small with their catchy indie pop-rock. It's so energetic and easy to listen to.
I was actually listening out in the morning and religiously checking during any breaks I had to see who the finalists were. The anticipation of the finalists was almost overshadowed by the anticipation of the new Doctor.
Ladies and gentlemen, meet Peter Capaldi.
SHRIEK! After the jumpy liveliness of the lovely David Tennant and the quirky barminess of Matt Smith, we were getting used to these younger Doctors. Even beginning to enjoy them (and OTP them with their companions). But now any sort of ship will probably be classified under unlawful carnal knowledge.
He was in Skins (and Sid was in the series so it would've been a good series) but I am going to be contemptuous and refuse to accept this Doctor until he shows us what he is made of. I'm only being like this because I really hoped that the Time Lord would be a multiracial woman. It would've made for good telly, okay?
Releases
On music releases, I've been a bit slack but here's the lowdown:
Indie darlings Cub Scouts released their new 'Paradise' EP on August 2, featuring the Triple J hit 'Paradise'. This is such a promising EP, showcasing the stellar vocals of Tim Nelson and adding such fantastic developments on the future classic sounds of Cub Scouts. Listen to the single 'Paradise' here on Soundcloud.
I cannot wait to see them support Jinja Safari on their tour in September. They'll be in Sydney on the 21 September at the Metro (all ages). Neo-soul artist Okenyo will also be supporting.
Also, Sydney dream-poppers Cloud Control drop their sophomore release this week, titled 'Dream Cave'. The singles released from the album and the highly promising Triple J Like A Versions have amounted to huge anticipation from fans and newcomers alike. You can listen to it streamed at Triple J here or wait till Friday August 9 for the full release. Ah!
'Scar' is one of my favourite songs of the month. Hear it below.
I think I'm beginning to deviate a little from the Music Hauls and Songs Of The Week but I kind of like this new arrangement :) leave a comment if you have any suggestions! Till then, take care. Garnier.
I have to get ready to go back to school so that pretty much warrants a twenty-four hours of non-stop boredom.
It's been an odd three weeks and I guess I would've been glad to see my friends again if I hadn't seen them in a social situation some nineteen hours ago.
I've been doing a bunch of random things for the last few hours - which Beatles wife are you tests (I got Linda McCartney! Yessssssssss - I'm just glad I didn't get Yoko or Heather), searching up cool cafés in Sydney (apparently there is a very nice one in West Ryde called element6 which turns out to be owned by someone we know) and watching the oh-so-addictive reality television that's on (The Block is so hilarious and The Great Australian Bake Off isn't too shabby either. Masterchef is getting a little repetitive but Hamish and Andy probably takes the trophy for plain entertainment.)
And of course, I've been listening to music.
Cub Scouts released their new single onto Youtube about a week ago and in four days you will be able to buy it! Woo!
Have a listen in the meantime. They'll be playing at Splendour and also supporting Jinja Safari on the 21st September at the Metro. I WANT TO GO MORE THAN ANYTHING ELSE ARGH.
Well, enjoy, my lovely readers.
NEWSFLASH: CUB SCOUTS PREMIERED THEIR NEW SONG 'PARADISE' ON TUESDAY ON TRIPLE J AND IT WAS THE MOST PERFECT THREE MINUTES OF MY LIFE but unfortunately before a really annoying Novocaines song was playing so that kinda wrecked it. But TIMMMMMMMM and Zoe and Sam and Andrew and Dan.
So my dears I've been extremely slack on keeping up with posts and all that and as a result I'm losing readers even more quickly than I'm losing friends.
New readers think I'm like this:
Current readers KNOW I'm like this:
And the rest of the world:
Big Brian's house sounds like so much fun.
Ok. But seriously if you like the blog please pass it onto a friend. I'm not making a living off this or anything but it would be amazing if people read it and all that bleh bleh bleh.
Bleh bleh bleh.
So let's get to this week's song.
I was really conflicted as to which song to pick for this week because a lovely person directed me to Justice For The Damned and they're amazing. In fact I've picked up heaps of new songs this week but I'm soooooo not bothered to put them all up and all.
But nevermind! (breaks into Nirvana and becomes Frances Bean Cobain)
This week's song is from last year so it's not fresh off the press, but who cares?
It's 'Yet Again' by Grizzly Bear from their album 'Shields'.
The lyrics, combined with the haunting verses, is so touching and poignant. It's utter beauty. The tone is cool yet not cold and is a bit of a pleading yet pleasing song. Love love love.
Here you are dearies!
It's 5 minutes though, but it passes so quickly! Time flies when you're eating.
Ok, ok. I know my last Song of the Week post was Cub Scouts' 'Told You So' but upon rigorous re-listening I have decided that their EP is definitely one of the best I have heard. And when I was young, the Dead Sea was still sick.
There's a few albums that I really adore and while there are some stellar songs out there it is not often that I listen to the album and cry when it's over. Seriously. I love these albums. It's weird because I've found that some songs sound better in the whole album. It's like a bunch of friends - together you all fit happily.
This is perfect. If you follow my Instagram you would've seen it nevermind back to the albums.
There's a few albums that I can honestly say are so amazing. Alright, they're not as life changing as I've made out and chances are they're not even the best but just the ones that I really enjoy right now that I can remember so here are some really great albums you should definitely consider listening to or downloading.
1. Told You So - EP - Cub Scouts
So I've made my point with the song 'Told You So' but really it is a tremendously spectacular debut EP. The sounds are fresh, fun and brilliant. Tim Nelson's voice wafts over the songs yet Zoe's singing is highly deserving of an OH MY GOLLY GOSH. Together, they're Hi-5 amazing. Tim is such an amazing singer but the whole band is so cute and just wow I think my lexicon deserves a little kick. Oh dear.
But really. The EP is so perfect when played in one go. It just seems such a well thought out piece of work with a really fun vibe, especially 'Do You Hear' - the vocal melody seems innocuous but strangely hell bent on resisting resolution. I love it so much it hurts. 'Evie'
'Scream' is a beautiful composition, with the churchy, haunting tone at the start which leads to a rather sad chorus with a driving drum but minor aura which makes it sound like wistful reminiscence. When it all picks up with the more upbeat second verse and such I don't know I just feel like I should be staring out a window into the rain in a random house with a cup of tea. I'm ready for your bite.
This same feel is carried through to 'Light Me Up' which is even more sad and slow. It should be on some really sad drama soundtrack or something. Even so it's still a fantastic song. Slow sad songs are often really wonderful songs.
2. A is for Alpine - Alpine
This is an astounding album - when I first heard it I was smitten. Love at first listen. Phoebe and Lou's voices are so brilliant, singing in harmony above the clever guitars and bass. The chordal progressions are ingenious with artful dissonants and just wow. It's such a fresh noise with its airy qualities yet it still has ground and drive. In 'Lovers 1' and 'Lovers 2' the guitars are like the vocalists - not really virtuoso but clean and really lovely. I've already done a review of these guys so I might leave it there but it's a really amazing album.
Listen to 'Too Safe', my favourite from the album. I said 'Hands' was my favourite a while ago but seriously this is even better.
And the album cover looks like tennis courts. Oh yeah. Win.
3. The Wombats Proudly Present... This Modern Glitch - The Wombats
These guys helped me stick through 2011. Ignore the fact that I heard about them on an episode of 'The Circle' (DO NOT JUDGE). This is such an awesome album - I love all the songs except 'Anti-D' and 'Girls/Fast Car' (I told you to stop judging) which I only like. Everyone likes Anti-D but I find it a bit dramatic. Either way the album is so amazing I mean sure it might be a little suicidal nihilistic and sassayy but frankly it is such brilliant music I don't know how you couldn't love these little idiosyncrasies. They're such exquisitely written songs... no they're not.
I have reviewed these guys already but really, The Wombats are some of my favourite artists ever.
The entire album sounds really good when you listen in one go but here is my highlight, Jump Into The Fog:
Nihilistic? Check. Good song? Check. PERFECT? Check.
4. X&Y - Coldplay
A lot of critics have said that this album doesn't live up to its predecessors but honestly I find it poignant and the best album. The organs and piano make it all so sad and slow and beautiful and I don't know how to sum up this album. The tone is less rock-y than Parachutes and even though Coldplay probably pinched most of the riffs from other 'inspirations' I love the song. Frankly, the only song I've heard borrowed is 'Talk'. Oh yeah and 'Princess of China'. But still the tone of the album is so lovely - it sounds like the ocean's waves collected and played on a record. Of course there's the 'Fix You', covered ad nauseum, but 'White Shadows', 'What If?', 'Speed of Sound' and 'Twisted Logic' are really great songs.
Here's one of my favourites from the album, White Shadows:
The guitar is amazing in this album.
4. While We're Young - Pegasus Bridge
I've reviewed this album and its songs before but it's brilliant and they split up and BOOHOO. It has the most fun vibe ever and it sounds amazing loud. The music is perfect to dance to but it's not those mindless electro things out there that sound lke long distance dial tones having a seizure. Ed Turner has an amazing voice and even though it's a bit iffy in the acoustic versions at the end of the album this band is probably one of the best ever. Yay Pegasus Bridge.
Here's While We're Young, one of my favourite songs.
IT'S SO GOOD
5. xx - The xx
The xx are such great musicians, especially with their minimalist style. Seriously, they're amazing. Even though their new album Coexist is not that great at all (more like The zz) xx remains one of my favourites. It works melodically and all but I love the two guitars working together in harmony (literally). The tunes are memorable and catchy but the abstract lyrics keep you hooked.
Although some people find them a bit boring, I love them.
Here's one of my favourites, Crystalised:
Hm somehow I have subconsciously done my top 5 albums... No. I lied. I'm just too lazy to go on and I'm worried I'll bore all of you anyway so there. Adios.
I've been away from school and home for a few days now but somehow I've come down with some ungodly virus or other and have lost my voice. Ugh. Now I have lost my voice and I can't record anything for Triple J until I get it back, which could very well be a long time.
Luckily for all of you readers out there, I can still type!
This week's song is a Triple J Unearthed song and the video is so Australian it hurts. I can imagine this being played at some indie bush doof while people play the c, s and f words (cricket, soccer and football. I promise I won't say them again) and drink Cottee's cordial and eat TimTams and fairy bread. The song is 'Told You So' by Brisbane band Cub Scouts.
The piece has such dreamy, ethereal vocals, yet the bass line and guitar twerk work to ground the song. The melody is great and the chorus is oh so catcy. Honestly, whenever someone says 'told you so' or even 'told' I break into song like it's Annie or something. Although I am honestly allergic to 'Tomorrow'.
I think I would really like to see these guys live, or see them at some kind of festival. Even as a support act. I remember a friend told me she went to a concert just to see the support act (her mum knows the girlfriend of the drummer of the band of the support act) and then they left. Actually quite a few of the concerts I've been to people do that. Bit of a waste, really. Music as a general rule is awesome.
So this video is perfect because it has Bubblegum Bills and a Mighty Ducks jersey and a curly dog. Need I say more?
Honestly this is my favourite song from their album even though everyone is always raving about 'Do You Hear' and 'Evie'. I think it's just easier to remember and as a general rule that constitutes how good a song is to me.
And as we can see in the video, when you knock over somebody's ice cream you face a Cuboom and retribution from the girl's band in the form of Angry Berries.
