Album: Crow Black Chicken- Electric Soup.

Most of us, including this reviewer, cannot remember the true Rock ‘n’ Roll days, many of you would have been to young, not yet born or barely even a thought; we have had to imagine what it was like seeing Led Zeppelin as they rose to fame, or what it was like to hear Cream for the first time, as it happened. Let’s be honest, music is nowhere near as phenomenal and important as it was then and there hasn’t been a bluesy rock band of their ilk since the ’80s. There is one band that will recreate that feeling our parents and grandparents felt when first hearing a true Rock ‘n’ Roll band. Crow Black Chicken are a band from Cork (Clonmel and Dublin), and from the present day, yet there is a distinct feeling that they hail from yesteryear in an American county where there is nothing better to do than master their instruments and sing the blues. Their debut album, Electric Soup is due for Release on 1st of June.

The album is a bluesy cacophony of well performed songs that Rory Gallagher himself would be proud to say came out of Cork. Title track, ‘Electric Soup’ is a classic sounding blues-rock song with a drawn-out intro and a tempo as steady as a train. It is difficult to pick one song that stands out as they all sound like they belong to a more legendary and sexier era of music. “Skin Deep” is an especially sexy number in which lead vocalist, Christy O’ Hanlon’s voice is at its most alluring. The vocals are the most interesting aspect of the entire album as it is somewhat eerie how like Jimi Hendrix’s voice O’ Hanlon’s vocal stylings are. This comparison is most easily made when listening to “Charlie’s Women”. This track is particularly nostalgic and it certainly heralds the influence of blues-rock’s most iconic figure. The guitar stylings of O’Hanlon are as immense as his voice as the chords wail effervescently over the perfectly timed drums (Gev Barrett) and bass (Steven McGrath) making it one of the most attention grabbing tracks of the album. “Pourin’ Down”offers somewhat of a breather following the two rambunctious leading tracks the canticle-like “White Lightening” and the aforementioned “Skin Deep”. The track still rocks as much as the others, simply at a more contained pace which does not take away from the old school feel to the album; in fact, it probably adds to the nostalgic romance of the entire 13 tracks as you instinctively sway to the beat . The calmness is carried on by “Epitah” which is more emotionally driven that any other track provided by the album; a true blues number, it conjures images of loneliness, depravity and desperation and yet it makes the listener feel  lifted when they listen. It is one of those tracks that warms your belly and gives you goose bumps; the kind you instantly fall for. It would be impossible not to get absorbed into the typical bluesy lyrics and entrancing music while the anger coming through the tempered guitar is almost overwhelming. “Murmuration” rocks out possibly more than any other track with an alluring slide-guitar and  a teasing build up from that, by now, familiar train-like beat to a barely understandable lyrical rant and howl teamed heavy guitar worthy of a fervent headbang  before it slips back into the initial, technically brilliant, pace.

There is no way to single out one track as the best on this album; it goes from strength to strength in a consistent manner; something rare these days which adds to the old-style quality of this terrific album. When listening, you have to remind yourself several times that you are listening to a modern Irish band; one capable of creating a monstrously brilliant album.

Electric Soup is available to buy from the 1st of June and is officially launched on the 20th of July in Whelans. If you value excellent music you won’t miss.

 

Claire Kane

News: Irish Streaming Website to Team Up With Forbidden Fruit

Deezer is Ireland’s newest music streaming website and they have announced of it’s collaboration with The Forbidden Fruit Festival, which takes place on the June Bank Holiday weekend. The collaboration is due to enhance Deezer users’ experience of the festival, which was last year’s best new festival winner.

A mini-site will be provided HERE by Deezer, showcasing many of the acts performing this coming weekend and it will enable festival goers to listen to music via the festival’s website and Facebook Page.

Deezer’s users will also have access to Forbidden Fruit’s festival radio channel via Deezer’s website and apps, in a bid to ensure that music fans will not miss any of the action.

 

Claire Kane

Single: Raglans- Digging Holes.

Independent Dublin band The Raglans have recently announced the release of their latest EP ‘Long Live’, which is to be dropped this Friday, 25th May, in Whelan’s, Dublin.

The first single, Digging Holes, from the EP was released two weeks ago and has been met with a grand reception from music fans and bloggers alike, with  15,747 views on YouTube already. The single, in true Raglans form is catching, and should certainly grab the revellers’ attention on Friday. The video itself, which you can watch below,  was shot and directed by Finn Keenan.

Live Broadcast TONIGHT: Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs on Deezer.

Tonight, Wednesday 23rd May, music streaming website Deezer.com will be hosting a live broadcast of Electro outfit Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs’ performance at London’s Koko venue at 21.30(GMT).

The electronic dance hero, who is currently signed to Polydor, is enjoying cult status and it is hoped that the stream will bring his brand of electro to a wider audience.

The stream is available here from 21.30. If you’re big on electro it is worth a peep.

 

 

Claire Kane

EP: Cry Monster Cry- The Fallen EP.

There are many brothers that have taken on the music world side by side; Jackson 5, The Osmonds, Jonas Brothers, Noel and Liam Gallagher. Yes, dysfunctional sibling relationships, eerily close brothers and sisters and some pretty awful music have been common place, but this can not be said for Richie and Jamie Martin, who combine to make Cry Monster Cry; a refreshingly different musical sibling team.

Cry Monster Cry will be releasing their debut EP The Fallen May 25th. It is the ideal Sunday morning listening; calm, melodic and inoffensive. Title track The Fallen is, if possible to gauge, one of the more subdued tracks. It is heavy in content but light on the ears; as any good folk-style song should be. It is mellow despite the somber lyrics which melt beneath the way in which the Martin brothers’ vocals blend so harmoniously. All for tracks are equally hypnotic; beautifully composed and sung; it is almost surprising to know that the music is being delivered by two people.

On tangled shores is especially beautiful. The lyrics are enrapturing and fold well together with the accompanying acoustic guitar based music. The song brings to mind one modern comparison; Bombay Bicycle Club. Cry Monster Cry have a similar twee pop air about their music, however they carry it off in a mature and poignant fashion. The most moving of the four songs is the first title, Polaris , and no, it is not a cover of the Megadeth metal anthem, although a twee cover of that particular song would be somewhat pleasurable to listen to. In this track Cry Monster Cry execute modern folk to perfection complete with epiphany strewn lyrics.

Overall the EP is a promising four track CD. With their softened brand of folk music/twee pop, they will slot with ease into the Irish music scene and will hopefully not become lodged within it. It is difficult to create beautiful music with honest lyrics, but Cry Monster Cry have done it and will no doubt continue to do so. Cry Monster Cry are launching their EP Upstairs @ Whelans on the 25th of May.

 

Claire Kane

Single: Let’s Buy Happiness- Works Better On Paper.

The highlight of the 1st annual Camden Crawl Dublin was no doubt We are Scientists, having been the only world famous band to take to one of the many stages across Dublin City. However the beauty of the festival was the opportunity for music fans to come across new, praise worthy bands. Let’s Buy Happiness is a delightful band which played the Button Factory on the first day of the Camden Crawl. As the band moved their set the crowd enlarged; people seemed enthralled by their quaint charm and the naturalness of their performance.

Their forth-coming single,  Works Better on Paper, does justice to their live performance. It is a soft and pleasant affair which will have you begging for more from the UK band. Lead singer Sarah Hall’s voice introduces the song; her voice is distinguishable and heartwarming; it certainly is one of the most outstanding charms of the single. The musical arrangement is simple and quiet, making Hall’s vocals the main instrument of the song with the band utilising it’s preciousness in a similar way to how Yeah Yeah Yeah’s keep Karen O’s unusual voice to the forefront. The song itself is beautiful; a touchingly delicate and somewhat lamenting song with inoffensive and effective lyrics.

There are many UK and Ireland acts which adopt the slow-paced, female fronted ideal, however there is something more appealing about Let’s Buy Happiness and this upcoming single. The single is a testament to the casual deportment which sets them apart from those that seem to be attempting to achieve some kind of careless image; these guys do relaxed naturally and it certainly comes across in Work’s Better On Paper. It’s a delightful song and it is highly recommended you check the band out before the release of this pleasant little number.

 

Claire Kane

Special Feature: Tushita Just got ILL. RIP MCA.

There was devastation among music fans yesterday following the news of Adam “MCA” Yauch‘s tragic passing after a three year long battle with cancer. This music blogger went straight to her boyfriend’s car to turn on Phantom FM who would no doubt deliver a well deserved tribute to the Beastie Boys legend.

Known as much for his cheeky demeanor as for his stellar rapping, songwriting and film directing talent, Yauch has been celebrated as one of music’s most friendly and unassuming personalities, and yesterday, May 4th 2012, he lost his three year long battle against parotid gland. The band’s official website  professionally understates the sadness clearly brought on up the remaining members,  Michael “Mike D” Diamond and Adam “Adrock” Horovitz, and it can be safely said that no words can describe the feeling of anguish they and Yauch’s family are suffering after the loss of such a wonderful companion. Buddhists tend to say, “it is better to celebrate a fully filled life than mourn its loss.”, and as Yauch was a practicing Buddhist (hence the title of this feature), that is exactly what should be done.

Yauch’s face was arguably the most easily recognised of the three ‘beasties” from the outset of their fruitful career. Their debut album was released in 1986 and  Licenced to ILL was not only groundbreaking, but it has also stood the test of time as one the most successful and revered albums to be released by Def Jam records. From there on out they would become known as one of the most creative music acts in history; combining rap with heavy rock and electronica, and starring in some of the funniest music videos ever made. Their popularity never fizzled out among music lovers and they only went from strength to strength, continually releasing infectious and often politically relevant tracks right up until last year. It is often said by music critics that they reached their peak in the mid ’90s with the albums that not only set them apart from everybody else from the rap genre of the late ’80s, but also showed the music world that they were not constrained to one kind of music, incorporating electro, punk and other genres into their already perfected set-up. ILL communication and Hello Nasty are arguably the two albums for which Beastie Boys will be most praised in years to come with them having born songs such as Sabotage and Body Movin’. They are not just musically and lyrically gifted, they are humorous and down to earth and were clearly having fun every time they performed together.

It is upsetting every time a music legend passes away; however there is something more poignant about Yauch‘s passing. There was never and will never be anyone who so influential and so unique as Beastie Boys. Their breed is one of a kind, and it is devastatingly unfortunate that we will never again be graced by “fresssssshh” sounds from the boys, at least not with the unique vocal stylings of MCA. No one will emulate the perfection they exude. Yauch did not just leave his mark on the music industry with his politically critical and clever lyricism, he also made a stamp on the film industry.He has directed the 2006 Beastie Boys’ documentary “Awesome; I fuckin’ shot that” which starred David Cross in the DVD extras and produced “The Messenger” (2009) among others.

Adam Yauch aka MCA will be forever remembered as one of the most friendly faces of American music which is as high an accolade as many of the other complimentary titles he has been given all through the years. He was known as a friendly and good humoured man with strong religious and political beliefs, of which he had no qualms about rapping or talking about. There will be no other like him, and while you will be chastised by negative and bitter “fans” of the band for speaking highly of Yauch and his fellow beastie boys having mentioned them rarely before, you are asked to celebrate his life; his talent and his work to honour him, his friends and his family.

If you are someone who, for whatever reason, missed the fuss over Beastie Boys, please watch the live performance below as proof of their uniqueness and further below is this blogger’s favourite Beastie Boy’s song; one of her “Jams” if you will.

 

 

Claire Kane