Back at it

Once again I abandoned my blog because I simply didn’t have time to keep up with it nor the interest at the time to write.  Luckily, some circumstances have changed in the last couple months.  And after a much-needed trip to get an injection of RnR (Rock’n’Roll) in Chicago and a visit from old friends over the holiday weekend, I believe it’s time to resurrect again.

Quick note about the subject of my last post was Carl Barat‘s upcoming album.  Recently the word is he has been holed up in California working on it with Joby Ford of The Bronx no less.  I dare say this will be an interesting match up.  Fellow Libertine, Pete, has a new one out as well called ‘Sequel To The Prequel’ by Babyshambles.  I’ve heard a couple tracks and it sounds very promising – be on the lookout.

Alright – new month, new week heading into Fall.  Carl and I are back at it.  Ready?  Break!   🙂

Overlooked Albums 2010

Now’s the time to be prepping those year-end album lists.  Or at the very least, reviewing the dozens posted all over the place.  Tis the season.  But as I began to look over other lists and my own favorites I felt compelled to share a few that probably won’t be as widely listed:

First up is Blonde Redhead’s Penny Sparkle.  It may not be 23 but it’s still a solid effort.  In case you missed this one and like Blonde Redhead, you owe it to yourself to listen to it…or give it a second try.  Honestly I would say it’s a better followup than many indie artists of late.  Maybe it’s just too understated to get much buzz from the music press and bloggers.

This is simply the best indie debut I’ve heard this year.  Seabellies consists of 6 Aussies who I hope have a bright future.  Wayne Connolly (Youth Group, The Vines) produced the album, By Limbo Lake, and it’s masterful.  Great tracks that do not get tiresome or hard to track through.  You’ll enjoy this from the opening notes.

If you’re into Hot Chip you probably know about Silver Columns, but they aren’t a big name yet.  Yes and Dance is a fun album to put on while you’re working or just want to chill.  It’s not earth-shattering; just a solid corker for those who enjoy happy, upbeat electronic sounds.

Here’s my surprise of the year.  The record company must have decided to release “Run With The Boys” as the first single because it’s about the only thing that could go hand-in-hand with The Libertines’ catalogue.  This is Carl 2.0 and he’s out to make some noise.  It’s a great experiment.  Not a perfect album, but really shows growth.  Want proof?  “Death Fires Burn At Night”  – our Carl is growing up!

Initial Listens -Nov 4

This weekend I tracked through a few albums to see if I want to purchase or not.  My world turned upside down.  Most of the albums were not quite what I expected.

Broken Social Scene – Forgiveness Rock Record

Love, love, love “World Sick” so I was totally looking forward to listening to the full album.  I’m not sold on first listen.  Perhaps the fact that WS is track 1 has biased me subconsciously.  There are individual songs I like.  “Texico Bitches” and “Sentimental X’s” especially.  There are also tracks I just want to skip through.

Another Listen?  Absolutely.  But I imagine I’ll only purchase a couple songs.

Brandon Flowers – Flamingo

 OK, this is going to sound weird but try to stay with me.  That single, “Crossfire” sounds like a David Gray track.  And that was all I could think of throughout the album – well, that and the standard Brandon Flowers vocals. David Gray has an enjoyable voice, but I get bored with his music.  I always thought he should do something along these lines.  Well, I guess Brandon beat him to it.

Another Listen?  Nah, once was enough.  I’m bored with The Killers, too.

Manic Street Preachers –  Postcards From A Young Man

Speaking of sound-alikes….wow.  Seriously, did they swap lead singers for Robbie Williams?  I mean this whole album is Robbie’s.  I loved their last album, but this one all I can think of is Robbie finally made a good album.  I am so confused!! 

Another Listen?  Yes, but it feels like cheating.

Carl Barat – s/t

 This is the biggest surprise of the year for me.  I thought it would be similar to all the other non-Libertine projects he’s produced.  I’m happy I didn’t ignore this – it’s a little gem.  First couple of songs are warm-ups.  Carl usually brings a bit of French flair and there is a bit of that…and then comes “She’s Something” which really stands out.  “So Long My Lover” is another good track which is a bit Libertine-esque, but also has a retro feel (especially the intro). 

The track that blew my socks off is “Death Fires Burn At Night” and I hope it will blow a lot of other people away.  This is the type of track that albums like “Screamadelica” are made from.  Had Carl written the entire album around this song he’d be getting all the hype Pete’s had over the past 5 years – but for the right reasons.  I really, really hope this is a side we see more from him.

Another Listen?  Oh, yeah.  It’s on constant rotation.  BUY THIS

Mystery Jets – Serotonin

 My friend, Ben, brought this to my attention.  So happy he did.  What a fun album all the way through.

 Another Listen?  No question, I bought it straight away.

What do you think & what are you listening to this week?

Dirty Pretty Things announcement

Breaking News – DIRTY PRETTY THINGS = SPLITSVILLE

It’s been a glorious three years which we all would gladly live out again, but it is time for us to try new things. (not The Libertines).

Carl as a film star?

I’m going to have to ponder that thought for awhile.  Maybe after I see how he does in his first role which will premiere in a couple weeks at the London Film Festival. 

Barat filmed the movie last year – he plays rocker Gene Vincent (a fav of Robert Plant’s as a matter of fact) in the film, ‘Telstar’.   He talked a bit about his acting role this week to the Sunday Mail.

Whow knows what this will lead to, but he already has another acting gig lined up and he won’t be playing a musician.

If you get to see ‘Telstar’ be sure to watch for Justin from The Darkness.

Boys in the band shock fans

London must have been scorching hot last night as Pete and Carl shared a stage for the first time in ages!  Doherty was playing at The Prince of Wales pub recording material that will be used in an MTV doc (can’t wait to get more info on that!) 

There must have been a collective gasp when Carl appeared.  Whenever I read about them getting together I’m amazed at how simple it all seems.  They pick up right where they left off (just wish that would only be true of the music & not their brotherly love/hate relationship).  A few Libertine songs were played including “Time For Heroes” and they also played a cover of Oasis’ “Don’t Look Back In Anger”…could that be an omen????

The week just became that much better with a little Libertine tease.

Carl’s feeling better

Hopefully there are no longterm effects from the diagnosis made last week.  He’s out of the hospital – that’s the main thing.  Barat stated he’s hoping to make an appearance at this weekend’s Glastonbury Festival.

Good news all the way around!

 

Some post-Libertines news

In my estimation it’s been waaay, waaay too long since I’ve posted a good Pete and Carl story. I can’t not post about the latest news about our favorite wayward Libertine partners.

First of all, Carl is in the hospital with what they are calling acute pancreatitis.  He’ll be in for awhile for observation.  Hope it doesn’t turn out to be as serious as it sounds!

Meanwhile Pete treated fans to an unbelievable setlist in London the other night.  He came on around 10:30 and played till after 3 AM.  Playing a bit of everything (including covers), I can only imagine the crowd reaction. 

What a sing-a-long!   NME has the details including the setlist and a YouTube video.  Their description is fabulous including how Pete brought up a fan onstage & ribbed him a bit.  If anyone has found more youtube vids from this gig…post ’em!

The Libertines writing again!

This is what I get for not reading the wires yesterday and working (gasp) instead.  CARL AND PETE are writing songs again.  How awesome is that?

Happy Happy Joy Joy

Libertines: 5 years on

It was five years ago this month The Libertine’s debut album, Up the Bracket, was released!  Sweetness all around.  There are times you give something new a listen and it hits you right away.  That’s exactly how I felt with this album.  I knew there was some buzz and that a former Clash member produced the album, but that was about it.  Little did we know they were an electric shooting star. 

Let’s celebrate the anniversary with some goodies.  NME has posted a photo gallery with some rarities.  [Many of these shots were taken by Andrew Kendall, who has introduced me to plenty of new UK bands over the last 5 years.]  And let’s not forget that for one brief, shining moment Pete & Carl reunited earlier this year!!

Time For Heroes will be out next week in the UK and early December here in the US.  It’s a greatest hits set.  Their MySpace has the tracklisting set up in the player, so feel free to give it a listen today.  I would love it if they could get some rare tracks together for release or live recordings…anything really.  I’m happy Carl & Pete are still playing, but there will always be something extra special about The Libertines. 

Reminder:  Shotter’s Nation is released in the US today (Oct. 23, 2007).