Patrick Wolf is filthy

Patrick Wolf. A man of various talents and fancy costumes. When I think of Wolf I think of colour and great melodies. Well, he has a new tune running about the internet and I have to say, it's not quite what I was expecting. The new direction he's been talking about sees him embrace his smutty side and take electro back to Depeche Mode's filty rhythms. He pulls it off to, with great results. It's dirty, sexy and you can dance to it. Think, less colour more black and shiny, possibly with whips and chains. His almost hoarse vocals make it sound even filthier. His lyrics on 'Vulture' are seductive, dirty and almost naughty. His scream of "HARD!" is not something you'd necessarily equate with the man who penned 'The Magic Position', a tune of niave melody and knowing lyrics. I suppose all he has really done is vamp it up, but it's thrilling.

If the video is anything to go by, Patrick has embraced the bondage electro-rock idea with open arms. The video has been given an "inappropriate for television" status and you can only see it on Myspace. It helps if you're over 18 too. Patrick Wolf writhing about in leather anyone?

It may have been deemed too explicit for the TV but it matches the tune perfectly. I cannot wait to hear what Mr. Wolf does on the rest of the album, 'The Bachelor', due out later this year. This is part of a project concerning two albums, a concept of sorts. I can't wait to hear the fruits of this exploit.

Here is the video, I trust that you're all old enough to view it:

Patrick Wolf - Vulture

Bouncy castle, rain, Polly Jean Harvey...

PJ Harvey, the wonderful talented English woman who has released so many great albums I kinda can't tell you how much I adore her. In fact, I would go as far as to say that she is probably the best female artist in Britain at this moment in time and she is about to release a new album with Mr. John Parish. The brand new single, 'Black Hearted Love', premiered its video today on the NME website. I have to say, given that I hadn't heard anything from PJ since 'White Chalk', which is an album full of grace and piano-led beauties, this is a great come back. It sees the lady herself pick up where her Mercury prize winning 'Stories From The City, Stories From The Sea' left off. John Parish is clearly a very good influence on the guitar-led side of Harvey, the music getting back to the rock side of her music. Her voice, as ever, is spellbinding and rawkous. I don't know how she manages this simultaneously, I do not care. It's great to have her back.

From this single (and video) alone, I predict another brilliant album. The album, 'A Woman And Man Walked By', is due out at the end of this month. And you should go and buy it after hearing the 5 previewed tracks on Last.fm from Monday. Oh yes. You should definitely check that out.

Here is the video for 'Black Hearted Love' is available for viewing HERE; featuring a bouncy castle and rain.

Stage invasion-tastic!

The Hold Steady. My favourite band. One of the best bands in rock 'n' roll right now and just getting their deserved success. This band are so important to so many people. It's quite hard to quantify the love the fans have for The Hold Steady. However, with the new DVD/CD package 'A Positive Rage' due out at the beginning of April, we have been gifted with a few people trying to put it into words. AFTER the show.

The shows are religious affairs, almost. There is something about rocking out with a room full of strangers that LOVE this band that creates a unifying feeling. The atmosphere is always electric, the joy is obvious to the band and the fans. It's like a shared experience. This band love what they do and we fans, well, we love what they do too. Possibly too much.

The new trailer for the DVD hit this week and it features fans talking about what The Hold Steady means to them, Craig Finn talking about what the band has accomplished and some amazing (quite emotional) footage of several stage invasions from around the 'Boys And Girls In America tour'.

I cannot wait to see this DVD. The documentary looks like it might be insightful, honest and interesting. The live show will be fantatsic too. There is nothing like it.

Trailer fun. There really is so much joy.
The band are touring the UK and the US, eheck out the link above for more info.

Drunk? A Documentary

Eddie Argos and his merry band of men, Art Brut, are back and with a new, very famous producer for their third album, 'Art Brut Vs. Satan'. I am excited by the prospect. The hiring of Frank Black for the album's production duties led to much speculation about the sound of this record. I can happily reveal that it is just as good as the old Brut noise but with a twist. Something I have yet to work out or put my finger on.

The new single, 'Alcoholics Unanimous' is a tale of a hangover and a hive of drunken activity. The shouting backing vocals add something new but the old slurr from Eddie and the witty lyrics make this an instant Art Brut tune. The new sound is heavier, more fun. I have been listening to this song for a while now and everytime I hear the opening riff, I smile. It's instant and exciting. The inclusion of "etc." at the end of the song is so Brut it hurts. I can almost guarantee you'll be dancing to this tune in indie clubs all over the country soon. It's just too infectious to go unheard! I hope this album sees them get the attention they deserved and not just from Pitchfork and the NME.

Art Brut are touring the UK! Check out their MySpace for details of where and when. 'Art Brut Vs. Satan' is out on the 20th April. Here is the video of 'Alcholics Unanimous'. Enjoy.

Then you should say nothin' more at all...

The Maccabees, an indie band from Brighton who released their debut album two years ago. That debut was full of excited, happy and joyous occasions from the wonderful 'Latchmere' to the heartfelt 'First Love'. Each of the songs had something about them, something that made you smile each time. The basslines were funky, the guitar was twangy and the vocals were shouty and melodic. 'Colour It In' was a great album. However, by the sounds of it, these guys have been playing about in the studio. There is something much, much darker going on with this new tune, 'No Kind Words'. They have obviously felt hard done by at somepoint and this is more of a rant than a dance-able indie tune. Of course, even if it is a bit biting in places, you can still get on down to it without any trouble. I can't wait to hear the rest of the album. It'll be interesting to see if this bitter twist continues. I like it. It kills off the fluff and gets to the grit.

Here is a video of The Maccabees 'No Kind Words'. The guys are on tour in March and May, check out the MySpace for more details on that one. You can download 'No Kind Words' for free there. Or on the official website.

One Gig Like This - Elbow Take Llandudno, 09/03/09

I have been waiting for this day for over 8 years. I have had tickets to it in my hand mere four times previously and had to give them up due to various reasons. I have been waiting to see this event for so long now that the excitement I feel about it now, after the event, is still immense. Of course, this event is seeing one of my favourite bands on the planet and my favourite British band, Elbow, live for the very first time. And last night was that very night. It did not disappoint, after so long waiting.

I still remember the day I heard Elbow for the first time. It was 2001 and a friend had handed me a mix CD with their track ‘Red’ on it. Everything else on the mix paled in comparison. The combination of heartfelt lyrics, a beautiful voice and a sound that I had never heard anything like before all made that the very first Elbow song I was to fall in love with. It would not be the last.

I have followed them eagerly since that very day. Awaiting every new album patiently but excitedly. Getting hold of the records and telling everyone about how good they were. No one ever knowing who Elbow was used to make me sad. Now, however, it is a very different story - in Britain, at least. Since 2008’s Mercury Prize win, Elbow have seen a sudden rise to the top of the pile and won the affections of the nation. It was a proud day as a fan. Then to see them win this year’s ‘Best British Band’ award at the Brits was an even bigger moment. Elbow had made it and I couldn’t be prouder of the fact.

With all of that said, I had still never actually enjoyed the pleasure of their live show. Never in person. I had tried and failed to see them on four (possibly even five) separate occasions, always having to give up my ticket at the last moment. The fact that this had happened made me want to see them more and more. And as I have watched from afar, their great rise to success, I have prayed that the next time they tour, I can be there in person! Well, it has finally happened and what a night it was.

Opening with 2008’s, ‘The Seldom Seen Kid’, album opener with the added touch of Welsh flags on the trumpets (nice one lads). Elbow took to the stage with smiles on their faces, amongst the bright lights of expectation. They played ‘Starlings’ with passion, belief and honesty. It was note-for-damn-note. Garvey’s voice sounding in fine form, the best it has ever sounded to my ears. There is something about the rough beauty he exudes that makes you believe every single word he purrs. Next was single, ‘The Bones Of You’, with that huge chorus that begs to be sung aloud and proud, which I did, of course. The band sounded fabulous. They were tight and happy. There is no better way see one of your favourite bands perform.

The set was an almost perfect balance of old and new. The old not going down quite as well as the new (most of the crowd were there to see the latest songs and had no clue when the golden oldies were played). The beautiful ‘Mirrorball’ was introduced with a wry comment about being love with “the woman I love”. Guy Garvey has clearly found his muse. The mirror ball effects on the ceiling adding a touch of atmosphere. They played the brilliant title track from 2005’s album, ‘Leaders Of The Free World’, much to my joy as that album is my favourite from Elbow. The poignant point made that the song is now out of date seemed like a great touch. Next, ‘The Stops’ and tears. The performance of this song was absolutely perfect. Guy Garvey’s voice soaring and whirling above the crowd. The atmosphere was electric, the honesty was too much to take. I am not ashamed to admit that I cried during this performance, it was simply stunning.

More music, laughs and tears were to come in the form of a dedication Garvey sent out to one “Stewie, from his mum and dad”, led the man himself to change the words to something more “appropriate.” Hearing the first line changed like that will never leave me, it was a golden moment as Guy sang “I’ll be the duck in your bathtub, useless…” Before this we had been treated to performances of ‘Any Day Now’, that great Elbow song with a whispered brilliance to it’s arrangement and a tone of escapism. We had the rocking ‘Mexican Standoff’, a personal favourite, dedicated to Mr. Garvey’s sister, Louise in the VIP area. We were then treated to another eerily beautiful performance from 2003’s ‘Cast Of Thousands’. Garvey himself telling the story behind the song - “a song about being able to choose your last words and your last moments” - and then delivering one of the most affecting moments of the night, ‘Switching Off’. I shed another tear or seven when he sang, “You, the only sense the world has ever made…” Perfection. We were also treated to a very different performance of ‘Weather To Fly’, the goose bump inducing wonder from last year’s record. The five guys crowded around one part of the stage playing acoustically and then bursting into the full track, which tonight had a certain poignancy about it. “Are we having the time of our lives?” Elbow certainly are.

Into ‘The Loneliness Of A Tower Crane Driver’ and ‘Grounds For Divorce’ they went, hitting another high point - there were no low points, I’ll be honest - with each played note-for-note and including crowd participation. Everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves, it was lovely to be a part of. Then, the last track of the main set - the incredible, irrepressible anthem that is ‘One Day Like This’. This was the big climax of the evening, what everyone was waiting for and what a moment to have witnessed. Ever since Glastonbury, this song has become an anthem for the people. Something bigger than Elbow. It has been used everywhere and for everything and, for some reason, every time I hear the strings of this track I smile. That and, of course, the positive message of embracing the day in “Throw those curtains wide, one day like this a year will see me right”. Garvey encouraged all to sing, they did. Everyone had their hands up with a smile across their faces. The band were loving it. It was another joyous moment, one I will never forget.

So, Elbow stormed Llandudno and with it North Wales. They played a wonderful set, with no dull moments. Every single song had something about it, as they always have done, but tonight there was something extra going on. I’d like to put it down to success but it was bigger than that, it was better than that, it was something as simple as the fact that the band are really happy with where they are right now. And they have every right to be. A triumph in every sense of the word. Here’s to the next album, the next tour and 8 more years of Elbow being the best band in Britain. I will not be waiting another 8 years to see them again, that is for sure. One gig like this a year would see me right, indeed.

• Elbow play Wembley Arena on Saturday 14th March. Their biggest gig to date.
• ‘The Seldom Seen Kid’ is available everywhere now.
• Look out for ‘The Seldom Seen Kid Live At The BBC’, which was recorded a couple of months ago with the concert orchestra and includes a CD, DVD and book, out Monday 30th March.