Islands- Return to the Sea

Heard about Islands from Antickpix (they are really awesome dude).

I thought I was exaggerating when I said that a lot of mind-blowing music these days was being made in basements. I was not.

A substantial part of Return to the Sea, the band's debut album, was in fact made in Jaimee Thompson's(a band member) bedroom.

And this album is pure fun.

What is happening in Canada? Looks like Montreal will be called the Athens of this decade.

P.S: Antick, "Rough Gem" & "Don't Call Me Whitney, Bobby" are awesome man.

Arcade Fire on the radio

Arcade Fire’s first album Funeral is probably one the most artful debuts I have come across in a long time. It has been more than a year since I first heard the album and it still sounds awesome. Absolutely awesome. Ironically this album did not leave a great impression when I first heard it. Never mind.

Although more than a year late, it was really nice to find Funeral being reviewed in Hindustan Times some months back.

I got hold of this nice little live show on a French radio station. It is called THE WHITE SESSIONS. The songs are heavily improvised here. Nonetheless they sound great.

Wilco-Ashes of American Flags

The cash machine is blue and green
For a bundle of twenties and a small service fee
I could spend three dollars and sixty-three cents
On Diet Coca-Cola and unlit cigarettes

I wonder why we listen to poets
When nobody gives a fuck
How hot and sorrowful
This machine begs for luck

All my lies are always wishes
I know I would die if I could come back new

I want a good life
With a nose for things
A fresh wind and bright sky
To enjoy my suffering

A hole without a key
If I break my tongue
Speaking of tomorrow
How will it ever come?

All my lies are always wishes
I know I would die if I could come back new

I'm down on my hands and knees
Every time the doorbell rings
I shake like a toothache
When I hear myself sing

All my lies are only wishes
I know I would die if I could come back new

I would like to salute The ashes of American flags
And all the fallen leaves Filling up shopping bags

It is a tragedy that music this artful needs to struggle to find its way to the world.

I have nothing against big music labels but a fuck up like this make me wonder about the people who run these companies (or people who select the music). Time Warner’s management need to answer their shareholders-

Why the fuck did they hire (and pay) the same band twice?

'Look, I was a superhero'

“I don’t give a fuck about Radiohead and all that indie nonsense.” – Noel Gallagher in The Guardian

Is he trying to be funny or stupid?

Or is it the realization that his band peaked out nearly a decade ago? Check this article in The Guardian, reprinted in today’s HT (Bombay edition).

One more list

Last decade was a fabulous period for popular music. A decade known for bands which were genuinely good. Sadly, by the end of the century, everything was over. Manufactured pop bands, akin to Millie Vinnilli, dominated the charts. If you ask me, 1998-2003 was probably the darkest phase in the history of music. But good music was still being made, albeit in the basements (slight exaggeration).

So what is this good music I am talking about. Here is a list of my favourite 5 albums that came out between 2000-2006

1.Radiohead- Kid A
2.Wilco- Yankee Hotel Foxtrot
3.Arcade Fire- Funeral
4.Wolf Parade- Apologies to the Queen Mary
5 Modest Mouse- The Moon & Antarctica

Sonic Youth

It is a dangerous statement (but that is how I feel)- Sister is a better Sonic Youth album than Daydream Nation.

I sense trouble.

Martin Scorsese's The Rolling Stones

The Rolling Stones and Martin Scorsese go back a long way. His mob/crime movies are loaded with Stones songs. From Mean Streets to Goodfellas to Casino to The Departed (probably he is in love with "Gimme Shelter", used it in Goodfellas, Casino & The Departed). The fucked up feel of the Stones have fit so well with Scorsese's visuals over the years.

All that was missing- Scorsese making something on The Rolling Stones. Finally the time has come as he is going to make a documentary on The Stones, tentatively called Shine A Light.

The Departed Sound track

"War, children, its just a shot away"

'Gimme Shelter' was always known for its dark, apocalyptic feel. I have been hearing that song for years, without getting even a wee bit bored. Nobody can doubt its genius.

After absorbing and dissecting every bit of the song, for years, there was nothing that could have elevated it a level higher than where I had placed it (it was just too perfect). But now after watching Martin Scorsese's The Departed, 'Gimme Shelter' needs a re-rating.

Today I can say, that that song never sounded like it did last night. Never felt so murky, so sinister, so fucked. Probably it was the smacking opening visuals of the film which did it. But for a moment it took my attention away from the film itself.

And it has not aged even a day.

Not to forget that equally kick-ass "Let it Loose".