Author Archives: natalie

Au Revoir HMV

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This was going to be a usual post with some lovely new music for you guys. Its not though, because there’s something more important to talk about today.

HMV has been the only place I’ve bought CDs from (not including online or gigs) in the last few years, seeing as supermarkets don’t stock the music that I listen to, and indie record stores where I live are few and far between (but I should really make more effort with them).

Its been a place where I’ve re-discovered bands long forgotten, or found new bands on a whim. Its where I’ve wandered about with dates, comparing tastes in music, films, games. It wouldn’t be Christmas without an HMV giftcard, a present from an aunt or uncle, who don’t know me well enough to get something personalised, but know that I love music. It wouldn’t be a shopping trip without a browse round the store, picking up something new to hear on the daily commute. Not to mention the numbers of friends I’ve known who had their first jobs there.

Despite the company’s best efforts (diversifying into merch, lower prices, 2 for £10 deals..), its gone into administration. Its currently unclear if the chain will find a buyer, or what will happen to the 4,123 staff that it employs.

So to make this post a little less depressing, here’s a little blast from the past. The first piece of music I ever bought (though from where, I can’t remember). It may not be rock, but you’ve got to love Bjork..

RC xx

New Music Monday – Funeral For Friend Album Sampler

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Fact: Funeral For A Friend are a band that never disappoints. That’s why I’m pretty excited about their new album ‘Conduit’, coming out January 28.

Based on this sampler, it sounds like a return to the screaming days of old, combined with Matt Davies’ more mature songwriting that we’ve come to love. (Not to mention some really catchy hooks..)

Have a listen for yourself here:

If this isn’t enough for you, check out their new video for album track ‘The Distance’ here.

RC xx

New Video From Three Days Grace – The High Road

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Lyric videos aren’t the most interesting are they? Typically just a screen of words, maybe the new album artwork. I’ve never paid much attention to them.

That’s why its great to see a band doing it differently. Canadian rockers Three Days Grace have just released a lyric video for their new single ‘The High Road’, but its really artfully done, perfectly complementing the angst ridden track. Bands take notice, this is how to do it.

The band’s new album, ‘Transit of Venus’ is out now.

RC xx

Watch Fearless Vampire Killers Documentary On Loaded Tonight

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If you missed the Fearless Vampire Killers documentary, ‘At War With The Thirst’ on tv last night, you can catch it again online at Loaded TV.com at 10pm.

I haven’t checked it out yet either, so definitely looking forward to this one!

Hope you guys are having a great night anyway, whatever you’re up to.

RC xx

Friday Classic – Alkaline Trio ‘Private Eye’

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This song takes me back a few years. Aside from a brief, ill-advised performance on Reading’s main stage at an unsuitably early time, Chicago’s Alkaline Trio have never disappointed me.

Known for catchy snippets of punk rock with their trademark dark lyrics, (this one starts with ‘I dragged this lake, looking for corpses’), ‘Private Eye’ is from the trio’s third album, ‘From Here To Infirmary’, released in 2001.

 What are they up to now?

The band recorded their ninth album in October last year, due later this year. Frontman Matt Skiba has released two solo albums, ‘Demos’ and ‘Babylon’, recorded with The Sekrets, featuring My Chemical Romance drummer Jarrod Alexander and AFI bassiest Hunter Burgan.

RC xx

Free Album Sampler ‘Light It Up’

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Hold Your Horse Is

Here’s something that’ll brighten up your Thursday – a free album sampler from club Feliciano, who are branching into record releases this year. With the absolutely kiss-ass Hold Your Horse Is (Reuben influenced Surrey trio) on first and fast-rising post rock quartet Our Lost Infantry later, you know the rest is going to be good.

Go get those nine tracks of audio goodness here.

RC xx

The Nightmare After Christmas Tour, The Star Inn 8/1/13

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The back room of Guildford’s Star Inn is starting to buzz. Tonight, The Nightmare After Christmas tour is bringing local heroes Orestea back to the arms of their loyal fans.
Geek rockers Critical Hit warm things up with a dose of pop-culture covers, from Pokemon to Team America, which has the room singing along (though some maybe only in their heads).
Next up is Bristol goth-punks Ashestoangels. Tearing through their set, vocalist Crilly decides there’s not enough room on the stage (he’s already crashed into two of his bandmates) and promptly jumps straight into the crowd. As he screams into the faces of the girls in the front row, it’s hard to tell if they’re terrified or enthral led, or both.
After a brief pause, Orestea take the stage. For reasons that go unexplained, four of the five band members have decided to paint their faces, Kiss-style. (I hear they tried the look out the night before and were escorted out of a local park).
New song ‘Miss Catastrophe’ goes down well in the suddenly-packed room, particularly with the girls in front, who seem to be emulating frontwoman Lisa’s striking turquoise locks.
Her perfectly clear voice soars through, not faltering even when she joins the crowd to lead the jumping along. (It works well).
Expect some good things from their second album, coming later this year.
RC xx

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Tuesday Tune – Papa Roach ‘Before I Die’

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Hands up who’s missed Papa Roach?

If so, you’re in luck as there’s some new music coming your way from the Californian nu-metallers (is nu-metal still a dirty word?). ‘Before I Die’ might not have the same snarling intensity of ‘To Be Loved’, but the punchy chorus is an obvious hands-in-the-air crowd pleaser. Now can we have some UK tour dates please?

Papa Roach’s new album, ‘The Connection’ is out now.

RC xx

New Music: We Are The Ocean – Young Heart

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Its definitely been a good couple of weeks for music. Yesterday it was Bring Me The Horizon, today its alt-rockers We Are The Ocean.

This heartfelt tune sounds pretty suited to be the next anthem for a warm summer evening, let’s just hope those days aren’t too far off!

Check out the video below:

‘Young Heart’ is from the band’s new album ‘Maybe Today, Maybe Tomorrow’ out now.

RC xx

Bring Me The Horizon – Shadow Moses

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I wouldn’t normally post something without an official video, but this song is far too awesome not to write about. With a relentless chorus, throat-shredding vocals and a haunting finish, I would definitely recommend checking it out below:

The new album ‘Sempiternal’ is out in February.

Hope this clears some of those Sunday blues!

RC xx