HEALTH – DIE SLOWLY
Bored with life? Slowly slipping into a jaded depression that has left your nerve endings redundant and reclusive? Drinking too much over-branded coffee just to keep yourself awake and semi-motivated throughout mind-numbing days of repetition? Find yourself discussing the soaps, celebrity marriages and making mental notes of accumulated Nectar points? Did you really buy that King’s Of Leon compact disc from a soulless and uniformed hyper-market? Make your lunch, pack it, eat it in an empty meeting room with the blinds down. They won’t see you cry in there. Check your Blackberry…Spam…Spam…new shopping deals available exclusively to YOU. New channels – please update your box – don’t miss this once in a lifetime opportunity. Feeling apathetic? Getting your five a day? Four a day is better than nothing. Calcium is an advantage. Realise and reclaim. Realise and reclaim the part of you that wants to live. Find the essence that gave you colour. At least you’ve got your health…. HEALTH – DIE SLOWLY.
Words Colin French
TWIN ATLANTIC REVIEWED
Full of delightful Scottish charm and a sound to enchant, Twin Atlantic ensured the gathered few at the Stoke Sugarmill will go away remembering exactly who they are.
After impressive support from Hardcore act Failsafe, who provided high energy action with impressive precision, it could almost be said that the main act had a lot to live up to. Yet within a minute of Twin Atlantic’s set it was clear that the band would meet such expectations, and then some. Rattling through hits including “Turning Into John Wayne” and the delightful “Lightspeed”, the foursome showcased their infectious tone and a professional attitude to rival most bands. Despite a poor turn out, frontman Sam McTrusty remained jovial throughout, even ribbing the crowd for their lack of enthusiasm.
“Old Grey Face” and the irresistibly intricate “Human After All” followed to a slightly more rousing reception, but undoubtedly the moment of the night was provided by “Caribbean War Syndrome”. With the addition of an electric cello, the foursome astounded with a rousing and enchanting melody and powerful climax, demonstrating almost every facet of their undeniable talent. With McTrusty’s charming Glaswegian accent dripping off every word and a guitar trio of precision and passion, it is safe to say that, should they return to the Sugarmill, they will have absolutely no trouble in drawing a crowd.
Reviewed at Stoke Sugarmill, 18/9/09
Words Dan Grose
TOP BANANA!
If you haven’t become part of Banana yet, then brace yourselves for penetration, because it’s about to take over Manchester.
Banana Management is the newest and hottest management label on the electronic music scene right now. Showcasing the hottest DJ’s Manchester and the North of England has to offer, Banana Management is set to explode with its diverse and innovative roster of artists. Brought together by their love of good music and passion for nightlife, Banana Management is a collective of unique minds that work like a well-oiled, sexy machine. Utilizing skills from all areas of the team including web and graphic design, entrepreneurial skills – heck – even the street team are ex-charity fundraisers.
The chemistry between the team is something they are visibly proud of. If they didn’t got on, there would be no Banana! This is a unique band of brothers who know exactly what they want and how to get it. Banter makes the Banana go round, and there’s plenty of that. With DJ’s who have supported the likes of Justice, 2manyDjs, Zombie Nation, Riton, and even on the MixMag UK Tour next month, expect to be seeing a lot more of these folks… and not just in Manchester.
As well as the management label, its club night offspring, Banana, is currently focused on showcasing the talent in the form of all out parties and events that are swamping the Manchester Scene. Already collaborating with some of the biggest nights in England, Banana shows no signs of slowing down. With 6 parties in 8 days throughout Freshers Week, Banana is going to be dominating the electronic scene as it showcases both established and up-and-coming talent whilst also collaborating with some of the best nights in the city.
Roster from left to right - Sticky Bandits, Patchwork, Henry (Manager), Average White Guy, Joseph Goulcher
Now, with plenty of legendary parties at Saki already under their belt, Banana will be taking over several clubs and bars throughout the city in the coming weeks. With an atmosphere like no other night around, the crowd is key to making these nights the storming success that they are. Whether its dubstep, dark techno or ridiculous electro beats that get dropped , they absolutely promise to keep you dancing all night (literally in some cases) and going home a sweaty, sexy mess.
With some absolutely huge guest DJ’s and artists lined up for the coming months, Banana is definitely about to become one of your regular 5-a-day. You can find them at bananamanagement.co.uk and all over Facebook. Keep an eye out for new events popping up over the next weeks and get yourselves down to the freshest, most innovative and down right delicious parties that we’ve seen for a very long time.
2 LISTEN – JULY
Words Colin French
The Horrors – Primary Colours (XL)
A deserving nomination for the Mercury Music Prize brings one of this year’s most exciting albums back to the office turntable. The transition from cartoon-garage-Goths to the music on Primary Colours is simply stunning. (Out Now)
The Pastels/Tenniscoats – Vivid Youth (Geographic)
The Pastels have always been something of a cult phenomenon; we’ve all heard of them but most have never actually heard them. Vivid Youth is taken from their forthcoming collaboration album with Tokyo’s Tenniscoats, a band drenched in sunshine indie-pop. We love this and we think you will too. (17th August)
Dan Black – Symphonies (A&M)
In a perfect world, tracks like this would be number 1 every week of the year. This isn’t a perfect world, but it is a little bit better with sublime music like this coaxing our eardrums. (Out Now)
Koko Von Napoo – June EP (Trouble)
Following on from last years debut single Polly, the Parisian electro-indie quartet return with a new EP for us to get wrapped up in. Awash with gorgeous synths and a sprinkle of haunting vocals, June is the perfect antidote to everything gloomy and miserable. (27th July)
FUKKK OFFF – Love Me Hate Me Kiss Me Kill Me (Coco Machete/Module)
Dance floor annihilating electro-disco-funk that is sure to soundtrack plenty of people’s parties over the coming months. Never one to pull his punches, FUKKK OFFF finally delivers his debut long-player with devastating effect. Press play and let it wash over you in all of its twisted beauty. (7th September)
MONTHLY ROUND UP – MAY
What we’ve been listening to this month…
Sonic Youth – Sacred Trickster (Matador)
The NY legends release new album The Eternal next month, and this, the first taster from it does not disappoint. It’s noisy, full-throttled and a little bit special. How many other bands would sound this fresh after 19 albums? Not bloody many.
Ghostface Killah – Buck 50 (Razor Sharp)
Rewind to 2000 and Ghostface released the superb Supreme Clientele. Boasting an array of guest MC’s, we may not understand every words that he says but we love it regardless.
Kill It Kid – Send Me An Angel Down (One Little Indian)
Sounding like The Bad Seeds being fronted by Anthony Hegarty, Kill It Kid are full of promise for the forthcoming months. Released 18th May
Joker’s Daughter – The Last Laugh (Double Six)
Danger Mouse teams up with multi-instrumentalist Helena Costas to create an album so sublime and tasty that the summer won’t seem quite right without it. Released 15th June
Bis – The New Transistor Heroes (Wiiija)
This is going back a bit….remember Manda Rin and co? At the time, we weren’t sure whether Bis were for real or not: brilliant or a little bit, well, rubbish. Stumbling back upon this gem from ’97 we now realise it was actually a stonking collection of lo-fi pop brilliance.
… and what we’ve been watching.
The Thick Of It (BBC)
After watching Armando Iannucci’s brilliant In The Loop, we found ourselves revisiting the original TV series The Thick Of It. Inspired, hilarious and touching; surely Malcolm Tucker embodies all of our inner rage?
Words: Colin French
MONTHLY MUSIC ROUND UP – THE YEAR SO FAR
Obviously, we have missed out on bringing you the last four months worth of music, granted, we still have the vast majority of the year in which to enthral you but perhaps it’s a good idea to have a little flashback on what has graced us so far. The truth is, I can’t remember a year when come April there was already so many damn good albums having been released. So, to bring us up to speed, here is my round-up of what has sugar-coated the year of 2009 so far:
Animal Collective – Merriweather Post Pavilion (Domino)
Hype can be a cruel pay master; many have succumbed to its charms only to receive indifference and disappointment. Merriweather Post Pavilion had much to live up to after 2007’s Strawberry Jam, but deliver it most certainly did. Delightful, elevating and positively shimmering with invention, it is truly a special piece of work.
9/10
myspace.com/animalcollectivetheband
Morrissey – Years Of Refusal (polydor)
Having reinvented himself with 2004’s You Are The Quarry and 2006’s Ringleader Of The Tormentors, Mozza began the year in style with Years Of Refusal. Assessable to everyone and an instant hit with fans, 2009 could well be the year that this constantly underrated artist finally receives the respect that he deserves.
8/10
Asobi Seksu – Hush (One Little Indian)
Having previously been labelled “shoe gazer” revivalists, Asobi Seksu returned this year with their most ambitious work to date. Hush was everything that you never expected it to be: gorgeous soundscapes vied for favouritism alongside guitar-infused walls of sound and delicate spheres of electronic beauty.
8/10
N.A.S.A. – The Spirit Of Apollo (Spectrophonic)
Glorious Hip Hop that featured collaborations with David Byrne, Tom Waits and Karen O, among others. Forget the gats, bitches and Benjamin’s, The Spirit Of Apollo is steeped in happy times; not a beef in sight. To understand what an achievement this album is, you must listen, listen and listen some more. Trust Me.
9/10
Deer Tracks – Aurora (Despotz)
Appearing from nowhere, this record took many, including myself, by complete surprise. Think Bjork circa Homogenic, think Cocteau Twins swapping secrets with Mazzy Star and you’re half way there.
9/10
Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy – Beware (Domino)
Ah, good ol’ Billy, a new year and a new album. Only this time he appeared to be clutching a new found optimism. Don’t get me wrong, melancholy is still woven throughout Beware, he just doesn’t wallow in it quite so much – simply stunning.
8/10
Sky Larkin – The Golden Spike (Wichita)
Three young hipsters from Leeds went to America and returned with this: an album full of sparkling indie gems that has raised the bar for all such-like bands.
8/10
Fever Ray – Fever Ray (Rabid)
A few of us raised our eyebrows at the news that Karin Dreijer Andersson was set to record outside the comfort of The Knife. Little did we know how mesmerizing Fever Ray’s debut was going to be – sonically, it attacked your nervous system from every angle. Creepy and a little bit special, Fever Ray was the sound of every horror film that simultaneously frightened and thrilled you as a child.
8/10
Words: Colin French
