Oxegen ‘09

Everyone who is anyone is doing one of these things, Gary Lightbody has his here, so I decided to throw together some recommendations for Oxegen.

Friday

You’ve survived the bus, the tent pitching, the queue, and you are in the Main Arena, what to do….

Dirty Epics in Green Spheres would be a decent way to start off the day, but last years set was a little lack-lustre, and such an early billing can work against you. The Coronas are so samey as to be a bit sickening, and to be honest, I don’t know many of the bands on starting the day off, so might take a breather from here until Therapy?, then slide across to Lily Allen with the lady, so I can leave, see some Duke Special and maybe some Fun Lovin Criminals, and return to Main Stage Camp for the evening; Snow Patrol and Blur.

Saturday

Early trip out for Fred here, another good Irish band kicking off a day, then a nip to catch some Saw Doctors and maybe some Squeeze, maybe even The Blizzards, as last yer they were decent, despite the constant preening. Again, most of a small tent hop, want to see what some of the smaller acts are all about, any suggestions greatly appreciated. But t be honest, I am main stage sitting,  for Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Elbow, Bloc Party and Kings of Leon, with a small side trip off to catch some of CODES.

Sunday

After a couple of weakish day times, for me at least, Sunday is wall to wall. Iglu & Hartley, You Me At Six, Calvin Harris, Lady Gaga (will she be an Appleton or a No Doubt?), White Lies, bit of a gap but prob Katy Perry, Ting Tings, Glasvegas, Florence and The Machine, Manics. Ahhhhh. Really odd balance there btw. Really odd.

Couple of painful clashes here also, Elbow vs TV on the radio, Mogwai vs Snow Patrol (or getting a decent spot), Doves vs Bloc Party.

So, whats your line up?

June Playlist

Sorry, the last few weeks have been hectic in work, and in my peronal life, so the blog has suffered. But I did want to put together another playist, so here’s my summer themed June playlist, or recommendations….

The Decemberists – 16 Military Wives

Great song from Oregon rockers Decemberists. I think the horn sound is summer-ey, along with the peppy drum line. Like it, ear worm.

Gogol Bordello – Start Wearing Purple

Ok, prob the least mainstream entry in the blog ever, but this Gypsy/Punk/Odd as fudge music is perfct for chilling with a beer in a sunny garden, and eventually drunkenly roaring START WEARING PURPLE, Da da da da daaaaaaa…… Give Gogol a go.

Josh Ritter – To The Dogs Or Whoever

My stewardship of Josh is well established, but this kind of kickey folkey music just makes me think of pint bottles of cider, sunglasses and flip flops. In a good way.

Kings of Leon – Notion

Just feels like a summery song. Is on my walking to work playlist.

Baaba Maal – Gorel

Some people think Akon is the pinacle of Senegalese music, but its this guy. Gorel is part authetic Senegal, part Afro-Celt type song, dare I say part 80’s dance, and all feel good summer.

Coming soon, a review of Imelda May’s album, although initial views would be, not as big a fan as I thought I would be. Oh well.

Saturday’s New Music – Must Have Been Tokyo.

Here you go blog fans, my weekly recommendation: Bern based Must Have Been Tokyo, with Blood In The Water.

Listen here: http://soundsystem.78s.ch/playlist/must-have-been-tokyo-vice/

Information here: http://www.musthavebeentokyo.com/

El Playlisto – May 09

Blog time again, lazy Saturday morning, and some new music……

Does It Offend You Yeah? – Dawn of the Dead

Does it offend you, yeah? are from Reading, with a name from a line from The Office, and a sound described as a mix of Daft Punk and electro rock. Great tunes though…

White Lies – Death

Saw these guys supporting Snow Patrol in the O2, like the sound. Big following, so it’s only a matter of time. Unfinished Business is also a killer track.

Josh Ritter – The Last Temptation of Adam

Pam cannot stand Josh. I don’t care. Heartfelt lyrics, beautiful complex guitar music, a drivin folky/country beat on quicker tracks, but the heart of his sound is in Kathleen, Snow Is Gone, Harrisburg, and this ode to the male condition, which makes the certain destruction of the earth the obvious choice when faced with losing the love of your life.

Mic Christopher – Heyday

This song always reminds me of lay summer day and long drives. Pity there wasn’t more of Mic’s music recorded.

Mick Flannery – Safety Rope

First of two nods to Cork, Blarney’s new favourite son, Mick, live from the Opera House. Only way to make this video any more Cork-centric would be if he was singing about the Lee, or a langer. And MAYBE he is. Mick is getting lots of attention lately, and is writing the songs Damien Rice’s second album would have been glad to have, if Damien hadn’t dissappeared up his own arse, only better. Actually that comparision is unfair, it is singer songwriter stuff, but the generalistion of all these guys togehter doesn’t do their talent enough justice. Just listen, buy, appreciate.

Fred – Running

Second Cork recommendation, Fred, Running….. Very hard to pick out a Fred song, if you like this, check out THe Good One, Skyscrapers, Damn You Hollywood

This time, Pam recommends the new Lily Allen Album, which is good, and Chromeo, particularly their song Bona Fide Lovin.

Playlist This Week

Ok, so this was pretty popular last time, so thought I’d put another together. This is a quick selection of the music which is occupying me this week. Be warned, at least two or three of these tunes are full on earworms, I take no responsibility.

Elbow – One Day Like This

The Elbow bandwagon is fully loaded at the minute, and many are claiming that to like them is a reaction to some kind of desire to be hip and cool. Maybe, and when you see the restof my Guardian Music picks for this week, you might well agree. But I really do like this song above most all of the rest on the album, and thats saying something from an album which features Grounds For Divorce and The Lonieness Of A Tower Crane Driver. I think its the insistence in th lyrics, almost as if Garvey is trying to convince himself as well as the listener that all is ok if there is just one day like this a year to see him right. Simply amazing.

Eels – I Like Birds

I must admit, when I was younger, and did not realise what good music really was, Eels kinda freaked me out (I blame the video with the carrot on the turntable: Last Stop This Town) but I have been converted. I heard this song first at a Jack L gig, it was one of the few great tunes he covered on the night, getting the entire audience whistle along. I like Birds is a nice simple feelgood song, which imparts wisdom, “it’s alright if you act like a turd, cos I like Birds”, which is fittings, being a tribute to E’s mother.

Little Boots – Meddle

Some factoids: Her real name is Victoria Hesketh. She was once a contestant on Pop Idol. She plays a Tenori-an. It’s infections electro post nu rave pop. I like it, its catchy and hook-ey. And Meddle has been stuck in my head now for on about 2 weeks.

Black Kids – I’m Not Going To Teach Your Boyfriend How To Dance With You

Just so tappy and poppy. This song gets into your head. Partie Traumatic is a great album, but this song for me in the highpoint.

Mystery Jets – Two Doors Down

Continuing the 80’s revival, full on hair and all, Mystery Jets make music that sounds like a fight between Ska, Disco, Pop and Nu Romantics. Mystery Jets, once the band famous for having the singers Da on bass, make exceedingly good music.

And Finally -

Billy Bragg- I Keep The Faith

Not the obvious choice, I love A New England, but this is one of Bragg’s most touching songs. While I don’t subscribe to his political viewpoint all of the time, I think this is a great song for current turmoil…

For the most part, Pam has been listening to Lady GaGa, Jem, Kevin Rudolf ft Little Wayne (who seemd to be in every song lately), and is still plugging The Script.

Only Need 4 Chords

Axis of Awesome are a comedy three piece from Australia, and have some great songs as par of their epic live sets. Think Fight of the Conchords, but I prefer them. Check out Birdplane, is freaking hilarious.

Anyway, this is their comment on modern pop music, I really lke it, funny, but also great songs…

BTW, blog is back, sorry for the long gap…..

Huge Obama Policy Announcement

Via icanhascheeseburger.

Hotpress Live Music Venue of The Year – Vote For Cyprus Avenue

Hey blog fans,

I ask little of you guys in return for your entertainment, and my hard work (ha) on noteswithnocommas, but now, I call in the favors. Hotpress and IMRO have released the shortlist for their Music Venue of The Year awards. As most of you know, I’ve spent the last few years in Cork, and found a second home in Cyprus Avenue. The venue is amazing, and gets some of the best bands in the country, if not the world, to come to the Lee-side to play.  The rest of the list isn’t great to be honest, and it’d be great to see the nod going to the peoples republic. SO, if you all have a minute to spare, can you pop over and tick a box.

So Steve, what do I do I hear you ask. Well….

1) Go to Hot Press and register an account, through the following link:
http://www.hotpress.com/registration/reg_details.php?product_name=Subscription+hotpress.com&rtype=vote

2) Log in to your newly created account.

3) hit the following link:
http://www.hotpress.com/vote/vote.php?id=4821512&action=view4) Vote for Cyprus Avenue from the list.

Thanks a million for aking the time, and hopefully we’ll get a result. Voting is closing soon, so speed is of the essence.For more details on Cyprus Avenue, see here.

Soundtrack To Your Life

Ok, so this was doing the rounds a while ago, just a fun little timewaster. Stick your mp3 player on shuffle, and let it create the soundtrack to the movie of your life. Some odd results may be thrown up. If you want to try it out, a blank list is below the click for more, stick it in the comments or on your own blog, but let me know. Here we go,

Opening Credits:
Lemon Tree – Fools Garden. (Forgot I even had this song, good credits though)

Waking Up:
Mr. Brightside – The Killers (Going well so far)

First Day At School:
Heaven’s Wall – The Devlins (Has that Irish school feeling about it alright)

Falling in Love:
I Hope That I Don’t Fall In Love With You – Tom Waits (I am not joking here)

Breaking Up:
We Can Run Away Now They Are All Dead And Gone – Snow Patrol (Good thing Pam is a witness)

Prom:
Yr Manged Heart – Gossip(Guess I ain’t taking that break up too wel)

Life’s Okay:
Hey Mama – Kanye West (Haven’t ever heard this song before, but it fits-ish)

Mental Breakdown:
Lose You – Pete Yorn (Ha)

Driving:
Monster – The Automatic (Great song, apt name…)

Flashback:
Bridge Over Troubled Water – Johnny Cash (Great Song)

Getting Back Together:
Happiness – Jack L (I like this song, but its about breaking up. And I don’t know a Genevieve)

Wedding:
Boxing Champ – Kaiser Cheifs (A rather nice song, but for a wedding?)

Birth of a Child:
One Vision – Queen (Nice)

Final Battle:
Hello, Goodbye – The Beatles (iTunes is screwing me now)

Death Scene:
Fake Plastic Trees – Radiohead (Good save Jobs)

Funeral Song:
One Minute To Midnight – Justice (Tanfastic)

End Credits:
Limited Edition – Snow Patrol

All in all a decent list. But where did the wedding song, and my final battle come from. Still I got a good run with falling in love, breaking up and prom. And I really like my end credits song too. So it balances.

Songs Of The Week

Ok, some tunes which I have been listening to this week include:

Kings of Leon, Sex on Fire. I may have a copy of the album that has been floain on the internet. Its good. Very good. Can’t wait to buy it.

Flobots, Handlebars. Nice buildey rap song, in the vein of Messiah J who I have also been listening to lately. Check them out i Whelans this weekend, on Sunday, for 20 notes, tickets here

Glasvegas, Geraldine. See review a few posts lower.

And an oldie, but one that is stuck in my head:

Men At Work singer Colin Hay does Overkill. Might remember it from Scrubs, or the original Men At Work version. Yes, they did more than just I Come From A Land Down Underrrrr.

Thats it for now, might try to make this a regular feature though…