Wolfmother Live At Leeds 02 Academy - 18.01.10

Wolfmother Live At Leeds 02 Academy - 18.01.10

With constant Led Zeppelin/Black Sabbath comparisons to live up to, Wolfmother have always had an air of expectation surrounding them and Mondays Leeds Academy gig was no different.

Stepping onstage to rapturous applause they launched straight into debut album opener Dimension, immediately proving that not only was this not going to be a new album show, but also the live credentials of the bands new look.

With a fourth member added to the virtually new lineup even old songs were freshened up with a fuller live sound. Crowd favourites such as Woman and Joker & The Thief sounded bigger than ever and with excellent versions of new songs such as New Moon, 10,000 Feet and personal favourite Sundial, it was no suprise the hour and twenty minute set flew by like it they played for half the time.

There is nothing subtle or particularly original about Wolfmother but there doesn't need to be when their live performances are this polished. It's good old fashioned, in-your-face rock'n'roll at its best and as far as I'm concerned that's all that needs to be said.

Go get 'em Tiger!

Here we have a novel yet very catchy little song by Maino, which focuses on Tiger Woods more 'colourful' lifestyle...

Maino - Tiger Woods

Vampire Weekend - Contra

Vampire Weekend - Contra

I must admit I didn't pay much attention to Vampire Weekend's debut self-titled album and it was more through boredom than anything else that I decided to listen to new album, Contra. It's turning out to be one of the best decisions I've made this year.

Getting straight to the point, from start to finish Contra is an absolute triumph. From the tribal stomping opener Horchata to the down tempo piano tinkler Taxi Cab, it seems no instrument is safe from Vampire Weekend. Synth is everywhere, marimbas, piano, surf-guitar, afro-beat percussion and drenching string sessions stirred together with odd yet clever lyrics (rhyming "horchata" with "balaclava" for example...) propel them into even higher echelons of eccentricity.

At every turn it certainly is baffling how this record actually works. It's a direction fusion of processed 808 beats and natural world music and ska. But maybe it's for this exact reason the record does work. It's almost as if Vampire Weekend have said enough is enough to the tried and tested indie formulas that have seen lists of bands longer than both my arms come to prominence in the UK, and have gone so far the other way to making a record of such breezy enthusiasm it literally makes you feel like your are 1000 miles away from anything at all.

Like any polarizing band, there will be plenty of grumblings from anti-VW'enders but the fact remains that this will be a hugely successful record and even with it's January 11th release date, will be a sure fire certainty for every 2010 top album list.

9/10

Listen to one of my recommended tracks, Run, below...

A new year brings a fresh new start.

I lost all routine with the blog I started last year. So it doesn't just feel like routine doing it, I now endeavor to be more focused in my writing.

The end.

Julian Casablancas Live At Leeds Met - 10/12/09

Julian Casablancas Live At Leeds Met - 10/12/09

It was around four and half years ago since I saw The Strokes performing live, and bar my live experience with Albert Hammond Jr, this was the first time I'd seen anyone connected with The Strokes since.

The masses of equipment filled the stage to the point that Julian and his five band members could hardly move once they arrived. Regardless, the audience reaction was nothing short of hysterical once the main man walked on stage and opened with a typically rousing version of Ludlow St.

As expected, almost the entire set was made up of tracks taken from Phrazes For The Young, as well as a stripped down version of The Strokes' Ask Me Anything, which saw most of the band leave the stage for Julian to perform on his own. However, without doubt the set highlight was definitely an epic version of Glass, showcasing Julian's strongest crooning vocal talent as he tore through the song's chorus to the adorning crowd.

After leaving for a short break the band returned to the stage and finished on a festive note with his upbeat Christmas single I Wish It Was Christmas Today, which was actually a spontaneous choice after it was requested from one of the front rows.

When news first filtered through that Julian was releasing his own solo record, there were worried souls branding it the end of The Strokes as we knew it. But after those rumours were quashed by the man himself, and with such a quality record under his own belt, it wouldn't be a bad thing if some of it influenced the next Strokes offering.

Ok, I REALLY need to see this

Paranormal Activity!

WHY is it not showing in Leeds yet?!

No Ceilings

Lil Wayne's new mixtape.

Includes remixes of Jay-Z's D.O.A., Black Eyed Pea's Tonights Going To Be A Good Night and Beyonce's Sweet Dreams.

(Thanks Ella)