March 2009

Album Of The Month

Ladyhawke : Ladyhawke

It is arguably the hardest thing to accomplish in popular music. To write a great hook. That little 2-8 word ditty that reverberates in the listeners consciousness causing them firstly to sing along, and secondly to sing or hum it to themselves. All great music is replete with short codas of compelling melodies, notes or sounds. Even great classical music is built around great hooks (Da Da Da Dahhhhh!). Some do it effortlessly (The Beatles, Prince), while others go a lifetime of music production only producing one (The Final Countdown anyone?). Well our very own Ladyhawke (aka Pip Brown) has produced more than one. Her eponymous debut album contains twelve songs each and every one replete with its own distinctive hook.

Ladyhawke is a NZ solo artist currently trying to break into the tough UK market. She started her musical career with two friends as a grunge act named Two Lane Blacktop (not a bad name that) which she described as a cross between Iggy Pop and The Clash. She then split from the band and renamed herself Ladyhawke after a character played by Michelle Pfeiffer in a 1985 movie of the same name.

And she certainly seems to have found her niche. Her debut album is an absolute delight. Listening to it is like a catching a train rolling through the eighties. Its comfortable, languid and relaxing with much to see on both sides of the carriage. The first track, Magic sounds like a long lost New Order track from the early 80s. Then the third track My Delirium reverts to something more akin to The Bangles. It is followed by Better Than Sunday which belongs to the genre encompassing the robotic 80s synth pop like Human League or Gary Numan. But its all there, the aforementioned hooks, super synthesiser sounds, catchy lumpy beats, smooth and sophisticated vocals and layer upon layer of perfect production. Particular delights are the gorgeous My Delirium (video here), the ruinously catchy Back Of The Van and the cracking closer Morning Dreams.

The music is not the most original in the world but it is quite a trick to make something new instantly familiar and capable of being sung along to. In a world where we often expect more and receive less from our favourite bands, check out this unassuming kiwi lady who delivers more pop pleasures on one album than the Spice Girls managed in a career.

Listen or purchase here :

Try it if you like:
Blondie
The Bangles
The Pretenders

If you like this try :
The Ting Tings....................We Started Nothing
New York Pony Club...............Fantastic Playroom
CSS.................................Cansei Der Ser Sexy


Essential Classic Album

Together Alone : Crowded House

While writing about Ladyhawke, I kept trying to think of other Kiwi songsmiths who have the knack of writing great pop hits. A few come to mind. Jordan Luck is certainly there, as is Dave Dobbyn and probably the likes of Shona Laing, Bic Runga and Tim Finn. But probably the best songwriter we have produced is Tim's little brother, a certain Mr Neil Finn. So what better opportunity to highlight his finest achievement, Crowded House's Together Alone which sits comfortably in the Nevstars Top Ten Albums of All Time.

Crowded House were a deliberate attempt by Neil to move away from the complex sound of Split Enz. Their first two albums comprised simple pop songs with traditional song structures but great hooks. The third album, Woodface, with Tim Finn now added to the lineup was a significant step up with some more complex instrumentation, and lyrical intensity going up a notch. Combined with the best melody of a duo since Simon & Garfunkel, it is an outstanding album.

Faced with trying to top this effort, the band retired to a bach out on Aucklands West Coast and set about recording Together Alone. With the assistance of ex-Killing Joke member Youth as producer, what they came up with is their most complex yet most satisfying album. It features heavier guitars (some even recalling the Split Enz sound), and a heavy Pacific Island/Maori influence. Combined with gorgeous hooks, enticing and challenging lyrics, and exceptional variety, it is a record that stands frequent and repeated playings. There are numerous great songs on this record.

Rumours or apocryphal stories suggest that Neil himself considers Pineapple Head to be the finest song he ever wrote which is certainly saying something. It definitely stands tall, but then again Together Alone is a forest with all the songs standing tall seeking attention. There is the rocking In My Command, the Norwegian Wood ish (a high compliment) Nails In My Feet, the punkish Black & White Boy, the wondrous Fingers of Love, the aforementioned Pineapple Head followed by my other favourites like Locked Out, Private Universe, the single Distant Sun, Skin Feeling and then the gigantic closing track Together Alone. It really is an embarrassment of riches. Its why you should NEVER buy a Crowded House greatest hits because by all rights, this entire album would fill one side of it. It certainly proved hard to top as they waited fourteen years until 2007 before attempting a follow-up. Perhaps Neil knew that he could do no more with this format and needed to go in another direction.

The Nevstar still recalls the experience of buying this album when it came out. I asked the Marbecks attendant if it was any good. He replied that if Woodface was this close (holding his thumb and index figure an inch apart), then Together Alone was this close, upon which he closed his fingers almost together. The implication was clear. Perfection in a musical album is unobtainable, but Together Alone is close. Awfully close.

Listen to or purchase CD/mp3 here

If you like this try :
Crowded Face...........Woodface
The Stone Roses........The Stone Roses
The Beatles..............Rubber Soul

Top Ten List

There is a great scene in the film High Fidelity. Barry harrasses a potential client for asking for I Just Called To Say I Love You by Stevie Wonder and then asks the others for the Top Ten Worst Musical crimes perpetrated by formerly great artists. I was thinking of this when reading some recent reviews of Bruce Springsteens latest album which has been universally panned as tepid and dull. So what are the worst albums recorded by otherwise great artists? The Nevstar Top Ten this month is therefore the :

Top Ten Worst Albums from Otherwise Great Artists

10) Pearl Jam - Yield
I may be in the minority, as I dont consider Pearl Jam a great band, but they certainly sold a lot of albums and many consider Ten to be the pinnacle of grunge alongside Nirvana's Nevermind. So be it, but if they are that great, I challenge their fans to justify this effort. For a rock band, they dont seem to rock much and spend most of the album singing dull, soul-less folk ballads. Yawn.

9) David Bowie - Tonight
Following on from his multi-platinum smash Lets Dance, Bowie seems uncharacteristically idea-less on the album Tonight. Perhaps dance music is just not really his thing. Album is to be avoided almost completely. Just download the track Blue Jean.

8) Beatles -Yellow Submarine
As big a fan of The Beatles as I am, not everything they produced is essential. Yellow Submarine came at the height of the period of self-indulgent drug excess. Yellow Submarine is almost unlistenable particularly the second half. While the title track is perhaps the best known Beatles song (anyone over the age of five probably knows it), that is no excuse for subjecting loyal fans to the meaningless lyricless meandering of the last six tracks. Maybe it makes more sense on LSD.

7) The Rolling Stones - Dirty Work
With 26 studio albums, its perhaps inevitable that the worlds greatest rock band produced the odd dud. The eighties generally were a creative black hole for the Stones with only Tattoo You considered worthy of owning. Dirty Work was a comeback of sorts after three years away from each other and several solo albums. The whole album sounds tired and forced with little of the swerve and vigour which made them so compelling.

6) Muddy Waters - Electric Mud
For an artist normally fastidious about his sound, Muddy definitely succumbed to commercial pressure here. To build on his new found popularity with whites as a result of the British blues explosion, Chess re-recorded some Muddy Waters classics as electric guitar driven psychedelic tracks. Bad idea. A musical crime against humanity.

5) Pink Floyd - The Final Cut
There are a couple of albums from the Floyd which are, to put it nicely, hard work. The Final Cut is foremost among them. It is a dense and intense experience which easy to switch off and hard to love. Some claim it to be a triumph; others the final indulgence.

NB : I havent included the post Roger Waters albums for consideration as its not really the Floyd without him but listening to The Division Bell the first and only time was a lost hour of my life never to be recovered.

4) Bob Dylan - Self Portrait
Most artists yearn to be loved. Bob Dylan seems to have spent half his career trying to lose his audience and there is no better example than Self Portrait. A sprawling, cryptic, self-indulgent double album, Self Portrait came at the end of a period of incredible creativity and perhaps represents a singular upraised finger to those idolising him. This is one Dylan album which should definitely be avoided (along with Under The Red Sky).

3) The Clash - Cut The Crap
The sound of a band trying to recapture their youth ten years too late. Its almost unthinkable that a band that produced the essential classic London Calling which is brimful of diverse musical ideas, could also produce this. Formulaic, rote, lacking in charm, and a complete absence of originality. In fact an almost perfect replica of the trite that punk was supposed to replace. Even completists shouldnt own it on principle.

2) Lou Reed - Metal Machine Man
No album is worse than Metal Machine Man. The great Lou Reed, the grounding influence of Velvet Underground and issuer of some remarkable solo albums (Transformer, Berlin, New York) has one album in his catalog that defies comprehension. Its variously been described as the logical endpost for heavy metal, a precursor to industrial metal or simply the worst in-joke in music history. The album basically consists of two guitars' feedback being played at different speeds. The last of the four sided double album is 1.8 seconds of this looped continuously. It would be difficult to record anything more annoying (although Frank Zappa certainly tried). Like any art, people try to find some meaning in it, but they probably havent listened to it very much. If nothing else, its a great conversational piece.

1) Neil Young - Everybody's Rockin
Nosing out Lou Reed more on quantity than quality (or lack thereof) is the indisputably great Neil Young. Now lets be clear, I really rate Neil Young as my fawning review of his BDO performance will attest (see here) but of all the great artists in the list, none have produced more crap albums than Neil Young. And to David Geffen's immense disappointment, they were all released on his label during the 80s. Choosing one is difficult but lets examine the choices; Re-ac-tor (half baked confused effort with Neil understandably more focused on his recently disabled son), Trans (a futuristic mess), Everybody's Rockin (a tribute rockabilly album?), Old Ways (an ill-timed return to country rock when the country was getting into MTV), and Landing on Water (arguably the best which isnt saying much). At a push, we will go with Everybody's Rockin, an inexcusable, lamentable, mystifying effort at showcasing the Americana rockabilly genre.

If there was any doubt, all you need to say as the Prosecution is "Ladies and Gentlemen, we present to you Neil Young and the Shocking Pinks" and present the album cover:

What was he thinking?

So there you have it, the worst albums by the greatest artists. Have I missed any? Send me an email or leave a comment.


Feedback from Top Ten
I had a lot of great feedback from last months top ten which asked which were the most influential albums of all time. The most commonly cited albums appear below. Without passing comment on the merits of each, you could certainly make a case for any of the following being very influential and worthy of inclusion on such a list.


Suede - Suede
Nirvana - Nevermind
The Jimi Hendrix Experience - Are You Experienced?
Paul Simon - Graceland
Pink Floyd - Piper at Gates of Dawn
Bob Marley - Exodus
New Order - Technique

February 2009

Album of the Month

Feed The Animals - Girl Talk

It takes a rare talent to copy something and make it original. But that is just what mash-up experts Girl Talk have done on their fourth album, Feed The Animals. In a direct affont to the music industry, this album consists of nothing original comprising only of several hundred samples, all mashed together into a glorious kaleidoscope of the last 50 years of recorded music. It is a full sized smorgasboard of sound featuring just about every genre of music mashed together into a soundtrack of our musical lives. In all, they mix an estimated (or admitted), 322 different samples into the fourteen tracks somehow managing to grab the best moments of a truly mind-altering number of songs. And I thought I had a big collection of music.

And so what we find amongst the fourteen tracks is a cornucopia of the well known surrounded by less known. There is heavy metal and hair metal, hard rock and cheesy pop, rap and rock, disco and dance. You spend half the album tapping your toes, and the other half trying to name the song where that three note coda comes from. See here for Wikipedia's efforts to catalog some of the samples used.

The modus operandi is mainly the seguing of gangsta rap and hip hop spoken lyrics over familar pop hits. The harsh and provocative musings of black rappers is transcended somewhat when accompanied by the dulcet tones of Come on Eileen. The angry and inciteful language of Public Enemy is somewhat tempered by being intoduced by Heart's Magic Man. Its an intoxicating mixture and if you dont like something, wait ten seconds for the next familiar track to kick in. Its like a rapid fire game of Play Station's Buzz as you try and name that tune.

My personal favourite sample used has to be the drum intro to Rick Astley's toxic Never Gonna Give You Up which abruptly finishes just before Astley gets to sing. Now THAT is a someone who understands music as I always have a notion to stop that track as soon as I hear that drum roll. But to get some inkling of the range of artists, here are the ones used in the first minute of the fourth track "Whats It All About", Beyonce, DJ Funk, Queen, Beastie Boys, Phil Collins, Busta Rhymes, The Police and The Cure. Not a collection of artists you probably listen to on your way to work.

Producer Gregg Gillis paid no royalties on the samples he used, (how could he possibly), striking an extremely liberal interpretation on the 'fair use' principle of copyright law. In turn he has made the music available for whatever you think its worth. Click here to access the download and pay whatever amount you want. Click on $0.00 if for no other reason to see the list of options for reasons why you wont pay one brass wazoo for something so good. Download it now, but how about rewarding his creativity by parting with a few of your hard earned dollars.

The mash-up has developed into an artform in its own right. Like most art it runs the range from magnificent glorious masterpieces to cover-your-eyes awful. Where does Girl Talk's effort fit on that scale? Well if Feed The Animals was a painting, we would be gazing at it in a world class gallery and buying a book on it while exiting the gift shop. Its that good.


Essential Classic Album

It Takes A Nation of Millions To Hold Us Back - Public Enemy

It all begins here. If you want an insight to understanding the immensity of emotion that rap induces in its followers, put this album on your turntable. Its the essential and only rap album you need. Giving voice to a nation of disaffected youths, it is the soundtrack of a forgetten and downtrodden generation urging, cajoling, nay demanding, that they rise up and allow their voices to be heard. Rarely has a record so accurately captured the provocative and rebellious attitude of an entire race.

Chuck D and Flavour Flav did not invent rap but they certainly focused its power as a political force in its own right. Combining elements of free jazz, funk and hip hop with sharp and insightful lyrics, it is the equivalent of an Inauguration Speech for the other America. Those that arent living the American dream of BBQ's and baseball. Those for whom cops are tormentors, not protectors. Those whose only dream is to live till their thirties.

There are a number of standout tracks amongst the overtly political track list, but my personal favourites are the anthemic, confrontational "Dont Believe The Hype" and then the last track "Party for Your Right To Fight" which neatly encapsulates the urgency and motivation behind the call to arms. Revolutions start with the voicing of dissatisfaction with the ruling elite.

It is twenty years since the album is released. One would guess that its power would be diminished in these slightly more enlightened times when a black kid can actually aspire to become President of the United States. But that is plainly short-sighted and if we cant see, we cant care. The problems they sing about are still issues of the day as blacks in America are still, in large part, a disenfranchised creed. This is their political manifesto reinterpreting and updating James Brown's "Im Black and Im Proud".

The album starts with a quote from Malcolm X, the full version of which is

"It's just like when you've got some coffee that's too black, which means it's too strong. What do you do? You integrate it with cream, you make it weak. But if you pour too much cream in it, you won't even know you ever had coffee. It used to be hot, it becomes cool. It used to be strong, it becomes weak. It used to wake you up, now it puts you to sleep."

It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back is thus the lyrical equivalent of that cup of black coffee; powerful, strong, united and boiling hot.

Top Ten List

While writing about Public Enemy, it struck me that there is a difference between the greatest albums and the most influential. Sometimes an album will blaze a trail only for others to successfully follow. Its like cutting a track up a mountain only to see someone else scale that mountain and claim the spoils of glory and everlasting fame.

So it set me thinking as to what were the most INFLUENTIAL albums of all time. Albums that created a musical genre, changed the way musicians play, or simply made a lot of kids want to pick up a guitar. Its an immensely subjective and emotive issue, but here are the Nevstar's

Top Ten Most Influential Albums of All Time

10. Elvis Presley - The Sun Sessions
Its influence cannot be underestimated. You basically had a white country boy with a 'black' voice, steeped in gospel rockabilly and country playing speeded up blues. It was nothing less than the template for rock and roll, which became kinda big.

9. Sex Pistols - Never Mind The Bollocks
Music has disappeared up its collective arse in the early 70s only for that comfort to be shattered by four misogynist punks (in both senses of the word). Rock and roll was exciting again, as rock dinosaurs met their very own meteorite.

8. Public Enemy - Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back
As above, nothing less than a riotous call to arms. Rappers and their music can change the world.

7. Herbie Hancock - Headhunters
All keyboardists prior to performing probably offer a silent prayer to the master of fusion who changed the way keyboards and pianos would be played forever more.

6. Miles Davis - A Kind Of Blue
Not an exaggeration to say that every jazz album released since owes it a debt. Took musicianship to a whole new level and demanded that jazz players obtain a very high level of competence before practicing their art. 50 years after its release, its still the best jazz album of all time without any question.

5. Led Zepellin - Led Zepellin I
I listed about three or four different Led Zep albums in this slot (II, IV and Physical Graffiti have worthy claims as well), but ultimately it was their first album which provided the template for two dominating musical trends. The launch of heavy rock (which became ultimately heavy metal), and the worship of guitar gods.

4. Kraftwerk - Trans-Europe Express
Again, arguably not their best album, but certainly their most influential. Effectively created the template for all electronica music combining repeating melodic loops with incessant rhythms and understated vocals. Immensely enjoyable and accessible to this day.

3. Bob Dylan - Bringing It All Back Home
That the power of electric rock and roll should return was an anaethma to the flower power folkies; but having one of their own spearhead the drive was too much to handle. Booed lustily after plugging in, Dylan showed us a new direction home and proved that you sometimes need to leave your fans behind.

2. The Beatles - Sgt Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band
The Beatles arguably made better albums (Revolver for one) but this was by far their most influential. It is ground zero for two rather important musical trends. The first was the use of the studio as separate instrument. Most bands recorded output was indistinguishable from their live act; The Beatles deliberately set out to create music that could not be performed live using a wide array of studio tricks and techniques. Secondly, they started the whole issue of a concept album which was expanded upon by all manner of 70s acts.

1. Velvet Underground - Velvet Underground & Nico
As the saying goes, not many people bought the album, but those that did, started their own bands. The very definition of influential. In a setting provided by art house supremo Andy Warhol, Lou Reed and his colleagues settled in and recorded an immensely personal and reflective album. Featuring songs pushing the boundaries of social commentary and sexual realism, it is a perfect record. Their recorded output led to everything from punk to the predominance of singer-songwriters.

Honourable mentions:

David Bowie - Ziggy Stardust & The Spiders From Mars
Robert Johnson - King of Delta Blues Guitar
Marvin Gaye - Whats Going On
Primal Scream - Screamadelica
Bee Gees - Saturday Night Fever
Michael Jackson - Thriller
Beach Boys - Pet Sounds
Spice Girls - Spice (yes I know, but it set the standard for modern marketing of music abhorrent as that may seem)

Thats it for another month. Hope you have enjoyed the latest Nevstar Music Guide. Leave a comment on any of the above if you want to comment, criticize or compliment, and please forward to any other like-minded music fans.

Nevstar

January 2009 - Part I

Special Edition : Big Day Out Review Part I

A highlight of summer is the numerous music festivals and one of the longest running in New Zealand is the annual Big Day Out. This year shaped up as one of the best for years from my perspective. The headliner, Neil Young, is a certified rock and roll legend but he would be accompanied by several bands (Prodigy, Arctic Monekys, Bullet For My Valentine, Fantomas) noted for their tremendous live shows. Then there were several acts who delivered critically acclaimed albums in 2008 (TV On The Radio, My Morning Jacket and Ting Tings) as well as perhaps the strongest line-up of New Zealand bands yet seen at the Big Day Out. As a result, I was very excited as the train delivered me to the doorstep of Mt Smart Stadium on a perfect summers day.

Unfortunately with 90 odd bands it is impossible to see every act. As always, there were some regrettable conflicts. My approach has generally been to ask the question, ‘Who am I less likely to be able to see in the future?’. The downside to this inescapable piece of logic is that you do tend to give short shrift to kiwi bands who regularly perform up and down the country. So my apologies to The Mink Chicks, Weta, Luger Boa, Cornerstone Roots, Headless Chickens, Ladi 6, Nesian Mystik and P-Money all of whom I missed this year. I promise to check out you guys as soon as possible!

One special aspect about the BDO is that with six stages in almost continuous use, no two people have the exact same experience. As such it can be frustrating to read the next day that Zane Lowe played an incredible set, or that Prodigy were off the wall, that Lupe Fiasco was the CANT MISS performance of the day. Well unfortunately, I did miss it, but that’s the simultaneous charm and frustration of the event. So for those who werent there, or were there, but didn’t see what I saw, here is MY 13 hour, 14 band Big Day Out odyssey.

Clap Clap Riot
We arrived reasonably early on to see the last ten minutes of New Zealand band Clap Clap Riot. Winners of the MTV ‘Kick Start Your Career’ competition, they play a 60s influenced indie rock fare. Such an early slot is a mixed blessing for some bands; no one is there yet and so its hard to ‘go off’ but then, as a band member, you can probably enjoy the rest of the day as a fan with VIP credentials. CCR played a rhythmically driven set culminating in their strongest song, ‘Sorry’. Our vantage point (the, ahem, beer tent) didn’t afford us the best spot sonically (see below) but they sounded competent and engaging.
7/10

Autozamm
One of the bands I highlighted as ‘Must See’ were Autozamm who played the 11.30am slot on the top stage. They released a 2008 album called Drama Queen which received a couple of half decent reviews and always catches my eye in stores, mainly because it is a complete rip-off of the colour scheme from Franz Ferdinands first single. However, their live act has been hailed on the summer circuit and so I got up reasonably close to see what all the fuss was about. They are quite a beguiling mix. Three guitars and drums are pretty standard, but an additional dedicated keyboardist is slightly unusual, particularly when one of the songs is opened by a very Mozartish sounding piano intro. As a result, some of the songs are dirty hard rock (the opener sounded like a Datsuns rip-off) while others have a more synthesised 80s pop sound. Combined with quite a busy stage presence of the three guitarists and they were never boring on stage. They also earned rock and roll credit points by welcoming their new drummer. Apparently he replaced the original drummer who went off to have a baby. “That’s not very rock and roll is it?” the lead singer bantered with the crowd. I was just about to write down a 7/10 in my book when the lead singer introduced the last song with “We are going to play this because we can” leaving the keyboardist to launch into the familiar synthesiser beginning of Van Halen’s ‘Jump’. Absolute quality and had the crowd bouncing around for the first time today. Enough to change the mark to an 8!
8/10

The Naked And The Famous
This duo (who are a four piece live) have received much critical raving for their initial debut EP This Machine and follow up No Light. They are also very noticeable in record shops with striking cover art adorning both releases. However, the set was pretty disappointing. They were not the first nor the last to suffer from the appalling sound on the top two stages. Unlike previous years where the bottom field was the main culprit for underwhelming acoustics, this year the sound at the top two stages was appalling. You basically had, HAD to be within a 20 metre radius of the centre of the stage to hear the music in anything like the correct balance. Too far back or too far either side of the speakers saw the concertgoers battered with a particularly disaffecting sonic agglomeration of sound. In particular, the fuzzy low frequency bass became extremely distorting and disturbing, overpowering the aural output of everything else (lead, rhythm, synthisiser, vocals). Very frustrating for an artists’ attempts to put on a good show. Thus it was hard to judge the quality of their output. They looked to be a band reliant on layered sounds which simply had no show in this arena. As a result, seems to be one act that you should listen to on your perfectly balanced surround sound system at home.
5/10

Black Kids
My days first major scheduling conflict (The Tutts were playing at the same time) was resolved in favour of descending to the main stage to watch The Black Kids. Hailing from Jacksonville, Florida, The Black Kids followed a similar path to fame as the Arctic Monkeys who would play later on the same stage. They released some of their first songs onto the internet where their popularity saw them landed with a major record contract which led to their critically acclaimed release Partie Traumatic. Although only two of them are actually black, they have a rather striking line-up on stage. Two boys stand to the left and play guitar while leading the vocals, while two girls stand to the right behind two keyboards while a drummer sits behind and astride them both, providing balance and direction. The music is infectious bouncy rock similar to Franz Ferdinand in their more poppy moments or perhaps like Soft Cell from the 80s. In fact the lead vocalist has a strong voice with a hint of tiredness reminding me more of The Psychedelic Furs.

The best track was their smash hit Im Not Going To Teach Your Boyfriend How To Dance which prompted (of all things), a conga line in front of the main stage. Havent seen that before! Thus it was a really enjoyable set from a band who seemed absolutely delighted to be here in New Zealand and seemed to genuinely appreciate the warm reception they received from the crowd. Christian Datsun from The Datsuns was directly in front of us, so they have certainly got more than a few musically adept people interested in their antics.
8/10

Elemeno P
One of the hardest working bands in New Zealand, Elemeno P were rewarded with a mid afternoon main stage slot for the first time. They entered the arena with lead singer, Dave Gibson extremely well dressed in a tie for the occasion. Elemeno P are the The Exponents of this generation. They have manic energy, lots of hooks, and mandatory singalongs. A good sized crowd took them into their hearts and participated enthusiastically in the bands efforts to get them singing their songs with them.

Their best track is still ‘11:57’ which had the crowd pogoing up and down where space allowed but they also debuted some new material including a track called “Pay For It”. It was at this point that they sort of lost me. They now seem to intent on writing songs with the objective of merely having it sung back to them. Quality songwriting will do that anyway; who wouldve thought “I Bet That You Look Good On The Dancefloor” would become a singalong. Simplifying your output so you can have a stadium of teenagers remember the three words they need to sing the song back to the band doesn’t seem to be a ticket to superstardom. I enjoyed their show, and like some of their songs, but I ultimately want more from my favourite bands.
7 / 10

The Ting Tings
The best way to get into a fight at the BDO was to ask people want they thought of The Tings Tings. There was no middle ground and little indifference. People either adored them or despised them. The former think they are melodic genuises, writing, composing and performing ridiculously catchy, joyous effervescent pop gems. The latter think that represent all that is wrong with modern popular music; saccharine sugary pop reminiscent of advertising jingles best reserved for ten year olds wanting something more challenging than the Mickey Mouse Club. However, despite a couple of t-shirts spotted with the catchphrase “F**k the Ting Tings”, a very big crowd assembled on the top field to see this British pair.

Playing just about every song from their debut album, We Started Nothing, they brought an unbridled energy to this tough afternoon slot. Lead singer Katie White is tiny, but absolutely smoking hot which might partially explain some of their appeal to at least half of the crowd. But she is not just a pretty face, handling the majority of the vocals and spending time on bass and lead guitar as well as a cowbell at one point. Drummer Jules de Martino, a heartthrob in his own right to the female and non-traditional male fans, provides dynamic support, drumming up a storm while providing backing vocals on most tracks. Highlight of the set was the smash single, That’s Not My Name which had everyone singing and dancing with these two dynamic performers.

In the end, both sides to the argument have a point. The Ting Tings are nothing but trashy pop music unlikely to change lives, or save souls. But its awfully catchy and played awfully well. Whats the harm in having a cheeky bit of fun every now and then.

8 /10

Pendulum
A Big Day Out is made by two experiences in this humble correspondents view. Discovering a great new band you want to know more about, and having those ‘OMFG’ moments which transcend mere musical entertainment. Those moments when you come away from the set a jabbering idiot with an apoplectic look on your face, wild eyes, sweaty shirt and shaky limbs somehow stammering out over and over “How F**KING good was that !!!!”.

It is a rare band that combines the two as familarity with a bands musical output is normally an antecedent to losing the plot. However, that was before I saw Pendulum. Without much doubt, the biggest surprise of the day and I came to see them completely by accident. This was actually supposed to be my only down time of the day. With three friends, we headed to the bar at the back of the main field and grabbed a couple of beers so we could chill out while watching the festivities. We soon noticed that the field seemed to be awfully full for the upcoming band. Who are they? Pendulum. Some Australian (well Perth anyway), nu-metal drum and bass band I was informed. Sounded worse than a dental appointment for a root canal to me.

And then…. they unleashed the fury. Sitting in our seats more than 150m away, we were assaulted by a blast wave of sound and energy which did not let up for the full hour. Unfreaking believable. Our vantage point enabled us to watch in amazement as the entire field, now completely full of punters, started bouncing and cavorting ecstatically; their bodies plugged directly into the volcanic emission of noise spewing out all over them. And then we noticed the crowds in the East and West stand were also standing and dancing. And so were the people behind us. Everyone was going crazy with the avalanche of energy, speed and sound supplied by these Aussie madmen.

How to describe the music? It’s the musical equivalent of listening to the Hadron Supercollider perform. A giant ring of power circulating trillions and trillions of atoms constantly smashing together at the speed of light and we had a front row seat to the inevitable violent collision. Its like they studied the best of house, metal, trance, reggae, rock, drum n bass and took only the bits that cause fans to jump around manically and mashed it all together. In fact one of the tracks played was a remix of Metallica’s ‘Slam’ from Master of Puppets (see essential video here).

Pendulum arent a band in the traditional sense, but more a noise producing super machine with merely human attendants. Its not just about the noise, it’s the energy too. Indeed their sound system seemed to require so much energy, that the big screen next to the stage had periodic blackouts! Gigantic, pulverising beats played at warp speed before getting louder and faster and then getting louder and faster again. It was the Ramones combined with Iron Maiden crossed with Rammstein turned up loud.

The organisers were queried and chastised somewhat pre-show for putting Pendulum on the main stage rather than in the Boiler Room. But they had it exactly right. No one was immune. Everyone wanted it, everybody got it, no one will forget it. The biggest crowd in the day time that I have ever seen at BDO hailed them rightly as lordly gods of fury.

Im not remotely doing it justice so let me put it this way; I had never heard of the band before I arrived for the day, can barely stand the genre, didn’t know one song of their set, was at least 150 metres from the stage and it was one of the best BDO experiences I have ever had. Right up there with Iggy Pop in 2006 and The Flaming Lips in 2004.

So check them out, but don’t ever miss a chance to see them live. OMFG!

11 / 10

And I stand by that grade. Honestly, it was off the scale. Just like Spinal Tap, they had it turned up to eleven from the start.

Pendulum - Blood Sugar (1:49)




TV On The Radio
Oh boy, TV On The Radio must have loved the organisers for putting them on after Pendulum. In retrospect, it was a no-win from the start. Firstly the massive crowd took almost 20 minutes to exit so fans of TV On The Radio struggled to even get near the stage. And anything was going to be a let down after Pendulum. Playing mainly songs from their latest album Dear Science, TV On The Radio are perhaps a band better heard on your stereo. So much of their music involves careful and precise layering of delightful sounds, adroit samples and jaunty rhythms. In stadiums, it tends to distintergrate into an ambiguous mess, less sonic symphony and more clashing cymbals. They played with energy (despite the effects of a 36 hour flight the day before), were genuinely enthusiastic and are clearly a band with immense musical talent. But on the day, it just didnt do it for me (nor any of my companions).

So a slight let down perhaps. It wasnt really their fault but they would have been better served performing on the smaller Top Stage. They are not a stadium act trying to get you to jump around. They are an extremely talented and musically diverse band aiming to inspire and entertain with their clever lyrics, musical interplay and charming counter points. Clearly a very talented group, but not the best show of the day.
7/10

TV On The Radio - DLZ (2:28)




The Datsuns
My favourite live act of the last few years has to be The Datsuns. The boys from Cambridge have given me five OMG moments in five attempts. This was my second time our paths crossed over the summer after catching them at Rhythm and Vines festival where they played an absolutely monumental set which left me jabbering away to anyone who would listen. Today, they were not quite at that peak, but certainly were worthy of their late afternoon main stage slot. It took them a few songs to get into it, but that was partly sound related. The guitar track seemed strangely distant from the rest of the sound, as if it was being played from a speaker from behind you while the rest of the music was coming from in front. Quite disconcerting and made it harder to emerge yourself into the performance.

However, after that was rectified by about the third track, they climbed into their work. Dolf de Datsun's vocals are the equal of any NZ rock vocalist past or present, and he was in fine voice today. Scorching through Hong Kong Fury (the only decent track of album #2), Sittin Pretty and then System Overload, they had everyone up close and a few beyond moshing frenetically to keep pace with the band. The only down moment was for Following The People when Christian Datsun hops off lead guitar and onto the keyboard synthesiser thereby mellowing out the sound and with it, the crowd. However they were straight back into it with Waiting For Time which was outstanding and features Christian showing he has mastered the difficult art of slide guitar followed by a version of In Love with Dolf standing on the speakers for maximum impact. Brilliant stuff.

Several years of continuous touring have turned them into a formidable live act. Very reluctantly, with My Morning Jacket beckoning, I bade farewell to my favourite NZ band 2/3 of the way through their set and headed up to the upper level. A top shelf performance from a top drawer band marred only slightly by the sound problems and having to leave early.
8/10

My Morning Jacket
Well, this was almost a disaster. Arriving slightly late after a dash up the stairs to the top level, I made my way to see one of the anticipated acts of the day. As profiled, in an earlier Nevstar Music Guide, My Morning Jacket have released several astonishingly eclectic and diverse albums with the otherwordly It Still Moves ranking highly as one of my all-time personal favourites. But from my immediate vantage point way off to the left, the sound was again, absolutely horrible. It was ok at low volume during the intimate moments, but every time the music lifted in tempo, it conglomerated into an amorphous, bass dominated, feedback laden cacophony of wretchedness.

Fortunately, through the charging efforts of one of my companions who showed immense leadership, we plunged determinedly through the mellow crowd so that we were soon ten metres from the front of the stage, right in the middle. Much, much, much better. Now we could hear the music, appreciate its subtley, recognise the musicianship, hear the melodies, and start to have our faith rewarded as we took in the respective talents on display before us. We were fixated by their insanely energetic guitar jamming, the resounding strength yet also exquisite tenderness of the vocals, the complicated and intricate keyboard work and the big woolley bear of a man striking his drums with seemingly pathological hatred (and continously requesting more volume, very rock and roll!).

Playing several songs each from their albums It Still Moves, Z and their most recent Evil Urges, My Morning Jacket were as good, if not better than advertised combining manic energy with bouts of quiet intimacy. Revitalising and reinvigorating everyone all at once.

For the last couple of tracks, lead singer Jim James, who looks like a love child of Simply Red’s Mick Hucknall and The Pretender’s Chrissie Hydne, donned a rather shapeless hooded cape. Completely covering himself during the verses, he emerged for the choruses with flair and a flourish accentuating the stepped up vocals. Not sure of the message within. Was he the Caped Crusader for indie music, paying homage to James Brown or simply showing off his own “morning jacket”.

All too soon it came to an end with a rousing version of Highly Suspicious culminating in the most furious guitar duelling seen all day outside of a certain Mr Young. The crowd was spellbound, and I wasn’t sure how such a quiet, intensely personal band had somehow rocked us all. A quite brilliant show.

9/10

January 2009 - Part II

Big Day Out Review : Part II

Simian Mobile Disco
A Big Day Out must is to spend some time in the Boiler Room. A more apt moniker is hard to think of as its hot and sweaty from the start. Its a nascent netherworld of light and sound mashed together transporting you to a different time and dimension. You can dance, sway, rock, trip, waltz, pogo, or combinations thereof. A place to be at one with the sound or the crowd. With a busy schedule, I only had time for one trip and thus selected one of my favourite dance acts, Simian Mobile Disco. Thus I ducked into the big tent to attach myself to the conjoining masses.

Perhaps not as well known as some other Boiler Room acts, Simian Mobile Disco are a duo who put out a very strong release, Attack Decay Sustain Release in 2007. It’s a fantastic dance album and I highly recommend it, but its also a great title as that’s basically the standard template for Dance DJs. Firstly, Attack with a outpouring of frenetic energy to ramp up the crowd, then slowly Decay that moment bringing the crowd down a touch, then Sustain the tension with a gradually building wall of sound before finally initiating the Release of all the pent up angst, rage and emotion in an explosion of sound and deep dark dirty bass. And that’s exactly what they did. Perfect mixing from Simian Mobile Disco took us up and then down, along and then up, Up, and UP !! Aaaaaaaaaaaaaghhhhhhh.

A half hour later, I emerged a sweaty mess albeit re-energised and reinvigorated for the final part of the day. This is my church.
8/10

The Living End
For what seems like the 20th consecutive year, The Living End were again amongst the list of Big Day Out artists and they somehow made it as third billing on the main stage. Someone must really like them, but its not me. Determined to get a spot up close and personal for the Monkeys and Neil show to follow on the main stage, I found myself taking in the second half of their show. Its not that they arent competent, its not that they didn’t try hard. Its just, well, they are really quite dull. Its clean, overproduced rock by rote that they’ve done a thousand times before and it feels like it. Rock has moved on, so should they.
3/10

Arctic Monkeys
8.00pm brought about the biggest schedule dilemma of the day. On the top stage were NZ band Weta, purveyors of one of my favourite albums, Geographica. In the Boiler Room were the immensely talented UK electro pop act Hot Chip and then on the main stage were the Arctic Monkeys. After much gnashing of teeth, I settled on the polar primates if for no other reason to be up front and close for the Neil show to follow.

Few people are unaware of the Arctic Monkeys, a band that didn’t exist five years ago. That’s quite a impact from four young guys from Sheffield of all places. This is their third trip to New Zealand but first time that I have managed to get to see them so I was looking forward to seeing how they fared. On they came, all smiles and charm and you are immediately shocked by how young they look. Even after three years in the industry spotlight, composing songs which are bywords for the Y Generation, they look all of about seventeen. With a quick “Hello Auckland”, they got straight down to it launching into This House Is Circus before playing a set mixing several new tracks (Dangerous Animals, Pretty Visitors) with the ones they became famous for. Standout song is still I Bet That You Look Good On The Dancefloor which got everyone around me dancing, and virtually everyone singing along too. Biggest surprise of their show was a rather cocky cover of Nick Cave’s Red Right Hand off his essential Let Love In album. That I did not expect but it was excellent.

But their own material is what we were here for. And it really is quite simple rock and roll. Unsophisticated, unadorned guitar based sound wrapped tightly around withering staccato delivery of sharp and insightful lyrics without any attention seeking stage antics. Whats not to like ? So why wasn’t I moved ? They finished their set and I was left with a “Is that it” feeling? I concluded that they really don’t suit stadium rock. They are not overpowering or overly loud but cheeky, good humoured and mischievous. They arent looking to blow you away, just make you clap, dance and sing. They played a gig at the Powerstation the previous night and, much like their ertswhile counterparts, Franz Ferdinand a couple of years earlier, that was probably a better environment to really appreciate their talents and charms. An immensely gifted band and much to like about them but not a vintage performance.
7/10

Arctic Monkeys - Dancing Shoes (0:26)



Neil Young
From the moment the artist list was announced, the most anticipated moment was going to be as Neil Young strode onto the main stage to close the festival. So as the Arctic Monkeys headed off, an artist 40 years their senior walked on having promised to play a Greatest Hits set. I knew Neil must be getting close because the cigarettes being smoked around me started to smell different! Certainly a few ageing hipsters had made their way to the main arena, but quite a few of the kids too. And why not? Almost every band which play electric guitars owe a partial debt to Neil Young who didnt necessarily invent electric rock and roll, but certainly made it indispensable.

You really only need to outline the set list to get some idea of how magical the event was. It went something like this: Love And Only Love / Hey Hey, My My / Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere / Powderfinger / Spirit Road / Cortez The Killer / Cinnamon Girl / Oh, Lonesome Me / Mother Earth / The Needle And The Damage Done / Heart Of Gold / Old Man / Get Back To The Country / Cowgirl In The Sand / Just Singing A Song / Rockin' In The Free World / Encore: A Day In The Life .

Personally, I was mesmerised from the start not so much by the songs, but by the guitar playing. You only really appreciate his messianic guitar playing ability seeing it live. He mashes his guitar with a visceral rawness, a primeval passion. He loves his guitar, he loves playing it and it really, really shows. And boy can he play that thing.

In a show of many memorable moments, three in particular stand out. Hey Hey, My My is one of those iconic songs that you have heard a thousand times. But there is nothing to compare hearing it live in concert under a perfect starlit night surrounded by thousands of devotees. An incredible moment which lived up to expectations as it was the one song that he absolutely had to play. Similarly Heart of Gold was perfection but only after an imperfect start. Launching into it, his harmonica kept slipping and so he humbly requested our forebearance while he fixed it. Everyone had their phones and cameras out to record the simple, elegant melody of this beautiful song.

And finally, we were treated to one more timeless moment when he came back for an encore. After a perfect performance of the anthemic Rockin In The Free World, he disappeared only to return for an unexpected encore. And it was none other than The Beatles' A Day In The Life! Incredible. One of my favourite artists playing one of my favourite songs. And it was an astonishing version as well, soaring, chilling, cathartic. A magical thrilling conclusion to an amazing day.

10/10

Neil Young - Heart of Gold (4.12)


Neil Young - Hey Hey My My (1:48)


Neil Young - A Day In The Life (0:58)


And so to the awards:

Best T-Shirt Seen – An Orange staring at a glass of Orange Juice with the caption “Is that you Mum?”
Best Outfit – One individual came as The Joker from Dark Knight. His paint leaching as the day rolled on only increased the effect
Best Band – My Morning Jacket
Best Performance - Pendulum
Best Moment – Neil Young covering A Day In The Life
Best Surprise – Autozamm playing Van Halen’s Jump
Best Solo – Christian Datsun on In Love
Best Track – A Day In The Life
Best Experience I Will Take To Grave – Hey Hey My My live

And so it ends until next year. Any day when you’ve seen your all time favourite NZ band, a monumental live performance from one of the worlds leading bands, a legitimate legend of rock and roll preceded earlier in the day by an OMFG moment from a band you’ve never heard of, you’ve had a pretty good day. In fact, you’ve had a Big Day Out. Funny that.

Nevstar

December 2008

Christmas Edition

Perhaps a coincidence or perhaps not, but the shameless consumerism of Christmas is perfectly timed to coincide with endless year end "Best of" lists. This enables all manner of media and distribution outlets to help holiday season sales by trying to convince consumers that they have missed buying some of their best offerings during the year.

The Nevstar Music Guide, of course, rises above such tasteless low class shameless consumerism. It exists as an unsullied beacon of pure appreciation of the art of music without catering to product pushing corporate types. Thus my annual Top Ten list merely seeks to introduce yet more albums to your arena of awareness. If you happen to think one might be a good purchase for your kid sister, then I take pleasure in helping solve your present buying unease.

So in this special edition, the December Nevstar Music Guide consists of a Top Ten list only, showcasing the absolute best albums of 2008.

Top Ten List

2007 was a fantastic year for music. As thus, last years Top Ten was packed with essential releases. Similarly this year, I had quite a bit of an effort to reduce it down to a mere ten. Any top ten list for the year is of course hugely subjective. Firstly everyone has different tastes, but more importantly, no two people are exposed to the exact same group of albums each year. You can only rate those you actually listened to. My net is usually pretty wide; but for example, I have only heard 24 of Q Magazine's Top 50 albums for 2008. Thus there are probably some very fine albums which I might have missed including great releases from, amongst others, The Verve, Jenny Lewis, Adele, Keane, Coldplay, and The Hold Steady. Some even have suggested the latest Oasis album is a welcome return to form!

Anyway, with these limitations in mind, and without further ado, here are :

Nevstar Top Ten Albums of 2008

10. The Golden Age : American Music Club

The album of the month way back in March has remained in my good graces throughout the year to make the Top Ten for 2008. American Music Club led by singer / songwriter Mark Eitzel have crafted a set of gorgeous, quiet, introspective songs each containing equal measures of heart and soul. Sort of album which warrants putting a reminder alert on your Outlook to prompt yourself to listen to this scintillating music at least once a month.
See March review in full here :

Best Track : Decibels and Little Pills

Try it if you like : Grant Lee Buffalo, Elliott Smith, Neil Young (in his quieter moments)

Listen or buy here


9. Seventh Tree : Goldfrapp

Interesting to note that the iTunes lists Goldfrapp's first two albums as electronica and this latest release as part of the pop genre. But its right on the mark. In a noticeable change of pace, this latest album from the former dance floor queen consists more of charming acoustic numbers accompanied by her plaintive, earnest vocals. However it remains challenging and rewarding. The album is like a long hot bath enticing the listener to delve into its depths and luxuriate in its warmth.

Best Track : Little Bird

Try this if you like : Beth Gibbons, Portishead, Beck

Listen to or buy here


8. Dear Science : TV On The Radio

Dear Science, is the third album from TV On The Radio whose core is a talented duo, Tunde Adepimbe and Kyp Malone. Hailing from New York, these two provide the hypnotic vocals which dominate some of the songs, but are servants to the sound on others. The album is difficult to describe as it efficiently and effectively mixes a variety of styles into a stylish whole. Elements of atmospheric pop, punk, reggae and electronica wizardry make up the second effort of TV on The Radio. You could compare it to watching a bonfire filled with firecrackers. It initially lulls and mesmerises with continual movement, never repetitive or predictable before shocking and surprising with spectacular bursts of colours. One of the better tracks is Red Dress, which starts with a sexy reggae beat before branching out with horns and organ as the chorus sustains and amplifies the funky beat.

Best Track : Red Dress

Listen To It If You Like : Supergroove, Phoenix Foundation, Mercury Rev

Listen or buy here


7. Weezer : Weezer

This is the third eponymous album from Weezer, and shall forever be known as the Red Album following the debut Blue album and the Green album (their third). Whether deliberate or not (and one would think it is), the eponymous albums are generally sunnier slices of intelligent pop music whereas their other albums (Pinkerton, Maladroit and Make Believe) are darker in tone and feel. The Red Album is a welcome addition to the former collection replete with their razor sharp wit and fast moving melodies. They are fully aware that, as rockstars, they exist to be full of themselves. If you liked Weezers earlier recordings, you will definitely like this. Charming.

Best Track : Pork and Beans

Try this if if you like : Supergrass, Elvis Costello

Listen or buy here


6. You and I : Cut Off Your Hands

Hailing from kiwi-land, Cut Off Your Hands have been based in London working hard on the live circuit to establish themselves. This is their debut album which is a gem incorporating various elements of indie based alternative music. The songs have a freshness and vigour bouncing along enthusiastically before finishing after about three minutes. Their rather eclectic name is a result of a threatened lawsuit from a band called The Shaky Hands which was their original moniker. Never mind, they are a welcome addition to the burgeoning list of talented kiwi bands.

Best Track : Happy As Can Be

Try this if you like : The Strokes, Franz Ferdinand

Listen or buy here.


5. In The Future : Black Mountain

When compiling the Top Ten for 2008 I almost overlooked this effort which came out very early in the year. Probably a deliberate oversight as this album sounds like it should be in the Top Ten for 2014 ! In The Future is Black Mountain's ambitious attempt to combine soaring space age progressive rock with hardcore heavy metal rock. The outcome is glorious; generating intimidating moments of sheer power and majesty before charming the listener with baroque movements of discernment and disdain. Quiet a beguiling combination.
See April review in full here :

Best Track : Wucan

Try it if you like : Pink Floyd, David Bowie, Dandy Warhols

Listen or buy here


4. Rockferry : Duffy

With the very public implosion of Amy Winehouse, someone had to inherit the title of UK's soul queen. And Duffy is a more than adequate replacement. While the single Mercy was ubiquitous in 2008, the rest of the album is filled with other soulful brooding tracks giving full range to a talented band and her wonderful voice. My personal favourite is the title track, Rockferry, which opens the album. It has a wonderful relaxed feel as if the singer is contemplating the world with a weary tear stained eye. It reminded me of Marianne Faithfulls best work. Tremendous album which sustains multiple listens.

Best Track : Rockferry

Try this if you like : Aretha Franklin, Amy Winehouse, Joss Stone

Listen or buy here


3. Narrow Stairs : Death Cab For Cutie

The Nevstar album of the month in July, Narrow Stairs is the latest slice of accomplished art from the understated yet underrated Death Cab For Cutie. Following on from the quiet introspection of 2003's Transatlanticism and the morbidity of 2005's Plans, this years release Narrow Stairs incorporates elements of both, while also expanding into rockier territory particularly on No Sunlight and the 70s inspired Cath. But the strength of the band are the minimalist numbers with Ben Gibbards unique vocals complemented by one or two instruments quietly strumming a delicate melody. Examples include Grapevine Fires, Pity and Fear, and the highlight of the album, the eight minute long I Will Possess Your Heart, perhaps the single of the year.

Best Track : I Will Possess Your Heart

Try this if you like : Jeff Buckley, Arcade Fire

Listen or buy here


2. Only By Night : Kings of Leon

Simply put, this is the sound of a band simultaneously recording their best album while reaching the apogee of the fame. Some have derided it as too 'commercial', and others have uncharitably labelled it as nothing less than fully fledged 'stadium rock' which is a euphemism for bloated corporate rock. Whats amusing is that it is both commercial and suited to stadiums but thats not necessarily a bad thing. They have become far more than the one trick southern blues boogie boys from their first album. The songs are sharp and insightful, rewarding and fulfilling, amidst crunching guitars and fully developed vocals. The widely played single Sex on Fire is a brilliant track, and its ably accompanied by the sultry Closer, the hipster cool of I Want You and the atmospheric final track, Cold Desert.

Best Track : Closer

Try this if you like : Ryan Adams, REM

Listen or buy here


1. Glasvegas : Glasvegas

A very difficult choice for album of the year between Kings of Leon and Glasvegas for the year but the tiebreaker was decided in the favour of this likely band of Scots. Whats the tiebreaker? I simply asked myself, which album I played more. And I played Glasvegas a lot. An awful lot. Employing a wall of sound approach complemented with smart, streetwise lyrics, Glasvegas satisfy both sides of your brain, simultaneously stimulating and delighting. From the anthem sized Daddys Gone talking about absent fathers to the monotone delivery of Stabbed outlining a gang fight, this is simply a magnificent album and a deserved winner of the ultimate accolade; the Nevstar Music Guide Album of The Year.

Best Track : Daddys Gone

Try this if you like : Joy Division, Interpol

Listen or buy here


The next best ten albums in alphabetical order were:

The Black Keys : Attack & Release
British Sea Power : Do You Like Rock Music
Elbow : Seldom Seen Kid
MGMT : Oracular Spectacular
Nick Cave and Bad Seeds : Dig! Lazarus Dig!!!
Portishead : Third
Raconteurs : Consolers Of The Lonely
REM : Accelerate
Supergrass : Diamond Hoo Ha
Vampire Weekend : Vampire Weekend


Previous Nevstar Albums Of The Year :

This is the seventh year of compiling my Top Ten of the year. Email me if you would like the lists from previous years. In the meantime, here were the top albums from the last six years according to the Nevstar.

2007 : The Shins : Wincing The Night Away
2006 : The Beatles : Love
2005 : Kaiser Chiefs : Employment
2004 : Franz Ferdinand : Franz Ferdinand
2003 : British Sea Power : The Decline Of British Sea Power
2002 : The Doves : Last Broadcast

Hope you enjoyed this Christmas edition of the Nevstar Music Guide. May your stocking be filled with all the best releases from 2008.

Merry Christmas

Nevstar

November 2008

The November issue of the Nevstar Music Guide is dedicated to our late friend Angela Wolley who was tragically killed in a car accident recently. Without her constant and enthusiastic encouragement, the Nevstar Music Guide would never have existed.

Album of the Month

Glasvegas : Glasvegas

Lester Bangs wrote in 1970: "Personally, I believe that real Rock n Roll may be on the way out.....what we will have instead is a small island of new free music surrounded by some good reworkings of past idioms and a vast sargasso sea of absolute garbage." Bangs wrote some great stuff, but THAT is brilliant. Regrettably, he was exactly right.

There is nothing new in rock and roll. It has all been done before. An art form that has now been around for over 50 years, is incapable of surprising. Any and all bands are instantly compared to a laundry list of 'influences'. Arguably grunge was the last innovation in rock and that is marginal (ask Neil Young). So until someone more talented than Jimi Hendrix comes along (long odds indeed), then people will continue to play guitars in the same way they always have. The only truly original music in the last 30 years is probably rap music. Rock and roll is an industry of nostalgia. The biggest grossing group last year was The Rolling Stones (debut album 1962).

So there is no 'future' of rock and roll. Only the past. But with such a glorious past, there is heaps of material to reinterpret, rework and weld to some relevant and topical lyrical poetry. The artists worthy of our attention today are those with confidence about their sound and whose lyrics accurately capture the age we live in for better or worse. Glasvegas are such a band.

They hail from Scotland and came to the attention of Alan McGee, the head of Creation records. In a story made for reviews like this, he spotted Glasvegas in the same club which he first saw Oasis and declared them to be "f**king brilliant". Their live act is strikingly confident and unadorned with baseless attention seeking (see example here). They feature massive drums, thrilling guitars and pounding rhythms. Somehow they have got this down on record and their debut album is similarly outstanding. It is gigantic yet tender. Magnificent yet intimate, loud yet quiet. On the requisite laundry list of influences, you can say they capture some of the best moments of space rock bands such as Mercury Rev and Flaming Lips, the moods, rhythm and timing of Joy Division and the psychedelic visions of Dandy Warhols.

Glasvegas seem to acknowledge that they must reinterpret the past. Yet they go further back than most. One of the album's most haunting yet inspired moments is Stabbed. The intimately simple and haunting backdrop is none other than the delightful Moonlight Sonata by Beethoven; yet it is accompanied by lyrics outlining the protagonists response to a situation where he is faced by the propsect of being stabbed by an unruly Glaswegian mob. It contrasts starkly with the stunning opener, Flowers and Football Tops which derives its story from the premediated killing of 15 year old Kris Donald who was dragged from his home and murdered by five men.

The topics imply that this is a dark album, but its not. Its hopeful and inspiring. You have to lie on your back in order to see the stars. As such, it seems appropriate that the last track truly sounds like the soundtrack to the colonisation of those very stars.

Listen or purchase here.

Best Track : Daddy's Gone

Try this if you like :

Joy Division
Jesus & The Mary Chain
The Clash

If you like this try :

Interpol................................Turn On The Bright Lights
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club.........BRMC

Essential Classic Album

The Beatles : Rubber Soul

The British Invasion was arguably the most important period in the history of recorded rock and roll. In a classic case of selling coals to Newcastle, a bunch of young bands from Britain repackaged American music and took it back to a downcast America struggling to cope with the death of their young president.

There were two strains which influenced the great British invasion and each was represented respectively by the two most successful bands. The Beatles modelled their sound (and looks) on the traditional rock and roll emerging out of the late 50s. Elvis Presley posturing, Buddy Holly structures, Chuck Berry rhythms, and girl group harmonies can be found in their early albums. A markedly different strain can be heard in the Rolling Stones who took their sound from the harder rhythm and blues scene featuring Muddy Waters, Howlin Wolf and Sonny Boy Williamson.

Thus early Beatles albums featured a mixture of covers and original compositions all closely following the standard rock and roll template albeit with a verve and enthusiasm unparalled at the time. But on Rubber Soul, the band reached a crossroads and started the trend which would see their recorded output get progressively more sophisticated over time. Indeed they were one of the few bands who continued to broaden their musical horizons while maintaining their popularity.

Firstly, on Rubber Soul, The Beatles noticeably expanded their sound from traditional drums, bass and guitar using more complicated folk-rock arrangements. The album was released around the time they made the decision to stop touring which freed them from the constraining task of having to reproduce the songs on stage. Thus we hear The Beatles incorporating elements of other innovators of the time such as The Byrds, Bob Dylan and The Beach Boys. We have George Harrison playing a sitar on Norwegian Wood and the absolutely gorgeous piano instrumental break in In My Life. Furthermore, it was the first album featuring only original compositions from the band themselves, 12 from Lennon/McCartney and 2 from George Harrison If I Needed Someone and Think For Yourself.

The legend has it that it was Dylan who implored them to take their fresh sound and complement it with more intelligent lyrics. Allegedly drug use became a lot more prevalent amongst the band as well perhaps 'assisting' the creative output. What is certain is that the band has moved well beyond She Loves You. Rubber Soul is the first album to contain some songs which are NOT romantically themed (Nowhere Man, Drive My Car). Plus those with romantic themes are much more satisfying (Norwegian Wood, I'm Looking Through You, Girl). And we have the band recording an entire verse in French (Michelle); un accomplissement magnifique!

In keeping with their transition to an albums based band, Rubber Soul is also the first that should be listened to as an album rather than a collection of singles. No singles were released from the album which is unheard of both then and now. But the album is still unmistakably the Beatles, replete with lovely harmonies, toe-tapping rhythms and infectious enthusiasm.

The best song in this reviewers opinion is Norwegian Wood. Penned by Lennon, it apparently hints at an affair which is not successfully consummated. Its full of ambiguity and intrigue. Who was the girl? Why tell someone to sit when there is no chair? Why did he sleep in the bath? Complemented by the first use of a sitar on a rock record, its an incredible two minutes of your life.

The Beatles would go on to record two of the greatest albums of all time in Revolver and Sgt Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band. But Rubber Soul is arguably a more important album as it marks the moment in time where they stopped making music and started producing art.

Best Track : Norwegian Wood.

Purchase here

If You Like This Try :

The Byrds.......................Mr Tambourine Man
Bob Dylan.......................Blonde on Blonde
Buffalo Springfield............Buffalo Springfield



Top Ten List

Writing about Rubber Soul made me review all over again why The Beatles were so brilliant. They had it all. Perfect chemistry, sublime writing, lovely harmonies, and some of the best songs ever recorded. I then had a dangerous thought; what were their 'BEST' songs? At once you recoil from the task. Its like asking a ten year old which was their favourite Christmas. But, as we have said, the Nevstar Music Guide is about answering the difficult questions. So, your intrepid correspondent will try and objectively determine :

The Top Ten Beatles Songs of All Time

10. While My Guitar Gently Weeps - off the album The Beatles (aka The White Album)
One notable point to make about The Beatles is that they featured not two but three great writers. George Harrison penned a couple of songs every album and his output stands up very well against probably the greatest song writing duo of all time. This is one of his best, a terrific song which was covered extremely well by The Jeff Healey Band.

See here for version of the song accompanied by montage of Beatles photos.

9. She Loves You - Past Masters Vol 1
Their fourth single and one of their most memorable. A nearly perfect rock and roll record. Catchy, fast and furious. Not released on their original albums but on virtually every Greatest Hits collection since.

See here for live performance accompanied by several thousand screaming girls.

NB The two Past Masters albums capture all the songs the Beatles released as singles but were not included on their 13 albums. If you own these two AND all the albums, you have every song the Beatles ever recorded and released.

8. Something - Abbey Road
An absolutely spell-binding release showcasing the otherworldliness of their songwriting towards the end of their career.

See video here.

7. I Should've Known Better - A Hard Days Night
Ive always had a soft spot for this song; its eminently catchy (hardly unique amongst their output), but there is that sensational mouth organ that opens the song that hooks you straight away. Superb stuff.

See clip from A Hard Days Night here.

6. Yesterday - Help!
Hardly very original including this amongst a Top Ten list as its widely regarded as one of their best moments. According to Guinness Book of Records it is the most covered song of all time so its just not just me that likes it. Paul awoke one night with the melody in his head and scrambled to get it on tape. Legend has it that the first two lines originally started as "Scrambled eggs, Oh, baby how I love your legs." One wonders whether it would have been as memorable had that survived.

See solo performance by Paul here (with only intermittent screams).

5. Across The Universe - Let It Be
Not as widely known, as some others, but Across The Universe is definitely in the Top 5. A haunting, beautiful, tear-inducing song, it showcases the considerable Indian influence on the Beatles later in their careers. A cover version by Fiona Apple is used to absolute perfection at the end of the very clever film "Pleasantville". "Nothings going to change my world."

Watch video set to song here.

4. Eleanor Rigby - Revolver
Historians debate the influence of drug taking on the Beatles recorded output. There is no doubt they were taking a lot of drugs, and certainly one wonders how you could produce this sort of material WITHOUT taking a lot of LSD. No matter, we are blessed with its presence for all eternity (and it will take as long to get sick of it). The delightful and appropriate use of strings is a highlight of their catalog.

Creative unoffical video here (after a 30 sec intro).

3. Twist and Shout - Please Please Me
Not an original composition, but the last song of their first album is definitely one of THE Beatles tracks. You could make a convincing case that this is the only song in the world that is guaranteed to get everyone to dance at a wedding. Interestingly, George Martin left the song to the end of the long 12 hour recording session to get the hoarseness he wanted in the vocals. Best use in a movie has to be the St Patricks Day Parade in Ferris Bueller's Day Off. A great movie moment.

Just as a treat; here is that Ferris Bueller segment here!

2. Norwegian Wood - Rubber Soul

As discussed above, Norwegian Wood is a brilliant track and the first sign that they were leaving their contemporaries far behind.

Some interesting Beatles images accompanying track here.

1. A Day In The Life - Sgt Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band
Few songs can be said to be entirely unlike any other. Bohemian Rhapsody is perhaps one, and A Day In The Life is certainly another. The product of two distinct half songs with the first and last verse penned by John and the middle eight bars by Paul. It easily highlights the distinct differences between the two; John is quiet, moody and deeper in thought, Paul bouncy, melodic and gregarious. The magic of the Beatles is the combination of the two as their post-Beatles work attests. Lennon's solo work is depressing often scary; McCartney's too insubstantial and fluffy, even bordering on inane at times. However together, tempering each others excesses, we have the thoughtfulness and intelligence of Lennon combined with the energy, melody and enthusiasm of McCartney. The distinct parts of A Day In The Life are joined by a 24 bar bridge written by George Martin featuring a rising crescendo from a full orchesta. A second such crescendo brings the song to a climax pausing for a moment before the final, striking, crashing E Minor chord which continues to resonate for over a minute. Its arguably the finest note in recorded music history.

An interesting video here

"What?" I hear folks exclaim. No room for Revolution, Eight Days A Week, A Hard Days Night, Let It Be, Love Me Do, Help!, Get Back, Long and Winding Road, Paperback Writer, Strawberry Field, Penny Lane, It Wont Be Long, Till There Was You, or Hey Jude! I know !!
You can tell a bands quality by what is left out of a list of its Greatest Songs.

Agree or disagree vehemently? What are your favourite Beatles songs of all time ? Leave a comment or email me here

Until next month. Remember to hug your loved ones often and not go long without listening to your favourite music. You never know the last time you will get to do either.

Nevstar.