ONE WORD TRIGGERS
Music with expressionArchive for April, 2008
The Ting Tings: New Video
A new ‘official’ video for The Ting Tings track ‘That’s Not My Name’ has been released.
One EskimO
I literally stumbled across this today whilst searching for another artist and was entranced by the video for One EskimO’s track ‘Hometime’.Having never heard of them before, it would seem that One EskimO is the brainchild of Kristian Leontiou who had a UK top 10 hit in his own right in 2004.
He has opted out of the big record label scene and now makes music with his band whom he envisioned to be a penguin, monkey and giraffe . Add to that videos a-la Gorillaz style and hey presto, you’ve got one cute theme.
Good enough, it seems, to attract the attention of Toyota who used ‘Hometime’as the background music to their “Toyota Harmony” TV Commercial.
Watch One EskimO’s ‘Hometime’
Listen to:
- One EskimO – Giving Up
Visit their Website [here]
Visit their Myspace [here]
One To Watch: The Heys
I’ve just read a review on The Heys over at Indie Launchpad and downloaded the sample track ‘Aint Wot U Say’.WOW! This is good. The album “Young Bored & Broke” should be available via iTunes imminently.
Go and read Indie Launchpad’s review [here] and make your own mind up.
Visit their Myspace [here]
Had a good day?
I just spotted this commercial whilst browsing on I Guess I’m Floating’s blog.
Nice one!
The Ting Tings: Ipod Commercial
The Ting Tings are to be the backing sound for the new iPod/iTunes commercial.The track, ‘Shut Up And Let Me Go’, is the one chosen to be the USA release for the duo and comes from their forthcoming album “We Started Nothing”.
Watch the commercial here:
Listen to the track:
- The Ting Tings – Shut Up And Let Me Go
Coldplay: Free MP3 Download
With effect from 12.15pm (UK Time) on 29th April (tomorrow), you can go to Coldplay’s web site and download their new single ‘Violet Hill’ for FREE – That’s one whole week before it goes on sale from digital download sites.The single is taken from their forthcoming album “Viva La Vida” which is due for release in June.
They are also performing a free concert at Brixton Academy (London) on Monday 16th June and a free show at Madison Square Garden (New York) on Monday 23rd June. Tickets will not be available for sale and you need to check their website from 29th April for details on how to get tickets.
Visit their Website [here]
Jamie Lidell: Another Day
The new single from Jamie Lidell is ‘Another Day’.
It’s the first track on his new album “Jim” which is released tomorrow 28th April.
To quote the PR guys….”Jim is ten very different songs. Jim is energy, integrity, emotion. Jim is all about the hooks. Jim is getting the sounds absolutely right. Jim is keeping things fresh. Jim is the voice. Jim is Jamie and Jamie is Jim.”
“…Jim will switch you on in the morning, move you on the dance-floor and take you down in the small hours. It’s a bold, promiscuously diverse album, mixing up gospel grooves, sweetly sung and fiercely passionate soul, delicately moving ballads, thumping early R & B, synthed-up disco, and even a touch of ‘hillbilly funk’. “
I like the new single….watch the video and make your own mind up.
Visit his Website [here]
Visit his Myspace [here]
Leaf: Life’s A Beach
I decided I wanted something fun, uplifting, and summery to listen to today so I selected Leaf on my MP3 player.Then I got to thinking that I haven’t seen much posted about these guys.
Time to correct that then!
What can I tell you about them?
- They are abso-bloody-lutely marvellous.
- They come from Utrecht in Netherlands
- There are five of them.
- They play mainly acoustic tracks, but I defy you to not think there’s a bigger band in there somewhere.
- They are abso-bloody-lutely marvellous. (I know I already said that….but it’s true!)
- They released their debut album – Life’s A Beach in 2006.
- It was recorded live, on the beach.
Here’s three tracks for you to sample:
- Leaf – Wonderwoman
- Leaf – Motherfucker
- Leaf – You And Her
Watch the video: ‘Wonderwoman’
Watch the video: ‘New Song’
Watch the video: ‘July’ (Live performance)
Buy the album. Most albums have some tracks that are not so hot. THIS ONE DOESN’T.
Did I say they are abso-bloody-lutely marvellous?
Visit their Website [here]
Visit their Myspace [here]
Highlights of the week
This weeks Hosts of golden daffodils were:
- Some Velvet Blog published a Weekend Mix Tape with 10 great tracks to sample. Read the post [here]
- Bag of Songs reviewed the new album from The Rosewood Thieves titled ‘Rise and Shine’ and posted two tracks for evaluation. Read the post [here]
- a PLAGUE OF ANGELS wrote a 3-part series of posts on ABBA with tracks to download on each. Worth a visit [here] and [here] and [here]. They also brought K.O.L.O.to our attention. An Indie Pop outfit from Switzerland & USA they have a nice sound with, I think, Beatlesque overtones. Two tracks to download which are worth a listen. Read the post [here]
- Kickin’ The Peanuts reviewed Madonna’s latest album “Hard Candy” and posted 3 tracks for sampling So, if you like Madge, read the post [here]. I didn’t think I would like this, but since playing the track ‘Give It 2 Me’ I can’t get the tune out of my head. They also posted two new (Demo) tracks from Lily Allen. Read the post [here]
- Another fine Monday Music Roundup over at I Am Fuel You Are Friends. Reviews and sample tracks from The Walkup, Phantom Planet, El Perro Del Mar, My Morning Jacket, and Richard Julian. And, in preparation for the Coachella Festival, there’s a 30 track mix from artists that will be appearing there. All tracks can be downloaded to sample. In addition, theres a second 30 track (downloadable) mix to keep you amused on the journey to the festival. Read the posts [here]
- Lost In Your Inbox provided the Remix Refresher post which included a heap of tracks to sample including some Goldfrapp, Das Pop, and Yeah Yeah Yeah’s. Read the post [here]
- All Things Go has produced it’s Cannabliss Mix Tape for the third year in a row. The previous ones were awesome too! This is a must-have so get on over to download version 3 [here]
- Mainstream Isn’t So Bad …Is It? profiled Scottish artist Freddie Stevenson and posted the track ‘Easy Now’ from his second album “All My Strange Companions”. Really nice and bouncy. Read the post [here]
- This Mornin’ I Am Born Again had the Playlist Pulse with a nice collection of what they describe as ‘Hipster-Indie-Folk’. Read the post [here]
- Aurgasm reviewed “Worrisome Heart” by Melody Gardot and posted two tracks to sample. Fantastic album by a brilliant up-coming singer. You really need to listen to these. Read the post [here]
TRIGGER: Photograph
My Daughter is currently preparing for her Photography exam and last weekend we spent some time taking photographs of ‘people & places’ for her to use.
You cannot believe how hard it is to find ‘artistic’ shots on a wet and dreary Sunday.
And the looks you get when you start taking pictures of people in public places…I mean, honestly….you’d think we were being invasive. (We were?….oh well….)
So I thought the trigger today should be….
pho·to·graph [foh-tuh-graf]
–noun
1. a picture produced by photography
2. a picture of a person or scene in the form of a print or transparent slide; recorded by a camera on light-sensitive material
–verb
3. to take a photograph of
4. record on photographic film
5. to practice photography
6. to be photographed or be suitable for being photographed in some specified way
-synonyms
exposure, photo, pic, shoot, snap
Tracks
- Eagle Seagull - Photograph (album: Eagle Seagull) [Web] [Myspace]
- Good Shoes – Photos on My Wall (album: Think Before You Speak) [Web] [Myspace]
- Jamie Cullum – Photograph (album: Catching Tales) [Web] [Myspace]
- John P Strohme - Picture Perfect
- Katie Melua – Scary Films (album: Pictures) [Web] [Myspace]
- Simply Red – Picture Book (album: Picture Book) [Web] [Myspace]
- Slow Food Music – Get The Picture
- Spoon – I Turn My Camera On (album: Gimme Fiction) [Web] [Myspace]
- Taking Back Sunday – This Photograph Is Proof (I Know You Know) (album: Spider-Man 2) [Web] [Myspace]
- Weezer – Photograph (album: Weezer (Green Album) ) [Web] [Myspace]
)Spring is Sprung
The weather here has been really weird lately and it hadn’t felt like Spring had arrived.That is until the last couple of days.
Sure, there’s been rain. And hail today. But there’s also been some marvellous sunshine and lovely blue sky. The temperature’s picked up too and that always makes me feel better.
And…Lo and Behold….this track popped up on shuffle on my MP3 player so I thought I’d share it with you.
- Lily Allen – Mr. Blue Sky (ELO Cover) (This was produced for a mobile phone company advertising on SFR the French TV channel)
Captain
Captain are a band from London, who formed in early 2005.They classify their music as ‘Indie / Surf / Melodramatic Pop’, getting their musical influences from groups such as the Smashing Pumpkins, The Beach Boys and The Cure.
I first tuned into this band in 2006 when they released the track ‘Frontline’ from the album “This Is Hazelville”.
They’re due to release a new album this summer, called “Distractions” and the first cut to be taken from it is “Keep An Open Mind” and due for release as a single on 5th May.
Watch the video:
Sample the track yourself and whilst you’re at it, take a listen to ‘Fronline’.
- Captain – Keep An Open Mind (removed by request)
- Captain – Frontline (removed by request)
Visit their Website [here]
Visit their Myspace [here]
Chris Mills: Living in the Aftermath
I’d never heard of Chris Mills before but it seems he’s been around for nearly a decade.In the past 2 years he’s played alongside Ben Folds, Bishop Allen, Lucero, Limbeck, and many more.
His new album “Living in the Aftermath” was released on 22nd April. Having heard a couple of tracks and listened at his Myspace page, I’m very impressed.
Here’s a couple of tracks to give you a flavour:
- Chris Mills – Such A Beautiful Thing
- Chris Mills – Atom Smashers
Visit his Website [here]
Visit his Myspace [here]
Nine Inch Nails: Free download
I can’t claim to be a fan of Nine Inch Nails, but plenty are. If you’re one of them, you might want to go to the web page [here] and enter a valid email address.The band will then send you a download link to get their latest single ‘Discipline’ free, gratis, and for nothing.
If you’re that keen on them, you could try going [here] which is an official Nine Inch Nails remix site where, if you register (free), you can create your own remix of ‘Discipline’ to download.
Duffy: Warwick Avenue
Probably the best track on Duffy’s debut album “Rockferry” is, in my opinion, ‘Warwick Avenue’. It was recently announced that this will be the next track to be released as a single on 26th May (CD & 7″ Vinyl)
Duffy: Warwick Avenue
The Script: ‘We Cry’ (Acoustic)
This week, MSN Video have an exclusive of The Script singing an acoustic version of ‘We Cry’ which was released this week on downloads (CD version available from 28th April).Check out the acoustic version [here], as well as the promotional video for the single.
Richard Julian: Sunday Morning In Saturday’s Shoes
I’ve recently been listening to the new (and fifth) album from Richard Julian called “Sunday Morning in Saturday’s Shoes”.It’s a lovely mix of sounds with a distinctly Jazz/Blues/Folk undertone, although don’t let that put you off if those aren’t your thing.
This album is full of lovely melodies somewhat like a Nora Jonesalbum. Not surprising then that in the past few years he has been part of Little Willies, a low-key country collaboration with pals Norah Jones, guitarist Jim Campilongo, bassist Lee Alexander and drummer Dan Reiser.
I’d thoroughly recommend the album, but to get you started, here’s a track to sample:
- Richard Julian – If You Stay (album:Sunday Morning in Saturday’s Shoes)
Visit his Website [here]
Visit his Myspace [here]
Lily Allen – New Tracks (Update)
If you read my previous post about Lily Allen’s two new tracks posted on her Myspace, you might want to head on over to Kickin’ The Peanuts who have both tracks available for download on their post [here].
I’d get a move on though, you never know how long they’ll be up for.
Ting Tings a.k.a. Dear Eskimo
Call me stupid, but I hadn’t put two and two together and made four.It’s been bugging me that I thought The Ting Tings sounded familiar. Well actually, I thought I’d heard Kate White’s voice before but couldn’t place it.
Today I read a snippet that made all become clear. The Ting Tings were – in a previous incarnation – the band Dear Eskimo. Or, more accurately, two of the three members of Dear Eskimo.
Back in 2005 they released ‘Patience’ which was the track that turned me on to them. After a bit of digging around I discovered a couple of mixtapes that they put together and which were absolutely marvellous.
But in my book, and just for the sheer “fun” of the track, a song called ‘Freakin’ had to be their best.
Three tracks are posted below for you to sample. Hope you like them. Anyone wanting the mixtapes can contact me.
Dear Eskimo - Patience
Dear Eskimo - Pretty
Dear Eskimo - Freakin
The Script: Single Launched
‘We Cry’, the debut single from The Script will be available for download from iTunes and all other download sites from tomorow (20th April). The CD will be released a week later (Monday 28th April). An album is planned for release in August.The Script will be performing at the first ever RCA Live event next month. The band will be playing with The Hoosiers, Sandi Thom and Sam Beeton, with more RCA stars to be announced very soon. The gig will take place on May 28th at the IndigO2 venue in London. You can book tickets for the event [here]. Enter a promotion code of RCA2LIVE (uppercase).
The band will be appearing on TV on 26th April when they will be on T4 and the Green Room on Channel 4.
Highlights of the week
This weeks little nuggets were:
- BBQCHICKENROBOT posted two tracks from Peasant (alias Damien DeRose) from his recent album “On The Ground”. Very nice acoustic/folk/indie sound. I especially like the track ‘The Wind’. Read the post [here]. They also put together a nice mix of jazz tracks which are an absolute must to listen to. New, old, acid, smooth, traditional. Something for every taste. Read the post [here]. And finally, “Konk”, the latest album by The Kooks was also reviewed and two tracks posted. Read the post [here]
- Captain Obvious very kindly generated “The Girls Names Mixtape 2″. 16 lovely tracks well worth sampling. Read the post [here]
- Good Weather For Airstrikes’ review of Sebastien Tellier also provides a sample of ‘Divine’ from his new album “Sexuality”. In May, a revised version of ‘Divine’will be released as a single…one week before it is entered with Tellier in the Eurovision Song Contest. The album version is worth a listen-to and there’s also a download of a remix version by Midnight Juggernauts and a stream of the Danger remix version. Read the post [here]
- Wongie’s Music World chose an Alphabeat track, ‘1000 Nights Of Thunder’as record of the week. Nice bouncy tune by the Danish band. Track download and video available. Read the post [here]
- Been a busy week over at The Late Greats. Jazz Week posts included a track from A Tribe Called Quest – ‘Jazz (We Got)’. Read the post [here] Also a review of Club des Beluga’s new album ‘Swop’ with two tracks to sample. Read the post [here]. There’s a swing/jazz mix of 21 tracks from the greats like Sinatra, Ellington, Goodman, Armstrong, Dorsey. Read the post [here]. Priscilla Ahn is a new name to me. Her debut album “Good Day” is out on June 10th and is immediately on my purchase list. Thanks for the heads-up Duke. Read the post [here]
- The World Of Wingrove summarised some new album releases and provided a stream of a track from most of them as well as the option to download the track. Artists include ¡Forward Russia!, Blood Red Shoes, Cary Brothers, Frightened Rabbit, I Am Kloot, Jim Noir, M83, Milieu, Sonic Youth, The Accidental, The B-52s, The Cinematic Orchestra. Read the post [here]
- I am Fuel, You Are Friends ‘Monday Music Roundup’ reviews releases by The Muslims, Rilo Kiley, Fleet Foxes, The Kooks, and a compilation from Heroes. Sample tracks are available for each. Particularly worth a listen is the track ‘Tick Of Time’ from The Kooks latest album, “Konk”. Read the post [here]. Chester French is a new band whose debut album is due out later this year. Fuel/Friends posts the track ‘She Loves Everybody’ for review as well as the Zombies track ‘Time Of The Season’ which has clearly influenced Chester French. Read the post [here]
- a PLAGUE OF ANGELS reviewed Sandrine, from Australia. Very Indie-Pop, sort of retro, sort of sweet. Very nice. Read the post [here]
- Ick Music just got a big fat 10 on my scorecard! Two tracks from an artist called Jon Regen are posted as a review of his 2007 album “Let It Go”. Their description of this album reads: “…Let it Go is one of those records. There is something to it that just feels like home.” Home??? Hell, I’ve got my pipe and slippers out here!!! This is just what the doctor ordered for a nice relaxing evening after a long hard day. Just added this one to my shopping cart at CD Baby! Read the post [here]
- Do you like Soundtrack Themes? Then you’re in for a treat over at Who Needs Radio? A huge post with 30 tracks to sample. Read the post [here]
Lily Allen – New Tracks
Go check out Lily Allen’s Myspace page [here] and listen to the fantastic two new tracks that were posted there Thursday night.‘I Don’t Know’ seems to be a thinly veiled dig at being famous, the media and the whole superstar process, while ‘I Can’t Say’ is a much more subdued (and beautiful) love song.
Second album on the way?….Fingers crossed.
Oh yeah….she’s blonde now.
Visit her Myspace [here]
Visit her Website [here]
TRIGGER: Feet
I’ve been eyeing up my wife’s foot spa today. All those soft soapy bubbles and vibration.
You see, as part of my work I walk miles. I drive miles too, but I’ve yet to see a dedicated bum spa…..so a foot spa will have to suffice.
My feet are killing me (if you hadn’t already guessed) and I think the opportunity to put my feet up over the weekend will not materialise, so I’m going to treat myself to a bit of pampering.
Anyway, that leads me nicely into a Trigger, which is…
feet (plural of foot)
foot
–noun
1. (in vertebrates) the terminal part of the leg, below the ankle joint, on which the body stands and moves.
2. (in invertebrates) any part similar in position or function.
3. such a part considered as the organ of locomotion.
4. a unit of length, originally derived from the length of the human foot.
5. walking or running motion; pace
6. quality or character of movement or motion; tread; step.
7. any part or thing resembling a foot, as in function, placement, shape, etc.
8. the lowest part, or bottom, of anything, as of a hill, ladder, page, etc.
–verb
9. to walk; go on foot
10. to move the feet rhythmically, as to music or in dance
Tracks
- Junior Senior – Move Your Feet [Web] [Myspace]
- Jack Johnson – Walk Alone [Web] [Myspace]
- Spoon – Take A Walk (album:Girls Can Tell) [Web] [Myspace]
- Pernice Brothers – One Foot In The Grave (album: Yours, Mine & Ours) [Web] [Myspace]
- Track Star – Feet First (album: Lion Destroyed the Whole World)
- Paul McCartney – Feet In The Clouds (album: Memory Almost Full) [Web] [Myspace]
- Cake – Walk On By (album: Prolonging the Magic) [Web] [Myspace]
- Scouting for Girls – Keep On Walking (album: Scouting for Girls) [Web] [Myspace]
- Erick Storckman – Barefoot Dance (album: Scrapbook) [Web]
- Leona Lewis – Footprints In The Sand (album: Spirit) [Web] [Myspace]
- Dire Straits – Walk Of Life (album:Sultans of Swing: The Very Best of Dire Straits) [Web]
- Voxtrot - I Walk Away (album: Voxtrot) [Web] [Myspace]
)Hats off to Leona Lewis
Whether you like or dislike Leona Lewis’ singing style, you have to take your hat off to her!
First off, her single ‘Bleeding Love’ conquered the USA, claiming the Number One spot on the Billboard Hot 100 charts. It was 21 years previously that a British female solo artist achieved that milestone (Kim Wilde’s cover of the Supremes’ “You Keep Me Hangin’ On” – 1987).
Then today, her album “Spirit” entered the Billboard album chart in USA at Number 1. This is the first time in music history that a British female artist has debuted on Billboard at Number 1.
Personally, I’m no great fan of her music although, yes, I did watch her on X-Factor. And yes, you can say that her success has been ‘engineered’ by Simon Cowell and Co. But at the end of the day, people are buying her music. (Album sales in excess of 204,000.)
Good luck to her! And YAY!!! for the Brits!
To celebrate, here’s a track from her album…not that I have a copy you understand….(looks sheepishly away…)
TRIGGER: Fog
This morning I awoke to the whole area shrouded in fog that took ages to burn off, then the rest of the day it’s been bright sunshine. Cold, but bright.
I found myself driving along whistling ‘A Foggy Day In London Town’ (whistling it badly I would add). So I thought I’d share that tune, and a few others with you. I’ve included the more modern version by Michael Buble as well as a more traditional rendition by Louis Armstrong & Ella Fitzgerald.
So the trigger is…
fog
-noun
1. a cloudlike mass or layer of minute water droplets or ice crystals near the surface of the earth, appreciably reducing visibility
2. any darkened state of the atmosphere, or the diffused substance that causes it.
3. a state of mental confusion or unawareness; daze; stupor
-verb
4. to confuse or obscure
5. to bewilder or perplex
6. to become enveloped or obscured with or as if with fog.
-Synonym
mist, haze, becloud, obfuscate, dim, blur, darken, daze, befuddle, muddle, mystify.
Tracks
- Michael Buble – A Foggy Day (album:It’s Time) [Web] [Myspace]
- Patrick J Murphy – Misty [Web]
- Joe Dinkelbach – Haze On The River [Web]
- Ricky Ford – Moon Mist (album: The Ultimate Most Relaxing Jazz Music in the Universe) [Web]
- Louis Armstrong & Ella Fitzgerald – A Foggy Day (album: Smooth Sounds: Easy Lounge) [Web - Fitzgerald] [Web - Armstrong]
)
