Top-20 countdown - no.02

Anna Calvi - Anna Calvi

"London born, with an Italian father that instilled into her her first musical memories, from Maria Callas and Debussy to Rolling Stones and blues, she studied violin at first, then guitar. Influenced by many musical genres and artists, encouraged by none other than the grand Brian Eno and Nick Cave, produced by Rob Ellis (known from his P.J. Harvey productions) and the collaboration of Mally Harpaz on keyboards and Daniel Maiden Wood on drums, her first record proves to be a diamond of rare beauty and very possibly one of the best records of the year".

I was writing that at the beginning of the year in my review for the free-press magazine Screw (issue 25). It proved me right. And I am looking forward to hear what she does next.

So far:

03. Tori Amos - Night Of hunters
04. Feist - Metals
05. Florence + The Machines - Ceremonials
06. Jamie Woon - Mirrorwriting
07. Acid House Kings - Music Sounds Better With You
08. Gang Gang Dance - Eye Contact
09. When Saints Go Machine - Konkylie
10. James Blake - James Blake
11. Little Dragon - Ritual Union
12. P.J. Harvey - Let England Shake
13. Scott Matthew - Gallantry's Favorite Son
14. Bon Iver - Bon Iver
15. Patrick Wolf - Lupercalia
16. Gotye - Making Mirrors
17. Austra - Feel It Break
18. Soley - We Sink
19. Cat's Eyes - Cat's Eyes
20. St. Vincent - Strange Mercy

Top-20 countdown - no.06

Jamie Woon - Mirrorwriting

The singles & EPs he released before his first album wet up the appetite for its content from way too early.  His music, a special mix of soul and electronica is particularly seductive. Sometimes rhythmic, sometimes melancholy, he tries to keep the listener's interest irreducible, something he generally manages impeccably. Hopes for a new huge discovery in the future of dub-step were wildly exaggerated. Of course that does not mean he's bad: on the contrary. He just has to try a little more. And he's the more human at that. Which I really really like. If he manages to write more really exceptional songs (like Night Air) to match the level of his soundscapes, we will have something really incredible in our hands. So Jamie, we are counting on you.

(Part of the text above was first published as a review for free-press magazine Screw, issue 29)

So far:

07. Acid House Kings - Music Sounds Better With You
08. Gang Gang Dance - Eye Contact
09. When Saints Go Machine - Konkylie
10. James Blake - James Blake
11. Little Dragon - Ritual Union
12. P.J. Harvey - Let England Shake
13. Scott Matthew - Gallantry's Favorite Son
14. Bon Iver - Bon Iver
15. Patrick Wolf - Lupercalia
16. Gotye - Making Mirrors
17. Austra - Feel It Break
18. Soley - We Sink
19. Cat's Eyes - Cat's Eyes
20. St. Vincent - Strange Mercy

Top-20 countdown - no.07

Acid House Kings - Music Sounds Better With You

There must be something in Swedish water. How else to explain the sheer number of excellent groups coming out up there all the time? Acid House Kings release their fifth studio album and sound as fresh as if they formed just yesterday. Pop like only Swedes know how to make, strong, with rhythm, a woman's voice that captures the listener (Julia Lannerheim) and melodies that make you sing-along the whole day through with a stupid smile on your face. Like you're in love. 

(review was published first in free-press magazine Screw issue no.27)

Ver todo videoclips Acid House Kings


So far:

08. Gang Gang Dance - Eye Contact
09. When Saints Go Machine - Konkylie
10. James Blake - James Blake
11. Little Dragon - Ritual Union
12. P.J. Harvey - Let England Shake
13. Scott Matthew - Gallantry's Favorite Son
14. Bon Iver - Bon Iver
15. Patrick Wolf - Lupercalia
16. Gotye - Making Mirrors
17. Austra - Feel It Break
18. Soley - We Sink
19. Cat's Eyes - Cat's Eyes
20. St. Vincent - Strange Mercy

Top-20 countdown - no.12

P.J. Harvey - Let England Shake

Pre-recorded in a 19th century church at Dorset, England, the new album of British singer-songwriter PJ Harvey finds her return to her folk - blues roots. Her songs tell us stories from wars and battles, bloody events that she deftly weaves into her web with the proper musical thread to give us a complete album, mature, catalytic. An exceptional moment that you must not pass by indifferently, even if you have never heard even one of her songs before.

(review first published in Greek free-press magazine Screw, issue 26, 2011)





So far:

13. Scott Matthew - Gallantry's Favorite Son
14. Bon Iver - Bon Iver
15. Patrick Wolf - Lupercalia
16. Gotye - Making Mirrors
17. Austra - Feel It Break
18. Soley - We Sink
19. Cat's Eyes - Cat's Eyes
20. St. Vincent - Strange Mercy

Review: Five Star Hotel - This Sound

George Begas, Yiannis Kretsios, Yiannis Varelidis, Euripidis Papadopoulos and Antonis Vellios are members of a group that all of Thessaloniki (OK, all of "smart" Thessaloniki) was waiting impatiently to make their first CD.  And finally we have it in our hands... and it's stuck on repeat! Gorgeous music with a view, style and balls that thousands of much more experienced groups would be jealous of, from both sides of the Atlantic. Pop? Yes, but also rock and electronica  merging harmoniously. For those who cannot understand unless they compare one with another artist, I will give one name: Camera Obscura (yes they will be the opening act for them in Thessaloniki on the 29th of October). You want more? St. Etienne. OK, enough with ask the audience, now go get the CD!

Selections: Minimal, Underground, Highway Traffic
http://www.myspace.com/fivestarhotelx

This review was originally published in Screw Magazine Issue 21, October 2010

Review: Monika - Exit

Monika's second album was anxiously expected. Friends and enemies alike were waiting with their knives to cut the melon open and taste the result. A result that disappoints without being bad. It simply does not give you a sense of improvement, does not take that one step further that would have sent it inside our hearts next to its predecessor. Not that it does not contain any good songs. "Yes I Do" for me is the best thing she has written so far. But is that enough to make an album good? Of course not. But we know she can do it, so we will give her one more chance. Next time more restrained and inspired - leave the high notes for sopranos, as she literally and wisely does in one of the songs. Oh, and smile a bit Monika. It makes ones enemies worry.

Selections: Yes I Do, Ca Commence Bien, Away From My Land

http://www.myspace.com/monikarides



Review first published in Screw Magazine, Issue 19-20, July 2010

Review: Scissor Sisters - Night Work

A group with definite influence on last decade's dance scene comes back with it's latest record to find out if they still have what it takes. Even though they are from the United States, Scissor Sister members employ European influences and references in their music, a thing that makes them find their target: beautiful rousing music with obvious point of reference a gay relationship and what it comes with. Dive deep to freshen yourselves up!

Selections:  Fire With Fire, Whole New Way, Invisible light



This review was published originally in issue 20 of Screw Magazine

Review: Massive Attack - Heligoland

Heligoland is a German Archipelago in Northern Sea. And that is how the songs of the namesake Massive Attack album (with  Grant “Daddy G” Marshall back together with Robert Del Naja) sound like: autonomous sound islands scattered in a sea of ominous strings(without Craig Armstrong any more) and menacing rhythms. Definitely better than 100th Window but not a masterpiece, it leaves us without a sense of satisfaction despite the brilliant troupe of guest artists appearing: Damon Albarn (Blur), Andrew Utley (Portishead), Horace Andy, Hope Sandoval (Mazzy Star), Martina Topley-Bird, Guy Garvey (Elbow).

Suggested tracks: Splitting The Atom, Paradise Circus, Atlas Air
http://massiveattack.com/

This review was originally published in Screw magazine - issue 15.