Sunday 13 January 2013

TRACKS OF THE WEEK - 13/01/13 - Imagine Dragons, Congo Ashanti Roy andPura Vida, Torche, Stereophonics, Vinyl Williams

Five tracks to help fight off the January Blues!

London Scouser:-
Imagine Dragons - Radioactive (2013)

For my first foray into the realms of TOTW I believe I've found a corker. Las Vegas's Imagine Dragons have had success in their homeland and I think that with this track they are going to repeat the feat over here. I heard this for the first time at about 5am going into work and immediately had to track it down. Now the more I hear it the better it sounds. It has an epic feel about it despite it only being 4 minutes long. But what a great 4 it is. They are playing at The Forum on April 11th, I may check them out.
I won't say much about the video except for two things. 1 - it's really cool, especially seeing Lou Diamond Phillips & 2 - Shellhunter, you should not watch this. You have been warned

Old Pa's Corner:-
Congo Ashanti Roy & Pura Vida - 'Only Jah' (2012)

Roydel Anthony Johnson (born 12 April 1943), better known as Congo Ashanti Roy is a Jamaican singer best known as a member of The Congos but who also recorded solo and as a member of Ras Michael's Sons of Negus.
This track is taken from the album 'Hard Road'  and has been on my play list all this week. Oh boy! I need my reggae fix every now and again and this does it for me big time. It is the way I like my reggae and is a really consistent album all the way through. Pura Vida are a Reggae band from Belgiun by the way. 

Flycasual:-
Torche - 'Harmonslaught' (2012)



I first heard this song just before Christmas, it was the perfect, unexpected headphones moment. At work, on a break, an opportunity to catch up on some tunes when this beast of a track comes on and blows me away and a few cobwebs in the process. I almost spat out a mouth full of donut all over the table it startled me so, it was exactly what I wanted to hear. Out of all the inane types of music categories, Torche have apparently been given the fortunate/unfortunate tag of 'Sludge Metal' which in the case of this song, with it's thumping drums and monstrous riff, I believe is especially apt. It makes me think of a fat troll trudging through a swamp with a belly full of Hobbits. A scene not too dissimilar to myself slogging through my local park on a traditional post Christmas lunch walk. I've been going through this ongoing Rock/Metal phase ever since Sfw introduced me to the Miami rockers through a song from their excellent 'Harmonicraft' album, which was featured on a TOTW last year. 'Harmonslaught' is their new single and is available on the Torche website here....

Shell Hunter:-
Stereophonics - 'In A Moment' (2012)


The boys are back in town and this latest single released at the back end of last year is intense! I heard it a few times on the radio and thought wow, these guys sound just like Nine Inch Nails with the constant industrial drone in the background and the rough guitar. I thought I'd better find out who it was and was surprised to see it was the Stereophonics' new single with the lush smokey voiced Kelly Jones back in full swing. A fresh new album called Graffiti On The Train due for release in March could hold a new edgy sound which will put the hairs on my chest! Download the track for free from the 'Phonics website here www.Stereophonics.com


SFW:-
Vinyl Williams - 'Inner Space'

This track by LA Based Artist & Musician, Lionel 'Vinyl' Williams has been tripping round my head all week. Call me bonkers, but can I say it takes you on a psychedelic sonic adventure in a way not to dissimilar to Hendrix's 1983 /Moon Turn the Tides from Electric Ladyland. On a lighter note, I think his name sounds Welsh and Lionel 'Vinyl' Williams would be a great name for a record store.

Checkout previous Tracks of the week here

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TRACKS OF THE WEEK - 13/01/13 - Imagine Dragons, Congo Ashanti Roy andPura Vida, Torche, Stereophonics, Vinyl Williams
4/ 5
Oleh

15 comments

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13 January 2013 at 19:32

LS - Great first track and thought provoking video...send in the Badgers
FC - Jeeezaz! I dropped my pet hamster's cage and buckled it's wheel. Makes Ramstein seem like West Life
SH - Interesting one, could be a grower...nice they are trying somthing newish!
SFW - I get the Jimi Connection...I like this....is Catherine Jenkins Welsh??

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Anonymous
13 January 2013 at 19:44

Imagine Dragons - an interesting name. Certainly epic and I'd like to hear it some more. I'll check them out. Has anyone else noticed how popular it has become to be seen to be banging hell out of a big drum?

Congo Ashanti Roy - well, I never knew that any of The Congos were still active. It's a joy to hear, OPC. Belgian reggae??!

Torche - Not really my thing but I'm sure they are very good at what they do!

Stereophonics - trying out a new sound (again)? Do they know who they are or what they want to be? Will this sell them some more records? Sorry to sound so cynical but I just don't like them. It's all a matter of taste.

Lionel 'Vinyl' - yes, great name. Perhaps it would also be suitable for a kitchen floor salesman from Mountain Ash? Floats along nicely.

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13 January 2013 at 19:50

SB - you are right of course...i am so careless I need a proof reader. I had another track set up and Shell Hunter was here for week end and I changed my TOTW at last minute as she preferred it...I wish i could spell?

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13 January 2013 at 20:24

Look out for them injuns pops!

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Anonymous
14 January 2013 at 06:59

OPC - oh no. I wasn't pointing out a spelling error! Heaven forbid. I was just surprised by the cool sounds coming out of that unexpected place. I ain't the spelling police, sir. ;)

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14 January 2013 at 08:35

SB - no worries I am always getting hazzle about my spelling etc. I promise I will be better and try harder..and your right Belgiun is last place you would expect a reggae band from

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sfw
14 January 2013 at 09:49

Singing Bear - Brilliant!

__

LS - Really good track, although the video has scarred me
OP - Its irie
FC - RAWK
SH - The boyos are back in town


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14 January 2013 at 12:38

OPC, the Congo Ashanti track is bliss. Good to hear real nyabinghi roots is still being recorded in the 21st century. It has a real Black Ark sound about it. I'll definitely be checking out the rest of this album. Brilliant.

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14 January 2013 at 13:49

TS - don't think you will be dissapointed in the rest of the album too....top stuff

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14 January 2013 at 18:49

OP - whilst redgy isn't my usual listening genre, this is not unpleasant.
FC - I can see how this would be good through headphones so that you can rock out without having to explain your choice to others. It may take a few listens.
SH - it's definitely a different style but at the same time unmistakably Kelly. A welcome return from the gravel voiced one.
SFW - I started listening and for some reason I thought Super Furry's. Enjoyable and definitely a grower.

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14 January 2013 at 18:52

SB - yes I agree about the drum, and I was gonna say you can't beat a good big drum. But the video would disprove that !!

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16 January 2013 at 11:00

LS-I didn't think you were so squeamish about your rock. Agreed it has the potential to make your ears bleed but I guess it hit the mark....right place, right time innit!

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16 January 2013 at 15:58

Lou Diamond Phillips, he's aged well...Love the video but not so sure of the song just yet. Same for the Phonics good video again (I'm sure there are easier ways to go) but may need a few listens. NIN?

Great Reggae track, hits the mark!

The Welsh flooring company is my favourite of the lot...good find.

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19 January 2013 at 12:43

What a great mix!
LS- absolutely love this!! Had to hold it together watching the video though, I'm such a girl.
OP- I stand by my choice, this is fantastic, pass me a big phat zoot!
FC- Jesus, when I played this, I think the dog got a fright! Good slow head banging music. Perfect image of the troll
SFW- really love this too! Dreamy and chilled, it's a keeper!

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19 January 2013 at 13:08

With regards the 'phonics, it was the intro and the drone in the background that made me think of NIN, I didn't intend to be so controversial!

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