TRACKS OF THE WEEK - 16/02/2014 - Beck, Tinariwen, The Notwist, Bombay Bicycle Club, Boy and Bear

Five tracks that were full of 'Gust-o' for us this week



Old Pa's Corner :-
The Notwist - Kong


Here is a track from German Indie Band The Notwist from their new album Close to the Glass (2014). I can't believe they have been going since 1989 and this is their 9th album. I never even heard of them before.

This is a great driving commercial track with one of these catchy riffs that will burn itself into your sub- conscious.

Don't you think the video is very apt with all that rain you poor guys are having at the moment.

Sorry can't stay just putting my shorts and t-shirt on, must be 25 degrees to-day and a  bright blue sky.

Flycasual:-
Tinariwen - 'Imidiwan Ahi Sigdim' (2014)


With all that perpetual rain and gales we've been having, it makes a nice change to feel that desert wind in your face, albeit through the speakers. 'Imidiwan Ahi Sigdim' is an evocative piece of Saharan Soul taken from Tinariwen's 6th album, Emmaar, released last week. To avoid the conflict in Mali, they recorded the album in a completely different desert this time, the Mojave in the US. With Jack White's producer, Vance Powell, at the helm and with a host of guests including Chilli Peppers, guitarist Vince Klinghoffer, helping out, it still has that desolate feel but adds a touch of that psychedelic American Desert Rock feel to it. Still perfect escapism, as is the atmospheric video.

Tinariwen on the web...

Sfw:-
Beck - "Love" ('2014')


I've had a hectic few weeks and have had very little "home" time.  So this one is for the missus. This version of the track, originally from John Lennon's 1970 debut album 'John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band', is taken from 'Sweetheart 2014', a forthcoming Starbucks compilation of artist performing covers of their favourite love songs.  It stands up against the original, but Lennon's version will always pip it as I had it playing when my wife walked down the aisle.

Shell Hunter:-
Boy & Bear - 'Southern Sun' (2014)


Track of the year alert! I don't know how but I just have that feeling, I can't get enough of this song at the moment. Boy & Bear are an Aussie folk-rock quintet with a couple of albums, both topping the ARIA Album Charts. Their album released last year called Harlequin Dream reached number 1 in its first week! Now you can't say fairer than that for a recommendation right? When I heard this, the chorus reminded me a bit of a song I loved by Everything But The Girl, 'I didn't know I was looking for love'. Boy and Bear have a sort of Lamb Chop, Grandaddy Americana thing going complete with mandolin and its just the sort of stuff I feel like hearing right now. Just have to imagine myself standing on the top of Ayers Rock and the feeling is complete!

London Scouser:-
Bombay Bicycle Club - 'Luna' (2014)


As soon as this started I thought it's the Knight Rider theme tune... Ok so it's not, but for a minute it almost kinda was sort of... To me anyway... But I digress, the BBC are back with another great song from their latest album 'So Long, See You Tomorrow' which this week became their first number one album. They are currently in the middle of a European tour and arrive back in the UK at the beginning of March before heading across the pond in April for a couple of months in North America. Not to worry though, they will be back in July where I will see them at Latitude 2014! The video features synchronised swimming which is always fun to watch too !!

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Comments

The Swede said…
Old Pa. I think I may have one album by this band lurking on a hard-drive somewhere, but I certainly had no idea that they'd released so many. This is good stuff.

Flycasual. I noticed that this LP was out, but haven't got around to checking it yet. A perfect tune for this curiously Spring-like morning. It feels like we've had a very long wet Autumn and just skipped Winter.

Sfw. Very nice cover. Shame about the tax avoidance.

Shell Hunter. I know what you mean, this is instantly impressive. Really good. I like this a lot.

London Scouser. 5/5 for the Tune Doctors! Another corker from BBC. (Do you know Mark Mulcahy? The vocal really sounds like him).
Shell Hunter said…
Indeed TS, a very enjoyable selection this week!
Pa- very catchy, really like it. Goes well with my choice this week too!
Fly- nice and chilled, I can taste the dust in my mouth but I like it!
Sfw- you old softy you! Nice track!
LS- BBC can do no wrong, another corker and especially can't wait to see them at Latitude too!
Old Pa's Corner said…
FC - been listening to the album some corkers on it
SFW - good cover from my fav lennon album
SH - i have skipped through their album last week and this is the track I liked best
LS - This is good must check the album out now.....great last min goal in thye week...game today on BT....damm!
Anonymous said…
Old Pa - very apt but feel good all the same. Can't knock it.

Flycasual - has the blues all over it. Nice groove.

Sfw - never sure if Beck is the artist I love to hate or hate to love. Depends. New album is good, by all accounts.

Shell Hunter - certainly song of the week. Would like to hear more of them. Nice boots. A bit of Midlake, too?

LS - Never heard much of this bunch. This is pretty good. Some good hooks and I like that marimba sound that runs through it. British Sea Power also have a song called 'Luna', which I'd also recommend. What kind of person is called Luna, anyway?



flycasual said…
Old Pa, yes how apt....we could do with a Kong here now. Really good, worth checking out the album?

Sfw, aw schucks...

SH, yeah I dig this a lot, I will be playing this quite a bit a feel. What an awkward place to play though.

LS, I have enjoyed everything BBC have thrown at me and rate them highly but I'm still waiting for something to come through for me from the new album.