My relationship with computer games pretty much ended, ironically enough when I shelled out a stupid amount of money on an X-box 360 a few years ago. Pound per play is definitely a brutally depressing statistic. If I was still into video games at all, I would probably be aware of some game called Portal 2 which has just been released and is apparently quite a big deal. The only reason I do care is that The National have recorded a brand new song specially for the game, entitled Exile Vilify. The song is predictably brilliant, and for anyone that is into games apparently Portal 2 isn’t bad either.
Saturday was a good day for music geeks all over the world, as the fourth annual Record Store Day presented the record buying public with a chance to purchase a wide range of special releases from artists such as Radiohead, The White Stripes, The Clash, Lady Gaga, Foo Fighters, Gorillaz and countless more. My “plan” (the inverted commas will be explained shortly) for the day was to get up early, hotfoot my way up to Avalanche, get myself a few limited releases then catch a set from Frightened Rabbit. Inevitably this was not the way it turned out and after queuing for the best part of nearly forty five minutes for a chance to buy some records, my laziness and hunger levels dissuaded me from waiting in another horrendous queue for a chance to catch Frabbit. The fact I missed one of my favourite bands in a really intimate setting was obviously a bit of a pain, but I’ve seen them twenty odd times before, I’ll without a shadow of doubt see them again, and the lunch I went on to have instead was fairly incredible.
Frabbit then got themselves through to Glasgow, and on this occasion I am gutted I wasn’t at Mono a few hours later to witness James Graham of The Twilight Sad join Frightened Rabbit for a version of Be Less Rude, which by all accounts was rather special.
As for what I actually bought, I chose, after much deliberation, the Franz Ferdinand covers 12”, the Interpol Try It On Remix 12”, the Edwyn Collins and The Drums 7” and my personal favourite, The Twilight Sad and Frightened Rabbit split cassette. I could have spent a truly stupid amount of money but I’m pretty happy with my purchases.
The Franz EP features an all star cast trying their hand at covering some Franz Ferdinand numbers, the obvious highlight being a fantastic version of Live Alone by Debbie Harry and Franz themselves. LCD Soundsystem, Stephen Merritt, ESG and Peaches are the others to contribute.
The mix Salem have done of Try It On, is the most engaging track Interpol have been involved in for a while and is the highlight of the EP. The other mixes from Banjo Or Freakout and Ikonika however are both definitely worth checking out.
In Your Eyes by Edwyn Collins & The Drums is from Collins' seventh solo album 'Losing Sleep' - which also features Franz Ferdinand's Alex Kapranos and Nick McCarthy, Johnny Marr, and The Cribs' Ryan Jarman - released back in September of last year. The track itself sees Collins and The Drums compliment each other perfectly, creating a catchy and rather beautiful four minute pop gem.
The Twilight Sad and Frightened Rabbit cassette is an essential listen, for fans of either band and features very early, previously unheard material from both artists. It really is fascinating to hear the roots of two of my favourite bands, and as raw and rough around the edges as the material is, it clearly displays the potential that both artists would go on to fulfill.
I hope everyone got some equally great releases and had a nice wee day into the mix. Until next year!
Last night (April 2nd) one of the greatest bands of the past ten years, LCD Soundsystem played their final gig to a packed out MadisonSquareGarden. Those lucky enough to get a ticket were treated to set of nearly three and a half hours featuring 29 songs, (including performances of tracks from 45:33 that have rarely been performed live) 2 encores and a guest appearance from several members of Arcade Fire. I quite often get gig jealously but seldom has it ever been this bad; I really, really wish I was in NY last night to witness LCD bow out in style.
I can’t really remember the first time I heard an LCD Soundystem song, but I’ll admit it was probably a lot later than many, round about the time of the release of their self titled debut album in 2005. I remember buying the record and although I was impressed with it, back then I was still fairly reluctant to truly embrace electronic music. However the more I listened to it and became immersed in it, I finally began to realise that good music could have a lot more to it, than just a couple of guitars, a bass and some drums. Although pre-LCD I had dappled in some electronic music, this release marked the first time I had fallen in love with a record that was a lot more electronically focused than anything I had previously loved.
By the time Sound Of Silver was released in 2007 I can safely say my taste in music was a lot more developed and refined than it has been back in 2005. I distinctly remember the first time I listened to it, even after one spin I could already truly appreciate what an incredible, landmark piece of music the band had created. To this day it is one of my favourite records of all time and it contains my favourite song of all time, the nostalgic, poignant and utterly stunning All My Friends. I find it impossible to put into words how much I love this track, it has the rare quality of sounding utterly perfect no matter the setting or situation. Also with every passing year, I as move further away from my teens gradually approaching the dreaded quarter century before the even more dreaded 30, lyrically it becomes even more poignant:
‘It's a song written by a middle-ager that looks back upon the kinds of simple momentary glories it's likely soundtracking this summer: hanging out, joking around, escaping into flings, and dancing on drug.’
The above article sums up the song far better than I ever could so please give it a read, but James Murphy and friends I thank you from the bottom of my heart for crafting the finest piece of music I have heard so far in my life. I have spent a lot of time heaping praise on just one track, but as it’s my favourite of all time I hope you can forgive me.
All My Friends aside, Sound Of Silver is an absolutely brilliant record; touching, heartfelt, fun and thrilling, an extraordinary achievement.
My love affair with the band continued last year when I finally got to see them live, ( I did have tickets for another gig back in 2007 but a chance encounter with a bottle cap and the hospital trip that followed fucked that one up) and the release of their third LP This Is Happening. The gig itself was at the best venue in the world (that’s official by the way) the Barrowlands in Glasgow, and is one of the best concerts I’ve ever had the pleasure of attending. After a remarkable set, the band finished on All My Friends and finally seeing it live is probably one of the most euphoric, emotional and unforgettable moments of my life so far.
I have just gone back and re-read everything I’ve written so far and I’m struck even myself at how much LCD Soundsystem have meant to me over the past few years, but I have meant every word. The band have helped soundtrack my life over the past five or six years and released some consistently great music along the way. I highly doubt anyone from the band will ever read this, but if so, thanks for the memories.
