2007 According to iTunes

iTunes has listed thier best sellers for 2007. These include singles, albums and tv shows.

The Top 10 Singles:

1. Grace Kelly - Mika
2. Umbrella - Rihanna feat Jay Z
3. How to save a life - The Fray
4. Ruby - Kaiser Chiefs
5. Hey There Delilah - Plain White Ts
6. Stronger - Kanye West
7. Foiundations - Kate Nash
8. Bleeding Love - Leona Lewis
9. About You Now - Sugababes
10. Shine - Take That

Top 10 Albums:

1. Back to Black - Amy Winehouse (despite being released early 2006)
2. Life in Cartoon - Mika
3. Favourite Worst Nightmare - Arctic Monkeys
4. Version - Mark Ronson
5. Hand Built Robots - Newton Faulkner
6. Beautiful world - Take That
7. Echoes, Silence, Patience and Grace - Foo Fighters
8. Yours Truly, Angry Mob - Kaiser Chiefs
9. Eyes Open - Snow Patrol
10. Shock Value - Timbaland

Looking at the list shows me one thing: The general public are lazy about liking new music and prefer songs to grow on them. And that they have no taste - Really people, Mark Ronson???? Newton Faulkner????

New Videos

Despite the whole poppiness of Kate Nash, I still like her tunes. Cute and sweet. Here's her latest single - Pumpkin Soup.



I'm also a huge fan of Finnish metallers HIM. Here is thier new single from the absolutely awesome album Venus Doom - Bleed Well.



I'm also in the process of working up the top albums of 2007. Any suggestions?

And from the newsdesk...

Punknews.org directed my attention to this little article. Apparently, major label EMI is planning a serious shopping spree. Due to the slumping music industry worldwide, they are restructuring the company and plan to spend up to $200M on acquiring successful indie labels, as well as indie artisit management companies, promoters, and touring companies.

This begs the question...will teh sucessful indies be bought out by the majors waving large amounts of cash, or will they stick to thier indie roots and carry on a la Rough Trade? Its a double edged sword because EMI can give the indies much needed global support and distribution but what will they want in return?

A lot of the changes will go into limiting actual cds for store distribution in exchange for more online sales as well as ploughing through MySpace for new talent. What ever happened to good old go-out-to-a-gig-and-watch-the-band method???

New Video....

For those of you who thought the Plain White Ts were all about sappy love ballads, here is thier new caustic single Hate.
Enjoy!

Top of the Charts

N.I.P, our favourite local rockers, are currently at the top of the Kovsie FM Rock Chart with thier single Sons Ondergang.
They were also last spotted on the Powerzone Top 40 with thier second single No More. Download this awesome track right over here.

Another Show...

Thursday night I found myself at the O2 arena in Greenwich, London. Formerly the Millenium Dome, this building is now hosting music events. I personally think the venue is so big that even for a show like My Chemical Romance, who's trademark is over-the-top theatrics, it should be used for x-sports instead.
But maybe i'm just spoilt and prefer to see bands in a small venue with about 300 other people at the most.
So there I was, up in the rafters, wishing I had brought along my binoculars as the people on stage looked about 1cm tall.
The opening act was Mindless Self Indulgence (aka Mrs Gerard's Band). I sat back and watched, objectively, to thier set. And you know what? They really weren't that bad. But then, they weren't good either. Mostly rapping to punk music. With repetitive lyrics in the veins of 50 Cents. What? You couldn't be asked to try some clever word play?

So once this foursome flounced offstage, we had our headliners come on. Well, three out of five. Bob Bryar (drummer) is on sick leave due to a wrist injury, and Frank (rythmn guitar) was away due to a family illness.
But we had Gerard, Mikey and Ray to keep up the act. Now here comes the stupid part. I carefully typed out the playlist on my phone during the show and stupidly pressed the wrong button and erased it! So I'm relying on my memory from here on in.
Opening with a new track Stay Awake the band kicked off the show! Before you knew it, we were being raced through hits from all three albums, including Mama, Prison, Give 'em Hell Kid, Honey..., Headfirst for Halos, Helena, Teenagers and of course the ballady I Don't Love You.
Pyrotechics were going crazy during Welcome To The Black Parade, which still sends shivers down my spine.
Gerard is an amazing front man, even without the antics of Frank to amuse, he captivated us. Well, me at least. His banter was warm, darkly funny and went down well with everyone there.


(Photocredit to Somlanare off LJ)

Reports from Camp MCR say that this is thier last European show until thier next album. Let's just hope they don't choose the O2 arena again.

The Killers feat. Lou Reed

If you don't know who Lou Reed is, go do your homework, then come back and watch this amazing collaboration.

Latest SA Offering...

ASHBURNER is a diary of pain leading to happiness. This self discovery rides on a wave of electronic rock like tears taught to dance and rage. Right now you get a sneak peak at what will become a 2008 release. Yes, it's a grand, FREE download from kick arse South Africa. Enjoy another great www.WickedRock.co.za project. Get rocked!

Indie Animals

I'd like to introduce you to The Wombats.
The UK's latest addition to the ever increasing indie scene. Thier new single 'Let's Dance to Joy Division' is taking every indie dancefloor by storm. I have found myself bouncing around to it, which is surprising. The video is cute, full of homages to older bands.
The song itself is catchy. Very catchy. Good rock 'n roll in the get up and dance way. Enjoy.

New Singles...

First up, Jimmy Eat World's new single Big Casino.
The video is on YouTube - I just can't embed it at the moment.

Look out for my full album review coming soon.

There's also the new single from Nightwish sporting thier brand spanking new frontlady Anette Olzon. Look out for it - Bye Bye Baby.

Christmas Came Early

It gets under your skin.

This song may be old, but it does get into your head and under your skin.

It's Award Season Again

Who has won over the MTV hoards this year???

Will Linkin Park show Fall Out Boy and MCR what 'Rocking Out' is all about? Or will the fangirls crash the server, again?

Will newbies Tokio Hotel beat out comeback kids Linkin Park as 'Band of 2007'?

Will Depeche Mode be acknowledged?

And will a British group actually stand a chance against the strong American presence.

It is after all the EUROPE music awards. So why can we only count Muse, Arctic Monkeys, Amy Winehouse, Depeche Mode and The Chemical Brothers as the only European acts in the line up???? Did MTV fail geography?

The ceremony takes place in November. Hosted in Munich, Germany (which went down so well in 2001). No further details were available.

Motion City Soundtrack @ Astoria , London - 5 October 2007

Last night, instead of falling in love without someone, I fell back in love with Motion City Soundtrack.
This completely underrated pop punk act from Minneapolis, USA has been on tour for the past few months promoting thier new album - Even If It Kills Me - which, by the way, is a phenomenal collection of love songs I am way overdue to review.

So tonight, with Mother in tow, I landed at the Astoria very sober and ready for action.
We caught Starlight Run half way through thier act. Not too bad. Bonus points for lead female, yet, not too memorable.

Next up was Zolof The Rock & Roll Destroyer. Mouthy name, but pretty good Pixies-ish band. Kept the raucous crowd somewhat in line.

Then came the headliners, the reason we were there. And man, what a show. Justin controlled and encaptivated the audience, who was singing every song word for word back to him. The set list included old staples such as LG FUAD, Attractive Today, Red Dress, newbies - Opening with Fell in Love Without You, Antonia, This is For Real, Broken Heart, It Had To Be You, and Point of Extinction.
The set was tight with nearly no techinical issues except for the roadie removing Justin's guitar before thier encore, which was rather funny..it was a you-had-to-be-there-moment.

I would have loved to meet them just to say - Well Done boys! The album is fabulous, the show rocks and please, would you sign my wrist cast.
We can't have it all...i guess.

The Bandwagon

Ever since the Oscar winning success of the Johnny Cash biopic, Walk The Line, Hollywood has decided that musical biopics are the way to go. And how do you do a musical biopic? Use current musicians, of course.

There's the Joe Strummer movie- The Future is Unwritten, the Bob Dylan movie - I'm Not There (with Cate Blanchett as Bob - and yes, she pulls it off), and now, the Dewey Cox movie - Walk Hard.

I'll be the first to admit it, I have no idea who Dewey Cox is, but the trailer has me eager to see it. John C Reilly (last seen singing in 2003's Chicago) takes the lead with cameos from nearly every big star at the moment. The deal clincher for me, however, was seeing Jack White of The White Stripes play Elvis.

Here's the trailer:

Mark this in your diary

My Chemical Romance talks to The 'Campus - Style

My Chemical Romance talks to The 'Campus - Style

Clubland

London is by no means a small city, and one is never pressed to find something to do on any given night. But, there is the huge risk of ending up in a dive with a band that needs a lot more practice and paying far too much for beer.
Lucky for everyone out there, I have taken to the dodgy pavements of London and weeded out the best places to be any given weekend.

Friday:

Beneath the World's End pub in Camden, lies another world - UNDERWORLD. A club that hosts live bands from up and coming youngsters to veteran acts. But the fun really starts after the roadies have cleared the stage.
PUMP UP THE VOLUME comes at you full blast, throwing every 80's guilty pleasure you know and then some. I'm not and 80's fan, but I was jumping and dancing and singing along in no time! And I even knew the words to the songs!
The vibe is friendly, the people cool and everyone is there to indulge in thier nostalgia.
The beer isn't too expensive either.
Entrance is £5.

1st Friday of every month:

Who likes a little indie rock? VOTE PEDRO is the club to be. They feature two awesome bands with some electric and electic mixing in between sets. Hosted in the basement bar of The Phoenix in Cavendish Square, this night is seeing a bigger turn out every month. Help it grow...

Entrance is £5.

Update...And a Video!

Hi guys,

Sorry I've been absent...between breaking my wrist and paying my rent, I've been uber busy listening to the latest albums to come my way.

Coming up by the end of the week you'll have reviews on:

Venus Doom - HIM
Even If It Kills Me - Motion City Soundtrack
Every Second Counts - Plain White T's
Echoes, Silence, Patience and Grace - Foo Fighters

As Well As

A look at some of the best alternative club nights in London.

AND

Interviews with some up and coming scene shakers.

So keep reading. For now, enjoy the latest video from Motion City Soundtrack - This Is For Real.

The Used - Pretty Handsome Awkward Video

Once you overlook the Cobain-esque hair style, this is a video that actually hits the debauchery on the head! Love it! Like the song too...

Latest CDs Reviewed

10c SHORT

The Lonely Colour Green
6/10

by Verushka Singh (courtesy Wicked Rock)

10c SHORT’S debut, The Lonely Colour Green, possesses melody that occasionally intoxicates. Surprisingly, the CD was masterfully recorded in just five days by RP Studios (after this Nelspruit band won a recording contract). The band name becomes rather ominous considering their disintegration not long after this release but I review as it deserves a footnote in South African music history.

The opener provides a glimpse of their attitude towards music; both playful and entertaining. The tracks ‘Heavy Weight’ and ‘Bus Stop Song’ are inspired ballads which emphasize the power of lyrical value, emotional content, good vocals and fluid instruments. Collectively, the CD imparts slivers of nostalgic loneliness which is appropriately delivered by a consistent, yet subtle, dramatic tone.

10c SHORT creates a safe place for easy listening but the elegance falls short of rebellion and innovation. Consequently, The Lonely Colour Green runs the risk of being lonely itself, relegated to background music instead of fulfilling the promise that it shows. Then again, it is mood music and Jack Johnson made a million out of such.

Top: The tracks ‘Syderman’, ‘Heavy Weight’ and ‘Starboard’.
Bottom: Perfectly mellow as an individual track but overall too quiet.
Hope: That this good foundation grows into something bigger for post band projects.



N.I.P

Full Of Myself
8/10

by Verushka Singh (courtesy Wicked Rock)



N.I.P (Nothing In Particular), a grass level band from the infamous Kempton Park in South Africa, displays a uniquely, magnanimous tone in Full of Myself (2007), a commercially applicable CD which rides high in the mainstream, rock ‘n roll circuit.

Jacques Ceronio, Karel Liebenberg, Shaun Neetling and Shawn Steinmann are the bodies and spirit responsible for Full of Myself which possesses a unique vocal that erupts from each track, shredding the tranquility of mundane teen-angst themes. N.I.P’s lyrical bilingualism (the songs interplay between English and Afrikaans) enhances their accessibility and perhaps, more importantly, exhibits the perception needed today: one of both diversity and individuality. ‘Jefferies Baai’, for instance, is sung against the comforting backdrop of sea gulls and ocean waves. The tone of the track coincides with the ebb and flow of waves reflecting the ocean’s simplistic beauty, colossal capacity for miscellany and melodious roar. It should be noted that the English tracks strike a less powerful tone than the Afrikaans ones but all the same improves N.I.P’s exposure which is evident with the debut single, ‘No More’ having already been #3 on MFM, #1 on KovsieFM and #6 on SAMP3.com.

Full of Myself does spawn off reminders of other bands but the intrinsic flow and sing-a-long capacity of every verse does proves N.I.P.’s capability to extend beyond the crowded mainstream sea of inanimate groups in the South African music industry.

www.myspace.com/thebandnip

Top: ‘No More’, ‘Jefferies Baai’ and ‘Wind’ are great tracks.
Bottom: More creative lyrics needed for both English and Afrikaans tracks.
Hope: That they get rare South African cash injection so that every campus student is aware that this CD exists




MÉNAGE À TROIS’

These Are Birthmarks

8/10

by Wicked Mike (courtesy of Wicked Rock)

“Take it or leave it, I’m the best version of me you’ll ever find. I’ll blow your mind.” And i want to believe her. Lead songstress, Auriel Lefebre, mesmerizes with wise words of melancholy, strength, fragility, intelligence, beauty and a fuck-off attitude. “Besides these tits of mine, everything but my spine, I can swear that I’m a bigger man.”

There is no doubt that bassist Garth de Meillon and drummer Jako Loots are essential lovers to this experimental birth called MÉNAGE À TROIS and that their musical dexterity, from folk to rock to funk, gets a full body from Wolmer Studios. Band highlights are ‘Stepping Through’, ‘Saturday Night Machines’ and ‘Voodoo’.

But as a writer, my soul is constantly sucked towards Auriel’s earnest words and the manner in which they’re delivered ("The truth wasn't easy so we called the truth a lie."). She is at her most poignant with the spoken lyrics of ‘34th’ and ‘Afterthought’. The former has gotten me reading Allen Ginsberg whilst the latter is the most profound musician statement about our troubled South Africa. The refrain “you’re gonna be raped and stabbed and shot at” echoes in my head long after the cd has finished, even when i’m standing in the sun.

For the uninitiated, I suggest that MÉNAGE À TROIS’s first birth is like putting a nude Fetish, Bjork and the Dresden Dolls in the same bed; downright clever, passionate, sexy and special. It’s amazing that a cd can be so sensationally warm yet violent at the same time. These Are Birthmarks epitomizes beauty in darkness. In a world of globalised stupidity, MÉNAGE À TROIS is a thankful reminder that a few, brave bands and artists exist…and are standing up.

www.myspace.com/menageatroissa

Top: Intelligent, outspokenness that I feared South Africa never possessed anymore. Bottom: I would’ve have loved to have heard instruments and vocals enraged (just once).

Hope: That internationally, they receive recognition from the Dave Matthews’ crowd as something more spectacular.



THE NEW ACADEMICS
City of Strange
7/10
by Verushka Singh



THE NEW ACADEMICS have become a hope of the South African music industry by extending the market for rock. City of Strange delves into the arena of hip-hop for those that love a vibe, jazz for the lovers of the soul and rock for head-bangers. In less talented hands, these genres would be at war with one another but solid choruses, cunningly constructed lyrics and good musicianship bind them together. Spearing this funk rock are Joe Penn (vocals, sax and lyrics), Dave Baudains (guitars), Martin Labuschagne (bass) and Howie Combrink (drums).

The nostalgic influences experienced by the band’s relocation from Cape Town to Johannesburg are tangible, expressing the loneliness and incongruity they share through their evolution of spirit, place and perception. Passion stews styles. Track 3, the masterful ‘Chunky’, boasts an astute use of verse, expressing a witty yet mischievous side to a band which deliberately flashes it’s listeners with spasms of intellect.

I doubt that everyone will grasp THE NEW ACADEMICS’ enthusiastic interpretation of music but, for me, it is a rock of creationism. My only dispute lies in repetition. Sometimes the tracks seem to melt into one another, making it difficult to distinguish which is which. If only there were more moments of genius such as ‘Chunky’, ‘Spiral’ and ‘Would Smoke’. Even alone, those deserve the band a standing ovation.

Top: Creative hybrid.
Bottom: Will the mass public understand how clever this is?
Hope: I want to see this translated live.



HABIT TO
Secrets to a Triangle
8/10
sinning with Wicked Mike

What a relief! Fours years of amazing live performances have finally
compounded into a much anticipated feature mysteriously entitled Secrets
to a Triangle.

HABIT TO are sensational with their step-to-the-side delivery of
alternate, prog enthused, rock 'n roll. Jazz and classical training combines
with a love for heavy to steer clear of the mainstream whilst remaining
extremely accessible. That a 3-piece can deliver such a bullish sound
means that each band member gives 100%. Andrew Stent thrums the bass
passionately whilst Dale Wardell's drum sticks have mastered whispers and
thunders. Chillie Stent (yes, there are good genes here) eats the air
and breathes it out beautifully onto her electrifying guitar.

All tracks are devotions to the heart of music but my favourite secrets
are the pounding 'Eden', the many-layered 'Before You Go', the
sing-a-long 'Cast In Stone', the psychological 'House Without Knives' and the
multi-vocalled 'May Night Sky'.

Having won the biggest band competition in 2006, in their home city of
Durban, HABIT TO are known locally but with this product they deserve
union with conversations about great bands such as Riverside, Neal Morse
and Pain of Salvation. Sensational!




FOKOFPOLISIEKAR
As Jy Met Vuur Speel Sal Jy Brand
7/10
by Verushka Singh (courtesy of Wicked Rock)

FOKOFPOLISIEKAR debuted in April 2003 with As Jy Met Vuur Speel Sal Jy Brand, an EP which ultimately dubbed them as Afrikaans rock rebels. Their self-composed lyrics have cut to the heart of their generation by bleeding out the intellectual commoner’s deepest thoughts and social inadequacies. FOKOFPOLISIEKAR’s mocking upbeat tone of guitars, played by Hunter Kennedy and Johnny de Ridder, and drums by Jaco (Snakehead) Venter, interweave into a sound of pure frustration, hurt and anger.

Of all the tracks ‘Verklaar’ hits home with the most strident plea; ebbing and flowing with emotion and energy. This track’s balancing act of desperation and in-your-face ridicule plays well to the ear whilst reprimanding the Afrikaaner community for their self-promoting attitudes in which they are consistently editing out their moral and social inequities. ‘Hemel op die Platteland’ stings its audience with abrasive, rhetorical questions criticizing intelligence, religion and Afrikaaner culture. Aberdeen (the referral), for those who don’t know, is a small industrial community which disregards its size by consistently adapting, aiming for the future.

FOKOFPOLISIEKAR cuts deep with perceptions of the South African Afrikaans community being stuck in the past: immobile, ineffective and invisible when compared to the rest of the world. Simultaneously, each track slices through the windows of tradition to show that there is a better world on the other side for those brave enough to climb through.

Our First Post! - Kerrang Awards 2007

I think it is only right to kickstart our awesome new page with the results from one of my personal favourite magazines - Kerrang!
Not readily available in South Africa (sorry guys!) this little weekly keeps its finger not only on, but sets the pulse of the alternative rock scene in the UK and the US, with a smattering of Oz.

Every year the readers are asked to vote for whomever they think should be the winners out of the list of nominees given.
This method is always going to spark indignation amongst the tribes of fans. Whether its a fangirl deciding if she prefers the hardcore newbies Madina Lake to her favourite hearthrob (yes, I did use that word) Pete Wentz.

The results are in and the winners announced and it seems as though this year, taste and quality outranked publicity and overexposure.

Hall of Fame Award: Judas Priest

Kerrang Icon: Nine Inch Nails

Best International Band: My Chemical Romance (personal yippeeee!!)
Who lost out?
Fall Out Boy
Machine Head
Panic! At The Disco
The Used

Best British Band: Lostprophets (Can't say I agree with this one - Muse is by far the clear winner to me with Biffy Clyro snapping right at thier heels.)
Who needs more teenybopper fans?
Biffy Clyro
Enter Shikari
Funeral For A Friend
Muse

Hard Rock Hero: Machine Head - of course

Spirit of Independence: Enter Shikari
I'm not too sure what this award entails, but apparently The Prodigy won it last year. Go figure.

Classic Songwriter: Deftones
And last year Placebo won. I'm on the fence with this one.

Best Music Video: Fall Out Boy - This Ain't A Scene (they won last year too for Sugar, We're Going Down)
Whose fans don't watch MTV2?
Hellogoodbye 'Here (In Your Arms)'
Linkin Park 'What I've Done'
My Chemical Romance 'The Black Parade'
Paramore 'Misery Business'

Again - one of those awards where its obvious the fangirls overloaded the server. Granted, I love the video myself. It's funny, smart and tongue in cheek. I would have chosen MCR. Why? Sam. Bayer.

Best Album: Machine Head - The Blackening.
Whose Albums Didn't Rock As Much?
Biffy Clyro 'Puzzle'
Enter Shikari 'Take To The Skies'
Fall Out Boy 'Infinity On High'
My Chemical Romance 'The Black Parade'

Point to the oldies for slipping this one in. Can't really comment as I've yet to hear The Blackening, but it must be awesome to outrank Puzzle and Black Parade.

Best Single: The Kill - 30 Seconds to Mars
Whose song wasn't on repeat?
AFI 'Miss Murder'
Enter Shikari 'Sorry, You're Not A Winner'
Funeral For A Friend 'Into Oblivion'
My Chemical Romance 'Welcome To The Black Parade'

Now, again, this is fangirl territory. Miss Murder is a fantastic single, IMHO, that has one of the sexiest basslines in a rock song and the chorus makes you want to jump about! At the same time, Black Parade wasn't a good option for MCR as Teenagers and I Don't Love You are stronger singles.
Can't say much on FFAF or Enter Shikari - haven't heard them.

Best Live Band: Enter Shikari
Who didn't rock the joint as much?
Aiden
Angels And Airwaves
Lostprophets
Muse

Not having seen any of teh bands live (unless you count TV) I can't really comment. BUT...Where Enter Shikari had the upper hand was that untiil recently, you could still catch them at a small venue for a small ticket price and thereby actually SEEING the band up close. Muse, despite selling out Wembley Stadium - twice - lost that intimacy with thier audience by going OTT and forcing them to pay nearly £30 for a ticket to stand in a stadium and watch them on a big screen. Its and open air stadium. In Britain. Nuff said.

Best International Newcomer: Madina Lake
Whose debut was less than memorable?
Hellogoodbye
Job For A Cowboy
Madina Lake
The Sleeping
30 Seconds To Mars
Wonder where all the fangirls were for this one???

Best British Newcomer: Gallows
Who lost out on the patriotism?
The Ghost Of A Thousand
Kids In Glass Houses
Lost Alone
YouMeAt6

The Gallows recently had themselves dubbed the New Sex Pistols after running complete riot at Warped and Taste of Chaos tours in the States. My reasoning for thier win? No real competition.