POST-NOTHING

Although it's not even spring, Japandroids have already produced the perfect summer anthem with their new song "Young Hearts Spark Fire". It's a perfect balance between catchy shouts, dirty garage rock guitars and upbeat drums, which I like to call JAPUNK. However, the thought of waiting until the end of April for the rest of the album is a quite depressing prospect. Last.fm helped me get over this terrible thought and is previewing the album.

Preview the album on last.fm or download Young Hearts Spark Fire single on Pitchfork.


Please note that these songs are 128 kbs and are a mere preview (except for Young Hearts Spark Fire 256 kbs), everyone should go out and by the album once it hits the shelves late April.
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BROMST

I know it's only March but I doubt anyone will produce an album as good as Dan Deacon's Bromst. The follow up to 2007's Spiderman of the Ring surpasses the boundaries of musical genius and is the most perfectly crafted and dense album I have heard for a long time. If you decide to listen to it please take your time as sticking it on as mere background music would be an insult to the work that has gone into crafting Bromst. To fully grasp the experience view the Pitchfork.tv special:



TRY and BUY
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I went to the patisserie they are always very happy to see me!

I totally forgot about my overwhelming love for Eddie Argos' humor and the nightmares I have had about his corpulent physique, until last week when I randomly decided to turn on Bang Bang Rock and Roll. Bang Bang Rock and Roll is the most wonderful fuck you album to all the wannabe pretentious bands around and the perfect illustration that the best music is crafted with basic ingredients, such as: the will to perform on top of the pops, shit hot guitar riffs, upbeat drums, ex-girlfriends and fantastic lyrics.

Now it is my great pleasure to tell you that Eddie Argos is back in town. Not as a Glam Chop or Vangaboy but with Art Brut. Art Brut are set to release their third album Art Brut Vs. Satan somewhere next month and I am happy to say that the two new songs are sounding as good as ever. Alcoholics Unanimous deals with getting drunk and the inevitable hangover, served with the classic Art Brut guitars and lyrics, "last night we tried to warn him! It took me ages to get dressed this morning". Just Desserts is possibly even more catchy and sexplains why I have had nightmares about Argos' physique "whenever i get hurt, i skip dinner have a big dessert / I went to the patisserie they are always very happy to see me!"



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Those who sleep with electric guitars

No words can ever describe the genius that is Pavement, therefore I would like to cut to the chase and force you to download this album.

Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain

1. "Silence Kid" – 3:01 (aka "Silence Kit" due to a misprint on the cover)
2. "Elevate Me Later" – 2:51 (aka "Ell Ess Two")
3. "Stop Breathin'" – 4:28
4. "Cut Your Hair" – 3:07
5. "Newark Wilder" – 3:53
6. "Unfair" – 2:33
7. "Gold Soundz" – 2:41
8. "5-4=Unity" – 2:09
9. "Range Life" – 4:54
10. "Heaven Is a Truck" – 2:30
11. "Hit the Plane Down" – 3:36 (Spiral Stairs)
12. "Fillmore Jive" – 6:38

TRY and BUY
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Where's the woolen sweater you mentioned in the letter?

Clap Your Hands Say Yeah have recently announced their public hiatus, although they are still together it will probably take a while before they will release some new blistering material. However, I for one will never forget CYHSY whatever may happen to them in the future. Their self-titled debut album is one of my all time favourite records and deserves all the credit it got over the last few years. The energy, wide variety of sounds, DIY attitude, tongue-in-the-cheek lyrics and squealing vocals, make this is album a must listen for everyone who claims to be remotely interested in music.

"they are child stars, child stars, child stars"

Clap Your Hands Say Yeah - Clap Your Hands Say Yeah

1. "Clap Your Hands!" – 1:48
2. "Let the Cool Goddess Rust Away" – 3:24
3. "Over and Over Again (Lost and Found)" – 3:09
4. "Sunshine and Clouds (And Everything Proud)" – 1:02
5. "Details of the War" – 3:30
6. "The Skin of My Yellow Country Teeth" – 5:43 (Ounsworth, Lee Sargent, Guertin, Tyler Sargent, Greengalgh)
7. "Is This Love?" – 3:11
8. "Heavy Metal" – 4:01
9. "Blue Turning Gray" – 1:17 (Tyler Sargent)
10. "In This Home on Ice" – 3:58
11. "Gimmie Some Salt" – 3:03
12. "Upon This Tidal Wave of Young Blood" – 4:34

TRY and BUY
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YOUR LIFE IS OVER

Some 421 odd years after Shakespeare wrote one of his bloodiest tragedies Titus Andronicus a band formed in Glenn Rock, New Jersey went on to take this tragedy to a whole new level. After recording a self released, titled and recorded EP in 2005 Titus Andronicus went on to release their debut The Airing Of Grievances last year which shaped their breakthrough. The album is filled with hate as they proclaim there is no room for hope or future, as eventually we are all going to die. However, don’t be put off by this, perhaps, pessimistic but realistic view on life. This record is filled with the most startling hooks, tears and screams you have heard for a long time and I have yet to mention the exceptionally illustrious lyrics.

Anyone who has ever had an ex lover, will indisputably be able to relate with the pain and hatred that is portrayed in opening track Fear And Loathing In Mahwah, NJ, “You took a heart with so much room for love and filled it with hatred and rage.. until there was nothing left but for it to shrivel up and die.” The song parts with the illustration and reality of loathe “Now the way we hold each other so tight, would look more like a noose if held up to the light because we betray each other in dreams every night.” Arguably the most instant hit on the album is the self titled Titus Andronicus, with the repetitive chorus it is bound to dispatch a rush of adrenaline through your blood if the rest of the record hasn’t already send you straight to the intensive care department of a Riverside hospital. We might be beautiful but, as Los Campesinos! have mentioned before me, eventually we are doomed. “There'll be no more cigarettes / No more having sex / No more drinking until you fall on the floor / No more indie rock / Just a ticking clock / You have no time for that anymore / You better watch where you run your mouth / Because you know what they'll say to you, they'll say …..YOUR LIFE IS OVER”

I feel the urge to quote and dissect all the songs on the album as it is filled with the most sharp and honest lyrics that screech through the terror of garage rock sound, isn’t that what we all want? I know for a fact that Titus Andronicus share my opinion in Arms Against Atrophy “… please don't whisper sweet nothings in my ear when the sound of shredding vocal chords is what I want to hear”. I will stop spoiling the rest of the as I know from first hand, the best way to explore this album is on your own.

TITUS ANDRONICUS – THE AIRING OF GRIEVANCES

1. "Fear and Loathing in Mahwah, NJ" – 5:56
2. "My Time Outside the Womb" – 2:55
3. "Joset of Nazareth's Blues" – 2:30
4. "Arms Against Atrophy" – 5:16
5. "Upon Viewing Brueghel's Landscape with the Fall of Icarus" – 4:25
6. "Titus Andronicus" – 3:13
7. "No Future" – 7:39
8. "No Future Part Two: The Days After No Future" – 6:54
9. "Albert Camus" – 6:25


TRY AND BUY
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PONYTAIL SHARE THE BODY ELECTRIC

seen live: Gentle Friendly, Future Island and Ponytail @ 100 Club, 12 February 2009

Tonight's gig at 100 Club started as duo Gentle Friendly stepped up to play a short, two song, but very powerful set. This is yet another band that instantly grabs you by the balls and doesn't let go until you have shown your appreciation for their loud muscular rock powerhouse (bless yourself if you don't have balls). As the stage was cleared Baltimore's trio Future Island stepped up to surprise the shit out of the audience (not literally as that would have been very messy, obviously). Anyone who's familiar with the Office will know what I mean when I say that the front man Sam looks like David Brent, if he would have had a successful music career that is. It is probably Sam's amazing voice that clearly distinguishes him from David Brent. Furthermore Sam dances around the stage like an OD'ing Grizzly Bear, while bursting out his lyrics to the beat of über catchy electro tunes and bassline. If that doesn't get you moving you should go see a doctor.

The memory of these two bands would, however, soon be faded as the Baltimore quartet that is Ponytail hit the crowed with their art-house punk noise sound. I know that sounds vague so here are a few pointers, think of colours, energy, screams, wasabi powered drums, trebly guitars and forget about any bass. If that still doesn't work for you just listen to their music. Last years album Ice Cream Spiritual contains all these flavours and it's this album that dominated the setlist. The pony ride started of with 7 souls, blasting authentic primal chants into the audience in a manner only vocalist Molly Sigel can get away with. As the screams of Beg Waves screeched through the monitors the pony ride gained speed and evidently turned into a crazy horse ride at the first notes of Late for School.

To spice up the Ice Cream the new track Honey Touches was played, the song is largely in line with their previous work and merely another great new flavour to their pallet. The touch of honey hit the right spot and was followed by the only 'old' song on their setlist Bermuda Traingle which struck the audience like a Kamehameha blow to the chest. Sky Drool's "oew baby oew" and Die Allman Bruder raged past before the night was ended by crowd favourite and single Celebrate the Body Electric (It Came From an Angel).

"AWAYWEGONOW-AWAYWEGONOW-AWAYWEGONOW"

If you missed out on this gig you'll get a chance to redeem yourself on March 10 when Ponytail play at Lexington or on March 3 when Future Island will unleash hell at Old Blue Last.

Setlist:
7 Souls
Beg Waves
Late for school
Honey Touches
Bermuda Triangle
Sky Drool
Die Allman Bruder
Celebrate

PONYTAIL
FUTURE ISLANDS
GENTLE FRIENDLY
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22 Grand Love: I Love You Creedence

To spice up this blog a bit, I will be posting personal favourites at the start of every week with the title 22 Grand Love. The albums will mainly be random albums I love but have neglected for far too long. I won't do proper reviews on them as I feel you should make up your own mind. I will, however, give a short introduction to the artist and album. Please feel free to grasp the opportunity to comment on your own personal favourites, suggestions are more than welcome.

The first album I'll be posting is 2006 Etiquette by Casiotone for the Painfully Alone. CFTPA is a solo project by Chicago based Owen Ashworth. His first three albums were cassette-recorded gems which enhance a minimalistic approach, charged by his battery-powered casio and witty character-study lyrics. Etiquette only partly sticks to this formula as it gives us a more diverse and dynamic variety of sounds. However, the sentimental lyrics, portraying every day situations, are ever so present. Creating an album that grasps you from start to finish, as you get pulled into the world and observations of Owen Ashworth.
"This September I'll be 26 years old and El's the only one besides my dad who's ever said I love you Creedence"

Casiotone for the Painfully Alone - Etiquette (2006)

01 Etiquette I.D.
02 New Year's Kiss
03 Young Shields
04 I Love Creedence
05 Nashville Parthenon
06 Scattered Pearls
07 Happy Mother's Day
08 Holly Hobby (version)
09 Cold White Christmas
10 Bobby Malone Moves Home
11 Don't They Have Payphones Wherever You Were Last Night
12 Love Connection

Recommended tracks: New Years Kiss, I Love You Creedence and Cold White Christmas

Try here
Buy here

After recently releasing a collection of b-sides, covers and rare live recordings Advance Base Battery Life, CFTPA will release the proper follow up to Etiquette in April named VS. CHILDREN.
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CRYSTAL ANTLERS TEAR DOWN BOWLING LANES

seen live: Three Trapped Tigers and Crystal Antlers @ Bloomsbury Bowling Lanes, 5 February 2009

Tonight, the slightly unconventional venue, Bloomsbury Bowling Lanes, is home to the one of the most anticipated bands of 2009, Crystal Antlers. Yet another amazing band to hail from Southern California. With the release of their astonishing debut EP, produced by Mars Volta's Ikey Owens, Crystal Antlers went from sweeping chimneys to raping venues with their eclectic sound. Perhaps best described as psych-garage, combining punk, noise, blues, swirling guitars and psych into ground braking compositions.

Before kicking-off Three Trapped Tigers acted as main support act. Where the two other bands had earlier desperately failed to impress, Three Trapped Tigers proved to be very talented. By mixing Lighting Bolt like drums with synths and dynamic keyboards they create a sound that is not only striking but unmistakeably mind-blowing. When given the chance do not miss out on this band, as you most assuredly will be blown away.

With just one EP Crystal Antlers blasted through their songs, generating strike upon strike. What else would you expect from a band that has given us songs like A Thousand Eyes, Until The Sun Dies (Part 2), Vexation and Arcturus. After playing one new track the band left us with Parting Song for the Torn Sky. The sweeping bass intro is the start of what is to be a ten minute orgasm, as penetrating guitars meet with tearing drums and a screaming organ finished off by percussionist Sexual Chocolate (yeah, I know that's hot).

Fuck it dude, this is about as good as music gets, sheer EPIC.

CRYSTAL ANTLERS
THREE TRAPPED TIGERS




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VIDEO NASTIES UNLEASH HELLVETICA

Seen live: Video Nasties, Swanton Bombs, Threatmantics @ Cargo, 28 January 2009

After disappearing from the limelight last year, Video Nasties have returned from a lengthy fishing trip with the release of their second mind blowing EP Albatross. To inaugurate the release of this EP they’re touring through the U.K. this month, accompanied by Threatmantics and Swanton Bombs.

The Hellvetica tour stopped in London’s Cargo last night. With rotating head liners throughout the tour, it was Threatmantics turn to kick-off the night. The Welsh trio, who have recently signed to Domino, managed to get the blood flowing at high speed with their unique style combining folk, Welsh lyrics and pure rock. East London/Essex duo Swanton Bombs, yes another band with an unquestionable love for wrestling, continued on this leg. One only has to listen to Shock to know this band has all the potential of hitting the charts, intertwining edgy riffs with heaps of energy and catchy lyrics. That music is in fact a matter of nature and not nurture was once again proved when Dominic’s brother Eugene McGuinness got on stage to finish of the set in a fashionable manner.

However, with all due respect, there was always only going to be one head liner at tonight’s gig, Video Nasties, being arguably the best band to have hailed from London in the last couple of years. The much-anticipated release of their debut album On All Fours in April, will surely wake up the ones who have yet to be grasped by their intense and astounding collection of songs. Over the last few years they have, to some extent, changed their sound from the highly catchy Southern Demos (Plus One/Jorgensons Horn, Flickers, Riot Gear etc.) to a more ferocious and dark sound on the Karl Blau EP.

The band set off with one of their new tracks Stay Home, which ignited a forceful and yet pleasant feeling through my back spine. Stay Home was processed by another new song Jellybean, the song is guided by a scorching guitar riff, combined with powerful drums and mysterious vocals, another success number in the making. Devil and Karl Blau continued to flourish the set, serving two shots of pure adrenaline through the veins. However, while the band was clearly giving every drop of sweat to their home audience, I can’t help but state that the audience reacted far too sedate. Anyone who can recall the historical concert (I for one) at Paradiso in 2007 knows how an audience can turn a gig up to eleven. Nevertheless single Albatross, with Dominque McGuiness on guitar “to make it even more hardcore”, turned out to be plain proof of the sheer genius that is Video Nasties.

After playing two more new tracks HNB (no to be mistaken with Hearts and Bones) and Old Flower the set was brought to an epic close by one of their oldest and still one of their strongest songs to date, Teenage Celebration. From the first chords the song takes you on a seven minute trip that no class A drug will ever be able to re-enact. To finally explode into a unbelievable climax, leaving the audience in awes once again.

ALBATROSS



Setlist

Stay Home
Jellybean
Devil
Karl Blau
Conversation Dies
Kaiser
Albatross
HNB
Old Flowers
Teenage Celebration

VIDEO NASTIES: MYSPACE / .NET
THREATMANTICS: MYSPACE
SWANTON BOMBS: MYSPACE


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WHITE LIES BOUND TO GAIN A LIFE

Seen: White Lies, 20 January 2009 @ HMV Oxford Street

Last year we mentioned that White Lies had a sparkling bright future ahead of them. After playing various festivals around the world it was just a matter of time before the album To Lose My Life. Unlike their bright future the album is filled with dark songs mainly inspired by death. The demo’s of the three main songs we discussed last year Death, From the Stars and Unfinished Business are still excellent and haven’t left their soul at the studio’s editing board. New single To Lose My Life is bound to sing around in your head forever, as the chorus “Let’s grow old together and die at the same time” is ultimately catchy. Harry McVeigh’s voice is distinctive but above all breathtaking. The songs on to Lose My Life are characterised by slick keyboards and synths as well as edgy guitar and bass lines flowing into a sublime album.

The release of To Lose My Life was celebrated with an instore at Oxford Street’s HMV. At the outset the plastic scenery was never going to do justice to the intimate feel of the music. Nonetheless White Lies managed to create a personal atmosphere and clearly enjoyed every second of the long anticipated release. The set kicked off with Unfinished Business, which was followed by To Lose My Life, EST, A Place To Hide, The Price of Love and finished with arguably their best song to date Death.

WHITE LIES: listen


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TONIGHT: FRANZ FERDINAND AT ROUGH TRADE

Seen: Franz Ferdinand, 19 January 2009 @ Rough Trade

It has been a good three years since the release of Franz Ferdinand’s second album You could have it so much better with Franz Ferdinand (2005). Nevertheless their worldwide fame has been merely increasing over the years. Arguably obtaining the status of one the biggest bands the 21st century has produced to this day. As part of the promotion for their long awaited third album Tonight: Franz Ferdinand they are playing a series of intimate secret gigs across London town this week. Kicking off at a secret wristband only instore at Rough Trade last night.

The 250 lucky lucky fans were treated to an exclusive preview of the bands new album. Unlike the previous albums Tonight is a concept album, which refers to The Odyssey and James Joyce’s Ulysses as is most striking in Franz’s new single Ulysses. Besides the theme the most obvious element in which Tonight, to a certain extent, differs from previous work is the overall sound. In essence the album is filled with pop songs but these songs have got a more experimental twist to them as was ever so clear during their performance.

Tonight’s set commences with two classic Franz Ferdinandesque tracks both Send Him Away and No You Girls are straight on pop tunes with a rather catchy chorus combined with highly danceable rhythm sections. Live Alone is filled with bleep synths but as the song progresses they’re pushed to the background by a über catchy chorus “ “wherever you are, whoever is there, you know I’ll be here, whishing I could be there”.

Halfway during the set Bite Hard starts slow but soon goes into another up-tempo synth filled tune “we ride together, we die together”, with the scorching guitar solo at the 2:22 minute mark, turn it into another great tune. Single Ulysses gets the crowd chanting, the already instant hit, chorus “laa-lalalalaaa, Uylesses, I’ve found a new way”. Turn It On rolls into a lovely drum beat and razor guitar riff, turning it into another flat out wonderful song.

The set concludes with What She Came For, which starts of with a very classic Franz feel “I’ve got a question for you… Where do you see yourself in five minutes time?” As the song strides along the inevitable explosion comes at the end of the song when it turns into a full on punk tune, with explosive drums and squeaking guitars.

No, this is not the Franz we knew 3 years ago, this is better. They’ve found a healthy balance between their pop feel and their drive for more experimental songs. At moments when you feel the songs are turning into slightly cheesy pop songs the bands surprises and steps in at the right moment to turn songs around into proper tunes. Where other big bands such as Coldplay and Kaiser Chiefs have failed to achieve the standard of their debut album, Franz Ferdinand has come back with a more than decent third album which will most surely please first minute, last minute as well as new (cavemen?) fans.
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HISTORIA

Seen: Cajun Dance Party, Good Shoes, Loverman, 15 January 2009 @ Astoria 2

In its thirty year history Astoria has become one of London’s most prominent venues. Hosting the worlds biggest bands from U2 and Nirvana to upcoming bands in its smaller sister venue Astoria 2. However over the last couple of years plans to construct a railway station, which connects the centre of London to the east and west, have put Astoria’s future in uncertain hands. Sadly the ultimate decision to tear down Astoria has since been made.

To celebrate the last night at Astoria a final gig was organised on 15 January. Besides various DJ sets from the likes of Lightspeed Champion, Mystery Jets, Frederick Blood Royale and many others Loverman had the honour to kick off what would be one of the last gigs at Astoria ever. Their dark hardcore punk music sounds promising to say the least. Whilst the drums fracture your skull, the emphatic screams fix to your throat like pieces of broken glass. The vigorous ergo energetic performance by the front man got a fair share of the crowd going berserk, all the signs of an amazing night, that had yet to be fully unrolled.

The hype machine that is Cajun Dance Party released their first full-length release “The Colourful Life” on major label XL Recordings. With another release planned for 2009 everything seems to go well for these teenagers. However, their live performances, although well prepared, lack the natural energy and enthusiasm you would expect from such a promising band. The unnecessary dramatic and pitiful approach by front man Daniel Blumberg plainly doesn’t work. Neither does the total lack of unity within the band’s style (jumpers, leather jackets, dresses, make up, boots, sneakers, beards etc.) add to their arsenal of wise before their years pop songs. To some these factors might come across as utterly irrelevant, however, these are the predominant factors that distinguish the average drama high school performance from a proper gig.

London’s Good Shoes had the privilege to play the last gig in Astoria’s bright history. Unlike the middle of the road performance by Cajun Dance Party Good Shoes were bound to end the night with a cracker from the advent of their set in the tiny bar overlooking the main stage. Front man Rhys words “If you vandalise it, it isn't going to matter because it is going to be fucking knocked down anyway.” were wisely followed by the crowd as Good Shoes kicked off with old favourite Photos. The eloquent mixture of old and new songs made me eager for the much-anticipated follow up to debut album Think Before You Speak. By ending the set with crowd favourite Morden resulting in a total mayhem of limbs, guitars, glasses and sweat Astoria was given its the last worthy push.

CAJUN DANCE PARTY: listen
GOOD SHOES: listen
LOVERMAN: listen

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FIRE FIRE

Na zeker een jaar radiostilte, kwam begin deze week het bericht dat Jamie T druk bezig is met het afronden van zijn tweede studio album. Als teaser heeft hij ons de nieuwe single FIRE FIRE gegeven. In tegen stelling tot Panic Prevention (2007), lijkt Jamie T met Fire Fire een meer hardcore punk richting ingeslagen te zijn. Het nummer klinkt veelbelovend en zal voor de meeste fans als een complete verrassing komen.




Download: Jamie T - Fire Fire
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2008 - 1989

Na een bewogen jaar die enthousiast begon is de aandacht voor 22 Grand Blog na de te lange zomerstop helaas verzwakt. Met meer tijd, ruimte, energie en wilskracht zullen in 2009 de reviews weer terugkeren. Dit keer niet vanuit Amsterdam maar vanuit Londen. Als voorproefje is hier het nieuwste nummer van de naamgever van deze blog.

The Rakes - 1989


Het nummer is de eerste single van het op 23 maart te verschijnen derde studio album van The Rakes, die de titel "Klang" voert.

01. You'e In It
02. That's the Reasons
03. The Loneliness Of the Outdoor Smoker
04. Bitchin' In the Kitchen
05. The Woes Of the Working Woman
06. 1989
07. Shackelton
08. Light From Your Mac
09. Mullet's Rachet
10. The Final Hill
11. Never Get Married
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