Review: Kings of Convenience – Declaration of Dependence

Atmospheric vibe and minimal instrumentation have been the staples of both previous Kings of Convenience albums. Since the release of their first album, only Jose Gonzalez has come close to replicating this formula. Within the confines of that formula, the duo have excelled at creating amazingly unique melody. This album however, does not seem as inspired. Though most of the songs are catchy and fun at least five of them could be part 2 of “Know How”, a track from the previous album. The other slower songs, albeit beautifully sung, are rather predictable. The song “Renegade” is the most original in its beautifully naked chorus of unrhyming lyrics; “Go easy on me, I can’t help what I’m doing”, but the song itself sounds just like “Leaning Against a Wall” from the first album. In “Renegade” the unrhyming works but the Kings do it throughout the album and it often does not work can feel a bit cumbersome. Case in point is at the end of “Me in You”, where they sing “and im watching you now, i see you building a castle with one hand while tearing down another with the other”.

This album sees Eirik taking over most of the lead vocals again which the album benefits from. Its still the best album to play in your car while driving through fallen leaves this season and it will still make you comtemplate, but it lacks lush originality to blow your mind.

Review: Paramore – Brand New Eyes

The powerful pop-rockers of Paramore are all grown up and have given us an album that assures us they are here for the long run. I’ve been looking forward to Brand New Eyes for quite some time and I wasn’t disappointed. The theme of this new insatiable album is definitely maturity. For such a young band, Paramore has certainly had their fair share of problems and setbacks. The band nearly fell apart last year but the much needed break gave them the opportunity to do some healing and come back stronger than ever. Lead singer Hayley Williams’ lyrics are filled with much more depth as she tackles the issues that had formed a schism in the band. The opening track “Careful” expresses Williams’ anger, “You can’t tell me to heal / The truth never set me free / So, I did it myself.” Her anger gets even more intense on “Play God” as she proclaims, “You say that I been changing / That I’m not just simply aging / Yeah how could that be logical? / Just keep on cramming ideas down my throat.”

“The Only Exception” is easily one of my favorite tracks. It’s serene, it’s engaging, and it’s real. Williams’ shows her fragility and her vulnerability on this acoustic beauty. “Misguided Ghosts” attempts to give off the same tenderness, but doesn’t have quite the same affect on me. The fans will have to battle it out as to which slow song reigns supreme.

Williams’ isn’t a teenager any longer and she’s not holding anything back. The lyrics on Brand New Eyes stand out way beyond the music itself. Maybe it really is true that girls mature faster than boys. The only downfall to this album is that the music isn’t as bold and adventurous as Riot!. The lyrical content has taken a step forward while the music has almost taken a step back. The songs are still full of playful vivacity and energy but it seems only one member was willing to truly expose herself and take a risk. Paramore is still headed in the right direction towards a long and successful career. Hayley just needs to give the boys a little nudge forward next time.

Must listen to tracks: “Ignorance,” “The Only Exception,” and “Brick By Boring Brick”

Download: Richard Walters – Needless Advice

Richard Walters’ second single, Weather Song is released on 28th October and we have the bside “Needless Advice” to offer for download. Now, Richard has split the office as evident by the reviews of his work. If the bsides are this good he his onto something.

Download: Richard Walters – Needless Advice

News: Paul McCartney To Release Good Evening New York City Nov 17

Paul McCartney’s Good Evening New York City on Nov 17th. This multi disk CD/DVD set features Paul McCartney’s July ‘09 performance at Citi Field, formerly Shea Stadium, the historic site of The Beatles’ landmark ’65 concert. The set will come in a standard (2 CD + 1 DVD) or 4 disc deluxe (2 CD + 2 DVD) edition to immortalize the momentous musical experience.

News: Vessels Announced As Oceansize Tour Support

Vessels have been announced as tour support for Oceansize this November/December. Also playing on this tour are Brontide and And So I Watch You From Afar, full details below.

The dates in full:

Thursday 1 October
The Harley, SHEFFIELD (with Esben and The Witch, Ox Scapula and Ithica Trio)
334 Glossop Rd, S10 2HW
Doors 7.30pm

http://www.theharley.co.uk

Friday 2 October
Brudenell Social Club, LEEDS (with Bellini, Kill Yourself, Humanfly & Cissy)
33 Queens Road, LS6 1NY
Doors 7.30pm
Tickets £4

Saturday 3 October
Dog & Patridge, BOLTON (with One Trick Phoney and Apes Fight Back)
Manor Street, BL1 1TU
Tickets Free

http://www.myspace.com/dogandpartridgebolton

Wednesday 7 October
City Screen Basement Bar, YORK (with Acres of Ocean)
13-17 Coney St, YO1 9QL
Doors 8pm
Tickets £6

http://www.myspace.com/clubsemanticsleeds

Friday 9 October
The Freebutt, BRIGHTON
1 Phoenix Place, BN2 2ND
Doors 7.30pm
Tickets £6.50 adv

http://www.myspace.com/freebutt

Friday 16 October
Captain’s Rest, GLASGOW (with Loss Leader and What the Blood Revealed)
185 Great Western Rd, G4 9EB
Doors 8pm
Tickets £5

http://www.myspace.com/captainsrest

Saturday 17 October
Sneaky Pete’s, EDINBURGH (with The Kays Lavelle and Lady North)
73 Cowgate, EH1 1JW
Doors 7pm
Tickets

http://www.sneakypetes.co.uk/gigs

Tuesday 20 October
Bardens Bourdoir, LONDON (with Dorena and St, Francis)
36-44 Stoke Newington High St,
Doors 8pm
Tickets £6 adv / £7

http://www.bardensboudoir.co.uk/events

Sunday 1 November
Brainwash Festival, LEEDS (with Efterklang, Oceansize & Jaga Jazzist)
Stylus, Leeds Uni, LS2 9JT

http://www.brainwashleeds.co.uk

Wednesday 25 November
Barfly, CARDIFF (with Oceansize & Brontide)
Kingsway, CF10 3FD
Doors 7.30pm
Tickets £10

http://www.barflyclub.com/cardiff/whatson/event/25219.aspx#Oceansize+%2b+Vessels+%2b+Brontide

Thursday 26 November
Academy 3, MANCHESTER (with Oceansize & Brontide)
Oxford Road, M13 9PR
Doors 7.30pm
Tickets £11

http://www.manchesteracademy.net

Friday 27 November
Seven, NOTTINGHAM (with Oceansize & Brontide)
6 Ilkeston Road, NG6 3GE
Doors 7pm
Tickets £10adv / £14

http://www.sevenlive.co.uk/gigs

Sunday 29 November
Fat Sams, DUNDEE (with Oceansize and And So I Watch You From Afar)
31 South Ward Road, DD1 1PU
Doors 8pm
Tickets £9

http://www.fatsams.co.uk

Monday 30 November
The Tunnels, ABERDEEN (with Oceansize and And So I Watch You From Afar)
Carnegie’s Brae, AB10 1BF
Doors 7.30pm
Tickets £9

http://www.thetunnels.co.uk

Tuesday 1 December
King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut, GLASGOW (with Oceansize and And So I Watch You From Afar)
227 St. Vincent Street, G2 5RL
Doors 8pm
Tickets £9

http://www.kingtuts.co.uk

Wednesday 2 December
Masque, LIVERPOOL (with Oceansize and And So I Watch You From Afar)
90 Seel Street, L1 4BH
Doors 8pm
Tickets £10

http://www.myspace.com/themasqueliverpool

Thursday 3 December
Heaven. LONDON (with Oceansize and And So I Watch You From Afar)
9 The Arches, Villers Street, WC2N 6NG
Doors 7pm
Tickets £13

http://www.heaven-live.co.uk

Video: Au Revoir Simone – Shadows

“Shadows” by Au Revoir Simone from the album Still Night, Still Light. Directed by Brendan Colthurst and Vikram Gandhi, and produced by DISPOSABLE.

Video: Depeche Mode – Hole To Feed

Depeche Mode – Hole To Feed

From Depeche Mode’s twelfth studio album ‘Sounds Of The Universe’

Video: Biffy Clyro – The Captain

The Captain’ their new single from the album ‘Only Revolutions’ (out November 9th)

Video: Efterklang & The Danish National Chamber Orchestra – Caravan (live)

Efterklang & The Danish National Chamber Orchestra – Caravan (live) (taken from Performing Parades, 2009)

News: Omar Rodriguez Lopez releases Xenophanes

Mastermind Omar Rodriguez Lopez is set to release perhaps his most melodic and revealing album to date worldwide on November 10th, 2009 via his own Rodriguez Lopez Productions, with European release on September 28th.

Tracklist:

1. Azoemia
2. Mundo De Ciegos (MP3)
3. Ojo Al Cristo De Plata
4. Amanita Virosa
5. Sangrando Detrás De Los Ojos
6. Desarraigo
7. Asco Que Conmueve Los Puntos Erógenos
8. Oremos
9. Perder El Arte De La Razón Sin Mover Un Sólo Dedo
10. a) Flores De Cizaña
11. b) Maria Celeste

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