Living In George Harrison's World

Lately I've been listening to a lot of the ex-Beatles solo career, especially from Paul McCartney and George Harrison.
The album "Living In The Material World" from George is passing in repeat mode in my iPod during the last week, it is really amazing.
As I was listening to a lot of Harrison's music I decided to watch the Martin Scorsese documentary "Living In The Material World". It is really touching and, if someone liked George for his music they will love him and gain a giant respect for him after watching it.
The way he faced spirituality and the way he faced the questions of life, like if there's a God or not, and what the hell we are doing in this world is a lesson for our own life.
And of course, the way he made the Concert for Bangladesh, the first Rock concert for humanitarian reasons, they should had given him a Peace Nobel Price.
And his legacy is completely unreachable. Every single person that talks on the documentary (including names like Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Eric Clapton, Jackie Stewart, Eric Idle, Ravi Shankar, Tom Petty, Jeff Lyne and so on) talks about they have lost one of his best ever friends, and one of the most adorable and passionate person on Earth.
Most emotional moments, I would say at the beginning, Dhani Harrison talking about a dream, and at the end, Jackie Stewart describing how he feel about his passing, McCartney telling us what he miss more in Harrison, Olivia Harrison talking about the moment of his passing and, the most emotional moment of all is Ringo Starr talking about his last conversation with George, complete the high moment of the all movie (you can see that part at the end of this article). You really can see how special Harrison was to his friends by their testimonies.
If anyone likes the music of The Beatles, and George's solo career it is a complete must seen film.
Another great experience is to watch some moments of the "Concert For George", where you can feel a really magic sensation on the stage, just looking in the videos on Youtube.
Stay here with Ringo's moment.

The Ultimate Band

On last week, NME made several interviews to several artists asking them witch artists would they pick for the Ultimate Band. One of them was Brett Anderson from Suede and you can see in the picture is choices. I decided to make the same exercise and choose my super group (I'll only choose one person per band, otherwise we could have many Suede members):

Vocals: Patrick Duff (Strangelove)

With artists like Brett Anderson, Dave Gahan, Morrissey or Jeff Buckley it was really complicated to decide who should be on the band as main vocals. Well, Patrick Duff, during Strangelove, was like an animal in terms of singing. He was a completely passionate guy with a non stop energy. His lyrics are very deep. On his solo career he is more mature and soft but with magical melodies and lyrics. He would be the best option for this place.

Guitars: Richard Oakes (Suede, Artmagic)

Oakes is my guitar hero. For all that he represents. He entered Suede with 17 years old and was, in my opinion, the greatest responsible in Suede biggest come back in 1996 with my all time favourite album Coming Up. Butler left Suede and no one in the press believed that they could come back to the spotlight but, with songs like Beautiful Ones, Trash or Filmstar they did it, and came back even better than they were before. Richard is a natural talented guitarist that can make millions of catchy and beautiful riffs. During last years he was gone but he came back with Artmagic and made an excellent album full of nice guitars and beautiful keyboards. 

Bass: Paul McCartney (The Beatles, Wings)

Paul McCartney is a living legend. The work he made on Beatles, Wings and on his solo albums are simply amazing and they are the best tunes ever. The Beatles were and still are the most influential band of all time and McCartney was the big brain behind it. The medley on Abbey Road or the first classic Beatles songs, passing thought his amazing solo album Ram or Band On The Run with the wings are little examples of a complete genius. His way of playing bass was incredible too. Very rhythmic, very enjoyable, very natural. Songs like Come Together or Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da have great bass lines. And of course he could borrow his giant creativity in the other instruments to all of the other band members (as we can see on his first solo album where he plays all the instruments)

Keyboards: Martin L. Gore (Depeche Mode)

Martin Gore is the synthesizer master. He was the main brain over Depeche Mode's 80's career and the responsible in their fantastic change of sound during Violator, Songs Of Faith And Devotion and Ultra. Although nowadays he plays more guitar than Keyboards in live gigs he still does it on studio (during last album he had an "obsessions" of buying a lot of keyboards from Ebay and made a huge collection). He is a really creative musician always exploring samples and new songs and, in my opinion is that what I would like to see in a keyboard player. As an example of his abilities in synthesizers I could remember songs like Walking In My Shoes, It's No Good or In Your Room (album version, is a complete climax).

Drums: Paul Thomson (Franz Ferdinand)

There are so much typical drum players that could make this list, like Dave Grohl or several hard rock guys but what I look in drum players is not for them to be protagonists or for them to try to evidence from the band. I look for them to really fit well on the rest of the band and I think Paul Thomson has the perfect style for that. When I listen to Franz Ferdinand, the drum sounds is really characteristic, and it is always in the right position with the right changes between verses and chorus and solos. As for examples, the classic Take Me Out is marvellous or the super great live version of Outsiders is brilliant too. I saw them live 2 times in the last years and was completely amazed by their great liver performance.

Band Name: Strange Sound

Casualties

I uploaded to my youtube channel a song from one of the few live concerts that I have in my computer of Strangelove.
I uploaded the song Casualties from their second album "Love And Other Demons" not because it is one of my favourites (actually it isn't) but because this song from this Acoustic performance is completely amazing! The power that the band and Patrick put on the song (playing it acoustic!) is extraordinary! His screams at the end of it are divine! You can't also know if he was puking or just singing but it gives a marvellous speed and feeling to the song!
This acoustic song shows why I think that Strangelove were one of the best bands ever.
Have a listen please!
 

DM's Press Conference And New Song

As I said yesterday, Depeche Mode are heading to a big tour witch will pass in Portugal. Today was the official press conference of the introduction of the tour. The band doesn't have a name for the tour or for the album yet. The conference was really nice and enjoyable. Best moment? Probably when some journalist asked them that, if so many new synthesisers players, they still think that they are the best. Gahan just said "Yes" and Fletcher "Naturally".
The tour is going to pass in many countries, it will be great.
Another great thing was that the band showed a new song with some footage from the studio. We don't know the name but I would guess "The Angel Of Love". It sounds a little bit similar to the songs from Sounds Of The Universe but a little bit harder and rockier. It sounds good!
Take a listen to it!

Depeche Mode Returns To Portugal Next Year

The news should only be spreading tomorrow but, as Blitz revealed, Depeche Mode, one of my favourite bands are coming back to Portugal next July to be part of the Optimus Alive

festival. They will be for sure, one of the main acts and the band is preparing a new tour to promote their new album that should be ready next April! The tickets are already on sale and costs 53€ for a single day or 105€ for the whole festival. Some other bands will be confirmed to play on the same day of Depeche Mode soon. Exciting news! I'll be there for sure!

The Devil You Know

The Devil You Know is a song by Strangelove. One of the last songs that they ever released it was a b-side from the great single "Freak" that came out in 1997 to support their last album "Strangelove".
I just want to show you this beautiful and simple piece of art that the band bring to us. I think that this period is maybe the worst from the band, more poppy then before, but this song represents very well the poetry of Patrick Duff. Lines like "... and it's all to real to touch..." or "... the devil you know is the only one who's left on the drunken town..." are amazing and talking about someone trying to put a way in his life after a negative era of possession and consume. This is just what I think that the song is about but, obviously, just the singer can tell what the true meaning of the song.
Take a listen to it here please:

Blur Will Play In Portugal Next Year

Blur, one of the greatest bands of the 90's, will play next year in Portugal in the Optimus Primavera Sounds Festival. The festival happens in Porto (Parque da Cidade, one of the most beautiful places there) and last year it brought us names like Suede, Mercury Rev or The Drums.
The band was in a big hiatus from 2003 to 2009, but they returned with Graham Coxon again on the band.
The show will happen on the 31 of March. See you there!

50 Years Of Love Me Do

50 years ago the legend started. The Beatles released their first single "Love Me Do" with the b-side "P. S. I Love You".
This song is completely timeless, is a perfect song, simple, just the way of The Beatles.
At that time it was number 17 on the charts but one year later it was number 1 in the USA.
Listen here the original version of the song (with Ringo on drums instead of the most common one with Andy White on the drums and Starr on the tambourine)
Congratulations to  this historic single!

The Smiths "Reunion"

Everyday I see a lot of news talking about the "Smiths Reunion". The press is always very excited about this topic, always asking Morrissey and Marr what would they think about it, and they are always saying that the band will never ever reunite again. So, I really think this is a dead topic. Both of the artists must be very tired of these speculations and I don't really see the point of a Smiths reunion now... They made together 4 great albums, albums that marked a generation in british music, influenced most of the artists that I adore and we can say that they were pioneers on the late 80 and beginning 90 Britpop or Indie Rock music in the UK. But after that Morrissey release 9 great and successful albums and he is now seen as a "living legend". His solo works are great, and he has is own sound and style. For the Smiths fans, he still plays some songs from his former band live. As for Marr he was involved in many projects, maybe the most notable is Modest Mouse but I personally think that he is not in the same mood as Morrissey. Moz has a really establish career and there is no point of returning to the band. It would be better for Marr than Morrissey to reunite the band but I think there's really no sense in it.
This is me talking and I'm not that fan of Smiths as I am from Suede for example and I always saw Suede reunion has one of the best things ever happened but this is my thoughts.

Suede Studio Teaser

To celebrate Richard Oakes birthday, the official facebook page of Suede posted a video of him and Neil Codling playing keyboards on studio. It is a really small video, and they just play one chord but it was nice to see the boys in action on the studio.
Check It Here

Bang Bang

It's been a while since I wrote for Strange Sound the last time but I do have a good explanation for that. Between summer holidays with friends and family I came to live to Slovakia for 5 months.
So, I don't want to write for something special, you all might had seen the marvellous performances on the Olympics Games and the great concert of Ornatos Violeta in Paredes de Coura, so I'll just leave you with, probably, the song that passed more times through my ears during the last times,
Ladies and Gentlemen, The Beatles with Maxwell's Silver Hammer 

New Beatles Compilation Released Today

Tomorrow Never Knows, the new Beatles compilation is released today.
The album features 14 of the the most influential Beatles rock songs.
It is only available by iTunes and it has also a text about the band written by Dave Grohl.
Nothing new, but the Beatles are, and will always be, alive.
Tracklist:

1. "Revolution"

1. "Paperback Writer"

1. "And Your Bird Can Sing"

1. "Helter Skelter" 

1. "Savoy Truffle"

1. "I'm Down"

1. "I've Got a Feeling" (Let It Be... Naked version)

1. "Back in the U.S.S.R." 

1. "You Can't Do That" – 2:35

1. "It's All Too Much" 

1. "She Said She Said" 

1. "Hey Bulldog" 

1. "Tomorrow Never Knows"

1. "The End" (Anthology 3 version)

Grohl's words:

"If it weren't for The Beatles, I would not be a musician. It’s as simple as that. From a very young age I became fascinated with their songs, and over the years have drowned myself in the depth of their catalogue. Their groove and their swagger. Their grace and their beauty. Their dark and their light. The Beatles seemed to be capable of anything. They knew no boundaries, and in that freedom they seemed to define what we now know today as 'Rock and Roll.'

"Recently I showed my 6-year-old daughter, Violet, the brilliant Yellow Submarine movie. It was her introduction to The Beatles, and she instantly shared the same fascination I felt when I was her age discovering The Beatles for the first time. She wanted to know their names, which instruments they played, who sang what song, etc etc etc....it made me so incredibly happy (and proud!). Within days she knew the verses and choruses to every song on the album. But, there was one song that stood out for her....

'"Hey Bulldog" is not one of The Beatles’ greatest hits. It's what most people would consider a 'deep cut.' But it is a quintessential Beatles rocker. The rolling bass line, the trademark Ringo drum fills, the gritty distorted guitar, and that sound that only the back of Lennon's throat could produce. It stomps. It grooves. It makes your head bob. It makes your hips shake. When Lennon sings, 'If you're lonely you can talk to me!' it soothes your heart, like you've finally found something to believe in. It's so raw and real. It is 100% timeless Rock and Roll...

From one generation to the next, The Beatles will remain the most important rock band of all time.

Just ask Violet."

Morrissey Cancels Concert In Cascais

Morrissey, ex-vocalist of The Smiths and now, one of the best solo artists from the United Kingdom, has cancelled his show in Cascais, Portugal, due to the illness of his bass player, Soloman Walker. The gig was supposed to be today.
Morrissey asks for apologies and promises a return to Portugal soon.

Become The One You Love

As I told before, I bought recently Artmagic's debut album. Now, I have listened to it several times and I feel capable of speaking of it.
In a global appreciation, it is a wonderful album! One of the best I've heard during these last times. Catchy, soft, energetic, it is an well done and complete piece of work.
The first song is The Choice. I was always apologist that the first song of the album must be a song that represents better the album and a hit single, a song to be reminded for ages, like Trash of Coming Up by Suede or I Feel You from Songs Of Faith And Devotion by Depeche Mode. But, The Choice is not a hit single, it is a very calm and soft song, with a marvellous ending and a "growing up" feeling that truly represents "Become The One You Love". You, Heaven Is Here or Forever In Negative are much more "singlier" songs but, this song fits very good as an introduction and changed my way of thinking about first album songs.
Down In The River, has a good guitar riff, a great chorus, and it is very speeded up. It's not one of my favourites, maybe it is my less favourite song of the album, but is a good song. It will be the band's second single. I would prefer You or Heaven Is Here but is a logic solution. You must hear the simplicity of the guitar riff and the way it gets stuck in your head.
Then we have the first single, Forever In Negative, one of the best moments of the album. Very melancholic, but at the same time, very powerful. The E-bow solo is wonderful.
Next is the first song that Sean and Richard made public, Submerged. It is very much the same it was before and that's good, because it's a great song. You really feel like flowing on the song while you hear it. The connection between guitars, keyboard and voice is perfect. The song really carries you on.
You is, for me the "hit" song of the album. Really, really catchy. The repeated "You" during the songs just turn it easier to listen, the intro riff is great, the interlude too, and the chorus can be on your ear during the entire day, be careful! Brilliant, one of the best songs. Pure Indie-Rock. Backing Vocals are 5 stars.
After 4 songs full of adrenaline you must have a ballad, and it happens with  A Homecoming. Very good, Sean's voice is perfect and the way you go to a climax of a song and then to a calmer part is very enjoyable and gives a epic feeling that almost all Artmagic's songs have.
Heaven Is Here, is a well known song by McGhee's and Oakes' fans and we already had access to a acoustic version of it (I Keep On Walking EP) and a great live and electric performance on it on their Youtube channel. This version is very different from both of the previous ones and that can only be good to the fan! I can't decide the one I prefer, but to have 3 versions of a song that I adore is great! Synthesisers are very welcome here, the backing vocals are great and the speed of the song very takes your breath away! Great!
To recover your breath nothing better than Half-Life. A sad and calm song, very nostalgic, that fits very well on this part of the album. The arrangements are great and the mix of the several guitars, voices, and sounds is great. Perfect to rest after a hard day of working when you need to enter a chill out mode.
Blue On Blue is a song that, I don't know why, is perfect for a walk in the city. It sounds like a conciliation of souls. Very good and perfect to enter on the end of the album.
At first listen, I didn't gave more attention to The Spark and it was a mistake because is a darker and mysterious song. It starts slowly, withou a great beat but at the middle of the song it turns more intense and the "I Wish You Could Run Away" it is very energetic but, at the climax it goes to one of the best moments of the album that is a part full of voices, very beautiful and introspective. You must hear it, words can't describe it very well.
To end the album you always need an epic or a different song. A special song. And it is The Gift Of Flight. A beautiful ballad, full of positive words and thoughts and at the end, the perfect way of ending this magnificent piece of work, with a outro just with "Love Is Weightless, Fly Free" with great drums, piano and a great work of guitars by Richard! Very epic!


In a resume, it is one of my favourite ever albums, and a great work of Richard after he left Suede. He is a great musician, and the songs that he wrote during these 7 years of silence are great. I would love to see Suede in a more or less same direction because these are, as I said, very beautiful. 
Last week I made a list of 10 albums that I would take to a desert island, and at the end I named some that could have been of the list as well, and Artmagic's first album has a great potential to make it!
I really counsel the album to everyone. A great piece of Art fill of Magic!  

Today I Bought...

Artmagic - Become The One You Love

 Artmagic - Forever In Negative

But, lucky me, mine version are signed by Richard Oakes and Sean McGhee!

Ten Albums I Would Take To A Desert Island

Through these 6 years that I've been writing on this blog, I never made the famous top 10 albums that I would take to a desert island. I'll only select one album per artist, so the list would be very Suede, Strangelove and Depeche Mode. So here they are, without any specific order (well, Coming Up is...):

Suede - Coming Up

This is my favourite album ever. It has 10 speeded up songs, 10 potential hit singles, 10 songs about living the world with our friends and enjoying life. From my top 5 songs ever, 4 are from this album. Not only the Coming Up is excellent but the whole concept is truly amazing. In 1994, Bernard Butler left Suede, and, for the media the creative part of Suede was gone and they would not survive to it. So the band hired a 17 year old guitarist (Richard Oakes) and a fifth member to play keyboards (Neil Codling). Oakes creativity was immense and he wrote some classic tunes like Trash, Beautiful Ones, Saturday Night or Filmstar. The "new" Suede gave space for Brett Anderson to write on his own and Lazy and By The Sea were released too. The album is fantastic and it represents what modern music should be. The b-sides of this album are too incredible. This was the best period of Suede.

Strangelove - Love And Other Demons

I met Strangelove through Suede. Alex Lee, how joined Suede in 2001 was a member of Strangelove and I had a listen to the band. I was bloody shocked when I heard for the first time songs like "Living With The Human Machines" and "She's Everywhere". This album is one of the best pieces of music ever written. It includes big and strong guitar riffs, soft love songs, introspective words, everything. Patrick Duff (that during this time was a mess because of addiction to drugs) wrote 10 beautiful poems that Alex Lee and the rest of the band gave a great instrumental. Other songs like "The Sea Of Black", "Sway" or "Elin's Photograph" are songs that really gets you involved. Never understand how Strangelove never grow up to a bigger stage, because they totally deserved it. Perfect. 

Morrissey - You Are The Quarry

Most of all Smiths lovers will hate me for this, but, in my opinion, You Are The Quarry is Morrisey's best work. I love The Smiths, and The Queen Is Dead is a key album for me but, I prefer this one.

Morrissey was gone for the music scene for a while and then he released the comeback single, "Irish Blood, English Heart". And what a stunning song! Very strong lyrics and a rock and powerfull instrumental. Perfect, and it charted very good on the UK. The best moment in the album is the first song. "America Is Not The World" is a beautiful track, soft, with a real message and Morrissey's voice is really charming during it. Other great songs are "Last Of The Gang To Die" (catchy song), "How Could Anybody Possibly Know How I Feel?" (rock song) "Let Me Kiss You" (love song) are great moments. Just think that, to end such a good album Morrissey could select a better songs that "You Know I Couldn't Last" but it is ok. I think it was a new start for Morrissey and a massive step forward. 

Depeche Mode - Songs Of Faith And Devotion

Depeche Mode were a "new romantic" 80's band with Speak & Spell. I think that this idea is completely wrong. As the years went by they become darker and heavier and reached a climax with Songs Of Faith And Devotion. The band had world sucess with the great Violator and I think that most people thought that it was it for the band, they would be the band with several hits two great late 80's albums (Music For The Masses and Violator), but the band responded with SOFAD a new side of the band. This is a 90's album, with much more guitar, much more drums, much more sound, much more complexed. You couldn't start better an album than with a song like "I Feel You". I have no words for it, it is simply the best passionate rock song ever. The simplicity of the riff (2 notes) with the way it sticks in your head is incredible. You can't pick an electric guitar without playing at least one time that riff. The other songs are brilliant too. "Walking In My Shoes" (first song I've heard of the band), "In Your Room" (the album version is a monument to music) "Higher Love" or "Judas" are songs that change lives. And the love shows of the Devotional Tour were completely incredible, watching it on DVD makes me sad not to be there but euphoric to be watching that right now. World-Class album.

Ornatos Violeta - O Monstro Precisa De Amigos

The only portuguese album that I selected. Ornatos Violeta were (and now are again) a band from my home town, and they were pioneers on a wave of good bands that came from the north of Portugal. You can describe them as an alternative indie/rock band. One of the main reasons that I adore so much this album is because of the lyrics. Manel Cruz is one of the best (for me the best) writer in Portugal and his lyrics can really reach you. You really memorize fast the lyrics because they have an excellent story and a beautiful exchange of words. Songs like "Chaga", "Dia Mau", "Ouvi Dizer", "Capitão Romance" (with Gordon Gano from The Violent Femmes) or "Coisas" are hymns in Portugal and really beautiful pieces of music. You can expect fast guitars and breathtaking songs.

Brett Anderson - Wilderness

Wilderness is the most different album from all of the others that are here. It is a calm and acoustic work just with piano, cello and some acoustic guitar. Brett Anderson, after releasing his first solo record, gave some acoustic shows and liked so much the ways his old songs sounded that he wanted to do something very peaceful and acoustic. Then, he made a 9-track project with just him and Amy Langley that was record in 2 weeks.The album don't bring to you throes of joy or euphoric feeling but a good and relaxed sense of peace. "A Different Place" can really bring to a different place and "Chinese Whispers", "Knife Edge", "P. Marius" or "The Empress" are beautiful well written and simple songs. Anyone who has a bad day should listen to Wilderness and I assure that he would feel much better. 

David Bowie - Heathen

Yes, with so many classic albums by Bowie, why chose Heathen? It is simply my favourite one. Other ones like Ziggy Stardust or Aladdin Sane were more revolutionary but this one really pleases me. I think it is incredible that Bowie came up with this album ate the age of 55 and had a immense creativity to share after all of the music he made before.

The last 3 songs of the album "Everyone Says Hi", "A Better Future" and "Heathen (The Rays)" are one of the best 3 tracks in a row ever, specially Heathen that is a beautiful song, full of hope, fear and love on the same time. "Slow Burn" is fantastic too so is "Sunday" and even the 3 songs not written by him sound genuine great. I hope that this album shows to other middle age artists that there is no age to do music.

The Beatles - Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band

Probably the album from the ones that I chose that appear on more lists like these one. I won't say how this album was revolutionary to modern music or how Harrisson, Lennon, McCartney and Starr were genius, I'll just say that I adore this album. Every single song is superb. From "With A Little Help From My Friends" to "When I'm Sixty Four" (McCartney at age 16) and of course passing by the marvellous and hallucinogenic "Being For The Benefit Of Mr. Kite!". Great album, it is fantastic how the Beatles changed themselves and the music industry so much in such a short time. In 65 they were singing "Help!" (love that song and album too) and two years later they travelled light years to release this peace of art. A reference too to other great songs from Sgt. Pepper's like the happy "Lovely Rita" or the monster "A Day In The Life" probably my favourite Beatles song. 

Patrick Duff - The Mad Straight Road

The Mad Straight Road is the second album by Patrick Duff, ex-singer of Strangelove. Patrick recorded this album, with producer Stew Jackson, and then showed it to several record companies but, although, everyone said that it was excellent album, no one wanted to release it. So Duff released him by himself. He packed my own CD and signed the Booklet. What can I say of the album? It is perfect, and one of the best things I have ever listened in my entire life. Patrick did a 12 track album and every piece of music is great. From the melancholic "Dead Man Singing" to the happy "The Tourist" passing though the song that I probably hear more times in the morning "Wake Up Richard". You still have space to the epic "Poor Old John" (Patrick's voice reaches high as Gods on this one) and the beautiful, full of love, hope and positive thoughts of "My Sober Heart". But still don't forget the amazing "Woman How Don't Talk English"! Thinking better, don't forget of any of the songs from this album because all of them are extremely well worked and full of creativity.

Jeff Buckley - Grace

I remember being introduced to Jeff Buckley by my cousin, when he was already dead. My cousin, a musician too, just said "my dream is to one day play guitar and sing like this guy", and I do understand why. For me, Buckley was the musician that died early that had more potential. This album represents all of that potential. 10 great songs, with a lot of work on them and with a great soul that was represented by Jeff's great voice. I will take songs like "So Real" or "Dream Brother" whenever I'm going. The covers are good and they are not just covers, they are re-arrangements made by Buckley that made him own a little of the other people songs. "Hallellujah" is perfect, a hymn to life, so is "Corpus Christi Carol". "Grace", Last Goodbye", "Lover You Shouldn't Come Over" or the heavy rock "Eternal Life" are songs that will stay modern and actual forever. It's Eternal Life for Jeff Buckley.

Just to say, that there were a couple of other great albums like People Move On by Bernard Butler, Transformer by Lou Reed, Supergrass by Supergrass, Different Class by Pulp, Tonight By Franz Ferdinand or The Man Who by Travis that could be on this list so much as any other of LP's selected.

50 Years Of The Rolling Stones

The Rolling Stones, one of the most mythical bands ever, celebrated yesterday 50 years of existence since their first concert on the 12 of July in 1962, in the Marquee Club (London).
To mark this date the band took a photograph on this club. Although only Jagger and Richards remain on the band from that time, it is a very interesting photo.

Congratulations!

Forever In Negative

Today I bought both of Artmagic's new releases, Forever In Negative single and Become The One You Love album.With the purchasing, you have access to the full album and the b-side of the single, The Glass Arcades.

I'm listening to it now, and it is a very good song, better than I supposed to be, very simple and calm but with a very sedative beautiful sound covering the whole song. The peace of music is incredible, and Sean's voice fits it very well. It's a song that you would hear while you're dreaming.

The A-Side is, as I said before great, and probably, with Heaven Is Here and You my favourite one. It's a soft but powerful ballad, very touching with a great e-bow solo by Richard. Really intense. And the lyrics are great too, to mix the negative (feeling) and the negative (photograph) was a great idea.´

Hear yourselves the songs from McGhee and Oakes official site http://www.artmagicmusic.com/

Rickard Oakes' Interview On Q Magazine

Last week, Richard Oakes, guitarist of Suede and Artmagic, gave an interview for the Q magazine where he talked mostly about his songwriting partnerships. It was a very interesting reading, and, in the end of his words, Richard talked about the music industry in general and how he sees it.
Read it now:

"Having forming a new group Artmagic with Robyn and Britney Spears collaborator Sean McGhee, Suede guitarist Richard Oakes (left) examines what makes the best songwriting partnerships - including his collaborations with Brett Anderson - work. 


There are so many different ways to write a song. When I first started writing at 14, I would give cassettes of chord progressions to my friend Peter and he'd pair them up with one of the many sets of lyrics he'd been writing that week. Staple them together and you have a song. No rehearsing, just record it immediately. 
With Suede it was a lot more traditional. I'd give home demos to Brett; he'd take them away and come up with melodies and bits of lyrics. When he felt they were fully formed enough, we'd rehearse them as a band. There were rare occasions when things would get written spontaneously in a room together, or a rehearsal jam would suddenly take shape, but mostly co-writes were written separately. 


With Artmagic, it's different again. I was throwing a lot of home-written music at Sean, but he'd want to write to it while I was in the room with him - something unusual for me; I'd never been invited to take part in the melody writing before. Sean has a very immediate reaction to the music, and seems to pinpoint the emotion perfectly in the lyrics he comes up with. We've attempted some spontaneous writing, and I think our next album will have a bit more of that on it, but Become The One You Love is largely based on music I'd written when between bands. 


Writing for Suede meant writing with the band in mind, so the music had to fall within a certain area in order for it to become a Suede song. With Artmagic there are fewer people but more options - the palette was and is wide open. That's why we see Artmagic as a project, rather than a band.


If you can successfully avoid pigeonholing, you've done the hardest job, other than getting in the Top 10! Saying that, I can't understand how so many chart hits have so many writers involved, especially when the songs are so simple. It serves to prove that making chart music now seems more about following a mathematical formula, and I only understand music that is about self-expression rather than calculation. I think we need great songwriters delivering great performances. Shows like The X-Factor have fooled people into thinking that songs are separate from, and secondary to, the performers. They aren't."

Artmagic's First Video

Artmagic, the band formed by Richard Oakes and Sean McGhee, released yesterday their first videoclip, from the group's first single "Forever In Negative".
The song is truly amazing, one of the best I have listened so far, but, in my opinion, the video is not as high as the song. It is very simple and it only features McGhee. But it is good for a first single. It was created by Eva Voutsaki & Matt Bonham.
Forever In Negative is the first single from the forthcoming album "Become The One You Love" that will be released on 25th of June.
Enjoy the video.

Never Mind The Bollocks To Be Reissued (Again)

Never Mind The Bollocks, the classic punk album from the 70's by the Sex Pistols, will be re-released to celebrate its 35th anniversary. No tracklist has been revealed yet but, rumors over the internet says that it will be a super deluxe 4CD set and a cheaper 2CD set. Originally released in 1977, the album has a 30th anniversary edition that is a 180 gram vinyl LP format that includes a 7" insert of "Submission" and a poster, as originally released on 28 October 1977. It is expected to go out on 14/09/2012

Mudança de Idioma/ Change Of Language

Visto que eu irei emigrar durante uns 5 ou 6 meses a partir de Agosto e que, como constatei à pouco tempo, o meu inglês está uma miséria, vou fazer o esforço de o praticar um pouco e, se correr bem, começar exactamente por aqui. Assim sendo, provisoriamente, nos próximos tempo tentarei escrever os "posts" em inglês. Due to the fact that I will emigrate for about 5 or 6 months starting in August and that, as I noticed a while ago, my English is a misery, I will make the effort of practicing it a little and, I'll start right here. Thus, provisionally, from now on I'll make the posts in english.

Wired Together

Quando ouvi a música "Trash" na televisão há 2 ou 3 anos apressei-me em comprar o primeiro álbum dos The Whip, "X Marks Destination". O CD é óptimo, um indie electrónico bastante dançante. Foi algo muito refrescante que aind ouço com muita frequência.

Ora bem, a banda de Manchester lançou o ano passado o segundo LP de originais, "Wired Together"
Ouvi o single de lá extraído, "Movement" e, à primeira escuta não fiquei muito impressionado. No entanto ouvi o resto das músicas e devo dizer que fiquei impressionadíssimo.
Em primeiro lugar devo realçar que Danny Saville, teclista e um dos compositores da banda, saiu. Com isto, estava à espera de uns Whip menos electrónico e mais virado para o Rock, com mais guitarras. Surpreendentemente foi exactamente o contrário que aconteceu. Bruce Carter compôs músicas muito mais baseadas em teclados e em ritmos electrónicos. E soou imenso bem!
A banda é confunde-se mais agora com algo que passe numa discoteca do que com uma banda indie. As músicas estão todas aceleradas, com batidas fortes, refrões simples e repetitivos (como no álbum de estreia), e imenso dançáveis. Talvez este factor, o "dançável", tenha tido grande importância para escolher "Movement" como single mas, mesmo assim, acho que há momentos muito melhor no álbum.
"Keep Or Delete" é uma introdução perfeita, começando devagar e, posteriormente ficando uma mistura gigante de sons e vozes robóticas, "Secret Weapon" é algo mais "catchy" que entra bem no ouvido, "Shake" é, provavelmente, o melhor momento do trabalho, o pré-refrão e o refrão são estupidamente poderosos, com a voz de Carter e Fiona Daniel ao mesmo tempo em palavras curtas. Se o "lema" do primeiro CD era "I Wanna Be Trash" o lema de Wired Together é "The Only Thing That's Left To Do Is Shake". A forma como o "Shake" sobe de tom no refrão é perfeito. É impossível ficar quieto com esta música.
"Intensity" é a música que dá o nome ao álbum (pelo magnífico refrão), "Riot" é um industrial pesado assim como "Metal Law" (mas esta música será talvez o momento menos conseguido do trabalho). "Best Friend" é viciante, e "Slow Down" a batida feliz e melancólica com que "Wired Together" devia acabar.
Este trabalho parece ter passado completamente ao lado da imprensa e do sucesso mas, para mim, vem só provar que os Whip são das melhores bandas deste género da actualidade.
Aconselho vivamente, fiquem com "Shake".

Apanhado Pelas Câmaras

Andava a SIC à procura de fãs de Suede na primeira fila portugueses, e parece que o único lá na frente naquela zona era eu!
Fica aqui a mini entrevista.

O Melhor Concerto Da Minha Vida

Os Suede tocaram na primeira noite do Optimus Primavera Sounds. 

Relembro que este foi o primeiro festival da banda britânica deste ano, eles que não tocavam desde Dezembro na Rússia. Aí eles estrearam muitas músicas e a expectativa era então enorme, o que levou a fãs de várias parte do mundo ao Porto. 

Cheguei relativamente cedo ao festival (não tão cedo como gostaria visto ter um exame no dia a seguir) e fiquei logo admiradíssimo com a afluência que este estava a ter. Uma fila enorme, bastantes estrangeiros, mais de 50% segundo dados oficiais. O festival está óptimo, o recinto é enorme, cheio de actividades para quem quiser passar lá uma boa tarde de sol (ou chuva). Mal cheguei dirigi-me logo ao palco optimus para garantir lugar na primeira fila e lá juntei-me a alguns fãs dos Suede estrangeiro que se foram reconhecendo pelas camisolas.

O primeiro concerto foi de Yann Tiersen que eu conhecia apenas por nome. Mas devo dizer que foi um excelente concerto, irei estar mais atento ao artista francês.

Depois de uma longa espera, e de ser entrevistado pela SIC o que me levou a aparecer no Jornal da Noite, lá chegou o aguardado concerto dos Suede. 

As luzes apagaram-se, e começou a tocar "Bodies" dos Sex Pistols, música que os Suede já fizeram uma cover. Depois a já tradicional música de intro para entrar a banda toda. Brett, como sempre, foi o último a subir ao palco.

A banda abriu com a energética "This Hollywood Life" a mostrar imensa energia. Anderson esteve completamente impecável com uma voz puxante, a fazer poses para os fotógrafos, e a aclamar Richard Oakes enquanto este fazia o solo. Em seguida entramos numa onda de Coming Up com "Trash" (a música celebração dos Suede) e "Filmstar". O vocalista era uma autêntica pantera em palco. Recuando uns anos, segui-se o primeiro grande êxito da banda, "Animal Nitrate" e o single de apresentação de Dog Man Star, "We Are The Pigs". Talvez pelo The Drowners ter feito 20 anos há bastante pouco tempo segui-se um fantástico Lado B desse single, "To The Bids". O efeito "calamidade/partir tudo" que a banda tem no fim da música foi perfeito da parte de Oakes. Para descansar um pouco seguiu-se a, provavelmente, música mais romântica da banda "The Wild Ones" e depois a super recente "Sabotage" que estará ao que tudo indica no próximo álbum de originais. Sabotage sofreu alguma alterações, para melhor a meu ver, letras mudaram, e uma ou outra parte melódica, o que a fez mais emocional e de tirar o fôlego. Nessa música a guitarra de Richard teve de ser afinada a meio, mas as teclas de Codling resolveram bastante bem. Depois do descanso, "She", "Killing Of A Flashboy" e "Can't Get Enough" partiram tudo mais uma vez, sendo as três músicas agressivas e bastante Rock. She é, como em todos os concertos, um dos grandes momentos da noite. Depois veio "Everything Will Flow" uma música que em 1999 foi bastante bem recebida em Portugal, lembro-me perfeitamente que de hora em hora passava no velhinho Sol Música. Brett desceu de microfone na mão e pôs os ouvintes todos a cantar nesta. "So Young" e "Metal Mickey" soaram como se fosse a primeira vez que tivessem sido tocadas, e nem a falha que o cabo da guitarra do Richard teve durante um minutito foi suficiente para a música soar menos brutal. A seguir, algo completamente imprevisível! "Stay Together" foi tocada! A música, mal amada pela banda durante muito tempo, parece estar a ressurgir. Aliás, contam-se pelos dedos as vezes que esta música subiu aos palcos. Em 94 deve ter sido tocada uma meia dúzia de vezes quando foi lançada mas depois disso, só uma vez em 2003 e outra em 2011 (em concertos especiais em que tocaram álbuns inteiros) foi tocada. O Porto teve o privilégio de ouvir tal raridade. Durante esta música a luz do palco foi abaixo quase toda (só ficou a capa do single atrás), mas como Brett disse "Não fazemos ideia o que aconteceu às luzes, vamos continuar de qualquer forma". "New Generation" foi a próxima e depois a primeira despedida com o clássico "Beautiful Ones."

As pessoas queria mais e a banda voltou para trás para interpretar "Saturday Night". Anderson desceu as escadas, cumprimentou os fãs todos, inclusive eu e despediu-se em grande. Esta tem sido a música de encerramento dos concertos durante os últimos 2 anos e pensei mesmo que eles iam ficar por ali. Mas, por surpresa, Richard Oakes vai buscar a guitarra acústica e começa a entoar o hino "Still Life". Fiquei perplexo e ainda para mais, nesta música, o resto da banda para além do vocalista e guitarrista abandonam o palco. Tal não aconteceu e estranhei imenso. Pensei que talvez fossem tocar outra música e terem ficado lá para se despedirem mas, quando a música acabou, a parte orquestral desta (que a banda sempre pôs no fim dos concertos em gravação) foi tocada por Codling, Oakes, Osman e Gilbert. Que momento fantástico, soou melhor que nunca, na perfeição mesmo. Salvo erro só tinham feito isto duas vezes na carreira toda (nos concertos de comemoração de Dog Man Star). Fiquei pasmo e também os fãs que os seguem para todo o lado à minha volta ficaram. Brutal, incrível, estupendo, não tenho palavras mesmo.

Realço que, ao contrário do ano passado, aqui os Suede estavam a tocar à frente de um pano branco que passava as imagens de álbuns e singles à medida que eles iam tocando as músicas. Dá outro ambiente!

Assim ficou um concerto espectacular, o melhor da minha vida pois achei-o superior ao que vi deles em 2002 e em 2011. Ainda estou babado.

Fiquem com o vídeo desta mítico momento.

Patrick Duff Pode Escrever Auto-Biografia

Patrick Duff, ex-vocalista dos Strangelove, afirmou esta semana que recebeu uma proposta para escrever a sua auto-biografia. A proposta foi feita por alguém de Bristol que detém a sua própria editora. A vida de Patrick Duff seria um óptimo livro para pessoas amantes deste género de leitura. Desde os dias em que tocava guitarra na rua, até formar os Strangelove, até ao seu vício de drogas e passando pela sua viagem a África de Sul, daria tudo um excelente enredo. Patrick foi muitas vezes descrito por bandas como Suede, Radiohead ou Manic Street Preachers como um lunático completamente genial, que dava tudo de si em palco e tinha uma criatividade enorme. A ver se este maravilhoso livro vê alguma vez a luz do dia.

Por outro lado o cantor continua a escrever músicas e entrou recentemente em estúdio com Jim Barr (Portishead), Damon Reece (Massive Attack e Spiritualised), Stew Jackson (produtor de The Mad Straight Road, último álbum de Duff) e Dan Moore (Phantom Limb) e Dan Brown. Mais notícias aguardam-se.

Hoje Comprei...

Um single do Morrissey de 2004, o grandioso Irish Blood, English Heart (CD2)

Suede a Trabalhar Com Ed Buller

Cada dia que passa é cada vez melhor a notícia. Os Suede estão de novo em estúdio a gravar o primeiro álbum de originais em 10 anos com o mítico produtor da banda, Ed Buller. Uma foto das gravações foi mostrada na página oficial da banda no Facebook. Mítico porque foi ele que produziu os maiores sucessos da banda. Tanto o álbum "Suede" e "Coming Up" foram produzidos por ele assim como o clássico "Dog Man Star". Os dois primeiros bateram recordes de venda e terceiro é por muitos (não por mim) considerado como o "masterpiece" da banda. Anderson, no forum oficial da banda, revelou também alguns títulos de canções: - Sometimes I Feel I'll Float Away - For The Strangers - It Starts and Ends With You - Sabotage As músicas que a banda estreou na Rússia há poucos meses foram todas deixadas de lado à excepção de Sabotage, o que pareceu agradar a maior parte dos fãs! Ansiedade começa a apertar!

Este Ano Ofereceram-me...

Mais um aniversário que passou sempre com boas aquisições musicais! Do meu primo, Zita Swoon - Wait For Me. Percebo porque o consideraste álbum do ano até agora.

David Bowie - Reality, este escolhido por mim através de um cheque Fnac. Bowie não desilude

Travis No Porto

Os escoceses Travis vão actuar no Porto dia 9 de Maio, fazendo assim a sua estreia em Portugal. A banda de Fran Healy está integrada no cartaz da Queima das Fitas do Porto 2012 sendo então um concerto "Low Cost".
Tenho ouvido muito o álbum a solo de Healy e é brutal mas admito que não tem a mesma energia e estilo cativante que Travis sempre teve.
Depois de Franz Ferdinand, Suede e agora Travis só resta agradecer à FAP.
Brutalíssimo!

Hoje Comprei...

Depeche Mode - Remixes 2 (1981-2011)
Mais um CD de remisturas de Depeche Mode. Um pouco batido mas pronto, é Depeche Mode.
O mais agradável será talvez as novas remisturas de Alan Wilder e Vince Clarke, ex-membros da banda.