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/