George Harrison's Apple Years Boxset Is Released Today

George Harrison's new boxset is released today.
It includes all studio albums that Harrison relased between 1968 and 1975 when he was still committed with Apple Records.
All of the albums were remastered and there is a lot of extra tracks being added to the albums.
All of the CDs will also be released separately excluding the bonus DVD, which only is available as part of the boxset.
After the Beatles back catalogue being revised and, more recently, McCartney's and Lennon's most successful albums bring remastered it was (finally) for George's turn. Actually, he was really needing a edition like this, some of his albums were last time released back in 1992.
All albums have been remastered by Gavin Lurssen, Reuben Cohen and Paul Hicks at Lurssen Mastering.
Don't forget that this week is also George Harrison week in Conan O'Brien (a huge fan) show, which will include performances of Beck, Norah Jones and Dhani Harrison.

Check the tracklist of each album:
CD 1: Wonderwall Music

1. Microbes
2. Red Lady Too
3. Tabla and Pakavaj
4. In the Park
5. Drilling a Home
6. Guru Vandana
7. Greasy Legs
8. Ski-ing
9. Gat Kirwani
10. Dream scene
11. Party Seacombe
12. Love Scene
13. Crying
14. Cowboy Music
15. Fantasy Sequins
16. On the Bed
17. Glass Box
18. Wonderwall to Be Here
19. Singing Om
20. In the First Place – The Remo Four (Bonus Track)
21. Almost Shankara (Bonus Track) (previously unreleased)
22. The Inner Light (Alternative Instrumental) (Bonus Track) (previously unreleased)

CD 2: Electronic Music

1. Under the Mersey Wall
2. No Time or Space

CDs 3-4: All Things Must Pass 

1. I’d Have You Anytime
2. My Sweet Lord
3. Wah-Wah
4. Isn’t It a Pity (Version One)
5. What is Life
6. If Not for You
7. Behind That Locked Door
8. Let It Down
9. Run of the Mill
10. I Live for You (Bonus Track) (included on All Things Must Pass, Capitol CDP 7243 5 30474 2 9, 2001)
11. Beware of Darkness (Acoustic Demo) (Bonus Track) (included on All Things Must Pass, Capitol CDP 7243 5 30474 2 9, 2001)
12. Let It Down (Alternate Version) (Bonus Track) (included on All Things Must Pass, Capitol CDP 7243 5 30474 2 9, 2001)
13. What is Life (Backing Track/Alternate Mix) (Bonus Track) (included on All Things Must Pass, Capitol CDP 7243 5 30474 2 9, 2001)
14. My Sweet Lord (2000) (Bonus Track) (included on All Things Must Pass, Capitol CDP 7243 5 30474 2 9, 2001)

1. Beware of Darkness
2. Apple Scruffs
3. Ballad of Sir Frankie Crisp (Let It Roll)
4. Awaiting on You All
5. All Things Must Pass
6. I Dig Love
7. Art of Dying
8. Isn’t It a Pity (Version Two)
9. Hear Me Lord
10. It’s Johnny’s Birthday
11. Plug Me In
12. I Remember Jeep
13. Thanks for the Pepperoni
14. Out of the Blue

CD 5:  Living in the Material World

1. Give Me Love (Give Me Peace on Earth)
2. Sue Me, Sue You Blues
3. The Light That Has Lighted the World
4. Don’t Let Me Wait Too Long
5. Who Can See It
6. Living in the Material World
7. The Lord Loves the One (That Loves the Lord)
8. Be Here Now
9. Try Some Buy Some
10. The Day the World Gets ‘Round
11. That Is All
12. Deep Blue (Apple single R 5912-B, 1971) (Bonus Track)
13. Miss O’Dell (Apple single R 5988, 1973) (Bonus Track)
14. Bangla Desh (Apple single R 5912-A, 1971 as remixed for The Best of George Harrison, Parlophone PAS 10011, 1976) (Bonus Track)

CD 6: Dark Horse

1. Hari’s on Tour (Express)
2. Simply Shady
3. So Sad
4. Bye Bye Love
5. Maya Love
6. Ding Dong, Ding Dong
7. Dark Horse
8. Far East Man
9. It is ‘He’ (Jai Sri Krishna)
10. I Don’t Care Anymore (Apple U.S. single 1877, 1974) (Bonus Track)
11. Dark Horse (Early Acoustic Take) (Bonus Track) (previously unreleased)

CD 7: Extra Texture

1. You
2. The Answer’s at the End
3. This Guitar (Can’t Keep from Crying)
4. Ooh Baby (You Know That I Love You)
5. World of Stone
6. A Bit More of You
7. Can’t Stop Thinking About You
8. Tired of Midnight Blue
9. Grey Cloudy Lies
10. His Name is Legs (Ladies and Gentleman)
11. This Guitar (Can’t Keep from Crying) (previously unreleased Platinum Weird version) (Bonus Track)

George Harrison – The Apple Years Feature (2014) [7:27]

• Produced by Peacock, Directed By Olivia Harrison
• All Things Must Pass (bonus feature in 2001 album package) [8:03]
• Produced by Radical Media
• The Concert for Bangladesh EPK (2005) [6:03]
• Produced by Olivia Harrison and Jonathan Clyde, Edited by Claire Ferguson
• Give Me Love (Give Me Peace On Earth) (video from Live In Japan, 1991) [3:43]
• Miss O’Dell (alternative version from 2006 deluxe edition of Living In The Material World) [2:31]
• Sue Me Sue You Blues (acoustic demo version from 2006 deluxe edition of Living In The Material World) [3:04]
• Living In The Material World (feature from 2006 deluxe edition of Living In The Material World) [3:34]
• Produced by Abbey Road Interactive
• Ding Dong, Ding Dong (original promo video, 1974) [3:46]
• Directed by George Harrison, Filmed by Nick Knowland
• Film Restoration: David Dean & Gwyn Evans
• Dark Horse (original promotional clip, 1974) [:30]
• Created by Capitol Records

We Need A Depeche Mode B-Sides Album

Earlier today, I was listening to some of Depeche Mode's b-sides. You can state the obvious, the songs are not as good as most of the album songs, which is something the band can be proud of, they didn't make the typical mistake of letting bit anthems out of their albums.
Anyway, on their b-sides you can find some really great musical moments, more than enough to make a big compilation selection all or the best of them.

The band were always fan of compilation albums, they already release 3 singles and 2 remixes compilations. So, instead of getting some new guys to make a couple of remixes they could simple release their ultimate b-sides compilation. Their b-sides are not that famous, even inside their fanbase and for long they don't play any of it live (instead of Fly On The Windscreen, an original b-sides appearing alter on Black Celebration).

But image, an album with songs like Ice Machine (famous now for Röyksopp version), Work Hard, But Not Tonight, Dangerous, Sea of Sin, My Joy, Death's Door, Surrender, Sibeling or Free could be a damn good compilation album.

It exists some bootlegs with these songs but no official release until now so, Mute guys, think about that please.

I Am The Resurrection

Sometimes you can't find the motivation to write about music, sometimes you don't have nothing to say or you simply don't have the right mood.

So writing for some months again, but I created this blog 8 years ago and don't want to let it disappear. So, let's resurrect Strange Sound one more time!

   

Suedewalk 2014

As I wrote before, I'm now living in London. Actually, this is my last week here, this Sunday I'm travelling back to my sweet old Portugal after 6 months in this amazing place. 

Some weeks ago I wrote in a Suede Facebook group called "The Insatiable Ones" that it would be nice to resurrect the Suedewalks.

What are the Suedewalks? Suedewalks are tour around London organized by David Barnett, ex-member of the Suede crew and writer of their official Biography. Well, guess what, Mr. Barnett answered to my request and organized a new Suedewalk! The last one was a couple of years ago.

This year's Suede walk focused on the Suede/Dog Man Star era. 

So, a group of more or less 10 fans met at the Boogaloo pub in Highgate. There, we went for a beer and David started to tell some secret things about the band. It was awesome. I read his book some weeks agof or the third time and listening to him speaking was almost reading the book for us. Incredible. The owner of the Boogaloo was also very nice and offered us some Corona beers for the trip.

The first stop was Brett's old house (pictured). There, he wrote the lyrics for Suede's most acclaimed album, Dog Man Star. The house was number 16, Brett's lucky number, because, as Barnett's said, he is very superstitious.

Next we went to the park where Brett used to do volunteer work and where he got inspiration for the lyrics of Sleeping Pills. We also visited the Highgate cemetery where Brett and Bernard Butler gave their last TV interview together and then we passed through several places where Suede played specially on their first years. We passed through the Forum where the band gave their fantastic 1997 B-Sides gig and the mythical White Horse where the band gave their first ever concert in 1990 (pictured).

After that, we ended up drinking a beer in a pub in Kentish Town and having a good conversation and a good laugh. 

David signed my Love & Poison book and we took a picture together. And I also brought home a copy of the fanclub Sessions CD provided by him!

Fantastic Saturday and fantastic walk, I can only say thank you very very much.

Suedewalks are not dead!

Happy Birthday Sir Paul McCartney

Today, 72 years ago, a legend was born!
Paul McCartney former member of the Beatles, Wings, and with a huge and successful solo career launched his latest album "New" last year reaching the top 3 of the UK album charts.
Just to have an idea of the contribution of Paul's to modern music, we just need to say that the Beatle was involved in the #1 best selling single in the 60's, 70's and 80's.
I can't choose a favourite song but, let's remember this old classic, Monkberry Moon Delight from his second solo album (or first with Linda) Ram On.
Happy Birthday!

It's a Classic!

Sometimes, not very often, when you heard for the first time a song you have that feeling "Damn, this song is an instant classic!". I can't remember when it was the last time it happened to me, probably one and half years ago when I heard "Where Are We Now?" from David Bowie (unfortunately, I didn't feel it with "Barriers" from Suede, although I consider it a classic now).
Well, it happened again last week, this time with Morrissey's new single "Would Peace Is None Of Your Business".
This is completely a traditional Moz song. The political lyrics, the slow way of pronouncing the words, the melancholic guitar lines, the irony, everything. Instant Classic! The interlude "Each time you vote, you support the process", is genial, so brutal. Incredible really.
Can't wait to listen to the rest of the album.

Autobiography by Morrissey

Some months ago I finished reading Morrissey's Autobiography.
I admit that, for a non-native English speaker, it was a hard read, the book is full of small ironies and typical English expressions. But, in the end, it was a very interesting read.
I will not resume or tell stories from the book, I will just point two or three things and I particularly enjoyed in the reading.
- Morrissey is very honest in what concerns success in the music industry. Some bands say "I don't care if my album makes the top 10 or not, what it really matters is the message and the music". Well, we all know that this is not really true and everyone cares about the sales, it is good to see your work appreciated and reaching people all over the world. So, Morrissey was, and still is nowadays, euphoric whenever his albums reached the top of the charts in the UK and disappointed when they didn't.
- Morrissey leaves very nice and good words about his ex-Smiths and ex-musical partners musical skills. Although, talking about their personal and social behaving he leaves some critics and sometimes he even destroys them. As I said, very honest, the book is as it should be and it shows completely the world through Morrissey's eyes. As he wrote "How could anybody possibly know how I feel when they are they and only I am I?".
- Morrissey wrote really big part of his life there and this is the closest thing we will ever get to Morrissey's mind but (amazingly) he left a lot of small secrets and mysteries to himself, which is more than understandable.
- Morrissey's depression during his Smiths years was big and it is amazing how he, today, is a very happy man. I completely agree and understand when he says that a Smiths reunion makes him laugh. I don't see (musically) any point for a Smiths reunion and, if Moz is much happier and successful now, why should really be a reunion like that? I still think that "You Are The Quarry" is the singer's best work to date. Better than "Strangeways, Here We Come" and "The Queen Is Dead".
- Moz must be someone really difficult to deal with. His strong an inflexible opinions makes me think that it is really rare when something makes change his mind. I think he know that and he is actually proud of it.
- As a personal view, it was very pleasing to read the book while I am in London. When he writes things like (example) "The concert I gave in Finsbury Park" or "I was walking in South Kensington" and me thinking "Fuck, I was there in the other day" is something special.
Great reading, I recommend it.

Visions Of The Underworld

One week ago I went to see Patrick Duff live as I reported before.
On that night I also bought his two new albums, Visions Of The Underworld and Seven Sermons To The Dead.
Last days, I can't stop listening to Visions Of The Underworld. It is superb and truly beautiful album.
The album was recorded almost live and without overdubbing or big production.
The album starts with a sad and nostalgic song about a man called Danny Freeman. The guitar's fingerings is great and fits with the melancholic feeling of the song.
Then, we meet Julie Of The Rose a more mature and secure song, full of strange and intimidating woodwind sounds.
The 3rd person is Henry James, this is the song that was dedicated for me in Patrick's last concert so it will always have a special meaning for me. The song is happier and lighter than the previous ones.
The slowest and saddest song of the album is Jesus, a personal praying for someone that has abandoned you. Patrick's voice is very sentimental and the high notes helps to make the guitar cry a little bit.
To finish the first half of the LP, Duff wrote a song about The Man Downstairs, it is probably my least favourite track on the album but, even the "not as good" song (in my opinion) is completely amazing. The track ends with some scary and wild sounds, something like a heartbeat of a beast.
Number 6 is Hail Holy Queen, a song about the feeling of dating a woman who already has children from other man. It sounds perfectly when played live and it is a very masculine and strong song.
Though Birds is one of my favourite songs form the album. Sad, simple, nostalgic and, most of all, very mysterious, perfect ingredients and you can really hear the birds through the song. At the end you can experience a very beautiful and short piece of instrumental music.
Luckiest Man I Know is a song that shows you the reason that we should never be miserable and we are blessed for being alive so, just enjoy life, and remember that it is a gift that we are all here, really here, alive and well!
Today, my favourite song from this album is Midnight Garden. The instrumental is great, the guitar really sweeps through the entire song. It is an instant classic, something that you understand in the first time you listen to a piece of music like this. Patrick's vocals are, as always brilliant, the lyrics are great and the song is dark and sad. Everything fits, the lyrics, the guitar, the tune, it is a real moment of pure magic.
To end the album, a song about receiving and being happy with all the good things that life has to give us. Thank you for everything, thank you for the Flowers On My Grave.
The album is a masterpiece. The reason why I love it so much is the fact that Visions Of The Underworld is, technically a very simple album but the melodies, the feelings, the lyrics, the message, the music is very very very complex and omnibus. It is something that, doesn't matter how my mood is, it will always make me feel good and I can always create some kind of connection with every single song.
Please, take (gain) 45 minutes of your life and enjoy the listening of this great piece of music,
Patrick Duff is touring alone this album and it is an amazing experience to see him live.

Suede in Record Store Day 2014

Suede will release Let Go in 7' for the Record Store Day.

Let Go is a b-side from Can't Get Enough single which was released in 1999.

Back in those days, the song was much appreciated by Sweden who decided to release it as single instead of Can't Get Enough.

This year it will be released for the first time in the UK as a 7' single. The b-side was not revealed yet. This will accomplish the 7' singles boxset that the band will release soon.

Let go was written by Brett Anderson and Neil Codling, and it can be found on Head Music Deluxe Edition, or on both of the new Boxsets.

You can pre-order the single through Proper Music

Patrick Duff Live At The Old Queens Head

Again (and again, and again, and again) long time since I wrote last time. My life changed, and I moved to London for six months, which is being a wonderful experience. Didn't have any particular reason not to write on Strange Sound, but it doesn't mean that the blog is dead. As I am running it since 2006 it would be a real pity just to finish it so, even if I keep a lot of months or years without writing, the blog will not close, I will just write when I feel to, and today I feel so. Why?

Last Tuesday was one of the most amazing evenings of my life, and all of it because of music!

I went to see, for the first time Patrick Duff live in a concert! The gig was in a traditional British pub, The Old Queens Head in a very beautiful room.

But, the experience started for me even before the concert. When I was walking to the place I found Patrick Duff in the street and he recognized me! Amazing really, he called my name and we were walking together to the pub talking about daily normal things. He was the nicest person on Earth and he was very happy for having me there. I was feeling like a kid who had just met his hero.

Than the concert began with Evergreen, perfect song to get a connection with the audience. Then, the already classic, Dead Man Singing, the song I was listening everyday when I made my trip by car to the south of Portugal some months ago in my happiest period of my life.

Then, another magical moment, on the first time Patrick talks with the audience he dedicates a song for "my great friend Miguel from Portugal who is here tonight". Can you believe this? Your favourite ever musician dedicating a song to you! Just like in dreams. The song was Henry James form his new album Visions of the Underworld.  

The concert continued with a magnificent setlist that included songs like Ed's Not Dead, Maria, Hail Holy Queen, Midnight Garden among others. The last song before the encore was the classic In My Junkie Clothes from his debut album Luxury Problems. I recorded the entire performance of this song and you can see it down here. Great interaction with the public and really funny moment. For the encore, Patrick came with 3 cover versions of The Beatles, Johnny Cash and The Doors. The gig ended with a big and long silence that created a great vibe in the room. You really could feel something there floating.

More than amazing, it was perfect really.

After the show I  waited for Patrick and he singed me Visions of the Underworld and Seven Sermons to the Dead. We took a photograph, talked a little bit and then I went home smiling, completely amazed and happy for this great experience.

What a day!

Take a look on the video of In My Junkie Clothes:

 

Suede Live At Porto Coliseum

Two days after the concert, I'm still perplexed and completely amazed of what was, without a doubt, the best concert I ever attended in my life!
Suede played an incredible and magical gig in Porto Coliseum last Friday!
The gig was very intense, a lot of rock songs in the beginning without stops between the songs. Brett was with the devil inside him and almost didn't rested for a minute. He was always in the first row, close to the grids (where I took a photo with him) and he went a lot of time to the middle of the crowd during The Drowners and Can't Get Enough. The public was hysterical and really happy with Brett's performance, actually I think that this was the best public I saw in Suede shows! In the break for the encore, we kept singing the "La La La" from Beautiful Ones until the band returned, which was a nice surprise for them and made Brett do a beautiful and silly dance with his legs. The singer told also nice things about Portugal, about Portuguese people and about our Coliseum. It is special for someone that lived almost all of his life in Porto to hear this things.
For me, the highpoint of the night was when they played This Time! If I'm not wrong, it was only the third ever they played this song and it is one of my favourites. It is so romantic and nostalgic song, I remember to listen to it repeatedly when I bought Sci-Fi Lullabies a lot of years ago. One of the best collaborations of Richard Oakes and Brett Anderson and, as I said, stands as one of my favourites with Trash, Filmstar, Beautiful Ones and Europe Is Our Playground.
The Living Dead was a very special moment too, Brett looked like an actor, performing a very sensitive and sad scene.
The classics were always powerful and the public enjoyed them as it was the first time they ever listened to it.
She's In Fashion is back to the setlist and in an acoustic version. Very suave and elegant!
The new songs sound great too, I'm glad they played Snowblind, pure rock n' roll!
It was a pity that they left out Barriers but I'm glad they didn't forget For The Strangers and Sabotage!
Resuming the concert in one sentence, it was the best live performance I ever saw in my life!
Check here This Time!

Setlist:
Still Life
Snowblind
It Starts and Ends With You
Trash
Animal Nitrate
Filmstar
Sometimes I Feel I'll Float Away
Sabotage
The Drowners
Can't Get Enough
This Time
The Wild Ones
The Living Dead
For the Strangers
So Young
Metal Mickey
Beautiful Ones

She's in Fashion
New Generation

Suede Songs For The First Time

Suede are making a really special tour at this moment.
Almost every show they play a very rare or a live debut song, it's amazing.
So far they played:
- Where The Pigs Don't Fly (first time since 1992)
- Painted People (first time since 1992)
- Modern Boys (first time ever played)
- God's Gift (second time ever played)
- Leaving (first time ever played)
- Heroin (first time ever played)
- Positivity (first time after the reunion)

They also brought back some old songs not usually played live:
- The Big Time
- He's Dead
- Daddy's Speeding
- Europe Is Our Playground
- Together
- Another No One
- He's Gone
- Indian Strings

Porto's concert is next Friday, I can say I'm with very high expectations about it!
Check out the live debut of Heroin!

Lou Reed Died

Today, 27th of October of 2013, is a very very very sad day for music.
Lou Reed. the american musician and artist, died ate the age of 71. The cause is still unknown but it suspects to be related with his liver transplant that occurred in May.
In my opinion, "Transformer" is one of the most important albums ever, so revolutionary, so dirty, so natural, it's epic. It's really sad to see him pass specially when he was still active in the music business.
Songs like "Walk On The Wild Side","Satellite Of Love", "Candy Says", "Vicious" and mainly the hymn "Perfect Day" will last forever.
Rest in peace Lou...
"You're going to reap just what you sow"

The Queen Is Dead Considered Best Album Of All Time By NME

NME has made a countdown of the 500 best albums of all time. The albums were selected by previous and current journalist of this magazine. Each journalist had to make a list of their own top 50 best albums of all time. I don't know yet the rest of the list but the number 1 is The Queen Is Dead by The Smiths. I wouldn't select it for sure, I don't even think it is the best work from Morrissey, and, in previous interviews both Moz and Johnny Marr stated Strangeways, Here We Come as they favourite Smiths album.

Although, this is an amazing week for the emblematic English singer. Besides this conquest, his new Autobiography book is on the top of the most sold books last week.

Bloodsports

As last months I was not writing on the blog, some CD's were released and I never did a review. Maybe the most important of all of them was Bloodsports of Suede. As a big fan of the band, I think I should write something about it.

First let's see the background of the album. Suede released their "Best Of" without new tracks and then they re-released their 5 studio albums with b-sides, demos and unreleased songs.
Brett Anderson finished Black Rainbows and Richard Oakes his debut album with Artmagic. Brett's album was, according to his own voice, a pop/rock album something like Coming Up (which I disagree). The album is good but I think he made big expectations for it and some songs on it are not that good. The album is still brilliant but it is my least favourite from his solo career. Richard's album was more concise, more worked and more poppy. I love the album (although, with all the respect, a think it deserved a stronger singer), it is powerful when it has to be, nostalgic and deep.

Let's go to Bloodsports now. On the end of 2011 Suede played a special gig in Saint Petersburg when they premièred 7 new songs. The songs were nice, but they didn't seem to be as good as the band could do. They were too simple, too rocky, small riffs. From those 7 only two were released: Sabotage and the b-side Falling Plains. In my opinion the other songs were good enough to record. Maybe not as album songs but as bonus tracks or b-sides. I really liked Cold War for example. Suede didn't like the songs that much so they started again to write what would become the album. Some months later they played live "For The Strangers". At first listen I was not to keen on it but my opinion would change a lot really.

The first studio song to be heard from Bloodsports was Barriers, track #1. It was available as a free download some weeks before the release of the album. Again, at first listen, I tough it missed something, that the chorus where a little bit forced to the melody and that the guitar riff missed production. I was wrong again. Today, after some listening, it is one of my favourite songs from the album. The "Trash" spirit is completely in it and the lyrics are absolutely uplifting and beautiful.
Now let's see track #2 from the CD, "Snowblind". It was, and it still is one of my favourites. It is the most powerful and rockier song of the album and it is so quick that it is almost breathtaking. Although the chorus is not so catchy, the outro guitar is one of the most beautiful guitar lines I heard for years!
The main single, "It Starts and Ends With You" it is a nice and poppy song, but I wouldn't choose it for first single, in fact I wouldn't choose it to be a single at all. The riff is great and the chorus is catchy but there's something on it that I don't know, I love it less than the other songs. However it remains as a great piece of music.
Then we can listen to "Sabotage" the only survivor of the Russian concert. The studio version is far better than the live version and it is simply great. The bass line of Mat Osman are great and the guitars on the chorus (specially on the last chorus) are perfect. Brett's voice is not so high as on the other songs but I quite prefer it like that.
"For The Strangers" comes next and it's Anderson's favourite song from their last album. Really beautiful, when you are listening to it, it seems that Brett's voice is surrounding you room. The guitars are making riffs during the entire song which makes it maybe the most complex song in the album. It is the 3rd single and I think it can turns easily to a live favourite for the fans.
The second single was "Hit Me". The best part on it is without a doubt the guitar riff in the chorus and Richard's solo (finally a solo). It is poppy and the chorus is mesmerizing. I understand why the song was a single, however I think it deserved a better video clip (it's like Can't Get Enough part 2).
Then, we enter to a new part of the album, a darker one without catch pop songs but with great hymns.
The first is "Something I Feel I'll Float Away", a Anderson/Oakes song. melancholic ballad which turns into a great anthem in the end with a long Brett's voice and a very powerful Richard's guitar. The riff in the chorus, mixed with the singer's voice is a perfect combination. It really makes you feel you are floating.
"What Are You Not Telling Me?" is the most slow song on Bloodsports. A sad and soft song which bring the most sensitive part of the band. It's so sad that it makes it completely beautiful. Even the little solo is slow and heartbreaking. It's the only song without drums on it.
I think that, "Always" can be seen as a modern "The Asphalt World". It is the longest song on the album (but it's not that long, only 4:43) and it has a break in the middle for a growing up solo more or less in the same style of the Dog Man Star song. Brett's voice in the end are amazing, he really can scream and hit the notes perfectly, his voice really made great progresses during the last years.
The last song is "Faultlines", a nostalgic celebration and hymn for the album. The chorus is great, again the power of the guitar on the chorus are great. I think it could be longer, with a nice instrumental part in the end or some kind of solo but, it is a perfect ending for an album. After 9 great songs, this song is like the peacemaker song to make you go back to the real world. Amazing.

As overall review I can say that Ed Buller's work (the producer) was determinant for the album to sounds as it is sounding. He could bring the magic from the beginnings of the 90's and, as an outside member of the band, he could advise and help them to select the songs.
Brett Anderson's voice is amazing and he really improved it. If you compare his singing today with "A New Morning" era you think he has rejuvenated. Richard Oakes' guitar riffs and creativity are better than ever, he can pick always great lines at every song. Neil Codling is more present in the songwriting than in the real song from the album, this album doesn't use too much keyboards but we can see great work on the last 3 songs. Mat Osman is one of the most underrated bass players ever. Although he only co-wrote "Always", the bass lines in "Sabotage" and "For The Strangers" gives really an identity to the songs. Simon Gilbert is consistent as he always was. Best parts must be heard probably on the chorus of "Faultlines", in "Always" and in the main single too! He is a world class drummer and team member!

It was good to see that 5 of the 10 songs were written by a combination of Anderson/Codling/Oakes, something that was not usual. The band are working more as a band and another proof of that is that Brett didn't wrote any song on his own. Always is credited to the five members of the band which is curious and great!

I will not give a classification to the album but I think I can't be impartial when it concerns Suede, so I'll just say it is one of the best albums I heard for a long long time and it was the best reunion album ever. Take a listen to it here:

Morrissey's Autobiography Out Now

Morrissey's Autobiography was officially release yesterday (17 of October).
The long awaited book covers the ex-Smiths singers life from his childhood until today. As I've been reading on the internet, the book is being a success and is on the top of Amazon's most required items.
I'm planning to buy it soon and after reading I'll make a personal review but, there's no doubts that it is going to be a fascinating reading, as Morrissey's career and life was and still is.

The Next Day To Be Re-Released

Less than one year after its release, "The Next Day", David Bowie's first album in 10 years, will be re-release in a deluxe edition on the 4th of November. It isn't so much orthodox to re-release an almost new album but, Bowie already prove several times that he is a master of the unexpected. Maybe he is taking vantage from the attention that the press is still giving him and wants to re-release this double CD edition while his album is still fresh. The new release will contain 5 new unheard songs and a bonus DVD.
The tracklist is:

CD1:
1. The Next Day
2. Dirty Boys
3. The Stars (Are Out Tonight)
4. Love is Lost
5. Where Are We Now?
6. Valentine's Day
7. If You Can See Me
8. I'd Rather Be High
9. Boss of Me
10. Dancing Out in Space
11. How Does the Grass Grow?
12. (You Will) Set the World on Fire
13. You Feel So Lonely You Could Die14. Heat

CD2:
1. Atomica
2. Love Is Lost (Hello Steve Reich Mix By James Murphy For The DFA)
3. Plan
4. The Informer
5. Like A Rocket Man
6. Born In A Ufo
7. I’d Rather Be High (venetian Mix)
8. I’ll Take You There
9. God Bless The Girl
10. So She

Remember below the amazing last single from "The Next Day": Valentine's Day

Paul McCartney Plays Surprise Concert In Times Square

Yesterday, on the 10th of October, Sir Paul McCartney played a surprise gig in New York's Time Square.
He tweeted about it on his official account and then, some fans were able to see him perform 4 songs from his next album "New".
It was the second time McCartney made an unexpected performance this week, as he made a not programmed concert in a school in that same city.

Paul played:
1- New
2- Save Us
3- Everybody Out There
4- Queenie Eye

See here some parts of the concert:

Dog Man Star is 19!

Happy Birthday Dog Man Star!
It looks this times are times for anniversaries, yesterday Mat Osman and today the mythical Suede album Dog Man Star!
This album was released in 1994 and it is considered Suede's masterpiece. The band left their rock and punk sound of the previous album and started to explore a lot more of dark sounds.
Songs like The Asphalt World, Still Life, The Wild Ones or The 2 Of Us are complete classics in the group's history.
We are hoping for a big celebration next year! Listen to the entire album here!

Happy Birthday Mat Osman!

After more than half a year of silence, Strange Sound is back and to stay!
And, let's celebrate the come back, wishing a happy birthday to Mat Osman, the bassist of Suede, who is today 46 years old! In order to do that, I'll post my own, top 5 of Suede songs written by Mat Osman and Brett Anderson.

5 - What Violet Says
This is the only contribution (for now) of Mat Osman as a songwritter after Suede's come back. It's a proof that he can still makes good songs!


4 - Golden Gun
It looks like that, back in 2003, after A New Morning, the writting partnership in Suede was more into Mat Osman than into Richard Oakes or Alex Lee. Mat wrote the main single on that year and the main b-side.



3 - Lost In TV
One of best songs from "A New Morning" and, despite this album is viewed as the worst Suede work, this song, along with Obsessions, it is one of the most appreciated by the fans. Very sweet and cool vibe and great backing vocals.


2 - Attitude
Attitude was the new single from the singles compilation release in 2003. After the flop of A New Morning, the band needed to creat a new type of sound, something more catchy and charming. In my opinion, Attitude reflects that very well and is one of the most under-rated songs by the band.


1 - Europe Is Our Playground
The classic Coming Up b-side that is still one of the favourites among the fans. Personally this is my travel song, every time I am in a bus, train or plane making a big trip I loose myself listening to this song. "Europe is our playground, London is our town, so run with me baby now..."