Posts tagged ‘The Maccabees’
Favorite songs of 2009, finally.
Yeah, I pretty much failed at life when it came to keeping up with my favorite-songs-of-the-year-advent-calendar idea. My bad. At first, it was easy to blame exams and schoolwork. But by the end of the month, my laziness was to blame. And life. I actually had what seemed like a life for a couple days there, it was weird.Then the holidays, can’t forget those.
New Year’s Resolution? Finish these posts and try not to neglect this poor blog. So, let’s roll. I will try to keep commentary to a minimum since there’s quite a few songs to go through.
14. Emmy The Great – Two Steps Forward
“Two Steps Forward” is yet another example of Emmy the Great’s songwriting talent. This is one of Emmy’s older songs that didn’t make it onto her debut album First Love, but it was included on the Edward EP released back in August. I highly recommend you watch the Black Cab Sessions performance of this song.
15. No Doubt – Stand and Deliver (Adam Ant cover)
This year, No Doubt returned and my heart could barely handle it. 2010 will (hopefully) see the band release a new album and I will get to experience more of this. YES PLEASE.
16. Jack Peñate – Let’s All Die
Who doesn’t love a good party jam about death? Hm? I wasn’t exactly head-over-heels for Peñate’s Everything Is New, but “Let’s All Die” was one of my favorite tunes from the album. It wasn’t until after seeing Peñate live that it definitely became my favorite from the album. It’s just too much fun.
17. Jamie T – Sticks ‘n Stones
For the longest time, I had this dinky little live recording of “Sticks N Stones” and of course I loved it, but I had no idea the power this song would have over me once my ears experienced a proper quality recording. HOLY SHIT. This song was born to be on repeat. When I feel like life is kicking my ass, “Sticks N Stones” is there to help me kick life right back, square in the balls. It’s like my own personal “Eye of the Tiger” but a million times better. People, there’s a reason Jamie T is KING.
18. Generationals – Nobody Could Change Your Mind
I like happy music. I really really do. And you know who made some damn good happy music this year? Generationals.
19. Slow Club – When I Go
There’s something very beautiful about the way Charles and Rebecca’s voices complement each other as they sing about back-up plans for love and life.
20. The Lullaby Club – Batman and Robin
The Lullaby Club were a 2009 musical discovery who are still quite a mystery to me. They were a random friend request on the ol’ myspace and for some odd reason instead of hitting the usual ‘ignore/delete’ button on band requests (like I did 98% of the time), I decided to click and have a listen. There was close to nothing on their page, just a link that led nowhere and a couple songs. And as luck would have it, the songs were rather good. If you’re a fan of the whole folk/pop/happiness thing, you might really dig them. There’s something quite familiar about the vocals and I’ve tried to find more information on the band, but my google searches have yielded nothing. If you know anything, please fill me in.
21. Noah and the Whale – The First Days of Spring
I think I’ve made my feelings about this song pretty clear on previous posts. Something about it being so good I want to have babies with the song, or whatever. This summer I discovered that one of the greatest ways to listen to this song is while driving through a thunderstorm, darkened clouds and lightning in the distance, with thunder roaring just as the song reaches its climactic ending. Talk about epic. Totally helps you forget about the possibility of hydroplaning, crashing, and dying.
22. Peggy Sue – Lover Gone
Sometimes when people break up, they write bitter, hurtful songs about their ex-lover. Sometimes when people break up, they write nice songs about their ex-lover and how there’s no hard feelings since ultimately it was for the best. This is one of those songs. 2010 will be a good year for Peggy Sue as it will see the release of their first album Fossils and Other Phantoms. Excitement!
23. The Maccabees – No Kind Words
It was the first taste of what was to come from The Maccabees on their second album Wall of Arms and mother-eff if it didn’t leave you wanting more! Recently, the boys reworked the tune with Roots Manuva and the result, “Empty Vessels,” will be featured on a special reissue of the album in early 2010.
24. Johnny Flynn – Lost & Found
This whole year has been a tease of what Johnny Flynn has in store for his second album, set for release sometime in 2010. Sweet jesus, I am excited!
25. Regina Spektor – The Calculation
Alright, I intentionally saved the best for last. OMG REGINA?! WHAT A SHOCKER! Part of the excitement in a new Regina Spektor album is (a) not knowing how she’s changed up some of her “classics” and (b) not knowing how many songs will actually be brand new songs no one has ever heard before in any way, shape, or form. “The Calculation” was one of the latter. In classic Regina fashion, she wrote a whimsical love story jampacked with Spektoresque metaphors that manages to be as catchy as it is beautiful. Since May, I’ve listened to “The Calculation” at least once a day everyday and I’ve been happy for at least three minutes.
BAM! Done. Better late than never, right? For songs 1-13, check out the tags.
Video: The Maccabees @ Brixton Academy
Once upon a time, The Maccabees headlined Brixton Academy (or O2 Academy Brixton, if you want to be legit) and there were thousands and thousands of happy faces and hearts in one room and someone tried to capture all that happiness on camera as best they could and then shared it with the world through the magic of the internet.
In other words, you can watch The Maccabees performing on that Academy stage over here on Babelgum. 10 videos in all, here’s a teaser:
If you’ve got a half hour to spare, highly recommend you watch them all. Your ears and eyes will thank you.
No Kind Words = Empty Vessels, to the max
The Maccabees have teamed up with Roots Manuva on new track “Empty Vessels.” While essentially Manuva has only added some kick ass new vocals to “No Kind Words,” the track is not a remix but rather a collaboration, hence the new title. The Maccabees have been fans of the South London rapper for a while, with the collaboration in the works since meeting at one of the big summer festivals this past year (Reading? Glasto, maybe? I can’t exactly remember.)
The track premiered today on Zane Lowe’s radio show, which you can stream for free RIGHT NOW and listen to “Empty Vessels”. Sadly, if you’re outside the UK that link will do diddly squat for you. There’s no word on what the band plans to do with the song (b-side to the next single? single of its own?), but you’re going to want to have a listen. Seriously. At the risk of sounding like a dj on some crazy hip hop/r&b station, the track is hot!
Yeah, I said it.
And if you haven’t heard, The Maccabees are headlining next year’s Shockwaves NME Awards tour and playing with Bombay Bicycle Club, The Big Pink, and Drums. Check the myspace for dates/details: http://www.myspace.com/themaccabees
For more on Roots Manuva:
myspace
official website
last.fm
The Maccabees cover Roy Orbison, ladies all over the world swoon
For your listening pleasure, The Maccabees “I Drove All Night”:
A cover is a cover is a cover.
A while ago my brother made me listen to some cover song that he promised I would “love” since I was a fan of the original. Yeah, he was wrong.
Covers are tricky business, aren’t they? Bands either cover songs for fun or as a joke (i.e. most of the Live Lounge session tracks) or they seriously commit and take it very seriously. The latter is when things get risky because when the final product sucks there’s really no excuse.
So in the spirit of Halloween and pretending to be someone or something you’re not, here are some cover songs that I personally love and you might enjoy, maybe. I tried to show some self-restraint and only post ten songs. It was tough, there’s probably going to be a part 2:
Florence and the Machine – “Postcards From Italy” (Beirut)
I think it’s impossible for me to talk about Florence and the Machine without mentioning this song. She’s no stranger to covers (from “Girl with One Eye” by Ludes to Lightspeed Champion’s “Galaxy of the Lost Florences” to “Flakes” by Mystery Jets), but her voice is perfectly suited for this song and it absolutely shines. Girl’s got some crazy chords.
Jamie T – “A New England” (Billy Bragg)
Billy Bragg is Billy fucking Bragg, I know. “A New England” is one of his most recognized songs, I know. But Jamie T manages to deliver it beautifully. But maybe I’m just biased since I’ve seen him perform it live and it sends chills down your spine, seriously.
Kid Harpoon – “Keep The Car Running” (Arcade Fire)
I think it’s safe to say that one of Kid Harpoon’s most beloved songs by fans is his version of Leonard Cohen’s “First We Take Manhattan”. Sweet baby jesus, it’s good. But as you can see, it’s not the song I chose to share. Mr. Harpoon (Mr. Hull, if you want to be legit) is kind of a genius in the art of cover songs. So much so, that last year he took requests straight from his fans and recorded five pretty unique covers. Why did he do all this? Because he’s awesome, that’s why. They were all good (search ‘kid harpoon covers week’ on YouTube and listen for yourself), but his take on Arcade Fire’s “Keep the Car Running” is hands down my favorite because he managed to take that other-worldly, majestic sound that’s signature to Arcade Fire, strip it down to nothing but an acoustic guitar IN HIS SHOWER, and somehow keep that beautiful majestic feeling. So great.
Jeremy Warmsley – “Non, Rien de Rien” (Edith Piaf)
Jeremy Warmsley is also very good at choosing just the right songs to cover, therefore making it difficult to narrow down to just one choice. Here he is singing in French with only a xylophone as accompaniment. Did I mention he’s singing in French? Because he is singing in French.
Mystery Jets – “Pioneers” (Bloc Party)
GENERAL RULE OF THUMB: Always be weary of being covered by Mystery Jets because the chances of their version outshining your original is 99.9%. It’s just kind of a fact. Choosing one song was near impossible, but I can’t even find words to describe what I feel when I listen to this song so I knew it was the one that needed sharing. I’ve never been a fan of Bloc Party. It’s not like I hate them, their music just never made me feel anything. While I understand that it might be unfair, maybe even ridiculously biased, to say Mystery Jets’ version is superior to the original because both bands have very different musical styles, I think it’s safe to say one version definitely tugs at your heartstrings in a way the other just can’t. (For comparison purposes, Bloc Party “Pioneers”)
The Maccabees – “Boom Boom Pow” (Black Eyed Peas)
The Black Eyed Peas really hit a new level on the ‘WTF is this shit?’ scale with “Boom Boom Pow.” They truly outdid themselves and proved to us all that yes they could produce something more annoying and idiotic than “My Humps”. Luckily, The Maccabees have a sense of humor and had some fun with the song on Jo Whiley’s Live Lounge. My favorite part of listening to “Boom Boom Pow” is hearing Orlando trying to hold back laughs as he sings lines like “I’m so 3008 you’re so 2000 and late, I got that boom boom boom.” Good times.
The Holloways – “The Sweet Escape” (Gwen Stefani)
This is another Live Lounge gem. As most people know, I love No Doubt. And yeah, I totally love Gwen Stefani. But while I was all over her first solo album, I had to draw the line at solo album #2 after I heard her first single and saw her album cover and almost vomitted. I can proudly sing along to all of Love. Angel. Music. Baby. and thanks to this cover by The Holloways I can sing along to “The Sweet Escape”. Hell, most of the time I forget it’s even a Gwen Stefani song.
Franz Ferdinand – “All My Friends” (LCD Soundsystem)
I was very close to choosing Franz Ferdinand’s cover of Stefani’s “What You Waiting For?” but figured maybe that was too much Stefani and one too many Live Lounge performances, so instead here you have an LCD Soundsystem cover. I love this song because while it remains true to the original, they’ve injected that beautiful Franz Ferdinand quality that just makes you want to get up and dance. Alex Kapranos’ voice doesn’t hurt either. Mmyeah.
The Spinto Band – “Shortnin’ Bread” (Paul Chaplain and a ton of other people)
Oh, Spinto Band. What to choose, what to choose? From ELO to Seal to The Motors, these boys know how to do a damn good cover. It was a toughie, but this is a good one simply for the fact the choice to perform this song during a radio show seems so random yet the song is incredibly recognizable AND it features handclaps. You know I’m a sucker for handclaps. BONUS: Oh Mandy (Throw Some D’s breakdown) – Deep down, this is what I really wanted to share but I don’t think it technically constitutes a “cover” since 99.9999% of the song is a Spinto Band original and only 20 seconds are devoted to a Rich Boy/gangsta breakdown. BUT BUT BUT it is one of the greatest things ever. Seriously, after you’ve heard it this way + seen it live, there’s no going back to the original. Then again, maybe that’s just me. Really, this isn’t even my favorite version but it is the best sound quality version I own, so listen to it!!
Whirlwind Heat – “Another One Bites the Dust” (Queen)
I love Whirlwind Heat. Seriously, I LOVE Whirlwind Heat. You should too if you know what’s up. This cover is fun, a little bit crazy, and a whole lot of hot. Swanson’s vocals are spaztic as ever. Listen for the breathing, people. Gene pool style.
The Maccabees MTV Live Session + support tour
The Maccabees recorded a session for MTV Live recently sponsored by Nokia. You can watch a pretty stellar video of my jam “Young Lions” below and check out “Can You Give It” over here. No video region restrictions FTW!
DOWNLOAD Young Lions (MTV Live Sessions) mp3
DOWNLOAD Can You Give It (MTV Live Sessions) mp3
This week, the boys also announced dates supporting Editors around Europe this November/December:
Nov 7 – Forest National – Brussels
Nov 8 – Melkweg – Amsterdam
Nov 9 – Groningen Oosterport – Oosterport
Nov 11 – Tilburg O13 – Tilburg
Nov 12 – E-Werk, Cologne – Cologne
Nov 17 – GF36 – Hamburg
Nov 18 – Vega – Copenhagen
Nov 20 – Ringlokschuppen – Bielefeld
Nov 21 – Columbiahalle – Berlin
Nov 22 – Reithalle – Dresden
Nov 23 – Stodoloa – Warsaw
Nov 25 – Studio – Krakow
Nov 28 – Lucerna Music Bar – Prague
Nov 29 – Tonhalle – Munich
Nov 30 – Longhorn – Stuttgart
Dec 1 – Bern Bierhubeli – Bern
Dec 3 – Teatro TendaStrisce – Rome
Dec 4 – Alcatraz – Milan
Dec 5 – X-TRA Limmathaus – Zurich
Dec 6 – Transborder – Lyon
Dec 8 – Razzmatazz (Room 1) – Barcelona
Dec 9 – La Riviera – Madrid
Dec 10 – Campo Pequeno – Lisbon
Dec 12 – Sala Rockstarm – Bilbao
Dec 13 – Bikini – Toulouse
Dec 14 – Bataclan – Paris
Editors are amazing, especially live, and The Back Room will never ever get old. Go to these shows if you can because they’re going to be good times.
