2013 PREVIEW: ALBUMS

A preview of our most anticipated albums for 2013 - by Jon Birch:

2012 has been a great year for music. We’ve seen established artists like Bruce Springsteen and Neil Young delivering exceptional albums, younger bands such as The Vaccines building on the success of their impressive debut with the solid Come Of Age and new acts like Jake Bugg bursting on to the scene. Thankfully, with the latest apocalypse out of the way and the world still spinning, 2013 looks like its going to another exciting year.

Bffy Clyro will get things under way in style in January with the release of their sixth studio album, Opposites. The follow up to 2009’s Only Revolutions, this promises to be more of the same and will continue to push The Biff toward super stardom. Manchester’s own Johnny Marr releases his long awaited solo album in February and by the looks of the first single (The Messenger) its going to be a cracker. Another of Manchester’s favourite sons, Liam Gallagher will also return with Beady Eye set to release the follow up to Different Gear, Still Speeding later in the year. Liam has commented that this will be the record that should have come after Morning Glory. Without the chief songwriter and lyricist from those early Oasis days, it will be interesting to see how accurate that is.

 

 Continuing on the Manchester theme, The Courteeners release their third album, Anna, early in the year. With the band’s sound evolving from the first album to the second, expect to see even further growth on this record. Across the water, Eels release their 10^th studio album, Wonderful, Glorious. Their debut Beautiful Freak is still a personal favourite and, although there have been up’s and downs along the way, I’m looking forward to what the mercurial E conjures up this time (check out the single Peach Blossom).

Queens Of The Stone Age return to the studio with the multi-talented Dave Grohl back on the drum stool for the first time since his contribution to the bands breakthrough album, Songs For The Deaf, over ten years ago. Grohl remains close friends with Josh Homme following their Them Crooked Vultures adventure and was reported to be very keen to get back in the saddle. Even further across the water, everyone’s favourite Aussie Gothic Rock Poets, Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, release their first album in five years with Push The Sky Away.

What new artists to look out for? Well we will be doing a special feature of new bands & artists for 2013 in the next few days. And I'm sure there will be many more quality albums along the way in 2013 so keep an eye on Listen Up Manchester as always for gig and CD reviews and live photos.

TOP 10 OF 2012: THE MARK LANEGAN BAND - BLUES FUNERAL

 

#01: THE MARK LANEGAN BAND - BLUES FUNERAL

Before the release of this album I was only aware of Mark Lanegan as a part time member of The Queens Of The Stone Age. He appears as a guitarist and backing vocalist on several albums and sings lead on several tracks as well (Hangin’ Tree and God Is On The Radio on Songs For The Deaf to name two). Blues Funeral is Lanegan’s seventh studio album and it’s not like anything else I’ve heard before. The first thing that hits you is Lanegan’s trademark whisky drenched growl. It’s like Tom Waits at his best. On Acid. Every song has its own distinct feel, driven by a background of ominous electronic beats and driving bassline’s. Add in those gravelly tones and the result is something unique. Album opener Gravediggers Song sets the tone with a fast deep bass riff that runs throughout the track and draws you right in. This is followed by Bleeding Muddy Water, a slow tempo reflection with a rhythmic pounding bass drum and dark, deep lyrics. Mark Lanegan has never been known for feel-good lyrics and the themes across the album conjure up images of piranhas teeth, devils ascending and chaos blossoming. Other highlights include Riot In My House which has some of the best guitar work on the record and Harborview Hospital, a self-depreciating ode to past mistakes and the unlikely possibility of redemption. There isn’t a bad track on this album although it’s not always instantly accessible. It’s a record that requires you give it your full attention and, if you do, you’ll easily find yourself lost deep within this murky world. So lock the door, turn the lights off, open a bottle of red wine, and let Blues Funeral drag you under and immerse you.

Favourite Track: Bleeding Muddy Water

  

TOP 10 ALBUMS OF 2012: SPECIAL MENTION



SPECIAL MENTION:  LED ZEPPELIN - CELEBRATION DAY

 

 

For many reasons which I won’t bore you with, my own rules don’t allow me to select a live Album as an album of the year. These are my rules and no-one else’s but I have to stick to them (principles and all that!). However, I couldn’t write this feature without devoting some time to this fantastic live performance. Recorded at the O2 Arena in 2007, Led Zeppelin’s Celebration Day concert was the reunion gig music lovers all over the world had been praying for and it didn’t disappoint. This was a one off gig to a packed out Arena with no warm up shows and a drummer who had never played live with the rest of band before. Ironically, Jimmy Page has commented in interviews that Jason Bonham (son of the late, great John Bonham who took the drum stool for this show), knew the songs better than the rest of the band and has an encyclopaedic knowledge of Led Zeppelin. The show kicks off with Good Times Bad Times. It clearly a deliberate choice with the opening lyrics ‘In the days of my youth, I was told what it means to be a man. Now I’ve reached that age I try to do all those things the best I can’; Robert Plant openly reflecting on the time that’s passed since Zeppelins heyday. Whats clear straight from the off is how hard the band have worked to be ready despite the lack of warm up shows. The rhythm section of Jones and Bonham is as tight as ever, a massive compliment to Jason who goes beyond imitation and makes the drum parts his own. All the old favourites are here although, after the momentous opening, the show does take a few songs to warm up. However, once Jimmy Page starts to pick out those delicate opening notes of Stairway To Heaven the crowd are nicely warmed up and you know that there’s no way this is going down as anything but a triumph. Kashmir, Whole Lotta Love and Rock & Roll bring the show to a huge finish. I think what ultimately makes this so special is that it won’t happen again. This was one of the greatest bands of all time, who shaped and changed the sound of Rock music, together one last time. Over the space of two hours Led Zeppelin reminded us just why they are held in such high esteem with some of the greatest rock music ever written. Celebration Day indeed.

Favourite Track: Stairway To Heaven

 

Top 10 GIGS OF 2012

In 2012 I managed to average seeing over a gig a week, so have seen a lot of live music throughout the year - here are my top 10 picks of 2012 - did you make it to any of these:

#10:  Graham Coxon - 19th April @ Sound Control
#09:  Toy - 10th April @ Soup Kitchen
#08:  A Place to Bury Strangers - 16th September @ Ruby Lounge
#07:  Amon Tobin - 19th May @ Academy 1
#06:  The Barr Borthers - 3rd May @ Soup Kitchen
#05:  Savages - 24th July @ Deaf Institute
#04:  Alabama Shakes - 12th November @ Academy 1
#03:  The Stone Roses - 29th June @ Heaton Park
#02:  We Are Augustines - 4th March - Night & Day Cafe
#01:  The Beach Boys - 28th September - Wembley Arena

I couldnt find any good quality clips of the Wembley show, but here is a trailer for the DVD from the same 50th Anniversary tour to give you an idea of how good these old men from California were - it was a true delight to see the Beach Boys still nailing those harmonies and delivering some FUN FUN FUN - which is why has to be my gig of the year!!!

TOP 10 ALBUMS OF 2012: JACK WHITE - BLUNDERBUSS

#02: JACK WHITE - BLUNDERBUSS

 

 

Jack White has to be one of the hardest working men in music. Over the last few years he has played with three bands - The White Stripes, The Raconteurs and The Dead Weather – whilst also finding time to run his own record label, Third Man Records, in Nashville Tennesse. He’s long been quizzed about a solo album and, with The White Stripes officially dissolved in early 2011, his debut Blunderbuss was released in April of this year. Jack White has always worn his influences on his sleeve. Much of The White Stripes early work is a love letter to 1930’s bluesmen such as Son House and Blind Willie McTell, while later albums pay homage to the likes of Led Zeppelin, who themselves took the sound of the Blues and evolved it into Rock and Heavy Metal. The Dead Weather is pure Garage Rock and Blues and The Raconteurs played Rock and Americana with sprinklings of country soul. Blunderbuss covers all of these influences and more. Album opener Missing Pieces and the second track, Sixteen Saltines both have a heavy rock and blues feel with the latter featuring a classic Jack White riff running through it. Lead single, Love Interruption is a country ballad with a bitter edge and Hip (Eponymous) Poor Boy is a foot-tapping bar room ditty. The stand out track for me is the one cover on the album, I’m Shakin, originally by Motown star Little Willie John. Jack White showcases a wide variety of his talents and influences on his debut album and the result is one of his best efforts yet.

Favourite Track I’m Shakin’ 

TOP 10 ALBUMS OF 2012: WE ARE AUGUSTINES - RISE YE SUNKEN SHIPS

 

#03: WE ARE AUGUSTINES - RISE YE SUNKEN SHIPS

 

I was all ready to go with my top ten several weeks ago. However, I was thrown into complete disarray when it was pointed out to me that although this album was released in the States in June 2011, it only gots its UK release in March this year. Its meant a re-think but as you can tell by its high placing, its one that I couldn’t comprehend leaving out. We Are Augustines are a three piece band from Brooklyn, New York. There sound is somewhere between early Kings Of Leon and The National with singer and lyricist Billy McCarthey’s distinctive vocal as their defining feature. McCarthey has a voice that instantly sticks with you and his deeply personal lyrics give each song real weight. Songs like Book Of James and Philadelphia (City Of Brotherly Love) reference the suicide of his brother James directly but its understandably a recurring theme of the album with many other songs touching on similar ideas of loss and heartache. Barrel of Leaves and East Los Angeles slow the tempo down. The latter is one of the stand out tracks of the first half of the album and lead straight into Juarez, the slow building tale of a road trip to fulfil a vendetta that culminates in a huge chorus. There are many highlights to be found here and your favourite track will change the more you play the record. We Are Augustines also deliver a fantastic live set and I’d urge you to check them out if you get the chance.

Favourite Track: Juarez



PHOTO EXCLUSIVE: ELLIE GOULDING

On Monday the 17th December - our photographer went to see Ellie Goulding - his photos are exclusive to Listen Up Manchester - here are a few - but for the full set then visit our facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.306390509477835.69007.280480832068803&type=1