Top 5 tracks of 2012...

Well that time of year is here again; the pavements are slippy, there is lights everywhere and town is full of crazy shoppers looking for anything and everything.

The year has gone by rather quick for me, it feels like I've all done is do coursework, go to V festival then do more coursework.

Music wise, the year must have been somewhat of a success? We've had some great albums come out (see a later post for top 5 albums, I'm sure I'll do one!), as well as some great events, both the Rolling Stones and the Stone Roses are back with a bang!

1) Rolling Stones - Doom And Gloom.
- I start off with a track from the band that has been around forever! Doom And Gloom was a song showing that not only that the Rolling Stones are still going but also, that they still have it! The track has it all, three well thought-out strong guitar pieces, great bass and a great drum beat. Mick Jaggers voice is also top notch again. The song reiterates everything that is great about the Rolling Stones, strong blues licks with a good, fun lyric. It's been difficult to pick out of this and the second track, but this has won because it just exudes class.

"All I hear, is doom. And gloom!"

2) Arctic Monkeys - R U Mine?
- As mentioned previously, it was really difficult to pick between this and the Rolling Stones effort. This Arctic Monkeys song shows what kind of direction the Death Ramps have been going during their b-sides (Little Illusion Machine, You and I, Evil Twin). It's a strong, heavy number, punctuated by an upper neck guitar riff by Alex and an exceptional rhythm piece by Jamie Cook. The lyrics are straight up, the drums are also awesome. Plus the video is excellent, YouTube it now.

"Are you mine tomorrow? Or just mine tonight?".

3) Jake Bugg - The Ballad Of Mr Jones.
- Although not a single, this song features on Bugg's debut number 1 album. It's got an ominous sound to it. It sort of sounds like a song sang in a place without gravity. It's a dark number, which also sounds incredible live. The guitar work is incredible, whether acoustic or electric the guitar suits the lyric and it suits Jake's voice. It's a a Bugg song, at it's very best.

"I'm sorry Mr Jones we did all we could".

4) Richard Hawley - She Brings The Light.
- Possibly the most underrated artist of the year and this song is incredible. It's the opening track of Hawley's most recent album 'Standing At The Sky's Edge'. This song is massive. It's a 6/7 minute long crafted piece of art. There is a sitar, there's some guitar work and there Hawley's voice. I love the sitar as an instrument, used well and it's awesome, and Hawley uses it perfectly. There's an awesome guitar solo which uses the wah-wah pedal which really takes the song to another level. Lastly, Hawley's voice rings out with the fun yet slow lyrics.

"She brings the sun. Light!".

5) Adele - Skyfall.
- This may come as somewhat of a surprise considering some of the efforts of musicians throughout the year. However, this song is a masterpiece. It's used as the most recent Bond film song and at first I had to admit that I didn't think Adele had it to pull it offs. Wow, was I wrong! The song not only fits the film perfectly but is also a top notch song. I like Adele but you wouldn't catch me listening to her on the 87 but Skyfall is a different beast. Coupled with the drama of the orchestra, the lyrics ring out as Adele gives it her all. An incredible song, with nothing much more to say about it.

"Let the Skyfall, when they crumble".

There we go, my 5 tracks of the year. I think these 5 summarise a great and fun year for music yet again.

Some honourable mentions go to Graham Coxon's 'Ooh Yeh Yeh' and Miles Kane's 'FIrst of My Kind'.

Like previously mentioned, I will try to get a top 5 album post done before the year is out.

Muchos love.
SJ.

Rolling Stones - Doom And Gloom

Right, it's been a while, but here goes, this review might be a bit weird seeing as I've not properly written for a while as well as the fact that I'm not actually listening to the song, but here goes!

Doom and Gloom is what the Rolling Stones do best. It's a fantastic piece of music. 4 minutes of quality, strong and clever blues work.

A few months back I watched the 'Ronnie Wood Show', on that was Paul McCartney. During one of the segments between songs McCartney alludes to what the Rolling Stones meant back in the 1960's, especially in America. The Rolling Stones learnt what they knew from the musicians in America, then used what they learnt from the musicians and took it to those in America who would not or could not listen to that particular type of music because of issues over segmentation between the ethnicity groups.

And Doom and Gloom is a fantastic effort to replicate that.

It's a hardcore, bang on the nose, kick you in the balls type piece. A lot of clean overdrive (if that makes any sense) which rings out. Choice guitar strokes join the rhythm sections to create an incredible sound which resonates incredibly well with Mick Jagger's voice.

The lyrics are crisp and fun, Jagger is on top form with his delivery.

Who said the Rolling Stones hadn't still got it?

I love it. Go download it now. Or wait for GRRR.

SJ.

Epiphone EJ200.

Okay, so this is my first guitar review. Expect another one or two in the next few days as I'm getting a new guitar in the week. Exciting! Anyway, hope you enjoy this. I have decided to review my ever beloved Epiphone EJ200.

I bought my EJ200 last November with my birthday money, from Fuzz in Nottingham (it's now back in West Bridgford).

Features:

Made in October 2010 in Indonesia. Frets are crown inlays which look great, go all the way to 1. It's a nice, large and snug neck, plays great. Super jumbo. Mines a natural. No electronics, mustache bridge, gold Grover tuners. It's a super jumbo, the shape made famous by Elvis, Cash, Dylan, Noel Gallagher and Kelly Jones. Looks magnificent. Came out the box fully set up, perfect for me. Funky pickguard too. 8/10.

Sound:

With the stock strings you get a real deep, bassy sound. It can do the light noises but better when a capo is added. The extra body capacity gives it a lovely, dark balance which complements the looks. It's perfect for nearly everything but will give everything a bassy tone. I play Oasis, Dylan and even some Miles Kane and Arctic Monkeys stuff and the EJ200 handles everything you throw at it. For the price, it's better than the £500 Martin's. 9/10.

Action, Fit and Finish:

Action was set up great as soon as I tried it in store and then got it out of the box at home, not sure whether it was Fuzz's work or factory settings. No flaws, everything is solid. No wobble in the tuning heads, no strange noise from the frets. The finish is perfect, I've had the EJ200 since November 2011 (I write this in July 2012) and so far there is no sign of the pattern coming off the pickguard (it will happen in the future though. 8/10.

Reliability & Durability.

As mentioned earlier, the EJ200 will take anything you throw at it musically, and proves tough. I'm clumsy so it has gained a few bumps but nothing major and still looks great with a few love-bumps! I haven't played with it live yet as I'm yet to play live at all but when practicing with friends, playing some obscure Oasis b-side or writing my own stuff the EJ200 hasn't failed to give 100% quality. 9/10.

Overall impression.

It's a brilliant match for any style of music but beware of the dark and more bassy edge the EJ200 will give. I have played a few different acoustic guitars (from £800 Martins to cheap practice Fender acoustics) and the EJ200 stands up well to most. It lacks that extra bit of quality that an £800 Martin has but you wouldn't imagine I had paid £300 for it. If it was stolen or lost, I'd happily sell anything to get it back. I'm currently considering putting thinner strings on my current EJ200 to cope with the lighter acoustic sound and buying another EJ200 so I'm still getting that lovely dark tone.

The only bad side of it, it does get a bit awkward to play because of the size of it, but it's something you forget about once you've strummed or finger picked a few things. 9/10.

This has also been posted on the Ultimate Guitar website, hopefully they publish it soon!

Inabit.
SJ.

Stuff I like.

I've ripped this off. It's from the latest Nuts mag. I liked reading it (Noel Fielding does it this week) so thought I'd do it. So all my glorious readers can find out a bit more about me.

Okay, so stuff I like!

Grooming product.
Think this would have to be my Remington shaver. I think this because it's the only grooming product have. Or does hair gel count? I use Alberto Balsalm hair gel? It's cheap and good. I like it. Smells nice too. Helps me turn my hair into the 50's/60's thing I've been doing this past 12 months. My Remington shaver is good too but not as good as I need it to be. Should have bought more expensive.

TV Show.
Tricky one. I'm gonna have to say Boardwalk Empire. I've loved it, from the first episode. It is a quality show based around American politics around the time of the Volstead Act in America, so looks at loads of different social issues, like alcoholism, racism and them pesky things called gangsters. It's a great television show. With some great actors in it too!

Football team.
Nottingham Forest Football Club.

Fashion label.
I'd have to say Ben Sherman. I love nearly everything they do! I have a few Ben Sherman gingham shirts and a great Ben Sherman harrington which I am wearing most of the time. I'd love to get some Ben Sherman shoes soon so thinking about Christmas for them. I could spend a fortune on Ben Sherman.

Film.
Another difficult one. I will have to go with the Godfather. Which Godfather I hear you say? I do not know, I answer. I love the series. The films tick everything off. A great story? Check. Relatable? Check (kind of). A great cast? Check. Guys in cool suits all the time? (Check). It is fantastic. And Marlon Brando as the Godfather is one of the best displays of talent in acting I have ever seen. Love it.

Shoes.
Difficult again. I love brogues. Brogues just look cool. I own two pairs, one black and one light brown. I don't wear them all the time because some places don't deserve them, do you know what I mean? I'm joking, I think the best way to wear a brogue is occasionally, for a person in my position obviously. Shout out to desert boots (no, not them ones that look like construction boots). Mod-spectacular. Comfortable. And just look cool all the time. I love desert boots as well.

Drink.
Coca-cola is a shout. I love a cold coke in a glass on a summers day, it goes great. Goes great with whiskey, and amaretto and stuff like that. Tea is good, tea is great, I do like tea but can't have it all the time. Hot chocolate is also immense. There is an assortment of beers that I enjoy as well. My favourite? I don't have one.

Most extravagant purchase.
Being a student, not many of these happen. I'm gonna have to say my Epiphone EJ200. Not really extravagant. But I love. And it is the best thing that I have ever spent money on.

Food.
I love apples. I can eat apples all day long. Honourable mentions to layer cake, sausage rolls and steak.

There. I've done the stuff that I like.

Today has been an incredibly productive day on this blog. In 6 months time I'll look back and cry because I get to a point where university work takes over not allowing me to post on this beautiful thing.

Oh well.

Peace.
SJ.

Jake Bugg - Lightning Bolt.

Okay so my first review of a single and I've decided to do one from an artist from my hometown Nottingham.

Jake Bugg is a young songwriter/singer/guitarist from Clifton, Nottingham. I think he is in the process of recording his first album. I've been lucky enough to be hear him play guitar but he wasn't aware that I was listening! It was in a guitar shop in the city centre of Nottingham called Fuzz (it has now moved to West Bridgford... kind of). He played a telecaster, it sounded great.

He is playing live at Splendour, the festival hosted at Wollaton Park in Nottingham as well as headlining his own show at Rescue Rooms (also in Nottingham). I'm lucky enough to be going to both events.

Now, Lightning Bolt. It is a recent song. Performed on the BBC's Jools Holland. It has a lot of attitude. The song is based around a 3 piece band, one guitar, one set of drums and a bass guitar. The guitar piece, played by Jake Bugg (obviously) has a nice 3 chord rhythm as well as a very cool guitar solo. The band comes in after a few rounds of the chords. The band sound great when added to the guitar and overall the package is great.

The lyrics are also rather good. Well worked out I find, I won't try to delve into meanings because they're the listeners interpretations.

As ever, Jake Bugg's voice is great. Got to have one of the best in British music right now.

It is a great effort by Jake Bugg. I really enjoyed the song and it is cheap. So go buy it.

Inabit.
SJ.

A quick note.

On the last reviews on @Reverend_Makers I stated that the second Reverend and The Makers album was called Silence Is Talking. It isn't called that.

It is actually called 'A French Kiss In The Chaos'. Silence Is Talking is the first track on that album.

It's a good album too, go buy it.

I'm going to review all the Reverend and The Makers albums now, in some way of apology. Might take me a few weeks though.

I think a review of a guitar maybe next. Maybe. I might do a few films soon too. Got to watch the first Dark Knight still!

Take care.
SJ.

Reverend and the Makers - @Reverend_Makers Mixtape.

The second CD of the album I reviewed yesterday: @Reverend_Makers.

A quick note, I stated that I reviewed the album on Twitter. Now because of the name of the album (the first ever album named after a Twitter account, I may add) Jon McClure had seen the tweet. He was very nice to retweet my blog as well as DMing me saying 'Rispek'. What a dude. If you're reading Jon, thanks for both things, I can't reply because of Twitter rules.

Again, some brief description of the songs.

1) MDMAZING Ft. Howard Marks.
Love this. The intro is creepy. It's more electronic again. You could argue that Jon is breaking into a rap at time, but you know, the Reverend is cooler than that. Good song. Another song that should be danced and sang to.

2) Sister Midnight.
More electronic. I'll say this now, usually too much electronic gets a bit boring (see Guetta and etc.) but the band do incredibly well to keep everything fresh, very talented. Now the song, a simple lyrics and again I think it's Laura McClure joining in. It goes great with Jon's voice. The sing songs in the McClure household must be great fun.

3) Deeper Down Ft. MaticMouth.
Grooving tune right here. I don't know if MaticMouth is some sort of rapper or anything; but he is great. A guy whose CD's I will look into very soon. Everything matches up well here. Good song.

4) Nothing To Say Ft. MaticMouth & Kimmikub.
MaticMouth again, and it is also groovy. Some dubstep or drum n bass (I don't know how to define either one) tints that work well with MaticMouth and Kimmikub, as well as Jon's interval singing. Love it.

5) Depthcharge (Remix) Ft. Kano & Rob Harvey.
Now we remember Depthcharge from the album don't we? Dubstep, incredible. The remix starts in a similar theme, it just sounds so massive. Kano sounds great in this too, been a few years since I last heard Kano (remember Nite Nite? That's a good song that).

6) Wife Her Up Ft. MaticMouth.
More MaticMouth. More electronic noises. It's great. I can't really add much more to that.

7) Bassline (James Walsh Remix).
Great track from the first album. The remix sounds as if it has been put through a Wah pedal at times. What with the seemingly rotating bass sound (if that makes any sense?) If I did drugs, I imagine it's the kind of thing you would get high to. It sounds very airy. Like someone has injected space inbetween the layers of the songs and not told anyone.

8) The Hidden Persuaders Ft. Blak Twang & Roots Manuva.
Starts of with an acoustic guitar. It's like a remix of Hidden Persuaders from the second album 'Silence is Talking' (go buy that too, brilliant album). Obviously, there's some dancey stuff going on. Jon sounds great. And so Roots and Blak Twang.

9) Acid House Wife Ft. Carl Barat & Steve Edwards.
The Makers, Carl Barat and Steve Edwards? It's like a bit of a dream time. This is still electronic. And it is really good. It sounds easy. You can just listen to it and have fun. I already know all the words!

10) Faster Faster Ft. Richard Hawley.
My favourite track on the mixtape. Jon's lyrics are immense. This should be all over the radios. I think it should have gone on the album. It's one of my songs of the year. Richard Hawley's guitar piece is MAGICAL. It is simply sensational.

It's different. Which is what music needs right now. The Reverend and the Makers have delivered something so powerful. The mixtape eases talent and not just from the band, from the guests that have been on it.

It's been another promising year for the British music scene. I like the Mixtape and I hope everyone else gets what I've got from the album and mixtape.

See you in October, Reverend and the Makers.

Peace.
SJ.

Reverend & the Makers - @Reverend_Makers.

Despite claims in my last post about reviewing my Epiphone Les Paul, I've decided to do something different.

Instead I am going to try and review the latest effort from Sheffield musicians Reverend & The Makers. Their latest album (or deluxe edition album, like what I have) comes out on Monday, the 18th of June (I think?). Being a man of my position, I've managed to get a copy early (I pre-ordered from HMV a few weeks back).

I've seen the band before, in 2010 during their tour of Silence is Talking, supported by a band called 1913, at NTSU. I am off to see them in 2012, to see them tour @Reverend_Makers at the Rescue Rooms, Nottingham. I've no idea on support yet.

I will do brief descriptions of the songs now, suppose I have to say what the songs are like.

1. Bassline.
Sounds massive, easy lyric, easy to sing along too. I imagine it's great when you're belting it out at 2 in the morning whilst very drunk. It sets the scene for the rest of the album, strange sounds and weird noises.

2. Out Of Shadows.
More strange noises and weird sounds. Great lyrics again. The lady's voice (which I believe could be Laura McClure?) during the chorus is immense. Goes incredibly well with Jon McClure's voice which is on top form through out the album. Stepping out into the sunshine... Shame it's raining in Nottingham.

3. Shine The Light.
This reminds me a bit of Primal Scream. More weird noises (this is a theme throughout the album). The start sounds as if there's some shakers and instruments to that sorta thing. Jon's voice is great again. Must be something in the water in Sheffield.

4. Depth Charge.
Dubstep. And it's immense.

5. Warts N All.
More weird dancy sounding noises. But what makes this song great is the nice acoustic guitar piece that is in the middle of the song. It makes the song in my opinion. It breaks it up very well.

6. Yes You Do.
Probably the slowest song on the album. There is a slow drum beat in the background, and then some synthesized business as well I think. My knowledge of that sort of instrument is very limited!

7. The Wrestler.
Probably my favourite song on the album. Sounds really cool. It's just great.

8. 1+0.
When I first saw this on the back on the album case I thought it said '1-0'. I honestly thought it was going to be about Wednesday. One of my favourite footballers plays for Wednesday, and that is Julian Bennett (does he still wear 29 there? Hard as fuck that man). Another slower song. It's good. More strange sounds.

9. Noisy Neighbour.
This ones cool. I'm sure this song portrays how my neighbours feel at times. Oh well. You can really hear some guitar in this song, at times, I said that but it just dropped as soon as I typed that. And it's not came back yet. In other news, the songs great, and yet again there is another great vocal performance from the Reverend.

10. What Goes Around.
Last song on the album. Slower again, but a good way to end things. Lovely, in a way.

Overall, it's a good album. I've really enjoyed listening to it. I've not listened to it enough yet to give insights into meanings of songs but it sounds massive. Jon's voice is immense all the way through. The sound shocked me a bit, I wasn't expecting dubstep and dancey sounding stuff but the band have made it work so well. It sounds like a dancing apocalypse. I cannot wait to see them do this on a stage. I forget to mention this earlier but I hope to catch them at V. Excited.

Another thing I mentioned earlier. I got the deluxe edition. Which means I have a second CD. I will review that soon. It's good though, trust me.

I have three words to finish my first ever review: go buy it. The album I mean.

Inabit.
SJ.

Hello. Hi there.

Yes yes yes.

This is my first proper post on the new blog. I hope this one goes better than the last.

Currently trying to decide on my latest review. I will have one up before tomorrow night.

Thinking about doing a guitar to start. My Epiphone Les Paul maybe. Or maybe a CD. I don't know, we'll see.

The previous three posts are some reviews from the old blog.

It's been emotional.

I shall be going bed soon, it's been a quiet week, and I am very tired.

Love.
SJ.

Underrated albums.

Okay, I promised I'd do something like this ages ago, and I'm gonna start one now.

Underrated albums, just a selection, not the most underrated at the top or whatever, just albums that don't get the recognition they deserve.

1) Oasis - Dig Out Your Soul.
- Incredible album, swings in a lot of different style of music. You've got the usual hits like Bag It Up, Shock of the Lightning and Falling Down but theres also tunes like Waiting for the Rapture, Turning, Where Theres Life. Its full of great songs, and is definitely up there with Definitely Maybe as one of Oasis' best. They may be gone but atleast they went out on an album as strong as this.

2) The Verve - Urban Hymns.
- Every song on this album is a tune, everyone knows Bittersweet Sympthony and Drug's Don't Work but still. Some of the other songs on this album are amazing. Come On for example, a massive mixture of both backwards guitars, loads of drums and so much psychedelia it sends you high. Add in Lucky Man, a brilliant acoustic number; Rolling People, another great psychedelic tune; and Catching The Butterfly and you've got yourself a masterpiece. Plus, be patient enough and get a lovely little surprise after Come On (wait about 10 minutes, its great!)

3) Eminem - Recovery.
- Sadly, due to all the shit music being forced through radio stations and music channels its difficult for a really great album to be noticed. And this is a great album, my personal album of 2010. The pure anger, spirit and from-the-heart music makes this album out of this world. It should be known as one of the best ever, as its creator, Eminem is one of the best ever. Its a shame, that people will listen to the song with Rihanna, or Pink, then turn onto Justin Bieber, when theres tunes like Almost Famous, and Seduction.

4) The Rascals - Rascalize.
- Not really well known are the Rascals, but this album is very good. Full of imagination and fun, Miles Kane is by far and away the best vocalist in British music at this moment at time. He's also a great guitarist (watch out for Miles Kane's solo album, coming in March). Tracks like Bond Girl, and Rascalize are great, great indie songs and are not heard enough. Hopefully the Rascals will tour again one day but with how successful Miles Kane will be, we'll see.

5) Jamie T - Panic Preventation.
- Jamie T. He's quality. Another indie musician, whose second album (Kings & Queens) is also quality. He isn't hear enough in my opinion, I'ma just do his debut album this time around. I love this album, its just fun. Like Kane, Jamie T has an incredible voice, and has great tunes built around life. Brand New Bass Guitar is a great song, I love the first verse. Check out Sheila as well. Just check out the album, its massive.

6) The Seahorses - Do It Yourself.
- Last but not least, one of the greatest albums of all time. The Seahorses, formed by former Stone Roses guitarist John Squire, released this album in 1997. It's heavy, the guitar in it is incredible, just out of this world. The lead singer has a pretty good voice and the lyrics are inventive, fun, easy to remember and are very well put together. If I make you do one thing, it would be to go and purchase this album, and if you like it, follow Squire to his solo work and the Stone Roses work, this music will change your life.

Am off to bed, long day tomorrow.

Inabit.
LDSMD.

SJ.




PS - From the previous blog.

Well see you later, innovator!...

Okay, told you wasn't going to be long was it?

Band number one: Oasis.
1) Don't Look Back In Anger (What's The Story Morning Glory)
2) Gas Panic! (Standing On The Shoulder of Giants)
3) Ain't Got Nothing (Dig Out Your Soul)
4) Cigarettes and Alcohol (Definitely Maybe)
5) Importance Of Being Idle (Don't Believe The Truth)

Band number two: Arctic Monkeys.
1) Crying Lightning (Humbug).
2) When The Sun Goes Down (Whatever People Say I Am).
3) Brianstorm (Favourite Worst Nightmare).
4) A Certain Romance (Whatever People Say I Am).
5) Do Me A Favour (Favourite Worst Nightmare).

(Album's where the tracks come from may disappear now, I can't be bothered to keep flicking up iTunes to remember them, if I do remember them I'll add them, I do normally remember these things, but I'm tired, think yourself bloody lucky I'm doing two of these in a night, you fuckers!)

Band number three: The Beatles.
1) The Fool On The Hill (Magical Mystery Tour)
2) Strawberry Fields Forever
3) Revolution (The White Album)
4) Let It Be (Let It Be)
5) I Am The Walrus (Magical Mystery Tour)

Band number four: the Stone Roses.
1) I Am The Resurrection (Stone Roses)
2) Ten Storey Love Song (Second Coming)
3) One Love.
4) She Bangs The Drums (Stone Roses)
5) Waterfall (Stone Roses)

Artist number five: Eminem.
1) Lose Yourself (8 Mile).
2) Til' I Collapse (The Eminem Show)
3) Sing For The Moment (The Eminem Show)
4) Not Afraid (Recovery)
5) The Way I Am (Marshall Mathers LP).

Honourable mentions go to the likes of the Jam, the Smiths, Rolling Stones, Ian Brown, Seahorses, the Cribs, and loadsa other bands but I thought I'd go for them tonight.

Inabit.
LDSMD.

SJ.




PS - From the previous blog.

A baker's dozen

Okay, so Noel Gallagher has had an interview where he talks about his 13 ('baker's dozen'.. get it?) so I thought, seeing as it's been a while, I decided to do my baker's dozen of favourite albums. Except I'm gonna say one album from one artist, otherwise I'd have 3 Oasis albums etc. etc.

1) Oasis - Definitely Maybe.
- I think I've wrote about this album before. It's a great album. Everything just sounds great on this, even Digsy's Dinner. It's one of the first albums that I listened to as I started to become an individual that pushed me towards that. The first lines of Supersonic and most of Cigarettes and Alcohol woke me up to the possibility of difference. As well as Rock n Roll Star. It's an album full of identity. It's massive. Sounds massive. Great guitar. Great drums. And Liam's voice, what else can you say?

2) The Beatles - Revolver.
- Wow. It encapsulates everything good about music, sort of. The drumming on this album goes the furthest to prove wrong all the "well Ringo wasn't a very good drummer". May not be technically brilliant but wow is it impressive. Just so constant, and cool. It's got loads of the Indian instrument the Sitar in it. Well I say loads, I think it's only two track. Tomorrow Never Knows and Love You To. I think it's a Sitar in Love You To. Anyway, it's just what I'd call a massive album. You cannot beat a bit of psychedelia can you?

3) Nirvana - Nevermind.
- The opening track of Nevermind was the first song that I ever listened too and just thought, wow. It was when I was at Roundwood actually. It was the first piece of music that started by long and difficult journey to becoming part of who I am today. I am of course, talking about Smells Like Teen Spirit. It's a colossal song, but oddly enough it's not my favourite on the album. In truth, I don't have a 'favourite' Nevermind song. They are all brilliant. Special mentions to the likes of Come As You Are, and Lithium. Kurt Cobain is one of my heroes, his simple use of the guitar use, and transforming it into something so stunning is a skill that isn't paraded a lot I don't think. Krist Novalestic (could have spelt that wrong) is also a great bass guitarist and the drummer, a certain Dave Grohl is fantastic. Put together and you get this incredible album.

4) The Prodigy - Fat Of The Land.
- The Prodigy where the first band I ever saw live. At Sheffield Hallam arena. It was immense the whole, going on a train, seeing the Prodigy, South Central and Dizzee Rascal, then coming home on a train, great! Anyway, Fat Of The Land is one of them album where you put it on and you sorta forget how many bloody good tracks there is on there. Honestly, the album is 'avin'it' from start to finish, love it. I no longer listen to it on the bus anymore as I'm rather worried about my actions. Who wants to see someone dancing on a bus, seriously? Fat Of The Land for me, doesn't do anything to enhance my identity or anything like that. Put simply, it's just a great album, full of lovely, peaceful and calm music. Wicked.

5) The Stone Roses - The Stone Roses.
- Like Fat Of The Land, you sorta forget how many good songs some people can stick on an album. It's a really great album, it's probably the best album that starts and finishes with two amazingly strong songs. I Wanna Be Adored and I Am The Resurrection are both very special songs. I say this, but the whole album is special. Everything about the Ian, John, Reni and Mani is just wow man. There's a rumour that tomorrow morning (Tuesday 18th October 2011) it will be announced that the Stone Roses will reform. Personally, I just think it'll be some really rubbish announcement about a deal with someone shit, hoping for everyone to focus on this press conference to just help get the name out. Anyway, The Stone Roses - The Stone Roses, it also has an absolute boss front cover. Go buy it, go buy it now.

6) The Last Shadow Puppets - The Age Of The Understatement
- The combination of two modern day miracle works, Alex Turner and Miles Kane, created this masterpiece a few years ago. It's great. It's a massive combination of Alex and Miles' guitar work, as well as a bass guitar, some drums, and a massive string section. It really does sound immense, all the way through. It shows the talent of both Turner and Kane. The Lyrics are great, a bit wacky but great. And the guitar and the strings go together in perfect harmony. Top notch effort, top notch album.

7) Miles Kane - Colour Of The Trap.
- Seeing as I mentioned Miles in the previous bit (Alex/Arctic Monkeys next) I thought I'd better add Colour Of The Trap. Well, well well well. I saw Miles Kane on Valentines Day of this year, he was absolutely immense live, if you ever get the chance to see him, just go. He's got massive energy on stage and that shows in this album. The 3 lead singles are songs of 2011 for sure, in Come Closer, Rearrange and Inhaler. There's a massive sense of whit in the album, just from Inhaler really, that you don't really get with many other bands anymore. That fact, as well as the awesomeness of the guitar and Miles' voice make this album a must have. If it was released twenty years ago, you would be saying "1991, Screamadelica, Nevermind and Colour Of The Trap", fact.

8) Arctic Monkeys - Suck It And See.
- It was VERY difficult to decide on an album to write about. Arctic Monkeys' albums have just been immense so far, you really cannot argue with the fact that the 4 have been great. I chose Suck It And See because it's their most recent, that's it really, oh and the cover is my favourite. The cover is great for some reason, it's just beige with 'Suck It And See' on it, really small and in black. I love it and I don't know why. Anyway, it's a great album, every single song is strong and I can never find myself skipping one, whereas on other Arctic Monkeys' albums I can do that (another reason why I picked this obviously!). I'm going to be seeing Arctic Monkeys for a second time (first time at V in the summer) at the end of this month, I am looking forward to it a bit.

9) Primal Scream - Screamadelica.
- It's hard to find an album so weird. Everything is weird about it. The cover is weird as well. It's just a 'what-the-hell' album. It encompasses great guitar, with soul singing, with great bass, with a great rock n roll voice, with a great dance feel. What? Did you read that right? Yes, you did! It also features great features, I dunno what to call them, but... "We wanna get loaded, we wanna have a good time, that's what we're gonna do, we're gonna have a party"... yeah them things. I've probably got them words wrong, anyway. You've heard of Movin' On Up, as it's on most dodgy rabbit-food-like cereal adverts. One of the best Rock n Roll albums ever.

10) Led Zeppelin - Mothership.
- I know this is a greatest hits, but like in the Noel Gallagher interview I referenced (kinda) at the top, sometimes you can't afford everything, and I can afford Mothership. Jimmy Paige is just, wow. You have to wonder if he actually plays guitar, or whether an angel does it for him (cheesy or what?!). Mothership just shows how many bloody good songs Led Zep did. There's some awesome guitar, great drumming, great vocals. Whole Lotta Love is a personal favourite. Just for the guitar man!

11) The Jam - All Mod Cons.
- Got to be one of the best albums ever. Like some of the albums mentioned so far in this article, it's just full of massive songs. It's like an anthem I think, for great music, and great clothes. Oh, and about being a mod. Paul Weller is a genius, and this album shows his genius. The bass and the drums stuff is also massive in this album. The 3 of them that made up the Jam are all quality musicians as well as great song writers. This album also features a cover, which means that it's okay for bands to cover (the Beatles also did it, yes they did, check out Roll Over Beethoven on With the Beatles), it's called David Watts, originally by the Kinks.

12) Eminem - Recovery.
- Bit of a change of tack here. Eminem was my first proper man in music. He's a great, honest, and talented song writer who knows how to get the best out of himself in regards to music. He's a fantastic man, very courageous. Recovery is one of the most honest albums ever. Every song is strong, and powerful. Every song ranches from issues in Eminem's life and it gives the listener a great insight into his life. It's like a window to his life. I love it. He should be immensely proud.

13) The Smiths.
- I know your probably wondering why it's taken me 'til 13 to mention the Smiths. Truth be told, I don't really know which album to pick. So I decided to just say 'The Smiths'. They've not done enough to pick one great album. But they made so many great, influential, downright awesome songs that you just cannot leave them out. Morrissey's lyrics are awesome, but what I really like about the Smiths is Johnny Marr. How does he do it? The man is great on guitar, not great, but the best. He's mega. How Soon Is Now, What Difference Does It Make, This Charming Man. The guitar, the bass guitar, the drums, Morrissey. Amazing.

Well there's 13, it has took me ages.

You better appreciate it. I'm going to go away and chill out.

Peace out.
SJ.


P.S - From previous blog.