LULU - Lou Reed and Metallica

It was announced a while back that Lou Reed was teaming up with Metallica to release an album. Well the project has been named LULU and a release date set for 29 October. Will this be Lou Reed's final death rattle or will it be the first good thing Metallica releases in almost 15 years?


Visit the LULU website here

Juliana Hatfield - My Sister

In anticipation of the new Julian Hatfield Album, There's Always Another Girl. Out end of the month.

Mister Heavenly – Out of Love (Review)

Out of Love is one of the most anticipated Indie releases of the year. Featuring Honus Honus (Man Man), Nick Thorburn (Islands, The Unicorn) and Joe Plummer (Modest Mouse) it is some kind of Indie super-group.

But it's seems inevitable that any super-group album is anything but super. Bands like Them Crooked Vultures and Velvet Revolver come to mind and Mister Heavenly is no exception to this.

Don't get me wrong, the album is not horrible but it is scattered with hits and misses. The opening track starts out strong. It is what you would expect form a combination of Man Man and Islands. It has a raw power infused with RnB and Pop beats that really grab you. But the album quickly loses its appeal. A few weak and mediocre tracks fill the first half of the album.

Then Pineapple Girl starts the second half and brings some life back, only to lose it again for the rest of the album. Out of Love feels like an album made out of three or four good tracks and then filled with a bunch of B-sides. After about 20 listens I find myself growing bored with the album and I don't feel that there would be any lasting impression.

Notable Tracks: Bronx Sniper, Harm You, Pineapple Girl, Hold My Hand

Stereo 8 recommends: No. A good Indie album but does not do the other bands where the musicians are from any justice.

Mister Heavenly - Bronx Sniper

The opening track from the new Mister Heavenly album Out of Love.
Review later this week.

Top 10 underrated bands

There are some great Indie and Alternative bands out there that I believe deserve a lot more recognition than they are given. Following is a list of just some of those bands.

10. Blonde Redhead
Blonde redhead is an American Indie rock band. They have had some chart success with their last 3 releases, especially in Europe but nothing near what they deserve.
Best Album: 23 (2007)

9. Modest Mouse
Modest Mouse is an American Indie rock band from Oregon. They have quite a big following but I am surprised that they aren't much bigger.
Best Album: We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank (2007)

8. Neutral Milk Hotel
Neutral Milk Hotel was an American Indie rock band in the 90's until their breakup after only their second full length album, In the Aeroplane Over the Sea (1998). I for one believe that Aeroplane is one of the best Concept albums ever recorded.
Best Album: In the Aeroplane Over the Sea (1998)

7. Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes
Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes is an American Indie Folk band. They have only released one full length album which saw some chart success. They are currently working on a 12 part musical which is being released 1 part at a time.
Best Album: Up from Below (2009)

6. Ween
Ween is an Alternative Rock Band from Pennsylvania. They have an incredible 11 full length and 20 EP releases behind them. They are somewhat of an acquired taste but still I feel that this band should be much bigger.
Best Album: The Mollusk (1997)

5. Sons and Daughters
Sons and Daughters is an Indie Rock band from Scotland. They are a band with great energy and an approachable sound. A new Album Mirror Mirror was released earlier this year.
Best Album: The Repulsion Box (2005)

4. The Sun
The Sun is an American Indie rock band. They are so unknown internationally that it is almost impossible to find their music except for mp3 downloads. What I have heard of them I absolutely loved.
Best Album: Ohio Tigers (2007)

3. Sunset Rubdown
Sunset Rubdown is an Art Rock band from Canada. The band was founded by Spencer Krug (Wolf Parade). Their music is extremely experimental and takes some getting used to. I feel that Sunset Rubdown is one of the best Progressive bands performing today.
Best Album: Random Spirit Lover (2007)



2. Clinic
Clinic is an Alternative Rock band from England. They have been active since the late 90's but only started releasing full length albums in 2000. They have a incredibly distinct sound and have not seen the success I feel that they deserve.
Best Album: Walking with Thee (2002)




1. Tiger Lillies
Tiger Lillies is an Alternative Cabaret Trio form England. They have a huge 29 albums to their name and all are performed as theater productions around the world. This definitely is not your average Alternative band but I feel that they deserve much more recognition.
Best Album: Freakshow (2009)





Sean V

Mr Heavenly - Pinapple Girl

Side project from Honus Honus (Man Man), Joe Plummer (Modest Mouse) and Nicholas Thorburn (Islands, The Unicorns)

Debut Album - Out of Love out today.

TV on the Radio - Nine Types of Light

TV on the Radio's move to Interscope records was worrisome. Many great alternative bands have moved to more commercial labels only to lose their uniqueness and appeal. But this was not to be the case for Nine Types of Light.

It starts with a bang. The opening track Second Song starts so strong that the album grabs you instantly. By the first chorus the mix of Tunde's falsetto, sensitive guitar riffs and trumpet backgrounds have you so enthralled that it is difficult to think the album can maintain this level. Then it immediately changes pace and it takes you into a entirely different mood. Until halfway through it hits hard again and then ends with yet another bang.

I haven't been this impressed with a TV on the Radio album since Desperate Youth, Blood Thirsty Babes (2004). It is that same alternative rock mixed funk that makes this band stand out but they have really created something special here.

Three things make this album stand out. It's overall structure that keeps you entertained. Tunde's amazing vocals and the bass work that keeps everything well grounded. One of my favorite albums of 2011

Notable Tracks: Seconds Song, Will Do, Caffeinated Consciousness.

Stereo 8 recommends: Definitely

Radiohead - King of Limbs Review

I've been rather reluctant to review this album. I mean what do you say about a Radiohead release. I've been playing the album a few times every day for the last week and it's still just as amazing as the first time I heard it. And now to review it is an impossible task. But I'll try.

What's good about it: Everything. A great union of electronic and alternative sounds. Beautiful staccato vocals. A incredibly solid structure that keeps you entertained all the way through. I however do not believe that this album will better OK Computer (1997) or In Rainbows (2007) but I will keep an eye on Radiohead for the rest of the year. I have a feeling that there is still more to come for King of Limbs.

Now, what's wrong with it: Absolutely nothing. Except the fact that I have to wait till May for the Vinyls.

There will be a lot of negative and undeceive reviews about this album, much like with In Rainbows. People are scared to comment on Radiohead albums as they do not want to be proven wrong. There is nothing wrong with getting behind this album and interpreting it in any way you want to. It is an incredibly abstract record and, as always, Radiohead is a few years ahead of everything else in alternative music.

Stereo 8 Recommends: Undoubtedly

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Radiohead - Lotus Flower (Official Video)

I have just received my digital copy of The King Of Limbs. After the first two listens I already love it. Review next week.
In the meantime here is the video for Lotus Flower.

PJ Harvey - Let England Shake

A taste of the new PJ Harvey album

PJ Harvey - Let England Shake review.

Let England Shake is something totally different for PJ Harvey. It is an Experimental, Ambient album with a strong concept. It explores England's position and political involvement in the wars of the world. It has all the makings of a modern protest album.

Concept aside, the music is beautiful and is nothing that you would expect. It feels greatly influenced by European ambient music and is heavy with emotion. But ambient war poetry is not all the album has going for it. The single from the record The Words that Maketh Murder starts with a simple rock riff and beat and continues in a pleasant harmonic way. The album is full of little gems like this and it keeps moving. It is a record with meaning and definite replay value.

I am impressed by the direction PJ Harvey has moved into. Her last two albums both disappointed me. It felt that she could not live up to Is This Desire? (1998) and Stories From the City, Stories Form the Sea (2000) but Let England Shake was totally unexpected. It is extremely creative and completely reinvents PJ Harvey.

Stereo 8 Recommends: Yes

New Radiohead album The King of Limbs

Radiohead available to Pre-order


http://www.thekingoflimbs.com/DIUSD.htm

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PJ Harvey - This is Love Music Video

 In anticipation of PJ Harvey's new album Let England Shake. Here is This is Love music Video.
Also number 2 on our Valentines day Best songs to make love to.

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Top 10 songs to make love to

A Valentines day inspired top 10 list

10.Barry White – My First, My last, My Everything
9.  Ratatat – Wild Cat
8.  Radiohead – How to Disappear Completely
7.  Portishead – Sour Times
6.  Tool - Stinkfist
5.  Rolling Stones – Gimme Shelter
4.  Massive Attack – Angel
3.  NIN – Closer
2.  PJ Harvey – This is Love
1.  Led Zeppelin – Whole Lotta Love

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The Strokes - Last Night Live on MTV

A look at The Strokes back on their first album - Is This It? (2001)