Moros Eros - I Saw The Devil Last Night And Now The Sun Shines Bright

Moros Eros exploded into my world mid last year and have spent the majority of my time rocking my ears for the most part of 2008. I picked this record up purely because of the sticker on the cover art citing Mars Volta, Modest Mouse and some other band as influences. Do they sound like these bands? No. Are they any good? Yes they are.

Moros Eros have this awesome energy driven by the rhythm section of the band. Much like The Kinison or Bear Vs Shark - this rhythm section never fails to hit the spot and hold everything tightly together. Pair these dynamics up with quite an energetic and interesting vocalist and punchy guitar riffs from all sorts of angles and you get the lovable, danceable and sing at the top of your lungs music that this album shines with. Perfect for driving or rocking in your room - i havn't found a reason to not listen to these guys yet.

The drumming on When I Wake is superb and lfows from speaker to speaker with clarity and depth while the catchy chorus of Satan Has A Heart of Gold could go on forever in your head. If i were to be picky, the album would be a little to short at just under 40 mintues, but maybe that's why the thing is so darn good from start to finish....

What does it mean to you?

On a recent discussion surrounding mainstream music and 'selling out' i have pondered somethoughts about music in general and what i personally feel is a great musical philosophy to hold to oneself.

Recently my favourite band The Mars Volta was nominated for a Grammy in the category of Best Single for the song Wax Simulacra. Quite ana chievement for a progressive rock, latin, salsa, funk, punk band to be honest - but to look who they're up against - Disturbed being one opponent - it occured to me that the way we divide music into categories of 'good', 'bad', 'generic' and 'mainstream' is completely irrelevant. The Mars Volta have also garnered a shit-ton of publicity following their latest endeavour The Bedlam in Goliath. Magazine and radio interviews set aside - it appears that the band are garnering somewhat of a wave of publicity and 'mainstream' attention of sorts.

This attention has worried many existing fans - driving them to thoughts of the band selling out, becoming mainstream, attracting fan boys and girls a plenty. What i suggest is you needn't worry about all those things. No matter what artists/bands you listen to. Music isn't about what is cool, what is popular, how much money the artist makes, what clothes he or she wears or the perfume they produce. Music is about feeling, emotion and the way it makes you feel when you hear the sounds.

Music is, from my point of view a very private thing, and this is because music is unique to the listener - it doesn't matter how many people listen to 'your' band - it matters how you feel about the music when you have your headphones in, or when you're in your room blasting out your favourite artist. On the contrary, music can also be very public - when you go to a gig you share the experience with others, you feel the crowds energy feed off the bands stage presence - but in the end it all comes down to one word - feeling.

Emilie Simon - The Flower Book

Emilie Simon's voice is that really sexy French kind....you know the one...it's soft, it's delicate, breathy and rediculously seductive. All that aside, her musical skills are masterful. She is a master of French electro-pop mixed in with often heavy bass beats and orchestral tinges. There is no doubt she is a beauty and when she sings,

"Come on, now im ready to close my eyes, and now im ready to close my mind, and now im ready to feel your hand, and lose my heart on the burning sand"

That you can't resist her sensuality. The title of that song is 'I wanna be oyur dog" by the way. I love her music and the way she constructs her songs - they are so well built around the drums accentuated with electronic and orchestral movements which compliment her overall sound wonderfully. She has done soundtracks for movies and delved into the pop world and you can only imagine where she can go in her career.

Lover, The Lord Has Left Us... - The Sound of Animals Fighting

This, the supergroups first full length was somewhat of an ordeal for myself. I bought it expecting something along the lines of their first effort - the Tiger and the Duke EP. What i got was completely the opposite. Looking back i must have been completely ignorant - i didn't even give this record a solid chance - i threw it at the back of my collection vowing that it was no more than a drinks coaster to me. So about a year later a came back to it, and i'm glad i did because it is quite an acoomplished album.

This is a record that is built on collaboration and guest efforts which stretch far and wide - it is a very ubiquitous and demanding listen, but once you let yourself go and fall into it's trap you won't look back. The music holds beauty and groove liek no other, and commands the listener to expect more from each track. My Horse Must Lose is a slow groover which is irresistably chilled while the heavy bass/electronica of Horses in the Sky is complemented beutifully with a rocking chorus. The albums highest point however is the Heretic - a song that is full of beauty and balladry that will have you coming back again and again.

Review - Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds at Thebarton Theatre 14/01/09

So it was my first time witnessing Australian legend Nick Cave perform with his famous Bad Seeds and it is safe to say that it was definately a night to remember. For a band who im guessing range anywhere between 40 and 60 years old the energy was intense as they belted through countless classic Seeds tunes such as the rollicking Deanna and the thunderous Tupelo.

One thing i was particularly astounded by was Cave's ability to make pretty much every girl/lady/granny in the audience go absolutely fucking wild and froth at the mouth. I'll cut to the chase, the man is an ugly son-of-a-bitch, but his charisma and charm while delivering ballads along the lines of The Ship Song and Straight To You was absolutely spot on. Cave would get on his knees infront of adoring women and hold their hands, letting them kiss whatever they could get their lips on - it must be the mullet he is sporting.

Sonically the seeds where amazing - utilizing two drummers to create chaos and intricacy at various points during the show. The most capturing Seed though was for me Warren Ellis playing the guitar, violin and anything he could get his paws on - just beautiful. The set hit points of frenzy when songs like Get Ready For Love where unleashed with the utmost power and hit more subtle notes with the beauty of songs such as The Weeping Song and Hold On To Yourself.


To my suprise it was the new material that was truly amazing to witness. If The Mercy Seat wasn't enough to wet your whistle the material from the latest Seeds LP was scintilating. Midnight Man rocked the crowd while Moonland and More News From Nowhere where perfect compliments to the setlist. Cave's voice was tremendous all night and was absolutely thrashed in the shows closer Stagger Lee - a brutal and cacophonic sonic attack which left the crowd wanting more and more. Amazing.

Acoustic Ladyland - Skinny Grin

This English trio tend to spazz out alot - at times the instrumentation can be harsh and make your ears bleed - but i think that's what these men are trying to do to you while playing their sax's, drums and guitars as frenetically as they possibly can. The album does have it's slower more....sensual moments which gives me a little time to relax while a collect myself after the hectic nature of their faster tracks. My favourite slice would have to be Cuts and Lies. Built around a funky guitar and bass dual the female vocalist sounds sexy and sassy all over this track - and when the saxaphone kicks in your ready for aural sitmulation of no other kind :)

Random Post for Anonymous #3

Watching the news today made me realise something. How god damn lucky I am to live in such a country as Australia. A place where i can walk down the street without fear of harm, a place where i can feel safe wherever i am. I forget a lot that I, and many others are blessed to live in this country - while millions of others around the world live in fear constantly, live in poverty and are not given the opportunities that we all get here. So yes, things may be shit for me or people close to me - but compared to others - our shit does not even make a mark on the world's worries. I sincerely hope that the violence occuring in the world right now resides and peace can be found...

1000 Visitors - The Offspring - Ignition

So with this, my self-indulging commemorative 1000th visit post. Wow that was a mouthfull. I will bring you an album that while may be considered by many to be insignificant or uncool - is considered by me to have shaped my love affair with music itself. No, Ignition by The Offspring did not push boundaries, and no it didn't make dents in the music world - but it has quite a place in my heart.

There is this unbridled energy to this record that makes me keep going back to it's punk riffs, pounding drums, driving bass and Dexter's unmistakable vocals. The album kicks off with 'Session' - an energetic a straight forward rock against the shitty girlfriend tune - great for those fight nights! From then on 1992's Ignition takes you on a journey through some very awesome tunes including Kick Him When He's Down and the undoubtedly favoured Offspring fan song - Dirty Magic.

Often overlooked because of their next release 'Smash' - which im sure you know has sold the most copies ever on an independant label - Ignition is where i believe Offspring really let themselves go and throw caution to the wind - unparalled punk energy full of vigour and determination - Rock On.

The Stiletto Formal - Fiesta Fiesta Fiesta Fiesta!

I like this album - mainlyu because it sounds a bit more fresh than most punk/hardcore/new wave whatever the fuck you wanna call it. The vocalist sounds scaringly similiar to Cedric Bixler Zavala of ATDI fame as well - and it makes for a very powerful and emotive voice. The band are great, with varying instruments from cello to guitars and it all mixes very well.

The opener is strong as hell and the singer's voice is the strong point - with the playing a daring roll in keeping the music powerful and unpredictable. Something good about htis band is the unpredictability of the tunes here. Give it a try and im sure you'll love it.

Parov Stelar - The Flame of Fame

Just when i thought i'd heard it all, Parov Stelar knocks me off my feet with this, his 2008 release "The Flame of Fame". And what a treat it is, Stelar musical and cognitive genious is expounded with four tracks full of electronic beats that are made for the dancefloors mixed with a deadly concoction of 30's swing/jazz samples and vocal dubs that are irresistably danceable.

I'd have to say this EP is even better than the one i just posted, purely because of it's infectious grooves. The title track is the classic Stelar mix of swing and beats, while Fleur De Lille is the most astounding effort on the disc - presenting the lsitneer with a blend of jazz and Daft Punk-style electronic bliss. The EP closes with Matilda - a real rocking number, complete with solid piano throughout, thick bass, a tripped out guitar line and awesome sampled vocals.

Treat Yourself to this wonder.