We have spent the last eleven months by listening to a stack of music albums. To close the year, we’ve listed our ten best albums which definitely have put us to the cloud nine while listening to their musics.

10. Arcade Fire – Reflektor :

If only the albums was as good as ‘The Suburb’, we would put them sitting on the peak of the chart. But we didn’t say the album is bad. Reflektor still kicks it with some of the Suburbs’ rhythm, which we really love, and the album still has a strong rock roots with an intertwined of dark tunes. The lack of emotion from the album might take you a couple of times to really get the sense of Arcade Fire.

Recommended Track : Reflektor

9.Disclosure – Settle :

The band have been hailed for their dance music and given an outstanding call-out. ‘Settle’ is 100% a sugar land for a fan of Groove Armada or Artful Dodger. Knowing that ‘Settle’ is the duo’s debut album, we are blown with its content. What not to love! The album itself will give you the finest house music, 90’s electro and some modern dance music. Somehow, it also gives us a chill that their music is reflecting the era when Basement Jaxx were dominating the dance music industry.

Recommended Track : Disclosure ft. James Woon – January

8.Phoenix – Bankrupt! :

They have catapulted into the big leagues with “Wolfgang Amadeus…” The hardest task is to maintain their album quality and their popularity. Instead of making Wolfgang Amadeus part II, they’ve decided to make something different with their own touch. Layered thick synth flavored with heart-thumping drums and the way their vocalist Thomas Mars pronounce exotic words such as “Drakkar Noir” and “Oblique City”, that’s just the Phoenix way of maintaining their lovely status among their fans.

Recommended Track : Tryin’ to be cool

7. QOTSA – Like Clockwork :

Like Clockwork is the long awaited album from Queens of The Stone Age after their hiatus in 2009. In August 2012, Homme with his band mate began to record their sixth album. Like Clockwork is the first independent album from this California based band. However, it doesn’t shrink the musical quality, they still creates fantastic album from astounding songwriting, badass guitar riff in full effect, and not to mention the great musicians who collaborated with them such as Alex Turner, Jake Shears, Trent Reznor, James Lavelle, and Sir Elton John.

Recommended Track: If I Had a Tail

6. James Blake – Overgrown :

The second album of James Blake is unequivocally an amazing job. The album is being written beautifully with a nice touch of dub step, we really think James Blake is one of the most genuine artist who can describe dub step in a very classy way. The album also takes some hip/hop and soul music to make it classier. As a result, Overgrown has earned him a Mercury Prize and got him nominated for Grammy Awards 2014.

Recommended Track : Retrograded

5. Justin Timberlake – 20/20 :

The new king of pop, Justin Timberlake is bringing the sexy back again with 20/20 experience. His third solo album takes over the number one spot both in the UK and US charts, it has reached nearly a million in its first week sales. The former leader of the famous boyband *NSYNC is probably the only singer who can make a seven-minute track without making the listeners feel bored with his falsetto voice, groovy beats, and skillfully written lyrics. Nonetheless, 20/20 Experience cannot beat the massive success from Timberlake second album Future Sex/Love Sounds that helped him get four Grammys. It’s hard to keep the 21 years of experience in the right track, but we must say that Timberlake has successfully nailed it.

Recommended Track: Let The Groove Get In

4. Foals – Holy Fire :

Foals’ third album, “Holy Fire”, is a solid proof of their hardworking career. They could’ve easily followed their signature sound that they have created in “Antidotes” and “Total Life Forever”. But now, they were trying to capture the energy and improvement outside their comfort zone. Most new bands have copied Foals’ signature guitar sound but they’ve failed to reach the stage where the Oxford guys have reached. There’s a simple explanation, it is mainly because most of the bands don’t have the character and maturity that Foals gained in the past few years.

Recommended Track : My Number

3. VW – Modern Vampires of the City:

When the guys from Vampire Weekend said that their third album would be ‘darker’ from the first two that preceded it, they didn’t mention that it would sound better too. Vampire Weekend entered the music industry with the image of a group of preppy, young college graduates singing about (mostly) their days at the campus, but this year they had shown people that it’s not the only thing they’re good at. Modern Vampire Of The City is full of well-crafted, beautifully threaded tracks.

Recommended Track: Hannah Hunt

2.Daftpunk – Random Access Memory:

Random Access Memories was probably the most waited album of 2013. The excitement that was following its release was tremendous. Featuring collaborations with renowned musicians such as Giorgio Moroder, Julian Casablancas, and Pharell Williams, the album is filled with musical twists and turns. It’s also probably Daft Punk’s most personal work, what with them trying to maximize the use of natural sounds. Random Access Memories is a mix of disco, soft rock, and progressive rock, with some Broadway-style pop on the sides. With twenty years up their sleeves, it seems that the helmet-wearing duo have been getting better and better at what they do.

Recommended Track: Give Life Back to Music

1.Arctic Monkeys – AM :

Who The Fuck Are Arctic Monkeys is now an invalid question because, really, who doesn’t know Arctic Monkeys? Especially after their fifth album release which raised much raving reviews. The twelve tracks in AM have been threaded so perfectly that every aspect, from the guitar riffs to the glam-rock stomps, is simply irresistible. A wordsmith that Alex Turner is, the well-written imagery becomes highly seductive at no matter what pace. Slick slow-burning groove, infectious riff-rockers, a dash of R&B and hip-hop; genre no longer defines Arctic Monkeys as now they can make anykind of music and make it their sound.

Recommended Track: No.1 Party Anthem

Seven years ago, there was a band from Sheffield flourished on every person ears. And then went to the heart. Arctic Monkeys, with their Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not, successfully captured moment. The time when “Mardy Bum” (“And I can’t be arsed to carry on in this debate/ That reoccurs, oh when you say I don’t care/ Well of course I do, yeah I clearly do!”) got stuck into my head, the time they still wore hoodie with long hair that shrouding their face plus knackered Converse.

Seven days ago, I felt the same feeling as seven years ago. AM, initial name for the band or anything you could use it to your own purpose. While Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not got by on wry smiles and witty mutterings, AM is upfront and bluntly engages with the listener. Arctic Monkeys’ influence (on British and American), has in large part been measured by Alex Turner’s talent for combining words into phrases. Much of the album’s true beauty reveals itself after multiple play – the sexy glimmering patterns of drum that Matt Helders provides, Jamie Cook screeching guitar riff, and interplay by Nick O’Malley bass.

Turner’s lyrics are still the tied knot that hold everything in place. Though their songs have always been characterized by inspired image and clever character. And that’s how they draw me in (again), with themes and lyrics that resonate across the soundscapes they create, and characters we recognize in ourselves, whether it’s the sweet-lasting-devotion on “Do I Wanna Know?” (“I‘m sorry to interrupt, I’m just constantly on the cusp of trying to kiss you/I don’t know if you feel the same as I do.”) or the hope-to-be-somebody-to-someone on “Snap Out Of It” (“Forever isn’t for everyone/ Is forever for you?/ It sounds like settling down or giving up/ But it don’t sound much like you girl.”).

Developments include a focus on falsetto on “I Want It All”, “One For The Road”, and “Knee Socks” thanks to Helders and O’Malley. Dr. Dre and Drake reference on “Why’d You Only Call Me When You’re High?” with hip-hop melody to catch the attention. Classic rock synced with metal riffs and punctuated by big choruses on “R U Mine?” and “Arabella”. “Fireside” with evoking R&B girl groups and softening the edges voice of Turner’s crooning. As a big fan of Velvet Undergrounds, I found a happiness on “Mad Sounds”, it gets better when melody and swing powering up and aching ballads of “oh la la la” and the repetition.

The ironic centerpiece of “No. 1 Party Anthem” feels like the pinnacle of the band’s progress, gorgeous heart-melting balladry which takes the melancholic romanticism of “Cornerstone” and sounds like “Piledriver Waltz” with more mature attitudes. “The look of love – the rush of blood/ The “She’s with me” – the Gallic shrug” tells the loneliness and the hustle at once. Album closer, “I Wanna Be Yours” lyric adapted from John Cooper Clarke song with the same name. The poet tells me about expressing love with deepest or highest thought. Or as simple as “Maybe I just wanna be yours.”.

]]> http://www.svanapaper.com/the-pinnacle-of-arctic-monkeys-am/feed/ 0 http://www.svanapaper.com/mercury-prize-2013-the-nominees-are-in/ http://www.svanapaper.com/mercury-prize-2013-the-nominees-are-in/#comments Fri, 13 Sep 2013 04:11:45 +0000 Alcander Alonzo http://www.svanapaper.com/?p=5027 On Wednesday (9/11), the Mercury Prize’s panel announced the full list for this year’s nominees...]]>

On Wednesday (9/11), the Mercury Prize’s panel announced the full list for this year’s nominees. The list consists of 12 best albums of British artists which have been scoring the market and the chart with its notable songs. The award is led by David Bowie’s comeback album, ‘The Next Day’, and followed by London’s post-punk newcomer, Savages. By the time when the list was revealed, medias started dropping a comment that this year’s nominees is a bit mainstream unlike the previous year. People have also predicted that David Bowie will be winning this year’s trophy ever since this is his first album after a decade. Speaking of first album, Savages will also steal the spotlight as their debut album, ‘Silence Yourself’, has been identified as the freshest work for post-punk music. So how the competition will be? We are doing some short review of the nominees’ albums to give you a short look on how Mercury Prize 2013 sounds like :

1. Arctic Monkeys – AM

Arctic Monkeys’ latest album is definitely a safe bet for this year’s Mercury Prize. The Sheffield quartet’s fifth album receives the best review among their previous albums. As the band starts producing the music in Los Angeles (with James Ford and Ross Orton as the producers), it somehow affects the band’s sounds. Alex Turner also has turned the wheel of his songwriting skill to a more blue-black and once again, sleeker. Just like what Matt Helders said on this album “the album we’ve always been wanting to make”, this is probably the one that the band are totally pouring their skills and influences in.

2. David Bowie – The Next Day

How does a legendary musician sound like when he is breaking a decade of silence with a surprise comeback? It’s as good as how he has to be. David Bowie’s 24th albums was secretly produced (that’s why it’s very surprising) in New York with a long time producer, Toni Visconti. The materials in ‘The Next Day’ are very bold, bright, and the lyrics are also one of his best work as a lyricist. Eventhough some people say that this comeback’s album has a flaw in it, we really think David Bowie has re-emerged his music, career, and also perfectly moulded. The 80’s power pop and rock ambiance of 60’s have summed up how one of the finest rockstarts on earth to bring the hype in.

3. Foals – Holy Fire

Should we call it a “Bang!” for the Oxford dudes’ work? Holy Fire is the band’s third studio album, and sometimes the third is the charm. And it is for Foals. ‘Holy Fire’ is without a doubt a very thoughtful work which is packaged in a very epic way. A wonderful comment on the band’s latest album is also thrown by BBC “The angular, spiky guitars of old have been joined by a altogether fuller, warmer sound. The album’s lead single, Inhaler, has a driving epic quality worthy of a stadium rock band.”

4. Laura Marling – Once I Was an Eagle

Laura Marling keeps stealing the attention and good critics for her music. Laura Marling has always been putting some unique intensity and her soul for her music. The credibility of her musical and songwriting skill have remarkbly put her name as the never ending ones to watch. The perfection is elevated with the collaboration of her and Ethan Johns for producing ‘Once I Was an Eagle’. It also reminds us that this is her third time for being nominated in Mercury Prize. But will she win it? Her consistency with an ambitious and expansive work will reveal it all.

5. Disclosure – Settle

The band have been hailed for their dance music and given an outstanding call-out. ‘Settle’ is 100% a sugar land for a fan of Groove Armada or Artful Dodger. Knowing that ‘Settle’ is the duo’s debut album, we are blown with its content. What not to love! The album itself will give you the finest house music, 90’s electro and some modern dance music. Somehow, it also gives us a chill that their music is reflecting the era when Basement Jaxx were dominating the dance music industry.

6. James Blake – Overgrown

James Blake will never lose his class. That is the first thing that acrosses our mind when this album was released. James Blake’s deep vocal and soulful music are completing his incredible work in ‘Overgrown’. Did a little dubstep on his debut album (which gained him a name and also a nomination for the same award), the well-trained pianist doubled the class with a nice touch of hip hop and soul for the latest work. The obvious result is shown in ‘Retrograded’.

7. Jake Bugg – Jake Bugg

The Nottingham singer has drawn the attention by the first time when he launched his appearance in the music industry. Producing more generous material for the self-titled album, Jake Bugg is receiving his latest work as the best-received to date. The album which consist of 14 track are showing the Dylan-esque music has acclaimed the 19-year-old singer the highest place in a music chart. It still amazes us with the music that he produced, considering he is still young, which is well-described as “The Old Person’s Young Singer”. The album also put the era of Britpop back to the map with its blues-inspired indie pop songs.

8. Rudimental – Home

Rudimental’s Home is like a spin-off of James Brown and Basement Jaxx. That is our best explanation of their music. Elevating the dance music euphoria, Rudimental drop their sickest drums and bass to a timeless sound of dance music. As the quartet once said that they need some anthemic songs, ‘Home’ is giving us all. Storming with a very rich mixing of garage rhythmic, 90’s dance music, and even a collaboration of Emeli Sandé. If this album was a music store, this would have the best collections of music. Hats off with their super elevated music.

9. Laura Mvula – Sing To The Moon

If Amy Winehouse was able to listen to Laura Mvula’s work, she would be dying to work with her. Laura Mvula is one of the most compelling new acts as her music has been labelled as the hybrid of Nina Simone and Billie Holiday. Her work in ‘Sing to the Moon’ have rocketed her name as Elton John is praising her music (and later has become Laura Mvula’s biggest fan). With her singing sensastion, she put an extraordinary arrangement with a dip of sunny jazz and a clash of retro soul. She also blooms the album with a melancholy classy lyric.

10. Jon Hopkins – Immunity

If we look into his history and track record (co-produced Coldplay and worked with Brian Eno), we would set a high expectation of his music. ‘Immunity’ is the fourth solo album which got hailed by NME as an “expertly paced” album that “resemble the peaks and troughs of an epic night out, the first half… is a continuous build to the crunching nine-minute techno opus of Collider, before the second half winds down to the title track, which features the mollifying vocals of King Creosote, another frequent collaborator”. Jon Hopkins produced a very haunting and great electronic touch in it, this album also let us to enter the new personal space of him.

11. Savages – Silence Yourself

In the fashion world, there will always a newcomer who sparks out the industry and knocks out big labels by the time the model walks in. We can’t name the current fresh face in the modelling field, but if we are asked the same thing on music world, we are sending out Savages! As the four girls blasted their music in 2011, the world have expected their debut will be incredibly amazing. ‘Silence Yoursel’ will take you to a time machine and drop you in the era of gothic rock and post-punk music. The vocalist, Jehnny Beth, is giving an provoking vocal which has matched really well with the music. A very angular music and ear snapping guitar lines are making their debut album more intense.

12. Villagers – Awayland

Villagers are an Irish indie-folk band who give a new sound of folk. By bringing some modern folk music, Villagers’ ‘Awayland’has a masterful work. The credits also go to the band’s leader, O’Brien. O’Brien did a clever with the songs’s poetic lyrics and turned the album to a great treasure. This album also has put the Irish band to the second time for being nominated in Mercury Prize. Back to the pureness of the album, Villagers are setting the bar of how a folk music should be produced.

That’s all from us for Mercury Prize 2013. This year is just as exciting and interesting to be seen. The 12 talented british acts have shown their best to gain the name in the industry. Some are trying to draw a comeback, some are succesfully attracted the world with their debut, and some are the old names who have been nominated in the previous years. So, Who’ll be taking the bacon of this annual award? The answer will be revealed on October 30th 2013.

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Tracklist:

1. The Weeknd – Love in The Sky
2. MGMT Your LIfe Is A Lie
3. John Newman – Love me again
4. Drake – Hold On We’re Going Home
5. Arctic Monkeys – Why’d you only call me when you’re high?
6. Eugene McGuinness – Fairlight
7. TV on The Radio – Mercy
8. Babyshambles- Nothing comes to nothing

The band also performed another song ‘Mad Sounds’ from their upcoming fifth album which probably will be released on September this year. From the two songs that they’ve revealed , we can say that their new album will be like a mix between Humbug, Suck It And See, and Submarine.

After the AM’s fans in Jakarta did a gathering, they have decided to make a ‘Tribute to Arctic Monkeys’ gig called “Siapalah Arctic Monkeys Ini?”. This gig will be held at Rossi Musik Fatmawati on May 19th 2013 and will be featuring six bands Tropical Apes, Britpose, Chewing Sparkle, Furs, HUVT and Kesamabar.

So, for you guys, the die-hard fans of Arctic Monkeys, attending this tribute event will be one of the best ways to do some karaoke session along with other super fans! Let’s jig!

As you all know that Queens of The Stone Age newest album is supported by lot of big name such as Dave Grohl, Sir Elton John, Trent Reznor, Jake Shears of Scissor Sisters and last name added Alex Turner. Queens of The Stone Age long-time guests Mark Lanegan and Nick Oliveri will also appear in this album which will be released in June 2013 according to Press Release.

Alex Turner is not only supported QOTSA for …Like Clockwork but now he and Arctic Monkeys are currently working on their fifth Album that will be finished this year.

The book will narrate about Arctic Monkeys’ journey from the beginning when they were still in school until their latest work in the music industry. And it will feature a research and some interviews with Arctic Monkeys, which happened to be one of the opening acts at The Olympics 2012.

Osborne stated “I’m very grateful to Omnibus Press for giving me the opportunity to write in depth about the Arctic Monkeys. Their story is a classic tale of British rock ‘n’ roll – a tale of suburban schoolmates who, among other things, grew to headline the biggest show on earth of 2012: The Olympics’ opening ceremony.
‘In an era where the singles chart has been dominated by manufactured pop acts, it is a mark of their ability and connection with fans, that they’re one of the few current guitar acts that’s managed to penetrate both albums and singles charts. It is a story that is contentious, but one that saw the internet propel a band to stardom for the first time – helping them break records with the fastest selling debut LP. Arctic Monkeys are the next chapter in a British songwriting history that goes back to The Kinks and The Beatles.”

Omnibus will release this book May 2013.

Even though You & I sounds different from another songs in Suck It and See album, we can still hear some character of Arctic Monkeys. Personally we think this is the best song taken from their Suck It and See B-Side singles.

You can preorder Black Treacle Vinyl trough their official website [dian/pbv]