August 2010
21 posts
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REVIEW: The Baseballs - Strike (Rhino Records)
Image courtesy of Amazon.co.uk. Just humour me, here. In a throwback to the old school, German cover group The Baseballs have taken it upon themselves to re-introduce the good old juke box to the masses with a fresh bunch of recent smash hits re-imagined with a 50’s twist. Going back a few years to 1995, a lounge cover music outfit The Mike Flowers Pops group made their name with their audacious...
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FEATURE: Tomorrow's Sounds Today
Hi everyone, welcome to another edition of Tomorrow’s Sounds Today! For those new to the series, this is our collection of the best from the “What’s New” section of Spotify presented to you for your digestion on a fortnightly basis. We have some real crackers for you this week, including some unusual choices showcasing our commitment to musical diversity. As usual...
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99 Spotisfaction Monday 16/08/10 - Thom Lavelle's...
Savage Henry has cashed his cheque. And you know what that means. Yes, after 99 Spotisfactions and numerous features over the last 6 months, I am leaving the Spotisfaction team. Since it’s birth back in February, Spotisfaction has grown from two frustrated 20-somethings swapping playlists into, well, what you’re reading right now - A fully featured music blog with news, reviews and a...
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REVIEW: Best Coast - Crazy For You...
Image courtesy of Amazon.co.uk. Such is their ubiquitous presence online, it is difficult to say anything new about Best Coast which hasn’t been repeated a thousand of times before. “It seems like the whole internet is talking about the Best Coast album” tweeted their record company Wichita Records last month. I, my Spotisfaction friends, shall try to avoid talking about their hilarious...
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98 Spotisfaction Friday 13/08/10 - Mike Sheldrick
Hi guys. Thom and I had the world’s most important debate today. A debate that has the potential to split our nation right down the middle. A debate so fearce and volatile that we’ve both had to have a bit of a sit down and a cup of tea to recover… That’s right, folks, a debate about which Limp Bizkit cover on Spotify was the best one (not including Richard Cheese or...
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FEATURE: "What Statement?" - A Profile of Alien8...
Article by Richard Capener. In my day, I say in an old man’s voice, there was a teenage ‘war’ around Gloucester: the individuals snobbily referred to as ‘chavs’ verses the punks and grebos. Verbal abuse and muggings ensued on both sides and blah blah blah. Moral: Musical communities, usually based on the clothes people wear and cliques, seem silly to me, who opts for...
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REVIEW: The Megaphonic Thrift - Decay Decoy (2010...
Image courtesy of Amazon.co.uk. The Megaphonic Thrift are an enigma to the extent that their references are so forced as to pidgeon-hole them unfairly. Take these as given: “It’s the new project from the guy from the Casiokids.”[1] (yes, Fredrik Vogsborg is a founding Casioist), “Their name’s from Guided By Voices”[2] or “Their name makes me think of...
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REVIEW: The Jolly Boys, The 100 Club 04/08/10
Image courtesy of AltSounds.com. The sheer joy of a septuagenarian Jamaican rocking a red suit, belting out classic tunes mento-style and dropping the occasional James Brown-style “huh!” cannot be fully expressed in words. Just smiles, laughter and applause which are heaped on The Jolly Boys by the sell-out crowd at esteemed venue The 100 Club on Oxford Street. With a changing lineup...
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97 Spotisfaction Wednesday 11/08/10 - Kevin...
Afternoon, all. Things are really kicking into overdrive with the website redesign. I feel like I’ve done nothing but code for the last couple of weeks, but there’s finally light at the end of the tunnel. We think that the new site will be a lot easier to use for you guys, and we can’t wait to unveil it finally! There’ll be an announcement closer to the time so keep your...
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FEATURE: Does Britain Really Have the X-Factor...
Image courtesy of The Daily Goss.
And first, the news! So recently it was announced that John and Edward, fronted by aging buffoon Louis Walsh are to release a second god awful travesty. Yes my friends. It is regrettably true that those two Irish pillocks (affectionately?) shortened to JedWard, have surpassed all logic and reason with their release of their personal answer to the Nuclear Bomb, a...
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FEATURE: Classics Collected
Hi everyone and welcome to Classics Collected, sister piece to the Tomorrow’s Sounds Today article. With this piece what we’d like to do is highlight some classic albums available on Spotify and list a few each fortnight which we feel are worth dusting off and giving a listen if you haven’t for a while. With all this good music available on tap it is easier than ever to indulge...
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96 Spotisfaction Monday 09/08/10 - Tudor Howell
Afternoon kids. So this week has been pretty exciting. We’re working on the website redesign, and the first few drafts we’ve been privy to have been awesome. I’m sure when it’s unveiled you’ll like it. Today’s playlist is by Tudor Howell. Enjoy! [David] 96 Spotisfaction Monday (9 Aug) - THowell Hit the link for tracklist and Tudor’s blurb. Tracklist
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FEATURE: Gig Rig
Well it’s Friday again, which can only mean that it’s time for another instalment of the Gig Rig, after scouring pages of t’interweb to find the finest selection of live music coming to a town near you. Highlights this week: Booka Shade will be playing a one-off gig at the HMV Forum in London to make amends for their performance at the Lovebox festival, which had to be cut short...
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95 Spotisfaction Friday 06/08/10 - Rhys Howell
Afternoon folks. I’ve spent a good portion of today listening to two local, home-grown acts - the mighty John Madden and Tom Mitchell, and our very own Ben’s band Stressechoes. As such, I’m feeling pretty awesome right now. After Wednesday’s call-to-arms, we’ve added a few new people to our team and you can expect to see the first few posts from them shortly....
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NEWS: Stressechos Record Demo
Spotisfaction writer Ben Hawling is not one to blow his own trumpet (and believe me he has tried) but he does have other talents. When not spewing forth intriguing and in-depth prose that stimulates intellectual debate, our Ben creates culinary masterpieces such as chocolate pizza and has also been known to occasionally hit things with sticks. Luckily the things he hits are drums, and in a random...
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NEWS: Mixcloud's Celebration of Curation
31 days, 31 curators, 31 exclusive Cloudcasts. As they approach their first birthday, our friends over at Mixcloud will be showcasing some of the biggest editorial voices around, who they have been proud and honoured to have worked alongside in the last 12 months. Everyday throughout August an exclusive Cloudcast from their pick of the best curators will be available to listen to exclusively on...
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REVIEW: Camp Bestival 2010
Image courtesy of Debretts.com. Hi-De-Hi Campers! I’m sitting in my lounge watching Nirvana’s headline set at Reading Festival in 1992 on DVD. The heavy fuzz of Kurt’s guitar, the chaotic nature of their live show and the screaming, unruly crowd is a far cry from my pleasant, family-friendly experience in the Dorset countryside at Camp Bestival last weekend. My weekend, which was interrupted...
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94 Spotisfaction Wednesday 04/08/10 - David Prowse
Morning ladies and gents. Quick one for you - as well as one-off pieces, we’re still looking for people that can regularly contribute to Spotisfaction to come and join our ever-growing team.
If you’re the kind of person that prioritises buying albums or going to gigs over buying food, then come write a few reviews for us.
If most of your time is spent in a mammoth Spotify...
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FEATURE: Tomorrow's Sounds Today
Welcome everyone to another edition of Tomorrow’s Sounds Today, where we pick all that’s best from the “What’s new?” section of Spotify and present it to you, neatly packaged with some thoughts and links! In this edition we have quite the mix for you, from classic rock, through pop, to that Motown sound. We hope you enjoy it as much as we have! 1. Robert Plant –...
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NEWS: Interview with Richard Russell, XL...
Photo courtesy of the Telegraph.co.uk
We thoroughly encourage you to read the interview with Richard Russell of XL Recordings in today’s Telegraph. The article provides a revealing insight into the history and ethos of Britain’s most influential label. XL Recordings have gone from strength to strength since the label’s inception in the late 80s to release dance and rave ...
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93 Spotisfaction Monday 03/08/10 - Kevin Atkinson
Morning all. Didya miss me? Today is a shock to the system, fo sho - first day back in the day job after two weeks off, and I’m very much not with it yet. This weekend saw the wedding of two good friends of mine and therefore I’m in a very good mood today. So, in celebration of this rarity, I’ve picked Kev’s soul playlist for today’s aural consumption. Congratulations...
July 2010
46 posts
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REVIEW: Converge, Camden Underworld 29/07/2010
Image courtesy of Thrash Hits. The Underworld is the best name they could ever have given this grimey little hole in central Camden. It has established itself at the heart of alternative rock, metal and hardcore in England, and continues to attract the best the scene has ever had to offer. In the basement of the Worlds End, several pillars obscuring your view, and a stage so small that bands...
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92 Spotisfaction Friday 30/07/10 - Jo Hawling
Don’t do it, kids. Seriously. Just stay at home. I’m feeling like 17 tonnes of horrible today. It’s been a very busy week, very stressful. Speaking of stress, Stressechos (the band that Ben drums in when he’s not giving out free candy to children) cut an 4 track EP yesterday. I had a sneak listen to it and I have to say, I’m blown away. Further proof that there is...
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NEWS: Cage Against The Machine
Last year, a Facebook group got Rage Against The Machine to Christmas UK number 1. It even got Rage themselves to put on a free gig for us all. This year, it’s Cage Against The Machine. A new Facebook campaign has been started to get John Cage’s famous avant-garde work 4’33” - notable for it’s 4-and-a-half minutes of pure silence - to christmas number one this...
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VFTA: Broken Social Scene Part 4 - "Forgiveness...
Image courtesy of Amazon.co.uk Not sure what this VFTA malarkey is all about? See here. To Listen along with Ben, BSS’ Forgiveness Rock Record is on Spotify. So, the millennium is suddenly ten years old, and the initial growing pains and troubles have been dealt with, and everyone is left looking forward in collective optimism. How apt it is then that the bands that carried the people...
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91 Spotisfaction Wednesday 28/07/10 - Mike...
Good morning, y’all. It’s very quiet at Spotisfaction Towers right now. Everyone is out doing busy things. Dave has gone on a trek to find himself. He found himself sat in front of his TV in his pants watching… whatever it is the people of the daytime watch. Some god awful show no doubt, a loud mouthed presenter barking at a family of criminals to change their ways. Yes, because...
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REVIEW: Mystery Jets - Serotonin (Rough Trade)
Image courtesy of Amazon.co.uk
Mystery Jets career seems to be in an odd yet encouraging position compared to the wave of British indie bands that have fallen before them. Never achieving mass commercial success, but with a dedicated following, critic approval and song writing stamina to still warrant the attention of fans, critics and media alike. At the grand old age of 3 albums, the Mystery...
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FEATURE: How To Give Away Stuff For Free And Get...
Article by Richard Capener. We never could have dreamed of MySpace let alone Spotify: we were still making cassettes to swap in the playground. This was before Radio 1 DJs started chatting over the intros and outros of tuneage so us guerillas couldn’t capture tracks whole. Then the internet made this redundant, thank goodness. I thank goodness for the usual reasons: bring music to the...
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90 Spotisfaction Monday 26/07/10 - James TAE
Evening all, Sorry for the delayed playlist today. Here it is, forgive us? James is up with his prog awesomeness. [David] 90 Spotisfaction Monday (26 Jul) - JTAE Hit the link for tracklist and blurb. TITLE: Progressive Intention.
1. Behaving Badly - Animals As Leaders 2. Praha (Ancient Gold) - Ephel Duath 3. South Side Of The Sky - Yes 4. The Return Of The Giant Hogweed - Genesis 5. ...
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LIVE: 2000 Trees Festival 2010 - Friday Review
Image courtesy of VirtualFestivals.com It was different this year. As 2000 Trees entered its fourth year it would appear that it is starting to become ‘known’. So much so that for the first time since the festival’s start, they managed to sell out tickets to the event before it started. The problem with selling more tickets is that there are more people to get into the site and...
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FEATURE: Gig Rig
Howdy folks, and merry Friday to one and all! Monday’s feature, Tomorrow’s Sounds Today, included reviews for the latest releases from I Am Kloot and Lissie, both of whom have gigs coming up at Thekla in Bristol in September and October respectively. If you liked what you heard then why not check them out live. In the run up to their appearance at V Festival and following the success...
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REVIEW: Captain Horizon - Captain Horizon
Following our interview with these guys earlier this week, we review their eponymous four-track debut EP Captain Horizon. Listening to Captain Horizon, I get it. I feel like the band are introducing themselves to us, shaking our hands, and loosely highlighting their surface ideals - a handful of steady, light influences to engratiate themselves and spark some dialogue, without really getting into...
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89 Spotisfaction Friday 23/07/10 - Woody Whyte
Afternoon, folkens. How goes it? Apparently, it’s Friday today. This means that we are due a weekend. What you guys doing this weekend? I’m planning on heading over to The Swan in Cheltenham for Swanfest, an annual music alldayer comprised of local talent. Amongst this years acts are the fantastic Juey, John Madden & Tom Mitchell and Stressechos. I’ll be there from 2pm, what...
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NEW RELEASE: Foals - Total Life Forever (Warner...
Image courtesy of Amazon.co.uk Following their Mercury Prize Nomination, Foals’ Total Life Forever is now available to listen to on Spotify. The Spotify release includes a 23 minute interview with Yannis, speaking about the new album, his childhood, his growing interest in subversive culture and music, and a revealing commentary on the growth of the band since the first album. Listen to...
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LIVE: Tramlines Festival
Here’s Rhys (in his own, unapologetically unique style) with his take on this weekend’s free Tramlines Festival in Sheffield. If you’re going, let him know in the comments below - he’ll be the crazy person, you won’t miss him. *Dons Ringmaster Costume* Ladies and Gentlemen, Boys and Girls. Roll up. Roll up for a free festival in the fine Yorkshire city of Sheffield....
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FEATURE: Tomorrows Sounds Today!
[Editors note: This was supposed to be published on Monday 19th July. However, due to circumstances beyond our control it was delayed until this evening. We have decided to leave this article intact and not change anything as to uphold the writers integrity. So when you read this (and I honestly suggest you do) please make pretend it is in fact, Monday 19th. We extend our deepest apologies for the...
INTERVIEW: Captain Horizon
Spotify is, as we’ve said before, a great tool for sharing music. It’s affordable, it’s legal, the artists are recognised, and millions of people all over the world are using it. As a tool to spread music, it’s unmatched, and up-and-coming artists are recognising it as so. We spoke to Captain Horizon, an unsigned band who are using Spotify and other digital media tools to...
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88 Spotisfaction Wednesday 21/07/10 - Thom Lavelle
Bonjour et mercredi heureux. Apportez la discothèque! Today’s playlist is one of mine and is a combination of funky tracks that have got me through the last few days of stressful moving and acts that played 2000trees festival. All in all, it’s a pretty good mix. Check it. As an aside, we’re really short staffed at the moment. So if you’ve submitted something please bear...
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87 Spotisfaction Monday 19/07/10 - Paul "Fozz"...
Good afternoon to you all. Today’s playlist was a little delayed. Hopefully the sheer brutality of it will distract you from the fact that I’m not going to apologise for the late update. Today’s playlist is a metal collaboration between regulars Paul “Fozz” Foster and James TAE and you can hear it right here, whenever you wish. 87 Spotisfaction Monday (19 Jul) -...
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86 Spotisfaction Friday 16/07/10 - Rhys Howell
Another Friday, another weekend to look forward to. Especially if you’re at 2000 Trees this weekend. Holler us at Twitter with your tips and tricks for the forthcoming festival.
Todays playlist is by Rhys Howell, a guy who clearly does not muck about. He’s stripped things back and gone blurbless for this one; a mixlist of some of the best covers ever put to record.
86...
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NEWS: Prodigy Voted Most Influential Dance Act of...
Photo courtesy of The Ocelot Big up The Prodigy, who have been voted the most influential dance act of all time in a recent poll by GlobalGathering. With 29% of the votes they stormed ahead of Daft Punk (13%) and the likes of Faithless (11%), Kraftwerk (5%) and the Chemical Brothers (3%). It seems only befitting of a band that created a truly unique sound, morphing drum & bass, techno and...
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LIVE: 2000 Trees Festival, or "I Guess I'll Need A...
Ok, so it’s not Glastonbury, but over the last three years 2000 Trees has grown to become quite a well respected little festival. It’s fourth outing kicks off tomorrow, with early entry for some lucky ticket-holders today. Held every year at Upcote Farm near Cheltenham, 2000 Trees was started by a group of friends as a reaction to the spiralling costs of the mainstream festivals and the desire...
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85 Spotisfaction Wednesday 14/07/10 - Ben Hawling
Afternoon, kids. Just a quick one to let you know that our normally brim-full submissions inbox is starting to run a little dry, so if you’re working on a playlist (or if you fancy creating one), then please get it to us. You can either email it to playlist@spotisfaction.co.uk, paste it into the box at http://www.spotisfaction.co.uk/submit, or click on the little pencil icon on the top...
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REVIEW: Perfume Genius - Learning...
Image courtesy of Amazon.co.uk. Nobody loves an album of gloomy, haunting music about abuse, addiction and domestic turmoil more than this particular reviewer. You can imagine, therefore, my joy at discovering the debut album Learning by Mike Hadreas, 26, from Seattle who performs under the name Perfume Genius. Evoking similarities to singer-songwriters such as Antony and the Johnsons and Cat...
NEWS: Spotify on Amazing Radio!
Last week, Thom and I spoke to Amazing Radio about Spotisfaction, our thoughts about Spotify, new music and life in general. Today, we’ve been featured on their blog and will be on the Afternoon Show before 4pm! http://amazingradio.co.uk/uncategorized/the-afternoon-show-its-blog-of-the-week-day You can listen here: http://amazingradio.co.uk/ [David]
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84 Spotisfaction Monday 12/07/10 - Thom Lavelle
Howdy, folk. Right, gotta get this done a bit quick today as I’m swamped. I’m now out of the loop for a week whilst I move house and attend 2000trees so I thought I’d give you a bit of personal love with today’s playlist. Yes, it’s one of mine. I’ve also split it into two acts. The first act is something designed to drag you out of the fuzzy haze of a drizzly...
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FEATURE: Gig Rig
]]> Love live music? Yep, we do too, so we thought we’d bring you a selection of the finest musical extravaganzas that will be taking place over the coming months. New gig listings will be posted on a fortnightly basis, or more frequently if there is a need for it. If there are any gigs that have escaped our attention and that you think deserve a mention, then just drop me an e-mail...
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83 Spotisfaction Friday 09/07/10 - David Prowse
Weekend, woop! If you’ve not yet planned anything, some of the Spotisfaction crew will be attending the Midsummer Fiesta in Cheltenham’s Montpellier tomorrow - if you’re going, come search us out and we’ll chill in the sun together, a blissed out posse of music-loving nerds. It promises to be a wicked day out, with live music by Waiting For Kate, The Divine Secret and...
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NEWS: Polaris Music Prize Shortlist Announced
It would appear that Caribou, Owen Pallet and Broken Social Scene are all shortlisted for the Polaris Music Prize. The Polaris Music Prize is similar to similar to the UK’s Mercury Music Prize. It is given each year by Canadian music business insiders, including of journalists, bloggers and broadcasters, to the Canadian album they believe has the highest artistic merit regardless of the...
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82 Spotisfaction Wednesday 07/07/10 - James TAE
Top of the afternoon to you good folk. How are things out there? Everyone feeling fresh? [Doesn’t wait for an answer] FANTASTIC. Dave is out of the office today, something about going on a day trip. Hope it rains. So much is happening at the moment, we’ve expanded our editorial team, done a quick interview for Amazing Radio and been working on plenty of behind the scenes tweaks and...