Minimum - Smash Routine Ep

Hello! I'm kind of embarrassed that over the past week I have written more about polka bands and mysterious graffiti campaigns than the actual music scene. I've also been writing about mainly indie bands when there is a wealth of other genres still out there.
I saw these guys at sound lounge 21 a while back and they put in a solid performance, after the show their singer gave me a free copy of the Smash routine EP. You can get yours for £3 here minimum.bandcamp.com

www.weareminimum.co.uk

The title track Smash Routine is the song that's got the most attention for the band and its a pretty good introduction to their sound. It begins with a spacey techno style electronic intro that morphs into the electronic backing that goes with the rest of the song. Its got big riffs, powerful drumming and reminds me of Enter Shikari* (before all the politics), but with a White Lies sense of style and ambition. I'm also pleased that Minimum play Post-Hardcore without any of that faux american accent or screamy-screamy nonsense.

'Yeah My Girlfriend' follows on and happens to be a much bouncier, poppier track. They've managed to sound effeminate and aggressive at the same time, it features a more stripped back keyboard sound and the overall vibe is a bit more fun and less serious than the other tracks. It once again reminds me of Enter Shikari, but more of their poppier songs such as 'Jonny Sniper'

'Organics' is a slower more Ballard-ish track, which is backed by subtle electronic sounds but it builds to a chaotic climax where the band really kick out the jams

Overall these 3 songs are growing on me and are a great showcase of the bands talents from slow building ballads, power-pop to straight forward atmospheric hardcore. I like how the songs are a bit unpredictable and can change direction from structured rock songs to chaotic jams in seconds. There are many bands a lot worse than this in the limelight


There is also another version of this EP that includes the song K-T Extinction, though I'm not sure where you can find it. Its an acoustic song in the vein of 'Organics' that includes some metronomy style synth backing, that as with the rest of these songs doesn't stay that way for very long.


*Remember that? it was 2007 and this band obsessed with glow sticks, laser pointers and tiny shorts had welded punk and dance music together. I love 'A Flash Flood of Colour' but back in the early hype days for a while, it seemed like we were hearing the music of the future.

PEACE (i gotta go to this)

I'm in love with 2 Sisters

Hello! I'm back from a  short holiday in Yorkshire, where nothing blog worthy happened. But to keep  you all entertained until the next blog here is this.  It has absolutely nothing to do with Birmingham, but its the stuff that you tube was made for. I found it because  i Google-ed 'Polka music' on you-tube curious as i'd never heard this genre before. and i found this brilliance. Enjoy

REFLEKTOR

This mysterious image has been appearing in  major cities all over the world. I'm happy to say that Birmingham is one of those cities. 
these photographs are being collected on an instagram site instagram.com/reflektor and there is also a website with a video of the image www.thereflektors.com 
Rumour has it that this has something to do with the Arcade Fire album out this year. 
The NME reports that "The trio of new pictures would seemingly tie in with reports in June of this year, which suggested that Arcade Fire would release new music on September 9. Revolt TV cited sources close to the band and claimed that a brand new track  would be released in the autumn".
This makes some sense seeing as Arcade Fire are one of the few bands around probably big enough to run a promotion like this, even if they've probably spent all the cash on Haiti relief  funds.  while the video does hint that this mast be music related.


what we do know is this

1. Christopher @fifferwright

   @arcadefire you're my favorite

Arcade Fire        ✔ @arcadefire

@fifferwright Thanks. Our new album will be out October 29th. pic.twitter.com/CAgYucvimo

and this

Here's hoping that the buzz is right. The Suburbs was to me what Ok Computer was to kids of the 90's, or Remain in Light  was to those of the 80's. A defining musical moment in a decade. Hopefully we've got another masterpiece on the way.


http://www.nme.com/news/arcade-fire/71994

RIP Jon Brookes

from the Charlatans Facebook page  

"It is with great sadness that we have to announce that Jon Brookes, the drummer with The Charlatans, died this morning aged 44.

Following a seizure on tour in Philadelphia in 2010, Jon had been receiving treatment for a brain tumour and had undergone several operations, although he had been working on new material with the band over the summer.. He passed away peacefully in hospital early this morning with his family at his bedside.

Jon was a founding member of The Charlatans, who formed in the West Midlands in 1989. He was much loved by those who knew him and regarded as one of the finest drummers of his generation and will be dearly missed by all who knew him.

“Jon was a brilliant drummer, an inspiration, a founding member of The Charlatans, part of our family and a friend to everyone in and around the band. Losing someone who was always so full of life is a tragedy that will be shared by so many. Our thoughts are with Debbie and all of Jon’s family.” - The Charlatans

tributes have poured in, including those from DUMB

RIP Jon Brookes. We wouldn't be where we are today if it wasn't for you. There are many memories, parties and pep talks on the side of busy motorways that we will hold dearly forever and always. Manager, Friend and a True Inspiration, we love you xxx

The Twang ‏@the_twang41m

Real sad to hear about the passing of Charlatans drummer Jon Brookes. A great drummer and a lovely bloke. The twang.x

SWIM DEEP ≈ ‏@SWIM_DEEP3h

R.I.P Jon Brookes, a great drummer, and a great supporter of midlands music xx

and many others.

New Killer Shoes, I Ain't Even Plugged In, Review

It might seem a little bit strange reviewing a tie in acoustic version of a debut album before the album itself (which will probably get a review here soon). but i felt that this acoustic album is far better than the very good blast of rock n roll that is the actual debut.
You see the title is actually a bit misleading, it may be unplugged  but the electronic backing that starts off this version of 'Love Rocket' obviously isn't. It's an intriguing mix that gets the record off to a great start. From here on the vibe is bluesy. The stripped back sound suits the blues cliche's* of the lyrics and these new versions sound much darker and sleazier than the originals. I love the blues and NKS play it well.

Elsewhere we get the new versions of tracks like 'Hypocrite'  or 'Snakecharmer' which are much more reggae, reggae is an influence in the bands usual sound, but normally it doesn't go much further than just the style of guitar playing. Yet here the band are in full reggae mode, and like with the blues they do it well. 'I ain't got a chick' for example is a good example of the classic being broke/girl problems song and the acoustic style brings out the bluesy nature of these lyrics and seeing as its a bit slower, you can listen to whats being said a bit more. For Rock n Roll Thrills get the standard album,  yet for something that's more of a grower that rewards repeated listens and works on a sunny day, get this.
I actually prefer the acoustic versions of these songs,  if it wasn't for that fact that the plugged in sound works so well live, i'd say that New Killer Shoes should make this their default sound.

7/10

*Blues Cliches are never a bad thing
https://soundcloud.com/newkillershoes/sets/i-aint-even-plugged-in

Released by:

Gospel Oak Records

Release date:

19/8/2013

New Killer Shoes