Even Malcolm Middleton, arguably the most angsty front-man around, has embraced this year’s electronic revolution. Zero, taken from Malcolm’s fifth solo album Waxing Gibbous, is a slight departure from his usual guitar heavy songs. His inclusion of electronic drum beats and keys may even give it a greater chance of reaching the heights of the charts than his 2007 Christmas hope We’re All Going to Die, which reached a dizzying Top 40 slot.
Album: Richmond Fontaine – We used to think the freeway sounded like a river
If there is something that characterizes Richmond Fontaine, this alternative country band from Portland Oregon, is their ability to recreate imagery into music. Willy Vlautin – vocals and guitar – is well known for this art. Yet this album combines his skill with an additional display of pure American songwriting spells and traditional rock and roll bravado.
Q&A with Schmercuries nominee Nick Hemming of The Leisure Society
Over the coming weeks FFS will be submitting the same set of questions to the Schmercury nominees. Today, Nick Hemming answers on behalf of The Leisure Society, who are nominated for their album The Sleeper.
Drummer Doug Fink leaves Noah and the Whale to be a doctor
Noah and the Whale drummer Doug Fink, brother of frontman Charlie, has announced he is to leave the band to resume his medical career after collecting his degree from University College London last year.
Festival: Joe does Green Man
The images conjured up at the mention of the Green Man festival have, sadly, not quite matched the reality in the last couple of years. Where young children should have been gaily running amok in the secret garden, instead they’ve been whining about the mud. And when you’ve been dying to just stretch out on the grass and let the music wash over you, all that washed over you was the rain.
Alessi’s Ark at Glastonbury
Here is a rather lovely video made by Lois Jeary featuring Alessi’s Ark’s Glastonbury performance and an interview with the lady herself. Enjoy! [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e8hRetqBSwg]