Modern Music 80s
Bring on the carnival people!” barks the authoritative voice of a stage manageress, who is trying to instill a sense of urgency into the final dress rehearsal before a rare live Top Of The Pops
broadcast, now only three hours away.
In the coffee bar outside the studio nobody responds. Well, going by the gaudy array of costumes, she could be calling anyone, be they the Dollar drum majorettes, the cosmopolitan-clothed Funkapolitan or even the assembled cast of the BBC’s next prestige production Nancy Astor, what with their showy Victorian evening dress.
As it happens, she’s paging the obvious: the train of mardi gras extras brought along to illustrate Modern Romance’s ridiculous and opportunistic ‘Everybody Salsa’. Evidently the producer’s
limited idea of “good television” overrules quality control.Aware of TOTP’s visual limitations, John Foxx – looking like a stylish cross between Rhett Butler and Beau Brummell– has assembled his own props. “Meet my drummer,” he says,introducing the majestic bust he’s carrying under his arm. His TV group is fl eshed out by human sculptures Eddie Maelov,
resplendent in Noel Coward lounge suit, and Sunshine Patterson,in elegant evening gown.
“He’s here to remake The Great Gatsby,” John joshes Eddie.
“And Sunshine’s, eh, late for the wedding,” Eddie kids his partner.Meanwhile a bunch of offi ce boys have strayed onto the set – oh my God it’s OMD after a colour supplement primer in American preppiness.
Sitting in the middle of this fanciful costume ball, this week’sNumber one unit Soft Cell appear to be Cinderellas – and that’s despite singer Marc Almond’s wristloads of bracelets and studs and
the brassy gold necklaces dangled around his neck. Bemused by their chart bedfellows. Soft Cell scan this evening’s roll call.
“John Foxx, Gary Numan, Teardrop Explodes, Orchestral Manoeuvres, us – it’ll be dry ice a go-go tonight,” predicts Marc with a giggle and a groan.
Actually, Numan couldn’t make it but he has sent his video.So, apart from The Human League, who weren’t invited although ‘Love Action’ had yo-yoed up to a Number Three, tonight’s TOTP
is a valuable survey of the ever evolving electro-disco beat – from pioneer John (Ultra) Foxx, through popularisers Numan and OMD to former pupils Soft Cell.Read more...
Recommended Soft Cell Albums:
Soft cell - non stop erotic cabaret
Very best of soft cell
Soft cell - live 2003
The official Marc Almond web site
Soft Cell
Saturday, September 09, 2006
Karate
Friday, September 08, 2006
Modern Music underrated bands
This band could be one of the influential band 90s and 00s but unfortunately Geoff Farina (former and leader) developed hearing problems due to twelve years of performance with Karate and was forced to disband the group in July, 2005. Their final show was played in Rome, Italy on July 10th, 2005.
They had deserved more than that,actually this band had lots of great compositions.They haven't got any crap,worthless song.Every song of them is another taste,another glory.I don't judge listeners like 'why did you listen Karate's album?' though.Because i see that it's hard to reach their music.I don't understand people they don't support bands with listening them at least(or with buying their albums,watching their live performances) but after they disbanded,they are voting those bands as their favorite. I didn't see any blog(tv chanel,radio etc.) posting about them previous years.Modern Music isn't a commercial project so i won't stop to post about these fantastic bands or musicians.
The most effective side of them is their pop jazzy glorious sound,their pleasent guitar solos plus
their peerless vocals.Geoff Farina vocal performance is the timeless one.By this point, the group had refined its sound, removing the choppy, indie/emo elements in favor of a more disciplined approach that emphasized its jazz influence.
Karate - In Place Of Real Insight
With creative and powerful song structures and excellent vocals, this Massachusetts band is definitely one that should not be overlooked.Indie rock and jazz combinations are unbelievable
You can listen the album several times without get bored.New Martini,maybe you heard about the song which is very energic independent melody.Again songs like "It's 98 Stop","New New","Die Die"(dark guitar solos,atmosperic indie tunes) are the main reasons for adoring and devotion.You will never guess unless you listen.
P.S:I'll be posting more about them keep reading.
Modern Music Karete Top 5
- With Age
- The last wars
- Die Die
- Diazapam
- New Martini
Karate's page on Southern Records
Modern Music Events
Top New Modern Music Rock Singles
1.Steely dan - Do it again
2.Bonnie 'Prince' Billy - cursed sleep
3.Tv on the radio - Wolf Like Me
4.Radio birdman - you just make it worse
5.Luna - Lovedust
6.Pete Yorn - For Us
7.Sleepy jackson - Devil Was In My Yard (New!)
8.Kasabian - Empire
9.Junior Boys - In The Morning (New!)
10.Audioslave - Original Fire (New!)
Ten different music styles,and ten brilliant singles.As you know Steely Dan had released Definitive Collection and i chose their classic hit "Do it Again".
Also here is Top 5 songs of the week! by IndiependentMusic.
From Readers:
Cover songs from a Reader:
Hi,I'm Dfactor, NYC singer-songer-rocker-blogger. My 2006 series "12 Covers-12 Months" of rock song covers continues over at here.'I listened his four cover which sounds rocking!Specially
a cool version of Guided by Voices "The Brides Have Hit Glass".You can download more cover song of Dfactor at here.
From Jennifer Chang:
I came across your music while searching for sites related to contemporary music, and I noticed that your site has an impressive readership.
Workman recently published a book called "The Complete How to Kazoo", which is a book that, as expected, teaches readers how to play the kazoo. It is also part of a larger campaign to make the kazoo the national instrument of the United States! Really! This is an actual campaign, with thousands of backers writing letters to their congressmen in support of the cause.
Here is the link to the campaign video
Joyful video from a MM reader:
I watched the video from Dolly Daggers linked below,Sure their music doesn't sound proffesional but i really enjoyed with the clip.Watch Now!I'm reading all of your good wishes about Modern Music and i really listen all of your songs thank you interested in MM.
TV on the Radio - Return to Cookie Mountain
Thursday, September 07, 2006
TV on the Radio is a New York City avant-garde indie-rock vocal band formed in
2001 whose music spans genres as diverse as free jazz, a cappella/doo-wop, psychedelia,
trip-hop and electro.
David Bowie guests on the highly-anticipated second LP (and major-label debut)from the distinctive NYC band.
Don't missed out this Pere Ubu,David Bowie influenced great band.MMRating:9/10
Modern Music Review
'I Was a Lover' opens 'Return to Cookie Mountain'(2006) with soul vocal combination with dirty sound loops.You can feel they're using augers on your head,one of the drastic work,also catching pianos feeding bland soul vocals.Song followed by the howl-along windswept pop of ’Hours’.
But this isn't so easy to dive in the sound of the album.Ready for a real Heart attaCk
with the song 'Province' which is a great definition for David Bowie's mature musical taste.
I described it as a heartattack because listening this song feel you to collect
multifarious colourful fruits from Tv on the radio's garden.Oh,i know it seems too atmospheric.
Following that 'Playhouses' crushing your brain powerful noisy guitars.Loud-soft
melody hold drives the song quickly and you're searching and willing to listen again.
Believe me,only the first four song of the album is a reason for eat this album.So,delicious..The taste which i haven't sampled this year.So that makes 'Return to Cookie Mountain' distinctive.
The other work 'Dirty Whirlwind' keeps guitar loops with unmelodious vocals telling stories while it's scraping some pleasent tunes into your brain.'Blues From Down Here' which is more David Bowie influenced song,and i think this song is another hit of album.'Tonight' can be described as an eletronic choir work,again there are noisy objects in it.
TV on the Radio have crafted a work of immense, cataclysmic, almost overwhelming power and righteous fire. Stylus Magazine
These genius guys are mixing lots of music samples without leaving sense of music.
To discover beaty of the sounds,you'll need to listen several times.And sure,that will
make 'Return to Cookie Mountain' one of your favorite album.
This is greatly influential album which can change the atmosphere
truly.Creative side of the record is really perfect.Also we can see how they improved and
brought more successfull sound effects from their previous work.Electro-punk tunes get you
instantly.If you love noisy cookies,then taste it.
MM picks:Province,Playhouses,Let the Devil In,Wash the Day Away
Official Website
TV on the Radio
Pere Ubu - Why I Hate Women
Wednesday, September 06, 2006
Rating:10/10
Modern Music Review
Musical creativity comes again with new Cleveland-based new wave band Pere Ubu release Why I Hate Woman after four years break St.Arkansas(2002).
Actually it's not a shame to say in a review,i really adore Pere Ubu,David Thomas and his musical taste.Pere Ubu's changings in their albums like butterflies which always have different colours.
They really make me surprise on every album because of their evolutions.
Their music isn't simple as the others do.You should spend your hours on their albums.But
the results make you smile that you think you find band of your life.
As you know previous albums Pennsylvania and St. Arkansas are quite succesful albums.
Why I Hate Woman doesn't break this rule,again a powerful,different,overwhelming LP stands front of you.
Opening track 'Two Girls (One Bar)' recall avant-garde post-Punk side of Pere Ubu.
David Thomas cryings,sound effects,fast bass guitar,resound of electric guitars,again it's hard
to describe their music...'Babylonian Warehouses',you can find emotional or insensitive too.
but it's obvious that it's not a song that you used to listen.Also song named 'Caroleen'
is a quite joyful punky composition.You can also hear full experimental tunes with songs
'Stolen Cadillac','Synth Farm'.
Top of senses:Blue Velvet,Synth Farm
I had missed this cute,weird vocal of David Thomas.I hooked up with 'Blue Velvet' and 'Mona' at my first listen and 'Love Song' is going to be my playlist on everyday.
Again and again their musical creativity is undiminished by time.That trembling vocals,solid guitars solos plus avan-garde tunes,but it's not enough to describe this album.You can't put labels some music like Pere Ubu's and it comes because of its naturalness and creativity.
When the subject is music actually reviews aren't such that important,so please listen albums
and make your own decisions about the artists.Post-punk is a really fascinating
style.Read the review for only love an album and don't forget that reviewers is
a people like you,you would agree that it's impossible to be perfectly objective
about music.it would be objective if it was writen by robots.So "Why I Hate Woman"
is really too precious for me,it's a masterpiece.
Honestly i can't say you'll definitely like "Why I Hate Woman" but I'm sure that you'll have
an experience that you didn't have before.
Ubu Projex (Official Site)
MM picks:Love Song,Mona,Stolen Cadillac
You may also like:
Red Krayola - Introduction (2006)
Sunset Rubdown - Shut Up I Am Dreaming
Monday, September 04, 2006
Rating:8/10
Sunset Rubdown’s music is lo-fi, shell-shocked, dissonant, and very reminiscent of David Bowie/Brian Eno’s post-apocalypse
fixation, circa Station to Station. The images and music that singer Spencer Krug has put to tape tell of futility and disconnectedness through his warbled, pained singing--a style that almost distracts too much from the music. It's similar to the way that Conor Oberst's rawness sometimes overwhelms Bright Eyes. However, there are standouts
like "I'm Sorry That I Sang on Your Hands That Have Been in the Grave," where a weirdlygorgeous meditation over a click-track coughs up a glimmering loneliness. On "The Men Are Called Horsemen There" glam and drama are dialed all the way up and mixed with a heavy
Spectorian wall of sound. "Shut Up I Am Dreaming of Places Where Lovers Have Wings" swirls with tension, then opens into an '80s New-Romantic sad dance party. Employing unusual instruments, off-kilter arrangements, and an all-around herky-jerky feel, the album is intriguing and unsettling, not unlike Krug’s other projects, Frog Eyes and Wolf Parade. Frog Eyes's The Bloody Hand(2006) can be noted as an alternative to 'Shut Up I Am Dreaming'.But this album seems contained more fun.
Sunset Rubdown seem intent on channeling early Gary Numan. Shut Up I Am Dreaming is pure bedroom art-pop with a thin Britpop glaze that is as poignant and self-effacing as it is self conscious and pretentious.
Fabulous melodies if you love Bonnie 'Prince' Billy,Arcade Fire,Wolf Parade you love Sunset Rubdown,that's for sure.
MM picks:The Empty Threats of Little Lord,Snakes Got a Leg
Listen:The Empty Threats of Little Lord
Also you may like:
Bonnie 'prince Billy - The letting go
What's hot on Modern Music
Welcome another new chart of MM.You can discover new great musics with this one.
Triffids - Born Sandy Devotional
Lonely Stretch
This song has darker melody than the others with its slow rhytims,dark melodies.Powerful,impresive lyrics along frightening backround music.I recommend you if you love dark musics.
The Seabirds
Backrounded melodic electric guitars,deep mature front vocals highlight features of the song.Austrian ban Trifids reminded me great emotional songs of Go-Betweens.
This song grows on you after several listening.Also considering vocals with Nick cave wouldn't be wrong.
Convent Walls (bonus track)
Another adult rock and alt.country balanced song of triffids with noticeable bass guitars.The song shines on you easly if you are like music of Go-betweens.
TV On The Radio - province
David Bowie's appearance and influence on Province is plain to see,with it being more Bowie than the Bowie of late. Wolf Like Me's incredibly hooky electro-punk is an obvious choice for the album's lead single.
More:
Jennifer- o connor promotional free songs on daytrotter
Free Songs: Bonnie Prince Billy
Upcoming Important Releases September
- Audioslave - Revelations 5 sep
- Junior Boys - So This Is Goodbye 12 sep
- The Mars Volta - Amputechture 12 sep
- Bob Seger - Face The Promise 12 sep
- TV On The Radio - Return To Cookie Mountain US release; already out in UK 12 sep
- Yo La Tengo - I Am Not Afraid Of You And I Will Beat Your Ass 12 sep
- Bonnie "Prince" Billy - Then The Letting Go 19 sep
- The Hidden Cameras - Awoo 19 sep
- Kasabian - Empire 19 sep
- Ben Kweller - Ben Kweller 19 sep
- Wolf Eyes - Human Animal 26 sep
- The Lemonheads - The Lemonheads 26 sep
The most probably this albums will be reviewed(or also reviewed) by Modern Music on future days.
What we recommends you to listen:
- New York Dolls
- Sleepy Jackson - Personality
- James dean bradfield - the great western
- Barry Adamson - stranger on the sofa
Junior Boys - So This Is Goodbye
Sunday, September 03, 2006
A Hamilton, Ontario-based electronic pop group, Junior Boys
began as a duo
with its duties split between Jeremy Greenspan and Johnny Dark. Influenced by a number of music sectors -- including arty synth pop, minimal techno,U.K. garage, and contemporary hip-hop.
Rating:9/10
Modern Music Review
After the first full-length release from the hard-to-pin down Canadian synth-pop
trio led by Jeremy Greenspan,they recorded a great electronic album "So This Is Goodbye"(2006).
This albums brings new pure electronic tunes combines with 80s miracle sounds.Wanderful Double Shadow including synth pop tunes,dance beats is a standout opening song.Vocalist Jeremy Greenspan who has a voice inluenced by David Sylvian(in particular 'When No One Cares') touches you and that really makes you to remember 80s necessary bands like Talk talk,japan,Visage,Soft Cell etc.
So This Is Goodbye is a work that exhibits a confident mix of focus,
clarity and ambition.This album emphasizes alternative dance,indie electronic and
also they use some exterimental materials adding more specific side to their music.
I apreciated that their songs have different tunes from beginning to end.First single "In The Morning" is one the most colourful and moving song of the album.The song 'So This Is Goodbye' has the same conservative loops and new romantic backround musics,affective subdued vocals,so it's plain to see effects on you.
'So This Is Goodbye' is a good balanced Junior Boys album.
First Impressions:Actually I've been listening David Sylvian's solo albums in these days,so if you are a Japan or David Sylvian fan you need to listen Junior Boys.I'm sure you like,having good time with this album.It reminded me brilliant synth-pop fashion which is left behind.
MM picks:When No One Cares, Double Shadow,The Equalizer
Also You May like:
David Sylvian - Approaching Silence
Band Site: www.juniorboys.net
