Features//Musicians are hoping to score a new high

Given that rock music suffered its worst performing year for 50 years in 2010, there needs to be a new direction for their artists to find success. While most revenue will come via touring, the strain of doing so can take a while to overcome, therefore rock musicians need to find a new way to promote their music. They must just have found that with film scoring.

Fresh off Trent Reznor, of Nine Inch Nails fame, and Atticus Ross’ victory in the Best Original Score Oscar category for The Social Network, it has paved the way for more of rock’s finest to lend their musical talent to films. Their dark and somber theme sets the mood to the film, turning it into a more dramatic and key film, than the talkative tale it had threatened to be. Reznor’s involvement made such an impact, that he will once again team up with director David Fincher, to score the Hollywood remake of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, which is released in November.

Alex Turner is putting the return of Arctic Monkeys currently to the back burn, as he is set to release his first solo work on March 16, sound tracking Richard Ayoade’s debut feature film, Submarine. Ayoade, better known as Moss from The IT Crowd, had previously directed music videos for Turner’s band, including ‘Crying Lightning’ and ’Florescent Adolescent’ and the live DVD ‘Arctic Monkeys at the Apollo‘, as well as for Turner’s side-project with Miles Kane, The Last Shadow Puppets. Turner returns the favour with his bittersweet, mellow crooning, a perfect match for the film’s tales of romance and awkwardness, and a million miles away from Turner’s usual sneering and raucous rock band. It even helps that the film’s lead actor, Craig Richards, bears a striking resemblance to him.

Jonny Greenwood, the lead-guitarist for Oxford’s indie rock pioneers Radiohead, is also set to release solo material scoring the film Norwegian Wood. Its light, slow-paced acoustic sound is certainly unlike the new experimental Radiohead album, however this isn’t Greenwood’s first foray into movie sound tracking, as he did 2007’s There Will Be Blood. There, his orchestral sound is never relegated to background of the film, and it plays an integral part in building the film’s atmosphere.

Daft Punk have also been busy scoring, as they recently sound tracked the Disney film ‘Tron: Legacy.’ The French dance-punk duo created a roaring, electronic theme for the movie, which has proved so popular there is a remix album coming out in April, featuring the likes of Moby and Paul Oakenfold.

Whilst these four have been at the forefront, there have been other rock musicians recently getting their sound across through movies. Arcade Fire’s husband and wife duo of Win Butler and Régine Chassagne scored the film The Box in 2009, the guitar work on the Oscar-nominated score for Inception, was none other than Johnny Marr, Badly Drawn Boy did About a Boy and Elliott Smith contributed heavily to Good Will Hunting. It is a more clinical aspect of a film to use musicians to score and soundtrack the movie, as opposed to dumping a few hit songs on a soundtrack, regardless of how affective or relevant they are to the actual movie.

So in the coming years, Hollywood blockbusters could compulsorily include rock musicians writing the soundtrack, alongside their A-lister actors, directors and expensive sets.

Seen It>>Surfer Blood at Scala - 09.03.2011

With recent rays of sunshine gripping the nation, that means summer is once again on its way, and who better to bring summer closer than Surfer Blood. The Floridians from West Palm Beach brought their grungy-lo-fi tales of summer and youth to warm up the evening.

The Scala is a very intimate venue, that rewards enthusiastic crowds, however at the front of the stage, the crowd is anything but up for the gig. Whether that is the fault of the band or the fault of the crowd is had to see. Having seen Surfer Blood twice before, the crowd were less than enthusiastic, however back then they were playing at a festival and as a support band.

While the album is drenched in reverb, live their songs are not, and in an atmospheric venue, unfortunately their songs fail to match the atmosphere. Opener 'Floating Vibes' however oozes with bass and has members of the crowd starting to liven up, while flamboyant frontman John Paul Pitts begins twirling around the stage, he seems to be the only stage presence and comfortbale live member the band have unfortunately. The rest, including birthday boy (as we're told non-stop by Pitts) guitarist Kevin Williams, who seems to be scared by the crowd, whilst the replacement bassist doesn't seem happy to be there.

However the crowd fail to lift up, especially after 'Take It Easy,' 'Twin Peaks' and 'Catholic Pagans,' though once 'Swim' appears the crowd begin to liven up, suggesting that the majority of the hipster crowd only turned up for this song. Without the reverb, however the song seems to lacking something, but Pitts' shouty voice doesn't fill in.

Overall, it was quite a dissapointing show, especially as I like the Scala as an intimate venue and I liked 'Astro Coast.' Maybe with a new album in tow, things will pick up.

Setlist:
Floating Vibes
Twin Peaks
Harmonix
Take It Easy
Fast Song
Catholic Pagans
Neighbour Riffs
I'm Not Ready
Swim
Encore:
New Song
Fast Jabroni
Anchorage

Seen It>>Rock Sound Exposure Tour at Relentless Garage - 24.02.2011

The London leg of Rock Sound's Exposure Tour rolled into town, with The Xcerts, Japanese Voyeurs and Dinosaur Pile-Up on the bill. They were here to show that all good things come in threes, and that turned to be the case.

Opening up with The Xcerts. Hailing from Aberdeen, the trio had a large army of fans in the venue cheering them on and signing along to every word. Their set was dedicated to their second album 'Scatterbrains', which was released to positive reviews in 2010. Their grungy-pop punk had everyone head banging along, with frontman Murray MacLeod's floppy hair regularly joining in too. For the opening band, they seemed to be the most popular, something you don't see everyday, and they would be hard to top.

Next up was Japanese Voyeurs. I didn't know much about them and wasn't sure what to expect from their set. At times it was a frustrating listen, vocalist Romily Alice's voice was hard to understand, sounding like a squealy American, and hard to hear, which was off-putting. It wasn't all bad though. They had some foot-stomping grungy anthems and the sight of Metal-dressed keyboardist Rich Waldron head banging throughout was an enjoyable sight.

Finally, headlining were Leeds trio Dinosaur Pile-Up. Bringing back 90s grunge, fusing elements of early Weezer and Foo Fighters, this show promised to be epic. And it was just that. A large mosh pit centred in the middle began along with opener 'Barce-Loner', before the cheers grew louder with 'Opposites Attract' and single 'Mona Lisa.' They new song 'Should' slowed the pace down dramatically, but all that was forgotten when Matt Bigland broke into anthem 'My Rock 'N Roll', where the pit grew larger, with bassist Harry Johns entering the crowd during 'Traynor'. The Dinosaurs put on an epic show, and showed that dinosaurs are certainly not extinct, but as alive as ever.

Seen It>>Cold War Kids at Koko - 23.02.2011

Returning to the UK for the first time in over two years, Long Beach-based Cold War Kids played to a sellout crowd at Camden's Koko venue.

In light of the newly-released album, 'Mine Is Yours', opting for a more 'arena' sound, it's evident that the large, upward venue should play host to the band. Nathan Willett's vocals certainly soar all the way to the top of the venue, and newer songs such as 'Royal Blue', 'Louder Than Ever', 'Skip The Charades' and 'Cold Toes On The Cold Floor', plus 'Audience' (from 'Behave Yourself' EP) were certainly recorded to get this effect from a venue.

It's obvious to say that older classics were treated with the most cheers, particluarly 'Hang Me Up To Dry', 'Hospital Beds' and 'We Used To Vacation.' They certainly didn't look out of place within the venue and the arena sounding, with the crowd in full voice throughout, marking the echoing vocals of Willett. Whilst finishing track 'Saint John' saw Willett into the crowd and enjoying himself and probably the band's return to the Capital, as he mentioned several times about how they had wanted to.

Whilst the older songs were greeted with the most cheers, still the crowd sang along to every word from the new album and seeing it live seem to make me enjoy it even more. A great return for the Kids, who will no doubt (and hopefully!) be back again soon.

Setlist:
Royal Blue
Finally Begin
Mexican Dogs
Red Wine, Success!
Skip The Charades
Hang Me Up To Dry
Dreams Old Men Dream
Louder Than Ever
Cold Toes On The Cold Floor
Audience
Bulldozer
Hospital Beds
Santa Ana Winds
Encore:
I've Seen Enough
Goodnight Tennesse
We Used To Vacation
Saint John

The Strokes comeback leaves more to be desired

As you may have heard, The Strokes launched their return to the music world, with a sneak preview into their new album, "Angels" due March 22, via the song 'Under Cover of Darkness.'

Despite the commotion and excitment this release caused, the end product is not probably what we were hoping for. Whlist it starts decent, it seems to decend into a 'Is This It' filler track, as the band seem to want to return to that sound, as opposed to launching a different and relentless assualt on the stale, state of rock music today. Unfortunately it isn't the big return many were hoping for, and suggests the comeback won't be as good as promised.

Also, what the heck has happened to Julian's voice??!

Reviews>>Cold War Kids - Mine Is Yours (V2)

Back in late 2006, a band appeared from Fullerton, California, setting the blogosphere alight with their bluesy indie rock tunes. Following the release of highly-regarded debut 'Robbers & Cowards' in January 2007, Cold War Kids unfortunately have yet to recreate that momentum.

While follow up 'Loyalty to Loyalty' recieved warm reviews, it didn't recreate the same mainstream breakthrough, and after touring for the last two years, Cold War Kids return with their third album, 'Mine is Yours.'

Cold War Kids teamed up with Kings of Leon producer Jacquire King to part-record the album in Tennesse, and certain 'arena' sounds are included on this album. Title track 'Mine is Yours' and 'Louder than Ever' are evidence of this new arena, blues rock the Kids seem to be aiming towards.

However, it's not all one way traffic. 'Royal Blue' and 'Sensitive Kid' are Cold War Kids at their best, particularly the former; fast paced percussions and soaring guitar solos, definately the album's highlight. 'Skip The Charades' is also heartbreaking, mellow piano riffs that will probably be the sound track to Grey's Anatomy and other hosipital dramas.

The arena sound certainly suits frontman Nathan Willett's ranging soul vocals, he sounds as they he's been long waiting to express himself to such levels. The 80s sounding percussions also bring the Kids a new dimension.

Overall, it's not a bad return, however anyone hoping for another 'Robbers & Cowards, will be disappointed.

6.5/10

A-Z of 2011

A is for Animal Band Names//Foals, Pulled Apart By Horses, Dinosaur Pile Up, Chickenhawk all had big years in 2010, so expect more new bands naming themselves after the animal kingdom.
B is for Brother//Seen as the next big thing by anyone from the NME to XFM, the Slough foursome want to bring lad-rock back to the mainstream. Despite a lack of originality and talent, expect to see them everywhere in 2011, mainly as their lead singer Leonard Newell won't shut up and considers himself as the new Liam Gallagher.
C is for Comebacks//Expect 2011 albums after long absenses from The Strokes, Beastie Boys, The Shins, Foo Fighters, Blink 182, Cold War Kids, Queens of the Stone Age, whilst also on the comeback trail are Arctic Monkeys, with their fourth album due around September.
D is for Dave Grohl//Foo Fighters frontman has had fans wetting their lips about their new album, after describing it is a "massive sound." Expect a big year for the Foos.
E is for El Scorcho//Will Weezer be bringing their 'Memories' tour to the UK in 2011? If there's a God, yes. If not, we can do with a Kings of Leon tour instead.
F is for Festivals//Yet again festivals will be eagerly anticipated, from hearing new bands, to long-awaited comebacks and to the best contemporary stars. With Glastonbury taking a year break in 2012 and Reading celebrating a 40 year anniversary, expect some big names appearing.
G is for Great Escape Festival//The annual pilgrimmage to Brighton will uncover the next big things in Britsh, and around the world, indie and alternative music. Last years line-up included the likes of Ellie Goulding, Pulled Apart By Horses and Young Guns.
H is for Hype//Once again the NME and BBC's Sound of 2011, has determined which bands are set to be heard non-stop in 2011. So far, the list doesn't inspire anything new or exciting in the music world, however their hype will no doubt overwhelm their talent.
I is for Iron Maiden//New tour underway in the summer, a comeback album on the horizon, and perhaps a Reading and Leeds headline spot?
J is for Jessie J//Love her or hate her, and I'm certainly leaning towards the latter, expect her to be everywhere this year. Surely the results of when N-Dubz and Lady Gaga had a child, unfortunately she's one of the those bugs you can't flick away.
K is for Kings of Leon//No Doubt, the brothers (and cousin) Followill will be one of the most played and talked about artists of 2011. It is their first UK stadium tour after all, even if they are massive, massive sellouts.
L is for Libertines//After a storming comeback at Reading and Leeds, and a less than impressive Carl Barat solo effort, they could be the next band to announce a reunion and maybe a few tour dates too.
M is for Mona//Seen as the replacement to Kings of Leon's bland, stale, arena rock, the Nashville foursome create a mixture of 50s rock n roll, QOTSA riffs, KOL basslines and the soul of Gaslight Anthem. Not original, however they are a refreshing change to the arena sound which has gone stale recently.
N is for New Jersey//After excellent albums in 2010 from local lads The Gaslight Anthem and Titus Andronicus, who will be the next band from The Boss' hometown to produce a gem in 2011?
O is for Overseas Festivals//Anyone who isn't interested in seeing the best of Blighty's festivals, is inclined to go and see a festival abroad. Most line-ups are already filling up, Benicassim in Spain, Hurricane/Southside in Germany and Coachella in California already look to be epic.
P is for Political//With the upcoming royal wedding and the Coalition government doing their best to outshine Margaret Thatcher, expect a host of political, angry music to explode back onto the scene this year. Johnny Rotten talking about a Sex Pistols comeback? Well, he had to try and get his nose in front of everyone else.
Q is for Queens of the Stone Age//Homme and the boys are set to release a new album this year, which will probably (hopefully!)mean UK tour dates again and maybe another festival apperance, after their storming set at Reading and Leeds last year. Welcome back lads.
R is for Reading and Leeds//Pulling Weezer, Arcade Fire and The Libertines, out of, it seems, nowhere, who will Melvin be unveiling to shock in March? Beastie Boys? The White Stripes? Iron Maiden? 30 Seconds to Mars? (ahem..)
S is for Soundtracks//With more big name movies arriving in 2011, there will be another batch of movie soundtracks coming along. Expect Muse to be at the forefront of another woeful, wet Twilight soundtrack. Jared Leto will probably be sticking his oar into a soundtrack, too.
T is for Theatre//The new way to get your music out there seems to be the theatre way, U2 writing the Spiderman musical, Green Day writing American Idiot, who will jump on the bandwagon in 2011? The Rolling Stones? Muse? Probably.
U is for U2//With Bono back to full health, an expected Glastonbury appearance and a new album in the wings, it means we'll have to put up with U2 all year.(Yay!)
V is for Vaccines//The Vaccines are another band listed to watch this year. Blending a mould of The Courteeners and Editors, sounds terrible, but someone's gotta like it? Haven't they?
X is for X Factor challenge//Simon Cowell's money juggernaunt will be back again and chasing the Christmas number one with their inferior, mediocre cover of a decent track. So therefore once again a Facebook-led rebel campaign will be underway. After Jeff Buckley in 2008, Rage Against The Machine in 2009 and The Trashmen in 2010, 2011 is open to ideas.
Y is for Yuck//Yuck by name, but certainly not by nature. Expect them to be big by the end of the year.
Z is for Z-List//Expect to see more bands on the Z-list (think Guns N' Roses) announce a comeback this year, hoping to gain the type of money they no longer see.