Cover #14 Wooden Shjips - Vampire Blues

Yes another Neil Young cover. Its something about the mans songs that lend them so well to be interpreted by others. And Wooden Shjips interoperate the song Vampire Blues in the only way they know how. It is hardly recognisable from the Neil Young original that’s on the On The Beach album. Though that’s a good thing because in truth the original is not too good. A lazy plodding blues arrangement with Young singing “I’m a vampire baby, sucking blood from the earth” over and over. Wooden Shjips speed it up and add their usual scuzz distortion to it.



Follow link to download Wooden Shjips - Vampire Blues from Box.net

Roll The Dice - In Dust

An album that’s been on heavy rotation for the past month or so is In Dust by the Stockholm duo Roll The Dice.
I don’t have a favourite album of 2011 because I’ve not heard all the albums from the year that I want to. Such as the new Black Keys album which I will get I will get very soon. But if I was made to write a list of what I heard in 2011 then In Dust would be right up there as a top contender.
Its electronic with a warm analogue sound, and although it has driving hypnotic rhythms there isn’t a beat in sight. Instead they rely on the sturdy bass lines and piano. That and synths underpinning and thickening out the dark and moody sound.

Follow link to download Roll The Dice - See You Monday from Box.com

Elbow - Cast Of Thousands

The last Elbow album Build A Rocket Boys! didn’t make it onto any end of year lists that I came across. Sure there were many great albums released last year that never came anywhere near a list but after the success of The Seldom Seen Kid the follow up was an anticipated realise.
For me I was hoping that after finding success and acclaim they might go into the studio and make a real interesting record like Asleep In The Back or Cast of Thousands. But I had a feeling that they would walk down the middle of the road to keep the new fans happy with a couple of epic uplifting songs that will be played over sporting montages.
And that’s what they did but with the bland button on the mixing desk turned on full.
I watched their Glastonbury performance on the TV and it was painfully bland. Plus does Guy Garvey have to have a laugh and joke with the audience between every song? Get the fuck on with it!
I’m being hard on them because I know they’re capable of great work. And for me their best is their second album Cast of Thousands.