Friendly Fires-Kiss Of Life video

Friendly Fires return with another addictive single called Kiss Of Life out on XL Recordings on August 28th. It certainly has all things summery about it and the wonderfully picturesque video will have you dreaming of the wonderful sunshine we had about a month ago.

It's been a great week for Friendly Fires after receiving their first Mercury Music Prize nominations for their self titled debut, however Kiss Of Life is not included on the album. It should do pretty well as a stand alone single after the fantastic reception it received at Oxegen a couple of weeks back and Ed's dancing would put anyone in a good mood.

Murcof-The Versailles Session: Album Review

Hear the name 'Fernando Corona' and you could be forgiven for thinking of some embarrassing middle aged Spanish crooner who is busy working some West Indies cruise line, not a master of dark, atmospheric and minimal electronica.

If you're a fan of the former, stop reading now because that ship has sailed. If however, you are taken by moody soundscapes and the minimal blips and bleeps of modern electronica then Mr Corona, or Murcof as he is better known, is simply unmissable.

Inspired by contemporary composers such as Arvo Part and other minimalists who went before, Murcof combines a simplistic blend of samples and glitchy electronic beats usually positioned across long industrial drones.

This will not be for everyone though. Those who prefer the sort of minimalism found in the likes of the Detroit/Berlin techno scene's and in the works of Mills, Hawtin et al may find the soundscapes of Mr Corona a tad sparse. Although these glitchy beats do at times reach crescendo's of high rhythmic patterns, they do again quickly fall away into some obscure sampled piano loop or machine like drone which gently drains into the next track.

For those lovers of something a little more obscure, you know, the people who rate the Eraserhead score as a piece of inspired genius (Myself included), Murcof will read more like Mozart.
His latest offering, although differing from previous albums, will sit nicely in any good collection.
The Versailles Sessions was especially commissioned for the grand evening fountain display in the Jardin Du Roi at Les Grandes Eaux Nocturnes, an annual festival of sound, light and water at Château de Versailles in France. And it is only in such a grand setting can his work be truly appreciated, as royalty of experimental electronica.

His latest offering, despite differing from previous albums, will sit nicely in any good collection.

Review By Patrick Fennelly

Messiah J and The Expert live this Saturday @ The Academy

It has been an excellent 8 or so months for the Mjex boys since the release of their 3rd LP, From The Word Go on their own Inaudible Records. Not only have they achieved nominations for The Choice Music Prize and The Meteors, but they also won the album of the year gong on Entertainment.ie, they have completed two nationwide tours, performed on a tonne of radio shows as well as on the Other Voices program on RTE and covered many newspaper and magazine inches, all applauding a fine Irish album.
This Saturday March 28th sees them return to Dublin for a special show @ The Academy with support on the night coming from Le Galaxie and Halfset.
This is in my opinion is what Messiah J and The Expert do best, a stunning live show erupting with energy and vigour that entices the excitement from your very core.

Tickets are a steal at €14.45 so go grab one and see you down the front.
Photo courtesy of Hazel Fitzpatrick. The girl is good. Click on her name to see her excellent work.

Jape 's Ritual claims this years Choice Music Prize!

Congratulations to Jape on nabbing this years Choice Music Prize. He was announced winner at the Choice ceremony last night in Vicar Street, Dublin. Ritual was nominated amongst some fantastic Irish releases this year and it must have been a tough decision for those involved to make when choosing album of the year. Congrats to Richie on his win and I think only good things can come of it. I am sure if you head over to Jim Carroll's blog it will be full of last nights highlights.

The Choice Music Awards 2009

So this years nominations for the Choice Music prize have just been announced and since 2008 was one helluva year for strong Irish releases, I don't envy being a judge with this years album line up.

So here goes:

Fight Like Apes-Fight Like Apes & The Mystery Of The Golden Medallion
The Script-The Script
Mick Flannery-White Lies
RSAG Organic Sampler
Halfset-Another Way Of Being There
Oppenheimer-Take The Whole Mid-Range And Boost It
Messiah J And The Expert-From The Word Go
Jape-Ritual
David Holmes-The Holy Pictures
Lisa Hannigan-Sea Sew

Hmm I think I will get on to paddy power and see what are on offer!

Okay it took me a while to compile my top 20 albums but I eventually got there.

Late Of The Pier - Fantasy Black Channel
Why? - Alopecia
The Last Shadow Puppets - The Age Of The Understatement
Metronomy - Night Out
Friendly Fires – Friendly Fires
Messiah J And The Expert - From The Word Go
Barry Lynn - Balancing Lakes
Mystery Jets - Twenty One
MGMT - Oracular Spectacular
Jamie Lidell - Jim
Vampire Weekend - Vampire Weekend
Neon Neon - Stainless Style
Fleet Foxes - Fleet Foxes
Roots Manuva - Slime & Reason
Cut Copy - In Ghost Colours
Hot Chip - Made In The Dark
Does It Offend You Yeah? - Have No Idea What You Are Getting Yourself Into
Elbow - The Seldom Seen Kid
Midnight Juggernauts - Dystpoia

Picks of 2008 by Cookie

Cookie's 2008 favourites are;

Why? - Alopecia

Subtle - Existing Arm

Portishead - Third

Notwist - The Devil, You And Me

Flight Of The Conchords - Flight Of The Conchords

Gang Gang Dance - St Dymphna

Boduf Songs - How Shadows Chase The Balance

Lambchop - OH (Ohio)

Deerhoof - Offend Maggie

Bonnie Prince Billy - Lie Down In The Light

Pick's of 2008 by Paddy

My Albums of 2008 are in no particular order but go something like this;

Opeth - Watershed

Johann Johannsson - Fordlandia

Bohren & der Club of Gore - Dolores

Bloodbath - Fathomless Mastery

Beck - Modern Guilt

MGMT - Oracular Spectacular

Earth - The Bees Made Honey In The Lion's Skull

Asva - What You Don't Know Is Frontier

Venetian Snares - Detrimentlist

Lustmord - Other