The Cold Cut

Once again, I have learnt one of the simple truths of blogging. It's unpredictable! The popularity of a post is often unrelated to its length or quality: sometimes posts which I rattle out in five minutes are popular, whereas those which I labour over barely get off the ground. I'm not worried, but I think its time for this blog to get back to normal, and stop worrying about my content and hits.
Coldplay's 'Viva La Vida Or Death And All His Friends' (pre-order here) is on the verge of a full leak: the bands management have done well thus far: the three leaked tracks have all been very low quality, and in 'Lost's case, not the version that will appear on the album (early verdict says the album version is much superior, with an organ backing). However, one more track has appeared on the web. Again, the version is fairly low quality, but represents another valuable peak at the album nonetheless. 'Lovers In Japan/Reign Of Love' is another nice combo, in keeping with 'Viva La Vida's sound. The album is garnering mostly positive early reviews: the generally negative NME gave it 8/10, which bodes well.

Coldplay recently announced their UK tour dates, which are as follows. Unfortunately, the US tour is taking preference, which rules the band out of most of the UK festivals. The UK tour commences in December.

Coldplay- Lovers In Japan/Reign Of Love (Link 2)

1/12/08 - Birmingham, NIA
2/12/08 - Birmingham, NIA
5/12/08 - Glasgow, SECC
6/12/08 - Glasgow, SECC
7/12/08 - Sheffield, Arena
10/12/08 - Liverpool, Echo Arena
11/12/08 - Manchester, MEN Arena
12/12/08 - Manchester, MEN Arena
14/12/08 - London, O2 Arena
15/12/08 - London, O2 Arena

Sigur Ros have always been bonkers. However, just as with Bjork, their loopiness adds to their music, rather than detracting from it. Never has this been more clear than with their latest track, Gobbledigook.

Sigur Ros- Gobbledigook (Link 2)

Weezer's new album leaked last week. It's not as bad as early reviews stated, but also not as great as some fans hoped. The few high spots are a milestone for the band: a handful of songs are the best material recorded since 'Pinkerton'. Which is great. Best of all is the album closer 'The Angel And The One', which sits apart from the rest of the album. Why? Because it's sincere... 'Pork And Beans' is fun, sure, but sometimes I enjoy the more heartfelt Weezer which rarely surfaces.

Weezer- The Angel And The One (Link 2)



Weezer have also made a huge impact with their new video for 'Pork And Beans'. The video has the band performing the song, alongside many internet sensations and meme's. A few notable cameos include Tay Zonday, Mentos/Coke and Chris Crocker. Some might question why these people would ridicule themselves in such a way, but in the end, this video gives them what they want: a slight extension to their 15 minutes. It's a genius move by Rivers and co- Weezer are relevant again. 4 million views and counting...

I wasn't aware of Ratatat until their logo flashed across my screen whilst flicking through another blog. It's throwback, and instantly reminded me of Thundercats and Transformers. It was a bit of a bonus, then, that their music is also worth the time. Shiller is

Ratatat- Shiller (Link 2)

Immuzikation is making serious moves. I'm still not entirely sure how this guy mashes the songs so quickly- yesterday he sent me two quality tunes, one arrived this morning and I'm expecting more today. Just a quick drop- I seriously recommend you download his new uber mash-up: 'And Her Sisters'. It's 25 minutes long, encompasses well over 20 songs and moves seamlessly through genres and styles. Download, below. Will re-upload later today...

Immuzikation- And Her Sisters

Everybody Nose- CRS/Pusher T (Official Remix) (Link 2)

Oh yes. CRS have seriously proven themselves. Transforming a piece of coal into a diamond is a neat trick, and the strength of these three artists is unbelievable. 'Us Placers' was a brilliant piece of artistry, with a nice sample, good verses and, if this any indication, just a hint at what this trio is capable of.

In the hands of Child Rebel Soldier, N.E.R.D's 'Everybody Nose' takes on a new meaning, and a much darker disposition. The main thing this proves is that Pharrell is a much more formidable artist when coupled with Kanye and Lupe. Further to this, it's nice to see that the song's subtext actually involves cocaine, not waiting in queues at clubs, a fact which didn't come across in the original.

Usher- Love In This Club (MSTRKRFT Remix) (Link 2)
MSTRKRFT have also pulled one out of the bag, with a bottom heavy remix of Usher's 'Love In The Club'. A song like this should require a light touch, but MSTRKRFT have taken the opposite approach, bucking and beating the trend. This really proven their status as kings, transforming the originally slight track into something far more weighty.

Fish Tacos- Immuzikation Blend (Link 2)

This guy is a machine. Every email from Alfredo Lapuz Jr. starts with 'just got back from work, and put this together'. If that's the case, then he's a genius, gluing together random songs to create something entirely original. If you don't believe me, check out 'Fish Tacos', effectively a remix of 'Viva La Vida' blending in Weezer, Cut Copy, The Blow, M.I.A. and Reading Rainbow. I wasn't won over by the prospect of that many songs stuffed into one track, but this is the sign of a true master. He pulls it off effortlessly.

Visit Immuzikation's Myspace.

I must apologise for not being able to reply to your comments: it's out of my hands. My school has blocked my blog, for some ridiculous reason, apparently 'pornography', or so the filter says. Anyway, I can't see, read, or comment on my blog: I am solely limited to posting and reading your comments through my email account. Anyway, there has been so much unbelievably catchy and amazing music recently, so here's me scratching the surface. If anything goes drastically wrong, be sure to let me know.

Regardless, I can continue to blog, so here is a comprehensive list of the great music released over the last few months.

Discuss: Can you name the best new band at the moment?

Coldplay- Viva La Vida (Link 2)
My faith is restored. Coldplay have really outdone themselves here: 'Viva La Vida' is superior to 'Violet Hill' in every respect, even on the first spin... and who knows how dear it could become many more plays? Epic strings, no audible piano, and a sound that wouldn't fit anywhere smaller than a stadium. This is the 'new' version of Coldplay I was expecting.

The National- Mansion On The Hill (Live Bruce Springsteen Cover) (Link 2)
In my honest opinion, The National are one of the best American bands out there. 'Boxer' and 'Alligator' are work-horses, giving and giving, and I've been waiting for a new track for ages. This more than justifies the wait, even if it is a cover...

Phantom Planet- Raise The Dead (Link 2)
Phantom Planet- Do The Panic (Link 2)
Wow... Now this, I really wasn't expecting. Remember 'California'? Of course you do... well, it seems in the time between the O.C.'s expiration and the present, Phantom Planet have been busy. Busy rebuilding their image, that is, from a teen pop group into an Americanised Arcade Fire. This is a much more mature and developed packaged than they previously offered.

Madonna- Miles Away (Link 2)
I've said more than enough about Madonna...

Busta Rhymes- We Made It (Ft. Linkin Park) (Link 2)
Busta Rhymes- Don't Touch Me (Throw Da Water On Em') (Link 2)
Busta Rhymes always works best when backed up by a wacky, overblown beat. Surprisingly, he eschews that route here, instead opting to blend rock and hip hop. Sounds rubbish, doesn't it? Sometimes, the most grating of combinations produce miracles (see DNA- hint 'keeping it in the family').

His other track- 'Don't Touch Me'...-is classic Busta- balls to the wall, high octane verses, with barely time to breath. And in true fashion, he really pulls it off.

The Ting Tings- Shut Up And Let Me Go (Link 2)
How time flies. Last time I posted about these guys, they were just getting off the ground after releasing 'Great DJ'. And now, they going stellar, after Apple featured them in their new iPod adverts. A little face might be saved by the fact that the song used- 'Shut Up And Let Me Go'- isn't their best, and thus they will always have a crowd pleaser ('That's Not My Name') for the end of their sets that hasn't been 'played to death'.

Weezer- Pork And Beans (Link 2)
Okay, so I'm a few weeks late on this one, but sometimes I can't go without posting a good track. Classic Weezer, plain and simple.

Santogold- I'm A Lady (Link 2)
Santogold- Say Aha (Link 2)
Santogold really crept up on me. To be honest, I didn't give her the time of day, until I saw her album art. For some strange reason, that gold sprinkle effect triggered a fond memory of my childhood and I was instantly won over. Simply put, Santogold is doing for rock and dub what M.I.A. did for hip hop and dancehall, blending cultures, styles and genres into a accesible music.

Metro Station- Shake It (Link 2)
The first time I heard this, I found myself retching at the cheesiness. However, as I walked away from my room, the chorus: 'Shake, shake, shake, shake... I shake it' played over and over in my mind. Really, though, Metro Station need to work out who they are- cheesy American poppers or something a little bit deeper? My money is on the latter; a rebranding (and re-titling- terrible) could be in order.

Lil' Wayne- A Millie (Link 2)
A new TV advertisement proclaims Lil' Wayne as 'the most controversial man in America'. I sincerely doubt this, but you cannot knock him for his cojones. His new album, 'Tha Carter III' is widely expected to be an opus, led comfortably by his first number 1 single, 'Lollipop'. Genius artwork, too- Wayne mimics both Notorious B.I.G. and Nas by using a baby photo as his album cover (a metaphor Wayne? Deep...). We all know Wayne thinks he's great, but soon, we might just have proof.