Tag Archives: Album

Frankmusik – Do It In The AM (featuring bonus content!)

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Regular blog readers may know that I am something of a fan of Frankmusik! (especially his acoustic album, Completely Me).

I’ve just received the below press release to accompany the release of the new album, “Do It In The AM”, which was released today – and I thought I’d share with ya’ll.

It seems that by purchasing one album, you are actually, in effect getting two albums, by the way of all the additional bonus content! The first bonus track, ‘Listen To My Heart’ is fantastic in my opinion, and can be heard below (though you’ll have to purchase the album for the others!).

Do please check it out, I reckon it’s well worth your listen, and if you went and bought the album, let me know what you made of it! (I *heart* the artwork!) :D


FRANKMUSIK RELEASES NEW UNHEARD MATERIAL DIGITALLY FOR FANS THAT HAVE BOUGHT

SOPHOMORE ALBUM ‘DO IT IN THE AM’

‘The Voyage Collection’

Digital Only Album

Electro-pop songwriter and producer Vincent ‘Frankmusik’ Turner is proud to announce the VOYAGE COLLECTION.

In the run up to Christmas 2011, Frankmusik will be releasing one completely new track via his website www.frankmusik.com, with the first track debuting this Monday 26th September 2011 called ‘Listen To My Heart’.

Stream/listen/repost the track from here:

http://soundcloud.com/island-records-uk/frankmusik-listen-to-my-heart

Tracks will drop every Friday in the forthcoming weeks.

A suite of 13 songs, the bonus tracks will be a treasure trove for his fans.

They will be available to those who have bought the album either physically or digitally (both come with a unique activation code to a hidden part of www.frankmusik.com).

Fans can look forward to sparsely produced piano ballads to chipcore influenced production work-outs – all bearing Frankmusik’s distinctive melancholic futurism.

Vince says ‘I am happy to be giving away a selection of songs each week up until Christmas. These songs were chosen as a behind the scenes glance into what never makes the record. Enjoy the Voyage.’

Vince has also just been announced as the UK support to British electro-pop’s other Vince – Vince Clarke from Erasure. He’ll tour the UK with Erasure in October and November before heading out for a Canadian tour with his Cherrytree label mates LMFAO, Far East Movement, Natalia Kills, Rye Rye, My Name If Kay and Colette Carr in December (full listings below).

Erasure dates:
12 Oct 2011    Leicester, De Montfort Hall
13 Oct 2011    Glasgow, Academy
15 Oct 2011    Edinburgh, Corn Exchange
16 Oct 2011    Newcastle, Academy
17 Oct 2011    Grimsby, Auditorium
19 Oct 2011    Nottingham, Royal Concert Hall
20 Oct 2011    Manchester, Apollo
21 Oct 2011    Preston, Guildhall
23 Oct 2011    Wolverhampton, Civic
25 Oct 2011    London, The Roundhouse
26 Oct 2011    Southend, Cliffs Pavilion
28 Oct 2011    Southampton, Guildhall
29 Oct 2011    Bristol, Colston Hall
30 Oct 2011    Cardiff, St David’s Hall
1 Nov 2011      Cambridge, Corn Exchange
3 Nov 2011      Reading, Hexagon
4 Nov 2011      Brighton, The Dome

Cherrytree Canada dates:
13 Nov 2011    Quebec City,  Pavillion De La Jeunesse
14 Nov 2011    Toronto,  Air Canada Centre
15 Nov 2011    Montreal, Bell Centre
16 Nov 2011    Ottawa, Civic Centre Arena
14 Dec 2011    Winnipeg, MTC Centre
15 Dec 2011    Saskatooon, Saskatoon Prairieland Park
16 Dec 2011    Regina, Brandt Centre
20 Dec 2011    Calgary, Stampede Corral
21 Dec 2011    Edmonton, Rexall Place
23 Dec 2011    Vancouver, Pacific Coliseum


Patrick Wolf – Lupercalia

Fans of Patrick Wolf (I love him MUCHLY – he’s one of my all time top artists according to last.fm), may be very interested to hear that his latest album, Lupercalia (out to buy next week) is now available to listen via webstream, and for free! :D

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Just check out the link below to listen to the album:
Listen online for free / in advance - Patrick Wolf | Lupercalia
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There seems to be some fairly mixed opinion about the album from fans (with some thinking he’s gone a little too commercial / mellow, and others saying it’s his best work to date), however, I have to say that I really like elements of it… we’ve had Patrick being dark and broody (still arguably what he does best), and we’ve seen him be playful, but this album is (surprisingly?!) fresh in feel, light in sound, simplistic in imagery, awesomely loved up, jolly optimistic, and, all in all, a great summer release in my opinion!

If I am honest, I don’t think that it’s his best, which seems to be contrary to the message being peddled in all of the media at the moment (the rawness of The Bachelor made for outstanding material I thought), however, I do like that Patrick wears his heart on his sleeve when he writes, and I adore how personal his music always feels. This album doesn’t need to best, it simply needs to continue his story, which it definitely does. It’s nice to see that he (finally!) appears to be in such a positive, nice, mellow and fluffly place at the moment, to be honest! :D

Playing Devil’s advocate, it would, however, have been great to see what would have been had this album turned out to be The Conqueror (as intended – the follow-up to his 2009 album, The Bachelor – itself, part of a double album intended to be released in two stages, called Battle), I do hope that any songs that were written for The Conqueror but subsequently shelved as they weren’t right for Lupercalia do make an appearance at some point. Although conceptually The Conqueror was to be fairly similar in theme to Lupercalia, one does miss the Tilda Swinton bits and folklore which Patrick conjures up so well in The Bachelor. It would be great to see Battle completed one day!!

I’m even more excited at present, as I booked front row seated tickets this morning for Max and I to see the last night of his Lupercalia tour at London’s Roundhouse (being billed as a ‘grandiose performance’), and Patrick himself has this to say about the show:

“…after the party of festival season,
I want the Lupercalia Tour to be at the mercy of cupids arrows, that anyone
who comes to the show will fall in love or fall deeper in love with their lovers.
For domino dancers and hardcore romantics, a celebration of love and life”

Personally, I cannot wait – his live appearances are always stunning / leave me bouncing off the walls for weeks, and really do stick in my mind! :D

Love to hear what others think of the album, I am still crazy about The City, or from others who are going to the Roundhouse on 4th November!

Matthew Morrison & Gwyneth Paltrow – Somewhere Over The Rainbow

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This morning, I found myself inexplicably listening to the new Matthew Morrison solo album (which, to be fair, isn’t really a goer… it just sounds like yet another Glee album – he’s definitely been far too successful as Mr Schu!) – and amongst the people who he’s dueted with is the fabulous Gwyneth Paltrow!

Now, I know what you’re thinking, Somewhere Over The Rainbow has been covered like a ZILLION times, and by far more prolific people, and you’d be right -  however I really adore this version! They’ve taken the original, complete with opening lines, and mixed it with the Israel Kamakawiwo’ole version, and added a modern laid back twist with the guitars and come up with something that I think is, frankly, sensational!

Of course, since appearing in Glee, we’ve all known for a little while that Gwyneth Paltrow can sing, however without all the auto-tuning of Glee, and just hearing what seems to be a much more stripped back vocal – it does her voice even more justice – I really think she could easily have a singing career if she wanted one :D

Oh, and this being my blog, there was, of course, no way that I was going to disappoint you all by not including the below – perhaps one of the best reasons for liking Mr Morrison – and I’m not talking about those naff pants :P teehee!

REVIEW: Michael Bruce – Unwritten Songs

Today (21st March) marks the release of the debut album of music by composer Michael Bruce – a name familiar to many West End luvvies (and perhaps the only person to commercially re-arrange a Queen song to my satisfaction!!!).

I’m going to do a track by track review of the album (currently available in iTunes for £7.99 and if you follow the link you can preview each of the songs that I am discussing) but first here’s a little bit of artist blurb for your digestion:

Michael Bruce: Unwritten Songs
Studio Recording

Michael Bruce is the most commercially promising new composer of the last four decades. On his debut album Michael Bruce: Unwritten Songs, he is joined by a plethora of talent that encapsulates the future of the West End.

Michael Bruce: Unwritten Songs will feature Anna-Jane Casey,Avenue Q’s Julie Atherton and Paul Spicer, Wicked stars  Mark Evans, Alexia Khadime, Ashleigh Gray and Sarah Earnshaw,  award-winning West End favourite Daniel Boys, newly crowned Glinda in The Wizard of Oz Emily Tierney, Mamma Mia’s Alex Jessop, We Will Rock You’s Ross Hunter, Spring Awakening’s Charlotte Wakefield, ‘I’d Do Anything’ stars Sarah Lark (Oliver) and Jessie Buckley (A Little Night Music), and double Olivier Award nominee Michael Xavier (Love Story).

Michael Bruce is currently composing the music for the Sonia Friedman produced David Tennant and Catherine Tate star vehicle Much Ado About Nothing at the Wyndham’s Theatre, having recently written the score for Josie Rourke’s acclaimed production of Men Should Weep at the National Theatre. He is Resident Composer at London’s Bush Theatre and orchestrator of the current Confused.com TV ad campaign featuring the well-known songs Somebody to Love & Chain Reaction.

Michael Bruce: Unwritten Songs is produced by Neil Eckersley & Paul Spicer for Speckulation Entertainment, with musical direction and orchestrations by Michael Bruce.

So, without further ado, let this review commence! :D

1. Don’t Wanna Leave You Now – Ross Hunter

Gorgeous little love song, that starts off delicate and then surprisingly explodes into an amazingly sweet chorus – you’ll be humming this for weeks!! Ross Hunter’s voice adds a lot of optimism to the track and suits it perfectly!

2. Even Then – Paul Spicer

Lovely sweeping orchestral introduction, very classical sounding musical theatre song – think My Fair Lady, Kiss Me Kate and the like. Delightful!

3. I Want A Man – Sarah Lark & Sarah Earnshaw

Love, love, LOVE the sassy beat to this! Very ‘I’m going to wash that man right out of my hair’ – I was actually dancing around my bedroom and wiggling my bum around dangerously to this one!!! :P

4. Someplace Beyond The Moon – Charlotte Wakefield

Great to hear Charlotte Wakefield’s voice on this track, I love how dreamy the song is, and it’s so easy to get swept away by it and wrapped up / enveloped in it’s soaring orchestral refrains!

5. Money Honey – Mark Evans

I was totally drawn in and clicking along from the absolute first bar of this song, and adding in / riffing with my own ‘mmmm-ummms’ into this song – amazingly good! Smooth song that will have you gliding around your bedroom, I guarantee!

6. Continental – Emily Tierney

Song that INSTANTLY grabs your attention! hehe. Full of charm, wit, and has amazingly french/opera feel, and is completely JAM PACKED with character. Don’t even get me started on the high kicks that I was doing by the end hehe!

7. Away – Alex Jessop

Song that has a lot of atmosphere to it, very much like the piano, and guitar combination.

8. It’s Not Gonna Rain – Jessie Buckley

Delicate song, great to hear the stripped down piano and Jessie’s voice – very emotive!

9. The Musical Theatre Song – Anna-Jane Casey

From the opening piano scale, you just KNOW that this is going to be an amazing look back at the world that created it hehe! Very well done, and ‘unfortunately’ it sums us musical theatre enthusiasts up PERFECTLY hehe!!! :P Cooooommmmmpaaaaannnnnnaaaaaay!!!

10. My Kind Of World – Ashleigh Gray

Another ‘classic’ musical theatre sounding song – a good pace to it, you’ll find yourself humming along and doing quirky head moments at the little flute fancies heh.

11. Portait Of A Princess – Julie Atherton

AMAZING song! Great little parody of the Disney style princess gone bad/evil hehe. If you only listen to one song on the album… :D

12. Looking Back – Daniel Boys & Alexia Khadime

Fabulous duet, and again I am loving the piano on this track. Daniel and Alexia’s voices mesh very nicely and I loved how this song built up through to the end.

13. Unwritten Song – Michael Xavier

Total musical theatre song, and a really nice one at that! Nice way to finish the album off, with some great emotive vocals (especially when the song really gets going!!!).

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Fans of Portrait of a Princess will be thrilled to know that they’ve made a video for this track too (which is hilarious – check out my previous posting HERE) ^_^

Absolutely wicked to see our West End stars getting an opportunity to showcase their off-stage song talents to a potentially wider audience than the usual (but fabulous) late-night cabaret bar audiences alongside Michael Bruce’s truly amazing compositions/orchestrations.

I cannot recommend any more strongly that you should totally buy this album right now!!!! :D

Queen – Sheer Heart Attack (Remastered)

In celebration of the anniversary of 40 years of the awesome and iconic rock band, ‘Queen’ (my personal favourites!!), their new record label, Island Records, have decided to remaster all of the old albums and re-release them throughout the year.

A remastered ‘Sheer Heart Attack’ came onto Spotify today and, whilst you can never beat vinyl,  is WELL worth a listen if you want to hear a different side to Queen than you tend to hear during their more ‘popular’ / later stuff.

Stand out tracks include:

 

 

 

 

These two are perhaps some of the most randomly ‘not typically Queen’ sounding stuff that Queen ever released in my opinion – love the sound and vibe that they have!

 

The Temper Trap – Soldier On

The Temper Trap’s “Soldier On” was recently used in an episode of Neighbours (and, I am informed, Waterloo Road), and it’s instantly clicked with me – it’s caught me at a very appropriate time, and I’d go so far to say that this is perhaps my current favourite.

The track comes from The Temper Trap’s debut album “Conditions” (released in 2009) – well worth checking out. If you have Spotify, you can hear the album by clicking here.

Many people may also be familiar with their song “Sweet Disposition” – which, amongst other places, has been featured on the (500) Days of Summer soundtrack.

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Kylie Minogue – All The Lovers – Official Video

WOW, WOW, WOW, WOW!

Love it – super hawt video, loving that they’ve got so many gays in there (and kissing/touching too!) and that huge floating elephant (which I am still a little baffled about – though it is a white elephant, which has a lot of connotations of it being a personally valuable object (so maybe the whole video to Kylie?), as well as giving a sense of  justice and power to its owner (reflected in the themes of the video??) and peace and prosperity to those who saw it)

Without doubt one of my favourite Kylie videos!

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David Garrett – Smooth Criminal (Classical Cover)

It was only last night that I was tweeting about how much that I REALLY wanted someone to pull together a classical live performance / concept album of Michael Jackson songs that had been re-worked to be performed by a symphony orchestra or similar.

Yes, I am thinking rather like Metallica’s S&M album/performances, and I reckon that this is a very good example of how a reworking and addition of an orchestra can really make songs mind-blowingly awesome (whilst still retaining the greatness of the original)!

Since then, I’ve hit YouTube and seen many great classical versions of MJ songs, however German-American violinist David Garrett‘s Smooth Criminal really stood out for me!

Being the genius that he is… he already has a Michael Jackson medley too, which I reckon really shows off how well his songs lend themselves to this genre and that they would suit a concept enhancement with a larger group of instruments.

David Garrett’s official webpage can be found by clicking here. If you are interested in obtaining a copy of Smooth Criminal, it can be found on his 2008 album ‘Encore‘.

PS – you remember that I said at the top of the page that the S&M concept album was amazing for Metallica and was my thinking behind wanting something similar for MJ?… turns out Garrett has already covered one of my favourite Metallica songs too!

(here’s the version from the S&M performance… just so you get comparison of how good it sounds with a full symphony)

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Scissor Sisters – Fire With Fire

As previously blogged, I am a huge Scissor Sisters fan and really cannot wait for the new album and also the club tour that they’re doing in a few weeks.

The video for their first single from the new album, which will be ‘Fire With Fire’, has been released and I love it! :D

A quieter and more clothed Jake is surprisingly much hotter heh! ;)

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(500) Days of Summer – The Soundtrack

** For my review of the movie, please click here **

As mentioned in my blog post on the film (500) Days Of Summer – I absolutely love the soundtrack from this film and though that it suited the movie perfectly.

You can listen to the soundtrack on Spotify if you have it, otherwise I have linked to all of the songs as below – well worth checking out! :)

A Story Of Boy Meets Girl

Us – Regina Spektor

There Is A Light That Never Goes Out - The Smiths

Bad Kids – Black Lips

Please, Please, Please, Let Me Get What I Want – The Smiths

There Goes The Fear – The Doves

Sweet Disposition – The Temper Trap

Quelqu’un M’a Dit – Carla Bruni

Mushaboom – Feist

Hero – Regina Spektor

Bookends – Simon & Garfunkel

Vagabond – Wolfmother

She’s Got You High – Mumm Ra

Here Comes Your Man - Meaghan Smith

Please, Please, Please, Let Me Get What I Want – She & Him

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