Tagged by the lovely Vicki over at EllieBearBabi BLOG - and whilst I am at it, why not have a read of my review of her lovely nursing scarf HERE -
I have been challenged to put together my Ultimate Summer Driving Playlist!
So I set myself this challenge, I've chosen ten songs that I absolutely love listening to on a roadtrip - be warned though readers, my taste in music is leftfield to say the least. Funnily enough I was just having a conversation with my friend the other day about the importance of music. I see music as a powerful sense, that can evoke emotions and memories. I have so many artists who have really shaped the soundtrack to my life - but that's for another time and there are far too many to go in this list! So here is just a snippet of my musical tastes, I hope you enjoy!
10. Dead Sons -Gasoline
Dead Sons are undoubtedly one of my favourite bands around at the moment. I've followed their career since they reformed from the ashes of The Backhanded Compliments in 2010 and I was lucky enough to see them a few times when I lived in London. They have since evolved into
ultimate dirty rock 'n' rollers and their latest single, 'Gasoline' is just one in a long line of brilliant offerings. They're unsigned right now, but if they ever make it big, you heard it here first!
9. Duran Duran - Hold Back The Rain
I am GEEK GIRL CRAZY about Duran Duran and this song, the original B Side to Save a Prayer, is one of my absolute favourites. Whenever I hear Hold Back The Rain, it reminds me of dancing around with my Mum when I was little and of reliving those childhood moments when we went to see Duran Duran on their reunion tour in 2005. Nothing quite beats the rumbling drum beats and typical 80s crescendo!
8. Kasabian - Take Aim
It is near enough impossible to choose my favourite Kasabian song as I'm obsessed with everything these guys do! West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum is one of my favourite albums. I love the concept and 'stories' behind each song and Take Aim has always been a stand out track when watching them live. There is something truly sinister and beautiful about this song, Serge's vocals are absolutely spot on and the accompaniment is really atmospheric.
7. Robyn - Indestructible
Robyn's sound is somewhat unique to much of my music collection, but I love her style and her album, 'Bodytalk' has swiftly become one of the CDs I like to dance around to with Little D.
Indestructible is a fast, euro-pop, stand-out track from the album - euphoric club sounds and heartfelt lyrics all rolled into one!
6. Marilyn Manson - Lunchbox
Confession time! I'm a HUGE Marilyn Manson fan (don't worry - not in front of the baby)! I worshipped him when I was a 16 year old goth and his music really reminds me of some of the happiest times in my young life! This is from his very first album, Portrait of an American Family, it's really raw and under-produced, the lyrics just sum up what he's about and I find it really empowering! (Warning: Explicit Content)
5. Lana Del Rey - Summertime Sadness
Lana is one of my top acts from the last year. Her voice seemed to calm Little D when I was pregnant and I had her album on near enough repeat throughout my final trimester. I find her voice and retro influence really haunting and beautiful.
Picking out a song was hard, but Summertime Sadness is such an atmospheric track and really shows off Lana's vocal talent
4. Stevie Wonder - I Was Made To Love Her
I was lucky enough to see Stevie Wonder in concert in 2008 and I think he truly is one of the most iconic singers of the last century. I love most of his music, but some of his earlier songs, like this one, are really uplifting and upbeat. His vocal talent remains unmatched and his unwavering enthusiasm for what he does is truly inspiring. Stevie would just have to make an appearance in my driving playlist.
3. Fleetwood Mac - The Chain
And no, not just because it's the F1 music! Mr Peachy and I LOVE Fleetwood Mac, particularly the very early stuff. I actually love the first section of The Chain, the slower singing section, which then builds to a crescendo topped off with THAT familiar bassline. Fleetwood Mac's music is so emotive, amidst the personal issues within the band that seem so relevant to their sound, this is such a great sing-a-long (and air-bass-a-long) on a roadtrip!
2. Ash - Goldfinger
Ash were probably the first 'indie' band I got into, when a friend of mine recorded a selection of music from her 'Now' album (I'm thinking probably Now 30). Thus started a lifelong love of rock and roll and particularly of Ash. A typical 90s sing-a-long number, I would happily choose two or three Ash albums to listen to on a roadtrip, but I'll go with my ultimate favourite of their back catalogue!
1. Guns N Roses - Sweet Child Of Mine
This song hardly needs an introduction! I can't tell you the nights out I've had where I've connected with people over those first few notes from Slash. An iconic and gorgeous rock song which evokes the need to wear headbands and snake our hips a la Axl Rose. My absolute number one song for driving!
Hope you enjoyed - what would you choose as your ultimate driving playlist?
The Barnum Meserve, a three piece pop/rock band from Nottingham, have kept their latest album release very close to their chests of late - so when I was given exclusive access to their new album, I jumped at the chance to review it.
The Barnum Meserve consist of Leon Wiley, Dylan Griffiths and Paul Moss-Pearce and, whilst I can probably make several comparisons to rock/pop and tuneful metal acts of the past; they have a very distinct and haunting sound that certainly wouldn't sound out of place in a stadium or arena. I, however, had the pleasure of catching them live last year when they shared the bill in a small Derby venue with my beau. I really enjoyed their performance, but the album brings their songs to life with beautiful use of orchestra accompaniment, soaring introductions (War Games was an instant favourite of mine) and the musical fullness of each song was something to really take in.
The tracks 'Open Up Your Eyes' and 'Colours' were real stand out tracks for me. Wiley's strong and definite vocals really tear at the piano melodies whilst the subtle harmonies and quiet moments weave in seamlessly. The Barnum Meserve hit you with the power and passion of musical outfits like Dry The River (my faves) and combine Wiley's full throttle angry vocals and haunting melodies like very early Evanescence or later, more commercial Nine Inch Nails. If you like your metal with melody, your rock with rhythm and your punk with passion, The Barnum Meserve are for you.
All in all, the entire album has been carefully crafted to showcase The Barnum Meserve in their very best and most comfortable light. There are moments where you feel as if you are listening to an epic film sountrack, others where you could be kicking back at Download festival. Either way, these guys are crying out to be heard in a stadium and this album may just bring them the international acclaim they so long for.
You can catch the Barnum Meserve, if you're lucky enough to live in Nottingham, tomorrow night (July 12th) performing at The Rescue Rooms. Information on the gig is here --> https://www.facebook.com/events/133552126843724/
For more information on The Barnum Meserve, check out their website here --> http://www.thebarnummeserve.com/
I love nothing more than finding new bands to listen to. With something of a varied taste in music; from metal to motown, blues to classic pop, if it gets me, it gets me. So I jumped at the chance to review the new EP 'Always and Never' by Lake District-based Blues Singer, Jim Wade, AKA Bad Bad Me.
'Always and Never' is a collection of rough blues guitar songs with a raw edge, but a 'singalong' quality. The opening track, 'All or Nothing', picks up the pace immediately with a catchy chorus and a hint of Americana in its production.
Not stopping for a moment, the second track, or snippet, 'Another Number' sets a much darker, more sombre and quiet tone, though not for long as 'For The Last Time' brings the tempo right back up with roaring vocals and more tales of bluesey-woe. The EP ends with 'Loose Lips Sink Ships', another filthy but catchy number that brings us right back to the upbeat tone of the opening track.
All four tracks on 'Always and Never' showcase Bad Bad Me's range of vocal ability and punchy lyrics. It took me several listens to work out who his voice reminded me of. There is a hint of Cobain's painful beauty in his voice, tinged with elements of his Northern dialect. I would even suggest a sprinkling of early Gomez at some points during 'All or Nothing'. But Wade's voice has a somewhat unique timbre to it; clearly influenced by classic blues, but his music and subject matter speak very very much of the now. Bad Bad Me has adopted the ever-popular 'storyteller' vibe in his music and made it truly his own.
To say I was impressed with 'All or Nothing' is an understatement. I loved the range of tones, the signature abrupt endings to his songs that have a tendency to leave you wanting more (intentional or not) and the catchy riffs of his music make the perfect soundtrack to an evening BBQ or warming up at a festival.
'Always and Never' is available for purchase from Spotify, Amazon and iTunes and I would THOROUGHLY recommend buying a copy, I predict big things for this lad!
You can also catch Bad Bad Me playing on the Woodlands Stage at Kendal Calling at the end of July - more information here --> http://www.kendalcalling.co.uk/
He will be appearing at Talk of the Town in Manchester on 10th August and Salford Music Festival in September. MY question is, will he be heading to Nottingham anytime soon?
Are you an unsigned musician? Would you like me to review your EP or Album? Email missemmaberry@gmail.com I would love to hear from you!
