Another year has passed!
2014 was eventful and one of my busiest for many a year. It took me all around the country and also out of it and saw the release of my album 'Science & Magic'. Here's a brief look at just some of the music and other things that have influenced me....
BECK - Morning
This album was Becks love letter to conventional songwriting sensibilities in a traditional sense. With beautiful production, playing, structures and songwriting, it's a meloncollic work of beauty.
THOMAS PAUL SAUNDERS - A Luna Veterans Guide To Re-Entry
This album was a late influence on some of the mixing of my album 'Science & Magic'. It holds great memories of the Northern part of the Terry Reid support tour I did in the spring of 2014. It's an intergalactic masterpiece.
This album was a late influence on some of the mixing of my album 'Science & Magic'. It holds great memories of the Northern part of the Terry Reid support tour I did in the spring of 2014. It's an intergalactic masterpiece.
I've loved Flyte since I saw them at Southsea Fest last year and have adored everything they have done. Still waiting for the album as the process seems to be with so many bands at the moment we are drip fed songs to build the profile up until the time is right. Flyte to me are masterful pop, intelligent lyrics, melodies that you think you have heard in every great classic song from the last 50 years and an 80's image that reminds me of my childhood. This track when I first heard it made me want to go and play guitar.
The band eveyone loves to hate came back this year and this will probably be the only blog that includes them :-) I loved Ghost Stories...all meloncollie hues and electronic wistful synths. Lyrically it's not Martin's best and although he gets slated lyrically a lot, I happen to think he's written some killer lines over the years! Whatever you thought...this track midnight reminds me of standing in a field in Sweden with the moonlight cascading down onto the fir trees...beautiful! I'm old enough to not be scared of pop music anymore...
An interesting songwriter whose album comes out next year but has been drip feeding us songs for too long! This song is old but the session is from this year. I adore it's slightly off kilter bitter/sweet vibe. It's something I explore quite a bit in my writing and her last single 'Drown' is dark but gorgeous.
RYANS ADAMS - Gimme Something Good
I always get so excited when there's a new Ryan Adams record out and although this wasn't one of his best it was still was strong. The album reminded me of listening to the radio as a kid in the 80s enjoying endless summers and thinking of girls. Lyrically it wasn't as inspired as most of his work but the melodies were fantastic.
DAMON ALBARN - The History Of A Cheating Heart
I had the pleasure of seeing Damon play this year at the Wedgewood Rooms and it was one of the best gigs I've ever been to. I seriously believe Damon is one of the only songwriters in contemporary music that is tackling real issues and making music that represents what it means to be human in 2014.
SOHN - Artifice
I knew nothing of this guy until I stumbled upon this live session on YouTube performing this song. Part electronica and part pop this video is simple and captivating. The album is good......exploring the dark and melancholic side of expression, but I hope he indulges in pop a little more as he wears it well. Straddling mystery with accessible melodies.
JON HOPKINS - Breathe This Air
I had the pleasure of seeing Damon play this year at the Wedgewood Rooms and it was one of the best gigs I've ever been to. I seriously believe Damon is one of the only songwriters in contemporary music that is tackling real issues and making music that represents what it means to be human in 2014.
I knew nothing of this guy until I stumbled upon this live session on YouTube performing this song. Part electronica and part pop this video is simple and captivating. The album is good......exploring the dark and melancholic side of expression, but I hope he indulges in pop a little more as he wears it well. Straddling mystery with accessible melodies.
The Asleep Versions EP and versions of his Immunity album tracks, was a venture into full blown ambient music. In this adrenaline fueled instant gratification consumption of music we all have nowadays it was a brave release and one which has turned me onto ambient music again.
Mark is a bit of a hero of mine...he's a great writer, his lyrics are especially underrated...always with sarcasm, wit, grace and harmony. He writes as Mark...which is so rare nowadays, when you buy a Mark Morriss record you are entering into his world and not a focus group idea of what you should buy. I respect his song-craft and Flash Of Darkness is just one in a long line of successes in my view.
This band will feature in my end of year blog for as long as they are a band. They are very good friends of mine but I am an out an out fan, and am excited as anyone when I hear something new or go to a show. They have had a fantastic year and continue to craft perfect slices of psychedelic napalm bursts.
Having been an avid gamer over the years I never have time for new games nowadays. I find a lot of games now are repeats and are just extremely expansive versions of first person shooters and racers. The iPad and iPhone have given a platform to bring back retro games and the way things were. This game is a puzzle game based on mind bending perspective. Its like a psychedelic Escher mixed with the beauty of Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon...buy it!
I cant say this year I've been to the cinema very much which is a shame because I adore it. As many people now watch things at home and cant afford ten pounds to go to the movies it is normally saved for big blockbusters like this and I'm sure many film buff's will hate me for that statement! This is epic, beautiful, intelligent and what films should be....an experience. Also those who know me know that I love anything to do with space....I'm in!
Have a great Xmas and thanks to everyone who has supported me this year. Its been a fantastic time with some memorable gigs, festivals, and experiences and I'm looking forward to 2015.
Stay Safe
Andrew
xx
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