Archive for February, 2008
Something for the Weekend
Friday, February 22nd, 2008
In a just world, next year’s Brits would see VAMPIRE WEEKEND walk off with the Best International Group and Album awards. But given that Wednesday’s ceremony saw a band so increasingly uninteresting as Foo Fighters deemed worthy of those accolades ahead of Arcade Fire, we won’t hold our breath
And yet Vampire Weekend provoke nothing but fabulous optimism. Thanks to the impossibly happy rhythms of their flawless eponymous debut album, they’ve become one of those remarkably rare bands who strike gold on everything they touch.
Somehow four white New York college boys have managed to bring Afrobeat influences to the indie masses – and unlike when Damon Albarn tries the same thing, the listener is not left feeling queasy with pretension.
Their last visit to Scotland in November was as support to The Shins at the Barrowlands and Vampire Weekend loved Glasgow so much they decided to stay and play a free gig at The Beat Club the following night. They’re back in town next week for a low-key show with THE YOUNG KNIVES, who have the daunting task of coming on after the most talked about band of 2008.
4 Vampire Weekend – Ladies Of Cambridge (aka Boston)
4 The Young Knives – Up All Night
b February 28, Classic Grand, Glasgow (tickets)
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See you, Jimmy
Wednesday, February 20th, 2008
Apart from Belle & Sebastian and possibly The Beatles, JIMMY EAT WORLD have written more treasurable songs than any other artist we can think of.
Unlike many of their image-conscious rock band peers, Jimmy Eat World aren’t afraid to do melodies – and have been doing so prolifically for over a decade now. A quick rifle through our record collection threw up around 100 mighty tracks from the Arizona group’s back catalogue, which made us wonder if we could come up with a song appropriate for some everyday life situations.
We suggest you try these out: Doing the housework (Lucky Denver Mint), going for a drive (Sweetness), wooing the opposite sex (For Me This Is Heaven), waking up the neighbours (A Praise Chorus), party playlist (The Authority Song), candlelit dinner music (23), taking a bath (When I Want), feeling rebellious (Bleed American), pre-selected funeral song (Hear You Me), break-up song (Kill), study-time inspiration (Chase This Light), been sacked (Blister), do not disturb (Big Casino), obligatory mix tape track (Work), proving everyone knows at least one Jimmy Eat World song (The Middle), drunken singalong (The Concept), getting ready for a night out (Futures), air guitar anthem (Opener), half-time in the footie (Goodbye Sky Harbor).
So, if you feel like having a drunken singalong in the bath…
4 Jimmy Eat World – When I Want
4 Jimmy Eat World – The Concept (Teenage Fanclub cover)
b February 25, Barrowland, Glasgow (sold out)
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Pleasure beach
Monday, February 18th, 2008
We were all set to hit you with a post on NADA SURF entitled ‘Surf’s up’ and another on ROGUE WAVE under the heading ‘Lovable Rogues’ – but seeing as they’ll both be on the same bill in Glasgow this weekend (and share coastal-themed monikers) we couldn’t resist giving you a double dose of Pop Cop-approved goodness.
Nada Surf consistently make the sort of music that will undoubtedly make the cut for the perfect mix CD to take on the American road trip we’ve dreamt about since puberty. Now on their fifth album, the New Yorkers have become somewhat expert at crafting good-time guitar pop with more hooks than a pirate in a boxing match.
Although more introspective than their headlining tour buddies, Rogue Wave have no less of an ability to please and are well worth making the effort of getting in early.
Intriguingly, much of the Californians’ best work can be found outwith their three studio albums – check out their stand-out song Sight Lines from the Spider-Man 3 soundtrack.
4 Nada Surf – Happy Kid
4 Rogue Wave - Sight Lines
b February 23, Garage, Glasgow (tickets)
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