Saturday, October 28, 2006

Will the new Beach Boys please stand up?

I like to theorize about everything and everyone. For instance, when I went to college by bus everyday I'd theorize about the lives of all these familiar strangers that I saw every day. In my head I knew what their lives looked like, what music they liked and which television shows they watched. In my psychology study I've learned that this isn't that rare and actually is pretty well researched (read about the familiar stranger phenomenon here). Today however, I like to discuss a whole different theory and I encourage you to give your opinion. It goes a little something like this...

If the Beach Boys were still around in 2006 (in their mid twenties) they would sound like:

Option A) Field Music. This band plays delightful indiepop, with postrock drum rhythms and great vocal harmonies. The music is somewhat inoffensive so your parents might even like this, but that's also true for the original Beach Boys right? I wouldn't be surprised if this band will score a hit someday. Check the video for 'You're not supposed to' below and you'll see why! I'm totally digging this song.

Download: Field Music - If Only the Moon were up

Option B) Rooney. Alright. Take one part Weezer and one part Beach Boys and you will get Rooney. Named after the infamous principal of 80's hit movie "Ferris Bueller's day off", this band plays the kind of powerpop that stucks into your head after one listen. Their songs do get old after a couple of listens, but hey...you can't deny the fact that they were on 'the O.C'!


Download: Rooney - I'm Shakin'

Option C) Annuals. A bit more experimental than option A and B, but it's a fact that the Beach Boys also had a more experimental side to them. Take a little bit of modern day indiepop/rock acts like Arcade Fire and Islands, put it in a blender together with the Beach Boys and you'll get something that closely resembles this band. This is the kind of music that you will have to listen a couple of times to 'to get it', but it's actually pretty good!

Download: Annuals - Complete or Completing

Okay...I could go on, but let's keep it with three options for now.

..to be continued!

Friday, October 27, 2006

Finally Friday Video's Part VII

I'm getting ready for bandpractice. Just enough time to post a song which I loved when I was much younger. I have no idea how old I was when I first heard this song and I must admit that watching this makes me a little uncomfortable because this band isn't really cool. Then again..this segment isn't about being cool, it's about sweet memories. Here ya go...'Hey You' by The Quireboys!

Tuesday, October 24, 2006

Show Review: Samiam/The Draft @ De Helling

Monday isn't the best night for a show...it's not as bad as lazy sunday evening shows, but still...it's monday... Though I was pretty excited to finally see one of the best poppunk bands around, this night might've just as well turned out to another dissappointing monday night show. Luckily I got my money's worth last night in Utrecht.

I haven't really listened to the debut album ('In a Million Pieces) of The Draft yet. With three members of the great Hot Water Music this is a band that definitely deserves more interest from my behalve. Last night they showed that there is life after HWM. They are blessed with one of the best singers in punkrock today, while musically I think they can be seen as a more accessible (not better though) version of HWM. They played a solid set and I'm listening to their album as we speak. However, singer Chris Wollard was so stoned that his between song speeches sounded more like the late Steve Irwin than anything else. I'm glad it didn't affect his singing voice (which really was great), but it was actually quite lame...

Up next: Samiam.
What I like about this band? They write good songs. There's no image. Just 5 guys playing good music and that's exactly what they did yesterday. Starting off with one of the best opening lines I've ever heard on a show ("Here's some songs we know") they came out strong, opening with some classic Samiam songs. They finished their set strong too and although some people might say that the middle part (with some new songs en some slower songs) was kind of dull...I loved every minute of it. This is the poppunk I love. Heartfelt, well written songs sung passionately by (again) a great vocalist. This band has the gift to make you sing along like these songs are a part of you.

Thus...a 'unmondaylike' show. Samiam's 'She found you' has been stuck in my head. Check out the video below.

Samiam on MySpace

Monday, October 23, 2006

"New" album Ben Folds

Tomorrow Ben Folds will release 'supersunnyspeedgraphic, the lp', which is "a comprehensive collection of original songs culled from his successful series of EP releases, b-sides, covers and film soundtrack appearances".
The album (amongst Ben Folds originals) contains his infamous and hilarious interpretation of Dr. Dre's hit 'Bitches ain't shit' (yeah it's true... lyrics like 'Bitches ain't shit but hoes and tricks lick on these nuts and suck the dick' on sweet pianopoprock) and covers of the Cure ('In Between Days') and the Darkness ('Get your hands off my woman'). My favorite song on the album so far is 'There is always someone cooler than you', which reminds me of the better songs from his Ben Folds Five era...good stuff!

Ben Folds - There is always someone cooler than you
Ben Folds - Bitches ain't shit

Ben Folds on MySpace