Het einde van 2009 nadert en “men van de pers” is al bezig met jaar- en voor de gelegenheid, omdat we op een 9 eindigen dit jaar, ook decenniumlijstjes. De voornaamste Nederlandse inbreng (afgaand op diezelfde “men van de pers”) komt dit jaar van De Staat en Kyteman met zijn hiphoporkest.

Het feit dat deze albums zo populair zijn onder het journaille zou wel eens kunnen liggen aan de vorm van het Nederlandse muzieklandschap: net zo plat als Nederland zelf. Het minste beetje verdieping leidt al snel tot lang niet altijd terecht lyrisch gekraai.

Met “Where The Wild Things Are” bracht C-Mon & Kypski in 2006 een album waar dat gekraai volgens mij in ieder geval wel terecht voor was. Een plaat die uit elkaar barstte van speelplezier, variatie, invloeden uit de wereldmuziek en gastmuzikanten, een behoorlijke hit (Make My Day) bevatte, Pinkpop én Lowlands platkreeg en zelfs een DVD voortbracht mag zeker in Nederland als een hoogtepunt binnen de carrière van een band worden beschouwd en het is dan ook zeer begrijpelijk dat de band daar 3 jaar lang de vruchten van plukte.

Maar zo aan het eind van het decennium was C-Mon & Kypski (zoals dat in Nederland zélfs met bands die zowel bij publiek als critici geliefd zijn gaat: zie Spinvis) langzaam uit het collectieve geheugen verdwenen. Gelukkig is daar dan nu op de valreep van de jaren nul de plaat ná de doorbraak. De “moeilijke vierde”, want Vinyl Voodoo en Static Traveller gingen voornoemd succesalbum al voor. Continue reading ‘C-Mon & Kypski – We Are Square’

Muse – The Resistance Muse decide to go Queen and take their stomping, stupendous yet highly addictive spacerock out of this universe. Everything about this album is gargantuan, still, they sort of get away with it. (You know, I’ve always liked that word… ”gargantuan”… so rarely have an opportunity to use it in a sentence.) Score: 8/14 Preview

Pearl Jam – Backspacer Almost 20 years ago, Eddie Vedder sounded urgent and raw. Now he only sounds urgent on one or two songs (The Fixer), and the rest sounds pretty boring. Some rockstars do age, apparently. If you want to stay on top, I’d suggest spending some time Into The Wild. Score: 5/14 Preview

Arctic Monkeys – Humbug Being hyped for some years now, their latest was silently dropped upon us. Different production (Josh Homme), more mature sound, some more great songcrafting from Alex Turner. This album is not for dancefloors and places where red lights indicate that doors are secured though, but for headphones in a dimly lit room. Score: 10/14 Preview

Datarock – Red Norwegian duo evolved from making joke songs about night flights to Uranus and Commodore 64s to creating a clever, descriptive, direct, soundtrack for the noughties-generation. This might sound like it’s less fun then their debut, but it’s quite addictive and quirky enough to keep us busy til the end of the decade. Score: 9/14 Preview

Calvin Harris – Ready For The Weekend Calvin Harris isn’t much of an artist. He’s a producer. He’s good at creating catchy songs for other people (Dizzee Rascal, Kylie Minogue). In his spare time He Created Disco, and now Disco has a follow-up. And logically, Ready For The Weekend is a catchy record at times, but somewhat bland and incoherent too. Score: 7/14 Preview

Previous Editions: V, IV, III, II, I

Raad de 50 films in het plaatje

Antwoorden hieronder in de comments, graag met beschrijving.

R.E.M. – Accelerate Face it, R.E.M. have been boring us with a lot of pointless junk the last one-and-a-half decade. So what do you do if you’ve lost momentum? You become that garage band again. Result: 35 minutes of tight alternative-punk-rock that will pull us through the summer. Apart from that awful closer, that is. Score: 9/14 Preview

Foals – Antidotes Last year Oxford quintet Foals released an exciting live 12” full of bleepy math-nerd-indie. Sadly they didn’t include their singles so far on the album which sounds pretty boring compared to the nervous EP. With Battles’ success (Mirrored) in mind though, this band could be this year’s festival surprise, having an intense live reputation. Score: 7/14 Preview

The Raconteurs – Consolers Of The Lonely …and then there was a new Raconteurs album. And boy oh boy, it’s good! Jack White and Brendan Benson produce yet another modern blues rock classic, this one beating the debut by quite some. Stomping rhythms, screaming solos, heavy horn sections, already an album of the year candidate. Score: 13/14 Preview

Los Campesinos! – Hold On Now, Youngster… My head is full of one-two-three-fours and xylophone tingles! I can’t read out loud most song titles on this record without breaking my tongue! Yet cheeky lyrics on joyful melodies also left me unable to stop dancing around my room for the past month! Great dance-pop with guitars! Los Campesinos! make me Clunk-Rewind-Clunk-Play-Clunk! Score: 11/14
Preview

The Kooks – Konk I’ve tried not to mention that stupid album name in this review. But since this record sounds exactly like the debut, they might as well rename it Inside Finally Out. And to be perfectly honest, it doesn’t even really compare to the debut apart from a single or two. Sophomore slump in a nutshell. Score: 5/14 Preview

Previous Editions: IV, III, II, I

What is new? According to the dictionary, new means “recently brought into being”. It can also mean “unaccustomed”, as in “They are new to the scene.” The first definitely applies to the Utrecht-based collective Nobody Beats The Drum, but the second doesn’t.

The crossover trio consists of a DeeJay handling the wheels of steel in Zuco 103 (Sjam Sjamsoedin), a VeeJay (yes, a band with a video artist!) that made clips for C-Mon & Kypski (Rogier Van Der Zwaag) and a KeyJay that happens to be in C-Mon & Kypski (Jori Collignon). They won the Grote Prijs van Nederland back in 2003. They have been building on an outstanding live reputation ever since. So what’s new then? It has taken half a decade to make, but it has finally arrived: Beats Work. The band’s debut album should be the final missing piece, the crown on their success so far. Question remains: is it? Continue reading ‘Nobody Beats The Drum – Beats Work’

U ligt op zondag in uw warme bedje en u heeft zin in broodjes. Maar nog geen zin om op te staan, want u ligt lepeltje met uw lief. En zoals men “tussen ‘t stad en de grens” zegt, dát is echte liefde. Welkom in Stabroek. Waar?! Stabroek: een onooglijk gehucht in de buurt van Antwerpen. Maar ook en vooral: thuisbasis van Fixkes.
Continue reading ‘Fixkes – Fixkes’

I’m shamelessly copying Maks’ format to present you another Och-favourite: The Shins. They were supposed to attend last year’s edition, cancelled because they worked on their new album, and now, a year later, they will present us the lovely sounds from their latest, record-breaking record, called Wincing The Night Away. Never before a Sub Pop record hit the stores like this.

You can pick up some songs from their different records at the label page. A little something from Lowlands cancellers Peter Bjorn & John: ‘Australia’ remixed. And, as a final treat: Bradley’s Almanac hosts a complete Shins performance at the Orpheum in Boston!

The Shins will play on Sunday 19th Aug 15.30 at the Grolsch-tent

I don’t really know what to think of the new Spoon record. Why is it called Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga for instance? Is it a rebirth of some kind? Are they secretly smiling as we try to pronounce it in a clear way to the record store owner as we buy it? Is it because a matrix of 5 by 10 “Ga”s in your media player looks so nice? Anyway, it doesn’t make any sense to me…

Continue reading ‘Spoon – Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga’

To release one of the most anticipated and undoubtedly interesting sophomore albums of 2007 is a hard thing to do right. Arctic Monkeys passed with honors, Bloc Party and Maxïmo Park certainly did well, but what about Editors?

Continue reading ‘Editors – An End Has A Start’

Imagine yourself sitting on the terrace of your beautiful beachside mansion. It’s a beautiful day in July. Or August, but that’s besides the point. You’re enjoying your refreshing and quite possibly alcoholic early evening beverage while a soft breeze blows the hot air in your face. What kind of music would add to a moment like that?

Jack Johnson you say? Or Matt Costa? Or maybe Donavon Frankenreiter?

Continue reading ‘Xavier Rudd – White Moth’

I’m not much of a soundtrack fan. I like movies, don’t get me wrong, but I usually can’t be bothered by listening to the music that was in a motion picture, just for being in it. There is the occasional exception, like the excellent 90s pop record accompanying teen flick Cruel Intentions, containing songs by The Verve, Skunk Anansie, Placebo and many other popular acts. Another example of a soundtrack I really do like is the one to Le Fabuleux Destin d’Amélie Poulain, composed by Yann Tiersen.

Why this introduction? Continue reading ‘DeVotchKa – How It Ends’

Scott Matthews – Passing Stranger
Somehow this record managed to slip by me in 2006. Which, in this case, is a crying shame. So, mea culpa, it’s 2007, welcome Scott Matthews. This guy’s debut breathes more freshness than Paolo Nutini, and sounds more traditional than James Morrison, competitors in his league. Awesome, funky, melodious record. Score: 12/14 Preview (sampler)

Bloc Party – A Weekend In The City
The most anticipated release in the indiescene for the last 3 months; Bloc Party’s second was never going to top the excellent Silent Alarm. How close did they get? The theme of the album, the shallowness of modern day city life, makes it easy to identify with. It’s an excellent representation of the current Zeitgeist. Score: 11/14 Preview

Frank Turner – Sleep Is For The Week
Contemporary protest songs. There’s a market for them somewhere, I guess. Too bad it all sounds so bland. There’s potential, there’s witty lyrics on The Ladies of London Town and he entertains the crowd on the album’s closer, but these are only small highlights, unable to lift this record from mediocrity. Score: 5/14 Preview (Worst Things Happen…)

Little Barrie – Stand Your Ground
Debut album We Are Little Barrie sounded like a jam night at the local pub, with excellent drums, fresh songs and groovy guitars. Their second sounds like you entered the same jam night, 2 years later. Some things should never change. If you liked the first, buy this. If you don’t know them, buy both. Score: 11/14 Preview

Do-The-Undo – Do-The-Undo
First 2007 release of any importance in the Netherlands, former Daryll-Ann guitarist Anne Soldaat’s new band’s debut will enter competition with Johan for the nationals. Their sound is alike, but this record lacks an Oceans-like smash hit. Very entertaining though, happier than THX JHN, and a vital sign of life from the Dutch popscene. Score: 10/14 Preview

Previous Editions: III, II, I

Continue reading ‘Paolo Nutini @ Melkweg (14-01-2007)’

Vyvienne Long – Birdtalk EP
I’ve mentioned her before in a tunesday-post, and I’m mentioning her again. Bass player for Damien Rice released a solo EP containing 5 lovely songs from which 2 are covers. And still, if her to-be debut album is anything like the 3 songs she wrote herself, I’d totally buy it.
Score: 11/14 Preview and Bonus!

Klaxons – Xan Valley EP
Another EP! These guys forced NME into labeling them with a new genre. Extremely young “new ravers” are the Next Best Myspace Hype and already rocked everybody’s socks @ London Calling this year. How they sound? “Like when Buzz Aldrin returned from the moon and turned Muslim”. I’m not sure yet. Score: 12/14 Preview

The Fratellis – Costello Music
It seems ages ago Arctic Monkeys crashed onto the scene, and Franz Ferdinand must have been something from last century. Anyhow, the British invasion of the popscene seems neverending. The Fratellis are next in line and, oh! how they deliver. It doesn’t get catchier and pubfriendlier than this.
Score: 10/14 Preview

Damien Rice – 9
I’ve tried to get around this album, because it would never be able top his debut “O”. And I still think so. But everytime I listen to it, it gets closer. It sounds the same on first glance, but things definitely evolved. “Just as delicate” became “Fuck you!”. But it’s still great. Worthy follow-up.
Score: 12/14 Preview

Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly – The Chronicles of a Bohemian Teenager Talented English youngster combines guitar with a wide range of samples. Result: Fairly nice combination of Death Cab For Cutie lyrics brought with teen pop sensation Panic! At The Disco polished freshness, bleeps and tingles (not a bad thing!). Also props for the coolest band name of 2006. Score: 09/14 Preview

Pacman Statistics

Paolo Nutini – These Streets
The world just can’t get enough of them singer-songwriters. Paolo Nutini is one of those new kids on the block. And I just can’t get enough of his debut album. It all seems too obvious. Strong, warm, honest, quality pop songs combined with a charismatic voice.
Score: 10/14 Preview

a balladeer – Panama
This record has been released for some time now, and is one of the best Dutch debuts this year. Small songs, stripped to the bare essence, culminating in the thriving and emotional rocksong Sirens, which is an autobiographical spine for the album. Podium performance needs to mature, though.
Score: 9/14 Preview

CSS – Cansei De Ser Sexy
Another internet hype, this time from… Brazil! Through their Brazilian myspace they vented their music into the world. Cansei De Ser Sexy means tired of being sexy, which is essentially what this record is about. Electronic sexiness, raunchy lyrics and a lot of arrogance. But great fun and great to dance to! Score: 12/14 Preview

John Mayer – Continuum
John Mayer turned his back on easy mainstream pop by starting a blues trio carrying his name. His new solo album is heavily influenced by his new old love. And it is beautifully played poprockblues, but it’s too perfect. Because everyone will love it. Which is good of course, but next time, more experiments please! Score: 7/14 Preview

Dirty Pretty Things – Waterloo To Anywhere
First, there was The Libertines. Revolutionary band, decides to split up. Then there was Babyshambles, the bad (worse?) half of The Libertines (Pete Doherty). And then, there was Dirty Pretty Things with not-so-bad half Carl Barat. And though it’s not Libertines, it bounces and it’s brawling old-school-pub- rock-and-roll. The best half ex-Libertines to listen to, for sure!
Score: 10/14 Preview

Men from the radio!

[IMG]http://img144.imageshack.us/img144/1035/mononokehr9.jpg[/IMG]

As this is the only Japanese movie I ever saw, I would not say I am a connaisseur, really. But I bet this is one of the movies you’d recommend to people who never saw Anime before, though. A classic. And to be honest, I couldn’t tell you what I liked best about this movie. It’s a sad and bittersweet story, but the visuals are colorful and friendly, and the overall styling is sober and classy. A movie that totally fits the concept of a movie, in its purest form.

Torrentspy | Demonoid

update (76): w00t! a bunch of Trailertjes!

In PC gaming, there’s about five types of games that count: shooters, racegames, strategy, sports and (mmo)rpgs. And if a developer hits the market with a bestseller in one of those categories you can count on countless sequels and spin-offs within a year or two. But sometimes I want something different, I want a game that doesn’t fit into these categories, I want something new! A sparkling new concept or approach on game design! And I think there’s one of those games in development right now!

Continue reading ‘“There’s a hole in the sky through which things can fly”’

Finally, we revealed his secret identity!

Supar Marios Parondies

The Sheer – Feel The Need
The best Holland has to offer in Britpop at the moment. As edgy as The Keyword Is Excitement (their first), it somewhat sounds like a sandbox-album to find the right sound. Straightforward rocksongs combined with the occasional ballad, topped of with a dressing of cheerfulness. Some lack in the lyrics department though. Score: 8/14 Preview

Taxi To The Ocean – Taxi To The Ocean
Released in 2005, but underrated by the media. The guitars, the weird synths, the melodies, they all sound really good when played by these guys. Add a voice with lots of character and 11 good songs and voil�, a very nice rockalbum, made in Holland. Score: 9/14 Preview
 

Snow Patrol – Eyes Open
Gary Lightbody is the best. No discussion. Snow Patrol’s lead-singer proves himself again by writing another album full of amazing songs. At least as brilliant as Final Straw; this might just another step towards world domination; having fans on both sides of the Atlantic, and having supported U2 on their last tour� Score: 12/14 Preview

Nizlopi – Half these songs are about you…
Known for their outstanding video for JCB, Nizlopi already made it to my best-of-2006 list. Not having a record label and still competing for the no. 1 spot in the British charts last Christmas should say enough. I bet these bittersweet songs about everydaylifethingies might even melt Betsy’s heart!
Score: 13/14 (-1 because Betsy’s heart might not)

Johan – Thx Jhn
Another Dutch treasure. Having made the critically acclaimed Pergola in 2001, the fans waited 5 long years for this album. Why? Leading man Jacco de Greeuw delivers quality records only. Is that true? Well, it just might be, because the R.E.M.-like songs just do not fail. Excelsior strikes again! (probably until 2011…) Score: 11/14 Preview

I see lots of colors! And paddles! Weeeeeeeeee!

Click here!

So, I decided to go to Amsterdam on Koninginnedag, just like everybody else not living in Amsterdam except for Rotterdam probably. Anyways, I dropped by the outdoor stage next to Paradiso to view some real music, avoiding the hundreds of thousands of people dying to see The Opposites and Simon Webbe on the Museumplein. I stayed for two gigs: The Pipettes and Dustin’s Bar Mitzvah.

Continue reading ‘London Calling, Majesty!’

Nadeo, the developers of the coolest stuntracer for PC, Trackmania, made a FREE online racegame called Trackmania Nations for the ESWC.

Continue reading ‘Race for your fatherland!’