My Thoughts: Popular Music of 2014

Hello and welcome to this weeks main post. I wanted to focus this weeks on a discussion about what music and the industry brought to the table in 2014 and what holds for the future for 2015 and whether it looks brighter. These are my opinions and I hope you'll understand my reasons for saying specific things and topics. Baring in mind that I'm not a massive fan of popular music these days, but I have to keep up with whats going on purely because I'm in that business. Thank you. 

So, 2014 was certainly an interesting year for music. Whether that be a good thing or a bad thing, there was a lot of diversity in the sense that there wasn't one artist dominating the charts for a specific amount of time. There were a lot of different number ones with the highest number of weeks at number one was 4 held by Clean Bandit, Pharrell Williams and Megan Trainor. Though with number ones, comes trends and I have certainly picked up on a few that those major labels have been wanting to sneak into their songs for a number one slot all year.

The first one is the use of a trumpet or some kind of instrument from the brass or woodwind families (saxophones/trumpets) etc and give them a catchy rhythm line. I've seen this in too many songs this year and I'd like that trend to stay in 2014. I heard it very clearly on the likes of Cheryl Cole's "Crazy Stupid Love", Ariana Grande's "One Less Problem" and Jason Derulo's "Talk Dirty". See where I'm coming from? It's just been overdone and isn't creative to be honest. It's just one line over and over again, though what would spice the songs up is a solo from the said saxophone or trumpet etc. 

The next trend that came about in 2014 was just a lot of ass (and no not the music). This to me was the lowest point in the industry in its entire history. Whoever thought that writing a song about girls asses and showing so much of it on a video, just needs to re-think their life. With the likes of Nicki Minaj's "Anaconda" and Jennifer Lopez's "Booty" just made me want to crawl into a small space and wait for this to all blow over. Those two songs made my ears hurt, there were so manufactured it wasn't funny. That, can stay in 2014 and never rear its ugly head again. 

Another trend this year for me personally was a lot of let downs by many artists. You know when you love a band for their characteristics, then they announce a new album, so you get really excited about it. Then they throw all their characteristics out the window for the new album and completely let you down with this 'new sound'. Its primarily a lot of big rock acts that are turning into a radio friendly band. I found there were limits made by producers, no boundaries pushed, just boring lackluster music created in 2014. I had this too many times last year with the likes of Fall Out Boy, Twin Atlantic, You Me At Six, Bring Me The Horizon and even Coldplay in some respects. I hope this year some big bands come back with a bang and really impress its fans once again and bring out some stonking albums. 

This year I have noticed in particular that a lot of music in the top 40 have all got electronic or programmed drums. As a drummer, this is very worrying for the future if people prefer to use electronic sounds. Even if the drummer is playing on the recording, the producer will still add that electronic effect. Its not happening in just bands of that genre too, this is happening in rock bands too and it sounds dire. When Uptown Funk came onto the radio, I was thinking "Ahhh its great to hear real drums for once". This needs to change.

On a more positive note, there have been a few artists that have crept into the group of really, really good music. Stuff that gets me excited for the future. Artists such as Paolo Nutini and Beck really impressed me. Rock has been reborn as many people say thanks to Royal Blood's domination in the summer. I've seen the alternative scene coming back again this year with artists like The Districts, Honeyblood and First Aid Kit bringing back that broad, but creative scene. 

With Uptown Funk bringing in the new year with an absolute tune. Its great to hear some funk back at the top and I hope other artists will follow suit (Just no covers of this song, you can't cover something that's already amazing...Fifth Harmony) with creative styles of music. Not this manufactured pile of arse that most artists in the Top 40 are pumping out at the moment. 

Not everyone...I never said that, just looking at the Top 40 now and I can see at least 12 artists that are there purely for money for the big three labels. Nothing to do with creativity or writing their own music. Baring in mind artists like One Direction and Ella Henderson have at least 2 songs in the charts...good for you Simon Cowell.

In conclusion, this year has had a lot of trends that I hope will not continue into 2015's year of music. Though there are some very exciting movements for the industry such as streaming being the new digital download from Itunes and with Beat Music entering the scene, will it beat Spotify off the top spot for streaming services? Stay tuned people. 

Thanks for reading and if you have any views on anything I have said then leave a comment below or send it to me on Twitter or Google +. 

Until next time. 

Lewis

Love Life Love Music's Christmas Triple Decker of Reviews

Welcome to this weeks main post which isn't your usual album review, today I have three festive singles reviewed for you that will get you in the Christmas spirit. 

1. The Retrospective Soundtrack Players ~ 'Christmas Day'

The first one comes from The Retrospective Soundtrack Players and they have their very own Christmas single out along with a tour.

Obviously a Christmas song comes with a happy tune and some melodies that are easy to hum along to. Though this song has a little twist, a Retrospective Soundtrack Players twist. Instead of writing lyrics about families and the Christmas spirit, they talk about Christmas eve when you go up to the pub and get hammered and suffering the day after. 

In the second verse the lyrics are "See the drunks crawl home to their beds to lay, they're gonna be hungover on Christmas day". This is a great twist about Christmas because I've never heard a band sing about things that actually happen the night before the big day. 

With their soft guitar tones and simple drum beats, its an easy song to get into and really enjoy. It certainly sounds a lot different to your typical Christmas track with acoustic guitars being the focal point in the track. Guests on the video and  involve Frank Turner, Ben Marwood and Chris T-T.

The band will be playing down at The Brunswick in Brighton tomorrow evening to finish off their festive tour! Go check out this song and the band in Brighton tomorrow!

2. The Courtesans ~ 'The Power of Love'

This Christmas song is a little different from your average happy song. The Courtesans, who I have reviewed on this blog before, have come out all guns blazing with a rather dark Christmas song. People who know who The Courtesans are (or if you read my review), you'll know that this quartet of female singers are in the genre of doom-pop. 

They have taken a meaningful song and put a lot of guitars and heavy drums over the top. It still has the same driving pace, but just feels like its got a lot more to give. It sounds a lot more as if someones crying out for the power of love. It sounds very atmospheric, but heavy at the same time. The vocals are the key point in this track, very graceful, yet dark.

The intro disguises the actual force the song is producing. Its too techno for my liking, but as soon as the vocals kick in, its after this point where it sounds like a really interesting track. I wanted to review this track and share it with you guys because its so different to other Christmas tracks I've heard this year. I hope you guys are into it as much as me, let me know what you think!

Here are a few dates for 2015 to get the chance to see The Courtesans live:

February 14th - The Macbeth, London

February 27th - The Box, Crewe

February 29th - The Railway, Bolton

3. Train ~ Shake Up Christmas

The final Christmas review I have for you come from the band 'Train' and their 2010 single 'Shake Up Christmas'. This song has been on my mind for a good few days now and I have thoroughly enjoyed it. I like a good Christmas song that's catchy, has some cheesy lyrics and also gets everyone singing along. 

Give it 5 or so listens and you'll think this song should be the new Christmas number one! Keeping the structures simple, its just what these kind of songs need.  The video to the song has all the elements with snow, tinsel, lights and Santa hats. It makes you get into the spirit 

Train have done a great job for creating a new Christmas song that sounds festive, has a catchy riff and will get a slot in anyone's Christmas playlist! I wanted to let everyone open up their Christmas playlists to a little bit more choice and I hope this has expanded your playlists for the big day! From abstract to the most festive songs possible, its always a great time for music like this and I really hope you enjoy these three. 

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Lewis 

Album Review ~ John Mayer ~ Where The Light Is: John Mayer Live In Los Angeles

Hello!

Welcome to this weeks main review. Today, I'm taking you all back to 2007 when John Mayer recorded a live album in Los Angeles. This album was made around the time of his best album "Continuum" with the likes of "Vultures", "Slow Dancing In A Burning Room" and "Gravity" coming from the album to name but a few. 

The reason I'm reviewing this album is because over the past few weeks I've been really getting into the album. Its a fantastic live album, one of the best personally and I wanted to share it on my blog, so, enjoy!

With a long list of quality songs on his back, this live gig was shaped up to be one of his best. He starts the set off with 4 acoustic songs including "Stop This Train" and "Free Fallin'". A mellow way to start off a gig, but with some of his biggest songs. These are definitely the most intimate songs on the album. There's no percussion or anything to support the rhythm, it genuinely is just Mayer and his guitar. 

A personal favourite on the acoustic section is "In Your Atmosphere". Its a free-flowing riff that Mayer plays expertly that sounds like a part written for two guitars. Mayer is known for his top songwriting and this song bares no exception to this, as well as his vocals. They're displayed in this song the best with some difficult high notes to reach, but sings with ease. 

So, with four songs down, time to crank it up and introduce Pino Palladino (bass) and Steve Jordan (drums) to make up the 'John Mayer Trio'. Introducing the trio is a song called "Everyday I Have The Blues" which is a cover of BB King's famous song that comes in with a bang. A blues shuffle with some electric guitar solo's cranks the gears up from the acoustic set earlier. 

Pino Palladino has worked with some of the best in the industry. He's worked with the likes of Simon & Garfunkel, Jools Holland, Eric Clapton, The Who and Adele. To be accompanied by the effortlessly talented Steve Jordan on drums that makes the line-up seem like some sort of royalty. Steve Jordan has worked with the likes of Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, BB King, Stevie Nicks, Keith Richards and Buddy Guy. Need I say more about the line-up!?

When you get into the groove of "Wait Until Tomorrow" and "Who Did You Think I Was" you can get a real feel of what's in store for the rest of the record. Tight drums, groovy, fast paced guitar chords and solo's accompanied with slick bass. Both these songs are a great introduction to the trio and with the album not even halfway through, its certainly build up the excitement for what's in store. 

Steve Jordan, John Mayer and Peter Palladino

Getting to the song "Out Of Mind" is a real treat for the ears if you're into your guitar solo's. This is the song to really dig deep into Mayer's guitar skills, its clean guitar, but the sounds he can get out of it are astonishing. This song is practically one big solo with some vocals here and there with solid grooving drums and bass. This is the first song you can really hear how locked in and professional Jordan and Palladino are. 

The only song that can get slightly tedious on the record is the song "Bold As Love". Mayer does a corny speech in the middle about how "he made it happen for himself" and about love. To me it wasn't necessary, but ends of with a nice little drum solo and instrumental so I'll let that part slide. 

One of my favourites on this album is "Slow Dancing In A Burning Room", just purely because it's such a beautiful song. Performed really well live on this album too, the backing vocals are to the point which you can't really pick up that well on any other song apart from "Gravity" a bit later on.

Other songs on the album that are a stand-out are "Why Georgia", "I Don't Need No Doctor" (that is just the grooviest 'headbopping' song) and "Gravity". Though the album ends on more the mellow side, it ends on a great song called "I'm Gonna Find Another You". 

All in all I hope this review has made you think about giving this album a listen. If you enjoy listening to blues, groovy tunes and John Mayer then this is the album for you. Its out of CD, 4xLP Vinyl and Digital Download. It was also recorded for a DVD too, so you can see the concert for yourself and how it was performed!

Thank you very much for reading (if you made it all this far down especially) and until next time. 

Lewis

"Gravity"

Website: http://johnmayer.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/JohnMayer

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/johnmayer

EP Review ~ Scribble Victory ~ Confidence

Hello!

Welcome to blog post 35 and happy 1st October too! Today I have a two piece from Derby called Scribble Victory. These guys have been going through the ranks of the business with numerous tours with some big artists and with the EP coming out next Friday, I'm expecting these boys to go to great heights. 

Recently the business has been overtaken with two piece bands such as Royal Blood and Honeyblood taking over BBC Radio 1 and 6 Music. It still baffles me how such an incredible sound can come from a duo and its the same with this band. 

Scribble Victory are:

Jamie Thompson - Vocals, Guitar
Tomas Ward - Vocals, Drums

Scribble Victory are an acoustic folk-rock duo that blend their harmonies with melodic rhythms and meandering guitar licks. For two people to create such an authentic sound is very impressive. In some stages of the EP it sounds quite minimalistic, but still keeps that aura about the band that they give throughout the EP. 

One of the stand out tracks to me is "Stalemate", its just such a catchy tune from just a few instruments. The acoustic guitar brings a lot to the table with the rhythm that you could hum along to easily. This track is a great example of the harmonising between Jamie and Tomas. Both blend together to make a really nice tone. 

The song writing for each song has been well thought out. I give credit to both members of the band for creating rhythms and tones that keep each song flowing. Give this EP a few listens and you'll start to really listen to the acoustic guitar especially. I think after about 4 runs through the EP I really got to know the songs so I could appreciate and take in the great guitar skills. 

Scribble Victory have been touring with a lot of names to shout about such as Johnny Foreigner, Tall Ships and Laura Stevenson. If they are securing fantastic opportunities such as this before this EP has been released then I am looking forward to following the band in their new adventures. 

The songs I would recommend to you if you haven't got time to listen to all 6 tracks are "You Wouldn't Change A Thing" and "Stalemate". The others are just as good, but these are the clear stand out tracks on this EP. 

In conclusion I really like this EP, I haven't heard a duo sound quite like this before. Its something I can't quite explain apart from saying the acoustic tones and strong drums keep the energy throughout with the distinctive vocals keeping the drive. I hope you all take the time to listen to the EP when it comes out on October 10th because these guys deserve a lot of support!

To get a flavour of the band, I'll leave the bandcamp link which has their last self-titled EP on there. This too is a fantastic edition to their overall music collection. Also a quick special thanks to Angela from Muddy Paw PR who introduced me to the band and asked me to review them. 

Thank you for reading and until next time.

Lewis

This is a song from their last self-titled EP called "Baby Steps"

Website -  www.scribblevictory.com

Bandcamp - http://scribblevictory.bandcamp.com/

Twitter - https://twitter.com/ScribbleVictory

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/scribblevictory (Warning! Profile picture may contain Chuckle Brothers)

Soundcloud - soundcloud.com/scribblevictory

Album Review ~ Camera Soul "Not For Ordinary People"

Hello!

Welcome to blog post 32 and I would like to say thank you for all the support with getting near to 3000 views, its insane! Today I'll be celebrating with a fantastic jazz/funk band called Camera Soul and their latest album "Not For Ordinary People". Camera Soul are based from southern Italy (Bali), led by veteran composer brothers Piero and Pippo Lombardo and fronted with the vocals by the wonderful Serena Brancale. 

Piero (one of the composers) messaged me and asked if I could review their latest album and of course I said yes, but I what was in store was about to blow my mind. My ears were in for a rare treat of just pure soul, jazz-fusion and funk from this band that are starting to become more popular across the world. 

Camera Soul are inspired by legendary horn line, soul, R&B and jazz-fusion artists such as Earth, Wind and Fire, The Commodores, Tower of Power and Stevie Wonder. Put all of those together and you have this band. They certainly have a 'Jamiroquai' tone to them, but so much more purity to the sound. 

One song I would recommend to you to sum this band up would be the second track "Mama". It just keeps my head bopping throughout the whole track and enterains throughout with drops and bridges and always has treats in store. The album is very well produced, since this is a large band its difficult to not get anyone lost within the music. They have balanced everything perfectly to make it such a crisp sound which is an absolute delight to the ears. 

Piero and Pippo certainly know what sounds to create from each instrument at which point. You can sit back and really focus on the arrangement of the band and listen to each instrument.  A personal favourite of mine is the jazz guitar and bass lines, it just holds it together and brings a lot of funk to the band. Its left so subtly in the background to just groove around the riff. A good example would be the verses in the song "I Don't Like Roses". Another head bopper might I add!

During the album you can start to hear some Italian characteristics come into the music. Whether its a certain riff from an instrument or genuinely just the feel, it gives the band that difference about them which every band looks for. The band have a great mellow tone during the verses and can really kick up a gear in the chorus. Enough to keep the song exciting to the listener, but not enough to try be too brash which is a nice change. 

Their tight playing and soulful music is making a real dent in the music business and are certainly making a noise about it. In October 2013 this album was 2nd in the UK Soul Charts and spent a gigantic 15 weeks in those charts too which is a fantastic achievement by the band that is well worthy of its place.

The album has got the band a range of awards such as 'Best Instrumental Jazz Solo',' Best Engineered album', 'Producer of the Year',  'Song of the Year' & 'Best R&B Song'. Not a bad collection of awards, but boy do they deserve it. I would agree with all of these especially ' Best Engineered Album' for just the clear sound from every instrument on this album and how balanced everything is. 

The songs that I recommend are 'Not For Ordinary People, 'Mama', 'The Happiest Day' and 'I Don't Like Roses'. The rest of the album is brilliant, but these are the ones to check out for a little taste tester first. 

I hope you all enjoy the music and thank you for reading. 

Until next time

Lewis

Website: http://www.camerasoul.eu/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Camera__Soul

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/camerasoul?fref=ts

Album Review ~ The Cornerstones, 'Stand In Line'

Hello! 

Welcome to blog post 27! Today I have a good ol' four piece British band from Uxbridge called The Cornerstones. 

The Cornerstones is made up of Richard Ruth - Vocals / Acoustic, Dan Bennion - Lead Guitar / Backing Vocals, Kyle Radbone - Bass and Carl Sampson - Drums. This alternative band certainly know how to get those feet tapping with the 2nd album from the band. Their debut Album 'Begin To End' and single 'Smack Me In Face' were released under Redemption records and resulted in tours and support slots with Shed - 7, Oasis, Proud Mary, Finlay Quaye and also national airplay.

So now you have a bit of background on the boys, let's see what the album has to offer!

The album starts off nice and strong with the song 'Drag Me Down' to then move onto 'My Mind' which both have a similar drive to it. You get a good feel for the kind of vibe you're getting from the album. Its now just a case of seeing where the band go from the third song to the last to keep the audience fixated until the dying seconds. 

They keep this album going in emphatic fashion with one of the better songs from the album personally called 'Stand In Line'. Its got more grit and power in the chorus' which give the band a reason to play with dynamics and adds a whole new feel. 

The vocals from Ruth are really shone through in the song 'Ground', his naturally soft tone makes you feel at ease. It doesn't take too much to love his voice, the higher notes are reached with ease and has one of those distinctive voices. The album starts to gain in volume and power at this point which is nice to hear and gives it some great energy!

The start of 'Erased' has one of those beginnings that you know its going to be a good song. Any song that starts with harmonica is a good song and adds a new element to this brilliant track. A sort of more happy-go-lucky tune, but works really well with the harmonica. 

So as we get into the latter stages of the album 

The album has nice little gems if you listen carefully to most of the songs. Its either little guitar licks hidden in the shadows of the tracks, subtle backing vocals or acoustic guitar playing the chords. I like albums that don't show everything to you, it leaves nothing to discover. Its like an island with all its treasure chests uncovered and dug up for you. 

One of the more popular of the slower songs 'Try To Hide' has some harmonica playing that is to die for. Its very mesmerising and can put your mind at ease to listen to for those brief few minutes which is a great feeling. 'Try To Hide' keeps things very simple throughout with the usual line-up, but subtly brings in the electric guitar for the chorus and leaves the acoustics and harmonica to its devices, beautiful. 

The single 'Smack Me In The Face' is a song that you can really immerse into quite easily with some cool guitar licks and vocals. Its different to the other tracks on the album in a good way. Coming to the final few tracks its like a plane landing, you know when you're coming to the end of your journey, but the captains make sure you land safely. The last 3 tracks are simple a great way to bring the album to an end. 

In conclusion, the album has quite a few strengths to it. Nice licks and ideas streaming through the album. Beautiful harmonica playing. A lot of promise for album three and the music is open to a wide audience which is a very strong position to be in!

Go check this album out and support this UK band!

Lewis


Website: http://www.thecornerstones.co.uk/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Thecornerstonesuk

Twitter: www.twitter.com/thecornerstones