2010-04-25

Yann Tiersen - La Dispute


Artist: Yann Tiersen
Song: La Dispute
Album: Le Fabuleux Destin d’Amélie Poulain (2001)

With his whimsical, melancholy music, Yann Tiersen has become a sought-after composer, not only for his soundtrack work, but in his own right. Borrowing from French folk music, chanson, musette waltz and street music, as well as rock, avant-garde, and classical and minimalist influences, Tiersen's deceptively simple style has been likened to Chopin, Erik Satie, Philip Glass, and Michael Nyman. The Paris-based composer became popular outside his native country for his score to Jean-Pierre Jeunet's Amélie, but like most seemingly overnight successes, he had been working for years before the film's success brought him international acclaim. Born in Brest in Brittany, on June 23, 1970, Tiersen was raised in Rennes and made a name for himself as one of the star pupils at his local conservatory (despite middling academic grades). Tiersen studied violin and piano from the ages of six to 14, and eventually trained to be a conductor. However, Tiersen rebelled against his classical training and, inspired by the likes of Joy Division and the Stooges, played guitar with several local post-punk-influenced bands during his later teenage years. At the same time, Tiersen was also composing soundtracks for short films and accompaniment for plays. Several of these pieces ended up on his first album, Valse des Monstres, in 1995 and introduced his delicate but deeply emotional style, and which also featured intricate arrangements incorporating instruments as varied as toy piano, banjo, harpsichord, melodica, and carillon, as well as piano and guitar. …. ~ Heather Phares, All Music Guide

Scores scene in which older man recalls biking contests in youth.
Incorporates sound of a spinning bike wheel and layered lyrics.

movie
music

[excerpt translated from French] I go to work every day on my old
bicycle you loved... it's the same circle that leads to nowhere and I'm tired...



2010-04-10

Splodgenessabounds- Bicycle Seat


Artist: Splodgenessabounds
Song: Bicycle Seat
Album: Splodgenessabounds (1981)

Formed in 1977 in South East London, signed to Decca Records in 1980 and released first single 2 ints of Lager. After various deaths and jail sentences, settled with current line up in 1992.

Max Splodge Vox & Trombone
Johnny Chunders Guitar
Harry Monk Drums
Mat Sergent Bass

This is a straightforward reissue of the mighty Splodge's debut album, bolstered by sufficient bonus tracks (14) to transform it into a virtual anthology of the band's entire early-'80s catalog, from the U.K. hits "Two Pints of Lager," "Two Little Boys," and "Cowpunk Medlum," through to their contributions to the legendary Strength Thru Oi! compilation album. It's a wild and riotous ride, utterly absurd but absolutely captivating -- "Michael Booth's Talking Bum" remains one of the most memorable farting songs ever unveiled, rivaled only by the wiffy-ridden sentiments of "Blown Away Like a Fart in a Thunderstorm," while such slabs of whimsy as "I Fell in Love With a Female Plumber From Harlesden NW10" and "I've Got Lots of Famous People Living Under the Floor Boards of Humble Abode" are as intriguing as their ridiculously overlong titles. "Anarchy Chaos Stanley Ogden" immortalizes one of British television's best-loved soap operatics; "Rolf" pays tribute to the Australian wobble-board virtuoso who wrote the preceding "Two Little Boys"...the madness truly does go on forever. Collectors will thrill to discover not only the B-sides to the band's first four singles, but also such treasures as the "Yarmouth 5-0" flexi-disc, and the hitherto 12"-only "Sox" and "The Butterfly Song," while music historians find their attention drawn to "We're Pathetique," Splodge's rallying call for a musical genre which precious few people even remember today. But the Punk Pathetique movement spawned not only Splodge, but also such joys as the Toy Dolls and Peter & the Test Tube Babies, and is still has an impact today. Max Splodge -- architect of the universe? Why not. ~ Dave Thompson, All Music Guide

music



2010-04-05

Turin Brakes - Pain Killer



Artist: Turin Brakes
Song: Pain Killer
Album: Ether Song (2003)
Turin Brakes are a modern folk duo, comprising Olly Knights and Gale Paridjanian, hailing from Balham, London. They had a UK top 5 hit with their song "Painkiller (Summer Rain)". Olly Knights and Gale Paridjanian were friends in elementary school and decided to try out for the cathedral choir because it would perform in front of the Queen of England, which it eventually did. The two childhood friends formed a band together and would record their freewheeling jam sessions. One of those sessions became their first release, the EP The Door, which was released on Anvil Records in 1999 and only in the U.K. Among the influences of Turin Brakes' early years were Sebadoh, Truman's Water, Prince, and the Black Crowes. The State of Things EP followed in August of 2000 (U.K. only). Turin Brakes began playing full-band live shows at the Reading and Leeds festivals. A third U.K.-only EP followed in October when the band opened for bands including Kathryn Williams, Doves, and Lowgold. The band's debut full-length album, The Optimist LP, was released worldwide in May of 2001 on Astralwerks. EMI released the LP, which includes some songs from the earlier EPs, with a bonus disc in France. The successful Ether Song from 2003 brought the group more fans and was followed by the more polished Jackinabox two years later. Turin Brakes has often been compared to such quietcore bands as Coldplay, Travis, and the Norwegian band the Kings of Convenience, whose 2001 album entitled Quiet Is the New Loud describes Turin Brakes well too. ~ JT Griffith, All Music Guide
Ether Song

review

video with bicycle

Batten up the hatches, here comes the cold
I can feel it creeping, it's making me old
You give me so much love that it blows my brains out
You need something better than the bacon and eggs
The creeking in the walls and the banging in the bed
You give me so much love that it blows my brains out
Summer rain dripping down your face again
Summer rain, praying someone feels the same
Take the pain killer, cycle on your bicycle
Leave all this misery behind
My love giving me head
Feeling very guilty, breaking the bread
Losing my attention, I'm taking the world on
My love, my loveMy love, oh, my love
Summer rain dripping down your face again
Summer rain, praying someone feels the same
Take the pain killer, cycle on your bicycle
Leave all this misery behind