They look like fun don't they? They are! I'm generally not a fan of overhyping bands, especially when they're young so everyone is just playing the age card as some kind of novelty but Operator Please have released one of my favourite songs of the last few weeks - 'Leave it alone' is a kicking little punk rock/pop song with parts that remind me of Yeah Yeah Yeahs or Land Of Talk esque melodies, except they're Australian... and kids. Ok now we're over the age thing lets look at the brilliant video and listen to the wonderful song:
http://www.sendspace.com/file/82nlsd - Leave It Alone
I'd seen SIA once before this night, at the Bowery Ballroom in New York City. I remember only knowing a couple songs, 'Breathe Me' ad 'Sunday' but leaving totally blown away by her. This occasion was no different. Seeing as her album was only floating around the internet and not officially released I went only knowing her past records, but kids, next time SIA is in town please make sure you go along. Her voice was consistently amazing, she had hilarious banter with the crowd the entire way through and at one point checked up on us all, 'Is everyone ok? Can I get you guys anything' to which an audience member replied, 'A Beer!' and SIA got her tour manager to bring up some beer from the dressing room and handed it out to the audience. Can you say aww? What a sweetie. She ran through some oldies but goodies, 'Sunday' 'Destiny' 'Somersault' and the stunning 'Breathe Me' and introduced her new album which, by the way, is fantastic. New songs 'Day Too Soon' 'Buttons' 'The Girl' 'Academia' 'Playground' and 'Soon We'll be found' are all lining up to go into SIA's best writing yet. Did I mention the intro song was performed in UV glow outfits by her and the whole band? no? magic!
Pictures below; videos to come.
Adele - Chasing Pavements (Beggars)
The first time I saw Adele play was in an oddly themed 60s bar in Soho about a year and a half ago. She was incredible then, and one and a half years later she is still incredible and this time, available to the masses. Her earlier songs have been floating around the internet for awhile – ‘Hometown Glory’ ‘My Same’ and ‘Best For Last’ and they are all hidden soulful gems. At 19 years old many people are already trying to squeeze her into the same box as Kate Nash and Lily Allen but that is purely lazy journalism. The only thing they have in common is youth and hometown. Her new single ‘Chasing Pavements’ has a glossier sheen that previous songs, but is still another slice of her refreshing London soul. The most rewarding thing about Adele is her voice, it is flawless and rich and bubbling over the top of her acoustic melodies seamlessly. The chorus of ‘Chasing Pavements’ is bigger than it needs to be; with the sound of full string orchestra behind her, she could have easily carried the song without it, but it’s a minor complaint in the overall Adele picture. The B-side, ‘That’s It, I Quit’ is more loyal to Adele’s previous style; harking back to older soul sounds with a modern acoustic sound meshed in, a staccato style of singing flowing through the track with regular guitar and vocal stops to give you time to catch up.
The great thing about new talent like this is that while there is no doubt to Amy Winehouse’s talent, her reliability isn’t exactly her selling point. Adele possesses as much soul; granted a different kind but as much never the less, and best of all Adele will always show up.
8/10
