Paul Newman's Eyes

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Posted by Paul Newman's Eyes at 7:06 pm | Permalink | Comments (0)

A blast from my Ghetto past. Fiz Up, Look Sharp is probably the best Dizzee Rascal song, still (and I do feel qualified to talk about that). It was his first real hit, and really, the first hit for the (even now subculture) relativly new world of grime. And why not? A fantasic sample, with what sounds like the rantings of a madman condensed into rap form over the top, it is distinctive, memorable, and FUN!

Or so I've been informed...

Dizzee Rascal - Fix Up, Look Sharp

Posted by Paul Newman's Eyes at 9:44 am | Permalink | Comments (0)

My perfect party mix goes something like this:

Andrew W.K. - Party Hard

Andrew W.K. - Party Hard

Andrew W.K. - Party Hard

Andrew W.K. - Party Hard

Andrew W.K. - Party Hard

Andrew W.K. - Party Hard

Andrew W.K. - Party Hard

Justice vs Simian - We are your friends

Andrew W.K. - Party Hard

Andrew W.K. - Party Hard

Posted by Paul Newman's Eyes at 8:30 pm | Permalink | Comments (0)

At the front row of most gigs, the atmostphere is one of two: aggressive, or passive-aggressive. People are either fighting for a space at the front, or pretending not to fight for a space at the front, while secretly hoping they could get some of Darth Vader's powers, and force choke everyone in front of them.
At Hot Chip concerts, its just... different. Possibly it's the size of the venues they play, possibly the time they are on (invariably late), maybe its just them themselves, but for some reason, Hot Chip are the only band I've ever seen where the front row are facing backwards.
It is this that rises Hot Chip above the rest of the "Nu-Rave" bands, who are essentially just guitar bands of old, but with screechy synth (incidentally, it is this that proves uncyclopedia's claim that "The NME is a fashion magazine cunningly disguised as a music magazine." The only difference between a Nu-Rave band such as, say, Klaxons, and your common-or-garden electro is glowsticks and bright T-shirts. Thats. It. But I digress). You see, Hot Chip gigs feel like raves. Everyone is there for the music, there is dancing, people are friendly, and no one gets crushed against the barriers.

Tune in tomorrow for the flip side.

My Patch (Hot Chip Remix) - Jim Noir
Careful - Hot Chip

Posted by Paul Newman's Eyes at 8:39 pm | Permalink | Comments (0)

Single of the week status must be conferred to The Pipettes, with the glorious revenge ballad "Judy".
This is a band who are continually releasing singles that never seem to get weaker (or, if you aren't a fan of their Shelia's Wheels style harmonies, never seem to get stronger), and Judy doesn't buck that trend. Pop it on a stereo, and you will soon see why they are rapidly rising up the pop spectrum.
The Pipettes - Judy

Posted by Paul Newman's Eyes at 11:08 pm | Permalink | Comments (0)

Petra Haden Sings: The Who Sell Out. This is one of those albums whose title didn't take much thought. She is called Petra Haden. And she sings The Who's 'weirdest' album, The Who Sell Out. Just sings. The only instrument on this album is her multi-tracked voice, as she sings every part - even the strange adverts in between. The end result is a strangley calming album, that blends in with the hubbub of daily life very well.

Petra Haden - Tattoo

Posted by Paul Newman's Eyes at 11:12 pm | Permalink | Comments (0)

Its been obvious from the start that the “single of the week” is, well, flexible. Most of the time, its the “of the week” part which is pushed, as in the case of In The Morning, which had been out for a month, or Lets Make Love..., which didn't come out for another two weeks.
This time, though, it it the concept of the single which must go. For Cheryl Tweedy is one of Allen's best tracks, cruelly cut out of the album because of sample clearance (Origin Unknown, music nerds). It did, however, make the B-side of Smile, and that is how it found its way here.
Anyone expecting a famed insult-fest will be disappointed, because this is a reverential song, with Lily claiming she wishes she “looked just like Cheryl Tweedy” over a drum 'n' bass backing beat. Not much else to say really. If you are a fan, you will love it. If you hate her, it probably won't change your mind (unless you fall in love with the backing track. Entirely possible.), but it is worth a try anyway.
Lily Allen - Cheryl Tweedy

Posted by Paul Newman's Eyes at 8:12 pm | Permalink | Comments (0)