Cougar Microbes

considering Jamie Hince‘s extended stint in the tabloid papers and Alison Mosshart‘s largely enjoyable The Dead Weather project The Kills may have been forgiven for losing focus once it came down to the business of recording music again. Instead with the release of ‘Blood Pressures‘ the duo returned with a bag full of attitude and some of their sharpest tracks to date.

Our girl Olivia added them to her Top 10 describing them as “One of the hottest, most sexual rock duo at the moment, the mix of Mosshart‘s moan and charisma and Hinge‘s guitar riffs still works wonders. This album actually sounds quite like 2008′s ‘Midnight Boom‘.

Perhaps it’s not their best work to date but remains quite the empowering album, with great tracks such as ‘Satellite‘, ‘Future Starts Slow‘ and ‘DNA‘ demonstrate particular flair“.

Nicole further discussed that “it should come as no surprise that a band named The Kills gravitates towards dark, gritty sounds on their latest album, ‘Blood Pressures‘. 

I can picture the title displayed in classic horror movie-style font. It seems a perfect combination of words for the duo, and certainly confirms their fascination with macabre subject matter.

Mosshart goes goth with lyrics like, “Baby says if ever you see skin/as pale or eyes as deep and as black as mine/ I’ll know you’re lying”, and it’s never been hotter. Meanwhile, Hince lays down such cool guitar riffs that you’ll feel like you’re part of The Brat Pack (see tracks “Baby Says” and “You Don’t Own The Road”).

I’ll also divulge that I found my musical soul mate on this album – “D.N.A” is one of the catchiest and most rhythmic songs I’ve heard all year. It had me at “hello” (i.e. when I saw them perform it at Emo’s during SXSW ‘11)“.

TRACKS:

The Kills – Future starts slow

PJ Harvey returned in 2011 with her 8th studio album and yet another reinvention of her sound. Yet again the Dorset native does not merely retrace steps she has taken in the past instead preferring to venture into unexplored territory.

This is a concept album of sorts dissecting events and behaviors leading to and during the First World War. At the same time these stories are heavily linked with modern-day England painting a very bleak picture for the future. While she is careful not to make any sweeping generalizations her disappointment at the state of affairs is more than evident.

Remarkably for an album with such a dark lyrical foundation ‘Let England Shake‘ remains incredibly accessible. Polly Jean‘s vocals are majestic throughout and the songwriting is incredibly focussed. By dwelling on past events she has reignited her creative spark once more.

‘Let England Shake‘ and its reflections deserve to be broadcast for generations to come placing its composer at the forefront of alternative music. Period.

TRACKS:

PJ Harvey – Let England Shake

As a teenager I dragged my dad to see Radiohead‘s The Bends tour in Milan most likely making me the youngest person in the audience and him the eldest. At the time I thought this would be a momentous occasion as we both witnessed a phenomenal show from what I was certain would be my favorite band for years to come.

Instead I began to lose interest/patience in the Oxford band somewhere around the turn of the century as they shifted towards megastar status. While I respected the compositions on the likes of ‘Amnesiac‘, ‘Hail The Thief‘ and especially ‘Kid A‘ I could not quite understand the level of adulation reserved for every beep and sound they produced.

While ‘In Rainbows‘ went a long way to repairing my relationship it is ‘The King Of Limbs‘ that won me back as a fan. In under 38 minutes Thom Yorke and co. reminded me of exactly why I loved their band and, crucially, allowing me to rediscover those releases I had been snubbing for all these years.

Make no mistake; this is not included purely on the romantic notion of a past love affair being rekindled.  TKOL represents as consistent set of tracks as the band have ever produced and an album that I have been able to listen to over and over again.

TRACKS:

Radiohead – Little By Little

It is somewhat poetic that ‘We’re New Here‘ would turn out to be Gil Scott-Heron‘s last release before he sadly passed away in 2011. In a career where he distinguished himself for confounding expectations it felt like the tracks from ‘I’m New Here’, his triumphant comeback album from 2010, where ripe to be quoted, sampled and bastardised like much of his back catalogue.

Instead Jamie xx did something different breathing new life into these compositions. To tag this simply as a remix album would be disrespectful to the young producer as his concise ideas mix perfectly with the words ensuring the legends musings are projected to a hungry new audience.

‘We’re New Here‘ therefore serves to show how universal the appeal of Scott-Heron is while showcasing the versatility of a young British star. Cougar writer Thom puts it best when he says “Jamie xx can do little wrong. Whilst turning a younger audiences taste buds to the back catalogue of Gil Scott-Heron, his gorgeous use of pips and twinkles have utterly enchanted his loyal fan base”

TRACKS:

Gil Scott-Heron And Jamie XX – NY Is Killing Me

Having waited for Florence + The Machine to release a followup to 2009′s excellent ‘Lungs‘ album our wish was finally granted with ‘Ceremonials‘.

This followup from Florence Welch and co. merits a spot in our top albums of the year because it combines great songwriting skills, something that is becoming rare these days, with an impressive production job from Paul Epworth.

The musicians often duel with each other in what is a considered and well crafted album but they always allow Florence‘s characteristic wail to be the albums leading light.

Our boy Mario mused that “at a time when artists are seeking to sound like “the last big thing” Florence + The Machine continue to be a bit of an anomaly. It is for this reason and many others that ‘Ceremonials‘ it can be appreciated by indie kids and Adele fans alike.”

Cougar regular Emily added ‘Ceremonials’ to her list as ”another guilty pleasure that I’m not ashamed to admit. I wish there were more energetic and euphoric music on my iPod, but Florence is a start”.

TRACKS:

Florence & The Machine – What the Water Gave Me (DhARMA Edit)

 Still only in their early 20′s Londoner‘s Bombay Bicycle Club released their third album in as many years in 2011. Just as the novelty factor of the foursome being fresh out of school was starting to wear off they produced an album that begs to be described as mature.

Those expecting more acoustic forays in the style of ‘Flaws‘ might be disappointed as ‘A Different Kind Of Fix‘ signals yet another evolution for the band. This time round they showcase a slick layered sound that sits them comfortably at the table with other British cutesy indie stalwarts such as Los Campesinos with the ambition of Editors.

It really feels like they were less concerned with wearing their influences on their sleeves as obviously as in the past. Instead, with the help of producer Ben H. Allen, they recorded an album that nods to American Indie but crucially sounds like Bombay Bicycle Club.

It might have a flaw or two but it sounds like it comes from a genuine place.

TRACKS:

Bombay Bicycle Club – How Can You Swallow So Much Sleep

Following her impressive debut ‘19‘ expectations were mighty high for Adele‘s comeback. Few could have imagined that the similarly numerically titled ‘21‘, propelled by the incredible single ‘Rolling In The Deep‘, would bring the young singer/songwriter to such dizzying heights.

Still, it would be wrong to attribute the Londoner‘s success solely to this lead single as there are plenty of fantastic moments on display ad demonstrated by the countless Adele tributes that exist on Soundcloud and Youtube.

Cougar writer Emily said “This is the album I’m not ashamed to admit I borrowed from my mum. Although Adele i always in danger of being overplayed, I still am not quite sick of her; for me it is her song writing that stands her apart from all the other ladies with pipes“.

Our boy Cole added ” I love Adele. I love her because she is more engaging with her voice and a piano than Rihanna and Lady Gaga are with million dollar stage productions. Her voice is heartbreaking and ‘21‘ has some of the most sincere young love tracks ever recorded. “Someone Like You”, “Rolling in the Deep”, and “Turning Tables” are all good enough to single-handedly carry a hit record. Whatever heartache (or genius songwriting partners) led to these beautiful songs was well worth it. I will still be listening to this album in 20 years.

TRACKS:

Adele – Turning Tables

Whilst reactions to Radiohead‘s latest album ‘The Kings Of Limbs‘ were generally very mixed (personally I really liked it) the Oxford band still managed to generate the usual interest we associate with them.

Likewise, there seems to be quite a buzz about ‘How Do You Sit Still/ Putting Ketchup In The Fridge‘ which surfaced today. The track is supposedly a Bends era outtake boasting Thom Yorke‘s unmistakable vocals over some early 90′s style alt rock.

So what do you think, is this a Radiohead b-side or just a very good impersonation?

TRACKS:

Radiohead – How Do You Sit Still/ Putting Ketchup In The Fridge