Cougar Microbes

One hot summer, a while ago, I almost exclusively listened to an album called ‘Something to Write Home About’ by an awesome band called The Get Up Kids. I was a whiney teenager and they wrote music I could relate to, man.

Ten years on, and a breakup and reunion later, the band it seems have done more growing up than I have. Any hints of their melodic punk roots appear to have been eradicated. All that remain are great hooks, good ideas and slick production. This ‘Shatter Your Lungs’ video from latest album ‘There Are Rules’ illustrates the point.

The band have also confirmed a 10-date co-headlining tour with the legendarySaves The Day. The run begins June 2 in Palatine, Illinois, and continues through June 12 in Allentown, Pennsylvania

‘There Are Rules’ was released earlier this year through Quality Hill Records.

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Post by Kenny
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TRACKS:

Last year I launched a bit of an attack on the concept of Valentine’s Day itselfy, this year I have mellowed down a little bit. I still think you shouldn’t need an excuse to treat your significant other but it is nice to see all the couples around Camden.

If you forgot to buy him/her a special treat you are still in time to head over to Vouchercodes.co.uk and use their Amazon promo codes. Alternatively you can dedicate these songs to them (pretending they were from you)

For all you lovers out there enjoy your day!

TRACKS

Colin Hay – I Just Don’t Think I’ll Ever Get Over You

The Police – The Bed’s Too Big Without You

The Get Up Kids – Valentine

Yo ‘WHY?’ I’m real happy for ya and I’ma let you finish….. BUT Tubelord’s ‘Our First American Friends’ is the best late contender for album of the year 2009.

Released on 12th October the Kingston (London) quartet’s offering showcases angular guitar hooks, vocals which meander effortlessly from harmony to cacophony, and a determination to keep song structures interesting and varied. Add a couple of recurring themes to the mix and you’ve got yourself a group who understand the craft of writing an album as opposed to a collection of songs.

Tubelord bravely draw on less fashionable post hardcore acts from the turn of the millennium. Think Piebald crossed with And None of Them Knew They Were Robots, with big The Get Up Kids style harmonies.

One slight criticism that I have is with the placement of tracks. The first half of the album flies past while the second half comes across as more contemplative in tone. While this in itself is a nice idea the effect is that the album does lose a little momentum on first listen. However, as the songs become more familiar this undoubtedly becomes less and less of a negative feature.

While ‘Our New American Friends’ may not quite make enough of a late surge to claim my highly coveted ‘album of the year’ gong it wins ‘top debut album of 2009’, hands down.

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post by Kenny the mischievous

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TRACKS:

Tubelord – Propeller

When I was at university, and in between houses, I temporarily shared a room with one of my best friends. For 3 months straight he played The Get Up Kids‘ Something To Write Home About first thing when he woke up and last thing before he went to bed. Had it been any other album i would have long since strangled him but their infectious synth heavy indie rock was (and is) exactly the kind of music you could hear millions of times without ever getting bored. In my mind each track was a gem in its own way.

I saw TGUK live twice in rapid succession and was always impressed by how the songs always took on a new life in a gig situation. It is rumoured that there is an imminent reunion planned in 2009 and of course I would be the first to rejoice at this news but until I don’t see it with my own eyes…

Fortunately we will always have their great releases to remind of of their genius. Something To Write Home About still remains one of my favourite albums and it should be one of yours!