Gliding Like A Satellite In The Broken Night

Joseph Arthur - Redemption City for Free

2012-01-22T00:32:00.001Z

A short post just to highlight that the fantastic Joseph Arthur has just released his latest album (a double) online for FREE! Even if you have never heard any of his stuff before give it a go. Just head to his website below

http://www.josepharthur.com/

Song of the Week: The Killers - Ultraviolet

2012-01-14T00:08:00.001Z

The Killers - Ultraviolet (U2 Cover)

Poor effort on my behalf recently but have a lot going on at the minute but thought I would come on and share this cover of U2's Ultraviolet. Brandon Flowers and the Killers have worked their magic on it and it is definitely worth a listen!

Sometimes I feel like I don't know
Sometimes I feel like checkin' out
I want to get it wrong
Can't always be strong
And love it won't be long...

Oh sugar, don't you cry
Oh child, wipe the tears from your eyes
You know I need you to be strong
And the day is as dark as the night is long
Feel like trash, you make me feel clean
I'm in the black, can't see or be seen

Baby, baby, baby...light my way
(alright now)
Baby, baby, baby...light my way

You bury your treasure
Where it can't be found
But your love is like a secret
That's been passed around
There is a silence that comes to a house
Where no one can sleep
I guess it's the price of love
I know it's not cheap

(oh, come on)
Baby, baby, baby...light my way
(oh, come on)
Baby, baby, baby...light my way

Oh...ultraviolet...
Ultraviolet...
Ultraviolet...
Ultraviolet...

Baby, baby, baby...light my way

I remember
When we could sleep on stones
Now we lie together
In whispers and moans
When I was all messed up
And I had opera in my head
Your love was a light bulb
Hanging over my bed

Baby, baby, baby...light my way
(oh, come on)
Baby, baby, baby...light my way

Ultraviolet...
[Repeat 4 times]

Baby, baby, baby...
Baby, baby, baby...
Baby, baby, baby...light my way
[Repeat 3 times]

Save Head Music Belfast

2012-01-09T23:46:00.001Z

This post is about the independent music store Head in Belfast. This Sunday 9th January they are meant to be closing down. This is extremely sad considering the wide range of music, films and other merchandise available instore. The staff have always been very pleasant and I know that personally I would be in on a regular basis looking for new music. For the local music scene it's a blow as the store sell a good range of releases from Northern Irish artists. The store also entice bands to play instore gigs most recently highlighted by the appearance of Bombay Bicycle Club.

The store is located in Victoria Square but according to the Save Head Facebook group, the fashion retailer 'Superdry' have made an offer to the centre to buy the unit. Despite Head wanting to keep the unit as their own.

What can you to help? Firstly you can like the Facebook group and help spread awareness by sharing it with all your friends and family. Secondly if you can help the management find a new location for the store please get in touch with them

Recent Discoveries

2011-12-28T23:51:00.000Z

Hopefully you all had a lovely Christmas filled with plenty of good company, food and gifts. Currently I am preparing my annual 'Year in Review' post but I am having some difficulty in picking some songs so I'm going to take the extra few days to decide. To keep things ticking over here are some songs that I have been listening to over the past week.

Hall and Oates - You Make My Dreams Come True

Glen Campbell - Ghost on the Canvas

Black Keys - Lonely Boy

Biffy Clyro - The Conversation Is

You Me At Six - Little Bit of Truth

All I want to do is write a song
One I haven't ever sung before
I don't want to sing the same old thing
It wouldn't mean anything to me

All I want to do is write a song
But everything I say just comes out wrong
I guess I'll just throw my thoughts away
Maybe pick them up another day

I just lost control
I just wanted you to know
When I'm on my own
I feel invisible
I just lost control
I just needed you to know
When in front of you
I feel invincible

I want to write a song that makes you smile
One that keeps you around for a while
I wish for, small things
Like losing, this feeling
I've seen this coming
I've seen you, leaving

I just lost control
I just wanted you to know
When I'm on my own
I feel invisible
I just lost control
I just needed you to know
When in front of you
I feel invincible

I know I've said and done some things
That've made you feel a little empty
I've got a whole lot to learn
Every bridge I see, I seem to burn so

All I've got to do is sing a song
Tell a little truth to everyone
Sick of saying sorry when I'm not
But after a little love that's
That's all I've
That's all I've got

I just lost control
I just wanted you to know
When I'm on my own
I feel invisible
I just lost control
I just needed you to know
When in front of you
I feel invincible
Invincible

Song of the Week: Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers - Learning To Fly

2011-12-18T16:59:00.004Z

Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers - Learning To Fly

Well I started out down a dirty road
Started out all alone
And the sun went down as I crossed the hill
And the town lit up, the world got still

[Chorus:]
I'm learning to fly, but I ain't got wings
Coming down is the hardest thing

Well the good ol' days may not return
And the rocks might melt and the sea may burn

[Chorus]

Well some say life will beat you down
Break your heart, steal your crown
So I've started out for God knows where
I guess I'll know when I get there

I'm learning to fly, around the clouds
But what goes up must come down

[Chorus]

They're singing deck the halls But it's not like Christmas at all

2011-12-16T18:38:00.000Z

I always despair whenever each year the Christmas decorations go up earlier and Christmas songs fill radios and shops. But now that that there is less than 10 days to go I am in much more of a festive mood. So to celebrate this I am going to highlight some Christmas songs that I have been listening to.

Snow Patrol - Just Like Christmas

Jimmy Eat World -Last Christmas

Death Cab For Cutie - Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)

The Killers - Don't Shoot Me Santa

Emmy The Great and Tim Wheeler - Home For The Holidays

Hopefully this small collection of covers and originals will help put you in the Christmas spirit. If you have some spare time check out the full Christmas album from Emmy the Great & Tim Wheeler, it's definitely worth a listen particularly if you have Spotify!

Song of the Week: Matchbox Twenty - Long Day

2011-12-04T17:53:00.001Z

Matchbox Twenty - Long Day

This week has been pretty busy but I managed to find time to watch Matchbox Twenty's storytellers set and all week I have been listening to their songs. This is my favourite

It's sitting by the overcoat,
The second shelf, the note she wrote
That I can't bring myself to throw away
And also
Reach she said for no one else but you,
Cuz you won't turn away
When someone else is gone

I'm sorry 'bout the attitude
I need to give when I'm with you
But no one else would take this shit from me
And I'm so
Terrified of no one else but me
I'm here all the time
I won't go away
It's me, yeah I can't get myself to go away
It's me, and I can't get myself to go away
Oh God I shouldn't feel this way

[chorus]

Reach down your hand in your pocket
Pull out some hope for me
It's been a long day, always ain't that right
And no Lord your hand won't stop it
Just keep you trembling
It's been a long day, always ain't that right

Well I'm surprised that you'd believe
In any thing that comes from me
I didn't hear from you or from someone else
And you're so
Set in life man, a pisser they're waiting
Too damn bad you get so far so fast
So what, so long

[chorus]

It's me, yeah and I can't get myself to go away
It's me, yeah and I can't get myself to go away
Oh God I shouldn't feel this way

[chorus]

Song of the Week: Snow Patrol - The Symphony

2011-11-19T23:15:00.001Z

Snow Patrol - The Symphony

If there was one band or artist likely to feature as my favourite song this week it would have to be Snow Patrol. My favourite band have just released their brand new album 'Fallen Empires' and I have been listening to it all week. I haven't quite decided how much I like it yet but for me this is my most listened to track from it so far.

Wooden floors, wooden floors whisperAnd they creak under your sockless feetA secret door, a door undiscoveredYou knock so gently in case you're heard
A record plays a song that you've not heardIt is perfect, it is homeEverything, now everything's differentIt is sweeter on your tongue
Cause you can see the road ahead in your dreamAnd the engine's more a sigh than a screamAnd your ghosts look more like angels from thereAnd the coast comes like a raft of warm air
A symphony, slow music of longingPlays in movements inside your headThere are no ghosts, no ghosts that can shake youLike they used to, anymore
Cause you can see the road ahead in your dreamAnd the engine's more a sigh than a screamAnd your ghosts look more like angels from thereAnd the coast comes like a raft of warm air
You can see the road ahead in your dreamAnd the engine's more a sigh than a screamAnd your ghosts look more like angels from thereAnd the coast comes like a raft of warm air
If this is all you ever asked forThen this is all you'll get

Noah and the Whale - Ulster Hall Review 09/10/11

2011-11-18T20:58:00.001Z

Charlie Fink

Noah and the Whale have undoubtedly seen their stock rise over the last year. They came to prominence through '5 Years Time' but seemed to struggle with mainstream success despite two strong albums. Their third album 'Last Night on Earth' has been a phenomenal success off the back of the massive 'L.I.F.E.G.O.E.S.O.N' and safely brought them back into the limelight. They were scheduled to play the Mandela Hall but due to the demand for tickets it was moved up to the Ulster Hall. The crowd at the gig is mainly that of a teenage audience making me feel quite funnily old.

Tom Hobden

The support for tonight comes from the Bahamas, personally I had never heard of them but suffice to say they pack a hell of a punch. According to pretty much all online biographies the Bahamas are simply just Afie Jurvanen but tonight he is joined by a drummer and two backing singers. Their music goes down well with the audience perhaps due the emotional lyrics and similar to Noah and the Whale a crossover between folk and rock. If I am honest I was disappointed in missing out on picking up a CD after the show as they had all sold out.

The band come out smartly dressed to a rapturous response and certainly look the part. Their performance is energetic and sees lead singer Charlie Fink remove various items of clothing. The band play a healthy mix of songs from their three albums with unsurprisingly more songs featuring from their most commercially successful third album. It is clear that the band have slowly moved away from their more folky roots but still they retain all their original charm.

The songs and the band seem to suit the very intimate and grand nature of the Ulster Hall. The crowd lap up every minute of the performance and particular highlights were of course 'L.I.F.E.G.O.E.S.O.N' and 'Five Years Time' but in truth the audience sang along to most of the songs. The band seem pleased with the rapturous response and indeed it was clear everyone involved had a great night. If you get a chance to go and see Noah and the Whale, you won't regret it.

Here are some of my own photos for you to enjoy.

Noah and the Whale enjoying the limelight at the Ulster Hall

Noah and the Whale on stage - Ulster Hall

Song of the Week: Red Hot Chili Peppers - By The Way

2011-11-08T23:23:00.000Z

Red Hot Chili Peppers - By The Way

An obvious choice really after their spell binding performance in the Ulster Hall as part of the EMA awards 2011. Unfortunately there are no good quality videos up online yet so I just have to link to the official video.

Standing in line to
See the show tonight
And there's a light of
Heavy glow
By the way I tried to say
I'd be there waiting for
Dani's the girl is
Singing songs to me
Beneath the marquee
Overload

Steak knife
Card shark
Con job
Boot cut

Skin that flick
She's such a little DJ
To get there quick
By street but not the freeway
Turn that trick
To make a little leeway
Beat that nic
But not the way that we play

Dogtown
Blood bath
Rib cage
Soft tal

Standing in line to
See the show tonight
And there's a light on
Heavy glow
By the way I tried to say
I'd be there waiting for
Dani's the girl is
Singing songs to me
Beneath the marquee
Overload

Black jack
Dope dick
Pawn shop
Quick pick

Kiss that dyke
I know you want to hold one
Not on strike
But I'm about to bowl one
Bite that mic
I know you never stole one
Girls that like
A story, so I told one

Song bird
Main line
Cash back
Hard top

Standing in line to
See the show tonight
And there's a light on
Heavy glow
By the way I tried to say
I'd be there waiting for
Dani's the girl is
Singing songs to me
Beneath the marquee
Overload

MTV EMA Belfast 2011 - A Critique

2011-11-08T23:19:00.000Z

Most people who read this will probably condemn me for being overly negative about what was seen and hyped as the biggest event to ever grace Belfast, if not Northern Ireland. Don't get me wrong there was definitely a buzz around Belfast for the EMA's but in my opinion this hype was continually pressed by local and national media. Suffice to say the actual event itself in my eyes was a bit of a disappointment.

Firstly the event itself was meant to see an influx of stars from the music industry invade Belfast for the weekend, this did not happen. This was perhaps highlighted by the TV coverage, there was no panning of the crowd to see which famous artist had flown over just for the event. Instead we were left with seeing only the winners of awards e.g. Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars, Katy Perry and Justin Bieber. All four won awards on the night, did we see any of the other acts like Adele, the Foo Fighters, Kanye West, Arcade Fire or Paramore...quite simply no we didn't. For what was hyped as a massive star studded event, there were only a handful in attendance. For the record I don't class people from the Jersey Shore as stars. On a side note I was also disappointed that a tribute was paid to Amy Winehouse, mainly because she was hailed as an inspiration to many young people. I am sorry but no matter how much talent you have, if you drink yourself to death and are a drug user then you should not be hailed or praised as inspirational. In this respect it was wrong to have such a feature on her life at an event broadcast globally to many young people.

Secondly for an event that was meant to showcase how much great music there is coming from Northern Ireland currently, the only band from here that was shown was Snow Patrol. Even then they were limited to performing their single 'Called Out In The Dark'. There was no mention of great local bands such as Two Door Cinema Club, General Fiasco, The Answer, instead their talents had to be showcased at our own awards ceremony. There doesn't seem much point in making such a big deal of broadcasting from Northern Ireland and mentioning it at every opportunity if you are not going to showcase the talents from within.

There was also a distinct lack of opportunity to actually go to the award ceremony itself, members of the NI public could only go through winning tickets through a competition. The rest of the audience was made up mainly of corporate sponsors and music industry executives. Again such a waste, the event was essentially an industry night out with a few of the general public tagging along. What about the free Snow Patrol concert at City Hall I hear you cry? Well those 15,000 people that managed to get a ticket through the farcical process were very lucky. Even at that, I would not exactly say convincing Snow Patrol to play in Belfast was difficult or a major coup. Don't get me wrong Snow Patrol are my favourite band but the line up for the evening was not exactly epic, no dis-respect intended to Jason Derulo or Boyce Avenue or their fans. Perhaps this would have been a perfect opportunity to showcase the best bands NI has to offer and broadcast more of it on TV.

Much was also made of the financial benefits to Northern Ireland as a whole for hosting a prestigious event but in that regard I also have doubts. Obviously the hotel industry received a massive boost for the weekend but will this carry through over the next few years, not a chance. On the BBC site they say that 39 separate hotels were required for production crews and celebrity entourages, this is a phenomenal number of people and I can't see these numbers being replicated by tourists. In the same article it claims that Belfast City Council estimate that it will generate £10 million in tourism revenues. I would like to know what they base these figures on, it is not like the so called celebrities or musicians will be hanging about in Belfast for tourists to come visit. Sure the event may bring some more tourists into Northern Ireland but I think the estimated benefits have been exaggerated and less has bee said over the time and money spent by the council in trying to get the MTV EMA ceremony here in the first place.

If I am honest it took me several days to post this 'opinion.' There is no denying that for many the MTV EMA 2011 in Belfast were a fantastic success but there is always room for improvement in my eyes!

New Death Cab For Cutie Material To Feature Heartache and Loss

2011-11-03T22:42:00.001Z

....

Well actually this is only speculation on my part. I am not a big fan of the media culture that suggests we stalk and follow the lives of every celebrity leaving them with no privacy. But I was intrigued to hear the news that Ben Gibbard of DCFC fame has split from his wife Zooey Deschanel. While the last album by Death Cab For Cutie, 'Codes & Keys' was a good album I feel that Gibbard is more at home writing about depressing material. Much of 'Codes & Keys' was about how happy he was with his new life. Particularly highlighted by 'Stay Young, Go Dancing', my favourite track off the album.

While this is undoubtedly a sad time for Ben and my best wishes go to him, hopefully it is the beginning of a rejuvenated Death Cab. Their best song is 'Tiny Vessels' which the band and Ben describe as the most vicious song that they have written. Vicious and clearly about a person where the relationship didn't mean anything.

This is the moment that you know
That you told her that you loved her but you don't.
You touch her skin and then you think
That she is beautiful but she don't mean a thing to me.
Yeah, she is beautiful but she don't mean a thing to me.

I spent two weeks in Silverlake
The California sun cascading down my face
There was a girl with light brown streaks
And she was beautiful but she didn't mean a thing to me.
Yeah she was beautiful but she didn't mean a thing to me.

Wanted to believe in all the words that i was speaking
As we moved together in the dark
And all the friends that i was telling
And all the playful misspellings
And every bite i gave you left a mark

Tiny vessels oozed into your neck
And formed the bruises
That you said you didn't want to fade
But they did and so did i that day

All I see are dark grey clouds
In the distance moving closer with every hour
So when you ask "was something wrong?"
That I think "you're damn right there is but we can't talk about it now.
No, we can't talk about it now."

So one last touch and then you'll go
And we'll pretend that it meant something so much more
But it was vile, and it was cheap
And you are beautiful but you don't mean a thing to me
Yeah you are beautiful but you don't mean a thing to me [x2]

We're not the same, dear, as we used to be.
The seasons have changed and so have we.
There was little we could say, and even less we could do
To stop the ice from getting thinner under me and you.

We bury our love in the wintery grave
A lump in the snow was all that remained.
But we stayed by its side as the days turned to weeks
And the ice kept getting thinner with every word that we'd speak.

And when spring arrived
We were taken by surprise when the floes under our feet bled into the sea
And nothing was left for you and me.

We're not the same, dear,
And it seems to me
There's nowhere we can go
With nothing underneath.
And it saddens me to say
But we both know, well, it's true
That the ice was getting thinner
Under me and you.
The ice was getting thinner
Under me and you.

Or a song as depressing and emotional as 'The Ice is getting Thinner'. Please Ben start writing new material the next DCFC album will benefit from this rough time but most of all don't forget that we do feel for your loss.

Song of the Week: General Fiasco - Please Take Your Time

2011-11-01T23:09:00.003Z

General Fiasco - Please Take Your Time

Just a quick post, it's been a pretty busy week but managed to see these guys on Sunday night. They were impressive as always.

Slowly I'm here changing nothing,

going backwards,

Yeah lets go back to the start again...

As they told it, we're still losing

Can't quite grasp it,

Can't quite get enough of you.

Well please take your time with me

Lost unfocused my mind takes over

I'm just a ghost now my mouth has let me down again

Now you've seen it

Throw shame over

That's my secret, I hope you get the best of it.

Well please take your time with me

Well please take your time with me

Slowly I'm here changing nothing

Going backwards

Lets go back to the start again

As they told us, we're still losing

Can't quite grasp it

Can't quite get enough of you

Well please take your time with me

Time came a-creepin' Oh and time's a loaded gun

2011-10-28T00:46:00.001+01:00

I guess this musical collection is due to the recent changes going on in my life. Having finished studying, I have now found and am about to start a new job. I have just left my other job and am feeling pensive about what the future holds for myself, my friends and family. My general feelings for the future are positive and I have a lot to look forward to but I guess there will always be a side of me that is nervous for what the future holds and the changes it will bring. Hopefully this collection of songs reflects that, I apologise for several of the songs which are very predictable but hopefully there are a few surprises in there too.

David Bowie - Changes
"Ch-ch-Changes
Pretty soon now you're gonna get older
Time may change me
But I can't trace time
I said that time may change me
But I can't trace time"

Keane - Everybody's Changing
"So little time
Try to understand that I'm
Trying to make a move just to stay in the game
I try to stay awake and remember my name"

Bob Dylan - The Times They Are A-Changin'
"If your time to you
Is worth savin'
Then you better start swimmin'
Or you'll sink like a stone
For the times they are a-changin'."

John Mayer - Why Georgia

"I am driving up 85 in the
kind of morning that lasts all afternoon
just stuck inside the gloom
Four more exits to my apartment but
I am tempted to keep the car in drive and leave it all behind"

Snow Patrol - Warmer Climate
"But the universe is just an empty space
And all the stars can disappear without a trace
And I'm so glad that this has taken me so long
'Cause it's the journey that made me so strong"

Breaks Co-Op - The Otherside

"So take my hand and I'll lead you back to the otherside
Get yourself into a better place and live your life
Hold your head up high and don't rely on anyone else
Make it easier on yourself and don't ask why"

The Get Up Kids - Holiday
"what became of everyone i used to know?
where did our respectable convictions go?"

Jimmy Eat World - The World You Love
"I'm in love with the ordinary
I need a simple space
and rest my head
everything gets clear
well I'm a little ashamed for asking
but just a little helps
it gets me straight again"

Coldplay - Life In Technicolor II
"Time came a-creepin'
Oh and time's a loaded gun
Every road is a ray of light
It goes o-o-on
Time only can lead you on
Still it's such a beautiful night"

Embrace - Spell It Out
"Heres my list of all the things I should have said and done
The boats I missed and all the fights I lost I really should have won
And I'm not the only one"

Have I missed any obvious song choices or is there a song that means something to you? Let me know!

Song of the Week: Pete Yorn - Social Development Dance

2011-10-24T23:41:00.002+01:00

Pete Yorn - Social Development Dance

This week my chosen song actually matches up with my Last.fm listening stats which makes a change. I am a big fan of Pete Yorn and would love to see him live. This song comes from his 2009 album 'Back and Forth' which I recently acquired. Not really sure why this song in particular has caught my attention this week but nevertheless enjoy.

It doesn't have an official video but this is taken from an in-store signing.

I remember the first time I saw you
You were drifting down Crouse Avenue
You looked like a hot-country-Vermont,
though my eyes were never that good.
Your head seemed to hold itself up high
on that long thin neck of yours
You glanced back, although we never had passed
You lit a cigarette and smiled

And when we kissed it was electric
A chemist made us for each other
but I was far from being your only one
My roommate said he'd seen you before...

There's something missing in us
We try to make it whole
Though it never feels like it, i know you have it all

There's something missing in us
We long to make it whole
Though it never feels like it
I know you have it all
Yeah, I know you have it all

We went to the social development dance
The whiskey went down easily
You kissed the best you had enormous breasts
And we wandered out really early

We were neighbors for a very short time
It all worked out quite wrong
When your boyfriend called
You pressed against the wall
...:"Oh I really gotta go now"....

There's something missing in us
We try to make it whole
Though it never feels like it, I know you have it all

There's something missing in us
we long to make it whole
though it never feels like it, I know you have it all
Yeah, I know you have it all

We'd move away when the winters were gone
I think I saw you once in the city
I heard you were staying up North with a friend
And that your hair was falling out

I tried to find out what had happened to you
I Googled you in quotes- got no results
I never learned how you had died
But I knew how you had lived

There's something missing in us
We tried to make it whole
Though it never felt like it, I know you had it all

There's something missing in us
We longed to make it whole
Though it never felt like it, I know you had it all
Yeah, I know you had it all
Friend my friend, you left us in the end

I remember the last time I saw you
You were floating down Crouse Avenue.

So I'll File Away All My Dreams Though I Still Believe In Everything

2011-10-21T00:22:00.000+01:00

It has been a while since I have done a featured artist and therefore here is one for your enjoyment. If you watch any sort of American TV shows or have ever seen The Garden State you will have heard of him or at least heard his music. I am talking of course about Cary Brothers and if you haven't seen The Garden State then get on it!

Described as an american indie rock singer song writer is probably quite an accurate description though perhaps rock is a bit strong, his efforts are generally more chilled and stripped back. He currently has two albums 'Who You Are' and his most recent 'Under Control' as well as several EPs. Although his most famous song is 'Blue Eyes' from the Garden State soundtrack his music is featured in shows such as Grey's Anatomy, Scrubs, ER and Smallville to name a few. He has even managed to diversify his music into the dance scene with collaborations with Tiesto, not particularly my cup of tea but pretty cool nonetheless. Perhaps even more impressive is he produced Joshua Radin's song 'Winter' which is an epic song.

Cary Brothers recently played in Belfast supporting Brooke Fraser but unfortunately I was unable to attend due to work commitments. He did mention on his Facebook that he would come back one day and I hope that he does maybe not just supporting someone. He is a fantastic talent who writes great songs that have strong lyrics and in my opinion should be in most peoples music collections!

If you are interested in hearing more of his music by signing up to his mailing list you can get 4 Free MP3s!

Song of the Week: Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds - AKA...What a Life

2011-10-19T23:30:00.000+01:00

Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds - AKA...What a Life

At the minute he is on course for being the number one album and after having a brief listen this week I am impressed. I discovered Oasis quite late on but if I had to pick between Liam's Beady Eye or Noel's High Flying Birds, I would have to go with Noel. Granted this song is not the most lyrically amazing song but it has been stuck in my head and unfortunately I have used all five of my spotify listens already...

Someday you might find your hero
Some say you might lose your mind
I keeping my head down now for the summer
I'm outta my mind let me pull the other
I'm gonna take that tiger outside for a ride

What a life!
What a life!
[ Lyrics from: http://www.lyricsmode.com/lyrics/n/noel_gallagher/aka_what_a_life.html ]
Keep on chasing down that rainbow
You'll never know what you might find
Over the sunset on the horizon
Maybe you dream but it tastes like poison
I'm gonna take that tiger outside for a ride

What a life!
What a life!
What a life!
What a life!

What a life!
What a life!
What a life!
What a life!

Someday you might find your hero
Some say you might lose your mind
Woo Hoo
Woo Hoo
Woo Hoo
Woo Hoo
Woo Hoo
Woo Hoo
Woo Hoo
Woo Hoo

Song of the week: Unkle Bob - Swans

2011-10-13T00:36:00.000+01:00

Going to try out a new feature, a short a simple post once a week with a song that has caught my attention and been on repeat on my mp3 player!

Unkle Bob - Swans

This is a sad song but quite a beautiful one at that. I had completely forgotten about it and it must have been a few years since I last listened to it. But it came up on shuffle the other day and I have been obsessed with it.

By my side,you’ll never be.By my side,you’ll. never. be.
'Cause I’m fake at the seams,I’m lost in my dreams, andAnd I want you to know,that I can’t let you go.
And you’re never coming home again,And you’re never coming home again.
By my side,you’ll never be.By my side,you’ll. never. be.(x2)
I wanted to tell you I changed.I wanted to tell you that things would be different this time.
I see you, you see me,Differently.I see you, you see me,Differently.
You tell me that you love me but you never want to see me again

Why do you have to go and make things so complicated?

2011-10-05T12:52:00.001+01:00

In my opinion there are some great covers of original songs out there but more often than not they are really bad. This post is going to show some of my favourite covers that I personally think have been well done. They are in no particular order and if you think I have missed any good covers leave me a comment and let me know!

1. Snow Patrol - Last Friday Night (Katy Perry Cover)

I have to be honest Katy Perry is not someone I would normally listen to but when I heard that my favourite band had covered one of her songs I was intrigued. It probably helps my opinion that Gary can have a laugh at his own expense.

2. Stereophonics - Best of You (Foo Fighters Cover)

The original version of this song by the Foo Fighters is excellent however I think the more mellow approach by Kelly takes the song to a whole new level. Probably not the best cover to listen to if you are depressed but an excellent cover nonetheless.

3. Ryan Adams - Wonderwall (Oasis Cover)

A truly haunting version of the massively popular Oasis classic. Similarly to the Stereophonics the more mellow approach by Ryan Adams has given the song a whole new perspective.

4. Duke Special - Shinning Light (Ash Cover)

I've always loved the original version by Ash but hated the other cover by Annie Lennox. Tim Wheeler has written a terrific song and this piano acoustic version brings out a much more beautiful and meaningful tone to the lyrics.

5. Ben Gibbard - Complicated (Avril Lavigne Cover)

This year Death Cab For Cutie have become one of my favourite bands and when I stumbled across this old guilty pleasure I was thrilled. A nice chilled stripped back version of this song is great and it is made even better by Ben trying to convince the audience that it is a serious song.

6. Foo Fighters - Band On The Run (Wings Cover)

Band on the Run is a great song no matter who is playing it but would have to say I actually prefer this version of it. It is a lot more intense than the original and is just pure brilliance.

7. Kate Nash - Fluorescent Adolescent (Arctic Monkeys Cover)

I had always previously struggled to see what all the fuss was about with the Arctic Monkeys, sure they were a decent band but the rate at which they rose to success was phenomenal. When I did here this cover by Kate Nash I went back and checked them out. This song is perfectly suited to Kate's vocals.

8. Newton Faulkner - Foundations (Kate Nash Cover)

Even if you dislike Kate Nash's voice and accent, there is something uplifting and satisfying about this cover.

9. Jimmy Eat World - Game of Pricks (Guided By Voices Cover)

Jimmy Eat World are definitely in my top 5 favourite bands and this cover perhaps sums why. Fast paced, good lyrics and just a thoroughly enjoyable song. Very different from the original and again I think I prefer this cover over it.

10. Glen Campbell - Good Riddance (Time Of Your Life) (Green Day Cover)

Glen Campbell is a great songwriter and has written some great music but he also does some great covers. I knew I wanted to have a Glen Campbell cover in here somewhere but he has so many to choose from. If you are interested in hearing more check out his album 'Meet Glen Campbell' it includes covers of the Foo Fighters, Travis and Tom Petty.

Stop living in the shadow of a helicopter

2011-10-02T23:59:00.001+01:00

Here are a few tracks occupying my mp3 player at the minute:

Lowly Knights - You Can't Help Who You Love
Blink 182 - MH 4.18.2011
Twin Atlantic - Make A Beast of Myself
Phoenix - If I Ever Feel Better
Joseph Arthur - Ashes Everywhere

Also very excited for the new Snow Patrol album, November 14th cannot come soon enough.

Why You Should Get last.fm

2011-09-27T00:01:00.004+01:00

I have filed this post under music collections but instead of posting a number of tracks that have caught my attention or a specific theme of tracks I want to highlight a site that has a massive music collection. Only several of my friends actually have a profile on the site and this is a plea to others to sign up and discover some great music and features!

According to my profile page on last.fm I have been a user since October 2007 and my account holds over 114,600 plays of various songs. This data has been pulled from various sources; my iTunes account, windows media player and my mp3 player. Once you download last.fm it scans all these sources for your music and records how many times you've listened to those tracks. Maybe it is just me but I think that it is pretty cool to be able to see who your most listened to artists are and which tracks are your all time favourites. I know that iTunes does a playlist with most played songs but this ranks every song, artist and album. Perhaps the most awesome and clearly very geeky feature is the ability to sort songs, artists and albums by different weeks or months of the year. Do you want to find out what you were listening to during the summer, that difficult break-up or just a certain time in your life? Well you can and I have, suffice to say at times the results were quite surprising.

As well as having awesome features for statistic geeks like myself, last.fm also offers a radio service for every artist in their database. Basically the radio will then play a track by your chosen artist followed by several similar artists who they think you like. This is a great way to discover new music and has helped me to discover some real hidden gems who I never would have found otherwise! It also recommends concerts happening near your location and has a small but growing selection of free mp3s to download. This doesn't even begin to mention the actual social network aspect of the site which while no Facebook beater, does have interesting features allowing you to find people who have similar musical tastes to yourself.

If you are a big music fan and are constantly listening to music check out last.fm now and if you do drop me a message or comment below with your username! You can see my listening habits on the top right of this blog direct from last.fm!

www.last.fm

And all these demons, they keep me up all night

2011-09-19T23:27:00.001+01:00

Next week sees the release of the much anticipated new Blink 182 album, it's been a long wait for many fans after their announced hiatus. The band have promised a more mature sound to the material and it is definitely something I look forward to hearing. The singles that I have heard off the new album, 'Up All Night' and 'After Midnight' have me excited as to what the rest of the album holds and of course what the new material will sound like live. I have never seen the band live before but I have tickets to see them play next summer. Unfortunately none of the album is available on Spotify yet so I can't post links for you to hear the material but here's the first single off the album courtesy of youtube.

Get your music featured here!

2011-08-30T00:22:00.000+01:00

As it says on my introduction/about me page I have realised that a lot of my postings are about mainstream or relatively well known bands. Well I would like this to change! Maybe you are in a band or maybe you're just a solo artist, it doesn't matter. I would love to hear new music from anyone, so if you think your music should be heard by a wide audience, please get in touch and you never know you could soon feature in one of our posts.

If you would like your music featured on Gliding Like A Satellite In The Broken Night please get in touch!

Tennent's Vital 2011 Day One Review

2011-08-27T00:19:00.000+01:00

After a long three year wait for the return of Tennent's Vital, things were not looking good due to a torrential downpour while I was travelling to the festival. Thankfully by the time we had parked the sun had just started to sneak out from behind some dark clouds.

The first act on the main stage was Ryan Sheridan. Essentially a singer songwriter, it was quite surprising to see him on this stage. However he was pretty good, my friend found him reminiscent of John Mayer. I must admit his percussionist did help him to stand out from the typical singer songwriter. All in all a good warm up act.

Next to take the stage were The Wombats. I had already seen them play in Belfast earlier on this year where they were superb in a small venue. They translated quite well to the festival scene no doubt helped by the fact that many of their latest singles have received major airplay. Songs like 'Moving to New York' and 'Tokyo (Vampires & Wolves) energised the crowd who had been quite chilled by Ryan Sheridan. Final song 'Let's Dance to Joy Division' had most of the audience singing along and was a fitting end to a tight set.

Ellie Goulding was up next and it was difficult for her to compete with the previous band. While it is true that she has some great songs up here sleeve, especially 'Guns and Horses' and 'Starry Eyed'. The fact that she has only released one album made her a strange choice to have a longer set than the Wombats as there were times when the audience were talking amongst themselves waiting for a recognisable song. While this may sound negative Ellie did the best with what she had and her enthusiastic drumming and sing-a-long of Elton John classic 'Your Song' was pretty impressive.

The final warm up act before the Script were Two Door Cinema Club. A homecoming for them and an excellent one at that. Their album 'Tourist History' has been constantly stuck on my cd player and mp3 player as well as receiving massive airplay and critical acclaim. For this reason TDCC's set is essentially an album sing and dance along. The crowd go wild at major singles 'Undercover Martyn' and 'What You Know' and even the lesser known songs from the album are hits with the crowd. A triumphant return for the electro-pop band and they even throw in a new song for us to sample and if 'Tourist History' is anything to go by we're all in for a treat!

Whenever the headline act for the first night of Tennent's Vital was announced, the organisers were given a lot of grief for having chosen the Script. While it is true that they don't have the pull of someone like Eminem, it must be remembered that they have sold out shows in the Waterfront and the Odyssey Arena in Belfast over the last two years. Indeed the Script provide exactly what is asked from them a slick pop performance. The Script are probably one of the most played bands of recent times on radio with songs like 'We Cry' and 'The Man Who Can't Be Moved' staying in the charts for weeks. The Script provide the biggest sing-a-longs of the night with these songs and it is clear that they have a wide fan base.

I unfortunately didn't make it to the other stage to check out the local acts but having seen the Wonder Villains, A Plastic Rose and Ram's Pocket Radio before I am sure they put on a good show.

The first night of Tennent's Vital 2011 was definitely very enjoyable, personally I feel that Two Door Cinema Club should have headlined as they completely stole the show but will grudgingly admit that they simply don't yet have enough material to do so. A big thank you to the organisers for putting on a good show!

Lost in a maze of a thousand rainy days

2011-08-16T23:32:00.000+01:00

Back again for another post with no real theme or mesh to hold it together. Just back from holiday in the USA and managed to get to a Goo Goo Dolls gig. Have to say they were excellent and would definitely go see them again. I don't understand why they never made more of an impact in the UK.

Next week off to Tennent's Vital to see The Script, Two Door Cinema Club, The Wombats and Ellie Goulding. I've already seen the script and the wombats live before so I'm particularly looking forward to seeing Two Door Cinema Club and Ellie Goulding. I've also tickets to see Noah and the Whale later this year and Blink 182 next summer.

Snow Patrol have just debuted their new single from the forthcoming album. It's got an electronic aspect but still strangely familiar. Extremely excited for the new material and from current press previews it sounds like their best work yet. Mind you it will take some effort to top Final Straw...

Goo Goo Dolls - Slide
The Script - Nothing
Two Door Cinema Club - What you know
The Wombats - Techno Fan
Ellie Goulding - Everytime you go
Noah and the Whale - Life is Life
Blink 182 - Dammit
Snow Patrol - How to be Dead

Some music that has recently caught my attention:

Staind - It's been a while
Twin Atlantic - Free
Death Cab for Cutie - Stay Young Go Dancing
John Mayer - War of my Life

Farewell