BBC release All-Star cover of The Beach Boys “God Only Knows”

Posted on by DeShonna Johnson

This is something you don’t want to miss!

In honor of the launch of BBC Music , 27 artists have come together to create the next greatest collaboration cover since ‘We Are The World.’

The artists – from Lorde, Pharrell, Sam Smith, Stevie Wonder, and more – came together to reincarnate the Beach Boys’ hit “God Only Knows” along with the BBC Concert Orchestra.  The cover of the song will be released for purchase to benefit the BBC’s Children in Need charity.

This event comes 17 years after the BBC gathered all-stars for the cover of Lou Reed’s “Perfect Day.”

Watch the video below to see the star-studded video and the heavenly graphics that go along with it!

 

Diarrhea Planet x Vinyl Video

Posted on by Emily McBride

Errbody knows that we at Vinyl Mag have love for Diarrhea Planet.  I personally have vowed never to miss a show when they come around, seeing as how we’ve already established that they are the best live band you’ll ever see.

The boys recently stopped by the Masquerade in Atlanta, GA and, since it’s been almost two years since our last backstage chat, I decided it was time to catch up.

Check out my interview with Jordan, Emmett, Mike, and Casey below to hear us talk about great pop songs and the first albums they ever bought, plus – bonus – sing a little Hanson.

Stay tuned for Diarrhea Planet’s upcoming album, Aliens in the Outfield, available November 18 on vinyl and download via Infinity Cat Recordings.  Check out their single here.

Watch: Ed Sheeran: “Thinking Out Loud”

Posted on by Hannah Smith

Ed Sheeran has been recruiting an army of fans since his first studio album was released in 2011. His mounting success in Britain followed him to the US, and he’s been growing his musical career ever since. If it wasn’t already apparent from Sheeran’s own music, he’s an incredibly talented songwriter, having written for the likes of One Direction and co-written with his best friend, Taylor Swift. With only two studio albums, the talented singer has already achieved monumental success and continues to be a game-changer in the industry.

The video for “Thinking Out Loud” fits the style of the song, which is a ballad. Frequent radio listeners may only know Sheeran for his funky, pop hits such as “Sing” and “Don’t.” Much like any ballad, “Thinking Out Loud” shows a lesser-known side of the artist.

The video reflects this also. In it, Sheeran debuts his dancing skills, a very rare sight to behold. This isn’t full-out breakdancing or anything bizarre – instead, he shows off graceful old-school ballroom dancing.  Sheeran acts as the support for his partner’s lifts and twirls, as she is the true star of the video. Her dance moves are flawless and unwavering, as Sheeran mostly dances in place.

Equally as surprising is Sheeran’s wardrobe change. The singer ditches his usual t-shirt-and-jeans attire in exchange for a vest and dress pants.  His unique personality still finds a way to shine through without him being the star. Even though he appears sans guitar, he finds a way to incorporate air guitar into the video, adding a touch of playfulness to the serious song. The music video is a beautiful portrayal of dancing that matches the true eloquence of the ballad.

Charli XCX: “London Queen”

Posted on by Hannah Smith

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In anticipation of the December 16 release of her sophomore album, Sucker, pop singer Charli XCX has released a new single.

The single, “London Queen,” is inspired by the Ramones, according to Charli. The pop punk song was produced by Justin Raisen, who has also worked with other talents such as Theophilus London and Sky Ferreira.

Her second studio album, Sucker, was set to release October 21, but has since been pushed back to December 16, much to fans’ disappointment. With the increasing popularity she’s gained with “Fancy” and “Boom Clap,” the album is one of the most anticipated of 2014. Her recent success was a result of the years of work she’s put forth since the start of her music career in 2008. Despite the long road to achieving popularity, Charli XCX’s music hasn’t suffered. Every song she’s released from her upcoming album is fierce, relentless and guaranteed to be stuck in your head for at least a few days.

Even though she didn’t write “London Queen,” the song sounds as if it was written exclusively for her.  It kicks off with an energy-filled beat, instantly drawing attention.  “London Queen” allows for her to debut a more raw sound than her previous singles, which shows her versatility even in a single album. Charli’s lyrics revolve around living in the United States, as opposed to the UK. While this description may give the indication that this is a more somber song, it’s the complete opposite. She approaches the song with ambition and excitement over her new lifestyle, singing “I never thought I’d be living in the USA/Doing things the American way/I never thought I’d be living in the USA/Living the dream like a London Queen.” This single is fun (just like her other singles) and makes listeners even more anxious for the upcoming album.

Also, while the songstress is bringing back punk rock, she is currently on the North American leg of her tour. The tour will continue until her final show in San Francisco, California on October 25. You can find tickets and upcoming shows of Charli XCX here.

 3/5

Jessie J: “Personal”

Posted on by Hannah Smith

With the upcoming release of her third studio album, Sweet Talker, on October 14, Jessie J has included a free download of “Personal” with the pre-order.

This will be the third single from the new album, but it’s the first one that isn’t a collaboration. “Bang Bang,” featuring Ariana Grande and Nicki Minaj, reached #1 on iTunes upon its release, while “Burnin’ Up” included 2 Chainz. The British artist isn’t only making strides in her home country, but also dominates the charts in the U.S. as well. Her debut album, Who You Are, sold over four million copies and was certified multi-platinum in over 15 countries. With the momentum she has gained over the past few years, her latest endeavor is sure to be a success.

With “Personal,” Jessie J opts for a more subdued sound, which, nevertheless, is just as powerful with her contagious voice. With less reliance on drum beats and instrumentation, her voice echoes over the monotonous rhythm. The listener is forced to admire the range of her unique vocals. She demands the listener to hear what she’s saying clearly. Jessie J sings, “when you fall in love/You can’t help it when you act like a fool/When you look above/You see the reasons why we do what we do.” Upon listening to the track, it is apparent the song is very meaningful and, well… personal.

3/5

Jessie J Tour Dates:

October 9        New York, NY – Gramercy Theatre

October 14      Los Angeles, CA – El Rey Theatre

Listen: Angels & Airwaves: “Paralyzed”

Posted on by Vinyl Mag

Angels & Airwaves (vocalist/guitarist Tom DeLonge of Blink-182’s other band) are out with their new song, “Paralyzed,” off of their upcoming fifth album, The Dream Walker.

It wouldn’t be an AVA release if it didn’t include a massive amount of other mixed media releases along with it.  In addition to the record, we can look forward to an animated short film, comic series, and a live-action feature film.  Haven’t heard when the actual album release date is, but we’ll keep you posted.

It definitely wouldn’t be an AVA release without a small dash of the Tom DeLonge pretension.  Says DeLonge of the project:

I always envisioned AVA as more than just a band.  I saw it as a transmedia storytelling experience, an art project, exploring larger themes that touched on human behavior. We’ve tried to further the ambition of the band with each project and with The Dream Walker, I feel that we’ve taken things to an entirely new level.

Check out the song below, and let us know what you think!

of Montreal is FINALLY Making a Live Album – Vote Now for Your Favorite Songs

Posted on by DeShonna Johnson

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So…HUGE news, guys!

Tuesday evening, of Montreal shared on their Facebook page the exciting news that they will finally be making a live album!

Throughout the fall, the “thin/primitive” band – as they like to call themselves – will be recording their upcoming shows. Each night, they will playing a different set, so there will be no redundancy whatsoever. Being loyal to their fans, though, the group created a poll to let the public decide which song they play the most.

Post by of Montreal.

Fans have until 11:59 p.m. ET on Friday, October 3 to cast their vote, and it will be no easy choice. The songs on the poll range from”Colossus” to “Cato as a Pun”- and those are two among the many great songs by of Montreal up for grabs. Despite what happens though, I’m positive the live album will be a hit.

So, stop what you’re doing now and go vote (…for “Suffer for Fashion” *wink wink*)!

 

Luke Winslow-King: ‘Everlasting Arms’

Posted on by Nikki Smith

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The last time Vinyl Mag talked to Luke Winslow-King was during South by Southwest back in March.  At the time, Winslow-King was performing songs from his 2013 album, The Coming Tide, which features a more bluesy, alternative sound.

In the interview, he briefly mentioned his then-upcoming album, which dropped yesterday.  Everlasting Arms embodies the typical New Orleans style with a rock and roll twist. Having attended the University of New Orleans for the classical music program, Winslow-King really highlights the blues and jazz sound of the Louisiana heritage. He refers to the genres as “really the only original American forms that were created in America.”

Everlasting Arms opens the album with female vocals to harmonize with Winslow-King’s smooth, southern voice. The sweet and simple song transitions into “Swing That Thing,” a track that really shows off Winslow-King’s southern rock and roll sound and reminds me of Eric Clapton’s From the Cradle.

“Levee Man” is the definition of New Orleans sound. The track opens with a trumpet and a banjo that, with the help of a piano and some brass, transports the listener to different time.

“Graveyard Blues” exhibits a slower sound with the female harmonization to put a modern twist on a classic blues piece.  Going back to the genre-specific sound, “Cadillac Slim” follows with an upbeat sound and female back up singers that give the track a Louisiana-style doo-wop feel. The Louisianna sound continues with “La Bega’s Carousel,” which is reminiscent of New Orleans classic, “Iko Iko.”

Trumpets are unique instruments (not that I’ve ever had any personal experience with them), but one basically must vibrate his/her lips to create sound.  If you’ve ever seen a trumpet solo live, you’ve seen how red the player’s face gets.  I’m sure it takes serious lung power and a lot of Chapstick, and I commend anyone who can pull it off as well as this player does in “La Bega’s Carousel.”

“Wanton Way of Loving” features female dominant vocals and a more “country” sound with a violins and banjos; Winslow-King makes a subtle appearance. The album comes to an end with “Home Blues,” a somewhat slower track that’s maybe a tiny bit ominous, but true Blues nonetheless.  Winslow-King sings, “Blues’ll make you do things you would never do. They’ll make you mean; they will make you cruel…”

Finally, “Travelling Myself” ends with a southern sound that makes me think of O Brother Where Art Thou.

The album takes listeners to a different place and a different time. Winslow-King’s music education and sheer skill are prevalent throughout the album and create an embodiment of Louisiana blues and jazz. If Everlasting Arms doesn’t make you want to pack up and head to New Orleans, I don’t know what will.

10 Best White Stripes Songs of All Time

Posted on by Hannah Smith

The White Stripes was one of the most successful duos of all time. Jack and Meg White were married before their combined musical career took off and stayed together until 2010. The duo attracted listeners of alternative, blues, classic rock, and everything in between. With their mind-blowing instrumental capabilities, they created the music of a multi-person band with only two people. With the addition of their unique lyrics, the songs they created were contagious and are remembered as some of the best songs of all time. Everything they touched was gold until their break-up in 2011. Even though the duo is not currently active in the music industry, the mention of their name can still spark a conversation.

On August 25th, XL Recordings released Pay Close Attention, a compilation album and box set documenting the label’s 25 year history, which features TWS’s hit “Seven Nation Army.” XL has also launched an interactive website with a timeline, photos, videos, and interviews from their archives, including three video interviews of Michel Gondry discussing “Fell In Love With A Girl” and “The Hardest Button to Button.”

In honor of this awesome website that we’ve been stalking, we’ve put together a list of the 10 best White Stripes songs of all time.  Enjoy.

1. “Seven Nation Army”

“Seven Nation Army” off of Elephant is an automatic choice for one of the White Stripes best songs. With a Grammy and a spot on Rolling Stone’s Greatest Songs of All Time list, this is the duo’s biggest hit.

2. “The Denial Twist”

The 2005 album Get Behind Me Satan introduced piano melodies to the duo’s music, providing a new take on their previously punk-infused sound. “The Denial Twist” is one of the many notable songs from this album. The song highlights how being unfaithful can go deeper than just outward actions.

3. “Apple Blossom”

De Stijl‘s “Apple Blossom” has been praised for its simplicity, which is especially valid as it was recorded in the lead vocalist’s living room. Jack sings “Lots of girls walk around in tears/But that’s not for you/You’ve been looking all around for years/For someone to tell your troubles to.”

4. “In the Cold, Cold Night”

There are very few White Stripes songs that feature Meg on vocals. “In the Cold, Cold Night” off of 2003’s Elephant is one of these songs, and it’s a wonder why she didn’t sing more often. Her voices tranquility shines through especially in this song while only being accompanied by a guitar.

5. “Dead Leaves and the Dirty Ground”

“Dead Leaves and the Dirty Ground” off of 2001’s White Blood Cells offers a raw, garage rock sound that sets the premise for the duo’s third album. This was the first album of theirs which featured all original material and no covers.

6. “The Big Three Killed My Baby”

A lesser known song, “The Big Three Killed My Baby” off of their debut self-titled studio album, is one of the most underrated White Stripes songs and only one of two political songs the duo ever released. In true punk fashion, the song takes a rebellious stance against Ford, Chrysler, and General Motors.

7. “We’re Going to be Friends”

Upon hearing “We’re Going to be Friends” from White Blood Cells, listeners were surprised at the mellow feel of the song that contained no electric guitar. The song has been featured on numerous soundtracks and is one of the duo’s most meaningful.

8. “You Don’t Know What Love Is (You Just Do as You’re Told)”

The White Stripes’ final studio album, Icky Thump, offered a return to their heavy rock style. “You Don’t Know What Love Is (You Just Do as You’re Told)” was one of the singles released off the album. The song encapsulates the deep meaning of Jack’s authentic lyrics and shows off both members’ musical talents.

9. “Fell in Love With a Girl”

“Fell in Love With a Girl” is one of the duo’s top hits. While the title may lead to the assumption of a romantic ballad, the song itself offers something completely different. Instead of sappy lyrics, Jack chants, “Fell in love with a girl/I fell in love once and almost completely/She’s in love with the world/Sometimes these feelings can be so misleading.”

10. “Icky Thump”

“Icky Thump” was the title track and first single released from their final studio album. This song is the second of the only two political songs the duo released. The song revolves around immigration policy and won a Grammy in 2008 for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals.

Lorde: “Yellow Flicker Beat”

Posted on by Hannah Smith

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Yesterday, Lorde released the first hint of new music since her debut album, Pure Heroine.

The latest single will be featured on The Hunger Games: Mockingjay—Part One soundtrack. With a heavy touring schedule, Lorde hasn’t had much time in the studio since the release of her first album, and with only one full-length album, fans are growing anxious for new music from this stellar artist. The single gives us a taste of something new that, hopefully, will tide us over until the release of her second album.

Given the context of the film, “Yellow Flicker Beat” perfectly encapsulates the film’s main character, Katniss Everdeen. If you’re not a Hunger Games fan, don’t hesitate, because it’s a beautiful song everyone can appreciate.

The song begins with the Lorde’s haunting voice singing, “I’m a princess cut from marble, smoother than a storm/And the scars that mark my body, they’re silver and gold.” The beginning emphasizes the strength of her voice without any musical accompaniment, but quickly changes to a song with a more electronic feel.

Lorde doesn’t stray too far from her roots with this single, and it works to her benefit. While she has used techno and electronic sounds in the past, the lyrics are even more deep and powerful, especially given the context of the movie. The most gripping line of the song is, “But I got my fingers laced together and I made a little prison/And I’m locking up everyone who ever laid a finger on me/I’m going in hard.” This single does not disappoint and may even intensify the eager anticipation for the singer’s next album.

4/5