Scots Way-Hay - The Artists Albums of the Year 2011 (Part 2)

If you're already getting sick of all of this talk about albums of the year, then you might want to stay well away from this site for the next two weeks. Continuing on from last week, here's the second out of four scheduled Artists Albums of the Year. This is the bit where I get folk who've done interviews for me over the past two years to tell me a bit about what's been tickling their fancy in 2012, we even have one of our artists choosing an album by someone else who's writing about their favourite album - I hope to fuck that makes sense to you. This week we have the choices of Sebastian Dangerfield, Bronto Skylift, Sugar Crisis, Song of Return, Mike Nisbet, Neil Milton, Washington Irving, United Fruit, French Wives and The Scottish Enlightenment...

Bon Iver - Bon Iver chosen by Stuart (Sebastian Dangerfield)

The first thing that came to mind was “Bon iver’s, Bon Iver”. Then I thought, “Is that too obvious?” Then I thought; that’s probably the reason why it should be my favourite album this year.
I was nervous to hear that Justin Vernon was bringing a band in to do his second album and to record it in a purpose built studio, just incase he lost that intimate and unique sound he had on "For Emma...". But it’s a huge step away from the first album and is arguably an improvement that seems more confident.
The sound and the production are bigger, the songs are more detailed, and there are a few controversial synth noises just to keep you on your toes. It also helps that he has a cracking voice and a great sense of melody.... and the show at Usher Hall this year was the tits.


Mogwai - Hardcore Will Never Die, But You Will chosen by Niall (Bronto Skylift)

I find it difficult when talking about anything as the best of the year because my moods vary wildly throughout the year and something I was maybe digging a few weeks ago (say, Mastadon) might not be massaging my eardrums as I write this so I guess i have to think about the piece of work that has drawn me back time and time again like some kind of magical Pony Magnet...
Honourable mentions have to go to the cassette based rumblings of PAWS even though they did not make an album but released enough to constitute an album and to the BREW RECORDS BRW015 Split 10" with Kong/That Fucking Tank/Castrovalva/Shield Your Eyes which has been melting my head and making we want to live in Leeds.

So, after studying flow diagrams, pie charts and polishing all metal objects on site I can safely say my album of the year has been - Mogwai: Hardcore Will Never Die, But You Will.
I remember when they released Rano Pano as a free download. I instantly thought "these guys have made a ripper of an album and are so confident of it's rippage that they have given this for nothing" And how true a thought that was.The flow of the album is beautiful.
The sound so mighty and immersive that you could almost believe that anyone could learn a foreign language using Linguaphone.In two weeks.
At times when i listen to it and I'm drawing pictures I find myself ;sketching the legendary nature pundit David Attenburgh (White Noise) employing sharp lettering and slogans (Mexican Grand Prix) and feeling like I could take on the whole empire myself (How to Be A Werewolf)
Oh yeah and the title alone makes me want to tear the clouds from the sky and use them as loofers when in the shower.


Veronica Falls - Veronica Falls chosen by Neil and Lorna (Sugar Crisis)

They're such a beautiful sounding band and the songs are rocky and dreamy and a delight. Loved them from the first chord.

Radiohead - The King Of Limbs chosen by Graig Grant (Song of Return)

There was a time, I know there still is for other people, where I'd always create a lot of pomp and ceremony about my first listen to a new record by one of my "favourite" bands (in fact, my first listen to sigur ros' "takk" on the day of it's release whilst hanging the free embossed poster I made sure i got in early for made me 15 minutes late for work and almost got me fired). But in spite of how I still feel after all this time, I am not sixteen anymore. By a long shot. And yes I did pick up "King of Limbs" on the day it was released, but what I am getting at is that it was much more of a slow-release drug affair, like all music and the changing way people use and listen to it these days.

Now I've followed radiohead since my teens, but what I think I appreciate most about their current 'embodiment', really from "In Rainbows" to present, is the distinct lack of pomp and ceremony. These guys have toured the world extensively. they have been the biggest band on earth at some points. But they are have not become the Rolling Stones, the don't live on separate islands that they own. they are just a bunch of regular guys living in rural Oxfordshire and using their time on earth to absorb beautiful and far out music, and transforming that education in to beautiful and far ourt music of their own. but yet, in spite of this new, accessible, down to earth persona, they have still managed to make something which is altogether elusive, mysterious, entrancing even. This combination makes a band magical, still makes one feel like the teenage fanboy.

And it's this mystery which draws me back listen after listen. It's a code. I remember from a great piece in Rolling Stone not long after it's release that "nothing at Radiohead HQ is an accident", meaning of course that the form and structure of the record, not to mention it's length, seem at first jarring. But it's all in there, waiting to be figured out. The content is there. It requires listening with intent to acquire it's hidden meanings. And that is what makes a great record. Mystery.

Gillian Welch - The Harrow & The Harvest chosen by Mike Nisbet

I fell in love with Gillian Welch on a cold dark night, out on the west coast mid winter, and I was a little drunk, the conditions were just right. Reading an online magazine and caught a picture of her, she look like she was from another time, and I had to know what this 'time' sounded like. Being a late comer to Gillian I didn't have to wait the 8 years everyone else did for this new record but god it was worth it! It's a world that I frequently sink into, a place I find painfully beautiful at times, a place that reminds me what a song can really do to you.

Highlight have got to be Down Along The Dixie Line & Hard Times, Gillian singing her cut throat lyrics 'I've never been so disabused, I've never been so mad, I've never been served anything that tasted so bad' underpinned by Dave Rawling on lead guitar (my favourite guitarist of all time, hands down by the way) with harmonies that at points can bring you to your knees.

If you've not ventured through the music of Gillian Welch yet, wait till it's dark, pour your self a stiff drink and welcome home.

Jóhann Jóhannsson - The Miners' Hymns chosen by Neil Milton

I first heard Icelandic composer, Jóhann Jóhannsson around 2006 when he released what has become one of my all time favourite albums, IBM 1401 - A User's Manual. Since then he has become a great inspiration to me so I was excited to hear he would release the soundtrack he had written to accompany the Bill Morrison film, The Miners' Hymns. Like everything that Jóhann does it seems to balance delicately between glorious, sweeping celebration and poignantly sorrowful nostalgia. Its use of brass, a group of instruments commonly associated with colliery life, perfectly identifies with the social history of the northern English miners that the film sets out to depict. The Miners' Hymns is a beautiful modern-classical requiem and one I can't recommend highly enough.

Mike Nisbet by Vagrant chosen by Joe (Washington Irving)

This album takes the prize for me. There’s no-one like Mike in Scotland at the moment. Taking influences from Nick Cave and Tom Waits, he’s produced something really unique with a lot of guts, dirt and soul. The song ‘El Frida’ shows a real step up in his song writing and guitar playing, and tracks like ‘Snow Me In’ and the title track ‘Vagrant’ show him at his most mournful and melodic. The record has consistent sense of morbidity, loss and desire set in Mike’s own desolate, wintry world. I think the reason I rate it so highly is because the listener is invited into this place, or at least catches a glimpse of it and sees Mike, guitar in hand, wandering down his long, lonesome road.

Empros by Russian Circles chosen by Marco (United Fruit)

Basically it is the best thing to happen to instrumental music since Godspeed.

A Different Kind of Fix by Bombay Bicycle Club chosen by Jonny (French Wives)

We were lucky enough to support this band at the tail end of last year, however, regrettably, I'd never paid much attention to them; previous offerings have never stood out and grabbed me in the way that this third record has.

Arguably a combination of genres from the first and second record, 'A Different Kind of Fix' marks a huge step up for BBC. A beautifully restrained effort, the album flows with such a consistent groove yet never threatens to lose it's dark, lo-fi appeal. Tracks like 'Lights Out, Words Gone' and the initial single 'Shuffle' demonstrates intelligent vocal layers and some truly remarkable rhythms. Heavier tracks such as 'Your Eyes' and 'Take the Right One,' although bold in exterior, Jack Steadman's haunting tone keeps them perfectly in line with the understated feel of this record.

A genuinely great album and I think I've given it as birthday presents to about 4 people which can't be a bad sign!


Happy as a Windless Flagchosen by Douglas Firs' chosen by David (The Scottish Enlightenment)

My album of 2011 is Douglas Firs' Happy as a Windless Flag, and this has got nothing to do with them being on the same label as us. The record is totally fascinating. I keep finding new things in it to wonder at. I cant imagine how some of the ideas came into being and It probably wasn't the intention, but it's like Edinburgh cast in musical form. Neil's delicately warbling murmur and the fragility of the performances really draw you into the dark, quiet closes within the music that separate great slabs of blackened grandeur. This bipolarity of intimacy and bombast, and the diversity of rhythm that carries the songs on dancing feet, makes it a totally satisfying listen, and a case study in why albums are a really good musical format. They also happen to be the best live band in Scotland as far as my experience goes. Long live The Douglas Firs!

Scots Way-Hay #62 - Song of Return

For the next two weeks I am going to be featuring two cracking bands who have formed from the ashes of some now defunct groups. This weeks featured Scots Way-Hay victims are Song of Return who feature former members of now defunct Glasgow electro outfit Union of Knives. Having been unceremoniously dropped by Relentless Records, Craig Grant and Chris Gordon regrouped and have crafted an album that more than equals anything that Union of Knives ever recorded. Having been freed from the shackles of their label, they have crafted an album which is both dark and unsettling, whilst retaining an atmospheric sound that is massively infectious.

Since announcing their return, Chris has stepped aside from live duties, however, Craig has drafted in a more than suitable array of folk to assist him with members of Admiral Fallow, Otherpeople and Moon Unit all featuring in their ranks, not a bad wee line up to call up I reckon. Right I think I best round this up as my ramblings up as I am not doing this band the justice they deserve. Quite simply it's a great fucking album from one of the most innovative bands in Scotland at the moment. Here's Craig for more sensible words...


Would you care to introduce yourself?

Hi I'm Craig, I write and play in a band called Song of Return

How would you describe the music you make?

I'd describe it I suppose of quite 'of the moment'. I guess it wouldn't be very much without post-rock. I suppose it tries sometimes to be grandiose, but really it's common as muck.

How did you come together as a band?

Chris (Gordon) and I starting writing music together which was the fall out of songs from a previous project. we were still turned on by the songs I guess, enough not to let them go without giving them one last fair shot. And when Chris told me he didn't want to play live any more, but I knew the songs had to be because they had that live kind of energy, then I set about building a live band. basically all I did was ask the four best musicians i know. And luckily they all said yes.

How did you start out making music?

Well, Chris and I had known each other for a few years and had tried out doing music together in two or three different forms and always found that we bounced off one another well in the studio. i think we usually always had a common goal, minus the influence of egos and were just happy to be toying around and discovering. prior to this, speaking for myself, I had a kind of mentor character when I made music in Aberdeen called Stephen who I would look to for guidance I suppose or impetus, and then down through all the myriad of things that have been written in that 10 year interim, now especially with the closer involvement of Alex in the Song of Return writing, I think I could say that I always feel like I need someone to bounce off. To feed off. To spark with.

What process goes into the way you write songs?

Historically I'd say it would depend on the project. With other bands: Stanley for example it always began with odd chord combinations, trying to make the discordant poppy and palatable. with a band called Close to the Ground, it always began with a feeling, some vague thing, some naiive thing i suppose, some distant hippy ideal, trying to carve that out in a kind of sound scape. with Union of Knives it always started off with the most fucked up, dirty processed sound you could make with whatever manner of software, then bash that in to a melody and always always improv lyrics on top. With Song of Return, I really feel like the process was honed somewhat. I mean, every song began with the groove, always groove first. but there was always the will of what the message of the song was. none were created for the sake of creation, always tried to make a good groove a vehicle for an idea.

Who are your big musical influences?

Sspeaking personally, I'd say that it's not often in the studio that you're consciously influenced by something that sounds directly like another band. whenever I get this question about influence, I always say that the people, the heroes who influence me, who inspire me to keep giving it a shot in spite of the fact the industry is a mine field, are the artists who always just made the music they wanted to make, on their terms and in their way. I know that some of them had to play the game for the first few albums, but they all came out good in the long game. to me, the artists include Deftones, Sigur Ros, Radiohead, Bjork and Kate Bush amongst many others.


What kind of influence do you feel that where you come from has had on the music you create?

I hate Scotland. "Britain" even more so. My music is moany as hell. Go figure.

Seriously though, the main theme of "limits" is the hope for a better human condition world wide, in the next chapter of the human story. Therefore I think the time I live in has more sway over my music than the place

What can people expect to see/hear from your live shows?

bright flashing lights, guys who used to get bullied feeling important for 45 minutes, in spite of the fact that they are too old to be frolicking around like this and the bottom of some plastic cups filled with low grade beer. Also, the best music I feel I can make at this time.

Has there been a particular gig that has stood out for you so far (good or bad)?

We played in an abandoned seminary with Detour Scotland. i think it's safe to say every member of the band and crew will remember that day for their whole lives.

What exactly happened with Union of Knives?

finished an album we were really proud of then our product manager moved to a way higher job as head of *******..... and was told he wasn't allowed to take any of his current projects with him. In this YEAR long process there were lots of mirrors and smoke. It's a shame. I really liked that record and I honestly don't believe we did anything to deserve being dropped. I think if some certain things had happened more quickly, it would have come out and this would be a Union of Knives interview. But who knows?

Song of Return formed from the ashes of Union of Knives. Was it difficult to find the motivation to come back and almost start again?

Yes.

Quite difficult.

Is Chris (Gordon) still a member of Song of Return? And if so why has he decided to take step back from live duties?

Yeah he's still every bit a member as me or Lou or Alex or anyone I guess. He just doesn't want to play live. He's a family man now. Besides, I think when I've been doing shows for 20 years I'll probably pack it in too.

What are your plans for the rest of the year and beyond? Do you have any newreleases planned for any time soon?

Releasing the first album "Limits" on June 6th. playing the launch show at the Arches June 4th, got a few other cool shows that we can't announce, but after that I don't know. To be honest, Song of Return will only go on if the people tell us that they want us to, by buying the record and inviting us to play. But none of that can happen with any longevity without some industry or arts council backing. So that is the ultimate aim I suppose to rouse some interest there. And if nothing sticks, then I will be on a fucking beach in Malaysia by Christmas.


Song of Return - Shackles

Song of Return celebrate the release of their debut album, 'Limits', this coming Saturday (4th June) with a gig at the Arches in Glasgow. The evening will see the band performing the whole album from start to finish, the album will also be on sale for a discounted rate, before it comes out on general release on the following Monday. Tickets for the gig are only four pound in advance directly from the Arches website, or £6 on the door which open at 8pm. Support on the evening comes from Glasgow dream pop outfit, Quickbeam.

Seven songs from 'Limits' are available to stream now on the bands Soundcloud page, or if you can't make it along to the launch night then you can pre-order the album here.

Home
Soundcloud
Twitter
Facebook
Myspace

Song Of Return, Shackles from Livescene on Vimeo.

LiveScene

Friday Freebies

As so many folk complained a couple of weeks back when I had to miss a week of Freebies, I am typing this up on a Wednesday which is a bit unorthodox for me as it means I'll probably miss a tonne of good stuff out. Fear not though as that wee annoying bunny eared fecker will duly point them out. I do have good reason to have an excuse as we put on the latest Peenko session last night, which we will hopefully be bringing to you shortly. Anyway, lets get this show on the road and get on with this week freebies.

Monoganon
This could quite possibly be the greatest freebie I have ever posted, I shit you not. Yes, in the past I've posted links to some pretty amazing free EPs and singles, but this is a while album and it's fucking amazing. The album is called 'Song's To Swim To' and it is already one my favourite albums of 2011, I still can't quite fathom that they're giving it away for free.

FOUND
Alas all good things must come to an end, by my calculations this weeks FOUND freebie will be our last a their amazing new album 'factorycraft' is due on Monday. They'll also be celebrating the release with a gig at the Captains Rest on the same day. Personally I can't wait, hopefully I'll see a few of your beautiful faces there too. As for the freebie, you'll find it here, just mind and buy the album you won't regret it.

Robin Pecknold
Robin Pecknold of Fleet Foxes fame recorded three acoustic songs a couple weeks ago in LA with his friend Noah and he was kind enough to share them with us all. One is a duet with Ed Droste from Grizzly Bear, one is just a new solo jam, and the last one is a cover.

Ghost Pants
I don't really hide my liking of Ghost Pants, for those of you who haven't been paying attention the band originally started as the solo project of Dananananaykroyd drummer Paul Carlin. They're now a four piece and I was even lucky enough to have them as my first guinea pigs when we had our first ever live Peenko sessions back last year. You can watch the videos and download the recordings at the top left hand-side of the screen there. Having given away numerous EPs and singles, they're now offering their new release 'Error b/w Hit' as a pay what you want scenario. So if you're conscience can take it you can download it for free here.

Song of Return
Having risen from the ashes of Union of Knives, Craig Grant and his boys have regrouped and are making something of triumphant return under the guise of Song of Return. They apparently played a storming set at Tuts last Friday, a welcome return indeed, plus if you sign up to their mailing list they'll send you a couple of free MP3s.

Admiral Fallow
Their amazing debut album, 'Boots Met My Face', is set for a re-release at the end of this month in a plush new sleeve, if you haven't already got a copy then get that sorted. The updated version of the album includes new song 'The Sad Clown Cast', to make up for all of those folk that have already bought the album they've made the song free to download.

Trapped In Kansas
Ayr's finest, Trapped In Kansas have posted up three acoustic version of their songs for free download on their Soundcloud page. Sounding good boys, sounding very very good.

Battle for 2nd Place
The Glasgow four piece recently recorded an acoustic version of their song 'Damage that you've Done' for Balcony TV in Dublin. To mark the performance the band have made this song and current single 'Say it ain't So' available for free download from their website. While you're at it, if you sign up to their mailing list they'll send you a download link for their song 'Sense of Self.

Wild Beasts
If you go and click 'like' on Facebook, Wild Beasts will give you a free download of their new song 'Albatross,' the first single from their forthcoming album 'Smother'.

Okkervil River
Stereogum have a wee exclusive free download of new Okkervil River song 'Wake and Be Fine', just follow the link.

Datavus
Originally from Ontario, Canada, Datavus frontman Danen Francis Sloan relocated to Edinburgh and formed this exciting new indie-folk outfit. Their single 'All Stands Still' is free to download on their Bandcamp, if this song is an indication of what's to come then they're certainly going to be ones to watch out for.

The Strangers Almanac
I must admit that since The View broke through to the mainstream, that I have been naive enough to tar all bands from Dundee with same brush. Only now do I feel realise the error of my ways, recently we have had an abundance of talent to emerge from the City of Discovery, including Olive Grove's very own Esperi, the rock-tastic Pensioner and now we have another wee gem in the form of The Strangers Almanac. Their single 'Whale Watching For Beginners' is a joyous little number, that harks back to the 60s & 70s with it's chilled out vibe, lovely stuff.

Art Brut
You can download new Art Brut song, Unprofessional Wrestling, here in exchange for an email address, a Facebook 'like' or your soul.

Young and Lost Club
There are an array of free downloads up for grabs on Young and Lost Club's website, including tracks from ExLovers, Young The Giant Noah & The Whale and Gold Fields.

Three Trapped Tigers
The band are giving away a track taken from their forthcoming album 'Route One Or Die'. Get 'Cramm' here in exchange for your email address.

Song of Return - Ally McCrae Session (24/01/11)

Track Listing

1. The Story of A Cell
2. Shackles
3. Concentric Lines
4. Black Sails

Download

Friday Freebies

Martin John Henry
The ex-De Rosa front man has been working away on his first solo album since the split of his aforementioned band. As a wee taster he is giving away a free copy of his cover of the Beatles, 'Because', all you have to do is click the link.

Trapped in Kansas
The Ayrshire rock sprites have posted covers of Darien Venture and Calvin Harris up on their Bandcamp page for free. Mon the 'Pumped in Venice'!

The Dirty Cuts
For those of you paying attention I featured these guys on Monday in the Fresh Meat feature, if you liked what you heard or you weren't paying attention then now's your chance to do some catching up as Ed from 17 Seconds has sent me over a wee link of a remix by Dino Bardot of their song 'Yummy Mummy'. He also sent me a link for a free download of the b-side to the first single '2 page Spread', it's called 'Lips', and all you have to do is click here. What a sweety that Ed is, sadly I didn't get to say hi to him at the bloggers DJ night. Probably for the best that night as I might have scared him with my hugs/kisses.
Oh and I can't be the only one the keeps wanting to add an 'n' to the band name, right?

Ghost Pants
Ghost Pants, aka Paul Carlin from Dananananannanananananananananananananannananannaaykroyd's, is giving away his Analogue Hearts EP for free on his Bandcamp. Ch-ch-check it.

Song of Return
You might remember them as Union of Knives, we'll things have all been a bit up in the air lately. Still it's good to have them back, there has been a bit of change in personnel but the tunes are still mighty fine. If you sign up to their mailing list they'll send you two MP3's, cracking deal in my eyes.

Deathpodal
Another member of the Fresh Meat club giving away stuff this week is Alastair J Chivers, aka Deathpodal. He recorded a new song at one his friends flat warming parties which he's decided to share with us all. It's called 'Flat Squash' and it's free to download on his Soundcloud page.

Michael Ashford
Our friends over at Sonic Reverie Records have posted a free download from Shrewsbury based Michael Ashford, if you like your ambinet piano based music then this is for you.

Invisible Elephant
As if one freebie wasn't enough, the Sonic boys and girls have also put up a free download of the new Invisible Elephant EP, 'The Lights Go Out'. If you like bands like Sonic Youth and My Bloody Valentine, then this should defo float your boat.

Yuck
Hotly tipped shoegazer London four piece have a few songs up for grabs on their blog, you hipster that want to have been into them first can get yourself some free downloads here.

Silver Columns
I know I had a freebie from this 'mysterious duo' last week, but hey I'm excited about hearing the album. An Astronomer remix of their forthcoming single 'Cavalier' is up for grabs over at RCRD LBL.

Firebrand Boy
The lo-fi electronica artist has songs about Queens Park and Albert Avenue (a street on which I once lived) has a posted his new 'Glasgow EP' up for free download.

Junip
Jose Gonsalez, mind him? aye the guy that had the song on that advert with all the bouncy balls/cover of the Knife's 'Heartbeats'. Wondered what he's been up to lately? Probably not, but I am going to give you a wee update. He's been off recording with his old band Junip, there should be an EP in the offing sometime soon. As a taster, "Rope and Summit" from it is being given away for on the bands homepage.

The Coral
Mind those cheeky scousers, they had a fair few catchy numbers, then they kind of disappeared up their own arses/were no longer deemed fashionable (you decide). I thought they were gone for good, oh how I was wrong, they're back and they are giving away the 'Butterfly House' from their new album for nowt.

dems
Edinburgh based, one-man lo-fi pop outfit outfit, 'dems' has posted new song 'Jarndyce vs Jarndyce' up on his Bandcamp. Catchy little number it is too, get in about it here.

The Unwinding Hours
In their monthly(?) email Chemikal Underground send you a wee link to some freebies that they've posted, if you haven't already signed up then I suggest you get that sorted straight away. The latest freebie on offer is a download from the Unwinding Hours tour EP which they have a few copies left for sale in the Chemikal shop. An acoustic version of their song 'Traces' is up for free download, along with a whole host of cracking tunes, get stuck in here.


The Doctor Will See You Now.......

Kowalskiys Komplimentary Korner

Dr Dog
As some of you out there might already know, our good friend David 'Kowalaskiy' became Doctor Dave this week. So once you've finished gorging yourself on all of these freebies make sure you hit his site and congratulate him. We're all 'very pwoud' of you you kidda!
Anyway, he's dug up a large number of Dr Dog freebies for us, the legend that he is!