Thursday 28 August 2008

Na na na na, don't you leave me?

MySpace Music Tour Brazil
Ecos Falsos + Mallu Magalhães (16+)
Studio SP, São Paulo, Brazil, 27th of August @ 8PM

9.5 out of 10

Bloody impressive. That's the right sentence to describe Mallu Magalhães' live performance.

Obviously the fact that the venue was small and it wasn't that busy (well, we have to consider that Brazilian tube closes at midnight and it was a wednesday, when normal people are studying, working or resting at their homes - if i'm honest, we don't go to gigs during the week, that's the real truth!) made her performance even nicer. But, wow, it was just great.

I got there about 8.10pm (it was meant to start at 8pm) all worried thinking "oh dear, it will be all full! oh dear! oh dear!". I got there, stayed for about one hour in this huge queue and finally got in.

About 9pm, their support band, Ecos Falsos was on stage. First of all, it was just strange that they kept swapping instruments all the time. They played the first song, then the bassist started playing the guitar, the guitarist was playing an acoustic guitar, and the other guitarist was playing the other guitarist's guitar. All confusing, I know. They kept doing this until their last song. I think they should stop changing instruments between them and start learning a bit more about each one's . The two guitarists were also the vocalists and, well, they have to have some singing lessons as well. The lyrics were awful ("I'm just sentimental when I'm fucked up") and... ew. They were rubbish, that's it.

It was 10pm and there was me: all worried about how to go back home. 15 minutes later, Mallu Magalhães and her band started playing. An amazing guitarist, an okay drummer, keyboardist and bassist were with her. I particularly find the bass useless (I actually heard his instrument in one or two songs!).

All happy and pretty, Mallu sang some great songs such as "Tchubaruba", "J1", "Don't You Leave Me" and "Don't Look Back". Also, some new ones which will probably be on her debut album soon and Johnny Cash, The Beatles and Caetano Veloso's cover songs. I think her voice was a bit lower than usual, but she was still singing with her brilliant techniques. Talking to the crowd all the time, she kept smiling. The nicest thing is that she is really confident on stage and her English accent (even with it being a bit American, in my opinion) sounds like a native speaker most of the time.

Her last gig with 15 years old (sweet 16 tomorrow for her) was amazing. I don't know why but people kept taking pictures of my friends and I. They might be on MySpace soon and I hope they are not too embarrassing!

Can't wait to see Mallu again on her biggest performance ever at Planeta Terra Festival, on the main stage before Kaiser Chiefs (woohooo!). Also, I'm also looking forward to see Foals in it (sorry, Jamie! I know you hate them, but well... they are good!)

Listen to Ecos Falsos:
http://www.myspace.com/ecosfalsos

Listen to Mallu Magalhães:
http://www.myspace.com/mallumagalhaes
http://www.myspace.com/musictourbr

Cheers!

Credits: Má Panhota, for the picture at flickr.

Tuesday 26 August 2008

MySpace-what?

I have no idea why do I do these things to myself sometimes, but well...

we've got a MySpace address now. Have fun :)

It's evolution, baby!


I can't deny: I was really disappointed last year when I saw Lily Allen in a festival in São Paulo. She isn't as nice live as she is in her debut album "Alright, still". On the other hand, when I heard her new songs, even with they being incredibly different (calmer but with strong beats and great melodies), I got shocked. They are just really nice!

"I Don't Know" is my favourite song of hers at the moment. The keyboards in it are just fantastic and lines like "And I am a weapon of massive consumption" or "And I don't know how I'm meant to feel anymore" are really clever. It clearly describes mixed feelings about being famous.

Maybe the Lily I saw drinking and smoking while singing on stage is now growing up. I have no idea if this song is her confession or not, but I'm absolutely sure that she won't talk about her toy brother who smokes weed and pull her head all day or how she is having the time of her life in this album. Let us just wait then...

DOWNLOAD: Lily Allen - I Don't Know (Demo)

Also, check Ms Allen's MySpace and listen to some other new songs.

The Indelicates - America


"This little England, it's dingy and it's mean" snarls Simon Clayton after the minute long intro to The Indelicates forth single. This bleak view of the USA being the force you must tie yourself to in which to be successful rings poignantly through the song and, as soon as the riff starts to build and become more and more powerful, you can feel the passion that The Indelicates put into thier music. This is not simple, 'paint by numbers' rock but intelligent, considered rock where you are just as likely to see the band reciting a poem at an open mike session as headlining the barfly.

This was the final single from the Brighton five-some before releasing thier fantastic debut album and set the stage perfectly. After previously releasing a uniquely titled single "We Hate The Kids" as well as the joyous pop single "Sixteen", this shows the darker side of the band, full of resentment and dissalusionment at modern politics. This is revolutionary music for those not quite ready for Rage Against The Machine, pop music for the cynical. Although the lyrics are possibly the best part of this band, they have plently of songs which prove they have the musical talent and, if you havent already, you should definately give them a listen!


Heres a taste of this great band off a selection of demos Simon put together
DOWNLOAD: The Indelicates - Rebel Angels (Demo)

Monday 25 August 2008

They call it "beginning"

Hi everyone!

First of all, it's really nice to have somewhere to share my opinions and (ehh kind of?) reviews about albums, singles, gigs, festivals and bands in general. Let me just say that my taste for music is eccentric (a better for word for "strange") and that soon you'll all notice how obsessed with Mr Peter Doherty my dear Jamie is.

Well, on wednesday I'm seeing Mallu Magalhães, a Brazilian 15-year-old girl who got famous through MySpace. She sings in English and her voice is quite nice. I'm really looking forward to the gig.

Give Mallu a listen!

DOWNLOAD: Mallu Magalhães - J1
http://www.myspace.com/mallumagalhaes

Cheers!

Welcome!

The first post on our new music blog! Pri and myself are going to try and reguarly update this with as many musicy posts as possible. We'll try and keep on top of any new and exciting bands as well as looking at older ones. Basically letting you know what we think is good at any time. We'll talk about whatever we are listening to and what we think, so feel free to agree or to tell us how hideously wrong we are!