Barclaycard Mercury Prize – Albums of the Year (Part 1)

The shortlist for the 2012 Barclaycard Mercury Prize Albums of the Year, were announced earlier this week. Celebrating the best albums from UK and Ireland, host Lauren Laverne read out the 12 nominations. Previous winners include PJ Harvey, The xx, Elbow, Arctic Monkeys, Franz Ferdinand and Dizzee Rascal. Lets have a look at the first 6 albums up for contention …

1) Alt-J (∆)  – An Awesome Wave

** Updated** – Winner of the 2012 Barclaycard Mercury Prize

‘An Awesome Wave‘, the debut album from Alt-J, was released in May 2012 through ‘Infectious Music’. It features the singles ‘Matilda’, ‘Breezeblocks’ and the stunning ‘Tessellate’.

The band consists of Gwil Sainsbury (guitarist/bassist), Joe Newman (guitar/vocals), Gus Unger-Hamilton (keyboards) and Thom Green (drums), who together deliver a strong and captivating debut album that spans across a multitude of musical genres, including their uniquely dubbed “folk step”. Each track is fresh and exciting, while lead vocals from Newman guide us through the album effortlessly with his poignant intimate lyrics.

The band had a great presence throughout the summer festival season, including performances at Latitude, Bestival, T in the park, Reading and Leeds and have plenty of upcoming  tour dates on the horizon.

2) Ben Howard – Every Kingdom

Every Kingdom, the debut album from English singer song-writer Ben Howard, was released in October 2011 through ‘Island Records’. It features the singles ‘Old Pine’, ‘The Wolves’, ‘Keep Your Head Up’ and ‘Only Love’.

Bens clear influences from Bon Iver and John Martyn, has resulted in a debut album that’s both engaging and emotional. His folk style incorporates delicately plucked guitars, simple percussion, soothing vocal harmonies, and a collaboration with India Bourne on cello. From the up-tempo tracks of ‘Keep Your Head Up’, to the more personal and restrained numbers of ‘Everything’, ‘Every Kingdom’ is a perfect balance of light and shade.

In April 2012, Ben launched his music in the US followed  by a successful performance at SXSW in Texas. During the Summer, Ben captivated the crowds at Radio 1 Hackney Weekend, T in the Park and Electric Picnic. Be sure to catch him at one of his many upcoming UK and Irish dates.

3) Django Django – Django Django

Django Django’s self-titled debut album was released in January 2012 through ‘Because Music’. It features the singles ‘Default’ ‘Waveforms’ and ‘Hail Bop’.

The psychedelic quartet consists of David Maclean (drums), Vincent Neff, (vocals and guitars), Jimmy Dixon, (bass) and Tommy Grace (synths). The album uniquely infuses musical genres to deliver such a distinct sound – Whether it be the synth-pop vibes of ‘Hail Bop’ to the tribal beats and chanting of ‘Skies Over Cairo’, each track is fresh, imaginative and bursting with colour.

Their new single ‘Life’s A Beach’ will be released on October 31^st, while a full tour starts October 20^th in Norwich.

4) Field Music – Plumb

‘Plumb’ is the fourth album from brotherly duo Peter and David Brewis. Released in February 2012 through ‘Memphis Industries’, it features the singles ‘(I Keep Thinking About) a New Thing‘ and a ‘New Town’.

With fifteen tracks in just 35 minutes, ‘Plum’ is quite complex and  constantly changing with its use of instrumentation and different rhythmic devices. The album can be described as ‘progressive pop’ that spans across a multitude of different influences, from the Beatles, to Talking Heads.

The duo recently performed at Bestival, with their upcoming UK tour starting October 3^rd in Aberdeen.

5) Jessie Ware – Devotion

Jessie Ware, one of the most promising new acts from South London, released her captivating debut album ‘Devotion’  in August, through Island Records/PMR. Featuring the singles 110%, Running and Wildest Moments, Devotion takes us on a musical journey of R&B, pop, soul and electronic music

When you’re debut album is produced by Dave Okumu (The Invisible), Bristol electronic producer Julio Bashmore (Au Seve), and Kid Harpoon (co-writer of Florence + The Machine: Ceremonials), you know you’re building pretty solid foundations for a debut release. Each with their own individual style, yet never taking away from Ware’s unique form that makes ‘Devotion’ a real stand-out album.

From the defined beats of ‘Wildest Moments’, to the 80’s inspired synths of ‘110%, Jessie manages to keep it fresh by making it so relatable and personable. You really feel like she’s singing from her soul as she opens up about these personal moments in her life.

After an exceptionally busy summer, including performances at BBC Radio 1 Hackney Weekend, Ibiza, House Party live on channel 4,   Jessie kicks of her headlining tour of the UK in November.

6) Lianne La Havas – Is Your Love Big Enough

In July 2012, Lianne La Havas released her stunning debut album through ‘Warner Bros Records’. The album features the singles ‘Is Your Love Big Enough?’,’ No Room For Doubt’, ‘Forget’ and ‘Lost & Found’.

From the delicate guitar accompaniment of ‘No Room For Doubt’, to the edgy and powerful vocal of ‘Forget’, Lianne highlights not only her soulful voice, but her talent as a songwriting. Citing Nina Simone and Lauryn Hill as her main influences, the South Londoner sings with such honesty as she invites us into her world with each new track.

Lianne started off the year on a high, after being shortlisted for the BBC Sound of 2012 and supporting Bon Iver on tour. Her next performance is at the iTunes festival September 28th, followed by a UK tour starting October 5th

Kodaline – All I Want

Dublin four-piece Kodaline, have released a beautiful and captivating new single titled ‘All I Want’.  Currently Fearne Cotton’s  ‘Big Thing’ on BBC Radio 1, the band have been featured every day this week, with a live studio interview planned for today, so don’t forget to tune in after 11am.

Kodaline, consisting of Steve Garrigan (lead vocals), Mark Prendergast (Guitar & Keys), Vinny May Jr, (Drums) and Jason Boland (Bass), have been compared to the likes of Elbow, Doves and Coldplay … not a bad comparison really. The band complements each other so well, and produces a truly beautiful sound. On first listen, Bon Iver came to mind, as ‘All I Want‘ is filled with beautiful harmonies and melancholy lyrics of lost love and heartache.

“Cause if I could see your face once more, I could die a happy many I’m sure’

One thing that really captured my attention was the beautiful video, directed by Stevie Russel. It depicts the touching story of a young man whose face is disfigured. We see him in work, and the tough situations he’s faced with, but one thing that helps him get through the day, is a particular girl at work – A bit of a modern day Beauty and the Beast story.  The video will definitely tug at your heartstrings and captures the essence of the songs so perfectly. Thoroughly engaging and one you’ll definitely remember, so if you do anything today, have a look at the video!

‘All I Want’ is taken from their debut self-titled album and was released September 9^th. Definitely not the most upbeat thing you’ll hear this year, but such a promising band, and one that is sure to receive a lot of attention. The band will be on tour with ‘We Are Augustines‘, supporting ‘The Temper Trap‘ in Dublin and hope to have a mini tour of their own before the end of the year.

Music from the London 2012 Olympic Games – Closing Ceremony

LONDON CALLING! The eyes of the world were once again on London last night, for the Olympics Closing Ceremony.  Similar to the Opening Ceremony, London paid tribute to the best of British music, from One Direction to Fatboy Slim and The Who to The Spice Girls. The worlds biggest after show party was a musical mixed-bag, covering different eras and genres, but safe to say, it had something for everyone.

Suitably titled, A Symphony of British Music: Music For the Closing Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games, the evening kicked off with a vision of working London covered in newspapers – queue Emeli Sande ‘Read All About It‘, who performed the Professor green hit, surrounded by a selection of London’s architectural highlights. Up next were Madness and the Hackney Colliery Band with ‘Our House‘ – the perfect track to highlight cosmopolitan London and typical British-style street parties. The Massed Bands of the Household Division perform Blurs famous hit ‘Parklife’, as Blur were headlining the BT London Live Closing Ceremony Concert at Hyde Park. The Pet Shop Boys then performed ‘West End Girls’ shortly followed by the worlds biggest boy band, One Direction. Having been the first UK group to debut at no.1 with their debut album in the US, the boys performed their hit ‘What Makes You Beautiful’, while circling the stadium on the back of a truck.

Images: Reuters & AFP/Getty

Ray Davies, from The Kinks, arrived in a black cab to perform ‘Waterloo Sunset‘. While some may have been disillusioned from a manic start, Elbow to the rescue with their anthemic songs, ‘One Day Like This’ and ‘Open Arms’, which was accompanied by Urban Voices Collective and the London Symphony Orchestra. Another classic track, as Kate Bush’s ‘Running Up That Hill’ plays, while a pyramid is assembled to represent each Olympic event. Urban Voices Collective performed their cover of The Beatles ‘Here Comes The Sun’, as the Olympics paid tribute to the many voluteneers that made it all possible. The crowd erupts as the voice of Freddie Mercury echoes through the stadium, singing a snippet from Queen’s ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’. This leads in to a beautiful and moving tribute to John Lennon, as ‘Imagine’ is sung by choirs from Liverpool (Lennon’s birthplace), while 101 segments are assembled to form the face of John Lennon.

George Michael took center stage, as he performed his hit ‘Freedom 90’ , much to the excitement of the crowd, and also plugged his new single ‘White Light’. The Kaiser Cheifs made a grand entrance to the stadium on motorbikes, while performing The Who’s ‘Pinball Wizard’, shortly followed by a musical montage from David Bowie, highlighting British fashion. Continuing with British music icons, Annie Lennox arrived aboard the Ghost Galleon Ship, performing ‘Little Bird‘. Ed Sheeran, was then joined the stage with Nick Mason(Pink Floyd), Richard Jones (The Feeling) and Mike Rutherford (Genesis), for a collaboration of Pink Floyd’s ‘Wish You Were Here’, a song most of the crowd recognized from just the first three chords.

Images: PA & EPA

The next section delves into the bizarre, as Russel Brand made his entrance aboard a psychedelic tour bus, as he sings ‘Pure Imagination’ from the film ‘Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory’ followed by ‘I am the Walrus’. You might think it can’t any any crazier … queue a giant inflatable octopus, where Fatboy Slim belted out his classics ‘Right Here, Right Now’ and ‘The Rockafeller Skank‘. Up next were the classic pop sounds of Jessie J, Tinie Tempah and Taio Cruz, where they each performed their hits ‘Price Tag‘, ‘Written In The Stars‘ and ‘Dynamite‘, before coming together for the Bee Gees’ infectious disco hit, ‘You Should Be Dancing’. Zig-a-zig-ah time … yes the moment many were waiting for. The Spice Girls reunited for the special closing ceremony event, and made a grand entrance , each on their own black mini cab, performing their massive pop hits  ‘Spice up your life’ and ‘Wannabe’.

Image: AP

Liam Gallagher and Beady Eye performed  the classic Oasis track, ‘Wonderwall‘ , shortly followed by Monty Python comedian Eric Idle with the charming ‘Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life’. Muse then took centre stage, and rocked the Official Olympic Song ‘Survival’.  Freddie Mercury appeared on screen and warmed up the crowd with his trademark call and repeat chants; a suitable introduction for Brian May and Roger Taylor, from the legendary band ‘Queen’.  Jessie J made her return and belted out the classic ‘We Will Rock You’.

Images: PA & EPA

 After the Olympic handover to Rio, Take That performed ‘Rule The World‘ – a suitable song for a host that gripped the nation the past few weeks! Big respect to Gary Barlow, who joined in proceedings, despite current personal events. After the extinguishing of the Olympic Flame, there was only one way to end this truly ‘Rock ‘n’ Roll Games’, and that was to have The Who officially close the ceremony with a bang. Rocking out with hits tracks  such as ‘Baba O’Riley’, ‘See Me, Feel Me’, ‘Listening To You’ and ‘My Generation’. 

Image: PA

London successfully brought the curtain down on the London 2012 Olympic Games. While the music selection may not have been to everyone’s tastes, it had to cater for the millions of people watching all around the world.  Symphony of British Music: Music For the Closing Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games is now available via iTunes.

“When our time came, Britain, we did it right – Seb Coe, London Organizing Committee Chief

Check out the beautiful Olympic montage, with Emelie Sande’s cover of John Lennon’s ‘Imagine’.