2 posts tagged “coldplay”

Its awards time again. Oscars, Baftas, Grammys and of course, Brits. For two decades now, the Brits has been one of the events of the pop calendar here in the UK, known as much for its industry backslapping as its rock and roll antics. Who could forget Jarvis Cocker’s hilariously unplanned appearance during Michael Jackson’s set in 1996? Or the excruitating pairing of presenters Sam Fox and Mike Fleetwood?

In truth, we only remember these examples because since 1996, nothing really exciting has actually happened. Sure, a few awards are handed about, and no doubt the Arctic Monkeys or Coldplay will feature in some capacity, but what made the Brits really fun was the capacity for silly drunken antics of the sort that embarrasses music industry executives and makes the front pages of your morning Metro.

So it was with a slight air of disappointment that this year’s awards passed without incident. In fact, not only were they were so completely bland and predictable that they have become instantly forgettable, their credibility was finally stretched to breaking point. The pairing of Matthew Horne and James Cordon (from “Gavin and Stacey”) was a shocker and their pitiful attempts at unscripted humour served only to embarrass co-presenter Kylie Minogue or undermine those presenting awards who mostly seemed to be playing it straight. The performances varied from the sublime to the ridiculous. Where Take That succeeded in spectacle, flying in on a giant spaceship, they failed musically with appallingly obvious miming, despite a great song. Where Duffy succeeded in hitting the high notes, with expert phrasing and a “bang on in tune” melody, she only served to remind us that, for all intents and purposes, she is a Dusty Springfield tribute act, a sub-Winehouse pastiche, and not really deserving of 3 separate awards. I think “best breakthrough act” would have seen her right.

Coldplay confounded the critics by delivering their best song for ages with ridiculous posturing from Chris Martin who needs to learn when to stand still and just sing. Coldplay, the band everybody loves to hate, not really helping themselves there. The less said about Lady GaGa the better, she really needs to f*ck off, and what the hell was she wearing. Quite liked the Pet Shop Boys though, although whether they deserve a special award for having a few decent songs in the charts twenty years ago is another matter.

Thank god, then, for Elbow. Predicable it may have been following their triumph at the Mercury’s, at least a band with real talent, commitment and an awesome back catalogue won through. Also, Iron Maiden winning the best live show award was cool and totally deserved. Good to see British Metal being represented, finally. How many other of these artists can tour the world in a jet aircraft and fill stadiums at the drop of a hat? None. Yet the cynic in me (which is working overtime right now) thinks: “what the hell do these bands have to do to get a regular look in?” Glad to see the Kings of Leon getting involved, another good band, I prefer them with beards.

And then we come to my personal favourites, The Ting Tings, who, quite rightly, won nothing, and who shouted their way through another tedious performance. Sorry but they are really getting on my nerves at the moment. Finally, claws out once again to Girls Aloud who demonstrated that they may have a few good electro songs, pretty faces and great outfits, but will always be a sub-Spice Girls knock off. Still, the gays seem to like them. I’m afraid I missed the new U2 song, so I can’t comment on that.

So another year, and yet more hype. I predict a big year for electronic pop this year, but then, I would do, wouldn’t I!

PS. We have now concluded negotiations with Substream records and things should get moving very soon. Stay tuned.

Ben

Hello Voxers and friends:  

We've had one or two reviews recently and overall they've been great. I thought it was time to post a few of them. Here's a choice selection of quotes, with links….

“Is it too late to tip a band for success in 2008? Perhaps we should wait until Adele is crowned the more important person in music and then quietly suggest that This Morning Call are one of the most wonderful bands we have heard this year…. Putting a quiet rocket under the traditional guitar band set-up, This Morning Call have been described as 'Portishead on anti depressants' although ‘LCD Soundsystem with a hangover’ might be more appropriate - although a sense of bleak brilliance applies to both descriptions…” (Michael Baggs, Channel Four)

http://www.channel4.com/blogs/page/music?entry=band_of_the_week_this

A health dose of electronica blended with the soft pop-rock vocals of Ben Heyworth make This Morning Call a wonderful dream-like experience....When I listen to This Morning Call, I cannot help but think they sound a little like The Postal Service. Now I know there are a lot of Ben Gibbard fans (and Gibband haters) out there. I am no way saying that Ben Heyworth sounds identical to his namesake Gibbard...but he sorta does... the similarities do exist.... I am fairly certain that This Morning Call are here to stay and will be appearing on a radio station near you in the future.

(Ryan at WeHeartMusic.com)

http://weheartmusic.vox.com/library/post/this-morning-call.html

Imagine heartfelt vocals set against a backdrop of beeps, loops and crunching samples. An electronic landscape of sound and emotion. If you can picture this then you’re somewhere close to the world of This Morning Call…..   Whistle While You Work is a revelation, by losing the lyrics you are completely drawn into the music, but nothing is missed. The song is so full it is only towards the end you realise the lack of words. You’ll be whistling this tune for days afterwards. (MJ Hardman, Guestlist Manchester)
http://guestlistmusic.blogspot.com/2008/01/this-morning-call-deserted-tides.html

…Helping us ease into the swing of this remarkably familiar yet supposedly 'new' year are downbeat electro band This Morning Call – without doubt one of the most remarkable bands to emerge from the indie dead-zone of Manchester in recent history. Like a restrained and melancholy Hot Chip with the lid screwed on, This Morning Call specialize in soft, haunting electronica. Even when the band reach top speed on standout track 'Deserted', these northern lads are more likely to make you stop for a long, hard think than they are start to dance. Even when they verge towards generic guitar balladry on tracks such as 'Clockworks' and 'Romance' the experimental electronic production stands this unusual quartet from the crowd. In a very short time we've fallen very much in love with This Morning Call but also feel a great sense of appreciation for the band for simply making music so amazing that we had to pull our big lazy finger out and write something explaining this.The most wonderful band we've heard this year and if we were tipping anyone for success in 2008, it would be this lot and not that bloody Adele woman...

Link - unknown

Pop is not a dirty word. It is with some people. Usually I find with people who have no idea what they're talking about. This Morning Call is pop music in it's best sense. Accessible and easy, yet intelligent and sophisticated…..

…'Romance' features the best and most suited vocal music juxtaposition and a catchy chorus. Pick for me however is 'Whistle While You Work', an instrumental not completely dissimilar to Air's 'Alpha Beta Gaga'. I'll be playing this demo again. It's not always the case.

Sandman Magazine – Jan 2008

"If you're a fan of sweeping electronic landscapes, ambient pop-edged melodies and the occasional dark crunchy beat, start paying attention. This Morning Call take the atmospheric aspects of Coldplay which stop them being purely guilty easy listening, channel them through the bleeps and angular squawks of the New Order/Daft Punk school, and produce an experimental, light, electronic pop…. hurry up and check them out before they explode onto the wider scene, because that's looking increasingly likely." (Jennifer at WeHeartMusic.com)

http://weheartmusic.vox.com/library/post/this-morning-call2.html

More to come!

And here's a tune, in case you've not heard it yet!

Tides

This Morning Call

4 comments

best wishes,

Ben

(two posts in one day - bit bored in the office right now...)

(never mind its the weekend in an hour or so)

(thank god)