Secret Santa 2011

[Hand Shandy]

I've had a look at that and they've been on the site recently. Haven't checked whether they've posted though...

 

I too have been giving my CD a good listen over the last week, and will have ny review up by Sunday.

 

Promise...

[Chocoholic]

After having to wait until into 2012 for my Secret Santa CD, it eventually arrived this week, to much anticipation. What were the first impressions?

 

Secondhand recycled envelope (Not that I’m against recycling) posted on December 28th. Poor show!

 

No artwork. Poor show!

 

No tracklist. Poor show! Belatedly sent via Juniper just before I completed this

 

So, how did the music fare?

 

 

01] Intro - M83 --- Starts slowly and atmospherically and works towards a dramatically choral climax. First of some unknown artists. A good opener.

 

02] Hell’s Bells - AC/DC --- The bells, the bells! Angus & co let rip with some proper hard rock. ‘Nuff said.

 

03] Codex - Radiohead --- Totally chilled and spaced out Radiohead. This is not typical of most Radiohead stuff I know.

 

04] Positively Inclined - Wax Tailor --- And it’s M to the O - N - T to the Y, A hip hop track I like and It’s fly. The flute and drum beat work great. Never thought I’d actually like this.

 

05] We’ve Got Everything - Modest Mouse --- Great intro and beat throughout. Reminiscent of many typical 80s pop songs. Modest Mouse brings Stumo to mind again.

 

06] Emily Barker & The Red Clay Halo --- Slow soft delicate angelic female voice with hints of something stronger lurking deeper made me think it was Megan Hickey of Last Town Chorus playing an understated lap guitar. Never gets above 2mph, but lovely for that. A tracklist just turned up that’s allowed me find some more, and she/they seem a bit of a discovery.

 

07] Introdiction - Scroobius Pip --- An intense Scroobius does his thing with some clever wordsmithing. Backing riff similar to Street Spirit (Fade Out)

 

08] Barricade - Interpol --- Best track off that album. Interpol are one of those bands I keep meaning to listen to more, and this will prompt me.

 

09] A & B Song - Tom McCrae --- Favourite song so far. Goes through the gears with great percussion and instrumentation work throughout building its way to a fine climax and sudden end. More of his music on his website as I couldn’t find him on iTunes or Amazon. Another discovery.

 

10] A Chore - Tom Vek --- This is a grower, but it disturbs in some ways. The staccato effect can get on your tits and the music swamps the lyrics in places. Our resident ginge is a known fan

 

11] Anyone Who Understands - Irma Thomas --- Slow, Sweet n Sexy Sixties Southern soul. Superb!

 

12] I Wanna Be Your Dog - The Stooges --- Yowzer! Back to reality with a bang. Classic punk with a dirty distorted solo to end

 

13] Albatross - Wild Beasts --- Shades of what a modern Kate Bush might be like and someone else I can’t quite think of. Checked out the album on iTunes and it’s on a to-do list.

 

14] Calgary - Bon Iver --- Chorused layers of Bon Iver’s haunting high pitch in fine form. A good choice

 

15] One Armed Scissor - At The Drive-In --- A little bit frantic and raucous in parts for me. This track has got lots of good interesting stuff going on, Verses are ok, but I found the vocal style of the chorus far too shouty

 

16] Blood On Our Hands - Death From Above --- A bit like the the previous track, but it’s got easier to listen to and offers more on further listening.

 

17] Art of Almost - Wilco --- I loved the vocal part of this song, and thought it could have done with more of it. The intro feels a bit overlong, (it’s actually shorter than Hell’s Bells) but about 2 minutes of the middle section feels like an unfocused tangle. Works up to a great energetic solo to redeem itself a bit more. Heard behind enemy lines.

 

18] The Haunted Ocean Max Richter --- Atmospheric electronic instrumental sorbet to cleanse the musical palate and a good track to loop back to the opening track... for more!

 

 

So, there it is.

 

I’ve got mixed feelings about who I think my Secret Santa is. The musical clues all lead one way, and that is Monty. His dirty train-oil fingerprints appear to be all over this - I counted 8, but there may be more... 3- 4 - 5 - 7 - 8 - 10 - 16 - 17. But the lack of any tracklist which Monty moaned incessantly about before would appear to cast a little doubt upon that. If anybody knows any different or thinks I’m off course on my thinking, then feel free to add your thoughts. If, despite all the pointers indicating Monty, it’s not him, then I don’t know who it may be. The tracklist issue (‘09 I think, and now I see this year too) is a bit of a distraction though.

 

 

This was posted late - three days after Christmas to be precise. But despite having to wait.. &^%$@! - then no artwork - &*@%! - and then have no tracklist *%&@£! - having to work a number of the tracks out by myself, I’m very pleased with the collection of music here. Much of it new to me and opening doors to more discovery, which is what the spirit and purpose of Secret Santa is, for me. I hope my comments on each reflect the positive vibe brought about by these latest additions to my musical influences.

 

Thank you to my Secret Santa and I hope everyone is as happy as I am with mine.

[Stu Monty]

After having to wait until into 2012 for my Secret Santa CD' date=' it eventually arrived this week, to much anticipation. What were the first impressions?

 

Secondhand recycled envelope (Not that I’m against recycling) posted on December 28th. Poor show!

 

No artwork. Poor show!

 

No tracklist. Poor show! Belatedly sent via Juniper just before I completed this

 

So, how did the music fare?

 

 

01'] Intro - M83 --- Starts slowly and atmospherically and works towards a dramatically choral climax. First of some unknown artists. A good opener.

 

02] Hell’s Bells - AC/DC --- The bells, the bells! Angus & co let rip with some proper hard rock. ‘Nuff said.

 

03] Codex - Radiohead --- Totally chilled and spaced out Radiohead. This is not typical of most Radiohead stuff I know.

 

04] Positively Inclined - Wax Tailor --- And it’s M to the O - N - T to the Y, A hip hop track I like and It’s fly. The flute and drum beat work great. Never thought I’d actually like this.

 

05] We’ve Got Everything - Modest Mouse --- Great intro and beat throughout. Reminiscent of many typical 80s pop songs. Modest Mouse brings Stumo to mind again.

 

06] Emily Barker & The Red Clay Halo --- Slow soft delicate angelic female voice with hints of something stronger lurking deeper made me think it was Megan Hickey of Last Town Chorus playing an understated lap guitar. Never gets above 2mph, but lovely for that. A tracklist just turned up that’s allowed me find some more, and she/they seem a bit of a discovery.

 

07] Introdiction - Scroobius Pip --- An intense Scroobius does his thing with some clever wordsmithing. Backing riff similar to Street Spirit (Fade Out)

 

08] Barricade - Interpol --- Best track off that album. Interpol are one of those bands I keep meaning to listen to more, and this will prompt me.

 

09] A & B Song - Tom McCrae --- Favourite song so far. Goes through the gears with great percussion and instrumentation work throughout building its way to a fine climax and sudden end. More of his music on his website as I couldn’t find him on iTunes or Amazon. Another discovery.

 

10] A Chore - Tom Vek --- This is a grower, but it disturbs in some ways. The staccato effect can get on your tits and the music swamps the lyrics in places. Our resident ginge is a known fan

 

11] Anyone Who Understands - Irma Thomas --- Slow, Sweet n Sexy Sixties Southern soul. Superb!

 

12] I Wanna Be Your Dog - The Stooges --- Yowzer! Back to reality with a bang. Classic punk with a dirty distorted solo to end

 

13] Albatross - Wild Beasts --- Shades of what a modern Kate Bush might be like and someone else I can’t quite think of. Checked out the album on iTunes and it’s on a to-do list.

 

14] Calgary - Bon Iver --- Chorused layers of Bon Iver’s haunting high pitch in fine form. A good choice

 

15] One Armed Scissor - At The Drive-In --- A little bit frantic and raucous in parts for me. This track has got lots of good interesting stuff going on, Verses are ok, but I found the vocal style of the chorus far too shouty

 

16] Blood On Our Hands - Death From Above --- A bit like the the previous track, but it’s got easier to listen to and offers more on further listening.

 

17] Art of Almost - Wilco --- I loved the vocal part of this song, and thought it could have done with more of it. The intro feels a bit overlong, (it’s actually shorter than Hell’s Bells) but about 2 minutes of the middle section feels like an unfocused tangle. Works up to a great energetic solo to redeem itself a bit more. Heard behind enemy lines.

 

18] The Haunted Ocean Max Richter --- Atmospheric electronic instrumental sorbet to cleanse the musical palate and a good track to loop back to the opening track... for more!

 

 

So, there it is.

 

I’ve got mixed feelings about who I think my Secret Santa is. The musical clues all lead one way, and that is Monty. His dirty train-oil fingerprints appear to be all over this - I counted 8, but there may be more... 3- 4 - 5 - 7 - 8 - 10 - 16 - 17. But the lack of any tracklist which Monty moaned incessantly about before would appear to cast a little doubt upon that. If anybody knows any different or thinks I’m off course on my thinking, then feel free to add your thoughts. If, despite all the pointers indicating Monty, it’s not him, then I don’t know who it may be. The tracklist issue (‘09 I think, and now I see this year too) is a bit of a distraction though.

 

 

This was posted late - three days after Christmas to be precise. But despite having to wait.. &^%$@! - then no artwork - &*@%! - and then have no tracklist *%&@£! - having to work a number of the tracks out by myself, I’m very pleased with the collection of music here. Much of it new to me and opening doors to more discovery, which is what the spirit and purpose of Secret Santa is, for me. I hope my comments on each reflect the positive vibe brought about by these latest additions to my musical influences.

 

Thank you to my Secret Santa and I hope everyone is as happy as I am with mine.

 

It is me mate. It was a really shoddy display from me this year with regards to getting it sent (although it was actually posted before crimbo, so not sure what happened there) but it was something I kept putting off because I was mad busy.

 

Anyone who doesn't keep this year's envelope and send it next year is a mug, winner's trick that one.

 

Glad to hear that there was some new stuff on it that you liked and that it's taken you to some new artists. I can never fly under the radar on this as I usually bang on too much during the years about stuff I like so it's impossible not to put in on my CD.

[Stu Monty]

Here we go then; my review:

 

1) Forever Song - Crown City Rockers

 

Lovely little laid back tune with some great breaks and beat. Great opener for the CD.

 

 

2) Something Sweet - Rip N Lan

 

Got a kind of Reggae dancehall vibe to this one which is cool. Madstock would be all over this shit. Doesn't really go anywhere but doesn't really have to. Good work.

 

3) Love - The Globetroddas

 

Continuing with the chilled out feeling. Slouching flow and a nice bit of laid back keyboard and guitar.

 

4) The Vibe - Niamaj

 

Latin feel, bit of scratching, another bit of cool hip-hop. I'm in.

 

5) Give It Up - The Ones + J Live

 

Continuing a consistent feeling with the music (not a bad thing at all) and some interesting lyrics. Iteresting little bit of pipes/flute in this.

 

6) My Favourite Waste Of Time - Speech Defect

 

Possibly my favourite tune on the CD, proper fucking corker. Replay hit as soon as it was finished and I've already started preaching on facebook about it. Great hook. Great flow. Great horns. Just an awesome tune.

 

7) New Definition - This Kid Named Miles + Medusa

 

Another dose of soulful hip-hop. I think I felt the same last year, in that I felt I was repeating myself, but the CD has a running tone of style and quality so you end up saying similar things.

 

8) Hiding - Breakestra

 

Swagger. Bags of it being brought to the table by the bass guitar. Real soulful stuff. Great track.

 

9) Break - Crown City Rockers

 

Second track from these, might have to check them out. Sound like a quality outfit.

 

10) Change Form Ft. Diverse - Modill

 

Some ace horns on this and another great chunk of hip-hop. I reckon Paul would really love this CD. He'd have loved last year's too actually.

 

11) On & On - Y'all So Stupid

 

This has got a weird feeling to it, like it's a throwback to the early nineties of late eighties. Decent though, even if it doesn't wow me the way a lot of the other stuff does.

 

12) They Say Ft. Dianne - DJ Vadim

 

Really cool track with a female hip-hop delivery.

 

13) Simple Song (Headnodic Remix) - The Procussions

 

Quality flow on this one, really catchy. Same sort of feel again, if a bit lighter than the last track.

 

14) Eternal Reflection - Bulljun

 

Jazzy with a South American feel to it.........nice.

 

15) If I - Raashan Ahmad

 

And back to the soulful, horn-strewn, hip-hop. Good stuff.

 

16) Love To Angie - Red Astaire

 

Really interesting track. Clips of audio at the start are cool. Harmonies are cool. Bongos are cool. This is another that makes me think of Paul. Reckon he'd like it. Mournful soul.

 

17) Night At The Funk Party Ft. The SAC, Giant Panda, Gambit The MC and Massey Luv - SP

 

Gotta love a little cameo from some foreign hip-hop where you can't understand a fucking word but it still sounds good. Some great little bits on this.

 

 

18) Get! Ft. Remedeeh - Supersci

 

Ace tune. Cracking horns on it and some great melody in between the verses.

 

19) Flashlight Ft. Higher Baby -Waxolutionists

 

Great end to a great CD. Great production, nice vocals. All in all it's just a great compilation, especially for me as I so rarely take the time to listen to any new music anymore let alone this sort of stuff that Giles Peterson and co specialise in. I think we should just stick to me getting Borge each year now, I've been spoilt.

[Jorge Borge]

Ha! I'd be proper stuck if I got someone who didn't like Hip Hop. I'm very happy you like it, mate. Though I feel a bit cheaty as I probably put most of it on the GF Hip Hop thread throughout the year.

 

You're right about the Y'all So Stupid track, by the way. It's off the album Van Full Of Pakistans from 1993. It just keeps popping up on my mp3 player so I had to stick it on.

 

Also, Raashan Ahmad is the MC for Crown City Rockers so if you liked all those three songs then you can't go wrong. The CCR songs are from The Day After Forever and the RA is from The Push (other favourite songs are Give Thanks and The Crush ("Hip... Hop... Saved... My... Life")).

 

I recommend the Red Astaire album, Nuggets For The Needy, to anyone that fancies it. It's one of those spliced up numbers, where they take two or three songs, bang them together and soup them up. The whole album, in my humble opinion, works really well.

 

Anyway, thanks for the positivity, Stu, and Hip Hoppy New Year.

[Hand Shandy]

Well I've been bored in work this afternoon, so I've done my review...

 

Artwork - well they made the effort of printing a picture out, which is all I did, so I'm happy enough.

 

Track listing - a bit of a letdown if I'm honest. Tracks not titled on the CD itself, so had to name them all when I put it onto iTunes, which was a pain in the ass as I had to decipher some absolutely bloody awful handwriting on a scrap of paper which had been folded up and jammed into the CD case!

 

Now, the music:

1) Mandinka - Sinead O'Connor

I'll confess, the only song I can remember by Ms O'Connor is 'Nothing Compares 2 U', so this is a new one to me. Having said that, there's something vaguely familiar about the tune so I might have heard it before somewhere.

 

It also reminds me of something more recent, but I'm not enough of a music nerd to be able to tell you what it is. I like the track though, so a good start.

 

2) Girl Like You - Edwyn Collins

A bit of Edwyn never goes amiss - good tune.

 

3) Fantastic Day - Haircut 100

Woah, I haven't heard this for a long time! Sadly, I'm old enough to remember this from the first time round (sobs). Nice catchy tune with a good bit of horn (fnar, fnar!), this has aged surprisingly well.

 

4) Nothing Compares 2 U - Sinead O'Connor

And here's the tune I recognise from Ms O'Connor! I'll confess that I became heartily sick of this song when it was first released, as you couldn't listen to a radio without hearing it about three times an hour.

 

However, time has passed, my rage has mellowed and I can now recognise it for what it is, which is a beautiful song.

 

5) Good Enough - Dodgy

Ah, this takes me back as well. Early 20s, going to shitty little indie clubs, getting pissed and stoned and trying to chat up ladies of dubious virtue -happy days!

 

6) Bossanova Baby - Elvis Presley

Now this may be sacrilege to some on here, but I've never really liked Elvis Presley. This is OK though - catchy but nothing to write home about.

 

7) How Can You Swallow So Much Sleep - Bombay Bicycle Club

Now I've heard a lot about Bombay Bicycle Club, but I haven't heard a lot of their stuff. Caught a bit of them on the Glastonbury coverage and they seemed pretty good live.

 

However, this doesn't really float my boat - it's OK, but doesn't really stand out from any of the succession of indie bands that are regularly hailed as 'the next big thing'.

 

8) Your Eyes - Bombay Bicycle Club

As above really. I mean don't get me wrong, I like it, but given all the hype I'd heard about them I was just expecting a little bit more.

 

9) Rasputin - Boney M

And I'm flung back to my childhood again! A disco classic, you can't help but tap your foot...

 

10) Soul Limbo - Booker T & The MG's

It's the cricket song! I had no idea Booker T & The MG's did this, but I love it!

 

11) Caravan Of Love - The Housemartins

I was 12 when this came out. And I bought it. This is like a rollercoaster through my youth. Great song, and Heaton's voice is fantastic.

 

12) Mayhem - Imelda May

Saw her on Jools Holland and was very impressed, as I always am by people who can actually sing live. I like this a lot - a good old fashioned rock n' roll footstomper!

 

13) Tightrope - Jannelle Monae

I bought The Archandroid album earlier this year after so many people on here raving about it. She's a real talent, and this is a cracking song.

 

14) Wouldn't It Be Good - Nik Kershaw

Seriously, this is getting scary now. Another track from my childhood, and another one I owned. In fact, I'm pretty sure I bought the album.

 

Having just wikipedia'd it, I did. It was 'Human Racing' and was released in 1984. I was 10. Shhiiittttt!

 

15) There She Goes - The La's

It's The La's la! One of my all-time favourite songs from one of my all-time favourite albums, and a great way to finish off the CD!

 

 

All in all, a good little Secret Santa. A lot of tracks that qualify as a 'blast from the past', and a couple I hadn't heard before.

 

In terms of who sent it to me, I haven't really got a clue. I know it's one of the Irish contingent (the postage gave that away), but beyond that I don't know. The writing on the track listing was so bad I'd guess at a doctor, but I don't think we've got any Irish doctors on here!

 

Possibly a cricket fan, I'd also say they're roughly my age given some of the choices, but I'm stumped (see what I did there)...

 

Secret Santa, reveal yourself!

[RobbieOR]

Glad you liked it...

[Skidfingers McGonical]

Glad you liked it...

 

Most of them songs are older than you Robbie ;-)

 

Some good tunes on there.

[RobbieOR]

Most of them songs are older than you Robbie ;-)

 

I think about 12 out of the 15 were. Give or take anyway.

[Hand Shandy]

You're about half my age! What the hell are you doing listening to a Nik Kershaw track from 1984?!?

 

I think I guessed at you when I first said I'd got the CD, but that was based purely on the handwriting! The cricket song did make me think it might be you, but there was no way I'd have thought it was you based on the rest of the tunes...

 

Anyway, thanks Robbie - I've enjoyed reliving my youth!

[RobbieOR]

You're about half my age! What the hell are you doing listening to a Nik Kershaw track from 1984?!?

 

I think I guessed at you when I first said I'd got the CD, but that was based purely on the handwriting! The cricket song did make me think it might be you, but there was no way I'd have thought it was you based on the rest of the tunes...

 

Anyway, thanks Robbie - I've enjoyed reliving my youth!

 

Dunno, really. I usually hear music and If I like it, I'll download it.

 

Sorry about the handwritten tracklist. I usually print it off but I have no printer this year and I had to get my mum to print off the artwork in work. As for making tracks appear when you upload the CD, I havent a scooby how to do that. Wouldnt mind being told though...

 

Glad you liked it, I had a feeling Booker T would give it away. Nobody knows who sang it, but everyone knows the it theme for BBC cricket.

[Hand Shandy]

No worries re the tracklisting, and I'll rep you when I can - it appears I have to spread...

[Ziggy Stardust]

Forgot to say before that I've no idea who sent mine, so feel free to reveal yourself, whoever it was. Unless anyone else wants to guess.

[Skidfingers McGonical]

Who the fuck sent me mine?

[Hand Shandy]

I'm prepared to categorically state that I didn't send to either of you.

[Skidfingers McGonical]

I'm prepared to categorically state that I didn't send to either of you.

 

*ticks Hand Shandy off list*

[Juniper]

Hi Jon,

 

Any chance you could PM my intended recipient? They haven't been on this thread for ages, and the address you gave me just didn't seem quite right...

 

I'm happy to send again, but don't want to waste my money as it's overseas postage.

 

Thanks.

 

I chased yesterday and the address given to me by your recipient was the one sent to you. So no issues our side.

 

Hopefully he'll come back to this thread soon with an update.

[Hand Shandy]

Thanks Jon.

[loadsoftrophies]

Where's my review? Boooooooooo!

[Yozzer]

First of all I’d like to apologise to my Secret Santa for the late review as I said Boxing Day and promptly failed with this promise. However, I’ve given CD 1 a good listen and have a review for that below. The review for CD 2 should be up later today or tomorrow. Again, sorry for the lateness but at least it seems a thorough review.

Foo Fighters – The Pretender: Off to a great start as I love the Foo Fighters, been to see them numerous times and they’re brilliant live especially with this song. Definitely a good start to the album as you can’t go wrong with some rock to get going.

 

Hard-Fi – Good For Nothing: Never really given this band a listen but this tune had a catchy beat to it. I will definitely look into more of their songs due to this. Great start to the album!

 

Radiohead – The National Anthem: And then it nose dives. I’m probably going to offend some people but I really don’t like Radiohead, their music does absolutely nothing for me and I’m afraid this song just confirms to me that they’re crap. Strikes me as a song some blert would want played at their funeral and for that reason I’m out.

Editors – Blood: A slightly more cheery tune, just. I’d never really listened to the Editors before I heard them during the Leeds fest in 2008 and I must say they disappointed after the hype people had given them. However, the studio version of this song is far better than when they played it live so it gets a thumbs up from me. They remind of Interpol and that’s definitely a good thing in my book.

The Wombats – Walking Disaster: A band that flatters to deceive for me and I only really think they got the hype due to being from Liverpool; by all accounts the lead singer is a bit of a bellend as well. As for this song, I’ve listened to it numerous times and it just drifts by without really grabbing my attention - an average song from an average band.

 

Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds – (Stranded On) The Wrong Beach: The talented man of Oasis delivers with his song which sounds very similar to many of Oasis’ songs which is a good thing. This is another hit on the CD which keeps on improving.

Coldplay – Don’t Panic: When you admit you like Coldplay people often look at you like you’ve admitted you had a thing for Pat Butcher. I’m proud to say I like Coldplay, there I said it and this song is a decent addition to the album.

 

Noah and the Whales – L.I.F.E.G.O.E.S.O.N. : I tried to stay open minded but they’re really not for me, sorry. They just sound like every other Indie band going at the moment and they have no distinguishable sound that makes them stand out. Plus they dress like a bunch of cunts.

 

The Redwalls – Love Her: Never heard of these and I’m pleasantly surprised by them, the song is slowly growing on me so I will give these a further look up. I like the thrill of finding new bands and wanting to hear more so thanks for this track.

 

John Lennon – Instant Karma: Boss. Can’t go wrong with a bit of Lennon and this is one of my favourites of his solo career. The musical genius that is Lennon delivers another thumbs up from myself.

 

The Kooks – Junk of the Heart: Quite a mellow song from The Kooks and one that will most likely get better after numerous listens. Still not bought on this whole indie scene that is sweeping through Britain at the moment, there are a select few who I like and these fall into a grey area of uncertainty.

Two Door Cinema Club – Something Good Can Work: Saw this band at Leeds this year and they created a good party atmosphere with many people dancing under the influence of narcotics. A good song to finish the disc with as it is quite jolly and fun.

[The Golden Eel]

CD1 review - Stuff That is Quite New

 

1. Bright Eyes - Firewall - Some dude waffling at the start about all sorts of mad shit! Ha. Then a low-key tune comes in. I must say, people have tried to get me into Bright Eyes before and it isn't really happening. Just can't seem to connect with it.

 

2. Sufjan Stevens - Age of Adz - Bit of an epic this one. All sorts of stuff and instruments and "oh oh ohs" going on. It meanders all over the show. Never listened to this guy but would be interested to hear more on this showing.

 

3. The Joy Formidable - A Heavy Abacus - Boom! The opening riffs of this just come from nowhere. Quality. Nice female vocals. Never heard of them but I really like this slice of rock.

 

4. My Morning Jacket - Holding on to Black Metal - Again, never heard of these but I quite like this, it's a grower for sure.

 

5. Arcade Fire - Speaking in Tongues - First appearance from AF in my 2 Cds. This is the only one of the 3 tunes I don't know and it's as solid an effort as you'd expect from the Fire.

 

6. Deerhunter - Fountain Stairs - Definite Jesus and Mary Chain influence going on here in the guitars and the vocals, which is certainly a good thing indeed. There's a track from these on my other CD, and I would defnitely be keen to explore more of this.

 

7. The National - Lemonworld - Probably my second favourite track off this CD. Had some National on my SS disc last year from Owen and that's still all I've heard of them but they do have a fierce reputation. Should probably check them out properly now.

 

8. Johnny Foreigner - (Don't) Show us your Fangs - Sounds young and British. I'm getting a bit of a Bloc Party influence on this one. Nice guitars and another definite grower.

 

9. Arcade Fire - We Used to Wait - Had this on my SS CD from last year. Cracking tune.

 

10. Bon Iver - Calgary - I've never heard Bon Iver beofre but I've heard of him (them). This isn't what i thought he'd (they'd?) sound like. There's a certian dreaminess to this track and loads going on. Really good.

 

11. Josh T Pearson - Drive Her Out - Low-fi country blues-type tune. Man, guitar and voice(s) - has a certain folky eerieness.

 

12. Fleet Foxes - Battery Kinzie - What can you say about the Fleet Foxes? They're just doing their thing, innit. Can't go wrong really.

 

13. Bill Wells - (If You) Keep Me in your Heart - Right, what the fuck is going on here? My favourite track on this CD. Broad Scottish accent for the "singing" voice, bitterly humourous lyrics, and a great arrnagement. There's something totally untypical about this and I couldn't really do it justice by typing words on here. Quality.

 

14. Laura Marling - My Friends - Back to a more lo-fi guitar/vocals track. Again, never heard of this lady but she has a great quirky voice.

 

15. Pete and the Pirates - Half Moon Street - Finishing off with some English indie rock. Really like this one too, broad English accent, memorable chorus, nice guitars, good lyrics. Quality closer.

 

So, that's CD1 in all its glory. Really nice mix of stuff and I like all of it. Have played this loads of times over the past couple of weeks and will certainly investigate some of the artists in more depth in time.

 

Cheers to whoever sent this, it's really well put together and the professional-looking Chrsitmas-themed artwork is a nice touch. You know, I actually have a hunch as to who sent this and it's based on nothing more than hunch - was this sent by none other than our organiser himself?

 

Anyway, disc 2 review to follow ASAP. As i said elsewhere, I have a baby due on 19th so if I don't get it up (ooh err) soon then I might need a bit of time.

[Karl_b]

Huge apologies to my SS, I'd not been able to get to the post office until today due to opening times, work, etc. I'm a few tracks in to "Stoner Rock, All Of The Time" and the desire to thrash my head about and air guitar my face off is building.

 

Review to follow today.

[Crazyhorse7778]

Mine has arrived.. looking forward to giving it a listen over the next few days. I'll post the tracklist up later and I'll do the review after I've given it a proper listen.

[Karl_b]

Stoner Metal, All of the Time: An Introduction to stoner/desert rock and other assortments

 

Right, here goes, I’ve had one full listen and I’m reviewing on the second time round. I’ve heard of barely any of these bands before and I don’t recognise a single track, it’s all way out of my usual spectrum and that, for me, is what Secret Santa is all about. It’s loud, dirty metal for the most part and I can only assume I’m going to have to turn in up to 11 at some point:

 

1. The Passing – Lamb of God

 

Starts slowly, gentle picking of a guitar until 30 seconds in when the riffs start and the heavy tone of the album is established. Completely instrumental this and just as I was getting in to it the track stops abruptly, I’m guessing this is the opening track of an album and leads straight in to the second track.

 

2. Black Tongue – Mastodon

 

A mate of mine loves these, so I’ve heard of them and he used to play odd bits around the house when I lived with him a few years back. Good track, excellent drumming and riffage.

 

3. Quote Unquote – Mr Bungle

 

Bit odd this one, starts off in the same vain with crunching guitars but with some plonky keys and then drops in to a slightly bonkers arrangement with vocals that sound like Paul Draper from Mansun having a go at something a bit different. Doesn’t really all come together very well for me I’m afraid.

 

4. Judith – A Perfect Circle

 

I’ve heard of these as Kurt put them on my SS in 2009 (I think!), a rock supergroup with the vocalist from Tool I believe. I like this a lot, one of the strongest on the album. Excellent vocals

 

5. Lee Van Cleef – Primus

 

Haha, didn’t expect this! Funky bass intro, Modest Mouse-esque vocals (think Dance Hall) and lyrics about the films of van Cleef and Clint Eastwood, excellent interlude to the metal.

 

6. Black Horse Stampede – Textures

 

Speaking of metal, this is heavy. Too heavy and screamy for me, my least favourite on the CD, even the interspersing of some softer singing doesn’t redeem it enough. I’m too fragile for this.

 

7. Seen What I Saw – Sixteen Horsepower

 

This starts off sounds like something I’d be more comfortable with and it’s fair to say it is. Slower paced but still with retaining elements of rock, this one instantly stands out.

 

8. Four Corners – Mondo Generator

 

Another one with a slower vibe, I thought this had a QOTSA vibe and I wasn’t wrong, this is Nick Olivieri’s full-time band since his split from QOTSA and has frequent collaborator Mark Lanegan on vocals. My second favourtie track on the album, it has an excellent lo-fi vibe to it and catchy hooks.

 

9. Texas Pt I & Pt II – Lowrider

 

Back in to the heavier side of rock here, it doesn’t have the shouting and screaming but it still attracts little attention from me, again it’s just too heavy for me.

 

10. Thumb – Kyuss

 

Kyuss, another QOTSA connection here (all the original QOTSA members where formally in Kyuss) and another track I really like. Never really paid much attention to these despite knowing a little about how they tie in with some of the other bands in the ‘Palm Desert’ scene but I’ll definitely check them out more.

 

11. Sabbath. Bloody Sabbath – Black Sabbath

 

Not really all that familiar with Sabbath but I know this is a classic. Top tune.

 

12. Hunger Strike – Temple of the Dog

 

This has a familiarity about it due to Chris Cornell’s vocals, it’s decent but a bit one paced.

 

13. Senor Moreno’s Plan – Hermano

 

Straight in with some big riffs, I’m instantly sucked in. Another band descended from the remnants of Kyuss, I’m beginning to dig the vibe that’s coming out from this mob.

 

14. Died in California – Fatso Jeston

 

One on a slightly different vibe here, less metal than most on the disc, a bit more blues and punk in this and some ace lyrics.

 

15. Polly Wants a Crack Rock – Desert Sessions

 

A track from the famous Desert Sessions, John Homme’s project which has features such contributors as Nick Olivieri, Mark Lanegan and PJ Harvey. This is stupendous, my favourite on the disc, it has everything I love about QOTSA in there - rhythm, riffs, a little bit of shouting and masses of rock and roll cool. Ace.

 

16. Acid Bubble – Alice in Chains

 

A classic band I know little about, whenever I’ve heard them they haven’t really grabbed me but I can definitely pick up on the influence they had on the grunge scene from the few bits I have heard. This is good but I won’t be clamouring to get more.

 

17. Blue Soul – Graveyard

 

A slow one to bring me down gently to the end of the record, it sounds a bit like Kermit the Frog on vocals, with a distinctly darker side than might be expected from the amphibian that brought you ‘Bein’ Green’ but it’s a great way to finish off.

 

So there we go, I’m delighted with the CD as it’s opened me up to lots of things that I really like and stuff that I’d been on the edges of (mostly through listening to QOTSA) without ever delving further in to. Thanks to Santa and I’m sorry that due to timing over Christmas of me being away that I’ve only just got to reviewing it.

 

My first thought was that this may have been from a Mr Skidfingers McGonical (if that is his real name), it’s definitely his vibe and after a bit of digging on some music threads I’m sticking with my guess.

 

A roaring success for me yet again in TLW SS, cheers to JNP for sorting it too.

[Jorge Borge]

With regards my own SS, I've been let down again (boo hoo). I understand it costs a lot to send shit out to Spain, though, so I'll not hold it against whoever it was.

 

My sincerest apologies, Secret Santa, whoever you are. Jon has informed me you sent my CD but it just hasn't arrived. Sorry for leaping to conclusions, it's just... I've had my fingers burnt before, y'see.