Artists From The Last Ten Years Who Will Still Be Around in Fifty Years - Part One

My mum is the director of music at a local school where I live in the UK. Every year there is one assignment that she does with her classes which grabs the attention of the rest of our (very music orientated) family; 'Which artists from the last ten years will be around in fifty years.' The children (normally with some fairly blatant help from their parents) have to make a compelling case for their chosen artist and then the rest of the class vote to decide if they agree. True democracy in action eh? 

Obviously there are a number of vague criteria involved here, which I will address now. First, 'from the last ten years' - Does this mean that you can include artists who have been around for a long time, but have still been releasing albums in the last ten years? I am going to say no; otherwise the likes of Tom Waits, Bruce Springsteen and Neil Young could all be included, who have all already been around for the most part of 50 years. I think I would define, 'being from the last ten years' as, being an artists that has come to prominence in the last ten years. Still a little vague, but I'm looking for a musical debate here, not a definite answer. Next, what does it mean to 'be around in fifty years'? Is Cliff Richard still 'around' now? These are difficult questions to answer. Technically he has had a number of albums in the last ten years, is still widely recognised by the general public and could easily sell out large scale gigs. "To be around" in this sense is to generally be a name known by a considerable amount of the general public. Therefore I'd say that although these are not his years of prominence, he is still 'around'.

Image courtesy of www.gawker.com

Foo Fighters

I think it's pretty widely established that Dave Grohl is god.  I also think that there would be little debate in the fact that Nirvana will still be around in 50 years. The reasoning for this is two-fold: They fore-fronted a dramatic shift in popular music, and, due to the iconic nature and death of their lead singer.

Foo Fighters may not have caused the same shift in musical genres that Grohl's previous band did had, however, there is little debate over the fact that they've been one of the biggest bands in the world for the past ten years. What they lack in innovation, they more than make up for by consistently producing superb rock music for the masses. Their last four albums (which have all been over the last ten years) peaked in the US billboard album charts at positions: 3, 2, 3, 1 respectively and in tracks such as 'All My Life', 'Learn To Fly', 'Monkey Wrench', 'Everlong', 'Times Like These' and 'The Pretender', they have rock anthems that can stand the test of time.

'All night long I dream of the day, 

When it comes around and it's taken away.'

Image courtesy of lgos.org

Laura Marling

Now I love Laura Marling. I think she is one of the most incredible and enigmatic talents of our generation. To be just 21 years old and to have accomplished all that she has at that age is the work of a true prodigy.

I can understand why some of you may now be shaking your heads in disagreement, I really can. Perhaps she isn't currently well enough known to justify her position here, but I am marking this one down purely to talent and potential. She has certainly increased her profile in the last year, with A Creature I Don't Know getting to number 4 in the UK album charts as well as winning 'Best British Female' at the 2011 Brit Awards.

I'm not saying that she's ever necessarily going to be the biggest artist in the world, the slightly inaccessible nature to her music means that she's unlikely to ever reach a truly mainstream audience; however, I feel that she can settle into a similar popular niche market as past artists such as Nick Drake and Joni Mitchell. She will be well known by  music experts, journalists, and those with a strong passion for music for 50 years and beyond.

'But give me to a rambling man, 

let it always be know that I was who I am.'

Image courtesy of worldtourdates.info

Coldplay

This might be a controversial one........ Where to start with Coldplay. I've always found it strange that a band that writes such inoffensive music can cause so much disdain from so many people. Regardless of that mass of people, there are still a huge number of people that love the band, and this is illustrated by the fact that they have sold over 50 millions records worldwide over their fifteen year career.

Much like I mentioned previously with the Foo Fighters, it is not necessarily that they have been particularly innovative, but more that they have been the top of a radio friendly version of their genre. I think that there is little doubt that tracks such as `Yellow`, `The Scientist` and `Fix You' will go down as some of the defining classics of our generation. Despite the guitar based 'Post Brit Pop' sound and image which defined them throughout their first 3 albums, they have since managed to avoid pigeon-holing themselves with Viva La Vida's orchestral twist and Mylo Xyloto's brush with electronica. This ability to adapt and innovate while staying true to their own sound looks likely to keep Coldplay as one of our generations most important bands for many decades to come.

'Tears stream down your face, 

when you lose something you cannot replace'

Image courtesy of Amazon.com

The Libertines

Sometimes a band's non-music exploits over-shadow their musical ones. The Libertines came almost out of nowhere. In a post-Brit Pop era where music seemed to be in a bit of a stagnant spell, this British four-piece came along and changed everything. Their rough-around-the-edges music and unique style was a breath of fresh air at a time when it was desperately needed.

Although they managed only two albums in a career littered with drugs, scandals and internal conflicts, they were two of the finest albums of the decade, receiving widespread critical acclaim. In Pete Doherty, The Libertines have something special. Unfortunately for the man himself, his problems with drugs, relationships and other band member conflicts have led to him being labeled as a tortured genius. Sometimes regardless of a band's music (although in this case it was very good), bands and artists are remembered for reasons beyond this; In Pete Doherty they have a man who will be remembered for as a cult iconic figure of our generation.

'Cornered the boy kicked out at the world,
The world kicked back a lot fuckin' harder now.'

Image courtesy of fanpix.net

Jack White

At 36 years old, Jack White has managed to cram more music into his relatively short career than most people manage in a lifetime (or more likely, several). Best know for his exceptional 14 year career as half of the garage-rock duo The White Stripes, he has also done considerable work in bands forming bands The Racounters and The Dead Weather.

Alongside his solo projects he has also collaborated with  artists such as The Rolling Stone and Bob Dylan; co-writing the latest Bond soundtrack and a driving forward a growing acting career. He has been named within the '100 Greatest Living Guitarists' and last year was named 'Nashville Music City Ambassador' by Mayor Karl Dean.

Everything Black touches turns to gold; receiving unanimous acclaim for his inventive and innovative musical style, breaking and blending musical barriers. It seems that he will be woven into the fabric of alternative music for many years to come.........................Also that riff on 'Seven Nation Army' is dope.......

'Everyone knows about it,
From the Queen of England to the hounds of hell.'

Part two to follow (Please comment to let me know what you think; whether you agree or disagree)

The Evening's Empire - Top 20 Tracks of 2011 (5 - 1)

Well, I certainly have left this late! I could claim that I was just being thorough; making sure there aren't any earth shattering singles released on December the 30th which everyone else's  “end of year lists” would have missed..... but lets face it, it's just down to procrastination and laziness. Regardless, I am still within the 2011 time frame, so without much further ado - my Top 5 Tracks of 2011.

5.   Fleet Foxes - Helplessness Blues

Fleet Foxes sensational follow up to ther self-titled debut, was an  absolutely huge success this year. Widely recognised by critics and and public at large as being one of the albums of the year. It is on this effort that Pecknold stopped looking at the world at large, and instead turned the lyrics upon himself.

'Helplessness Blues' is one of those songs that you know straight away is going to be huge. It has just the right amount of sing-ability without it becoming clichéd, the right amount of catchiness without being too shallow and lyrics that are excellent without necessarily telling you exactly what they mean. Rich in the usual excellent, quirky musicianship and gorgeous swooning harmonies that we've come to expect from the Seattle six-piece - it's a truly special track.

`What's my name, what's my station, oh, just tell me what I should do'

4.   Laura Marling - Sophia

What more is there to say about Laura Marling...... To me she is probably the most astounding, young talent currently in music.. The incredible albums by the age of 21 is clearly the form of a prodigy at work. When I look at artists from the 60/70's I think about how incredible it must have been to grow up with the likes of Bob Dylan, Neil Young and Bruce Springsteen; to me Marling will go on to be held up there with these greats.


I could have pretty much picked any track from her incredible third album A Creature I Don't Know, but I've gone for 'Sophia'. 2 minutes 55 seconds of beautifully crafted musicianship before the track eventually reaches a crescendo layered with country-style vocals and a melody that forces the listeners attention.

'Rarely I weep, sometimes I must, I am wounded by the dust'.

3.   Ryan Adams - Dirty Rain


That's more like it Ryan! Where on earth have you been keeping tracks like this when you've forced us to endure albums like III/IV?! Whether Ashes & Fire marks a return to form or just a positive blip on a career in free fall is yet to be seen, however, one thing is certain - This is a fucking great album!


There are a number of tracks that could have made it on the list from Ashes and Fire; however, I settled on the opener 'Dirty Rain'. Riddled with semi-autobiographical references of looking at the past, at how things used to be, and wondering how to get back to what you once were.

'Now I'm here lookin' through the ruble, tryin' to find out who we were'.

2.   Frank Turner - If Ever I Stray


For me it wouldn't be an end of year list (or any list) without the inclusion of Frank Turner somewhere amongst it. So here he is; just shy of the number 1 spot. Earlier this year he released his forth studio album, England Keep My Bones, which moved him into the conciousness of the last few people in the UK who were still unaware of his music. Full of themes of national identity (not to be confused with racism), mortality and what it means to grow old; it was a far more mixed album, straying from his tried lyrical formula of travelling and taking to the road.

'If Ever I Stray' is a song about making sure you stay true to who you are, and having people around you to keep you grounded. Featuring an infectious guitar riff, superb vocals and one of the best crescendos i've ever heard, it's another instant classic from the Folk/Punk songwriter.

                             'Sometimes it's hard to remember, I couldn't do this on my own'.

1.   Bon Iver - Holocene

Bon Iver, Bon Iver is as hauntingly beautiful an album as you are ever likely to hear. It's not background music and sometimes it isn't even enjoyable in the traditional sense, but it is so well written, so detailed and immaculately created that it has surpassed all other albums this year for me. 

This was always going to be the difficult second album for Justin Vernon (aka Bon Iver) in the wake of his debut, For Emma For Ever Ago, which cemented itself in indie music folklore, complete with a back story of sadness and sombre isolation. His latest effort is bigger, richer, more sophisticated in its arrangement. It's safe to say that Vernon has moved well away from his back story which could otherwise have type-cast him for the rest of his career as that-bearded-guy-who-wrote-an-album-in-a-cabin.

It is on 'Holocene' that Bon Iver is truly at his best. The finger-picking guitar opening is warm yet sombre; then comes the vocals from Vernon, which are more like an instrument in their own right then an audible vocal. It climaxes in the heaven-bound chorus, when a lyric tears into the listeners conciousness, 'and at once I knew, I was not magnificent'. Sometimes a song has a quality that you can't quite put your finger on; this song has that quality in abundance.

                                        'Someway baby, it's part of me, apart from me'.

The Evening's Empire - Top 20 Tracks of 2011 (10 - 6)

Firstly, I hope you all had a great Christmas. I hope that Santa got you everything you wanted, I hope that the pretty girl/guy in accounts that you've liked all year sent you a merry Christmas text - But mostly I hope that you didn't have the misfortune of having to listen to that Michael Buble Christmas album.
    Anyway, things are getting serious now, as we reach my Top 10 Tracks of 2011.

10.   King Creosote & Jon Hopkins - Bats In The Attic


Earlier this year I wrote a review of the new King Creosote & Jon Hopkins album Diamond Mine (read here). Off this beautifully simple, distinctly Scottish album there was on song of particular quality - 'Bats in the Attic.

A tale of a relationship on the verge of breaking down, and one party's desire to repel this inevitability. Built around a simple piano part, and complimented with a gorgeous ambient soundtrack courtesy of Jon Hopkins.

9.   Manchester Orchestra - Pensacola


In an era of music rich with Indie Pop, Electro, and Folk it's nice to have a bit of good old fashioned rock and roll. Sounding like a cross between Jimmy Eat World and The Get Up Kids, Manchester Orchestra are one of my favourite new bands of the year.

Firstly it's catchy, really catchy. The drum roll leads you in to an anthemic chorus, which cries for you to sing along. Just a great track for those of you with a soft spot for pure and simple American rock music.

8.   Coldplay - Paradise


Say what you like about Coldplay (and most people do); Mylo Xyloto was a huge change in musical style and direction for a band which made their millions making heartfelt, pop-rock for the masses.

Paradise was the album's second single, and one which I've been listening to fairly solidly since its release. Yes, it does feature some suspect lyrics and stretched syllables; but the production & beats more than make up for this. Add an instantly singable melody and gorgeous piano and violin and you have another huge hit from the world's biggest band.

7. Ben Howard - Keep Your Head Up


This time last year I was talking of Ben Howard's talent and even chose him as my number 1 artist to look out for in 2011. Well he's had one hell of a year with his highly received debut album, a string of prestigious tour and festival slots and even a stint as Zane Lowe's 'Hottest Record in the World'.


'Keep Your Head Up' comes from his debut album Every Kingdom and is 4 minutes 20 seconds of pure inspired folk.

6.   Drake - Marvin's Room


Drake's 2011 album Take Care made a huge stir with critics and the music community at large, proving that his debut success with Thank Me Later was not a one off.


From this 18 track masterpiece, one song instantly blew me away, 'Marvin's Room'. It is based around a drunken phone conversation with his ex girlfriend, who he wants back in his life. He admits that although his life may look perfect from the outside that in reality it is far from it - 'I’ve had sex four times this week I’ll explain, Having a hard time adjusting to fame'. Such lyrical honesty and vulnerability is on display throughout 'Marvin's Room', demonstrating the huge chasm that separates Drake and the majority of his contemporaries. 

The Evening's Empire - Top 20 Tracks of 2011 (15 - 11)

Following swiftly on from my earlier post, prepare for another selection of fine music and even.... *pause for effect* a little bit of hip hop.

15.   Wolf Gang - Lions In Cages

I first heard this song on the radio whilst I was driving through the National Parks of Southern Utah; so admittedly it does perhaps have that added positive sentiment.

Regardless, I instantly loved this track and it will certainly go down as one of my most played this year, despite the fact it was October before I first heard it. Catchy Indie Pop at its best.

14.   Childish Gambino - Outside

Now I will openly admit that I was very late to the Gambino bandwagon. It seemed that every end of year list I read featured this young talent, so I thought I'd give him a try.

About 1 minute 24 into the album's opener ('Outside'), I fully understood the hype. Whitty, cutting lyrics, huge beats and an absolutely game-stopping chorus makes for what is a truly spectacular song.

13.   Okkervil River - Wake And Be Fine

I'm a huge Okkervil River fan, and consider Will Sheff to be one of the finest lyricists in alternative music; which meant I was hugely excited that 2011 saw the release of OR's sixth studio album, I Am Very Far. A change of sound with a touch of class.

'Wake and be Fine' is a highlight on an album rich with highlights. Sheff's vocals have never sounded stronger, matched with superb lyrics

12.   Kurt Vile -Jesus Fever

What a year it's been for Kurt Vile. His album Smoke Ring For My Halo was released to widespread critical acclaim. His lo-fi, roots driven rock has drawn similarities to Bruce Springsteen and Black Rebel Motorcycle Club.

'Jesus Fever' is Vile at his best. Emotive lyrics, simple guitar work and a grungy vocal line come together to create something really special.

11.   The Antlers - I Don't Want Love

 Hospice was truly remarkable. A concept album built heavily around an abusive relationship. Their sound has developed on Burst Apart; the tracks are larger and more heavily produced, but the starkness remains.

'I Don't Want Love' is a beautifully simple track about a sexual relationship, where one person just wants no further part in it, but can't help but keep coming back. 'So if I see you again, desperate and stoned, keep your prison locked up, and I will leave my gun at home.'

The Evening's Empire - Top 20 Tracks of 2011 (20 - 16)

'Tis the season to be jolly'......... or based on my Twitter feed, spout opinions of what your favorite tracks of the year were. So not to fall behind the curve, here are my selections for my top 20 tracks of 2011, starting with numbers 20 - 16:

20.   fun. - We Are Young

I first heard this song a couple of weeks ago and instantly loved it. I was equally impressed to find out that my girlfriend had also heard it....... unfortunately it was because it featured recently in an episode of Glee.

Fun is the perfect adjective for this track. Positive lyrics, and uplifting chorus make this a feel good anthem for the festive period.

19.   Frightened Rabbit - Fuck This Place

Earlier this year they released three tracks in the form of  A Frightened Rabbit EP. As I've come to expect from FR, it was something of real quality.

'Fuck This Place' isn't a traditional love song per se; it's about feeling lost and just needing someone to look after you. Layered with piano, rich brass and gorgeous hamonies courtesy of Camera Obscura's Tracy Ann. Pure class.

18.   Smith Westerns - End Of The Night

Dye It Blonde was one the early stand out albums of the year. The young Chicago-based outfit know how to write timeless rock n' roll numbers, and with 'End Of The Night' they strike pure gold.

Catchy, swooning, rock n' roll at its best.

17.   The Mountain Goats - Damn These Vampires

All Eternals Deck received widespread favourable feedback from critics and fans alike, and was one of 2011's finest.

'Damn These Vampires' is a tale of drug addiction and the struggles that come with it. Despite the dark subject matter, it's a beautifully uplifting track.

16.   Admiral Fallow - Squealing Pigs

Show me a more catchy song and i'll show you a liar. Admiral Fallow write beautifully incricate folk tracks, and their debut Boots Met My Face showed heaps of potential.

Heaped in nostalgia 'Squealing Pigs' is catchy and pop-y in all the right places. I expect big things from this Scottish six-piece.

The evening's review: Stylusboy - Whole Picture (EP)

Stylusboy is the moniker for the Coventry based acoustic artist, Steve Jones. After playing guitar and bass for a variety of bands, he decided to set up shop as a solo artist with a more stripped down, folk-orientated sound. It seems as though this change in musical direction has really paid off, and his growth can be heard on each of his two previous EPs. However, it is with Whole Picture, we see an artist that has really found his sound. Released on Lazy Acre Records earlier this year, this is a truly accomplished collection of tracks.

Image courtesy of Stylusboy promo

The EP's title track, 'Whole Picture' kicks things off with its upbeat tempo and refined harmonies. Complete with backing Xylophone, it draws similarities with fellow folk artists The Boy Least Likely To. The EP continues with 'Beyond the Flags', which is one of Whole Picture's highlights, adding complexities in terms of both musicianship and lyrics. This is especially apparent with a dynamic musical shift in the chorus, moving from the upbeat to the melancholic with the superb delivery of the line 'have I  finally found my home away from home'.
     'Left to Hide' has an air of Get Cape, Wear Cape, Fly about it; featuring intricate finger picking guitar, a lush string section and rousing choruses. With 'Something Worth Keeping', Stylusboy returns to themes of the rest of the EP however lacking the urgency and direction that appears elsewhere.This is not to say that it's a bad song, taken individually, but the metronome drum beat does little to assist the cause and much like its subject matter this song is 'dragging its heels'. This is somewhat rectified in the track's more uplifting chorus; however, it still feels as though a change of pace was needed at this point of the EP. Which is exactly what we find in 'Gunfight at the OK Corral'. Opening with its chorus, the infectiously catchy lyric 'you and me we're on each other's side.... gunfight, gunfight, we might die tonight' is repeated to great effect. The re-introduction of the drums and xylophone, as well as a change in subject matter, add significantly to the track, making it one of the EP's most interesting songs.
    Whole Picture's closing track 'Dave's Song' is a track of true beauty and the most clear signal of Steve Jones' considerable talents. Here the music is stripped back giving the listener a chance to fully absorb his vocal strengths, which intertwine superbly with female vocalist Rachel Grisdale. This song encapsulates the feelings of grief and despair at the loss of a close friend, a subject which is covered with a touching maturity by Jones. The song ends with the lyric 'This is not the end, just the start from a different place'; I think this may be equally applicable for the artist himself. It's hard to keep a talent like this down, and we may well may be about to witness the start of bigger things for this exciting young musician.

The evening's anthem - The Tallest Man On Earth - The Wild Hunt

Okay, so i haven't blogged in a while. Apologies. I am however, going to take all the blame away from me and place it purely down to the weather. In what is perhaps the most British of excuses, this beautiful Indian summer we are currently experiencing has been fully to blame. Barbeque's, picnics, beer and the seaside have also had a role to play, but they are all secondary figures to that giant ball of Hydrogen in the sky. As this weather is now drawing to an end, my commitment to my blog will be back on the rise.

Back to the evening's anthem feature. I thought I would introduce you to a song which I've been listening to a lot recently, 'The Wild Hunt' by The Tallest Man On Earth.

The Tallest Man On Earth, incase you were wondering, is not 'the tallest man on earth'. As far as my google searching has indicated he is in fact, a man of a fairly reasonable height (unless he's having custom made giant guitars built for him). 

Regardless of his height, he does write some superb music. Drawing comparisons, (along with every other white male to wield a guitar) to Bob Dylan -  his voice does certainly have a certain nasal quality, similar to that of early Dylan. This track, 'The Wild Hunt', come from the fantastic folk album of the same name. For those of you who like your folk intricately written with thought provoking lyrics, it's well worth a listen.

Like the majority of his songs, this one is lyrically very interesting and open to much analysis. It draws upon the ancient folk myth of - 'The Wild Hunt'. According to the legend, at prominent times in history a host of spirits and phantoms would appear to hunt down sinners and the unclean. Seeing the Wild Hunt was thought to presage some catastrophe such as war or plague, or at best the death of the one who witnessed it. Kristian Matsson aka The Tallest Man On Earth, has clearly done someone wrong romantically. This song sees Kristian at that point of bitter self loathing, where he doesn't feel like he deserves to be loved ('I left his heart to the wild hunt a-coming'). He sings with heart-breaking effect how he 'plans to be forgotten when he's gone' - well if he keeps writing beautiful, thoughtful music like this, I would say the chances are slim.

'I left my heart to the wild hunt a-comin'
I live until the call'