NEW MUSIC EAR

Clean Cut Kid are a quartet from Liverpool, I've seen their music described as "soulful pop ballads washed in Mersey water".  I'm not sure if this was the band's own description but it is very apt.  The band first caught my ears as they were soon to release their debut album, "Felt".  I heard the single "Vitamin C", an atmospheric, raw track with elements of Electronic and Pop Punk with a catchy little chorus like an old 70s Folk hippie anthem.  I knew I wanted to hear more.


Other songs I liked from the first album include "Runaway", laden with harmonies and U2-like Rock guitars complete with chants and catchy lyrics and "Pick Me Up", a brilliant rip-roaring catchy foot tapper which gives a good feeling of what the band are all about.


The group seem a bit wacky on the whole, and the music is experimental and unusual.  There are catchy hooks and melodies within the songs that will reach inside your brain and hang a whil…

Game of Thrones has been captivating audiences around the globe.  At the time of writing this we await the final series.  I thought it woud be a nice idea to honour this awesome show with the brilliant soundtracks that accompany each house of Westeros. (Note:Apologies if any facts are wrong, I am just a normal fan of the show, if any die hard fans want to let me know of any errors please do so) :)

GAME OF THRONES

NOBLE HOUSES AND THEIR SOUNDTRACKS

HOUSE TARGARYEN
Originally from Valyria on the Essos continent, House Targaryen conquered the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros.  They ruled for 300 years with the use of dragons. The coat of arms is a red three-headed dragon on black, and the motto is “Fire and Blood.” The rule of the Targaryens ended when Robert Baratheon and Ned Stark led a rebellion to depose King Aerys ("The Mad King"), during which the king was slain by the "Kingslayer" Jaime Lannister. Later, Robert took the Iron Throne, and Aerys’s surviving two childr…

White Denim are a four piece Alternative Indie Rock band from Texas, USA.  Their music is a unique blend of various genres that grab at the senses on first intriguing listen.  The band's influences are quite eclectic if their music is anything to go by.  There are hints of 60s Psychedelia, Classic Rock of the 70s and 80s Rock and Electronica.  I'm surprised this band aren't globally everywhere as their brand of weird and creative Rock is quite unusual.


I first caught the band on the YouTube video for The song "Pretty Green", in a hilarious and crazy video, the song is incredibly catchy, with hints of 70s Rock and almost ZZ Top Blues and also a hint of 90s Grunge.  Its such a great song and got my attention to find out more about this band who obviously have a sense of humour as well as immense talent!


After several albums I have found much to admire from these guys.  Some of my favourites include  "New Coat" which is a bouncy, cute little number…

A NEW FEATURE ON NEW MUSIC EAR.  THE PLAYLISTS ON MY IPOD FEATURE LOTS OF VARIOUS ARTISTS SO I THOUGHT I WOULD SHARE MY PLAYLISTS WITH YOU.  HOPE YOU SEE SOME OF YOUR FAVOURITES!
BILLY IDOL

PLAYLIST

From Billy's debut solo album I chose 8 out of the 10 tracks, such is the class of this album.  It was raw and only a slight move away from his Generation X days.  Included here is the single "Hot In The City" and the re-worked Generation X song "Dancing With Myself" (this appeared on the CD reissue in 1983).  The single "White Wedding" will feature later in all its full version glory.  The African drum sounding "Love Calling" is here as well as the sneering but emotive ballad, "Its So Cruel".  There are 3 old Punk style tracks in "Dead On Arrival", "Shooting Stars" and "Nobodys' Business".  I also have the much rockier "Hole In The Wall" to finish the set.



1983 saw the release of "Rebel…

The end of the 80s from '87 onwards became all too stale, with Stock, Aitken and Waterman's Hit Factory and Acid House clogging up the charts with the same old sounds over and over.  It was a disappointing end of a decade that gave so much variety in styles and genres.  Almost every style of music made an impact in that decade.  It also gave new life to the "veterans" such as David Bowie, Elton John and Rod Stewart.  It gave us new movements such as Goth and New Romantic mixing with the 70s Disco, Ska and Punk.  No other decade gave so much to music.


The 90s pretty much passed me by, I had my old favourites from the 80s that were still making records but not getting into the charts.  There were Scottish bands around from the 80s such as the awesome Simple Minds and Big Country but I want to focus on the 5 new bands that first appeared around 1987 and carried me through the music doldrums into the 90s.  Each of these bands had a "live" like feel to their rec…

Currently residing in Keene, New Hampshire, this talented singer-songwriter conjures up dream like images with her atmospheric light alternative pop music.  Her first full length album "Efflorescence" was an impressive debut when it appeared in 2016.


On first listen to the song "Palm Reader" I sense a little Tori Amos, a little Enya, a little Suzanne Vega which is an unusual mix but it works, throw in the odd little Kate Bush vocal and this is what you have.  The album is a really nice listen, theres always an emotional, passionate vocal sometimes accompanied by piano, guitars, drum loops and various other musical backing that gives a rich, dreamy sound that draws you into a kind of mystical world.

Anna is a very talented lady, outside her music project she is also a photographer and actress.  The film "Granite Orpheus", which is scheduled for release this year has an acting credit for her and the soundtrack features two of her tracks includin…