Black Keys, the revolution is on the streets

The first song of the new Black Keys album - El Camino - is out there. The name of that song is Lonely Boy.

I haven't been this excited since someone told me we could drink beer of a funnel. Yes, I'm that excited.

At this stage I don't even want to focus on the song or album's quality, I just want to mention the awareness that these boys - not lonely for sure - gained in the past couple of years. The video of Lonely Boy was uploaded on Youtube this Tuesday and has generated almost 500,000 views with almost 10,000 likes against 79 dislikes. You can see I work in advertising, but tell me if this is not a (good) sign Black Keys are making the headlines.

What this means, straight and simple, is that the music world is re-conquering the passion for Rock music. Pure, strong and catchy rock tunes. I was waiting for this for a long time, a band like these guys to win respect of the pop community and finally erase from my mind the amount of crap people listen to these days. Yes, I'm talking about the Rhianna's, Bieber's and Gaga's of this life.

I'm all about changing the world, and I sincerely believe these guys can place their stone in music history. It's still early to say, but I think Black Keys will turn the equation around. More good music, less crap please. Starting with the radios, we want Black Keys stuff and no Rhianna's ass (or maybe the ass is ok).

Here is the video - fucking funny one btw - of Lonely Boy, newest song from the yet-to-be-released El Camino: 

Future Islands - On The Water

As the good boy I am, I’ve took the time to listen to whole new Future Islands album, On The Water, and I can’t describe what went through my mind when listening to The Great Fire. It was like small drops of water hitting a big quiet lake. It mystically turns the hardest of men into a crying baby.

As expected, the whole album is amazing - but the mix of Herring’s unique wordings with Jenn Wasner’s gift-of-god voice is just too good to be true (for the ones who can’t recognize her – she’s Wye Oak’s lead singer).

It’s now the 43^rd time I’ve heard this in 2 days. That’s got a mean something.

But if you let me be there again
If you let me be there again
If you let me be there again
I'll be still, won't say a word 

Beirut - a story about lovely music and memories from Europe

Beirut is the work of one man’s inspiration and true talent. Zachary Francis Condon – Zach for the closest fans – is another underrated genius. Because of his innovation, his lyrics, his cultural relevancy (even being from the US), it is all so good that it surprises me the lack of credit the man has.

We’re talking about someone who managed to constantly deliver excellent albums, changing musical directions and bringing different approaches to our beloved pop culture.

He is in my opinion one of most-influent musical personalities of the 2000’s.

And you can put it in whatever perspective you prefer. He is a genius, and I stand by my words.

From his short but precious collection, The Flying Club Cup and March Of The Zapotec / Holland, are the ones WSG is more familiar with. And to be entirely honest, probably 2 of the best albums in the shelf.

In those album there are songs that simply changed my musical life, and brought to a very different universe, Zach’s mind and soul. Nantes, La Banlieu, No Dice, My Night With A Prostitute From Marseille (yeah, you must be thinking what I’m thinking, ‘a guy that can pull up a song title like this has to be a fucking genius’) and – actually from their first album, Gulag Orkestar – Postcards From Italy (probably one of the most beautiful songs of the past decade).

Don’t worry, I will not post them all, but at least 3 need to be here (I don’t have the guts to put more than that).

Starting with a great moment, Live in Paris, Beirut’s Nantes:

Followed by My Night With A Prostitute From Marseille, here live in Coachella:

And finally, my precious Postcards From Italy:

Los Campesinos! - Hello Sadness

One of the most consistent 2000’s bands has a new album. Los Campesinos! have done it again. After Hold On Now, Youngster…, We Are Beautiful, We Are Doomed and Romance Is Boring - already subject to a post - here is Hello Sadness. The depressive theme is once again the path chosen, and what a wonderful journey it has been for them.

The usual USPs are there – young rock guitars, Gareth’s nasal awesome voice, the magical back-ups and inspiring lyrics. It’s all there, explicit, raw and WSG loves every second of it.

Hello Sadness will be released in November and the new single – By Your Hands - has been playing repeatedly in my ears.

Please sing along:

By your hand is the only end I foresee,
I have been dreaming,
you've been dreaming about me.

Violent Femmes - a story about an underrated band

If there is one underrated rock band it has to be Violent Femmes. For me, someone capable of making that album in 83 should be up there in the rock legacy legendary podium.

The truth is they could’ve ended their career after their self-titled first album Violent Femmes. It was that good.

10 moments of brilliancy, that’s what that album is about. From the well famous Blister In The Sun, to the power of Add It Up down to lovely Kiss Off. And don’t forget the rest…Prove My Love, Gone Daddy Gone, Good Feeling, To The Kill...

Everything about that album is perfect. Even the bloody cover.

I have to start by Blister In The Sun, a song that with all manners brings back soooo many memories. Enjoy:

Secondly, during the same concert, Add It Up:

And to finish – because it doesn’t make sense to post the whole album – Prove My Love:  

Wilco - The Whole Love

Wilco, or better said ‘everyone’s American rock band’, is back in action. The truth is that since Yankee Hotel Foxtrot they’ve just been ‘good’ – or maybe I say that cause I canceled my Wilco subscription after that album, it simply couldn’t get better than that. And from what I’ve been told, it didn’t.

Well, their new just-released album, entitled The Whole Love, sounds promising. I’ve only listened to the single I Might and Born Alone and the feeling is good.

And that’s what I have for you. Firstly, I Might:

Lastly, Born Alone, live @ Letterman:

Feist - Metals

Sweet Feist released a new album, Metals is the chosen name. Delicate as we could expect, Feist's enchantments are yet another time alive & kicking.

Proof of that is what could well be the album’s 1^st single, How Come You Never Go There? The question is in the air.

FATM - a story about being almost perfect

She can’t stop taking my breath away. It was good the first time and I reckon it will be better now. Lungs gave us a small image of how a strong amazing voice mixed with pop tunes can turn our music tastes around, and now from the sample Shake It Out of Ceremonials I’m simply expecting gold.

Melt yourselves with Shake It Out, new single from the yet to be released new Florence And The Machine EP Ceremonials:

And because I go nuts with this song, Cosmic Love live at…Glastonbury:

I would listen to this everyday and still find it unbelievably good. Thanks Florence, for the honesty, for your voice, and for the lyrics. Someone capable of doing this can easily change the world. Just a tip.

From Scotland with weird strange love

When it comes to big surprises, I guess Calvin needs to be on my top list. It had and has everything to go wrong – including (bad) critics - but each album kind of ruins those expectations and brings me down to my best dancing moves. Whatever you say, it’s dangerously catchy stuff.

I want to hate you Calvin, but I can’t.

Here is his new song – from the still-to-be-released new album – Feel So Close:

And just cause I have no limits in my imaginary music-world, Calvin’s live performance in Glastonbury featuring Acceptable In The 80’s and The Girls: