Bless the Gaga

I Heart Jack Johnson

The great thing about Jack Johnson is that you know you’ll get exactly what you were expecting, every time. I like Jack Johnson a lot more than I let people believe, because I get a bit tired of hearing the ‘he’s boring… all his songs sound the same…’ dribble. But there’s no denying that his music can cheer up the grumpiest monkey around.

Looking at ‘To The Sea’s album cover, it took me a while to figure out that what he was building was a big surf (or is it a ship?). And when you open up the sleeve, the first thing you see is a dedication to his dad. So you’re led to think that this will be a sad collection of songs- but they’re the complete opposite. I prefer this album to ‘Sleep Through The Static’ and the one he did for the Curious George movie.

Live: Lady Gaga at O2 Arena

I went to see Lady Gaga yesterday in London. I was tired of listening to her songs being overplayed on the radio, so while I was excited, I was still a bit unsure whether I would enjoy the Monster Ball Tour. Alas, she blew my mind away with the craziest, most fucked up show I think I’ve ever seen in my life. Amazing!

New Music: The Like

The Like have actually been around for ages, but this is the first I’ve heard of them – probably because their new record has been produced by Mark Ronson and it’s my kind of groove. Their new stuff is a bit of a cross between that plastic Motown sound Ronson goes for, but with a bit of a dark indie vibe thrown into the mix. It’s reminds me a bit of poprock from the mid 90’s too… Check out here.

Live: Jamie Lidell at 229 The Venue

I love Jamie Lidell. He’s just amazing in my eyes. Some people ooze musical talent without even trying, and he’s one of them. I was really looking forward to seeing him tonight, and he didn’t let me down in the slightest. His drummer was out of this world, and he had loads of funny machines that made sounds I’d never heard before in my life. I left the 229 a happier man, with a spring in my step and a tune in my head. Above is the live version of my favourite track on his new album, Compass, called ‘Your Sweet Boom’. It doesn’t sound anything like the recorded version- but then that’s not Jamie’s style!

Sugarcubes vs Diana Vickers

Sugarcubes (i.e. Baby Bjork) had a little hit called ‘Hit’ back in 1991. That same year, a girl called Diana Vickers was born who ended up being on the UK’s X Factor a couple of years ago. If Norah Jones was a cat, she would sound like Diana Vickers. Diana didn’t win the X Factor, but she ended up making an album anyway that was released earlier this month (which got to number 1, and I must admit, I did buy it… sorry… it was made by Guy Sigsworth and Ellie Goulding and I couldn’t resist). Diana has a cover of ‘Hit’ on her album, which I actually really like. See which one you prefer…