Jan 24, 2008

Alphabet Soup (15)

Hello, Alphabet Soup day reaching O today, hmm i had to think whether i should post the first one, i admit i got a lot of mixed feelings about Oasis as their career progressed, i was beginning to think it was all hot air spread by the UK tabloid music press, always ready for hype and scandal, that said they were the radio sound of 94, so...Beth Orton seems to have a knack for being on the right place at the right time..it certainly started of her music career, and the musicpress immediately had a sweet spot for her aswell. However, dont think her life is all rosy, far from it, but then a serious artist needs inspiration, niot that she derieves it all from her own aches , she's a well known opponent of the War on Terror, and refuses to sell her face for advertising. All of her recent releases are "carbon neutral", whereby a tree is planted in a poor area of Mexico for every 1000 (?) cdees sold. Oceansize's mission statement was to make the biggest music possible, those Mancunians sure think big, well they impressed me with their 'etheral wall of noise' .

***** ***** ***** ***** *****
Oasis - (What's The Story) Morning Glory (95 ^ 99mb)

Oasis evolved from an earlier band called The Rain, comprised of Paul "Guigsy" McGuigan (bass guitar), Paul "Bonehead" Arthurs (guitar), Tony McCarroll (drums) and Chris Hutton (vocals). Unsatisfied with Hutton, Arthurs auditioned acquaintance Liam Gallagher as a replacement. After Gallagher joined the group, the band's name was changed to Oasis. Noel Gallagher, who was a roadie for Inspiral Carpets, went with the band to watch his youngest brother's band play, he began to consider his brother's group as a possible outlet for songs he had been writing for years. Noel approached the group about joining, with the provision that he would become the band's sole songwriter and leader, and that they would commit to an earnest pursuit of commercial success.
After over a year of live shows, rehearsals and even taking the time out to record a proper demo (known as the Live Demonstration tape), the band's big break came in May 1993 when they were spotted by Creation Records co-owner Alan McGee. Due to problems securing an American contract, Oasis ended up signing a worldwide contract with Sony, which in turn licensed Oasis to Creation in the UK.

Oasis first single, "Supersonic", was released in April 1994, followed by "Shakermaker". Their third single, "Live Forever", was their first to enter the Top 10 of the UK charts. After troubled recording and mixing sessions, their debut album, Definitely Maybe, was released in September 1994, entering the charts at number one. Oasis had their first UK number one in April 1995 with "Some Might Say", the first single from their second album. At the same time, drummer Tony McCarroll was ousted from the band, replaced by Londoner Alan White. Oasis began recording material for their second album in May of that year during this period, the English press hyped Oasis some more and supposed rivalry between Oasis and fellow Britpop band Blur. Oasis' second album, (What's the Story) Morning Glory? was a commercial success, becoming the third largest selling album of all time in the UK with over four million copies sold, despite a softer sound had led to mixed reviews. Oasis spent the end of 1996 and the first quarter of 1997 at Abbey Road Studios in London and Ridge Farm Studios in Surrey recording their third album. Be Here Now was released in August 1997.

Although early media reviews were positive, once the hype had died down, the album was criticised for being bloated and derivative with most of the critics focused on the extensive length of several songs, the heavier sound, and overproduction. The Britpop movement was over and the band failed to meet expectations with Be Here Now. After the conclusion of the disastrous Be Here Now tour, amidst huge media criticism the group decided to stay clear of each other and kept a low profile throughout 1998. In early 1999, the band began work on their fourth studio album, founding member Paul "Bonehead" Arthurs departure was announced in August. Two weeks later the departure of bassist Paul "Guigsy" McGuigan was announced. The now three-piece Oasis chose to continue recording the album, with Noel Gallagher re-recording most of Arthurs' guitar and McGuigan's bass parts.

The first new member to be announced was new lead/rhythm guitarist Colin "Gem" Archer, formerly of Heavy Stereo, they brought in Andy Bell, as their new bassist. Bell had never played bass before and had to learn to play it, along with a handful of songs from Oasis' back catalogue, in preparation for a scheduled tour of America in December 1999. With the folding of Creation Records, Oasis formed their own label, Big Brother, which released all of Oasis' subsequent records in the UK and Ireland. Oasis' fourth album, Standing on the Shoulder of Giants, was released in February 2000 to good first-week sales, but turned out their lowest selling album ever. The album, Heathen Chemistry, Oasis' first album with new members Andy Bell and Gem Archer, was released in July 2002. it reached number one in the UK and number 23 in US, despite mixed reviews. The record blended the band's sonic experiments from their last albums, but also went for a more basic rock sound, with all of the members, apart from White, penning songs.

After the album's release, the band embarked on a successful world tour that as usual again filled with incidents. Early 2004 longtime drummer Alan White, who at this time had played on nearly all of the band's material, left the band he was replaced by Zak Starkey, drummer of The Who and the son of Beatles' Ringo Starr. After much turbulence, the band's sixth album was finally recorded in Los Angeles-based Capitol Studios from October to December the same year. Spring 05 Oasis released their sixth studio album, Don't Believe the Truth, fulfilling their contract with Sony BMG, like Heathen Chemistry it was a collaborative project again, rather than a Noel-written album. The record was generally hailed as the band's best effort since (What's the Story) Morning Glory? by fans and critics alike. In May 2005, the band's new line-up, with all original core members gone, embarked on a large scale year long world tour, headlining 110 shows and playing to 1.7 million people. Surprisingly the tour passed without any major incidents. Oasis' seventh studio album has been confirmed for a 2008 release.....



01 - Hello (3:21)
02 - Roll With It (3:59)
03 - Wonderwall (4:18)
04 - Don't Look Back In Anger (4:48)
05 - Hey Now! (5:41)
06 - (the Swamp Song) (0:44)
07 - Some Might Say (5:29)
08 - Cast No Shadow (4:51)
09 - She's Electric (3:40)
10 - Morning Glory (5:08)
11 - (the Swamp Song) (0:39)
12 - Champagne Supernova (7:27)

***** ***** ***** ***** *****

Beth Orton - Central Reservation (99

Orton was born in East Dereham, Norfolk, but raised on a pig farm in Norwich for her formative years, before moving to East London at age fourteen. Her mother died from cancer in 1989, when Beth was aged 19, which led to her travelling to Thailand for a short period, residing with Buddhist nuns. Orton found success as a musician relatively late, having first worked at menial jobs such as waitressing at Pizza Hut and even owning her own catering company. Her first contribution in music came when she met William Orbit at a London nightclub, when he tried to borrow a cigarette from her. Orbit's pick up line worked and a relationship came about shortly after. Before long he invited her to do some spoken word for his current Strange Cargo project, but she drunkenly decided to sing also. Shortly after, Orton and Orbit began experimenting to pull an L.P. together. "Don't Wanna Know 'Bout Evil" became the first track on that album, called SuperPinkyMandy, named after a rag doll which she bought at a jumble sale at the age of six, the album was released in Japan alone, in extremely limited numbers.

It was roughly at this time that she met Ed and Tom of the Chemical Brothers in a pub, and began the first in a series of collaborations, supplying vocals to the track "Alive Alone" on 1995's Exit Planet Dust. Her first solo release, what she herself considers to be her debut L.P. Trailer Park, was released October 1996. This release was well received by critics, and sold modestly well, it earned her nominations for two BRIT Awards (best British newcomer, best British female), and the Mercury Music Prize in 1997. The album was produced by Andrew Weatherall, whom she selected based on his production of one of her favourite records at the time, Primal Scream's Screamadelica. The album was far removed from her electronic roots, with a lot more pop/folk tunes present. Central Reservation, her second album, helped Orton build on the success of her debut. Although retaining the electronic edge of the former, this record showed a notably more acoustic side with several tracks consisting purely of Beth's vocal accompanied by a solitary acoustic guitar, with subject matters becoming more introspective. The album earned Orton a second Mercury Music Prize nomination and the Best Female Artist award at the 2000 BRIT Awards.

In July 2002 she released the album Daybreaker, which again blended the early electronica style, with up tempo pop songs and acoustic ballads. It featured guest appearances from musicians such as The Chemical Brothers, Emmylou Harris, it was her greatest commercial success.Orton's fourth studio album Comfort of Strangers was released in February 2006, it sees her move away from the electronica element that she is usually associated with, to a more stripped down traditional alt-folk album.



01 - Stolen Car (5:25)
02 - Sweetest Decline (5:39)
03 - Couldn't Cause Me Harm (4:48)
04 - So Much More (5:41)
05 - Pass In Time (7:17)
06 - Central Reservation (Original Version) (4:50)
07 - Stars All Seem To Weep (4:39)
08 - Love Like Laughter (3:07)
09 - Blood Red River (4:15)
10 - Devil Song (5:04)
11 - Feel To Believe (4:04)
12 - Central Reservation (The Then Again Version) (4:01)


***** ***** ***** ***** *****

Oceansize - Effloresce ( 03, 75 min. ^ 175mb)

When Oceansize christened themselves back at the start of the third millennium, they didn’t just pick a name, they set themselves a challenge. Their mission statement was to make the biggest music possible, adventures on the high seas of future-rock giganticism that could never, ever stop. It also meant that every album they made would have to be even bigger, heavier, than the last one.

Formed in Manchester, England, the band featured vocalist/guitarist Mike Vennart, guitarists Gambler and Steve Durose, bassist Jon Ellis, and drummer Mark Herrin. Quickly building a local following, they issued several independent releases -- the "Saturday Morning Breakfast Show" single, the 2000 EP Amputee, the 2001 EP A Very Still Movement -- that got them named Manchester's best unsigned band. Until Beggar's Banquet signed Oceansize that year and quickly issued their first widely distributed EP, Relapse. A tour with Cave In followed, and in early 2003 Oceansize delivered another EP, One Day All This Could Be Yours, which served as a teaser for their first full-length and received much positive response from the press. That first album, Effloresce bursts forth epic, moody soundscapes with feverish punk edges and ethereal electronics for an aggressive guitar storm. Influences range from Jane's Addiction, The Verve, Swervedriver, Tool and Tortoise.to Mogwai and My Bloody Valentine.

The dark and moody ‘Everyone Into Position’ follow up album (05), proved Manchester’s kings of post-metal had succeeded squarely on their own terms. Their song Meredith was featured on the popular television drama The O.C., and Music For A Nurse became the soundtrack to an Orange advertising campaign entitled Fish during summer 2006 . Meanwhile Oceansize found themselves at a new crossroads, a change in personal circumstances led to the departure of founding bass player Jon Ellis. This in itself invoked plenty of soul-searching, since the band’s peculiar, five-brained alchemy had seen them seal an early pact where if one member was to leave, the band would split. However, Jon was insistent they should continue. The search for a new fifth member was far and wide, until they realised the answer was right on their own doorstep. Steven Hodson, who had been playing bass in Mark’s hardcore side project, Kong. A ‘wisecracking weirdo’ from a hardcore punk background.

With a revised line-up and a renewed sense of purpose came a new home. After a successful two-album relationship with Beggars Banquet, Oceansize have moved on to Superball, a new imprint created in their honour, and with a mandate to sign up like-minded bands from all over Europe. Their third sense of adventure ‘Frames’,(07) uncompromising in its heaviosity, of bonecrushing experimentation, mixing, erm, ultimate warrior wrestling music but also beautiful classical flourishes weaving magic out of unfamiliar time signatures.



01 - I Am The Morning (4:18)
02 - Catalyst (6:40)
03 - One Day All This Could Be Yours (4:19)
04 - Massive Bereavement (9:59)
05 - Rinsed (3:58)
06 - You Wish (6:00)
07 - Remember Where You Are (5:22)
08 - Amputee (5:32)
09 - Unravel (2:50)
10 - Women Who Love Men Who Love Drugs (8:30)
11 - Saturday Morning Breakfast Show (9:04)
12 - Long Forgotten (8:57)

***** ***** ***** ***** *****

All downloads are in * ogg-7 (224k) or ^ ogg-9(320k), artwork is included , if in need get the nifty ogg encoder/decoder here

No comments:

Post a Comment