Beating new life into old-style punk
Arctic Monkeys: Favourite Worst Nightmare
A new school year begins with a buzz especially for those attending college for the first time. For many, this is a chance to open up to new possibilities and be on the cutting edge of things in an environment frothing with new ideas. As you meet new people and make new friends you will undoubtedly become exposed to new music. That being said, I'd be more than happy to share with you a bit of what's going on beneath, or should I say, far above the mainstream music circus that is Britney Spears freak-outs.
A number of talented and original sounding bands are emerging from a relatively new genre loosely defined as post-punk revival. One of these bands, The Arctic Monkeys recently released, by today's standards, a spectacular album. Entitled, their second album has been received with great critical acclaim. The British band composed of Alex Turner, Jamie Cook, Matt Helders and Nick O'Malley gained support and popularity primary through fan support on the Internet, not corporate marketing and manufacturing. They have been building a frenzy in England but have yet to receive wide recognition in North America.
Favourite Worst Nightmare's lyrics deal with the working class life—and more specifically the street crime scene i.e. drugs, thieves and prostitutes. However, the lyrics are actually quite witty and thoughtful. Turner's singing is gritty, and often more spoken, yet it has a melancholy charm that is very likable. His vocal style has often been compared to fellow Brit Mike Skinner of The Streets.
Songs such as “Brianstorm”, “Do me a Favour” and Old Yellow Bricks” are powerful with catchy guitar riffs, heavy beats and a Misirlou flavour (think Dick Dale's “Misirlou” immortalized in Uma Thurman's dancing scene in Pulp Fiction.) The Arctic Monkeys also show their musical multi-dimensionality in the slower sullen melodic ballad “Only One Who Knows.”
If you have a chance I'd strongly recommend checking out the Virgin Music Festival in Toronto on September 8 and 9. Not only will the Arctic Monkeys be there, but you can also catch Canadian band and fellow indie post-punk revivalists Tokyo Police Club, as well as Smashing Pumpkins, Bjork, The Killers and numerous acts. A two day pass is $138, which may be a little pricey, but it's well worth your parent's/government's money. If you want to know more you can surf to the concert's website virginfestival.ca/toronto/.
A new school year begins with a buzz especially for those attending college for the first time. For many, this is a chance to open up to new possibilities and be on the cutting edge of things in an environment frothing with new ideas. As you meet new people and make new friends you will undoubtedly become exposed to new music. That being said, I'd be more than happy to share with you a bit of what's going on beneath, or should I say, far above the mainstream music circus that is Britney Spears freak-outs.
A number of talented and original sounding bands are emerging from a relatively new genre loosely defined as post-punk revival. One of these bands, The Arctic Monkeys recently released, by today's standards, a spectacular album. Entitled, their second album has been received with great critical acclaim. The British band composed of Alex Turner, Jamie Cook, Matt Helders and Nick O'Malley gained support and popularity primary through fan support on the Internet, not corporate marketing and manufacturing. They have been building a frenzy in England but have yet to receive wide recognition in North America.
Favourite Worst Nightmare's lyrics deal with the working class life—and more specifically the street crime scene i.e. drugs, thieves and prostitutes. However, the lyrics are actually quite witty and thoughtful. Turner's singing is gritty, and often more spoken, yet it has a melancholy charm that is very likable. His vocal style has often been compared to fellow Brit Mike Skinner of The Streets.
Songs such as “Brianstorm”, “Do me a Favour” and Old Yellow Bricks” are powerful with catchy guitar riffs, heavy beats and a Misirlou flavour (think Dick Dale's “Misirlou” immortalized in Uma Thurman's dancing scene in Pulp Fiction.) The Arctic Monkeys also show their musical multi-dimensionality in the slower sullen melodic ballad “Only One Who Knows.”
If you have a chance I'd strongly recommend checking out the Virgin Music Festival in Toronto on September 8 and 9. Not only will the Arctic Monkeys be there, but you can also catch Canadian band and fellow indie post-punk revivalists Tokyo Police Club, as well as Smashing Pumpkins, Bjork, The Killers and numerous acts. A two day pass is $138, which may be a little pricey, but it's well worth your parent's/government's money. If you want to know more you can surf to the concert's website virginfestival.ca/toronto/.
