Feel the Noise

Alright then you cheeky rabble.

Welcome to episode 41 of Audio Flare. The blog what shows you stuff 'n that. Today being March the 13th, I thought it appropriate to wish rapper and actor Common a Happy Birthday. So Happy Birthday Common!

  

Anyway, today's blog entry will be an amalgamation of all manner of genres and the like. Today's Audio Flare will illuminate the acts known as Joker, Meatloaf and Tall Ships. Three bands who I hope will show a vast array of genres and styles to tickle ye tastebuds.

Let's press on!

First of all, Meatloaf. Now there are probably a fair few folks out there who are already well aware of his music, perhaps you've seen him in such films as The Rocky Horror Picture Show:

or Fight Club:

Or maybe even the 51st State:

    

But aside from a thriving film career he is also known for his music. I can say with a huge degree of confidence that his most famous track is 'Bat Out Of Hell', certainly one of the most iconic songs of the 70s and one of most well known power ballads of all time. But recently, Meatloaf has dropped off the musical radar, aside from appearing on Loose Women and ITVs Popstar to Operastar. However he did release an album in 2006, the third Bat Out of Hell album and one of the first to not feature any songs written by Jim Steinman, this point was focused on by critics of the album. 

Songs that featured on the album include 'It's All Coming Back to Me Now', a very familiar sounding song, prominent pianos, Meatloaf's own inimitable voice and a power ballad vibe make this song very, very Meatloaf. 'Blind As A Bat' follows a similar sound, we can see that his style hasn't really changed since the first Bat Out of Hell album but since it's what he is famous for, there seems little point in radically changing his sound. 

Moving on from then we arrive in 2010, where Meatloaf's eleventh studio album is ready and waiting to be released in April. Entitled Hang Cool Teddy Bear it is a concept album that deals with the visions a dying soldier has of what his life could be. Meatloaf has pulled in the big guns for this album, rumours are abound that not only has the Darkness singer Justin Hawkins written a few tracks, but so has Jon Bon Jovi. The album will also feature guitar work from Steve Vai and Brian May, two of the best guitarists around. Hugh Laurie aka House and Jack Black also make appearances on the album, Black duets with Meatloaf and House plays the piano.

I am leaving the Meatloaf behind and moving onto the next course of this Audio meal. 

Enter: Joker.

British dubstep producer. Recently worked with Ginz which I will mention in more detail later.

Joker is around twenty years old, from Bristol and is starting to get his name out in the musical scene. By taking a hip-hop, soul and IDM style sound and mixing it with some harsh basslines and catchy dub beats, he's found a formula that is making him well known in the dubstep scene. Consider songs off his Kapsize EP, 'Re-Up', 'Do It' and Audio Flare favourite 'Purple City', all three songs highlight the dubness of his music, the beats and the wobble. But the inclusion of hip-hop effects, loops and samples, the IDM complex rhythms, it all works to form a style of dubstep that isn't as brutal in it's assault as a lot of songs. Instead you get a much more considered sound whilst still having your face melted into a messy puddle on the nightclub floor.

Joker opens the Ark of the Covenant  

Several of the tracks I just highlighted were co-created with Ginz. The two of them have been working closely for a few years now and creating some fine tracks. Joker, working with other folk such as J Kamata have created other EPs such as 2009's Digidesign, featuring tracks like the title track 'Digidesign', featuring a much more soulful electronic sound. Not sure if I like this as much as his work with Ginz but it is still a fairly unique combination of vaguely retro electronic sounds mixed with dubstep beats. 

The bizarre thing is that Joker doesn't have an album coming out soon, maybe in a while but not soon, I just wanted to highlight this guy because I'm a big old fan.

So there you go.

 

It's been a fair while since I covered an up and coming band, I feel that is a shame. Some of my favourite bands I've mentioned included Esben and the Witch, Holly Miranda, EEPROM, all smaller acts that just happen to be amazing. 

So, much like Esben and the Witch (whom I covered all the way back in October 2009) I have another Brighton-esque band to bring you. Being from Falmouth via Brighton, both coastal towns, it seems apt that this band is called Tall Ships. A three piece band that mixes electro/trance with Indie music, think of them as a quieter Enter Shikari or a less American The Killers. 

They've gotten an EP on their way, rumoured to be released on Monday 15th March (that's 2 days time folks!) entitled 'Tall Ships EP' and being released on the Big Scary Monsters label. The lead track taken from the EP is the rather excellent 'Books', other songs they've done include the slightly more epic 'Snow' and the genius 'Vessel'.

Another thing I like about smaller bands is you can't find all the songs you want to on Youtube so you have to scour t'internet to find what you want. 

They're currently touring with label mates Tubelord around the country, and their MySpace can be found here.

 

Anyways. That is all for today. As usual, thanks for reading, it means a lot.

By way of thanks from me, here's a tune: Velvet Revolver's cover of a Sex Pistols classic 'Bodies'

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