Album in the car....2

This weeks album in the car is an oldie but a goodie. Space - Spiders. I hadn't listened to the album in about 10 years until recently. Spiders was released right in the middle of the 'Brit-Pop' hype largely won by Oasis and Blur, but this is one of those little gems that got through along with them.

Five singles were released from the album, all of which made the top 20. Their most famous probably being 'Female of the Species' with several appearances in TV and Cinema.

I recommend giving this another listen (or first listen). Spiders is available from Amazon and iTunes.
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Pat
IMBlog

This Weekend's Gigs

With June Bank Holiday weekend upon us, here's a list of 3 gigs to see this weekend.

Forbidden Fruit - Dublin

This 2 day festival situated on the grounds of the Royal Hospital Kilaminham in Dublin looks to be centre stage for music this weekend. With headliners of Kasabian (Saturday) and alternative rock greats Primal Scream (Sunday) backed up by many more acts including Crystal Castles, Fight Like Apes and Everything Everything. But music isn't the only reason for heading to Kilmainham this weekend with a decent looking lineup on the Comedy Stage including Dave McSavage and The Nualas, Forbidden Fruit looks to be a good choice.

Tickets for Forbidden Fruit, starting at €54.50 for one day and €99.50 for the weekend are available from Ticketmaster

Young Guns - 3 venues

Alternative rockers Young Guns come to Cyprus Ave. Cork, Academy in Dublin and Mandela Hall in Belfast this weekend, Friday, Saturday and Sunday respectively. The London based band are known for their energetic live performances. Their top 20 album 'Bones', recorded with SikTH guitarist Dan Weller, was released to critical acclaim in February 2012. 

Tickets for Young Guns are available at Ticketmaster priced at €16.35 (Cork), €15.00 (Dublin) and £14.50 (Belfast)

Hypnotic Brass Ensemble

Hypnotic Brass Ensemble are an 8-piece brass band from Chicago. All 8 are brothers. They are sons of the famous jazz musician Phil Cohran. I saw these when they supported Prince  in Malahide Park in Dublin in 2011. They had everyone in the crowd dancing. They play several different styles of music during their performances including Hip-Hop and Jazz. Hypnotic Brass Ensemble play Dolans Warehouse in Limerick on Thursday and The Sugar Club in Dublin on Friday and Saturday. I would certainly recommend seeing these if you get the opportunity. 

Tickets for the Limerick date are €17.35 and Dublin gigs at €22.40 and are available at Ticketmaster

Pat 

IMBlog

Laura Marling - Once I was an Eagle

Excuse me for a few minutes if I may. If I seem biased about this, it's because I am. I have liked Laura for a few years now. Since her Noah and the Whale days and especially her debut album 'Alas I cannot swim' which still to this day is one of my favourite albums.

‘Take the night off’ is a great opening track. It has a sound like it could have come from her 2^nd album ‘I speak because I can’. Her usual catchy melodies come to the fore in this opener. 

The song ‘I was an eagle’ really takes you in and screams put me on repeat even if just for the line ‘Chance or circumstance or romance, Or any man who could get his dirty little hands on me’ After first listen of the album, I think this is my favourite track.

Marling has perfected her sound on this record.  Not like she needed to but she has matured since the last album. Evident in the first single ‘Master Hunter’, which in my opinion is very Dylan-esque.

I can see myself listening to this 10 more times in the next few days, hearing and feeling different things every time.  I could comment on every song here. They are all worth talking about but I’ll let you take it all in yourself.

As with everything Marling has done before, the big thing that stands out is how personal the songs are to her. She really knows how to get into character for each song. All to show you how this album should be listened to.

In the album closer ‘Saved these words’ you can hear the influence that Marcus Mumford had on her.  Altogether it’s quite a special album. Different but the same.

Let me know what you think of it…

Once I was an eagle can be bought from iTunes and Amazon

* 9/10 

Pat

IMBlog

Album in the car....Week 1

Every week I will do what album has been dominating my automotive airwaves while I drive back and forth which seems to take up more time than anything else.

Well for week 1, this has been dominating my radio for a few weeks now but it is Biffy Clyro - Opposites. 

Hello...

Hey there,

Welcome to my new blog. It will be about anyhting and everything music related from gigs, albums, equipment etc. I've decided just to give this a go and see what happens. If people like it I'll keep it up, if not, tough!

I've called the blog Illusional music after an EP I had out a few years ago with a band I was in called "The Illusions". Illusional Music always stuck in my head, so I've gone with that.

If you have any suggestions about content or CD's to review etc then let me know.

Pat (IM Blog)