Well now, I’ve already written about this album over at The Steinberg Principle but my readership is not anywhere near that of Mr Toad and I love this record, so I want to share it with you all.  This has been an interesting 2 weeks for me because I don’t really feel that the music I am writing about will necessarily appeal to the wider readership of songbytoad.  When Matthew first asked me to do this, I must admit that I was a little apprehensive.  This site doesn’t really cater for the majority of music that I love.  Nothing highlights this more than Matthew’s lack of knowledge of Elliott Smith.  So yes, I was apprehensive but I decided that perhaps I was being silly.  I love all sorts of music, so why wouldn’t the wider readership of songbytoad?  So it was with this mindset that I decided to proceed and hopefully the music I’ve been posting isn’t all miserable crap that nobody likes!

Anyways,  Finn is a German singer songwriter, please stay with me despite this, called Patrick Zimmer and is signed to Erased Tapes – home of the sublime Olafur Arnalds.   ‘The Best Low-Priced Heartbreakers You Can Own’ is his third album but is the first thing by him that I came across, mostly thanks to him being support to Olafur Arnalds on his last tour of the UK, and it’s a gem of an album.  There are 16 tracks on this album, which is a lot.  Or it seems a lot, but many of the tracks are short interludes and many of the songs themselves register under 3 and a half minutes in length.  The delicate beauty of this record is hard to describe.   But what really makes the record come to life are the lovely arrangements and intelligent intrumentation.  The handclaps at the end of ‘Julius Caesar’ are just the perfect end to a wonderful song though completely unexpected – perhaps why they make such an impact.  Finn’s voice is also something special and his use of 2 vocals on many songs, one an octave higher than the other, is a lovely touch which adds beautifully to the dynamics.  The name of this record could not be more prefect.  Go out and buy it and let Finn touch your heart.

Dew – Finn

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Julius Caesar – Finn

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Funnily enough, the most interesting music events this week are being held as part of the film festival.

Not funny “ha ha”, though.

Happy Monday.

Wednesday 24th June 2009: All Tomorrow’s Parties documentary at the Picture House

This is something rather special. It’s described as a” unique 360 degree music event”. Firstly, the film sounds incredible. It’s compiled from footage contributed by both fans and artists at the festival, shot on super 8, digital and mobile phone, as well as footage from Vincent Moon (the Take-Away shows) tieing it all together. (See the rather brilliant Clockwork Orange-inspired trailer here.) It will be screened in the Picture House, followed by a live performance from the ‘secret headliners’. I’ll get in trouble if I say who that is, but, um… it’s someone really good. And really good live, too. Yes. On top of all that, the venue will be completely redecorated to resemble a Butlin’s theme park, and there will be smaller, intimate performances in different rooms and parts of the venue from Scottish acts. (Full details are still a bit sketchy, but I know that both the Second Hand Marching Band and Scrim have already confirmed). To be frank, it sounds mental. But it also sounds absolutely amazing, and a complete one-off. It’s £18.50 for the film and live music event, and £12.50 for just the live music. (The film is screening in the Filmhouse the next day too, without the whole live music shebang).
The Second Hand Marching Band – We Walk In The Room

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Thursday 25th June 2009 – Leith Tape Club, with youtakethebiggerhalf, Corn Capri meets Little Pebble, Team Turnip and McBrandy at Iso Bar

On this bill I only really recognise Little Pebble and Team Turnip, but the Tape Club is always a rather fun, intimate affair.
Little Pebble – Hold That Thought

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Thursday 25th 2009 – The Gillyflowers at the Mill (Cabaret Voltaire)

I’ve not seen the Gillyflowers live as yet, but have heard a lot of good things, and I really like the stuff on their myspace.
The Gillyflowers – Country Boy

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Friday 26th June 2009 – Playing with the Past, with eagleowl, FOUND and Meursault at the Pleasance

This is another rather special event – a screening of a series of short films lifted from the Scottish Screen Archive, with eagleowl, FOUND and Meursault providing live soundtracks. Very exciting. I hope Meursault are doing ‘Highlander’.
FOUND – You’re Really Quite The Catch

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Friday 26th June 2009 – Adam Stafford and Michael John McCarthy at the Himalaya Cafe

Adam Stafford, of Y’all Is Fantasy Island infamy, will be playing songs from Rescue Weekend (which rarely get an airing with the full band sets) as well as new material, and Michael John McCarthy will be performing tracks from the excellent Outside World Strategies, which Euan gave a glowing review of last week.
Radio Trees (Michael John McCarthy) – Little Islands

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Sunday 28th June 2009 – The Shipping Forecast Garden Party, with FOUND, Randan Discotheque, Rozi Plain at the Pear Tree
Those nice gents form the Stormy Seas are putting on a lovely little Sunday afternoon show in the Pear Tree beer garden. A fine, and rather ecletic, line-up with one still to be confirmed (though it’ll probably be Meursault, won’t it?). I saw Rozi Plain for the first time at Homegame earlier this year and was very impressed, so looking forward to her set in particular. I can’t really think of a better way to spend a Sunday afternoon. And it’s free. Gods be praised.

The Wind Whistles are a band from Vancouver, Canada, who make rather sunny folk pop, with more than a little tinge of americana. This is the follow up the their debut album ‘Windowsills‘.

That album was one of my favorites of last year, and so it’s hard not to judge this in relation to the previous release. And whilst the first album is perhaps more immediate, with more obvious hooks and sing-along choruses, ‘Animals Are People Too’ is definitely a development. It’s still very accessible, but there’s a little more depth – a more prominent guitar and keyboard sound to the near acoustic recording of the debut. There’s some really nice subtle touches, like when the slide guitar and drums kick into ‘Bats in Flight’, or the chorus refrain of ‘The Fish and the Worm’ – which only appears once during the track, and so becomes more rewarding on each listen. It manages to create what so many bands fail to do – catchy songs, but with enough depth to them to keep you coming back for more.

The writing is really economical too – by that I mean each track does what it needs to do, and then moves on. Nothing ever outstays it’s welcome – only one going over the four minute mark. The whole thing bounces along with rolling drums and jaunty bass lines. Chutters described them as a more gentle Woodenbox, and I think that’s a pretty good reference point.

For me, what’s most interesting about the band is their approach to making music. Both this and the previous release are on Aaahh Records – the CD can be bought at full price from the website or at gigs, or the digital version can be downloaded on a pay what you want basis. (As an added incentive, a secret third album is made available for a minimum donation of $8).  Last time they played Edinburgh they were half way through a mammoth six month tour. They play again at the start of July (cough), and looking at the tour schedule they don’t seem to be cutting back any. From what I can tell they spend half a year working ‘proper’ jobs, saving money and recording an album, then once it’s ready they packs their bags again and spend the rest of the year touring to support the release. Aaahh records is by no means a major operation, this being only the sixth release. And so it really seems to be the band themselves organising the tours, financing it all themselves.

Really inspiring stuff.

The Wind Whistles – Bats In Flight

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Mrs. Toad and I might be gallivanting about the Italian countryside, but we are still thinking of you, our loyal Toadlings. We may be relaxing by the pool, but we understand that life might not be quite so easy for those of you at home. Actually, fuck it, life is never this easy for us either. This is like some bizarre anomaly for us – time, peace, reading books… it’s all so fucking restful I’ve almost forgotten to swear at the locals.

The place we’re staying is just plain ridiculous. We are living in what amounts to the tiniest of little comedy garden sheds imaginable, but the outside space is some great big gigantic plaza. It’s just ridiculous.

Fortunately, there is something to lower the tone. Nature is basically a great big urinal, as we all know, and I have been doing my best to maintain a time-honoured male principle of ‘no place being too sacred or picturesque for having a sly piss’. So when the bladder beckons, so does the wall, and there I go to water the olive groves of Puglia. It feels like a public service, really it does.

Thanks again to Euan and the lads for keeping things going while we’re away. The connection here is so damn slow I really haven’t been able to read it all, but Mrs. Toad periodically checks up on things on her Blackberry (the woman’s insane) and lets me know how things are going. This news I generally treat with an indifferent grunt, before returning to the pondering of precisely which sort of cheese I most fancy for lunch, but I appreciate her efforts.

Toadcast #74 – The Poolcast

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

01. The Shaky Hands – Summer’s Life (03.26)
02. Lemonjelly – Spacewalk (12.45)
03. Grandaddy – Ghost of 1672 (19.44)
04. Billie Holiday – Good Morning Heartache (24.36)
05. Animal Magic Tricks (with Neil from Meursault & Pete from The Leg) (34.42)
06. Edith Piaf – C’etait Une Histoire D’amour (38.11)
07. The Flaming Lips – Can’t Get You Out of My Head (48.12)
08. Wilco – Jolly Banker (52.17)
09. The Laurel Collective – No Pirates Left (63.04)
10. Yoshimi! – Philosophy For Fangirls (69.12)

This week, the Friday Five commemorates Mr. & Mrs. Toad’s official state visit to Italy, with questions and music that reflect the culture and history of that great nation.

They’re staying in Puglia, apparently. The ‘heel’ of Italy’s ‘boot’, geographically speaking. An agricultural region, it’s well known for its abundance of fresh fruit and vegetables. Obviously, however, the Toads will be happy anywhere they can get their hands on gin in biblical quantities.

I’d also like to say how well I think Euan’s been doing so far at the conn of the Starship Toadiprise. It’s certainly been a refreshing change of direction for the site, perhaps a little bit more intimate in tone than usual, and with some unusual but rewarding detours. I particularly like the article about the We Sink Ships online photgraphic exhibition. Nicely done, sir.

So, as usual at this time of the week, here’s your opportunity to creep out from the woodwork and talk arse with a bunch of other skiving ne’er-do-wells. This week’s five is possibly not the most biting piece of reportage you’ll have ever encountered, but it’s a vast improvement on last week’s disaster!

So, with a note of apology and a view to casting all memories of Matthew’s despicable scatological fetishes aside, here’s the Friday Five.

1. Which tantalisingly delicious Italian delicasy do you find most maddeningly irresistible?
2. Ferrari, Lamborghini or Maserati?
3. Most notable Italian historical figure.
4. What would you do with a fortnight in Italy?
5. What did the Romans ever do for us?

Beirut – Postcards From Italy

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Pet Shop Boys – King Of Rome

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Turin Brakes – Long Distance

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Bad Manners – Rose Of Italy

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Tiziano Ferro – Stop! Dimentica

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Well now, I’m in the mood for this!  Given Matthew’s admitance last week that he knew very little about Elliott Smith I thought it would be a good idea to write about him and to play some tunes by him,  for his benefit upon his return from holiday, for those of you who have little knowledge of him, and also for everyone who reads this site and loves his music.  Cause let’s be honest, there’s never a point when you can have had too much Elliott Smith now is there?

I guess there’s no point delving into his tragic death – was it murder or was it suicide?  I guess we’ll never know, but his death shook me to my core because he was one of the most important musicians for me growing up and still is essential listening for me.  I’ve been listening to him since I was at school and there’s not a huge amount of artists I can say that about.   Whilst Kurt Cobain’s death shocked me, Elliott Smith’s death totally saddened me.  Thinking that he’ll never produce new material is quite a disappointment, but then fortunately we have plenty of amazing material to enjoy from his all too short life .  I think it was Mr Bear who said last week that there are no bad Elliott Smith albums, let alone mediocre.  And I completely agree.

The starting point for me was XO, his 4th studio album working my way back through Either/Or, his self titled album and his debut Roman Candle. I remember his 5th album Figure 8 coming out when I was living in the Netherlands and making my way to the indie record store to get my hands on it.  I remember this particularly well as Mule Variations by Tom Waits and Come On Die Young by Mogwai came out about the same time.  These 3 albums are still 3 of my favourites – though my copy of Figure 8 has gone missing since.  If anyone borrowed it off me could I get it back please, I will buy another copy, but that one had sentimental value!  And then we have his final album From the Basement On the Hill, which was never actually finished by Smith himself prior to his death.  And finally his pothumus release New Moon, a collection of rareities and b-sides from the Either/Or, XO period of his life.

None of these albums is bad.  Not one.  I love them all.  But if I had to pick one that has stuck with me then it would definitely be my starting point of XO.  This was the first time that he truly fleshed out his songs.  The bare bones and stripped back lo-fi of the first 3 albums was replaced with a more produced sound and fuller use of instrumentation on this particular album and was the change in direction that would continue on both Figure 8 and From a Basement on a Hill.  I think most fans are divided at this point.  They either love Either/Or and everything before it or XO and everything after it.  I fall into the second bracket.  However, I do love the first 3 albums as well.

Anyways, this post was never about whats better or whats worse because its a moot point.  He simply was a genius and I love everything he’s done.  His music deserves to be heard by everyone and he should be more widely credited for the wonderful albums he produced.  So please, sit back, relax and enjoy a variety of his tunes.

No Name#1 from the album Roman Candle – Elliott Smith

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Ballad of Big Nothing from the album Either/Or – Elliott Smith

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Waltz#2 from the album XO – Elliott Smith

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Twilight from the album From a Basement on the Hill – Elliott Smith

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

And here’s one for you, taken from New Moon in an early state, but later used on the sound track for Good Will Hunting and nominated for an Oscar for best original song in 1997.

Miss Misery (early version) – Elliott Smith

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Michael John McCarthy is a very talented young man.  As well as being one third of the highly rated Glasgow popsters Zoey Van Goey (though not my favourite third!) he is also the accordian player for Adian Moffat’s Best Ofs.  Well, on top of all this he’s found time, in his no doubt ridiculously busy schedule, to record and release a mini album under the name Radio Trees.  The album is FREE to download over at Wiseblood Industries a mega cool Glasgow indie label run by Adam Stafford of Y’all Is Fantasy Island fame and soon to be home of The Kays Lavelle!  Anyways, there will be more info on the Kays album later in this 2 week run of mine, but for now lets focus on this little piece of Alt.pop beauty that is Outside World Strategies Vol.1.  There are a lot of lovely pop songs on this but this is far from straight up pop.  There’s beatboxing, instrumentals, accordian, blues piano and some real vibes going on in there - ‘Keep Your Stick To The Ice’ actually reminds me, musically at least, of the Fun Lovin Criminals!  So yeah, I’m finding it hard to pin this down to any one particular style but I am really, really enjoying it.  It’s got to be a definite for all the Zoey Van Goey fans out there for sure.  It shows time and time again that MJ has a brilliant ear for a melody and for that pop hook which I guess is why Zoey Van Goey are doing so well and getting so much positive recognition.  Don’t over look this mini album though and make sure you get across to The Kays Lavelle’s new record labels website and download this record.  hehehe.  Sorry, that still makes me smile!  Anyways, the blurb on wiseblood’s website suggests that this will appeal to fans of Sparklehorse, Okkervill River and early Neutral Milk Hotel.  As a fan of all of these bands, I am inclined to agree, but this should appeal to a wide sprectrum of music fans,  those who like shimmering pop and those who like it a little edgier alike.  Enjoy.

Old Folks – Radio Trees

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Haunted – Radio Trees

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beerjacket.  Wow, what a name.  Imagine if we had such things. Would they be jackets with a beer in every pocket?  Or would it be a jacket made of the same material as arm bands but instead of being inflated by air they would inflate when filled with beer?  This would obviously come with a handy straw for regular refreshment purposes.  We’d then need filling stations though, similar to those catering for automobiles, but instead of petrol pumps we’d have beer pumps.  What a glorious world it would be!  Unfortunately there are no such things.  However, on the flip side this beerjacket is equally as glorious.  This is like Elliott Smith never died.   This is lo-fi pop music at its very, very best.   This is a glorious end to a tiring Wednesday.

Beerjacket is the pseudonym of Glasgow singer songwriter Peter Kelly.  He’s no stranger to big gigs having opened shows for the likes of The National, Bat For Lashes, Guillemots and Rilo Kiley.  And yet, this is the first time I’ve stumbled across him with the release of his album ‘Anomosity’.  He evokes memories of early Elliott Smith and of Bright Eyes at his best, with this collection of 3 minute pop gems.  In fact, no track on the album is over 3 and a half minutes in length and if anything this emphasises the links to early Smith albums.  But that’s not a criticism by any means as this is a great listen and there is a space in my heart for somebody stepping up to the plate and delivering the quality of heart wrenching music attributed to the late, great Elliott Smith.  From the sounds of this, Beerjacket seems up for the challenge and I look forward to hearing more from this artist.  The album can be downloaded from all the usual places, though I believe the album launch is happening in Glasgow as I write with the physical release being available as of tomorrow.  Anyways, in the meantime, I’ve chosen a selection of tunes from the album for your listening pleasure and hope you enjoy this as much as I am.

Drum – Beerjacket

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Screaming Hallelujah – Beerjacket

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

And here’s one of my all time favourite Elliott Smith songs cause I’m in that mood now.

Between the Bars – Elliott Smith

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ok, so We Sink Ships are not a band and The Ghost You Left Behind is not the name of an album or EP.  We Sink Ships are 2 wonderfully talented photographers in the shape of Heidi Kuisma and Neil Milton and The Ghost You Left Behind is the name of their latest online exhibition that can be viewed here.  I have known Heidi for sometime now and am a big fan of her photographs regularly visiting We Sink Ships and her own photo page on Flickr to check out her latest work.  The latest online exhibition, I think you will agree, is simply stunning.  And even better knews is that the pair of them are having their first “real world” exhibition at the 13th Note in Glasgow.  And if it can get even better, they are holding a launch night at the 13th Note on Monday 6th July with live music in the form of Hindle Wakes, Call To Mind and the wonderful, wonderful Debutant.   Anyways, I thought it would be nice to let you guys explore out some quality photography over at their site.  But before you do enjoy the wonderful sounds of Debutant.

Means to an end – Debutant

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

I recently mentioned on one of the many threads on this blog that Sparrow and the Workshop fuck me up in so many positive ways.  Well here’s another bunch from Glasgow that fuck me up in so many wonderful ways.  I cannot actually describe how much I am loving the 2 tunes that they sent me this evening.  I had heard one of the tracks on Glasgowpodcart, a wonderful little pod cast based in Glasgow and run by an exceptionally lovely bunch of people.  The first moment I heard this tune I knew this band were for me.  I am quite frankly surprised not to have read about them on these pages before now – I have checked and see no record of any reviews of the band either on record or live to date.  Anyways, they are releasing their eponymous debut album on 1st July.   Neither of the tunes I am about to post are on the album.  In fact, the guys told me themselves that they think everything on the album is better than these 2 tracks – which is pretty impressive if you ask me!    And they are making waves.  Already being touted as the next big guitar band to come out of Glasgow they have drawn the obvious comparisons to the Twilight Sad and Frightened Rabbit.  Personally, bar a strong Glasgow accent, I don’t hear it.  There is something more intricate about this band.  Just something more melodic, atmospheric.  I am excited.  I get excited about a lot of Scottish bands, but this album is going to be bought the day it comes out, it’s going to be played until my ears can’t take anymore and I am going to get them at Trampoline as soon as I can - as long as they want to play of course!  Great stuff from a band with the potential to do great things in the second half of 2009.  Lets hope they do.

Foreign Thoughts – There Will Be Fireworks

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

White Noise – There Will Be Fireworks

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.