This week we're introduced to Snow Patrol's Gary Lightbody's new side project 'Tired Pony' and for those who prefer dancing shoes to cowboy boots, 'I Blame Coco' realease second track 'Self Machine', complete with a remix from electro punk Le Roux.
So, without further ado...
So, without further ado...
Tired Pony - The Place We Ran From:
Having always been fond of country music and believing he 'had a country album in there somewhere', it was only a matter of time before Snow Patrol's front man, Gary Lightbody, decided to take a chance and ensemble a group of similar minds to form his side project 'Tired Pony'. Consisting of members including REM's guitarist Peter Buck and Belle and Sebastian's quirky Rich Colburn, the 'country tinged' super group have produced something special.
Kicking off with melancholy 'Northwestern Skies', LightBody's distinctive vocals demand your attention, working to instantly amplify the charming lyrics. 'Girl, you were beautiful before, but in the cyclone I love you more.' If only all men were as tolerant towards temperamental girlfriends!
Second track 'Get on the Road' is worth a mention, featuring collaboration with actress Zoey Deschanel. Hardly a stranger to the music scene since releasing a number of albums with her 'cute' country group 'She & Him', Deschanel's voice is one which complements Lightbody's. Despite this, you can't help but envisage Snow Patrol's hit 'Set Fire to the Third Bar', with the similarities crystal clear, something which I doubt will go unnoticed to avid Snow Patrol fans. Sadly, all love for Deschanel aside, she unfortunately doesn't live up to the ridiculously natural chemistry Martha Wainwright and Lightbody oozes during 2006's aforementioned hit.
Whilst on the subject of collaborations, Lightbody and Co also welcome Editor's Thom Smith into the midst on ninth track, 'The Good Book'. Sombre and thought provoking, Smith's romance with the band's mellow style is enviable and in my opinion the perfect partnership.
Another highlight of the album is track 'Point Me at Lost Islands', brimming with country-esque chords and harmonising vocals, all of which wouldn't be out of place at a barn dance. Livelier than most of the album, it's certainly a gem.
Not to forget debut single 'Dead American Writers', one of the two energetic tracks on the album, hence the choice for release I should think. Despite Lightbody worrying that the group were not 'commercially viable', the track offers a catchy chorus and as promised, a hint of their beloved country style.
Although perhaps lacking in stronger, livelier tracks, the album is promising overall, with well thought collaborations being a definite highlight. The band deliver exactly what is 'on the packet' so to speak, with clear attributes to Snow Patrol, REM and Belle and Sebastian throughout. With a dusting of country passion, it’s more than obvious that it is a genre that clearly runs beneath each member's veins. Far from tired ponies, Lightbody's 'side-project' might just, (hopefully), become a regular thing.
You can find snippets of the album, (released July 12th) on http://www.youtube.com/user/TiredPonyOfficial, and for those who would like to hear the debit single, have a listen:
Having always been fond of country music and believing he 'had a country album in there somewhere', it was only a matter of time before Snow Patrol's front man, Gary Lightbody, decided to take a chance and ensemble a group of similar minds to form his side project 'Tired Pony'. Consisting of members including REM's guitarist Peter Buck and Belle and Sebastian's quirky Rich Colburn, the 'country tinged' super group have produced something special.
Kicking off with melancholy 'Northwestern Skies', LightBody's distinctive vocals demand your attention, working to instantly amplify the charming lyrics. 'Girl, you were beautiful before, but in the cyclone I love you more.' If only all men were as tolerant towards temperamental girlfriends!
Second track 'Get on the Road' is worth a mention, featuring collaboration with actress Zoey Deschanel. Hardly a stranger to the music scene since releasing a number of albums with her 'cute' country group 'She & Him', Deschanel's voice is one which complements Lightbody's. Despite this, you can't help but envisage Snow Patrol's hit 'Set Fire to the Third Bar', with the similarities crystal clear, something which I doubt will go unnoticed to avid Snow Patrol fans. Sadly, all love for Deschanel aside, she unfortunately doesn't live up to the ridiculously natural chemistry Martha Wainwright and Lightbody oozes during 2006's aforementioned hit.
Whilst on the subject of collaborations, Lightbody and Co also welcome Editor's Thom Smith into the midst on ninth track, 'The Good Book'. Sombre and thought provoking, Smith's romance with the band's mellow style is enviable and in my opinion the perfect partnership.
Another highlight of the album is track 'Point Me at Lost Islands', brimming with country-esque chords and harmonising vocals, all of which wouldn't be out of place at a barn dance. Livelier than most of the album, it's certainly a gem.
Not to forget debut single 'Dead American Writers', one of the two energetic tracks on the album, hence the choice for release I should think. Despite Lightbody worrying that the group were not 'commercially viable', the track offers a catchy chorus and as promised, a hint of their beloved country style.
Although perhaps lacking in stronger, livelier tracks, the album is promising overall, with well thought collaborations being a definite highlight. The band deliver exactly what is 'on the packet' so to speak, with clear attributes to Snow Patrol, REM and Belle and Sebastian throughout. With a dusting of country passion, it’s more than obvious that it is a genre that clearly runs beneath each member's veins. Far from tired ponies, Lightbody's 'side-project' might just, (hopefully), become a regular thing.
You can find snippets of the album, (released July 12th) on http://www.youtube.com/user/TiredPonyOfficial, and for those who would like to hear the debit single, have a listen:
I Blame Coco - Self Machine:
19 year old songstress Coco Summer releases her second single 'Selfmachine' this week, (12th July) on label Island Records. Husky voiced daughter of Sting, Summer's band 'I Blame Coco' are tipped to succeed, with several positive reviews under their belt. However, despite promises of distopian disco anthems, 'Selfmachine' is disappointingly bland.
With a voice that remarkably echoes that of her famous father, Coco's whispering vocals are almost lost amongst the electro pop melody. With talk of robots and statuesque machines, 'I'm not a human if you say I'm not / I'm not a human if my hinges lock', it seems as though Summer's 'hinges' have done exactly that.
However, although being slightly repetitive and somewhat bland, 'Selfmachine' will no doubt be a radio wave pleaser, going down equally well with pop chart followers. However, having been a fan of 'I Blame Coco's' gritty debut track 'Caesar' featuring Swedish popstress Robyn, and acoustic b-side 'Ritalin', Summer and Co have in my opinion far more to offer.
Criticisms aside, here is single 'Selfmachine':
19 year old songstress Coco Summer releases her second single 'Selfmachine' this week, (12th July) on label Island Records. Husky voiced daughter of Sting, Summer's band 'I Blame Coco' are tipped to succeed, with several positive reviews under their belt. However, despite promises of distopian disco anthems, 'Selfmachine' is disappointingly bland.
With a voice that remarkably echoes that of her famous father, Coco's whispering vocals are almost lost amongst the electro pop melody. With talk of robots and statuesque machines, 'I'm not a human if you say I'm not / I'm not a human if my hinges lock', it seems as though Summer's 'hinges' have done exactly that.
However, although being slightly repetitive and somewhat bland, 'Selfmachine' will no doubt be a radio wave pleaser, going down equally well with pop chart followers. However, having been a fan of 'I Blame Coco's' gritty debut track 'Caesar' featuring Swedish popstress Robyn, and acoustic b-side 'Ritalin', Summer and Co have in my opinion far more to offer.
Criticisms aside, here is single 'Selfmachine':
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