Separating the sweet, juicy flesh from the stone and skin of upcoming major label releases.
Another busy week for music. This time: we have some lovely, dreamy Indie tunes (from Menomena and from Sky Sailing); a tribute album to Ronnie James Dio (you read that right, and it’s from Jorn); and a Brazilian man makes your Mango consider swinging the other way (the dreeeeamy Seu Jorge).
So come on in, and let’s have ourselves a party*.
*Party does not infer fun, or enjoyment of any kind. Light hors d’?uvre will be served. BYOB. Smart/casual.
Firstly, Mines, Menomena and An Airplane Carried Me To Bed, Sky Sailing.
Menomena’s first album since Friend And Foe, three years ago. And the latest from this vocal-rotating, instrument-swapping tri-membered band is a little mellower than last time. A little.
They’re still in thrall to The Flaming Lips, but this time round they’ve obviously also been listening to The Beatles and that band’s component parts (Intil is clearly John Lennon-influenced).
A nice album of varied music, with a central “something” holding the sound together despite the band members’ instrumental promiscuity. This one will bear repeated listens.
Sky Sailing is the previous incarnation of Adam Young, best known now for his work with Owl City and their ubiquitous single Fireflies.
Hey, wait, come back here. Okay, just calm down. Only one of the songs here dives into the Sea Of Twee (Tennis Elbow). The rest of the album really does comes across as a pleasantly listenable set of songs written with genuine emotion. Oh, and Sky Sailing also really, really love The Flaming Lips.
The Flaming Lips, you say? I’ll have a bit of that. Take me to either Mines or An Airplane Carried Me to Bed.
Secondly, Dio, Jorn. Oh, Norway, how you do amuse us.
With your preposterous admiration of blue denim, crunching metal guitars, and music the rest of the world left behind 20 years ago. What is it with you, Norway, you penis of Europe, you?
Jorn, the self-proclaimed “Norwegian God of Metal” (that’s like calling yourself “The Nigerian God of Ginger Hair“), intended this album to be released before the death this year from stomach cancer of legendary metal powerhouse Ronnie James Dio.
And this album is surely just what the mighty Dio would have loved: overblown, pompous, fist-pumping metal songs with titles like Lord Of The Last Day and Night People.
Look, you’re going to either hate this or love it. There is nothing we can do to change your mind: it is what it is. Blech.
Well I for ?ne l?ve me s?me N?rwegian death metal r?ck music. S? take me n?w please to Di?.
Thirdly, Seu Jorge And Almaz, Seu Jorge. Wowza! From opening track Errare Humanum Est (which we think is Latin for “Look, love she was throwing herself at me. I’m sorry, okay?“) Seu Jorge had us hooked.
With a voice smoother than Justin Bieber‘s chin, and sweeter than a Kylie Minogue milkshake topped with flakes of Jonas Brothers, Seu Jorge is a sexual missile aimed straight towards our heart.
Oh, Seu Jorge, won’t you use your sexy Brazilian voice to build a bridge between us? A bridge made of rainbows, and samba, and well-muscled thi…
Sorry, Mangons, he got to us again there.
It is not physically possible to listen to Seu Jorge’s music without experiencing a little flutter of longing deep within the loins. Honestly. You may scoff, but we suggest getting a friend to strap you into a chair before listening. Otherwise, the next thing you know you’ll be coming to on a flight to Rio De Janeiro.
And that will be followed by an extremely awkward phonecall to the girlfriend.
I have been tied to a 3-ton concrete block. My credit cards and passport have been secured in a bank vault. I am now ready: take me to Seu Jorge And Almaz, and may god have mercy on my soul.
Do you have new music? Do you want an improbably large number of people to hear it? Get in touch with us then, you silly: thegibbo[at]gmail.com
Follow hecklerspray on Twitter
Nathan says
Have you heard Seu Jorge’s version of Starman by David Bowie? It is absolutely fantastic. Highly recommend.