Blog: Not Many Experts

Wow. Jack White is a busy man; when he's not canoodling with his sister or researching new ways to make music sound stranger, he finds time to do other off the wall activities. Such as collaborating with Alicia Keys (rock demi -god + piano princess =......?) for the soundtrack to the new Bond film, "Quantum of Solace". I haven't been able to give it my full attention yet, so I will refrain from giving my opinion this one time, but let me know what you think. And when Jack White isn't [...]

Much like the way that Justice ripped up the electro scene last year, Italian duo " Crookers " are taking big steps up the ladder to (relative) fame. As well as releasing the "Mad Kidz EP " in July to good reviews and dropping insane remixes of well chosen artists at regular intervals (remember Justice's remix of Human After All?), Crookers have recently announced the release of " Knobbers EP " in February. All of this makes them a complete hype explosion. Will hype be converted into success? As always, [...]

That's a pretty cool philosophy (hot from the lips of the blogosphere's favourite new beardies; Fleet Foxes) don't you think? Except... er... it's complete bullshit. Anyhow, it's still a nice idea. And nice ideas; well that's something that Fleet Foxes basically invented. Starting an album by chanting about squirrels whilst sounding deadly serious? They did it. A contemporary indie-folk album that is completely driven by the vocals? Just listen to their eponymous debut. In my opinion, any band that can simultaneously sell out London's Shepherd Bush Empire and Manchester's Academy whilst remaining shy of [...]

... I don't kno -ow! Sorry about that, but after listening to Kaiser Chief's next single "Never Miss A Beat" you will also feel compelled to answer any question with an anthemic "I don't kno -ow". Anyway, as far as making easily digestible guitar pop goes, Kaiser Chiefs definitely know what the "Golden Rule" is. That shouldn't be news to anyone. Bit of "Ruby"? Why not... it's fairly pleasant, just like most of their other material. Here, though, it is clear that the Kaiser Chiefs have grown up. Now, [...]

Isn't that sweet? Well... it's just my way of saying sorry for being away for so long, but with bonding trips, nipple slips, essays & rugby matches I really have had no time. Thankfully, teachers have decided that we would benefit more from actually learning our syllabuses rather than stumbling around the Lake District, so as things calm down I should be able to keep the old blogging up! What I have got for you though should more than make up for my "short" absence; my personal playlist that I made [...]

Good. Jesus. Of. Nazereth ! !! New Bloc Party single, "Talons"!! It's not on the downloadable "Intimacy" , but will be on the physical release on October 27 th and released as a single on October 20 th . However.... it was sent out to those esteemed, wise and talented individuals who pre -ordered the album. All I can say is that is the closest thing to Silent Alarm I have ever heard from Bloc Party. Apart from the stuff on Silent Alarm, obviously. I can't really purport how excited I am, nor [...]

No, I'm not really appreciating the irony. "Trojan Horse" ; one of my favorite songs of the past few weeks. A Trojan virus ; nasty geek- oid that explains why I haven't posted in so long. However, I did manage to download 10 Trojan Horses in about 30 seconds, which I see as some sort of record. Anyway, fear not, because not only has Norton AntiVirus decided that it would be pretty cool to actually delete the viruses instead of making them cups of tea and making them feel as [...]

Oh my!! Things are really picking up around here. I was surprised when I received an e-mail back from Wave Machines publicist agreeing to the interview, and yet more surprised when they actually replied with answers (very quickly). The answers are actually really interesting too! Not Many Expert's first ever Q&A... you can tell your grandchildren you were here for it! It's like... this is a proper music blog! Anyway, enough from me, listen to him: " Hi guys, would you like to start by introducing your band for [...]

Hmm ... yeah that picture sort of scared me too. However - that's just the way of the eccentric (to say the least) kitsch-pop outfit Of Montreal, and the artwork is from the art to their latest album and follow up to 2007's near flawless "Hissing Fauna, You Are The Destroyer", which is called "Skeletal Lamping ". Anyway; sorry but school & rugby are starting again so I don't have much time - but thought I'd just throw down these two songs that I uploaded before I got stuck into homework and.... other young [...]

Finally; the bastard child of the Beach Boys and the Bravery has been found. Now... some people may deem that an insult - but as far as I can see, marrying infectious pop tunes with stabs of warm, shimmering synth is never a bad thing. As band after band pile out of all of the UK's cities all landing on the NME's doorstep begging to be the next indie "flavour of the month" (that will, inevitably, be forgotten before Christmas) it is encouraging to see a new band like Liverpool's Wave [...]

Leeds Festival 2008; one of the best line-ups of the Summer. However, one day completely overshadowed the rest with musical pedigree. OK, so I had spent the previous two days sort of pottering around, paying £3.70 for a pint (with a 10p deposit; who has ever paid a deposit for a pint??!)and daubing myself in rave paint with very bad results. On Sunday, however, I got up early, made breakfast, had a shower (!) and started to mentally prepare myself for what promised to be the longest day of insanely good music quite possibly ever. [...]

Well... considering I abandoned you for four days, leaving you to twiddle your thumbs, watch repeats of Friends and read lesser blogs, it's really the least I could do isn't it? I saw quite a few bands over the weekend, even ditching my friends for the sake of good music in many cases... the dedication! Someone should be paying me for this! Anyway, here are some of my highlights from the weekend: Friday Morning; Dance Stage: The Shoes When I post about bands, I don't just [...]

After guitarist turned superproducer Jacknife Lee butchered Bloc Party's second album into a mess of electronics that was about as coherent as a drunk game of twister , I had a lot of hate for the guy. It wasn't just me either; most Bloc Party fans, instead of blaming the band themselves, turned the heat onto Jacknife "Jackass" Lee (as he came to be known). As it turns out... we may have been wrong because on [...]

Ahem... Three apologies to make!! Firstly and most obviously... been neglecting the blog a little! Although, as ever, it is not my fault! Firstly I went off on official NME business (sic.) to Leeds Festival, since then I have been in Wales being rained on for two days, which isn't as fun as it sounds. Secondly, by now you must be beginning to think that I am just a tad obsessed with Bloc Party given the mentions... pictures... and general hero worshipping. And yes - there you might be right but to be fair, I'm just here [...]

Sorry for the lack of posts, but guess what ; my Leeds tickets actually came! So I have been spending my minutes packing my bags with super noodles and every last ml of alcohol. Anyway, this means that you kids are going to be without NME for a few days... but don't worry! On Tuesday I will be back with stories, pictures, mp3s and videos. Yar !! Until then, catch some of the footage on TV and start saving up for next year. Here are what I am going to go and see [...]

Never fans of the mundane - Bloc Party ditch the rumours/promote/CD design and have instead announced today that their third studio album "Intimacy" will be released digitally on Thursday. That means you can download it on Thursday, but the physical release will only appear on October 27 th . Kele (from Bloc Party) said that album no. 3 was going to be about personal relationships many months ago, hence "Intimacy". Unfortunately "Mercury" will be rearing its ugly head, but it will hopefully be swamped with [...]

Festival season has started! OK... So Glastonbury was nearly a couple of months ago and Global Gathering & Gatecrasher Summer Soundsystem were also a while ago, but unless you are a hippy or a pill head, you are probably still waiting for the festivals to start. And with V this weekend, and Reading & Leeds [...]

Sometimes you hear a really fantastic song for the first time and you know that you're going to be obsessed with it for weeks. When I heard Passion Pit's "Sleepy Head", that's what I felt. It is the perfect spaced-out pop song. As a warning though... it is a little different! If Martians made music (or existed) then they would make music like Passion Pit. Honestly, if ten umpa lumpas got stoned in a studio and left the record button on by accident, this [...]

It didn't last long did it... What? A week? Yet here I am again, singing MSTRKRFT's praises. Don't blame me, blame MSTRKRFT. Anyhow, they announced a while ago that they were working on a remix of John Legend & Andre 3000's "Green Light", and it dropped sometime in the past couple of days. I really can't get enough... Let me know what you think! Download: John Legend & Andre 3000 - Green Light (MSTRKRFT Remix)

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