Passion Pit

A little bit behind the times on this one, and possibly redundant as a consequence, but a new Passion Pit track debuted on Pitchfork the other day. More importantly, it's actually rather good. And even more insanely, another track appeared online and is also good fun. Such was my shock that I decided to make this blog post rather than post a little [Twitter] update. I really had Passion Pit down as one hit wonders after disappointing recent single 'The Reeling' and last year's Black Kids debacle.


Kicking off like a warped version of 'There She Goes' by The La's, 'Moth's Wings' almost immediately moves into Frightened Rabbit meets The Polyphonic Spree territory. By that, I mean a stunning combination of melancholic lyrics, pounding drums, big choruses and an overwhelming sense of euphoria.

PASSION PIT - MOTH'S WINGS

Shame it isn't a single, it's certainly one of my favourite tracks of the year and might have put paid to those MGMT comparisons. Although other new-song-off-album 'Little Secrets' is a more typical synthy hipster party jive - albeit with added catchy singalong fun from a bunch of kids who were probably passing by the studio during recording or something. It also sounds a bit like Michael Jackson covering the amazing Talking Heads track, 'Once In A Lifetime'. I say that more as a justification to repost this bizarre video of Kermit the Frog pretending to be David Byrne but 'Little Secrets' is pretty ace too. Same as it ever was.

Passion Pit are touring the UK in May, prior to the release of their debut album, 'Manners' out on May 18th. Preorder 'Manners' at [Play.com] for £8.

Bombay Bicycle Club vs James Rutledge

Another post taken down unnecessarily by the "man" (Blogger/IFPI), so I've re-upped the post sans mp3. If you'd like it, then pop me an email and I'll send it to you.

If we wind back to February 2007 and my subsequent tips for 2007 column (which I named in a very try-hard fashion, 'Bands I Want To Namedrop Because They Will Become Big In 2007'), one of the bands I singled out for success was Bombay Bicycle Club. At the time, I said they "write bewitching, intense songs complete with the most distinctive vocals this side of Clap Your Hands Say Yeah". That is intended to be a compliment, by the way. While I'm here I might as well point that Danananaykroyd were also in those tips and it's remarkable to see them so lauded now.

In the two years since then I've felt a bit disappointed by Bombay Bicycle Club. Sure, they signed to Island Records which is great and everything but the recorded output consists of two EPs (decent enough) and one single (not so good). Until now. This week's sees the release of Bombay Bicycle Club's finest work, 'Always Like This'. A wonderfully compelling mix of Vampire Weekend and Modest Mouse, undoubtedly bolstered by having Jim Abbiss twiddling the knobs in his producer role. I can only assume they paid Mr Abbiss a shedload of cash because the video for the single takes 'low budget' to new meanings. Then again, such an ace single can sell itself.

Always Like This


I haven't posted a remix in a while y'know. So just my luck that James Rutledge (most famous for his work as Pedro and his four hour long Radiohead remix) pops his 'Always Like This' remix into my inbox earlier. I'm sure a lot of other bloggers will be posting this but it's special anyway. Adding a greater ambiance and driving beats to the original, this is somehow both dancefloor filler and chillout muzak. Oh and there's steel drums. Amazing scenes. Can't say I've heard his work previously but on the basis of this remix, it's worth checking out.

BOMBAY BICYCLE CLUB - ALWAYS LIKE THIS (JAMES RUTLEDGE REMIX)

'Always Like This' is out now on [iTunes], with the James Rutledge remix on the [12" vinyl version]. James Rutledge also has an album out on the 20th April, mosey on over to his [website] for more details.

Just Jack

While the rest of the music blogging world is spaffing themselves blind (excuse the crude, scientifically inaccurate phrase) over The Horrors and their new album, I am not here to talk about that. No, instead I shall discuss the life and dreams of Jack Allsop, better known as Just Jack. I'll do him an immense disservice and say that he's a bit like an electro pop variant of Jamie T and Mike Skinner.

Jack's probably best known for his diatribe 'Starz In Their Eyes', an attack on the fame game, inspired by Pop Idol winner Michelle McManus' rise and almost immediate tumble out of the limelight. New single 'Embers' hasn't quite hit the upper echelons of chartdom that 'Starz In Their Eyes' did but I'd argue that this is the superior track. In fact, much like The Horrors, this is a venture from past material. Drawing comparisons to Ian Brown's 'F.E.A.R', 'Embers' is a strings-laden handclap extravaganza that offers the brilliantly simple refrain that "we are all embers, from the same fire". Maybe he should change his name to Profound Jack. Except that'd be rubbish.

Jack was recently in the BBC Radio 1 Live Lounge on Jo Whiley's show to play his new single and a cover. Check out Jack's reggae take on T.I and Rihanna's 'Live Your Life' below.

JUST JACK - EMBERS (RADIO 1 LIVE LOUNGE SESSION)

JUST JACK - LIVE YOUR LIFE (T.I FT RIHANNA RADIO 1 LIVE LOUNGE COVER)

'Embers' is out now, followed by Jack's third album 'All Night Cinema' which you can get on pre-order for less than eight squid on [Amazon.co.uk]. Jack will also be appearing on the V Festival unsigned band comp, Road To V, which is on telly on Virgin1 on the first Friday of every month.