R_Burns

The harmony and solo at the end reminds me of Ordinary World by Duran Duran. Still love the track.

Hannah Hunt is exceptional.

Here's my review. I hope I haven't tested my partner's patience too much, I wanted to give the mix a fair listen over a couple of weeks. First of all, thanks for making it. From the fifteen tracks I've only heard one of them previously so it has very much introduced new artists to me. I thought the flow of the tape was spot on. Track 1 - One of the standout tracks from the playlist for me, the lead guitar had me hooked from my first listen. I heard it being played on a football highlights programme earlier this week, and to my irritation I couldn't think of the name. I then remembered that where I'd heard the track and why I didn't know the name ha. A very upbeat, summery song. I can picture listening to this while driving along with the windows down. Great start. Track 2 - A very different type of song, but another one of my favourites. A gentle strumming of an acoustic guitar with plenty of reverb and a fragile, woozy voice. A very atmospheric, beautiful track. Here voice reminds me of Kathleen Edwards. Track 3 - Perfect example of the flow being great. An array of strings open the track and continue throughout the track, accompanied by a rather gentle male voice. Very easy to listen to, but rather forgettable after the previous two tracks for me. Track 4 - Follows suit with a gentle acoustic guitar dominating the song. The layered vocals provide a different angle to previous tracks. I'm interested to find out if the past three songs are from solo musicians or the softer pieces of work from a bands repertoire. Track 5 - A 60s electric piano meets a strings section. I don't think I'd have gone out of my way to listen to this song if it wasn't for this mixtape, but it is, again, easy to listen to and didn't have me reaching for the skip button. Track 6 - Now, I haven't been able to listen to this song without thinking of the song 'Dance The Night Away', the music video has that band (I can't remember their name) messing about in a supermarket. The two tracks don't sound too similar, the melody is there a tad, but I couldn't shake it out of my head. However, it makes me smile and my Mom enjoys it. Track 7 -I think this is Ben Howard. I've only listened to two songs of his previously (Only Love and Promise). I'm putting all my chips on this being him, it sounds just like him and his backing vocalists. I have put off listening to his album since its release, and I don't know why, he's just bypassed me even though he should be right up my street with the other music I listen to. Anyway, this is a fantastic song. If I'm right I think I'll finally give the whole album a listen. Track 8 - Right, they're Scottish and I'm pretty sure they're not Glasvegas. The guitar and drums remind me of The National. Another of my favourites. There's nothing like a Scottish male wailing a foul word or two. "The kids are on fire, in the bedroom". This was a great track to have in the middle of the mixtape. Unexpected. Track 9 - This song never grew on me. The last couple of times I have listened I have skipped this. I dislike the vocals throughout and the lyrics in the chorus. The line "everyone gather to the chapel" really began to irritate me ha. I'd probably give the instrumental version of this track a chance. Track 10 - Very indie, sounds like it could be on a Fifa soundtrack. The shouty, syllable breakdown of the vocals remind me of Kele from Bloc Party. It has an all round 00s vibe. I don't think I'd listen to this out of the mixtape. I think the vocals would irritate me after a while. Track 11 - Bold, epic and a great track. What boundary would you even place this song in? Vocalist sounds a bit like Brandon Flowers, but wow, the music and production makes this song. Fantastic! TELL ME MORE! Track 12 - An eight minute long instrumental track is a bold thing to create. It's a very gentle one, most are filled with all sorts of sounds to keep the listener entertained. One of my most played songs in 'Midnight Souls Still Remain' by M83 and that is eleven minutes of two chords, so I'm not too fussy. I think this is one song I would've moved about in the running order. I would've placed it amongst the more acoustic material earlier on. Track 13 - Good song. Very pleasant vocals building throughout the gentle openings into the thumping end. Track 14 - I didn't like this song one bit, I skipped it most of the times. Sounds incredibly similar to 'Kids' by MGMT and I really dislike the singers voice. I can't really say much more. Track 15 - This is the one song I'd already heard. I'm not sure who it's by, but I know that it has been on Sainsbury's adverts here in the UK previously and I'm sure it has been used on a smorgasbord of shows. It's a great song and very bubbly, one that makes me get up and smile. Perfect track to end the mixtape. So yeah, overall it has been great to listen to your selections and I'm excited to look into a number of bands back catalogues.

I've only got into Cocteau Twins recently, mainly because of the resurrection of My Bloody Valentine, but yeah, the melody on the chorus stood out for me.

I'm thrilled that you enjoyed the mixtape, it's really made my day! Great review, I think you're spot on with most of your descriptions of the songs. Regarding number 8, when I first heard it I thought the synth was very similar to 'Scenic World' by Beirut. Here's the link and tracklisting: http://rapidshare.com/files/4130808786/MIXTAPE.zip 1. Rembihnutur - Sigur Ros 2. The Waves - Villagers 3. My Number - Foals 4. House - Kindness 5. Cherry-Coloured Funk - Cocteau Twins 6. Leave Your Body Behind You - Richard Hawley 7. Switzerland - Daughter 8. From Nowhere - Dan Croll 9. Bath Is Black - Marika Hackman 10. Dissolve Me - Alt-J 11. Icarus - The Staves ft. Keaton Henson 12. California Daze - Peace 13. This Is Hardcore - Pulp 14. Escape - Apparat

I thought the EP was a success, mainly because of 1998. Follow Baby has been hanging around with them for ages and it's my least favourite track of theirs to date. Anticipating the release of the album later this month however, and it's nice to have a Birmingham 'scene' once again.

Yes please.

There was no need for you to worry in the slightest :) Thank you so much to the wonderful Anna, I received your delightful card this morning and it made me smile instantly. The candy canes are lovely and in the process of being devoured by my mom and myself. My evaluation of my 'powers of deduction' has taken a huge dent, seeing as it didn't even cross my mind that you could be my secret santa after liking my bands page haha :) I wish you and your family a very merry Christmas, and hope you have a fruitful 2013!

Daughter The National Local Natives Arcade Fire Villagers Atoms for Peace Editors Phoenix Fanfarlo Peace Swim Deep and hopefully an EP from Jaws. Birmingham representing.

Good morning Europe!

1. Grizzly Bear - Shields 2. Alt-J - An Awesome Wave 3. Beach House - Bloom 4. The Shins - Port of Morrow 5. Fanfarlo - Rooms Filled With Light 6. Passion Pit - Gossamer 7. The Black Keys - El Camino 8. Kathleen Edwards - Voyageur 9. Dry The River - Shallow Bed 10. The Maccabees - Given To The Wild 11. Keane - Strangeland 12. Tame Impala - Lonerism 13. The xx - Coexist 14. First Aid Kit - The Lion's Roar 15. Kindness - World, You Need A Change 16. Bat For Lashes - The Haunted Man 17. Hot Chip - In Our Heads 18. Sigur Ros - Valtari 19. Ladyhawke - Anxiety 20. Lucy Rose - Like I Used To 21. Muse - The 2nd Law 22. The Staves - Dead & Born & Grown 23. Dr. John - Locked Down 24. Andrew Bird - Break It Yourself 25. Richard Hawley - Standing At The Sky's Edge

I thought it was absolutely beautiful. When I got into my seat (Jonny side of the cinema of course) I actually had an anticipatory rise. Hurts Like Heaven gave me goosebumps and they pretty much lasted throughout the whole film. I thought the cinematography was great, especially on Us Against The World. The interview snippets were my favourite part. Will's build up to Up In Flames was really sombering. Chris' view on rock and roll myths will always be something I resonate with and the film re-affirms my disbelief at how people can hate the band and especially Chris. My only problem, and it's a very miniscule one, is the venue being sprawled across the screen during every change. Like I say, small and pretty nitpicky. I can't wait for my copy to arrive. CADBURY'S BUTTONS!

Vue, Leeds

I don't for one second believe this is true.

Did he wake up in 2011 this morning?

Woo, it's back! I'm in.

Strat on CB

Tipping my hat to the sound engineer at this radio station. They're the ones who make all the difference to these streams.

The video stream isn't from this gig. Definitely previously recorded from an indoor arena show.

A remix of Umbrella was used during the opening ceremony as umbrellas were the starting segment for it. Would make sense for it to be used in closing it too, especially with the theme.

They must've played it, probably just 'slipped through the net' so to speak.

Wait, haven't they played Warning Sign tonight? Or that just happens to be the one song that hasn't been mentioned in the blog.

https://twitter.com/fdemas/status/242342643651207168/photo/1/large I'm not as good as Tash.

Haha he can't resist tonight.

Oh Phil.