Mayer is back

It's been a long time coming, with anticipation and excitement resonating from all the build up on Mayer's especially redesigned website, but finally the man is back in town with a masterpiece.

John Mayer returns with a brand new album: Born And Raised, successor to 2009's deep, dark Battle Studies, which in turn followed 2006's Continuum. The latter was a bluesy affair, complete with pop infused guitarwork, poignant lyrics and that blues swing, which made it so memorably definitive. Continuum was the album that introduced me to Mayer and tempted me with his back-catalogue, which explored the mainstream pop realm of guitar based music. Continuum was 10/10 across the board, with every song offering a different experience to the last. A truly wonderful piece of work and a compelling start-point for any newbies to Mayer's music.

He then decided to step away from the bluesy Continuum and tapped into his inner remorse and frustration to produce Battle Studies, an album rich with intimacy and tales of love, loss and living.

Born And Raised sees Mayer a maturer musician, with his guitar-work returning to the swingier style of Continuum and the messages of Battle Studies resonating through but without such frustrated depth. Mayer seems to have learnt from passed mistakes, overcome his present-day obstacles and gotten on par with himself and what he has around him.

Reinventing his image as a lost countryman, his pre-album photography portrays Mayer in cowboy hat with long locks, the tash is back and the Texan attire sings in harmony with the outback in the background. He is a different man to the one he describes in Battle Studies' 'Assassin', and long gone is the imagery of 'Your Body Is A Wonderland'.

It's a week to the day since the release, already it's set for No1 in the states and I've given Born And Raised a week of listening. I made my purchase a week ago and listened intently to what I consider to be Mayer's most profound work. It's very hard, looking at the track list, to criticise. It's even hard to make specific recommendations, the album is a masterpiece from start to finish. I considered as I listened that my review of the album would be biased, such as my adoration for the music Mayer can create. But having listened more and more, nobody would be able to begrudge Mayer's work here. It's not the pop-sing-a-long of years gone by, but Born And Raised is honest and earthy.

Immediately, the intricacy of Mayer's flawless guitar work on 'Queen Of California' set's the tone. It's late evening, Route 66, sunset mood immediately establishes the mellow, country-rock we're about to experience.
'The Age Of Worry' remains my pick of the bunch purely for how deep the message resonates with me at a particularly fitting time of my life. Produced delicately and beautifully by Mayer and Don Was, The Age Of Worry is a sweet stab of wisdom Mayer has acquired over the years.

The album then weaves it's way through Mayer's previous misgivings, presenting a true and gritty acceptance of his past and reconciling it. Shadow Days see's a heavy weight lifted from Mayer's shoulders, If I Ever Get Round To Living is evocative in the search for fulfilment in life.

On par with Battle Studies, the rock'n'roll element resides with Something Like Olivia, instead of Cream's 'Crossroads' on the previous album.

It is Love Is A Verb though, that portrays the maturity of this album, which has seen Mayer delve into the sweet realm of old-school, honest, earthy American country rock. It's a truly magnificent album.

Katzenjammer at Manchester Academy - Review

A week ago to the minute, my pal Connor and I were leaving Manchester Academy having experienced one of the best live sets of music I've ever paid witness to. Infact, it wasn't solely a set, but a show as well.
Katzenjammer blew away all the cobwebs of the working week and immersed the dense crowd in their unique world of folk infused cabaret rock. Confused? We may well have been slightly more baffled by the kookiness of their set had we not interviewed the charming girls earlier in the evening. To my delight, they were a joy to speak to. Some interviews can be challenging, with delving questions being hit for 6 right back over my head. Happily, Katzenjammer were inviting, warm and insightful in their welcome to Connor and I, and despite making a cuppa that was hotter than the sun, we chatted for quite a while...

They are a completely fresh outfit, practising a wholly admirable and original approach to their music. They each develop ideas, write and bring various compositions to their regular band meetings, before allowing each idea to evolve into a song. If a particular instrument is required to make that song work, then that instrument get's learnt and the song get's developed. There is no defeatist or no-can-do attitude here, just a group of incredibly talented young musicians who allow their musical horizons to flourish with boundless enthusiasm. 

Their latest LP release: A Kiss Before You Go, offers discerning listeners a chance to hear Katzenjammers refreshingly catchy (although cheese-free) folk pop singles (Rock, Paper Scissors and I Will Dance) as well as softer ballads like Lady Marlene, with experimental new material formulating the suburban edges of an album that lives like a busy city, with a different atmosphere and character wherever you go.  

The gig itself combined their aforementioned eclectic sound with a captivating cabaret style show. Pumping the crowd immediately with the latest singles before moving onto more well-known and receptive older tracks such as To The Sea. 

The crowd vocal participation on the track above was quite special. For a band new to the UK scene, they conduct themselves with exuberance and self-assurance as they lead you on a truly wonderful journey.

It's rare you'll see such a variety of instruments, played by a variety of people at a pop gig. Katzenjammer have an obvious love of their craft and if they continue to storm the UK gigging circuit like they're currently doing, I have no doubt that their infectious charm, quirkiness and unpredictability will carry them forward to huge success. This is a band who will never let things get boring.

Rage in the age of worry

10 minutes for a cuppa this morning looking out at a beautiful day.

The Subways rock the Ritz

It's been a while since my last rock gig. In fact I vividly remember my first ever gig in Birmingham when I was about 15. The Blackout, hot on their We Are Dynamite tour, played the Irish Club. An intimate venue that was surprisingly small for my goliath gig expectations. There was energy, moshing and sweating, so ever since most gigs have either been on par or considerably better behaved. I was concerned about being a late starter to the gig circuit, but then again my passion for music was slow-burning since that particular age was when I discovered a band called Breaking Benjamin. I'd never heard anything like the power and anger they could instil in their music whilst maintaining a melody.

That melodic rock is a quality The Subways 100% embody. Over the last few years my interest in a broad spectrum of styles and genres of music has intensified. Coupled with the intrinsic first-time soft-spot for an energetic party gig, I was excited for last night's offering. The Subway's brought their energetic show to the HMV Ritz in Manchester, with support from Royal Republic and Turbowolf, and I was privileged to be in attendance.

Opening the show as first support were Turbowolf, a high-intensity, all-guns-blazing rock band. Not my bag really, but there were plenty in the crowd who were well and truly worshipping their up-front attitude to music. We only caught the last few tunes, teeming with rebellious guitars and defiant vocals. Certainly a band to shake the cobwebs off.

For some reason, the last few weeks of my life have seen me mature into a very old man. I'm 19, yet I have a car a 40yr old would drive, and through choice I may have spent the majority of the gig watching with my girlfriend from the balcony rather than moshing around in the pit. There really is no explanation, apart from the bar being close and it gave us an opportunity to have a chat in changeovers without communicating through a sweaty metalhead bouncing around in front of us.

But something that did get us up and moving was second support band Royal Republic. Walking on stage to an epic fanfare, breathing confidence and quality, they sure did offer up quite a spectacle. The lead singer was the star of the show. Immediately I thought he was the Hoff. His hair slicked back with a full-on deal of product in it, leather jacket, tight jeans, handlebar tash...he opitimised the look of a chap who owns the stage. And he did.

Their lead guitarist rewrote the riff rulebook, the bassist produced a frenzy of earth-shattering licks and the dude on the drums teamed up with Mr Hoff for a drum duet to blow your socks off. The outstanding thing about this band was their superior live quality. When we got back in from the gig we immediately googled them and played through their music videos, all of which display a comical vibe that was amplified on stage by their jovial interludes and stop-joke-start approach to their songs. What we'd stumbled on here is a refreshing breed of band who, on the eve of a landing a record deal, wouldn't hand a rep their CD, they'd instead warmly invite them down to the live gig for a true showcase of their undeniable talent. Or if they don't do that, they should. Their main appeal lies in live entertainment, that's the best way to play it!

In extremely high spirits after Royal Republic's set, we were eagerly awaiting The Subway's anticipated headline slot. I'd been aware of The Subways music since 2008's All Or Nothing album and kept tabs on their single releases. I remember being shocked at how much of a party vibe rock music could encompass, the rock and metal I'd been aware of up until that release had been very gritty, deep and powerful. There's no traditional 'dancing' at a Killswitch Engage gig for example.
The Subway's latest offerings have sounded very fresh, It's A Party and Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, the latest singles sounding original and very vibey. Whatever they've been doing in the studio has got to have been good because when they came on stage...I was amazed that there were only 3 members of the band!  The drums and bass were great, both were melodic and complex, so they made up for the fact there was only one guitarist tackling both rhythm roles and providing those tasty licks to keep things interesting. To be truthful, he tackled it well! Royal Republic were so intriguing because a song would be developing at a steady rate before some insane guitar riff would bound forward and captivate... Having said that...................

.....it's important to appreciate The Subway's for what they are. The headline act of a big gig in Manchester, with a huge fan base and a massive repertoire of songs. They perform with a refreshing buzz that is contagious for the entire crowd. The lead singer was crowd-surfing, at one point racing up to the balcony where we were positioned to jump down into the crowd, rock'n'roll!
The female bassist was great to watch. They'd designed their stage so there was plenty of room to sprint around and unleash the energy. In all fairness one has to admire the way they create such an exciting vibe with only 3 instruments, it's hard, but they've mastered the art- great musicianship. On-the-whole they capitalised on their minimalistic approach and (myself included), nobody was really complaining! Their stage-presence again was very strong, they completely commanded their space. They bantered with the crowd, teasing them with well-known numbers and showcasing the exciting sound of their new album. The singles went down like a sugar in a brew, creating very much the party-like atmosphere their new music deserves.

Really good gig, but without the stage antics, banter and the ambience of a hard-core following, the 3-piece would be in danger reproducing the same indie/punk rock components throughout the gig, potentially making the show repetitive... Fortunately, they do have a sound presence when they do their thing, and they do it well! In fact.. I don't think this band will ever be in danger of going stale! I enjoyed it, great feel-good vibe.

Habit's the only place that you call home

I quite like starting new blog posts with lyrics or song titles, so feel free to click the title today and enjoy the sound of Caitlin Rose, who I had on in the car last night. She's pretty good, her music contains elements of John Mayer, KT Tunstall, lots of folk/country components as well.

I've just got back to the flat, it's 10:51 on Wednesday morning. It doesn't feel like a Wednesday, the day is idling with Friday sunshine, the weekend ahead. I'm getting flashbacks to sunny Friday afternoons at Sixth Form, not particularly bothered about how quickly or slowly 3pm would arrive, just enjoying the ride. Especially towards the end of my school days. I wasn't in a rush for anything, just relishing the moments.

Bulgaria lad's nicknames! Wogan is me.

I remember this time last year I was eager for University to arrive. By now I think I will have heard that I was in at Salford, so the promises and unknowns that went alongside the forthcoming 3 years were exciting and seemed so much more captivating than the day-to-day rigmarole that we'd grown used to.

In all honesty I'm still in that frame of mind, where if anything I'd love time to slow down! I'm in no rush. On 11th May, all of our assignments will be completed and as the clock strikes 4:01pm, deadlines will have passed and my first year at university will be ticked off. Year 1 has flown by, it looks blurry.. freshers week doesn't seem so long ago, all the angst, worry and apprehension at what was ahead, coupled with the most exhilarating few nights out of my life... and it seems only yesterday that bright, warm Friday afternoons razzing down the single-track in convoy with my mates were the norm.

Of course, I miss that simple life. Now though, I'm geographically positioned perfectly. Every day Manchester reassures me that it is the place to be. Imagine that when I came up here last September my tangled ball of University wool only had two real threads... going out to get smashingtons, and uni work. A few months later, I've somehow woven a cat's cradle of excitement into my world up here... student radio parties, 'The Source', Key 103, shooting a doc for Liam Blake.. the Radio Festival in Salford...gig after gig after gig, session, night out, gig, interview, gig, night out, uni assignment, Christmas in Manchester, Christmas at home, SRA Con......it's crazy, and all with new people. I've learnt so much in a short space of time...yet I'm in the same mind frame as a year ago, taking each week as it comes, letting the future wash over me in real-time rather than fret about how things will play out in 5 years needlessly.

"Don't worry about the future; or worry, but know that worrying is as effective as trying to solve an algebra equation by chewing bubblegum" - Baz Lurhmann - Everybody's Free

"It isn't where you finish, it's the way you run this race, and I intend to go the distance, but I'll do it at my own pace" - Ben Marwood - Toil