This page is going to be the most enjoyable for me to work on. I am a huge music fan, and I like a variety of different genres, ranging from Rock to Classical and everything in between. I understand that the majority of you reading this blog will no doubt be musical scholars and will be well up to date with current music. However, as you may or may not know, alot of English music doesn't make it across the Atlantic. So, there are literally hundreds of artists that are really famous in England, and people in America have never heard of them.
A huge example of this is Oasis. When I ask an American person what Oasis songs they know, they will always say "Wonderwall" and that is all they know. The odd person here or there might be able to name 1 or 2 more, but for the most part, they only know that one song. It might surprise you to learn that Oasis released 11 albums. In England, they are almost considered as big as The Beatles.
So, this page is going to be dedicated to English music. For those of you who are interested in listening to new music and venturing out, I'm going to add some of the best songs and albums, both past and present and review the album in terms of how good I think it is. I'll be leaving out some of the obvious choices, that are already famous in America, that is unless they have an extensive catalogue that you may be unfamiliar with, such as Oasis,The Beatles and The Rolling Stones.
Click play on the music player underneath the pictures to sample some of the artists music.
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Acoustic/Mellow
Charlene Soraia
Charlene Soaraia - Slip Away
My Rating - 95%
I first heard about Charlene 3 years ago. Funnily enough I had purchased tickets to see Stephen Fretwell (also on this page) in Liverpool and she was opening for him. We had waited about an hour for Stephen to come on, so everybody in the audience became a little bit agitated when Charlene walked out ( because the first opening act had been terrible). She took the stage and started playing straight away, so that she wasn't harassed I'm assuming.
As soon as she started to play, there was a silence. Nobody could believe what was coming from her. She was absolutely flawless the whole performance. She played 5 songs and did an encore (as an opening act!). I'm fairly sure everyone had forgotten about Stephen Fretwell at this point.
I bought both of her albums at the gig that night and listened to them on the way home. Her voice is unique and her guitar playing is exemplary. As a guitarist myself, you tend to rarely see accomplished female guitarists such as Charlene. She plays a Gretsch G6120DSV (a guitar endorsed by Chet Atkins). The style of music she plays is so clear that any mistakes would be shockingly visible, both in the guitar and vocal portions of the songs, but there aren't any. Every note she plays is inch perfect. She is one of my favourite artists, and I can't believe that she isn't famous yet.
Charlene is an artist that has only recently been signed to a label, so she is very much an underground artist in England as well as America. Her music is available on http://musicstore.charlenesoraia.com/
Paolo Nutini
Paolo Nutini - Pencil Full of Lead
My Rating - 95%
Paolo Nutini is massive in England. He headlines most festivals and is considered one of the biggest artists in the country. Some of you may remember the song he came out with a few years ago called "new shoes." It was fairly popular in America, I remember hearing it on the radio once or twice the summer it was released. His first album entitled "These Streets" was a primarily acoustic album, centred around his move from a small town in Scotland, down to London. The songs are written very well considering he was only 19 at the time and they show experience beyond his years. Paolo manages to portray lots of emotion in his songs, but what makes him unique is that they aren't sappy. He manages to make a love song or a sad song into a catchy tune that people remember.
His second album "Sunny Side Up" is a fantastic followup. He completely changes direction in his musical style and focuses it around different genres from years gone by. For example, the song featured in the player above is a remake of 20's music. He adds just as much emotion into this album as the first, whilst managing to relate to his audience in a totally different way.
His music can be found at any music retailer on the internet or in stores.
Stephen Fretwell
Stephen Fretwell - Scar
My Rating - 80%
Stephen Fretwell is another underground artist that is relatively unknown, even in England. He is more popular than Charlene, having released two full albums and touring the country, but is still waiting for his breakthrough. Stephen is a unique artist, with Dylan-esque tones and catchy acoustic guitar riffs.
His first album, Magpie, has a number of songs that are very well structured and well written. "Emily" and "New York" in particular are favourites of mine. The reason I have only given him an 80% is because I feel his music wouldn't be for everyone. I really like 5 or 6 of his songs, but alot of them I could take or leave. It's hard not to get pigeon-holed into one sort of sound these days and sometimes Stephen is in danger of sounding the same on all of his songs. His lyrics are very good, to go along with his guitar playing and his voice, it's just the fact that his musical style is hard to add some variety to. What you see is what you get.
His second album, in my opinion is better than his first. Songs like "The Ground Beneath your Feet" "William Shatner's dog" " Scar" and "Run" are the highlights of the album. He tends to try and make his music more upbeat in this album, which helps alot. His song "Run" is the theme tune to the popular British sit com, Gavin &
Stacey and his song "Darling Don't" appeared on the third series of the
teen drama Skins. His song "Bad Bad You, Bad Bad Me" was featured in an episode of the
ABC family drama, Brothers & Sisters, called "The Missionary
Imposition".
Personally, I like him and hope to see and hear alot more of him in the future.
Personally, I like him and hope to see and hear alot more of him in the future.
His music is available on www.itunes.com
Newton Faulkner
Newton Faulkner - Dream Catch Me
Newton Faulkner - All I Got
My Rating - 80%
Newton Faulkner summed up in one word is : Cool . If you can pull off ginger dreadlocks and have the facial features of an albino then you are cool. The man is in a league of his own. His songs are catchy and well written, his voice is melodic and his guitar playing is unparalleled. He is an absolute genius guitarist, and his songs are ridiculously hard to play ( I know from experience!!). He remains popular among students mainly, and plays semi-intimate gigs with only a hundred people or so. He is an avid participant of festivals, where he attracts big crowds, such as Glastonbury, T in the Park, Isle of Wight etc.
A massive source of his popularity is his covers. He always manages to throw in some amazing renditions of songs. If you are new to Newton Faulkner, check out his covers of Teardrop by Massive Attack or Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen.
His album has been out for a few years now and is still fairly popular amongst the public. He never shot to fame really, he is just one of them artists that everyone likes, without being a superstar. The album itself is fairly well put together. It doesn't seem mass produced in any way, it's almost like he has said this is exactly what I'm doing whether people like it or not. He's a man that is all about the music, which is refreshing to see, and I hope he continues to release music.
His Music is available on www.itunes.com
Damien Rice
Damien Rice - I Remember
Damien Rice - 9 Crimes
My Rating 70%
I always think that you have to be in the mood to enjoy Damien Rice. There is no doubt the man is a supreme talent, but he puts out a certain type of music. The type of music he puts out ranges from "My girlfriend left me, My dog died and my car blew up all in the same day" to "After my weeks of depression I'm starting to see the light, I'm not quite there yet but things are looking up" in not so many words. That type of music.
What you have to do with Damien Rice, is listen to it for the creativity and emotion he portrays, even if you are not in the mood for it. His songwriting is that of a poet, and his instinct for a melody is very efficient.
The addition of Lisa Hannigan to his album is a welcomed touch. The girl has the voice of an Angel, and shes so unique. The song in the player above features Lisa Hannigan, and she owns the song. Although it's a Damien Rice song, it's all about her.
Damien Rice seems to have fallen off the face of the earth at the moment. I haven't heard anything from him for a few years, which is a shame. Apparently he gave it all up a few years back because he was big into drugs, but you never can tell.
His Music is available on www.itunes.com
Bon Iver
My Rating - 70%
Bon Iver was another one of those artists that come out of nowhere. He was recommended to me by a friend and I am thankful I gave it a listen. His music is sad and a little mystic at the same time. Bon Iver makes music that takes you places.
Unfortunately I can't be 100% passionate about the whole album, yet. It takes a while to grow on you. But immediate and lasting favorites are "Flume", "Skinny Love", and "For Emma". I became attached to those tunes at first listen. The great thing about this album, is that none of the songs are annoying, or bad songs. It's all listenable through and through.
Everyone owes this style of music a listen. Here's a great way to start. Bon Iver creates music that's very hard to dislike. it's easy on the ears. Preview the album, I say. Before long you will have these songs stuck in your head, and your going to want to purchase the album.
Travis
Travis - Flowers in the Window
My Rating - 85%
Every now and then, a band come around that simply play the genre of music that is perfect for your taste. Travis do just that for my taste. They are still one of the best British bands to come out in recent times.
Their albums always seem to be filled with songs that you end up humming months later, because they are so catchy. They have been likened many times to Radiohead and Coldplay, but it is important to note that Travis are more than simply the sum of their influences. They are a truly unique band and have not forgotten that rock and roll can be both melodic and intelligent.
It's perfect easy listening music, and fits in anywhere. Check out songs like "Sing", "Writing to reach you" and "Why does it always rain on me"
The Coral
The Coral - Dreaming of You
Zero 7
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Female Solo Artists
Adele
Adele - Someone Like You
Pixie Lott
My Rating - 90%
Pixie Lott is one of the most sought after acts in the UK at the moment and has had a high success rate in the UK charts since her first single Mama Do was released.
Pixie Lott has a pop feel to her music, but she is very vocally talented. Her songs can easily be mainstream but that doesn't mean they are without artistic value. For an 18 yr old, she has a powerful, amazing voice. She sings in a way that comes across as Jazz, blues, and pop all at once. it's an odd combination, but a new and refreshing one. I highly recommend this cd.
It's good night out music, and there is a motown feel to alot of the album. It's the type of album that, when it's a Friday and you've had a shit week it will make you ring up your mates and go and have a good night out (well, it has that effect on me and Danae at least).
Florence and the Machine
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Indie
The Fratelli's
The Fratelli's - Flathead
The Kooks
The Kooks - Naive
The Zuton's
The Zutons - Valerie
Arctic Monkeys
Biffy Clyro
The Editors
The Editors - Munich
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Alternative
MGMT
The XX
Mumford and Sons
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Rock/ Soft Rock
Kasabian
Kasabian - Empire
Oasis
Oasis - All Around The World
Oasis - Whatever
Ocean Colour Scene
Ocean Colour Scene - The Day we Caught the Train
The Stone Roses
The Stone Roses - Waterfall
Athlete
Athlete - Tourist
The Courteeners
Cast
Cast - Walkaway
Muse
Muse - Newborn
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Dance
Daft Punk (Not English, but relatively unknown in America)
Daft Punk - Digital Love
Faithless
Faithless - Insomnia
Basement Jaxx
Basement Jaxx - Do Your Thing
Armand Van Helden
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Armand Van Helden - My My My
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Oldies
The Beatles
The Beatles - I Want You (She's So Heavy)
The Beatles - This Boy
My Rating - 100% (much bias involved)
As you can tell, I am a huge Beatles fan. They need no introduction really. Widely considered the best band to have ever been conceived, they were just a mix of pure talent, creativity and just all around brilliance. Now, being from Liverpool, obviously I am going to be biased and say that The Beatles are my favourite group, but that should not take away anything for you people sampling the music.
You will find that if you listen to the Beatles music you will find yourself singing along, even when you didn't think you knew the words. They just had a knack of writing catchy songs, that stick in your head. I'm sure that nobody reading this will be saying "I've never heard of The Beatles" so the reason they are down on this list is because they have a catalogue of over 3000 songs. I'm sure everybody knows "Twist and Shout" and "Can't buy me Love" but have you heard songs like "Helter Skelter, This Boy, Paperback Writer, Nowhere man etc..." The list goes on and on. They literally covered every genre you could think of, and created some of them along the way. My advice is take a trip through the Beatles career and find your genre. Whether its the early pop on Please, Please Me and Hard Day's Night or the Alternative, Innovative music on Rubber Soul and Revolver through to the psychedelic Sgt Pepper and Magical Mystery tour and onto the Rock and Easy listening music on The White Album, Let It Be and Abbey Road. I better stop here before I write an essay on how much I love the Beatles
The Rolling Stones
Rolling Stones - Gimme Shelter
The Stranglers
The Stranglers - Golden Brown
My Rating - 70%
So who were The Stranglers, and what happened to them? They were an eclectic, rude, controversial, British "punk" band that rivaled the Sex Pistols . . . and could, at the next turn, sound like the Bee Gees.
Although musically inspired by the Doors and the Kinks (and undoubtedly by the Sex Pistols and other contemporaries), the band (hugely popular in Britain during the mid 1970s but virtually ignored in the U.S.) had punk sensibility and raunchy humor to match.
To those new to the Stranglers, they must be heard at least once. The Stranglers in many ways invented a sound and style that is still almost entirely unique. While the very early stuff is harder and perhaps less sophisticated, this collection is brilliant stuff. This is a rich, multilayer groove. They have managed to combine pure, grinding hard punk sensibilities with wonderful melodic artistry and a dark, intelligent sense of humor.
All Music is copyright of the respective artists, and uploaded to this site from my own personal collection.
All pictures are copyright of the respective owners
