Tribes - Baby

Rating: 3.5/5

Tribes – Baby

I am currently struggling to keep myself interested in any kind of music at the moment, so I have practically forced myself to listen to this album, therefore writing about it is a massive ball ache.

I only came across Tribes as I see their video to 'We Were Children' on TV, and thought that song isn't too bad, mainly due to the fact it reminded me, in parts, of 'Where is my Mind' by Pixies (I am still fuming they allowed Professor Green to sample it)

Anyway, back to the album. It is refreshingly out of date, doesn't conform to the skippy, guitar pinging pop bands that have been flooding the scene for the last 7/8 years, for me, parts (or most) of the album are more of a late 90's sound, which is no bad thing considering what is out there at the moment. Plus you actually get more than 10 tracks on the album.... result!

There are some potential big hits on the album, I should imagine We Were Children' is already doing the rounds, I particularly liked Himalaya, one of the few tracks I have heard recently that gave me a slight twinge of desire to see it live, but I won't. It is very good, as my vocabulary is failing me (usual), I would describe it as epically challenged, not quite epic, but not far from it. Sappho another track I like, very catchy, lyrics don't quite sit right with me, but still very good.

This album has revived my wanting for live music, this is something that has deserted me since I travelled up to Birmingham to see Arctic Monkeys, from first couple of listens I am pretty sure there are some growers on there, on the flip side, can see some of the tracks becoming irritating. I will keep this is my Spotify folders, as it is definitely worthy, just not too often.

My Single of the Album: Himalaya

Finchy

Blind Pilot - We Are The Tide

Rating: 3.5/5 Folk Off, it's alright this!

Blind Pilot – We Are The Tide

Considering my aim was to get through 60 albums in 2012, and two weeks in I am just getting around to my first one, it looks as if I will be failing another target. I am listening to this whilst writing this, at 01:01 in the morning, which is not normal for me.

I had never heard of this band, I just see the name on Spotify's recent releases playlist. The Americans have been around since 2006 apparently, their music being described as 'Indie Folk'. I never really took to the folk explosion around the time Mumford & Sons burst on to the scene (despite liking them), I think my folk ignorance lead me to believe 'It all sounds the same', despite the folk description, I listened on.

On to the music, 'Half Moon' starts off the album, which is a actually a very nice track, could definitely grow on you, and sets the tone for the album, nothing fancy, or threatening, just well put together tracks, simple. 'Keep You Right' follows 'Always', and I instantly liked it, I could just see myself hungover at Glastonbury, laying down with a hot cider, bobbing my head to it. 'We are the Tide' follows this, and again follows the tone of the album, same with 'I Know'

'White Apple' comes across as a more heartfelt rendition, which on my first listen is a very nice song (I was going to use lovely, but that is not usually a word in my vocabulary). The rest of the album peters out a tad, but not in particularly bad way, it has the trademark elongated final track, I won't hold that against them though.

This is most definitely mood music, you will not be getting any party started by sticking this on, but in the comfort of your own home, or driving home after a stressful day, this works.

My Single of the Album: Keep you Right