Stereoboard's January Playlist (Biffy Clyro, Black Veil Brides, David Bowie, Continents Feature)
Tuesday, 05 February 2013
Written by Heather McDaid
Towards the end of each year, it seems the best time to come up with the 'best of' lists. Soundtracks of the year aren't that far-fetched, but when you're sitting at the end of December, it's not quite so easy to remember the songs that stood out across the whole year. Many tend to slip through the net in the yearly round up.
So with this in mind, this is a playlist of some cracking alternative tracks that came out in January. Perhaps they're already your new jam, or they might even bring you to a new band. But, hopefully, at the very least there's something to enjoy.
1. Biffy Clyro - 'Little Hospitals'
Double concept albums are a tricky challenge to master, and Biffy gave it a fair crack with their new offering 'Opposites'. It has split the masses on whether it's great or not, and the division of their two discs isn't necessarily the most noticeable, but there are some banging tracks on there. Holding that Biffy quirk and packing more of a punch than the majority of the first disc at least, this is definitely a stand out for January.
2. Funeral For A Friend - 'Best Friends and Hospital Beds'
January saw Funeral For A Friend's work as a new line-up come to fruition in the form of 'Conduit'. Still feeling quintessentially FFAF in sound, the record seemed to strip them back to basics; a sense of killing it at the band's simplest form. It might not be the most adventurous of records, but tracks like 'Best Friends and Hospital Beds' prove that, despite changing line-ups more than they change their socks (possibly), they're still capable of brilliance.
3. Continents - 'Pegasus, Pegasus'
Heavier than the last two on offer, the band have used their debut full-length 'Idle Hands' as a chance to show they've not only mastered the typical flaunts of their genre, but they can put a spin on it. This track is where they truly lurch into chaos, seeing them toy with their mixes and styles. The ease of transitions between the heaviest moments to some of the catchiest parts the record has to offer is blinding. Continents are a band definitely worth keeping an eye on in future.
4. Black Veil Brides - 'New Year's Day' To say they're the marmite of the music world would be an understatement, but January saw them release their most ambitious offering to date. A rock opera concept album isn't an easy task to pull off, and while there are some issues in fusing the music and concept fluidly, the album does have some addictive hits in its midst. Eerie in its opening, this track was jammed in my head after one listen and it won't shift. Sleek guitar work, heavier undertones, soaring chorus and perfect moments for a live setting - this band are going nowhere.
5. Dropkick Murphys - 'End of The Night'
The Murphys aren't really a band to throw a stylistic curveball. They fuse traditional celtic music with a punk edge, and they do it pretty damned well. Instead of opting for one of their more assaulting songs, this pub-shanty has the 'Kiss Me, I'm Shitfaced' feel to it - like a group of friends having a sing song after a great night together at the pub. It's even made its way into the finale of their live show, so clearly the warm, fuzzy farewell after a few pints idea works for them too.
6. Adam Ant - 'Shrink'
2013 saw Adam Ant release the lengthily titled 'Adam Ant Is The Blueback Hussar In Marrying The Gunners Daughter'. 18 years is a lengthy wait for an album by all accounts, but unlike some (Cough - Axl Rose - Cough) Adam Ant has made the wait entirely worth it. Though many songs are reminiscent of many sounds in his back catalogue, 'Shrink' feels a bit more aggressive and heavier than much of his work. A definite stand out of the record.
7. David Bowie - 'Where Are We Now?'
While surviving the supposed apocalypse at the tail end of 2012 wasn't actually all that surprising, David Bowie's birthday treat to the world was. And, in truth, the song isn't the greatest part of the return, but it means much more. The track and video are wonderfully strange and haunting as Bowie delves into his ultimate nostalgia, but it signals that there is more to come from the man behind Ziggy Stardust. With his album due out in a few months and who knows what else to expect, this track is a landmark in anticipation.
8. Hatebreed - 'Bitter Truth'
Hatebreed aren't ones to throw curveballs in their music. They mix hardcore and metal, they do it well - and they stick to what they know. To say that stylistic predictability isn't enjoyable would be a bit of an overstep, because their new album 'The Divinity of Purpose' is really good. 'Bitter Truth' toys with more groove and riffs than the rest, most of which are just heavy to the core.
It's still very early in the year, but it's already looking to be a great one for new music.
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