Why

Albums of Note... Breaking away from their successful sibling recording partnership, Angus and Julia Stone have both begun releasing equally impressive solo material and this week, we take a look at Angus Stone's latest solo album, Broken Brights. Angus' song writing nods to classic rock legends such as Bob Dylan, Led Zeppelin and Johnny Cash. A highlight of the album is the track 'Apprentice of the Rocket Man,' the description of which makes it feel like it may be worth buying the album for this track alone: "The ability of this track to transport you to another world is quite incredible. If you want to experience weightlessness without passing the NASA exam or forking out the $200,000 for a Virgin Galactic flight then sit back, close your eyes and become immersed in Angus Stone's quite brilliant tune."

The second album released by Joe Strummer and the Mescaleros is being reissued by the Hellcat record label. Global A Go-Go was an exciting foray into world music for the former Clash frontman and his band of merry men. It was the last album released by Strummer before his death in 2002 but the reissue is light on feeling like a cash-in, on Why?at would have been the year of his 60th birthday. Musically, the Mescaleros were many a world apart from The Clash, but the emotional anger of punk remains. It's an instrumental track, though, that proves to be the focal point of Global A Go-Go: "A 17+ minute reworking of a traditional Irish Folk song closes the album. 'Minstrel Boy' is a perfect way to bring the curtain down as it ebbs and flows like an improvised jam session around a campfire. Featuring a wealth of disparate instruments it brings together many of the musical ideas to be found on Global A Go-Go into one track."

Continue reading: A Week In Music Featuring: Why?, Angus Stone, The Rolling Stones, Fleetwood Mac, The Lumineers, The Chevin, Joe Strummer And Much More!

Anticon's flagship rap group, Why? descended on a packed Electric Ballroom in Camden on Tuesday (October, 9 2012) and they didn't disappoint. But we'll take this in the order of the night's events, and start with the excellent support bands. First up were Young Fathers; the fledging Edinburgh based hip-hop trio signed up to the independent L.A based record label recently, and they brought their brand of energetic, frenetic rap to the stage in an excellent support slot. Second were the grumpy electrophiles, NZCA/Lines who provided an accomplished bow for the night's delectations.

We had to wait, and even when WHY? took to the stage, Yoni made a typically dramatic entrance after tender instrumental introduction. Their relatively small, but dedicated fan base hadn't had Mumps long enough to proudly mouth watermelon every song (WHY? fans will get that, I hope), and that was apparent when Yoni spat their more popular tunes: The Hollows and Simian's Dilemma were particular highlights. But it's not as if the new tracks - of which their were ample - disappointed. White English, a tight, meticulously constructed song manifested itself live successfully, and even without the mellifluous strings that sew Distance together; it was a pleasure to behold.

I sometimes get confused when people praise a gig saying "it sounded exactly like it does on the CD!" Do you really want that? WHY? didn't, and that's not to say the vocals were out or the arrangements were off (although the mix on the female vocals for Bitter Thoughts needed work). Conversely, musically: it was excellent, but it was the bespoke interludes and unusual dance moves of Yoni that made it a special occasion rather than a bland recital. That and the beaming smile on Josiah's face, as he rhythmically intertwined his drums opposite Ben Sloane. It's important to see a band loving the occasion as much as the audience, and that genuinely came across. The outstanding Sod In The Seed - a song that debuted on the titular EP - also went down with a rapturous response.

Continue reading: Why? - Electric Ballroom Camden, October, 9th Live Review

Album review of Alopecia by Why? released on Tomlab Records.

Continue reading: Why?, Alopecia Album Review