Showing posts with label Stoney. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Stoney. Show all posts

Saturday, May 18, 2013

Musical unsung heroes

These are the unsung heroes of my music collection.  They all form an integral part of my music, but none of them get much of a mention from me.  Some because the bands aren't one of my favourite bands in general, some because they do not feature any of my contenders for greatest song ever, some because I've simply never mentioned them in a blog post.
There are some bands, and some albums, that get a lot of 'screentime' from me.  These do not, so here they are.

Doves - The Last Broadcast
Feeder - Pushing the Senses
Red Hot Chili Peppers - By the Way
Sixpence None the Richer - Divine Discontent
Stoney - The Scene and the Unseen
Temper Trap - Conditions

If you get a chance, listen to these albums.

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Albums of 2011

I only got a few new albums this year.  Here they are, in ranked order:

1.  Matt Redman - 10,000 Reasons
One of Matt's best albums, only pipped, for me, by The Friendship and the Fear.  Excellent congregationally, and with one of the best worship songs of the last decade in 'Here for you'.  More thoughts here.
2.  Stoney+ - The Scene and the Unseen
I saw Stoney supporting Athlete about a year ago.  Quite unique and very interesting to listen to.  My personal 'unknown band of the year'.
3.  The Temper Trap - Conditions
Really cool album with barely a weak point.  Catchy and lively.  I shall be keeping a close eye on this band.
4.  Coldplay - Mylo Xyloto
Not as good as some of their previous efforts, but still some great songs on this.
5.  Lou Fellingham - Step Into the Light
Quite similar to Phatfish really, but nonetheless good.  Some really nice songs here.
6.  British Sea Power - Valhalla Dancehall
BSP are awesome and everything, but this just isn't as good as previous albums.  It's still good, just not as good.
7.  Tim Hughes - Love Shine Through
Really quite disappointing, as explained here.

Also, a few decent EPs this year:
Flight Brigade - Flight Brigade; Shaw Court Sessions - a total of 11 great songs from a band I discovered for the first time this year.  Lovely stuff.
Stoney+ - The Soar Before - Just 4 songs from the aforementioned Mark Stoney and co.
The Listening - The Listening - Formerly The Rock'n'Roll worship circus, some great stuff on this EP.

Soundtrack of 2011

Following previous years here, here and here, it is now time for my soundtrack of 2011.

Athlete - Wild Wolves

Just lovely.  Only on the Black Swan bonus disc, but a great song.  I was lucky enough to see them play it live twice about a year ago.

Flight Brigade - Planes, Trains and Motor Vehicles
I discovered this band at The Vane Tempest Sessions in Durham, and this was the song that grabbed me the most.
(no video)

Hans Zimmer/Lisa Gerrard - Now We Are Free

Not new at all, but still very special.  Gerrard's voice is immense.  One of the best film ending songs ever.  "Not yet, not yet".

Lifehouse - Simon

Another song over ten years old.  It's always been huge.  This year it's probably become my favourite by Lifehouse.

Lou Fellingham - See the Lamb of God

I saw Phatfish play at Spring Harvest this year, and this song was the highlight.  They built it up much more than on the recorded version.  Massively epic.

Matt Redman - Here For You

The best song off his latest album.  A lot of people are saying this is the best worship song since 2002's Consuming Fire.

Matt Redman - We can change the world

Touted at the June Project 2012 video song, this is also from Matt's latest album.

Matt Redman - Oh This God

So is this.  Musically probably my favourite on the album, and with better lyrics than it is given credit for.

Sigur Ros - Flugufrelsarinn

This is here simply because of the chord change at 3.56 (and later places), which is apparently just G to A, but sounds awesome.

Sigur Ros - Gong

Everyone knows what Sigur Ros do (if you don't, the above song is what they do), and everyone knows that they are amazing at what they do.  Gong is simply not what they (normally) do, and they're still amazing at it.

Soul Survivor - Our Hope
(no video)
A Spontaneous Song from Soul Survivor which, unlike most of the spontaneous ones, is immense.

Stoney+ - Jailbird

This just has a really catchy chorus.  It's a weird, but additive, song.

Stoney+ - Ghost

With some of the best lyrics I've ever heard, this song also entered my 'contenders for greatest song of all time' list this year.

Stoney+ - Underdog
(no video)
Just another very cool song from Stoney.  Some brilliant imagery.

Stoney+ - Let it go
(no video)
This has a very catchy riff and a very cool trumpet part.  I never get bored of it.

The Temper Trap - Love Lost

Temper Trap released a very good debut album this year, and while I can't pick a favourite track, this is right up there.

Saturday, July 30, 2011

Best lyrics ever?

I know 'best lyrics ever' is quite a claim, but the lyrics to 'Ghost' by Stoney certainly deserves nomination.


Hear the song here.  Lyrics are below.


Looking back through the window in the door the now has closed.
The looking glass that loss has tinted rose,
And the secrets of the path we never chose.
We lose ourselves there and we fall into the arms of the unseen
Of all that never was but should have been
Beyond the day that woke us from the dream.

And it’s a little late to speculate on what we could have done.
It’s a little late to overstate the obvious 
We considered every move we made
We did what we thought best 
So release the fist of dirt into the grave
And lay the ghost to rest

Let it go with the hurt of all the promises unkept
The pride behind apologies unsaid
And the tradegy of hope we left for dead.
Because it's as fruitless as the tears in the sour milk we spilt
On the ruins of the tower that we built
And the silence and the loneliness of guilt.

And it’s a little late to speculate on what we could have done
And so easy now to overstate the obvious.
We considered every move we made
We did what we thought best.
So throw down the fist of dirt into the grave
And lay the ghost to rest.

This ones over
No phoenix from these ashes will arise
So let the tears upon the lashes of your eyes
Fall to the desert ground and bring new life.
Walk away now

I'm not saying that we can or should forget
Just don’t cloud your every sunrise with regret
The curtain hasn't fallen on us yet
The curtain hasn't fallen on us yet
The curtain hasn't fallen on us yet.