All-Hail contemporary music’s poet laureate: A short review of The Arctic Monkeys single - Do I Wanna know?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bpOSxM0rNPM

All-Hail contemporary music’s poet laureate

A short review of The Arctic Monkeys single - Do I Wanna know?

I like to think that even when my favourite artists drop a clanger, I am capable of the critical-thought required to acknowledge that fact and lambast where appropriate, not just try and pass it off as a harmless-misdemeanour; Cardinal Keith ‘wandering-hands’ O’Brien it, if you will.…I like to think.

Especially when even the most ardent devil’s advocate, would find it hard-work arguing that - Do I Wanna know? - hasn’t got an almost impossible act to follow in the shape of the, Ian Brady insanely good R U Mine.

Well, thankfully, there is no need in the world to deploy Vatican style Jedi mind-tricks today.

As always, Alex Turner’s lyrical prowess is evident for all to behold. While I’m sure the tried and tested topic of craving the renewed attentions of an ex after one or twelve many Jameson and not-much-coke, has been covered sufficiently before; I would hazard a guess that it’s rarely been done with such lyrical panache.

For example, the turn of phrase:

“Have you no idea that you're in deep?

I've dreamt about you nearly every night this week

How many secrets can you keep?”

Is romantic yet slightly (fairly) sinister.

At no-point do the lyrics stray into the territory of sounding awkward or forced, a place where many of his contemporaries i.e. Liam Fray and Miles Kane have amassed a great deal of frequent –flyer miles.  

As with previous efforts the rhythm resembles a John Cooper-Clarke freestyle, even if the pace of the song itself is slow-burning and hypnotic; which coupled with a chorus big enough to crush Syrian-‘rebels’ makes for a musical-package of Michelin star quality (President Assad’s regime should be taking notes).

In my opinion, Do I wanna know? Is the outstanding single of the year thus far, so good in fact, that it is only likely to be matched or surpassed by another effort from High Greens favourite Monkeys; consequently, if this track is a true indication of what to expect from their forthcoming Long-Play; then, just as was the case in years of our Lord 2006, 2007, 2009 and 2011 the album of the year will go to….   

In my opinion that is.

A ‘Pizzaview’ with Jason Williams of Your New Antique

 

A ‘Pizzaview’ with Jason Williams of Your New Antique

Hard-working and talented West Yorkshire four-piece Your New Antique have been doing the local rounds since 2007, but after a couple of line-up changes and two years of relative stability things are finally starting to take-off, their new single Chemistry was played on the Tom Robinson show and they were recently the subject of a sizable and complimentary article on the Guardian website.

I contacted the bands baritone voiced singer, Jason Williams, about the prospect of a quick chat, he was more than happy to oblige and invited me for home-made pizza, although, I must be honest and say I was a little wary that he may have misconstrued my interest in an interview as a sexual proposition; I took that chance, and this is what transpired:

When/why did you first notice music? And is there a particular song or artist that caught you attention.

I remember wanting to be a ‘pop star’ when I was 6 and listened to Michael Jackson a lot! I started really listening when the whole Brit Pop scene started; ‘Definitely Maybe’ by Oasis was probably the album that initially got my attention.

 At what age did you start learning to play and how long have you been playing in bands?

I started playing guitar when I was 12 (my Dad got his old guitar out the loft and got it restored), but only started getting half decent when I was 15, learning a lot of songs by Radiohead on the way. I started playing in a band when I was 17 and still living in Wakefield. We jammed a lot but only had one gig playing covers! I then went to live in Huddersfield to go to Uni which is where I met Rob and started Your New Antique.

You were recently played on the Tom Robinson show and had an article published about you in the Guardian, how does this sort of recognition make you feel? And does it motivate you to achieve greater national recognition?

It’s great, we particularly love 6music so we were buzzing when we were played on there. It gives you a lot of encouragement knowing other people like what you’re doing. We ultimately would love to be able to make a living doing this so we’re as motivated as ever.

 When and where are you next playing?

We’re working on new material at the moment so the next gig will be the end of March to coincide with our single and E.P. release. The venue will be ‘The Parish’ in Huddersfield (we’ll be confirming the date shortly). We’re doing a press of 100 limited addition CD’s with the singles we’ve recently released plus a bonus track, it’ll be on sale at the gig.

 Do you feel the band is progressing musically? And is there any particular direction or style of music you would like to have a dabble in?

Yeah I think we’re progressing. If you listen to the music we wrote when we first started out and compared it with our new material I think you’d notice a difference.  I believe our songs are more structured and melodic now (not to mention better!). As for our direction, we’re all into different styles of music and we love how Radiohead changed their style but kept their sound, it’s something that interests us going forward.

 If you got the opportunity to collaborate with any living artist, who would that be? And why?

Thom Yorke, because I love pretty much everything he’s done and his voice is at the other end of the vocal spectrum to mine!

 Morale Dilemma: A Simon Cowell type figure appears before you with a proposition, he offers you fame and fortune beyond your wildest dreams, promises that you will become biggest selling artist of all time and that everyone will think you are even better than the Beatles. However, the music you will produce will be on an artistic and musical par with the likes of One Direction and Dappy; would you accept the offer? (be honest).

Get f**ked, how can I take you seriously when you say people will think I’m better than The Beatles, yet my music will have all the artistic merit of a dog turd? The Beatles were the greatest band to have ever existed!

Finally, if Earth was dying, and you were tasked with setting up a human colony on another planet, what five people would you take and why?

If we’re talking artistic merit, and not all people I want to breed with personally, then I’d say:

 Bob Dylan – I bet he could tell me stories all day and I’d never once get bored.

Bjork – To sing to me while I’m trying to sleep, she’s got an amazing voice.

Brian from ‘Spaced’ – He’s a great artist who doesn’t always need a paint brush to do his work.

Frankie Boyle – He’d constantly remind me how shit it is only having 6 people on the planet, but he’d make me laugh while doing it.

Karen O – She’s cool, sounds great and looks like she knows how to party. (A way of saying she’s hot, without angering his fiancé I believe)

Your New Antique’s single chemistry is now available on itunes, or by clicking this link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L2Xx2g9ZR6Q and ripping it off Youtube; your call.