You've Got To Laugh Into The Dark...

As im sat looking at my Wer'e All Going To Die christmas card just before sending yet another email to a very exciteable Colin Murray, i suddenly reminded myself that this whole thing was just a joke.

Whether or not Malcolm does reach number one status this weekend (ignoring my knowledge of the midweeks) i feel that the "campaign" achieved what it aimed to do: promote the underdog, the independent artist that is becoming increasingly marginalised.

Whatever the outcome in this weeks chart the fact that people are increasily becoming tired of Xfactorisation (thanks for that one Dave Gorman)bodes well for the future. I now know that I'm not the only one who feels this.


Anywho, if you haven't already, download We're All Going TO Die or better still for the music purists amongst you seek out the 7"...

...No one ever said which number one everyone was aiming for :)


You should buy Mr Middletons great album "A Brighter Beat" as well.


Thats it from me on the subject - until next year **only joking** i think in the words of the man of the moment (and I don't mean Leon) this whole thing should just disappear into the ether. Like MM i never want to utter the words Facebook, bookies or Xfactor in close proximity for some time.

In the words of another independent artist "Have yourself a bitter little christmas and a twisted new year" (David Ford)

That Mcfly Plonker

RANT ALERT:

Tom Fletcher: Mcfly off no one cares about your views on the music industry - I bet you have never even heard of the Rumblestrips.

If there is something wrong with the music industry at present (which I don't think there is) then it is more likely to do with the three piece you call a band - all you really are is a boy band with guitars.

*sigh*

Santa Turns Bad

Continue spreading the word good people of the U.K:



Whatever you do don't download until 17th December!!

Myspace Pick - The Pan I Am

Has Ed Larrikin gone all egotistical on us with his new musical project? (pan i am alludes to a greek god)

I'm sure he hasn't. For those of you who don't know who Edward is, firstly, where have you been and secondly he was the frontman of the much missed Larrikin Love (check out the debut album "The Freedom Spark"

For fans of LL, don't expect a simple continuation of the past, the reason why Larrikin Love disbanded when they did was because, like many bands before them various members had differing visions.

Hence the pan i am, i reckon that Edward has chosen an alter ego so that as well as being a solo artist, he can still team up with other people - another Patrick Wolf Edward Larrikin collaboration anyone?

Hopefully this will be, dare i say it "One to look out for in 2007"

For now though check out an interview with the man himself in this weeks NME and head towards the myspace page

Malcolm Middleton - We're All Going To Die (Video/Presentation)

Before anyone points out just how rubbish this video / presentation is i only made it to gain a little more publicity.

Malcolm Middleton now 4th Favourite

When i first mentioned this subject in mid November i never once thought that a 1000/1 out sider could ever be on target to knock that smug grin off THAT egotistical fool that is Simon Cowell

But now as i write this Malcolm Middleton is now 12/1 and receives numerous plugs on national radio.

BUT music fans alike need to be more pro active in taking back the charts, all though I repect the work that Radio 1 does their music policy is rather shambolic.

Anyway, im stepping away from the point: DOWNLOAD "We're All Going To Die" FROM THE 17th DECEMBER - ****AND NOT A DAY BEFORE*** Also, the 7" is available now (god i sound so corporate)

Please join the campaign on Facebook:http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=5504199499

All ideas are welcome :)

We're All Going To DIe... (Update)

Just another quick update. I've "Launched" a myspace group for the get Malcolm Middleton to christmas number one (or into the charts at least):

http://groups.myspace.com/malcolmmiddletonchristmas


:D

Update: Malcolm Middleton For Christmas Number one

The odds of it happening are really slim but it would be great nonetheless to have something decent in the chart for a change.

i think that with enough Uk bloggers (as only uk downloads count) get on board and people mention the single on myspace etc it could happen - it would be great to knock that smug grin off those x factor people.

Now i cannot do this alone i searched google blogs for mentions of Malcolm and there were a few but not nearlly enough. Howver, it is good to see that the C unit (Colin J Murray) to the unconverted is supporting the cause. Wouldnt it be great though if local radio stations started getting requests for such a relatively unknown artist? I cannot imagine my local tin pot radio station playing a song thatmentions death, but maybe, just maybe if there is enough support they may for once be forced to bow down to public pressure.


THE POINT OF THIS BLOG:

What Im trying to get at, lets face it through these ramblings is that i reckon that cyber space can be used for good for once - getting blogging people whether it be on ur blog, in converstaion with friends IT CAN BE DONE!!!

Ive done my bit (follow the link)
Ive set up a facebook group thingy (please bear with me im new to facebook)

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=6036639906

This Years Christmas Number One

Just a quick blog entry (for now) on the subject of this years "hot" tip for the xmas number one.

I am joining the appeal to get Malcolm Middleton's single "We're All Going To Die" to the coverted Number One in the hit parade this yule tide. Come on people you know it COULD happen.

So it may not have a christmas tree or tinsel in sight - which makes it a perfect contender. Remember the other year when the darkness were beaten by the one hit wonder that is/was Gary Jules

The lyrics them self, may at first glance may not be very festive, or laden with much joy - but hey for many the holidays are a time for endurance rather than celebration.

"We’re all going to die and what if there’s nothing
We’ll all have to face this alone
There’s a when not an if inside everybody
Mortal thoughts like this can make you feel so alone

You’re gonna die, you’re gonna die, you’re gonna die alone
You’re gonna die, you’re gonna die, you’re gonna die alone
All alone.

And what if I don’t become famous posthumously
Maybe my story’s no good
If I can take one posession then it’ll have to be my duvet
When oblivion comes calling it’ll be so cold

You’re gonna die, you’re gonna die, you’re gonna die alone
You’re gonna die, you’re gonna die, you’re gonna die alone
All alone.

When you can’t sleep at night and there’s no one to hold you
Remember I’m going through the same
You’ve got to laugh into the dark
We’re all one in a million
We’re alive, we existed, we took part, in the game.

We’re gonna die, we’re gonna die, we’re gonna die alone
We’re gonna die, we’re gonna die, we’re gonna die alone
We’re gonna die, we’re gonna die, we’re gonna die alone
All alone. "

watch this space for much more of this in the coming months. Meanwhile why not give Malcolm's myspace a visit:)

http://www.myspace.com/malcolmmiddleton

Single of The Week - The Thrills - "The Midnight Choir"

Such a criminally ignored band comes an equally ignored single. Midnight choir IS the perfect pop song, Teenager IS a beautiful album that shows the band are capable of making more than sun driven songs.

The NME may have written the band off as One hit wonders or a "one trick pony" (yes alluding to there early single one horse town.) yes critics may argue that the new album doesn't sound remarkably different to previous ones - but then again, would you want the thrills to change their style by going all new rave on us or going down an heavy metal route (although that last suggestion could kinda work, come on Connnor 'n' co give us a metal inspired cover on your next single??!!??)

So ground breaking it may not be, but the song and album in general have much more depth than people (mainly snobbish music journos) give them credit for.

.....This also leads me to my second point: the purchasing of this fore mentioned single,. I visted no less than 4 major record shops in both a town and city and couldn;t find this single anywhere. What i did find though was absolute bilge, sorry i couldn't put that any other way. Music shops are littered more than ever with processed rubbish (believe me when i say theres tons of it) Whist i was in these 4/5 premises i could have bought Leona Lewis, The Back Street Boys, Mcfly and the latest offerings from Britney Spears and Wet Wet Wet amongst others - - But why about the true music fan? Yes downloading is taking over, but what I'm getting at is that we have a real problem: look at the charts and recent surveys, its a joke, it really is that Uk talent has become so watered down beyond belief.

i could go on but theres very little point and I also get the feeling that a band like The Thrills care little of commercial success but it is a shame that all the commercial nonesense brought about throught talentless show like the Xfactor now means repectable artists are getting sidelined in favour for the lowest denominator.

Still, the music scene is as healthy as it as ever been - you just can't look at the charts or watch anything on TV to get your proof....

You Tube Detail - The Films "Belt loops"

Your Love Alone Is Not Enough... To Get Them To No 1

Not the greatest couple of weeks for British music, it has to be said. This week has seen the demise of Larrikin Love - splitting after one album. This was really surprising the band have been embraced by both fans and media - and promised greater things for the future.

warning this blog is turning into a rant already! - Onto the Manics new single....

Not bad enough that one of UK's most promising bands have split this week one of the biggest bands have failed to get to the top spot in the hit parade. Although singles are dying off at the moment its the politics behind it that are more interesting. Now you could argue that the better song won in the end (yeah right) OR it shows how important the media backing is. Yeah, so the Manics have the Radio 2 audience strongly behind them.

Radio 1 on the other hand failed to even playlist them and have only had a limited number of plays on the specialist shows. Which is why "those two slags" as the people over on the MSP message board have labelled them are this weeks no1.

Which brings me to the other point: do charts really matter? most of the credible artists don;t care whether they have sold more than the latest girls aloud offering.

I'm really starting to rant now, so I'll leave this blog here for now. Other then to say check out the crimea album. You've probably heard by now they are giving their 2nd album away for free from their website. But if you have downloaded it please buy it and support the band.

Sorry about the tone of by first post but a few things in the world of music have got to me this week. In future blogs I will be showcasing new music from the likes of liam frost, david ford and my current favourite band The Holloways

Links

Manic Street Preachers - Official Site

Larrikin Love - Official Site

The Crimea - Official Site / Album Download