TRACK REVIEW: Simian Mobile Disco – Audacity of Huge
words: Martyn Young
On hearing this first single from Simian Mobile Disco’s forthcoming second record “Temporary Pleasures”, the Chemical Brothers should be extremely worried that their position as the Uk’s pre-eminent dance duo is about to be usurped.
“Audacity of Huge” is an apt title for this electro monster of a tune. The beats twitch, flicker and jerk around in that familiar SMD style, however, the real revelation on this track is an outstanding, mesmerising vocal performance by Yeasayer’s Chris Keating. The song relentlessly forces its way into your brain as Keating delivers an amazing vocal performance, almost rapping his way through completely random yet captivating lyrics.
This is the sexiest, funkiest, catchiest dance track you will hear all year. Simian Mobile Disco are the new kings of UK dance.
mp3: Simian Mobile Disco – Audacity of Huge (feat. Chris Keating) [alt]
FESTIVAL: Reading, Day 3
words: Jamie Milton
top photo credit – das21
Saturday wasn’t going to be topped, that much had been decided in the late hours the the very night before. And I was suffering from a slight musical (musical only, I promise) hangover. After hearing that Yeasayer’s set was close to being pulled, I stayed camp-side for a little longer before opening my day with one of the best new bands of our time in an intimate little setting…
Note: I did see a bit of Crystal Castles but Crystal Castles sound BAD from far back so I don’t think my opinion would be entirely correct if I offered it…
Band: Johnny Foreigner
% Of Set Seen: 80%
Impression: Sporting an ‘I (Heart) Gin’ t-shirt (His habits are becoming a little too predictably gin-based now), Alexei Burrow was clearly rallying the crowd before him into a mini frenzy. There were a few frantically-waved hands in the air for what I could see but with a set that was so buzzing with energy and asking for so much, the reception could have been better. I’m sure Johnny Foreigner have played better sets though, I’m looking forward to seeing one of them.
Verdict: 8
Band: Simian Mobile Disco
% Of Set Seen: 100%
Impression: After basking out in the minimal sunshine with my much desired giant yorkshire pud (the stuff of dreams, I tell thee), the calories had to be burnt off via an endless dance-off with the hefty crowd out to see Simian Mobile Disco in the dance tent. Strobe lights made a regular appearance, and the duo’s mysteriously was slightly destroyed by one of their half’s gigantic afro being silhouetted from the stage. I had one my favourite times of the weekend though, stone cold steve austin sober, surrounded by coke lines.
Verdict: 8
photo credit – mary mittens
Band: Digitalism
% Of Set Seen: 80%
Impression: A similar experience to the Simian one, only slightly less interesting, only because I don’t have this band’s back catalogue I expect. There were just as many strobe lights this time round, an equal amount of drug-fuelled dancing and a bit of a view towards The Last Shadow Puppets on the side. They looked fun. Not as fun as Digitalism though.
Verdict: 7
Band: The Cribs
% Of Set Seen: 100%
Impression: There comes a point at every festival when you’ve decided you’ve had enough, you want to be well and gone from the damp grass and the arena-fires. That moment came just before The Cribs’ set. And it lasted about 10 seconds. Once Ryan Jarman and co. launched into their ferocious hour with ‘Our Bovine Public’, it was like we’d just arrived at Reading again, all giddy and willing to shimmy. Being aware that Johnny Marr was a short distance away made me shake in my wellington boots a little, but it was hard to ignore what he was taking part of, The Cribs’ sounds were spiky and fresh, just like on record. An ideal live experience to conclude a weekend full of highs and lows. Thank God it ended on a high.
Verdict: 9
PLAY: The Cribs – Be Safe
Live: The Chemical Brothers + Simian Mobile Disco @ Brighton Centre
12.12.07
Words: Jamie Milton
The Chemical Brothers released their greatest hits compilation in 2003. Usuaully, you’d think that would mean the end of an era of stunning hits and crowd-pleasing foot-stompers but since then all the duo have done is boost up the collection with two more than successful albums. And for a dance act that have been around since 1993, it’s astounding how well they’ve done, with people still going absolutely insane during their moment of taking the stage.
Warm-up act Simian Mobile Disco were in favour. Playing through the better moments on 2007’s dance-album-of-choice ‘Attack Delay Sustain Release’, all in attendance were appreciative. A truly ideal warm-up act, getting the crowd all fired up for the latter moments of the evening.
The crowd in the Brighton Centre seems to feature a few pill-heads and the majority of the members are sipping on beer, it would be evident that a bit of dance music needs a combination of substances to reach its peak of enjoyment. As a sober feature of the crowd who needs to remember what actually happened at the gig so they could pen up a review, I couldn’t help but feel out of place. So I looked onwards towards the beautiful visuals and the eye-bulging lasers and to hell with it, I danced with the others.
Opening with the hit-of-choice from their 21st century discography, ‘Galvanize’, seemed to come off as the ultimate song to start with. 4000 people reached for the top of the building and let rip with their feet, it was a united moment and one that maybe only the likes of the Chemical Brothers can create. Some may deem their standards to have slipped since this greatest hits release but they haven’t sat back and waited for some more nice letters about how good ‘Hey Boy, Hey Girl’ was. Nevertheless, the presence of that hit was always going to be the highlight of the two hours. The atmosphere changed – even those seated were now running up the stairs and jumping. These ordinary men who bop up and down a bit and play their collection to thousands, had arrived.
Keeping a solid momentum afterwards with the likes of ‘Out Of Control’, the pompous yet stunning visuals of birds and butterflies were visually pleasing and when they finally left the stage they took hours ago, those watching were still dancing. Whatever you do in life, go see a band like the Chemical Brothers once a year, at least.
originally written for tasty fanzine
MFM @ HYPEM
