Featured Artist: Mystery Jets

The problem with dreams/ they're not what they seem/ cause when you're awake/ they fall through your fingers in flakes.

A surprisingly deep lyric, coming from, when you put it simply, a pop band. The band is called Mystery Jets.

I feel a bit mean when I refer to them as just another pop band, when clearly they are a bit better than that. Their unique mix of 80's Pop, Punk and Rock make them one of a kind on today’s charts.

The afore mentioned lyric, is from my favourite of their songs, Flakes. Flakes is a melodic ode to
lost love spoken in a way that teenagers can relate to. When you listen to the Mystery Jets back
catalogue, Flakes really stands out as one of the better songs. It has relatable lyrics, a simple and effective tune and, most importantly, meaning. It isn’t a sappy ballad nor is it an overproduced last ditch effort for fame.

Young Love is another great song of theirs. It is the complete polar opposite of Flakes, its light and its catchy. The exact type of song that should catapault then into super group status. It has a distinctively 80's feel, and with the duet vocals by Laura Marling, the song, reminds me of Homecoming by the Teenagers, as it has the same two-sided lyrical style. The lyrics themselves are simple and not at all false or contrived. Marling really contrasts the Mystery Jets style, and really brings something magical to the song.

Though Mystery Jets have written some amazing music, they aren’t without their faults. Some of their songs do begin to get a bit boring, a bit contrived and a little too 'Poppy'. One of their worse songs would be Lizzie's Lion. It isn't really a bad song in itself, but when you listen to their other music, you tend to forget about it. The lyrics don't really mean much as it is a bit of a novelty song.

Mystery Jets have been criticized for 'picking up on the fact that that late '80s is the flavour of the Month' but I really disagree. Although their second album is definitely different to the first, and it does have songs with an '80s vibe, that's not the way most of their other songs are. They write songs with a more Indie feel and fantastic melodic tunes, just like Flakes and Veiled in Grey.

So Kudos to you Mystery Jets with your guitars and drums and other musical things, you have
managed to create a fantastic song.

x

FYI: Mystery Jets are touring down under in Melb and Syd in January.
for more information, go to www.myspace.com/mysteryjets

Guest Contributer: IsaRose

Is it necessary to say that more and more big names are appearing in musical theatre these days?

As a child I have been to my fair share of musical some including, Mamma Mia, Miss Saigon and most recently Wicked. In the program, such names appear like Robert ‘Millsy’ Mills (an Australian idol finalist and One hit wonder) and a better known runner up of Australian Idol and singer Anthony Callea. These two wanna-be singers have both grasped a main role in Wicked. As I was sitting in the dress circle eating my Maltesers, I was totally blown away by the performance, not by the main character Alphaba but most unlikely Millsy. As I watched in awe of this, now wonderful singer I started to think, are all of Australia’s musical geniuses such as Amanda Harrison (Alphaba), going to be replaced by Australian idol contestants?

Just take a second to think about your favourite singer. Did he/she graduate from a university with a bachelor of arts are some other musical degree? Can he/she play another instrument other than using his/her voice? Most people would say no. Most singers these days come of TV shows such as Australia’s got talent or American or Australian Idol. The only decent musicians now days are in theatres and now that such contestants have started invading our theatres we have no hope of keeping Australia’s musical reputation alive. The only reason in the first place that most of these singers are in fact chosen for the role is to unfortunately get bums on seats.

I myself wish that this was not true but we all have to face it.

e's easy music diet

To my dear readers,

It has come to my attention that this winter, not everyone has had their dietary requirement of good music, and has been supplementing it with crap.

So to get everybody healthy and happy for the upcoming spring months,
here is e's good music diet.

Instead of the Ting Tings, listen to Robots in Disguise. RID are an Electonica Pop Duo from London who, unlike the Ting Tings, have an original, fun and angsty sound.

Try swapping Timbalands bland, repetative hip hop for british DJ, Calvin Harris. His music is boppy and interesting, whilst not being over produced.

And how about instead of girly, emo rockers Fall Out Boy, listen to The Cribs. The Cribs are a 4 peice indie rock band from Yorkshire. The Cribs are highly influential in the British music scene.

Swap over-produced, no tallent US PopRockers Metro Station, for some good clean british fun in the form of The Holloways. Each Holloways song bursts with fun and energy from the first note.

For Some vareity, why dont you throw in some older music? I suggest Morrisey, The Jam and The Foo Fighters.

Stick to e's easy music diet, and you'll be ready for summer fun in no time.

x







picture credits -
http://www.leftlion.co.uk/images/1/image/Robots_in_disguise.jpg
http://www.kinkfm.com/images/image/nieuws/band%20fotos/The%20Ting%20Tings.jpg
http://images.askmen.com/specials/2007_top_49/men/timbaland.jpg
http://www.thecalmzone.net/tune_in/articles/images/article_image_189.jpg
http://www.tscpl.org/images/uploads/fall_out_boy.jpg
http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=viewImage&friendID=18868961&albumID=433417&imageID=35308440
http://www.koko.uk.com/event_image/181206-1216__holloways.jpg
http://www.audioformotionpicture.com/metrostation/myspace/MetroStationNightlife_tn.jpg

Has Anyone Else Noticed..

That Australian music is the best??

Whether your into sleepy Sunday afternoon tracks or something slightly edgier where else would you look but your own deliciously diverse musical backyard?

In case your only knowledge of aussie music is the Australian Idol Final 12 and The Veronicas, here are my current favorites.

-The Guys-
1.Josh Pyke - his honest lyrics and sweet sound make him my favorite artist right now.
2.Ben Lee - I love the 'Awake is the New Sleep' album. a massive hit in '05, still as awesome now.
3.Bob Evans - A little bit country, but a whole lot of talent. 'Nowhere Without You' is my favorite. 'Sadness and Whiskey' is a pretty good track too.

-The Girls-
1.Holly Throsby - Her music is pretty laid back. Her voice is different, but it works well with her music.
2.Sarah Blasko - She has a very individual sound. Her music is simple but oh so effective. Don't believe me? Listen to 'Planet New Year'. You'll love her as much as i do.

-The Bands-
1.The Vines - Their new album, Melodia, has been hailed as the bands uprising from the rock n roll ashes. Their hit new single, He's A Rocker, has proved very popular with the wider market. There's mass speculation that they'll be playing at the BDO next year. I hope they are :D.
2.Faker - Their old stuff and their new stuff rocks. Anyone remember 'Hurricane'? Think of 'This Heart Attack' only 20 times better.

Okay, so they're my favorites ATM. But thats just the start. There are heaps more. Everyone listed here isn't new, and already has strong networks of fans.

Have a listen. I'm pretty sure you'll agree with me.

x

Josh Pyke - www.myspace.com/joshpyke
Ben Lee - www.myspace.com/benlee
Bob Evans - www.myspace.com/suburbankid
Holly Throsby - www.myspace.com/hollythrosby
Sarah Blasko - www.myspace.com/sarahblasko
The Vines - www.myspace.com/thevines
Faker - www.myspace.com/fakertheband

I Love Virgins

Right now, i'm listening to The Virgins. I first heard them (you probably did to) on Gossip Girl episode Seventeen Candles.

The Virgins classify themselves as New Wave/R&B/Soul. I reckon their more PopFunk.

Their music was featured 5 times in that episode. For one band, that is pretty impressive.

The Songs that were on that episode were -

1.Fernando Pando
2.Love is Colder than Death
3.One week of Danger
4.Radio Christiane
5.Rich Girls

I reckon that One Week of Danger and Rich Girls are set to be hits.

The 80's inspired, funk edge to their music, makes it different and pretty cool.

I have a feeling that these guys'll get pretty popular, pretty soon.

Their not exactly my taste, but i cant say i didnt giggle a bit when i first heard One Week of Danger. I have a feeling it'll be the new 'I Kissed a Girl'.

hmm lets wait and see.

x

Check 'em out at www.myspace.com/thevirginsnyc

Cass Lowe

Hi.

Im going to kick my blog off with a guy i found a couple of months ago. His name is Cass Lowe.

Cass's music myspace classes him in the Folk/Alternative/Pop genre. I love the simple nature of his music which is complemented with the sweet, sincere lyrics.

If he was just a crappy, generic pop singer, he would not be being mentioned on my blog now. I honestly love this music and i think it actually has a shot.

The best songs are Wake up Honey, Chino* and Cut out my Tongue.

Trust me guys!! Check him out.

Check him out and www.myspace.com/casslowe

*Theres a better version of Chino on youtube. Watch it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pz6wYUe4xYY

x

Hello

Hello Friends,

I'm e and this is my music blog.

It's just about the music i find and the music i love.

x