Monthly Archives: November 2014

My iPod #388: Kings of Leon – Four Kicks

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It has been ten years since “Aha Shake Heartbreak”, Kings of Leons’ second album was released. And in that time we’ve seen them change from those skinny-jeaned, long haired Southern scruffs who were appreciated more in the UK than their native country to well-groomed Southern bosses who fill stadiums wherever they go. I won’t be speaking about any songs from their last three albums, so you can guess which of those two I prefer.

“Four Kicks” was the album’s second single released in 2005. I remember hearing this song for the first time very well, because it’s accompanied with a very hectic video. A lot of people proceed to beat the shit out of each other, whilst the band play the song unfazed by what is happening around them. Pretty awesome stuff. Of course, the word ‘shit’ was censored in it. But I didn’t know there was an uncensored version of that video until it came on late at night a few times. In that one you see a woman take a fire extinguisher to the face, and blood fall from a person’s chin. The word ‘shit’ was aired too. It was so cool.

So this song is a bit nostalgic for me, I guess. Known it for almost ten years, that’s crazy. Great stuff.

My iPod #387: Dr. Dre ft. Eminem – Forgot About Dre

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“Forgot About Dre”. Well, everyone knows this one. So I probably won’t go deep into it. It’s a classic, really. A guy in a film rapped a verse of it on the radio which got people talking for a bit, so there’s that too. That’s how much it means to people.

At the time the song was released as a single, Dre had just released his second album “2001”. This album came seven years after his debut. People probably talked about when his next album would come out in the years between, or generally started to actually ‘forget about Dre’. Well, Dre’s here to remind you just how much he’s influenced the game. He might be older, but you still don’t wanna mess with him. This is the OG straight outta Compton who isn’t afraid to express himself.

Oh, and Eminem chips in a verse to reinforce this message too. And this is Eminem in his prime too, so you know you’re in for a treat.

My iPod #386: Nine Black Alps – Forget My Name

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“Forget My Name” is one of my favourite songs from Nine Black Alps’ “Love/Hate” album. Though I’ve stated time and time again that it’s not my preferred album of the band’s, it does have this one. And it’s because of this track (and another one, but I won’t tell) that I think that I should really start to give it another try.

The track is about someone being fed up with people and life in general, that they wish to stop existing. Now there’s nothing about dying or committing suicide (there is that interpretation), but don’t get that idea. I think it’s more about wanting to disappear completely from the world and for it to exist like you were never born in the first place, because you feel like it’s the perfect place to be if you weren’t there at all.

“Love/Hate” was a lighter and softer approach the band had to their music after “Everything Is”, but “Forget My Name” brings a 90s indie rock feel to the album, with a sliding riff that repeats throughout (whether it be from the bass or the guitars) a snarling vocal performance topped off with a few growls near the end by Sam Forrest and a general crunchy and moody atmosphere purveyed by the group as a whole.

A small note, I also like how the song mirrors the guitar rundown introduction at the ending of the song, where instead the guitar notes slide up the neck climaxing with a few sparks of feedback. Think it’s quite cool.

My iPod #385: Feeder – Forget About Tomorrow

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“Forget About Tomorrow” is a song from Feeder’s album “Comfort in Sound”. I don’t have that album, though. It was thanks to the almighty “Singles” compilation from 2006 that I was able to hear the song and admire its beauty.

I always thought that “Tomorrow” was a sad track, only because of its album’s context (I think I went into depth about that already, either in the “Come Back Around” or title track entries, so have a read of those if you want). But in fact, it’s very uplifting. The rising, heavy string section drives the track onwards as Grant Nicholas sings about feeling content with everything surrounding him and generally seeing things a lot clearer than before; as a result he can’t think about tomorrow due to the elation.

Quite emotional to say the least. On “The Singles” this track is followed by “Tender” which is another track guaranteed to bring on some feels; hopefully, you feel better after listening to this one.

My iPod #384: The Magic Numbers – Forever Lost

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So The Magic Numbers apparently released their fourth album this year…. I didn’t even know. Whether the band were still together was a question that popped into my head, before I went onto Wikipedia and saw that they, in fact, are. The group might not have so much mainstream success now, but about ten years ago – when guitar music had a greater chance of chart success – The Magic Numbers put the work in.

“Forever Lost” was the first single released from the band’s debut self-titled album in 2005. I distinctly remember the track’s music video appearing almost every day on MTV2, and every time I saw that first frame of that cartoon clock I switched the television to another channel. I did this countless times. The video never seemed to go away. So I gave in. I gave in, and found out that the song wasn’t actually that bad after all. In fact, it was a very sweet and pleasant song to listen to. And I had to admit that the video was a bit cute too. I was ten, don’t judge.

This cheery, upbeat tune about someone who doesn’t know where they belong anymore got the band their first top twenty hit. And for good reason. If you don’t feel anything listening to those soft vocal harmonies, general calm vibes and the melodica usage then…. this clearly isn’t for you. Come back tomorrow, though.