Showing posts with label buyers guide. Show all posts
Showing posts with label buyers guide. Show all posts

Sunday, 28 April 2013

Obsessive Compulsive: Seculo Seculorum album review

The last in the series for the April artist of the month.
Seculo Seculorum is the second full length album from Manchester based four piece independent band Obsessive Compulsive. This album was fan funded using the PledgeMusic platform, it’s not available to those who have been pledged but will be out on full official release on June 24th.
The title ‘Seculo Seculorum’ immediately grabbed my attention, for me I imagined it representing the album as a large mystical book filled with power and potency, but I have since learned it actually means ‘Forever’ as music does indeed live forever, no matter how long ago someone passes away, their music can be still enjoyed for eternity.
I felt that this album is about strength, independence and self- empowerment. For instance the song ‘Stamp Your Own Path’  with it’s lyrics “You don’t need anyone, you never did, you never will, so come on stamp your own path.”
My personal favourite is the shouty ‘No Logo’ about being against corporations and remaining true to who you are “I won’t sell my soul to the corporations” “We won’t tell you what to buy or how to live your life” sung with such conviction, you know this is something the band feel strongly about.
Musically I can’t put this album into one particular category, “No Logo” has elements of punk, there’s a definite metal influence across the album as well as hard rock and on the final song ‘Swallow the Sound” I feel like lead singer Kelli is channeling Alanis Morissette vocally and to some extent lyrically too.
The album has anger and passion in spades, but overall it personally makes me feel empowered and strong, this is a band that have worked hard and it shows. We need more bands like Obsessive Compulsive. So please support them and other independent bands by buying their music and going to their gigs. You can find all Obsessive Compulsive tour dates by clicking here 
The first single will be ‘Regurgitate’ released on May 13th.

Sunday, 17 April 2011

Buyers Guide: Kathleen Hanna

Kathleen Hanna
Kathleen Hanna, whether she likes it or not, is the poster girl of riot grrrl and feminist flavoured music. Her bands have influenced many of the current wave of female fronted/all female bands.

She has inspired women in many ways, not just through music but also through being creative- for example with zines, and also inspired and continues to inspire women to be activists for women's rights and more.

With many zines and feminist related flyers, you will find iconic images of Kathleen Hanna and her lyrics are used often on feminist blogs.

For any person first getting into female music, finding Kathleen Hanna's music tends to be life changing. For myself, it was hearing 'Rebel Girl' that first led me on the road to feminism and ultimately what got me to explore this kind of music more, scratching below the surface of what the mainstream music world had to offer.

So here's a guide to help you with the albums you should listen to involving the feminist icon.

Essential Classics

Bikini Kill- The C.D version of the first two records
Bikini Kill is where it all started and this compilation album has all the classic tracks on it, that make them such essential listening. It's shouty, angry, feminist lyrics may not be like anything you've heard before if you're new to the genre, but trust me, with a few listens you'll grow to love it.

Le Tigre- self titled
Kathleen Hanna's second band, now with a more tuneful, electro fused sound that you can dance to. This album contains some of the best tracks and was even listed as one of the songs in the 1001 albums you must hear before you die book.

Good- Worth Exploring

Julie Ruin
Julie Ruin was Kathleen Hanna's solo project which she has now reserected so hopefully we might hear more of this kind of music soon. It's also electro flavoured, but slightly more downbeat than Le Tigre.

Le Tigre- This Island
more fun electro with a feminist flavour!

Essential Playlist- the songs

Bikini Kill- Rebel Girl

Julie Ruin- Radical or Pro Parental

Le Tigre- TKO

Bikini Kill- Jigsaw Youth

Le Tigre- Deceptacon

Bikini Kill- Distinct Complicity

Le Tigre- I'm So Excited

Le Tigre- On The Verge

Bikini Kill- New Radio

Bikini Kill- Suck My Left One