I’ve actually had dreams that were less good than this.

Gaslight Anthem are out on a US tour to support the new album, American Slang. Gruff punk legend Tim Barry is supporting, and they’ve been covering Lucero’s “The War” on most of the dates. Luckily a fan posted the video on youtube so the rest of us can share in the greatness.

So, watch and behold. Tim Barry, Lucero and Gaslight. It’s like the holy trinity!

When I’m not in the gym pumping iron, tinkering with the transmission of my pick-up truck, hunting game or otherwise proving my immense, hairy-chested masculinity, there’s nothing I like more than watching the gloriously touching, moving and inspirational Twilight movies. Go Team Edward!

Well, maybe not. But I did recently sit through Eclipse, the latest instalment in the tale of a broody bloodsucker and his boring bird (I had to take my good lady wife to see it, you see. Honest.). Also featured this week: more neck-bitin’ antics with True Blood, cross-burning shenanigans with Against Me! and some good ol’ fashioned toil with Elizabeth Cook.

Various Artists – Eclipse Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

Whatever I think of the film, there’s no arguing that the soundtrack album is pretty worthwhile. Despite the movie to which it’s tied, it’s a pretty mature collection of tracks, some of which are exclusive, so if you’re put off by the faces on the cover you’ll be missing out. Highlights include Sia’s ethereal ditty about troubled romance, My Love, and Beck and Bat For Lashes teaming up on the fuzzing, clinking, steam-building Let’s Get Lost. There are also exclusives from UNKLE, The Dead Weather, Vampire Weekend, Cee Lo Green, and Florence + The Machine, among others. In fact, about the only disappointment is Muse, who again drop an exclusive track to follow their contribution to the New Moon album.  Sadly this film’s outing – Neutron Star Collision – is a non-starter, sounding like the worst sort of Queen-esque excess.

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Somewhere in between Glastonbury and the work I’ve had to catch up as a result of being away for it, The Smashing Pumpkins sneaked this beauty in below my radar and as a result, I feel a little violated for missing out on a few extra days of absolute bliss!

If you haven’t heard Freak yet, the first track from Vol.2 of the one-track-at-a-time mega 11 EP 44 song project Teargarden By Kaleidyscope then do yourself a favour and stop reading this, do not pass go, do not collect $200 and listen to it immediately!

Freak is classic Pumpkins with murky overdrives, Zwan-like optimism and Na-Na-Na-Na sing-alongs. Having thrown countless hard earned reddies at The Smashing Pumpkins for half my life now, I’m completely stunned that tunes of this quality are up for grabs free for the anticipated 5 year duration of this project (if it’s seen through to the end).

It’s worth pointing out that 19-20 year old drummer Mike Byrne is beginning to show signs that he may well be capable of filling the horrific void of Jimmy Chamberlin’s departure and that The Smashing Pumpkins 3.0 are about to hit their stride.

The Smashing Pumpkins are available to download from the Nokia/Ovi Music Store and if you’ve got Comes With Music download the lot for free!

It came as a lovely surprise a couple days earlier to learn that I had a ticket to see Mystery Jets at Somerset House. Though never exploring the band before, having heard praise of their live performance and finally getting the opportunity to experience a gig at Somerset House on a beautiful summer’s evening was enough to make one’s self rather up for the occasion.

Due to the ease of stage/bar/bathroom access, there was no chore in finding a comfortable, uncrowded space to stand between the headliner set and that of the surprisingly delightful Kiwi-born-London-based 4 piece Connan & The Mockasins who played support with their erratic-trippy-surf-rock and songs about “Forever Dolphin Love”. Apparently now going by the name of Connan Mockasin, they’re worth further exploration and come highly recommended.

Now, once again a lack of intimate knowledge of Mystery Jets’ music means I’m unable to dissect the track list, but a grand entrance to the ringing of air raid sirens, the aforementioned beautiful summer’s evening, and big tunes that entice the ear even upon first listen, made for a magical gig experience and a bit of self-reprimanding for not exploring them sooner!

Mystery Jets are available to download from the Nokia/Ovi Music Store and if you have Comes With Music, they’re all free!

Slash didn’t disappoint, never seen the man in the flesh, but this one was merely novelty factor for me. I don’t like Velvet Revolver and don’t like much Guns N’ Roses… and I have a particular distaste for Sweet Child ‘O Mine.

None the less, the aforementioned was a massive crowd pleaser and I did enjoy Civil War and set closer Paradise City of the G’N R tunes. I did expect some special guests as Slash’s new album is riddled with them, and I had a hope on for Wolfmother’s Andrew Stockdale, but they were a set touring band.

With Alter Bridge’s Myles Kennedy at the helm, it was actually very, very impressive. I’ve never given Alter Bridge a chanced based solely on the fact that the rest of the band members are former Creed, a band that doesn’t sit well with me being a mammoth Pearl Jam fan ‘n all, but the dude’s got that Bruce Dickinson/Ronnie James Dio hellsetto thing going on and can really hold a note… so I’ll consider it.

Over all, it’s a set I’m pleased I watched plus I got me some snaps of the cigarette smoking, Jack Daniels drinking legend himself.

As before, here’s my Flickr Set

Slash’s solo album is available to download now from Nokia/Ovi Music Store and if you’re a Comes With Music member, it’s free!

Muse at Glastonbury this year has long been set as the “one to watch”. I overheard one say to another “Muse tomorrow, I don’t give a f*** if I don’t see anybody else” and another say “watching them will make you a fan”… But tonight there’s more to it than that, as this is Muse’s first Glastonbury appearance since the tragic passing of drummer Dom Howard’s father, shortly after watching the band perform their greatest show to the date.

As much as I prayed and danced around in circles for things to go the way I predicted them to by open unusually with a classic, they kept the commercial approach to a setlist opener and kicked off with Uprising followed-up buy Supermassive Black Hole to clear the new hype and Twilight obligation swiftly, and hit their stride with New Born and the near perfect Map Of The Problematique.

The fat eighties beat of Guiding Light works the open air, and the setlist return of Citizen Erased is a big moment for me, and probably anyone else who’s experienced it’s absence at recent shows.

A stretch on the ol’ piano next and we’re treated to the b-side instrumental Niche before United States Of Eurasia (-Collateral Damage) and über crowd pleaser Feeling Good.

Back in my snap spot for a couple shots I finally manage one of Dom when he moves down stage to play diminished percussion on Undisclosed Desires… but the photos blur and I’m left with nothing.

After Resistance, it’s the Interlude before Hysteria as it appears on Absolution. It’s one of those moments that define the fan tiers and reveals those with whom to share the all-knowing moments with.

Time Is Running Out, Starlight and a very noisy Stockholm Syndrome usher in the encore where we’re treated to the guest appearance of The Edge for U2 classic Where The Streets Have No Name.

Drawing to a close they play Plug In Baby (Just wouldn’t be Muse otherwise) and “Man with Harmonica” ushers in staple closer Knights Of Cydonia.

Unfortunately we didn’t get the UFO performing arial maneuvers above the stage as they did at Rock Am Ring, interrupting Slayer’s set, thankfully, no Neutron Star Collision.. But still no MK Ultra! When Lord, when’s gon’ be my time?

Here’s the Flickr Set, Unfortunately these weren’t my best of the weekend, but they have a moment or two.

Muse is available to download now from Nokia/Ovi Music Store and if you’re a Comes With Music member, it’s free!

The Dead Weather!… What can I say!?

Possibly my favourite performance at Glastonbury’s 40th. I’m ridiculously obsessed with The White Stripes, my Raconteurs collection is immaculate and I own the UK and Australian “A” pressing of Steady As She Goes 7″, What’s not to love about Queens Of The Stone Age, and Alison Mosshart is a fox!

Do I know both Dead Weather albums back to front?… No, about 50/50! But sonically, creatively and visually, they’re a force to be reckoned with, I love Jack White, and Alison Mosshart is a fox!

I guess I just loved their performance the most because I got the maddest lens-love of the entire weekend from them. Clicking any of the images will take you to my Flickr… I hope you like them as much as I do, so be sure to check out the Flickr Set, it’s my favourite!

The Dead Weather are available to download now from Nokia/Ovi Music Store and if you’re a Comes With Music member, they’re all free!

After some crowd commotion I stand to see Michael Eavis take the mic to introduce “two superstars”. Unable to make out who the solitary figure on the stage is, I’m asked by the nearest person if I can see. I promptly take a peek through my 100-400 lens and am utterly gobsmacked to realise it’s none other than Thom Yorke, which immediately prompts the question “Who’s the other superstar?”

After an introductory lap with no sign of the second artist, Yorke takes his place at an upright piano for the title track from his solo debut The Eraser. With a Digital Delay Pedal at foot Yorke then takes the Bass and catches a loop, then takes up the keys for a compositely rich Harrowdown Hill.

After Black Swan the question is answered as Jonny Greenwood joins Yorke for Cymbal Rush, the last of the Thom Yorke solo material before indulging in a stripped down Radiohead set featuring Weird Fishes/Arpeggi and Pyramid Song… But the real magic happens with Karma Police when it gets the loudest singalong of the set.

With Karma Police finished, Yorke and Greenwood experience technical difficultly and begin discussing something among themselves. Silence washes over the crowd for what seems like an eternity and it’s at this point the crowd takes control of the situation and begins to reprise the Karma Police climax. It’s not long before the issue is resolved and Yorke returns to the mic to play the song out again for what is without a doubt the single most magically moment of Glastonbury’s 40th.

They appropriately close the set with Street Spirit (Fade Out) and the tiny speckled goose bumps shine through the sun tortured red skin on my arms like stars in the night.

Flickr Set

Radiohead, Jonny Greenwood and Thom Yorke are available to download now from Nokia/Ovi Music Store and if you’re a Comes With Music member, they’re all free!

If last week was the widely-lauded (at least within my household) Wooden Week, this week it’s Comeback Week. We have no less than three – count ‘em – three bands with important new releases. And yes, one releasing their debut album, but hey: f**k you. Feeder are about to unleash Renegades, the band’s first album in two years and an important return to their roots. Devo, 80s-era electronic pop-rockers, return with their first proper album in 20 years, while Underworld get back to business with the first single from their upcoming album, their first in three years. Makes me kind of nostalgic, actually. Oh, and the newbies spoiling my finely crafted theme this week? Sound Of Guns. Damn their eyes.

Sound Of Guns – What Came From Fire

Ah yes, this is anthemic stuff – the sort of thing you’d be forgiven for wanting to wave your cigarette lighter at (or fling a p**s-filled bottle at, depending on your persuasion). Sound Of Guns are the next big thing, if the music press are to believed (don’t think for a minute that I include myself as part of that group) and as they’re usually the ones who determine this sort of thing, you’ll probably hear loads about them. Luckily for me I quite like What Came From Fire. Apart from a few Coldplay-esque forays into the middle of the road with tracks like Architects, Collisions and Starts With An End, it’s a record boasting a few genuine fist-pumping party numbers – Alcatraz and Bullets In The Bloodstream being the standouts.

Underworld – Scribble

Not an album, this, but the prelude to one: Scribble is the first single from Underworld’s upcoming album, Barking, which is due out in September, and should put the dance duo back on the popular map. They’ve had criticism from some of their old-school fans (Scribble has memorably been described as ‘Moby on Prozac’ by one less-than-impressed forum poster at Stereogum) but it’s a sunny slice of drum and bass lite that’s easy to nod your head to. And, even better, you can download the radio edit for free from Underworld’s website. If that’s too nancy for your tastes, check out the fizzing Netsky remix on the virtual B-side.

Devo – Something For Everybody

I was worried for a minute that this was an ill-considered change in direction for Simon Cowell’s operatic boy band, but actually Devo is a synth-pop band whose heyday was the late Seventies and early Eighties. Which goes to prove that you really do learn something new everyday. Anyway, to Something For Everybody, an album that’s in turns laughable (laughing with, rather than laughing at, though – it’s an important distinction to make) and admirable. Rooted firmly in the 1980s, it’s a mix of electronic bleepery, rock guitars and programmed drumbeats that’s wonderfully nuts. And nothing whatsoever to do with faux-classical vocalists.

My album of the week:

Feeder – Renegades

Feeder are back and boy, have they been putting away the pies. Renegades is a far heavier collection of tracks than Feeder have become known for and that’s no bad thing – this is a 40-odd minute slab of prime beef that should go down a treat live. Don’t think for a minute that more heavy equals less catchy, mind – several of the tracks here are veritable butchers’ hooks (don’t worry, that’s the end of the meat-metaphors). Boasting a brand-new drummer, Renegades sounds downright invigorating and it no doubt was as refreshing to record as it is to listen to. Tracks like The End, Sentimental and Home drive and thud their way into your ears with sledgehammer surety, while the Call Out shows Feeder haven’t lost any of their finesse for a more radio-friendly guitar-led pop song. Renegades is out on July 5^th and has to be a contender for rock album of the year…

Have at it. All the music featured here is available now, apart from Renegades by Feeder, which is out on July 5th, on Nokia Music Store now and is free to Comes With Music members.

Quite unintentionally, two themes emerged in the batch of new music I pulled from the mailbag this week: firstly, there’s a preponderance of album covers that are brown. Secondly, there’s an old world feel to most of the albums I picked out. All the music this week feels as though it’s been lovingly hand carved from a single piece of wood. There’s quite an organic quality to it all – certainly no digital sequencers, effects or overdubs – and nary an electro beat in sight. Anyway, what this all means is that from henceforth this week will be called Wooden Week.

Jamie Lawson – The Pull Of The Moon
Oh those crazy kids with their nocturnal imagery. If it’s not vampires then it’s moody, pensive, stripped back acoustic rock songs about mysterious love, bottomless despair and killing folk. Well, sometimes. But it’s certainly applicable to Jamie Lawson who, according to the gushing press release, lives in a caravan by the sea in Cornwall. It’s funny to think that other places in the world like that can give rise to the sunny contemplations of a Jack Johnson; judging by the tone of The Pull Of The Moon, Jamie’s seen more than his fair share of wet and windy summertimes. Still, it’s done with a certain panache and, if you fancy some well crafted, mellow folksy vibes to accompany your sullen introspection, this pulls all the right heartstrings.

Pete Molinari – A Train Bound For Glory
Molinari, for his part, brings a 1960s US rockabilly style to Wooden Week proceedings, which is a little weird if you’ve ever been to Chatham in Kent, which is where he’s from. But hey, it’s all good fun, right down to the backing singers adding vocal harmonies to the chorus on tracks like the opener, Streetcar Named Desire. Some of the ballads are rather saccharine for my tastes (which is saying something, given my fondness for old Dean Martin records), but they’re authentically twangy. Heck, you can probably smell the denim, dungarees, cowboy boots and teary-eyed good ol’ boys from there.

Ed Harcourt – Lustre
This is Harcourt’s fith studio album and first one on his own label. And the experience shows – it’s a polished, almost unbearably lightweight sound that might drift out the window if it weren’t tied down to your speakers. That’s not to say it’s without substance – there’s a twinkly, ethereal quality to the first single, Do As I Say, Not As I Do, which combines what sounds like a xylophone, jangling guitars and tinkling piano keys. But listen to the lyrics and you’ll soon understand that there’s more to it than a four minute fluff track. It was recorded in Washington state in the US and a kind of bleakness does overcome some numbers. But Harcourt’s gentle, persuasive voice pulls you in regardless, despite your better judgement and the niggling thought that on a couple of tracks (most notably Killed By The Morning Sun) he does sound like a male version of Norah Jones.

My album of the week:

Ska Cubano – Mambo Ska
Maybe it’s the sun burning strong in the sky outside. Maybe it’s the fact it’s Friday. Maybe it was the mojito I had for breakfast. Or, quite possibly, it was that this album had been lying around unopened for a couple of weeks and its cover was brown, enabling me to tenuously carry on with my self-declared Wooden Week. Whatever, Mambo Ska is the Mike’s New Music Medley official Record Of The Week. It’s a great big scoop of toffee fudge ice cream on the wafer cone of life and can’t fail to make even the most neglected back garden feel like a little slice of Cuba. Well, alright, that might be stretching a bit but Ska Cubano’s latest release is so infectiously sunny and fun that it will at least make you forget about mowing the lawn for ten minutes. If you’ve not heard of Ska Cubano before, the band’s name tells you everything you need to know – it’s a heady cocktail of Ska and Latin music with the focus firmly on catchy, party-friendly tunes that don’t require taking too seriously. Even if you wouldn’t normally turn your ear to this sort of thing, the music seems almost genetically programmed to be appealing like a young puppy or kitten. Yes, not liking Ska Cubano is like kicking a kitten. There, I’ve said it.

And with that, I declare Wooden Week open. As ever, feel free to add your own thoughts in the comments. All the music mentioned here is available on Nokia Music Store now and is free to Comes With Music members.