Change

Dear readers,

After long consideration I have decided to change my blog. During the writing on my other blog, about my travels, I noticed that I'm able to express myself better when I write in my native language. On top of that most of my readers are Dutch and it's more attractive for them to read Dutch articles.

So after two years of blogging in English, my posts will be in Dutch from now on.

Inni?

Sigur Ros (an Icelandic band that delivers amazing and one-of-kind music) posted a video called 'Inni' on their website today. Speculation is everywhere, new song, new album, new tour? Nobody knows. It's a beautiful video though!

Update:

The video is a trailer for a new live cd and concert film from the band. It will be released in November this year. The film was directed by Vincent Morrisset, who was also responsible for the Arcade Fire's behind-the-scenes video 'Miroir Noir'. Sigur Ros is known for their beautiful special effects, so my expectations for this film are very high.

A foretaste of what's coming:

Music Addiction

I always thought I was quite addicted to music. I listen to it every single day, I write about it, I blog about it, I spend a lot of money on it.. But this man outclasses my addiction by far. He owns more than 1 million albums and 1,5 million singles.

Angry Birds Comes to Life

Everybody has ever played or at least heard of Angry Birds. In the game, players use a slingshot to launch angry birds at pigs. The mission is to destroy all the pigs on the playfield. Can you imagine what it would be like to use an iphone to launch a real angry bird? T-Mobile sponsored an event in Barcelona including real-life birds, pigs and a band that played the music from the game.

Project New Music - May 2011

At the beginning of 2011 I started something new: Project New Music. In this project I will monthly discuss the new albums I have listened to by sharing some general information and my own opinion. Which album has surprised me, which release didn’t fulfill my high expectations and which band may be the next big thing? You will read my opinion at the end of every month.

This month on Project New Music: Alex Turner, Bon Iver, Danger Mouse & Daniele Luppi, Death Cab for Cutie, Foo Fighters and Wild Beasts.

Alex Turner

This talented young man has released a new album with his band Arctic Monkeys and released a solo album. That album is the score from the movie Submarine. This album is more relaxing and quiet than the music from the band. I think to be able to judge this album you have to watch the movie first. It’s good to hear that Alex turner is able to think outside the box and make different music. The result is a good album, but not an outstanding one.

Best song: Stuck on the Puzzle

Bon Iver

I don’t know what it is, but it has never really worked between Justin Vernon and me. Seen my taste in music I should be liking Bon Iver, but somehow I don’t. I think it’s his voice that prevents me from listening. The same counts for the band’s new album ‘Bon Iver, Bon Iver’. Maybe the penny will drop if I keep listening and keep trying. Who knows.

Danger Mouse & Daniele Luppi

Everybody knows Danger Mouse, although some may know him unconsciously. He is the other half of Gnarls Barkley, has cooperated with The Rapture and Gorillaz and has a band called Broken Bells with James Mercer (The Shins). Daniele Luppi is a composer, a producer, a conducter and he plays lots of different instruments. They worked together to produce an album with music inspired by the music from old Italian westerns, like the music from Ennio Morricone. The project is called ‘Rome’. The vocal parts belong to two established, but very different artists in the music industry: Norah Jones and Jack White. Altogether this sounds like a score without a movie. But who needs a movie when you’ve got music like this!

Best songs: The Rose with the Broken Neck and Two Against One

Death Cab for Cutie

A new album from Death Cab for Cutie is always different than the previous ones. The band keeps reinventing itself. The consequence is that every new album has to grow. But over the years I have discovered that almost every album will keep growing until I love it. It’s always a pleasure to listen to Ben Gibbard’s voice. Codes and Keys sounds electronic, happy and still very DCfC-like. I think this album once again has the potential to grow into a new favorite.

Foo Fighters

The Foo Fighters are back! Their previous album was more poppy than ever before. On this album they return to their original style: more guitars, more screaming and more rock. This is the way I like this band, this is the reason why I loved them when I was 15. I don’t know if it’s just nostalgia or the quality of the band, but I’m jumping around when this album is playing through my speakers.

Best songs: Bridge Burning and Dear Rosemary

Wild Beasts

Wild Beasts were one of my favorite discoveries of 2010. We Still Got the Taste Dancin’ on Our Tongues made a huge impression on me. The band has two singers with distinctive voices. The most impressive quality of the band is Hayden Thorpse’ high baroque voice. It’s a voice you hate or love. If you are able to listen to Antony Hegarty’s voice, you will sure enjoy this band! It may take some effort and time to start liking the music, but it is worth it.

Best song: Loop the Loop