SOMETHING OLD: ‘Can’t Keep Living This Way’ – Rootjoose

Rootjoose were a Cornish band who achieved local success after winning a Battle of the Bands contest with Capital FM. Releasing their music through their own funded record label was always going to be difficult, however the album ‘Rhubarb’ obtained a cult status as an uplifting, soulful collection of songs which captured the sunshine and high energy associated with the band – especially when playing live.
I first came to know of Rootjoose when we discovered their recording studio was on our holiday campsite. Random but true, an old airfield produced some great tracks – which unfortunately couldn’t compete with the leading heavier, more angry Britpop sound of the mid to late 90s.

A fantastic riff and Harry’s almost Jeff Beck voice tells us of a mundane life he wants to escape from – something as a teenager when this was released, me and alot of  my friends could identify with. Harmonies, sing-along chorus’, they were almost an older version of McFly before they were even out of school themselves.

The band split after being unable to get a record contract after their own went bankrupt. ‘Rhubarb’ however remains one of the albums I most fondly remember from growing up, I can’t help thinking with more money and more marketing Rootjoose could have been something really big.

From the album ‘Rhubarb’ (1998)

SOMETHING NEW: ‘Mexico’ – The Staves

Is honey-soaked harmonies a too sweet description? You know what, I don’t care, because that is what you get from this absolutely beautiful track from three piece folk band The Staves.

Very Joni Mitchell, very Laura Marling, whoever else you want to compare them to, they do essentially bring their own sound to the forefront and you will lose yourself in those harmonies. Easy listening, but not in the sometimes demeaning sense of that genre, you can so easily close your eyes in be immersed in where the song takes you with its simplicity and haunting vibrations.

Currently providing support for The Civil Wars on their American tour; I sincerely hope to see them live back in Blighty at some point this year – preferably somewhere like the Eden Sessions, where their sound could in anyway be equalled, complimenting the setting of a summer’s gig or festival. That, is where this sound needs to be heard!

From the EP ‘Mexico’ (2011) / @thestaves

SOMETHING OLD: ‘Trashed ’ – Skin

Today’s choice was nearly from Skin’s band Skunk Anansie, but I’ll save that treasure for another week and whet your appetite for her utterly beautiful and sometimes venomous vocal with this solo track.

For me, one of the very few artists who could have such a soulful yet raspy rock voice and yet the sincerity of hurt and anger – all in even just this song! The underlying vocals on the bridge and last chorus particularly haunting and poignant in such a sad track.
The production is in a similar vein to the work of her band: those heavy, dirty drum beats and evocative, subtle guitar melodies.  Co-writing all her songs, you can’t help but think she has been through a situation which led to the inspiration of each one – ‘Trashed’ itself signals the end of a relationship, the bitterness, pain and reluctance to attempt to carry on felt in every note.

One of the defining female voices in what was the fundamentally male-dominated Britpop movement, Skin’s vocals both as part of a band and as a solo artist showcase not only the most raw emotions but also a raw talent – something unfortunately you don’t get to see so often anymore.

From the album ‘Fleshwounds’ (2003) / @skinskinny

SOMETHING NEW: ‘Metaphors’ – Keaton Henson

Keaton Henson appears a self-effacing character; his thoughts on his music and how it scares him to think that other people will hear it, is both refreshing and unheard of in today’s music industry. Even his style of singing and basic, unproduced tracks are unassuming but incredibly powerful in lyric and emotion.
An artist in both forms of music and drawing/painting, he sold a lot of his artworks to fund studio time to record his material – with this particular track coming from a limited edition 7’ of 500 copies. So, thank goodness for YouTube, we’re able to seek his back catalogue and forthcoming releases – despite how much the mass listening audience may freak him a little.

‘Metaphor’ is a contradiction in that by describing metaphors he wouldn’t use to highlight her beauty, he does in fact do so.  Yet no metaphor could compare to the way she looks at him. A warm, rich and Autumnal piece of guitar mixed with the sometimes slightly off-key and quivering vocal makes for a wonderful track, in which such rawness simply adds to the authenticity in its meaning.

From the 7’ ‘Metaphors’ (2011) / http://www.keatonhenson.com/

SOMETHING OLD: ‘Buck Rogers’ – Feeder

One from my youth to bring in the New Year – well, A-Levels still feels like some sort of youth! This is one of those anthems, yes I consider it big enough to be called an anthem, when as soon as you hear the opening guitar bars you can’t help but smile – mainly because you know what riff is round the corner.

The song is about his partner leaving him for ‘Buck Rogers’, who is the guy with the Jaguar and all the materialistic things, and trying to win her back – ‘I think we’re gonna make it’ makes the chorus which you can’t help but sing along to.
Feeder are one of those bands you don’t realise how many of their songs you know until you stick one of their albums on, or take a look on YouTube. For me, instantly likeable, with some great songs in their back catalogue. ‘Just A Day’ being one which nearly got in this place on the ‘Something Old’ blog entry.

I have my Isle of Wight Festival tickets and I can’t wait to finally see Feeder live, and once that chorus kicks in – be taken back to my 6^th form common room. I’m practising my jumping already.

From the album ‘Echo Park’ (2001) / @FeederHQ

SOMETHING NEW: ‘Age’ – Lianne La Havas

Fresh into the New Year with a gorgeous song from a lady I first saw on Jools Holland’s show back in October. Alone in the spotlight with her guitar she played and sang this song so effortlessly, and once again it was the sheer simplicity which completely hypnotised me into the performance.

Recently nominated in the BBC’s Sound for 2012, Lianne hails from London with a Greek father and a Jamaican mother. Jill Scott, India Arie, that laid back, soulful vocal collective of women are clearly an influence but Lianne certainly carves her own style into the genre.

A slightly tongue in cheek song about age, her affections for an older man and how this maybe frowned upon. ‘Is it such a problem if he’s old? As long as he does whatever he is told.’ Girls, you gotta love that, right?
Fresh from a December tour of America supporting Bon Iver, who was bowled over by her performance when appearing on the same Jools Holland show; I hate to coin a phrase but this time I mean it - for me, Lianne Le Havas is ‘one to watch’ for 2012.

From the EP ‘Lost & Found’ (2011) / @liannelahavas