Revival

After a little time away and a few blog-related chats I am back (with avengeance? tbc) and more focused on new things I'm listening to as opposed to the regular or at least reviving my old listening habits. I'm slightly conscious that my audience might have expanded to include more people than just myself. I will try not to let the pressure get to me.

First up: I'm a big fan of Animal Collective and am pretty excited for Panda Bear (Noah Benjamin Lennox)'s fourth solo album 'Toyboy' which comes out 18th April.  Check out the link below to hear a snippet.
The animal theme seems to be common place on my music radar at the moment, some old, some new: Grizzly Bear Knife,  Zebra by Beach House, one from Alessi's Ark new album coming out this month Wire and a small band you may have heard of who are mentioned at the end of this post.

Next: Benjamin Francis Leftwich. Reminds me a little of Josh Radin and super nice to listen to on a chilled summers day like today. He's just finished a tour with Noah and the Whale and is starting out again on the 1st June. 'More than Letters' is my favourite but as I can only find that on Spotify I'll play you what Youtube can provide me with.

On the subject of Noah and the Whale - a band which I'm always on the fence about, they have just released their new album. It's a pretty big jump away from their old stuff and as a result has sparked criticism from fans of their first album. As I was on the fence about that too some of this album is really growing on me. I'm enjoying Give it all Back and Life is Life. Title track:

I am still trying to get over the break-up of me and my Glastonbury 2011 ticket. It's still a raw and painful wound which I am hoping will slowly heal. Only to be opened up again when all my friends head to Worthy Farm at the end of June. I am particularly sad as Fleet Foxes are playing and that Mumford and Sons are returning - they were incredible last year. The winners of the Emerging Talent Contest were announced last week and Treetop Flyers were announced as the lucky lads who will get a slot on one of Glastonbury's famous stages. Ah John Peel stage, my summer won't be the same without you.

Finally, I took a small trip down memory lane this morning and came across a song I used to listen to almost obsessively. I can so vividly remember going to a gig of theirs in 2005 before they got really big - I still hold it as one of the best gigs I've ever been to. I think my love for them may be properly revived sometime in the not too distant future when their new album pops up...  I present to you, Arctic Monkeys.

ps If you fancy listening to them doing something a little different check out The Lovers - cover or Baby I'm Yours - cover.