More about: The CureThe Twilight Sad
The band handpicked by The Cure to support them on tour give the verdict on massive new tracks
Handpicked to support The Cure on all of their upcoming US and European tour dates, The Twilight Sad have long been favourites of ours at Gigwise. Not only did Robert Smith cover their epic 'There's A Girl In The Corner', but across their four immaculate albums, they've never put a foot wrong.
Their genre-defying wall of noise has also found fans in the likes of Mogwai and beyond. Here are a band that never let you down. With this in mind, we have total faith in their taste in music - so asked them to sit down and review the week's biggest new tracks for us. What do the Scottish noiseniks make of Coldplay, Bloc Party, Adele, M Ward, Kendrick Lamar and more? Well, there's only one way to find out
"Before I start reviewing these singles, I'd just like to say that I usually live by the mantra 'if you don't have anything good to say, don't say anything at all' when it comes to talking about other people's music, and basically anything I write on the internet," says Twilight Sad frontman James Graham. "Let's be honest; I'm a miserable moany bastard when it comes my lyrics and the music I write, so I suppose that's how I get that side of me out. I would just rather point people in the direction of things I like and think they will like. I've been asked by Gigwise to review these songs and I'm going to be as honest as I can. So, apologies if I upset anyone."
Bloc Party - 'The Good News'
Bloc Party were a band that kind of passed me by. It’s not that I didn't like them or anything; I think I was just listening to other things at that time. I do remember a few singles from their debut album - that song ‘ anquet' was everywhere at one point and I remember understanding why it was so popular. I'm pretty sure it’s still an "Indie Disco staple". I wouldn't know as I haven't been to an indie disco in years; instead we drink in scummy old men’s pubs and shout "Oasis" at the jukebox. I remember hearing a couple of slower songs from that debut album I liked called 'Blue Light' and 'So Here We Are'. I heard the first song off their new album last month ('The Love Within'). My review of that song would be: Remember in Dumb & Dumber when Lloyd says, “hey, want to hear the most annoying sound in the world?" and then screams it into the guy’s ear? I would argue that song features the most annoying sound in the world with a chorus from another song. This song is better than that other song.
Coldplay feat. Beyonce - 'Hymn For the Weekend'
I like Beyonce. I don't know if that would come as a surprise to anyone that likes our music. I think she's a genuine popstar. The music world needs superstars like her in my opinion. I mean 'Crazy in Love' is an absolute tune. Like Marmite, some people love Coldplay and some people hate Coldplay...I couldn't give a fuck either way. This song will be massive but if you’re going to write a song about the weekend you've got to make sure its better than Whigfield...my review = this isn't as good as Whigfield.
M Ward - 'Girl From Conejo Valley'
I was really into M Ward for a while when I was in my early 20s, especially that 'Transistor Radio’ record. I really loved the instrumental cover of The Beach Boys 'You Still Believe In Me' at the start of the record as it’s one of my favourite songs of all-time. I kind of lost track of what he's been up to over the years. I know he's worked with Zooey Deschanel a lot. This song is pretty good - I'd like to hear it in the context of the album.
Glassjaw - 'New White Extremity'
I like The Deftones. I'm going to listen to Around the Fur. That’s a good album.
Animal Collective - ‘Flordidada'
I really like Animal Collective. I've been a fan since Sung Tungs. I really like this song - I'm glad they're back and am really looking forward to their new record. I've seen them a few times and, every time, they played a couple of songs from the record they were promoting then a lot of new songs from what would be their next record. I thought that was really cool. I love what they do, avant-garde pop music on LSD. Well that’s what it sounds like to me. Not that I've ever done LSD...oh shit....just say no...stay in school kids...you booze you loose...too late...I fucked it.
Kendrick Lamar - 'Black Friday'
I'll be honest: I don't listen to a lot of hip-hop or rap. I have listened to Kendrick Lamar's new album, though, as it was recommended to me by someone who I know likes good music and I like it. I like rap or hip-hop artists with something to say and there's always going to be those artists and hopefully those artists will be able to be given the platform to rise to the top and get their message across. Unfortunately, nine times out of ten we get forcefed bargain bin shite that's only able to say, "look at me, look at all my money, look at my car, I'm amazing," and it’s a pile of shite. The two rap/hip-hop albums I've listened to and liked this year are by Kendrick Lamar and Run the Jewels. So, in short, I like this song. Also, if anyone wants to recommend me some good rap/hip-hop albums to listen to, I am up for being educated in good music.
Adele - 'Chasing Pavements' (SBTRKT remix)
How do you pronounce this guy’s name? Had to play this one a few more times than I normally would because all I could think about was, "how do you pronounce this guy’s name......SBBBBBKTTTRRRT". Anyways, Adele has a nice voice.. SKYFAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAALL! She seems like a nice person, I'd have a pint with her. She would be buying though as she sold 50 billion albums last week. Not bothered with this remix though.
Full dates for The Cure's UK tour with The Twilight Sad are below. For tickets and more information, visit here.
Tue November 29 2016 - MANCHESTER Arena
Thu December 01 2016 - LONDON SSE Arena Wembley
Fri December 02 2016 - LONDON SSE Arena Wembley
Meanwhile, The Twilight Sad's upcoming UK dates are as follows. Head here for tickets and more information.
Dec 09 O2 Academy 2 Birmingham
Dec 10 Gorilla, Manchester
Dec 12 Barrowland, Glasgow
12. 'Lovecats' - It's a timeless classic, highly evocative of 80's Britain and a staple on any decent indie disco dancefloor. it also has a great Dexys Midnight Runners feel to it. but with that brilliant dark Cure delicious twist.
11. 'Friday I'm In Love' - Surely the ultimate weekend song, 'Friday I'm In Love' puts a tear in your eye and a spring in your step from the moment the jangly guitar riff first kicks in. It's hardly The Cure's most complex lyrical output, but perfectly suited to the song's sheer, almost childlike joy.
10. 'Boys Don't Cry' - With an opening riff so brilliantly recognisable that The Libertines spent an entire career trying to recreate it, 'Boys Don't Cry' drips with irony - an irony no-one could pull off with the same panache as the theatrically androgynous Robert Smith.
9. 'In Between Days': An electrifying drum roll to kick off one of The Cure's most uplifting cuts. Released in 1985, Smith and co channeled the same morose lyricism and poppy instrumental combo that was all the rage at that time. The lyrics don't boast complexity but are teeming with an unmistakable sincerity.
8. '10.15 On A Saturday Night' - This is taken from their debut album which was released in 1979 and it was a b-side to 'Killing An Arab'. It's quite simply one of the greatest post-punk tracks ever, and it's no wonder The Cure keep playing it 37 years later.
7. 'Pictures Of You' - Assured enough of its own brilliance to justify a two and a half minute guitar intro, 'Pictures Of You' is the most tangible example of The Cure's ability to embrace both euphoria and melancholia in a single breath.
6. 'Lullaby' - This charted at No.5 when it came out in 1989, and it showed the band still had big ambitions. Huge string sections accompany Robert Smith's vocals to sublime effect. A true pop-noir horror story gem.
5. 'Just Like Heave'n: One of the most iconic riffs in The Cure discography, 'Just Like Heaven' is an almost flawless pop song. It has heart and chops, it's so good, in fact, it inspired a thousand great covers and just as many terrible knock-offs that could never do the track justice - looking at you Katie Melua.
4. 'Plainsong': Taken from the classic Disintegration, this is pretty much the perfect opener to any album or gig - crystallizing that oh-so-Cure sense of graceful but aching longing to an elegiac but majestic soundtrack: "Sometimes you make me feel like I am living at the edge of the world".
3. 'Killing An Arab': The title has become somewhat controversial over time with the current climate in world affairs, resulting in the band often writing it on set lists as 'Killing Another' these days, but it is in fact inspired by a scene in Albert Camus' 'The Stranger'. The band's debut single was a short-sharp blast of post-punk energy, full of vim and vigour - setting the template for countless copycats for a generation to come.
2. 'Close To Me': The Cure at their most playful and infectious. Can you name a better pop song? Didn't think so.
1. 'Lovesong': Using a palette of forlorn lyrics and achingly romantic but melancholy sounds that is entirely exclusive to The Cure, 'Lovesong' is proof alone that they are the masters of taking hopeless devotion and searing heartache and turning into such an utterly essential listen.
More about: The CureThe Twilight Sad
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