Neil Arun didn’t want to miss a rare but risky opportunity to embed with an Iraqi police unit, hunting members of al Qaeda. But his employers -- responsible for Neil’s security -- weren’t happy. This film by Richard Pendry nvestigates how a frontline journalist balances risk and reward.
My 10 essential tracks to download this month...
1
Artist: Hurts
Song: Wonderful Life
Serious, inspired and so wonderfully synth-pop Hurts closely resemble Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe or Curt Smith and Roland Orzabal. This Manchester duo comprising Theo Hutchcraft and Adam Anderson showcase an ice-cool-yet-serious electronic combination of subtle and poignant lyricism about “Never giving up” and not letting go amidst life’s pressures to an array of delicious string and brass melodies. With an album release set for September, Hurts are set for deserved glory.
ON: lastfm.com/music/Hurts
2
Artist: Gorillaz
Song: Empire Ants (featuring Little Dragon)
While their Glastonbury headline set was a non-starter with miming vocalists and wooden hip-hop vocalists – not to mention Snoop Dogg – Damon Albarn’s post-Blur and electronic pop driven project sounds far better in the studio and on March 2010’s hit album Plastic Beach, the combination of acoustic and eerie synthesis with lyrics on the mundane reality of modern life is delivered elegantly here via Albarn and Little Dragon.
ON: Plastic Beach, Parlophone LP.
3
Artist: Pet Shop Boys
Song: Viva La Vida/Domino Dancing
Alongside Muse and Editors, Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe helped ensure Glastonbury was a typically adept affair as their live version of Coldplay’s Viva La Vida merged with their 1988 hit Domino Dancing contains glittery melodies and stomping rhythmic production from Stuart Price with added textural depth.
ON: Christmas/Pandemonium, Parlophone LP.
4
Artist: Muse
Song: Guiding Light
Showcasing much of their latest album release at Glastonbury on Saturday – last September’s The Resistance – this track stood out as the Teignmouth three develop their Freddie Mercury and Queen style theatrical pomp combined with the inspiration of George Orwell’s 1984 involving lyrical optimism and Matt Bellamy’s majestic vocals.
ON: The Resistance, Warner Bros. LP.
5
Artist: Editors
Song: Papillon
Tom Smith’s band performed a brilliant version of their 2009 UK Top 20 hit single at Glastonbury on Saturday and with a blaring synth and guitar riff and Smith’s typically baritone Ian Curtis style vocals, you can almost imagine this being what Joy Division and New Order would sound like as a super-group.
ON: In This Light & On This Evening, Kitchenware Records LP.
6
Artist: Brandon Flowers
Song: Crossfire
With his parent band The Killers on hiatus amidst recent relentless touring schedules of their last album Day & Age, lead singer and synth/keyboard player Flowers has concentrated attention on his solo album project Flamingo with new single Crossfire resembling Day & Age’s more pop-focused drive and Hot Fuss’ raw rock anthemic tendencies.
ON: last.fm/music/Brandon+Flowers/Crossfire
7
Artist: Scissor Sisters
Song: Sex & Violence
Lead by the ever charismatic Jake Shears who at Glastonbury sported a pair of uber camp ripped leather jeans, the Scissors’ showcased their latest album Night Work and new song Sex & Violence, which thanks to careful song-writing and delectable disco production is an intellectual dancey pop song imagining the dark textures of night’s pleasures with Neil Tennant-inspired lyrical drive.
ON: Night Work, Polydor LP.
8
Artist: Vampire Weekend
Song: Run
Although their Glastonbury set was underwhelming, this track was absent from airing and on 2010’s Contra, is a delightful combination of perfect melodies and rhythm with pleasant husky vocals from Ezra Koenig on this New York indie band’s dreamy summer tale of escape and aspirations.
ON: Contra, XL Recordings LP.
9
Artist: Robyn
Song: Dancing On My Own
Despite guest appearances from Norwegian electro-pop duo Royksopp on Robyn’s latest album, Body Talk Part 1, the fellow Scandinavian pop star’s best track on her otherwise uninspired comeback is this pounding synth bass track which with the aid of glistening string melodies captures broken hearts and dancefloor disappointment.
ON: Body Talk PT.1, Island LP.
10
Artist: Grum
Song: Turn It Up
Hook-laden and infectious with bubbling basslines set alongside some soaring ‘80s style melodies, Grum’s Graeme Shepherd perfectly captures the era’s romantic lyrical optimism ensuring the track sounds close to the output of Madonna’s debut album.
ON: Heartbeats, Glasgow Underground Music LTD LP.
