Sometimes it kills

Another song that I'm currently playing over and over again: Sometimes It Kills by Visions of Trees.

the third

Today I got my copy of Coming Up (remastered) [deluxe edition]. It arrived faster than I'd expected it to, a nice surprise. The album is signed by the band: Brett Anderson, Mat Osman, Simon Gilbert, Richard Oakes and Neil Codling.

whatever makes her happy...

Lose it

I just can't seem to get enough of this song at the moment: Lose It by Austra.



And there are much more to listen to as well, 'Beat and the Pulse' for example.  Too bad Sweden wasn't included on the tour.

the second

I'm holding the beauty in my hands; the re-mastered deluxe edition of Dog Man Star.

While waiting for the delivery I saw the promo video for it that was posted on Suede's video channel and their facebook page and I must say that it was such a tease. How can you not want to buy this beautiful and intriguing thing after seeing that?

Well, I pre-ordered mine a while ago and now I got it in my hands. As with 'suede' I got a signed copy, which pleases me, I must admit.

I close my eyes, and I'm losing myself to it...

The same day that I was at the wonderful dogmanstar concert in London, something interesting was posted on the Suede forum: Mr Anderson’s thoughts on the album, track by track. That is, the idea behind the tracks and the process of writing. Some people find this interesting and like to read about it, others don’t. If you belong to the former, and haven't read it yet, I recommend you go by the forum to read about Dog Man Star, track by track by Brett.

It's personal

"I don't think anybody just liked Suede, /.../ No, you loved Suede, you lived and breathed them, ..."

Still So Young? A Personal Exploration Of The Suede Reissues - Luke Turner The Quietus

the first

Today I finally got mine; my copy of 'suede' (remastered) [deluxe edition]. And, it's signed by the band of its time, i.e. Bernard Butler, Brett Anderson, Mat Osman and Simon Gilbert.

 

I smile, and it's taking me over...

Through the wonders

After a few days of struggling with a cold, I'm finally sitting down for a remembrance of the amazing album gigs in Brixton, London. Even though I think my cold was caused by me going out into the night all sweaty and wet from the gig on Saturday (and the two nights before that), that's not really what I should be writing about.

18.05.11

Let's start with Wednesday. This, only because I later found out that Artmagic launched their debut EP in Brixton on Wednesday night. I came to London that day and had I known about it beforehand I would have gone, if I could've that is. I'm a sucker for live music and even though I hadn't heard almost anything of Artmagic up till then, it would have been fun since it's Mr. Oakes' new project together with Shaun McGhee. Additionally, to be thinking of things in hindsight, I bought their EP 'I Keep On Walking' at the Suede gig on Saturday and have listened to it quite some. I like it and I'm looking forward to what may come next.

19.05.11

Thursday then, the 'Suede' day, the time to finally hear some of the songs from their debut album that are rarities live. As usual it was some time waiting before the support act, Chapel Club, started, but then it all just seemed to go by so quickly. When Suede went off stage it almost felt like I had missed out on something, a strange feeling I must say. Fortunately I remember the wonderful feelings of experiencing 'She's Not Dead', 'Sleeping Pills' and 'The Next Life' live, otherwise I might have thought it to be a dream.

After the album songs came the encore with its treats: 'High Rising', 'He's Dead', 'My Insatiable One', 'To the Birds', 'Killing of a Flashboy', 'Can't Get Enough', 'Trash', and 'Beautiful Ones'. Of course the first four songs were something very special hearing live; I absolutely loved 'He's Dead'. However, I must say that my strongest memory from the encore is Richard's smile while playing 'Can't Get Enough'.

20.05.11

Time for 'Dog Man Star' night on Friday, and I was very excited. Not only is DMS my favourite of the albums (if I must chose), it is also an album that means very much to me personally since it was when it came out that I fell helplessly and madly in love with Suede's music; a love that only has grown stronger throughout the years.

The songs that I had looked forward to hear a bit more were: 'Introducing the Band', 'Daddy's Speeding', 'Black or Blue' and 'The Asphalt World'; the first two being such special songs musically, 'Black or Blue' as a rarity live and 'Asphalt World' for the expectation of hearing the full version of it. And of course they are all beautiful songs, together with so many off this album. It was amazing being at the Brixton Academy this night and I think I was somewhat more present in body and mind compared to the preceding night, due to my expectations.

The encore consisted of: 'The Living Dead', 'My Dark Star', 'Stay Together', 'Killing of a Flashboy', 'So Young', 'Metal Mickey', and 'Animal Nitrate'. To be honest I was hoping for 'Whipsnade' (which was played the following week at the Olympia Theatre in Dublin), but I really loved them playing 'My Dark Star' and 'Stay Together'.

21.05.11

Then came the final night: Saturday night and 'Coming Up'.

Since it's an album full of energetic songs I definitely drained myself of my remaining energy this night; for the third night in a row I danced, jumped and sang along to the best live band that I know of. I loved hearing 'Picnic by the Motorway' live and it was a true singalong concert. Even though the audience sang along to all the songs the preceding nights as well, the songs of 'Coming Up' seemed to bring the singalong power to another level, or maybe it was the fact that it was the last concert, I don't know?

The encore for the night contained some of the lovely b-sides from the period of 'Coming Up' and more: 'Europe is our Playground', 'This Time', 'Young Men', 'Together', 'Can't Get Enough', 'So Young', 'Metal Mickey', and 'Animal Nitrate'. I really loved hearing 'Together' and the ending of the concert, with the audience solely singing 'Animal Nitrate', was somewhat magical, a fantastic way of ending the three nights.

I have earlier posted about this show (not the encore though) being uploaded to Suede's Video Channel, and I do recommend you to watch it, if you haven't already.

the supporting role

Lastly, I think I need to write some words on Chapel Club as well, the support act for the three nights. Before the gigs I had listened to their album 'Palace' and therefore I had some knowledge of their music and already liked a few songs. I must say, however, that hearing a band three nights in a row is very special. It isn't something you do that often, and even though Suede was the reason for me to be there, I think Chapel Club was good live. The managed to vary their playlist a bit and that's quite a good job with not so much material. To hear some new songs, like 'Bodies' and 'Widows', are always appreciated. This is another band that I'm going to follow in the future.

Black Rainbows

New solo material out in August.
Keep August 15 and September 26 in mind.

Coming Up - LIVE!

The lovely Mr Simon Gilbert has shared something wonderful with us common fans; the whole Coming Up from Brixton Academy on May 21.

This you cannot miss!

The first part 
(Trash, Filmstar, Lazy, By the Sea, She, Beautiful Ones)
The second part 
(Starcrazy, Picnic by the Motorway, The Chemistry Between Us, Saturday Night)

Beautiful Ones (from the above mentioned material)

See more amazing videos from the three nights in Brixton at the Suede Video Channel!
--> Among them is This Time from the encore.

And, who knows, more may be added... I hope so.

It comes alive

Fascinated by the interactive 3D tool and the beautifully made covers and packages I've been rotating and turning through the upcoming reissues from Suede. There are only a few days until the first reissue, of the debut album, will be available, but this is a good tease to look through them all on the web. I don’t know how long it will take for me to get hold of my pre-ordered issues, but it’s a good thing that each issue is released with only one week apart. Can’t wait!

Until you get yours, if you cannot decide on whether to buy them or not, or simply because you like looking through them, here are where you will find them:
Suede
Dog Man Star
Coming Up
Head Music
A New Morning

And, don't miss BBC Radio 2 tonight, broadcasting Suede's Coming Up concert from Brixton Academy, London.

More on the Coming Up gig, and the two preceding ones, later. They were however amazing!!!