Here we are again, kids. Another edition of My Four bringing you four more artists that you need to know about. So let me, Mark Sharpley, welcome along to this week’s choice cuts. And we start with….
THURSTON MOORE
Ex Sonic Youth mainman Thurston Moore is first up this week, with the release of his new solo album, The Best Day. No stranger to a solo album or two, Moore has risen from the ashes of his former band, which does include his old bandmate, Steve Shelley, James Sedwards from Nought and Debbie Googe of My Bloody Valentine. But it’s his work with Sonic Youth that he will always be remembered for, and indeed one of only a handful of bands who have been responsible for the music to the ending credits of The Simpsons. Available on the Matador Records label, this is the title track, “The Best Day”. www.thurstonmoore.com
BUSH
Back after an 8 year hiatus, British rockers Bush are back with their new album, Man On The Run. Massive in America, but not so in their homeland sadly, Bush still have maintained a big fan base, thanks to, in a large proportion, singer Gavin Rossdale, and his marriage to Gwen Stefani. And indeed, he tried his hand at acting too, appearing in films such as Constantine and Zoolander. He also appeared in Criminal Minds, playing a musician funnily enough. But he is back with his band, doing what they do best. Nice to have you back, fellas. Available on the Zuma Rock Records label, this is the single, “The Only Way Out”. www.bushofficial.com
COLD WAR KIDS
Hailing from Long Beach, California, indie rockers Cold War Kids are here with their new release, Hold My Home. They formed in 2004, in the idyllic surroundings of an apartment above a restaurant. Their band name comes from Matt Maust’s travels around Eastern Europe, and found the name popping into his head whilst in Budapest, witnessing the fall of communism in between. But in March 2014, they collaborated with Belgian beer mongers, Stella Artois, and Andy Cavatorta to produce something called, “Chalice Symphony”. Which is basically a lot of beer glasses being used as instruments. As they are on a Friday night, in any British pub. Available on the Downtown/V2 Records labels, this is the single, “All This Could Be Yours”. www.coldwarkids.com
SLIPKNOT
And finally, the men in the masks and boiler suits are back. Yes, it’s Slipknot and their new, .5: The Gray Chapter. This is the first album that hasn’t got the late Paul Gray or former drummer Joey Jordison involved, but the power that Slipknot’s music is still apparent. The title is a tribute to their departed bass player, and it took several bass players to get the balance right. But they are here to bring noise and mayhem to the world, once again. They do it well too. Available on the Roadrunner label, this is the single, “The Devil In I”. www.slipknot1.com
And that’s it for another week! Join me again for another does of My Four next week with the four tracks you need to know about.
Keep on keeping on…
