Aug
04

Still the best new band in the UK?

Posted by jill on August 4, 2008

Though, I don’t really know what classes as ‘new’ any more. Especially since I first saw Jonquil almost two years ago. But every time, they still surprise and reveal how bands really should develop.

This show was a near perfect set from Jonquil, full of the great songs from Lions and trying out a couple of new songs. While you can hear the way the band’s ambitions have developed into a more orchestrated sound over the two albums, they are pushing themselves into different approaches with their new songs. With Parasol they are trying out synthesised beats but building them easily into the song. While they already have some great songs, it is also refreshing to see that they are not only writing new versions of similar songs, but trying out some new ideas as well.

Dec
31

Favourite gigs of 2007

Posted by jill on December 31, 2007

1. Daft Punk @ Wamu Theater, Seattle, WA, USA – 29th July
2. !!!, Holy Fuck, Midnight Juggernauts @ Koko, London, UK – 7th November
3. Dan Deacon @ The Dome, London UK – 7th December
4. Capitol Hill Block Party @ Seattle, WA, USA – 27th July
Girl Talk @ Bardens Boudoir, London, UK – 11th December
Matt and Kim and Jonquil @ The Barfly, London, UK – 9th November
5. Electrelane @ Koko, London, UK – 29th November
6. Acoustic Ladyland @ the Zodiac, Oxford UK – 29th April
7. Grizzly Bear @ the Scala, London, UK – 21st May
8. Silver Mt Zion and Jonquil @ the Zodiac, London, UK – 3rd May
9. Youthmovies, TTNG, Jonquil, Meet me in St Louis @ a house party, Oxford, UK 14th April
10. Beirut @ Rough Trade East, London, UK – 5th November
11. The Shins @ Bush Hall, London, UK – 26th February
12. Forward Russia @ Borderline, London, UK – 6th December

Dec
31

Favourite albums of 2007

Posted by jill on December 31, 2007

1. Beirut – The Flying Club Cup
2. Justice – Cross
3. Jonquil – Lions
4. Holy Fuck – LP
5. Super Furry Animals – Hey Venus!
6. Daft Punk – Alive 2007
7. Keyboard Choir – Mizen Head to Gascanae Sound
8. Eugene McGuinness – The Early Learnings of…
9. Electrelane – No Shouts No Calls
10. Herman Dune – Giant
11. Tegan and Sara – The Con
12. Menomena – Friend and Foe

And a special mention for In Rainbows by Radiohead. When I paid £40 for the boxset, it really did seem like it cost too much, but when the boxset arrived it was worth every penny.

Nov
12

Non gig post

Posted by jill on November 12, 2007

Back in April, I briefly wrote about the takeaway shows, a series of videos of bands performing in and around Paris. In the last few months they’ve posted videos of Final Fantasy running down the street, Beirut performing on a street corner, little kiddies dancing to Menomena and Liars drumming a lift. But now, in the collision of some of my favourite things this year, there is a video of Jonquil performing in a park. Their songs don’t have quite the same impact without the rolling drums, but there’s something quite special about the way they sound stripped down.


#72 – JONQUIL – Part2
Uploaded by lablogotheque

PS. I wished the crowd at the Beirut gig on Saturday reacted to the last song like this (another classic Blogotheque video). English audiences sometimes are a bit rubbish