EOIN BUTLER'Sguide to downloads, singles and free audiostreams
SPIRITUALIZED
So Long You Pretty Things (Live in Dingle) ***
If the reunited Stone Roses offered to scrub your windscreen at traffic lights, you’d probably hit the accelerator and take your chances in oncoming traffic. Their close contemporary, Jason Pierce, hasn’t aged quite as alarmingly, but he’s wearing sunglasses in a church and warbling about Jesus. Drugs, kids: there are no winners, only losers.
SLEIGH BELLS
Born to Lose
N.E.E.T.****
Christmas may be over, but Sleigh Bells are only getting started. The lead single from their Reign of Terroralbum (due out on Valentine's Day) is not as visceral a statement of intent as last year's Crown on the Ground. But it does reward repeated listening. They play Dublin's Academy on February 27th.
THE WEST CORK UKULELE ORCHESTRA
Ra Ra Rasputin ***
Exactly what it says on the tin. See youtube.com
NICKI MINAJ
Stupid Hoe
Cash Money**
“I’m Angelina [Jolie], you Jennifer [Aniston]/Come on bitch, see where Brad is at.” Nicki is usually good value, but this is just unremittingly juvenile, obnoxious and unfunny. Minaj’s new album, Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded, is due February 14th.
AZEALIA BANKS
Liquorice ***
The potty-mouthed Harlem rapper scored one of the underground hits of the year with 212, topped NME'sCool List and is now tipped to do well in the BBC's Sound of 2012 poll. This time next year she'll either be packing stadiums or stacking shelves. Who knows?
TRENT REZNOR ATTICUS ROSS
Immigrant Song
The Null Corporation***
Following the success of The Social Network'soriginal score, Reznor reunites with David Fincher on The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.The title sequence is a bleak take on the Led Zeppelin track, featuring Yeah Yeah Yeah's Karen O on vocals. What a way to set the scene for a riveting exposé of the Swedish tattoo industry . . . okay, I never actually read the book.
