Top Ten Albums of 2010 from Indielimerick

Another year nearly over and its time for my top ten. Been to 11 gigs over the year compared to 21 gigs last year, Sign of the times I guess. It's been a bit of a crazy year to be honest and glad im seeing the back of it. Been to some outstanding quality gigs over the year, including a great live perfomance from Two Door Cinema Club in Dolans when they were just exploding on the scene. Doubt we will see them around limerick soon and if that at the price of ten euro. Its been a great year for Irish acts as you will see from my list. The list of albums below are in no particular order as always. They are just albums I have kept going back to over the year. Hope you all have a great Christmas and a great 2011, Thanks for reading throughout the year. One more thing go and buy/download the rubberbandits "Horse Outside" keep XCraptor off the crimbo no.1 slot again.

Fionn Regan - Shadow of an Empire Josh Ritter - So Runs the World Away Cathy Davey - The Nameless The National - High Violet Villagers - Becoming a Jackal Ryan Adams & The Cardinals - III/IV Bruce Springsteen - The Promise James Vincent Mc Morrow - Early in the Morning Frightened Rabbit - The Winter of Mixed Drinks O Emperor - Hither Thither

Notable Mentions to the following gems :Two Door Cinema Club - Tourist History, Guggenheim Grotto - The Universe is Laughing, Band of Horses - Infinite Arms , Caitlin Rose - Own Side Now , Arcade Fire - The Suburbs , Interpol - Interpol , Brad Pitt Light Orchestra - Lowering the tone , I am Kloot - Sky At Night , Cherry Ghost - Beneath This Burning Shoreline, Laura Marling - I Speak Because I Can , Neil Young - Le Noise, Midlake – The Courage of Others, Manic Street Preachers – Postcards from a Young Man

The Digital Socket Awards 2011

The Digital Socket Awards are here! These awards have been made possible thanks to 26 music bloggers from around Ireland including yours truly. The awards will take place in the Grand Social in Dublin on February 3rd 2011. How the voting will work is that the public will draw up a longlist and then the judges/bloggers will make a shortlist and all the winners will be announced on the night. The awards are a fantastic idea and it gives the people and the hard working bloggers and a way to give back to the bands and the artists. Now for your part in all of it. head on over to http://www.digitalsocketawards.com/vote-for-your-favourites/ to vote for you favourites in the categories listed below. VOTING IS OPEN NOW! Categories: 1. Best Design (Website, Artwork, Posters) 2. Best Independent Label 3. Best Video 4. Best Music Photography 5. Best Radio Show 6. Best Pop 7. Best Folk 8. Best Rock and Alternative 9. Best Electronic & Hip Hop 10. Best Indie 11. Best EP 12. Best Newcomer. 13. Best Album 14. Song of the Year More info: http://www.digitalsocketawards.com/

Jagermeister Freezer Sessions, Dolans Review 09/12/2010

4 great bands lined out last night in dolans for a very late night of booze and music, It was billed as an 8 o'clock sharp start but muggins here went early got grub & drinks(Great food in dolans as always), It seems there was a booking issue or a mix up of somewhat so bands wouldn't start until 10 bells. More drinks went by and so did the time in the upstairs area with a great DJ, 10.40 last days of death country arrived out on stage and played six tunes to now a packed warehouse. Im ashamed to admit it was my first time seeing these locals lads live after missing them on numerious ocasions. They pack a great live punch and are worth while checking out, check them out here http://www.myspace.com/lastdaysofdeathcountry . The freezer sessions are a great idea and a great way to see snippets of bands, next up were the Flaws, Once again never got to see these guys live after missing them twice before in dolans and being an avid fan of their debut album "Achieving Vagueness". It was great to see them live and hoping to hear a new album soon, Keep an eye on them here http://www.myspace.com/theflaws Another local band then took to the stage by the name of "Windings", Saw these guys supporting The Brad Pitt Light Orchestra back in September in dolans (Review here). They are currently giving their debut album away for free for all of December, Its well worth checking it out and the link is here http://windings.bandcamp.com/ , They also have their brand new album "Its never Night" for sale too. Last up were the excellent O Emperor, I have witnessed them twice before (Review here and here), They are fantastic live and have made one amazing album this year entitled "Hither Thither", I expect it will make a few top ten lists including my own. Its a great record from a great bunch of lads, Check them out here and try and catch them live at some stage if you can. A great night of music despite the event going way over schedule, with the last band finishing up around 2.10. Cheers to Jagermeister and dolans for a great night, Not to the former for the next day hangover though :) Last Days of Death Country The Flaws Windings O Emperor

Sanzkrit reveal a new video and forthcoming album details

The Carrickmacross four piece are feverously working on their follow up album to “After the Wedding", Check out the video below as a snippet for the new release, Hopefully we will see the album out soon, Sanzkrit hope to release the first single from the new album in spring of 2011, so not long to wait now. The band are also planning a major Irish tour in February and March. Until then check them out here http://www.sanzkrit.com/

Festive Giveaway from Windings

The lovely people at "Windings" want to spread some Christmas cheer , They are giving their debut album away as an early crimbo gift. You can download the delightful 17 track album here . The band plays dolans on Thursday night as part of the Freezer sessions, get your free tickets and info here. Thanks lads!

Albums Worth Checking Out This December

L-R

S.Carey - As We Grow

Ryan Adams & The Cardinals - III/IV (Just got it today, Cant wait to hear it!)

The Duke & The King - Long Live The Duke & The King

Jenny & Johnny - I'm Having Fun Now

Justin Townes Earle - Harlem River Blues

Ryan Bingham - Junky Star

All Aways Suggestions Very Welcome!

Jägermeister Freezer Sessions in Limerick Again!!!

Back in June Hotpress and Jägermeister held a great night of music in dolans, now the good people are back with yet another great session. The 9th of December will see O Emperor, The Flaws and local outfits Windings & The Last Days of Death Country take to the stage at dolans for this invite only event. 4 excellent bands all for free!!! You can see my reviews from O Emperor gigs here and here. Its a night not to be missed! Apply for tickets here http://www.hotpress.com/thefreezersessions/sessions.html

Bellx1 Acoustic Tour , St. Johns Church , Limerick 19/11/2010 Review

Set List:
Bad Skin
Pinball Machine
Velcro
Rocky
Next to you
Ribs
Built
Flame
Snakes
Eve
Offshore
ABC
Lightcatches
Sunflower
74 swans
defector
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Move on up (Curtis Mayfield)
See your heart (there is a light that never goes out)

Worth checking out Tonight!

More info here http://www.myspace.com/builtforcomfortlimerick

Music Snippets #28 - Supermodel Twins

Hail From :

Limerick

Band Members : Thom O’Keeffe

Alan O’Keeffe

Davey O’Keeffe

Mike Gavin

Noel Mooney

About: Supermodel Twins have been gigging around town for quite some time now and this year the five piece have finally brought out a full length album. The album "Raincloud Free" was produced by Noel Hogan of Cranberries fame. Limerick as you will know by now is very much not raincloud free and as I write this the shower coming down outside is quite ridiculous. Therefore this album is one to turn up loud on crap piss weather days like this and turn it into fun pop rock greatness. The album is one to launch on and feel happy and enjoy their quirky fun lyrics while dancing around the room like a loonbag. This band are great to catch live as the energy that comes off the album is quite something and very infectious. If you need a sound akin to these guys it would be bands likes Jimmy Eat world, Fountains of Wayne and Weezer , these guys are a great edition to the fanatatic music scene in limerick at the moment, Its worth picking up the album (Pic Below) as it packs a punch of fun and will brighten up your day!

Check them out here:

http://supermodeltwins.com/

Albums Worth Checking Out This November

L-R

Bob Dylan - The Bootleg Series Volume 9 Gin Wigmore - Holy Smoke ( Only reason because Ryan Adams band the Cardinals are the band on this record) Belle & Sebastian - Write About Love Tiger Cooke - Fingertips of the Silversmith ( Check it out here) Bruce Springsteen - The Promise Last Days of Death Country - Emerge EP (Check out this great local band here) As Always , We love suggestions