Thursday 4 September 2014

Movie Soundtrack Review : Guardians Of The Galaxy

So it's the highest grossing film of the year, another one from the ever so wonderful Stan Lee (Marvel), not only is it an amazing film, it has a great soundtrack to go with it.

(sorry to those who haven't seen it I may reveal some spoilers to you...) In the story line Starlord is given  a mixtape by his dying mother, he listens to it everywhere. This is called the "Awesome Mix Vol. 1".
Clearly his mother had some good music taste as it features such artists as; David Bowie, Jackson 5 and 10cc, all go very well with the story line and with the characters the songs are trying to describe.

When movies have such a cool soundtrack I find myself looking for the CD to buy or to listen to on Spotify (this soundtrack is on spotify for those of you who want to listen to it).

The Soundtrack starts off with Hooked on a Feeling by Blue Swede. (For those of you who may never have heard this song from the beginning don't be afraid by the 'Ooogachaka's at the start...) I think this song is a great start to the album as it goes with the character 'Starlord'. The song starts off the main part of the movie perfectly by getting the audience into seeing a funny film with great music.

To follow Hooked on a Feeling we have Go All the Way by the Raspberries, followed by Spirit in the Sky by Norman Greenbaum, these songs are more aimed to what his mother wanted him to do and where she is now, however with them still being upbeat songs the viewer doesn't really get the idea that they are meant for emotional effect.

Up next is one of my favourite songs in the world, Moonage Daydream by Mr David Bowie. This song is a perfect song for the characters to fool around with, they can dance to it and sing along, plus it's a song about space in a space film... Perfect huh?

Now we get Fooled Around and Fell in Love by Elvin Bishop and 10cc with I'm Not in Love I have put these two songs together because I feel that they are both of the same genre, they are bordering sad, soppy love songs. However they still fit the film perfectly when Starlord falls in love with someone who he shouldn't have fallen in love with.

Okay so I know I said David Bowie with Moonage Daydream was my favourite well we actually have a contender... And that would be Jackson 5 with I Want You Back. You may be thinking 'what?! Jackson 5?' (they're cool but I prefer Bowie...) however once you see this clip you will totally understand why this song is creeping into my favourite songs list.
WARNING! IF YOU HAVE NOT SEEN THE FILM THIS COULD RUIN IT FOR YOU!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1GncYQHBJIw

Cute right?!

Right, after that little interlude I think we should get back to the soundtrack...
Come and Get Your Love by Redbone is next classic love song, for a classic movie.

Picture the scene, we have the main characters about to go for a fight what sort of song do we want to come on? What's that I hear you say? A Grungy, all female Rock group?! Well that must call for The Runaways with Cherry Bomb!

Do you like Pina Coladas? How about getting caught in the rain? Are you not into Yoga? Do you have half a brain? (okay, okay I'll stop now...) Escape by Rupert Holmes is the next song in the soundtrack - it's also known as the Pina Colada Song.

Two perfect songs to finish off the soundtrack where we have had Happy, Sad, Emotional and Fighting music would have to be The Five Stairsteps with O-o-h Child and Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell with Ain't No Mountain High Enough. With O-o-h Child having that slow start to build up to the fun chorus and Ain't No Mountain High Enough being a happy, fun loving song I find it difficult to fault this soundtrack.

CHART NEWS!!
By August 2014, Guardians of the Galaxy: Awesome Mix Vol. 1 had reached the top of the Billboard 200 chart, becoming the first soundtrack album, consisting entirely of previously released songs and hits to top the chart. This album was also the second album to be released by Disney Music Group this year after Frozen.

If you would like any song, albums, artists, soundtracks etc to be reviewed by me then I would suggest you either go and check out my bio at the side of the screen or just ask me on twitter @LHutchon :)

Moustacheyousomething.

Wednesday 3 September 2014

The Wurzels

So I know I'm about 48 years too late however the phrase 'better late than never' comes to mind... Any-who, I was recently having a family dinner at my parents house when we decided to have some music on. In our house it's always the fight over the music we want, Ed Sheeran, Paolo Nutini, Miles Kane and many more, although this time we decided to let my dad choose... And I'm sure glad he did because if he hadn't I never would have found out about The Wurzels. 

The Wurzels- Originally named Adge Cutler and the Wurzels- are a British Scrumpy and Western Band, now you may be thinking 'hmmm what does scrumpy mean?' well for those who aren't in the know (like I was until a few weeks ago) it refers to humorous music from England's West Country. The name was also taken from the title of the 1967 EP 'Scrumpy & Western' by Adge Cutler and The Wurzels (a.k.a The Wurzels), where it refers to a strongly alcoholic cider produced in the West Country 'Scrumpy'. 

So with these comical folk-type songs you might be thinking that it's a little bit too out of your comfort zone but seriously give them a listen, you will be pleasantly surprised.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2CF8HHbWdo

See what I mean? If not you clearly didn't watch the link above so go and do so and you will see what I mean.

So now you have listened to it and you see what I mean, you should now understand why I have written this blog. I am aiming it mainly on the albums 'Never Mind the Bullocks Ere's the Wurzels' and 'A Load More Bullocks' simply because they are brilliant adaptations of brilliant songs featuring such artists as; Oasis, Robbie Williams, Travis and many more.

When I first listened to them I thought they was brilliant, I for one can't stop listening to it, however if you are trying to muster up the courage then think of Weird Al Yankovic crossed with Richard Cheese with a twang of a West Country accent and you have the brilliant Wurzels.

To start the album you have 'Ooh-Aah Just a Little Bit' seriously put on a farmers accent when sashing the name and you can see exactly what type of music it is. This album is fun from the start and just gets better as you go on through. My personal favourite has to be their cover of Blur's 'Country House' it starts off slow (like in the real song by blur) however after the first line or so we get to the chorus and we have a ball. 

I have never been so drawn to an album/albums like I was with these ones, they are enjoyable, funny and great to listen to. As I like to say these songs you can listen to and dance around as if no one is watching.

So if you're stuck for something to do this weekend or if you can't sleep (because you're so very curious about the Wurzels) then I would highly suggest you go and find them on YouTube, spotify or even go to Amazon and buy their albums... It's a good price for them, even if it's just for a laugh.

If you have any suggestions on what my next post should be then don't be afraid to contact me below or even on twitter! (reach me on twitter by searching @LHutchon ) 

Moustacheyousomething.