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JCS On Songs You Need To Download


Songs You Need to Download

James Christopher Sheppard divulges the tracks he has on repeat.

Korn ‘Get Up’ (featuring Skrillex)

At school in the late 90’s, if you liked metal, Korn were a pretty good starting point. Now, seventeen years since the debut, Korn release their freshest single in years. I first heard ‘Get Up’ on kerrang radio and had to double check who it was. The collaboration with master of dubstep, Skrillex, throws Korn’s aggressive thrashing metal sound into brand new industrial waters. This is the best song Korn have released since 2002’s ‘Here to Stay’. Fucking incredible.

Melanie C ‘Rock Me’

Rock Spice Melanie C finally returns with the first release from her long-awaited fifth solo album, The Sea. ‘Rock Me’ is vibrant, simple, catchy, up-beat and addictive. With her own very loyal following, and sales of over ten million albums worldwide, sporty spice still has a great deal to offer.

Within Temptation ‘Sinead’
New single from Within Temptation’s flawless album The Unforgiving is ‘Sindead’- the beat-heavy, industrial tinged dance/symphonic metal track. Yes, ‘Sinead’ is the most cross-over single Within Temptation have released and it’s gaining all sorts of attention. For the first time ever, the band have had official remixes commissioned from the likes of German hard dance band Scooter. The most surprising thing about the remixes is that they actually work. Check out the ‘VNV Nation Club Mix’.

Charlie Simpson ‘Parachute’

Fightstar front man Charlie Simpson, will unleash his debut solo album in August and ‘Parachutes’ is the second single, following the mellow ‘Down Down Down’. ‘Parachutes’ isn’t a million miles from the sound of Fightstar, but is enough of a departure to be only Simpson’s. The song is softer and relies more on acoustic sounds to build song to it’s climax. Vulnerable and powerful at the same time. I am truly impressed by the quality of this.

Amy Winehouse ‘Back to Black’

For me, ‘Back to Black’ is the ultimate Amy Winehouse song. Following her tragic passing on Saturday 23rd July, this song seems more painful and sadder than ever. Winehouse was a visibly very troubled soul, who sadly lost her battle with depression and addiction. ‘Back to Black’ will stand testament to what incredible art she created, if only for a short time. You will be forever remembered, Amy.

Pulp ‘Common People’

Since seeing the iconic band, Pulp, perform at this years Wireless festival in London, I started listening to their back catalogue repeatedly. It’s only as an older listener with a writing background that I can really appreciate just how genius Jarvis Cocker’s lyric writing is. ‘Common People’ seems more appropriate for me right now than ever, as I am a boy from Surrey residing temporarily in the depths of Hull. ‘Common People’ is an iconic and timeless song, that could be the anthem of recession ridden Britain- ‘dance and drink and screw because there’s nothing else to do.’ Absolutely.

JCS is Eyewear's Music Critic, and is based in Hull and London.

Comments

Poetry Pleases! said…
Dear James

I've recently bought a superb CD called 'You & I' by the Pierces, a couple of American sisters who sing close harmony like the Mamas and the Papas.
Knocks dear old Kylie into a cocked hat as far as I'm concerned!

Best wishes from Simon
Oh Simon,

I'm never going to sell you the wonder of Miss Minogue, am I? Haha! I'll check it out- sounds good. I've been listening to the new Horrors album this week- it's brilliant!

-James :)

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