EOIN BUTLER's guide to downloads, singles and free audiostreams
GLASVEGAS
The World Is Yours
Columbia ***
Has there ever been an act as gleefully miserable as James Allan's Glasvegas? It's one thing to know that life can be nasty, brutish and short. Quite another to wallow in the ugliness. Even here, on the first single from their Euphoric Heartbreakalbum, Allan hands you the world – but, boy, does he make it sound like a poisoned chalice.
BJÖRK
Love Will Tear Us Apart ****
Ordinarily, this is a song about sex and death. But when Björk sings it, it’s also a song about pixies and snow angels. Not quite sure how she manages to do that without even changing the lyrics. It’s a gift. youtube.com
HAM SANDWICH
Ants Route 109
Niamh Farrell & co's White Foxalbum was cruelly overlooked for a Choice music prize nomination. But they bounce back with this charming video, directed by Marc Corrigan. Long story short: if a claymation ant invites you to dinner, you don't want to stand him up.
MACKLEMORE & RYAN LEWIS
Irish Celebration *
From the YouTube Disaster Archive this week, a particular gem. Irish Celebrationis a woefully misguided Celtic rap effort by a (I'm guessing here) 1/16th Irish-American knucklehead in the midst of a severe identity crisis. I say misguided, but that barely scratches the surface. At one point Macklemore boasts about the Irish using petrol bombs to "defend what's ours", warming Britain "don't touch these Lucky Charms!" You will laugh; you will cringe; you will feel pity.
BEADY EYE
The Roller
Sony **
It starts off with a generic line. Might mean nothing, but that’s fine. No one likes it when you whine. In the sunshine-shine- shine-shine . . . Yes, as a lyricist, Our Kid is beyond parody. Here he makes Status Quo sound like Lord Buckley. But how does Liam Gallagher mouth this gibberish, wear that ridiculous haircut, and keep a straight face? That’s what I want to know.
