These Pharaohs are certainly anywhere but the grave

Pharaohs from the Grave are a new upcoming alternative punk rock band based in London, who have been described as anything but a generic rock and roll act. And after hearing two tracks from the band I can genuinely say they certainly aren’t generic.

The band are a great mix of heavy guitars and drums mixed with excellent vocals by Emily ‘Wolf’ O, who displays tinges of early Shirley Manson and Gwen Stefani with a little bit of punk icon Patti Smith sprinkled on top for good measure.

Considering they cite people such as Garbage and No Doubt as influences I’m not surprised. The two tracks I listened to, ‘Higher’ and ‘Success’ both show what this band is good at, great rock music that hasn’t been around the charts for awhile.

I only got to hear two tracks from the bands EP but I can’t wait to hear what else this band can come out with.

Check them out at: http://www.pharaohsfromthegrave.co.uk

Review: Patti Smith - Outside Society

Originally posted on www.soundblab.com

Rock legend Patti Smith has returned to the music scene with a collection of incredible songs that span her four-decade-long career.

In a small video the enduring iconoclast made online, she discusses the tracks on this latest collection of some of her greatest songs. Speaking about the selection of the tracks on the album, Smith tells the audience that she "Picked songs that spoke for the whole band" before elaborating that these 18 tracks all contain a message and have something to say about politics, rock 'n' roll, life, summer and love.

This incredibly talented and influential rock poet cemented her legend back in 1975 with her amazing debut album Horses. She has since gone on to win critical acclaim and fans the world over, not forgetting a huge array of awards including the Polar Music Prize back in May, giving testament to her longevity and relevance in the ever-changing music world.

The album contains a number of great tracks from different points in her career including 'Gloria', 'People Have the Power', 'Dancing Barefoot' and some of her more recent work such as 'Glitter in Their Eyes' and '1959', not forgetting two of her most well known tracks, her biggest hit to date 'Because the Night', and the ever popular 'Rock N Roll Nigger', containing the lyric "outside in society" which gives the compilation its name, and what Smith herself describes as "a nice little song". There is also a great cover of the Nirvana classic 'Smells Like Teen Spirit' which Patti takes and makes her own, in a way only she could, slowing it down from but still maintaining its rock angst.

The selection of the songs truly is great, and as a huge fan of Patti Smith I can honestly say for anyone out there who may be wondering what this woman is all about, you should definitely pick up this album, because it not only contains some of her greatest songs but also showcases her incredible rock angst vocal and superb lyrics which contain meanings on so many different levels and send out truly important messages to our society.

Smith has described rock and roll as "the people's art" and says in her small six minute recording that "It belongs to the people." Well, here I must say the rock 'n' roll truly belongs to Smith and I hope she continues to churn out more meaningful and brilliant songs for years to come, because the music world needs her, and this album showcases everything that is great about the legendary Patti Smith.

Review: Adalita - The Repairer

Originally posted on www.soundblab.com

Adalita, front-woman and founding member of Australian rock band Magic Dirt returns with the debut solo single 'The Repairer' from her self titled debut solo album Adalita. After almost 20 years, Magic Dirt went on hiatus last year and it looks as though Adalita has taken the break to concentrate on her solo material, and her debut single is rather good.

The song is a melancholy and ambient soft-rock thing which blends the singer's rocky vocals in nicely with a mix of heavy guitars and a haunting echo in the background. The confection does sound quite sad despite her rock styled voice so credit has to be given to her for that, and you can really hear the influences of PJ Harvey and Cat Power coming through. I must add that you can also detect a little bit of the great Patti Smith in the more spoken word parts.

The song isn't something you would call a favourite after the first listen, but something sticks with you that makes you want to listen again. I think it may be the haunting background coupled with the guitar, but it is definitely a grower, so top marks to her for that.

More Film News ...

Originally posted on www.thefancarpet.com

Pitt, The Gray Man?

It looks as though Brad Pitt may be slipping into the role of an assassin once again, in the shape of The Gray Man.

Pitt is currently in talks right now to take on the lead role in the movie which would see him play the world’s greatest assassin who once worked for the CIA, but finds his name cropping up on the “burned” list after his latest job goes wrong. Due to this he must now go on the run to avoid the forces that are hunting him. With no help from his former employers he must get pretty creative when trying to save himself, and it doesn’t get any easier as he must also protect and save two girls who have no idea he’s their dad.

The film, which has been adapted from the thriller novel by Mark Greaney, will see James Gray directing while Adam Cozard will be writing the film’s script.

If Pitt does sign on, which it looks like he might, it is believed he would start filming after he has finished zombie invasion flick World War Z.

Smith's Memoir to get Film Treatment

The memoir Just Kids by American rock icon Patti Smith is to be turned into a movie.

The book won the National Book Award for non-fiction last year, and now Smith is working on a script along with the John Logan, who wrote the screen plays for Aviator and Hugo.

Just Kids centres on the relationship between the rock star and legendary photographer Robert Mapplethorpe after they met in 1967. It goes on to document the subsequent five years as their careers took off, whilst they lived together.

Smith and Mapplethorpe remained good friends after their relationship ended and his work was the inspiration behind many of her album covers.

With Logan on board it looks as though this film has great potential, considering he has particular experience in the re-writing of true-life stories for the big screen, with films such as The Last Samurai.

There is currently no news on who will be playing the legendary couple, but you can guarantee given their influence and reputation there will be plenty of people queuing up for the roles.