Blah Blah Blahnik review in When We Were Beautiful blog

http://backwhenwewerebeautiful.blogspot.com/2010/03/ep-review-julian-shah-taylor-blah-blah.html

You can download your copy of Blah Blah Blahnik for FREE right here (or offer a donation) in advance of its 1st May release date on iTunes. Below I've included a track-by-track guide.

Show Me Your Soul - A great hooky electro/rock number that sounds really fresh and now. The vocals sound wicked against the grooving drums and great sounding guitars, this song sounds like a hit. There's a cool synth journey in the second verse and the backing vocals in the chorus add a real depth to the track.

Force of Habit - The guitar work on this EP really shines through; the overall sound of the music has a far grittier edge than what I've heard from Julian before. This song is packed with great guitar-riff work; his voice is deep and sensual which reminds me of Ville Valo (HIM) against a cool upbeat background.

Butterfly - This is a real pub-rock anthem; chugging electric guitars, poppy drums and a real singalong chorus. The Lo-Fi feel after the first chorus is cool and I like the synth/guitar notes pushing against the straight grooves throughout the second verse. The guitar break after the second chorus is cool but I'd love for it to really push for centre stage with a huge solo on top of the mix; it just sits equal to everything else, show it off and take the song home!

Electricity - A virtuoso piano part sets the scene, differing itself from the dance-rock feel that the track's predecessors showcased. A calmer piano-driven ballad was exactly what the doctor ordered for track four and Julian's vocals sound great on this track. A really nice song.

Blood Destiny - We're sticking with the calmer feel again with this track which is nice; I'm in that mood thanks to the previous track. When the track gets going I love the drums with the acoustic guitar and Julian's deep vocals really top it off nicely. It's not a real stand-out track but is great in its own right; the track builds cleverly and the acoustic guitar work is top class.

Say What You Want (Jason Air remix) - A real grooving dance track to cap off the EP in style; it's a perfect ending. The track is a real foot-tapper featuring great samples and some wicked beats. It's eclectic and odd and this is what makes it perfect; it's a real cooking pot of ideas.

Overall it's a great display of Julian's talents and of his variety in music making. The EP is a real musical journey; taking us from grooving pop rock, chilling out with some more mellow tracks and finishing with a real rave of a tune. I urge you to download the EP now!

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I love it when.....

I find a tune that is worth listening to, and does something perfect and beautiful. Try Hot Chip's new one:
http://pitchfork.com/reviews/tracks/11653-take-it-in/
Avatar also was incredible against all my better judgements.

I have been working with Cameron on her masterwork: The Big I Am (Should that be in ALL capitals)
I have also agreed to be interviewed by E! network on my experiences working with Joaquin Phoenix, and consequently revisiting his songs that I played piano and percussion/sang on. Joaquin was not vocalising, but Antony Langdon from Spacehog was doing a fantastic job of that himself.
I think I am going to do a cover of the song "Cracked" so anyone who is interested might have the opportunity to hear Joaq's prodigious and most respectable songwriting talent.... alongside my best efforts of course!
The song, "Show me your soul" which I wrote for Antony Green's painting of Imelda Marcos' shoes is finished, and he is going to present her with it, and prepare a PR campaign for the whole project in the Phillippines asap alongside a worldwide press release! I will be publishing a limited edition "Greatest Hits" EP for Bandcamp so people can download and listen. Maybe I will put the Joaq cover on that..... two birds with one pebble...... Here are the lyrics for that song:

Show Me Your Soul - A song for Imelda

I've seen empires rise and fall out of the sky,
I've watched history unfold like the iron butterfly
I've danced through life with diamonds on my feet
Along the road that runs right to my destiny

If you wanna walk a mile in my shoes
Show me your soul
One of these days they'll walk all over you
Show me your soul

I am the morning star that brightens up the sky
I am the rose that plucks the thorns out of your side
I am the muse to blinks the angels to your eye
As the sorrow that we face defines our joy

If you wanna walk a mile in my shoes
Show me your soul
One of these days they'll walk all over you
Show me your soul

And your laughter fills with tears
And they're falling through the years
As the world keeps turning round

And there's no time left to cry
So your sorrow fills with joy
As the road keeps rolling on

 

Also, going with Scott to meet Danny Saber to discuss the terms of the publishing that we are looking at with Music Sales.