Bell X1 - Bloodless Coup

Lamposts

It's out next month, the lead single from it is Velcro. I hope it's better than the last album. So far they've made 3 amazing albums and 1 average one. I hope Bloodless Coup falls into the amazing category.

Velcro Video... EPIC.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jzYIKlcgf1I&

InTheTrees

I'm cautiously excited. I really liked blue lights though so we're different.

JerryHandbag

I'm a big fan, so far I've heard Hey Anna Lena and Velcro, really liking them both. Seem to be going down a more electronic/synth road going by those 2 songs, which is a welcome change...not that there's anything wrong with their more traditional sound.

Cant wait for album release

Edit: I think they start playing Johnny Cash "I walk the line" at the end of the Velcro video

Seren_

eeeee can't wait for this to come out! Although, like InTheTrees, I really liked Blue Lights On The Runway.

Not a bad thing at all if the songs are of an electronica flavour

Corholio

Amsterdam Says, which is a fantastic song, has been left off the album surprisingly. Its now just a bonus track. Looking forward to the album still of course.

Limerick Dude

Really looking forward to this album.

I actually quite enjoyed Blue Lights on the Runway, didn't like it at the beginning but it grew on me.

Velco is a great track, just have it on repeat on youtube for the past week!

Battleflag

Love their first few albums, really liked Blue Lights on the Runaway the first few times I heard it but then started to dislike it. Especially since Irish radio raped "The Great Defector". Still looking forward to the new album though

lordgoat

I hate the chorus of velcro but the rest of it is damn good.

Video is brilliant.

cunninstunt

Anyone now if this is available for pre-order anywhere, apart from itunes that is?

Birneybau

Does no one else think they are one of the most derivative bands around?

"The Great Defector" = Talking Heads.

New stuff is so reminiscent of Radiohead, albeit Radiohead with terrible lyrics.

Dont be at yourself

Velcro sounds like a Killers track. Not sure if that's a good or bad thing.

redondo25

The songs from this album that I have heard so far are going to add to the bands brilliant live performances. Has anyone in the UK ever paid any notice of Bell x1 in terms of regular radio play?

Sútalún

Birneybau wrote: »

Does no one else think they are one of the most derivative bands around?

"The Great Defector" = Talking Heads.

New stuff is so reminiscent of Radiohead, albeit Radiohead with terrible lyrics.

Think that's unfair, Paul Noonan's lyrics are of the most originial around.

RikkFlair

Birneybau wrote: »

Does no one else think they are one of the most derivative bands around?

Hell no. Snow Patrol, Script, Travis etc....now THATS derivative.

dedon

Birneybau wrote: »

Does no one else think they are one of the most derivative bands around?

"The Great Defector" = Talking Heads.

New stuff is so reminiscent of Radiohead, albeit Radiohead with terrible lyrics.

Radiohead Think Bell X1 are a fair bit different to Radiohead. Nowhere near their class.

Dear god some Irish people talk rubbish about Bell Eleven

Clare Bear

Paul Noonan could sing the alphabet on every track and I'd probably love it. I adore his voice, been a big fan of theirs for a long time.

Have only heard two songs so far. Velcro (already getting played to death on the radio) and I like it but not head over heels with it. Loving Hey Anna Lena though, it's a beautiful song. More of that on Bloodless Coup please!

jesso

Bell X1, or bell end 1 as I prefer to refer to them as, give me a raging floppy. The opposite to what good music should do.
Sorry, this is a pointless post. I don't usually do this kind of thing.
I just find them so insipid that I have allowed myself to become enraged to the point of posting.
Feel free to tell me to go and listen to my Lionel Richie albums in a cupbord somewhere in the dark for the next 3 months. Cos I'll happily do that. So long as I can avoid the next spate of Bell X1 singles.

punchdrunk

jesso wrote: »

Bell X1, or bell end 1 as I prefer to refer to them as, give me a raging floppy. The opposite to what good music should do.
Sorry, this is a pointless post. I don't usually do this kind of thing.
I just find them so insipid that I have allowed myself to become enraged to the point of posting.
Feel free to tell me to go and listen to my Lionel Richie albums in a cupbord somewhere in the dark for the next 3 months. Cos I'll happily do that. So long as I can avoid the next spate of Bell X1 singles.

good to know...

hada

jesso wrote: »

Bell X1, or bell end 1 as I prefer to refer to them as, give me a raging floppy. The opposite to what good music should do.
Sorry, this is a pointless post. I don't usually do this kind of thing.
I just find them so insipid that I have allowed myself to become enraged to the point of posting.
Feel free to tell me to go and listen to my Lionel Richie albums in a cupbord somewhere in the dark for the next 3 months. Cos I'll happily do that. So long as I can avoid the next spate of Bell X1 singles.

*facepalm*

Corholio

Their streaming the album from their Facebook now. Sounds good so far. Really like 4 Minute Mile and Nightwatchmen.

gustavo

jesso wrote: »

Bell X1, or bell end 1 as I prefer to refer to them as, give me a raging floppy. The opposite to what good music should do.
Sorry, this is a pointless post. I don't usually do this kind of thing.
I just find them so insipid that I have allowed myself to become enraged to the point of posting.
Feel free to tell me to go and listen to my Lionel Richie albums in a cupbord somewhere in the dark for the next 3 months. Cos I'll happily do that. So long as I can avoid the next spate of Bell X1 singles.

InTheTrees

I shouldnt post this...

...except i'm a big fan.

I didnt like velcro and as a result my enthusiasm level has dropped.

I'll need to listen to the whole thing a few times before I buy now rather than just rush out and buy it.

Limerick Dude

There are some great tracks on that album, current favourites are Nightwatchmen, Sugar High and 4 minute mile!

Can't wait for Vicar St. on wednesday

Slow Show

I'm listening to the stream now, until I can actually get out and buy it. Sounding good. I liked Velcro and listened obsessively for a few days (killed it though) so I expected to like it.

JerryHandbag

Gave the album a full listen finally on that stream. Love Nightwatchmen too, 74 swans is good too. A good few of the tracks remind me of Radiohead around the time of their Kid A/Amnesiac albums.

Framed10

Not getting the new album all that much..yet anyway
Although I'm sure it will be great energy when played live but on the headphones or around the house Im not warming to it.

Im off to listen some 'Beautiful madness' one of their best songs imo...
more of the early stuff please

Seren_

I really like the new album - lots of electronica influences, which isn't a bad thing by any means! Sugar High is brilliant, one of those rare moments when I loved the song from the first time I heard it. Love Nightwatchmen too, even if it is a little US-drama-season-finalé-esque

sugarplumkin

Gotta admit I'm not too keen on the electronica sort of vibe they've got going on atm

InTheTrees

Released in the us today. I may buy a few songs.

Itunes is saying Nightwatchman and Haloumi are the most popular...

Edit: Its twenty minutes later, downloaded three songs then itunes suggested it would only cost me another $2 to complete the album so I went the whole way.

I'll have to give it a few days.

Sútalún

After giving the album a few days have to say I love Nightwatchmen, Trailing Skirts of God, Haloumni and 74 Swans of the songs I hadn't heard before properly. I'd heard Velcro, Anna Lena and Sugar High beforehand and think they're very impressive.

Built to Last, with Dave taking lead vocals, is a song which, without sounding obvious, sounds like such a typical Dave Geraghty song. Which isn't a bad thing, just not sure if it fits in with the Bell X1 sound.

4 Minute Mile is slowly growing on me. More so than anything they've done this really sounds like a Talking Heads song. Never really bought the comparison before but it's obvious in this one. Can't help feeling there was a stronger track banging around that could have replaced this.

With regards Safer Than Love, in my opinion the most ordinary song on the album. Again, surely there was a stronger track than this that could have gone on the album.

But, the blip in the middle aside, enjoying most of the album so far. Not sure where it stands in comparison to their back catalogue. That'll take time. And still need to see a lot of the new stuff live.

InTheTrees

I listened to it a couple of times initially and then totally forgot about it until yesterday when i thought I should listen again.

I like trailing skirts, Haloumi, 74 swans, amsterdam and sugar high.

The others? Hmmm.

One of the most noticable things for me has been the weak lyrics. Really cringe-able at times. "Misundertanding start" or whatever it was. And "safer than love"? God. Its like they were written by a 14 year old boy after his first crush. And 4 minute mile? Spare me. Even sugar high is just silly (not in a good way) but the strength of the tune overcomes my dislike.

Musically meh though, I just dont think i've ever had such issues with a bands lyrics before.

And dont get me wrong I really like the whole second half of the album.

fortywinks86

I've been listening to this one for couple weeks and I think its a decent album from the band. I'm a big fan, one of my all time favourite bands. Loved flock and music in mouth has to be one of the best irish records ever. I didn't like Blue lights on the Runway though and was weary about this release.

I think hey anna lena is a quality track, one of their best. I though velcro was a bit cheesy at first, in similar vein to rocky took a lover but i really like it now. Lyrically its won me over, the stuff about gigging on the road and falling for girl stewards at concerts is brilliant and sets it apart from similar songs. Nightwatchman and trailing skirts of god are good songs bit undercooked lyrically. 4 minute mile and sugar high are some of the best stuff on the album, even if it is derivative its good. Built to Last and safer than love are forgetable but keep the album flowing along nicely.

I think they've finally settled and found there sound after the guitarist leaving which I think is what hurt blue lights on the runway.

I really hope they release sugar high, probably is some edited form, its a quality song and could really catch the zeitgeist. They've done a similar song before about corruption with reacharound which is quality, something edgy for which they don't get enough credit.

Also all this stuff about them being derivative is a lazy putdown. Just cause they can be derivative doesn't mean its not good. They are unique in alot of respects too, I don't think there's a more 'irish' band out there at the moment.

Joe10000

Big fan of the band but the album is a bit disappointing. Sugar high is the stand out track for me and safer then love is dreadful. Not sure about the electronics but they are growing on me.

InTheTrees

+10000 on sugar high.

Haloumi, swans and amsterdam and okay.

I've been paying more attention to the lyrics since the line "starters misunderstanding orders" actually made me almost throw up.

Lyrics have never been too important to me and honestly i cant think of another band (that i listen to!) whos lyrics have leapt out as being so embarrassingly adolescent.

"4 minute mile"? Meh, its not a bad tune but again the lyrics are just Sooo Bad they stop me from listening to it again. I DONT CARE about how many things the guy hasnt done...

I used to think "light catches her face" had some inspiration to it but maybe they were just really lucky... You churn out enough of this school boy love poetry and some of it sticks.

Yup, Joe, "safer than love" is horrible. Brrrr.

To be fair to them i have enough respect that I haven't permanently deleted any songs from this album yet.

InTheTrees

fortywinks86 wrote: »

Also all this stuff about them being derivative is a lazy putdown. Just cause they can be derivative doesn't mean its not good. They are unique in alot of respects too, I don't think there's a more 'irish' band out there at the moment.

Yeah, I can appreciate that BellX1's parents were big Talking Heads fans, I was back then, and that as kids they probably grew up with that music blasting through the house.

And the fact that that comes across is a good thing. Its an influence. Its a progression. Its not like they're trying to copy. ALL modern bands derive from somewhere.

fortywinks86

InTheTrees wrote: »

+10000 on sugar high.

Haloumi, swans and amsterdam and okay.

I've been paying more attention to the lyrics since the line "starters misunderstanding orders" actually made me almost throw up.

Lyrics have never been too important to me and honestly i cant think of another band (that i listen to!) whos lyrics have leapt out as being so embarrassingly adolescent.

"4 minute mile"? Meh, its not a bad tune but again the lyrics are just Sooo Bad they stop me from listening to it again. I DONT CARE about how many things the guy hasnt done...

I used to think "light catches her face" had some inspiration to it but maybe they were just really lucky... You churn out enough of this school boy love poetry and some of it sticks.

Yup, Joe, "safer than love" is horrible. Brrrr.

To be fair to them i have enough respect that I haven't permanently deleted any songs from this album yet.

It's a shame your not a fan of their lyrics, I'm a big lyrics fan and It would be one of the main things I like about the band. Noonan has a gift for taking the mundane and making it significant. He may not be as prolific anymore but he can still hit the mark.

I'm glad you mentioned "light catches her face", it's one of their best songs. Some of the older stuff like "West of her spine" and "slowset" are genius.

InTheTrees

fortywinks86 wrote: »

I'm glad you mentioned "light catches her face", it's one of their best songs. Some of the older stuff like "West of her spine" and "slowset" are genius.

I agree. I was a little harsh I think... Its really just a few songs on the new album...

Joe10000

fortywinks86 wrote: »

It's a shame your not a fan of their lyrics, I'm a big lyrics fan and It would be one of the main things I like about the band. Noonan has a gift for taking the mundane and making it significant. He may not be as prolific anymore but he can still hit the mark.

I'm glad you mentioned "light catches her face", it's one
of their best songs. Some of the older stuff like "West of her spine" and "slowset" are genius.

Slowset is one of my favourite songs of any artist but it took me a long time for the lyrics to register and when the penny finally dropped I was dumbfounded how
such a beautiful song was about awkward teenage moments.

To this day I don't know if that is the genius of bell x1 or their glass ceiling, honestly don't know.

fortywinks86

Joe10000 wrote: »

Slowset is one of my favourite songs of any artist but it took me a long time for the lyrics to register and when the penny finally dropped I was dumbfounded how
such a beautiful song was about awkward teenage moments.

To this day I don't know if that is the genius of bell x1 or their glass ceiling, honestly don't know.

I think they can still come up with some gems. As I said I didn't like 'blue lights...' but 'light catches your face' is arguably there best song. I would much prefer the older more indie/subtle Bell x1 sound instead of this poppy, electro style but I'd rather still have them around in whatever form than not.

s8n

fortywinks86 wrote: »

I think they've finally settled and found there sound after the guitarist leaving which I think is what hurt blue lights on the runway.

What are you on about - no guitarist left the band - it was a drummer ?

JerryHandbag

s8n wrote: »

What are you on about - no guitarist left the band - it was a drummer ?

No, Brian Crosby was guitarist and played keyboards. Paul Noonan is the drummer on the records, and have live drummers when on tour.

Tubsandtiles

lordgoat wrote: »

I hate the chorus of velcro but the rest of it is damn good.

Video is brilliant.

I think the chorus makes the whole song

lordgoat

JerryHandbag wrote: »

No, Brian Crosby was guitarist and played keyboards. Paul Noonan is the drummer on the records, and have live drummers when on tour.

Tim Neosupervital drummed on some of the last album as far as i remember.

He also toured with them.

JerryHandbag

lordgoat wrote: »

Tim Neosupervital drummed on some of the last album as far as i remember.

He also toured with them.

Thats right, saw him play with them last year. I think the guy from The Walls (The Stunning) is drumming for them now.

Julesie

The guys are playing a gig on the roof of Facebook's office in Dublin this evening. It is being streamed live on Facebook here.

Although they do seem to be having some technical difficulties at present!