Enter Shikari - 'Juggernauts'
When I was 13 or 14, I used to really like making what would should probably be called sound collages on a cassette tape. At the time I had no name for what it was I was doing, and the term 'sound collage' would've seemed ridiculously pompous, arty and grown-up, especially for someone who couldn't draw.
Nevertheless, I'd take bits from records I liked - a scream, a drum fill, guitars, some talking, and chain them together, linked only by the sound of the tape jumping as my inexpert fingers hit the record button too hard. First it was just cool sounds, then I'd work to a concept. .
(. Don't worry, I'll probably get to the point before the end.)
There was a 30-second-long segment which contained all the explosions I could get hold of. Another section was devoted to my friend Grant showing me how to scratch, using a 7" single by Michael Jackson. He didn't really know how to do it either, and I later wished I'd pressed stop a little sooner.
A common thought was to record every time a certain word appeared in a certain song, like the word "help" in that Beatles tune (I forget the title, but you know the one I mean).
You'd sometimes have to know what concept I was working towards to understand why certain noises were next to each other. I just used to like adding new bits to it, and then listening back. This raised a few problems, as no-one else in my family liked it, and while I was a little hurt by this, I could sort of see why, even then. It really was just a bunch of noises, jammed together into a short space of time.
In an odd way, Enter Shikari have always reminded me of that tape, and even more so on this song, which is full of of sudden surges, short explosive passages, and long, meandering lulls. There are screams, there are spoken word sections - in this case, sounding a LOT like Mike Skinner of the Streets - and there's a sense that it is all put together with no regard for the outside world and what the people who live in it like to listen to.
In short, my family won't like it. But I do. It only needs a bit of terrible scratching to make it perfect.
Download: Out now
CD Released: June 1st
91Èȱ¬ Music page
(Fraser McAlpine)
"We're not sure why the band persist on spreading one good idea over nearly four minutes."
"That type of stuff is awesome live but it feels silly to me on a record."
"This song is fantastic in every aspect."
Comment number 1.
At 28th May 2009, catman231 wrote:I'm still not really sure about this track. I really like Enter Shikari, some of the stuff from their previous album was really brilliant but it almost feels like they're trying too hard, putting too many elements in to a single song. Plus, there's the weird Mike Skinner soundalike, I would have thought it was him too if I hadn't read somewhere that he spends most of his time on twitter and producing odd little songs about swine flu.
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Comment number 2.
At 28th May 2009, thranjax wrote:ANOTHER MASSIVE SINGLE FROM THE JUGGERNAUT THAT IS ENTER SHIKARI
A Streets inspired cinematic masterpiece!
I Predict A TOP TWENTY placing for this fantastic group, maybe even top ten.
Thank you Fraser of Chartblog for finally reviewing this! Perhaps Empire of the Sun are finally on the horizon!!
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Comment number 3.
At 28th May 2009, thranjax wrote:(Sorry, just covering for him there since he's away).
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Comment number 4.
At 28th May 2009, catman231 wrote:Haha, this blog is turning into Spiritwarrior-idol
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Comment number 5.
At 29th May 2009, thranjax wrote:Why do I keep typing Enter Shakira and then having to retype it?
Could be freudian I suppose...
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Comment number 6.
At 29th May 2009, spirit wrote:Right let's get to it !!!
This is an absolutely huge song from a band on the up !
I have loved them since the unsigned days and could hear their potential a mile away !!
The first album "Take to the skies" was a good debut reaching number 4 !
This single ups their game... and will prove to be their biggest hit single....
Radio is lovin it , and it has a surprising commercial air.
Love the lyrics and the power... and even Oliviaaa likes it. ( She will tell us all why soon )
"And I know that we still got time but I do not think we're invincible...
The idea of community....
Will be something displayed in a museum "
Great stuff !
The album
"Common Dreads "
15 06 09
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Comment number 7.
At 29th May 2009, spirit wrote:Jax
Lovin your work !
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Comment number 8.
At 31st May 2009, spirit wrote:We know Oliviaaa really likes this song , can't wait to hear why........
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Comment number 9.
At 31st May 2009, spirit wrote:Hey jax... re the predictions on your post 2.
Now this Juggernaut is a tough one to judge... it will chart next Sunday the 7TH and as you are pushing me, I will say it will chart somewhere between 18 and 30... just like the club !! Let's see...
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Comment number 10.
At 11th Jun 2009, spirit wrote:Juggernauts... Number 28...
Well done Spirit.....
Well done Enter Shikari.
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