Niki N. Phaser

        With 2005′s Demon Days, Gorillaz evolved from a corky-but-cool experiment of Damon Albarn’s to a mainstream, chart topping venture. And it’s no wonder, considering that Feel Good Inc. became such an anthem of this decade. So did Dare. It was a bit of a surprise that the album’s second track, Last Living Souls, was disregarded as a single. It’s not as bassline infectious as Feel Good Inc., but there are plenty of catchy synths to make you love the song at first contact. Albarn’s vocals have that brit boredom in them, that should be familiar to Gorillaz fans. There is also an interesting 70′s American folk moment in the middle. The lyrics, well, they complete what Feel Good Inc.‘s video started — the song gives you the impression that someone is discovering a new world (but takes the time to smoke a fag before exploring). You might not get the urge to dance to this tune, but you will want to walk in a really cool way while it’s whispering in your headphones…

LAST LIVING SONG

            Since his departure from Placebo, in September 2007, drum virtuoso Steve Hewitt hasn’t been slacking off. Helped by friends and family, Hewitt has started a new musical project. The band is called Love Amongst Ruin. This will also be the name of their debut album. Yes, that is correct, an album is already on the way. It was recorded at the Moles Studio (Bath, UK) in the spring-summer period of 2008. Paul Corkett, who produced The Cure’s Bloodflowers, among other noteworthy stuff, was invited to work on some of the tracks. It’s not the first time Hewitt collaborated with this producer. Paul Corkett also produced and engineered Placebo’s Black Market Music. The mixing was done overseas, at the prestigious Bernie Grundman studios in Los Angeles by Brian Gardner, whose discography is as eclectic as can be: from 2Pac to Red Hot Chili Peppers to Barbra Streisand.

            Currently, Steve Hewitt is putting the ‘finishing touches’ on the band’s line-up, as most of the musicians involved in the recording sessions are members of other bands and unable to commit long term to Love Amongst Ruin. Rehearsals are on the way, but before the band premieres any new music, there is still the issue of finding the right management and a label. Knowing that, studio-wise, Steve Hewitt wasn’t restricted to playing only drums for Placebo, one cannot help wondering what this new project of his will sound like, especially since he’s also doing vocals for his new band. For more info, check his:

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