Alexandra Flores: Team Courteen...

Well, my first music post has to be on my favourite band right?

I could never pin point my favourite teener song.. so what? They are all bloody fabulous

From, Not Nineteen Forever, Fallowfield Hillbilly, aftershow, if it wasn't for me to Cross My Heart and Hope To Die, Revolver, You Over Did it, Doll and Sychophant and Fray covering Laura Marling's New Romantic and a Sugababes track, Frays voice will never disappoint

Ask me who my favourite bands are and i'll tell you one. The Courteeners. Known as Manchester's gobbiest,I have followed them for two years with my ipod barely ever leaving their playlist. For of their gigs i have been to, small or big, they have never disappointed. Ending 2009 by playing the biggest gig of their career so far was a large gesture from the the band with only one album to their name. The band hadn't released or been heard of in a while, but when all 10,00 tickets sold out in just five days, it was clear the fans were still supporting. The gig was a triumph and i will personally remember it as a highlight of the year. Liam Fray, the bands frontman and songwriter, launched into his set with a track from the soon to be released album FALCON. Soon as he sang, i remembered just how unbelievable they are live. New tracks such as You Overdid It, Doll and Will It Be This Way Forever were shared for the first time, which the audience welcomed with open arms. A recent release and comeback single from the band 'Cross My Heart and Hope To Fly' was played and chanted by the crowd like an instant classic. Initially this track worried me, wondering if this was a little too different for them, maybe a little too arena. It took me a few listens to get used to, but i'm glad i did. In time for the December Manchester Central gig, i knew it word for word, as did the other 9,999. As always the lyrics are great, as if you'd expect anything less from such a talented song writer. The chorus is pretty solid and a great singalong opportunity, and damn did it work, the arena erupted. Ending the night on a very high note, playing crowed pleaser NOT NINETEEN FOREVER, the band let the crowd know, that their rockn'roll days have anything but disappeared.

Its often Frays homely accented lyrics which the fans identify with. At any gig i've been to, the crowds have know every track word for word. St Jude is jammed full of tracks that the audience can relate to but years on and the front man is writing about experiences his fellow Mancunian fans are less likely to relate to : many songs on the soon to be released album FALCON looked to be that way, But after listening to a few demos and leaks, it still some how connects. Perhaps it it due to his homely broad accent and his choice of wording, or maybe his cockiness and humility, which makes all the new tracks believable.

But it isn't all just about Fray, The Courteeners, sound more like a band than ever before. Liam has ditched the onstage booze ups and is drinking water, whilst his home town are drowning themselves in alcohol and showing their love right back.