Sound of the Overground

Tragic O'Hara

2012-01-07T15:31:00.002Z

Came across this track from Tragic O'Hara who was tipped as a one to watch from Under The Radar in Scotland...

What do you think of it? I'm quite impressed. If you like it then when not check out the 99 Years and Counting EP at their bandcamp which you can buy for just £2. Bargain...

you can listen to it here:

&amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;a href="http://tragicohara.bandcamp.com/album/99-years-and-counting"&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;99 Years and Counting... by Tragic O'Hara&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;gt;

Wooden Shjips in session

2012-01-07T15:17:00.002Z

Heard some of this session when was in Seattle over Christmas on KEXP and watched the rest of the session this morning. Love it.

Thoughts?

Thin Lizzy / Pixies Mashup

2012-01-07T15:13:00.003Z

This is a terrific mashup of Thin Lizzy's 'Boys are back in town' and The Pixies 'Where is My Mind?'

What do you think of it?

Walk Off The Earth cover Gotye - Phenomenal

2012-01-07T15:10:00.001Z

Love the original version of this track and this version is up there with it... 5 people, 1 guitar...

Top 20 Tracks of the year

2011-12-16T15:06:00.000Z

OK, so we've already had the top 20 albums, here we look at the top tracks (that don't feature on the best albums) of the year...

It's been a really strong year of releases, with a lot of sifting required, however after much distillation, here we present our top 20...

20: The Strokes - Taken for A Fool

19: Gruff Rhys - Honey All Over

18: TuNeYaRdS - Bizness

17: Tennis - Take Me Somewhere

16:Twilight Sad - Sick

15: Slow Club - Where I'm Waking

14: Cults - Abducted

13: Girls - Hunny Bunny

12: Those Dancing Days - Fuckarias

11: FOE - Tyrant Song

10: Hey Sholay - Wishbone

As this is a live version you can listen to the proper track here...
Wishbone by Hey Sholay

9: She's Hit - Young Love

8: Anna Calvi - Desire

7: Arctic Monkeys - Don't Sit Down Cause I Moved Your Chair

6: Friends - I'm His Girl

5:King Post Kitsch - Don't You Touch My Fucking Honeytone
Again, No video.
Listen to it here:
King Post Kitsch - Don't You Touch My Fucking Honeytone by Song, by Toad

4: Lana Del Rey - Video Games

3. Metronomy - Everything Goes My Way

2. Jens Lekman - Waiting For Kirsten

1. Foster The People - Pumped Up Kicks

Yes indeed, Foster The People snatching the glory of top track for 2011 - the video has over 48m plays fro goodness sakes...

So, what do you think? What would be in your list?

Best of 2011 - Albums Top 20

2011-12-15T23:24:00.000Z

So here we go, the top 20 albums of 2011 from Sound of The Overground... Accompanying each entry is a track to listen to a video to watch and a brief, Twitter-friendly pocket review...

20: Pains of Being Pure at Heart - Belong
Pocket Review: A big debut to follow up but the fuzzed out shimmering melodies of Pains of Being Pure At Heart's 'Belong'make it really quite more-ish.

Watch: Heaven's Gonna Happen Now

Listen: Belong
The Pains of Being Pure At Heart - Belong by Slumberland Records

19: Black Keys - El Camino
Pocket Review: The ever-prolific Black Keys returned again this year with yet another top record. Heavy Blues and hooks to get your bones rattling. Hell of a racket for two lads. Excellent.

Watch: Money Maker

Listen: Lonely Boy

18: Frankie and The Heartstrings - Hunger
Pocket Review: Hyped to the hills but Sunderland's Frankie and The Heartstrings brought a certain swagger back to the North East with a catchy, single laden debut record. It's a bit of a belter.

Watch:That Postcard

Listen: Hunger

17: Telekinesis - 12 Desperate Straight Lines
Pocket Review: Another artist making a mockery of the 'difficult second album' syndrome, Michael Lerner overcame wonky ear syndrome to record another jingle-jangle record with Death Cab's Chris Walla that's packed with possible singles.

Watch: Dirty Things

Listen: Please Ask For Help
Telekinesis - Please Ask For Help by carloscouto

16: Okkervil River - I Am Very Far
Pocket Review: The ever prolific Okkervil River released their sixth record in 2011 and they continue to produce fine indie tune-smithery. Here's to another six records.

Watch: Wake and Be Fine

Listen:Your Past Life is A Blast

15: Wye Oak - Civilian
Pocket Review: Terrific really. Tender, spiky and lazily energetic in the space of 40 mins. It's really something special this one.

Watch: Holy Holy

Listen: Civilian

14: War on Drugs - Slave Ambient
Pocket Review: Don't mention Arcade Fire, oh, shit, too late... OK so some tracks soar like the AF, but The War on Drugs have a lot more in their armoury than being a Me-too effort... Slave Ambient is a top record that offers up something new with each listen. Love.

Watch: Baby Missiles

Listen - I Was There
The War On Drugs - I Was There by Dillman

13: EMA - Past Life Martyred Souls
Pocket Review: Slightly incongruous image / lyrical mashup happening here, but it works for me. Very dark in places - California is sensational...

Watch: California

Listen:The Grey Ship

12: Fleet Foxes - Helplessness Blues
Pocket Review: Melodically flawless. Pitch perfect. Sublime. Again, tricky second album? Pah... Fleet Foxes growth is not just limited to their follicles.

Watch: Grown Ocean

Listen:Helplessness Blues

11: King Creosote and Jon Hopkins - Diamond Mine
Pocket Review: Tender, Stark, delicate. Concise... This is a record of real beauty. Narrowly missed out on the Mercury prize earlier this year, but deserved recognition for a really special album.

Watch: Bats In The Attic

Listen: Missionary

10: Yuck - Yuck
Pocket Review: What a genuinely awful name for a band. Thankfully their sound is much stronger. A little derivative, but then why not if you're dabbling with Teenage Fanclub and Sonic Youth...

Watch: Georgia

Listen: Get Away
Get Away by Yuck

9: Lykke Li - Wounded Rhymes
Pocket Review: A More tribal sound would not normally get me going, but this record is much much better than that. Some really great singles on here and a much more accessible record than her previous efforts.

Watch: Get Some

Listen: I Follow Rivers

8: Copy Haho - Copy Haho
Pocket Review: Another Scottish entry in the top 20. This time in the shape of Stonehaven's Copy Haho. I was so impressed with this record that it finally dragged me out of my 4 month no-gig slump for my birthday in October. You know what? They rocked it live too. Catchy, Upbeat indie goodness. Think Spinto Band on Tennents rather than Starbucks.

Watch: You Are My Coalmine

Listen: Dying Breed
Copy Haho - Dying Breed by The Line Of Best Fit

7: Kurt Vile - Smoke Ring For My Halo
Pocket Review: With Smoke Ring For My Halo, Kurt Vile has created a record that encapsulates elements of apathy and anger whilst demonstrating his progression as both guitarist and wordsmith. In doing so Smoke Ring is his finest work to date and the perfect soundtrack to a hazy Sunday.

Watch: Baby's Arms

Listen: In My Time

6: PJ Harvey - Let England Shake
Pocket Review: Polly Jean is back! And How!A record that's eerie, gritty, visceral and above all accessible. It's PJ Harvey at the top of her game. Just look at any year end list of note and you'll find this record. Can this many people be wrong? Simply... No.

Watch: The Words That Maketh Murder

Listen: Let England Shake

5: Bright Eyes - The People's Key
Pocket Review: Triumphant. Conor Oberst put his various side projects to one side this year and dusted off his old Bright Eyes hat. What they produced was a record of real depth comprising some tender moments, some angry moments and some poppy moments that sums to a heady mix indeed. Also, their performance at the Royal Albert Hall was my gig of the year.

Watch:Shell Games

Listen: Haile Selassie

4: Wild Flag - Wild Flag
Pocket Review: From the long since cooled embers of the disbanded Sleater Kinney came the Pheonix that is Wild Flag. Bursting with riot-grrl goodness their self-titled EP was a real breath of fresh air from the nu-folk fog that had been polluting the radio-waves.

Watch: Romance

Listen: Future Crimes

3: Grouplove - Never Trust A Happy Song
Pocket Review: This year's party album. Every track on this record could be a single. Audio fun captured for your enjoyment. If you are not on the Grouplove bandwagon yet, sort yourself out.

Watch:Itchin' on a Photograph

Listen: Colours

2: Mazes - A Thousand Heys
Pocket Review: A Thousand Heys is 33 minutes of perfect indie pop. It brought me back to my 14 year old self obsessing over The Charlatans in their Tellin' Stories phase... That may not sell you on this record, but surely the music speaks for itself... wonderful indie pop.

Watch: Summer Hits (The clean version - the album version is a bit more sweary)

Listen: Most Days
Mazes - Most Days by Fat Cat Records

1: Rural Alberta Advantage - Departing
Pocket Review: Departing caught me off guard this year. I'd rather enjoyed RAA debut effort but this year's follow up is on a different level. Lyrically, it's dark and dangerous yet melodically, there's something upbeat and cathartic about it all. It grabbed me and possessed both me and the Mack-iphone for much of this year. A triumphant record and, for me at least, a worthy album of the year for 2012.

Watch: Stamp

Listen: Tornado '87

So, there we have it. My top 20 albums of this year. What do you make of this little lot? How does it compare to your own? Feel free to comment / slate / praise (ha!) as you see fit.

Dirty Beaches

2011-11-22T13:40:00.001Z

Came across this on Stereogum's list of new bands for 2011 list. It's a single from Dirty Beaches. It's called Sweet 17. It's ace.

Think Taiwanese Canadian and what sound do you hear? Oh... well scrap that shit and listen to this instead then. It's rough, it's dirty and scratchy and it's dark, really dark. I love it a lot.

Dirty Beaches - Sweet 17 by iameuanmackay

What you think? Check them out here

New Music: Fidlar

2011-11-12T14:07:00.001Z

Came across this c/o Insound. This was their MP3 of the week, and you know what? It's pretty clear to me just why they have given it this title.

The track is Max Can't Surf by Fidlar. It's a loud, raucous and spiky two and a half minutes of garage surf punk that spurred me into finding out a little more about the band. They are from LA and they have just released a couple of EPs to date.

FIDLAR-Max Can't Surf by iameuanmackay

Listen to Max Can't Surf here then hop on over to their Bandcamp to listen to their full EP - DIYDUI. It's a very enjoyable way to spend 15 mins or so. If you are Stateside then try catch them live too. They play in LA supporting Black Lips, would be well worth your $20 entry.

Keep up to speed with their goings on via Twitter and Facebook.

Introducing: Rob St. John

2011-11-12T13:37:00.001Z

Some new material from Rob St. John has made its way round these parts this week. The promo single Sargasso Sea is a bit of a belter. You can listen to it right here. It's a five minute intense of darkly intense tunage that is a perfect soundtrack for a miserable November weekend.

Saragossa Sea is drawn from the forthcoming release Weald that is being released through Song By Toad Records on 21st November.

Get your listening on here:

RobStJohn-SargassoSea by iameuanmackay

There's also a rather excellent video that goes with the single too. You can watch it here as well.

Rob St.John 'Sargasso Sea' from rob st john on Vimeo.

What you think of it? Like it? Then hop on over to the label's site here and pick yourself up a copy of the record.

New Music: Cave Birds

2011-11-12T13:12:00.001Z

This week had the pleasure of opening an email from Cave Birds which opened my eyes and ears to the Leeds natives. Their track Some Lightening Thrill has had a few plays around here and I'm pleased to say that it gets better with each go.

Have a listen to them here:

Cave Birds- Some Lightning Thrill by Cave Birds

And you can find out a little more about the band via Twitter and Facebook here.

What you think?

New Single from Twilight Sad

2011-11-06T12:26:00.001Z

Twilight Sad have released the second mp3 form their forthcoming record 'No one can ever know'. Kill It In The Morning is a bit of a slow burner but it builds and builds to something suitably dark and broody. Perfect sound of early November. And James Graham sounds as broadly Scottish as ever.

Seal of approval from here...

What you think?

Listen to the track right here:

The Twilight Sad -- Kill It In The Morning by iameuanmackay

New Single from First Aid Kit

2011-11-04T13:54:00.002Z

First Aid Kit have been back in the studio with Bright Eyes' Mike Mogis to produce their new record which is due out in January via Saddle Creek.

The first single is called The Lion's Roar and had a rather dark and ghostly video that i'm quite digging today. Check it out here...

First Aid Kit - Lion's Roar from Mats Udd on Vimeo.

What you think of this then?

Introducing: Wet Nuns

2011-11-03T13:59:00.001Z

What would you expect from a band called Wet Nuns?

When I received this mp3 in the mail this morning my first reaction was, wow what a name. Immediately I was thinkgin ball-busting hard rock, sweaty hair and maybe even something slightly profane about it all.

And you know what? I wasn't that far off the mark. It reminded me quite a lot of an old Datsuns record I used to love. Defintiely blown some of the alt-folk cobwebs away for me.

The band are a two piece who make a right un-godly racket. They are about to release their debut single 'Heavens Below' which will be available through their website www.wetnuns.com

Else, you have a listen to it right here

Check out a video of them live in action at Sheffield Bowery here too

What you think?

EMA - Streaming new track Angelo

2011-11-02T13:45:00.002Z

Erika May Anderson otherwise know as EMA has released the first follow up track to her debut album Past Life Martyred Saints which was released earlier this year.

The new track is called Angelo and follows a similar vein to her previous work and if fuzzy and caustic sunny rock tunes is your thing, you'd be advised to give this track a whirl.

What you think of this then?

Forget the Rembrandts, the new Friends tune is awesome

2011-10-31T15:58:00.000Z

Yes indeed, the new single from Friends is, quite simply, terrific.

I'm His Girl (Lucky Number) has been making waves across the blogosphere for the last few weeks now but it gets its official release today (31st October).

I'm a big fan. Have a listen to the track right here.

What you think of it?

Video of the Week - Flaming Lips and Edward Sharpe

2011-07-26T22:08:00.000+01:00

Artist: Flaming Lips and Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes
Track: Do You Realize?

What is not to like about this? It's got Flaming Lips. It#s got Edward Sharpe. It has all his Magnetic Zeroes. It is all in soft focus giving you a Sofia Coppola-esque warmth and it was filmed in a Cemetery without the permission of the LA police.

Seriously, what is not to love about this?

What's your verdict?

Hello, Wild Flag

2011-07-26T13:05:00.000+01:00

Wild Flag, the supergroup comprising former members of Sleater Kinney, Helium and The Minders have announced they aer to release their debut record in October via Wichita Records in the UK.

To coincide wtih this news they have also release their first track from the album which is called 'Romance' and is mighty fine fuzzy punk goodness.

Take a listen here. What's the verdict on it then?

Wild Flag - Romance by Wichita Recordings

Amy Winehouse joins the '27 Club'

2011-07-25T22:39:00.000+01:00

Sad news this weekend on the passing of Amy Winehouse. Clearly she was a talented yet troubled lady. What's been even more disturbing is some of the coverage of her demise.

Interestingly, in her death, Winehouse joins the '27 Club'. A group of superstars who had the world in their hands only to see it all slip away through various means of self-loathing, addiction and over indulgence.

Just what is it about the age 27? Makes me glad I made it over the top. Here we remember the 27 Club at their finest...

Jimi Hendrix - Star Spangled Banner
Janis Joplin - Down on Me
Brian Jones - Dandelion (Rolling Stones)
Jim Morrison - The Ghost Song (The Doors)
Dave Alexander- Down on The Street (The Stooges)
Chris Bell - Watch The Sunshine (Big Star)
Kristen Pfaff - Violet (Hole)
Pete de Freitas - Seven Seas (Echo and The Bunnymen)
Richie Edwards - Motorcycle Emptiness (Manic Street Preachers)
Kurt Cobain - Aneurysm (Nirvana)
Amy Winehouse - Back to Black

Sorry, about the sad nature of this. RIP Ms Winehouse.

Noel Gallagher - First solo single hits the airways

2011-07-25T21:51:00.000+01:00

The first single from Noel Gallagher's first post-Oasis solo effort was aired on BBC Radio 2 this morning and the video has made it as far as this little spot here. It's called 'The Death Of You And Me' and you can check out the video below.

What you think of this? I'm not convinced as yet, but maybe it has some legs. At least it's not Beady Eye.

New Bright Eyes Video

2011-07-25T21:31:00.000+01:00

Well, came across this tonight. It's the new Bright Eyes single. I really like the song and the video looks kinda pretty but it doesn't really do anything that exciting which is a shame.

The track is Jejune Stars and comes from their latest record The People's Key which is excellent.

.

New Laura Marling record on the way

2011-07-21T14:14:00.000+01:00

Laura Marling’s recently announced third album, A Creature I Don’t Know, is seemingly due out in September. The tracklist and artwork have now been released, which you can take a squizz at below.

Tracklist:01 The Muse02 I Was Just A Card03 Don’t Ask Me Why04 Salinas05 The Beast06 Night After Night07 My Friends08 Rest In The Bed09 Sophia10 All My RageThere's also a video trailer to whet your appetite further...

What you think? Looking forward to this?

Video of The Week - Hey Lover

2011-07-21T14:07:00.000+01:00

Band: Hey Lover
Video: Our Heads In A Hole
Info: Myspace

Listen to this. It's great. It might be throwaway bubblegum garage rock, but it's fun. I like it.
What you think?

And we're back in the room...

2011-07-21T14:00:00.000+01:00

OK, so I know that i did pretty much this exact post about a month or so ago, but things at this end have been hectic as i'm currently goign through the process of buying and selling my house. It's chaos... and all-consuming chaos at that.

However, just because I have not been posting things round these parts does not mean that I have been totally cut off from the music world. Oh no. Indeed, here's a quick round up of some of the stuff I've been listening to over the last few weeks...

Eleanor Freidberger - My Mistakes

Just perfect catchy goodness from the Fiery Furnace.

Sufjan Stevens - Get Real, Get Right

I still think that Sufjan is best when he palys his quiet accoustic stuff but this is a pretty cosmic adventure, withlots of crazy going on.

Twin Gazelle - Men Like Gods

Intense. And beautifully shot.

Hyde and Beast - Never Come BackWell, it's got Futureheads affiliation so I was always going to give it a chance. Turns out it's also really good.

(Not) On the blog May...

2011-06-14T14:02:00.000+01:00

Well seeing that we've started with a bit of a round up of the last couple of weeks, here's a bit of a playlist of ten tracks which I have enjoyed but not shred with you as yet.

1. King Post Kitsch - Don;t You Touch My Fucking Honeytone

2. We Shared Milk - Aye Drum

&amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;a href="http://thewesharedmilk.bandcamp.com/track/aye-drum"&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Aye Drum by The We Shared Milk&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;gt;

3.The Heartbreaks - Jealous Don't You know

4. Victorian English Gentleman's Club - A Conversation

5. The Sandwitches - Sirens and Bells

6. Arctic Monkeys - Brick By Brick

7. Bon Iver - Calgary

8. The Antlers - I Don't Want love

9. Seapony - Dreaming

10. Hotel Mexico - Dear Les Friends

11. The Rosebuds - Woods

What you think to this little lot then? Which is your favourite? Anything in here you massively dislike?

Video round up! Including Video of the Week

2011-06-14T13:42:00.000+01:00

Well, it's been somewhat quiet round these parts for the last month or so, due in part to 1. A holiday 2. Proper job being really busy and 3. Buying and Selling a house all compounding to simply not enought hours in the day to devote round these parts...

Alas, we'll try to get things back up and running, but here's a wee round up of five videos that we've enjoyed over the last couple of weeks.

Video of the week

Okkervil River - Wake and Be Fine

Some worthy mentions...

Best Coast - Gone Again

The Cave Singers - Black Leaf

Cults - Abducted

Beth Jeans Houghton - Dodecahedron

So what do you make of that little lot then? Any particular favourites / horrors in there?

New Music - Green Like July

2011-06-06T14:23:00.001+01:00

Despite sounding as if it hails from America’s Pacific Northwest, “No Light Will Shine on Me” was actually penned by Green Like July, who hail not from Seattle or Portland, but from Turin, Italy.

The twangy crooning of Andrea Poggio and Nicola Crivello, the band’s vocalists, certainly don't belie their country of origin, and thankfully don't come across as Fabio Capello's kareoke rendition of Fleet Foxes.

Perhaps A.J. Mogis and Doug Van Sloun, who produced and mastered the song, respectively, hold the key to “No Light Will Shine on Me”’s sound. “No Light Will Shine on Me” was recorded in Omaha, Nebraska, home to Saddle Creek Records and this sounds like it would make a sensible addition to SC's roster.

Although songs of its type are written frequently, “No Light Will Shine on Me” rings true because Green Like July’s experiment with Americana is neither mawkish nor distractingly derivative.It's certainly more Tuscon than Tuscan...

For more from Green Like July, check out Four-Legged Fortune, the band’s second full-length release, which Italian-based Ghost Records this past February.

Listen:

Green Like July - No Light Will Shine on Me

What you think of this then? Like? No Like?

Video of the Week: Gruff Rhys

2011-06-06T14:09:00.000+01:00

Artist: Gruff Rhys

Video: Honey All Over

The latest effort from Super Furry Animal frontman Gruff Rhys is a jaunty reminder of just how great a songwriter this chap is. It's catchy, summery and comes complete with a video of Gruff donning a Bee Keeper outfit and looking a little shifty. I like it a lot.

Check it out here:

Artist of the Week: Soft

2011-05-05T14:09:00.001+01:00

Artist: Soft

From: New York

Label: Academy Fight Song Records

Info: Facebook // Twitter // Myspace // Official // Label

OK, so let's get the criticism out of the way to start. Soft is a horrible band name. It's really SEO unfriendly google it and you'll see and it's just a little wishy-washy. That said, what does it really matter if their musical outputs are up to anything? Very little really... So, are they?

Well, given their place as Band of The Week this week, you may have already jumped to the conclusion that they do indeed make an ear-pleasing noise and, you'd be right.

Whilst they are likely to be cobbled in with the shoegaze collective that are doing the rounds at the moment, the tracks I've heard to date seem a lot more melodic than many of their counterparts. They also have the luxury of having their new record 'Dogs' produced by Chris Coady who has worked with Beach House, Grizzly Bear and TV on The Radio in the past, so let's face it, they have to be worth at least a wee listen, right?

Well, seeing that has surely whetted your appetite, have a listen to a coupl eof their tracks below and watch them in some video action...

Soft: Fall Into Sand

Soft - Sun Dog

What you think of Soft? Let us know below...

EDIT: OK, so seemingly if you Google Soft the band's website actually appears on the first page,seems I was just being blind... Kudos to the SEO optimisers....

Video of the Week - Lykke Li (again)

2011-05-05T13:50:00.000+01:00

Artist: Lykke Li

Video: Sadness is a Blessing

Yes, Ms Li is once again featuring on this little area of the blogosphere. This time under the guise of Video of The Week for her delightfully poingnant 'Sadness is a Blessing' which comes from her Wounded Rhymes record from earlier this year. The album and the track are both terrific.

Check out the video below.

What you think of this then?

Video of the Week - She's Hit

2011-04-28T22:38:00.000+01:00

Artist: She's Hit
Video: Shimmer Shimmer

Been listening to this a lot over the last wee while. It's the latest single from Glasgow's latest export She's Hit.The track is called 'Shimmer Shimmer', it's a fine example of dirty pop. It's got a poppy hook that will embed itself in your head, yet it's loaded with feedback and sounds just rather sleazy. In short it's ace.

Have a look/see of the video here and keep your eyes peeled for the album (Pleasure) which is due for release early June on Repeater Records.

What you think of this then?

Listen to the entire new Beastie Boys record right here

2011-04-26T12:05:00.000+01:00

Bad news. The Beastie Boys new record leaked online... naughty naughty...

Good news, the band decided that rather than hunt down all those naughty rogues downloading copies they would just stick an online stream up for everyone to have a listen to.

You can listen to this stream right here.

What you think? If you like it, you can go get yourself a legit copy here.

Video of the Week - Tom Vek

2011-04-21T21:34:00.000+01:00

Artist: Tom Vek
Track: A Chore

Great news that after a three year absence Tom Vek has finally got his act together and is readying a follow up to We Have Sound. The first release off this new record is called A Chore and it surfaced this week with by a strangely alluring video...

Have your say below...

Loving the new Beastie Boys material...

2011-04-13T13:29:00.000+01:00

Check out the trailer for the new Beastie Boys Record (Hot Sauce Committee Pt. 2) which features every decent comedy actor you can think of... It's pretty terrific.

In other news you can also have a listen to the first single off the new record which is called 'Make Some Noise'.

What you think? A welcome return, or just a little too old to be doing this still?

New Arctic Monkeys Single (Mp3)

2011-04-13T13:22:00.001+01:00

Not content with soundtracking movies Alex Turner, this week, returned to the fold in his regular Arctic Monkeys guise. The 'Monkeys released the first track from their third album... It's called 'Don't Sit Down, 'Cause I Moved Your Chair'...

It's super Bass-heavy and whilst not quite as catchy and poppy as their early stuff, this has grown on me with a couple of listens. What say you? Listen here...

The Antlers release a new track

2011-04-12T14:01:00.000+01:00

The Antlers have released the first track from their much anticipated follow up to Hospice which is calles Burst Apart.

The track is called Parentheses and it sounds ace. Really excited to hear more from this band. Have a listen to it here.

What you think to this?

Video of the Week: Girls Names

2011-04-12T13:49:00.002+01:00

Artist: Girls Names

From: Belfast

Track: Bury Me

Listened to this track by Girls Names quite a lot over the last week or two and really getting into it. Think that the accompanying video works well with the track too. Another of the bands bursting out of the Belfast music scene at the moment.

What are your thoughts to this?

Band of the Week: FOE

2011-04-12T13:37:00.000+01:00

Artist: FOE

Label: Stella Mortos

Info: Facebook :: Myspace :: Twitter

FOE is the SEO unfriendly moniker of Hannah Clark. She has just released her debut EP called Hot New Trash. You can buy a copy of it from her website here and I strongly urge you to

Hot New Trash is dirty, nasty and vitriolic in places, yet also hugely moreish. I'm sold.

Watch the video for the awesome 'Tyrant Song' here.

What do you think? Listen to the EP here.

Thoughts?

Spring is in the Air and that's not Offensive

2011-04-11T13:51:00.001+01:00

Yes, Spring has officially sprung. London's winter garb has been cast to one side this weekend as the sun decided to belatedly show it's weary face. To celebrate Spring, we give you the latest single and video from Spring Offensive (tenuous link at very best).

The track is called A Stutter and A Start and it's released today.

Whilst the link was awful, the track itself is really quite strong. We've given it a few whilrs over this weekend. It's also now out to own (via itunes) here.

What say you on this?

Video of the Week: Tennis

2011-04-06T13:33:00.000+01:00

Artist: Tennis
Track: Take Me Somewhere

This track is taken from Tennis' much lauded debut record Cape Dory and simply demands summer to get it's arse in gear and allow us to breath in salty sun tinged air sooner rather than later.

Love the way the video is shot and it sounds pretty great too. Warm Sunny goodness in AV format.

What you think?

New Music - Jamie and The Portraits

2011-04-06T13:24:00.001+01:00

Yes, it's yet another band with the [Insert Name] and the [insert quirky something or others] moniker but hold off before you immediately write off Jamie and The Portraits.

What they bring to the party is a slightly shambolic yet brightly perky indie pop sound that will help add a little bounce into your step in the current sunshine.

Their debut EP 'Wye' is out as of 23rd May and is well worth a look-see.

They also have a mini tour to promote the EP coming up too (starting tonight). You can catch them live at the following times and places...

5th April Canterbury – Beer Cart
7th April Newcastle – Hyem
8th April Leeds – Milo
9th April Blackpool - Blueroom
12th April London - Proud Galleries, Camden
8th-10th July Lounge on the farm festival, Canterbury (Ellie Goulding, Echo and The Bunnymen, The Streets)

Have a watch of their latest track 'A Song for Dan' here (complete with man-arse) and have a listen to another track from the EP 'Forget The Simpletons'

Jamie and the Portraits - 'A Song for Dan'

Jamie and the Portraits - 'Forget The Simpletons'

What you think of this then? Verdict?

Introducing - Abbe May

2011-04-05T13:19:00.000+01:00

Artist: Abbe May

From: Perth (Australia)

Label: Sandcastle Music

Info: Facebook :: Website

Round these parts, we're perhaps a little quick to jump on the Kylie bandwagon when anyone suggests anything related to female Australian songstresses. However that leap really needs updating so as to include Abbe May in the mix.

Who exactly is she you may ask? Well Abbe hails from Perth, Australia and is currently signed to Sandcastle Music. Unlike Kylie, she never appeared in Neighbours and does not perform bubble gum pop that's unfathomly popular with homosexual men. To put forward a description that sounds like it should appeal to homosexual me, her bag is a lot more ballsy.

She plays quite intense and dark rock music. Like Kylie though, she has recored the locomotion... more specifically 'Mamallian Locomotion' the title of her debut single.

Much of the PR surrounding Abbe recalls a similarity to Patti Smith, PJ Harvey and Portishead. There are definitely some similarities to each of these, but it would be a little unfair to peg her as the next so and so...

What I would say is that her vocals are something dark and ghostly at times and almost vitriolic at others, and her guitar is turned up to 11 throughout... In short, it warrants a listen or two.

Her debut record is due for release later in the year and you can buy some of her previous releases via her website here.

Watch and Listen below:

Abbe May Mamalian Locomotion:

Download: Abbe May - Mamalian Locomotion (Kevin Parker Remix)

Abbe May - Design Desire

What you think of this then?

Label Sampler from Song, By Toad

2011-04-04T13:27:00.000+01:00

Excellent news, the very generous folk at Edinburgh indie Song, By Toad have uploaded a label sampler for your aural pleasure.

You can have a listen to the sampler via their bandcamp or alternatively take a listen via the embedded player below.

Some crackers on here. My favourite is either Alaska by King Post Kitsch or Elegy for the Good by Jesus H Foxx, though there are other belters here too.

&amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;a href="http://songbytoadrecords.bandcamp.com/album/song-by-toad-records-sampler-2011"&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Song, by Toad Records Sampler 2011 by Song, by Toad Records&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;gt;

What you think to this then? What's your favourite? You can get more info on Song, By Toad here.

Band of the week: The Reservations

2011-04-01T14:05:00.000+01:00

Artist: The Reservations
From: Portland
Label: Unsigned
Info: Myspace

I came across The Reservations thanks to the ever excellent Portland Mercury: End Hits blog who call the band Booker T and The Black Sabbaths.

This seems like quite an appropriate description. The guitars driving the band forward are very reverb heavy. Yet there is something undeniably 60s about it all. With the track Live Forever, it's the organ sound floating along in the background and of course the cheap as you like video. It's quite excellent. Tryin' is again reverby gothic post rick that draws heavily on the psychadelic organs.

I sincerely hope that the band make it to these shores as they sound like they could be good fun live.

They sadly don;t seem to have an awful lot of material out there as yet, but check out the video for Live Forever here.

What is the verdict on this then?

Fleet Foxes in video action

2011-04-01T13:44:00.000+01:00

OK, so tUnEyArDs won the video of the week battle this week, but this new effort from Fleet Foxes were a mighty close runner up.

The sound is very 'Fleet Foxes' so if you like them already, you'll like this. The vocals sound even more accomplished here and seem to get stronger with each new track I hear. There's an increasing Art Garfunkel sound about it too...

More than anything though, I love the way the video for 'Grown Ocean' is shot. I'm a sucker for filters on the lens like that though...

What is the verdict on this?

Video of the Week: tUnEyArDs

2011-04-01T13:21:00.000+01:00

Artist: tUnEyArDs
Release: Bizness

Yes, the naming convention is irritating as fuck, more so to type that way, but the music that tUnEyArDs produce is considerably better than the quirky name might suggest.

The new video 'Bizness' is terrific, it's a little bit stop:motion and may induce vomiting/fits if you are that way inclined, but it works the right way for me. The track itself, is suitably shouty and yet catchy with a strange almost funky beat going on underneath that it works as a package pretty damn well.

What say you?

Ra Ra Riot - New Single and UK Tour

2011-03-30T13:54:00.000+01:00

Syracuse sextet Ra Ra Riot have announced the release of their new single Too Dramatic which is due for release on 7th May. The track comes from the band's good-but-not-quite-asgood-as-their-debut second album The Orchard.

Listen to the single here:

Ra Ra Riot - Too Dramatic

One of the real strengths of this band though lies in their live set. They really fucking blow it away on stage. Excitingly you can get a taste of just how good they are live by popping along to any of these venues below on the dates listed...

May

17 – Garage, London

18 – Ruby Lounge, Manchester

19 – Audio, Brighton

20 – Mayfield Derby Festival, Darnstadt

21 – London Calling, Amsterdam

23 – Trix, Antwerp

24 – Blue Shell, Cologne

25 – Molotow, Hamburg

26 – Comet, Berlin

27 – Immergut Festival, Neustelz

28 – Seewiesen Festival, Kleinreifling

What you think of the single? Will you be checking them out?

New Music - Death Cab For Cutie - You are a Tourist

2011-03-30T13:40:00.000+01:00

Death Cab for Cutie burst back onto the indie scene yesterday releasing the first track from their upcoming LP. The new track shows a continued progression for the band into their indie uberlord mantle. Whilst the sound is very 'Death Cab' it still packs quite a punch.

It's a big sounding, well produced track that has an infectious riff and chorus.

Death Cab for Cutie - You Are A Tourist

I'm sure that this is going to get pelters from some, citing this as the downfall of Death Cab and laying the blame at a former Ms Deschanel's door but I think that Ben Gibbard still has the knack of turning out a tune, whether happily married (and smug) or otherwise. What do you think?

Escaped from Pirates, back with 5 installments of new music

2011-03-29T14:04:00.000+01:00

Things have been mental round these parts. Was the lack of posts due to me swanning it off in Austin at SXSW? No. Was it down to my crayzee rock and roll lifestyle? No.

Rather it was a deathly uninteresting combination of sickness (both me and my entire family) and being rather busy through proper job work. Given that's not very cool, let's say I was kidnapped by pirates.

Anyway, following my lucky escape from said pirates, I spend tome time at lunch today actually listenign to the masses of music I miessed out on from the last couple of week.

Here's five tracks I especially enjoyed:

1. Panda Bear - The Preakness.

Not normally my kind of thing i'f i'm being honest, but the dreamy and slightly haunted vocals really just did something for me this time. Though it does slightly go against what i want to listen to at the moment (rock and roll). I rather enjoyed it.

2. Matthew Friedberger - The Sainte-Barbe Triangle

Taking a little time out from being one half of Fiery Furnaces matthew Friedberger's reported solo release has come to fruition, the first track off the record, has a really stripped back sound that takes some of the Fiery Furnace qualities and combines this with some bongos and a catchy-ass chorus. Bit of a slow burner this one, but think it has some legs.

3. The Flaming Lips and Neon Indian - Is David Bowie Dying

Perhaps as you may expect from the collaboration of Flaming Lips and Neon Indian, this song features some Electro Experimentation. Again, this should not play to my indie rock sensibilities but damn, it's pulling all the right levers just now.

4. The Dodos - Black Night

Oh I was so happy to hear that The Dodos were making a comeback after Time To Die which I adored. I know that this has been doing the rounds for a couple of weeks but i'm finally getting round to it. I like the sounds of this a lot. This plays a lot more strongly to my Indie rock sensibilities.

5. Brad Smith - Money

This is a totally bonkers project that proves, matter of fact, that people have too much time on their hands. Though equally what brilliant nonsense you can churn out if you have the time. This is from the project of Brad Smith who decided to recreate Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon in 8-bit format, using a Nintendo sound chip. Check out his version of Money here.

What you think of this little lot then? Any favourites?

Band of The Week: Cashier No9

2011-03-24T13:54:00.001Z

Artist: Cashier No 9

Label: Bella Union

From: Belfast

Info: Myspace :: Twitter :: Facebook

Cashier No 9 have a sound that fits just perfectly with this Spring-like burst if sunshine. It's warm and peppy. Kinda reminds me a little of The Raveonettes at their shimmery best. I'm liking what I've heard from this Northern Irish quintet.

What you think? Take a listen here. Their new Goldstar EP (which is produced by none other than David Holmes) is out on May 2nd and it sounds ace, oh and there's an album to follow shortly afterwards too..

Cashier No 9 - Goldstar

Cashier No. 9 - Goldstar by snipelondon

Cashier No 9 - When Jackie Shone

So, What's the verdict?

First Track From Thurston Moore's new record

2011-03-23T13:36:00.000Z

Following NPR's exclusive yesterday, Matador Records today released the first cut from Thurston Moore's new solo record. The Sonic Youth frontman teamed up with Beck to produce the album and the world has been waiting (well, I have been waiting) with baited breath for the first outputs from this collaboration.

The first track from the record is called Benediction and sounds pretty great to me, it's a lot softer and string-laden than I had expected, taking more of a 'Sea-Change'-esque approach, which is just fine with me.

Thurston Moore - Benediction

What you think?

Video of the Week: The National

2011-03-11T14:11:00.000Z

Artist: The National

Video: Conversation 16

One of the highlights from last year's excellent High Violet album, The National return to the limelight with the new video for Conversation 16 featuring cameos from Mad Men's John Slattery and Flight of The Conchords' Kristen Schaal as the President. It's excellent

Check out the full video here:

The National

What you think?

Lykke Li makes video on the moon

2011-03-11T13:58:00.000Z

Lykke Li's latest effort has seen her make a video on the moon. 'I Know Places' is features on her new album 'Wounded Rhymes'. The single is just very very pretty...

Watch the moon video here:

What's the verdict on this one?

Get Withered Hand to SXSW - Petition

2011-03-10T11:08:00.000Z

Seemingly some US immigration chap has decided that Dan Wilson (Withered Hand) needs further justification for getting his Visa which would allow him to play eleven shows in support of the release of his debut record in the US on 15th March.

His flight is supposed to leave on Saturday so he needs all the evidence possible by then. Given that, please sign the petition and Tweet, facebook whatever you can to help him get his numbers up to the extent that US immigration see sense.

Link to petition here: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/2/get-withered-hand-to-sxsw/

More info on what's happened here. Or in Wilson's own words:

Dear everybody

I had been invited to play SXSW, the big music festival in Texas, done everything correctly, spent a whole lot of money on flights and visas. And now my visa is held up a week before the show as US immigration do not think I am good enough to come into USA to play. Sadly I am not the only musician whose application seems to have landed on the ‘angry’ desk!

Twitter fans and Facebook users are spontaneously trying to help out in the only way they can really. I have already called in all the biggest favours I can in the BBC and the rest. Wheels are very slowly turning but i’m running out of time here. Just waiting now, flight leaves on Saturday. Album out on March 15th in USA on my US label Absolutely Kosher. Visa application (cost – $2300) on a desk somewhere in Vermont. Ugh.

Twitter hashtag to use is (sorry if this is gibberish to most of you, it was to me until a few months ago) -

#witheredhandforsxsw

Plz spread the word. Thanks Dan x

Not heard Withered Hand as yet? Then listen here first and go to the above link and show your support.

Withered Hand - No Cigarettes
Withered Hand - Hard On
Withered hand - Cornflake

Go get tweeting and sharing... #witheredhandforsxsw

Band of the week: Oh No Oh My

2011-03-06T22:11:00.000Z

Artist: Oh No Oh My

From: Austin

Label: Moelleux Records

Info: Twitter :: Facebook :: Myspace :: Official

This week, Oh No Oh My release their fourth full length album People Problems.

It represents quite a shift in direction for the band as they move away from the twee-as-you-like indie by numbers approach they took on much of their first few records. Fear not though indie fans, there's still plenty in the new record for you to enjoy. Indeed People Problems, for me, is the strongest album the band have released.

The new album demonstrates an added depth and almost seems the band have found a more grown up sound (which i'm sure is a terribly condescending thing to say for a 30 year old, but what the hey....). There are indie ballads that are sun tinged and almost Nada Surf-esque (You Were Right - listen below) yet still the band still find time for the odd return to twee.

Whilst it doesn't really break new ground per se it's still an enjoyable listen with plenty going on for audiences to get stuck into.

The band also kick off a UK tour in London tomorrow (7th March at the Brixton Windmill). and head off around the UK after that. Full tour details are available via Myspace here.

Have a listen to a couple of tracks here:

Oh No Oh My - Brains

Oh No Oh My - You Were Right

Oh No Oh My - Walking Into Me

What's the verdict? If you like what you hear, then click here and get your copy of the record.

New Track from Artcic Monkeys

2011-03-06T21:34:00.001Z

So, we thought that the Arctic Monkeys were on a bit of a hiatus seeing that Alex Turner was doing the score for a movie and what not, but then over the weekend a new track from their forthcoming album (!!) snuck it's way onto my radar.

The track is a million miles away from the rough as guts effort on their debut album with a finesse added by some serious production, but for those who liked their more recent records this should work quite nicely. The track is called 'Brick By Brick'. You can listen to it here.

Arctic Monkeys - Brick By Brick

So, what's the verdict on this then?

New Video from Mazarin Cut - Proof people are mental...

2011-03-05T14:56:00.000Z

The debut video from Mazarin Cut for the track 'Pin' is a fine demonstration that in general people on the internet (your good selves excluded) are mental. Mental and willingt o do anything for even a small offer of cash...

Mazarin Cut are a duo from Norway who have an easily accessible sound that comes complete with a really catchy looping guitar riff. Yes, it's slightly shoe-gazey and sounds like it's come right out of the early 90s, but you're not totally sick of that yet are you?

They describe themselves as somewhere between The Cure and Teenage Fanclub which, granted leaves quite a gap...

Judge them for yourselves by watching the video for Pin here:

If you lie what you hear then you can find out a little more information on the band at their website here.

You can also download a free copy of the single here.

Pin by Mazarin Cut

Review: Kurt Vile - Smoke Ring For My Halo

2011-03-03T13:05:00.000Z

Artist: Kurt Vile
Release: Smoke Ring For My Halo
Label: Matador Records
Info: Facebook :: Twitter :: Myspace ::

The album title suggests the laboured output of a laid back stoner. The artist suggests something a lot heavier and more vitriolic. However, in Kurt Vile's fourth full length record, Smoke Ring for My Halo, you end up somewhere in between with a surprisingly smooth collection that packs more punch than a lungful of the good stuff.

Getting into the studio with his live band The Violators for the first time, Vile seems to have found a more cohesive and less noisy sound than his previous solo efforts. This new stoned americana vibe suits him well. What he's also created is a record that really works as an album rather than a collection of tracks. The cohesive agent affording such a seamless flow is that of Vile's vocal. It's hazily melodious to the point whereby before you know it you've listened through and need to restart the record.

That being said, there's plenty to get your teeth into on Smoke Ring...,

Jesus Fever is just one of a number of standout tracks featuring some impressive guitar work and gives the album some early energy and potential radio airtime. Coupled with the nifty riffing, Smoke Ring sees Vile make advances in the depth of his lyrical prowess too notably on the equally peppy Peeping Tomboy...

"I've Been Searching / I Don't Know What for / I Came across this girl / She was a tomboy / And i was a peeping tom"

Then there're the more downbeat and dark On Tour recounting of life on the road. In My Time includes a chord progression that sounds like it may come from a Stephin Merritt songbook. Indeed, such is the seamless and hazy flow of the album, it's tricky to pick out too many weaker moments.

Whilst the words dreamy, laid back, hazy and smooth all suggest that Smoke Ring is almost verging on something akin to chillwave, let the record state that this, thankfully, this is not the case. There are enough whitey-preventing spikes on Smoke Ring... to keep even the most glassy eyed listener compos mentis and focused on the task in hand. The upbeat swagger and perfect production on Society Is My Friend is another potential single waiting to be released. Then there's Puppet To The Man. A potential anthem to the disenfranchised. Put simply, it makes me want to smash shit up, remove Microsoft Office from my laptop and go kick a Tory or two. Vile spits the vocals out in a manner that captivate his frustration and anger and are perfectly complemented by a crunching guitar riff.

With Smoke Ring For My Halo, Kurt Vile has created a record that encapsulates elements of apathy and anger whilst demonstrating his progression as both guitarist and wordsmith. In doing so Smoke Ring is his finest work to date and the perfect soundtrack to a hazy Sunday.
8/10

Have a listen to a couple of tracks here:
Kurt Vile :: Baby's Arms
Kurt Vile :: In My Time

Originally written for The 405

Video of the week: Lykke Li (TLOBF Session)

2011-03-01T17:57:00.000Z

Artist: Lykke Li
Video: I Follow Rivers (TLOBF Session)

Check out The Line of Best Fit's Lykke Li session which has Ms Li doing her thing in, what appears to be, a taxidermist... Turns out it was the Last Tuesday Society in East London.

Excellent...

Band of The Week: Ringo Deathstarr

2011-02-28T22:56:00.000Z

Artist: Ringo Deathstarr
From: Austin
Label: Club AC30
Info: Myspace :: Twitter :: Facebook

We had a week off last week, but we've come back with a vengance this week. That vengance sees the volume getting turned up, the reverb starts wailing and the track start over again. You see, this week's band of the week is Austin Texas' Ringo Deathstarr.

I've spent a little bit of time with these tracks on repeat this week and they are getting better with each turn. I'd imagine that they really belt it out live too.

Anyway, without further ado, get stuck in here...

Listen:
Ringo Deathstarr: Do It Every Time
Ringo Deathstarr: Tambourine Girl
Ringo Deathstarr: Imagine Hearts
Ringo Deathstarr: So High

Watch:

What you think?

It's Friday... Celebrate by listening to this...

2011-02-25T13:47:00.000Z

Swedish scratchy and catchy punk music from the wonderfully named 'Impo & The Tents'. Kudos to Swedesplease for the tip off...

Need to find out more about this little lot, they make me want to listen to this loud whilst drinking furiously in an unhealthy environment.

What you think?

Impo & The Tents - Bubblegum Machine

Video of the Week - Radiohead

2011-02-23T21:40:00.000Z

Artist: Radiohead
Video: Lotus Flower

Well, it just HAD to be in the running for video of the week this week. What with THAT dancing... Also, that some clever person realised that it would be super-hilarious to see Thom Yorke jive away to Beyonce.

They were right too...

Real Video here:

Beyonce version here:

Which do you prefer?

Five tracks that Soundtracked a working lunch

2011-02-23T13:59:00.001Z

Well, I say working... I was sat at my desk in the office in front of an open spreadsheet... Anyways, it's been a while since I delved into some totally new music, so that's precisely what I did today. Here's what I listened to...

Radiohead - Codex
OK, so the disclaimer is that I've still not sat down with the full record as yet, but what I have heard of it, it seems strangely enticing to me. Being honest I still want them to do another 'The Bends' or even 'OK Computer'. Anyway, Codex is one of the tracks that I've read a fair bit of buzz about so thought i'd give it a go. It's relatively calm affair with a soft edged piano leading you into the track and being met with Yorke's unmistakeable vocals. If the whole album was like this (which it's not) it would really fuck off a lot of Radiohead obsessives. As it is, I'm rather fond of this.

The Head and The Heart - Winter Song
I've written about this band a fair bit in the past, but they do write very pretty songs indeed. Makes Codex sound like white noise turned up to 11. Softly tender, gently melodic and crafted with touching lovely harmonies.

Cults - Outside
By this stage, lunchtime was heading towards twee... Kicking things off with some xylophone action there is a seriously twee alert happening, but the choral sounding vocals kick in and sweep you along for a very pleasant three and a bit minute journey, though if i'm honest I have the feeling this could wear quite thin, quite quickly. Definite candidate for style over substance.

Summer Camp - I Want You
Summer Camp are a band that I really wanted to like. And whilst their electro-indie sound is pleasant enough it doesn't really excite me too much. This track plods along without ever really getting anywhere which is a bit of a disappointment really.

Builders and The Butchers - Rotten to the Core
Things picked up pace with some Builders and The Butchers Action who launched a hip swinging (not easy to do whilst sat down) and toe tapping bluesy effort. Sneering and full of vitriol with the lyrics being spat out over the top of a pretty catchy refrain. Getting me ready for my spreadsheets again. About as much a motivator to work as The Clash's Career Opportunities.

So I think that Radiohead won the lunchtime battle for my attention today, but the Builders and The Butchers track definitely suggests there's some potential there too.

Anyways, time it is... What soundtracked your lunch?

New Track from Wavves

2011-02-22T14:13:00.000Z

I've gone a fair length of time resisting Wavves, putting them down to just another too-cool-for-school-shoegaze outfit populating that already packed bandwagon. However their new cut for Horse Shoes really grabbed me and has made me intrigued to see what I was missing out on.

Whilst it's nothing earth shatteringly new per se, it's got a certain hook that caught me, i think it's the way he delivers 'Horse Shoes' in the end choruses....

Have a listen to Horse Shoes here for yourself and make up your own minds..

Wavves - Horse Shoes

What you think of this then?

Review: Frankie And The Heartstrings - Hunger

2011-02-21T12:50:00.000Z

Artist: Frankie And The Heartstrings
Release: Hunger
Out: 21st February 2011
Label: PopSexLtd
Info: Myspace :: Official :: Facebook :: Twitter

If there's one thing that the UK Alternative music scene is at the moment, it's hungry. Hungry for a new leader. Hungry for something new and inspirational, for a new-found indie-credibility. And, with Hunger, the aptly titled debut record from Frankie and The Heartstings we may just have found someone who can rid us of the Mumford-infused mediocrity we find ourself mired amid.

For a start, there is not a single element of new-folk nor shoe-gaze to be found on here. There's no quirky banjo solos, iffy facial hair is thin and far between (as opposed to just thin) and manufactured country accents are nowhere to be found. In their place we have ten tracks steeped deeply in Frankie Francis' broad Sunderland brogue, a quiff that James Dean would be proud of and a sound borrowing heavily from producer Edwin Collins' years spent with Orange Juice.

Whilst Frankie and the Heartstrings' sound does not offer anything earth-shatteringly new, it's essentially Orange Juice, Dexys and The Smiths blended, it does have all the right constituent ingredients to win over the masses.

As with many of Collins' own works, the songwriting on Hunger is simple and raw yet perfectly packaged into joyful three minute cuts. The lyrics range from being pure and sweet tales of pretty girls and coveted kisses to holding a certain unexpected depth with other references to Scott Walker and F. Scott Fitzgerald no less.

Without sounding to critical, the lyrics are not what listeners will immediately fall for on this record. The draw of Hunger lies in the myriad of immediately hummable hooks and overly infectious choruses that will invade listeners minds for hours between listens. Frankly some of these tracks have summer anthems written all over them. Indeed when we throw in the several instances of 'Woah-Woah'-esque choral backings on the album a rammed festival sing-a-long or two is not out of the question in another month or two. One of most prominent examples of this comes in the shape of the lead single and title track. Quite simply, this is two and a half minutes of perfect indie pop (and comes with a cracking 70s Blue Peter-esque video to boot).

Frankie and The Heartstrings have more to their armoury than just one track though and Hunger is a record chocced full of potential singles that are sure to see the group head for big things this year. Additional highlights to keep an ear out for include 'Possibilities', 'Tender' and 'Ungrateful' all of which are snappy little ditties that are sure to set toes tapping the land across and with an ounce of luck help people awake from their Mumford-induced coma.

Then of course, there is Fragile, which still sounds as fresh as it did on first spin a year and a bit ago. This has movie soundtrack nailed all over it - think Just Like Honey in Lost In Translation and you're in the right sort of area. Hell, if it's not been featured in an episode of Skins yet, it can't be long in the offing.

Over in Indieland King Mumford and his new-folk bandwagon remains in power. And, whilst there are many big-hitting alternative releases in February (Radiohead, Beady Eye, Bright Eyes) it's Frankie and The Heartstrings' Orange Juice fuelled joyfully jangly uprising who are set to wake the masses and fight the power. Viva La Revolution.

Originally written for Never Enough Notes

What's that? Mexican Rock? Go On then....

2011-02-17T23:09:00.000Z

Mexico = good
rock music = good

Therefore mexican pop rock surely has to be a good thing? And you know what, if my first experience of this genre, thanks to The Boutcherettes is anything to go by, it is a very good thing indeed.

It sounds really clean, really well produced, suitably sloppy and the vocals are half way between Karen O and PJ Harvey. Now that's a big statement I know, but lead singer Teri Gender Bender (which, i'm not 100% convinced is her given name) has a set of pipes on her.

I'd love to see how this works on a live stage. Anyway, from the first couple of tracks i've heard to date, I'm definitely going to look into the album 'Sin Sin Sin' which is due to drop in May.

Have a listen to a couple of tracks from the record here:

Le Boutcherettes - Henry Don't Got Love
Le Boutcherettes - New York

What's the verdict?

Modest Mouse New Video

2011-02-16T14:01:00.000Z

Wowser... that's all I have to say about the new animated Modest Mouse video for 'Fly Trapped In A Jar'. Don't let the odd pink animations put you off, this is typically dark, classic Modest Mouse. I am loving this a lot just now.

What you think?

New Vivian Girls

2011-02-16T13:54:00.000Z

The first new track from the Vivian Girls has surfaced C/O Pitchfork TV.

As you'd expect from the band, 'I Heard You Say' is full of classic girl band harmonies with a suitable amount of fuzz going on in the background. Oh, and it's really super catchy. Check out the video below.

The Cave Singers - On The Corner

2011-02-16T13:43:00.000Z

Check out the excellent video from the ever terrific Cave Singers. On The Corner has suitably dark and dirty undertones which are somewhat masked by the catchy hooks running through the song. For me though it's the video that steals the limelight though. Just check out the super-8 tastic video which comes complete with scary kids and an upside down stars and stripes. It's pretty creepy.

Thoughts?

Video of The Week - Elbow

2011-02-15T22:14:00.000Z

Artist: Elbow
Track: Neat Little Rows

Elbow have released some new material and one of the tracks has been turned into a video. As you'd expect from Elbow, it sounds excellent. Grand and tender at the same time.

Watch below:

As a side point, doesn't Guy Garvey loom just like Charlie Brooker in this pic?

Band of The Week: Papercuts

2011-02-15T14:07:00.000Z

Artist: Papercuts
From: San Francisco
Label: Subpop
Info: Facebook :: Myspace :: Label ::

So, let's get this straight, Papercuts are not really a new band per se, but they are new to me. This therefore qualifies them as far as i'm concerned as a band of the week. They have been a band I have discovered and fallen for this week.

Papercuts are a four piece from San Francisco but are largely centred around frontman Jason Robert Quervar. The band are signed with SubPop who, as I'm sure you will agree, are generally a fine arbiter of taste, so take from that what you will. Their sound is a little bit dreamy, a little bit gentle and yet powerfully captivating enough that it still packs a punch.

More pleasingly for me is that they have a back catalogue with two full length records already under their belt and a third (Fading Parade) due for release on 1st March in US.

Have a look and listen to the band in action here and let us know your thoughts...

Stream:
Papercuts: Charades
Papercuts: Do What You Will
Papercuts: Marie Says You've Changed

Watch:

Listen and Download!

New material from The Raveonettes

2011-02-15T13:44:00.000Z

Excellent news this morning that The Raveonettes are releasing a new record. It's due to land early April (via Vice Records in the US.

The first track from the new album has made its way onto the interweb and it sounds pretty darn terrific. Have a wee listen to 'Forget That You're Young' here

The Raveonettes - 'Forget That You Are Young'

What you think of this?

Spring Offensive: How good are they? Judge for yourself...

2011-02-15T13:40:00.001Z

To coincide with Valentines Day, Spring Offensive have scheduled a limited edition release of their new EP. Rather pleasingly they have gone and 'done a radiohead' in as much as they are a band from Oxford who are putting a release up for people to download for as much as they think it's worth...

The catch is, you need to be quick, this limited edition run is only available for four days (well, three more seeing I'm a little late in posting this).

So, in theory you could get this for nothing, but help the good Spring Offensive folk afford their beans this week and chuck in a couple of quid, why don't you? If you pay more than £4 you'll get included in the artwork for their next release.

Have a listen to the EP in full here, then click on the link and pay for a copy yourself.
Between Me and You by springoffensive

What you think of it? Have you got yours?

New Strokes Single - Listen here

2011-02-11T13:36:00.000Z

So after much humming and hawing, solo projects and in-fighting and the immortal line of 'We gotta pay our mortgage so may as well get this going again.' The Strokes are back and have made their new single available.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, it sounds like The Strokes (it is The Strokes afterall). To be honest it sounds a lot better than I was imagining it would do and whilst it will undoubtedly get pelters from some, I think it's a pretty decent effort. I'd say a B+ is about fair.

Listen to it here:

The Strokes - Under The Cover Of Darkness

What's your reaction to it?

Review: Telekinesis - 12 Desperate Straight Lines

2011-02-10T14:15:00.000Z

Artist: Telekinesis
Release: 12 Desperate Straight Lines
Release Date: 14/2/2011
Label: Morr Music (Merge)
Buy: Amazon
Info: Myspace :: Official :: Facebook :: Twitter

Writing the dreaded second album is tricky enough business at the best of times, but when you lose your band, break up with your better half, end up with a wonky ear meaning you lose your sense of balance and you find yourself trying to top a record as instantly accessible as Telekinesis' self titled debut, you know you have a job on your hands. As 12 Desperate Straight Lines will attest to, Michael Benjamin Lerner is not afraid of hard work.

First port of call was finding a new band which was duly accomplished through the recruitment of Jason Narducy (Robert Pollard band, Bob Mould band) on bass and Cody Votolato (Jaguar Love, The Blood Brothers) on guitar.

Next up - start writing some songs again... After holing himself up in a warehouse in Berlin and then decamping to Portland where he joined back up with Chris Walla (Death Cab For Cutie) who again produces this record. Lerner soon found himself with a dozen tracks under his belt. Each of which is packaged in it's own two and a half minutes of indie-pop goodness. In it's entirety 12 Desperate Straight Lines spans only 32 minutes, so as you may take from this there's little or no room for fat on the record and every second and note counts for something.

So what was the outcome? Well, gone is much of the gently loved-up and sugar-sweet ditties that peppered the debut album. In their place we find a much heavier bass driven sound seasoned with it's fair share of anger, depression and heartache.

Despite the downbeat change in tone, with 12 Desperate Straight Lines Telekinesis have managed to retain the knack of delivering impeccably catchy indie pop tunes, if a somewhat noisier and darker affair than those crafted for the predecessor.

Take for example the poignant 'I Cannot Love You' which opens with a dirty and fuzzy Cure-esque bass line. This is coupled with some tragically downbeat lyrics depicting the fallout of a broken relationship. Then there's '50 Ways' whose buzzing guitar riff sounds as though it has come from many another Seattle-ite record from circa '94. However just as we think we're in for some grunge, there's a swing in tempo and the track slides into a tender and raw outpouring of heartbreak and frustration associated with an omnipresent ex.

Whilst this is not exactly a Cee-Lo Green-esque effort, '12 Desperate Straight Lines' is undoubtedly a 'Fuck You' of sorts delivered in Lerner's own unique and infectious manner.

Let's get this right though, it's not all doom and gloom. From the off we're hit with the glam-rock swagger of 'Gotta Get It Right Now', lead single 'Car Crash' has riffs too catchy not to be hummed along with and the buzzing guitars of stomp-along 'I Got You' is sure to dig you out of the doldrums of any relationship trauma.

Whilst it's not been an easy process for Lerner to get this second album out, he's done a stellar job. Indeed what he's managed to create is the slightly raw, hungover and fuzzy nemesis of his well pressed shiny pop debut. Definitely worth a listen.

Originally written for The405

Review: Freelance Whales and Broken Records at XOYO

2011-02-07T13:53:00.002Z

Line Up: Freelance Whales, Broken Records and Marcus Foster
Venue: XOYO, London
Date: 2nd February 2011

This was my first jaunt along to the hipster haven and frankly unpronounceable XOYO and what better an occasion to pop that particular cherry than a line-up which includes the disparate sounds of both New York's Freelance Whales and Edinburgh's Broken Records?

Traipsing in about 8.30 after a nice wait in the cold and wet, moods were lifted somewhat by a suprise guest on the bill, one Marcus Foster. Foster serenaded the Shoreditch crowd with a stripped bare and ultimately pleasant set that included a couple of tracks from his forthcoming Tumble Down EP which is due to land in April.

After 20 minutes or so, a slightly nervy (and giggly) Foster made way for Broken Records upon which there was an immediate change in atmosphere and an almost palpable sense of anticipation. 'Fresh' off the back of a cancelled ferry from Dublin the band hit the stage without sleep for any of the previous forty hours. You wouldn't have know this from the set which ensued (even if some of the in-set chatter got a little rambling).

The band's intensely brooding, moody and at times epic (if you can be epic in a venue such as XOYO) sound transferred brilliantly from record to the live stage. It also made me question, just when the fuck did fiddles and brass become so mesmerising and, frankly (for lack of a better word) cool? That I couldn't answer but the performance of Rory Sutherland (fiddle) and Dave Smith (trumpet) really added an extra edge to the set.

Overall the set included a healthy mix of songs from both Broken Records' albums as well as good changes of pace throughout. For me though, the band are best when they are loud and all going at it full-tilt. Highlights of the set included brilliant renditions of 'If The News Makes You Sad, Don't Watch It' and 'A Darkness Rises Up'. There was also a special performance and reception of 'A Promise' which front-man Jamie Sutherland introduced as one of those songs which ends up being popular for a reason you just couldn't fathom (it was used in an episode of Skins).

All in all this was a top set from a band who were very much on form. If this is them knackered, lacking sleep, they must really kill it when they're fully fresh faced. By the time Broken Records left the stage, XOYO was really buzzing.

Pic: Steven Walker - TLOBF

There was a rush to the extortionately priced bar and a jockeying for position before Freelance Whales finally took to the stage. The New York five piece looked genuinely delighted to be there. Their gleeful demeanour was further accentuated by the presence of glockenspiels and banjos on stage. Who can resist?

With the mood of XOYO lightening by the second, Freelance Whales launched into a cracking set that was front-loaded with hits Generator Number 1 and Hannah each of which being enthusiastically knocked out much to the adoration of the crowd. The band's energy was highly infectious and the New Yorkers succeeded in the virtually impossible act of breaking a Shoreditch crowd's too-cool-for-school bubble with a sing along.

One thing that becomes apparent witnessing the Freelance Whales live set that's perhaps not so obvious on record is their work ethic. Between tracks band members are frantic swapping positions on stage, alternating instruments as well as tuning up and down. It was a bit like pass the parcel at times with everyone taking turns with the various instruments littering the tiny XOYO stage. At one point I'm sure Doris Cellar was singing, playing bass and also glockenspiel on the same track.

The remainder of the set was again well received by the increasingly engaged crowd. With new track 'Anxiety' getting a live airing and an especially warm welcome. If this is an impression of what's to come from the band it seems the follow up to Weathervanes could be another cracker.

Whilst Broken Records and Freelance Whales sit well apart in terms of their respective sounds, put together on the same bill everything they complemented and complimented each other so well that they even broke the Shoreditch too-cool-for-school bubble.

Originally written for The405

Love The Phantom Band... New Video Joy

2011-02-04T13:38:00.000Z

The Phantom Band have just released their latest video for 'Everybody Knows This Is True'... it's mental. Full on psychedelic nonsense. Part Monty Python, part Charlie and The Chocolate Factory.

The song itself is catchy enough and plods along with a 'boom-boom-waaaaaaah' loop that has taken up residence in my head since watching this.

Check it out here:

What's the verdict?

New Vivian Girls - listen here

2011-02-03T23:54:00.000Z

Miss Katy Goodman is one busy lady. Not content with doing her thing on her lonesome under the guise of La Sera but news came in this week about a new Vivian Girls record ready for release.

Share the Joy is the new album that is released from 12th April and by the sounds of it there's been extra time spent on production this time round. It seems a little less scratchy than some of the previous Vivian Girls work but still has a similar sort of vibe about it.

Check out the lead single from the album 'I Heard You Say' below.

Vivian Girls - 'I Heard You Say'

What you think of this then?

Oh Brother Indeed...

2011-02-03T23:47:00.000Z

You tend to find that people who self proclaim are full of shit. From Chris Moyles (saving Radio 1 my arse), through James Brown (hardest working man in music, umm... we'll you're James Brown so you get away with ludicrous claims).

An then there is Brother, who recently claimed to be the saviour of British rock music.

To say i'm not convinced would be a hilarious understatement. I don't really get it. Sounds like The Enemy. In fact souds like they could be opening for The Enemy.

What do you think?

Watch the video for 'Darling Buds of May' and let me know...

Thoughts?

The Kills are back

2011-02-02T13:08:00.001Z

The Kills return to action after a break from the media limelight and have a brand new album all ready to go. Ahead of the new record release (Blood Pressure, which is due in April) comes a lead track which has a typical dirty bluesy Kills sound about it.

The Kills - Satellite by DominoRecordCo

I'm quite fond of this. What do you think?