Indie MP3 - Keeping C86 Alive!

Slow Down Tallahassee - Free digital single

2008-05-11T22:37:00.003+01:00

To celebrate the upcoming release of their début album, "The Beautiful Light" Slow Down Tallahassee have just released a free download-only single.

The single consists of the lead track from their album, also called "The Beautiful Light", and "Limbs".

Slow Down Tallahassee - The Beautiful Light
Slow Down Tallahassee - Limbs

Their début LP is set to follow on May 26th and it's a cracker and you can pre-order the record now from Thee SPC website. A full review will follow - but for now, just enjoy these cracking songs as a taster for the LP.

The band also a few live dates pencilled in for the end of May and we're delighted that they will be headlining the next Lostmusic night on 30th May at The Enterprise in Camden. Check the band's MySpace page for the tour dates and if you can't make any of those dates the band will be appearing at this year's IndieTracks festival.

Bit and Bobs

2008-05-11T15:27:00.000+01:00

Fire Escape Talking writes about the new album from The Very Most and their new album Congratulations Forever. Head to the post and download two tracks.

Los Campesinos will be the Sunday night headliners at this years indie tracks. The Wedding Present, who headline on the Saturday night, released their latest single The Thing I Like Best About Him Is His Girlfriend this past week.

Heaven Is Above Your Head has written about a clutch of new releases by Apple Orchard, The Autumn Laves and The Airfields. Kris hasn't moved onto the letter B yet!

Yay Records are taking pre-orders for the new singles by The Tartans and Catwalk.

Oh. Did I mention about the Vaselines reforming?

The Gresham Flyers/ Scaremongers/ Sparky's Magic Piano

2008-05-10T15:10:00.004+01:00

Live at The Gramaphone, London on May 8th, 2008

Oh, what a night! as someone once sang.....Probably as warm and as sticky a night as you'll get in the middle of London Town, travelling to a gig by tube and wearing loose-fitting clothes that hopefully won't make you feel as though you've just trudged through some Amazonian swamp. The weather suited the mood though, with the muggy atmospheric conditions lending an air of build-up and anticipation to proceedings, this gig of course being The Scaremongers' first ever live performance, hot on the heels of a successful publicity campaign for their singer Simon Armitage's book Gig: The Life and Times of a Rock Star Fantasist. BBC cameras were present, filming their set for the Culture Show, and there were even rumours of Mark Radcliffe turning up. (These proved later to be unfounded, unless Mark was hiding beneath a giant hat, which somehow seems quite possible!) For the unitiated among you, Simon Armitage is a poet of long-standing calibre, a behemoth of GCSE set reading lists and a flippin' nice bloke to boot. If you haven't read any of his poetry, or seen any of his television productions, you really ought to. His Millennium poem Killing Time is still one of my favourite things to read ever and - before you read the rest of this review - I will readily admit that I was in a state of over-excitement about this gig for weeks beforehand.

I had originally thought that I would feel a little sorry for the two other bands, with the prospect of so much attention being diverted away from them, but actually there was no need, as they both put in great performances. Sparky's Magic Piano soft and balmy sound was a delicious refreshment for such a hot summer evening , with Marion's honeyed vocals ringing clear and true without being overly saccharine. You Like Her and Like Falling in Love sounded particularly fab, and there was much swaying and hand-clapping in the DJ booth, where myself and Andy from Pocketbooks were playing records in between bands. Headliners Gresham Flyers also played an extremely tight set, and seemed much more practiced than at last summer's Pop Art all-dayer event. Their strengths lie in the variety of their songs and their Pulp-influenced lyrics, although I will admit that I do prefer them when they venture towards the poppier, lighter end of the scale, with Waz and Sharon sharing vocal duties.

But to The Scaremongers. First-gig nerves or not, they did a bloody great job of looking and sounding, like, a PROPER BAND. Simon seemed to spend a huge proportion of the gig hiding behind his glossy fringe, but this only added to his frontman mystique, recalling Mark E Smith or Ian Broudie at their most reticent. Craig seemed equally unperturbed, ignoring the cameras and the shouts and the noise, and only occasionally looking up from his guitar with a wide smile on his face. Aw, bless. But the great thing about The Scaremongers is, poet frontman or not, they have Top Tunes. Cardigan Girl, Less is More and Nodding Dog - all shamelessly jangly pop songs with wry, astute lyrics and irresistible melodies that grab you by the waist and force you to shimmy along. There was a bit of a lull mid-set when Simon's vocals seemed to disappear into the ether and the guitars sounded over-noisy, but they soon picked up the pace again with a joyous rendition of first single You Can Do Nothing Wrong (In My Eyes) - clearly the highlight of the evening. Not even a year old, the band already have a hardcore of devoted fans, most of them situated in the front row and mouthing along to every word. With such infectious pop melodies and happy, smiling faces, it was impossible not to dance, despite the looming cameras! I only hope they play their next gig again soon - apparently there's talk of a gig in Cheshire - exciting! In the meantime, do check out the video for You Can Do Nothing Wrong - if my beloved ITV Chart Show still existed it'd be top of the indie video chart, I'm sure!

Santa Dog Return!

2008-05-07T22:38:00.005+01:00

Santa Dog have a new single 'Spark It Up' due for release on 2nd June. The single is being released on their own RaRaRa label. It seems like an age since I had the pleasure of seeing Santa Dog play live and they have a London date lined up for 28th May at The Metro (Blow Up). They also have a few other dates in the West Country and in Belgium and Germany.

Santa Dog's music is always best when it has a delicate under-tow and this new song has all the hallmark pop leanings that mark Santa Dog out from the run of the mill bands doing the rounds. The single is up for streaming on their My Space. Also up on the page is 'Attack Attack' which I assume is the B side of the forthcoming single. It's another elegant slice of indie pop and the tinkly styled guitar on it, is rather lovely.

It's good to see them back and as good as ever.

Mono Taxi - We Wanna Get Some Real Fun

2008-05-07T16:37:00.002+01:00

Mono Taxi are one of the bands that have been picked to play this year's Indie Tracks festival and 'We Wanna Get Some Real Fun' is a recent single (7" and download) and it continues in the poppy indie rock vain that saw them release the rather good 'The Sound of You' last year.

The lead song 'We Wanna Get Some Real Fun' has a very American feel - but it's not as good as the previously mentioned 'The Sound Of You' single - it's still a decent little song. The band sound like a weirdly good version of The Dandy Warhols. And I didn't ever really get The Dandy Warhols - so I find it odd to like it - but the band know a good hook when they stumble across one.

The 'B' Side is a different proposition as the female vocals lead us on the jaunty 'Different Game' - it sounds like weird cross between Brit and French pop. It made me smile.

The Bridal Shop - In Violation

2008-05-07T16:32:00.003+01:00

Cloudberry Records are better known for their 3" CDR releases but they have recently expanded into the 7" format. Wentworth/Ciao Ciao Bomb by Twig was the first and the second is from fellow Swedes The Bridal Shop.

In Violation is the follow up to last years Cloudberry CD EP and the recently reissued From Seas EP. It has that certain retro feel about it being a bit like the Bunnymen joining forces with New Order with Morrissey sharing vocals with Neil Tennant. It's epic, sweeping electronica mixed with the odd guitar.

Flip side Coming Real maintains the electronic sound albeit in a more laid back way with hushed female vocals running alongside an almost dancey beat. Nice.

In Violation is out now on Cloudberry Records.

[My Space link]

Oh! Custer - States

2008-05-07T15:47:00.005+01:00

Another release on Series Two Records. This is another release that compiles previous EPs - this time by Oh! Custer as well as some brand spanking new songs too.

Oh! Custer first came to my attention via their fab Cloudberry Records release last year and this 11 song collection contains all three songs from that release 'Post', 'Your Name' and 'October'.

Oh! Custer make a fine and slightly lilting indiepop, although it can seem a little bit samey after repeated listens. Again, if it sounds a little Swedish, that's probably because it is. And that is certainly the case here. The pop on 'States' comes tinged with a little more melancholly than the sunshine pop offered up by Springfactory. The guitars chime in all the right places. Oh! Custer sound like a band that would have sounded right at home on Sarah Records in the early 1990s.

I have to admit my appetite for this sound isn't as strong as it once was - but that's not really the fault of Oh! Custer and if you liked what they released on Cloudberry you will like this. I just think I need a little more variation in their sound to completely hook me. This is limited CDr release and it's worth snapping up if you are that way inclined.

Springfactory - S/T (Series Two Records)

2008-05-07T15:19:00.007+01:00

Series Two records have got an impressive list of releases that have just seen the light of day (more on those in future reviews).

The first up for me to review is Springfactory. Springfactory are a Swedish band. The band also feature Peter Gunnarson from Suburban Kids With Biblical Names. So they have a bit of Swedish pop pedigree.

The sun is streaming in through my window today and Springfactory make the perfect summer sounding pop. Listening to the band is akin to eating a nice cooling ice cream as the sun shines. It's pleasant sensation but it's over all too soon! And the 10 songs collected here come in at about 26 minutes long. The ideal length for a pop record, if you ask me.

I first heard the band back in 2005 and this LP sounded very familiar - and after a little investigation I find it's a mini compilation bringing together the bands previous EPs with two new songs included for good measure. The new songs are 'Peggy Pear' and 'It's A Relief To Give Up'. Also included is a new version of "Back Of Your Bike" The band have written some gorgeous songs that have sweet pop melodies laced across the top of them. Like a lot of Swedish pop - it's fairly lightweight. And I don't mean that in a bad way - if you like bands like Acid House Kings and Club 8 you will be right at home with Springfactory. My favourite song is still 'Get Out Of Bed' with it's chorus proclaiming 'I just couldn't get out of bed'. Lovely stuff.

Springfactory are on My Space and you can stream some of their songs there.

Searching For The Now

2008-05-07T12:09:00.003+01:00

Searching For The Now is a new series of 7" records from Slumberland Records which are split 7" single releases which will then compiled on CD after every eight releases.

The first single comprises of The Company Presents Roy Moller and The Hermit Crabs. To be honest I have not been endeared to Mr Moller who has some sort of cult status due to his links with Belle and Sebastian. In fact Stevie Jackson from B&S makes an appearance here and do you know what it's pretty good in a 1970's clap your hands glam rock sort of way. On the flip we get a previously unreleased song from 2003 from the Hermit Crabs called Flaxen-Haired Boy and mighty fine it is too being stronger than some of the tracks on their album which left me feeling deflated in parts. It's a lovely, gentle folkish song and Melanie Whittle's voice floats on the spring breeze as you start to dream of grassy meadows and bustling streams.

The second volume features Bye! and The Happy Couple. The former features Archie Moore previously of Velocity Girl, Black Tambourine and many others. Oh No, Baby Don't starts off like You Can't Hurry Love but then twists and turns into the wall of sound. It's impressive stuff! The latter give us Song For The Troubadour in acoustic form which highlights the fragile beauty of Janehoney's vocals over a laid back poppy beat.

They are certainly a great couple of singles worth getting your mitts on. Future singles should see the likes of A Sunny Day in Glasgow, Eux Autres, Bright Ideas, Public Record, Summer Cats, The Pains of Being Pure At Heart, Brown Recluse Sings, Liechtenstein, Boyracer, The Faintest Ideas, Ladybug Transistor, Pants Yell!, Moscow Olympics, The Sunny Street, Pipas, In Interview, Strange Idols and Mytty Archer!

Both volumes of Searching For The Now are available from Slumberland or mp3 via e-music.

The Brights - It Won't Be Long Now

2008-05-07T11:09:00.001+01:00

The Brights are not the most prolific of bands when it comes to single releases. It Won't Be Long Now (that must be a pun surely?) is the follow up to 2004's Girl in a Bric-a-Brac Shop. However to be fair they have released two singles in Japan during that time, a country where they seem to be very popular judging by their tour schedule in June!

I can see why the Japanese may go for the band as they look and sound very nostalgic from their mod appearance to the 1960's inspired tunes which glisten all over the place. All what is missing is a red telephone box or a routemaster bus on the cover and that would wrap it up nicely. Both songs are charming with jangling guitars coupled with the unique vocals of David Burgess which gives them an edge over some of their contemporaries. It reminds me very much of those other indie popsters The Sequins. Pleasant retro indie pop which is unlikely to cause offence to anyone's ears

It Won't Be Long Now is out now on Bitterscene Records on 7" vinyl and download formats.

[My Space link]

Minimilk - Sa Trace Silencieuse

2008-05-06T19:57:00.002+01:00

Minimilk have made a pretty minimalist EP with Sa Trace Silencieuse. The band comprise of two Frenchmen who are split between Paris and London one of whom is Remi, he of Sunny Street and Electrophonvintage.

This is lo-fi at it's most extreme, ambient even, although they call it samba on their my space page. One plays guitar (Sebastien) whilst the other (Remi) sings. They sound like pleasing sentimental songs but could be about death and destruction for all I know as they are sung in French. Still I like what I hear and listening to any song sung in a foreign language always sounds romantic especially those recorded in a sunny kitchen many years ago. These four short, gentle and sweet songs are no exception.

The EP is beautifully packaged and is out now on Phonic Kidnapping Records.

[My Space link]

Pick 'N' Mix

2008-05-06T15:01:00.000+01:00

Some tunes to tell you about:

The Morning Paper are a shoegazing band from Stockholm. They have just released a digital album on Skipping Stones new digital arm and is available on e-music and i-tunes.

The Morning Paper - Fingers Crossed

[My Space link]

The Radio Dept have a new single single in the offering on June 4th 2008. It's called Freddie and The Trojan Horse. A new album is due to follow later this year.

The Radio Dept. - Freddie and The Trojan Horse

[My Space link]

Indurain have a new EP in the pipework called What You get For Being Naive. We have also booked them for a Lost Music show in July too.

Indurain - The Moment

[My Space link]

As mentioned here Swedish band A Smile And A Ribbon have a short UK tour this week. They have a new tune up on Heaven Is Above Your Head. It's a Television Personalities cover version and will feature on the next instalment of The Beautiful Music's series of Television Personalities tribute compilations. To hear the tune head to the above link and you will find it in the box player in the menu.

Reykjavik Nights in London #4

2008-05-05T16:10:00.002+01:00

Reykjavik Nights hits London one more time on friday next week, May 16th. This time it's the all encompassing cuteness of the Bedroom Community label, with artists Valgeir Sigurðsson and Sam Amidon performing.

The event will take place in the Chapel of St. Barnabas in Soho, which should be the perfect venue for music as fragile as this. Fitting quite nicely into the niche already occupied by Múm and Sigur Rós, Valgeir has already made a name for himself as a producer by working on all of Björk's albums since 1998, he released his debut album, Ekvílibríum, last year to much critical acclaim.

Fellow Bedroom Community artist, Sam Amidon, who is an American folk singer, will also be performing. All in all good fun for the whole family!

Listen:

Valgeir Sigurðsson - Evolution of Waters
Sam Amidon - Saro

[Get tickets]
[reykjaviknights.co.uk]
[Valgeir Sigurðsson on Myspace]
[Sam Amidon on Myspace]
[St. Barnabas]

Zipper + MJ Hibbett + Horowitz + The Bumblebees

2008-05-05T09:31:00.005+01:00

The headliners at tonights Spiral Scratch are the Spanish three piece Zipper who must feel at home in the compact surroundings of Monkey Chews. The heat in the converted living room come venue is as bad as on a humid day on the Iberian peninsula! The band are in England for a short two date tour and after playing in Stoke last night the band make their first visit to London town.

New and very young Bristol band The Bumblebees are also down for their first visit and they open the proceedings. "We walked around Camden today" they tell us. "Very nice. Well done London!" I guess it's improved greatly after the recent fire then? The band are fun and cute, a description I seem to use more frequently for many first on the bill bands these days. The guitar string breaks on the first song and they borrow one from Zipper. "We are a shambles" they say. Not seen the Deirdres then I wonder? The songs are patchy but fine and they sound like a BIS on Postcard Records. Their best song by far is Cool Science with it's wonderful casio beats.

Roque from Cloudberry Records wrote recently that Horowitz's legacy will go further than the likes of The Decemberists and all the other major label acts who term themselves as indie. Before the show an enthusiastic Ian from Horowitz proclaims their gig the previous night in their home town of Stoke was the best they have ever played. If it was better than their performance tonight I am gutted to have missed it. The band are now a two piece with the bass parts joining the drums on the gadget thingy bob with Pete now playing the now departed Matt's guitar pieces. They were loud and solid tonight (well done to the pop kid soundman) and the songs sounded better than ever. Ian disses London's new bumbling buffoon of a mayor before the band launches into Pop Kids Of The World Unite. The bands fuzzy DIY pop songs are now well engrained into my head having now seen them countless times now and having played their album Frosty Cat Songs to death. I Need A Blanket and Tracyanne sound sweet, sublime and Roque's point will no doubt be proven when the next indie pop revival, if the current one ever dies, emerges in twenty years time.

Also in town tonight is Alex from down under and I manage to say a quick hello before MJ Hibbett appears minus his Validators. Hibbett must now lead the indie pop banter stakes ahead of Darren Hayman and he sets the scene lovingly before each song. His songs cover Thatcher dying with a few adjustments to take care of the new mayor, IT love stories, his time in the scouts and school reunions. The songs are all clever, witty and touching detailing stories from points in his life. New single Do The Indie Kid appears but only one amongst us dares do the songs dance moves. The highlight tonight is The Fight for History which wets the appetite for his show at this years indie tracks.

Monkey Chew suddenly seems to be transported to Madrid such is the Spanish presence. All what's missing is some tapas at the bar. The band come on but they disappear from view due to the large number of people, all of whom seem to be taller than me, make their way to the front. Their EP on Cloudberry last year was one of the years highlights for me and I have been looking forward to tonight for some time. It's fast, fuzzy, punky indie pop which is all about having fun and they even get a chorus of viva españa going during a lull in proceedings! People start dancing and the band look overwhelmed as I crane my neck in order to catch the view. They have just released their début album 11which could be had for a bargain fiver tonight. I guess most of the songs were drawn it as I didn't recognise anything until the brilliant Former Friends from the afore-mentioned EP is played. It's even better live and the band follow up up with a Fat Tulips cover which was sung in Spanish. Sadly I had to dash off and miss the set's end plus the indie pop disco that follows but I did so with a smile on my face. Don't stop indie pop!

Sarandon - Kill Twee Pop!

2008-05-03T13:39:00.004+01:00

One of the most anticipated LPs of the year (well, by me at least) has finally landed. It's due for release in the USA on Slumberland Records on June 2nd (I can't see a UK release mentioned anywhere) on 10" blue vinyl and CD.

The title that Sarandon have chosen for their début LP is provocative. It's called 'Kill Twee Pop!'. That's going to polarise opinion, before most people have even heard a note. It will have some of current indiepop fans on the defensive from the off. Whereas, it instantly gets this old codgers seal of approval. All before hearing a note from the LP as well. We're a judgemental lot, aren't we? As the band try and explain the title of the record is not aimed against indiepop per se - the press release that accompanies this CD states Sarandon are on a mission to save indie from wetness, knee jerk posturing and careless cardigan wearing and this is a fine manifesto by me. You only need to trace the routes of the word 'twee' in this indiepop context and you can see it was never meant to be worn as a badge of honour. But I digress - this is supposed to be a review of a record.

After the compilation 'The Completist's Library' which collected together 5 earlier Sarandon EPs and was released in 2006 - this is the first 'proper' LP from Sarandon - and Crayola and his cohorts (Tom Greenhalgh - drums and Alan Brown - Bass) have made something a little bit special. It's packed full of tunes, jerky riffs, jagged guitars, great lyrics and all round excellence. This record is the essence what great guitar pop is all about. Often when music has an abrasive edge, tunes are usually a forgotten ingredient - And Sarandon are acutely aware of this - so 'Kill Twee Pop' comes packed to the gills with hummable tunes. Every song on 'Kill Twee Pop!' is meshed together from memorable melodies and hook-tastic riffs.

The LP starts with the song 'Kill Twee Pop!' amid scatter gun drums and an incessant guitar riff. They all propel this song along and I am soon to be found nodding furiously in appreciation. I'd never of thought it possible - Sarandon even break the 3 minute barrier for the first time on 'Remember Mavis?' - a song, again, propelled by some furious drums and those ever-present jagged guitars. 'The Discotheque Is My Lover' is one of the highlights of the LP - a slightly slower paced song that manages to maintain the energy levels that the faster songs exude.

This really is one of the finest LPs I have heard in quite some time. Sure I can hear the influence of bands like Big Flame (Alan Brown was once a member, folks), The Minutemen and Fire Engines - but the band are really a lot more than mere copyists. They've honed this mid 80s indiepop sound into something as compelling as it is brilliant. I dare anyone to play this record and not start to move. There are a fistful songs on here that should be packing indiepop dance floors out. It really is that good.

Sarandon - Mike's Dollar

THERE AIN'T A CLOUD IN SIGHT! The Untold Story Of Sunshine Pop.

2008-05-02T15:02:00.012+01:00

Sit back relax and enjoy the sun baked symphony's of The Yellow Balloon, The Free Design, Sagittarius, The Millennium, Mark Eric, The Fun and Games, The Cowsill's, The Association and many more.

Sunshine Pop is by far in my mind the best and most under appreciated genre around. Hopefully this article will turn more people on to these pocket symphony's. Perfect pop songs smothered with heavenly harmonies and studio creativity galore, what more could you ask for. This was music that really went for it with an almost spiritual zest. The thing I love most about sunshine pop is the fact that there is no pretentiousness at all in this music. It's pure and from the heart like all truly great music and we can only hope there will be a resurgence of this attitude in music. This music has a childlike quiet beauty to it just like all the best indie pop. Just remember don't forget to pack your beach ball and sunscreen.

Sunshine Pop had so many unsung sonic genius's. These four men were the main architects behind these sand swept masterpieces. Curt Boettcher, Gary Usher, Gary Zekley, and of course Brian Wilson. These pioneers used the recording studio like mini Phil Spector's on a budget. A little know fact is that Brian Wilson was in awe of Boettcher's studio mastery and stacked harmony arrangements and you can see the results for yourself Boettcher and Wilson took the recording studio to places never dreamt of before or since in music.

Curt Boettcher is the leader of sunshine pop legends the Millennium. There album Begin was at it's time the most expensive album ever made but oh man was it worth it, the studio trickery of this album along with the sugary goodness of the songs make this album a true work of art. He was also a producer extraordinaire a great example of Boettcher's work can be heard on the Tommy Roe Album It's Now A Winter's Day. Boettcher had a stable of musician's that he worked with much like Phil Spector or Brian Wilson and this album showcases there talent's along with having amazing studio effects and dazzling vocals.

Boettcher was also a part of the Sagittarius project with Gary Usher. They crafted one of the most resonant artistic albums of the whole genre the amazing Present Tense. Usher also made a second Sagittarius album mostly without Boettcher called The Blue Marble which is also a playful masterpiece which feature's the then new Moog synthesizer. Gary Zekley produced a trilogy of great sunshiny albums The Fun And Games lost masterpiece Elephant Candy, The Clique's song Superman (was later covered by R.E.M) and the sublime Yellow Balloon album which includes the definitive sunshine pop song Stained Glass Window.

As for Wilson and The Beach Boys their prime time sunshine pop album to look for is the overlooked mellow beauty of the Friends album which just can't be topped in my mind. It has some of the most outstanding vocals and amazing instrumentation I've ever heard. This album should definitely be up there with the other Beach Boys classics. The Association also crafted a one of a kind lost masterwork of sunshiny goodness entitled Birthday which can usually be found for a few dollars at record stores.

The Free Design. one of my all time favourites, have a very charming naive vibe. They kind of sound like a more laid back care free Beach Boys. The Cowsill's crafted an amazing album Captain Sad And His Ship Of Fools that in my mind sounds like a mix of the Baroque goodness of The Left Banke, mixed with angelic psychedelic sunshiny vocals. This is truly an amazing album that needs to be rediscovered. Mark Eric's A Midsummer's Daydream has been a recent discovery for me but oh my what an album this is. It might just be the sunshine pop holy grail as it sound's like a lost Beach Boys or Jan and Dean album.

Roger Nicholas was the resident songwriter for a&m records in the sixties contribution many great song to many great artists like The Sandpipers etc. On his album A Small Circle Of Friends he saved some of his finest California Soft Pop moments for himself. Jan and Dean's Save For A Rainy Day is a Sunshine Pop concept album of the highest order it has fascinating instrumentation and songs you just cant get out of your head. The Ladybug Transistor cover Here Comes The Rain from this album. There are so many wonderful Sunshine Pop Albums out there for you to discover, just remember to follow the sunshine!

Essential Sunshine Pop Albums:

The Millennium, Begin
The Yellow Balloon, Self Titled
Sagittarius, Present Tense
The Free Design, Kites Are Fun
The Fun and Games, Elephant Candy
Mark Eric, A Midsummer's Daydream
The Association, Birthday
The Cowsill's, Captain Sad And His Ship Of Fools
Jan and Dean, Save For A Rainy Day
Harpers Bizarre, The Secret Life Of
Tommy Roe, It's Now A Winter's Day
The Sunshine Company, Happy Is
The Beach Boys, Friends
The Beach Boys, Smile Bootleg Tapes
Roger Nichols & A Small Circle Of Friends
Margo Guryan, Take A Picture
The Peppermint Rainbow, Will You Be Staying After Sunday

Lean Tales

2008-05-02T11:43:00.000+01:00

The Lean Tales are a new indie pop band from Scotland and comprise of Imogen (Vocals/VL-Tone), Chris (Guitars), Erika (Bass) and Craig (Drums).

They currently have their The Displaced Persons demo up for streaming on My Space and it makes interesting listening. The music leans to the folkier fringes of indie pop and Imogen's vocals remind me of Moira Lambert (Faith Over Reason/Saint Etienne) and Sarah Nyberg Pergament (The Dreamers/Action Biker). Penny On The Floor is the strongest song here out of the three and, despite Winter And The Boy going AWOL mid song, there is a lot here to suggest that good things from them may come in the future.

[My Space link]

The Lodger - Life Is Sweet

2008-05-01T17:28:00.005+01:00

Slumberland Records have been resurgent over the past year with releases by The Crabapples, Sarandon and The How to name just a few. And the releases keep coming.

The latest LP to find it's way onto my Ipod is the 2nd release by The Lodger. It's called 'Life Is Sweet' and after seeing the Lodger back in April where they showcased a fair few of these songs I was really excited by the prospect of hearing this record. And my memory of the songs has not been playing tricks with me. 'Life Is Sweet' is a great little pop record. I'd always like the bands debut LP 'Grown Ups' and it's rare for bands to make a second LP that is stronger or better than there first. The Lodger seem to have managed this trick with ease.

Recent single 'The Good Old Days' is a beautiful piece of sunshine pop music and the recent orange video has been one of my You Tube favourites lately.

The LP kicks of with 'The Finest Hour' and it's hard to argue with the title. This is great pop music. Singer and (songwriter) Ben Siddall is fast becoming something of a songsmith. The songs on 'Life Is Sweet' are a cut above what he has written before. The strength and depth of this record is evident throughout. Each song is instantly hummable and just as memorable. I hear echoes of Brit Pop on here as well - with a strong influence from the song writing of Ian Broudie (Lightning Seeds) shining through. I was never a massive fan of Brit Pop - but in this context The Lodger are to be applauded for following their heart and not some trend towards jangly guitars for their own sake. The production on the record allows the songs to fill their own space. Their is nothing over complicated. My favourite on the LP is probably ' An Unwelcome Guest' which is just a lovely song. 'Life Is Sweet' is a record that flows effortlessly and as it comes to an end - you just wanna press the repeat button.

The Lodger - Conversation

Life Is Sweet is released on Bad Sneakers in the UK and on Slumberland in the States.

The Wedding Present - New Album News!

2008-05-01T08:08:00.005+01:00

The Wedding Present release their new album on Vibrant Records in the UK on May 26th 2008. It's released a week earlier in Canada and the US on Manifesto.

It's titled El Rey and the tracklisting is:

1. Santa Ana Winds
2. Spider-Man On Hollywood
3. I Lost The Monkey
4. Soup
5. Palisades
6. Trouble With Men, The
7. Model Actress Whatever
8. Don't Take Me Home Until I'm Drunk
9. Thing I Like Best About Him Is His Girlfriend [Santa Monica And La Brea Version]
10. Boo Boo
11. Swingers

Signed copies can currently be pre-ordered at Recordstore.

[My Space link]

Doing It For The Kids 08

2008-04-30T21:29:00.004+01:00

Doing It For The Kids 08 is a CD and download compilation, taking it's name from Creation's classic compilation, with proceeds going to Yorkhill Childrens Foundation in Glasgow, Scotland. It comprises a staggering 66 tracks featuring unknown artists alongside more established names such as Ballboy, Hermit Crabs and Slow Down Tallahassee. The full track listing can be found here.

The CD version of the album is limited and order enquiries should be sent jaffs@diftk08.org.uk. There will also be the the chance to bid on 266 individually numbered CD's which carry a bed and ward number. See the Doing It For The Kids 08 website to read more about the compilation and to find out about the Yorkhill Children's Foundation.

The download version costs just £6.49 and can be ordered/downloaded from here where you can also stream every track.

Half Man Half Biscuit - CSI: Ambleside

2008-04-30T10:50:00.003+01:00

CSI: Ambleside is the new LP from Half Man Half Biscuit. Like most people of my age - I first heard HMHB back in the mid 80s - with their John Peel approved pop. Songs like 'I Hate Nerys Hughes' and 'Sealclubbing' were favourites back then . Little did I know that said band and chief songwriter Nigel Blackwell would still be going strong over 20 years on, and by my reckoning CSI:Ambleside is their 11th long player (I could be wrong on this one, don't shoot me).

The formula is pretty much set in stone - funny and well observed lyrics referencing the everyday and the mundane all set to either chugging guitar pop or gentle guitar strums. Doesn't sound that appealing does it? But oddly, it just works. I've had this LP for 3 days now and it's already embedded in my brain. Their are great one liners (...I stick me big nose in when I go out, sealed-off car park - what's it all about?...) top tunes and it feels so comfortable. And I don't mean lazy and not trying - this is more the sound of a band comfortable in their skin and dare I say it, near the top of their game. HMHB make this all seem so effortless - but it can't be easy knocking out these catchy songs time and time again. But that's what they been doing these past two decades.

Half Man Half Biscuit really are a national treasure. CSI:Ambleside is another jewel in their crown.

Slow Down Tallahassee - Debut Album News

2008-04-29T17:57:00.002+01:00

Slow Down Tallahassee's début album The Beautiful Light will be released on Thee SPC on 26th May 2008. It will be preceded by a single featuring the album's title track with Limbs being on the flip side. Both tracks appear on the album as does last years So Much For Love.

Four tracks from the album can be streamed via their My Space page. An interview with the band can be found at the indie tracks blog as well as an exclusive download of Electric Sun which also appears on the album.

My Raining Stars - From St Saviour To Quickwell

2008-04-29T14:52:00.006+01:00

My Raining Stars are a French band who based on this album seem to have spent a lot of time listening to British pop bands from the 1960's to the present day.

The band have their origins in previous act Nothing To Be Done and From St Saviour To Quickwell is their début release. The bulk of the album has it's starting point in 1980's indie pop (think Creation, the c86 tape etc) which is ably supplemented with influences taken in the main from the 1960's, a musical era which influenced a number of bands two decades on.

The album starts of strongly with Gone For Ever More which sets a standard some of the other songs like Head Over Heels or Twisting Over My Soul fail to reach because they seem to be constrained by the bands obvious influences.

Hey! I know that's not a bad thing but I would have like to have heard the band expand their sound a bit more which they would do if they managed to get away from their comfort zone instead of following the same pattern song in, song out. The tracks pick up when they mimic Primal Scream's Sonic Flower Groove era. Songs like Better Days and Shadows sound like they have the hands of Jim Beattie plucking the guitar chords to great effect.

I played this album a lot over the past six weeks and I guess that has made me over critical having falling in, out and back in love with it during that time. It is a solid début and one that all indie pop fans should hear at least once. However they need to gain some confidence to move out of the comfort zone. When that happens I am sure they will get even better.

From St Saviour To Quickwell is self released. Contact the band via My Space to order a copy.

[My Space link]

Northern Portrait - The Fallen Aristocracy EP

2008-04-28T21:25:00.007+01:00

If 2007 was the year of Finland's Cats On Fire then 2008 could surely be the year of Danish band Northern Portrait. The similarities with both bands are striking. Both are heavily influenced by The Smiths and each have charismatic frontmen with striking vocal styles.

The Fallen Aristocracy EP is the band's debut release and the bar has been set very high indeed. It opens with Crazy with singer Stefan Larsen crooning over the Marr like guitars which sound like they have been lifted straight from The Boy with the Thorn In His Side. Strangely enough though it's not the strongest song here!

The rest of the EP expands the bands sound as they force their own imprint onto the songs whilst drawing from other 1980's influences. The remaining three tracks are as perfect as jangling guitar pop as you can get and choosing a favourite would be an injustice to the others. Whether it's the maudlin sound of A Quiet Night In Copenhagen, the slow building but infectious Waiting For A Chance or the glorious finale that is the title track these songs are second to none.

If you are a fan of clever guitar pop (Housemartins, East Village, The Lodger etc) then this is a release for you. Outstanding is an understatement.

Northern Portait - Crazy

The Fallen Aristocracy EP is out now on Matinee Recordings.

[My Space link]

The Seven Inches (no spam e-mails in sight!)

2008-04-27T10:31:00.000+01:00

The Seven Inches are a six piece band from Leeds who once featured Alice Hubley, now of Arthur and Martha, in their line up. They have been around for a couple of years now although I am not sure if they have actually released anything as yet.

Their are four songs available for streaming on their My Space page and in the main I am impressed. I really like the fuzzy pop tunes (To Boldy Go and Cashback) although as of yet I am not to sure about the folky sounds of Music For Travel Agents. The best song by far is Little Things which has single written all over it. It's very catchy and very fuzzy!

The band will playing this years indie tracks festival and they will be on my list of bands to catch.

[My Space page]