MERRY CHRISTMAS...

I've had a festive day of hungoverness, watching Jingle All the Way, Home Alone & now enjoying a night of the el dude brothers on C4. I more than likely won't be posting anything between now & the new year so I just wanted to wish you all a merry christmas and to thank you for taking the time to read my blog over the last year. Here's to 2011 being a goodun'. Now let's go eat some dry turkey & get shitfaced. x

Maccabees - 'Walking in the Air':

THE CROOKES...

I'm new to this band & love The Smiths-esque sound to their music. Some light hearted indie pop for you on Christmas Eve Eve.

www.myspace.com/thecrookesmusic








The Crookes - 'Backstreet Lovers':

BY THE WAY...

I went & watched Brother at the beginning of the week. They weren't utter cunts which was suprising & the frontman's cocky chat between songs was pretty funny. But their music can only be described in one word - MEDIOCRE.

NEW VACCINES VID...

Video for 'Post Break-Up Sex' by The Vaccines. Don't get me wrong, I'm strangely fond of this pretty plain song and very much excited by The Vaccines, but unfortunately it feels like their instantaneous whirlwind of hype is already soon to mellow out, much like their tunes. From 'Wreckin' Bar' to 'Blow It Up' to 'Post Break-Up Sex' feels like they've travelled from ballsy to bored over a very short period. The album (due out in March) definitely needs to see the light of day sooner rather than later to reassure my faith in this band.

The Vaccines - 'Post Break-Up Sex':

PAINTED PALMS - FREE EP DOWNLOAD...

Just cottoned on to this San Fran based group. Download their Canopy EP for FREE via http://www.paintedpalms.bandcamp.com/

LITTLE COMETS - 'JOANNA'...

THE GO! TEAM - 'T.O.R.N.A.D.O.'...

New video. Tick tick tick tick BOOM!!

The Go! Team - 'T.O.R.N.A.D.O.':

GIRL BANDS...

There is a fair amount of great music spawning from all girl groups at the moment. I posted just over a month ago regarding streaming the Warpaint album but I hadn't had much of a chance to listen to it throughly. After recently abusing it I can confidently say that this album is a great listen. From start to finish it's filled with bass driven, introspective & minimalistic songs that seem to suck you in. Purchase it.

Also loving this...

Frankie Rose & the Outs - 'Candy':

THE VACCINES - 'WRECKIN BAR' VIDEO...

For the next minute & 22 seconds go ape shit & punch your fist in the air like a twat.

The Vaccines - 'Wreckin Bar':

NEW DIRECTION FOR BSP?...

If this single is anything to go by it would appear that British Sea Power are moving away from their guitar based indie rock & drifting towards a more electronic sound for their new record 'Valhalla Dancehall'.

Listen & download 'Living Is So Easy Below'...

YOUNG BUFFALO...

3 piece from Mississippi. Love the riffs, love the harmonies. My perfect combination. Download their tracks for free @ http://youngbuffalo.bandcamp.com.

www.myspace.com/youngbuffalo

Young Buffalo - 'Three Deep':

NEW EVERYTHING EVERYTHING VIDEO...

The original video for 'Photoshop Handsome' has been scrapped & this is it's replacement. Some feel that the 2009 video was more entertaining, but the 2010 vid is still an interesting feast for the eyes. What do you think?

ACIIIIIIID TRIIIIIIIIP!!!:



2009 VERSION:

BROTHER. HIT OR MISS?...

It seems quite fitting to start the day discussing Beady Eye, a band built with members from one of the greatest Britpop bands, Oasis, & end the day looking at Brother - an arrogant bunch riding obscene amounts of hype & leading a so called "Britpop revival".

I must admit that I hadn't heard much by this band. I certainly wasn't blown away by what I had heard & I deemed the hype unnecessary. After watching this video however, I am intrigued & want to see more. As to whether it's because I want to see their cockiness shattered when people realise there is no worthy content to back the hype, or somewhere deep inside me I want them to pull something special out of the bag & their arrogance heightened, I'm not sure? I will be keeping an eye out for them either way.

IT'S NO OASIS...

The arrogant & loudmouthed scally Liam Gallagher & his new band 'Beady Eye' have put their first release up for free download today. It's not as horrendous as I was expecting it to be in all honesty...but it's still pretty poor. Noel must have the smuggest look on his face & rightly so. You can listen to & download it below.

GRAMERCY RIFFS...

Little Canadian outfit making some delightfully innocent & feel-good indie pop.



www.myspace.com/gramercyriffsmusic

GROUPLOVE...

My sincerest apologies that it's been a few weeks since I've posted anything. Life has been pretty manic - writing with the band, uni work & a club night to run. I'm going to make a conscious effort this week though to bring you some new music.

Firstly, Grouplove, an L.A. based band. I like what I hear thus far, but I think they just need a little bit more time to define their sound. In the places where it really works they could be compared to Born Ruffians' surfer dude brothers & sister. For example the vocals on 'Colours' & the overall vibe on 'Naked Kids'. Go check that sheezy...

www.myspace.com/groupmusic

BROKEN RECORDS...

Cracking band. The Scottish Arcade Fire??? You decide...

Broken Records - 'A Darkness Rises Up':

TROPHY WIFE - 'MICROLITE' VIDEO...

Video for Trophy Wife's debut single 'Microlite'. Expect your NMEs to be bombarded with news of this trio & other Oxford bands & artists such as Chad Valley, Pet Moon & Jonquil. The Oxford 'Blessing Force' scene is rising.

Trophy Wife - 'Microlite':

WARPAINT ALBUM...

Unfortunately I did not have the pleasure of attending SXSW in Texas earlier this year, but every article, review or blog I read post-festival was regarding this band. The hype has been immense. I've given next to no time to listen to them so far but I will give them a thorough listen over the next week.

Their debut album 'The Fool' is released on 25/10/10, but you can listen to the album in full below.

2011 = MONA...

This band are set to explode into the limelight in 2011. They're being branded as the next Kings of Leon (purely because they're both from Nashville so have similar influences & styles) but I personally wouldn't go that far. They are definitely interesting though & I'm praying for a UK tour.

Mona - 'Listen To Your Love':

MYSTERY JETS - 'SHOW ME THE LIGHT' VIDEO...

I must admit, Mystery Jets are one of my favourite bands, but their latest record 'Serotonin' was extremely disappointing. Although it got impressive reviews, it doesn't come near to their modern prog debut 'Making Dens' or the poptastic follow-up 'Twenty One'. It does have a few crackers though, all is not lost! Fingers crossed for the next album to be more adventurous.

With that rant out of the way, here's the video for their next single 'Show Me The Light' due for release on 1st November.

Mystery Jets - 'Show Me The Light':

YOUNG BRITISH ARTISTS...

Manchester based band making some f**king cool indie rock.


www.myspace.com/youngbritishartists

TAME IMPALA - 'LUCIDITY' VIDEO...

Great band, great song, great video.

Tame Impala - 'Lucidity':

LITTLE COMETS - 'ISLES'...

This is the first single to be released from their long awaited debut album. 'Isles' is due out 18th October but I'm not sure about the record. It's quite different from previous songs such as 'Adultery' but I like the mini-epicness (a real word?!) it creates.




Little Comets - 'Isles':

NEW SLEIGH BELLS VIDEO...

I've not really been caught up in all the Sleigh Bells hype, but I have to admit that this is extremely catchy.

Sleigh Bells - 'Infinity Guitars':

THE WALKMEN - 'ANGELA SURF CITY'...

TUNE...

DUTCH UNCLES...

Just stumbled across this band on myspace. The music is slightly reminiscent of Foals in places & the vocals could certainly be compared to Hot Chip. There's something quite infectious about their sound though.



Dutch Uncles - 'The Ink':




www.myspace.com/dutchuncles

NEW BELLE & SEBASTIAN...

'Write About Love' is the first single to be released from their forthcoming album also titled 'Write About Love'. The album is due for a UK release on 11th October. I was still a sperm in the 1960's, but I imagine that had I been there, this tune would have fit the era swimmingly.

DOMINANT LEGS...

Supporting Mystery Jets on their New York tour dates. I'm still undecided as to whether I'm a fan or not. The instrumentation is a brilliant fusion of 80's style synths, programmed drums & jangly guitars but the heavily reverbed vocals are leaving me sitting on the fence. See what you think...

www.myspace.com/dominantlegsmusic

WHITE PILOTS...

I trecked it far into the north to play a gig in Hull during the week (which has a huge indie scene that I was completely unaware of) & everyone was talking about this band. They've got an EP coming out in September, but for the time being check out their myspace.


www.myspace.com/whitepilots

GRINDERMAN - 'HEATHEN CHILD'...

The main reason I experience man love for Nick Cave is that he never fails to make music that sounds as dirty & seedy as his moustache looks. 'Heathen Child' is the first track to be released from the new album 'Grinderman 2' due out on 13th September on Mute.

Grinderman - 'Heathen Child':

SUMMER CAMP...

In the past I've never been too keen on this group as their 80's style pop songs don't really do it for me. However, this video has changed my tune a little. I wish they would record with an acoustic guitar instead of synths.

COOL. AS. F*CK...

Summer Camp Black Cab Session:

Summer Camp from Black Cab Sessions on Vimeo.

HOT HORIZONS...

Don't know anything about this band but just stumbled across them & thougt I'd share.

www.myspace.com/hothorizons

NEW MYSTERY JETS VIDEO...

The 2nd track from 'Serotonin'. The album will be released 5th July.

Mystery Jets - 'Dreaming of Another World':

LIFE IN FILM...

It baffles me that this band are unsigned. It surely won't be long until they are snapped up. They have a real Kings of Leon twang to their music, but they manage to remain true to their "Englishness". I'm looking forward to seeing what this fantastic band have to offer in 2010.

www.myspace.com/alifeinfilm

Life In Film - "Get Closer":

KANYE WEST - 'POWER'...

This is the first single from Kanye's forthcoming album 'Good Ass Job'. I'm a happy man to see that he's returning to rap rather than autotune.

"They said I was the abomination of Obama's nation / Well, that's a pretty bad way to start the conversation."

FOALS - 'MIAMI'...

If you haven't already bought 'Total Life Forever', make sure it's the next record you purchase. Here's the video for their next single 'Miami'...gun show meets trani...not pretty.

Foals - 'Miami':

BLACK KEYS - 'TIGHTEN UP'...

This just goes to show how easy it is to make a video on a minuscule budget. It's not the most creative, but you certainly won't forget it.

Black Keys - 'Tighten Up':

NEW ARCADE FIRE....EXTREMELY BRIEF THOUGH...

Sorry it's been a while, I've been super busy with uni work & my band, but now I'm back on it!

So, Arcade Fire have released a preview of 2 new tracks - 'The Suburbs' & 'Month of May'. Both tracks sound pretty different from anything on their first 2 albums, but from what I can gauge by listening to the disgustingly short teasers, I like it.

Both tracks will be released on a 12" vinyl single at the beginning of June.

NEW MYSTERY JETS...

The boys are back with this fantastic single from their forthcoming third album 'Serotonin'. The track titled 'Flash a Hungry Smile' is a perfect follow on from second album 'Twenty One' & is another perfectly constructed pop/indie, singalong, dance around your handbags track from Blaine & co. It is currently available for free download at www.myspace.com/mysteryjets or by pressing 'MP3' on the widget below.

VILLAGERS - 'BECOMING A JACKAL'...

Such an infectious song. This is their debut single being released on Domino Records. Also have a listen to 'The Meaning of Ritual'.

www.myspace.com/villagers


Villagers - 'Becoming a Jackal':

FIELD MUSIC...

Possibly the most underrated band of the last 5 years. Beautifully crafted songs with the most tender & heart-felt lyrics. I consider their self titled debut album a masterpiece, but their most recent double album 'Field Music (Measure)' is just as perfectly poised as the first.

The video below is for the opening track from their debut record. Watch it, check out their myspace, fall in love, scrape some cash together, buy their albums & support this highly undervalued British band.

www.myspace.com/fieldmusic


Field Music - 'If Only the Moon Were Up':

BANDSTANDBUSKING.COM...

I love this website. It's a great concept & they've already filmed some of my favourite artists & bands.

www.bandstandbusking.com

Here's a few of my favourites:

Fanfarlo - "Luna"




Wild Beasts - "Brave Bulging Buoyant Clairvoyants"




Tap Tap - "Off The Beaten Track"

THE SOFT PACK...

This band's music epitomises the dirty, rough, garage sound that causes me to throw myself around the room like a drunken mess. Since changing their name from The Muslims to The Soft Pack they've had a pretty successful 18 months. Be sure to purchase their self-titled debut album, it's worth the tenner.

www.myspace.com/thesoftpack

LET'S WRESTLE...

I've been listening to this London trio a fair bit recently. Their album 'In The Court Of The Wrestling Let's' has moments where it's raucous & scuzzy, but other songs are softer & have that indie twang that you can't resist bopping your head to. If you give the album a listen, be sure to listen to 'In Dreams' - a pretty little ditty that has a sound reminiscent of The Doors.

www.myspace.com/letsfuckingwrestle

FILTHY BOY...

I've been listening to the few tracks this band has to offer since the end of last year & I love the seedy eeriness of it. 'Biggest Fan Ever' is a truely unique, bizarre & extremely entertaining track. Recently their myspace has seen a few songs & hilarious pictures removed, plus there's news of a manager entering the equation. It looks like this Peckham quartet are about to up the ante, so give them a listen & watch out for more hopefully coming soon.

www.myspace.com/filthyboymusic

MORE NEW FOALS...

Foals - 'This Orient':

ARCTIC MONKEYS - MY PROPELLER (NEW VIDEO)...

Arctic Monkeys third album 'Humbug' has received a large dose of criticism since it's release last summer. Irrelevant of this, I deem it a bold & interesting record from start to finish. This is one of my favourites from the album & here's the new video.


Arctic Monkeys - 'My Propeller':

THE PHENOMENAL HANDCLAP BAND...

I wasn't too keen on their last single "15-20", but this one has got some serious soul. Get down with your bad self.


The Phenomenal Handclap Band - "Baby"

Baby

The Phenomenal Handclap Band | MySpace Music Videos

KIDS DO PHOENIX...

Just stumbled across this on tinternet. Here's the children of PS22 singing Phoenix's "Lisztomania". Don't get me wrong, I really like this rendition & it's impressive that such a large number of children can work together to create such a polished choir, but I don't think I've ever seen so many Stevie Wonder & Mariah Carey impressions simultaneously!


Phoenix - "Lisztomania" (PS22 Cover)





Phoenix - "Lisztomania" Live on radio

BORN BLONDE...

Born Blonde are definitely my favourite new band of 2009. Their frontman, Arthur Delaney, in my opinion, is a spectacular song writer & the firey passion behind his vocals is incredible. Please check out their myspace & the short number of songs they currently have to offer (especially "Darling").


www.myspace.com/bornblondeofficial

Born Blonde - "The Last Dance"

GOLDHEART ASSEMBLY...

This band has just been introduced to me today so thought I would share. Goldheart Assembly are a London 6-piece creating beautiful, feel good, infectious folk/pop/indie. Have a listen for yourselves...


www.myspace.com/goldheartassembly

Goldheart Assembly - "Oh Really"

SWANTON BOMBS...

2 individuals wielding nothing but a guitar & a drum set. Watch out for Swanton Bombs in 2010. As far as I'm aware they're embarking on a UK tour in May. I will definitely be in attendance.


www.myspace.com/swantonbombs

Swanton Bombs - "Crowbar"

NEW FOALS...

'Spanish Sahara' is the first track to be debuted from their forthcoming album 'Total Life Forever' due for release in the UK on 10th May 2010.


Foals - 'Spanish Sahara':

FLASHGUNS...

Ever since I first heard & saw this young trio support Bombay Bicycle Club on their tour last summer I haven't been able to get enough. The video below features 'I Don't Not Love You' which can be found on their EP 'Matching Hearts, Similar Parts'. It's available through their myspace & is well worth purchasing. They are currently working on their debut album. Can't wait.


www.myspace.com/flashguns

Flashguns - I Don't Not Love You

IN MEMORY OF...

As I've pinched the name for this blog from their brilliant album, I thought it would be a crime if the first post wasn't in honour of the late, great Voom Blooms.


The Voom Blooms - Anna: