[Segueness is a curious random occurrence where two tunes ultimately beat as one]

Lovebabies were signed to Richard Branson’s V2 label for a short time in the late nineties. I bought their ‘Blue Earth Angel’ EP cause I liked their name and the look of the cover. Never know what to expect with these things but the aural smoothie that poured from the speakers snagged my attention immediately. ‘Resonance/Divine Plan’ as you’d expect evolves over 2 parts, the second being as essential as a St. Etienne/Morcheeba hybrid should be. Cinnamon from Sweden were operating around the same time as Lovebabies and released 2 undervalued albums. ‘Maybe In The Next Life’ came from their second called ‘Vertigo’. There are traces of early Cardigans wizardry and the instrumentation is particularly clever. See if you can trace the moment during these two songs where segueness becomes a reality. KD

Lovebabies - Resonance/Divine Plan

Buy EP: [UK] Blue Earth Angel
Year: 1998

Cinnamon - Maybe In The Next Life

More Info: Cinnamon
Buy Album: [UK] Vertigo [US] Vertigo
Year: 2000

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Another post-rock outfit to steal your heart, My Dad vs. Yours have a colourful history that saw them first entering the creative arena as puppeteers. An acid tongued critic put paid to the fledgling string merchants aspirations and they soon concentrated their efforts on an altogether more electric form of expression. The results can be heard on their just released debut album ‘After Winter Must Come Spring’, a adorable collection of instrumentals that avoids much of the explosions of noise associated with post-rock. The Ottawa band instead busy themselves with the soft jangly edges so no need to brace oneself for the inevitable torrent of white noise. The pieces included here are from an EP called ‘Winning Hearts And Minds’ released in 2004. Time to bath in the glorious swells and in the process become altogether more spirtualized. KD

My Dad vs. Yours - Canyons (Grand or Otherwise)

My Dad vs. Yours - Law Of Unintended Consequences

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Some Peace Of Mind: After Winter Must Come Spring
Year: 2006

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The ME band wouldn’t have been possible 15 years ago. They conduct much of their creative business on the internet you see, so when Jon Seneger is busy knocking off bit parts in Sweden his counterpart Mark Wilkinson in England is scurrying around the fibre optics attempting to build on them. They are now taking the concept a step further by asking others to contribute online. While one might suspect how any cohesion could be achieved through the faceless form (but hey video mail is not too far away) it doesn’t seemed to have done ‘TV Show’ any harm. Granted the piece is a simple affair but it’s also one that’ll weevil it’s way into your consciousness by stealth. I’m already on my 10th listen and it still sounds like the coolest wagon I’ve ever hitched a lift on. There are cute harmonies aplenty to keep you occupied while you work out how their website can be of some use to the over 5’s. KD

The ME Band - TV Show

More Info: Official & Myspace
Album On The Way: The ME Band
Year: 2006

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I’m not sure guitars have been jangled this tenderly since the Field Mice decided to call it a day. Human Television rank Rocketship among their influences (they may be young but they’ve done their research) and with a debut album called ‘Look Who You’re Talking To’ on general release since May it’s a wonder a fanzine hasn’t been produced to mark the event. Human Television come from Philadelphia and are led by Billy Dowling, who it seems prefers the much more aloof Billy D. moniker. ‘Front Of The House’ is an ode to C86 and Sarah Records, so frightfully twee and ravishingly resplendent in boy/girl harmonies (nice FS 'Breet' like guitars too). But this is no cut-price rip-off, Downing and his cohorts have injected a passion into their application that proves that what they do comes from inside. The albums artwork might seem like a Jackson Pollack/John Squire cast off, this could only be possible, however, if either of the two were living in Brooklyn and were prone to discarding their pieces to public waste bins. Now, if only Rough Trade could get their mitts on these lads. KD

Human Television - In Front Of The House

Watch The Video

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Album: [UK] Look At Who You're Talking To [US] Look at Who You're Talking To
Year: 2006

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You can now buy this song and the rest of the album on our record label Indiecater Records here!

In some ways ‘I Did It Biff’s Way’ is an new avenue of wonkatainment for Michael Knight but as a curtain raiser there’s no denying its appeal in closing the marvellous ‘Youth Is Wasted On The Young’ record. It reminds most of something that the underrated Swedish band South Ambulance might conjure. Of course Michael Knight mostly exist within the elaborate confines of being the first band out of Ireland to compare with the incomparable B & S. Right from the off the pulsating riffs set the momentum with Richard Murphy’s vocals riding the entourage like a champion chord surfer. You can picture the end of gig antics as the band decide its time to ditch the balanced harmonies in favour of a sublime feast of white noise. This is an intimate venue blowout at its most ebullient and the greatest achievement is the way it reveals hidden nuances slowly. The circular merry-go-round is shattered towards the end when the roof finally blows to reveal the sun, moon, a comet or two and an unknown galaxy of glittering stars. If this doesn’t shake your world then its probably time the doctor turned off the machine. Biff, bang, pow. KD

Michael Knight - I Did It Biff's Way

Watch The Video To Leaving Town

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Album: Youth Is Wasted On The Young
Year: 2005

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We’ve already have a clutch of endearing boy/girl duo’s, Meg and Jack (White), Eleanor and Matt (Friedberger), Bonnie and Clyde (cough). You can now add a pair of Robinson’s to the list as the Kevin Husband and Anite Wife duo are outdoing greasy food in the infiltration of worldwide hearts. They have been on the go since 1998 but their forthcoming album ‘Give Yr Blood Soaked Out’ will probably make them stars. Viva Voce is Italian for ‘word of mouth’, funny that because a creeping presence through the blogger world has raised their profile, heck even the blood curdling Pitchfork have gotten in on the act. ‘We Do Not Fuck Around’ is a cast iron indie anthem with its sparse piano opening and effervescent chorus that pops in at opportune moments. And bless Kevin for the most effective rendition of that little four-letter word. Robinson lovers lead the way. KD

Viva Voce - We Do Not Fuck Around

Watch The Video For Alive With Pleasure

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Album: [UK] Get Yr Blood Sucked Out [US] Get Yr Blood Sucked Out
Year: 2006

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Get your retro jeans on because this is going to trigger some memories. Right now I am hearing And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead and Lou Reed but there is a smorgasbord of influences seeping through. Memphis band Viva L'American Death Ray Music don’t make it easy on themselves by having such a cumbersome name but that is compensated by ‘Needle To The Heart Of The Matter’s effortlessly artfulness. The drummer (Jeffrey Bouck) plays with the Polyphonic Spree so its not surprising that there are moments that surpass the charge of the light brigade. Elsewhere Nicholas Ray bans all talk of the past by circulating his own vocal pamphlet on how to get all the cute girls. The bands 4th album is released next month and it’s called ‘In The Meantime’, this will have to do. KD

Viva L'American Death Ray Music - Needle To The Heart Of The Matter

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Album: In The Meantime
Year: 2006

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[Segueness is a curious random occurrence where two tunes ultimately beat as one]

Not very obvious this one but I can't listen to either song without thinking of the other. Witness seemed to have the critics in their pockets but relations with their record label eventually led to their break up in 2003. 'Under A Sun' was the Wigan (you see Verve didn't have it all their own way) outfits’ sophomore release, which included the epic 'You Are My Own Invention'. Things are decidedly acoustic until the sky opens to the sound of cascading chords and Gerard Starkie’s emotive vocals. It gets my heart pumping every time. Long-View are from Manchester and despite having a number of successful forays into the UK Top 30 singles charts seem altogether unknown. Their music is melancholic yet prone to uplifting moments like ‘Will You Wait Here’ that is so sumptuous you’ll feel like closing your eyes and levitating. Long-View are currently working on a new LP. Both Witness and Long-view echo to the sound of Liverpool's Shack, no mean comparison and yet another reason why they belong in a temporary state of segueness. KD

Witness - You Are All My Own Invention

Long-View - Will You Wait Here

Watch The Video For Further

More Witness Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Album: [UK] Under a Sun [US] Under a Sun
Year: 2001

More Long-View Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Album: [UK] Mercury [US] Mercury
Year: 2003

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Kasabian have cleverly nailed their intentions to the Manchester flag. Occasionally they can be kinda stirring but tune longevity is the one trick that have yet to master. ‘Club Foot’, so immensely off its rocker initially soon sags like a sweaty Shaun Ryder t-shirt. The thing is, they weren’t even the first round of Madchester admiring sorts. That honour is bestowed on the almost forgotten but wholesomely edible Delakota. Their album was called ‘One Love’ (hmmm) and came out all the way back in the latter part of the last century. It kicked off in terrific fashion through the bass heavy ‘C’mon Cincinnati’, a song so bedecked in so many Manc influences it’s a wonder it didn’t make it onto Bez’s recent compilation. You’ll also hear Screamadelica bubbling through on occasion, which pretty much ensures it should make it into everybody’s essential party songs folder. KD

Delakota - C'mon Cincinnati

Watch How It All Started

More Info: Delakota Biography
Buy Album: [UK] One Love [US] One Love
Year: 1998

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The Serena Maneesh album is proof positive that shoegazing is enjoying a fruitful second coming. Even more fresh off the press is the debut album from California’s Darker My Love which came out a couple of days ago. If MBV, Chapterhouse, Ride and the aforementioned Norwegians are your bag then prepare to feast on the contents held within. ‘Fall’ is the condensed view, a perfect snatch of what Darker My Love are all about (don’t forget Mark Gardener’s chappy’s had an EP of the same name). The guitars are set to grind and fuzz while the vocals swirl about with sumptous disregard, a bit like as if ‘Whirlpool’ was still the benchmark for all things dreamy (it is for me). There are several moments of lucidity to balance the books but it’s the dense undergrowth that really affects. Darker My Love seem content to help us party like its 1991 all over again. KD

Darker My Love - Fall

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Album: [UK] Darker My Love [US] Darker My Love
Year: 2006

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This is a real exclusive for the site! A while back James Blunt sent me a message through myspace asking whether we’d be interested in giving his forthcoming album a push by posting a track. Naturally I was horrified at the very suggestion but in the spirit of giving every artist an equal go, no matter how feeble, I said we'd be delighted (there’s only me but shur why burst his bubble?). The mp3 arrived a few hours later and I was really staggered at his new direction. Gone are the drippy themes of love and general angst and in their place stands insightful passages that will really have most people scratching their heads as to their meaning. His voice, such a thorn in the earlobes for most decent indie folk, has also undergone a radical makeover, a certain joyful innocence has replaced the quivering nonchalant warble of old. I’m not making this up, ‘Round And Round’ is by far Blunt’s best work to date and should open the doors to a new army of young fans. The new album has a provisional working title of 'Back To Bednow'. KD

James Blunt - (the wheels on the bus go) Round And Round


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Speaking of works in progress (or works that never progressed in this case) here is a clip of the Arcade Fire before they bloomed into their current multi-membered incarnation. ‘Winter For A Year’ is taken from a demo recorded in 2001 although the details of the sessions are clouded in mystery. What is known is that both Wim and Regine were both involved but Butler has distanced himself from the recordings. Most of the 10 tracks are worth a listen but there are several highlights. The jangling fret play on ‘The Great Arcade Fire’ is exquisite even if it is littered with bum notes. The near instrumental ‘Asleep At The Wheel’ has a fluidity that is close to therapeutic. That said, ‘Winter For A Year’ is certainly the most accomplished piece, appearing fully formed with Butler’s characteristic whine and an offbeat layer of percussion to back him up. Just on the button then for another season of Six Feet Under if they ever decide to resurrect its lifeless corpse. KD

The Arcade Fire - No Winter For A Year

Watch The Video For Rebellion (Lies)

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Album: [UK] Funeral [US] Funeral
Year: 2004

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Ahhh isn’t life just grand. The days are warm, the pre-Christmas advertising campaign is only around the corner and Levy have just sent me a clutch of new songs from their forthcoming LP which they may or may not call ‘Glorious’. I have been reliably informed that these are only the rough mixes so one can only gasp in anticipation as to what the polished tunes will sound like. ‘Squeeze’ is my favourite so far (although the Morrissey tinged ‘Mint’ is a close second) as it takes the shape of an epic without ever resorting to hopeless bombast. That is truly Levy’s gift, they have the songs to sell a million records but some careful tailoring means the ditties are in it for the long haul, never outstaying their welcome. ‘Squeeze’ flaunts some dishy Siskin strums and a soaring vocal that advances and retreats with passionate glee. 2006 has not been a classic year for good albums but ‘Glorious’ should ensure it goes out with a bang. KD

Levy - Squeeze

Watch The Video To Rotten Love

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Album: [UK] Rotten Love [US] Rotten Love
Year: 2006

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The High Dials have lost their drummer, not such great news when there's several UK festivals to play and a glowing NME review to build upon. In the end it’ll probably end up being a minor issue for the Montreal collective who cloak their pop sensibilities with the aplomb of Inspector Clouseau. Praise be too as such wonderful rafts of ingenuity need to be presented in an unblemished form. ‘The Holy Ground’ (taken from the sophomore album ‘War of the Wakening Phantoms’) is such a romper stomper it seems destined for leave-them-gasping end of set positioning. The momentum is dictated by the booming beats yet the heart of the matter recalls euphoric Teenage Fanclub and those Beatles infatuated hairpieces Jellyfish. The harmonies are perfectly executed and the soft exit will quite likely have you leaking from every orifice. KD

The High Dials - The Holy Ground

Watch The Video For Fields In Glass

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Album: [UK] War of the Wakening Phantoms [US] War of the Wakening Phantoms
Year: 2005

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Now this is a nice surprise, not at all what you’d expect from alternative Ulster. It seems the changing atmosphere up North is at last manifesting itself in a softer edge creeping into the music being produced there. I guess the seeds were sown by Panda Kopanda's effortless descent into sweet harmonies. Oppenheimer are a duo from Belfast led by the box clever Rocky O’Reilly (sorry). They serve ditties that rely more on electronica rather than plucked chords but they never lose the essence of what it means to be in a band. ‘Breakfast In NYC’ was the first single from the bands eponymous debut released back in June. The single came out as a 7-inch (is it me or does vinyl seem to be on something of a renaissance?) but soon made its way onto the major download sites. Thank God for that as ‘Breakfast In NYC’ deserves a huge audience. From start to finish it is pretty terrific, so imbued with the joys of life it can't help but lift your mood every time. The only pity here is that it’s so short, clocking in at under 2 and a half minutes. A bright future beckons, let the electric soft parade begin. KD

Oppenheimer - Breakfast in NYC

Watch The Video

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Album: [UK] Oppenheimer [US] Oppenheimer
Year: 2006

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