This could well blow your mind as well as your brand new speakers. Seems appropriate for a night like New Years Eve when catching a cold early in the day doesn’t seem like such a bad thing. Covenant share their sound with such industrial luminaries as Front 242, Sheep on Drugs and Front Line Assembly plus many of the 1980’s more luxurious electro artists (Human League, Visage, Tubeway Army). Their music is robotically sequenced and in awe of Bladerunner but it has an almost mystical quality that is infectious. ‘The Men’ is taken from the Helsingborg trio’s 6th album ‘Skyshaper’ and should find a dedicated home in the better dance emporiums. It produces a powerful trench of noise that pours from electronic banks like sheets of rainbow infected rain. KD

Covenant - The Men

Watch The Video To Call The Ships To Port

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

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If they had designed an instrument for measuring artist cool then a good test would be to set the compass to 1989/1990 period Stone Roses when they were at their swaggering best. It may have taken them a couple of years to get there but once their debut was unleashed, the world it seemed was theirs to conquer. Following in the wake of the album came a scattering of singles that boasted a shed load of A graded b-sides. ‘Going Down’ appeared on ‘Made of Stone’ and even managed to outslug the triumphant lead song through its effortless shuffle, delicate rhythms and a sack full of cascading melodies. The gang mentality served the band well and it came across in their tight sound that was a perfect fit for their jangling sensibilities. 'The Stone Roses' is unquestionably my favourite album of all time. KD

The Stone Roses - Going Down

Watch The Video To I Wanna Be Adored

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Album: [UK] The Stone Roses [US] The Stone Roses
Year: 1989

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It’s hard to pronounce because it’s Japanese for playful sex but Asobi Seksu could be something very big in 2007. The band are based in New York but consistently throw out lyrics that alternate between English and Japanese. Not an easy concept for the casual music fan then but one listen of the smooth contours inherent on ‘Thursday’ will iron out these difficulties. Asobi Seksu delve back into the early nineties propensity for establishing dreamy combo’s like Chapterhouse, early Lush and an E’d up version of the Cocteau Twins. ‘Thursday’ will get your pulsing racing from the getgo and as Yuki mouths that chorus you’ll make a new years resolution to grow your fringe all long and floppy. James Hanna’s chords are exemplary, distorted within an inch of their lives but bursting to capacity with possibility. A late contender for song of the year. KD

Download "Thursday" (mp3)
from "Citrus"
by Asobi Seksu
Friendly Fire Recordings

Buy at eMusic

Watch The Video

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

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If you like Christmas music then you'll love the mp3hugger curated Christmas compilation 'An Indiecater Christmas', you can buy it here!

Ok, that’s my lot until after Christmas. Hope you have a great one and see you sometime around New Years. Here’s is the exotic Calexico and their contribution to the XFM compilation ‘It A Cool, Cool Christmas’, an album that gives shooting Spector a run for his money in the best Christmas album category.

Nollaig Shona,
hugger

Calexico - Gift X-Change

Watch The Video To Sufjan Stevens Put The Lights On The Tree

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Calexico's: [UK] Garden Ruin [US] Garden Ruin
Year: 2006

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If you like Christmas music then you'll love the mp3hugger curated Christmas compilation 'An Indiecater Christmas', you can buy it here!

Christmas needs at least one new fab tune each year to keep the old ones on their toes. Last year I fell head over heels for South Ambulance’s wonderfully unseasonal ‘Hanging In A Tie’. This year it looks like San Fran’s Scissors For Lefty’s ‘Christmas Intentions’ is 2006’s most magical festive offering. The tune includes all those SFL’s idiosyncrasies as well as a pert little jangle pudding of noise. A couple of months ago I suggested ‘Ghetto Ways’ for a great Christmas party and now here’s a fully-fledged seasonal companion piece. The sets of sibling’s new album ‘Underhanded Romance’ is about to be released this side of the Atlantic so let this be the start of your life together. KD

Scissors For Lefty - Christmas Intentions

Watch The Video To Ghetto Ways

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

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There’s more than a nod to the Arcade Fire on Headlights debut album ‘Kill Them With Kindness’ and that can only be a good thing. What’s even better is that songs like ‘Put Us Back Together’ sound so indestructible with enviable boy/girl reposts and a jamboree that floods the momentum with a river of sound. The Chicago (ish) outfit have a colourful history with stints in several other bands before finally arriving at their current incarnation. Probably helps that they toured with the likes of the Delgados who were masters at the staggered epic with all those melodic bumps and grinds. ‘Kill Them With Kindness’ is out now on Polyvinyl records and deserves to be on a shelf near you. KD

Headlights - Put Us Back Together

Watch The Video To Signs Point to Yes (But Outlook Not So Good)

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Album: [UK] Kill Them With Kindness [US] Kill Them with Kindness
Year: 2006

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What follows are the songs that have lit up mp3hugger’s year. It was a good one for individual songs but despite a late surge there was a marked decline in quality albums after the highs of last year (here are the best).

The only guideline for compiling this list was that artists could only appear once. This meant that even though, say, Peter Bjorn & John’s ‘Young Folks’ and ‘Up Against The Wall’ both deserved to be listed only one was chosen. Thanks to all those who submitted their favourites; your choices have been integrated into the final listing.

42) Fields - Charming The Flames

Did about enough to keep us entertained until the new Arcade Fire album drops.

More Info: Fields


41) Devics - Song For A Sleeping Girl

It’ll push your heart to breaking point.

More Info: Devics


40) Plan B - Sick 2 Def

Eye opening sentiments from the black sheep in the Streets household.

More Info: Plan B


39) The Egg - Walking Away

One listen and you’ll believe cars can speed skate.

More Info: The Egg


38) Ampop – Distance

Icelandic collective reach for a chorus and take home the laurels.

More Info: Ampop


37) Sa Sevol - The Little Ones

Mysterious Michigan band who’ll keep us guessing until January 2007.

More Info: Sa Sevol


36) Bobby Baby - Lucky Moments

Swedish acoustic wonderfulness.

More Info: Bobby Baby


35) Annuals - Brother

Whipper snaps his finger and out comes a twisted classic.

More Info: Annuals


34) Good Shoes – Small Town Girl

David Gedge is reborn and he comes from Morden.

More Info: Good Shoes


33) Shiny Toy Guns - Don't Cry Out

Ibiza tailored piece of ecstasy.

More Info: Shiny Toy Guns


32) The Klaxons - The Bouncer

Kicks like a mule.

More Info: The Klaxons


31) Schroedersound – Brailowsky

Electronic textures from deepest Dublin 8.

More Info: Schroedersound


30) Ral Partha Vogelbacher - Birthday In Beijing

Incomprehensible name produces fluid rush of ear candy.

More Info: Ral Partha Vogelbacher


29) Mojave 3 - Breaking The Ice

High five from ex-Slowdive members.

More Info: Mojave 3


28) Islands - Tsuxiit

Soundings from the big forest in second life.

More Info: Islands


27) The Immediate - A Ghost In The House

Nifty manoeuvres from instrument swapping Irish quartet.

More Info: The Immediate


26) Band of Horses - The Great Salt Lake

Lively outing from My Morning Jacket doppelgangers.

More Info: Band of Horses


25) Oxford Collapse - He'll Paint While We Play

Tender instrumentation has rarely sounded this good.

More Info: Oxford Collapse


24) Dirty On Purpose - Your Summer Dress

Leading lights from the burgeoning Brooklyn scene.

More Info: Dirty On Purpose


23) 8 Ball - The Big Blue

Showing Sound Team how to keep the pitchforks at bay.

More Info: 8 Ball


22) The Little Ones - Lovers Who Uncover

Glorious songs spewed from this band in 2006 and this was the highlight.

More Info: The Little Ones


21) Ian Love - The Only Night

Rival schools, rehab and now redemption.

More Info: Ian Love


20) Film School – Harmed

From an album stuffed with gems this has clocked up the most plays.

More Info: Film School


19) Liars - The Other Side Of Mt. Heart Attack

Near impenetrable album creates confusion by turning sweetly melodic at the death.

More Info: Liars


18) Director – Reconnect

As clinical as a team full of Kevin Doyle's.

More Info: Director


17) The Field - Over The Ice

Swedish movers who prove that the Knife are facing some stiff competition.

More Info: The Field


16) The Late Cord - Lila Blue

Texas basement produces one of the darker delights of the year.

More Info: The Late Cord


15) Charlemagne - Your Scars

Unashamed sing-along that should be played from the crèche to the old folks home.

More Info: Charlemagne


14) The Stone Roses V Lily Allen - Water Lilly (Sam Flanagan Mix)

In the year of Lily Allen it took John Squire to uncover her inner majesty.

More Info: Sam Flanagan


13) Los Campesinos! - You! Me! Dancing!

Welsh students run riot with a garage full of jangling instruments.

More Info: Los Campesinos!


12) Tapes 'n Tapes – Manitoba

Buzz band of the year tickle the fancy of all the right tastemakers.

More Info: Tapes 'n Tapes


11) Venice Is Sinking - Pulaski Heights

Dramatic use of strings is only one of Pulaski Heights many attractions.

More Info: Venice Is Sinking


10) Juana Molina - Hay Que Ver Si Voy

So what if Argentina threw away the world cup, their daughter won all our hearts with her epic ‘Son’.

More Info: Juana Molina


9) Au4 - Everything Always Moving

The Shoegaze revival starts to pick up pace with this heartbreaker.

More Info: Au4


8) Grizzly Bear – Easier

Rolling melodies from an album full of surprises.

More Info: Grizzly Bear


7) Midlake – Branches

Melancholia has rarely sounded this affecting.

More Info: Midlake


6) Camera Obscura - Lloyd, I'm Ready To Be Heartbroken

Wherein the Glaswegians finally wrestle the initiative from their countrymen Belle & Sebastian.

More Info: Camera Obscura


5) Moonbabies - War On Sound

A chorus to die for from the Malmo duo.

More Info: Moonbabies


4) Peter John & Bjorn - Up Against The Wall

7 minutes of bouncy thrills and that unforgettable chord sequence.

More Info: Peter John & Bjorn


3) My Latest Novel - Sister Sneaker Sister Soul

The album of the year arrived early in 2006 and remains undimmed many moons later.

My Latest Novel - Sister Sneaker Sister Soul

More Info: My Latest Novel


2) I'm From Barcelona - We're From Barcelona

Happy core wonder from the band with the population of a small village.

I'm From Barcelona


1) Sunny Day Sets Fire - Wilderness

Nothing could touch this remarkable record from the multinational pop monster that is Sunny Day Sets Fire. Unforgettable dynamics, parallel melodies competing for your attention and the sense that it could at anytime head off to search for an undiscovered planet of sound.

Sunny Day Sets Fire - Wilderness

More Info: Sunny Day Sets Fire

KD

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Electronica is by its nature not exactly the most accessible genre but if is successfully deployed it is hard to beat. Four Tet on the other hand can be utterly vague. Kieran Hebden has steered Four Tet since it was initialized as a side project away from his post rock outfit Fridge. Since then his output has been fairly prolific to a point where Hebden is generally regarded to be at the top of his game. The demand for his services means you’ll find his name against a slew of remixes within the indie domain (Radiohead, Bloc Party, Hot Chip). ‘Everything Is Alright’ takes a guitar loop that is used in a Boston radio show and combines it with a breezy beat and cascading piano riff. The effect is exhilarating, otherworldly and utterly unique. One man and his computer making 21st century music. KD

Four Tet - Everything Is Alright

Watch The Video To Hands

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Album: [UK] Pause [US] Pause
Year: 2001

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You’d have thought it might have been Broken Social Scene, Peter Bjorn & John or Belle & Sebastian but my favourite gig of the year occurred last night in the Olympia Theatre. And this was no old timer trying to reenact his love for this band, this was a remarkable performance from the Frank & Walters. The Franks have been on the go for 15 years and despite losing one of the original gang they remain an undimmed live pleasure. Paul Linehan has a distinct voice, it often feels at odds with the jangling ensemble that surrounds it but somehow it works. With a new album ‘A Renewed Interest In Happiness’ (and attendant ‘A Renewed Interest In Franks T-shirts’ t-shirts) just released there still may be time for the world to correct its wrong and make them the stars they deserve to be. The highlight of the gig was ‘New York’ from the ‘Glass’ album, which featured a remarkable vocal performance from a young female singer (who was she?). My spine crackled, my ears wiggled and my neck hairs swished like barley on a summer breeze. The studio version doesn’t do this song justice so get out and see this treasureable band play it live. Also here is the Franks latest single ‘Miles & Miles’, a pretty tune that you can whistle to. KD

The Frank & Walters - New York

The Frank & Walters - Miles And Miles

Watch The Video To Miles and Miles

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Album: Fifa Records
Year: 2006

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Apart from being one of the friendliest people on the web Brian Sendrowitz also sings, plays guitar and writes songs for his band Beat Radio. The New York collective have been promoting their lovely debut album ‘The Great Big Sea’ for most of year and have been far sighted enough to give it away for free at their official website. ‘The Great Big Sea’ has the feel of a sleeper hit, nothing punches you between the eyes immediately but the music gradually infiltrates your taste buds until you succumb. The songs have a soft rock lilt, perfect for a lazy Sunday afternoon’s flick through the papers or as a relaxant to coax a hangover from your body. The album works best when played as a whole but one or two tracks could properly hold their own on a mix tape. ‘Treetops’ is a note perfect indie rock gem, all scuzzy atmospherics with Sendrowitz acrobatic vocals acting as a beacon among the confusion. A band to watch in 2007. KD

Beat Radio - Treetops

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Beat Radio's: The Ecstatic EP
Year: 2006

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Do you need a degree in maths to ascertain how good post-rock is these days? I find it quite impossible to turn away from many who ply their trade alternatively between shadowy chord dalliances and white noise alleys of destruction. Of course, given the opportunity I’ll spend more time in the company of bands from just down the road. This year we have been spoilt with the deep concentrated bliss of God Is An Astronaut, their live shows have proven how bands can profit in a net savvy (ready music availability) world. 66e trail in GIAA’s wake but would surely provide a sonic delight in a support slot. ‘I Died In A Movie’ is the title track from their debut EP and presents vestiges of brilliance at every well-turned guitar tug. Post-rock at its best can alter your mood, it can be a scene stealer, ‘I Died In A Movie’ is a highlight. KD

66e - I Died In A Movie

Watch The Video To In A Deck Of 52

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Album: Fall Down Seven Times, Stand Up Eight
Year: 2005

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I’d imagine if we hadn’t moved on quite a few decades Grizzly Bear would be one of the most outstanding barbershop quartets in all of Brooklyn. So much of their majesty hangs from their use of intricate melody yet they gain the upperhand on their music free ancestors through the liberal use of inspirational instrumentation. You probably well know by now that the bands second album ‘Yellow House’ is one of 2006's finest but I’ve got admit its taken me the best part of the autumn/winter to appreciate how good it is. ‘The Knife’ and ‘Easier’ are ready classics but there are plenty of other titillations to be savoured throughout. Like ‘On A Neck, On A Spit’ with its bag of quirky twists and turns. Noteworthy for the clear distillation towards the finale it thrills throughout by its sheer sense of eclecticism. It’ll all come full circle as you hear it bump and grind in the background as your hair gets reshaped. KD

Grizzly Bear - On A Neck, On A Spit

Watch The Video To Shift

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Album: [UK] Yellow House [US] Yellow House
Year:

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8.45am Peel tongue off soggy pillow.

8.46am No clean vessel, slurp copiously from water supplying node.

8.50am Cycling at the speed of sound, break the lights, find an open pharmacy.

9.03am Tablets ingested, head clearing, where’s lecture room 101?

9.22am English Lit sucks, so does Badmington, crap sport too.

9.45am Feeling nauseous, not long to go, blah, blah, blah, what sort of post human is this man?

10am Alien calls me back, oh dear, no words, just a CDR.

10.05am Call it quits, bed needs urgent attention.

10.16am Plug in CDR, duvet covers head, our tune reworked, foot taps, wish it was longer.

10.19am Old people can be cool too, neither bad nor ming, he's my hero. Eno! With! Hair!

KD

Los Campesinos! - You! Me! Plagiarizing!

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Album: Hold On Youngster
Year: 2006

It must be fun being in a band with Ruaidhri Owens, Damian Smith and Patrick Taylor. Not only do you have a trio of great drinking mates but from time to time they make pretty good music for drinking to. Since they eloped from the North down to Dublin the Shakes have been taking a devil may care attitude to the rock and roll lifestyle. If it happens, it happens, if it doesn’t well at least they’ll have some good chat up lines to fall back on. Their stated mission is to break up the singer songwriter scourge that has afflicted their adopted city for much too long. And songs like ‘Shine’ do really want to make you throw some small men with perms into the nearest canal. Take the attitude of a snotty punk and mix it with the pop sensibility of a freshly shaved Gaz Coombes and you get some idea where ‘Shine’ is coming from. Now if only they went to bed at a reasonable hour they could possibly have it in them to make acoustic warbling a thing of the past. KD

The Shakes - Shine

More Info: Official & Myspace
Album: Born Ready
Year: 2006

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If you like Christmas music then you'll love the mp3hugger curated Christmas compilation 'An Indiecater Christmas', you can buy it here!

A remix to have the little fella’s nose glow a distinct shade of mirrorball. If you’ve reached saturation point already then Six Degree Records may have the escape Claus just for you. So far they’ve managed to pull a fairly respectable crew together to give nostalgia a porthole to the festive dancefloors. So Bing suddenly becomes Bling and Eartha gets her groovy Kitt on. The most impressive remix comes by way of Joey Beltran (from volume 2) who took the Ella Fitzgerald/Bing Crosby rendition of ‘Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer’ and turned it into a impeccable lounge ditty by way of an impregnable brass turn. This is a sure way to get some exercise in, as trouser buttons are pressured into becoming lethal flying objects. KD

Bing Crosby/Ella Fitzgerald - Rudolph, The Red-Nosed Reindeer (John Beltran Remix)

More Info: Official
Buy Album: [UK] Christmas Remixed, Vol. 2 [US] Christmas Remixed, Vol. 2
Year: 2005

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Only 1 week to go until the Top 42 is unveiled. If you are interested in contributing leave your selection in the comments below or use the Quick Vote option. Include a reason for your choices if you wish; the best comments will be featured in the final chart.

Thanks,
hugger

update: here are the results!

If you like Christmas music then you'll love the mp3hugger curated Christmas compilation 'An Indiecater Christmas', you can buy it here!

Don’t you just love Christmas pressies from your favourite artists? The best last year was a new song from one of 2005’s revelations South Ambulance. As ever with these scatty Scandinavians there’s no point trying to deduce what on earth they are singing about because it doesn’t make a lot of sense. It matters not a jot because the frazzled music that they create is so heartbreakingly beautiful you’ll want to climb the highest Christmas tree in town and place an angelic jpeg of the group at its peak. The production is never the clearest but they spring rich melody through a blast of harmonious vocals and chords. There is also a certain shoegazing vibe going on but South Ambulance infuse a joie-de-vivre in their music that was absent from the long since departed genre. The vocals on ‘Hanging In A Tie’ are loose and bouncy and chirpy guitars skedaddle in every direction. You will no doubt find yourself humming along to it over the next fortnight, but, remember this exceptional band are not just for Christmas. 2007 (last year, when this piece was written it said 2006!) will be theirs. KD

South Ambulance - Hanging In A Tie

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Album: [UK] South Ambulance [US] South Ambulance
Year: 2005

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