Isn’t it funny how I can fall heads over hells for this and then in the same breath discount Radiohead’s ‘In Rainbows’ (and that Thom Yorke solo sideshow) as criminally boring. Get back to what you do best lads, I promise I’ll be here waiting for you when you do. Faunts unmistakeably take some hints from the Oxford heads descent into electronic fidgeting but do so with such style the comparison is quickly forgotten. ‘Of Nature’ is the most effervescent track from the Edmonton natives current EP ‘M4’ which has already seen some action on the soundtrack to the Xbox game ‘Mass Effect’ (‘M4 Part II’). Hard to believe it stretches to over 8 minutes, as ‘Of Nature’ never outstays its welcome. Buried beneath the artificial heartbeats there is a storm of human emotions waiting to burst out and towards the end that’s just what they do spectacularly. Faunts sophomore LP is due in the summer. KD

Faunts - Of Nature

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Year: 2007

Listening to ‘Wake Up Boo’ and the opening sequences of ‘I Hang Suspended’ just highlights the chasm between the Boo Radleys pop flourishes and their equally enjoyable experimental alter ego. The latter was given free reign on the Boo’s 1993 masterpiece ‘Giant Steps’. Here was a heretofore shoegaze/lo-fi indie outfit completely kicking out the jams and going for broke. The spectacular success of what was achieved owes much to Martin Carr’s pristine writing and lead singer Sice’s crystal vocals. The playing for its part is ingenious, employing a vast array of instruments to add fluidity to passages of music that has no right to be so digestible. Carr’s gift for melody could in other hands have made the Boo Radleys a lot of money, instead he punctuated the sweetest audio with experimental left field outbursts that had audiophiles in raptures. ‘Giant Steps’ hasn’t a solitary weakness so with that in mind I am going to dispense with my normal one track per post rule. Fall in love with this music and Pale Saints fans stretch out your ears for the lush Meriel Barham on ‘Rodney King’. KD

The Boo Radleys - I Hang Suspended

The Boo Radleys - Rodney King (Song For Lenny Bruce)

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Year: 1993

If this were from a Swedish outfit it would be all over the blogosphere like a hicky. Instead We Should Be Dead come from a much sexier part of the world known as Limerick. Yep, that’s the same place that threw up the Cranberries a while back. Who knows what the future holds for this new quartet but if you are in any way partial to a piece of tasty Blondie then it’s time to dine out in style. ‘Forget Romance, Let's Dance’ has already done well in Ireland and is indicative of the post punk on offer on their eponymous debut LP. Chugging chords, elastic beats and a sweet vocal (I'm hearing Tracyanne Campbell of Camera Obscura) turns what could have been an admirable pastiche into something that could yet shatter a lot of hearts (and not necessarily just the ones made of glass). KD

We Should Be Dead - Forget Romance, Let's Dance

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Year: 2007

And you thought Dan Deacon was where it was at for exhilaratingly odd electronic sorts. Time to revise that notion I’m afraid. I don’t what this is. I don’t know how to classify it. Is it being wilfully obscure or is there a perfectly formed pop song in there somewhere? Could it be a nursery rhyme or the perfect soundtrack to a slasher movie? Pablo Díaz-Reixa is from the Canary Islands and makes this wondrous noise so probably only he can answer these questions (he and those aliens in Close Encounters). Oh right, pop/tropical/club, should have guessed, it makes complete sense now. Right I’m off to buy a set of cheap steel drums, they are all the rage you know. KD

El Guincho - Fata Morgana

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Year: 2008

Despite the name Bigmouth Strikes Again are most definitely not a Smiths cover band. In fact they are from a different musical sphere altogether, one that will have you thinking of several post-rock visionaries. Their debut ‘Ascender/Descender’ is vibrant and adventurous and quite an achievement given that the quartet recorded it during a short break away from real life mundanity. The album has plenty of big hitters with the best of them challenging the great Explosions In The Sky for emotive impact. Take the opener ‘You Shall Know Our Velocity’, which although quite short punches the air around it with the ferocity of a space shuttle at take off. It helps of course that the build up is absent; instead Bigmouth Strikes Again lay their noisiest cards on the table within the opening exchanges. If any of you remember Whipping Boy's effervescent debut ‘Submarine’ this will surely rekindle the flame you once held for it. Close your eyes and dream of distant worlds. KD

Bigmouth Strikes Again - You Shall Know Our Velocity

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Year: 2008

There are so many great things about this song it would take a review of encyclopaedia proportions to do it justice. The obvious crowd pleasing moments would have to include Chase Duncan’s cool slacker vocals and Brian Lubinsky’s refreshing off-kilter drumming but the overall feeling is of an indie classic in waiting. ‘Power Lines’ is a sneak preview from the Interiors self-titled LP, which is due out in April. This miracle is that the album got made at all after Duncan (who is also the bands guitarist) almost lost a finger in a freak accident involving (the) wind in Chicago (!) early last year. Luckily he recovered and the Interiors seem destined to make good on their recent signing with the 54-40 or Fight label. The forthcoming album is awash with great singles like the slow burner with a jangling heart ‘Crashing Through’, the low slung shuffling rhythms of ‘All The Cities’ and the rapid-fire gunslinger that is ‘Ghosts’. The Interiors have serious designs on your attention and if you know what's good for you you'll recipricate. KD

The Interiors - Power Lines

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Year: 2008

Wohoo, great news this morning as Bell Orchestre are recording a new album. Similar yelps of joy should also be coming from others who have heard their masterful ‘Recording a Tape the Colour of the Light’ which came out 3 long years ago. This is the band Bach would have put together if he had known what was to follow in his path. Bell Orchestre never resort to words though, their rolling herds of sonic invention are based purely on their interaction with a wide array of instruments. Success in other arenas (some of them play in the Arcade Fire) it seems has taken its toll on the time that can be given to Bell Orchestre. But now at least we have some evidence that something is in the (reed) pipeline. Let’s hope the new material can trigger sweet emotions like ‘The Upwards March’ and ‘Les Lumieres Pt. 1’ do. KD

Bell Orchestre - Les Lumieres Pt. 1

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Year: 2005

There is a song by Sufjan Stevens from his ‘Greetings From Michigan’ LP called ‘Redford (for Yia-Yia and Pappou)’ which is played entirely on the piano (some slight synth backing too). It gets me every time which is rare for a piece so quiet as I normally prefer the up tempo sort. So on the face of it Eluvium shouldn’t stand a chance but Matthew Cooper ain’t just your normal ivory tinkler. In fact it seems entirely appropriate that his ambient landscapes should be corralled into the same pen that contains melodic noise merchants Explosions In The Sky. They are currently in the middle of a Northern/Southern Hemisphere tour together and tonight they arrive in Dublin. The audience may be primarily chasing EITS’s sonic lightning but I’m sure by the close they will be taking some Eluvium away with them. ‘Etude de Multiples’ is as far as I know an unreleased track from Cooper but much like the Stevens piece mentioned above it is a thing of quiet beauty. KD

Eluvium - Etude de Multiples

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Year: 2007

It’s going to be something alright. Those mysterious Texan instrumentalists Explosions In The Sky play Dublin’s Tripod tomorrow night and my ears are waxing lyrical at the prospect (there’s a joke in there somewhere). EITS are undoubtedly post-rock’s kingpins having overtaken Mogwai as the Scottish collective increasingly lose their focus. Last year’s ‘All Of A Sudden I Miss Everyone’ was a sprawling affair that lacked the finesse of its predecessor ‘The Earth Is A Not A Cold Dead Place’ but still managed to wring several dozen damp beach towels worth of emotion from the hearts of the listener. EITS push their message through arching crescendo’s of white noise, crystallised valley’s of jangling chords and everything in between. An inspiring example can be heard via ‘The Only Moment We Were Alone’ from 2003 which should see you on the cusp of exhilaration only to fall back into old ways 2 minutes later as you struggle to prittstick the fragments of flesh you once called a heart. It's going to be a rollercoaster night. KD

Explosions In The Sky - The Only Moment We Were Alone

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Year: 2003

You can now buy this song on one of our Indiecater compilations here!

Last year ace Offaly act My Brother Woody brought out the quirkily titled ‘It's A Long Way From That Sort Of Thing You Were Raised’ thus confirming Ireland's reputation as a land full of artists with a penchant for elongated home truths as album titles. It all began way back in the nineties when the Hitchers (whose minor splash 'Strachan' got a tiny thumbs up from the ginger Celt himself) decided to release a record called ‘It's All Fun & Games 'Til Someone Loses An Eye’. So nobody should be surprised to read that Michael Knight's (whose debut ‘Youth Is Wasted On The Young’ still sends hugger's pop absorbing nerves into spasms of delight) forthcoming smash is to be saddled with the following mouthful ‘I'm Not Entirely Clear How I Ended Up Like This’. Of course it all makes sense when you sit down and examine Richard Murphy the creative force behind the band. A quick breeze through the photo montage on his myspace page reveals someone struck with a fashion sensibility that can only be described as ‘disco gringo’. Besides the devilment there is a keen talent at work, Murphy comes complete with a gift for rotating harmonies and an ability to colour them with glossy orchestral manoeuvres that never appear superficial. ‘I'm Not Entirely Clear How I Ended Up Like This’ may be a step away from the pop freeflow of his debut but the new found maturity is equally as entrancing. Along with the cunning pop songs there are flashes of baroque and even moments of spaghetti westernism. ‘Dumbshow’ is the operatic opener, sans lyrics it ebbs and flows with Murphy joined along the way by a trio of sirens, some double bass, a string or 2 and a floppy fringe full of inspiration. Like so many of Michael Knight's compositions it is both uplifting and melancholic at the same time with an ever changing list of dynamics ensuring that not even the most hopelessly attention deficient individual will find time to be bored. ‘I'm Not Entirely Clear How I Ended Up Like This’ is due out in April on yesboyicecream records, cone get it. KD

Michael Knight - Dumbshow

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Year: 2008

{ review culled from the indiecater archives, album rated 7/10 }

It was always hard to understand the pious attitude towards James in the music press. On the face of it here was a band that had the gifted knack of coining off the shelf airs full of energetic melody. On its release the critics scoffed at ‘Seven’ for supposed stadium oriention. That somehow James had forgotten their humble folk-rock beginnings and had turned into would-be rock gods. That's progress in my book and looking back ‘Seven’ is a monumental improvement on their previous efforts 'Stutter', ‘Strip Mine’ and 'Gold Mother' which lacked the finesse and imagination of the follow-up. There's an energy to the music that went some way to translating the spectacle that was James in concert. One such show was recorded for MTV around the same time ‘Seven’ was released and it remains a landmark film of a band at the peak of their powers, where cartoon flowers elegantly waltzed with an effortless montage of sound.

'Born of Frustration' is smothered in luscious trumpet sounds (supplied by the appropriately named Andy Diagram). Don't know what it is about that instrument but when it's used properly it gives me the shivers. The songs ingrained spirit is precocious and endearing. 'Ring the Bells' is as streamlined a pop tune as you're likely to hear and as Tim Booth hollers it's hard not to mimic his puppet dangling in the wind dance moves. 'Sound' has a similar theme that sees Booth once again successfully reprise his werewolf persona. When James sail close to the good ship U2 on 'Live a Love of Life' retribution would be forthcoming were it not for 'Don't Wait that Long' which is an exhaustive example of how a love song should be written. The song broods by way of a dalliance between Saul Davis’ fingers and the chords at his disposal. This is the sound of the human body straining to control too many wounded ventricles. ‘Next Lover’ showcases the aftermath and the knowing frayed playing subtly coaxes the required imagery from the words. The album engineers its way to the summit with a couple of James most notable achievements. 'Heavens' is as angelic as you'd expect and proves without doubt that Coldplay weren’t the first band to devise memorable piano riffs. It’s the title track, however, that encapsulates the essence of the piece. Shimmering above the strain of sweet guitar strings and classy brass sunsets Tim Booth pulls on his most affecting persona to steal the girl of his dreams.

We have a lot to thank James for. Their t-shirts alone kept me in fashionable tops for years. While these may be passé now, their music still sounds contemporary and vibrant. Later albums like ‘Laid’ and ‘Whiplash’ were accomplished affairs, which while never losing sight of the tune lacked the adrenalin rush that so propelled this album. ‘Seven’ is all the evidence that was ever needed to prove that James had the ammunition to be greats. Unfortunately in 1992 the sound of Seattle had swept all diversions aside so much so that ‘Seven’ never garnered the attention it warranted. What a shame then, that this great band will be remembered for a novelty hit. It’s enough to make you sit down in sympathy. KD

James - Born Of Frustration

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Year: 1992

Look up Mapother IV and you’ll likely get back more references to his teethness than of the band of the same name. The reason, well Mapother IV are not one of Hollywood’s biggest stars, they are just a psychedelic sonic manifestation about to release a trio of records this year. Signed to Ghost of Pasha’s 2lofi4U record label they should make friends wherever Velvet Underground and Brian Jonestown Massacre's groovy fans hang out. ‘Barlow (Is Dreaming Of You Somewhere)’ I’m reliably informed is not about a permed bespeckled soap monster. Can you even imagine her in good enough form to ‘dance round the corner like the belle of the avenue’? Nah, didn’t think so. The song is of a jolly disposition with its head firmly fixed on a sound that first emerged about 40 years ago. Out of time, periodically out of tune but boy is it good for the mind, body and spirit. KD

Mapother IV - Barlow (Is Dreaming Of You Somewhere)

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Year: 2008

If you think Fanfarlo are quite a treat then you may just fall in love with their artistic bedfellows Pete and the Pirates. Despite a smattering of great singles their debut album ‘Little Death’ won’t see the light of day until next month. Their hometown is Reading and even though it hosts one of the biggest music festivals in the UK every year I can’t recall a single musical great (outside of the stupendous Chapterhouse that is) from there. That should be all about to change though once you clasp ears on PATP. I mean isn’t ‘She Doesn't Belong To Me’ just the cuddliest piece of ramshackle pop you’ve heard this year? The jangle does the trick all on its own but then you can add Tommy Sanders crackling voice (yes it is he from Tap Tap and yes this song did appear on ‘Lanzafame’ and yes that is another band from Reading) and a stop-start momentum to lift proceedings into the realm of classic pop song par excellence. Mid table wannabes, not a chance, you’re listening to the future premier champions. KD

Pete and the Pirates - She Doesn't Belong

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Year: 2008

I often wonder how people from outside Ireland view the songs that we hold dear. ‘Arclight’ is certainly one of them, a tune that is recognisable to every Irish ear that has come into contact with a radio. Produced 19 years ago it needed a re-release in 1991 to find its audience. Right from the off the stark piano keys will suck you in and even if they don’t Nick Kelly’s emotive vocals have the wherewithal to stop you from wriggling free. ‘Arclight’ was included on the Fat Lady Sings debut album ‘Twist’, which appeared like a revelation in the pop starved home produced market of 1991. The Fat Lady Sings it seemed were going places and even signed a major deal with Atlantic Records. Sadly it wasn't to be and Kelly left the band soon after their second album ‘Johnson’ came out in 1993. He has since carved out a moderately successful solo career. KD

The Fat Lady Sings - Arclight

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Year: 1991

Funny, in years to come when people talk about RAR files they may not be referring to that alternative to the zip. Instead their minds could be focussed on a record label named Romantic Air Recording Co., which has recently slipped out several recordings of rare (cough) quality. Little is known of the Detroit based label but in its short time it has rubbed shoulders with artists as wondrous as PAS/CAL, Asobi Seksu, Sa Sevol and now this aluminous new talent known as Computer Perfection. As with Sa Sevol details are decidedly sketchy save for the fact that they are led by one Gene Roscommon Corduroy. I’m sure the intricacies will come to light as soon as the RAR train gathers momentum so for the moment we’ll just have to bask in the music. ‘Able Archer’ is pretty much hot off the press and to all intensive purposes sounds as crisp and satisfying as slightly frosted greenery on a winter’s morning. The guitars twinkle like a lot of little stars and the vocals are as suitably cherubic as one could expect from a grown adult. A new genre, Quiet Beautiful, is born. KD

Computer Perfection - Able Archer

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Watch This Space: Computer Perfection
Year: 2008

The last time Secret Shine recorded an album they were signed to Sarah Records and it was 1993. 15 years later and album number 2 ‘All of the Stars’ is about to drop via Clairecords. While they only ever scored one top 20 hit in the shape of ‘Loveblind’ Secret Shine are still fondly remembered by fans of the shoegaze genre. ‘Temporal’ is reason enough to see why with its ethereal vocals and searing chords. Their sound is out of step with contemporary acts so it will be interesting to see how their new material stacks up. That said there will be no arguments whatsoever from this corner if they stick to the shoegaze template. Secret Shine are due to support Levy on a number of dates throughout the UK and are also pencilled in to appear at SXSW in March. KD

Secret Shine - Temporal

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Year: 1993

Don’t be fooled by the name, Beaten Awake aren’t going to scare you. In fact their brand of lo-fi alt-country is an entirely soft touch sent here to make you feel happy. ‘It's A Bubble Bath Of Sharks’ is an understated shuffle from their debut album that unravels before your very eyes. The music is loose and freewheeling and Joel McAdams adds an appealingly crotchety vocal to heighten the sense that this could have been recorded in a back porch somewhere in mid America. Beaten Awake are signed to the Black Keys label Audio Eagle who have also brought us Gil Mantera’s Party Dream. KD

Beaten Awake - It's A Bubble Bath Of Sharks

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Year: 2007

They may only have been featured here last month but I’m finding it increasingly hard to stay away from the Tough Alliance. Image and name aside this duo are capable of churning out the softest electro pop that we’ve heard since OMD decided they couldn’t stand the sight of each other’s mullets. ‘A New Chance’ is propped up by a 90’s dance inspired piano key fidget (also bask in the acid reference towards the end) but the reminder harks back to a decade earlier when electro pop ruled the roost. ‘A New Chance’ tumbles so gracefully it would be a distinguished entry on any dancefloor worth its salt but could also prove useful as you try to drown out the boredom while doing the vacuuming. KD

The Tough Alliance - A New Chance

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Year: 2007

Longing for a piece of flaming molten rock that funnels a sound that would be more comfortable in the late eighties/early nineties? Well, you’ve come to the right place as the 3-piece Dublin band Brian Cullen’s Love Bullets belch plumes of noise that’d have Thurston himself (or Mr Shields) smiling with pride. While so many bands who try to evoke this spirit just slink behind a wall of scuzzy noise BCLB’s also see fit to include a toe tapping tune. In the case of ‘Hands Up If You Hate Dick Jones’ your grandma may have already run for the hills before the true song emerges but don't let that put you off. It is taken from the bands debut EP ‘Ask For Directions’ which came out in August of last year. The follow up ‘Bring Out Your Dead’ is due in March, which will hopefully build on their brand of sweet aural carnage. KD

Brian Cullen's Love Bullets - Hands Up if you hate Dick Jones

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Year: 2007

On the face of it the Shins appear to be one of the best exponents of indie pop around but with 3 albums under their belts they have yet to make a consistently great long player. The Portland outfit are led by James Mercer and originally started out as a side project away from his main band Flake. When Flake short-circuited Mercer concentrated his efforts on the Shins, which heralded an onslaught of jangly retro classics. A quick glance over their back catalogue would easily free up at least a half dozen mix tape favourites with universal appeal. Their last album ‘Wincing The Night Away’ was typically full of rewards but still failed to add up to what a great Shins record should be. Until their masterpiece arrives we’ll have to cherry pick the best bits like ‘Sleeping Lessons’, which displays a slightly more experimental side without ever losing sight of the melodies that make this band so special. KD

The Shins - Sleeping Lessons

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Year: 2007

Ready for a tune that’ll go well with the wind in your hair? Considering My Ok Hotel are from Kildare such an eventuality might not be possible in January unless you like your wind with single digit temperatures and oodles of rain. That’s why their myspace tag reads ‘We wished we lived in France’ I guess and who can blame them given the recent inclement snap. Christ, sometimes I sound so boring, can’t believe this blog has been reduced to casual observations about the recent spell of unsettled weather. Getting back to this promising band, they are giving the 'When The Ship Sinks We Stick Together' EP away free from their website and it should serve as a nice taster for future treats. ‘Too Bright’ inhabits Beat Radio territory with Shane Delahunty sounding like a younger Brian Sendrowitz (and did you hear the Arcade Fire's ‘Wake Up’ at the start?). A thoroughly deserved 3 star rating all round. KD

My Ok Hotel - Too Bright

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Year: 2007

Purely by an act of complete coincidence here is the second band we’ve featured this month from Malmo. Not that Lampshade are completely Swedish, there are glints of light from other parts of Scandinavia, mostly Denmark. Their last album ‘Let’s Away’ came out in 2006 and featured the not inconsiderable talents of Damien Jurado. ‘New Legs’ was the second track and highlights Rebekkamaria’s kooky vocal excursions as well as her bands eccentric approach to music making. The effect is lively and amusing but most of all it displays the singers gift for writing a memorable tune. If you are intrigued perhaps you should track down the documentary called ‘Dreams Through Wind’ which uses Lampshade as its central theme. Some genuine Northern Lights here then. KD

Lampshade - New Legs

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Year: 2006

The year may be still in its infancy but there is already a tune from 2008 that we can champion. Collections Of Colonies Of Bees may have started out as a side project for Pele’s Jon Mueller and Chris Rosenau but a decade on only one band remains. A wise choice too it seems as their new album ‘Birds’ has bred this 11 minutes of exotic sonic intrigue. You probably know by now that post rock is a genre that does the strangest of things to me. Imagine a piece of music without words moving a grown man to tears, well when the likes of Explosions In The Sky hit their stride I often need to sit down. ‘Flocks III’ is in the same category as it boasts that indefinable quality that can change your humour. Boasting the power and marching into war qualities of Godspeed’s ‘Storm’ this song will surely blossom on stage but even without the pulsing amps it will drill unsteadying yet curiously uplifting emotions through your psyche. Evidence if it were needed of the power of music. KD

Collections Of Colonies Of Bees - Flocks III

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Year: 2008

Ok, the opening sequences might be lifted directly from Ride’s ‘Vapour Trail’ but boy does ‘Celadon’ go on to make a name for itself in the shoegaze stakes. It is the work of London based band Sleepless and is taken from their floppy fringed spectacular that was their 2004 eponymous EP. Sleepless take their cues from the Chapterhouse wing of the shoegaze juggernaut so you can expect claustrophobic chord ensembles and swirling vocals transmitting near indecipherable messages. ‘Celadon’ is a spectacular cathedral of sound that pays homage to the early nineties greats while still remaining a standout track in its own right. All the players must be complimented because this is an extraordinarily well-executed piece of dream pop. According to the shoegaze forum it seems that Sleepless are no more. Such a pity. KD

Sleepless - Celadon

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Year: 2004

I’m neither a great fan of the Simpsons or the White Stripes but the sum of their collective parts and all that. Last night as I flicked channels ‘til my fingers bled I came across this Simpsons episode. It’s an inspired take on the White Stripes Michael Gondry directed video for ‘The Hardest Button To Button’ from their ‘Elephant’ LP of 2003. Probably wouldn’t have made such an impression if it weren’t for the music, which is irresistable (so Rolling Stones). The thing that puts me off the Stripes is their use of just the bare necessities, integrate another band member and you might lose the frisson between Jack and Meg but sonically it could do wonders. Fans would scream heresy I guess and if the Detriot duo can periodically produce triumphs like this perhaps I should just shut up. KD

The White Stripes - The Hardest Button To Button

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Year: 2003

Thao Nguyen is already onto her second album ‘We Brave Stings And All’ and this time around she is gonna take some beating. Her band may be called the Get Down Stay Down but Ms. Nguyen is sure to be on an upward curve once you clap ears on songs such as ‘Bag of Hammers’. Overwhelmingly simple this tune highlights Nguyen’s unique vocals and the power of rackety instrumentation. Of course to be this rackety you have got to be pretty talented so it kinda makes sense that drummer Willis Thompson also moonlights with the Light Footwork. Thao’s chord plucking beautifully matches her vocal jabs and feints to create an enviable crossroads where instrument and voice become one. Pretty soon you'll be getting just as carried away as me. KD

Thao Nguyen - Bag of Hammers

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Year: 2008

Let’s hope that all the hyperbole that has been spouted about them doesn’t tarnish what could become a very sweet little music making machine. Joe Van Moyland used to be drummer with the Pipettes (a band who were feted to the same degree of anticipatory adulation in 2006) and he’s also held a job down in the BBC drama the Tudors. And we all know there is a long hall of shame associated with actors who think the music industry is for them but this time it looks like things may just work out. His band the Jing Jang Jong’s should make for some interesting if slightly wordy t-shirts but that never put the Trail of Dead off I suppose. ‘Lonely Buoy’ will have the C86 and jangle pop connoisseurs in raptures as it a rattles through a plethora of influences while opening up a whole world of new ones. Slick doesn’t get much more loveable than this. KD

Joe Lean and the Jing Jang Jong - Lonely Buoy

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Year: 2008

Bergen is the breeding ground for much of the great music that has come out of Norway in recent times. So much so that Royksopp, Kings of Convenience, Magnet, Sondre Lerche et al have become collectively known as the Bergen Wave. Anne Lilia Berge Strand is another to make the breakthrough and her debut ‘Anniemal’ is rightly hailed as one of 2005’s best. ‘Heartbeat’ is one of the highlights and here it is as envisioned by French electronic artist Alan Braxe. There is more than a hint of the Kylie’s and you can only imagine how huge it could have been if her PR machine had been behind it. The grooves are big and raw and you’d certainly need to be at the top of your game to pull off a successful friday night down the disco interpretation. KD

Annie - Heartbeat (Alan Braxe Remix)

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Year: 2005

They’ve knocked off our socks before of course, most memorably with ‘Wilderness’, which ended up being mp3hugger’s favourite track from 2006. Imagine that was 2 years ago and the international jetset that is Sunny Day Sets Fire still haven’t made the break through. Should be a short enough wait for stardom though as the cute fivesome have several new works planned for 2008 culminating in the release of their debut album in the summer. Before that there’ll be a remix EP in February, which will see such luminaries as CSS and Spank Rock icing several SDSF tracks. ‘Stranger’ is also included on the EP and it marks another impressive notch in the cascading melodious conveyor belt of tunes that we’ve come to expect from the band. This’ll make your smile even if you didn’t mean to. KD

Sunny Day Sets Fire - Stranger

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Year: 2008

This song is from an impossibly long time ago (17 years ago in fact). I can remember the video quite clearly, which was awash with grainy images of kids jumping up and down in their Jack Charlton t-shirts (the World Cup had the previous year come to Ireland for the 1st time). The Coletranes were later to become Revelino, an inspired outfit who melded melodious riffs with Beatles sensibilities. They have since departed although some of its members are still playing music in a wedding band (I tried to scoop them for my nuptials last year). ‘Wake Up’ is so simple I often wonder why it has never been covered or at least procured for a Tarantino ear cutting scene. The chord progression is obvious but never dull and you can hear how Brendan Tallon was honing those harmonies that would serve him and the band so well in Revelino. Thanks to G from the excellent Box Set Go for ripping this from what was sounds like a half chewed dusty cassette tape. KD

The Coletranes - Wake Up

More Info: More details Brendan if you're reading this
Year: 1991

Here is one to bookmark for next month when Son Lux’s ‘At War With Walls & Mazes’ is due to arrive. Ryan Lott is classically trained but from an early age he wasn’t happy to just toe to line, instead he dreamed up sounds from the fragments of noise all around him. So far so dreamlike and so likely to end up being a mess but a single listen to ‘Break’ will show you what Lott is capable of. And his creativity hasn’t gone unnoticed either because his debut show as Son Lux saw him backing up none other than Sufjan Stevens. ‘Break’ is initially a harem of scattered rhythms not going anywhere in particular so when the piece does a complete u-turn about a minute in it quickly becomes a thing of beauty. Lott’s vocals are so precious you may want to adopt them and the tender piano keys are spun with equal aplomb. After the storm comes the calm and in this case the only damage caused will be to your fragile heart. At last a soap we can believe in. KD

Son Lux - Break

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: Son Lux
Year: 2008

Portugal The Man finally decided that enough was enough and left a sobbing label behind them to record their new album under their own steam. Flicking through their web presence you get the impression that this is a terrifically driven and celebral outfit that is in touch with its awestruck audience. So their intention to cut out the fat should leave them in an altogether healthier position both mentally and financially. So what can you expect from a Portugal The Man record? Well, the answer can be gleaned from their work on last years ‘Church Mouth’ which contained this little squeeze called ‘Shade’. Lead by John Gourley’s ice chipped vocals Portugal The Man need careful inspection or else you could likely miss their subtle shifting rhythms. Not that it’s a quiet journey mind as the magic is often held within some seriously grand swathes of noise. This is a band to both admire and love. KD

Portugal The Man - Shade

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: Portugal The Man
Year: 2007

Whatever way you look at the Arcade Fire are undoubtedly the band of the new century. The follow up to their blistering debut may have been slightly overcooked but that hardly takes away from the impression that whenever you hear a song from the Montreal natives you are experiencing much more than just music. And that’s before you even get to their shows, which have become the hottest ticket in town. They have been to Ireland half a dozen times in the last few years and I’ve yet to catch a glimpse. And despite the feverish excitement that the very mention of their name brings to so many they still remain largely detached from public consciousness. Mention the Arcade Fire to most and they’ll picture flaming bumper cars and screaming punters but us kids know differently. The secret may be out but Win Butler’s band remain unsoiled by mass interference. Not that you need reminding but here is the best song created in the last 5 years. KD

The Arcade Fire - Rebellion (Lies)

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Buy Songs: The Arcade Fire
Year: 2004

Chances are 2008 is going to be the year of the free album. Makes sense when you think about it. No point in having the best unknown band on the planet, in the early days at least it is all about getting your music out there and if that means giving your goods away for free then so be it. Think about it what great business idea makes money straight away? There is an expectation that the profit and loss accounts will be tilted heavily in the latter category early doors so why should it be any different with a musical product. The Cyanide Valentine have an undeniably good product and have decided that it’s worth letting the world know all about it at no expense to the listener. So a leisurely visit to their website will yield their hugely satisfying second album (as well as a slight migraine if you can’t stomach the dayglo colours) from the Boston band called ‘The Three Sides Of The Cyanide Valentine’. The album is a scattered joy, full of rounded indie pop kookiness and tiny electronic adventures. ‘The Reprise’ could almost be Sneaker Pimps in a grand mash up with Sydney’s Gerling and if that’s not enough to get you unzipping your mind then perhaps ‘Neanderthals’ will swing it. Now you know why they say what they say about the best things in life. KD

The Cyanide Valentine - The Reprise

The Cyanide Valentine - Neanderthals

More Info: Official & Myspace
Free Songs: The Cyanide Valentine
Year: 2007

You’ve probably already heard of Joe Lean and the Jing Jang Jong and with good reason as they are pretty great. That band are at the forefront of an army that are beginning to appear from behind the slipstream created by the Arctic Monkeys. I know, I know do we really need more short sharp lyrics and angular licks? Well, when a band comes along as good as Little Thief you can't help but fall for their energetic brand of punk rock (puke). All the evidence you need can be found on their myspace page, which has a scatter of demo tracks well worth absorbing. The most accomplished of these is ‘Punch and Judy’ that’ll need very little to storm indie discos up and down the land. This is the exciting sound of youthful endeavour without the fake American accents or self promoting verbiage. KD

Little Thief - Punch and Judy

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: Little Thief
Year: 2007

Sa Sevol isn't just another sonic manifestation giving an album away for free. Rather it is a mysterious concoction ripe for speculation and one that occupies a unique musical genre that has yet to be explored. Scour the furthest reaches of the information superhighway and you'll come back with little or nothing about him/her/it/them. So in a bold and slightly risky manoeuvre hugger attempted to track down Sa Sevol by blasting several probes masquerading as weakly conceived questions into (my) space. A bit later as the lights began to flicker and a couple of tea cups rattled uncontrollably an inbox was giddily clicked. That's right folks; we had made contact......KD

hugger: To your fans and friends you appear a very mysterious figure. Do you really exist and if so in what form?

sa sevol: There really is nothing at all mysterious about me or anyone else associated with Sa Sevol. We just don't fully believe in our own identities & we would never be comfortable perpetuating what may very well be lies or even half-truths. Thus we keep relatively quiet with our heads down. We do exist in flesh, blood & various other oddly named constituents.

h: In your opinion how would success for Sa Sevol manifest itself?

ss: Very carefully & slowly, one piece at a time.

h: Who are your influences, be they human or extra-terrestrial?

ss: The New York Times, Krzysztof Kieslowski, James Joyce, Baphomet, Herbert Crowley, Roberto Cacciapaglia, Flannery O' Connor, Eno, of course. There may be some extra-terrestrials in there.

h: Are you annoyed that Radiohead stole your idea about giving the album away for free? Will you be suing them? Do you genuinely hate fake plastic trees?

ss: I'm more annoyed that Radiohead kidnapped my parents. While I miss them, I'm not generally litigious. Bygones. Furthermore, I hate nothing.

h: You've trained a big crow to alight onto your hand and you also claim to have been to several countries over the last 2 years. Are you in fact part of a travelling circus troupe?

ss: I've trained what? I AM the crow.


Sa Sevol - An Easy Promise

More Info: Official & Myspace
Free Songs: Sa Sevol
Year: 2008

There are no siblings and they aren’t particularly brave but the Lionheart Brothers could soon become the pop kings of 2008. They boast 2 ex-members from Serena Maneesh so the omens were looking pretty good when I pressed play on ‘Hero Anthem’ from their debut album ‘Dizzy Kiss’ (which came out in Norway last year but is only going Europe wide at the end of the month). The reality was even better as they came off like the best thing the Mock Turtles never recorded. Marcus Forsgren is the vocal spit of Martin Coogan and the twisted psychedelia, which wraps itself round his words, could easily have come from the early nineties or the late sixties. The Lionheart Brothers have a swell set of influences that run the gambit from the Beach Boys to My Bloody Valentine so their potential audience is vast, discerning and about to be smooched by a swirling masterpiece in ‘Dizzy Kiss’. I’m sure you’ll dig it. KD

The Lionheart Brothers - Hero Anthem

Watch The Video To Time River Floaty

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Buy Songs: The Lionheart Brothers
Year: 2008

Man with big beard makes jaw droppingly beautiful tune. Man uses said hairy growth to partly hide from the world, rarely gives interviews, instead prefers to reveal what goes on inside through the shape of his musical compositions. These pieces appear within an acoustic framework but are characterised by the man's heartfelt voice. He used to work in a shoe factory but a 4am calling from St. Stills changed his outlook and eventually his income stream. Two long players promptly followed with this song appearing at the tail end of the newer one. Not quite an apparition but very nearly a religious experience it should have you weeping like a lakeside willow. KD

Ray Lamontagne - Within You

Watch The Video To Trouble

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: Ray Lamontagne
Year: 2006

Oh, if only this had come out in the last week I could pronounce with unrestrained glee that the Pale Young Gentlemen’s eponymous debut is the first great LP of the new year (03/07 in fact). The reason being that PYG is a truly arresting listen, full of quirky cross-genre tunes that hit their intended targets with the consistency of a champion darts player. The Wisconsin quintet even see fit to include a cello player in their entourage which gives their tunes a slinkiness not normally associated with musical indie folk. You’ll hear it on the positively appetising ‘Single Days’ where it’s joined by a skidadaling piano line, chirpy chords and Mike Reisenauer’s morning after tones. If that doesn’t shiver your timbers then you’d better set sail for the mainstream and a glut of inconsequential sonic adventures. KD

Pale Young Gentlemen - Single Days

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Buy Songs: Pale Young Gentlemen
Year: 2007

Forget about Noel Gallagher’s band recommendations, they are usually not much cop (I mean Cast for gawds sake). Billy Corgan though is another prospect altogether if his spotlight in the direction of Brooklyn’s Stars of Stage and Screen is anything to go by. The elegantly named twosome of Daughtry Carstarphen and Timothy Roven have 2 LP’s as Stars of Stage and Screen but their careers can be traced back to the early 90’s. Roven even found time along the way to record some music with Paul of A-ha and his band Savoy. His latest project harks back to the fuzzy chords and haunting melodies of the shoegaze movement. For this ambition Carstarphen’s vocals are particularly suited, applying ethereal with a lasting gravitas. ‘Evergreen’ is from the duo’s 2005 album ‘American Oddity’ and reveals itself as a nice Joy Zippery companion piece. KD

Stars of Stage and Screen - Evergreen

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Buy Songs: Stars of Stage and Screen
Year: 2005

The Swedish aren’t the only Scandanavian’s capable of captivating us as Lars Wiik & The Laughing River so ably prove with ‘There is Nothing’. Details are distinctly sketchy about this group of Norwegians. The latest is that the band are currently recording their debut album, up to now it seems that the only music that has surfaced has been via their myspace page. Given the amount of interaction and friend count there it seems that any concrete release should be met with feverish anticipation. ‘There is Nothing’ is uniformly acoustic, you can quite clearly hear the finger movements and it is not difficult to see how a José González audience would eagerly lap this up. Hopefully Lars is prepared for the inevitable cavalcade of trendy stateside programme makers that’ll be knocking on his door once the record is released. KD

Lars Wiik & The Laughing River - There Is Nothing

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: pretty soon
Year: 2006

How could I have been so wrong? I had intermittently dipped into LCD Soundsystem but was always met with something unembraceable. Must have been a case of choosing the wrong tracks (the chief annoyance being ‘Daft Punk Is Playing At My House’ which really knocked me off the scent) because over the last few weeks I’ve climbed aboard, and then some. ‘All My Friends’ was the portal but this tune has really floored me. James Murphy has had a long journey to LCD Soundsystem’s 2nd LP ‘Sound of Silver’, the most interesting titbit being that he once turned down an opportunity to write on a proposed new sitcom called ‘Seinfield’. That missed opportunity may have spurred him on but comedy’s loss was certainly music’s gain when you hear the heartbeat stopper that is ‘Someone Great’. It may be the greatest lost Human League classic ever but it is utterly refreshing to hear music with this much emotion being created in 2007. KD

LCD Soundsystem - Someone Great

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Buy Songs: LCD Soundsystem
Year: 2007

Not exactly the best medicine for a headache fuelled Sunday morning but that’s what the first aid box is for. Housewife Lovers is a quartet from Malmo who seem to have recovered remarkably from that European Cup loss to Nottingham Forest (they probably weren’t even born) to inflict some spiky new wave histrionics on the world. Housewife Lovers used to play their gigs in scattered apartments in the early days, they’ve since progressed to real venues where Henric Claesson can clear his throat and let that voice break any glass within 50 yards. ‘Out of School’ is very impressive in the way it never stops to pose or preen, instead it heads for the nearest throbbing vein. No blood spills but my does the pulse race as if some corpuscle chomping aliens are on the lookout for an easy meal. KD

Housewife Lovers - Out of School

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Buy Songs: Housewife Lovers
Year: 2007

Imagine calling yourself after an archipelago of tropical islands. Then imagine using said moniker to flaunt a style of music that belongs to a revered time and place. The late sixties to be precise half way down Kinky Avenue, about 2 blocks from those surfing dudes. By this musical stance Paul Arnusch’s outfit knew they were leaving themselves open for ridicule and unfair comparisons. Lucky then that the Canadians prepared well because the new old music that they make is fresh and inspired. ‘Sorry James’ is so finely tailored you can almost hear the creases. Who needs absolute originality when there’s a great time to had tussling with the greats and coming away with a victory. KD

The Whitsundays - Sorry James

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Buy Songs: The Whitsundays
Year: 2008

The line up may have changed a bit since they formed in 1974 but the Stranglers continue to release records, the 17th of which ‘Suite XVI’ came out 2 years ago. In fact the band have the distinction of having hits in 4 different decades. ‘Always The Sun’ was released way back in 1986 but it retains a polished sound, records this great rarely age. Initially the band were lumped in with the punk movement but their songs often belied this fact. Cornwell may have hidden much in his ambiguous lyrics but the surrounding melody was squeaky clean and poptastic. ‘Always The Sun’ came out at a time when the Stranglers career was waning, just 4 years later Cornwell had left citing that the band had become a spent creative force. KD

The Stranglers - Always The Sun

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Buy Songs: The Stranglers
Year: 1986

These days when someone asks me to recommend a band that are worth investigating I normally draw a blank. This is only a recent phenomenon though as before starting this blog I could talk for Ireland about my favourite new band. Listening to so much music every day has a diluting effect, somehow you just lose sight of the wood and favourites tend to get lost in dizzyingly long list. Minutes pass and the fog clears and I normally can come up with a handful of bands that deserve attention. One of them is Dublin band Angel Pier who are about to release their second EP. Their debut EP ‘Bullet Holes & Broken Sectors’ was a dazzling affair with universally strong tracks and a classic in waiting called ‘Sprites’ that coaxed raw emotion through a combination of Darragh Nolan’s shimmering vocals and a heartbreaking set of cascading instrumentation. The forthcoming ‘Sacrifice’ EP is the follow up and although it is not as immediately digestible as its predecessor it shows no less promise with 4 songs that mature beautifully once they are given time to reveal themselves (proving that much like their contemporaries Delorentos, Angel Pier are in love with detail). My favourite is ‘Make’, an intricate affair that swoops and soars like an ecstatic swallow that has just had a wing mended. The percussion on this one is particularly impressive as are Nolan’s shapeshifting vocals. Angel Pier are my tip for 2008. KD

Angel Pier - Make

Watch The Video To Sprites

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: Angel & Pier
Year: 2008