This will be the last post until Monday due to my impending festival reawakening at EP. First impressions from the ground are positive and with not much rain promised (believe me this counts as summertime in Ireland) it could end up being the best weekend. MBV are the prime forces in driving this particular antique out of hibernation and because the auld hearing is a little rusty, what with my advancing years, I probably won’t even need earplugs for the apocalypse that is ‘You Made Me Realise’. This tune from Four Tet details exactly how I am feeling at the moment, giddy, all over the place and ready to experience several days without warm soapy water. Talk next week. KD

Four Tet - Sun Drums and Soil

Watch The Video To She Moves She

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: Four Tet
Year: 2005

Despite being feted by both the Brian Jonestown Massacre and the Jesus & Mary Chain the People's Revolutionary Choir decided to call it a day earlier this year. Brave new sonic endeavour would never have been a tagline you’d associate with the London collective but I’m going to miss their psychedelic fuelled numbers. ‘Do You Feel Like I Do?’ may be souped up like a Cortina with no engine but given a decent sound system and an eager crowd it could quite easily fit into the perfect Friday night playlist. Guitars spiral wildly out of control while vocals swoop and glide over the din in an transparent gesture of hedonistic behaviour. Yep, it’s obvious but I’m tired and my ears need something meaty to chew over. KD

The People's Revolutionary Choir - Do You Feel Like I Do?

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: The People's Revolutionary Choir
Year: 2007

For some reason it was just never going to happen for the House of Love. Stuck in a period that was characterised by a tranche of scenes such as madchester, grunge and shoegaze the House of Love never quite fitted in. It was probably more an indictment of the scene hoppers of the time though because the HOL wrote some of the most perfect indie pop tunes of the late 80’s/early 90’s. Their back catalogue has aged remarkably well and much of the credit must go down to Guy Chadwick’s pristine sense of melody. Chadwick was a constant throughout whereas beside him a revolving door of new guitarists put their jangling mark on several of the bands albums. Of those Terry Bickers was probably be the most prolific and although he jumped ship in late 1989 he made a surprising return for the band’s reunion on 2005’s ‘Days Run Away’. ‘Babe Rainbow’ is probably my favourite HOL album, although not as universally strong as their eponymous of 1990 it contains the most effervescent singles imaginable and I find myself constantly returning to it. A fine example is ‘Crush Me’, a subtle drift of understated melodies all coaxed along by Chadwick’s softly delivered vocals. Some people had the Beatles, others the Stones but a select few find it hard to look beyond the House of Love. KD

The House of Love - Crush Me

Watch The Video To The Beatles & The Stones

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: The House of Love
Year: 1992

As you probably know by now Scandinavia is an indie pop-making factory. In fact I’d wager that if you climbed to the rooftop of any shopping centre in the region you’d likely to come across some cool haircuts playing the sweetest of audio. Which brings us neatly onto Copenhagen outfit Leisure Alaska, they of the odd CGI video (see link below) and spirited melody. Their album ‘The Deja In My Vu’ may be 3 years old but it certainly has the legs to push the band onto a wider audience (a follow-up is almost in the bag). ‘Hey There Mr.’ could appeal to Interpol fans looking for some light relief, something that loses none of the gravitas but dispenses with the airtight seriousness. A feast for your ears. KD

Leisure Alaska - Hey There Mr.

Watch The Video

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: Leisure Alaska
Year: 2008

Ben Wilson could have been in too many bands, by giving so much away on each new incarnation he risked watering down the talent he was born to exploit. Thankfully his latest and greatest guise as That’s The Spirit sees him finally straddling a most perfect Yo La Tengo/Apples in Stereo/Sparklehorse swell of imagination. ‘Staying Places’ is the product of his endeavours in his own basement studio. And even if the sun didn’t make it down that far by the sounds of ‘Orienteering’ there may have been plenty of warm rays going in the opposite direction. It’s clever, hook laden and blessed with delightfully flitting brass and Wilson’s genuinely warm voice. A near perfect piece of indie pop then. KD

That's The Spirit - Orienteering

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: That's The Spirit
Year: 2008

Get inside this noise, it’s freewheelin and although you’ll be dizzy the overriding feeling with be of having experienced something new and vital. Ponytail are a quartet from Baltimore and they're bringing their torrent of manic invention to Whelan’s on the 10th of September. If it all sounds eclectic on record imagine what will happen when the live incarnation runs riot in the dark recesses of the Dublin venue. ‘Beg Waves’ is taken from the groups new album ‘Ice Cream Spiritual’ and is a noisy approximation of Bjork/The Go! Team being played simultanously on a couple of turntables at 78rpm. It’ll most probably scare small children, pets and nosey neighbours so choose your play times very carefully. If you’d like to witness these loonbags performing we have 3 double passes for the aforementioned Dublin gig. To be in with a chance just email us.

Update: Congrats to John, Jean and friends! KD

Ponytail - Beg Waves

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: Ponytail
Year: 2008

Amusement Parks On Fire come to Dublin tonight thanks to the Club AC30 crew so if you are partial to some Swervedriver/Ride/Revolver soundscapes it could make for a great night out. APOF has been Nottingham's Michael Ferrick project for several years, originally starting out on his own a group has gradually been sworn in to add the requisite muscle for his incendiary visions. The band's calling card is the molten guitar exchanges that frequently attempt to strangle the life out of Ferrick’s vocals. They don’t succeed and the pitched battle is what makes their second album ‘Out of Angelus’ such an enjoyable shoegaze experience. Thankfully they have their moments of introspection too to counteract the threat of tinnitus. One such track is ‘At Last The Night’ (quite appropriate too given how much the AC30’ers are looking forward to tonight's gig) which is awash with Sigur Ros-esque orchestral manoeuvres, dreamy voices and tailored jangle. KD

Amusement Parks On Fire - At Last The Night

Watch The Video To A Star Is Born

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: Amusement Parks On Fire
Year: 2006

So named after a bus driver and his happy disposition. Annika Norlin is a solo artist from the capital of Sweden so even before you hear ‘Anna’ you know her pop sensibilities will be in tiptop shape. The beauty of Norlin’s voice is the ease with which you can pick up on her stories, her crystal delivery rises above the admittedly cute playing. And though ‘Anna’ may be fantasy it is nonetheless an absorbing tale. The melodies help of course, something that I’ve completely missed on Hello Saferide releases up to this point. It is taken from the singer’s upcoming 3rd LP ‘More Modern Stories From Hello Saferide’ and somehow despite its beauty it may make you a little sad. Oddly happy sad though. KD

Hello Saferide - Anna

Watch The Video To My Best Friend

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: Hello Saferide
Year: 2008

As dream line-ups go it ain’t too shabby, in fact the dreamy vocals from the Deheza sisters formerly of On! Air! Library! and ex Secret Machines Ben Curtis could just be about to snatch (hmmm, they're named after a South American school of pick pocketing) your affections in a big way. The threesome are called School of Seven Bells and are operating out of that hive of musical endeavour that is Brooklyn. ‘Alpinisms’ is the group’s debut album and it is due out any day now on Ghostly International. ‘Connjur’ is a small peephole into what you can expect and as a fan of old skool Stereolab I am pretty taken with its imaginative flights of fancy. Wispy guitars and soft ethereal voices tend to take my head for a spin and this is a road trip I will be taking many times. KD

School Of Seven Bells - Connjur

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: School Of Seven Bells (soon)
Year: 2008

Never thought it would come to this but indiecater has suddenly reached volume 2 and it barely a couple of months old. The idea was simple really, mp3hugger has certain songs that are constantly whirling around his head so one sleepless night he decided it would be nice to compile these songs and as a sort of digital mixtape. Of course such ideas often sound so simple in theory but their execution can be a tad on the tricky side. Without the support, enthusiasm and creativity of the bands who’ve taken part indiecater would have fallen on its arse fairly quickly so I am very grateful to one and all. Volume 1 concentrated on unreleased material but for its successor there are no such restrictions. Every track is hand picked after going through a rigorous testing process that is as secret as the formula to Wonka’s everlasting gobstopper. The compilation costs €4.50, most of which goes straight back to the contributing artists. Call yourself indie, now’s your chance to prove it! Read more and buy indiecater volume 2 @ the indiecater website. To help you make up your mind here is a sweet cut from Austin's finest AM Syndicate (track 5). KD

AM Syndicate - To The Peasants Of The Emperor

More Info: Official
Buy Songs: indiecater
Year: 2008

Bawl have been lost to the mists of time or more pertinently by its members who seemed for quite a time to be in a constant state of flummox thinking up new names for the band. Such energy would have been better dispelled on writing a follow-up to Bawl’s lavish debut ‘Year Zero’ for here was an album full of indie pop gems. Not only that but the melodies also served to colour lyrics showcasing the language of everyday life. ‘Mechanic From Rhyll’ is an absolutely magic rendering of human frailty against the backdrop of gorgeous audio and proved what a strong songwriter Mark Cullen was when he concentrated on the job in hand. Bawl became Fixed Stars and then morphed into Pony Club who are now, sadly, inactive. KD

Bawl - Mechanic From Rhyll

More Info: Official
Buy Songs: Pony Club
Year: 1996

One of the consequences of this blogging lark is that I don’t really get to hear whole albums anymore. Well, not in the traditional way anyway where the ferocious unwrapping of cellophane was only matched by the like-lightning drop into the nearest stereo. God only knows what delights I’m missing but by spreading myself thin over a greater numbers of acts it balances itself out I guess. One album I have been meaning to visit is Spiritualized’s ‘Songs In A&E’ because I’ve always had a soft spot for the spaceman even if his gospel tendencies have been beginning to wear thin of late. But his genius is not in doubt, just take a listen to this perfectly formed piece of spacerock ‘All Of My Tears’ from the brilliant ‘Pure Phase’ album. It is the sound of aliens with an ear for twigging human emotions through the use of cinematic audio alone. I’ll wager you’ve already succumbed. KD

Spiritualized - All Of My Tears

Watch The Video To Run

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: Spiritualized
Year: 1995

Fuck it, the summer was over before it began but that doesn’t mean we can’t have fun. And El Guincho is here to set us on our way. This may be a tad more ear friendly that our last meeting but it is no less enjoyable. In fact it’s a riot, a samba parade of vibrant colour courtesy of Canary Islander Pablo Diaz-Reixa (El Guincho) who will be uploading his first album ‘Alegranza’ to the world in October. In truth it has been knocking around for a while but you can’t have enough of a good thing and El Guincho is certainly a mood enhancer. ‘Palmitos Park’ is 100% party fuel, a knockabout smile with happy vibes sweating from every one of its sweat drenched pores. Rain or shine he’ll always be one in a million. A five star effort. KD

El Guincho - Palmitos Park

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: El Guincho
Year: 2007/8

In just over a week I will be gritting my teeth and venturing back into the world of the 3-day festival after a 13 year hiatus. Yep, Feile ’95 was the last time I put myself through sustained food poisoning, trench foot and an almost mind numbing obsession to find cold draught beer. In truth it wasn’t that bad (you have to go back to the hopelessly romantic Trip2Tipp for that!), in fact I was just ecstatic to see the Stone Roses play (badly). My abiding memory of the weekend however is of Dreadzone’s super extended version of ‘Captain Dread’ which seemed to invigorate the loosely assembled dance tent for aoens. It was a near apocalyptic scene as dreadlocks, severely low wattage lighting, plumes of hash infused smoke and at least a thousand sweating young people simulated incoherently to a recurring tranche of celtic fused mayhem. It was a near life altering occasion as music and euphoric endeavour formed a perfect union. Listening to it even now sends a shiver down my spine. Here’s hoping Electric Picnic provides us with similar experiences, over to you Mr. Shields. KD

Dreadzone - Captain Dread

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: Dreadzone
Year: 1995

This is a perfectly executed piece of instrumental rock with vocals (huh?). What I mean is ‘Pacifica’ could have operated quite capably without James Brookes deep utterances, as it is his output makes something great even better. The Exeter trio Appliance made 3 albums, the last of which ‘Are You Earthed’ appeared in 2003. ‘Pacifica’ was the closing track on their debut ‘Manual’ which owed its sound to gallery of references such as Spacemen 3 and Sonic Youth. But, Appliance were more than just a facsimile and their haul of several dozen instruments meant their hooks were often shrouded in the most exotic of aural fogs. ‘Pacific’ is a smooth operator, deft and blessed with a sleight of hand that’ll rob you of your emotions before returning them back with a rosier complexion. KD

Appliance - Pacifica

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More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: Appliance
Year: 1999

Here’s another interesting proposition from San Francisco that comes complete with a female vocalist, Dannie Murrie, who sounds curiously like Jane’s Addiction’s Perry Farrell. Little Teeth are quite clearly loopy but there’s also a deep intelligence at work. So while Murrie singcreeches the band lurch from one sonic juncture to another with the frequency of a toddler’s bowel movements. It takes some getting used to but the mayhem does finally begin to charm if you are patient. Little Teeth are signed to Absolutely Kosher (also home to Xiu Xiu, ahhh, the penny drops) and their first record together ‘Child Bearing Man’ will be released next month. Run of the mill it ain’t but then again challenging is what we aim for. KD

Little Teeth - Applegate

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: Child Bearing Man (next month)
Year: 2008

You are going to work hard for your kicks this time thanks to San Fran’s Tussle and their deliciously eclectic electronic storyboards. The cover of their latest LP ‘Cream Cuts’ shows an 80’s arcade styled patchwork quilt, which should alert you to their mazy freewheeling experimentation. Clinic are a close contemporary although Tussle probably lean more daringly to the dancefloor than the off-kilter scousers. That may explain their recent tour with Hot Chip, which led to frequent on stage collaborations. ‘Night of the Hunter’ has much to savour with knowing glances back to early acid and a pummelling schedule (reminiscent of the Morel's Pink Noise Dub remix of the Killers ‘All These Things That I’ve Done’) early on that sheds a cascading piano riff that is as eerie as it is euphoric. The experimental elements gradually take over but this never stops being a challenging and rewarding piece of contemporary dance. KD

Tussle - Night Of The Hunter

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: Tussle
Year: 2008

Yeah I know it’s early Sunday morning and these sort of antics should be kept for the night before but who could turn down a date with ace experimentalists Gerling (now hibernating in Antarctica, watch out for next years documentary ‘March of the Gerlings’) and her Kylieness. Back in 2001 when no one could get Kylie out of their heads it must have been a lavish coup to scoop her for a duet. But I wouldn’t put anything past Syndeysiders Gerling, makers of music so flush with inventiveness it’s a wonder they didn’t just go and call themselves Edison. Anyway, this really kicks off about 120 seconds in and what a dancefloor invitation it is. With Gerling frozen in time you can still listen to 1/3 of them via indiecater courtesy of Darren Cross in his potent new guise as the E.L.F. Ok....move on everyone....there’s nothing to see/hear...Kylie’s on mp3hugger....no big deal....nobody got hurt. KD

Gerling - G-House Project (feat. Kylie Minogue)

Watch The Video To Death To The Apple Gerls

More Info: Fan Site & Myspace
Buy Songs: The E.L.F.
Year: 2001

Forget about all the music you’ve ever heard, just clear your head and start from scratch again like an 8 year in the company of Sgt. Peppers for the first time. Now give this Brighton band a listen and bask in their collective genius. Yep, I bandy the G word about here quite a bit and mostly it’s hardly warranted but this time is different. Labelless and happy to live off the scraps that is the donation paypal button Stars and Sons are currently giving their ‘Goat Show’ EP away for free from their myspace. ‘Fights Already Fought’ sprung from nowhere on what seemed like another aimless shuffle and I was immediately hooked by its baggy demeanour. It is elusive, bewildering and downright heavenly through its stringent policy of non-linearity. Further inspection reveals the generous supply of goodies all over the EP like the beautifully turned profanities on ‘4 Stars’. This band makes my heart skip a beat, which at my age can be very dangerous, but it’s worth the risk. Tip them generously so they can further endanger us. KD

Stars and Sons - Fights Already Fought

Stars and Sons - 4 Stars

Watch The Video To In The Ocean

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: Stars And Sons
Year: 2008

This is pretty faultless and given the homemade setting surely announces Little Boots as a serious talent and star in the making. Wiley’s original is a big dirty piece of classic dance and should be making most end of year ‘best of’ lists but what’s the betting on this reworking doing the same in 2009? To get some context check out the youtube vid where this rip comes from and marvel at the ingenuity/simplicity with which ‘Wearing My Rolex’ is realised. Just goes to prove that genuine talent will shine through no matter how lo-fi the working conditions. Little Boots is the side project of Victoria from Dead Disco, the all female trio from Leeds, and her single ‘Meddle’ is out now. KD

Little Boots - Wearing My Rolex

Watch The Video

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: Little Boots
Year: 2008

It might only be 2 minutes long but ‘Oxford’ still finds the time to get all messy and confused towards the end. But such noodles aside this is a pleasant distraction that really benefits from louder decibels. The Austin quintet certainly have indie rock down to a fine detail and thankfully they’ve plucked from the best possible influences (Pavement being particularly prevalent). Their self-titled LP of last year picked up plenty of critical kudos and in the grand tradition of 2008 they have decided to give their new EP ‘August Exhaust Pipes’ away for free (witness the curveball that is the title track below). And the good news is that it’s as good as you’d expect it to be, in a most perfect slacker Peel type of way. Yet more evidence that there’s certainly something in the water in Austin, most probably a cover band previously run out of town by an angry slew of sonic innovators. KD

Peel - Oxford

Peel - August Exhaust Pipes

Watch The Video To August Exhaust Pipes

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: Peel
Year: 2006/2008

‘Eight Golden Greats’ is the debut album from the Old Believers pair of Nelson Kempf and Keeley Boyle. It sounds earthy and blessed with the sort of moving parts that just get you in the gut. Because it comes from a remarkably youthful duo from Alaska also helps, that and the fact that it is fashioned in parts in Win Butler’s image. So as you’d expect there is plenty of mood with Nelson Kempf and Keeley Boyle reaching for the sort of nuances you thought had gone out of fashion. In that sense much of the album sounds like it was recovered from a long lost master tape. Must have been recorded in rich stereo though as ‘Granny’s Song’ so amply proves. This is memorable stuff, an unhurried shuffle that is subtlety crafted to soothe your overworked senses. KD

The Old Believers - Granny's Song

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: The Old Believers
Year: 2008

I’m a bit of a sucker for a haunting female vocal (must be my Pale Saints, Cocteau, Sundays upbringing) so it didn’t take very long before I was under the spell of Sleepingdog’s Chantal Acda. I’m hearing very early career Sinead O’Connor (and believe me this is a good thing) in her impassioned delivery. It really is tearful stuff and a lot of the credit must go to Adam Wiltzie’s sparse Eno-esque arrangements which illuminate rather than compete with the chanteuse. The duo’s sophomore ‘Polar Bear’ is out next month and ‘Your Eyes’ is a magnetic appetizer. Acda is from the Netherlands, lives in Belgium and her songwriting is informed by the dramatic topography/legends of Iceland. A very European creation then but something which should become a worldwide phenomenon. KD

Sleepingdog - Your Eyes

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: Sleepingdog (soon) & Sleepingdog (now)
Year: 2008

I wasn't too surprised on hearing this song that it was from a band called My First Days on Junk (you were hardly expecting The Daisy Fields now were you?). The purists may be tempted to scoff aloud and then discard due to its likeness to a chain of bloody Mary Valentine's but that would be to deny themselves a really pretty tune. You should already know that guitars that fuzz have a knee weakening charm and when they're topped by a sweet boy/girl interaction it attains an irresistible quality. ‘Count Me In, I'm Good To Go’ is a classic of its kind and is well matched by its siblings on My First Days On Junk’s sophomore ‘No Order’ (out next week). Nope, the wheel is not being reinvented but this should still set your world in motion all the same. KD

My First Days On Junk - Count Me In, I'm Good To Go

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: My First Day On Junk
Year: 2008

It took me a while to warm to this track from Dublin collective the Jimmy Cake but its intoxicating mix of LCD Soundsystem and Jaga Jazzist finally had its way with me. ‘Jetta’s Palace’ is taken from the band’s current album ‘Spectre & Crown’ which was 5 years in the making. Inspecting the intricate building swell of sound it is easy to appreciate how they must have sweated and fine-tuned the disparate parts. ‘Jetta’s Palace’ is a swarm of instruments led by an irrepressible piano riff, pounding drums and some of the best brass you will hear all year in indiedom. There have been so many members of the Jimmy Cake over the past few years it is quite likely that one of your acquaintances has been involved, maybe it's time you gave them a call to congratulate them on their fine achievement. KD

The Jimmy Cake - Jetta's Palace

Watch The Video To Hungry Ghost

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: The Jimmy Cake
Year: 2008

It’s always risky seeing a band you are fond off perform for the first time. A bad show can sometimes leave a sour taste which taints your opinion from then on. Angel Pier are 2 EP’s in (they are currently working on a 6-track mini LP) and thus far haven’t put a foot wrong. This is a quartet with that spark in the studio that is all too rare and after seeing them last night it would appear that the magic extends to their live incarnation. The Gorey/Ottawa/Dublin lads liberally showcased new material along with the majority of tracks from their ‘Sacrifice’ and ‘Bullet Holes & Broken Sectors’ releases and the quality was consistently good throughout. Angel Pier play with an infectious happiness, they are obviously a tight outfit which means when highlights (of which there are many) such as the crescendo on ‘Sprites’ arrive it’s hard not to be taken in by the joy of it all. Lead man Darragh Nolan holds court brilliantly and his vocals have a powerfully clear delivery. He is ably supported by livewire Lucas Paluch on guitar, Mark Colbert on harmonies/drums and bass player Vinny Redmond. On the wettest night in Dublin since last week Angel Pier reigned supreme. You can catch them in Galway’s Roisin Dubh on Thursday next and at HWCH next month. Photos courtesy of John McRedmond. KD

Download the aceness that is 'Make' for free from the HWCH website.

Watch The Video To Sprites

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

Now isn’t Secretly Canadian just the cleverest label around. Not content with just bringing Philadelphia’s finest the War on Drugs on board they then proceed to give the bands first EP away for free. But, I see through their devilish plan. Give the initial stash away and pretty soon folks all over the place will become hopelessly addicted. So by the time their full length ‘Wagonwheel Blues’ comes around pasty faced punters up and down the land will be shivering and shaking until the War on Drugs peculiar take on Americana is wholly ingested. Two or three listens reveals why addiction is a natural product of the War on Drugs. I mean ‘Pushing Corn’ just boasts thats slow inexorable grip on your attention. The retro vibes are obvious but it all sounds curiously of their own making. When it comes to this band at least just say yes kids. The War on Drugs are currently touring Europe and will stop off in Crawdaddy on the 17th of this month. KD

The War On Drugs - Pushing Corn

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: The War On Drugs
Year: 2008

An awkward little stomper about to take over the world.

The Robot Ate Me - On Vacation

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: The Robot Ate Me
Year: 2004

All out attack sees the Belgian capital fall in under half an hour.

My Robot Friend - 23 Minutes In Brussels

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: My Robot Friend
Year: 2006

Resistance is futile but swearing at them certainly helps.

Pro Audio - F.U. Robot

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: Pro Audio
Year: 2008

KD

I’ve got to admit that even though I am old enough to have been around when they were releasing records I had not heard of the Spinning Jennys until recently. Details are pretty sketchy for most bands who broke up in the early 90’s and even more so for Norfolk ones who only managed a couple of singles. From what I’ve gathered the band appeared on quite a few indie compilations in the early 90’s and released 2 EP’s ‘Spinning Too’ and ‘It’s It It It’. Both ‘Supermarine’ and ‘It’s It It It’ are taken from the latter which was released by the quaintly named Tea Time Records and have aged incredibly well because at their core are the most pristine indie pop compositions imaginable. The busy instrumentation never hides the fact that there is some perfect jangle lurking underneath and the vocals have that perfectly rendered indie boy feyness that almost appears lost amongst the bumper to bumper playing. KD

The Spinning Jennys - Supermarine

The Spinning Jennys - It's It It It

Year: 1991

Earlier in the week I worked myself into a tizzy with the chaotic but wholesome noise that the Gang tend to make. More noise again, this time from L.A.'s Abe Vigoda (the name of an American actor) and I’m glad to say it will be no less commandeering on your ears. It’s the sort of sound you’d expect to hear from a plastic bag flapping in the wind were it to get its shabby handles on some instruments. Namely it is wild and unfettered and prone to nonsensical but praise worthy bouts of abandonment. Forget about choruses, a beginning, middle or end, just take off your clothes (no, not even that Tunick) and breath in that sense of liberation to the sweet audio of ‘Dead City/Waste Wilderness’. This is what it is all about. KD

Abe Vigoda - Dead City/Waste Wilderness

Watch The Video To All Day & Night

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: Abe Vigoda
Year: 2008

It’s a cliché but the best things in life are free. This doesn’t normally extend into the world of quality publishing but Analogue Magazine is about to change all that. This glossy indie read was set free (!) on the streets of Dublin, Limerick, Cork and Galway over the last week and certain copies came complete with a fab CD of 10 tracks from our old friends Storkboy Choons and Colours Move. Analogue is a terrific way to spend an afternoon, in fact its readability makes it stand out from the normally stuffy music press. There are plenty of features and an in-depth review section so if you are in need of some fresh musical guidance Analogue is your man. If you don’t live in Ireland you can download the whole thing in PDF format. The official Analogue Magazine launch is happening this Friday 8th August in Crawdaddy at 10pm. To celebrate Storkboy Choons will be performing a live set, so make sure you only buy long necks as other vessels tend to leak when tunes like ‘Rockfield Symphony’ invade the boombox. KD

Storkboy Choons - Rockfield Symphony

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: Storkboy Choons

Flip, I really am in love this time with a noisy set of Brooklyn heads. Well, that’s not strictly true as one of them is from rural Iceland, funny that, perhaps it’s that peculiar mix of beings from the high rise and the low lands that makes the Gang such an addictive prospect. ‘Zero Hits’, the collective’s debut record, was primarily put together in a bedroom and what a crazy mix of dynamics those four walls must have witnessed. ‘Zero Hits’ is awash with beauty, not a conventionally pleasing aesthetic it must be said. There is lots of glare you see, the sort you’d expect from a confused yet inspired covers group who don’t quite know if they are going to settle on the Go! Team or the Pixies. That said the Gang are anything but confused, their music may shudder about in a romantically honed tizzy but the hooks are acutely melodic. I can’t stop listening and the neighbours won’t stop banging on my door and screaming to turn it down. Play ‘Fits and Shadow Fights’ loudly and be prepared to let your mind roam freely and your heart swoon openly. KD

The Gang - Fits and Shadow Fights

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: The Gang
Year: 2008

This is probably about as straight-laced as this blog is likely to get without ever threatening to derail its indie aesthetics. In a word ‘Chicago’ is a beautiful pop song and one that doesn't diminish with repeated listens. It comes from a bunch of young people from Oklahoma who wrote it about 4 years ago. ‘Chicago’ is making an appearance now as part of the Uglysuit’s self-titled debut album. Much of the credit for its success must go to Israel Hindman’s vocal turn and the cosy feeling that Midlake are also adept at recreating; namely that the best songs didn’t necessarily appear in the sixties but from the decade that followed it. ‘Chicago’ is easy on the ear and blessed with a chorus that has all the hallmarks of a perennial radio favourite. KD

The Uglysuit - Chicago

Watch The Video (sort of)

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: The Uglysuit
Year: 2008

Brazil may have a vast musical heritage but you wouldn’t normally associate its audio produce with the sort of stuff that finds its way on this blog. There are exceptions of course but for the most part we tend to focus on acts from a much more northerly part of America. ‘Glicerina Dreaming’ just shows what we’re missing. I mean doesn’t it just have a laid back charm all of its own with the neatest of twee stylings all rounded off to perfection by Camila Zamith’s elegant vocals. The track is taken from Nancy’s debut album called ‘Chora Matisse!’ which was conceived in a variety of internet rendered ways. The album’s success now means the band can do it the old fashioned way of meeting each other at a predefined time at their local studio in Brasília. Let’s hope they don’t lose their magical unhurried style in the process. KD

Nancy - Glicerina Dreaming

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: Nancy
Year: 2008

Quite how someone from Rollerskate Skinny found themselves involved in an exuberant indie pop act remains a mystery but that’s where you’ll find Stevie M stationed. Not that I’m complaining because the Radio are a breath of fresh air in the generally staid Irish music scene. ‘Go Radio’ could almost be the Go! Team (without the samples) such is its sunny disposition; the formula is deliciously simple and about as infectious as a virulent strain of Ebola. The tune is taken from last year’s ‘Charm Offensive’, which seemed to slip by almost unnoticed which given the dearth of interesting matter emanating from the capital is quite criminal. Things have been very quite for the Radio of late but they are due to appear at Electric Picnic next month, albeit at the rather uninviting time of 12.30 on Sunday afternoon. KD

The Radio - Go Radio

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: The Radio
Year: 2007

If it’s attitude you’re after then you’ve come to the right song. Led by Gemma Banks and her high-rise hair London 5-piece Sister have been getting as much press for their style as their music. Blondie is an obvious reference point and Banks’ bolshie vocal turn is instantly memorable. Bonus points must go to the beautifully rendered music though that creates the sweetest of swirls in the background. I’m always partial to an organ drift and ‘Lovers of Today’ has one that Manzarek himself would have been proud of. This is a neat throwback to the days of punk without the mess that was the uncouth snarl and the buckets of spittle. Sister are currently gigging all over London in support of their debut single ‘Satellite’. KD

Sister - Lovers of Today

Watch The Video To Satellite

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: Sister
Year: 2007