Some labels have a special aura, Creation knew it, Subpop grew into it and 4AD probably invented it. Its roster is consistently strong, if you look at 2006's class it includes the Mountain Goats, Mojave 3 and Emma Pollack (sigh, of the sadly departed Delgados). Fast rewind to the beginning of the 1990's and the Pale Saints were the labels leading lights. Characterised by Ian Masters tweelightful vocals and their propensity for assaults of the shimmering kind this band was at the head of the Shoegaze pack. Their breakthrough 'In Ribbons' was a slight disappointment despite unveiling the colossal 'Throwing Back The Apple'. 'The Comfort Of Madness' was a sturdier affair that while low on production values was piled high with Dream Pop wonders. So many in fact that its hard to pick out one for special mention. 'Language Of Flowers' is perhaps the most straight-laced, making its point within the first 10 seconds. Witness the instant rush of instruments and singing with a momentum that is shepherded by a clean bass. In the other corner the lead guitars are free to spin luxurious lines that come close to matching the singers delicate outpourings. Unless you are signed to Sweden's Labrador label they don’t make them like this anymore. KD

The Pale Saints - Language Of Flowers

Artist Website: The Pale Saints
Album: The Comforts of Madness
Year: 1990

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The first time I head this song Veruca's Salt's 'Seether' popped into my head. Always thought 'Seether' was a bit lame, in a one trick pony (with a bad leg) kind of way. That's why 'Mr. Insecurity' is such a joy, it brings more to the table with the commanding boy/girl vocals and a free flowing elegant swagger that is destined for mosh central. The band come from L.A., are siblinged to part of Incubus (but don’t let that put you off) and have enough inner self-belief to overcome the vagaries of the industry they find themselves in. Stephanie Eitel has that classic indie girl growl, not too dissimilar to Kim Deal and Ben Einziger throws a perfectly pitched out of bed mantra. Who said a sequel could never surpass the original? KD

Agent Sparks - Mr. Insecurity

Artist Website: Agent Sparks
Album: Not So Merry
Year: 2005

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Crumb may be a new band but its players have certainly left of trail of goodies in the form of Hey Paulette (late 80's janging sensations, John Peel loved 'em), the Sewing Room (moody foursome with killer melodies) and the Mexican Pets (er, nice name). At least two of the three aforementioned deserve a reappraisal but since Hey Paulette were a little before my time I'll concentrate on the Stan Erraught led Sewing Room. I saw them perform live once and they came across as one of the unhappiest groups of individual imaginable. Erraught himself was a founding member of the Stars of Heaven so the Sewing Room was expected to be the project that saw him become a celebrity. Sadly the band flopped, in part due to the tiny record label Dead Elvis they were signed to. With a budget the size of a shrivelled pea extensive marketing was never a runner. Against the odds the Sewing Room managed to release 2 albums. Their debut 'And Nico' was the more accomplished displaying a good grasp on acoustic/country dramas, sweet melodies and subtle key shifts that added a welcome quirky dimension. Highlights included 'Mobile', 'Delve' and the incomparably jangly 'Kill Me'. When chords are as loose and shimmering as this who cares if the subject matter is utterly morose. KD

The Sewing Room - Kill Me

Album: And Nico
Year: 1995

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It seems almost idiotic looking back now but Oasis did triumph to victory in the phoney war with Blur. While Oasis have long since decomposed into an MOR nightmare, the various Blur constituents continue to colour the musical landscape. Damon Albarn has had huge success with Gorillaz while Graham Coxon is just about to release another batch of low strung gems. While it seems unlikely that the two will ever record together again under the Blur moniker they have left a wealth of intriguing material behind. The Blur ship may have ridden on various bandwagons but they always brought something enticing to the table. Their biggest seller 'Parklife' is often cited as the one that encapsulates their sound but its predecessor 'Modern Life Is Rubbish' actually stakes a better claim through the sheer consistency in the quality of the material. Here is an album that works best when listened to as a whole. With 'Parklife' it's easier to pick and chose your own highlights rather than having to wade through a mass of songs ('Badhead' and 'The End' are truly inspired). The one track that does leap out from MLIR is 'Chemical World' with its sweetly distorted guitars and sing-along chorus. Albarn concerns himself with the vagrants and dissatisfied in society while the band cushion the depressing scene with a vivid backdrop. 'Chemical World' was only included on the album at the record company behest because they couldn't spot an obvious single. This is the album version that includes a naff 2 minutes at the end called, rather prophetically, 'Intermission'. KD

Blur - Chemical World

Artist Website: Blur
Album: Modern Life Is Rubbish
Year: 1993

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Howard Rigberg is the nutcase/genius/droid behind My Robot Friend. By day the (probably) bespeckled Howard makes a living as a web programmer. By night he dons his amazing suit with so many dazzling effects and lights it takes a 40-pound battery to power. By all accounts his shows are brilliant, the electronic adventures being matched only by the visual treat that hangs from his aching body. 'Why Won't You Call Me Back' has a jazzy texture, the bulbous strings and dainty rhythms providing the delicate background to the dryly-delivered yet often hilarious lyrics. This is one cool piece of music, effortless and charming. It could be even more special when delivered from a stage by a man with more sparkle than the Rockefeller Christmas tree. KD

My Robot Friend - Why Won't You Call Me Back?

Artist Website: My Robot Friend
Album: Hot Action!
Year: 2004

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Dave Gedge, the Wedding Present's lead man, recently turned 78 but that hasn't dampened his appetite for chronicling his luckless adventures in love. Over a career spanning 3 decades Gedge has remained the one true constant in a band that hasn't evolved a great deal from its original incarnation. Despite a promising diversion with Cinerama (who imploded when Gedge broke up with the female vocalist in the band!) Gedge’s most eloquent compositions have come by way of the Wedding Present. The band's latest LP 'Take Fountain' is a modest affair that doesn’t stand up to classics like 'George Best' but still boasts a smattering of intriguing moments. 'Seamonsters' is probably the bands most accomplished work because it married the incendiary guitar bursts of yore with a refined song writing style. The result is a batch of classic songs that are inspirational. The Jekyll and Hyde like 'Dalliance' opened the album to dramatic effect. The initial soft-spoken words storyline a seven-year affair that breaks up leaving a gaping hole in the affections of our hero. His sadness is barely soothed by the wonderful tumbling chords and elaborately staggered percussion. Out of the blue a raging outburst of noise silences the pathetic rambling illustrating the turmoil swelling inside the cast off partner. Over the volcanic noise the singing returns but remains calm and collected, eerily so. 'Dalliance' is an epic piece of music that'll hardly provide solace for the broken hearted but for everyone else it is one to be savored. KD

The Wedding Present - Dalliance

Artist Website: The Wedding Present
Buy More Songs: The Wedding Present
Year: 1991

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Absolutely horrific name for a band but once you get over the initial shock you can start enjoying the illuminating music that they make. Number One Cup's 1997 album 'Wrecked By Lions' is a glorious romp that reveals ascendant pop thrills every few turns. There is one nugget, however, that deserves special mention. Not sure why because it all has the aesthetic qualities of a dishevelled drunk. 'Concordia' is off kilter, lacks consistency and finishes out like a radio with the dial set to static FM. Scary stuff but who in their right mind could resist a glorious intro that sees a glockenspiel flit about with Seth Cohen's (I kid you not OC watchers) cherishable indie lad vocals. In the background witness the low-key aural smoothie ripe with possibilities. And it's all over in just 2 minutes before you've fully cottoned onto what was happening. A glorious example of what can be done with 3 or 4 half ideas to make a truly memorable one. KD

Number One Cup - Concordia

Artist Website: Number One Cup
Album: Wrecked By Lions
Year: 1997

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Frantic, sparky and utterly embracing jauntiness from Leeds band the Lodger. They could yet be this years surprise package if they can follow up with songs of a similiar ilk. Ben Siddall’s got that understated delivery that makes you believe everything he says. His voyage to document people who are going nowhere with their lives is bound to strike a chord. Understandably there are Wedding Present comparisons, not in the singing but the playing is decidedly off the cuff yet uttering endearing. This is the kind of song that everybody foot-taps to but nobody knows who it comes from. With the spotlight currently shining on Leeds post Kaiser Chiefs perhaps bands like the Lodger could be swept up and embraced with all the love that they surely deserve. KD

The Lodger - You Got Me Wrong

Artist Website: The Lodger
Album: Dance To The Radio Compilation
Year: 2006

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And you thought Sigur Ros were the first to invent their own language. Back in the early nineties the Frank & Walters could be heard the length and breath of the land speaking in a tongue that could only be understood by themselves and a select band of people from the southern capital. Their interview style was shambolic but the hyperbole wouldn't haven't been out of place in any top class fringe festival. And what a fringe the boy Linehan had, of lampshade/bowl construction it complemented his bands on stage style of orange dungarees. The Frank & Walters had the t-shirts, the fans and the NME singles of the week but sadly healthy sales just seemed out of reach. A brief look at their discography reveals a warren of classic pop songs where melody is to the fore. The bands early antics were reflected in some seriously silly lyrics ("I saw a blindman he was eating his fork, he says that's what you got to do to be cool") and the songs were equally colourful. The zenith of the bands success saw them performing 'After All' on Top of the Pops but there were even better songs on their debut 'Trains, Boats & Planes' (no John Candy/Steve Martin on backing vocals unfortunately). 'This Is Not A Song' is definitely one, a revelatory paean to love. The song sparkles from start to finish as a result of Linehan's impassioned delivery and the jangling chord procession that falls just short of euphoric towards the end. To their credit the 2/3's of the original lineup persists along with new addition Kevin Pedreschi and the promised new material this year is eagerly anticipated. It would be a resurrection of Lazarus proportions if they were to pull it off at this stage but in this hippy diddly crazy world that we live in anything is possible. KD

The Frank & Walters - This Is Not A Song

Artist Website: The Frank & Walters
Album: Trains, Boats & Planes
Year: 1992
Buy: Trains and Boats and Planes

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It takes a lot of effort to make a cover work, the essential must remain and the new constituents must at least equal what existed before. Taking on a Beatles number then must be a frightening prospect, how to improve on songs that are as popular now as when they were recorded 40 years ago? Thankfully the 'I Am Sam' soundtrack, which has 17 Fab Four covers, threw up some notable victories that more than matched the originals. Sarah McLachlan's version of 'Blackbird' is certainly one as is Rufus Wainwright's 'Across The Universe'. The key track, however, is Aimee Mann and Michael Penn's (who he?) precious take on the 'Two Of Us'. Blindingly acoustic, it springboards from the duo's voices which gel seamlessly in a gloriously ratatat way. Mann sounds especially wistful as if she'd saved her voice for weeks on end to turn in the performance of a lifetime. This is common ground for all the family so save it for Christmas to enjoy a squabble free day. KD

Aimee Mann & Michael Penn - Two Of Us

Album: I Am Sam OST
Year: 2002
Buy: I Am Sam - Music from and Inspired by the Motion Picture

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Derided and acclaimed in equal volumes the Frames have yet attract a sizable audience outside their native country. Part of the problem is no doubt down to Glen Hansard's sometimes nauseating asides at live performances. Here is a man who can't decipher when something is funny or just plain embarrassing. If you cut out the chat what's left is undeniably powerful that comes complete with some terrific Willy Wonka references. As a group of musicians the Frames are a talented lot while Hansard himself is a gifted songwriter. Their early albums had a raggle taggle feel to them but 'For The Birds' and 'Burn The Maps' have added a lofty gravitas. The former is particularly compelling; wearing its heart on its sleeve, in fact in places it is quite moving. The studio version of 'Star Star' is nice and quaint but the live version is beguiling as the guitars and strings take on a greater resonance. Taken from the bands 2003 'Set List' live album the magic occurs about half way in, you'll know it when it happens. Of course, if you use a Gene Wilder's script you are bound to have a classic on your hands. Leave it to the master Glen and you'll be alright. KD

The Frames - Star Star

Album: Set List
Year: 2003
Buy: Set List

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Brendan Benson's star has risen of late, primarily due to the success of this third album 'The Alternative To Love' which was championed by Jack White. Personally I prefer its predecessor 'Lapalco'. Co-written by Jellyfish man Jason Faulkner how could 'Lapalco' have been anything other than a joyful romp? The lead song was undoubtedly 'Tiny Spark' which exposed a precious wealth of tuneful audio. From the get go the fulsome Numanesque organ signals something great is about to happen. As Benson harmonises with several versions of himself, guitars fuzz by amiably and a piano is tinkled in the background. This is power pop at it most charming, sounding like all your favourite songs put together in a blender with a secret ingredient duly thrown in. If the Beatles had written this it would be a staple at any family occasion you care to mention. KD

Brendan Benson - Tiny Spark

Album: Lapalco
Year: 2002
Buy: Brendan Benson

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Moog specialists Stereolab could so easily have conceived ‘Le Weekend’. If they had it would have been up there with their best. This fact is testament to the unheralded charms of Reading’s Saloon. In Amanda Gomez they have the sweetest chanteuse yet there is a backing group of musicians who light up the singers tender emissions. ‘Le Weekend’ highlights Alex Cresswell’s elastic and colourful bass lines to full effect. His finger acrobatics spurs the tune in motion where it is quickly joined by a galaxy of shimmering effects. Layers and layers of delightful sounds fight for your attention yet they bond so successfully it’s easy to sit back and enjoy the wonderful mosaic of noise. The lyrics are near indiscernible, yet alluringly Gallic all the same. Worth slicing the roof off your treasured VW Beetle this summer so others can appreciate what’s on your stereo. KD

Saloon - Le Weekend

Album: (This Is) What We Call Progress
Year: 2002
Buy: Saloon

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It is rare enough to be hit square between with eyes by a song from a band you've never even heard of before. It happened to me a couple of nights back when I was about to depart to the land of nod. 'The Other Side Of Mt. Heart Attack' from the Berlin based Liars is so lavishly wonderful that you may well have to forget about sleep altogether. Taken from their critically lauded third album 'Drum's Not Dead' (which contains no less than 36 video interpretations of the music) it is tagged at the end of a lush batch of songs that could see Animal Collective having to up the ante to retain their crown. 'The Other Side Of Mt. Attack' is so damn effortless with a coterie of twinkling guitars set to reverb, lullaby like cooing, funeral paced percussion and Angus Andrew's tender mouthing. This is as delicate as a ladybird and already is a leading contender for song of the year. KD

Liars - The Other Side Of Mt. Heart Attack

Album: Drum's Not Dead
Year: 2006
Buy: Drum's Not Dead

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Despite his protestations that the album didn't sound the way he imagined it would Lee Mavers never got round to (literally) setting the record straight. To the rest of us the La's one and only album was a treat, a hybrid of sixties psychedelia and early nineties swagger. The fallout after the band broke up gave us the lamentable Cast with their paper-thin melodies and back of a matchbox hypothesis'. We can forgive John Power his crimes; however, because as 1 quart of the La's he was partly responsible for the genius that is 'There She Goes', 'Feelin' and 'Timeless Melody'. 'Looking Glass' was the album closer that provided a warped trundle through spilt melodies, harmonic vagrancies and schizophrenic compositions. This is a troubled song exploring the inner workings of the mind of a troubled genius. The song travels between the initial sunny day acoustics to flailing band in a twin tub finale, along the way there is so much hypnotic stuff going on the veins on your forehead could start to bulge. Last summer the La’s reformed for a series of reunion concerts and there have been persistent rumours that Mavers and Power are back writing together again. KD

The La's - Looking Glass

Album: The La's
Year: 1990
Buy: The La's [Remastered]

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They might have worn the latest in baggy clobber but the Inspiral Carpets never shook that tag of unfashionability (which made their 'cool as f*ck' t-shirts all the more hilarious). A bit of a shame really because the Oldham natives were well capable of writing a good tune. Their debut 'Life' and its follow up 'The Beast Inside' saw the band at the peak of their powers with later efforts turning out a diminishing number of winning tunes. Paradoxically their biggest break came when they briefly bagged Mark E. Smith for 'I Want You' in 1994. 'I Want You' belied the Carpets sense of melody and they even saw fit to drop their trademark Hammond sound, resorting instead for a more Fall like series of yelps and rabid drumbeats. But it was the swirling Hammond and jagged guitars (those carefree bowl haircuts are hard to forget too!) that is the bands true legacy. Not since the Doors was the former instrument given such a lucid workout. You can just picture the foursome in their splendid colourings turning out the theatrics during 'Directing Traffic'. The playing is wild and freewheeling as Clint Boon engineers huge plumes of noise from his organic tinkering. In the opposite corner Tom Hingley masquerades his sturdy self through sheer energetic application. The Inspiral Carpets sit proudly beside a host of stellar bands from Northern England that emerged in the late eighties/early nineties (the Stone Roses, the Charlatans & the Happy Mondays being the obvious examples). Moo forever. KD

The Inspiral Carpets - Directing Traffik

Album: Life
Year: 1990
Buy: Life

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In what was probably the biggest personality swap involving a Norman since Bates Motel started losing guests our favourite skinny Housemartin gently metamorphosised into Fatboy Slim. Gone were the cheery sing-a-along choruses to be replaced by savoury beats of the wondrous kind. 'Santa Cruz' was Norman Cook's statement of intent and remains his crowning achievement. From the shrieking birds of prey to the scarring guitar shards and back to more familiar bubbling rhythms this is a challenging piece of music. The opening salvos are abrasive and nocturnal but help underscore the fallow digital adventures that come in their wake. For once that much abused IDM tag seems apt as Cook pushes the envelop in genre defining directions, casually throwing aside his enjoyably disposable past and replacing it with attention grabbing electronic manoeuvres. KD

Fatboy Slim - Santa Cruz

Album: Better Living Through Chemistry
Year: 1996
Buy: Better Living Through Chemistry

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Apart from the occasional dip I haven't really been able to take Rap to my heart. Mike Skinner certainly has something I can grasp but for most of the time I am oblivious to its charms. Now and then, however, something does come along that is hard to ignore. 'Stan' is an obvious example but back in 1993 it was Credit To The Nation's 'Call It What You Want'. The song was helped in no small measure by the riff lifted from 'Smells Like Teen Spirit' but you are quickly drawn in by the rappers anti-racist sentiments. Credit It To The Nation comprised solely of MC Fusion and announced the first round of British Rap artists. Listening to it now it is somehow reassuring to hear that ubiquitous early nineties rolling bell toll spiralling about in the background. Credit To The Nation didn't set the world alight but managed to again endear himself in indie circles in 1998 by sampling Radiohead's 'High & Dry' ('Tacky Love Song'). KD

Credit To The Nation - Call It What You Want

Album: Take Dis
Year: 1993

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While Jim Vallet is the driving force behind Track a Tiger his debut 'Woke Up Early And Then I Died' ended up become a collaborative effort with some friends. You can tell from the laidback grooves that the album was recorded in tranquillity (the Shelbyville countryside to be precise) and its unhurried approach is as welcome as a visit from a Koala bear. There is an early Stereolab feel to the way 'Glad To Be Scattered' builds incrementally from scattered drums, splayed acoustics, bumbling bass, organic bleeps and finally to the gentle vocals. The boy/girl refrains overlap seamlessly to seal a mix that could be piped into the astronaut’s helmet as he descends the ladder to the surface of Mars. This is the sound of serenity, play it on an endless loop and you’ll soon be feline groovy courtesy of Track A Tiger. KD

Track A Tiger - Glad To Be Scattered

Album: Woke Up Early And Then I Died
Year: 2006
Buy: Woke Up Early And Then I Died

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