It might start out like the sound of a tin man’s heartbeat but ‘Master of None’ is as charming and soothing as a comfort blanket. Victoria Legrand sings with the aloofness and superiority that you’d expect from someone with a name like that. The music for its part is surreptitious sounding like it could be coming from behind the dusty bookcase in a monstrous haunted old castle. But, unless you are an infant or scared of the dark you’ll likely be transfixed by this Beach House piece. Beach House are a duo from Baltimore and ‘Master of None’ is taken from their self-titled debut from late last year. It is a languid stroll of an album, a perfect treat for drowsiness and the aural equivalent of the gentle pirouette of a falling snowflake. KD

Beach House - Master Of None

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Buy Album: Beach House
Year: 2006

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Tá the Rye an banna le cúigear daoine as Gaillimh. Sheinn siad a chéad cheolchoirm i mí Eanair an bhliain seo chaite ach níor stop said ó shin. Tá ‘Banana Song’ an chéad amhrán as an chéad dlúthdhiosca agus tá sé fíorspéisiúil le ceoil traidisiúnta. Tá Cuma an mhaith as an ceoil sin. Dar leis the Rye tá sé 'savage driven ceoil'. Beannacht Lá Fhéile Pádraig! Caoimhín

The Rye - Banana Song

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Year: 2007

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Even though you may not recognise the words you will know the air. ‘Song To The Siren’ was originally recorded by Tim Buckley, was masterfully reworked by This Mortal Coil a decade later and now here is an interpretation from one of Ireland’s most overlooked singers Nina Hynes. Nina has been somewhat overshadowed by Gemma Hayes which is a shame because she has a stronger set of songs in her locker. With a new album called ‘Really Really Do’ on the way there is still time for Hynes and her numerous Husbands to make a bigger impression. ‘Amhran Na Sireana’ is a big test but she captures the mystique of the music superbly. Allied to this is the magic of the Gaeilge that flows so naturally in time with the sparse and affecting instrumentation. Who said French was the language of love? KD

Nina Hynes - Amhran Na Sireana

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Year: 2007

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Wow, what is this and who is Steve Fanagan (and why did he drop an L?)? A record producer it seems with a penchant for recording electronic albums of his own. Dublin is starting to get an electronic foothold with distinguished albums of the non-guitar variety (Electric Penguins anyone?) appearing from the woodwork. Fanagan’s Northstation project flourished last year with the ‘Wagtail’ LP. And you could imagine Donal Dineen getting stuck into this as a myriad of images flash across a silver screen. Nothing much happens but then the power of this tune is that it triggers the imagination. The more you listen the more hypnotic it gets. This is the sound of the Aphex Twin had he shared a room with Belong during hurricane Katrina. Powerful stuff from the increasingly purposeful Slow Loris label. KD

Northstation - The Long Walk Home

More Info: Official
Buy Albums: Northstation
Year: 2006

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Listening to Glen Hansard’s witticisms is enough to make you projectile vomit but there is no denying his or his bands genuine credentials. For a golden patch over two magnificent albums ‘For The Birds’ and the live recording ‘Set List’ it felt as if the Frames were about to become something truly treasureable. Since then they’ve dipped markedly but listening to songs like ‘Santa Maria’, ‘Headlong’ or the wonka fused favourite ‘Star Star’ can send shivers down your spine. ‘For The Birds’ could only have come from an Irish band, the sense of longing and despair is beautifully translated. Whenever I listen to it I can’t help but picture scenes from the Great Hunger or the decades of emigration in my head, so strange but it breaks my heart everytime. ‘Headlong’ has that certain something, the playing is subdued but fiercely passionate and the violin parts seal a transfixing 5 minutes. KD

The Frames - Headlong

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Buy Album: [UK] For the Birds [US] For the Birds
Year: 2001

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The Harvest Ministers have been in existence for 2 decades. They are the original cult band having had a term with the legendary Sarah Records back in the early nineties. Despite an admirable back catalogue that includes 4 albums Will Merriman and his cohorts have never risen beyond a widely applauding circle of music critics. ‘Tis a shame too because the Harvest Ministers gentle folky tomes are well worth exploring. ‘That Won’t Wash’ is taken from 1996’s ‘A Feeling Mission’ and may remind some of another Irish band called the 4 of Us. There is a celtic air yet the melodies do have a sense of Americana about them. The last Harvest Ministers album ‘My Star Is Shining’ appeared in 2003 from which the pleasant ditty ‘The Warmest Heart’ is taken. Probably about time you let the Harvest Ministers be the object of your affections as they will undoubtedly do your world the world of good. KD

The Harvest Ministers - That Won't Wash

The Harvest Ministers - The Warmest Heart

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Buy Album: [UK] The Feeling Mission [US] A Feeling Mission
Year: 1996

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A riff played backwards the likes of which you’d only find on a Stone Roses debut, a vocal that could have just crept off the tape for the Orb’s ‘Little Fluffy Clouds’ and an atmosphere that David Lynch craved for his head wrecking ‘Twin Peaks’ drama. Yep, ‘Fear of Flying’ ain’t your average piece of electronica but it is in good company on 8Ball’s (or 8 Ball depending on your mood) debut. The notably reticent band of seven are an unusual yet thrilling live prospect, putting the long lost performance back into live music. ‘The Whoop Whoop Song’ probably could win title of the year but the magic doesn’t end there because the tune behind the headline is as wanderly as a puppet propelled wagon. Anything goes, ideas appear and are replaced like a juggernaut Death in Vegas or a Clinic were they to focus on what made them special. This pots the black after several nifty side cushions and a elaborate swerve. KD

8Ball - The Whoop Whoop Song

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Year: 2005

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

The only thing the detractors could throw at them was that lead singer Alan Hoey sounded like Damon Albarn. Shame on them, mud slinging at perhaps the jangliest band this country has ever produced. And if that wasn’t enough they could whip an audience into synchronised football chants to make your hair stand on end. The band have been quiet for several years now and the inevitable last gig ever posters have been appearing around Dublin over the last couple of weeks (the Village, April 7th). While a small band of fans will secretly shed a tear it’ll at least be a chance to relive those uproarious end of millennium gigs. The case for the defence can be easily summed up by this fabulous song from the bands debut ‘Friday Night’. ‘Talent’ ruffled the Irish charts and those who bothered to seek out the album could see that the Brilliant Trees were a sublime prospect. ‘Home’, ‘If You Change’ and ‘Don’t Believe The Right’ are modern day classics and the follow up album ‘Wake Up & Dream’ threw up another handful of gems. See you on the 7th. KD

The Brilliant Trees - Talent

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More Info: Official
Buy Tickets To The Village: Let It All Go
Year: 2007

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I’ve seen him cycle his bike around where I work. There’s a certain grace to the way he peddles, the spokes tending to create great whirling patterns that can literally transfix. He has a beard, a notable one at that, one that not all of us could muster up or have the patience to cultivate. But then one listen to the cultured electronica gives the game away. It could be so easy to hide behind noises artificially produced by machines that have their own intelligence. What Si Schroeder does is hand those inanimate objects back their humanity and in the process create a sound that literally purrs with contentedness. His debut album ‘Coping Mechanisms’ should have landed the Choice Music Prize (Ireland's Mercury, only murkier) but the industry doesn’t function the way it should I’m afraid. Listening to ‘Lavendermist’ is like bathing your ears in warm goatsmilk, it’s relaxing to the point of REM but try and stay conscious to admire its smooth contours. Simon Kenny is signed to Trust Me I’m A Thief, Ireland’s first post-ironic 21st century record label. KD

Si Schroeder - Lavendermist

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Buy Album: Coping Mechanisms
Year: 2006

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Dae Kim are a quintet from Dublin who cite MBV, Ride and Nirvana as influences. So far so good and things get even better when you find out that Terry Cullen, ex of Tenspeedracer, is involved. Very involved it seems as Cullen’s has swapped the stool at the back for the microphone up front. Kinda hard to work out whether Cullen has a good voice though as he is normally surrounded by a smouldering set of guitars and usually gets caught up in the distortion himself. The effect is wholesome and given that Dae Kim’s Katie O’Sullivan often throws in a sweet line or two it can often be downright adorable. Dae Kim’s debut was released in 2005 on independent label Sofa Records. A limited edition 7-inch of 'Sticky Fingers' was released last December so let's hope that's not the last we hear from this talented gang. KD

Dae Kim - Angels Of The Universe

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Buy Album: Matador
Year: 2005

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If you can take the bumps along the way this song gives a fine aural smoothie towards the end. Up to this point it is never less than intriguing but it can be a little disorientating. But don’t you find the best music is the stuff that doesn’t hit you straight away but appears like a menacing hook from the dense fog at a later stage. ‘Jailbird’ is from Tartufi (their debut 'So We Are Alive'), a band who formed in 2001 in San Francisco. Despite the persuasive dynamics there are only 2 in the band, Lynne Angel and Brian Gorman. Their latest album ‘Us Upon Buildings Upon Us’ will likely crush you but don’t take my word for it as you can get a taste of it from bands website. One of the songs available for download 'Until The Ocean Swallows The Stars' is a truly remarkable (Modest Mouse/Porno For Pyros) listen. If you are amiable towards Viva Voce then Tartufi can set you up with even more experimental thrills. KD

Tartufi - Jailbird

Tartufi - Until The Ocean Swallows The Stars

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Buy Album: [UK] So We Are Alive [US] Us Upon Buildings Upon Us
Year: 2006

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Tales of Jenny come from York but Chris Jones sings in a semi-faux English way. It’s the charming accent you get when European bands sing in English (like say Canadians from Italy (just realised how confusing that must read, but ya can work it out for yourselves)). Tales of Jenny have been stumbling around since 2003 but have floundered on several occasions. Chris Jones is the enthusiastic frontman who suffers from ME (the affliction as opposed to the ego I might add) which stifles the creativity of the band. For the moment Tales of Jenny have left a nice collection of songs for download on their website. The pick of the bunch is the twee pop fancier that is ‘Noone Appreciates The Sky’. The lo-fi production is a perfect fit for the dainty palaver on show. This is exuberant example of a youthful band playing it like it sounded it their heads which makes it all the more endearing. KD

Tales of Jenny - Noone Appreciates The Sky

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Year: 2004

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Remember when Spirtualized (Electric Mainline) chimed so pristinely on their debut album ‘Lazer Guided Melodies’? Jason Pierce and co. repeated the trick on the follow up ‘Pure Phase’ but for the quintessential early Spirtualized experience it’s got to be their debut. Knocking about around the same time as that record was Southampton’s Jane Pow and while ‘Warm Room’ may not be wholly indicative of their back catalogue it is nonetheless a shimmering delight (it was released on indie label Slumberland records (geddit!) which is still very much awake). Richard Starke's vocals have that Field Mice awkwardness about them but the swaying riffs will take your breath away. If you like taking a trip down Jangle city then why not indulge yourself by staying in the warm room of the downtown Hilton. KD

Jane Pow - Warm Room

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Buy Album: [UK] Love It Be It / Stare [US] Love It Be It!/State
Year: 1991

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Sometime last year I happened upon a song by Ian Love called ‘The Only Night’. It was bedroom pop at its best with Love’s vocal subtleties caressing the acoustic chord changes wonderfully. I’m getting a similar feeling from listening to Prosser’s ‘I Met A Girl’. Eric Woodruff is the man in charge and his gentle guitar tugs are so soothing you could imagine him atop a grizzly as the creature quietly grazes none the wiser. Woodruff has had previous form with a band called Delay but since they disbanded in 2003 he has been working on his own material. Prosser’s debut album came out last year and Woodruff has added some band mates to promote it on the road. If ‘I Met A Girl’ is anything to go by convenience stores in close proximity to a Prosser gig better stock up on cigarette lighters. KD

Prosser - I Met A Girl

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Buy Album: [UK] Prosser [US] Prosser
Year: 2006

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A chance meeting in a London hair salon led to Tim Wheeler of Ash producing Sao Paulo band Wry’s third album ‘Flames In The Head’. And Wheeler seems to have done a good job in putting the fizz into the record that recalls his own band when shiny pop tunes were their trademark. Wry sail close to shoegaze territory, which is always a plus in my book but they are not content to hide behind a mass of molten chords either. ‘Cancer’ is a thing of beauty (that's a first), a racket with a truly melodious heartbeat. As lead singer Mario incrementally ups the ante his band stifle the air with a wondrous pile of white noise. There’s never any doubt about where this song is heading, it is anthemic and shoots skyward like a colourful rocket on NYE. Is there anything catchier than the Wry? KD

Wry - Cancer

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Buy Album: Flames In The Head
Year: 2006

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If you have a soft spot for Jean Michel Jarre then you are gonna love this. I am aware of Jean Michel Jarre and Mike Oldfield through no fault of my own. That is what some parents would call a musical education, I just called it the music I listened to while waiting for the School bus. Well Kopernik, despite what you might think are not from Eastern Europe, take the Jarre template (the enjoyable one) and give it a particular noughties spin. Brad Lewis and Tim Delaney are in fact from Atlanta and have a self-titled album under their belts (to be reissued later this year) on the Eastern Developments Record label. ‘Trip To Nowhere’ is a fine piece of electronic dance that could appeal to wide cross section of dance enthusiasts from Iberian thrill seekers to lovers of the Trans-Siberian Express compilation of the late nineties. Grab some oxygen, some space and time and the night is yours. KD

Kopernik - Trip To Nowhere

More Info: Time & Cycle
Buy Album: Kopernik
Year: 2003 & 2007

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Not to be confused with the identically monikered outfit from Reading (here, worthwhile detour it is too) the Race in this case are from Chicago. Even though their new album ‘Ice Station’ is not set to be released for another couple of months their mp3 friendly label Flameshovel Records (home to Dublin band Joan of Arse, more of which later) has let 2 advance tracks out of the bag. And what a heady pair they make too, detailing the Race in alternate slow/fast modes. The Race are fronted by Craig Klein who has seen his band crumble and reconstitute over a period of years. The latest incarnation sees the act become a quartet and a glorious noise is what they make. ‘Feathers’ opens the album with brio, the drumming is punishing but beautifully offset by Klein’s dreamy vocals. ‘Walls’ is the antithesis of ‘Feathers’, a studied march that peddles a fiddle and an eye trained on indie as a tool for dancing. The Race are certainly up and running. KD

The Race - Feathers

The Race - Walls

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy the Race Albums: Ice Station (and older ones if you scroll down)
Year: 2007

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Although recorded under their previous name Envelope ‘Politis’ is a cert for becoming one of Subplot’s standards. And what a breath of fresh of air it is for a Dublin band to forage for such clean melodies without a twisting wreck of guitars in tow or worse still resorting to the tried and detested decent into acoustic melodrama. Subplots are a threesome made up of Phil Boughton, Daryl Chaney and Simon Rand. Boughton’s vocal are immediately interesting, in some way similiar to Guy Garvey’s lonesome twang, although they often reach for notes that the Mancunian would resist. ‘Politis’ is a wave of tumbling noise, the chords are set to jangle as Boughton’s voice weaves and bobs to articulate the sincere emotions. This is off-kilter, an oddball gem that should be sending the shudders down plenty of spines over the next while. KD

Subplots - Politis

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Year: 2007

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‘Positivity’ was Dublin’s Power of Dreams third album and it saw them veer away from their signature acoustic/jangly chords to a harder face. It was an unsettling move for fans of the band but this about turn had been signalled on the preceding album ‘2 Hell With Common Sense’. Power of Dreams featured two siblings Craig and Keith Walker and Mike Lennox and legend tells of the majors chasing the band for their signature around the nightclubs of Dublin before they had even reached the legal drinking age (18). Their early shows had them supporting the Wedding Present and the House of Love in what surely must have been a near mystical experience. I can recall a Power of Dreams gig with other hugger favourites the Brilliant Trees in Galway in 1993 that reduced me to a quivering adoring mass. Power of Dreams had a huge following in Ireland and Japan, which is hardly surprising given their cultured song writing gifts. ‘See You’ is probably the closest they came to reconvening their original sound on ‘Positivity’. The lyrics are sweetly sentimental proffering a suitable bed for the shimmering chords. KD

Power of Dreams - See You

More Info: Discography & Myspace
Buy Album: [UK] Positivity [US] Immigrants, Emigrants & Me
Year: 1993

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