This could so easily have fallen off the assembly line of Sesame Street songs that didn’t quite make the cut. Or, since these 2 ladies are from Waterford perhaps it would have been more appropriate as an entry in Bosco’s catalogue of lost songs. ‘Sugar Shake The Cool Away’ is near infantile but with those accents mixed in with what sounds like the lite version of fruity loops the result is a genuinely quirky treat. Maebh and Megan are undoubtedly lasses about town and ‘Sugar Shake The Cool Away’ is a gentle hopscotch through a lively evening with the pair. Could be an interesting journey for You’re Only Massive and one that could ultimately lead them to the magic door of success. KD

You're Only Massive - Sugar Shake The Cool Away

More Info: Official & Myspace
Year: 2007

Perhaps I am getting older but the more life ticks by the more I find myself falling for the sound acoustic troubadours make. Whereas once I would have discarded anything resembling a snotty short-trousered balladeer with his stories of unrequited love I now let them have their say before casting judgement. The most recent to pass the test with flying colours is Jacob Golden from down Oregon way. Quite how he manages to continually invent with just the basics of the trade is one of life’s sweet mysteries but his burning talent is there for all to see on his new album ‘Revenge Songs’. The album is for the most part low ebbed and atmospheric yet it is a wildly exciting listen. And to think that many of the songs on show are little more than demos pieced together in scattered bedrooms. If you are one of privileged few to have fallen for the sadly departed Matthew Jay then there are likely to be more than crumbs of comfort in this immaculate new talent. KD

Jacob Golden - On A Saturday

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Album: Revenge Songs
Year: 2007

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

Some things just weren’t meant to be, no matter how beautiful the creation. Sunbear were a short-lived quartet from Dublin who produced a spellbinding album and follow up EP way back in the mid nineties. Martin Kelly was the lead vocalist with the choirboy dream pop tonsils who could propel the jangling instrumentation into the realms of greatness. Of course, that greatness was under appreciated despite a pocket of critical love. One wonders how they would fare in an internet age where a small budget doesn’t necessarily hinder the distribution possibilities. ‘Flutterbye’ is a fey runaway, infested by a melancholic disposition yet ripe with possibilities. You’ll cherish the innocence and in an effort to embrace the sadness softly pinch its rosy cheek. KD

Sunbear - Flutterbye

Watch The Video To Notebook

More Info: Official & Myspace
Year: 1994

If you're searching for a cushion for your senses this bright Sunday morning then you should try this particularly comfy one for size. Philadelphia’s the Capitol Years are pretty much a perfect fit actually because they like to drench their ditties in sucrose harmonies. And why rush onwards to the chorus when the bridge can be just as disarmingly beautiful. You’ll appreciate the Capitol Years even more because they are giving their first 2 albums away free (you can donate something if you must, what a novel idea). Before you do that though just bask in the warm summer haze of ‘Let Them Drink’. Analysing the sweetness you’ll spot that there are only 2 moving parts, the acoustically drawn chords and Shai Halperin’s sixties tinged vocals. This is a sound that just hovers in the air majestically like a hummingbird with a beak filled with nectar. KD

The Capitol Years - Let Them Drink

Watch The Video To You Can Stay There

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: The Capitol Years
Year: 2006

If one was to be suckered in by the hyperbole surrounding Radiohead’s latest release you could be forgiven for thinking that they are the great innovators (musically certainly but otherwise read on). Up to this point trying to get a worthwhile free download from the Oxford lads would have required a PHD in html mp3 extraction. The truth is that they are the highest profile act to jump on to the mp3 give away bandwagon, which is the music bloggers lifeline and one we have pinched from for several years now. Some careful searching pre the ‘In Rainbows’ roadshow would have revealed a raft of top quality free album’s from artists with an already good profile. Examples include Explosions In The Sky ‘The Rescue’, The Crimea ‘Secrets Of The Witching Hour’ and pretty much all of the Brian Jonestown Massacre’s back catalogue. So Radiohead have tapped into an already vibrant car boot giveaway, from which they will extract the maximum ticket sales, merchandise and limited edition hard copy editions. Many are sure to follow in their wake (hurray, it must be said). They are undoubtedly clever blokes but not quite the wide eyed visionaries the press would have you believe. For that particular accolade here are the BJM. KD

The Brian Jonestown Massacre - Prozak Vs Heroin

The Brian Jonestown Massacre - Prozak Vs Heroin Revisited

Watch The Video To Here It Comes

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy BJM Merch: T-Shirts
Year: 2006

If ever a man was made to do the job he does it is Thurston Moore. Seemingly ageless his slacker sense of style never looks awkward on a man who is well into his late forties. His band Sonic Youth have enough songs to fill a decent sized hard drive and for the most part the quality is high. Despite a deep groundswell of love for the group they have never moved beyond the sidelines, in fact at this stage you couldn’t even call them impact subs. That said they continually rewrite their own unblotted copybook, even going so far as adopting a fresh melodic approach over the last few albums. And now we have Thurston going out on a limb with a solo album (not his first mind, 'Psychic Hearts' came out way back in 1995) that confirms his new found love for the sweeter side of an underground seam he virtually dug himself. ‘Trees Outside The Academy’ has a fluffy welcome mat at its door so even those who shy away from frenetic feedback invention will be enamoured. ‘Fri/End’ is the happy go lucky promo from the album that sees Moore in particularly jaunty humour. The chords dance a merry jig while the string section ferret about like a squirrel just minutes before winter hibernation. So Thurston has finally dropped the dirty and in the process become Moore the merrier. KD

Thurston Moore - Fri/End

Watch The Video To SY's Bull In The Heather

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: Thurston Moore
Year: 2007

***This is this site's 1,000th post, here's to the next millenium***

Five men from Atlanta is all it took to make this 3 and a half minute wonderment. The group are collectively known as Slushco and despite having been on this earth together for over 3 years they only have 2 EP’s to show for their efforts. Further inspection reveals a quality over quantity aesthetic, dip in wherever you want in either release and you’ll be taken in by the beautiful noise on offer. Grandaddy are a close relative and following in that grand tradition Slushco aren’t scared to sandpaper their clean harmonies with fuzzy instrumentation. ‘Getting Through A Normal Day’ starts unremarkably like a Coldplay dirge and were it not for the introduction of Brian Slusher’s (see, Slush and Co.) warm vocals a couple of megabytes of honeyed noise would soon have been vaporised to the recycle bin. But, things improve drastically and ‘Getting Through A Normal Day’ quickly becomes a thing that most people could end up humming uncontrollably. KD

Slushco - Getting Through A Normal Day

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Album: Slushco EP
Year: 2005

For many reasons this song takes the biscuit in the naffness stakes but for some untold reason it has worked its wicked way into my affections. Giving disposability a fighting chance of reasonable longevity White Shoes & The Couples Company can’t be faulted for their endless enthusiasm. This is quite simply a song that could have been produced in any one of the last 4 decades such is its timeless take on the art of pop. Then at times it sounds like latter day Belle & Sebastian after they decided to get out of the dorm and into the sunshine. The Jakarta foursome have been together since college and were recently snapped up by the Chicago label Minty Fresh which should ensure that there are some good times ahead. The bands current album was originally released in Indonesia in 2005 and picked up a very respectable 15K sales. ‘Tentanng Cita’ has huge potential to reach a wide audience, in fact it could just be the soundtrack to trigger a thousand smiles. KD

White Shoes & The Couples Company - Tentanng Cita

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Album: White Shoes & The Couples Company
Year: 2007

I think it’s fair to say Dan Deacon is comfortable in his own skin. And why shouldn’t he be allowed to wear outlandish gear when he can pull songs as wildly electrifying as ‘Crystal Cat’ from his innards. You’ll read much about Deacon’s famed live shows but even if you are scared to go outside the door his new album ‘Spiderman of the Rings’ can supply you with the inside track. The most pronounced example of Deacon’s genius can be heard on the dance insanity that is ‘The Crystal Cat’. Deacon keeps his vocal in line for a bit before unleashing his strangled Daffy Duck impression that may take a bit of getting used to. As you attempt to weld your severed listening nodes back together again witness how the rest of your body has swung into a routine not unlike an overloaded twin tub. And the best news is that Deacon and the ace Videohippos are hitting Irish shores late next month. Could be the perfect introduction to the mayhem of the holiday season. In the meantime put this sigue sigue in your spudnik. KD

Dan Deacon - The Crystal Cat

Watch The Video

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: Dan Deacon
Year: 2007

Brooklyn bound again dear readers even if Ola Podrida’s mainman David Wingo comes from much further south. For the most part his laid back self-titled debut is not much more than a whispered tale over a bed of acoustically manoeuvred guitar strings. For those who find this sort of prospect a tad wearisome it must be remarked that Wingo has a masters degree in making the unremarkable sound fresh and interesting. And there are times like on ‘Cindy’ when he even leaves his rocking chair to wig out in a whirlwind of activity (see also ‘Lost and Found’). ‘Cindy’ starts out like most of ‘Old Podrida’ all hushed and moody reminding one of Iron and Wine. But, Sam Beam’s beard is soon dispensed with amid a charging cavalcade of instrumentation that tops off Wingo’s slightly raised wails. This is akin to a breath of fresh air in the unrelenting midday heat of a Texan desert. KD

Ola Podrida - Cindy

Watch The Video To Photo Booth

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: Ola Podrida
Year: 2007

MGMT’s debut ‘Oracular Spectacular’ was produced by Dave Fridmann and already I can picture ears being cocked all over the place. If that wasn’t enough they have just signed to Columbia Records who probably have a huge wallet preparing a media onslaught to blind our senses. Not terribly indie you might say but who cares when the Brooklyn duo can turn what initially sounds like a tinny Snow Patrol cover into a blazing electronic montage to light up your aural cavities. Yep, ‘Time To Pretend’ may have its motivation birthed in soft MOR but MGMT see fit to serve it up amid a cloud of vibrant digitalisation. The effect is an uplifting fuzzy delight that should knock a few Of Montreal fans sideways as the 2 bands tour together over the next few months. KD

MGMT - Time To Pretend

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Album: Oracular Spectacular (somewhere?)
Year: 2007

Bottom of the Hudson have had to deal with unspeakable tragedy over the last couple of months after their tour van was involved in an accident and bassist Trevor Butler was killed. Drummer Greg Lytle was also seriously injured but thankfully is out of harms way. The bands label Absolutely Kosher has set up an appeal fund for Trevor’s family and Greg’s medical bills. You can make a donation here. Bottom of the Hudson had been touring to promote their new album ‘Fantastic Hawk’ when the accident occurred. KD

Bottom Of The Hudson - Bee Hive

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: Bottom Of The Hudson
Year: 2007

I put this song to ground about 3 months ago with the intention of returning at a later date to dissect. The reason, well it’s a pretty torrid listen, at least until you crack its near impenetrable code. Yep, a cursory look at my last.fm account shows I’m well into double figures in the listening stakes and only now has the fog that surrounds ‘Bag of Bags’ started to clear. But it has been worth the effort, think Animal Collective at their least forgiving but with all the nice bits hidden in corners you didn’t even think existed. The Brooklyn quartet are your quintessential bedroom experimentalists, destined to inhabit the margins but also capable of deeply touching those who suffer to make the connection. ‘Bag of Bags’ is the opener from their soon to be released long EP called ‘Red Bloom of the Boom’ (they don’t make it easy for us do they!). Approach with caution, this bears' got plenty of teeth. KD

Bear In Heaven - Bag Of Bags

Watch The Video To For Beauty

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Album: Red Bloom of the Boom
Year: 2007

Oh no you say, not another indie take on Baltic music that became so de rigour for a time last year. Thankfully, before you can say Tallinn those initial impressions are pushed to the side by the bright-eyed movements of Manchester’s Kni9hts. Still unsigned but displaying an uncanny knack for dreamy harmonies this is an act with most of the essentials to succeed. The most obvious drawback could be that awful name, I’ve already misspelled it about a dozen times in this short paragraph alone (i was never good at texting). Moniker aside ‘Day of the Dove’ is a lush reminder of the power of a winning chorus with Carlo Briffa’s vocals picking up where Ride’s Mark Gardner left off. The angular chords give the tune that extra cinematic feeling, something that close neighbours Doves would be proud to call their own. In fact, like Doves, Kni9hts could yet become the football fans' favourite new band after a recent appearance on MUTV. KD

Kni9hts - Day Of The Dove

Watch The Video For The Dig

More Info: Official & Myspace
Year: 2007

Miss the urgency and melody rush of the first couple of Strokes albums? Well, a perfect tonic could be on its way from one of the least expected sources. British Sea Power come from the south of England and on their last album ‘Open Season’ seemed more taken with the Great War and shrubbery than any wilful desire to create a blistering classic. But, there are clues to this delightfully surprising turn of events given the links to madcap sonic adventurists Brakes (x3 if you live stateside). Anyway, as a taster for the 3rd BSP album the band are about to unleash the 'Krankenhaus' EP. The lead track is called ‘Atom’ and it should go down a bomb with lovers of spiky student anthems. For once this most cerebral of bands drops its bookcase of hardbacks and instead bursts forward with a dedicated passion. KD

British Sea Power - Atom

Watch The Video It Ended On An Oily Stage

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy More Songs: British Sea Power
Year: 2007

Not the game, more the one man army from Northern Europe. Little Big Adventure (previously Penny Century) uses a ‘mediocrity is me’ tagline on his myspace page, hmmm, a pessimist in an industry rife with egos is something to embrace I suppose. Little Big Adventure pedals a neat line in down tempo electronica that often transforms itself into a bold and brave sound. In fact ‘The Easiest Thing’ has the potential to be a discerning dancefloor favourite were such a thing to exist. It might not stack up that linear yet its grooves are at least a match for anything the Knife or Royksopp could invent and you know how good they are. Little Big Adventure doesn’t like to give much away apart from a raft of mp3’s which are evenly spread throughout his near wordless site. For once the music is left to do all the talking. KD

Little Big Adventure - The Easiest Thing

More Info: Official & Myspace
Year: 2007

Nothing surprises me more than finding out that a band I love have to work a 9-to-5 to make ends meet. Must be a bit soul destroying knowing that there are countless people out there who think you are genius and next thing you’re in a dusty office taking a dress down from a square in a crumpled suit. Ah well, such a cruel world, a world where Scott Reitherman gingerly files a clump of papers while dreaming about what his new record is going to sound like. Hopefully not too different from his current one because Reitherman as Throw Me The Status has crafted a colossus on his debut ‘Moonbeams’. Savvy but not afraid to wear a youthful demeanour it is a excellent addition to the record label Reitherman and his mates have set up (Baskerville Hill Records) down Seattle way. ‘Conquering Kids’ is a song for the Grizzly Bear generation with a slow tempo and a sweet chorus you’ll struggle to sing along with. Somehow I think this temping lark will only be a short term gig. KD

Throw Me The Statue - Conquering Kids

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Album: Moonbeams
Year: 2007

These shards of electronic pulses are obscure I guess and I must apologise for hoisting them upon you on a day of rest but I’m too enraptured to desist. Redmalm is one David Redmalm from Uppsala in Sweden who has his fingers in several different musical enterprises including an ace band called Frankly My Dear. The latter dish out sweet indie pop numbers like they are going out of fashion so Redmalm must be a nice excuse for David to let his inner oddball run riot. ‘Things and Thoughts’ and ‘The Bravest Person I Know’ are certainly quirky but there are seismic ideas at work here. And if you look beyond the wild experimentation and stop/start momentum you’ll pick up generous nuggets of melody in the well turned out brass and fleeting female glances. Fans of lights.on and/or We Will Build are going to love this. KD

Redmalm - Things and Thoughts

Redmalm - The Bravest Person I Know

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Album: any day now from here
Year: 2007

There are 2 ways you could have heard Victoria Bergsman’s voice up to this point. Firstly she spent over a decade with one of Sweden’s most priceless exports the Concretes (go seek ‘Sugar’, ‘You Can’t Hurry Love’) and secondly just last year she was the dreamy female foil on Peter Bjorn & John’s ‘Young Folks’. It’s been 15 months now since she decided that the solo route was where it was for her and by the sounds of ‘Lost and Found’ we should be thankful for her decision. Taken from Taken By Trees (Bjorn Yttling produced) debut ‘Open Field’ it displays a minimal of effort for the maximum of undiluted pleasure. Camera Obscura certainly spring to mind as a worthy contemporary but Bergsman’s uncluttered musical vision is one that feels unique. Her voice is the chief selling point but you can’t help admiring the delicate instrumentation (which is normally only added as a aside after the vocals have been put down) that colours the background. Bergman’s chronic stage fright means that Taken By Trees are currently on a micro tour to promote ‘Open Field’. KD

Taken By Trees - Lost and Found

Watch The Video

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy More Songs: Taken By Trees
Year: 2007

As you probably know by now I am prone to extreme bouts of effusiveness on occasion. Sorry about that, it’s just that once in a while I become so smitten with a particular song that I drop all my calm-down-you-idiot self control mechanisms. Well, it’s happened again with Pinkie (named after a character in Graham Green’s book ‘Brighton Rock’), an artist I had never heard of up to last night. But a tip from Alex Sharkey, the lead singer with the band has turned my world upside down (see I told you!). Alex Sharkey has considerable pedigree, being a part of Brighter who were signed to the hugely influential Sarah Records. Pinkie is his latest project and his new album, the appropriately titled, ‘Lush’ is about to drop. This will be Pinkie’s third record, its predecessor ‘Sharon Fussy’ plied its trade between the good ships Teenage Fanclub and the Field Mice. And if that is not enough to get you warmed up then ‘Say After Me’ should. Sporting jangling guitars and tender vocals it spills from the speakers like recently distilled indie gold. Hip hip hooray for this perky little record. KD

Pinkie - Say After Me

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: Pinkie
Year: 2004

This song makes me chuckle, it sounds as if it was put together haphazardly by a band in the throes of a come down jam after a bout of creative writing. And for all that I can’t stop listening, there’s method to the madness even if straying onto Elevado’s decidedly off the wall 4th album ‘This World Is On Fire’ is akin to absorbing a chapter from Ulysses. Elevado occupy a wing within the ISP space in Atlanta, a roomy expanse that gives experimentalists a breeding ground to feed their imaginations. While this may have certain people coughing up carrots it’s hard to be critical when you take a look at the universally high standard of bands leaking out of ISP. KD

Elevado - Indigo Torch Serenade

Watch The Video To Postcard From Four Walls Down

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

Dead Elvis Records (R.I.P.) based on Parnell Street, Dublin 1 released one of my favourite albums ever in 1994 (it was their 2nd release). The album ‘The Language of Everyday Life’ was produced by a short-lived Dublin combo called In Motion. They were Alan O’Boyle on guitar, John Duff on bass, Liam Ryan on drums and Alan Kelly on vocals. You’ll notice how poor the production is on this the closing track 'Filter' (and the whole album in fact). It was recorded in April 1993 in Sulan Studios in Ballyvourney, Co. Cork. Despite the C86 aesthetics 'Filter' and its companions have held a tight grip on my affections from the moment all 1,000 copies (I've got 2!) of it were set free. Dual harmonies, frantic beats, a locker stuffed with flickering jangle and an organ drift at close make me well up without fail. This is music with a vibrant take on everyday life. KD

In Motion - Filter

Year: 1994

Aaah, I’m in love and so will you be once you turn your ears to Ai Phoenix. This song is so delicately crafted it sounds like it’s going to fall apart at any second. Shuffling along with its socks around its ankles the appeal is in its complete innocence. Perhaps it's Mona Mørk’s slightly hushed singing or maybe it's the rhythms that'll have the slackers of the world thinking they can form a band. Ai Phoenix are Norwegian so as you’d expect they come from the small town of Bergen that is at the epicentre of the (admittedly slowing) Nordic invasion. And the best news is that Ai Phoenix’s new (5th) album ‘The Light Shines Almost All The Way’ is one of the most beguiling records of the year. While you ponder this essential purchase why not bask in the downright brilliance of ‘You And I’. Always and forever. KD

Ai Phoenix - You And I

Watch The Video To He Kisses The Streets I Walk

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: Ai Phoenix
Year: 2007

This song crept up on me late last night just as I was about to pack it in. It is short yet carries enough sweetness in its lifetime to fill a thousand letters to Santa. Hrishikesh Hirway is the One AM Radio and is based out of Los Angelus. His biggest achievement to date has been the use of his song ‘What You Gave Away’ for a Pontiac advert. ‘Coming Back’ (taken from this years ‘This Too Shall Pass’ album) doesn’t initially give off any indication of the what lies ahead, namely the sort of sound that will floor you for it’s sheer crystallised beauty. Hirway sings as if he’s trying not to wake up a neighbourhood of babies, hushed and gentle it is a soothing partner for the effervescent instrumentation, which could likely melt before it even reaches your ear. KD

The One AM Radio - Coming Back

Watch The Video In The Time We've Got

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

In 1992 a band from Leeds called the Wedding Present equalled Elvis’s record for most hits in a calendar year. They did so by releasing 12 limited edition seven-inch singles (10,000 issued per record) which all entered the Top 30 chart and stayed there for a week. The b-sides were made up of cover versions, the most memorable being their take on the Go-Betweens ‘Cattle and Cane’. ‘Come Play With Me’ was released in May and is indicative of much of the Wedding Present's back catalogue. Naturally for a song written by the forever unlucky in love David Gedge (based on fact much of the time) the lyrics recount a hapless relationship. The music for its part moves from quiet introspection to the Wedding Present’s signature speedily delivered and noisily dispatched chords. The Wedding Present have gone in and out of hibernation (with bouts of Cinerama and Ukrainian folk in between) since their inception in 1985 with only Gedge being a constant member. Their popularity has barely flagged over the years and they are about to embark on an exhaustive European tour that will almost take them up to Christmas. You’ll spot Gedgy at the t-shirt stall, once again providing indie d.i.y. with a real champion. KD

The Wedding Present - Come Play With Me

Watch The Video To My Favourite Dress

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy More Songs: The Wedding Present
Year: 1992

Anyone else notice how a lot of the songs appearing here recently have extremely long titles? And in a curious extension of said phenomenon here is another mammoth worded ditty that you can whistle along to. It’s a pretty ditty in fact, from a Swedish artist called Karl-Jonas Winqvist who paddles the Blood Music entity all on his own. Just because it is a one man show doesn’t mean the sound feels ghost town like however, Winqvist manages to fill ‘There Is a War in Almost Every Corner’ with all manner of exotic noises. His voice has gravitas too, having an intonation as impressive as Midlake’s Tim Smith which means you’ll more than likely hang on his every word. The piece closes as the singer flirts with a female backing vocalist creating a dreamy partnership to put an impressive seal on a near perfect song. KD

Blood Music - There Is A War In Almost Every Corner

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: Blood Music
Year: 2005

Quite what effect the next Radiohead album will have in shaking up the industry remains to be seen but Oxford’s finest were always more than just about the music. If you were to delorean back a couple of years ago the very mention of giving songs away for free would have industry necks reaching for their solicitors number. But times have changed and the most forward thinking bands have realised that to get something back they need to give something in return. So in 2007 the internet wires are awash with freebies. It makes the music blogger's job easier (and to some extent harder due to the vast array of material to watch over) not having to worry about those dreaded cease and desist warnings. Just 5 minutes ago I flicked over to Clap Your Hands Say Yeah’s site and up popped a couple of songs from each of their albums to download for null cents. As you know this is a band on the move and this small gift to potential fans will boomerang ten fold in concert and merchandise sales. Some day soon all bands will be made this way. KD

Clap Your Hands Say Yeah - Upon This Tidal Wave of Young Blood

Watch The Video To Over and Over Again

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: Clap Your Hands Say Yeah
Year: 2005

The Ting Tings have form, in fact they were signed to a major a couple of years back under the name of Dear Eskiimo. Back then there were 3 of them, now pared to a duo Katie White and Jules De Martino host label suitors in their own apartment in Salford, Manchester. They remain unsigned but experience is telling them to hold off until the time is right. Thus far they have released a double a-side called ‘That’s Not My Name’. Both tunes are mildly ecstatic affairs, bridging the gap between the indie and dance fraternities through generous use of guitars and processed beats. ‘Great DJ’ is incorrigible, propped up by a memorable electro diddle and a near childlike mantra from White. Once heard it’s hard to shift and seems destined to be around to make people happy to the core for aeons. The Ting Tings are currently putting the finishing touches to their debut album. KD

The Ting Tings - Great DJ

Watch The Video To That's Not My Name

More Info: Official & Myspace

Listen & Buy Songs:
Year: 2007

Clamouring for a piece of the 80's without having to reach for one of the ubiquitous compilations with the same tired old tunes? Well, let Windom Earle reach back to that decade with their slavish use of a primitive drum machine and synths that have long since been put out to pasture. The effect is not half as scary as you might think and once you get over the initial fright you may even get round to shaking a legwarmer to ‘Kitten Vs Pegasus’. In fact the more you inspect it the more you’ll realise what an accomplished piece of music it is. Multi-layered and iced up with a sweet vocal there is much to admire. My highlight is the dashing brass (even if it is digitised) that tilts its spinning hat towards the close. Windom Earle are lead by Stephan MacLeod, have been on the go since 1998 and are based in Nova Scotia, Canada. ‘Kitten Vs Pegasus’ is taken from their latest album of last year ‘Gold Wave’. Why not make like a flock of seagulls and glide over to the bands website where you can download many of their electro dreams? KD

Windom Earle - Kitten Vs Pegasus

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Album: Gold Wave
Year: 2006

This is cute, not only in a music sense but also in the story behind the music. Andrew Spencer Goldman released his debut disc as Maestro Echoplex (you might know him as one member of Fulton Lights) in 2001. Expecting little or no interest in the project he was shocked to find out that the EP was voted the 2nd best record of the year by the BBC’s new music team. Cue frantic searches by music fans from all around the world but the records’ limited circulation meant that demand was never going to be sated. To make matters even more complicated Goldman actually attributed the record at the time to the fictitious John Guilt so for many the trail went cold. Fast forward 5 years later to 2006 and a record label called Catbird Records have the good sense to re-release the EP and also see fit to include a taster as a free download (the EP has subsequently appeared on both emusic and itunes). ‘My Eyes Are Disconnected From My Head Is Disconnected From My Body’ may be up there for longest song title ever but it is worth memorising all the words such is the intricate beauty of the sound it headlines. Slightly adrift and awkward it may be but it’s hard not to be touched by the preciousness on show. It’ll quite likely swirl around your head for days and reside in your heart forever. KD

Maestro Echoplex - My Eyes Are Disconnected From My Head Is Disconnected From My Body

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Album: Last Night I Saw God On The Dancefloor
Year: 2001 & 2006

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

Ravens and Chimes are about to unleash their debut album ‘Reichenbach Falls’ on the world and the world better fasten its seatbelt. Like any self-respecting whippersnappers Ravens and Chimes fly out of the traps with unbridled energy creating a sound that is both spontaneous and full of fresh thinking. Wim Butler and Co. have certainly had an influence but when you are drawing from a blueprint so luminous the possibilities are almost endless. ‘General Lafayette! You Are Not Alone’ is a soothing ointment for ears fatigued by daytime radio appearing like an out of control firework. The joyous energy is immediately apparent but Ravens and Chimes greatest trick is the way they fasten sweet spots inside the hidden detours that only become apparent after careful inspection. Belt up and enjoy the ride. KD

Ravens and Chimes - General Lafayette! You Are Not Alone

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Album: Reichenbach Falls
Year: 2007

With a name like Kaitlyn Ni Donavan the singer with the High Violets most certainly has some Irish blood in her. And that’s even before you hear her ethereal outpourings that remind one of a young cranberry. The High Violets may slavishly pour over the work of the best exponents of shoegaze (MBV, Slowdive, Lush) but they frequently find the means to shed new light on that most exotic of genres. They are currently working on a new album but in an attempt to fill the void their label Reverb Records has commissioned a series of remixes from their back catalogue. Ulrich Schnauss is responsible for the reworking of ‘Chinese Letter’, which you can also here in its original guise. Both versions are enticing but as an exercise in drinking from a well that has long since dried up Schnauss manages to go beyond the wetting of lips. Atmospheric and characterised by a tumbling electronic momentum this should keep fans of the scene that celebrated itself happy just for a day (and possibly quite longer). KD

The High Violets - Chinese Letter

The High Violets - Chinese Letter (Ulrich Schnauss Mix)

Watch The Video To Love Is Blinding

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Album: To Where You Are
Year: 2007

Ok, enough of all this experimental malarkey. How about some straight-ahead indie rock? And on a Sunday night I like nothing better than to feast on a bowl of easy thrills, audio escapades that must take some ingenious planning on the musicians’ side but provide a front door entrance for the listener. The A-Sides are a 5 piece from Philadelphia and have just released their second album ‘Silver Storms’. ‘We’re The Trees’ touches on Teenage Fanclub in so much as the twin axis of saintly endeavour that are the sweetly tugged chords and close harmonies are both executed in the prettiest of ways imaginable. The A-Sides even see fit to include a skirting brass and a noodle at the end that gives you a chance to grab your breath after the fireworks that precede it. As unexpectedly satisfying as a falling crust that manages to land butter side up. KD

The A-Sides - We're The Trees

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Album: Silver Storms
Year: 2007

This picture of Frightened Rabbit is where I want to be just about now. Not location wise, more in a 40 winks state of unconsciousness way. This weekend's insomniac tendencies are all the more annoying because I’ve nothing too worrying to occupy my mind. So in an attempt to coax the plane that’s on its way to sleepyland to land briefly on my minds runway I’ve resorted to staring at pictures of a couple of Glaswegian brothers in various states of slumber in disparate places. It’s starting to work actually, helped all the more by their audio playing in the background. Frightened Rabbit's debut album ‘Sing The Greys’ may have been overlooked but for anyone searching for scatty melodic turns it’s hard to beat. ‘Be Less Rude’ has already been on these pages and now ‘Behave!’ makes it entrance. Acoustic and wide-eyed ‘Behave!’ gathers all the ingredients that made Alfie such a sweet shuffling wonder and adds Scott Hutchison’s meek yet utterly lovable vocals to seal the deal. Hey what’s the zebra doing on that cloud over there…z..z.zzzzzz…..

Frightened Rabbit - Behave!

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Watch The Video To The Greys

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: Frightened Rabbit
Year: 2007

This is taken from a 2001 radio session (Today FM) so be sure to forgive the slight hiss and lack of production sheen. I’m sure you’ll look beyond this however and just marvel at David Kitt’s inspired take on the Prince tune. It came at a time when Kitt could do no wrong. His self-released debut ‘Small Moments’ had caught the attention of Blanco y Negro (Rough Trade offshoot) who went on to release his classic ‘The Big Romance’. Since then it has been a gradual decline with a failed romance robbing the boy of much of his laid back gusto. His latest ‘Not Fade Away’ is a mild return to form so Kitt’s undoubted talent may still receive a proper widescreen airing. In the meantime sit back and absorb the majestic simplicity of this fine cover. KD

David Kitt - When Doves Cry

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Watch The Video To You Know What I Want

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Album: Not Fade Away
Year: 2006

An occasional series that attempts to apply the auld el kabong to the Irish man and his acoustic guitar.




Are you listening there Corgan at the back?

The Laundry Shop - Stranger In The Headlights

More Info: The Laundry Shop


Seeping into our hearts more like.

Seeping Into Cinemas - Chipped Teeth

More Info: Seeping Into Cinemas


Put on your sad shoes and dance.

Paula Flynn - Too Much Time To Kill

More Info: Paula Flynn


Unlikely to frighten rabbits.

Band On An Island - The Burning Shoulder

More Info: Band On An Island


This arcade's on fire.

New Amusement - Gone To Sea

More Info: New Amusement


Reconnect with your inner director.

The Flaws - You & I

More Info: The Flaws

KD

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

Such an even keel, how does Ned Collette manage to keep it so uniformly straight when the obvious move would be to let rip or at the very least add some lush strings. I may be wrong but the Melbourne based artist sounds all the world like a less frenetic Gilbert O’Sullivan (less helium perhaps) and for this we should be very thankful. ‘The Country With A Smile’ is the lead track from Collette’s second album ‘Future Suture’ and quietly goes about its business in a most seductive way. You’ll feel like little is happening but all the while this cunningly hushed tune will rein you in. Before you know it, it will be on endless repeat where the subtleties inherent in a chorus that slightly raises the decibels suddenly becomes the work of genius. Perfect with a pair of woollen slippers, a warm pipe and an atlas of the world. KD

Ned Collette - The Country With A Smile

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Album: Future Suture
Year: 2007

The musical landscape this year may have been decidedly colourless up to now but on the plus side a strong collection of artists are giving experimentation a good run for its money. A Sunny Day in Glasgow, Videohippos, Akron/Family and of course the Panda Collective (!) have provided many of the year’s brightest moments. To this group you can now add the Kildare based band of monkey’s (with the dog, koala, frog, panda, lion...) Super Extra Bonus Party. Their self-titled album is an absolute blast swinging from jangling instrumentation to gangsta rap within the space of a couple of minutes. Their expressed intention to not to dilly-dally on one particular theme is half of their charm but behind the genre jumping japery lies an inventive group of musicians. My 2 favourites are the charming instrumental ‘Propeller’ that closes the album and this absolute belter called ‘Softly’. And for a bit it lives up to its name (Sol Seppy-esque even) until it goes all Mr Hyde spinning completely out of control with a flotilla of searing chords and some heavily undulated beats. Cheers for this great tip Niall. KD

Super Extra Bonus Party - Softly

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Album: Super Extra Bonus Party
Year: 2007

Could this be an ode to Henry Shefflin or perhaps Colm Cooper? Probably not because its makers Je Suis France are from faraway Athens (Georgia, U.S.) where hurling probably has more to do with excessive backstage drinking rather than an Irish field game. ‘Afrikan Majik’ is Je Suis France’s third album and was made with contributions from all of the bands 9 members. ‘Wizard of Points’ is something that could only have come from an eclectic bunch with their finger on the pulse of seventies prog. Naturally the thought of such a preposterous turn of events in the noughties would have many people running for their Coldplay discography but ‘Wizard of Points’ is nothing if catchy (wow, I promised myself I’d never use that word on this blog and here I stand almost 2 years down and it slips out). Catchy might be a description used by your grandmother to describe the latest local radio friendly hit but ‘Wizard of Points’ is splendidly overcooked and flightly. Imagine it would be something Daft Punk could throw together were they to ditch some of their Gallic cool. Now where are my skintight leather trousers? KD

Je Suis France - Wizard of Points

Watch The Video To Fantastic Area

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Album: Afrikan Majik
Year: 2007

Even though this song made it into a lofty 35th position on this site's top 42 of 2006 (won’t feel it until the 2007 version, am getting nervous as it hasn’t been a vintage year) I’ve never sought fit to spam about it until now. ‘Brother’ is the work of a group of multi-instrumental nippers lead by Adam Baker and at 3:43 is seems much too short to adequately advertise all the ideas being thrown about. Put this sort of work in the hands of say Do Make Say Think and you'd have a classy centrepiece yet Baker and Co. let it fade before it’s fully exploited. To be critical would be to try and knock a near masterpiece however. ‘Brother’ sits amongst its siblings on Annuals debut ‘Be He Me’ just like one of the family. The thrills may be hard won but they are frequently engaging. Given that Annuals are from Raleigh, North Carolina maybe you should be on your bike to pick up this album. KD

Annuals - Brother

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More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Album: [UK] Be He Me [US] Be He Me
Year: 2006

I don’t mind when the summer is over. Ok, it feels a bit odd writing about sunshine pop in late January but as far as I can see the best audio produce arrives when the days become short and cold. So to begin the season of wind and rain (and in this case ice and snow) here’s a wonderfully realised track from Danish band Efterklang’s new album ‘Parades’. Efterklang are all about atmosphere so don’t expect to be whistling ‘Cutting Ice To Snow’ on your way to work. The song recalls a host of greats including Sigur Ros, Animal Collective and even the Arcade Fire towards the end. It may take a bit of time to click but this is unspeakably beautiful music that draws a hugely impressive victory from the jaws of rampant experimention. Efterklang are coming to Dublin on the 28th of November with an 8-piece band. How they’ll negotiate the stage at Whelan’s remains to be seen, perhaps they'll cut some wood to stage. KD

Efterklang - Cutting Ice To Snow

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Watch The Video To Swarming...wow

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Album: [UK] Parades [US] Parades
Year: 2007

No other song at the turn of the century was as wholly ambitious and wildly tailored as Clinic’s ‘The Return of Evil Bill’. Between the start/stomp momentum, haunted house melodica and Alan Blackburn’s partially stunted vocals this song still sounds possessed. Clinic notched up album number four ‘Visitations’ late last year but none have captured the intensity and rampaging ambition of their debut ‘Internal Wrangler’. Despite appearing alongside Radiohead (and upstaging them on the Irish leg of the tour) in 2000 Clinic have yet to grip the imagination outside of their devotees. Lately their ‘If You Could Read Your Mind’ has appeared on the well received ‘Hallam Foe’ movie (Juana Molina and James Yorkston also, yeeees!) so perhaps it’s not too late. And Clinic certainly have a lot of offer, their clapped out keyboard sound alone could likely have Doors/Inspiral Carpets fans in raptures (Altern 8 fans in need of a new surgical mask could also be interested). KD

Clinic - The Return of Evil Bill

Watch The Video If You Could Read Your Mind

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Album: [UK] Internal Wrangler [US] Internal Wrangler
Year: 2000

Somewhat incredibly Elbow supported Snow Patrol in Manchester last December. This is probably more down to the fact that the band are Mancunians than a direct result of their ‘up tempo’ last album ‘Leaders of the Free World’. We love Elbow, as much for their arch miserabilism as their dedication to always seeing fit to include a slice of melody. But, things changed (slightly) when songs like ‘Forgot Myself’ sounded as if Guy Garvey had suddenly arrived with a pep in his step. No longer shall he trudge through the weightier issues that dominate his creative mind. Perhaps that’s the effect of working with the likes of Editors (probably not though) after Garvey had produced their debut album. Then again it's probably just a temporary ray of sunshine after which Elbow will once again entertain our waking hours with their dark memories from the night before. Elbow are currently in the studio working on their 4th album. KD

Elbow - Forget Myself

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More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: Elbow
Year: 2005

{album review written in 2005, pulled from the indiecater archives, rated 3/5}

What a curious band British Sea Power truly are. Here you have a band that are seemingly enthralled with nature, the countryside and rose tinted nostalgia but are also open to playing a gig on a North Sea oilrig. Their live performances sees them dressed in World War One regalia and a propensity for audience bound propulsion would do any grenade worth its salt proud. If this sort of behaviour sets the bait it’s their song writing talent that will have you coming back for more. Their debut 'The Decline Of British Sea Power' was an understated gem full of camouflaged melodies that ensured that the Brighton based quartet would have their hands full to build on the promise. ‘Open Season’ may lack the weighty numbers like ‘Heavenly Waters’ and ‘Lately’ that so illuminated their debut but British Sea Power have crafted an affable, inviting and memorable follow-up. Here the tunes are less confrontational, the melody is openly divulged and the hit is almost immediate. That’s not to say that after a few spins that the whole thing becomes listless, as there is an unmistakable panache in the way the songs are put together.

‘Open Season’ could easily be a greatest hits collection such is the innumerable pointers to greatness on show. Take ‘Honeycomb’ which sees frontman Yan sporting what sounds like a slight head cold. His nasally afflicted vocals summon the wherewithal to turn a warm chorus into an intimate experience. The chord playing, keyboard dashes and punchy drums all add up to a hugely dramatic event. Yan can sound like a young Bowie and there is an edge to his singing as if the words are digging into his cheekbones. On ‘How Will I Ever Find My Way Home?’ the singers delivery descends from rational to chaotic within the space of a couple of minutes. Thankfully these unsettling experiences are countered when the band veer closer to pure pop like on the incandescent ‘The Land Beyond’. Straight-forward gorgeous melodies meet a melancholic string section that’ll tug at your heartstrings.

British Sea Power oft stay clear, in as much as is possible, of the generic theme of boy meets girl. Instead under the guise of chirping birds Yan implores all to ‘Drape yourself in greenery, Become part of the scenery’ over and over again on ‘North Hanging Rock’. While this could all sound about as interesting as watching said greenery grow the band deliver such a heated brew of delicious sounds the singer could be waxing about an oily stage from the previous night and we’d still be transfixed. ‘Oh Larsen B’ is undoubtedly the best song ever written about a continental ice shelf. The bass structures are predictably towering and aloof and Yan does his best to sound serious when he begs the monolith not to fall on him. 'True Adventures' may appear at the end but it sticks out like a sore thumb even if it’s covered in a rich blend of flavoursome toffee. The ideas splatter about like a fan with plastic streamers. While so many jolting arrangements might seem contradictory on a single tune, a couple of listens reveals a composition that is perfectly coherent. This is about as challenging as ‘Open Season’ gets, elsewhere wholesome tunes like ‘Be Gone’ flitter about like young cottontails.

'Open Season' flows like a mountain stream, its ideas are clear, melodies pour freely and its stock cleverly navigates against the current mob of new-wave sycophants. Paradoxically, from time to time the album feels as if it has emerged from an earlier decade. That said this collection sees the band take a giant leap forward in sales potential. There is very little (aside from ‘True Adventures’) to startle those who dine on the top 40 and with some careful promotion British Sea Power could soon stand shoulder to shoulder with the likes of Snow Patrol or Coldplay. ‘Open Season’ is an engaging listen from start to finish and British Sea Power seem to be well on their way to becoming one of this century’s true contenders. KD

British Sea Power - North Hanging Rock

More free tracks from 'Open Season' here.

Watch The Video It Ended On An Oily Stage

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy More Songs: British Sea Power
Year: 2005