With Sweden’s Electric Pop Group you pretty much know what you are going to get. And in many ways this predictability is what makes them so loveable. This is a quartet that has swallowed the rulebook on how to make the coolest jangle pop imaginable. So it comes as no surprise that the lead song from their latest ‘Sunrise’ EP is as a chipper as a postman after a recent cull of all the neighbourhood hounds. Martin Aamot vocals are perfectly pitched with the requisite spoonfuls of twee considerately pushing the focus back on the softly tilted chords. In other words ‘I Could See The Lights’ is impossible to dislike and in many cases it will be about as welcome as the first warm day in early summer. Precious. KD

The Electric Pop Group - I Could See The Lights

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: The Electric Pop Group
Year: 2008

Alaska to Portland seems like a long way but I haven’t looked at a map so I could be completely wrong. Nelson Kempf and Keeley Boyle recently made the trip and haven’t budged since. The duo call themselves the Old Believers and could become the most ridiculously cute new act of 2008. They remind me of Elephant Parade, for obvious reasons, but lean more heavily (if that is the right word) towards alt country. Most of their dispatches are acoustically set which means that nothing can detract from the sweet home cooked vocals. Their first record came out last year and was called ‘Some Song By The Old Believers’ (to avoid confusion), this years effort is titled ‘Eight Golden Greats’ (you can bet your bottom dollar they will be if this tune is anything to go by) but won’t be released until early June. ‘No More’ may have a unconventional opening but within a matter of seconds it becomes a thing of understated beauty, something so heart stoppingly fragile and utterly irresistible. Hugs were made for songs like this. KD

The Old Believers - No More

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

Remember, not too long ago actually, when every time you heard a vibrant new band you discovered they came from North America, Canada to be precise. It may have cover a huge landmass but in terms of population there are quite a few relatively dwarf-like European countries that eclipse. It seems the Canadian Government wisely decided to invest in the Arts and the result was an explosion in stellar outfits (2005 being particularly impressive). Things have certainly slowed but every few weeks something interesting tends to appear from that neck of the woods. Young and Sexy are from Vancouver and have recorded 3 records since 2003, the latest of which ‘The Arc’ will appear next month. ‘Conventional Lullabyes’ is taken from 2006’s ‘Panic When You Find It’ and reveals the soft indie pop that they are capable of. Retro heeled, much like the Clientele, the dynamic boy/girl vocal interplay leads to several highs. If this had been a Shins record it would be all over the hype machine. KD

Young and Sexy - Conventional Lullabyes

Watch The Video To The Curious Organ

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: Young and Sexy
Year: 2006

Here’s a confident prediction, in 5 years from now music will be free. Free as in you will be able to download it legally from official sources. Some people have cottoned on to this already and are fully focused on making a living from alternate sources. I’ll let you work out what those other revenue streams are. May or May Not go one step further by posting their favourite recipes to their website and in one fell swoop mamma’s greatest culinary secret’s are unleashed on the world. Lucky then that she’ll probably be too busy taking in the music that this Chicago quartet makes to hardly notice. And if you decide not take the free-way and plump for hard product instead you’ll be rewarded by imaginative artwork that can be gazed at as the indie pop plays out in the background. All told it’s difficult to chose one song to highlight what May or May Not have to offer so here’s two. I am pretty sold on the carnivorous sounds of ‘Stationary Motion’ from this year’s ‘Head on Springs’ EP and the Blur-y jangle of ‘Self Charmed Man’ from last year's ‘A Kaleidoscope of Egos’. Meet you at the front of their next gig; I’ll be the one wearing their t-shirt in premium cotton. KD

May or May Not - Stationary Motion

May or May Not - Self Charmed Man

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: May or May Not
Year: 2008

This is only the Little Ones second release but they already find themselves dressed for success. Sunny pop this good don’t come along too often and smiling faces are the order of the day throughout the bands latest ‘Terry Tales & Fallen Gates’ EP. ‘Boracay’ is the second track and takes no time at all to whip itself into a frenzy of jumbled hooks and melodies. And when is the last time you heard the sound of the Caribbean so naturally integrated into a full on pop sensation? Christ, I'm starting to sound like Smashie and Nicey but it seems all sense of reason goes out the window when the sound of summer is blasting from nearby speakers. The Little Ones are currently on tour but sadly won’t be landing on our shores; there are several UK dates however. KD

The Little Ones - Boracay

Watch The Video To Lovers Who Uncover

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: The Little Ones
Year: 2008

One of the things Vinyl, CD and even ye olde Cassette Tape have over the less traditional media like mp3 is that they normally come fitted with a smidgeon of information about the band in question. The problem with these bitrate ridden objects is that their ID Tags are more often than not as barren as a Samantha Mumba gig. So from time to time I'll happen across a tune that offers little in the way of clues. 'Dream' by Random (!) is one such orphaned ditty. Normally I couldn't give two hoots about a family-free-mptree but this particular effort is too good to be senselessly deleted and promptly forgotten about. The issue is exasperated by the fact that Google has failed Random completely and if Google can't find it (and Poirot, Marple and Holmes are all dead - Fletcher doesn't really count) nothing can. Except, perhaps, the wise old heads reading this piece of near nonsensical rubbish, namely you, have some snippets of detail? I am pretty sure Random are a Dublin band but that's all I've got in the way of leads. Worry not if your knowledge on the matter is as ropey as mine; at least there's a damn fine song to be savoured. KD

Random - Dream

More Info: Err, See Above
Buy Songs: You Got To Be Kiddin'
Year: ?

Because this is Thursday evening I am going to give you something a little bit different to wrestle with. Hidden in the valleys of the rolling hills that is the greatest song Super Furry Animals never wrote are the strangest of jamborees, oddly shaped passages of audio that could have crept in from the next doors studio while Condor Moments supped on a warm brew. This band has been together for over 2 decades and they released an album last year with a title that could take just as long to recite. It is an extraordinary work that tears up the rulebook and writes its own using a language that nobody except themselves understands. I’d imagine it to be the sort of album that ‘Trout Mask Replica’ could be were it to have a greater empathy for the listeners time and patience. Give of yourself to this wonderfully eclectic group and they’ll respond in kind. KD

Condor Moments - Lord Protector, Milk Collector

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: Condor Moments
Year: 2007

Flippin hell, apologies for being so remiss. Imagine this blog has been dishing out mp3s like a good thing for 2 and half years and has yet to wax lyrical about the genius that was Pavement. If one was to look for a champion for the indie masses this band would be very high up the list (with perhaps the Wedding Present at the summit). Here was yet another case of the should-have-beens, they may have been musically idiosyncratic at times but if you were to examine the pot of gold that is their back catalogue you'd uncover gilded pop gems strewn in every brightened corner. The purest distillation can be found on 1994's ‘Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain’ with sumptuous melodies and memorable riffs being the order of the day. ‘Cut Your Hair’ even became a minor hit and its barber shop video displayed the sense of wide-eyed glee that the band were capable of. ‘Gold Soundz’ remains my favourite however; I often play it from dawn to dusk if I feel like having the best day ever. See for yourself and if this is your first brush with Malkmus and Co. get thee to a record store rather sharpishly. You could be in luck too as there are talks of a reunion in 2009, marking the 20th anniversary of the bands formation. KD

Pavement - Gold Soundz

Watch The Video To Cut Your Hair

More Info: Official
Buy Songs: Pavement
Year: 1994

How about this for advance publicity, Champagne Riot have neither a record nor a gig to their name. In fact if one was to be pernickety you could say that Champagne Riot don’t even have a band together yet, because it remains the work of one man named Casper. Casper flits spirit-like between London and Copenhagen recording 80’s inspired pop numbers in small studios along the way. Some of these recordings are available for download from his myspace page and even a casual listen will confirm the wise choice Shelflife Records have made in agreeing to release his debut EP (later in the summer, it’ll be called ‘Paris & I’). ‘Scandinavian Warfare’ is the pick of a ripe bunch, full of perfectly realised A-ha airs and graces, a proper pop song in other words. The first ever Champagne Riot gig takes place in Berlin this weekend, if you are in that neck of the woods it could well be something that in a few years lots of people say they were at but are clearly lying in a vain attempt to appear cool. KD

Champagne Riot - Scandinavian Warfare

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: Champagne Riot (soon)
Year: 2008

Don’t be put off by the electronic bleeps and misdemeanours early doors on ‘My Horse Must Lose’ as it matures quite beautifully. With that on board I better give you some background details, oh wait, according to their website TSOAF are made up of the Walrus, the Lynx, the Nightingale and the Skunk. Hmm, this mystery collective (check out the all knowing wikipedia for a more in depth zoological background) already have 2 albums to their name and a third is due to drop this autumn. I guess the best definition of them would be experimental but not so out there so as to make the job of listening a chore (wha?). See, this is the sort of drivel us bloggers have to dream up when we're not privy to our accustomed A4 promo fact sheet. Terrible ain’t it, well you hardly come here for the writing do you. KD

The Sound Of Animals Fighting - My Horse Must Lose

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: The Sound Of Animals Fighting
Year: 2006

Martina Topley-Bird is probably best known for her vocal turn on Tricky’s ‘Maxinquaye’ album. At the time she was only in her mid-teens but her remarkable vocals defined what is now regarded as a classic of its kind. Over the intervening 13 years Topley-Bird has sung on several other Tricky albums as well as making a guest slot on David Holmes underrated ‘Bow Down To The Exit Sign’. Her second solo album ‘The Blue God’ is due out next month and includes ‘Valentine’, a smoke filled room of a song full of languid textures and topped off by Topley-Bird’s husky vocals. You could just picture this slipping onto a discerning collection of schmoozers. I quite surprised myself in liking it, perhaps the rough edges are finally beginning to wear down. KD

Martina Topley-Bird - Valentine

Watch The Video To Tricky's Black Steel Featuring Martina Topley-Bird

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: Martina Topley-Bird
Year: 2008

Winter has almost given up the fight but there are still reasons to be negative. I dunno, maybe it gradually becomes part of you as you get older but as the years fly by I find myself becoming increasingly grumpy and cynical. Ah well, at least there's music to keep an annoying world at bay. So in the spirit of Ebenezer humbugging here is Mixtape #3 cunningly titled ‘Hold On To The Negatives’.





If you want to know more about a particular song, click the 'info' button on the bottom left of the player.



Greedy? Well why not listen to Smells Like Theme Spirit #1, #2.

I became a bit concerned lately hearing Elbow being bandied about in the same sentence as Coldplay. Can’t remember where I read it exactly and in what publications but there were several references to insipid craftsmanship and snotty noses. Oh no, I internally screamed, had Guy Garvey’s band of Mancs lost the plot and would ‘The Seldom Heard Kid’ be their assault on the Chris Martin adoring masses. I needn’t have worried because Elbow’s newbie is nothing of the sort. The album may be easier on the ear (in that it doesn’t take a dozen listens to make sense) than previous efforts but Elbow have lost none of their sense of epic mournfulness. In fact after a week in the company of ‘The Seldom Heard Kid’ I can confidently say that this is their best work since ‘Asleep At The Back’. So far I have picked up on at least 2 stone cold classics, the kiss like we’ve invented it romance of ‘Mirrorball’ and this heart breaker ‘The Loneliness Of A Tower Crane Driver’. Guy Garvey has a voice full of character and persuasion so like me you may find yourself being whisked away on a tidal wave of lost love. Masterful, a group to love, cherish and adore. KD

Elbow - The Loneliness Of A Tower Crane Driver

Watch The Video To Grounds For Divorce

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

Panda Riot do vocals, in fact Rebecca Scott is a very fine singer, but for the moment let’s just concentrate on this Spirtualized/My Bloody Valentine hybrid instrumental. ‘Northern Automatic Music’ has the early nineties written all over it, takes me back but if things work out it should also be taking Panda Riot forward. Shoegaze is back in vogue you see and this trio from Chicago should be well placed to profit from the insurgence. ‘She Dares All Things’ from last year collected their pretty singles together and is a must if colourful words like slowdive tends to send a tingle down your spine. KD

Panda Riot - Northern Automatic Music

Watch The Video To Paper Airplanes

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: Panda & Buy Songs: Riot
Year: 2008

When the coffee stops working I find an uplifting blast of incandescent pop can do wonders when attempting to reengage with the world. And as the weekend draws to a close the medicine has to be of a very fine vintage indeed to counter the upcoming gloom of the Monday to Friday routine. This week my pill of choice comes from Brooklyn duo Eva Maravelias and Brian Wenckebach and is taken from their debut album ‘Trying Got Us Nowhere’ which was produced by Starflyer 69’s Jason Martin (more of which later). The list of influences on their bio includes Slowdive, Nico and Flying Saucer Attack which immediately grabbed my attention. Elika swing from soft ambient soundscapes to crashing guitar routines which means you never quite know what is about to come around the corner. ‘Let Down’ displays this beautifully with Maravelias sounding particularly ethereal (Liz Fraser like). With this swirling around my head Monday morning seems like a far far away place. KD

Elika - Let Down

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

Forget Whale sounds, this is as soothing as several Paracetamol on a Sunday morning. If only Spiritualized had used this template for all those Gospel tinged albums they produced after they ditched the sound of Spacemen 3 (thankfully ‘Songs in A&E’ appears to be a return to form). Amnion is the work of husband and wife team Nikki and Aaron Embry (who toured with Elliott Smith in 2000) and a host of other contributors. The collective have already recorded an album called ‘AmenNamO’ despite only being officially together for just over 6 months. ‘Praise God For The Light Within Me’ really reminded me of an EP from Lovebabies called ‘Blue Earth Angel’ which came out a decade ago. It won’t sweep you off your feet like a whirlwind romance, instead it gnaws away at your affections until a purer love emerges. Yep, it is as misty-eyed wonderful as that – a persuasive slice of sonic spirituality. Amnion's second album will be released later this year. KD

Amnion - Praise God For The Light Within Me

Watch The Video

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

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

Going by this and I really hope it is indicative of their talent we could yet have a brand new Pale Saints on our hands. Empty Rooms are from San Francisco and may or not be aware that Gary Moore (once of Thin Lizzy) wrote a song of the same name. ‘Empty Rooms’ the song was dire but Empty Rooms the band are entirely brilliant. ‘We’ve Been Waiting For You’ starts out all hallucinogenically dream pop before turning completely instrumental about 4 minutes through in what sounds like the smoothest segues of the year. Interpol are probably as close a contemporary as you’ll get but Empty Rooms specialise in a finer sense of guitar shimmer and sport altogether sweeter vocals. The bands debut EP ‘Lacuna’ is out now and can be purchased directly from their myspace page. Who thought the theme tune to the Late Late could ever be coralled into sounding so cool? KD

Empty Rooms - We've Been Waiting For You

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: Empty Rooms
Year: 2008

Maybe I’d underestimated this Swedish band, first impressions had me bracketing them in a mainstream setting. The more I listened, however, the more I realised they had a deeper creative spark that could operate just as capably with an alternative audience. ‘My Heart’ comes from their second last LP ‘Let There Be Morning’ and has already featured on a car advert. Didn’t do the Velvet Underground any damage and a similar profile injection for the Perishers would surely see them rocket. ‘My Heart’ is low key and jangly, simplicity itself but about as easy to execute as a hole-in-one at St. Andrews. Seems like certain medical drama's have recently taken a shine to them so jump aboard before granddad starts whistling their latest #1. KD

The Perishers - My Heart

Watch The Video To Sway

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: The Perishers
Year: 2003

If any band defined the sound of Sarah Records it was Londoners the Field Mice. At the time they sorta passed me by except for ‘If You Need Someone’ which appeared on one of those ubiquitous indie top 20 compilations from the early nineties. While that tune leaned towards electro pop ‘Five Moments’ displays the pleasant jangly chords for which the Field Mice are best remembered. There is also an unmistakable shoegaze drift to Annemari Davies vocals highlighting how the Field Mice were one of pop’s chameleons. So much so that if you closed your eyes and dreamt of Sarah Cracknell you could almost think you were listening to St. Etienne. If you are intrigued, and you should be, then try on the Field Mice’s glorious retrospective titled ‘Where'd You Learn To Kiss That Way?’ or anything by Northern Picture Library/Trembling Blue Stars who followed in their wake. KD

The Field Mice - Five Moments

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: The Field Mice
Year: 1991

For a time all that went around my head was the atmospheric rumble of Ry Cooder’s slide guitar. More specifically his turn on the Southern Comfort soundtrack which both exhilarated and scared the bejaysus out of me. And if his mood pieces weren’t enough there was the hypnotic Cajun music to be getting on with. The piece included here is ‘Parlez-Nous a Boire’ from the Balfa Brothers which arrived at the crux of Walter Hill’s movie when the threat of malice and the death of a domestic animal played out in a masterful montage of scenes. It may lack the scorching unforgiveness of Deliverance but Southern Comfort and its haunting soundtrack is the one I return to time and again. KD

The Balfa Brothers - Parlez-Nous A Boire

Watch The Balfa Brothers In Southern Comfort

More Info: The Balfa Brothers
Buy The Movie: Southern Comfort
Year: 1981

Noise or shoegaze’s glorious redefinition? You decide, but whatever you do don’t give up on ‘Sleds’ too hastily. It is a piece of work whatever your viewpoint and even those completely enamoured by its hazy constructs may require several listens to get to the kernel. To these ears it is a blissful return to the days of yore or that last Belong record if you are younger than I. Pyramids eponymous LP will be with us in a couple of days but for those who can’t wait the whole thing can be streamed straight away. ‘Sleds’ is the perfectly beautiful opening track, industrial frequencies pummel your senses and it’s left to the drifting out of reach vocals to reason with that finger of yours that hovers over the delete button. This may well be impenetrable to most but if you can make it inside the experience may well turn round your day. KD

Pyramids - Sleds

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

If you are ever in Dresden, the indie disco of choice (DJ dependent) is Hebedas. The night I was there, on the tiny vertigo-inducing dancefloor, we were treated to ‘Girlfriend in a Coma’, ‘Sexuality’ and ‘Electronic Renaissance’, as well as sets of Brazilian funk, 60's crooner fodder and half an hour of German pop songs the locals launched into with gusto. Wir sind Helden (We Are Heroes), a four-piece from Berlin are a favourite. Here's ‘Labyrinth’ from their latest album, ‘Soundso’. It won't get a spin on the indie dance floor but it's one for the headphones late at night. Cyclic and introspective, it builds to a calm wash of guitars, with singer Judith Holofernes's voice sounding ever more plaintive, lost in a maze. TK

Wir sind Helden - Labyrinth

Watch The Video To Von Hier an Blind

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: Wir sind Helden
Year: 2007

Another week, another cherishable band from Austin, Texas. Must be the sun or SXSW’s influence but that city really throws up more than it fair share of quality bands. And that’s where 5-piece The Story Of currently call home, a band without a label but with the conviction to self-release their own album ‘The World’s Affair’ last year. When the LP hits its stride like on ‘After Just A While’ you get to see what they are capable of. It is a multi-dimensional ditty with contrasting vocal turns and a beautifully uneven momentum. Nearly calls to mind the majestic Delgados after they’ve been sprinkled with a pinch or two of the Arcade Fire actually. A cursory glance around the internet reveals very little press about the band which is surprising given what they have to offer. Surely it is only a matter of time before the wires are hopping. KD

The Story Of - After Just A While

Watch The Video To Wonderlust

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

This is great, a slow undertow of boiling tension as the frontman plays it straight for all he’s worth. But, for all the subdued antics there is about a million other things worth investigating. Thickets of jangling chords brighten up certain corners, frisky beats hang from high ceilings and a bass rumbles under floorboards hiding nasty secrets. ‘Gasoline’ is taken from the New Year’s 2001 debut album, which was produced by Steve Albini. Their conception came after the breakup of Bedhead in the late nineties but to date New Year records have been decidedly thin on the ground. A new album is planned for this September but this will only be their third LP in 9 years. Budda and Matt Kadane have been constants throughout and their vocals are responsible for much of the understated drama. KD

The New Year - Gasoline

Watch The Video To Disease

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: The New Year
Year: 2001

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

When I think of Teenage Fanclub I think happy thoughts. These same happy thoughts have started to appear of late and it has nothing to do with the Glaswegians. The object of my affections is actually from the other side of the Atlantic, Idaho to be precise. The band are called the Very Most and are driven by the melodic machinations of one Jeremy Jensen. ‘Congratulations Forever’ is only the bands second LP and it has been several years in the making. And it is probably unfair to tag them as the U.S. Teenage Fanclub because they also do a pretty mean Camera Obscura impression. Exciting isn’t it but don’t just take my word for it, sneak a peek at ‘Good Fight Fighting’ and start counting down the days to April 26th when ‘Congratulations Forever’ is officially unfurled. Hooray, looks like the summer has arrived early. KD

The Very Most - Good Fight Fighting

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: The Very Most
Year: 2008

According to reputable publications Cloud Cult have released a new album. It comes barely a year after ‘The Meaning of 8’, a sprawling affair that I’ve yet to fully tame. If that album (their 7th) is anything to go Cloud Cult appear to have its fingers in lots of different pies. The result is enjoyable but you really have to work hard to appreciate where they are coming from. There are some moments of lucidity though like on opener ‘Chain Reaction’ which while quite dense has a fine sugar coating. Initially you could be forgiven for thinking that you are listening to the Album Leaf but Craig Minowa’s voice slowly takes centre stage and not even the presence of several sharp strings can detract from it. Cloud Cult may have their roots in the 1990’s but their environmentally conscious stand may eventually see them acclaimed as one of the noughties brightest (energy saving) lights. KD

Cloud Cult - Chain Reaction

Watch The Video To Chemicals Collide

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: Cloud Cult
Year: 2007

Fancy winning yourself a Snow Patrol DVD signed by the band? I have one and want to give it away to anyone who can design a beautiful new banner for this site. mp3hugger has been on the road for almost 3 years now and it's time it got itself a distinctive image. In letting your creative juices flow please bear in mind what goes on here. So, for example, if you can somehow recreate the notion of an mp3 being hugged then you'd probably be in with a good chance of scooping the grand prize. I'll leave this open for about a month or so and remember I'm not expecting miracles so sloppy DIY efforts of all shapes and sizes will be accepted. This DVD is going to be offloaded no matter what so if your crayon inspired effort is the sole entry Gary Lightbody's handy work will be winging its way to you. Entries can be sent to mp3hugger at yahoo dot com or to the usual contact address.

P.S. Just in case you're confused, the image above is of a non-angry David BANNER (groan).

‘We started when we were about 13 playing Christmas songs at school, and then we decided to write our own songs. The first ones were about hobos, boxes, and foxes.’ Ok, let’s draw a collective ahhh. These are the words of a bunch of 17 year olds from Connecticut who call themselves the Seascape. Pretty neat name I think you’ll agree and the good vibes continue to flourish as you listen to the perfect little tunes that they produce. It’s early days but already the potential is there to see. ‘Person Place or Thing’ is one of 2 new tunes that they sent me on and it highlights Seascape's willingness to experiment and change tact at every stage of a songs life cycle. It may sound like it is going to fall apart at any minute but believe me that is a precious art in itself. ‘Person Place or Thing’ is also at various points quite brilliant. Forget that the Seascape are teenagers they have already proven they are a bona fide awesome proposition. KD

The Seascape - Person Place or Thing

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: In all good records stores soon!
Year: 2008

So perhaps Beta won the format war after all with VHS rapidly going the way of the dodo and Beta sites appearing all over the place. Oh you know what I mean. VHS or Beta are a collective from Kentucky who peddle a not terribly original brand of electro rock. But then a lack of originality doesn’t always equal music that is surplus to requirements. ‘Burn It All Down’ sounds familiar, like something from a dusty 80’s compilation, but there is no denying the fun that can be had when it pours from the speakers. The monstrous guitar riff is undoubtedly primeval but it is given a contemporary lease of life by the unrelentless pumping beats. Like Daft Punk if they’d forgotten to pack their vocoders. KD

VHS Or Beta - Burn It All Down

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: VHS Or Beta
Year: 2007

If blogs did segues then this one would probably be the best. Born In The Flood come from Hermann, Missouri you see. I suppose the question you gotta ask yourself when you listen to the quartet is whether you can believe in them or not. ‘Anthem’ is quite capable of sending the listener down the pro or anti route. For me Nathaniel Rateliff successfully pours his emotions into his fiercesome delivery banishing any doubts one might have about his intentions. Ok, he may only be defending the tune he just wrote but isn’t it refreshing to hear some anger instead of the same old snotty nosed emotional fretting. The spiralling guitars heighten the tension and in parts I am reminded of the Mclusky’s red-hot ‘Alan Is A Cowboy Killer’. If you find yourself in the anti brigade let ‘Low Flying Clouds’ reel you back in with its Kings of Leon stylings. KD

Born in the Flood - Anthem

Born in the Flood - Low Flying Clouds

Watch The Video To Low Flying Clouds

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: Born In The Flood
Year: 2007

Although the name might summon up awkward questions there is denying the Hermit Crabs way with a swish tune. Led by Melanie Whittle (ex of California Snow Story) this Glaswegian band have found a nice little sponsor by way of the irrepressible Matinée Recordings. Hermit Crabs peddle that distinctive Glaswegian twee pop sound, nothing sounds overcooked and the ingredients are organic in nature. ‘Saw You Dancing’, the bands debut, came out late last year and includes the chipper ‘Friend's Folk Festival’. Bouncy and flush with adolescent themes it would likely fog up every thick-rimmed spectacle from here to Northern Scotland. KD

The Hermit Crabs - Friend's Folk Festival

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: The Hermit Crabs
Year: 2007

This is about as far away from the normal hugger choice of song that you’re likely to hear this year but I am still besotted with it. It comes from Cork sean nós Iarla Ó Lionáird (also Afro Celt Sound System) who I discovered on a trip down to Galway last weekend (thanks bri). At first I thought it was Sigur Ros but the vocals as gaeilge gave the game away. ‘Cu-Cu-Ín’ is taken from Ó Lionáird's 2005 LP ‘Invisible Fields’ which was recorded in his home studio in Kilkenny and a lavish affair it turns out to be. There is something altogether natural about the way the song plays out, as if it was recorded in the middle of a frozen forest as its inhabitants go about their business undisturbed. Ó Lionáird successfully marries the old with the new to create an entrancing middle ground. Most of all ‘Cu-Cu-Ín’ is a dead cert for relaxation suites the world over, once you enter one you may never want to leave. Spellbinding. KD

Iarla Ó Lionáird - Cu-Cu-Ín

Watch The Video To I Am Asleep

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: Iarla Ó Lionáird
Year: 2005

I was hooked on this straight away for the simple reason that it employed the jangliest of Byrds riffs. The best part is that the Ludlow Lions’ ‘Other People's Ghosts’ has much more than that to offer, once you’ve let the tunes multi-faceted approach bed down. As with most things bright and new at the moment Ludlow Lions come from Brooklyn. Aside from the riproaring music they have one other ace up their sleeve in the shape of singer Brendan Coon. This ain’t your average, bog standard, common, so-so indie vocalist. No our Brendan pours character into his voice and we should be thankful that Ludlow Lions allow him to showcase it to maximum effect. If you are guided by voices then the Ludlow Lions self-titled debut could become your new head coach. KD

Ludlow Lions - Other People's Ghosts

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: Ludlow Lions
Year: 2008

Storkboy Choons has reawakened my electro glands so I am eagerly lapping up anything danceable that comes my way. ‘I Feel Electric’ fits the bill perfectly as you’ll gather yourself from the opening sequences which come complete with some perfectly arranged synths. The song may never quite build on that auspicious beginning but Simone Rubi and Terri Loewenthal present a good case for a return to days of disco. I’m thinking Donna Summer were it not for this year’s love Feist on guest vocals. Rubies also prove they have a talent for ingenious collaborations as none other than the Studio have remixed the b-side to ‘I Feel Electric’. Rubies debut album ‘Explode From The Center’ is out now. KD

Rubies - I Feel Electric

Watch The Video

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

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

More electronica from Ireland, this time from 2 sources of which I know precious little. Ciaran McCausland and the fruity loops that come from his laptop are called Storkboy Choons. He and the as yet unidentified Colours Move seem to have struck up a particularly potent electronica partnership, which has already seen them support Casiotone For The Painfully Alone earlier this year. Both ply a similar sound, a brand of bleepage that should appeal to anyone who thinks ‘From Here We Go Sublime’ could yet become the future of machine generated audio. ‘Rockfield Symphony’ and ‘Winters’ are both hypnotic, near impossible to dance to I’d imagine but that’s what the visuals these two are dreaming up were made for. 10 years ago this may never have leaked from the imagination but mercifully a miniscule budget in this technological age is no barrier to rampant creativity. Wonderful stuff. KD

Storkboy Choons - Rockfield Symphony

Colours Move - Winters

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More Info: Storkboy Choons & Colours Move
Year: 2008

At this moment in time Super Extra Bonus Party are about as adventurous as you’re going to get from an Irish band. Like with all eclectic propositions it doesn’t always work and I must admit I found myself in fast-forward mode quite regularly during their eponymous debut. Probably down to my own blinkered tastes but by the finish I had come away with 2 absolute gems in ‘Softly’ and ‘Propeller’. Another one that lightly grazed my buds was the title track from their latest EP ‘Everything Goes’. The EP includes remixes from Jape (superb) and Cadence Weapon and a track I completely missed from the album called ‘Mushie Shake’ which turns out to be as fruity as an autumnal orchard. Quite like its creators there is something altogether bonkers going down but the madness does not compromise the strength of the tune, which displays all the glitchy promise of a softly focused Aphex Twin. SEBP play Whelans, Dublin this Saturday night. KD

Super Extra Bonus Party - Mushie Shake

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More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: Super Extra Bonus Party
Year: 2008

Thought the Ting Tings were this years underground success story? Well then you probably haven’t peered into the very near future and witnessed what Vanilla Swingers are about to achieve. With their debut release and first live performance both happening next month now might be the time to start dropping their name in front of impressionable friends. Believe me by the end of the summer you’ll be feted for your uncanny ability to spot the next big things. To help you on your way, here are some facts. The Vanilla Swingers are Miles and Ann (nope I don’t know their surnames either), a London duo who can sound like certain great bands like Ultra Vivid Scene (‘I’ll Stay Next To You’) and Talk Talk (‘The Way’) who have been lost in the mists of time. Right now I can’t go anywhere without ‘Goodbye Lennon’, its leaden beats provide such a contrasting backdrop to the lithe piano lines and the sweetly conversational boy/girl vocals I may even start listening to huge 80’s ballads all over again. You saw them coming didn't you? KD

Vanilla Swingers - Goodbye Lennon

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: Vanilla Swingers
Year: 2008

Ah yes the Pernice Brothers, perennial underachievers and sweet purveyors of gleaming pop jewels. If only the world would sit up and take heed it would quickly realise that easy on the ear melodies don’t necessarily have to come packaged with blandness. The Pernice Brothers (of which there are 2, Joe and Bob) are well into their second decade and have half a dozen albums to their name. ‘My So-Called Celibate Life’ should help you discover a lovelier you with its Teenage Fanclub vocal mannerisms and effervescent playing. You might also notice that it is shorn of the countrified pop that the band are best known for. There is a shimmering sun somewhere that has this song stuck on endless repeat. KD

The Pernice Brothers - My So-Called Celibate Life

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Buy Songs: The Pernice Brothers
Year: 2005

There I was dissing (sorta) jangling chords in the last post and then Windermere go and break my heart all over again with this epic. This has many of essential aspects of the Slowdive sound, that hazy pulsing funnel of noise that levitates everything around it beyond the ordinary. In that regard Jakob Skjoldborg’s voice seems out of place but I guess to move forward you can’t be totally fixated with the past. Either way it is near impossible to ignore the overwhelming power of those guitar lines set to maximum reverb. When they hit their stride at 3 minutes in I feel myself getting dizzy at the beauty of it all. KD

Windermere - Trailer Park

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Buy Songs: Windermere
Year: 2004

Quite despite myself this blog tends to go through phases where the only music that is being posted is of one variety or another. For a while I couldn’t abide by anything that didn’t sound like Explosions In The Sky, at one stage I couldn't distance myself from all things electro pop and just right now I seem to be going through a mini experimental folk explosion. It feels good to be honest to be away from those sometimes tiresome jangling chords (who am I fooling?) especially when you have a band like Mothfight (I’ve left out both exclamation marks in their name so I can add emphasis about how great they are when the time is right) in melody freefall. Chances are Mothfight won’t be troubling the mainstream any time soon but aren’t the best acts those that can just be our little secret. The Austin quartet are ridiculously young and attired in the sort of garb you'd expect your favourite new band to wear. The ‘Hopscotch’ single is their sole recorded release but why stop at the music when there are posters, buttons and greeting cards emblazed with lots of Mothfight insignia to be had. Exclamation with a capital !!! then. KD

Mothfight - Hopscotch

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: Moth!Fight!
Year: 2007

So maybe there is something to this Folk revival after all. Certainly a few minutes in the company of Johnny Flynn (and the Sussex Wit) should have you clambering for more. His cites Shakespeare among his influences but thankfully what emerges is altogether less taxing on the grey matter. Perhaps he keeps that particular wordsmith aside for his acting pursuits. Up to now all that has emerged is a couple of fine singles but there is an album called ‘A Larum’ on the way. ‘The Box’ has a freewheelin’ narrative supplied by Flynn’s rich vocals and is ably backed up some softly clattering instrumentation. You are perfectly within your rights to clap along or move about as if in the grip of a particularly euphoric barndance. KD

Johnny Flynn - The Box

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Buy Songs: Johnny Flynn
Year: 2008

Thank you Animal Collective, for without you we would unlikely have ever traipsed upon Au. When I’m listening to Au though I’m thinking of them in their ‘Banshee Beat’ phase (the best one). Au for people who prefer real names is Luke Wyland (although he frequently calls upon the luxuriant charms of Becky Dawson’s voice), for those who don’t he used to call himself Luc (in a previous musical incarnation). With a self-titled LP already down cool hand Luke is preparing himself for the release of ‘Verbs’ wherein he and his collage of alter egos and friends should go interstellar. ‘RD vs D’ is a preview of the action and it is knockdown perfect, full of wispy drifting vocals and piano lines dispatched with the accuracy of a tap dancers best moves. And right where you think it can’t get any better in pipes a glorious circus troupe of brass. Pinch yourself, you are still alive, this is not heaven. KD

Au - RR vs D

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

For some reason this tune reminds me of ‘Shadow Falls’ from Hello, Blue Roses. Not exactly sure why but there's something indescribably addictive about the sparseness. There is no semblance of chorus (or generic song elements for that matters), just lightly pounding (often indiscriminate) drums and the fanciest of dual layered ethereal vocals. Pikelet (aside from being a tasty pancake) consists of Evelyn Morris who comes from Melbourne. Her self-titled debut came out last year and was the product of her vision alone. Besides the glacial vocals she puts the generally sidelined instrument the accordion to much use. And despite what you might think the result is both illuminating and magical. Rampant experimentation on this scale normally sets sail from Icelandic shores. KD

Pikelet - A Bunch

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Buy Songs: Pikelet
Year: 2007

First some insight from wikipedia ‘the Van Allen Radiation Belt is a torus of energetic charged particles (plasma) around Earth, held in place by Earth's magnetic field’. Ok, glad that’s out of the way so on with the music. Pittsburgh's The Van Allen Belt are a seriously interesting proposition, a gargantuan 4-piece with the amalgamated sound of the Polyphonic Spree/Go-Team in their sights. Not only do they somehow manage to recreate what was prevalent when studio’s and big name producers actually affected how a hit record sounded but they also come fitted with a conscience unbowed by conventional thinking (see ‘Slanted To The Left’). The result is a refreshing epic and as much as it sometimes sounds retro I can’t escape the feeling that the Van Allen Belt are somehow going to form the crux of the future. For an insiders view on how contemporary America really ticks their debut ‘Meal Ticket To Purgatory’ proves to an essential listen.

The Van Allen Belt - Baby Boomer Backstroke

The Van Allen Belt - Alaska Dreamin'

And if that wasn't enough, take a listen to this bonkers express of a tune from the Van Allen Belt offshoot known as Nonstop Everything (Ben Ferris). Now where have you heard that tune before, well you may be hearing it at the coolest wedding ever very soon. Introducing the jiviest bunny ever. KD

Nonstop Everything - Electric Rolling Abba

More Info: More Free Downloads & Myspace
Buy Songs: The Van Allen Belt
Year: 2008

You may have heard a bit of chatter about Laura Marling. What you may not have noticed is that for the most time she knocks around with 4 geezers who call themselves Noah and the Whale. Details are particularly sketchy but it seems that the band are at the head of a burgeoning folk scene in London. While a natural reaction might be to scoff, you'd probably better be served listening to this tune and reassessing. ‘2 Bodies 1 Heart’ is a delicate affair, meticulously crafted and adept at pick pocketing your attention. The musicianship may be rather hushed but it is notable and the culmination of brass and distant glockenspiel is very pretty. Folks deserving of your attention. KD

Noah And The Whale - 2 Bodies 1 Heart

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Buy Songs: Noah And The Whale
Year: 2008

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

New Zealand eh, land of supernatural beauty and extremely friendly people. For a bit they punched above their weight in the music department as well by way of a certain Flying Nun. Not so much recently although the Ruby Suns (they used to be called something else) could have something to say about all that if first impressions of their newbie ‘Sea Lion’ is anything to go by. Funny then that much of what appears from the creative orifices of the Ruby Suns can be traced back to a different continent altogether. Yep, ‘Sea Lion’ could yet become an indie ‘Graceland’ for the noughties. There are plenty of shades on this one though, like the coolly detached grace of ‘There Are Birds’. Imagine Beach House were they to have at least one cup of coffee and you’ll get the gist. Flights of fancy don’t often come as well plumaged as this beaut. KD

The Ruby Suns - There Are Birds

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More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: The Ruby Suns
Year: 2008

I’m not sure I ever got a true velvet soft sound from any of the 100’s of cassettes I bought in the mid to late 80’s. Hiss was king you see and even if you could overlook that reptile type tendency you were forever at the behest of the dreaded chew gods. Thank the lord for slowly turning pencils is all I’ll say. Funny then that whenever I ever played ‘Dream Kitchen’ by Frazier Chorus I forgot about all the annoyances inherent in spooled tape. It may have only reached 57 in the UK charts but in the late eighties ‘Dream Kitchen’ sounded like the future. The Brighton based act were led by Tim Freeman (brother of actor Martin Freeman from the Office) and managed ever so well without ever resorting to a guitar or drums. They were signed to 4AD in what would have seemed a logical partnership but curiously the union was short-lived. KD

Frazier Chorus - Dream Kitchen

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More Info: Wiki
Buy Songs: Frazier Chorus
Year: 1989