Here is a slight but entertaining ditty from Menomena’s drummer Danny Seim. The song is taken from last year’s ‘Your Anchor’, an album he recorded and mastered from the comfort (or lackthereof) of his basement apartment in Portland. Remarkably it was his 9th LP and the first one to be released with any great deal of fanfare. ‘Last November’ is really well put together; it’s constituent parts gelling to form a pleasant whole. Seim’s languid vocals are in marked contrast with the twinkling riffs and elastic beats. KD

Lackthereof - Last November

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

Venice is Sinking have gone and done it again and crafted a record of deep emotional resonance. It’s called ‘Azar’ (out March 30th, thanks Daniel for letting us post this song) and has been incubating for a couple of the years (their debut 'Sorry About The Flowers' came out in 2006). The one thing that struck me about the record was how instrumental it sounded. Even when the gorgeous vocals appear they seamlessly slot into the slowly forming quilt of foraging soundscapes. As you’d expect from VIS there are moments of heart stopping beauty like ‘Wetlands Dancehall’, ‘Young Master Sunshine’ and ‘Iron Range’. The latter is completely devastating, I listen and it feels like someone has run a tiny sprinkle of freezing water down my back and for some reason my head responds by pulsing in the weirdest of ways. This level of artistry doesn’t come from endless practise; this is the work of a group of individuals destined to make grown men cry. If this blog gave ratings then ‘Azar’ would probably be awarded a perfect 10. On this sort of form Venice Is Sinking have the potential to become the best ever band to emerge from Athens, Georgia. KD

Venice Is Sinking - Iron Range

Watch The Video To Pulaski Heights

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: Venice is Sinking
Year: 2009

It was a piece of unswerving beauty from a Glaswegian band who had shown promise but never on this level. The album appeared at the turn of the century and was suitably epic in its approach. It was bedecked in grand gestures (Dave Fridmann produced), lush string sections and gorgeous boy/girl vocals. Neither Emma Pollock nor Alun Woodward would ever repeat the magic (later albums were still pretty impressive) and it’s understandable because ‘The Great Eastern’ had 10 faultless tracks. Opening number ‘The Past That Suits You Best’ needs to be tamed but it will eventually pull you in. The emotion is tangible with the uneven tempo playing dangerous games with your heart. Sometimes it makes me tear up when the strings kick in at the end. And on another Delgados thread, has there ever been a sweeter song recorded than 'Everything Goes Around The Water'? See a link for the video below and prepare to swoon. KD

The Delgados - The Past That Suits You Best

Watch The Video To Everything Goes Around The Water

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: The Delgados
Year: 2000

Who’d have thought it, the Killers doing their best Frank & Walter’s impression and hey presto they’re back riding high in the charts. Probably unlikely but when I happened upon ‘Human’ all I could think of was Cork’s finest and their splendidly turned out indie stompers. The inspiration may have leaked from the good ship F&W a few years back but you can’t knock their live incarnation which continually gives those of us in the sunset of our youth reasons to be cheerful. ‘You Asked Me’ turned up on the odd and ends collection ‘Souvenirs’ in 2005 and is the sort of jaunty affair the threesome (albeit now reconfigured) were best known for when they were getting singles-of-the-week in famous UK publications. Perhaps someone impressionable was reading intently in faraway Las Vegas. KD

The Frank & Walters - You Asked Me

Watch The Video To Fashion Crisis Hits New York

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: The Frank & Walters
Year: 2005

Notably bad name aside this could be the year that Monaghan (via SEA) band Sanzkrit make good on the early promise shown on their debut EP of a couple years ago. ‘Futila’ is memorable for a number of reasons, mainly because it sounds raw, like what might have appeared on a first take. It wears its blemishes proudly which ultimately gives the tune an even more heartwarming quality. This could be epic live as the guitars shimmering EITS edge are counterbalanced by Dave Marron’s holler. All told it’s a fine achievement and should mean that ‘After The Wedding’ gets plenty of attention when it drops in September. KD

Sanzkrit - Futila

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: Sanzkrit
Year: 2006

I like me head swirls and this Texan outfit are giving a near perfect rendition of one just about now. ‘A Finch That Flew Beyond The Sky’ is taken from their debut ‘In The EP’ and distinguishes itself by not being like a song at all. Instead it positions itself as an absorbing swell of soothing sounds that gently rub off each other without ever hanging around for long enough for it to be construed as unfit for young ears. This should be emailed to the association of relaxation room proprietors who would on discovering the piece kick the endlessly looping underwater mammal recordings to touch. Such a non-linear tune has no right to be this delightfully fluid but Treebends pull it off with aplomb. If you look in the right places you can legally download this gem of an EP for free. KD

Treebends - A Finch That Flew Beyond The Sky

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

I can see the headlines now ‘DDD in proper song sellout’, well not really but ‘I Smell The Blood’ has enough sweet coefficients to at least merit an errant glance from Larry Gogan’s ear lobe. Of course, Bobby being Bobby, the tasty forward momentum of the early manoeuvres is quickly swept under a carpet of blind alleys, creative cul-de-sac’s and general lo-fism by the finish. Wouldn’t have it any other way mind as this boy is destined to do something that will move a lot of people some time soon. With his unparalleled workrate this song is actually taken from 3 releases ago even though ‘Luanqibazao’ only came out at the end of September. God knows how current EP ‘Yykes Basket’ sounds, perhaps he’s already grabbed Snow Patrol’s copyright on cigarette lighter anthems by the nuts. The possibilities seem endless. KD

Dublin Duck Dispensary - I Smell The Blood

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: Dublin Duck Dispensary
Year: 2008

Is there anything more thrilling in music than a band at the height of their creative powers going at it at full pelt? Probably not or perhaps you just prefer the new U2 record. That dig was carefully aimed for a reason as ‘88’ reminds me of them circa their debut (‘Things To Make And Do’) when incendiary was all they knew. Return To Sender come from much further away and operate as a 3-piece. They’ve suffered a fair few slings and arrows along the way but these experiences seem to have manifested themselves positively in their glorious assaults of white noise. ‘88’ is the opener from their latest album ‘The Grand Exposure’ and is an example of artful velocity put to music. As Mr. Vox might say, magnificent. KD

Return To Sender - 88

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: Return To Sender
Year: 2008

Bon Iver went to the woods and much salivation ensued. Bored the pants off me so instead I’ll use the occasion to concentrate on a group called the Rest that did the same thing and came back bearing songs akin to fruit trees heaving with ripe produce. You can hear them on the Ontario band’s upcoming second album called ‘Everyone All At Once’. If you are partial to soulful anthemic indie then this album will fuel your base desires. This is the (almost) title track and dishes the goosebumps with carefree abandonment, slipping in and out of epic grandeur while cosying up to your tender side during the introspective moments. On this evidence Adam Bentley and gang can truly walk on water, they even wrote a song chronicling their experiences. KD

The Rest - Everything All At Once

Watch The Video To Modern Time Travel

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

According to the all-knowing wikipedia Michael Zapruder is the music curator for Pandora. Not sure what that means but I’d say it makes him a few sheckles if his records don’t sell. The funny thing is they can’t help but shift when they’re dotted with perky little numbers like ‘Ads For Feelings’. This is a mostly slow cooked composition but comes complete with so many wondrous ingredients it ends up sounding more epic than it actually is. And Zapruder sees fit to include this little retro psychedelia turn that a band I used to love from Hull were prone to doing. All told it is a delightful invitation to explore his ‘Dragon Chinese Cocktail Horoscope’ album which arrives (or should that be rearrives?) later this month. KD

Michael Zapruder - Ads For Feelings

Watch The Video

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: Michael Zapruder
Year: 2009

Dreampop, outta Ireland, in 2009, hooray for Sweet Jane and their boy/girl call and responses. ‘Blackboots and Blackhearts’ is so dreamy it might even make you forget about the doom and gloom for a few minutes. It is a marked progression for the band and sees them edge away from their influences and closer to their own unique voice. And what a final destination it could prove to be. We probably won’t have long to wait either as their debut album is due something this year. ‘Blackboots and Blackhearts’ should be a staple on the college radio circuit at this stage but surely it is only a matter of time before all tomorrow’s parties are swaying to their perfect ditties. KD

Sweet Jane - Blackboots & Blackhearts

Watch The Video

More Info: Myspace
Buy Songs: Sweet Jane
Year: 2008

For the longest time Furniture’s ‘Brilliant Mind’ was my favourite song ever. I still remember the thrill of hearing it punctuate the soundtrack to ‘Some Kind of Wonderful’ and thinking it was the coolest thing ever. Was also bemused by the fact that the drummer seemed to use dried spaghetti for drumsticks on TOTP. In my mind ‘Brilliant Mind’ was how Furniture sounded (I’d heard ‘Love Your Shoes’ once on the radio and was transfixed) and nothing would shake that belief until I randomly heard ‘Song For A Doberman’ recently. Taken from their 1990 album ‘Food, Sex and Paranoia’ it featured the vocals of Sally Still (who went on to become a writer for Melody Maker, along with Furniture frontman Jim Irvin) and showed how accomplished and diverse the London band actually were. And we’ve also got to thank various constituents of the band for both Mojo and Transglobal Underground which they dreamed up in the wake of Furniture’s demise. KD

Furniture - Song For A Doberman

Watch The Video To Brilliant Mind

More Info: Wiki
Buy Songs: Furniture
Year: 1990

As far as I can recall this is the first song from Montenegro to appear on mp3hugger. And what a weird and exotic creature it turns out to be courtesy of Kotor’s Snow Creation & Trumpetman. The duo (Denis Balavac and Igor Borozan) are currently recording their debut EP in their home studio but have given us a sneak preview. ‘Winter Story’ is terrifically unique, like something an ogre might record were he into skinny t-shirts and adidas trainers. The talent is palpable because they configure a mood from the subtlest of sounds. And when Balavac sings ‘when I dream’ we all respond in unison ‘we dream about you’. Should be some EP. KD

Snow Creation & Trumpetman - Winter Story

More Info: Official
Buy Songs: Snow Creation & Trumpetman
Year: 2009

Shout Out Out Out Out’s new record is in in in in the shops tomorrow. And I for one am glad to have spent some time in its company. I have a past you see that involved much adoration of the dark dancey forces. It started with Underworld, Orbital and the Aphex Twin and for a while trance really took hold (I make no apologies, ‘Madagascar’ rocked my world). I quickly learned that the dance fraternity are a snobbish lot (much like ourselves in some respects) and that IDM is where it is at for them. Anyway, if I was to categorise this Edmonton lot that’s where I’d put them because you don’t have to be on something to be whisked to a higher state of consciousness when their deep layered synth’s kick in. The new album ‘Reintegration Time’ tips its hat to Kraftwerk, Jean Michel Jarre, several 80’s electro popsters and Josh Wink (eeek) but I can’t help feeling that 2009 is going to be the year where they blaze their own trail. Quite simply tracks ‘Guilt Trips Sink Ships’ just give me tickly neck hairs and I really wish I hadn’t turned my ankle at football yesterday so I could move to it. Not to stretch something that was probably a poorly executed idea in the first place but this is truly great great great great. KD

Shout Out Out Out Out - Guilt Trips Sink Ships

Watch The Video To Self Loathing Rulz

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: Shout Out Out Out Out
Year: 2009

I checked online and $2 is exactly €1.59, $2 being the exact ticket price for Alice Rose’s second last show in Austin. For their CD launch they increased the admission charge by 50% to $3. Makes you wonder really how things are run on this side of the Atlantic. It was only at that stage that I discovered that the Alice Rose is actually a completely different entity to Alice Rose. The latter is in fact a Danish singer based in Cologne who undertook an ingenious project in early 2007 where she recorded a new tune for 21 consecutive days. Not surprisingly she called the album ’21 Days’ and in an act of symmetry she decided to only release 442 copies to the world. Not sure where ‘A Poem In Slow Motion’ fits into her discography (perhaps there’s a 3rd Alice Rose?) but it a delightful piece of indie pop. KD

Alice Rose - A Poem In Slow Motion

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: Alice Rose
Year: 2007

Now I'll be the first to admit that I'm don't pour over lyrics with the consistency of a Moz ball but Mumblin' Deaf Ro's musical pronouncements seem to me to be worth the effort. I had my epiphany during a MDR gig when I found that against my better judgment I was giggling away at his clever turn of phrase and made up stories that contain more than a grain of truth. So in many ways it's a great thrill to be able to reissue MDR's 'Senor' via indiecater. The album was Ronan Hession's debut release and is stocked full of his signature acoustic led ditties. One of my favourite tracks is 'The Hero Is A Graduate', a simple yet endearing tale that is ever so delicately played. And there are many more where that came from. You can listen to the whole record over on indiecater where you'll also find a nice account from Ronan himself on the history of the piece. KD

Mumblin' Deaf Ro - The Hero Is A Graduate

More Info: Indiecater & Myspace
Buy Songs: Mumblin' Deaf Ro
Year: 2003

Oh I’m really getting nostalgic now. Whenever you see Slowdive appearing on mp3hugger you can be assured that I’m in rose tinted mode. That said, to me at least Slowdive still sound like the most delicious combo imaginable. I never listen to ‘Pygmalion’ (I mean what happened there?) but if I counted up the number of hours I’ve stared at the cover of ‘Souvlaki’ and dreamed about being in the band it could run into dozens. ‘In Mind’ is not really typical Slowdive shoegaze fare but it still boasts the highest calibre dreampop. It arrived via their 1993’s 5EP and didn’t appear on any of their albums. The beats are scattered and the organ drifts enigmatically but as ever Rachel Goswell’s vocals transcend the off-kilter music. Music like this makes me sad and euphoric all at once. KD

Slowdive - In Mind

Watch The Video To Shine

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: Slowdive
Year: 1993

This is from a Galway band that no one ever remembers who were managed by a writer from Hot Press (OT). And they had a video that probably cost about 4p when it was shot on a lonely beach or a stretch of mud that looked like a beach. Said video was as grainy as the truth being peddled by the current Irish Government, awful grainy I think you’ll agree. And you know for all that I truly love it, always have in fact. Perhaps it was because I spent my formative years in the rainiest part of Ireland where discarded umbrella’s make up 90% of household waste. A google search for the Far Canals current whereabouts threw up the inevitable quizzical looks so let’s just say that the Far Canals made an impression and if they are reading I’d just like to say thanks. KD

The Far Canals - Glorious

Year: Early Nineties

It seems that one of Dublin’s finest and most hard working acts are on the verge of breaking up. According to a message on their website Delorentos will record their second album but it will be their last together as a quartet as Ronan is quitting the band. I seem to recall another Irish act coming out with a similiar statement about their yet to be released epitaph called ‘Last Straw’ and we all know what happened in that case. So fans of Nial, Kieran and Ross shouldn’t be reaching for the hankies just yet because if the yet unnamed album successfully builds on ‘In Love With Detail’ certain statements could hopefully be reversed. ‘All This Time’ is one of the bands stellar moments, a sort of Gene hybrid that plays like a wisp of soft wind. KD

Delorentos - All This Time

Watch The Video To Stop

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

This is not really what I usually go for and while I’m still not completely sold on the vocals the instrumentation on ‘One Moments Piece’ is simply too wondrous to pass up. It’s taken from Mike Strallow's second album ‘A Fool From Everyone’ which boasts a clutch of richly textured ditties. It’s probably the classicism in his voice that reminds one of a bevy of legends but the surrounding fuss neutralises any misgivings. And despite the brevity with which ‘One Moments Peace’ is dispatched it nonetheless leaves an indelible impression. So slowly and somewhat surreptitiously this New Yorker inflicts an addiction that is only sated by another of his dextrous guitar turns. Oddly compelling. KD

Mike Bones - One Moments Peace

Watch The Video To What I Have Left

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: Mike Bones
Year: 2008

With the daily dose of economic woe becoming increasingly tiresome it probably makes sense to engage in activities that involve that strange little activity known as having-some-fun. And even if your budget is a shadow of its former self how about spending €8 this Saturday (28 Feb) to spy on three of Ireland’s brighest up and comers. Escape Act, New Amusement and Cashier No.9 are all capable of guitar led anthems as the tunes that follow so ably prove. You’ll also be privy to the fabled Whelan’s disco wherein the faceless DJ spins tunes your Dad not only recognises but is also partial to throwing some awkward simian shapes to (we wouldn’t change it for the world mind). If €8 is too much there is one other alternative as we’ve got a free double pass for the first person to email.


We’ve been on Escape Act’s case for a while now and their debut album continues to dazzle whenever its shuffles into earview. ‘Green’ is a jaunty affair about the hazards of drinking, namely the inevitable painful following day.

Escape Act - Green

More Info: Official


Cashier No.9 are a new one on me but ‘To The Death of Fun’ is hugely impressive. I’m hearing Gomez, but the version before the inspiration increasingly bled from their records. It has cool swagger displaying the svelt morning after vocals of one Daniel Todd.

Cashier No.9 - To The Death of Fun

More Info: Myspace


New Amusement’s progress has been a joy to behold and they are a devastating live act. Listen to the propulsion on ‘Shocks’ and imagine the effect at full pelt in a crowded room, even if their guitars are set to be unplugged for this show.

New Amusement - Shocks

More Info: Myspace

Oh what it would mean for Mogwai to recapture their devastating early form. A time when they played it with passion and a lucid imagination. Their ‘Ten Rapid’ collection is far and away my favourite record by them. It was a pick n’ mix effort of their early singles but it was so infused with the dynamics that defined what a great post rock record should sound like it meant that they’d forever struggle trying to repeat the trick. They’ve come close of course, most notably on ‘Young Team’ and ‘Happy Songs For Happy People’ but more recent efforts have been diluted affairs. ‘Angels Versus Aliens’ displays the Glaswegians ferocity that is often brimmed with melodic invention. It’s noise but not as most would know it. KD

Mogwai - Angels Versus Aliens

Watch The Video To Hunted By A Freak

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: Mogwai
Year: 1996

With a name like that I’d expected a much rawer output but thankfully Infidels have a much softer melodic nouse. This song is almost 4 years old and by the looks of it the NYC band haven’t done an awful lot since. A pity really because ‘Laughing At Yourself’ is a brilliant little tune that holds off on revealing its honeycombed tendencies until we’re practically begging for the climactic chorus. And when it duly arrives it is a beautiful affair, lavishly bedecked in swirling harmonies and a riff that will circle your head like a potty trained buzzard for days on end. KD

Infidels - Laughing At Yourself

More Info: Official
Buy Songs: Infidels
Year: 2005

I know it can be some people’s idea of hell having to listen to endless demos but I love ‘em. In fact I am sometimes disappointed when the polished version arrives, preferring the crackle of spontaneity that the demo process often gives songs. So I hope Ste Guy never loses the rhapsody that so infuses his first demo. Stephen is based in Manchester and has a keen melodic ear. He is a fan of Ennio Morricone and Teenage Fanclub (eclectic boy that he is) and it’s the former that informs ‘I Can Feel It’. Although he has a fine voice he lets his whistling persona take centre stage on this song and the result is an affecting stroll. His knack for coining sweet melodies and memorable riffs are like a breath of fresh air in the oft stagnant spaghetti junction of the indie scene. KD

Ste Guy - I Can Feel It

More Info: Official
Year: 2009

Fancy some indie pop doused in melancholy? Well, let Kentucky’s Broadfield Marchers sate your desires. ‘Rightness of Commands’ is one of 19 numbers from their sophomore of last year ‘The Inevitable Continuing’ and reminds me of several British acts from the early part of the last decade. It’s winsome, jangly and just about the perfect mixtape material I’ve heard in a while. And while the music may be perfect their web presence is appallingly poor which is a real shame because some more attention to detail could net (!) them lots of new fans. KD

The Broadfield Marchers - Rightness of Commands

More Info: Official
Buy Songs: The Broadfield Marchers
Year: 2008

What a strange coincidence. I somehow happened upon a CD mix I put together about 8 years ago and as my head is currently lolloping between flash sleep attacks and throbbing headaches this Swallow track was the one that stuck. Anyway, I did a little research and it transpires that the twin axis of Mike Mason and Louise Trehy are back together again after a decade long hiatus and a new Swallow record called ‘Soft’ is planned for May. I am pretty sure this tune is not called ‘Incapable’ so I'll put it down to tag malfunction. That said I do love it as the instrumentation engenders some early Spiritualised ruminations (Spectrum b-sideism too) which generally has the effect of rocking my heart into submission. KD

Swallow - Incapable

Watch The Video To Oceans and Blue Skies

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: Swallow
Year: 1992

This Scottish collective have already appeared here earlier this year yet I can’t draw myself away from their terrific debut EP ‘A Dance To Half Death’. Somehow they’ve managed to utilise the numerous inputs to create a seamless whole. It is still a big terrace of sound but at no stage does it become a Post Pavilion assault on the senses. And then there are moments that are positively understated like ‘We Walk In The Room’, which you might expect to hear at the coolest Sunday service imaginable. There is a passion at work and some great songwriting to emphasise its authenticity. KD

The Second Hand Marching Band - We Walk In The Room

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: The Second Hand Marching Band
Year: 2009

As far as I can gather Crayonsmith don’t engage with the hipsters, staying on the edge of a Dublin scene that is famous for celebrating itself. It’s an admirable stance and one that has led to a pretty impressive list of support slots (Islands, Jason Lytle, Sparklehorse) down the years both here and in the other 2 major markets. Out On A Limb Records put the bands second album ‘White Wonder’ out early last year and that’s where you’ll find the single ‘Lost In The Forest’. Notable for its lack of pretension this is a piece of electronica just bursting with possibility and engaging creativity. KD

Crayonsmith - Lost In The Forest

Watch The Video

More Info: Official
Buy Songs: Crayonsmith
Year: 2008

They’re back! And this time thankfully they’ve packed the codes to blow our socks off. If like me your socks had been steadfastly stuck to your feet after the last couple of limp efforts masquerading as TOD albums then ‘Isis Unveiled’ may be the antidote because it’s a winner. It’s taken from AYWKUBTTOD’s new album ‘The Century of Self’ and I for one am excited with the prospect of discovering another ‘Relative Ways’ or something even better. ‘Isis Unveiled’ is a colossus of energy, a rampaging torrent of guitars and verbal machine gunnery. And then it goes on a slow funeral descent towards complete darkness before emerging like a stallion rigged up to a tiny nuclear reactor. They’re back and I for one am completely delirious. KD

And You Will Know Us By The Trail of Dead - Isis Unveiled

Watch The Video To Another Morning Stoner

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: And You Will Know Us By the Trail of Dead
Year: 2009

Boise is home to Built To Spill and most of the other bands from that neck of the woods tend play catch up. It easy to see why because Built To Spill really are a classic sort of band, banging out quite brilliant albums to a measurable yet understocked audience. To assess their worth one only has to acknowledge the brilliance of this b-side from their ‘Carry The Zero’ import single. The slacker drift supplied by Doug Martsch’s low slung drawl is hypnotic as are the slide/jangling guitars which make for a perfectly realised instrumental fade out. A million thanks for the heads up to my only friend with a beard who also writes and plays music for the best indie pop band from Idaho. KD

Built To Spill - Now and Then

Watch The Video To Twin Falls

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: Built To Spill
Year: 1999

Last time we looked these 2 Chicago DJ’s were making a great fist of mashing Sigur Ros and Twista into a compromising position. It worked and almost 3 years on the pair are creating their own sounds from scratch (!) via their forthcoming LP ‘Big Bills’. This is the title track or rather the boys own power house remix of it. And what a super-styler it is too, a potentially gynormous dancefloor hit in the making with an intelligence to appeal to the less nocturnal as well (the vocals of Caroline Polachek are particulary alluring). Apparently MTV have taken the video to heart which means our 2 slims could soon be giving guided tours of their cribs to an adoring public. Hardly overnight stars then but ones we've got great time for. KD

Flosstradamus - Big Bills

Watch The Video

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: Flosstradamus
Year: 2009

A new Camera Obscura record is something to celebrate, so pop open the sparkling wine because ‘My Maudlin Career’ is on the way in April. And to heighten the anticipation the band are giving the title track away for free. It’s no Lloyd (that'll be first single 'French Navy') but it’s still a pretty little thing with the lilting instrumentation sounding almost as enticing as Tracyanne Campbell’s tender vocals. The band recently signed to 4AD and are down to play SXSW later this Spring so let’s hope 2009 is the year that finally catapults their gorgeous indie pop nuggets skywards. KD

Camera Obscura - My Maudlin Career

Watch The Video To Lloyd I'm Ready To Be Heartbroken

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: Camera Obscura
Year: 2009

I probably go on a bit about the music we are reissuing on our sister label Indiecater so may I apologise for the rampant effusiveness that follows. I am literally jumping up and down with excitement with the reissue of one of my favourite records ever 'The Language of Everyday Life' from Dublin's In Motion. Not sure exactly how I found this record back in 1994 (there was only one thousand copies released, both of mine are stored in a fireproof cabinet) but I'd just moved to the metropolis at the time and was pretty much glassy eyed with how exciting the place was. No Disco were mad about the band with 'Hollow Blow' appearing on pretty much every show and despite its hazy visuals nothing could distract from the heart stopping music. Over the years I've returned to the album and each time I find a new centrepiece (at the moment it's 'Five and Twenty Thousand Miles') but there's no denying the power and immediacy of 'Hollow Blow'. The 'Language of Everyday Life' is selling for 4 euro on indiecater and courtesy of the band we've also bundled in 2 wonderful non album tracks as part of the package. Those of a certain stock will read Liam Ryan's illuminating walk through a very exciting time on the Dublin music scene with tears in their eyes. KD

In Motion - Hollow Blow

Watch The Video For Hollow Blow (a little bit)

More Info: In Motion
Buy Songs: In Motion
Year: 1994/2009

I can’t help thinking that this sounds like October era U2. And that’s a compliment believe me especially when ‘Albatross’ starts to go all And You Will Know Us By The Trail of Dead about half way through. This is a strange and welcome turn for the San Francisco band who’ve already spoilt us on their debut the ‘Lacuna’ EP (the lead song, 'We've Been Waiting For You', appeared on our first compilation). ‘Albatross’ is an absolute epic, mostly instrumental and full of interesting ideas that vie for you attention. Like the bumbling bass, ragged beats or the searing riffs that are only partially blunted by the distant celestial vocals. This is remarkable stuff and it can be found on the split ‘Wedding’ EP Empty Rooms have done with another SF band they have close ties with called Finest Dearest. KD

Empty Rooms - Albatross

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: Empty Rooms/Finest Dearest
Year: 2009

This will suck you in on the very first listen and with good reason given the day today. God knows how loveable it will be after the tenth one but for now I as happy as a june bride. Miniature Tigers are a relatively new proposition, springing from the concrete deserts of Arizona. Charlie Brand writes the tunes that have a spring in their step and a glint in their eye. ‘Cannibal Queen’ is the proof, spinning deliciously on its own honeyed axis. There are no unexpected turns but when a chorus like this comes along you’ve just got to sit back and bask in its slipstream. It’s taken from Miniature Tigers debut ‘Tell It To The Volcano’ which is out now on Modern Art Records. KD

Miniature Tigers - Cannibal Queen

Watch The Video

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: Miniature Tigers
Year: 2008

You must have heard of the Brian Jonestown Massacre, that twisted psychedelic pop group that world cruelly continues to shun? Well here is one of their former guitarists and his band the Lovetones. The Lovetones have been about since the early noughties and ‘Journeyman’ is the lead single from their 4th album ‘Dimensions’. It’s a jangling delight with chords set to Byrdsian like templates (with a retro heel turned in the direction of the La’s). Matthew J Tow’s vocals are no slouches either providing an able foil for the chime filled instrumentation. This is big, bold and only slightly obvious which means it should be consumed wherever good music is appreciated. KD

The Lovetones - Journeyman

Watch The Video Everybody Hides Away

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: The Lovetones
Year: 2009

Burning Hearts could soon be breaking them such is the effervescence of their recordings. Made up of fragments from 2 other acts the Finnish duo have made an uncomplicated indie pop gem in ‘Aloa Sleeping’, their debut album. ‘Iris’ just bursts with masterful indie pop nuances and is typical of the delights strewn across the album. If you’d like in on the action we’ve got 3 signed copies of ‘Aloa Sleeping’ up for grabs, courtesy of the swoonsome Shelflife Records, so get in touch if you’d like one.

Update: Congrats Todd, Jakob and Rich, CD's on the way!

KD

Burning Hearts - Iris

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: Burning Hearts
Year: 2009

Fabrizio Moretti is the drummer with the Strokes and he is at this very moment in time their most gifted songwriter. The gift of course is not being pursued via his more illustrious pastime but elsewhere on a moonlight shift entitled Little Joy. Little Joy came about after a chance encounter in Lisbon and the end game was a self-titled debut that appeared at the tailend of last year. It’s a good story and the music is just as wide-eyed and refreshing, tropical even in ‘No One's Better Sake’ case (oh no it’s reggae, oh no it isn’t!). Rodrigo Amarante owns the vocal, velvet or what? If ever there was a band selling itself short in the name stakes it is this one. KD

Little Joy - No One's Better Sake

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Buy Songs: Little Joy
Year: 2008

‘Everything is Green’ is about as pastoral and soothing as a song can get. It comes from Brooklyn outfit the Essex Green who’ve done the rounds on several labels of note (Elephant 6, Merge and Kindercore). It’s easy to see the attraction as the groups airy harmonies really are a thing of beauty. This song was the title track from their 1999 debut and is marked by the beautiful soft rolling vocals that recall the Mamas and the Papas. Given the classic nature of their sound it seems a bit bewildering that the band haven’t infiltrated the masses. KD

The Essex Green - Everything Is Green

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: The Essex Green
Year: 1999

What about this lolloping epic to get you out of bed on a Monday morning? It comes courtesy of Fridge and given the unseasonable weather it seems all the more appropriate that their scattershot approach should be now spiking our ears. Fridge are more or less dormant having let their side projects take precedent (Kieran Hebden of Fourtet being the most famous of their alumni). ‘Astrozero’ is one of 18 tracks taken from the 1998 retrospective ‘Sevens and Twelves’ that gathered the bands early singles together and now it is more or less been given the re-release treatment courtesy of Temporary Residence. Despite the early diametric forces ‘Astrozero’ does eventually pull all the strands together into a focused and memorable post rock assembly. KD

Fridge - Astrozero

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Buy Songs: Fridge
Year: 1998

This has that MGMT hook, you know the one where the song might fall on its arse were it not for that memorable synth line. The Toronto duo of Ethan Kath and Alice Glass tend to shift from one minor skirmish to the next and in the process swell their army of devotees. Said army tends to be of the rabidly youthful and skin obsessed kind yet it’s easy to see the attraction when the goodies shimmy as fluidly as on ‘Vanished’. Funny that because their parents probably have one ear trained on the goings on such is its peculiarly retro vibe. A definite case of history repeating but this time with much cooler haircuts. KD

Crystal Castles - Vanished

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Buy Songs: Crystal Castles
Year: 2008

Desolation Wilderness is a destination for backpackers to go and find themselves. In many ways given the bare yet enthralling noise of this Olympia band the region could now have its own branded soundtrack. For Desolation Wilderness don’t get caught up in padding out their music and in many ways theirs is a successful stateside take on the Clientele (with several parts Luna). This means that there are abundant languid melodies and hooks strewn around their album of late last year ‘White Strobe Lighting’. ‘Come Over In Your Silver Car’ may be as tranquil and lonely as the dawn but you can’t beat the reassurance that the long cold night is about to end. KD

Desolation Wilderness - Come Over In Your Silver Car

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More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: Desolation Wilderness
Year: 2008

Given that one of our favourite blogs comes from Mexico it is probably a bit remiss of us not to not feature more bands from that neck of the woods. Well, Hello Seahorse! are here to redress that particular anomaly. And what better way to introduce them than with this freight train of a song. If you’ve already claimed School of Seven Bells as your own well here is a dishy companion piece. It’s taken from the bands ‘Hoy A Las Ocho’ album of last year which has some lovely contrasting styles going on. I’d put this in the electronica arena yet Hello Seahorse! are equally adept at pulling some lovely indiepop faces. Good to see they haven’t sacrificed their native tongue and in ‘Universo 2’ the effect gives the piece an even greater ethereal quality. KD

Hello Seahorse! - Universo 2

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More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: Hello Seahorse!
Year: 2008

I was a little surprised to read about the arrival of a new monthly club in the Academy called Freaky Dancin’ based around the sounds of the Madchester scene. The club will run on the last Friday of every month and the launch will have none other than Tom Hingley of the Inspiral Carpets spinning the baggy anthems. Much as I adore that scene I just can’t see it sustaining a regular club. I mean how many times can you listen to ‘Kinky Afro’ or ‘Waterfall’ before the law of diminishing returns kicks in. I guess Whelan’s have survived on that particular diet for nearly 2 decades now and if the folks at Freaky Dancin’ could pull out some of the lost classics like this one from the Wendys they might actually be onto something. I may even dust off a pair of Joe Bloggs for the occasion. KD

The Wendys - Pulling My Fingers Off

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Buy Album: [UK] Gobbledygook [US] Gobbledygook
Year: 1991

Fanfarlo may be from London but met while hiding in a forest during a wintry outburst. Every time we look they appear to be making the sort of music that quickly has us swooning. ‘I’m A Pilot’ continues their impressive progression even if it sounds (initially at least) like a retread through the same snow (slightly more crystallised) that Sigur Ros used circa Glósóli. This time the Fanfarlo sound is augmented by strings so as well as boasting the best choruses in indiedom they now have the grandeur to impress your normally less than impressed friends. All told it’s a super precursor to the bands upcoming debut album ‘Reservoir’ which will be available from their website in the next few weeks. Now they've got the pilot watch them skyrocket. KD

Fanfarlo - I'm A Pilot

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More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: Fanfarlo
Year: 2009

Back in mid 1990’s I happened across an electronic compilation called the Trans Siberian Express, which I liked a great deal. It was made up of mostly unknown twiddlers, although on mature recollection I think Aphex Twin was in there somewhere. If such compilations were still doing the rounds (they could be I suppose, I haven’t checked) these 2 tunes would be absolute bankers. There is giddiness at work that I just adore. In truth nothing too substantial happens but they play like those non-single tracks in Orbital’s mid-career albums used to, background music to lighten the load of the daily slog. Throcke is Brooklyn based Chris Carson who is giving his album (the fabulously titled) ‘Sometimes Not Unpointful’ away for free. It is an auspicious introduction and I for one can’t wait for Throcke’s next move. KD

Throcke - Matriculate Yo

Throcke - Yes, Inform

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Get Songs: Throcke
Year: 2008

It had to happen sometime. Our indiecater label has been on the go for over 6 months but we’ve yet to put out something that we could truly call our own. Well, we’ve set the record (!) straight with the release of the Very Most’s ‘Spring’ EP. We can’t think of a better band with which to announce ourselves as a purveyor of fresh new music. We’ve been fans of the Idaho band ever since we clasped ears on the sweet melodies that flowed from their sophomore ‘Congratulations Forever’. Getting to work with them was initially a grand aspiration but as indiecater started to sprout roots it slowly became a reality. The ‘Spring’ EP is part 1 of a 4 part series entitled ‘A Year With The Very Most’. Each seasonally adjusted digital release will have a quartet of melodious gems and will retail for a pocket friendly €2.50. We’re even giving a track away for free. And what a honeycombed piece of audio ‘April Is The Kindest Month’ is. So even though the recession might be bringing us all back down to earth the Very Most will be endeavouring to keep our heads firmly positioned in the silver lined clouds. Special thanks to Jedrzej for his photos which adorn the EP's artwork. KD

The Very Most - April Is The Kindest Month

More Info: Indiecater & The Very Most
Buy Songs: The Very Most
Year: 2009

Cute is what they aim for and on ‘The Hollow’ they pretty much succeed. Self-released by Charlie Crimando and Stephen Kemsley Aviary Ghost’s debut album was conceived in a small cold place over a number of years. Despite the sub zeroness the duo still produced ET’s bleeting heart as audio. ‘The Hollow’ is premium advert material because it is blessed with a sincere outlook, a dual paced progression and alarmingly good production values. At the very least it should form one of the thousand sonic microbes that go to make up the body of your music collection. If you look in the right places you can even scoop their album 'Memory Is A Hallway' for free but where's the fun in that? KD

Aviary Ghost - The Hollow

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More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: Aviary Ghost
Year: 2008