Try this out on some decent earphones and prepare to be teleported to the sunshine stereophonics of the Dedrick family (aka the Free Design). ‘Love You’ has been snapped up by at least half a dozen contemporary adverts and it’s hard to argue with their decision given its downright perfect harmonies. Although the band released an album in 2001 the vast majority of their back catalogue was released in the late 60’s/early 70’s and it is from that era that this piece of adorability was created. The Free Design were a commercial flop despite harmonies like angel delight and a template that smoothed the rounded angles of the Carpenters. It this doesn’t get you the girl it might be time to change your aftershave. KD

The Free Design - Love You

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: The Free Design
Year: 2009

Health had evaded my affections for the longest time but I was finally persuaded by the video for this song. This is so Curve it could almost be a cover of one of that bands industrial tailored shoetronic classics from the nineties. Health are a entirely newer proposition however and come from L.A., or more specifically the DIY scene that conducts its business around the Smell venue in the city. ‘Die Slow’ (from this year’s ‘Get Color’) is initially abrasive but the circular dynamics and faded vocals finally create an impressive polished stain in the fog. This is a very clever invocation of history. KD

Health - Die Slow

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

About half way through the Very Most’s version of ‘Away In A Manger’ you will hear a curious sound. It is that of the Doucaine (instrument) which we are reliably informed has only ever made it onto 3 recorded pieces of music before now. But that’s just the start of the charm contained in this rendition of the perennially favourite. Save for the words you’ll hardly recognise the original as the Very Most have lent such an air of jollity to proceedings it may even come across as a brand new standard for the season. ‘Away In A Manager’ is one of 3 festive tracks to be found on the ‘Winter’ EP which marks the concluding part of the Very Most’s ‘A Year With The Very Most’ project. The EP is available to buy from Indiecater for the scrooge like price of €2. KD

The Very Most - Away In A Manger

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: The Very Most
Year: 2009

I seem to remember JJ72 taking some flack from certain quarters for having that slow/fast dynamic and a lead singer with a voice that could manage a decent falsetto. In other words they had deviated from the staple configuration that had fuelled Irish bands for generations. Let’s hope we have all moved on from that and the Dirty 9s are acclaimed for the bright sparks that they are. ‘Lucky Opus’, their first ever single, is released this Friday and what a luminous nugget it turns out to be. And for all that it starts off quite underwhelmingly but the early lull is quickly replaced by a warhead fuelled by raging guitars/vocals. Whelan’s, prepare for the inevitable invasion of Dirty 9s t-shirt wearing kids with the moshpit on their minds. November swimmers choosing to do it freestyle. KD

The Dirty 9s - Lucy Opus

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: The Dirty 9s
Year: 2009

If they make a song as perfect as ‘Fire Escape’ again then they’ll truly enter the pantheon of the greats. Yep, for exactly 180 seconds this London act turned sonic alchemists with that particular pot of indie gold. There are incredible near misses scattered all over their debut album ‘Reservoir’ which came out earlier this year. This is one, an epic in the body of a 4-minuter it creates the tinder for another great arcade fire and towards the end it becomes an altogether impressive blaze. The subject is of a man for whom flying saucers were a reason to get up in the morning. Not your average boy meet girls theme then, nope Fanfarlo have the bigger picture in mind and thankfully can supply an impressive canvas each time. KD

Fanfarlo - Harold T. Wilkins, Or How To Wait For A Very Long Time

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

Idlewild used to be very loud, they also used to be very good. At least until commerciality (as opposed to Roseability) stole their imagination and mushed it into a digestible-for-mass-consumption pulp. Along with ‘Is This It?’, ‘100 Broken Windows’ (the bands sophomore) soundtracked our 15 month trip around the world. The former for that most obvious of reasons, it being the incessant torrent of incandescent tuneage. ‘100 Broken Windows’ had a different tact, its huge swathes of violent guitar noise were on the closer inspection home to the cuddliest of sweet melodies. They were there on every tune, hidden in the crevices, extending a soft welcoming embrace. We were smitten which makes their later defunct works so utterly objectionable. A great band which took the carrot and completely lost their sight, what they'd give for a one idea track now. KD

Idlewild - Idea Track

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: Idlewild
Year: 2000

Because I couldn’t give a fiddlers for those who say it comes earlier every year (2000+, given that logic it should be all year round at this stage) but mostly because along with the Doucaine (all will be revealed on Monday week) the Singing Saw is my favourite new (old) instrument. You will know Julian Koster from the Music Tapes and Neutral Milk Hotel but he has a particular affection for the wood slicer come vibrating instrument come where did that index finger disappear to. KD

Julian Koster - Jingle Bells

More Info: Official
Buy Songs: Julian Koster Never Bleeds
Year: 2008

It turns out that the Jason Reece of Midnight Masses is the self same Jason who wrote one of the best albums this century (‘Source Tags & Codes’ if you must know). While his main band continue to freefall after that epic high there are grounds for optimism given the early movements of this supergroup of sorts (Here We Go Magic, TV On The Radio members also contribute). This is the closest thing I’ve heard to mount a serious challenge to the utter redemptive bleakness of that Late Cord record from 2006. ‘Walk On Water’ is the sound of the undead discussing the merits of purgatory before realising that like or not they are stuck there for eternity. Lucky us if they continue their wonderful dialogue. Even the drunks at the back will bow to this sublime artistry. KD

Midnight Masses - Walk On Water

More Info: Official
Buy Songs: Midnight Masses
Year: 2009

It’s been a while since we’ve featured a Labrador band on mp3hugger but thankfully the new Mary Onettes album ‘Islands’ means that wrong can now be righted. And like many things from that label POP seems to be the operative word. Or more precisely POP music that emerged from the dayglo ‘80’s, because ‘Puzzles’ triggers a hotch potch of memories, among them OMD, Erasure, T’pau, Fiction Factory and quite bizarrely the more recent phenomenon that is the Frank and Walters. While it lacks the chiselled chorus of their classic ‘Lost’ it nonetheless shoulder pads with epic production values and leg warms with a gloriously grand ambition. Proof if it were needed that real bands still stalk the underground. KD

The Mary Onettes - Puzzles

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: The Mary Onettes
Year: 2009

It’s creeping closer, the shop tills are beginning to ring and fairy lights will soon be adorning every dwelling in the city. Yep, don’t you just love the build up to Christmas? This year is going to be a bit more exciting than usual for us. Not only is baby hugger on the way (3 weeks time), a new house to move into (1 day shy of 3 weeks) but we are holding our first ever Indiecater gig in Whelan’s in the middle of December. We’ve invited 3 special acts for the occasion. Irish audiences should know the Ambience Affair and Storkboy Choons but our main act is travelling all the way from the good oul United States of America to be with us on the 12th. They are of course called the Very Most, a band who have spent more time in mp3hugger’s ears than any other act these past few years. Hard to resist their pristine melodies, charm and downright way with an indie pop tune so it seems sorta right that they should be releasing their brand new album on the occasion of the inaugural Indiecater night. Tickets are just €8 and are available to buy from the indiecater site right now. We promise it’ll be more headnod than eggnog. KD

This Year, Christmas Came November 4th

Watch The Video For Good Fight Fighting

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

Ok, this is more than a little odd (I’ll stop short of saying it is scary even if it is the scariest night of the year); a band in 2009 without a website or a myspace page. Yep, despite at least 8 seconds scouring google for all its worth it appears as if the Wales' Black Hand Laser Band are cyber virgins. It’s as if someone in authority had told them it was the psychedelic sixties and info that resides on non-geographically defined locations was only for those with mind-altering tendencies. The lack of info although mildly annoying hardly detracts from the vast open sound of ‘The Open Hour’. Right from Dracula’s organ to the beautifully paced BJM momentum Black Hand Laser Band display enough creativity to have their very own wiki page assembled in their honour some time soon. Be ghoul. KD

Black Hand Laser Band - The Witching Hour

More Info: A Tiny Severed Pinky Worth Of Info

This is so Mew the Danish lads should be calling up to nearby Oslo to pick up their royalties. But as Mew’s current album is scaring me from their door (and this despite ‘And The Glass Handed Kites’ being by some distance my favourite album of 2005) I have instead become utterly consumed by another Scandinavian beauty. ‘White Shade’ is taken from last years ‘Lake Toba’ record and specialises in peculiarity. There are elements of at least half a dozen different songs here but the patchwork somehow manages to sound a convincing whole. The only pity is that it is so short, there’s acres of background to be coloured but instead the quartet choose to extenuate the illusion. KD

Lukestar - White Shade

Watch The Video

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

Crikey, it must be at least 2 weeks since we’ve had a Brooklyn band on here. How feckin’ remiss of me, apologies to the epicentre of cooldom, I shall try and rectify the error of my ways by introducing the Subjects to you all. ‘Winter Vacation’ (appearing appropriately enough on the darkest Monday in Ireland for yonks) is a tropical delight, feature an off-centre shuffle and all manner of colourful moving parts. It’s taken from the band’s latest EP (‘New Soft Shoe’) and is certain to be propping up the bar in our Top 42 songs of the year (appearing here in a few weeks). The Subjects are most probably so called because they were once 2 teachers and 2 students (at the same time) who decided the chemistry was sufficient to form an indie pop engine. Their instincts were sound as ‘Winter Vacation’ is perfection. KD

The Subjects - Winter Vacation

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

It’s been a long time since I’ve felt so taken by an album. Back as far as ‘Funeral’ I’d say. You know one of those LP’s where every track is vital, where turning it off midway through would feel wholly disrespectful. The love affair began in early summer when Ryan Hover of Candy Claws got in touch asking if we’d take a listen to his album ‘In The Dream of The Sea Life’. From the off we were awestruck and that feeling has if anything blossomed. The album bubbles with melodic creativity, the thrills mature wonderfully and the shivers I’m now feeling aren’t swine flu but the euphoria of listening to one of the most remarkable albums of the decade. ‘Lantern Fish’ should sway your thinking but listening to all 10 cuts on indiecater might just also kidnap your affections. KD

Candy Claws - Lantern Fish

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: Candy Claws
Year: 2009

The pristine jangle swooped high above the unedifying brouhaha that about a dozen open browsers tend to create. As you can imagine it took some time to find the source but 11 closed windows later and the instrumental gold had revealed itself to be the soundtrack to a promo for an Irish recording studio. Several emails/texts ensued and before long the mp3 was in hand (or more precisely in ear) and once again causing lump in throat moments. ‘Rise Fore The Human Race’ stirs up something inside of me, it has a fluid delivery and the fact that it is an instrumental hardly seems to matter as the music speaks volumes. A couple of seconds was all it took to steal my affection but it will remain in the upper echelons of the library of music I turn to time and again. Thanks to Ryan from Shiversaint and Dermot from Ashtown Studios for making this happen. KD

Shiversaint - Rise For The Human Race

More Info: Official
Buy Songs: Shiversaint
Year: 2008

Just another in the long list of bands who couldn’t think of a name for themselves and decided to turn on the telly for inspiration. The Boston Celtics picked the sports news for their eureka moment and somehow it fits as they are confirmed basket cases. ‘Send It Out (That Way)’ is more than a little creepy (the band have a Halloween compilation for free download on their myspace), as if the duo had climbed into a vat of treacle with a poltergeist and forgot to turn off the 8-track. It’s a delicate shuffle really, pockmarked by witty asides and misadventures that are cuter than they are cloying. They are planning a Christmas song for us so I better be very nice to them from now on. KD

The Boston Celtics - Send It Out (That Way)


More Info: Official
Buy Songs: The Boston Celtics
Year: 2009

Guess there was little point in mourning the death of shoegaze all those years ago when in truth it has continued to thrive in darkened tiny pockets on both sides of the water. The Pains of Being Young At Heart, Mew and M83 have refocused things of late proving that all the doubters were shortsighted after all. Away from the main stage there are even more thrills to be had (if you have not fallen for A Sunny Day In Glasgow or our own South Ambulance you are missing out) like the softly focused Floridians Starring Me who have just released their new 7-track CD ‘Parallels Are Endless’. This is the title track, which manages to conceal its offbeat tendencies in the icing of a tender piece of dreampop cake. KD

Starring Me - Parallels Are Endless

More Info: Official
Buy Songs: Starring Me
Year: 2008

You’ll be hearing a lot more about these Dublin lads (or ladies?) sometime very soon but not from me because I know about as much as you. Yep, despite glazing over every visible particle of their myspace I cannot glean a single fact apart from an impression that they have a certain sense of humour (how come I’ve never heard that Inisman joke before?). But lackage of factoids aside Alphamono are an act to celebrate, someone to challenge the emerald electronic crown currently residing at the Dying Seconds residence. And this was achieved with a tune that is liberal in its use of the vocoder (it was never the same after Cher took her perm to it). But ‘Laynod’ has something, a spark, a heart, a personality that indicates that creativity is stirring. Turns out indications were correct as I’ve already heard ‘Fanfaidh Me’ and it’s rekindling my love for nicely turned out chilled up bleeps. KD

Alphamono - Laynod

Watch The Video To Fanfaidh Me

More Info: Official
Buy Songs: Alphamono
Year: 2009

Exclamation points in a band’s name doesn’t necessarily make the music they create any more interesting, if anything it’s a pain for those of us onliners not familiar with the shift key. But, allowances will definitely be awarded for acts from my home town especially when they ditch the fiddle for some decent electronics and traditional indie sensibilities. C!ties debut self-titled EP is not perfect by any stretch of the imagination but is populated with enough ideas to point to an act with oodles of potential. The ‘C!ties’ EP casts its net far and wide, is loud in places, tender in others and downright unclassifiable elsewhere. ‘!’ is by far my favourite moment, not going anywhere in particular it would have made a most wonderful audio interlude on No Disco if that ship were still sailing. Sorta like Super Extra Bonus Party where they to ditch the superfluous audio widgets. Elsewhere tracks like ‘Satellites’ and ‘4+1=5’ start out wonderfully before somewhat losing their way in a haze of faux drama. This EP is available for free download from the C!ties myspace and with a bit of luck it should soon be knocking the concrete smile off Sharon Shannon’s face. KD

C!ties - !

More Info: Official & Myspace
Download Songs: C!ties
Year: 2009

Not sure quite how some indie music making folks get it on with the opposite sex given the amount of time they spend in their bedrooms twiddling with their computers and laying down chords. That said long may they cluster in the dusty half light if it means pale beings like Ryan Beal (aka Norse Horse) continue to conjure underground magic of this ilk. Norse Horse has some very obvious reference points but his exhaustive repeating electronica and vocals hovering like winter fog does more than enough to distinguish itself from the maddening. ‘Swamp Trotter’ is from his new CDR (and cassette, respect) ‘Secret Geographies’ which is selling for pennies from Family Time Records. The tune travels at a slow canter, hardly moving from its original declaration yet it never feels worn. This norse horse will surely stay the course. KD

Norse Horse - Swamp Trotter

More Info: Official
Buy Songs: Norse Horse
Year: 2009

For those of you old enough to remember a time when you couldn’t rely on a hard drive to preserve the music from your past I understand your pain. Mixtapes for all the accolades are a pain in the reflection stakes, especially if the last time you used a working player Gabriella Sabatina was creating all sorts of dribbles (she subsequently butched up something awful). One song that made a late push for entry onto my Golden Greats (copyright Lawrence Gogan) mixtape came from the Charlatans greatest (and most aged) album ‘Some Friendly’. Back in 1990 ‘The Only One I Know’ was everything (The Stone Roses apart), the hair, the video, the shuffle, the ‘Looking For The Orange One’ t-shirt all infected my life to such a degree I must have been close to intolerable. I remember one Christmas eve playing the album to death in our banger as me and my Dad drove around the markets. By the end he was so brainwashed that almost despite himself he had amassed half a dozen pudding bowls (for DIY mop styling later) and several pairs of chinos (very unbaggy like it must be said) that could have fit a man twice his size. I sniggered, turned on my floppy fringe and promptly tripped on a wind propelled Joe Bloggs trouser leg. Fine times but looking back I wish there had been a digital depositary that I could have used to amass all those songs, instead I’ll have to leaf through several years worth of unlabelled spools. Oh yeah, Tim Burgess looks really silly nowadays. KD

The Charlatans - Believe You Me

More Info: Wiki & Myspace
Buy Songs: Some Friendly
Year: 1990

If this song wasn’t enough I then find out that the Travelling Band are soon to be joined on stage by none other than Dodgy (yep, those self same underrated 90’s rascals). But, back to matters in hand, here is a new band from rainy Manchester with a particularly sunny disposition and not a particularly British sound. ‘Only Waiting’ is stripped of studio fandango yet still packs plenty of punch through some lovely morning after vocals and perfectly pitched instrumentation. Why shout it from the rooftops when you’re hovering majestically over earth in a zeppelin. And they also do a nice understated reworking of one of the highlights from the best album ever released (it’s called ‘Waterfall’). What’s not to like? KD

The Travelling Band - Only Waiting

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: The Travelling Band
Year: 2008

You may have guessed it by now but we’re pretty partial to a good dollop of Princeton (they appeared on our last compilation). So you can imagine the broad smiles when we heard that ‘Cocoon of Love’, the band’s debut, was about to arrive. Yep, with twilight hours appearing earlier and earlier it’s always a good idea to have something from a different age (namely Summer) belting out from the nearest stereo. Tends to frighten the ghouls away and that feeling of regret because we've failed to replace the windows in time for the colder months. ‘Calypso Gold’ is a sprightly cherub, bouncing it’s way through almost 4 minutes without the slightest sense of adulthood. Class acts are made of these. KD

Princeton - Calypso Gold

Watch The Video To Martina and Clive Krantz

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

The crux of this wonderful tune reminds me of something else but I can’t pinpoint it, could be another Italian band. Le Man Avec Les Lunettes come from Brescia and are led by Alessandro Paderno. Prolific set they appear to be too with a great pile of releases put out since they formed over 5 years ago. ‘The Blogger And The Dandy’ appeared on a Series Two compilation from the band called ‘La Belle Epop’ and is a near surreal experience. At times it gets woozy, almost ragged yet the tune that pulls the levers is utterly captivating. I’ve had it on repeat for the last 24 hours and it’s still gently tickling my insides. KD

Le Man Avec Les Lunettes - The Blogger And The Dandy

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: Le Man Avec Les Lunettes
Year: 2008

Gotta pity Autumn, I mean it’s not even mid October and already some of us are beginning to think of evenings by the fire admiring that brightly lit Christmas tree in the corner. Yep, it seems that Winter has a stronger hold on our senses despite the often colourful nature of it’s nearest competitor. Well, perhaps our old friends the Very Most can finally put Autumn on the pedestal it deserves via their new EP of the same name. ‘Autumn’ is TVM’s 3rd release on indiecater in 2009 and the good times just keep rolling. ‘Autumn Air’ is a effervescent indication of the fare on offer with its lush streams of cascading harmonies and intricate vocal interplay. You should know by now that every new Very Most song is something to cherish; they remain the contented person’s most essential indie pop combo. KD

The Very Most - Autumn Air

More Info: Autumn & Myspace
Buy Songs: The Very Most
Year: 2009

The shutter comes down on mp3hugger for 24 hours as another weekend of international football is upon us. This time Ireland face the Italians who only need a point to qualify, a win for us would have them sweating a little in the last round of games next Wednesday (Cyprus you owe us dear). Croker will be full as will most of the supporters given that today is Saturday, kick off is not until 8pm and there is a German beer festival in full swing in the city centre. Fitting then that a random search for football phraseology threw up Oppenheimer and their shiny gem ‘Only Goal And Winner’, this act are the true heirs to the Ash juggernaut which has completely stalled of late (or at least is spluttering uncontrollably). Finger nails, prepare for a right auld seeing to later on. KD

Oppenheimer - Only Goal & Winner

More Info: Myspace
Buy Songs: Oppenheimer
Year: 2008

We could probably all the tell the game was up when Niall absconded and they started using gimmicks like cute girls on keyboards but we all just chose to close our eyes and block our ears and just dream that the most underrated band to emerge from these shores would finally reach the promised land. The return while glorious in its live incarnation never truly ignited in the studio but no matter how many times the Franks shimmer into view smiles are guaranteed to follow. Sigur Ros may have invented their own language but this Cork threesome were there nearly a decade earlier. It was funnier too especially as it spouted from a collection of hairstyles as lavish those found in Africa's largest pride. Here’s a cover of Tone Lōc’s ‘Funky Cold Medina’ that the band released as a b-side on one of their iconic early singles (After All). Despite a suspended official website the F&W are current planning a small tour around wee Scotland. With Christmas coming some dates back home are inevitable. KD

The Frank & Walters - Funky Cold Medina

More Info: UnOfficial & Myspace
Buy Songs: The Frank & Walters
Year: 1992

Do you know that sometimes Calypso is the only genre that makes any sense. Especially when tiredness sets in and even the act of typing becomes an onerous task. Calypso is fun times whether the sun is in the sky or the drains are overflowing. And who better than Lord Melody to set the scene, resistance is futile, this could even have the invalids dancing around the grotto in Knock. KD

Lord Melody - Picong Due

More Info: Be Happy With Lord Melody

Sometimes I just look in awe at the several thousand songs that have no plays against their tiny bodies on my hard drive and then I wonder what gold I’ve yet to uncover. My finding the best ones depends on a number of things, mostly the angle at which the mouse pointer decides to fall of a particular night. The Little Philistines used a little ploy to hurry their songs in my direction, a tried and tested technique wherein they mailed me endless drips of information about their current goings-on. I appreciated their updates and courtesy when I barely responded. I also admired from afar their attention to detail (hope that broken toenail has healed Matt) and the absolute periodic nature of their missives. The ploy worked of course when our final encounter sent ‘Bus Pass’ hurtling in my direction. The LPs are from London and are cut from the cloth of a slew of classic British acts. ‘Bus Pass’ is a chaotic affair, spiky post-punk with a real tune it just eclipses the other track (‘Judith Cut My Head Off’) on their current double a-sided single. In what is possibly the worst year for underground music from England that I can remember this is a nice reminder of its glorious adventures of yore. KD

The Little Philistines - Bus Pass


More Info: Official
Buy Songs: The Little Philistines
Year: 2009

Well, I am giving the Candy Claws record some seeing to. It is never out of my ears and even when it is it floats prominently in my consciousness. It’s a bit overwhelming this love we share so every now and then I stick on some ‘Person Pitch’ or other like-minded purveyor of intricate melodic electronica to just give ourselves a little space. Today, that soul belongs to Indiana’s Joseph Denny (he of the ghostly back) who ploughs through the books at college while simultaneously summoning a tad more creativity from his computer. ‘Crashers (Highs and Lows)’ is the one that caught my attention immediately because it sets it self apart from the current surge of AC/PB sounding creatives. He has a free EP and an album to buy from his myspace page so there is much to investigate (and if it's as good as this much to savour) from Spirit Spine. KD

Spirit Spine - Crashers (Highs and Lows)

More Info: Official
Buy Songs: Spirit Spine
Year: 2009

Think Sheffield, think steel, Pulp and some pretty rubbish football teams. The rest is pretty much standard fare and may I say what a band they turn out to be. A trio of whippersnappers, one who owns a unique and wonderful voice, the other 2 who supply some decent instrumental props. ‘Dancing’ is their debut single from earlier in the year and what an audio sorbet it is. This is sonic freshness, boundless invention held in check in case too much is revealed. And when they reveal the full extent of what burns inside it should make for some debut LP. The word on the street is that the self same record is due in early 2010. Could be something joyful to lift the grim post Christmas blues. KD

Standard Fare - Dancing

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: Standard Fare
Year: 2009

I don’t get giddy that often but on occasion during crucial World Cup qualifiers or when I hear a classic track I tend to lose all grown up reason. This affliction has been happening a good bit of late and I’ll put it down to all of the reissues on our indiecater label (as well as Ireland’s hopeless attempts to play properly). The latest is from Dublin band Sunbear and is called ‘Bits’ because it collects a couple of their hard to find EP’s (‘Bits and Pieces’ and ‘Dog’) and some unreleased tracks from the mid 1990’s. To tell you I was in 7th heaven when I heard this was going to happen is an understatement because Sunbear are truly one of my favourite bands ever (you can still hear/see them in their current incarnation as the Ruby Tailights) and ‘Leadbelt’ is close to being my favourite track by them. It comes straight out of the blocks and then slowly descends into off-kilter greatness. You’ll hear MBV, Ride and Sonic Youth but most of all you’ll hear a young Dublin band in experimental free flow while never forgetting that most people are visiting to hear a classic piece of tuneage. ‘Bits’ is available for €4 on indiecater and the first 20 people who buy it will get an ultra rare CD of the band’s eponymous debut. KD

Sunbear - Leadbelt

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

So we return to Hot Lava for what feels like the umpteenth time. Can’t be helped I suppose given the incandescent brilliance of last year’s ‘Lavalogy’. It just keeps shuffling into view and keeps notching up the play counts, none more so that the mildly scatty ‘Apple Option Fire’. To be frank there are just too many winning ideas floating around this sub 3 minutes piece of audio gold to ever warrant thinking of other tunes. Seems the quartet from Virginia are playing CMJ in good auld Brooklyn next month, expect a memorable performance because rock doesn’t get more molten than this. If only I had their ideas. KD

Hot Lava - Apple Option Fire

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: Hot Lava
Year: 2008

Ye olde music blogger is bound to return to the time when music started to mean more than Larry Gogan’s Sunday afternoon run down of the Irish Top 30. It was there that he fell for obscure acts at track 15 on tapes that were wedged into the far recesses of metal bargain bins. Fingernails counted for nothing when there was a copy of ‘George Best’ to be snapped up for £1.99. Hardly mattered that the cover was smashed in 10 different places and the swing action on the plastic hinges failed most of the time. Back then the thrill was in hearing tracks like ‘The Perfect Needle’ for the first time and then trying to find someone who loved it as much I did. Turned out to be a solitary existence except for the times when I talked up liking Axl in front of other people. Inside heroes like Stephen Lawrie roved my being in a blissful state of subconsciousness. Those were the days. KD

The Telescopes - The Perfect Needle

Watch The Video To Everso

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: The Telescopes
Year: 1989

I'd wager if you were to list your favourite 10 singers the humble saw wouldn't get a look in. And for good reason because you've probably never heard Julian Koster’s one sing. It has the personality and gusto of an equatorial bird with colourful plumage (and a Christmas album already under its wing). Top marks must also go to Koster’s (he was in Neutral Milk Hotel don’t you know) own vocal contribution which is a stew of yelps and offbeat interjections that on closer inspection make a great deal of sense. Who needs a chorus and a bridge when the Music Tapes are there to rip up the rules and let the show materialise in a way that truly defines arch creativity. ‘For The Planet Pluto’ is a new tune, not sure yet if there will be more of its kind down the tracks. KD

The Music Tapes - For The Planet Pluto

Watch The Video

More Info: Official
Buy Songs: The Music Tapes
Year: 2009

How about this, almost 10 minutes of pure ambience and by the end I am clamouring for more. The similarities with hugger favs Burning Codes drew us in and from there it was always going to be true love. And don’t let the soft focus lead you astray there are even some curse words included! ‘Questions’ first appeared on the London collective’s ‘Miracle Kicker’ LP last year and it is presented here in remix form by swirlymeister Sam Grawe (aka Hatchback). I just adore the changing vocal intonation on this tune, so simple yet so affecting. Definitely further investigation required at chez DCLC. KD

Dark Captain Light Captain - Questions (Hatchback Remix)

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: Dark Captain Light Captain
Year: 2009

Chet are one of the most brilliantly unorthodox acts of the last few years. Their songs are mostly long and winding, often veering off into channels you never dreamed they would. I happened upon their last LP ‘Fight Against Darkness’ quite by accident but almost from the getgo I was sold on its offbeat melodies and loose adherence to traditional templates. Not much has changed on its follow-up ‘Chelsea Silver, Please Come Home’; it still takes a week of listens before the plot thins. Ryan Beattie’s vocals are as wasted and regal as ever (and still remind one of Stuart Staples) and they scatter his melancholic words with abandonment. ‘The Night The Night’ is a vivid example, tumbling as does from near impenetrability to softly focused indie pop. Chet are a consistently fascinating band to cherish. KD

Chet - The Night The Night

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

I always find that songs of this ilk work best on a Sunday, frosty mornings or at any time during the 12 days of Christmas. That’s because despite the sparseness in the instrumentation Hallie Pritts (she is Boca Chica) weaves a warm reassuring blanket through her vocals. ‘Pins and Needles’ is especially brilliant though because it builds up a gentle head of steam in such an organic way you won’t even notice how you’ve abandoned everything else to concentrate on its dynamics. The track is taken from Boca Chica’s superb sophomore ‘Lace Up Your Workboots’ which was released just this last week. A gentle wonderful surprise. KD

Boca Chica - Pins and Needles

More Info: Official
Buy Songs: Boca Chica
Year: 2009

Oh wow, type in Damien in google and up pops the Irish broadband evangelist Damien Mulley. Hardly the reason Pesaro band Damien* appended that wildcard symbol but one never knows where Mulley is going to pop up next so best to be sure. As it turns out our Italian friends are a quite splendid proposition, take a listen to ‘Confidants’ and hear for yourself. This is the sort of tuneage that was rocking my world back in the 1990’s yet for it its relic like scaffolding ‘Confidants’ also carries a contemporary swagger. There are also some neat jangling asides, which take the edge off the heavier elements. The band's new album ‘Crippled Cute’ is out next month on Suiteside so expect them to forge a whole new identity for themselves and in the process climb to the top of the search engine rankings. KD

Damien* - Confidants

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: Damien*
Year: 2009

Truman Peyote may well be riding in the slipstream of a giant swell of contemporary electronic pioneers but happily they are intent on making their own waves. The duo of Caleb Johannes and Eric Farber come from Massachusetts and have already released their debut record ‘Light-Lightning’ on CDR. Now all the attention has prompted a revision of media choices and it will soon be reappearing on 12-inch vinyl. Songs like ‘New Wife New Life’ will probably cope quite well in their new environs because they skip and crackle at a remarkably consistent level. There’s endless ingenuity at work amongst the upturned ideas and half-baked diversions. 2009 is truly witnessing electronica’s renaissance. KD

Truman Peyote - New Wife New Life

More Info: Official
Buy Songs: Truman Peyote
Year: 2009

A Sunny Day In Glasgow released their second album ‘Ashes Grammer’ stateside yesterday (the 28th in Europe but quite what that means in an internet savvy world is open to question) and fans of their rampant eclectic montages rejoiced. The Philadelphia act push the experimental envelope to breaking point and have already produced a debut in ‘Scribble Mural Comic Journal’ that slowly unveiled a box of exotic treats that 2 years on still flabbergast. Indications are that its follow up is just as dark and mysterious so can you please get back to me at the backend of the year cause I’ll likely have its 22 tracks cracked by then. For the moment ‘Failure’ is delivering a duffle bag of off-kilterness freckled with moments of quite wonderful indie pop. KD

A Sunny Day In Glasgow - Failure

Watch The Video To C'mon

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: A Sunny Day In Glasgow
Year: 2009

We are in the midst of a major renovation job before the arrival of hugger junior (tentative drop date mid November) and the one thing that has struck me over the last few days is that humming is no match for the aural delights it attempts to replicate. My dad is renovations project manager and despite a particular dislike for modern sounds he remains one of the most consistent performers on the humming circuit. Now at first it struck me as a rather charming trait but 5 long days of the stuff tends to grate especially since I've established that his emissions are built around the air of no song in particular. If I was to be brutally honest the offending drone is utterly without focus, drained of any semblance of chorus and in a different situation could be legitimately construed as the ramshackle and slightly embarrassing party piecing of a sozzled old fart. I'd go so far as to label it as the touchstone for ho-hum. So it is with great pleasure that I'm now sitting at my rightful place in front of a computer screen with a couple of hundred new tunes in need of ingesting. Hooray for real music and a giant boo for those wannabee entertainers who take it upon themselves to drive their nearest relatives to drink with their malorchestrated warblings. So a special thank you must go to Nate and Jeremy for saving my ears this evening. This remix reimagines the Very Most's cracking summer anthem 'You're In Love With The Sun' in the grooviest of ways. And it's timely too given that the band's 3rd release on indiecater, the 'Autumn' EP, is due next Monday (21 Sept). You can bet it's going to be a hum-dinger! KD

The Very Most - You're In Love With The Sun (Straight Up! Remix)

More Info: Official Straight Up! & Straight Up! On Myspace
Buy The Summer EP: The Very Most
Year: 2009

Not an ode to the little Italian from a group of musically minded Chelsea fans and for that we should be thankful. Instead Zola Jesus come from Wisconsin and if we’re honest seem for all intensive purposes like a vehicle for Nika Roza Danilova’s talents. ‘Clay Bodies’ is taken from her debut ‘The Spoils’ and despite sounding like it is playing in the next room it is utterly compelling (even if becomes a tad ragged towards the end). This will never become a mainstay in Lady Radio Ga Ga land but then if it were blogs like this would have even less crumbs to dine on. Play this to the straights who have bowed to an ordinary playlist and watch them go rosy cheeked before your very eyes. KD

Zola Jesus - Clay Bodies

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: Zola Jesus
Year: 2009

Their name alone suggested we’d be decent bedfellows but nothing could prepare me for the brilliance of All Natural Lemon & Lime Flavors’ music. Actually no, I lie, My Bloody Valentine prepared me because they were quite obviously the template that this quintet from New Jersey based their sound on. Right now I am basking in a collection of theirs called ‘Straight Blue Line’ from 2000 that catalogued their early singles (from the early/mid nineties). And what a blast it is, feels like I’ve been teleported back to a time when innumerable statuesque shoegaze bands stalked the earth. In that age before the dinosaurs a decent floppy fringe meant that in-between song banter was superfluous at gigs up and down the land. Chances are they are all wearing rugs now. KD

All Natural Lemon & Lime Flavors - That Familiar Look to You

Watch The Video For Muffin 77

More Info: Official
Buy Songs: All Natural Lemon & Lime Flavors
Year: 2000

Yuppie Flu may dispense with ringing the till for much of the music they produce but if one was to put a value on their output they would surely be in a full time gig. We spoke about them in early 2008 and their album ‘Fragile Forest’ keeps beckoning us back to its lush indie popedness. ‘The Night And I’ is a sweet cut, all swirly designs and vocals that utter sounds with words that we’ll never make out but will hum along to nonetheless. Imagine Grandaddy were still recording music in a small hut in a dusty backstreet somewhere in middle America and I’m sure it would struggle to sound this persuasive. KD

Yuppie Flu - The Night And I

Watch The Video For Spring To Downcomers

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: Yuppie Flu
Year: 2008

Or to be more precise the Dø (pronounced uncooked bread) but that ø just plays havoc in webland so I’ll avoid it for the purpose of this discussion. The Do are eminently more intriguing (and better looking) than the majority of people making music today but stand perilously distant from wholesale acclaim. Perhaps you could put it down to their sometimes off beat approach but then perfect delicates like ‘Stay (Just A Little Bit More)’ are just waiting for a million hearts to adopt it. Olivia B. Merilahti's lucid vocals could hardly be more perfectly realised and the unplugged nature of the music only extenuates their allure. The Do’s ‘A Mouthful’ came out last year and should be in the upper decks of your titantic hoard of CDs. KD

The Do - Stay (Just A Little Bit More)

Watch The Video To At Last!

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

This is lovely, homemade craft that seeps slowly from the minds of Petter Gjöres and Johan Norberg. Things aren’t helped by the geographical distance that separates them (Stockholm & Uppsala) but as we all know the web is making such hindrances less taxing. Kuryakin are signed to Shelflife Records, the sort of perfect set up that is truly deserving of their talents. ‘Take My Hand’ is the opening track from last year’s ‘Still Here’ EP and what a jangling electro beauty it is. Despite the bright and chirpy music the vocals can’t help but sound melancholic. The effect is augmented at higher volumes when the sound infiltrates every air particle you’ll breathe for the remainder of the day. KD

Kuryakin - Take My Hand

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

It’s at times like this that I feel like jumping up and down with joy. Unfortunately a lingering hamstring injury means the crazed excitement will need to be dampened for the moment. The source of my glee is the news that our first ever CD release on indiecater is close at hand. Come mid October you will be able to look at, feel, smell and hear Candy Claws’ remarkable ‘In The Dream of The Sea Life’ (it's so lush you may even be able to swim in it). Ever since we clasped ears on this delight we were enraptured and it has gone on to become our favourite album of the year. Candy Claws come from Colorado and are masters of the craft of the subtle melody wrapped in a fuzzy melange of noise. They combine elements of My Bloody Valentine, Panda Bear and their love of the sea into a soup that will have you feeling warm inside. The evidence is plain to see and if you head over to indiecater you can hear the whole lot for nowt (and download the ace track ‘Catamaran’ for free!). ‘In The Dream of The Sea Life’ is available on pre-order for €8 which includes free delivery plus you get a download of the album immediately to keep you entertained until the CD arrives next month. Right, I’ve only gone and pulled the other hamstring now with all the commotion. Luckily, ‘The Sun Is My Girl’ is here to divert my attention and in the process nullify the throbbing pain. KD

Candy Claws - The Sun Is My Girl

Watch The Video To Catamaran

More Info: Official
Buy Songs: Candy Claws
Year: 2009

This comes from deep inside the dark corridors of my CD collection. Ah the Slingbacks, never truly fell for their one and only album ‘All Pop No Star’. I picked it up on one of those wheelbarrow-sized raids in Chapter’s second hand section which I was prone to engaging in at the end of the last century. I had noticed that ‘All Pop No Star’ was recorded in dear old Dublin and it was enough to swing my £4. Derivative ended up being their name but this track always found favour as a closing track on several of my awkward to finish off mixtapes. Shireen Liane’s exposed vocals hardly needed accompaniment but the acoustics proved a perfect foil and don’t you just love the denouement where the composition takes on an epic vulnerability. Oh, I’m getting goosebumps and it has nothing to do with the cold snap we’ve been having. KD

The Slingbacks - Stupid Boyfriend

Watch The Video To All Pop No Star

More Info: The Slingbacks On NME
Buy Songs: The Slingbacks
Year: 1996

Can’t say I’ve ever heard the original Medicine tune (and given my years I should, then again given my longitude the memory tends to get a tad flaky) so you’ll have to make do with this cover from Philadelphia’s Echo Orbiter. And what a supple shoegazetastic effort it is too, blending a white noise stew of guitars and refracted vocals. This was designed for dark halls full of sticky carpets, damp walls and the best soundsystem in town. Echo Orbiter are very much a living entity despite almost clocking up 15 years at the coalface of indiedom. This is ear cleansing and in many ways somewhat life affirming. KD

Echo Orbiter - Never Click

More Info: Official
Buy Songs: Echo Orbiter
Year: 2005