Ok, the Housemartins may almost have had a Christmas number one with a acapello version of ‘Caravan of Love’ (oh I know there was the Flying Pickets too) but despite this it seems the form is criminally underused. Perhaps it’s the fact that this niche requires a tad more imagination and guitars tend to not get hoarse. Thankfully that hasn’t stopped Jorge R-Escudero from recording his remarkable album ‘Largo Bailón’ and he brings his instrumentless roadshow to Dublin this weekend (Button Factory, Sat 20 Feb). Promises to be an electric affair as circular voicelets merge to form patterned quilts of the likes of ‘Sunshine Juice’. This is drama, this is cinema, this is an altogether human story with a heartbreaking finale. Unmissable. KD

Hyperpotamus - Sunshine Juice

More Info: Official
Buy Songs: Hyperpotamus
Year: 2009

Never has the word lush been more appropriately applied to a piece of music than on Boca Chica’s ‘Lake Erie’. It’s got the lot, the gently plucked banjo, the glowing atmosphere, the angelic vocals and to crown it all off the string laden climax. What more could you want for Valentine’s weekend? The Pittsburgh band have been on our radar for about 6 months now so when the opportunity arose to work with them we jumped at it. So can we present the ‘Valentine’ EP which has 5 tracks of hushed glory, unsweetened sentimentality and a rarely encountered sense of peace. ‘Lake Erie’ is the EP’s opener and sets the scene for the signature Boca Chica sound. The ‘Valentine’ EP can be fully streamed on Indiecater and is available to buy for just €2.50. KD

Boca Chica - Lake Erie

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: Boca Chica
Year: 2010

Utterly ridiculous name for a band that I shall use to taunt my friends at the exact point they usually ask me why I only go for bands with ridiculous names. The tried and tested conversation continues when I tell them that I tend to listen to the music before making up my mind, don’t care if they’re monikered with something along the lines of The Small and Big Hand of the Clock Held Hands and Fell In Love. Labels are only cosmetic anyway, it’s what’s contained within that counts. And in the case of the Nightgowns, the forbidden fruit is totally voluptuous. Untie the oft used indie tricks that line the shell of this tune and standing before you is an utterly purdy song. The Washington 4-piece really know how to coin a come to bed and make love to me sound for those hung up on alternative sonic stylings. KD

The Nightgowns - Buoy

More Info: Official
Buy Songs: The Nightgowns
Year: 2009

Bands that sound like the Smith eh? Must admit I prefer them over their inspiration. Never could quite fall for the quiffed ones voice but then I could quite easily take in a pleasant afternoon in the company of these Danes. This spangly number is the title track from their debut album, which came out just last month. Everything is in its right place, the slightly melancholic vocals, the preppy jangle, artful artwork and the sense that smoking at bus shelters is really one of the coolest pursuits known to pre-man. For all that you don’t need to be in on the knowing references because behind the scenery stoops a really fine song. KD

Northern Portrait - Criminal Art Lovers

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: Northern Portrait
Year: 2009

An artist from Austin and not a subtle chord change in sight. Yep this tune from Kat Edmonson is shorn of much of the decoration that you’d expect from that neck of the woods. That doesn’t in the least bit inhibit its ability to sound spellbinding however; all you’ll need this cold winter evening is Kat’s voice and some background sounds made with a Fisher-price toy. ‘Lucky’ clocks in at sub 3 minutes but is blessed with such clarity you can be assured of a genuine jolt of happiness. KD

Kat Edmonson - Lucky

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: Kat Edmonson
Year: 2007

The Van Allen Belt from Pittsburgh are a singular outfit and one we hold dear to our hearts. They even let us release their debut on indiecater last year and we know that some day it will be heralded for the genius piece of bonkers that it is. A knowing bonkers it must be said however because even if the shapeshifting drama knocks you off your feet the home truths in the lyrics will apply the requisite damp cloth to your sweaty forehead. And now and then the words are as hilarious as they are destined to hit the truth bullseye. ‘Superpowerfragilis’, the follow up to ‘Meal Ticket To Purgatory’ is no less dramatic than its predecessor and if anything is even more cinematic in its vision. Daytime radio this is not but it could quite easily fill the dark hours with an unparalleled soundtrack. Destiny is on their side and success will be theirs, so join up before it gets too crowded. Don’t believe me? Well then let the following piece open your mindsear. KD

The Van Allen Belt - Over The Dream

More Info: Official
Buy Songs: The Van Allen Belt
Year: 2010

This one came from out of the blue (or if I’m being less economical with the truth via an email from a fan of the band…cheers dave) and immediately sat at the top of the pile. Details about Manwomanchild are scant save for the fact that they live in Chicago. They could also read he for that’s what the press pics would tend to suggest. ‘Reasons’ is raw, adventurous and a wonderful reminder of an Irish band of yore called the Ultra Montanes who delivered a clutch of sparkling singles in the mid-nineties. It’s the juxtaposition of the shiny chords and the slightly coarse vocals where the alchemy happens and for that reason my groaning index finger is cursing me for organising endless replays. A band that all the family can savour. KD

Manwomanchild - Reasons

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: Manwomanchild
Year: 2010

On the 23rd of April 2007 the server that hosted Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin’s website dramatically crashed. It returned later that week but despite a thorough investigation and sincere soul-searching the cause of the blackout remains a mystery for the Missouri 4-piece. SSLYBY are an example of the archetypal indie act who are forever within a whisker of widespread success. Of course album number three, which is soon to be released (with Death Cab For Cutie fingers on production duties), could change all that and most probably will if they can conjure memorable numbers in the vein of ‘Murder Mystery’. It is taken from their last album ‘Pershing’ and features dextrous jangling chords as well as a bag of other fresh ideas. It’s not inconceivable that sometime soon website downtime might be as a direct result of an overwhelming new fanbase. I'll drink a vodka to that. KD

Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin - Modern Mystery

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin
Year: 2008

Awhhhh, sweet indie pop, promo’d with a video parodying those scallywag Monkees. Doesn’t get much better in our book, a pretty jangle and lilting vocals will always catch our attention and ‘Dear Arthur’ is a classic of the kind. It comes from the imagination of Chris Linnane and is played in note perfect style by his band Boxboro. They are from Arlington and their recently released debut ‘You are the Hope, I am the Anchor’ should appeal to all those B&S fans who’ve felt a tad short-changed of late. Back in the day perfect little nuggets like this used to fill my mixtapes and my heart. Right now the latter's all aglow. KD

Boxboro - Dear Arthur

Watch The Video

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: Boxboro
Year: 2010

‘I Want A House’ is characterised by empty spaces, floating wispiness fills the air and nothing of consequence can be deciphered. Why then do I adore this little tune so much? It’s one of those imponderables that only music can throw up, a most simple of shakedowns closes the piece down from about half way through and it’s altogether hypnotic to these ears. Twin Sister are a New York 5-piece who dished out their first release for free but are going all vinyl on us for the soon to be unleashed follow up. For fans of Stereolab 45’s spun at 33 1/3. KD

Twin Sister - I Want A House

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: Twin Sister
Year: 2008

Pour some sugar on husker du, add in a drop of pixie milk for taste and you soon arrive at Blank Dogs, a riotous act from contemporary times bleaching earth with their late 80’s carnage. And it’s all the work of Mike Sniper, a man so prone to creation he spent much of 2008 releasing recorded works (a dozen or so). 2009 wasn’t too shabby either with the ‘Under & Under’ 2 x LP unveiling wild vignettes such as ‘Tin Birds’ on a gaga obsessed world. This is deep down and dirty but ultimately a most beautiful artefact from a rich period in underground noise. I’m almost in tears.KD

Blank Dogs - Tin Birds

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: Blank Dogs
Year: 2009

Of course it all hangs on the cute piano line, which will see girls with clips in their hair nod approvingly. The sugar doesn’t end there though as the voice that stands imperiously over everything else is noteworthy. Francis are a band with no names (I don’t for one second expect Jerker to be a real name, but thanks for the lovely email!) who are about to release an album that has no working title (or at least one they are willing to divulge). In the end it’s all cosmetic anyway, who gives a toss for packaging, band names, bio, stories about the producer when 95% of the reason we like music is because it sounds nice. This delicate number achieves what most songs fail to deliver, a memorable 3+ minutes that withstand the ravages of repeated exposure. KD

Francis - I Was Never Bored At All

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: Francis
Year: 2010

Yep, we’re heading North via the quaint village of Camera Obscura towards the hamlet of Labrador. Melodies never sleep there, they endlessly reinvent themselves and circulate through its mazy corridors like a warm spring air. We’ve visited plenty of times and stayed at the Hotel Sambassadeur at least once before. Such a lovely place, grandeur and a welcome sense of the familiar means it’s an easy choice. The establishment will upgrade next month when the finished renovation job will make this a top class 4-star ‘European’ destination. We enjoy our ‘Days’ there and hope word of its class spreads. KD

Sambassadeur - Days

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: Sambassadeur
Year: 2010

Silly me, I thought Rimer London was a lady’s eyeshadow or something along them lines. Turns out it is the moniker of a Dutch artist who does a neat line in near trance, a bleeptastic vision that doesn’t necessarily require dancefloor ability just an appreciation of stuff outside the guitar arena. ‘Go Away’ is a video game called centipede shredded through the bristles of a sonic hedgehog. Its arcs and contours are perfectly judged and in no need whatsoever for a random vocal to steal the lightly applied bumble. One for those foolish enough to think Sunday nights are a weekly horror comic without illustrations. KD

Rimer London - Go Away

More Info: Official
Buy Songs: Rimer London
Year: 2010

Oh the intrigue, an email with fwd in its subject line denoting that it was sent as an afterthought or ended in my inbox in a sullied second-hand way. The innards consisted of a solitary line and an appended tune which if it hadn’t sounded like a classy Swedish Grizzly Bear from the mid-eighties would not have stood a chance. This ‘covert side project’ certainly has legs and no amount of cold trails (cute blank myspace page fellas and I'm crap at anagrams) is going to detract from it. The revelation may or may not come but the Selfish Replicators ‘Strands’ has at the very least left an indelible mark in this tiny corner of cyberspace. I’m guessing Sincerely Yours already has plans to sign them by the close of the weekend. KD

The Selfish Replicators - Strands

More Info: Emptyspace
Year: 2010

Here’s a song that stole a line from Willy Wonka (1971) and came away with a honeyed chorus. Of course the peddling Mr Wilder also plundered but who cares when the indiefication at the end of the quadruple century old saga is a delight. ‘The Only Pretty Ring Time’ was originally released on the Very Most’s download only ‘Spring’ EP but has now been joined by 14 others on their new CD ‘A Year With The Very Most’. Understandably we believe it’ll be the best indiepop record of 2010 and for €9 you can see if we’re right. A full album stream, 4 free tunes and those cuddly buy links can all be found over on the Indiecater website. KD

The Very Most - The Only Pretty Ring Time

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: The Very Most
Year: 2010

Crikey, this is stunning. Another peach from the Chicago act named Office (they've appeared on one of our Indiecater comps!). Led by Scott Masson the band are an entity in touch with modern realities. Office offer their music up for free and live from day to day on the income earned from the vinyl equivalents. It’s brave and not entirely revolutionary but when you clasp your ears on the produce you’ll agree that this is not another fly-by-night outfit and are fully deserving of having this as their occupation. Their latest LP ‘Mecca’ is a high-octane mix of vibrant classic pop (70’s era, Webb Brosesque) with giant rolling choruses. ‘Aphrodisiac Missiles’ is drop dead gorgeous, a lost E.L.O. classic and something that everyone who has ever enjoyed a piece of popular piece of music will lap up. Scott you'd melt the Antarctica. KD

Office - Aphrodisiac Missiles

More Info: Office & Myspace
Buy Songs: Office
Year: 2009

Fuck it, Monday tomorrow. Time to don those slightly crumpled black slacks, lace up those terribly beaten but well polished comfy brogues and remove ones brain for the necessity that is reality. It’s punishment but the daytime torture makes the evenings all the more delightful. Ain’t nothing like that post clocked out feeling with new tunes spilling into ears and the promise of family at the end of the walkable commute. So with increasingly upturned lip I often like to spend Sunday evenings looking for a positive mood shifter. Tonight it comes from Spirit Spine, a young man called Joseph Denney who spends his time between the endless crammed life of a student writing electronic sounds like foraging creatures on the jungle floor. It’s subtle stuff, low on meaningful narrative but high on propulsive melody and bodes well for his sophomore, which is out in a couple of days. Nessum dorma, if Joseph gets his way. KD

Spirit Spine - Flashes

More Info: Official
Buy Songs: Spirit Spine
Year: 2010

While their tunes could never have been labelled timeless their signature organ did recall an era that is the most revered in rock and roll history. And for all that the Inspiral Carpets left an indelible impression on those who fell head over heels for their early albums (patchiness bedevilled album 3 and its successors). Hailing from Oldham the Inspirals seamlessly jumped the madchester bandwagon (geographically they were entitled to) and became one of its leading lights. While they lacked in Stone Roses cool, Happy Mondays authenticity and Charlatans youthful vigour they more than made up for in good humour and a sprinkling of outstanding tunes. ‘She Comes In The Fall’ is one of their best, an indie disco staple of the day it still sounds impressive bedecked in faux sixties machinations and a distinctive drumroll that Reni himself would have been proud to call his own. Cool as fuck in other words. KD

The Inspiral Carpets - She Comes In The Fall

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: The Inspiral Carpets
Year:

When the band found this song amongst the dust of a decades old master tape the memories came flooding back. Little band from Dublin on the cusp of something big, major’s knocking down their door, big name producer in the studio doing his thing with their magical creations. But like so many almost could have beens before them things ultimately fell apart. ‘Somebody Change The Season’ hurts more than most, despite sounding to these ears like recovered bullion it pains Sunbear’s 4 players. Apparently the big name turned out to be a big so-and-so and amongst the fallout gems like this lay undiscovered. It took the bright endeavour of one of the 4 to make the MBVesque sweetness see the light of day. For students of shoegaze it’s an exercise in hearing it from the masters. As you’d expect I still haven’t stopped salivating. KD

Sunbear - Somebody Change The Season

More Info: Official
Buy Songs: Sunbear
Year: 1994/1996/2009

Time to pump up the jam but not in the traditional sense, no that would be too easy and probably appeal to more people than would be palatable for our nietzsche tastes. The Swedes tend to do it their own way anyway and Norma from good auld Hägersten flutter and wow using a pairs of eyes that only have the inclination for their own vision. ‘You Go, We Follow’ comes from their own personal readings that can be found in the ‘Book of Norma’. It is to their credit that the near cult like trance that develops brings forth disciples as opposed to lost souls. Wipe the sleep from your eyes and dance in that boxed up pair of vintage runners. KD

Norma - You Go, We Follow

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

I wonder when other bands slouch on a couch and listen to Grizzly Bear whether they accept with cloudy eyes that they are never going to reach the peaks set by the Brooklyn act. GB are purveyors of classic tunes even if the elaborately laid sequences take persistence, the nooks and crannies are deep but once explored they reveal glacial pools of ingenuity. ‘Cheerleader’ almost topped our Top 42 of last year and in truth ‘Two Weeks’ could have easily done even better had my mood been different the day I made the list. ‘Veckatimest’ from whence it came was easily the most difficult album to pronounce of last year but the hope is that it will also lay some sort of exciting roadmap for indie’s new explorers for years to come. KD

Grizzly Bear - Two Weeks

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: Grizzly Bear
Year: 2009

Despite only coming from up the road in Derry it took a note from his Glasgow record label Antimatter to make Conor Mason appear on our radar. And glad we are too because the warm embrace from his ‘When It’s Over’ album has been making the deep snow in our back garden slowly melt away. The first thought that shot into my head was Elliott Smith but then similarities aren’t close enough to be distracting. ‘When It’s Over’ is a lovely listen, a gush of melodies accompanied by delicately woven arrangements. Mason’s vocals are a soft velvet rush of niceness and when things really take off like on ‘Before You Run’, ‘When It's Over’ and ‘Luck’ you have the makings of an artist that could soon win over a slew of hearts. KD

Conor Mason - Before You Return

More Info: Official
Buy Songs: Conor Mason
Year: 2009

After a barren number of years something in my waters is telling me that England could be in 2010 about to leave us with a raft of vital new bands. Hope so, its just not fair leaving Sweden and the States with such a ridiculous burden. The first shaft of light comes from London 4-piece Fez who along with their 2nd hand ebay acquired equipment have amassed a tiny set of sparkling tunes. Said tunes arrived in my inbox about 24 hours ago and instantly set an overfed pulse racing. Those seeking the multi weaved genius of Grizzly Bear should look away because Fez’s in your face approach provides nothing more than an uncomplicated delight. Happy music for happy people as someone famous from Glasgow once said via a loud guitar. KD

Fez - Lowlight

More Info: Myspace
Year: 2010

Had to be Hot Lava on the day the capital of Ireland was slain by several fluffy flakes and a dearth of gritters. Actually Hot Lava are pretty much essential any day of the year such is their cutesy ability to coin sonic gorgeousness. This tune is far less than 2 minutes long but when you are wedging 6 songs on a piece of 7” vinyl (split evenly between our heroes and the Sad Cobras) space is always going to be at a premium. But what ‘Lady Postman’ achieves in those short few seconds might take other acts a career to imagine. This is just pristine pop and if like me you are still basking in post ‘Lavalogy’ sunshine it is the perfect tonic until Bar/None releases what should be an all conquering sophomore. KD

Hot Lava - Lady Postman

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: Hot Lava/Sad Cobras
Year: 2009

The longwinded name intrigues and ever so stealthily the music ices the hypnotic brew. These Canadians are certainly earthly and you’ll gather as much from the themes that traipse through their tunes. ‘Hometowns’ was the Rural Alberta Advantage’s first LP and fetched enough critical adulation to lift them imperiously above their maddening indie cohorts. The attraction is obvious, a show burning one, their ideas rarely bolt for the finishing line especially as the winding road offers far more sonic possibilities. They also take a mean promo pic, which probably wins over those who are swung by aesthetic cues. A different breed and ultimately a different class. KD

The Rural Alberta Advantage - Sleep All Day

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: The Rural Alberta Advantage
Year: 2008

2 thoughts rang out in the night sky, what a pretty Catatonia tune and one that sports such an elastic Joy Division bass line. The facts however will show that ‘Midas’ is in fact the product of 2 girls and 2 boys from London who go by the name of Rubicks. They’ve been knocking around since the early part of the century and their last EP ‘Idiot Time’ came out April last year. ‘Midas’ comes from 2002 but somehow found it’s way onto the SXSW music torrent in 2007. Got to be thankful too because this is a feisty little number, one designed to tear indie dancefloors apart through its adherence to creative multi-tasking. Could be kids singing at the end too and despite the danger of this decision it actually works pretty well. KD

Rubicks - Midas

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: Rubicks
Year: 2002

Oh Hjaltalín, where have you been all my life or at least since 2007 when it seems your ‘Sleepdrunk Seasons’ LP was released? Could have done with the brightness, the cascading waterfall of bumbly noise that gushes from tunes like ‘Traffic Music’. This is wildly eclectic stuff from the Icelandic troupe but is styled in such a way that sets it free from accusations of arty fartyness. No, this smells, feels and sounds very palatable even for those not inclined to stray too far from Simon Cowell’s retched bag of tricks. This is music designed to make you happy, its twitches so well timed it may even make sense of a world that is utterly confusing most of the time. KD

Hjaltalín - Traffic Music

More Info: Official
Buy Songs: Hjaltalín
Year: 2007

Little known, low aged and currently signed to that beacon of cool Sub Pop it really looks like California’s Avi Buffalo could be ones to watch. Having a moniker that appeals to both the youthful and ancient markets certainly helps but it’s the sounds that will turn a thousand cursory inspections into wholesale fandom. The debut album is due later this year so for now we’ll have to dine on the scraps from the table of heavenly indie rock. And what a feast 7-incher ‘Whats In It For?’ (nice to see they don’t have a me complex) lays on, the singer Avigdor Zahner-Isenberg is young and it thus seems apt that he boasts Neilesque vocals. The instrumentation for its part is languid, cool and in places quite deft. This has the feel of a classic heard (sic), but one with modern day interneticisms. KD

Avi Buffalo - What's In It For?

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: Avi Buffalo
Year: 2009

Earlier this year I professed my love for this collective from Carlow and quite unbeknownst to me they’ve since gone on and released a full length. ‘Lo-Fi Love Songs’ was mostly recorded live and cocked some very important American ears (very few Irish ones mind). I am at this moment getting a copy couriered over the snow-capped Wicklow mountains and my expectations are higher than said peaks. Being drip fed Huts on Stilts goodies has just warmed the cockles for the full on experience that will follow shortly. The quartet are fans of the Frank and Walters and write songs about Estonian girls so what’s not the like. ‘Kopraonu’ is an altogether simple affair, blushing as it delivers its melody laden lines and barely raising the vocal parts above a glowing hum. KD

Huts on Stilts - Kopraonu

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: Huts on Stilts
Year: 2009

This is so beautiful, something to keep you warm as the arctic gradually spreads its icy tentacles across the country. Patrick Watson won the Polaris Music Prize back in 2007 with his debut ‘Close To Paradise’ so there’s no mistaking his talent. The follow up ‘Wooden Arms’ appeared earlier this year and contained this impish delight. On this occasion he is joined on vocals by Katie Moore and the duo ably prove that sometimes simple is all you need. The piano and banjo parts are understated and at no point disturb the delicate crooning. Everything is in its right place and the gathering momentum towards the end does nothing except enhance the grandeur. Precious. KD

Patrick Watson - Big Bird In A Small Cage

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: Patrick Watson
Year: 2009

Last night it was our favourite Irish album of the decade, tonight we look further afield and take a deep sigh because our overall pick from the noughties could have just as easily been one of the following ‘Asleep In The Back’, ‘Is This It?’, ‘Earth Is Not A Cold Dead Place’, ‘In The Dream of The Sea Life’, ‘The Great Eastern’, ‘Source Tags & Codes’, ‘The Sophtware Slump’, ‘And The Glass Handed Kites’. Instead we’ve gone for ‘Funeral’, an album that is without weakness, an album with such an unshakeable sense of greatness it will likely be still be revered 50 years from now. What follows is a review I wrote in early 2005 about the album, it was yet to break but even at that stage it was sounding like a genuine classic.

"For those people who only read the first paragraph of a review I may as well let you know straight away that this is going to be the most important album of 2005. What we have is an album of ‘The Stone Roses’, ‘Loveless’, ‘The Great Eastern’ and ‘If You’re Feeling Sinister’ proportions. This Montreal 5-piece have pretty much come out of nowhere but as you know the best presents come wrapped as surprises. The Arcade fire have been together for a relatively short time (summer 2003). The seeds were sown at Concordia University where Wim Butler met Regine Chassagne (they later married). A little look back into their collective backgrounds reveals some diverse musical influences such as swing and jazz, which have filtered into the sound that they create. ‘Funeral’ was further shaped by the deaths of some of the bands family members during the recording of the album; despite this for most of the time the music is hugely uplifting. What you have (despite what the song titles might lead you to think) is 10 succinctly different pieces of music. If the songs were people they would deeply schizophrenic such is the volatility to which they veer from one persuasion to another. With adventures aplenty the album takes some getting used to but this also means its longevity is guaranteed. Trying to lump the Arcade Fire into any scene is redundant, their output is fresh and unique; dramatic and theatrical one minute, circular and upbeat the next.

‘Neighbourhood #1 (Tunnels)’ has a fairytale theme yet the soundtrack is like a cultured bull in an ornamental cake shop. The frenetic percussion bolsters Wim Butler who sings like he is about to cry. As the momentum gallops the singer can’t keep up and instead gleefully whoops to neck hair-raising effect. ‘Neighbourhood #2 (Laika)’ must be a fascinating place to live, what with vampires, French horns and neighbours dancing in the police lights. The Gallic influence (hey they are from Quebec after all) continues apace with ‘Une Annee Sans Lumiere’ that skips between serene peace and maracas inspired trip through the shadows with a guitar shakedown that is as reckless as it is inspired. As we hit the molten core Neighbourhood #2 (Power Out) provides a full-on indie escapade crammed full of scattered guitar playing and runaway choruses.

While the interlude provided by ‘Neighbourhood #4 (Kettles)’ and ‘Crown Of Love’ suddenly slows the tempo the shiny angles exposed titillate your aural cavities to such an extent that when ‘Crown Of Love’ swaps the genteel strings for its chariot joyriding friends you may find yourself manically jogging on the spot. ‘Wake Up’ play a similar hand, if a little more majestically. The background vocals boost the already deranged production that sprays sounds about like fireworks on New Years Eve. By now a familiar pattern has emerged. There is a distinct lack of 3-minute pop wonders, this is wonderful music but the reward is at the end of a long and windy yellow brick road. Take ‘Haiti’ which has that wonderful knack of sounding uneven without being abrasive. Chassagne is content to hide her vocals in the background while the machines provide the harmonies. About 2 minutes in the tune throws up pure jangle to solidify the amazing jingle. ‘Rebellion (Lies)’ is as close as you’ll get to a guaranteed instant hit on ‘Funeral’. Echoing the classic alternative romper stomper this wipes away the intricate web intricately weaved by previous tracks, think of it as a stereo sorbet. Chassagne comes across all Icelandic elfin towards the death on ‘In The Back Seat’. The crisp vocal delivery sits easily with the stirring string section and intermittent guitar rally generating a volcano of sounds where the lava is a sea of pentatonics. As the notes transform from major to minor most listeners will probably be aghast at the wonderful explosions of noise.

For those who only read the final paragraph of a review this is the most important record of 2005 and you must own it. It contains 10 pieces of music that will infect your world like a happy inducing virus inspiring the average and coaxing the talented. On this evidence the Arcade Fire could be the way forward. Their creative juices are as appetising as a desert trolley and their adventurous streak continually unearth priceless musical artefacts. Funeral is a precious wealth of engaging music to be cherished forevermore." KD

The Arcade Fire - Haiti

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: The Arcade Fire
Year: 2004

I was humming and hawing (mostly humming it must be said) about whether to do a list chronicling my fav albums of the noughties. This was more because it seemed as if everyone else was doing it rather than out of a great hunger to commit to a set of choices. The job proved more difficult than I’d expected and rather than let baby go hungry I decided to just focus on my choice of best Irish album of the decade. Somewhat despite myself at various points in the last 10 years I completely fell for ‘O’ and ‘For The Birds’, both resonated deeply but for all their genuine greatness it was the ‘The Big Romance’ that stole my heart. Again this was an album that I happened upon rather than seeking it out. We had decamped to Sydney for a few months and I had found this record shop that was selling ridiculously cheap CD’s and the primary colours of this album just stood out. The songs contained within revealed themselves slowly, the overriding soft focus slowly giving way to low slung melodies and deft instrumentation. The songs work best in the context of the album and as such it can be difficult to pick out an individual effort that would persuade newbies towards its gentle glory. Personal trauma involving the self same romance would soon rob Kitt of his mojo and his subsequent albums have been hit and miss affairs. The Dubliner is just better wired for writing music about bright love rather than its lost equivalent. Small moments rarely sound this good. KD

David Kitt - Song from Hope St. [Brooklyn NY]

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: David Kitt
Year: 2001

In the early days they made bass sounds like no other group (hats off you relative unknown Simon Jones). Dreamy and psychedelic Verve were on another planet both within and outside the environs of their musical creations. ‘A Storm In Heaven’ was their stunning debut (and far and away their best album) but you have to look a little further back, namely the ‘Verve’ EP, for an indication of their stupendous glory. It had the big hitters in the form of ‘Gravity Grave’, ‘She’s A Superstar’ (their undimmed genuine classic) and ‘A Man Called Sun’ but how’s about a closing track that weaves meticulously along for over 10 minutes. Some drug company might help but lets be content to let the post Christmas buzz work its magic. For some Verve never really occupied the ‘The’ and would never again reach the lofty heights of their early manoeuvres. Success while nice brought compromise which ultimately meant the shine turned a greyer shade of dull. They were once immense. KD

Verve - Feel

More Info: Myspace
Buy Songs: Verve
Year: 1992

It’s the best day of the year no contest, no other time can inspire such a wholesome feeling of elation than the day before Christmas. In lots of ways it is better than the day it precedes, the expectation is ripe and no matter the weather sodden hands are extended to friends and not so friendlies. Usually by now I am in a higher state of intoxication but this year due to the arrival of our own pair of tiny hands the drinks will be more formulaic (!) in nature. And what better way to greet this magic day than to grace it with a tune from those celestial oceanic’s Candy Claws. Here is a twinkle they dreamed up last Christmas that manages to sound just as good a year on. It is a short burst of luminous noise, a peephole into the rich pickings to be found on their debut album, which we released earlier in the year on indiecater. Ok, must run, the mistletoe has been hoisted by Mrs Hugger so it’s time for me to purse. Have a great one and see you in a few days when once comfy undergarments will have reached breaking point. P.S. If you are sick of Bing at this stage check this out! Nollaig Shona. KD

Candy Claws - Christmas Love

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: Candy Claws
Year: 2008

I feel a cramp in the pit of my stomach because I haven’t been able to concentrate on the flood of tinsel tinted mp3s that have been arriving at my inbox since late November. I love Christmas, the music it produces and when it comes fitted with an indie aesthetic it really puts a twinkle in my fairy lights. Really gonna get stuck in over the next 24 hours. Thusfar, this little beaut from the Sky Drops has proven a standout. The Delaware duo are best known for their MBV stylings (Rob Montejo used to be in Smashing Orange) but here they strip back to a near Revolver like incarnation. The results are impressive, the tune has a classic early 90’s feel and it’s easy to swoon at the faultless harmonising. This is melt in the mouth stuff and will appeal to even shoegaze’s non-believers (how could you). ‘Bourgeois Beat’, the Sky Drops debut album was released earlier this year on hugger friends SVC records. KD

The Sky Drops - Christmas Feels Like Halloween

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: The Sky Drops
Year: 2009

With a record label, baby and new house fighting for my free time attention the number of posts on mp3hugger took a major nosedive in 2009. Ultimately it means that our 4th annual top 42 songs of the year is perhaps a tad less thorough that its 3 predecessors (2008, 2007, 2006). While 2009 proved capable of producing wonderfully realised tunes I can't help feeling it was marginally down in overall quality compared to recent years. The upward arc in the number of acts recording/releasing their own music for a fraction of the historically bloated budgets has been a joy to watch and listen to. Our favourite album came from our own in-house label, ‘In The Dream of The Sea Life’ by Candy Claws not only stands up to repeat listens it has in its short time span nudged its way into our top 10 albums of all time. It was such a proud moment for us when it became our first ever CD release.

As ever this top 42 is drawn from the songs that made up our short posts throughout the year. The rules remain the same so a band can appear only once on the rundown. Only seems fair really as a list containing a dozen or so Very Most tracks might seem a tad excessive (even though in a perfect world we should follow our heart).



42) Horse Shoes - Changing Winds

...Fey boy vocals and jangling chords twitter in unison...


41) Moon Unit - Connections (Ewan Pearson Dub)

...while admittedly slim in its range of ever changing guises it is nonetheless hopelessly enthralling...


40) Lotus Plaza – Whiteout

...bedecked in simplistic swirls and circular chords...


39) Wye Oak - Take It In

...nothing short of incendiary, brooding one minute, bursting into incandescent life the next...


38) Alash - Bashtak Joke

...Remarkably different sound from deepest Russia, it’s all in the exotic voices...


37) Coeur De Pirate - Comme Des Enfants

...building to a soft crescendo while effortlessly displaying why the French language is so alluring...


36) The Field - The More That I Do (Foals Remix)

...a swirling mass of electronica that says nothing at all but still steadfastly grips the imagination...


35) Chet - The Night The Night

...sold on its offbeat melodies and loose adherence to traditional templates...


34) Elephant Stone - I Am Blind

...so well endowed with honeyed melody it’s a wonder there’s not already a swarm domesticating in your speakers...


33) Lusine - Two Dots

...slightly unconventional but has the wherewithal to soothe even the ears of insurance people attempting petty small talk...


32) Black Moth Super Rainbow - Twin Of Myself

...if it doesn’t kick off your 2 week summer holiday on the right footing then you don’t deserve the time off...


31) Desolation Wilderness - No Tomorrow

...makes me want to be 15 years younger, get roaringly drunk and create a mini scene ...


30) The Ruling Class - Sleeping Beauty

...This is the sort of swagger Kasabian can only fantasise about, the sort of knowing sneer that Oasis were once capable of drawing and the sort of idolatry that must make Ian Brown feel very good about himself...


29) Here We Go Magic – Tunnelvision

...Sometimes I have dreams that sound like the noise that this song makes...


28) Black Gold – Detroit

...I wanna jump from our third floor balcony and don’t care whether the slightly brownish hedge fails to break my fall...


27) Yppah - Gumball Machine Weekend

...Topsy turvy ramble that dispels a slow graffiti...


26) The Crayon Fields - Mirror Ball

...gently tailored with melodies that hang in the perfumed air...


25) The Rest - Walk On Water (Auspicious Beginnings)

...allowing for adequate volume levels it could quite likely dust your house from top to bottom...


24) Zola Jesus - Clay Bodies

...Play this to the straights who have bowed to an ordinary playlist and watch them go rosy cheeked before your very eyes...


23) The Second Hand Marching Band - A Dance To Half Death

...adventurous blend of auspicious instrumentation and accented vocals...


22) Sister Cities - White Dress

...has the temperament and bolshie swagger to snag your affections completely...


21) exlovers – Photobooth

...They’ve got that classic indie sound down...


20) JJ - Things Will Never Be The Same Again

...a gushing delight and one that will lead to bleeding google fingers as the world attempts to uncover who JJ are...


19) The Ambience Affair - Fragile Things

...this is exciting, the first movements from a bright new Irish band...


18) The XX – Crystalised

...the tunesome chord volley and understated vocal interplay tend to appear randomly in your head for hours later...


17) South Ambulance - Davy Crockett

..a lolloping delight enriched with cascading chords and sprightly vocals...


16) Burning Hearts - I Lost My Colour Vision

...an instantly familiar sound infused with a chorus that should frequent indie disco’s for decades to come...


15) Dan Koshute - Double Dip

...I’m sure most acts don’t sound this lively at 78rpm...


14) Midnight Masses - Walk On Water

...the sound of the undead discussing the merits of purgatory...


13) British Sea Power - No Man Is An Archipelago

...a moody, largely voiceless yet exhilarating voyage...


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

...an epic in the body of a 4-minuter...


11) Cymbals Eat Guitars - The Living North

...I’ve heard the future and it’s called ‘Why There Are Mountains’...


10) Two Door Cinema Club - Something Good Can Work

...as alive with possibilities as bursting popcorn seeds...


9) The Subjects - Winter Vacation

...a tropical delight, feature an off-centre shuffle and all manner of colourful moving parts...


8) Dark Captain Light Captain - Questions (Hatchback Remix)

...almost 10 minutes of pure ambience and by the end I am clamouring for more...


7) Shout Out Out Out Out - Guilt Trips Sink Ships

...this is truly great great great great...


6) Candy Claws - Catamaran

...a remarkable effort, full of woozy effects, genuine sea sounds and full to the brim with memorable hooks...


5) The Very Most - You're In Love With The Sun

...a cloud busting delight...


4) Venice Is Sinking - Iron Range

...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 strangest of ways...


3) Grizzly Bear – Cheerleader

...Voices mingle, disperse, reform and linger and the air is thick with creation...


2) Animal Collective – Brothersport

...has been known to kick start the economies of small nations...


1) The Temper Trap - Sweet Disposition

...indie gold, boasting a frenetic pacing and blessed with all manner of melodies...

KD

“What's Christmassy about tha?” were the scolding utterances that ended my contribution to the annual Christmas mixtape at work today. The arrival of Frightened Rabbit's ‘It's Christmas So We'll Stop’ had prompted it and despite sounding to me, at least, like a modern classic of the seasonal kind it seems like “it doesn't exactly make ya wanna to gerrup and boogie”. Oh dear, you got to feel sorry for these talented Scottish men and their almost annual attempt to have this cherisable recognised for the goodness that it is. Because we've had the original on this blog 2 years ago here is a version that's stripped of lyrics which instead relies on the choral bits. It gets me every time and that's what it is exactly Christmassy about it, I'll probably even dance to it at some stage over the next few weeks. KD

Frightened Rabbit - It's Christmas So We'll Stop (Choir Version)

Watch The Video

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: Have A Better Than All White Christmas
Year: 2007

Feel kinda overjoyed that the album that has touched me the most in 2009 has also found it's home on Indiecater. ‘In The Dream of The Sea Life’ has embedded it's intricate delights on my psyche to the same degree as ‘Giant Steps’, ‘Loveless’, ‘Funeral’, ‘The Stone Roses’ and ‘Screamadelica’. It is a staggeringly consistent joy, a rare work where each piece of woozy electronica and dreamy vocal plays a pivotal role. Due to a long list of reasons Candy Claws haven't been able to tour to support the album but they've dreamed up a winning alternative. For several weeks now the Fort Collins twosome have been popping up on blogs scattered all around the world as part of the first (we think) online tour ever. Tonight the tour bus is parked outside our very own underground bolt in huggerland. The presentation is an exclusive video of ‘Island Grows’ which you can also download in mp3 format below.

Ryan from the band has more details about the tour and this video.

"Good evening, Huggerland! We finally made it, through storms and off the edge of the world! Here is Day 17 of our virtual world tour for "In the Dream of the Sea Life," released by your very own Indiecater Records. The song in the video is Island Grows, and in the footage you will see the lovely trees (both palm and fern) of Bucerias. We did a fancy chroma key through the branches to add interest and effect. Will it last forever?

You can stream the entire album, read reviews, and pick up a copy (digital or physical) at Indiecater. Visit our blog to catch up on the tour and see a full list of dates and links. Tomorrow we're off to Gopher Illustrated in Venezuela! Thanks for watching, see you soon!"

Candy Claws - Island Grows

Squeezing posts in between nappy changes and endless burping sessions is going to be a major challenge. But with Christmas about to raise it tinselled head fresh avenues for online verbiage distribution should be possible. I’ve been meaning to post this tune for the longest time, because amongst many other things it reminds of those great Danes Mew. This twosome come from nearby Sweden and appear to be in the throes of newbiesness given that their debut ‘Aurora’ only appeared in 2008. This is one of its finest tracks and specialises in a attractive refusal for linearity. That said it is still possesses a fine tune and one I intend to savour for many Decembers to come. KD

The Deer Tracks - Christmas Fire

More Info: Myspace
Buy Songs: The Deer Tracks
Year: 2008

This song and video provide more evidence, if any more were needed, that the Very Most deserve to be embraced the world over. You can start the embrace this weekend in fact because the band will be playing Whelans (as part of the Indiecater night) along with the Ambience Affair and Storkboy Choons. Tickets cost €8 (available from Indiecater or at the door on the night) and will be a wonderful way to kick-start Christmas! In other news baby hugger, aka as beautiful Eve, was born last night so I will be quiet (at least until Saturday) for a few days. KD

The Very Most - Away in a Manger

More Info: An Indiecater Night
Buy Songs: The Very Most
Year: 2009

It's great that in the age of rapid improving technology that the humble bike is still one of the most requested items on Santa's list. And the two-wheeled transporter has now been immortalised by Sheffield's Standard Fare via their festive 'Tinsel Politics' tune. It is a clever little thing, an alternative to the mistletoe and wine of the average Christmas feel-gooder. And what's even sweeter is that it is just one of 13 on our newest compilation 'An Indiecater Christmas 2009'. This is our second collection of seasonal treats from some of our favourite bands and it can be all yours for a paltry 6 Euro. Head over to Indiecater to stream the album in full and if its takes your fancy feel free to makes sure we can upgrade to alloy wheels on our broken down BMX. KD

Standard Fare - Tinsel Politics

More Info: Official
Buy Songs: An Indiecater Christmas
Year: 2009

Had to desist from writing about MPP for a number of reasons. First off, the hype was just too much to take, I mean this is one good album but it’s hardly the second coming. Time will tell whether people feel the same way about it in a couple of years. The second thing that put me off was the incessant and remorseless volley of ideas that the album threw skywards. There were so many I couldn’t make out whether they were winners or just a series of false dawns thrown into interesting patterns. Believe me I tried but it just seemed to me like the aural equivalent of watching a multicoloured wash on power spin. Despite the reservations there is undoubtedly bright talent on display and in ‘Brothersport’ Animal Collective have crafted one the most remarkable tunes of 2009. This is tropical on speed, multi-layered vocals splash off the rocks as the dayglo spaceships ingeniously replace the engines with relics from a human past. ‘Brothersport’ has been known to kick start the economies of small nations, someone should tell Eamon Gilmore. KD

Animal Collective - Brothersport

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: Animal Collective
Year: 2009

While the wait for their debut album has been interminable the clues left by their releases so far indicate that something special could be on the way. 2009 has seen Angel Pier headline Whelan’s, play Oxygen and release a superb double a-sided 7-inch. And that’s where you’ll find ‘Align The Seas’, a torch song that is constructed so precisely you could remove a note and the whole thing would fall apart. The delicate structure is glued together by Darragh Nolan’s pre, during and post falsetto but like with all Angel Pier compositions the shiny instrumental dynamics manage to scoop plenty of the limelight too. ‘Align The Seas’ reaches for and almost outmanoeuvres the bands bona fida classic ‘Sprites’ which means the anticipation for their LP is almost too much to bear. KD

Angel Pier - Align The Seas

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: Angel Pier
Year: 2009

When I look back at the 4 years that this blog has been on the road I see a handful of bands that have made the experience all the more worthy. Bands that continually reach and affect those medically unclassifiable musical membranes that control goosebumps, hairs standing on end and cold shivers when it’s 30C outside. Georgia’s Venice Is Sinking are certainly one of them, there is something intangible in their makeup that reduces me to a sniffling baby everytime. My favourites up to their 2009 album ‘Azar’ had been ‘Pulaski Heights’ and (the best Christmas song Low never wrote) ‘The Grey Line’ but those pristine numbers now have company in the form of ‘Ryan’s Song’ and this one, ‘Okay’ (written about the band of the same name). It’s so good VIS reckoned it deserved it’s own EP and of course they were right, they even made a video for it that is both low budget and high jinx. VIS are one of those special bands that appear below the surface and sadly we’ll just have to accept that it’s that great iceberg truth in a music world gone mad. KD

Venice Is Sinking - Okay

Watch The Video

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

I haven’t felt like this since thirteen tales from urban bohemia or at least the last BJM song that tickled my lobes. But rather than being an unruly lot of elegant wasters from down Portland way Death Valley Sleepers turns out to be just one man from Denmark. ‘Seaside’ is one of Tobias Winberg’s newest tracks and it is a blinder, an epic, a contemporary bullseye in 2 parts (second part has that ‘Santa Cruz’ (FS) thing going on, so good). Winberg does some great press shots (Sonic Boom I hear you say – who says smoking kills your cool), recently came through his first gig unscathed and has a myspace awash with luscious demos. ‘Seaside’ is the pick of the bunch, a stone cold classic no less and try as it might to sound like the JAMC and the VU it still cuts it’s own green furrow. A blissful hit in your car. KD

Death Valley Sleepers - Seaside

More Info: Official
Year: 2009

Among the 10 million other things happening at the moment we are also moving from our Dublin city centre base to near suburbia. Near I say because it has always been a hugger stipulation that the metropolis be within walking distance. Always good to have one’s paw on the pulse even if the chances of adding to said excitement ceased years ago. Anyway, the main reason I am telling you all this is so that I can post this lovely little tune from Jeremy Messersmith. It sounds like a festive tune with Elliott Smith at the helm to me and for those reasons alone it is something to cherish. Messersmith is from Minneapolis and this tune is taken from his classy 2008 sophomore ‘The Silver City’. Seems he has made at least one friend in the fair city too. KD

Jeremy Messersmith - Welcome To Suburbia

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: Jeremy Messersmith
Year: 2008

Everybody go awwwwhhhh. Think this is the first time I’ve thought that shoegaze could actually sound sweet, normally my reaction to it is to well up inside or coil in the corner with near fatal goosebumpery. ‘Loveloops’ is taken from the Estonian’s 4th LP ‘After The Summer’ and was produced by Norman Blake. Wait, Norman flippin’ Blake, that explains things, he of the pole position monopolising Grand Prix making Teenage Fanclub. In truth Pia Fraus were always a step above the bandwagonesque of a torrent of nice indie bands, they like to pack lots of decent tunes you see. ‘Loveloops’ has me thinking of happy things, like the birth of a first baby…..due tomorrow in huggerland. Awwwwwhhhh. KD

Pia Fraus - Loveloops

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: Pia Fraus
Year: 2008