I’m not just including this here because the band are called Wintermitts and it’s a cold and wet December day. Nope, this is a group to embrace no matter what the weather is like because they always see fit to include handclaps or glockenspiel (they also whistle and do hand stands) and have a singer that sounds remarkably like Emma Pollock from the Delgados (yeah I know, I miss them too). They’re an environmentally conscious lot too because they’ve included a packet of tomato seed with every copy of their latest album ‘Heirloom’ sold at home in Canada. ‘Schoolyard’ is a blast, a giddy rampage of joy that’ll run riot in your ordered world. A year round treat then. KD

Wintermitts - Schoolyard

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

Could it have been simpler, probably not, could it have been more memorable, don’t think so. Yep, this really is something special and reminds me of Elephant Parade in it’s stripped back effortlessness. It comes from Elizabeth Darling who being an Aussie probably ain’t that used to frosty Christmas mornings but she has taken Deano’s classic and turned into a brand new seasonal treat. All is quiet, the only thing stirring is a soft mandolin, sparse maracas and Darling’s crystal tunings. It’s taken from her limited edition Christmas EP and will definitely be a fixture on my December playlist for years to come. KD

Allo Darlin' - Baby, It's Cold Outside

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: Allo Darlin'
Year: 2008

We already know what Alejandro Cohen does during office hours but now he’s filling his free time with a side project he’s pulled together with Nik Brinkman called Psychic Powers. One of them is based in the States, the other in New Zealand and thanks to the wonders of the internet they make soft audio furnishings (not lounge I might add) like ‘Special Boy’ together. To these ears at least it’s as if New Order were cleansed of that harsh edge of theirs. As you can imagine what remains is downright adorable and even though ‘Special Boy’ stretches to over 6 minutes you may still be pining for more at fade out. Is their no end to this boy’s special talents? KD

Psychic Powers - Special Boy

More Info: Official
Download More Songs: Psychic Powers
Year: 2008

Adrian Crowley was all Bermuda Triangle on my radar prior to his last album 'Long Distance Swimmer' (and then it was only initiated through his association with man/god James Yorkston), despite having garnered a good deal of critical acclaim via his 3 previous efforts. While the idea of someone and their guitar might not be an entirely enticing one, 'Long Distance Swimmer' hauled me in slowly through its combination of exposed emotions and slowly engineered dynamics. The album is a (mostly) slow (always) engaging ramble that could provide a nice antidote for the upcoming seasonal madness. And the best thing is that you can snag it for free until Thursday courtesy of Jim over at On The Record. You'll then have some time to let it bed in, in preparation for Crowley's new album which is due in March. To send you eagerly on your way towards the freebie here is one of the album's highlights 'These Ley Waters' wherein our hero (for once) kicks out the jams. KD

Adrian Crowley - These Ley Waters

Watch The Video To The Wishing Seat

More Info: Official & Myspace
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Year: 2007

This is just one of those tunes that got me from the getgo. Probably because of its shoegaze genes but celestial vocals in general also have that effect on me. Languis are based in Los Angeles but started out in Argentina and have a decade long career behind them already. This treasure is taken from a 2006 EP of their’s called ‘Other Desert Cites’ and is most reminiscent of the Reading shoegazers of yore Chapterhouse. The band recently released a new album called ‘Fractured’, their first in 4 years. We'll also feature their side project Psychic Powers here in the next 24 hours. So it seems times are changing alright, right back to the early nineties if you were going on this evidence. KD

Languis - Times Are Changing

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Year: 2006

We’re not ones for getting all glossy eyed by a lyric sheet but ‘24.12’ is threatening to change all that. It may well be a song set in December but it’s not one speckled with the normal jollity of the season. The subject matter may catch you off guard but it’s the beauty in the juxtaposition of the vocals that’ll take you over the line. This is mesmeric stuff from the Austrian artist and is taken from his third outing with a full band. If it whets your appetite there is a pocket full of free downloads at Bernhard’s site. ‘Angst Is Not A Weltanschauung’ can be found on Berlin based Morr Music label. KD

B. Fleischmann - 24.12

Watch The Video To Pass By

More Info: Official & Myspace
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Year: 2008

What a really odd one for Irish indie releases. For the first part of 2008 it was an absolute wasteland but something happened around September when suddenly there was goodness seeping from the bog dale every couple of days. You’ve probably guessed my favourites from reading this blog throughout the year but I’d like to put it on the record that my top Irish records of 2008 came from (in no particular order): Burning Codes, The Gorgeous Colours, The Dying Seconds, Dublin Duck Dispensary, The Spook of the Thirteenth Lock, Armoured Bear, Michael Knight and Fred. Now it’s your chance to vote on your favourite Irish records of the year via 2 online polls. Nialler9 is doing a catch all thingy which lets you vote for albums, EP’s or just songs so it should act as a nice document of where we’re at in 2008. Andy over at the Clare People is also looking for your favourite Irish music of the year but has cleverly included some mythical prizes to make it worth your while. Seems a band called Drugszilla are leading the way there (nope, me neither, wait, I lie, they're from Lisdoon, my holy jaysus) so it’s time to redress the balance. While you decide here is a track from Wicklow act Sunken Foal (taken from their album 'Fallen Arches'), a curious yet hypnotic addition to the great new music coming out of this country. KD

Sunken Foal - On Platinum Rays

More Info: Official
Buy Songs: Sunken Foal
Year: 2008

He may have created a brand new nomenclature given the rapidity of his floating array of monikers but it seems mister Baird has finally settled on Sunset (thankfully shorn of the brackets) and now there’s nothing to distract us from the music he (and his band) makes. And when he hits the spot there's very little that can match him in indiedom, take this little beauty for example from Sunset's latest LP ‘The Glowing City’. ‘The World Is Awaiting’ is awash with moving parts but they move with such precision the whole event is a monument to audio engineering. At its epicentre are the thunderous beats, which create a neat opposite to Baird’s softly dispatched vocals. And the good news is that it gets even better on the forthcoming double A-side (pre-order the 7” vinyl here) which consists of 2 brand new dreamy numbers. Sunset could be about to embark on a bright new dawn. KD

Sunset - The World Is Awaiting

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Year: 2008

Ok, enough already with all this Christmas music, we’ve got bigger fish to fry (love the season really but have to say that for dramatic effect to introduce this remarkable song). You’ll probably have gathered from my distinct attention to type that I don’t often take diversions off the indie rock highway but ‘What If Punk Never Happened’ is too big a distraction to ignore. It’s taken from London agit/punk collective the King Blues second album ‘Save The World, Get The Girl’. I’ve witnessed barely restrained anger like this before with Plan B but somehow the menace inherent in it’s grooves comes across as inspirational rather than disturbing, especially towards the tumultuous end. In fact I’m sure this could initiate a thousand bedroom rebellions were it to rightfully get the recognition its majesty deserves. Why have the clocks stopped. KD

The King Blues - What If Punk Never Happened

Watch The Video To My Boulder

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: The King Blues
Year: 2008

Thankfully they’ve put the skids on their vastly inflated naming convention that turned Brakes into Brakes Brakes Brakes. Not only that but the Brighton band have recently signed to the legendary FatCat label who’ll be releasing their third LP ‘Touchdown’ in April of next year. ‘Give Blood’ was certainly an eye opening debut album, full of genre shifts, sardonic lyrics and songs that ended before the 10-second mark. Despite this undeniable off-kilter approach Brakes often craft songs of delicate beauty (‘You’re So Pretty’) so ‘Touchdown’ should really be a treat. And by the sound of the promo ‘Crystal Tunings’ the band have got deep down and dirty sounding like an agitated pair of Glaswegian brothers. KD

Brakes - Crystal Tunings

Watch The Video To All Night Disco Party

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

When I say I could listen to this tune endlessly you’d probably be stumped but then that’s the magic of Loner Deluxe. There has always been a sense of the celestial about them and at this time of year ‘Frozen Grass’ sounds like the most seasonal composition imaginable. Loner Deluxe have consistently specialised in wintry song titles it must be said but ‘Frozen Grass’ readily conjures an image of a country door ajar with the cool night air teasing the wind chimes inside. The circular machinations of this beauty should entrance and if it doesn’t perhaps the drudgery of life has robbed you of your sense of childlike wonder. ‘Frozen Grass’ can be found on the double 3-inch presentation titled ‘Must Not Sleep Must Warn Others/Lost & Found’ on the increasingly brilliant Irish net label Rusted Rail. KD

Loner Deluxe - Frozen Grass

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: Loner Deluxe
Year: 2008

2008 was a strange one, nowhere near a classic year for albums but for the task in hand we’ll just concentrate on the songs of the year. And in that department the first 6 months of the year was a wasteland for inspirational nuggets. Lucky then that part 2 of 2008 turned out some really memorable moments. In the real world CD sales continued to slump and in a devilish attempt to jump the digital gravy train we set up our own record label. It has been fun, fun, fun and right about now our Christmas compilation is starting to get noticed in lots of places we didn’t expect it to. There have been plenty of highs for mp3hugger this year but the most memorable moment came when our band of the year the Very Most recorded a theme tune for the site. So here we present in time honoured fashion (well for the third year running anyway, click here for 2007, 2006) our favourite 42 songs from the over 500 we featured on this site this year. Usual rules apply, only one song per artist, which meant picking a track from the likes of Marching Band ended up becoming a herculean task.



42) The Jimmy Cake - Jetta’s Palace

'a swarm of instruments led by an irrepressible piano riff, pounding drums and some of the best brass'

41) Empty Rooms – We’ve Been Waiting For You

'starts out all hallucinogenically dream pop before turning completely instrumental'

40) Pyramids – Sleds

'industrial frequencies pummel your senses and it’s left to the drifting out of reach vocals to reason with that finger of yours that hovers over the delete button'

39) The Gang – Rose Island

'noisy escapades that go nowhere in particular but still sound about as fetching as a stick loving springer spaniel'

38) The Uglysuit - Chicago

'easy on the ear and blessed with a chorus that has all the hallmarks of a perennial radio favourite'

37) crystalpalace – The Evolution of Hunger

'a downright fine piece of old skool electro with designs on the affections of contemporary dancefloors'

36) Said The Shark – All You Want

'they create songs that are something and nothing yet somehow everything'

35) The Gorgeous Colours – Means To An End

'a fascinating listen that never blows its own trumpet vacuously'

34) Cymbals Eat Guitars - Share

'the swells of melodic sound prove a stark contrast to the ragged advance and retreat of its early movements'

33) Orphans and Vandals - Mysterious Skin

'wildly original and a stark reminder of the quality that still inhabits the fringes'

32) Michael Knight - Dumbshow

'a gift for rotating harmonies and an ability to colour them with glossy orchestral manoeuvres'

31) Nouveaunoise - To Where It's Alright

'a highly original ensemble of digital drama'

30) Pomegranates - Thunder Meadow

'Pomegranates are not exactly pop but that’s not to say that they’re not entirely fruity'

29) Dublin Duck Dispensary - Rabbit In A Hat

'could easily become an essential fixture on a thousand different mixtapes'

28) The Ruby Suns - There Are Birds

'imagine Beach House were they to have at least one cup of coffee'

27) Noah And The Whale - 5 Years Time

'with enough cuteness to match even the biggest of crèches'

26) Starfucker - German Love

'You may not even hear the handclaps enclosed such will be your own joyful palm fleshing'

25) Alaska In Winter - Berlin

'just for one minute stop thinking that Cher killed the vocoder'

24) Au - RR vs D

'full of wispy drifting vocals and piano lines dispatched with the accuracy of a tap dancers best moves'

23) Chairlift - Bruises

'should provide the necessary attention for a band who originally set out to play live music in haunted houses'

22) Storkboy Choons - Rockfield Symphony

'a brand of bleepage that should appeal to anyone who thinks ‘From Here We Go Sublime’ could yet become the future of machine generated audio'

21) El Guincho - Palmitos Park

'it’s a riot, a samba parade of vibrant colour'

20) Fleet Foxes - White Winter Hymnal

'just press play and let the curious tango ensue'

19b) The Spook Of The Thirteenth Lock - In Country Dark

'a lively folk jamboree to be savoured'

19) Annuals - Sore

'a lowering of the experimental gears into full anthemic indie mode'

18) The Dying Seconds - Overtures

'so well endowed with lyrical (non-vocal) entities it sometimes makes me emotional'

17) The Honeyheads - Out Of Marseille

'displays all the magical characteristics of a perfect indie pop tune'

16) Mitchell Museum - Warning Bells

'this could be huge, perched effortlessly in an evening’s worth of the finest indie music down your local dungeon or delighting daytime radio enthusiasts used to soggy cabbage'

15) The Van Allen Belt - The Status Quo (A Line Dance)

'almost Motown in its scope (we kid you not), so much so that it really does require the full subwoofer experience to do it justice'

14) Cut Copy - Hearts On Fire (Midnight Juggernauts Remix)

'soundtrack every fashionisto’s perfect soundtrack'

13) School Of Seven Bells - Connjur

'wispy guitars and soft ethereal voices tend to take my head for a spin and this is a road trip I will be taking many times'

12) The Very Most - This Year, Christmas Came November 4th

'driven by the melodic machinations of one Jeremy Jensen'

11) Violens - Violent Sensation Descends

'pristine melodies abound, quirky organs drift in the background and wholesome harmonies fill the sweetened air'

10) Deerhunter – Never Stops

'it felt as if Pavement had regrouped and made one of the best comebacks ever'

9) Stars and Sons - Fights Already Fought

'it is elusive, bewildering and downright heavenly through its stringent policy of non-linearity'

8) Mason Proper - Safe For The Time Being

'is an eclectic experience but one with iceberg potential'

7) The Ruling Class - Umbrella Folds

'this baggy little number may wear its inspiration on its sleeves but that doesn’t stop it from being totally inspirational in its own right'

6) Arsenal - Estupendo

'a pristine sliver of uncomplicated beats with undoubted mainstream appeal'

5) Marching Band - Aggravate

'damn, I hate waiting for choruses but in the case of Marching Band the lead up tends to be just as entertaining'

4) Burning Codes - Whirlwind

'sumptuously layered vocals and gentle chord changes are Burning Codes stock in trade and it is quite easy to find oneself immersed in the magic'

3) Elbow - Loneliness Of A Tower Crane Driver

'Guy Garvey has a voice full of character and persuasion so like me you may find yourself being whisked away on a tidal wave of lost love'

2) Sigur Ros – Festival

'a spirit so joyous and all encompassing they are even capable of creating temporary schisms in the course of true love'

1) Girls In Hawaii - This Farm Will End Up In Fire

'the funny thing is that that honeyed chorus really does take it’s time to unveil itself, a full 3 minutes in fact. When it does appear though you’ll shiver with delight, punch the air in appreciation and praise the Lord for priceless indie pop like this.' KD

Armoured Bear from west Cork are the neatest of propositions. Their wonderful website is the perfect compliment to their dreamy music and will suck you straight into their magical world. In many ways the quartet (led by Anthony Noonan) have appeared from nowhere but their debut album ‘Honeycomb Moons’ marks them out as one our most tantalising prospects. ‘Fall’ is the opening track from the album, a warm breeze of a tune, full of psychedelic harmonising and swirling instrumentation. The appeal is obvious, the charming understatedness could be rapidly replacing the comfort blanket as tiny tots security weapon of choice. KD

Armoured Bear - Fall

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: Armoured Bear
Year: 2008

The name is a hindrance of course (an ice-hockey term) but that’s where the obstacles end because +- {PlusMinus} produced one of the outstanding albums of the year in ‘Xs In Your Eyes’. I expect to see it appearing in plenty end of year lists over the next few weeks and if you are still an unbeliever listen to this fragmented beauty. It takes a couple of minutes to fully kick into life (the journey to that point is pretty great it must be said) but what a shot in the arm it truly is. Splintered riffs fly through the air like shrapnel while at the same time James Baluyut shoots from the hip like a man convinced of his own convictions. It hugely impressive stuff, a neat summation of how indie rock can still bring us to our feet. KD

+- {PlusMinus} - Snowblind

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More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: +- {PlusMinus}
Year: 2008

There are a couple of free albums doing the rounds that really deserve a hefty price tag such is their goodness. The Dying Seconds eponymous is certainly one of them, it so well endowed with lyrical (non-vocal) entities it sometimes makes me emotional. This is a duo (David Cantan and Jack Quilligan) who have the gift of making machines sound almost human, electronica with a beating heart and a spirit that needs to be nourished through people interaction. There is a hint of voice on ‘Overtures’ but it’s the sound that comes from the Dying Seconds laptops that communicates even more effectively. This may contain the spillage from another tune (‘Goodnight Satellite’) but it unmistakably ploughs it own furrow in a way that is nothing less than epic. Tears cascading down a cheek were made for audio like this. KD

The Dying Seconds - Overtures

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: The Dying Seconds
Year: 2008

Bergen is at it again, another stellar act from a part of Norway that seems intent in making the country at least partially as musically attractive as their near neighbours. This time it’s Sissy Wish and this feisty track called ‘DWTS’ (Do What They Say) which should have the likes of Pink admitting she’s a bona fide fraud and finally hanging up her bottle of peroxide. That’s because ‘DWTS’ is exhilarating and bedecked in a safety net of essential mainstreamism, which means it has a steady foot in both camps. This lady (and gentleman) is unsigned, remarkable, would be labels take note (hmmm) is what I say. The track is taken from last year’s ‘Beauties Never Die’, an album that should be nestling on your trying-to-impress-your-mates-with-something-great shelf in the shortest possible time. Karen O, your crown is wobbling. KD

Sissy Wish - DWTS

Watch The Video To Float

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: Sissy Wish
Year: 2007

You know, I know but do the young folks know who this sounds like? In many respects who-gives-a when a song sounds as peachy as ‘Franklin Avenue’. It comes from Jeremy Messersmith, a bespeckled tunesmith whose sophomore ‘The Silver City’ dropped earlier this year. ‘Franklin Avenue’ is drop dead gorgeous, fleet of foot and nimble of wordage. It ticks all the boxes necessary to gain entry into that fictitious gallery exhibiting the most perfect indie pop ever drawn up in the whole of indiedom. We love it, you love it and wouldn't mama be ever so proud? KD

Jeremy Messersmith - Franklin Avenue

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

Last year we posted a new Christmas song every day in December and also made a page where some of indie’s finest discussed their favourite Christmas songs. This year as you know we actually released a festive record but we’ll also make every effort to ensure the run up to the 25th is as jolly as possible. Here is a lovely start from Topanga duo the Weepies who have done very well for themselves of late by signing to a major label. And it’s easy to see why when perfectly crafted songs like ‘All That I Want’ slip out of them with consummate ease. There is a touch of Aimee Mann about Deb Talan’s vocals which makes every word that she utters so warm but very cool at the same time. KD

The Weepies - All That I Want

Watch The Video To Can't Go Back Now

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Buy Songs: The Weepies
Year: 2007

Between this and those NZ lads Cut Off Your Hands powerpop could well be about to make a late surge into our favourite songs of 2008 and this was a year when the Shins didn’t even put out a record. ‘Violent Sensation Descends’ is immaculate, pristine melodies abound, quirky organs drift in the background and wholesome harmonies fill the sweetened air. The Zombies are liberally quoted as these New Yorkers primary influence but since I know little or nothing about that 60’s act I’ll have to go on their word. Makes me wonder how I’ve missed that particular boat but sailing in the glorious technicolour yacht steered by Violens seems like the most joyous experience imaginable so it hardly matters. And at just over 2 minutes long you’d be left with a very runny egg. KD

Violens - Violent Sensation Descends

Watch The Video To Doomed

More Info: Official
Buy Songs: Violens
Year: 2008

Pity poor Simone because she’ll have to wait at least another 6 months before she can fix the wrongs of last summer. To make matters worse (from a can’t be good for building up a stock of relationship advice) she’s now gone and recorded a Christmas song with those eternally heartbroken sorts the Wedding Present (it’s called ‘Holly Jolly Hollywood’, I’ll try and dig it out before the 25th). It’s plain to see Simone White is a free spirit so I’m sure she’ll survive and given the beauty of tracks like this she’ll have more than enough attention to ward off the threat of loneliness. This is beautifully understated indie pop, wispy and softly focused it may be the perfect calm before the storm of the next few weeks. KD

Simone White - I Didn't Have A Summer Romance

Watch The Video To The Beep Beep Song

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Buy Songs: Simone White
Year: 2007