Beau Jennings is the captain of the Cheyenne ship of travelling musicians. He's a gentle soul and his music bears that fact by displaying a soothing texture characterised by his soft vocals and intimate instrumentation. Cheyenne's album 'I Am Haunted, I Am Alive' is a lost wonder from last year and contains at least one song that you will carry around with you for life. 'Houses' is so resolutely cute it could take the place of most lullabies. In fact its inclusion in a multicoloured wallpapered room with swinging basket and tiny tot could be what most parents would call bliss. Then again, it's pretty much a treat for everyone. Ahhhh. KD

Cheyenne - Houses

More Info: Cheyenne
Buy Cheyenne's: I Am Haunted, I Am Alive @ emusic
Year: 2005

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William Souffreau headed up classic Belgium rockers Irish Coffee back in the 1970's but has been solo since 1990. His sound is from a different time but retains a hugely impressive presence. If Paul McCartney could pull off songs like Souffreau’s he’d still be a million seller. Souffreau inhabits the edges but his appearance on myspace should see his music reach a large collection of interested ears, both young and old. 'Gardenman' is easy to absorb with elegant guitar drifts, holiday bongos and Souffreau’s gravely vocals recalling dusk circa late August 1969. Looks like we are in the throes of the most exciting period ever for music with the reach of the internet uncovering a wealth of music like this that would otherwise be lost. KD

William Souffreau - Gardenman

More Info: William Souffreau
Buy Album: Time
Year: 2005

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Reading any bio about Spirit is like engaging Lord of the Rings such is the cast of players involved. All mention the genius that was Randy California's guitar playing who along with his stepdad Ed Cassidy (see, there were forerunners to the Mystery Jets) formed the nucleus of the band. Despite having Jimi Hendrix in their ranks at one stage Spirit never attained their full potential. A catalogue of mishaps and bad mistakes (they turned down an offer to play Woodstock…yikes) meant that the albums kept coming along but widespread recognition remained out of reach. Potato Land was recorded in 1972 but was deemed too political by the bands label Epic so was not released until 1981. Based on the concept of the wretched life of potato people on their way to the slaughterhouse (Morgan Spurlock had a ready made soundtrack!) it included precious ditties such as 'My Friend'. Honky tonking with the best of them 'My Friend' has the air of a classic with supreme melodies and a frenetic momentum. Somehow it has been lost through the ravages of time but should rightly stand side by side with other goldies such 'God Only Knows' or 'California Dreamin'. Randy California died in 1997, still a very young man. KD

Spirit - My Friend

More Info: Spirit
Buy Album: [UK] The Original Potato Land [US] The Original Potato Land
Year: 1972

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Did you know there are people playing Arcade Fire covers already? Yep the album has only turned 18 months and in far flung places such as darkest Sweden there are girls like Linda Anderson trying to recapture rebellion and lies. If the covers don't work out then maybe Elfi (Linda in creative mode) can probably make a decent living from playing her own stuff, which never fails to light up the northern sky. Signed to the young yet prestigious Molokini Records Elfi has just released her first single which includes the nifty 'All By Myself'. Twee as you like and as spirited as a bottle of rogue poteen this has cult hit written all over it. Imagine Bjork cast out into the woods with only her rhymes for company and you've got this in a nutshell. KD

Elfi - All By Myself

More Info: Elfi
Year: 2006

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Despite the fact that the odds were ostensibly stacked against them Placebo have rarely lost their focus in writing great tunes. Brian Molko might not be your average Joe but who cares once he can craft tunes that can be rightfully called important. Over the course of a decade his bands talent has rarely dimmed and a recent singles collection should only prove to be the end of part one in a triumphant career. 'Bionic' is taken from the bands ecstatic debut and is one of Placebo's unheralded gems boasting grand horizons, epic propulsion and a unstoppable zest for life (and love, ahem). Molko keeps the words to a minimum because all around him the band spin bulbous melodies in the form of expansive riffs. The bass is particularly ear catching, something an on form Mani could be proud of. The dynamics are aided by the looping guitar assaults that turn supersonic at regular intervals. This is the hair dryer effect put to music. KD

Placebo - Bionic

More Info: Placebo
Buy Album: [UK] Placebo [US] Placebo
Year: 1996

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It's been a day and I really can't be wasting my time with demo's like this.

It's been 2 days and it's starting to sound interesting. Really rough around the edges in a way that could scare the life out of Pete Doherty but I think I'll sleep on it and check in tomorrow.

It's been 3 days and I still can't decide whether this is a bona fide classic or a rambling pile of mess. One thing is for the sure though, the production is a tad shabby, and the lines are hardly defined so it's likely that there could even be more ideas getting lost around the edges. 'Embers' is at least 3 defined pieces that segue in and out of each other at regular intervals, an android that is prone to extreme bouts of paranoia you might say. The singing is drawn from 2 sources but the words seem almost incidental to the flow of sound. The band responsible are from Dublin and are just starting out. It seems they have a lot to give and they want to announce it out to the world in one fell swoop. Then you discover that all their other songs are just as densely packed with melodies and flickering pieces of jangle.

It's been 4 days, I've had a great nights sleep and have just disseminated the music with a clearer head. It's the euphoric way that the loose collection of random ideas are thrown together that indicates that this could be the start of something special. Sort of like 'Confusion is Nothing New' (Beachwood Sparks) with beefed up scattered elegance. The raw talent on show means that the Star Department have a couple of avenues open to them, be it post-rock, sublime indiepop or perhaps their own unique hybrid. Absorb this sonic cavalcade and you'll see what I mean. But be warned, it may take a couple of days. KD

The Star Department - Embers

More Info: The Star Department
EP: On the way any day now

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Despite only ever recording one truly classic album the Sundays are rightly lauded as pioneers. An intoxicating mix of fluid mix jangling guitars and Harriet Wheeler's crystal clear vocals meant that their sound was distinctive. The band notably wrote about British themes including the miserable weather and Wheeler's vocals were a product of old London town. 'Can't Be Sure' is taken from the aforementioned classic 'Reading, Writing & Arithmetic' and pitches an awkward shimmering riff with decidedly artificial drum patterns. Wheeler's partner David Gavurin throws the guitar lines about like confetti in a seemingly shapeless montage but disassembling the intricacies is one of the songs great strengths. Take time to let this sink in, it should form the bedrock of any serious music fans collection. KD

The Sundays - Can't Be Sure

More Info: The Sundays
Buy Album: [UK] Reading Writing and Arithmetic [US] Reading, Writing and Arithmetic
Year: 1990

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If you are of the Mojave 3 persuasion then Devics might well be up your alley. Made up of LA twosome Sara Lov and Dustin O'Halloran they produce the sort of softly does it material that will cool your boots everytime. O'Halloran is a noted pianist and has even released an acclaimed instrumental album called, funnily enough, 'Piano Solos'. Lov for her part has a distinct ethereal quality to her singing that perfectly matches the slow-fi music. 'Push The Heart' is the duo's 4th album and provides a fascinatingly gentle listen. 'Song For A Sleeping Girl' is instantly appealing with a soft tread you'd normally associate with a guardian angel. The song shuffles so quaintly that O'Halloran barely needs to amaze on the keys yet the subtle shifts in pace means that return visits become inevitable. You can find 'Push The Heart' on the increasingly brilliant Bella Union label. KD

Devics - Song For A Sleeping Girl

More Info: Devics
Buy Album: [UK] Push the Heart [US] Push The Heart
Year: 2006

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I dunno, perhaps whimsy is coming back into fashion. Maybe the world is getting sick of sharp angular pop and is turning towards a place where everybody smiles as they gently cajole noises from their overly curved instruments. In this place resides a band from California who along with being the sweetest fantasists on the planet also sing songs that contain a veritable treasure chest of plush ideas. 'Cha Cha Cha' is utterly adorable with its selection of shimmering guitars, heavily sedated animal on drums and a singer who still plays imaginary games with a sackful of marbles. This will hardly break into daytime schedules, but then that's the world's great loss. As Wonka might have put it this is a work of pure imagination. KD

The Little Ones - Cha Cha Cha

More Info: The Little Ones
Buy the Sing Song EP: la la la la....
Year: 2006

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If you are dreaming of a time when Depeche Mode didn't necessarily mean gothic trenches of noise with greasy guitars and unbearably bleak themes then you will have to journey back at least 2 decades. For a time the Essex lads were the epitome of breezy synth pop that went on to colour a thousand dancefloors. Lush organic arrangements and cool readily accessible melodies meant that they once rivalled OMD and the Human League for the electro crown. 'Dreaming of Me' was as fluffy as it got, the synchronized drumbeats subtly providing a frame for the casioesque refrains from Vince Clark (later of Yazoo and Erasure). In its wake the band went on to records other classics such as 'New Life', 'Just Can't Get Enough' and the majestic 'Everything Counts'. KD

Depeche Mode - Dreaming of Me

More Info: Depeche Mode
Buy Album: [UK] Speak and Spell [US] Speak & Spell
Year: 1981

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Shoes don't really get a fair crack of the whip when it comes to being mentioned in songs or band names. Alright, the great Furniture had a minor hit called 'Love Your Shoes' but precious little else springs (runners like) to mind. That might be all about to change though as Morden band Good Shoes are currently spinning heads with a delicious concoction of Wedding Present guitars and even more rabid singing. Wouldn't be worth the effort if the band didn't throw in such a heavy quotient of melody and some gleeful whippersnapper energy. Not that you could tell from their website, mind, as it's as difficult to negotiate as a desert map. 'Small Town Girl' is a single from 2005 and it will be soon as precious to your family as rocky the thoroughbred poodle. Jangle pop is not often this charming so soak up the twinkling melodies before they grow up on us. KD

Good Shoes - Small Town Girl

More Info: Good Shoes
Buy A Single: [UK] We Are Not the Same [US] We Are Not the Same
Year: 2005

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I haven't been so excited about music like this since Mike Batt started writing songs for the Wombles. Carl Johns is the impetuous behind Charlemagne and his second album 'Detour Allure' has just been released. Charlemagne expose plenty of country elements yet the overriding feeling is of blissed out pop. The music is prime for the summer but could quite easily brighten those frost bitten winter mornings as well. 'Your Scars' might be the Boy Least Likely To's best song with the tacked on studio tricks removed. The song flows on its painterly way, shamelessly addictive and capable of drawing claps from the hardiest of hands. Johns vocals are joined on occasion by a sighing female boosting the soft dynamics. With so much feeling billowing in the grooves surely it's only a matter of time before someone invents a fluffy character to cutely headbob to it. Charlemagne is Carl Johns solo project, although he tours with a full band, and he is currently on career break from his band Noahjohn. KD

Charlemagne - Your Scars

More Info: Charlemagne
Buy Album: [UK] Detour Allure [US] Detour Allure
Year: 2006

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In the end an obsession with winters cold face proved too much for Umlaut (a word I've heard Alfie use from time to time). Despite being signed to the uber cool label Fantastic Plastic this Sheffield band split up after only releasing one single in late 2005. 'Winter Coat' had the scratchy surface of a demo but for this reason alone it contained a spark so often erased by production gloss. Sounding like a hybrid of Cable/Lodger 'Winter Coat' begins with what sounds like a composition written on a casio keyboard by an infant. Pretty soon though the short sharp guitars kick in with the little monkey on vocals giving it arctic style. The casio returns at various intervals but it's masked by a sweet coterie of sounds that flail around it. Umlaut's DIY approach is a breath of fresh air, sort of punk with a cuddly exterior. You can find various members of Umlaut scattered between 2 new bands, the very promising Situationists and Johnny Rocket & the Bang Bangs. KD

Umlaut - Winter Coat

More Info: Umlaut
Buy A Winter Garment: Umlaut
Year: 2005

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Most of Logh's 'Every Time a Bell Rings an Angel Gets His Wings' was recorded at night but there is nothing dark about what they ended up with. This is an album that will surround you with its subtle guitar riffs, hum like vocals and pronounced yet undistracting percussion. It works best when heard in its entirely, breaking it up dulls the effect but one or two tracks operate well in isolation. 'Note On Bathroom Window' is one, staggering to its feet about half way through with a rush of acoustic strums, layered vocals and scene setting bass riffs. The band come from Lund in Sweden but share the same artistic persuasions as Canada's Do Make Say Think. Their last album was recorded in 10 hours so as you can imagine there is a natural feel to the way their music flows. Nothing is pushed or polished; the ideas are as they were when they first appeared like a light bulb in the bands imagination. On their European tour last year they were robbed several times, so as you can guess they might not be the luckiest band in the world but with album number four out this year they could be the likeliest to emerge triumphant. KD

Logh - Note On Bathroom Mirror

More Info: Logh
Buy Creations By: Logh
Year: 2002

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It's been a while since post rock threw up a new burning light so it's genuinely exciting when a song with no words produces a rush of excitement. Vancouver band Precious Fathers released their self-titled debut last year, have supported the Album Leaf and rather reassuringly at least 50% of their number sport beards. 'Snowshoes' isn't particularly intricate; in fact its docile nature is half the attraction. Think Explosions In The Sky circa 'Friday Night Lights' with more expressive rambles that see the momentum pick up delightfully over several minutes. Swap a chorus for some circular jangling and you might have a number one hit but Precious Fathers prefer to charge their instruments with the feelings that pour from aorta central. The result is a mood piece that'll have you catching raindrops in your mouth as a colourful rainbow forms about 3 fields away. KD

Precious Fathers - Snowshoes

More Info: Precious Fathers
Buy Precious Fathers: Precious Fathers
Year: 2005

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This Finglas band will be famously remembered for making the much less interesting yet vastly more popular Blink 182 append the numerics to their name. Led by the diminutive Dermot Lambert, Blink were a spunky quartet that were characterised by raging guitars, slight yet effective synths and Lambert's tumultuous word volleys. Over the course of 3 well received albums Blink matured into a fine band, creating pop nuggets at every turn. Their debut remains a favourite, however, due to its lavish whimsical nature and sheer energy. The band were a huge live prospect with Lambert at the core whipping proceedings into a frenzy of activity. Included here are 'Cello' which saw Blink dip their toes in ambient waters. The other track is a b-side from the 'It's Not My Fault' single that is as tender as a pork chop and twice as tasty. Dermot if you are watching, we'll never forget that Chelmsford gig way back in 1994!

Blink Live Review From 2000

The Murphy's Live Mix sets out to prove that live music is not dead. To ram the pint (sic) home they employ Blink to open their Festival of free music. As with all Blink gigs expect the expected. Ferocious guitars, snarling vocals, epileptic drums and the calming infleunce of a rabid keyboard. Yes Blink encapsulate in 60 minutes what most bands set out to achieve on a Lollapolooza tour. This is no ordinary gig however. This is the spiritual home of Blink. The ownership may have changed but Eamon Doran's still retains that Rock Garden vibe where Blink started out. Dermot Lambert resplendent in appropriate orange shirt orchestrates his band to deliver pure music. 'Going To Nepal' and 'Is God Really Groovy' kick off proceedings in the best possible way. Then 'Happy Day' grabs your head and pushes it back and forth so you resemble a hungry woodpecker. What elevates Blink above their peers is an uncanny ability to make their songs so immediate. This is exemplified as the tempo of the gig rises as old and new material seam perfectly together. As the 'Fundamentally Loveable Creature' holds hands with the 'Girl Whose Skin Was The Wrong Way Around', 'Billy' realises that 'Everything Comes, Everything Goes'. 'Can' and the somewhat longwinded 'I Know You Broke My Heart But I Still Like You' distinguish themselves and sit neatly on the shelf marked future hit singles. The experience continues as 'Cello' climbs the stairway to pop heaven with effortless grace. The manic Lambert thumps his guitar over and over drenching our ears in glorious feedback and as the drums roll the killer keyboard harmony completes the sonic Picasso. For six minutes everyone present stares incredulous and bewitched. Blink prove you can be happy without being nauseous (The Wets), quirky without being sad (The Neds) and above all brilliant without being aloof (The Roses). 'Love Me' and 'Its Not My Fault' continue the onslaught and thankfully 'Snow(Be Precious)' arrives just in time to avoid core meltdown. As an encore we get 'Shake Everything'. Wrecked from the experience we are unable to shake anything and the floor becomes very wet. KD

Blink - Cello

Blink - Five New Friends

More Info: Blink
Buy Album: [UK] A Map of the Universe [US] A Map of the Universe
Year: 1994

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Never took much notice of Secret Machines, 'Nowhere Again' from their last album was a nice distraction but the message was often lost in the hyperbole of the music. So as I unfurled the Uncut Playlist CD of last month I wasn't expecting much from 'Alone, Jealous and Stoned'. Sure enough it had a cute entrance made up of sparse spacey noises but nothing to suggest greatness. Over a few listens though the inventiveness appeared through the fog. Now, Brandon Curtis' vocals sounded wounded as he replayed the break up of a long-term relationship, his brothers' guitars chirped tunefully and John Garza's drumming bellowed with untamed rage. Maybe it was the influence of recording way up high in the Catskills Mountains but you'll have to travel far to match the rolling crescendo that appears in the final third of 'Alone, Jealous and Stoned'. This is life-affirming stuff, proof positive that whatever prog means or stands for it certainly can produce moments of sonic euphoria like this. KD

Secret Machines - Alone, Jealous And Stoned

More Info: Secret Machines
Buy Album: [UK] Ten Silver Drops [US] Ten Silver Drops
Year: 2006

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