Given that Lou Barlow has enough on his hands with the Dinosaur Jr. and Sebadoh reunions it seems unlikely that he’ll make it a hat-trick with a reprisal of his most successful (thanks to this song) project Folk Implosion. Much of the credit for ‘Natural One’s chart appearance was attributed to its appearance on the soundtrack to the controversial film ‘Kids’ in 1995 but given that the song never featured in the film maybe this is to do the song a disservice. Barlow tends to specialise in lo-fi guitar nuggets but by putting the bass and percussion to the fore and adding an electronic element ‘Natural One’ achieved an awkward but fascinating danceability. The song also benefits from the regular volleys of skewed chords that intensify an already creepy atmosphere. KD

Folk Implosion - Natural One

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Buy Album: [UK] Dare to Be Surprised [US] Dare to Be Surprised
Year: 1995

At the end of the month the sound of young Ireland will do its best to light up what has become the annual showcase of local talent known as Hard Working Class Heroes. It’s quite possible that many of the acts will have ceased to exist by next year’s event so over the next couple of weeks this site will try and put its money on the ones that are a good bet to succeed. First up is the trio known as Grand Pocket Orchestra who don’t fit into the typical profile for an Irish act. That’s right, they actually sound like they are quite happy making music that is fun to listen to. Take the summery breeze that is ‘Little Messy’ that could be the Go! Team were they to drop activity levels from 78 to 45 RPM. Thankfully Paddy Hanna and his cohorts can also go straight back up to 78 with songs like ‘Radio’ which is as close to a perfect companion you could get for any of the highlights on Brakes criminally underrated ‘Give Blood’ album. Reports that GPO have signed a deal with An Post to play their O’Connell Street branch are as yet unfounded. KD

Grand Pocket Orchestra - Little Messy

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Buy EP: Expect GPO's debut to arrive soon
Year: 2007

Jenny Hval is from Oslo. She records under the Rockettothesky moniker and is signed to Trust Me Records who released her debut album ‘To Sing You Apple Trees’ last year. ‘A Flock of Chestshire Cats’ is sparse, devastatingly beautiful and passes well before you want it to. Hval’s singing is delicate yet buoyed with enough character to suggest she has plenty of other tricks up her sleeve. Rockettothesky and a star is born. KD

Rockettothesky - A Flock Of Chestshire Cats

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Buy Album: To Sing You Apple Trees
Year: 2006

Anyone remember the sixtiestastic glee of Cosmic Rough Riders? Here was Scottish troupe who deserved so much more, capable of producing perfect records full of splendid melodies. But then, I guess it’s happened before with the entirely great yet ultimately ignored genius of Teenage Fanclub. Well here’s another band to get your teeth into if lazy hazy drifting couplets are your bag. The Three 4 Tens have been around for over a decade producing 3 records along the way. The latest ‘Down The Way’ only came out this year and ‘Everyday’ is a track from it. This was the first record that the Philly band recorded in the winter, not that you’d know though as it’s the perfect accessory for pollen counts that are going through the roof and cider that is going to your head. KD

The Three 4 Tens - Everyday

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Buy Album: Down The Way
Year: 2007

The Pumpkins newbie not doing it for you eh? Well, perhaps you should be sizing up some of the new kids on the block. Well, not exactly brand new in this case seen as People Noise main man Zeke Buck has been around for a bit with VHS or Beta. Still unsigned but getting there People Noise have nonetheless managed to release their debut album ‘Ordinary Ghosts’. ‘Killing Fields’ is a prizefighter from the album, with humongous chords, amphitheatre atmospherics and Buck’s partly distorted but brilliantly turned out vocals. There are nods to Swervedriver in that it is easy to get lost in the dirty noise without appreciating the entwined and beautiful melody within. Don't let it happen cause you'll be missing a proper rave down. KD

People Noise - The Killing Fields

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Buy Album: Ordinary Ghosts
Year: 2007

For a time in the mid to late 80’s I spent all my miniscule pocket money on 7" singles. Every Friday without fail I could be found flicking through the stacked plastic circles until one caught my eye. I can clearly remember breaking the heart of the kindly record store clerk in my search for Stephen ‘Tintin’ Duffy’s newest single ‘Unkiss That Kiss’. At that point I had found a new hero, his ‘Icing On The Cake’ (and more specifically its 12-inch remix) had me in a swirl (listening now it has a nice chorus but sounds completely of its time) so I was eager to claim the follow up. Whether it was an excuse to deflect my eagerness or just the truth the clerk had fashioned a story about Duffy being sued by a Belgian cartoonist over his use of the name Tintin. No matter, each week without fail my anxious requests were met with a resigned negative. I’d given up hope until one day while in a furious search for A-ha’s latest the precious vinyl was thrust before my very eyes. I looked up and my whoops were greeted with genuinely tearful eyes. It turned out to be a stormer and still sounds multi-layered and ingenious. Before Duffy had gone solo he had formed Duran Duran with Nick Rhodes and John Taylor but left the group before they made any meaningful impact. His band the Lilac Time has released several critically lauded album and he has also written songs for both the Barenaked Ladies and Robbie Williams. Also included here is a fab folk runaway and the title track from the Lilac Time's 2003 album 'Keep Going'. KD

Stephen Tintin Duffy - Unkiss That Kiss

The Lilac Time - Keep Going

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Buy Songs: Stephen Duffy
Year: 1985

You can now buy this song on one of our Indiecater compilations here!

In what is as close as you’ll get to an mp3hugger exclusive (thanks Matthias) here is a track from Eagle Seagull’s (see also Eagle*Seagull eager googlers) forthcoming sophomore ‘The Year of the How-To Book’ and I’m sure you’ll find it pretty nifty. Boasting a smattering of likeable ingredients it gets all seductive towards the finale to leave the sweetest of bitter aftertastes. ‘I'm Sorry But I'm Beginning To Hate Your Face’ will find favour with the jaded-with-romance generation but it’s the lolloping momentum that will draw an expectant rabble to the dancefloor. In fact the bulbous basslines, Eli Mardock’s curved pronouncements and the general sense of instrumental abandon should ensure that Eagle Seagull’s most gilded flight of fancy to date will cast some very powerful spotlights in their direction. Watch them fly. KD

Eagle Seagull - I'm Sorry But I'm Beginning To Hate Your Face

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Buy Album: [UK] Eagle Seagull [US] Eagle Seagull
Year: 2007

You may or may not know it but Wigan’s most famous band had recorded their best work well before ‘Bitter Sweet Symphony’ made them stars. In fact if they’d put a full stop after a raft of early EP’s and their miraculous debut ‘A Storm In Heaven’ then they could have attained the aura that surrounds the first Stone Roses album. Back then the drugs certainly did work and often manifested itself in several blissed out psychedelic classics like ‘All In The Mind’. At a point where Richard Ashcroft’s substantial mop outweighed his frame he and his chief foot soldier Nick McCabe were able to summon up grand aural spectacles. The music was big, bold and startlingly unique. The unfortunate thing is that such a singular prospect only found fame on the back of an old classic and a clutch of other worthwhile yet ultimately dull compositions. (The) Verve return this winter for a series of sold out UK gigs and are thought to be recording a batch of new material. KD

Verve - All In The Mind

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Year: 1992

Mentioned this tune last week so it’s about time it got the full treatment. Band of Horses released their debut album ‘Everything All The Time’ just last year but they’ve wasted no time in bringing out its successor ‘Cease To Begin’. Things have changed a little in that short space, Mat Brooke has left to pursue his own dream with Grand Archives (their ‘Torn Blue Foam Couch’ is one of years best) so Band of Horses have slimmed down to a trio. Considering how interweaved Brooke had been with the musical journey undertaken by BOH leadman Ben Bridwell it is somewhat surprising how the latter has come out of the blocks so enthusiastically. Quite simply ‘Is There A Ghost’ is the most possessed song the band have ever written. ‘The Great Salt Lake’ is the closest thus far to the energy and lust for life that ships from the songs every pore. From the off the dynamic chords are loose and freewheelin, Bridwell runs with the vocals as if he has quaffed a dozen energy drinks and the general impression is of a band having a grand old time. It augers well for the new album which will be released on Sub Pop next month. KD

Band of Horses - Is There A Ghost

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Buy Album: Cease To Begin
Year: 2007

I’m a sucker for a nicely delivered jangling riff and so 10 seconds was all it took of ‘Don’t Bother Me’ before I was sold. According to the Blakes all the song has to offer is 2 chords and a vibe. This very trick served the Strokes pretty well for a couple of albums so the Blakes shouldn’t worry too much. Made up of brothers Garnet and Snow Keim with Bob Husak on drums they give off a distinctly British attitude that probably bleeds from their swaggering intolerance for being told what to do. Sure the gratification is instant but aren’t the most memorable moments in life the ones that come so readily. Some time soon the Blakes could be universally lauded for their sweet sonic poetry. KD

The Blakes - Don't Bother Me

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Buy EP: Streets
Year: 2007

When will Thom Yorke return to basics? Not for the longest time hopefully if he can inspire acts like Uzi & Ari (named after the kids in the Royal Tenenbaums) to produce stunners like this. ‘Don’t Black Out’ is multi-dimensional effort relying on the twin props of electronica and indie rock to propel its dark vision. Ben Shepard’s singing is the main thrust that offers a swish combination of the creepy and the cute. He and the 3 others are signed up to Crying Girl Records and Luxembourg’s very Own Records. And what a signing they are too, for once substance is not allied to impenetrability which so often scuppers promising propositions. KD

Uzi & Ari - Don't Black Out

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Buy Album: It Is Freezing Outside
Year: 2006

‘Less Is More But I'm Not Sure’ is what the Medalist decided to call it and at 1 minute 36 seconds we might just about nod in agreement. For the short time it buzzes along the thrills are plain to see; whether it be the softly tilted chords, the close harmonies or Jonas Hägglund’s indie boy vocals. That name should tell you that they come from the current home of all things indie pop Sweden. The quartet have had a short existence but they’ve already caught the eye of stateside based Cloudberry Records who have released the bands debut single ‘Landslides’. If more is more (I'm pretty sure) then you should head over to the Medalist’s myspace where you can download a couple of other songs. KD

The Medalist - Less Is More But I'm Not Sure

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Buy The Single: Landslides
Year: 2007

In what seems like an eternity since her band broke up (2005) we are finally going to get a chance to hear Emma Pollock’s first post Delgados album. Even though it was completed last year 'Watch The Fireworks' will only get an official release next month. If you are familiar with Pollock’s previous work you will no doubt be enamoured by her fabulous vocals. They are both fragile and feisty and it is a nice surprise to find that the song quality hasn’t dropped now that she is going it alone. ‘Adrenaline’ is one of the albums' lead singles and sports a blustier approach than normal. Yet amongst the frantic instrumentation lays that bewitching voice. ‘Watch The Fireworks’ is being officially unveiled at the Social in Soho, London on the 11th of September (and it’s free!). KD

Emma Pollock - Adrenaline

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Buy Album: Watch The Fireworks
Year: 2007

Whilst falling in love with Band of Horses newest cut ‘Is There A Ghost’ I smelt the sound of something familiar. Those guitars while altogether fantastic recalled a memory from closer to home. It took a couple of days and then finally I copped it. ‘Time To Say Goodbye’ is the perfect closer for any Franks show as those choppy guitars suddenly lose the will to stay in control and throw caution to the wind. Like most of the band’s later material it works much better in a live setting but still retains many of the characteristics that make this band one of the most cherishable from the last 15 years. So as Band of Horses become your favourite new band of 2007 don’t forget their forefathers from down by the Lee. KD

The Frank & Walters - Time We Said Goodnight

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Buy Album: A Renewed Interest In Happiness
Year: 1999

Is this how it ends? Looks like it was over before the fuse was lit for Sydney’s great hopes Starky. This despite their arrival at a major label and the release of their faultless double A-side late last year. While Dappled Cities may be capable of taking up the slack it does seem disappointing that a band that is capable of delivering effervescent wonders like ‘Hey Bang Bang’ should disintegrate. The song is drenched in melody, overflowing with jangling riffs and possessed of a voice that could woo both the indie and mainstream audiences. Starky began in 1998 and had released one album ‘Mirror, Signal, Manoeuvre’ prior to being snapped up by Universal. The union was short-lived however even if it produced this inspirational flash of brilliance. KD

Starky - Hey Bang Bang

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Buy Album: [UK] Mirror, Signal, Manoeuvre [Australian Import] [US] Starky
Year: 2006

Meric and Logan decided that a change of name was required. So they made Dodo Bird disappear and opted instead for the zanier but not entirely different the Dodos. Together the San Francisco lads push a sound you wouldn’t expect from such few numbers, it’s a full listen thanks in the main to Meric Long’s impressive list of instruments. For his part Logan Kroeber lays down some impressive beats like on ‘Trades and Tariffs’ where his heavy thumping is a creative sparring partner to the acoustic drama that surrounds it. The song is a good illustration of the experimental ethos within the band. Take a song that has pretty indie pop at its heart and wrap it in the idiosyncrasies of a studio crammed full of a collective of animals and you’ll be both scratching your head and tapping your toes at the wonder of it all. Quality like this is not extinct, just very rare. KD

The Dodos - Trades and Tariffs

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Buy Album: Beware of the Maniacs
Year: 2006

Ok, it may not sustain those early thrills for its entirety but Electrelane’s ‘To The East’ is one mighty jaunt into the realms of sonic caviar. The all girl group from Brighton took to Berlin to write their new album ‘No Shouts No Calls’. Their stay coincided with the world cup and it’s influence can be heard on songs like ‘Five’. ‘To The East’ is the album’s lead track that initially cuts a distinct ‘Rebellion (Lies)’ jib until in strolls Emma Gaze’s frothy vocals and a haunted castle organ scene-stealer. The chiming chords are another essential ingredient to the song’s success, so much so that at a certain angle ‘To The East’ sounds like a lost Stereolab classic. Praise indeed but an indication of what Electrelane have been threatening to achieve for several years. KD

Electrelane - To The East

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Buy Album: No Shouts No Calls
Year: 2007

Another case of wasted talent but as the McCormack siblings readily admit the Jubilee Allstars were often their own worst enemies. Live shows were shambolic and the laissez-faire attitude extended to their songwriting which meant that the best stuff was sometimes left behind. That said they left a sprinkling of golden moments before the end in 2005. And ‘When I’m All Alone’ is certainly one of them. It's taken from their ‘By The End of the Night’ EP from 1996 which was released on Lakota Records. The EP had the dual distinction of being feted by the great Peel in the sky and also became a Melody Maker single of the week. There is a lot to admire in the bands casual approach that in lesser hands could have fallen apart on tape. Instead ‘When I’m All Alone’ is heartfelt as if played out during a genuine moment of loneliness. The momentum while never propulsive manages to approach vigour with the joyful intensity normally associated with that of a newborn fawn. KD

The Jubilee Allstars - When I'm All Alone

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Buy Album: Lights of the City
Year: 1996

I’ve just watched a film called ‘Wolf Creek’. My Godly and Cream I need some cheering up and thankfully this does the trick. And then some. In fact it's an absolutely killer tune, prepared to bed your happy genes and even goes so far as to ring them back the next day. The San Diego quartet are headed up by Ron Fountenberry and generally have a ball screwing with the one dimensional genre fixations that most of their contemporaries lazily adopt. ‘Girlkillsbear’ may seem like an odd title but as soon as the synthesised barber quartet kicks in all thoughts of violence are replaced with your version of a dance move that resembles a bobbing head on a stick. Lolloping was probably invented for music like this. The Softlightes are almost big in Australia and are currently on tour with Wolfmother. And with that this paragraph goes full circle. KD

Softlightes - Girlkillsbear (Lo-Fi-FNK Remix)

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Buy EP: Heart Made of Sound
Year: 2007

As promised the story behind Brian's 'You Don't Want A Boyfriend' by its creator Ken Sweeney. The song was released as a single in the early 90's on Detzi Records. You can buy the single for £90 here. Eat your heart out Thurston Revival! Thanks Ken. KD

""This song, of course, is about the end of a relationship. Listening back to it now, it's a young person trying to make sense of something that's happened with a resigned dignity. The lyrics are so painfully honest ("the more you give yourself away to someone, the less they'll think of you"). Originally I was going to hide it away as a B-side but it just came out so well, it had to be the single. But there were so many 7 inch Irish singles coming out around then, I wanted to put something on our cheap sleeve which might make people buy it or at least give it a listen. That's were I came up with the story of Alma Reynolds, the sleeve reads

"Alma Reynolds of Des Moines, beat her fiancee to death with an encyclopedia in 1989. She struck him with the 2,000-page volume a total of twelve times while he lay in bed. When she was arrested she asked one of the officers if she could keep the book. She said she wanted it "to remember him by."

(That's all that appears on Boyfriends' sleeve, no band member names, no studios, no credits.) The story of Alma Reynolds worked a dream for an unknown Irish band putting out their own record. One TV presenter in Ireland (on RTE's Beatbox) even read it out on air. It absolutely intrigued people and the girl on the cover being taken away by the two cops. That suited me because 'Boyfriend is such a personal song, particularly the end piece, I couldn't tell you."" KS

Brian - You Don't Want A Boyfriend

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Buy Album: Understand
Year: 1992