Kells finest Storkboy Choons continues to hold a grip on the imagination. And even if interest had faded he’d still occupy a section of our ventricle after ‘Rockfield Symphony’ made it onto the first indiecater release. His tunes are scattered all over my playing device so random shuffles frequently throw up one of his joyful electronic meanders. ‘Rockfield Symphony’ still sounds beguiling and where else could you expect to hear a reading of Ulysses within the context of a dancefloor ripper? You can hear more choons, including some from fellow Kellsonian Colours Move, on the free download from Analogue Magazine called Maple Drive. Happy bank holiday! KD

Storkboy Choons - Rockfield Symphony

More Info: Official
Free Songs: Maple Drive Download
Year: 2008

So is this what we’ve got to look forward to in the post Ting Tings world? Not shaping up too badly all things considered especially if acts such as Onili fill the gap until TT2. ‘Games’ is pretty cocksure but then it pays to be this brazen when what you say could easily translate into urban patter. It’s studio rendered of course and I’m not sure how it could be effectively recreated in a live setting. That said, Onili is pretty big back home in Tel-Aviv and with regular visits to the French capital perhaps the scene is set for European domination. This is sassy pop and about a million miles away from the hugger base station. When he nods approvingly though it doesn’t really matter where the goods are sourced. KD

Onili - Games

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

Not sure how this comes across on first listen but it certainly reminds me of long evenings with fingers poised over thick buttons (one red, one black) labelled play and record. Of course I could have spent £1.99 on the seven inch straight away but where was the fun in that when you had a 1 in 20 chance of snagging it on Fanning’s show of an evening. Might seem strange to the younger amongst you but even back then the record industry was in a flap and making comical claims about ‘home taping is killing music’. Didn’t work in my case as I wore the aforementioned fingers to a pulp. Endless mixtapes containing lo-fi tunes and DJ’s quite unremorsefully cut off mid-sentence. When I finally got some pocket money every penny when on accumulating shiny vinyl, cassette tapes and then the dreaded CD. So perhaps I was the exception, that despite my crack-like addiction to home taping I ended up spending more on music than any other pursuit (including chasing girls). That’s why when I hear that oft repeated mantra that downloading is having a fatal effect on music I smile a wry one. History repeating, but then gullibility is lost on the current generation of music fans. KD

The Pastels - Nothing To Be Done

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

New Order do faux Samba, nah Lemonade do real Faunts. The Canadian act have already been on our radar but they return in a decidedly more upbeat humour. This is a remix by Lemonade of the title track from their second album, which was released earlier in the year. It has picked some notable press but then we are all in need something to fill the coffers of our heart in these straightened times. Can you imagine cocktail in hand, ocean lapping at feet and this addressing the occasion as the sun goes down on another perfect day. They’ve already soundtracked the games people play you know. Escapism is all we have, at least until Friday evening comes around again. KD

Faunts - Feel.Love.Thinking.Of. (Lemonade Remix)

Which U2 Stage Will Prevail?

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

He made it easy on us when he called his main band Seabear. For his solo incarnation Sindri Mar Sigfusson went back to basics and left his fans with the bill for some very expensive Icelandic lessons. They’re worth it though given the charming evidence on ‘Advert In Ives Garden’, a marauding ball of cotton noise. The song depends on Sindri’s vocal interrupts, chirps and general ADD like behaviour. For its part the music is as unruly as a 2 year old in a small room plastered with posters of the most wonderful toys imaginable. ‘Clangour’ was Sin Fang Bous’s first tentative steps so it was really nice that his first tour was with Múm. KD

Sin Fang Bous - Advert In Ives Garden

Watch The Video

More Info: Official
Buy Songs: Sin Fang Bous
Year: 2008

This has been grinding away in the background for the longest time. Despite numerous plays I’d neither reached for the delete button nor decided to amass some words into a meaningful if rather ragged summation of what I thought of it. I think what put me off was what sounded like John Harrison’s disinterested vocals and what kept me coming around was the impressive instrumentation (vaguely Radiohead in texture). It all adds up to an oddity, especially given the 2 minutes fade out that might pass for a studio jamboree, but one I’ll happily call Jane if she’s sweet with that. In any case North Elementary are signed to Eskimo Kiss Records who seem to have a finely tuned nose for these things. KD

North Elementary - Ones In Love

Watch The Video To Lovesday Dead Down

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: North Elementary
Year: 2009

Friday nights out have long since ceased to be obligatory occasions in chez hugger. Always favoured that one over the more fussy and slightly too planned to be fun Saturday event. Friday has the capacity to be spontaneous and with the car crash that is the working week barely consigned to history it allows for the proverbial washing of ones colleagues from thine hair. So in the spirit of cerebral reawakening here comes the Hot Chippers, makers of that fine album from 2006 called ‘The Warning’. My tuning out was of course at my own expense as this ridiculously addictive number proves (mind it is a radical Supermayer retailoring). It bumbles along for nearly 8 minutes but I’d easily take more on board. Can’t beat a monopoly in the sound department and ‘One Pure Thought’ lives up to just made up slogan with aplomb. Right, I’m off out. KD

Hot Chip - One Pure Thought (Supermayer Remix)

Watch The Video To The Original

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

He may be only 22 but Randolph Chabot already has a careers worth of material to his name. At first it was just him recording albums and drawing artwork in the room his parents were forbidden from entering. He was a prolific sort and his industry soon paid off as the Ghostly International label came knocking on his door (his parents gave them the key). Their union produced ‘Moondagger’, an album that heaves with the young man’s epic flights of fancy. The tunes retain a homemade charm but there is an intensity to the never ending ideas. Randolph likes nothing better than not resting on his laurels and also recorded a 7-inch this year for Five Three Dial Tone Records of which this tiddler is the a-side. It sounds familiar but don’t all the great ones? KD

Deastro - Spritle

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

I try to avoid bands that have a chatter building on the web, preferring to wait until the brouhaha has died down a bit to really test their mettle. In JJ’s case I shall make an exception however as they are utterly the dogs. Like totally tropical man. There is a Panda Collective vibe but rather than try and squeeze 5 gazillion different ideas down your ears JJ stick with the one that announces itself at the start. The result is a gushing delight and one that will lead to bleeding google fingers as the world attempts to uncover who they are. What is known is that they are signed to the perfectly formed Sincerely Yours label in Sweden and this is taken from their second release, the mischievously titled ‘N° 2’. If tunes were ladies I’d be on bended knee and I wouldn't even know her name. True love in other words. KD

JJ - Things Will Never Be The Same Again

More Info: Official
Buy Songs: JJ
Year: 2009

Not sure how this sounds to you but for me it oerfectly encapsulates C86. Perfect jangle in a lo-fi setting and competing vocals melting together in a mass of glorious dishevelment. Signed Papercuts are from Gotenborg and have recorded various things for that indie label we all aspire to be Cloudberry Records. The song was dutifully released on a 7-inch of the same name and as you can imagine no amount of skips or crackles could take away from the majesty that is the crescendo towards the end. Yep, it could quite easily be the Wedding Present circa ‘George Best’ going at full pelt as if a potentially long term career in music depended on it. KD

Signed Papercuts - Of My Heart

More Info: Official
Buy Songs: Signed Papercuts
Year: 2009

As you listen to Adam and Darcie's new album you may hear the sound of reindeer bells. Strange for an album released in mid summer, you say to yourself, but in the context of 'California Trail' they seem entirely appropriate. With the Utah duo nothing is rushed and for that we should give thanks because those hushed melodies and intricate notes need time and space to breathe. The album marks Indiecater Records 21st release and we hope it will be the one to unlock your heart. 'California Trail' won't stop you in your tracks immediately but through a mild degree of patience you will grow to love its soft contours. Time reveals the abundant hidden charms, a charming riff here, a woozy harmony there. If 'Hands/Mind' takes your fancy there are 12 others of a similar ilk streaming over on indiecater. A little piece of Christmas has come very early this year! KD

Adam & Darcie - Hands/Mind

Watch The Video To I Need To Let Go Of What I Won't Miss

More Info: Official & Indiecater
Buy Songs: Adam & Darcie
Year: 2009

The Garlands are the sort of twee pop outfit that Sweden does so well. Led by the king of lo-fi Roger Gunnarsson (see also Nixon) they inhabit that tiny corner of the indie universe where thick rimmed glasses and hairclips rank higher in the evolutionary chain than socks. The Garlands follow a grand tradition as espoused by Sarah Records and bands such as Heavenly where despite a tinny presentation there lays a really pretty song at its kernel. The whole thing is effortlessly dispatched by Christin Wolderth who’s note perfect twee tones are like manna for fans of the genre. KD

The Garlands - David

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

It was a minor event from about 18 years ago (gulp) when the violin strains of ‘The Flowers’ seeped from a broken down ghetto blaster. I had been going on about this band from Kilkenny ad nauseum who were going to be the next big thing. As ever most of my words were lost on blank faces but this was finally some evidence that I was beginning to make progress. He was a proper student but his music tastes involved much ultimate raving so when I heard the freshly denuded cassette roll on this particular day I knew I had exercised some influence. It was to be a minor victory however as the student grew up to became the accountant and ultimately dedicated himself to a life of Garth Brookisms. I still think back to that special day, however, and the moment when what burned so brightly inside of me had company in the form of a little candle on the other side of the room. KD

Engine Alley - The Flowers

Watch The Video To In A Different Kind Of Way

More Info: IMC & Myspace
Buy Songs: Engine Alley
Year: 1991

John Bramwell’s vocals do take some getting used to but it still seems a tad odd that Mancunians I Am Kloot have rarely managed meaningful public engagement. They are onto their 5th album with the autumn release of ‘The Sky At Night’ and given Guy Garvey is sitting in on production duties perhaps their time may finally be here. ‘To You’ comes from way back in 2001, opening their hugely promising ‘Natural History’ debut. Boasting a classy shuffle and Bramwell’s falsetto it stood apart through sheer uniqueness. Perhaps that's the nub of their lack of commercial success, the sheer individuality that creates a reticence in the listener. KD

I Am Kloot - To You

Watch The Video To Proof

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: I Am Kloot
Year: 2001

Oh no, I’m not mad about the promo track from the forthcoming Mew album ‘No More Stories…’. ‘Repeatbeater’ has on the face of it most of the ingredients that set the Danish act apart but despite playing the tune to within an inch of its tiny life it is not sticking. Damn and triple damn because 2005’s ‘And The Glass Handed Kites’ was my favourite of that year. Progressive rock blessed with grand gestures and some of the best seques you’re likely to hear. ‘Special’ provided one of a half dozen truly great highlights and even though it sounds a tad orphaned when detached from the album it nonetheless displays the bands gift. I’m not going to beat repeatedly on the newbie until it has been fully disclosed next month but I hope the omens are vanquished. KD

Mew - Special

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More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: Mew
Year: 2005

Coming as it did in the wake of the untouchable ‘Take On Me’ ‘The Sun Always Shines On TV’ felt like a bit of a let down. That said it has attained a certain gravitas with age and listening in now almost 25 years later it really sounds wonderful. The plain facts are that A-ha and their music have worn very well, so much so that it’s hardly surprising that their 9th album ‘Foot Of The Mountain’ was released only last month. The trio can thank their lucky stars that that they put their faith in the emerging media of video because without their lavish promo’s it is unlikely that they would have reached such a global audience. ‘The Sun Always Shines On TV’ is an awkward piece of pop, never really settling into its groove but the positives are many. Morten Harket got to showcase his incredible range with a limited tune and the electro movements filled in the gaps with graceful ingenuity. All in all it’s great to see them back, popstars in the true sense of the word. KD

A-ha - The Sun Always Shines On TV

Watch The Video

More Info: Wiki & Myspace
Buy Songs: A-ha
Year: 1985

Damn, I’d forgotten how fantastic Mojave 3’s last album was. Imagine ‘Puzzles Like You’ is a full 3 years old at this stage and it still sound utterly luminous. It highlighted the bands new feel for jaunty tuneage that was so often missing from their, admittedly ravishing, longtime hankering for countrified pop. ‘Kill The Lights’ was a leading figure in their rise to the powerpop throne; along with the standout track ‘Breaking The Ice’. Remember that Mojave 3 had risen from the shadows of Slowdive, remarkable noise merchants who could never have been accused of loitering too long in the company of the dentist’s supply of laughing gas. ‘Kill The Lights’ pulls out all the stops and the result is an irresistible bundle of joy. Adopt it now. KD

Mojave 3 - Kill The Lights

Watch The Video To Breaking The Ice

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: Mojave 3
Year: 2006

For most of the time that old adage of youth being wasted on the young holds pretty much true but then there are kids like Joseph D'Agostino and Dan Koshute who’ve recently given the sound of the underground the almighty kick in the balls it needs. You should know the former by now from his glorious ‘Why There Are Mountains’ LP with Cymbals Eat Guitars but the latter is making up ground fast. ‘Double Dip’ knocked my socks off literally 10 minutes ago; it made me well up actually such is its ravenous lust for life. That and the rabid ingenuity at work, I’m sure most acts don’t sound this lively at 78rpm but in Koshute’s hands the stampede never sounds forced and everything is its right place. It’s big, bold and ridiculously ambitious. I’m wondering if they’ve invented speakers yet that could contain this at full tilt. Dan Koshute's debut album ‘Kiss Line’ is out now, I've also started headbanging for the first time in 20 years. KD

Dan Koshute - Double Dip

More Info: Official
Buy Songs: Dan Koshute
Year: 2009

Sometimes I decide I’d like to make a post like it was my first ever. One that would catch people’s attention, one that would ensure they’d return, one with a song so sumptuous you could be assured that people would leave satisfied. So for one day only I shall drive on from my usual landfill picking ground and instead focus on something big, beautiful and, dare I say it, life changing. Pistol Disco are from somewhere in Sweden and have struck upon the novel idea of giving their album away as a free download (!), if it is impresses you but you prefer a little grope then you can move into the physical arena by simple passing them on some coinage. This reminds me of the sonic boomism of that post Spacemen 3 spectrum, achieving near totality without ever engaging the human voice. KD

Pistol Disco - Organ And Drum

Watch The Video To Beat Of The Tune

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: Pistol Disco
Year: 2009

Allá are a distinctly unique trio from Chicago who were just made for summer occasions. Their debut ‘Es Tiempo’ came out last year and is pickled with perfect little tunes like ‘Sigue Tu Corazon’. Roughly 2 minutes long it displays Lupe Martinez’s exotic vocals and the playful creativity of brothers Jorge and Angel Ledezma on backup. Listening you wish it would go on forever such are its wondrous swoops and graceful meanders. Allá’s next release ‘Digs’ (a covers project it seems) will be out this Autumn on the Belgium label Crammed Discs. KD

Allá - Sigue Tu Corazon

More Info: Official
Buy Songs: Allá
Year: 2008