Albums of The Year - Number 1

KID HARPOON - ONCE

Whilst watching MTV2's coverage of the SXSW festival in Austin, Texas in 2007, I came across a live performance of somebody busking in the street. It was the strangest 3 and a half minutes I had witnessed in a long time, mainly because half way through the song, a stranger walked up, grabbed a fist full of dollars from the guitar case lying at the buskers feet, and casually walked off. The cameramen did nothing as the busker was yelling "He just robbed me, someone help!" at suitable gaps in the song, whilst not affecting the performance or how good the song was. The singer turned out to be Kid Harpoon and the song was 'Late For The Devil'. After this, I didn't hear much from him, a couple of EP's were released in 2007, but he seemingly disappeared, leaving me with great intrigue and only one simple recording of 'Late For The Devil'. After a year or two of hearing nothing by him or even about him, I wouldn't say I gave up on him, he just drifted far from my thoughts.

It turned out that he had been recording his debut album in 2008, and after scrapping this full albums worth of material, most of 2009 aswell. He wasn't happy with his first efforts and so travelled to LA to record with producer Trevor Horn, and so 'Once', by Kid Harpoon, aka Tom Hull's own admission, was a long time coming. Aided by musicians who have previously worked with everyone from Bob Dylan to Metallica, he has created an album of timeless quality.

I don't want to bore you with story of my first listen, but I can't help it. Sorry. After almost 9 hours of travelling from Manchester to Hamburg, I boarded a bus for the last leg of my journey to visit my girlfriend. It had been too long since I had seen her, it always is. I was tired, and I hadn't realised that another hour was going to be added to my journey when I boarded the bus. But the morning of that trip, Kid Harpoon's debut album had appeared online and I downloaded it straight onto my iPod. I must have forgot I had it because it wasn't until I sat down on the bus and shuffled through my artists that I came across it. After pressing play, I didn't really notice time pass, who had sat next to me, what I saw when looking out of the window. If it hadn't finished after 40 or so minutes, I'm pretty sure I would have missed my stop. I must admit, I laughed when I read the BBC's review of the album, mainly due to the line "happy couples may enjoy the themes of 'Once', cynical singles may find the constant evocation of love (lost or otherwise) and relationships nauseating." I can see why 'Once' strikes such a high chord with me in this way, but I fail to see how anybody could listen to it and not be moved in some way.

I don't feel my words can do this album enough justice, all I'll say is that I truly love 'Once' and I am certain it will stay with me for the rest of my life. Two quotes I read summed up Kid Harpoon and his album's brilliance in such amazing simple words that I'll give you these instead of one of my long, gushing rants.

"Novels without pages, daydreaming diary entries stripped of all self-conciouseness." - NME

"Beautifully lyrical songs that defy being pigeonholed... in a league of his own." - The Independent

P.S. I have never seen the busking performance since and it has never showed up on Youtube. If anyone can locate it, please let me know, I'd love to watch it again. I am 97% sure I didn't imagine it.

Albums of The Year - Number 2

KASABIAN - WEST RYDER PAUPER LUNATIC ASYLUM

I know what you're thinking. Well, don't think that. I really don't care, I fucking love this record. Nobody is doing what Kasabian are right now, and haven't for years. I'll get the three words in now that most reviews do at some point; Oasis. Lad-rock. Right, now thats out of the way, let me explain.

Kasabian have established themselves as one of the biggest bands in Britain, and after two good albums, they got lumped in with other bands that are seemingly adored solely by Stella-swilling football hooligans alone. But look at that front cover. Listen to this record. Do you think they care or want to cater to this audience? Kasabian take risks while still being one of the only bands to truly capture the brilliance of rock bands from decades ago. This psychedelic, acid trip of a 'concept' record has drum 'n' bass, Bollywood strings, Krautrock rhythms, Ennio Morricone spaghetti western soundtracks, camp disco - basically everything. Who else is doing this, and getting it to work so well?

I think Serge has created something wonderful here (along with hip-hop producer Dan the Automator), and I hope the band continue to follow their instincts. Basically, after West Ryder, Kasabian are the sort of band that I want to be in when I imagine being in a rock band.

Albums of The Year - Number 3

THE MACCABEES - WALL OF ARMS

This year had alot of great debut records, but it also saw the return of a number of supposedly 'landfill indie' acts coming back fighting with superior second efforts. Jack Penate and The Horrors are prime examples, especially The Horrors, given the gulf between their woeful debut and this years transformation with the brilliant 'Primary Colours'. For The Maccabees however, this would prove difficult, as their first album 'Colour It In' was a landmark album held dearly by most indie followers in the mid-noughties. To top it would require something special.

'Wall Of Arms' IS special. It was nearly my favourite record of the year, and probably my most listened to. Every aspect of this record was spot on. When listening in full, it's hard to pick out individual tracks, each on blends into the next with such ease that they are not distinguishable, when of course, when heard separately, they quite clearly are. It is alot darker and evolved than their first record, the best description of this LP I found being "a collection of atmospheric, heartfelt pop songs that frequently fly off at unexpected angles." A note also has to be made that the album shares the same producer as Arcade Fire's 'Neon Bible' and this was obviously a part of why the record is such a treat. It's all a highlight, but I must pick out 'Love You Better', 'Can You Give It', 'Young Lions' and 'Kiss and Resolve' for special mention.

This come back has given me alot of hope. Bands from a few years ago that I loved seemingly all fell away, lost their direction and never moved on, got dropped or just split up. It was so reassuring to see one that I loved progress, while maintaining the things I loved about them, and being received and enjoyed by wider audiences. Proof that work really does pay off.

Albums of The Year - Number 4

POMEGRANATES - EVERYBODY, COME OUTSIDE!

I can't recall how I stumbled upon this album. It's the second album by Cincinnati's Pomegranates, downloaded by me on a whim, and all I know is that when I finished listening to the first track, I immediately downloaded their first album 'Everything Is Alive' as well, just in case this was all a trick, this 'Pomegranate' band weren't real, and their recordings would disappear if I didn't download them all straight away! Now I realise this may make me sound a little strange, but when I find a new music discovery that excites me this much, 'a little strange' is a rather accurate description of myself.

I remember when I first listened to the album all the way through. It was on the way back home after visiting my girlfriend in Hamburg on a coach to the airport. It was late evening, and the bright sun was setting before my eyes. I was sad I was leaving her, sad I wouldn't see her for another two weeks or so, but rather blissful and content after having spent another great weekend with my favourite person. I think I listened to every word sang on the album, every swirling guitar part, every cheerful key progression, every hammering drum, every last thing being introduced to my ears.

The album is an absorbing and magical tale about a man leaving home only to be taken captive by a time traveller and being left lost in time. I think this album really made sense to me in an exciting time in my life, but I would recommend this dream-pop to anyone in any situation; it is so original and unique, charming and captivating, just a fascinating listen start to finish.

Albums of The Year - Number 5

GIRLS - ALBUM

I first heard 'Lust For Life' at the start of this year, and since that moment, I knew I would like this band no matter what album they produced. Luckily though, the album they did produce (confusingly called 'Album') was so good, I wouldn't have minded 'Lust For Life' not being on there (It is and it's still my favourite).

Alot has been written this year about frontman Christopher Owen's upbringing in a cult, his family problems, his lucky break and his meeting in San Fran with other Girls member Chet 'JR' White and the resulting band. But whatever led them to this album, I'm glad it did. The emotions conjured in Owen's voice and the lyrics are so powerful, you can't help but listen to every word. Despite the uptempo joy of 'Lust For Life', the lyrics state "Oh I wish I had a father, and maybe then I woulda turned out right, but now I'm just crazy and totally mad, now I'm just crazy and fucked in the head." These lyrics, knowing his backstory, are heartbreaking.

Musically, the album is early Beach Boys but with scuzzy production and dark, honest lyrics. I heard it being described as having a 'pillow quality', and I can see how that applies. The subtle production touches, and every song discussing, well, girls, the album is pure class and one which grows and sticks after every listen. It also happens to be my girlfriends album of the year.

Albums Of The Year - Number 6

The xx -The xx

Another debut album, another album that will be close to the top of most 2009 lists. The thing is with most of the them, especially The xx, is that they thoroughly deserve all the praise. When I first listened to their self-titled album, I didn't really notice time pass. The slow, simple compositions with a real R&B influence just merge into one long dreamy, chillout LP that oozes cool, charisma and sex. Especially the sex.

It sounds so simple, but after repeat listens (which you will), you notice so many things going on; clacking drumbeats, bass wobbles, sparse guitars, the interaction of the two singers lyrics. Such a fully formed debut is rare, they have done something this year that is free from genre or following a trend. Whether the intended this doesn't matter. This album is a joy, and great late at night. Their remixes this year have also been some of the best around and well worth digging out.

Albums Of The Year - Number 7

MUMFORD & SONS - SIGH NO MORE

A few years ago, 'landfill indie' seemed to dominate the musical landscape. With alot of these bands recently being dropped, splitting up and releasing mediocre second albums, young British folk-pop seems to be taking over. This genre is not easy to pull off and therefore most of the up and coming acts are of high quality and are hard working tourists.

Mumford & Sons have worked hard. They have toured heavily, gaining support slots with the likes of Laura Marling and Noah & the Whale. Just like the previous acts mentioned, Mumford are just as rowdy and passionate live and this autumn, releases their debut, getting to number 11 in the charts.

'Sigh No More', despite being a bit too polite in places, is a great record, and seems to sum up the indie-folk feeling of the moment. There is bluegrass banjo underpinning acoustic guitars, strings and horns, close harmonies, and dark, sweeping tales of love. Singles 'Little Lion Man' and 'Winter Winds' are amazing moments on an album filled with many. This is a great debut, one of six that will appear in this list!

Albums Of The Year - Number 8

SLOW CLUB - YEAH SO

Even with just 'Apples & Pairs' this album would have been included. But the Sheffield duo really exceeded expectations with their debut. Lyrically the pair are fantastic and both have great voices, ones that work so well together it can be quite magical. With a fair few lo-fi, 'twee' indie offerings over the last few years (Laura Marling, Tilly & The Wall), Slow Club do more than just fit in, they are far too witty, funny and self aware to be just lumped in with others. Some of their videos are the best I've seen in recent years.

Such simple songs are so beautifully brilliant and every one has great lines, with some great guitar work from Watson. They also use simple objects as percussion, such as glass bottles and the scrape of a chair. There is something so warming about their simplicity which conveys into something much grander. Slow Club might never get the mainstream acclaim they deserve, which would be a real shame, as they do truly deserve it. I really hope to see them live soon, I know Kate cannot wait.

Albums Of The Year - Number 9

LOCAL NATIVES - GORILLA MANOR

I had heard the name Local Natives ever since there was some buzz following them from this Aprils SXSW. There wasn't much material on the internet however, so apart from the 'Sun Hands EP', I had to wait till the album, 'Gorilla Manor' came out this autumn. It was definitely worth the wait. Most reviews of the album will at some point mention a comparison to Fleet Foxes. Whilst I do think they have similarities, and that no band can really touch Fleet Foxes at what they do at the moment, Local Natives have many strengths on their own.

The LA quintet have the open-throat harmonies and air of wide-eyed wonderment, but they also have a more up-tempo, celebratory element to their indie-folk. Songs such as 'Camera Talk' and 'Sun Hands' would enthral anyone, and I dare anybody to listen to just one song and not want to listen to the whole album. An unexpected joy.

Albums Of The Year - Number 10

ARCTIC MONKEYS - HUMBUG

No album made such an impact on me as their debut in 2006. Before it, and since, I have been a huge, huge fan. This band spoke to me in a way music hadn't before. And so since then, I have followed their career closely and with some slight unease. Their level of success was rightly justified, but with it brought problems. Massive gigs in 2007 slightly tainted my love for them, fans at gigs soured my Arctics experiences. Every person should have a right to follow any music they desire, and music should unite people, but I found that I felt alienated due to elements of their fanbase. I hate to think that this would make me a music 'snob', but it was hard for me to see this band and the 'lad-rock' following they gained.

News then, that the band would be recording a new album with Josh Homme made me madly excited. I had always been a fan of their heavier recordings - 'Plastic Tramp', 'This House Is A Circus' and 'If You Found This It's Probably Too Late', and so recording with the QOTSA frontman almost ensured a heavier album, and as a result, lose some of the more casual fans.

'Humbug' did not disappoint. The range of tracks, albeit there only being 10, was remarkable. And Alex Turner's lyrics were outstanding yet again, this time with a more personal, mysterious aspect rather that the kitchen sink drama of their previous efforts. Critics agreed that Turners maturity, especially after his work in The Last Shadow Puppets, had shone through, and he now carried a Morrissey-esque croon.

The guitar work and drums was still on form, Helders again keeping everything together, and the strings benefiting from hanging out in the desert with members of QOTSA. Tracks such as 'Potion Approaching' and 'Pretty Visitors' were heavier than anything experienced before and slower ones like 'My Propeller' were more heartfelt. Plus, the album contained an absolute classic in 'Cornerstone'. How can album with this line "What came first, the chicken or the dickhead?" not be included in my list?

MY ALBUMS OF 2009

I am going to list my favourite albums of the year over the next few days, and just wanted to explain how I am going to choose them before I put them here. I am simply listing the 10 albums that I received the most pleasure in listening to, found the most interesting and think I will enjoy for a long time. Hopefully you enjoyed some of them too, and perhaps if you haven't heard them, then you could check them out - I think they're worth some of your time.

I also wanted to list the ones that almost made it, ones which I loved but not as much as others, and ones which were good in parts. So here'e the ones unlucky to miss out;

The Horrors - Primary Colours

Jamie T -Kings & Queens

Wild Beasts - Two Dancers

Grizzly Bear - Veckatimest

Yeah Yeah Yeah's - It's Blitz!

Woods - Songs of Shame

Cass McCombs - Catacombs

Julian Casablancas - Phrazes For The Young

Animal Collective - Merriweather Post Pavilion

Florence & The Machine - Lungs

Bombay Bicycle Club - I Had The Blues But I Shook Them Loose

The Strange Boys - And Girls Club

Also, here are some albums which show some great potential, and ones which might get bigger in 2010;

Sufrer Blood - Astrocoast

Real Estate - Real Estate

Smithwesterns - Smithwesterns

Bear In Heaven - Beast Rest Forth Mouth

Hung Up on The Cheek (And Their Old Name)

There is a part of me that already hates The Cheek. And it's for the worst reason ever. People claim the worst band name change in recent history is 'The Muslims' converting to 'The Soft Pack'. But for me it has to be 'Cheeky Cheeky & The Nosebleeds' changing to 'The Cheek'. Yes, it was a bit of a daft one and took a while to say, and yes, it's probably all Joe Lean and the 'Jing Jang Jongs' fault, but it still bothers me. Another reason is that they don't seem to play 'I've Grown Quite Fond Of You' anymore (they could yet restore all my faith if they do indeed still play it, or include it on their debut album).

Anyway... The Cheek are still good, as proved by recent single 'Hung Up'. Here's the video for it. They just need to do something special for me to forgive them (I bet they lie awake at night and worry over this.)

The Cheek - Hung Up from The Cheek on Vimeo.

Introducing... Frankie & the Heartstrings

The band listed in most tips-for-2010 polls, they have just made their first video for single 'Fragile'. NME claimed they've been 'making indie special again'. The swooning music they create is certainly special, and 'Fragile' makes it easy to see why they should be in every 2010 list. It's delicate and raw, handclaps in the right places, frustrated vocals rushing up to a climactic choruses and finishes. If they continue on this path, I don't care if they get 'big' in 2010, I just want to listen to a full albums worth of material from them (selfish of me I know!).

Frankie and the Heartstrings - Fragile from Carol Lynn on Vimeo.

Ain't Nothing Like Blakroc

NME's Tracks and Albums of The Year

The annual lists are out and Yeah Yeah Yeah's 'Zero' has been voted NME's track of 2009 whilst The Horrors 'Primary Colours' has been voted their album of 2009. Follow these links for the full lists and come back soon for my albums of 2009 (my tracks of 2009 are a few posts back!)

http://www.nme.com/list/50-best-tracks-of-2009/159979/

http://www.nme.com/list/50-best-albums-of-2009/159978

Expecting... She & Him Vol. II

We were all expecting another album from Zooey Deschanel and M. Ward, aka She & Him, soon after their fantastic debut from 2008, but today, they confirmed the second volume shall be released in April 2010. Like the first, it has been written by Zooey and produced by Ward. The albums full tracklisting will be;

'Thieves'
'In The Sun'
'Don’t Look Back'
'Ridin’ In My Car'
'Lingering Still'
'Me And You'
'Gonna Get Along Without You Now'
'Home'
'I'm Gonna Make It Better'
'Sing'
'Over It Over Again'
'Brand New Shoes'
'If You Can’t Sleep'

Going To Hell In A Leather Jacket

Introducing... Bromheads

Bromheads dropped the 'Jacket' this year are still recording as a two-piece. They've been recording and making their demos, covers and singles available as free downloads from http://www.bromheads.tv/ and playing free gigs around Sheffield. Download latest single 'Edey' now, it's more great stuff, why would you expect anything less from them?! I want his guitar, but not his haircut.

Welcoming Back... Lightspeed Champion

Welcoming Back... The Courteeners

The Courteeners are back! The song 'Cross My Heart & Hope To Fly' was played on Zane Lowe's show for the first time tonight, and is now available as a free download from http://www.thecourteeners.com/ . The song marks a more mature chapter in their growing career, many people suggesting they are heading the way of Elbow. This is no bad thing, with some great early raw, rock tunes and tender moments on great debut 'St. Jude' and then a more orchestral and mature transition on 'That Kiss' last year, providing fans a glimpse of their direction.

Expect the forthcoming album, 'Falcon', due next February to be more of the same and to do very well. The band play their biggest solo date this Friday at Manchester Central. All 10,000 tickets are sold out.

If you pre-order the album, the band are offering this prize; In a special Fan Offer you can pre-order the 2CD album and the Cross My Heart 7” and not only enjoy a price saving, but also get your name printed in the CD album booklet if you order before Jan 1st. Immortalised forever as a super fan.

Expecting... Fleet Foxes Second LP

Fleet Foxes' Robin Pecknold has confirmed to Pitchforck that the band have started work on the follow up to 2008's self titled debut. After a few years relentless touring, the band have rented a space to work on the album. He thinks the album will be less up-tempo, groove based and recorded quite quickly. Speaking of he rehersal space he stated that "I'm just going down there every day and writing songs ... I want the recording to be really fast. I want to do all the vocal takes in one go, so even if there are fuck-ups, I want them to be on there. I want there to be guitar mistakes. I want there to be not totally flawless vocals. I want to record it and have that kind of cohesive sound."

Pecknold is also taking inspiration from Johnny Marr's favourite, Roy Harper's classic 'Stormcock' (which is reeeally exciting news for me) and has started a side project with his sister, called Rainbow Fang. Expect to hear both next year!

Reaction to BBC's Sound of 2010

http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/musicblog/2009/dec/07/bbc-sound-2010-poll

Like most articles written today about the BBC's annual top-tips list, nobody is really too convinced by this list. Sure there are some acts in there that will do well and cross over (Marina, Delphic, Ellie) but there is nobody in there that will do a Florence, a Gaga, a White Lies, or a La Roux in 2010. Plus, some of the acts are truly poor (Owl City, Giggs). There is going to be loads of lists, and nobody can ever be sure, but I wouldn't read too much into the BBC's this year, (I picked 5 of them in mine, and didn't even bother with The Drums as they've already broken in 2009).

BBC Sound of 2010

Fifteen of the best rising music stars have been announced as the longlist for the BBC's Sound of 2010.

Daisy Dares You Delphic Devlin The Drums

Everything Everything Giggs Gold Panda Ellie Goulding

Hurts Joy Orbison Marina & the Diamonds Owl City

Rox Stornoway Two Door Cinema Club

More information at; http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/8395789.stm

MY TOP 10 TRACKS OF 2009

Yeah Yeah Yeah's - Zero

Dizzee Rascal - Bonkers

The Big Pink - Dominos

Bombay Bicycle Club - Always Like This

Girls - Lust For Life

The Maccabees - Love You Better

The Horrors - Who Can Say

Julian Casablancas - 11th Dimension

Arctic Monkeys - Cornerstone

Jamie T - Sticks 'n' Stones

Beyoncé's 'Crazy In Love' voted NME's track of the decade

1. Beyoncé – 'Crazy In Love'
2. MGMT – 'Time To Pretend'
3. The Strokes – 'Hard To Explain'
4. MIA – 'Paper Planes'
5. OutKast – 'Hey Ya!'
6. The Rapture – 'House Of Jealous Lovers'
7. Klaxons – 'Golden Skans'
8. Blur – 'Out Of Time'
9. Arcade Fire – 'Rebellion (Lies)'
10. Arctic Monkeys – 'A Certain Romance'
11. The Libertines – 'Can’t Stand Me Now'
12. The Streets – 'Dry Your Eyes'
13. The Walkmen – 'The Rat'
14. The White Stripes – 'Seven Nation Army'
15. Yeah Yeah Yeahs - 'Bang'
16. Rihanna – 'Umbrella'
17. Yeah Yeah Yeahs – 'Maps'
18. OutKast – 'Ms Jackson'
19. Radiohead – 'Reckoner'
20. Hot Chip – 'Over And Over'

The full 100 can be found here; http://www.nme.com/list/tracks-of-the-decade/158050

Florence et La Machine

BLAKROC - BLAKROC

For a while it was a fun thing to do, and a good way to boost dwindling careers; collaborate rock and rap. Aerosmith and Run DMC most notably, but since then, results of these collaborations have been poor, especially recently, Jay-Z and Linkin Park anyone? 'Blakroc' however is a very refreshing change, and something I find very exciting. Maybe I am biased due to my love of Ohio-based bluesmen The Black Keys and one of the best hip-hop producers ever, Rza, but this collaboration has had me giddy since the first time I heard about it.

Legend goes that Damon Dash heard The Black Keys and approached them to collaborate, and whilst in the studio with Jim Jones, Mos Def walked in. Then they got clearance to use some Ol' Dirty Bastard vocals from Def Jam, and since then everyone from Ludacris, Rza and Nicole Wray have been involved. The album is not perfect, some songs are a bit weak, but for the most part it works really well. The Black Keys lo-fi riffs add a great undertone for all the acts to sing/rap over. The basic blues/hip hop combinations are often killer though, especially on songs like 'Ain't Nothing Like You (Hoochie Coo)'. 'Blakroc' is a great album finishing off 2009, and I have the upmost respect for the artists involved. I just hope it inspires more cross genre collaborations of this calibre.

Introducing... Chapel Club

http://www.myspace.com/chapelclub

Introducing... Codeine Velvet Club

With The Fratellis taking a break before recording their next album, Jon Fratelli (or Jon Lawler) started side project Codeine Velvet Club, whose debut album will come out at the end of 2009. Ths single 'Vanity Kills' has been out a while, but follow the link for a free download of the cover of The Stone Roses classic 'I Am The Resurrection'.

http://www.nme.com/blog/index.php?blog=122&p=7609

Laura Marling

Laura Marling debuted 2 new tracks on Marc Riley's BBC 6 Music last week. 'Goodbye England' and 'Made a Maid' both appear on her album expected next year, and from the sound of them, it's going to be another great record.

BBC 6 Music Interview with Arctic Monkeys

Arctic Monkeys - 18 Nov 2009

Fri, 20 Nov 09

Duration:
20 mins

Matt Helders and Nick O'Malley from Arctic Monkeys dropped in to chat with Steve Lamacq about the music that influced their current album 'Humbug'. We discovered their love of Nick Cave, Roky Erickson - Creedence Clearwater Revival plus we found out that Matt is not a morning person - that they fell in love with the 80's Matchbox B-Line Disaster when they were 16 year olds at Leeds Festival and that backstage they're training for the 2012 Olympics Ping Pong Team.

Free Download from http://www.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/series/6mdocs

ANIMAL COLLECTIVE - FALL BE KIND EP

'Fall be Kind' is latest EP set for release in December from the highly prolific Animal Collective. 'Merriweather Post Pavilion', their album from earlier this year, was showered with praise on it's release and will be in many people's list for album of the year. 'Fall Be Kind' is more of the same, and is being touted as their most accessible music to date. Opener 'Graze' is amazing and the rest follows on from there. Also, 'What Would I want? Sky' features the first ever licensed Grateful Dead sample! Can anyone else see the Grim Reaper swinging an axe in the artwork? Or is it just my strange brain?

JULIANNA BARWICK - FLORINE

'Florine' is a new 6 track EP from Brooklyn-based singer and producer Julianna Barwick. It's atmospheric stuff, based around loops of swooping, high-pitched sounds. The almost choir elements are reminiscent of Volcano Choir, Pitchfork stated that when listening to it, you want to 'shut your eyes and let it wash over you.'

Recently... on Later with Jools

Here's some stuff that's been on Jools recently. The Big Pink have had a breakthrough year, and this song, 'Domino's' has become quite an anthem, appearing on numerous adverts and radio stations. The second is a band hoping for a similar breakthrough next year, Delphic.

U2 to Headline Glastonbury Festival 2010

Yes, it has been confirmed by Michael Eavis himself that U2 shall be headlining the 40th anniversary of Glastonbury next June, to some people's delight (and more people's yawns). Luckily with the amount of stuff going on there, people will be able to find something else they like while the band are on the Pyramid stage.

Here's somebody trying to find 5 positives in the fact that U2 are playing; http://www.nme.com/blog/index.php?blog=10&p=7608&more=1

Further announcements on acts will come next year, but Eavis promises there are more 'surprises' in the pipeline.

Late of the Pier - Blueberry

Here's a radio rip of the first play of Late of the Pier's forthcoming single 'Blueberry' due out next year!

Winter Winds

Introducing... Goldhawks

http://www.myspace.com/goldhawks

THERE WILL BE FIREWORKS- S/T

Self titled debut from the climatic, emotional Scottish rockers. Released back in the summer it's not been heard by too many people which is a shame. It's self produced by the band and they are currently unsigned. A review stated the band have "coil shimmering melodies around escalating post-rock structures to create music that mortar strikes your very core." (To be fair, this was written in The Scotsman so it may be biased).

http://www.myspace.com/therewillbefireworks

Vampire Cousins

Introducing... Darwin Deez

Subject to of loads of hype, labelled in the usual NYC-hipster way (Nathan Barley meets The American Office), described as "post-Strokes fret-fluttering feeling as timely as a 2010 new rave renaissance." Great fun, great music, effortlessly cool. Check out track 'Constellations' on his myspace, and this great dancing video below!

http://www.myspace.com/darwindeez

FREELANCE WHALES - WEATHERVANES

Debut album which I must say I love. The band is pretty new and has received some decent buzz, NME calling them 'fairyland twee-folk'. They've been described accurately as having a "palpable warmth and tactful touch that crackles throughout their strongest tunes's group chants, harmonies, occasional computer beats and baroque-pop arrangements that should prove irresistible to people with soft spots for the likes of Sufjan, Ra Ra Riot and Postal Service." The album is self-released, and it is honest (and twee, judging the artwork) music that is ridiculously catchy.

http://www.myspace.com/thefreelancewhales

TOP 10 VIDEOS OF 2010

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