Welcoming Back... The Black Keys

Hear The Black Key's new single 'Tighten Up' produced by Danger Mouse on their myspace now.

http://www.myspace.com/theblackkeys

It is taken from their new upcoming album 'Brothers', which if the above picture is the actual artwork, it is the greatest album cover ever (perhaps I'm getting a little too carried away here).

and have a spin of my propeller...

She & Him - In The Sun

Summer Camp - Ghost Train

Summer Camp - Ghost Train (viral) from Paddy Power on Vimeo.

Darwin Deez - Radar Detector

Robin Pecknold covers Joanna Newsom

everybody has their time in the firing line

when we speak, I find it hard to think straight

GANGLIANS - MONSTER HEAD ROOM

A 2009 release, but one well worth seeking out. Released on Woodsist (Kurt Vile, Woods, Vivian Girls) 'Monster Head Room' is more brilliance from the new lo-fi brigade. Ganglians sound like a much more expansive band than alot of their label mates. There are acoustic numbers of searching love with distant sweet harmonies and swirling summer wind guitars. There are more swaggering numbers with built up rhythms and 60's echoes. Reviews pick up on Kinks, Beach Boys and Grizzly Bear similarities, and they are definitely present. Whilst the album certainly feels nostalgic, there are enough elements and variety for it to sound fresh and needed.

SARAH JAFFE - SUBURBAN NATURE

I only downloaded this album yesterday but I felt I had to write about it straight away, and to try and get it heard by lots and lots of people. It deserves to heard. Think Slow Club. Think Laura Marling. Think Belle & Sebastian. Think bloody amazing-awesomeness. It's not released for a month or two, and is only on a small label, but I strongly recommend getting your nice little hands on it.

13 beautiful tracks, a truly unique and gorgeous voice, stunning folk acoustic backing. A pleasure to listen to, and I haven't really stopped listening. Here is one of the best tracks, an amazing number called Clementine (a name I've been hearing a lot lately).

I know there is alot of folk/acoustic singer/songwriter stuff out there, but with 'Suburban Nature' must be one of the best releases of the last few years, hopefully Sarah Jaffe will get recognition for it. And I don't even know how to say her last name.

Expecting... The Black Keys

After late-2009's great blues rock/rap cross over 'Blackroc', The Black Keys are returning by themselves this year. The duo will release 'Brothers' in May, and is self produced, with one track produced by 'Attack & Release' producer Danger Mouse. Expect live dates to follow the release.

Tracklisting:

'Everlasting Light'
'Next Girl'
'Tighten Up'
'Howlin' For You'
'She’s Long Gone'
'Black Mud'
'The Only One'
'Too Afraid To Love You'
'Ten Cent Pistol'
'Sinister Kid'
'The Go Getter'
'I'm Not The One'
'Unknown Brother'
'Never Gonna Give You Up'
'These Days'

New Videos Time

OK GO - THIS TOO SHALL PASS

FOALS - SPANISH SAHARA

GORILLAZ - STYLO

Welcoming Back... We Are Scientists

If you follow possibly one of the best band websites around (http://wearescientists.com/sci-cave/), and you should, you'll be aware that We Are Scientists will be releasing a new album in June, combined with 'The Big Fuckin' Deal Tour'. Oh, and the album is called 'Barbara'. I won't say anything about that, I'm sure plenty of other people will. Check out single 'Rules Don't Stop' on their myspace, featuring ex-Razorlight drummer Andy Burrows who is now a fully fledged member of the band. I don't think it's up their with 'The Great Escape' or 'After Hours' as a lead single, but it's still a good tune.

http://www.myspace.com/wearescientists

Welcoming Back... Foals

Spectacular return for Foals. Sounding every bit the future on this new song 'Spanish Sahara'. 6 minutes plus to drift away to. And you will. New album 'Total Life Forever' to follow.

THE STRANGE BOYS - BE BRAVE

I found it too late to consider it really, but I now think The Strange Boys '...And Girls Club' was one of the best debut albums of 2009. And only months after their first release, they are back with 'Be Brave', filled with more of the same brilliant garage rock.

Nothing quite lives up to the title track and first single, with the drawl singing, shouting, harmonious choruses and energetic, youthful guitars backed by a rough saxophone. 'Be Brave' doesn't contain as many stand out tracks as the debut, but their are more elements in the mix here, showing a maturity over just a few months. Don't worry, they are still not 'mature' in anyway, they still sound like The Black Lips little scamp cousins, but they have tightened up, which live shows will probably prove.

There is still plenty of lo-fi scuzz and disharmonies, but the Boys show here they have sensitivity underlying it all, with real Southern flair and grit. One of my favourites of 2010 so far.

Welcoming Back... Crocodiles

Introducing... Apples

For Fans Of: Vampire Weekend

http://www.myspace.com/apples

Introducing... Sissy & The Blisters

For Fans Of: The Horrors

http://www.myspace.com/sissyandtheblisters

BLOOD RED SHOES - FIRE LIKE THIS

Blood Red Shoes' 2008 debut album 'Box Of Secrets' was well received although many believed it didn't quite live up the bands reputation gained from ferocious live shows. The album was still a success and contained a number of great dance rock singles. The Brighton duo have returned with 'Fire Like This' which is altogether a tighter piece of work, a more accurate representation of the band and the music they want to make.

The album has been produced by Nirvana producer Steve Albini, and it really shows. The 10 tracks are raw, unapologetic rock songs that move at great pace and without a glossy shine. And the songs benefit from this production, you can imagine the songs sounding like this live. Single 'Light It Up' probably sums up the album, heavy, thumping drums, technical and powerful guitars with the two vocals combining to great effect on a thunderous chorus.

For a two-piece, Blood Red Shoes really make a racket. Sometimes two-piece bands can feel a little empty on record, but 'Fire...' really makes the most of their wide sound, delivering 10 heavy and full songs and displaying the duo's strong abilities. Laura-Mary's singing on 'When We Wake' is also a pleasant surprise, a slow burning number about mortality which is a good contrast the the rest of the albums pure rock.

Fanfarlo on Letterman

Introducing... Toro Y Moi

For Fans Of: Washed Out, Panda Bear, Animal Collective

Listen To: 109

http://www.myspace.com/toroymoi

Introducing... Funeral Party

For Fans Of: The Rapture, Be Your Own Pet, Hockey

http://www.myspace.com/funeralparty

Introducing... Big Troubles

For Fans Of: Best Coast, The Soft Pack, Smith Westerns

Listen To: Freudian Slips

http://www.myspace.com/inbigtroubles

Best Coast - Something In The Way

After a run of great demos and singles, Best Coast are releasing new single 'Something In The Way' this month. It's more of the same brilliant garage rock that has two great b-sides in 'Wish He Was You' and 'The Road'. Best Coast are one of my favourite new acts around at the moment and they play Manchester Deaf Institute in May. I shall be booking a ticket and looking forward to a full length release.

when I'm with you I have fun...

Late Of The Pier - Best In The Class

THE COURTEENERS - FALCON

'Falcon' is released at the end of February, and is The Courteeners follow up to 2008's Number 4 album 'St Jude'. In between, the band have had sell out tours, massive festival appearances, a US tour support slot with Morrissey, and yet the jury still seems to be out on them. Many dismiss the band as (shudder) 'lad-rock' and (basically just front-man Liam Fray) gobby and unoriginal. This really isn't a fair reflection of the band, and despite their critics, they have a huge following. 'Falcon' seems to be The Courteeners answer and response to the critics, and a developed, step up in their game, a maturity of sound and lyrics.

Opening track, imaginatively titled 'The Opener', is an ode to Manchester and home, Liam asking "I've been away, I've been working, but now I'm back , I need to know if you're still there and need to know if you still care?" With recent 11,000 sell out home-town gig at Manchester Central and a near sold out nationwide tour, it's obvious that people do still care about The Courteeners. This track is a good start, an indication of the albums themes and sound with Elbow-esque mature theme they have developed. There are still the rockier moments that dominated 'St Jude', here found on 'Sycophant' and 'Take Over The World' (you can imagine this is Fray's plan), but the heavy guitars are combined with strings and dramatic, choir backed choruses.

"I'm only a paper-boy from the North West but I can scrub up well in Sunday best", Fray's lyrics are still staying close to the kitchen sink, but he attempts at grander, more meaningful stuff across the album, as heard on 'Cross My Heart & Hope To Fly', "...and shoot right up into the middle of the sky, where no one can find me and no one can see, that would be my ecstasy."

There are still the indie disco floor fillers on display, mainly in the form of single 'You Over Did It Doll' with the Franz Ferdinand/Reverend & The Makers disco-funk and with Liam singing about "the girl that he used to whirl" who'll "carry on till you're dead and you drop."

Liam Fray's lyrics, much like the band as a whole, seem to be Marmite to people, them either being loved or hated. He admits on 'Lullaby' "I'm a fool who thinks he's as strong as Cassius Clay" which seems a more personal lyric than ever heard before. I personally love Liam's lyrics. He sings about "The Night & Day holding memories" the "Deansgate fireflies", which are all about home and Manchester. Growing up here I feel like I know what he is singing about (and often changing between complaining about to missing it by being away), I have the same experiences and so it's easy for me to relate. Critics will claim he is being over sentimental, but that is what I associate with Fray, and works best on 'Cameo Broach'. I understand why alot of people will dislike the album, or just not find it to their taste, but that doesn't bother me one bit.

'Falcon' isn't a classic album. It's a big step for 'The Courteeners' and should see them step up into the big time, which they deserve (and want) to do. It probably won't stay with me as much as 'St Jude' did, but there is more to explore here and I will be doing. Special mention must be made for the 5 tracks on the 2nd CD on the deluxe edition, especially if you like the punk moments from the band. 'Revolver' stands out, which it has been threatening to so since Liam first started playing it in his solo acoustic shows. In fact the whole album seems to be a Liam Fray project and I wonder how much of a say the other members get in the direction of the band. I'm not really too bothered about the answer, as I like their direction, and this soaring (ha - get it?) album.

The Black Belles - What Can I Do?

Vampire Weekend - Giving Up The Gun

CHRISTMAS ISLAND - BLACKOUT SUMMER

I think it started with Girls last year. Actually, it was The Black Lips a few years before, and The Cribs to some extent, but lo-fi, garage rock that remind me of summer and romance has slowly started to dominate my music collection. I don't know whether it's the simplicity of it, the realism, but with escapist qualities; anyone can listen to these bands and imagine being on a beach on a warm summers night with loved ones and just partying until morning. The Drums are benefiting from this movement at the moment, but there are so many gems out there, ones that I've been posting virtually every day on this blog - Surfer Blood, Smithwesterns, Beach House, Best Coast. The list goes on and continues to grow, and I love that because it means I get to stumble across bands like Christmas Island.

Most bands in this surf/beach pop, lo-fidelity garage era are only just being blogged about and so EP's and albums are months off, but I was able to download 'Blackout Summer' from Christmas Island. It is more of this amazing music around at the moment. A little unvaried yes, but it is brilliant ramshackle strumming of people who can make music at home, bands who sing about love, California and drinking. Most of the numbers are about rejection and sadness but with guitars and singing of the sunniest variety. Another unexpected treat, mixing the best elements of Girls and The Drums in an amateur, yet charming way.

http://www.myspace.com/xmasisland

Introducing... Mount McKinley

I stumbled across this small band from New Jersey whilst on myspace. If you like Bon Iver or Beach House (and who doesn't?) and you have a pair of ears (or even just the one), I suggest you give them a listen. Glorious lo-fi romps with layers of gazing beauty. Amazing.

http://www.myspace.com/mountmc

LIGHTSPEED CHAMPION - LIFE IS SWEET! NICE TO MEET YOU

Released this week is Lightspeed Champion's follow up to 2008's 'Falling Off The Lavender Bridge', nicely titled 'Life Is Sweet! Nice To Meet You'. If you haven't heard Dev Hynes before, then after this album, you'll be glad he met you. Recorded at the end of 2009 in Brooklyn with Ben Allen (Gnarles Barkley, Animal Collective), Lightspeed's sophomore album showcases how far he has come and developed since those Test Icicles days.

The country vibe to his first album (which was one of my favourites from 2008) has been swapped for chamber pop, and indie style opera, which sounds crazy, but it works for Lightpseed - the man can get away with alot, he's that talented. You almost feel he could try his hand at anything and produce quality music.

Opener 'Dead Head Blues' is a great start and sets the tone for the album. The emotional angst on display set against an America Wild West backdrop shows how Hynes can now showcase how far he's developed. This leads on to single 'Marlene' which is just amazing, complex lyrics with a huge number of musical styles; western, shredding guitar solo's and pop rock. Acoustic guitars and violins dominate the middle of the album, along with electric piano interludes before the melody and male choirs build up to the climax of the album, full of heartbreak anthems.

'Life Is Sweet!..' has been produced really well, and with Lightspeeds imagination and scope, that is a hard thing to do. I could not say where he'll go after this, what sort of album he can do to top this, but I'm not too bothered at the moment, I'm just glad I have this album to enjoy.

Wild Beasts - We Still Got The Taste Dancin' On Our Tongues

to die in the arms of your affection...

Expecting... MGMT

MGMT's new album 'Congratulations' is to be released in April, the band have confirmed. They have announced the tracklisting, but claim that there will be no singles released from it, claiming it should be listened to as a whole piece of work. They have said however, that a 'surf' them will run through the nine tracks.

'It's Working'
'Song for Dan Treacy'
'Someone's Missing'
'Flash Delirium'
'I Found a Whistle'
'Siberian Breaks'
'Brian Eno'
'Lady Dada's Nightmare'
'Congratulations'

Rain Machine - Give Blood

Welcoming Back... The Futureheads

The Futureheads are returning this year with a new fourth album. You can listen to new single 'Heartbeat Song' on their myspace now, as well as getting a free download of 'Struck Dumb' on their website. Both tracks will appear on 'The Chaos', released in April. The band are also hitting the road in May for a string of dates.

http://www.myspace.com/thefutureheads

Introducing... Spectrals

For fans of: Girls, Real Estate, Surfer Blood

http://www.myspace.com/spectralspectral

Introducing... Frankie Rose And The Outs

For fans of: The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart, Dum Dum Girls

http://www.myspace.com/saintoftherose

Introducing... Abe Vigoda

For fans of: Vampire Weekend, Vivian Girls, Best Coast

http://www.myspace.com/abevigoda

THE SOFT PACK - THE SOFT PACK

Alot of bands suffer from hype. Early buzz can be great; all the press coverage and attention gives you a leg up, gets you an audience. But bands need to follow up the hype with music that is worth all the early praise. So many bands fall at the first hurdle - disappointing albums and live shows that don't justify the hype and people stop paying attention. The Soft Pack are a band who have been subject to massive hype. They were in 'ones-to-watch' lists in 2008 while they were called The Muslims, and then again when they changed their name. Some early releases (Parasites EP, Extinction EP) showed alot of promise, but fans and critics were waiting for their full length debut before deciding their fate - did they live up to the buzz?

Well The Soft Pack's self titled debut record is finally released for everyone to hear. And it does live up to the hype, or at least the first half does. Tracks like 'C'mon', 'Answer To Yourself' and 'More Or Less' are the exciting indie rock 'n' roll staples that we would expect after those exhilarating early releases. In fact the whole album is a solid garage rock album with basic indie structure but with a modern lo-fi twist. But after about half way into the album, nothing really changes and the formula seems a little tired. The Soft Pack do guitar parts and vocal harmonies just aswell as any Californian garage band from the last 30 years, I was just hoping for a little more, as only shown in the slower, ballad like 'Mexico'. A little more variation over the 10 tracks and The Soft Pack would have had a classic pop-punk debut, which after the hype, I expected. That will teach me a lesson (no it won't).

http://www.myspace.com/thesoftpack

Introducing... Bullion

http://www.myspace.com/bullionness

Local Natives - Airplanes

Airplanes

Local Natives | MySpace Music Videos

Introducing... Grooms

For fans of: Wavves, Surfer Blood

http://www.myspace.com/groomsmusic

if you've got no kind words to say...

Introducing... Esben & the Witch

"The suave country cousin of Portishead, who's come to town toting a porcelain owl under their provincial arm and surprising everybody with their perfect diction and savoir faire."

http://www.myspace.com/esbenandthewitch

TWO DOOR CINEMA CLUB - TOURIST HISTORY

'Tourist History' is an album with familiar features; angular indie guitars and electro rhythms, much like a Bloc Party mixed with Foals. Two Door Cinema Club, another band from Northern Ireland, present a debut album here that goes beyond just another generic 'indie' album. Most songs on this 10-track album are instantly catchy and recall some of the better bands from the last decade; Vampire Weekend and Born Ruffians on 'Something Good Can Work' and The Futureheads and Editors on 'I Can Talk'.

It's with good reason that Two Door Cinema Club were singled out as one of the bands to watch in 2010 (they were included in BBC's Sound Of 2010). Along with Delphic, whom they share some electro similarities but are more guitar driven, they are defiantly one of the better new bands out there and this is a really strong debut album, with enough variety to pick up a strong following. Expect bigger tours and strong festival appearances this year.

Here is the bands next single, 'Undercover Martyn';

Introducing... Male Bonding

For fans of: Vivian Girls, Japandroids, Dum Dum Girls

http://www.myspace.com/malebonding

The Drums - Best Friend

Probably one of the most blogged/talked/listed about bands for 2010, The Drums made really big waves after their EP 'Summertime' last year. The band fully deserved the praise and hype they received, but after last single 'I Felt Stupid' and now 'Best Friend', I can't help but think their album will be a let-down. I hope it isn't but, neither of the last two singles are a 'Let's Go Surfing'. Hopefully I'm making a fuss over nothing and their debut this year will be surf-pop-tastic. I'll be checking them out live this Saturday as well on the NME Awards Tour.

Welcoming Back... Lightspeed Champion

Lightspeed Champion is back! Hurrah! After 2008's glorious 'Falling Off The Lavender Bridge', the former Test-Icicle will be releasing new album 'Life Is Sweet, Nice To Meet You' (which is probably the loveliest album title I have ever heard, if it has a picture of a kitten in a basket as the artwork, people would probably die), and I'll be reviewing it here soon. Meanwhile, check out the awesome comeback single 'Marlene' filled with great pop moments, an awesome guitar solo, violins and the word 'Deutschmarks'. Oh Lightspeed, how we've missed you.

Introducing... The Middle East

http://www.myspace.com/visitthemiddleeast

Welcoming Back... The Strange Boys

The Strange Boys return after last years '...And Girls Club' with new single 'Be Brave' up on their myspace. It's more great lo-fi garage fun that we've come to love from the Texans in the same vain as The Black Lips. The single is ramshackle brilliance that sounds like its been made on a hazy, white hot afternoon in Austin, with a great sax breakdown in the middle. Expect more of this great racket from an upcoming album they've promised in the coming months.

http://www.myspace.com/thestrangeboys

Welcoming Back... New Young Pony Club

Introducing... John Smith

"The playing style he adopts may cause your jaw to hit the floor…he has all the flair for the gathering storm that made Jeff Buckley so attractive...one hesitates to mention Nick Drake but well, one already has done.”

http://www.myspace.com/johnacousticsmith

we could fly away together...

THE SUNSHINE UNDERGROUND - NOBODY'S COMING TO SAVE YOU

Chances are that if you are reading this you will have been in an indie club between now and 2005. And if that is the case, even higher chances are that you will have heard either 'Put You In Your Place' or 'Commercial Breakdown' at some point. Both are taken from The Sunshine Undergrounds debut album from 2006, 'Raise The Alarm', which I am struggling to name another song from, despite NME calling it the 'first great album of the new-rave scene' (how long did that last?). But that's not the point, the point was that TSU made great indie disco floorfillers, it has been 4 years since that album, and so will 'Nobody's Coming To Save You' be relevant any more, or even any good?

On first listen, the album was worth the wait (even though four years is too long to wait for any bands second album - I wonder how many 'die-hard' fans stuck around?). There is still the electro rhythms there that first got them labelled as 'new-rave' but the guitars this time are alot more driven and the vocals strained, at times sounding like an indie disco Muse and at other times sounding like a heavier Rapture. This might hold TSU in good stead, there isn't too much indie disco type material surfacing at the moment and those dance floors need to be filled; 'Nobody's Coming...' is filled with tracks that can do this, especially 'Coming To Save You' and 'We've Always Been You're Friends'. It's good to have the Sunshine back, and this is just as good as their debut - let's just hope there is still an audience for it.

http://www.myspace.com/thesunshineunderground

LOS CAMPESINOS! - ROMANCE IS BORING

Ditching their 'twee' image, gained on the release of two albums in 2008, Los Campesinos! return with a much stronger, serious album. Both 'Hold On Now Youngster' and 'We Are Beautiful, We Are Doomed' were great albums, agonisingly honest lyrics set to glorious indie pop, but LC! have stepped their game up with 'Romance Is Boring', released in February. It's a big step forward for the band, these 15 songs are better than anything recorded by the band before, and 'twee' is definitely not a word you would associate with this album.

'Romance...' may not be as catchy as earlier work, but this is work that benefits from every listen, there is alot more going on technically, from lo-fi arrangements, pop punk and electronic breakdowns. The title track is a great piece of indie pop with a punk edge, and 'The Sea Is A Good Place To Think Of The Future' (yes they still do reeeaaallly long song titles) is a spoken word delivery over violins and crashing choruses. This album really is alot more coherent and stands up well as a single listen.

However LC! change musically or in influence, they do heartbreak and dark matters of the heart so well. So if you're into that sort of thing, this is for you.

MIDLAKE - THE COURAGE OF OTHERS

I read that 'The Courage Of Others' could be imagined as the Romantic poets mourning climate change to a 1970s folk rock soundtrack. That might sound strange but the third album from the Texan quintet Midlake does sound something like that. Unlike most folk rock records, this album is far from gentle. There are sweeping harmonies and classical elements mixed with angry guitars and dark lyrics. This is serious, serious music.

After Spinal Tap and the Stonehenge scene, I find it hard not to laugh at any sort of British style prog-rock music, but there is no laughing here (well, okay, there is, but just a little). This album sounds from another time, certainly not from 2010 anyway, and I doubt that Midlake will be a 'cool' name to drop this year, but I always appreciate acts who attempt, and succeed in doing something different from their time. Midlake are definitely doing this and are better for it.

Introducing... Perfume Genius

"Alone at his piano he sings about sex and death like Sufjan with all the pep punched out of him."

http://www.myspace.com/kewlmagik

Introducing... Internet Forever

"Internet Forever make one of those sublime rackets that sound like falling in love as it happens."

http://www.myspace.com/internetforever

forgive them, even if they are not sorry...

Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Skeletons

Introducing... Turbo Fruits

http://www.myspace.com/turbofruits

THE AVETT BROTHERS - I AND LOVE AND YOU

Produced by the legend that is Rick Rubin, 'I And Love And You' is the follow up to The Avett Brothers acclaimed 2007 album 'Emotionalism'. Many fans were worried by the bands move to major label Sony and the choice of Rubin; they felt any rough edges would be smoothed out and the band would be forced to play the 'pop game'. And in a way they have (Britain had never heard of the band until this album, and they been dubbed as, wait for it, the 'folk Kings of Leon').

Revisiting 'Emotionalism' and reading that live experiences are often, crazy, rawkus affairs, 'I And Love And You' does seem to dampen spirits somewhat. There are still some good moments of folk and bluegrass rock 'n' roll, but it is kept to a minimum which leaves the album feeling a little flat and less special than it could have been. Still, expect to hear about this band thanks to major label marketing.

http://www.myspace.com/theavettbrothers

AUDIE DARLING - FULL OF GHOSTS

More American folk from Portland, but there seems to be so much quality with these small releases at the moment. 'Full Of Ghosts' is no exception. Audie Darling has created a world of sad acoustics driven by her strong voice and swooping, hurt strings. A great quote I read of this said "through her confidence and toughness, she retains the honey-stick sweetness and desperate twang of a small town waitress aching to leave." This is a beautiful album, one that just begs you to slow dance with your sweetheart.

jj - jj no. 3

jj have been making waves since they released 'jj no.2' to great acclaim last year. And the Swedish duo are releasing their follow up 'jj no.3' in March this year, followed by a tour support slot with The xx (a tour which lovers of bands with lower case double letters will love - I think my band would be called The mm or The hh).

'jj no.3' is slightly less electronic than their previous effort, but still contains the Balearic beats and is slightly more 'dream pop' with the delicately lush vocals, showcased on current single 'Let Go'. There are still some odd moments also, 'Into The Light' seems to include some Italian football commentary. This album should propel jj to a wider audience (perhaps still only on the indie scene), one who would do well to check out their last album aswell.

I load it, I shoot it like a tommy gun ...

YEASAYER - ODD BLOOD

Seeing how almost everyone in the world (or at least some people in the music press and on the Internet) are raving about the new album Yeasayer, I thought I'd have to have a listen. I was prepared for a hard listen - my impressions of this band were of crazy, well, just noise basically. And in effect, 'Odd Blood' is just that really, but it works somehow. 'Odd Blood' is easier to listen to that I first thought it would be, and although there is so much going on, it never becomes overwhelming like a lot of experimental records. This album invites you to explore the different sounds each time, but you are always aware that you will never fully understand or 'get' them all. I have a feeling that many will point to 'Odd Blood' as this years 'Merriweather Post Pavilion' and shower it in praise. I know this can put a lot of people off, but Yeasayer have something here worthy of plaudits all round.

Beach House - Silver Soul

ADAM GREEN - MINOR LOVE

Now on his 6th album, New Yorker singer/songwriter Adam Green recorded 'Minor Love' in almost isolation, playing nearly all the instruments himself. Green states that the album showcases "a tender side of the often arrogant and emotionally unavailable bully/singer" - light stuff then.

'Minor Love' shows Adam Green all grown up, following on from his last album 'Sixes & Sevens', leaving out almost all humour and focusing on proper songwriting. And it works in most cases. It is short and sweet, most of the songs are decent and most importantly, interesting.

http://www.myspace.com/adamgreen

LAURA GIBSON - BEASTS OF SEASONS

More folk understated music from Portland here - 'Beasts Of Seasons' by singer/songwriter Laura Gibson, which might get passed by by some. It would be a shame, as although there are many artists out there at the moment who do the indie-folk-thing well, 'Beasts...' is a great listen.

I have a simple way of dividing folk music into two distinct categories; folk that you want to listen to as the sun goes down on a warm summers days, or folk that you want to listen to by the fire with a hot drink in the depths of winter (this is hard to apply in Manchester - we have neither warm summers or real fireplaces). This definitely falls into the latter category. Listen to it when you need to and it will definitely help warm you up.

http://www.myspace.com/lauragibson

Introducing... Novels

“In January of 2009, five of us locked ourselves away in Chemical Sound Studios in Toronto with the goal of writing, arranging, and recording an EP from scratch in one marathon session. When we stumbled out the door in the wee hours of the next morning, we found ourselves with what we’re now calling Novels.

Novels won’t be sold in CD stores, on the internet, or anywhere else. Instead, we’ll give them away, or put them places. Maybe you’ll find a copy sitting on a park bench. Maybe a masked man will hand you one as he passes you on the street. Maybe none of these things will happen. But we’ll make sure that everyone gets a chance to listen if they want to.”

http://www.okaynovels.com/download.html

All I Wanted For Christmas...

So... For Christmas this year, my girlfriend got me pretty much the best present ever. I have never owned a record player, and for all my musical interest, it is pretty sad that I have never owned one. Out of the blue I received this gift, far better than any other gift I've ever really gotten, and I am constantly fiddling with it and playing actual records. I've raided my mums old vinyl collection, as well as my girlfriend shipping half her collection to me (I don't think I can ever thank her fully, but I'll keep trying).

I've decided that I want to own all my favourite albums on vinyl. Ones that mean something to me and that I truly want to own and play forever. This will take time (and money) but I'm in no rush. I'm sure me and Kate will complete the collection one day. But the search is the fun part aswell. I'll keep you updated with how I get on.

Mumford & Sons - The Cave

BILL CALLAHAN - SOMETIMES I WISH WE WERE AN EAGLE

Another album released back in 2009, Bill Callahan's 'Sometimes I Wish We Were An Eagle' has been an absolute gem of a discovery. Previously know as 'Smog', Callahan has been recording since 1990, but it is with this album that he has been found by the the masses. The album was named the second best of 2009 by Mojo magazine, as well as featuring a number of other lists; it's not hard to see why.

Nine long tracks, all featuring lush arrangements and sparkling sounds and lyrics that express this hugely personal record. The album is a self-portrait of Callahan after this long career, and the mixture of dark and light moments on it work perfectly well together. Just by listening to the music this album could affect people, but combined with the intensely personal lyrics 'Sometimes...' becomes an engaging, intriguing and genuinely moving experience. A corker.

VETIVER - TIGHT KNIT

Released almost a year ago, 'Tight Knit' is one of many albums I have pleasantly stumbled upon thanks to obscure 'Best of '09' lists. It is a light, breezy indie folk album along the lines of Devendra Banharts more pop moments. There are some great simple acoustic numbers and a bunch of full band, guitar rippling punching efforts. Its a joy to listen to throughout, I'm just glad I eventually found this. Check out standout single 'More Of This' below.

http://www.myspace.com/vetiverse