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A SUBBA-CULTCHA.COM SINGLE OF THE MONTH = An exceptionally good cake!!!
Da NUMEROS:
A - Z:
A:
A SUBBA-CULTCHA.COM SINGLE OF THE MONTH
A-SKILLS Feat: KRAFTY KUTS – HAPPINESS – FINGER LICKIN RECORDS
Big band soulfulness given a Dancehall skat-beat reworking, like a far cooler Fatboy Slim, I’d imagine a video of 30’s swing dancing given a cut n splice edit romp – and the song is well worth such visual treatment, genius!
JON ALLEN – GOING HOME – MONOLOGUE RECORDS
A wondrously melancholic folk nugget, with the twisting melody of Greg Lake’s ‘Aliens at christmas’ tune and already placed within a television advert – chart success beckons!
ALPHABEAT – WHAT IS HAPPENING - VIRGIN
Unfortunately, the more singles they release, the less exciting it all gets in the world of Alphabeat; but never fear, buy the album this xmas and there’s enough treats to keep you stuffed til NY…
THE ASTEROID GALAXY TOUR – AROUND THE BEND – SMALL GIANTS
Yes, it’s THAT song, from the new IPOD Touch advert; some fuzzed up funk squall given a beach-like existence, catchy as fuck, like a modern day Family Stone…
A SUBBA-CULTCHA.COM SINGLE OF THE MONTH
ATTIC LIGHTS – LATE NIGHT SUNSHINE – ISLAND
A summer festival anthem in the making, released at xmas? Still, those Attic Light boys create such joy drenched, sunny nuggets of pure indie pop bliss that we’ll forgive them for not screaming from the bottom of their seasonal heart with a dark country tainted roar of “It’s Christmas…”
B:
A SUBBA-CULTCHA.COM SINGLE OF THE MONTH
MR BEASLEY – RIGHT AS RAIN – SHOES DON’T FIT
I love reading quotes, if only people would quote my over use of the word “Amazing”, like someone has with the word “Wicked” on this single’s promo art work; but Si Begg has a point, it is wicked, in fact, I’d go one further and say it’s amazing… predictable, us, no? This’d sound perfect on a lingerie ad with some girls writhing on Donkeys…
A SUBBA-CULTCHA.COM SINGLE OF THE MONTH
DAN BLACK – YOURS – A&M
Admittedly, he looks like the coolest former school nerd ever, But with a DFA-indebted sound and some fine funk subtleties thrown in for good measure, perhaps we have the new Justin Timberlake on our hands, if so let’s set him up with our country’s Britney, Kerry Katona. Also is it just me, or does the chorus have a baggy-esque edge somewhat distantly related to early Charlatans?
THE BOOKHOUSE BOYS – I CAN’T HELP MYSELF – BLACK RECORDS
Devilish Psychobilly that has a darkened, Cave shaped heart and some delectable Cramps-ish guitars, hell, I’m wearing a quiff, why aren’t you?
BOUDICA – ? – WWW.MYSPACE.COM/BOUDICAMUSIC
Fuzzed up grrrl led rock n roll, exciting from the moment the needle/lazer hits the opening groove – soulful, banshee-esque vocals deliver the killer punch needed, and some fine Cowbell work gets me hard…
BREEZY – I GET DRUNK – ALL AROUND THE WORLD
Airy, light mix of Wiley’s club indebted Grime shuffle with some smart lyrics and a fab, name-dropping hook to sucker punch you in…
THE BRIGHTON PORT AUTHORITY Feat: EMMY THE GREAT – SEATTLE – WWW.MYSPACE.COM/THEBPA
Great mix of Country jangle and Spector-like girl-pop inclinations, presented in a glossy, Modernistic pop style-it won’t change the world, but a nuclear bomb would, and we don’t want one of those…
BROKEN ARM – SHIELDS MYSTICAL – SEA RECORDS
Brattish punk rawk with a Black Flag-styled sense of hatred, bile and sussed up attitude; the guitars are mangled, the breakdowns wonky-pretty superb really!
THE BRUTE CHORUS – SHE WAS ALWAYS COOL –
Primal, dare I say jaunty indie rock. Dynamic and interest-pricking throughout with a superb set of changes throughout…
BUKOLA – HYPNOTISED – SLIP DISC
Pleasant R n B with an acoustic feel, playful lyrically, albeit a lil lightweight…
BURNING PILOT – ACCELERATOR - TRANSGRESSIVE
Hypnotic, skronk-heavy electro rock with a mesmerizing sense of dynamic, but as a single? No…
JACK BUTLER – ARE YOU A HUSTLER? – WHIMSICAL RECORDS
Taking footnotes from Foals, The Automatic & The Cure; Jack Butler has created a steadfast, fool hardy mix of indie disco and sheer anthemic brute, perfect for throbbing festival masses, glow sticks at the read…
BYE BYE JOHNNY – TAKE COVER WITH ME – NOBBLY RECORDS
Bristling with indie rock energy, there’s something very likable about BBJ, whether it’s their kinetic, infectious energy, or the tightly performed mix of urbane indie rock a la Young Knives and some tremendous skanked out reggae twang moments, one’s to keep an eye on!
C:
CALEXICO – VICTOR JARA’S HANDS – CITY SLANG
With members of Iron & Wine onboard, many thought this would be the album to break Calexico in a similar way to Wilco, and with strong song writing like this, I’m still amazed they’re not Oberst-sized… there’s always next year!
THE CHEMISTS – RADIO BOOTH – DISTILLER RECORDS
Like a more raucous mix of Haunts (who remix on their b-side) with the rocksteady edge of The Transplants; one slice of abandon later and I’m jumping on the spot to it, great stuff….
D:
A SUBBA-CULTCHA.COM SINGLE OF THE MONTH
DARKER MY LOVE – TALKING WORDS – DANGERBIRD RECORDS
With psychedelia threading disparate styles together like Shoegaze, Stoner, Alt. Rock; it wasn’t going to be long until a band mixed all three together, and thank god it was left in the more than capable hands of Darker My Love, never have I wanted to quit writing the single reviews and crack out a tab or two and go to the park, even in December! Genius…
DEUS – THE VANISHING OF MARIA SCHNEIDER – V2/COOP
Thank god for Belgium, want your indie rock darker, more progressive and doom laden than elbow, here’s your band!
DORP – LONDON OUT THERE – ABSOLUTE
Throbbing bass, explosive growl and some stunning riffage, ah, bless the mighty Dorp are back!
ROSE ELINOR DOUGALL – ANOTHER VERSION OF A POP SONG – SCARLETT RECORDS
Former Pipette drops the girls and playful indie pop-lite and instead brings the progressive touches of Tori Amos to the Spector-like reverb-pop-fest of yore, and thank god she has, though her voice keeps making me think of Sophie Ellis-Bextor…Spoon face, Spoon Face…
E:
EMMY THE GREAT – SINGS – CLOSE HARBOUR
Thank god, it’s good… sorry, after hearing an early Emmy demo, I was worried I’d have to endure more badly recorded folksome fluff where the voice never retains the same pitch and you’re left wondering whether you need a degree to understand the art within, but this is much better, like a Spector-shaped xmas, and everyone wouldn’t mind some emmy in their stocking, surely?
ESTELLE – COME OVER – ATLANTIC
Sassy, soulful, and bolder than most; Estelle, the world is yours…
A SUBBA-CULTCHA.COM SINGLE OF THE MONTH
EVERYTHING EVERYTHING – SUFFRAGETTE SUFFRAGETTE – SALVIA
Does someone have a stutter? A stunning mix of Foals-ian guitars, Talking Heads Afro-joyness, and some elastic sounding Bloc Party esque melodies, oh and that’s before that rocking riff breaks out-genius!
EXLOVERS – JUST A SILHOUETTE – CHESS CLUB
Windswept harmonies and chiming guitars bringing to mind San Francisco, Yo La Tengo, Elliot Smith and the La’s…
THE EX-MEN – THE CURATOR – BEANSTALK RECORDS
Brattish, bi-lingual mix of Grime-like modernity and throbbing electro – just needs something else to make it perfect, like a chorus…
F:
FAN DEATH – VERONICA’S VEIL – PHANTASY
Sliding into focus with some sharp strings before ushering in a CSS-like sense of femme-fronted coolness, it’s sexy, slinky and catchy as a mofo…
FILLY – INSTANTLY OUT OF CONTROL – WWW.MYSPACE.COM/SLIIDESHOWFILLY
I’m frantically checking the credits, and there’s not a Neptune/NERD member in sight? Modern, crunk busting R n B with some stunning, exciting production work on show (SPECIAL note; the changing BPM is pretty smart)…
THE FIREMAN – SING THE CHANGES – ONE LITTLE INDIAN
Airy guitar led pop from mssrs McCartney & Youth, strangely sounds like it came straight from the 80’s…
FLASHGUNS – TIMEHOUSE BLUE – BLUE FLOWERS
Packed with pace and urgency, but little bite, Flashguns certainly make an impression, but nothing long lasting unfortunately…
G:
A SUBBA-CULTCHA.COM SINGLE OF THE MONTH
THE GASLIGHT ANTHEM – OLD WHITE LINCOLN – SIDEONEDUMMY
Oddly, this single sounds more like The Killers doing a rockabilly cover, but maybe it’s that weirdly matched pairing of soul and rock n roll that brings to mind other bands trying to apply some soul to their craft, great stuff though, catch them on tour now!
JOE GIDEON & THE SHARK – DOL – BRONZE RAT RECORDS
Stunted rock n roll with a Birthday Party sense of tribal rhythms whilst those discordant guitars scuff away at the melee underneath-darkly brilliant stuff…
GUNS N ROSES – CHINESE DEMOCRACY – GEFFEN
I’m confused, it took nearly 15 years to write a song that not even White Zombie would’ve released?
THE GREAT SHAKES – CHINATOWN – LAP RECORDS
Kind of like Style Council’s more soulful moments, joyous modish power pop…
H:
HAFDIS HULD – STOP – WWW.MYSPACE.COM/HAFDISHULD
Imagine Nick Drake playing Summertime on acoustic guitar with a chanteuse fronting, impressive folksome beauty…
NICK HARRISON – SOMETHING SPECIAL – A&M
Sharpened indie disco bliss, high pitched harmonies and clap-worthy pace wins all round…
THE HOURS – SEE THE LIGHT – ISGOODMUSIC
Welcome back The Hours; Transcendental indie rock with a psyche-edge and some depth and dynamism thrown in, it just doesn’t really kick in til it’s too late, not really the best “welcome back” single ever tbh… That’s even before realizing it’s over 7mins long… career suicide?
I:
I AM GHOST – BONE GARDEN – EPITAPH
After such a promising debut, how could it turn to shit so quickly?
J:
A SUBBA-CULTCHA.COM SINGLE OF THE MONTH
JOAN AS POLICE WOMAN – TO AMERICA – REVEAL RECORDS
With Rufus Wainwright guessing, she couldn’t go wrong… stirring, genius!
K:
KEANE – PERFECT SYMMETRY – ISLAND RECORDS
Third single already, I think they deserve an xmas number one for that…
KENELIS – DRAINED – BLACK GRASS RECORDS
A haunting mix of Shoegaze guitars and strong but fragile melodies gliding over like you’re standing over the mouth of a crater…
THE KILLS – TAPE SONG – DOMINO
How comes everytime I hear the kills, I just think to myself, I wish I was that cool…
THE KILLER METERS – DANCE MOVE SHAKE! – BOOMBOX DIST.
A Sexy, sassy and funkelicious monster from the never-shy and returning TKM-that shit is just naaaaaasty, mofo!
A SUBBA-CULTCHA.COM SINGLE OF THE MONTH
KONG – LEATHERY PENNY… - BREW RECORDS
A stunning mix of Volume and intensity, think Part Chimp molesting Lightning Bolt whilst Bob Weston holds a cassette recorder-genius!
KWES – HEARTS IN HOME – SALVIA
A Wondrous piece of music, it’s like someone popped into Brian Wilson’s head, and instead of a harmony-rich paean to his childhood popping out, they caught him whigging out over a fire engine hat, and committed it to tape, an enjoyable listen, but beneath the surface the dynamics and change form something with so much resonance you just keep listening in, harder and harder…
L:
LAND OF TALK – THE MAN WHO BREAKS THINGS – ONE LITTLE INDIAN
It’s like Sonic Youth, before they became dull-brilll!
LAST GANG – YOUTH –
Jangly indie rock with a nod to Bluetones and Pigeon Detectives, they’ll no doubt be huge…
LE RENO AMPS – SEND ME ON MY WAY – DRIFT RECORDS
Country rock with an indie persona, janglesomely enjoyable!
JENNY LEWIS – GODSPEED – ROUGH TRADE
Rilo Kiley lady does good, again… it’s annoying when they do that, isn’t it ;op
M:
M83 – WE OWN THE SKY – EMI
I expected so much from this band, the album before last touched me, the one that followed left me cold, and this single is somewhere between the two?
CASS MCCOMBS – CRICK IN MY NECK – DOMINO
Drone-like folk, introspective, dazzling pace, with this haunting sense of melancholy drenched all over…
MERCURY REV – BUTTERFLY WINGS – V2
Bewitching stuff…
METALLICA – ALL NIGHTMARE LONG – VERTIGO
Same old racket…
METIS – RUSHIN – WWW.METIS.UK.COM
Somewhere between the soulful side of Massive Attack and the delivery of a particularly stoned Snoop Dogg, Metis’ single is good, but unfortunately it doesn’t quite have enough of its own personality to really stick out…
A SUBBA-CULTCHA.COM SINGLE OF THE MONTH
METRO STATION – SHAKE IT – COLUMBIA
Another tasty new proposition, MS offer smart, modern pop rock with electro/emo flourishes and one hell of a chorus to sink your teeth into, keep your eyes out for these guys in 09! Oh and one of their dad’s is Billy “achey breaky heart” cyrus’ son…
METRONOMY – A THING FOR ME – BECAUSE
What a superb year it’s been for Metronomy, awards, accolades, hyperbole and critical acclaim, But it all pales into insignificance when you realize they’ve also had 3 cover features on subba, those lucky devils!
MR OIZO – POSITIF – ED BANGER RECORDS
Funky, wonky, throbby-welcome back the wonderful Mr WWWWAAAAAZZZZZOOOOOO….
MY AMERICAN HEART – THERE ARE MORE FRIGHTENING THINGS – BODOG MUSIC
Brattish alt rock with more gusto and attitude than a thousand poseur hardcore bands currently flooding out of surrey…
MY MORNING JACKET – I’M AMAZED – ROUGH TRADE
…So am I, have you guys been saving the truly amazing material for when the major label contract ran out?
N:
A SUBBA-CULTCHA.COM SINGLE OF THE MONTH
NIC NELL – GLOW - SALVIA
A Stupendous mix of Friendly Fires with the romantic flair of We Are Scientists on an electro trip… definitely one to keep an eye on!
NEON NEON – DREAM CARS – LEX
Songs as lush as this make me miss the Super Fury’s less and less…
NEW RHODES – EVERYBODY LOVES A SCENE – SALTY CAT RECORDS
Ornate, literate and perfectly pieced together indie rock, with more class than Razorlight and the sort of melodies that haunted your soul like the Strokes once made…
NEW VINYL – MAKIN’ IT EASY – POSITIVE
A smoldering ball of rock and glam good times, with a hint of Sloan’s power pop brilliance…
O:
CONOR OBERST – I DON’T WANT TO DIE (IN THE HOSPITAL) – WICHITA
Bring back Desparicidos please!
OBRIGADO – THE SAME THING THAT MAKES YOU LIVE – DIFFUSION
Jangly indie-flecked folk, intensely performed, but a little light weight in the songwriting department…
A SUBBA-CULTCHA.COM SINGLE OF THE MONTH
OFFICIAL SECRETS ACT – SO TOMORROW – ONE LITTLE INDIAN
Those jittering beats, leading us in before those Killer-esque melodies seep out with the tender but exciting (dare I say, fun) touch of Los Campensinos, a great band making one hell of an entrance-go buy now!
JOSEPHINE ONIYAMA – IN THE LABYRINTH - ISLAND
Taking elements of The Pretenders, Duffy and 60’s beat popl Oniyama has certainly made a lasting impression…
P:
PACIFIC! – A TREE – HALF MACHINE
Imagine Iglu & Harty attempting a summery Beach Boys, there’s an air of disquiet within, but ultimately I’m left wondering, is this really single-worthy?
A SUBBA-CULTCHA.COM SINGLE OF THE MONTH
PREGO – ANSWERS – PRONOIA
Urgent, driving, passionate rock with a soaring sense of drama and dynamics all held together with a voice that’s somewhere between Charlie Simpson & Gary Lightbody-one’s to keep an ear out for…
PUMAJAW – SPANGLER – FIRE
Organ propelled psyche-pop, those guitars sound esoteric without doing much, bewitchingly simplistic in places, but mesmerizingly emotive…
R:
A SUBBA-CULTCHA.COM SINGLE OF THE MONTH
THE RACE – I GET IT WRONG – SHIFTY DISCO
A Startlingly great come back from subba faves The Race, a soaring call to arms, guitars bleeding into the ether, whilst at the centre is that voice, almost Scandinavian sounding at times, but it buries a deep hole into your subconscious, where this song will be playing forever more-GO BUY NOW!
RATATAT – SHEMPI – XL RECORDINGS
Slinking into view with a glitch ridden crossword of bleeps, bips, and plonks – if only computer games from the 80s sounded as interesting as these…. Deserves a killer crystal castles remix me thinks!
ELI “PAPERBOY” REED & THE TRUE LOVES – AM I WASTING MY TIME? – Q DIVISION
A fine rehash of the soulful Mosley Shoals with the infectious voice of Angelo Moore (Fishbone) within a white man’s body…
TALLULAH RENDALL – LAY ME DOWN – TRANSDUCER RECORDS
Twinklingly pure femme fronted jazz waltz, melancholic but in a way that washes all over your filthy soul…
S:
A SUBBA-CULTCHA.COM SINGLE OF THE MONTH
THE STREETS – HEAVEN FOR THE WEATHER – SIXSEVENINE
Possibly their greatest moment since their debut in my eyes, the uplifting feeling baked into those stabbed piano chords, tasty…
A SUBBA-CULTCHA.COM SINGLE OF THE MONTH
STILL FLYIN’ – GOOD THING IT’S A GHOST TOWN AROUND HERE – MOSHI MOSHI
I didn’t think anyone could get more rabble rousing than the Go Team!, but SF bring it, in spades… ultra rhythmic workout, electro flourishes, call and response vocals and some stunning production work, another fine band to make 2009 look a brighter place!
SYMBO – MY DISGUISE – WWW.SYMBO.CO.UK
An intriguing mix of rock and yelping, hi octane indie, all crushed together with an anthemic chorus. The vocals could be a little stronger, but an intense performance and delightful breakdown makes up for a lot…
T:
TANLINES – NEW FLOWERS – YOUNG TURKS
Like a more dance-influenced Foals, with Battles-like lysergic lines screamed in whisper-like tones; Tanlines are an appealing mess of influences and easy to get transfixed by!
THOMAS TANTRUM – RAGE AGAINST THE TANTRUM -
Playful indie pop with some stellar electronic flourishes, but it’s the funked up guitar break that always steels my attention…
TENEBROUS LIAR – PRETENDER – TV RECORDS
A swamp-like pace, emotionless vocals and sludge doused guitars played with a grunge like somberness.
A SUBBA-CULTCHA.COM SINGLE OF THE MONTH
THUNDERHEIST – JERK IT – BIG DADA
A Club smash in the making, throbbing with the sexuality of MIA and the mixology of Diplo coming up, get your bootie working, your juices flowing, and make sure the air is thick with the smell of musk… genius!
THYRD EYE – SAY SOMETHING – LEVELSOUND RECORDS
Discordant guitars create something achingly rhythmic, but those ethereal vocals are haunting, and an inspirational touch to this Post-Hardcore band’s sound, definitely worth investigating!
TIGERS THAT TALKED – 23 FEARS – BAD SNEAKERS
Imagine Arcade Fire playing Maccabees songs whilst a marching band gathers behind before the whole world chants along, impressive huh? That’s the sort of party I want to be at…
A SUBBA-CULTCHA.COM SINGLE OF THE MONTH
TITUS ANDRONICUS – S/T – MEROK
With the same, stirring, mad-man like intensity of Neutral Milk Hotel, given the spit and scuzz polish of Jay Reatard, mightily impressive, like throwing yourself into a blender…
U:
A SUBBA-CULTCHA.COM SINGLE OF THE MONTH
UNDERGROUND RAILROAD – 25.NYC – ONE LITTLE INDIAN
A less wired choice for single this time, but still there’s that unnerving leftfield discordance between the guitars and vocals, something deeper bubbles underneath, like Sonic Youth at their most direct, there’s something beautiful going on here….
V:
VOO – SAME MISTAKES – SPANK RECORDS
Bringing to mind the softer moments of The Posies, Sebadoh & Pavement With a Los Campensinos styled sense of controlled anarchy…
W:
A SUBBA-CULTCHA.COM SINGLE OF THE MONTH
WE ARE THE PHYSICS – BULIMIA SISTERS – THIS IS FAKE DIY
More Zombie-like manicness from those guitar slashing reprobates WATP, hyper delivery, devil-like intensity and as much fun as shaking your hips to the Cramps when drunk on Mohito’s…
WHO MADE WHO – TV FRIEND – GOMMA
Bringing together the best elements of the gothier side of New Wave and the jkittering post-disco funk world, all rained in with some wondrous dance-like synth swirls and a wonky bass line that rips through your ribcage in one swipe…
WILEY Feat: DANIEL MERRIWEATHER – CA$H IN MY POCKET – ASYLUM
Just when people were dusting the Grime matt off, and thinking Dizzee had taken it too far into the realms of mainstream culture, Wiley comes in and raises the bar again, yet there’s something a bit easier to swallow about Merriweather, whereas Calvin Harris, come on, that’s just T4 fodder surely… great stuff!
Y:
JAMES YORKSTON – TORTOISE REGRETS HARE – DOMINO
What a beautiful way to end my singles reviewing sojourn, that lush voice, and music I could cry myself to sleep to… bon nuit!
If your single isn’t included in this list, then it either a) came in after the deadline or b) I didn’t like it – please don’t chase up single reviews, just keep checking this section every month and take what is there and be happy… By Jeremy Chick (Editor In Chief)
EPs
ASPEN GROVE – DANCIN’ ALONE AGAIN – INDISPEX
Liverpudlian indie rock who don’t sound derivative, but somehow still sound familiar. Folky harmonies over some solid guitar melodies. That’ll do pig. That’ll do.
A SUBBA-CULTCHA.COM EP OF THE MONTH
THE ASTEROIDS GALAXY TOUR – AROUND THE BEND – SMALL GIANTS
Hotly tipped Copenhagen band and new iPod ad music – one of the most refreshing, new bands I’ve heard in ages, a less doom-laden Duke Spirit, with a hearty drum-thwack, and horns of soul. Awesome.
BLUE STRAGGLERS – BLUE STRAGGLERS – www.myspace.com/bluestragglers
Pity - the CD kept jumping, coz this heavy-end indie-rock sounded like it was shaping up to be rather good.
CAT POWER – DARK END OF THE STREET –MATADOR
Chan Marshall shows again why she’s one of the most important female artists around today, with an ep of out-takes from her recent covers album, that still blows most of her contemporaries out of the water.
DUMB INSTRUMENT – BOXES OF SANTAS – BAD TOOL
Cute – the CD came wrapped in Christmas paper. Twee yet meaty Scottish pop in the vein of Belle & Sebastian, Trash Can Sinatras and Half Cousin – all bands I love, which tells you everything you need to know.
ANDY J GALLAGHER – CROCODILES AND PROSTITUTES – WAGA WAGA
Somewhere between The Flaming Stars, The Wedding Present, Tallulah Gosh and Jack Penate – a jangle-rock singer-songwriter of the type the world needs more of.
GHETTO MULLET – SUNDAY MORNING HANGOVER – BIG TEETH
They could have met up to record this laptop hip-hop, but instead did it over the internet. The result is a bedsit feel that’s refreshingly different, in the vein of great bands like Echaskech.
JIM HICKEY – INSIDE OUTSIDE – www.jim-hickey.com
Singer-songwriters always set off alarm-bells for me, but Hickey has raw, gritty edge and some lovely chord changes and a really emotive voice. Effortlessly stands out from the crowd, this one.
HIGHER LOVE – THE FURTHER FROM YOU THE LESS TO SPEAK – www.myspace.com/higherlove
Using a tuber on your guitar is so very nineties, n’est pas? I’m delighted that the word “meh” has been added to the OED. I like the fact that the vocalist sings in a Polish accent, but musically, it’s really run of the mill, and poorly produced. In short, “Meh”.
ITAMAR – DIE WITH BEAUTY – www.myspace.com/itamarts
A truly international artist, with a gorgeous voice, but nothing to get massively excited about musically speaking.
IVAN CAMPO – SUPER 7 – www.myspace.com/ivancampo
With a hint of I Am Kloot to their style, and the obvious influence of Yorkie from Space on their recorded sound, Ivan Campo have something to offer in the more laid-back acoustic arena.
A SUBBA-CULTCHA.COM EP OF THE MONTH
RURRAI JOSEPH – RED MIST – PIP PRODUCTIONS
It takes a brave man to walk away from a deal with Atlantic Records, but Rurrai’s return, this time self-released, shows effortless promise, which should see him back supporting the Greys and Nutinis of this world, before you know it.
KENNEDY – LIFE IS AN AFTERPARTY – CORDLESS
Former Silversun Pickup has some chirpy kooky lyrics and a happy-go-lucky sound. I’m still trying to decide whether it’s endearing or annoying, but i’m erring on the side of like at the moment. I think Beck overdid the kooky in the early days, so perhaps Kennedy will settle down.
LAST GANG – LAST GANG – www.myspace.com/lastganguk
The world needs more bands like The Bluetones, and lo! Last Gang deliver. Stephen Street produced, so it was never really going to be bad, was it? Promising Yorkshire Youngsters.
THE LOVES – THE EX-GURLFRIEND – www.myspace.com/lovetheloves
Pay attention. It’s free! This ep is free! Hurrah for loss-leaders! And given that their brand of sixties tinged Primal Scream (in their rawer moments) is pretty damn good, it’s worth every penny, and more.
A SUBBA-CULTCHA.COM EP OF THE MONTH
MALLOY – THURSDAY ELECTRIC – SILVERSTATION
Alarm bells ring when I see the words “Commodore 64” on a press-release. But this girlie-vocaled, electro-tinged guitar-pop manages to use the maligned 8-bit sympathetically (quite a skill, actually), and the result is one of the strongest eps of the month. Sass, sauce.
NEON MUSSULINI – NEON MUSSULINI – LITTLE POWER
Dark, eighties influenced electronic pop music – like early U2 produced by Stephen Tin Tin Duffy. Polished, beautifully engineered, and a bit compulsive.
JOSEPHINE ONIYAMA – IN THE LABYRINTH – ISLAND
The press-release plays on her Mancunian roots, but the truth is more rootsy, folky, jangly and generally soulful than that implies. A genuine surprise – I was expecting some wishy-washy safety-net singer-songwriting, but this has teeth that dig in somewhere between Buffy Saint Marie and Joni Mitchell.
PANIC ATTRACT – PANIC ATTRACT – WAILING WOO
Some of the great songs in pop history have included whistling, but it’s still a brave move. Acoustic pop, with a hip-hop heart. Like Turin Brakes, but less smug.
REDTRACK – WAIT AROUND – NORTHERN BLUE
Angular indie with a big fat bass-sound (and I don’t just say that because of the tragic back-story) and some extremely well written power-pop songs. Like this a lot.
THE SECRET HISTORY – DESOLATION TOWN – LE GRAND MAGISTERY
Mick Ronson’s daughter Lisa sings on some very pedestrian, middle of the world indie. Not going to set the world alight, I’m afraid.
SHIEMA – MAKE THEM SWING ‘TILL IT HURTS – www.myspace.com/shiemamusic
There are a lot of bands, including I’ve reviewed on these pages, that have got a lot further, with a lot less talent than this trio. A fantastic mix of power-pop and angular rock guitars, and a hint of skate. Wicked. (Do the “kids” still say that?)
THE UNCOMFORTABLES – DOOM JAZZ – www.myspace.com/theuncomfortables
Soulful bluesy indie that creates a creepy, sexy atmosphere of the Nick Cave ilk, but with a bit more bite and a bit less bark. Really nice.
UNUSUAL AND ELECTRIC – DISCO FOR LOVE – ZIRKUS
Back for more, coz I was nice to them last time (even though they did spell our name wrong in their new press release. They’ve gone a bit ethereal this time, and the result is all the best bits of Lemon Jelly and Underworld, all schlept together. And sounding fantastic. Again. Where’s the album?
VEIL CASSINI – VEIL CASSINI – www.myspace.com/veilcassini
Devon based, dirty bassed indie-rock that doesn’t quite hang together in some places, but on the whole sounds really promising, and clearly shows an understanding on how to break from the norm.
THE WOE BETIDES – PLAY DEAD – SONGS IN THE DARK
Indie-poppy-rockiness that uses some novel time signatures in places, and some great harmonies. I wasn’t sure I wasn’t going to like this, but by the end of “Under The Sand” I was converted.
GABBY YOUNG AND OTHER ANIMALS – BEAR WITH ME – ALBINO
Wild, swinging rock and roll, with a lady with a fine pair of lungs on her – much akin to PJ Harvey after far too much expresso and bananas, backed by Kitty Daisy and Lewis.
All EP Reviews by Chris Merriman
