Post archive

Biffy Clyro - Mountains

In the absence of Idlewild, this is filling a hole nicely. Such lovely Scottish bands...

P.P. Arnold - Angel of the Morning

Such a great old song.  I'm sure my mum used to play it when I was small because it always conjures up memories of childhood for me.

CSS - Move

Having never been certain before, I am now totally convinced that CSS are ace.  The new album Donkey is packed full of pouty little electro-pop tracks like Move...  jump. about.

Guillemots - Cockateels

I've been meaning to write something about the Guillemots new album for some time now, but discovering 'Cockateels' today has finally given me the push I needed; such lovely sentiment, this is the recorded equivalent of a wide reassuring smile from someone you love dearly.  Their debut album garned much acclaim, but to my mind 'Red' is infinitely more alluring.

Goldfrapp - Caravan Girl

Such a pretty video, it left a lingering feeling of nostalgia and a certain sense of freedom, and made me really listen to the song for the first time.  It's not at all what I thought it was.

Keane - Spiralling

How strange is this song?! All whooping and Talking Heads synths.  But there's something I still quite like about it - maybe just that it's a bit of a departure from those obvious indie power ballads.

Astrud Gilberto - Aruanda

Continuing in the Latin vein, this is summery, pretty and makes me think of tripping barefoot through a meadow with bluebirds flying along beside me.  All a bit retro kitsch, but very lovely.

Celia Cruz - Yo Vivire

Looking for Latin flavours for a French parfumier; it's been a disjointed afternoon.  This cover of 'I Will Survive' was the clear highlight - how very entertaining!

Emily Haines - Dr Blind

A song which appeared on the soundtrack to a very odd film, the end of which I managed to sleep through.  It's quite a beguiling little tune though...

The Script - The Man Who Can't Be Moved

The new Maroon 5?  Do we need a new Maroon 5?
I really like the sentiment in this song, and he does have a fabulous voice.

Glen Campbell - (Good Riddance) Time of Your Life

In what is a twist on the usual 'new guy sings old favourite' arrangement, this is a very old guy singing a... oh wait, that was how long ago?!
Anyway, after the shock of realising this song is about 15 years old, you can enjoy what is a really good cover version by one of Country's finest.

Xavier Rudd - Messages

I tripped over this whilst trawling a list of American folk.  Given that he's Australian, I will consider this discovery a happy accident.  It has hints of Simon and Garfunkel through the chorus and it's really quite lovely.

The Long Blondes - Too Clever By Half

I can't remember where I first heard this, but I'm sure it was with reluctance as I'd always considered the band a bit raucous for my tastes.  This however is a sexy little song which I just can't get enough of.

Alison Krauss - Forget About It

I'm sure this gets played on Radio 2 every now and then, but today it came to me by way of Nickel Creek, and I really listened this time.

Def Leppard - Rocket

For some reason Def Leppard have never really been on my radar. Strange to have been introduced to them via some rainbow graphics and burning matches!

Coldplay - Strawberry Swing

Something I can sing along to and believe in, all at the same time.  And contrary to expectations, I'm loving the new album.

Noah and the Whale with Laura Marling - Five Years Time

Sun sun sun.
If only!
Cute and catchy little tune - can't wait to see if they're as much fun live.

Flobots - Handlebars

One from the Colin Murray show.  Not at all like I remember it, and with a very out of place trumpet solo I don't remember at all, but something about it is pretty good.

The Cure - The Only One

Oo, it's filthy and lovely, and oh so good, and it makes me resent the Wembley traffic even more - can't wait for the album now!

Fear of Music - Skin and Bones

A noisy reminder of what Easyworld might have become had they stayed together.  Who says there's a time and a place for everything?

James Yuill - No Surprise

It was just an intro, and a live one at that, that was all I had time for, but tracking down and savouring the entire song later on did nothing to change my mind - it's great!

Nicki Rogers - Ocean

The highlight of a highly satisfying evening; this has classic written right through it, if only people knew...

Infadels - Free Things for Poor People

I wanted not to like it, as it seems I have a fated relationship with Infadels, but the music won through; this song is just such great fun - the Poor should be chuffed!

Jim Bianco - Sing

I generally frown upon audience participation of any kind, but tonight a rousing harmonic refrain of 'Sing, I know you know the words' was a real pleasure.

Terra Naomi - Flesh For Bones

I'd said it was a pretty little song, but listening through again it's actually as miserable as sin.  But still pretty.

Nine Inch Nails - Discipline

I do love a good come-back tune, especially when they're available to download for free!
(www.nin.com)

MGMT - Time To Pretend

I am compelled to sing the line 'you and me both kid' over the riff in this chorus. And I haven't yet  worked out why.   Love the song though, whatever it reminds me of...

Dave Matthews Band - The Space Between

An old favourite, which touched a new place today.  Always a favourite, all the same.

Freestylers - Push Up

Haven't heard this in ages. It's all a bit Scissor Sisters basically, but there's nothing wrong with that, especially to kick-start the week.

Lou Rhodes - Greatness In A Speck of Dust

A song about infinite beauty and minute detail. It's a ray of pure joy in a dark sky day.

Iglu & Hartly - In The City

Despite a very frustrating morning trying to listen to this again, like, anywhere online, and coming very close to putting my massive new boot through the PC screen, I still really love this song. Zane Lowe (who else?) played it, and I have to agree that I'd stake a fair wedge on this song and band being h.u.g.e. in a year's time. Just don't attempt a web search for them.

Fleet Foxes - Drops in the River

Colin Murray to thank for this.   It's really quite unusual, and there aren't many bands you can say that about these days.  They call their music 'baroque harmonic pop jams'.  As good a description as any, I reckon.

The Kooks - Sway

I'm not a big fan, but this song builds nicely in all the right places.  It might be enough to make me change my mind...

The Raconteurs - Attention

Loud and old sounding.  That's all it takes today.

Cherryghost - Mathematics

A song I'd not really taken much notice of, until the nostalgia drenched video fell on my desk. If my life should flash before me, I'd like it to be in hazy '70s technicolour.

R.E.M. - Mr. Richards

After a brief analysis with my coastal comrade (the savouring of a new R.E.M. album woudn't be the same without her), I played this song very loud several times, trying a new harmony each time.  Utterly marvellous!

Cathy Davey - The Collector

A familiar name, a sweet song; a pretty find in an afternoon of dull routine.

Thea Gilmore - Old Soul

Janice Long provided the soundtrack to a long and meandering journey home.  Despite being thoroughly annoying in many ways, she does play some great music, and this track, featuring the guy from The Zutons, is no exception.

Alphabeat - Fascination

Someone gave me a Lapsang Souchong tea today. That brought the day's tally of disgust to two.

Black Kids - I'm Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How To Dance With You

After being initially wowed by this track (thank you once again Zane Lowe), I was disappointed with their perfomance on 'Later...'  way too much girly shouting.

Elbow - Weather to Fly

My immediate favourite from the new album; it's just sublime, and chokes me up in all the right places.
A perfect pleasure pain record.

Elliot Minor - Parallel Worlds

Which ties in nicely with this week's reading material.  Not sure about that guitar solo though - all a bit ELO, which when ELO do it is fine, but otherwise should be avoided.

Sparks - Good Morning

This little number sports a marvellously squelchy bassline which made me smile all afternoon - brilliant!

Frank Turner - Photosynthesis

I'm not really sure what this is or how it fits into the scheme of things, but I quite like it all the same.

The Feeling - Turn It Up

How many times have we said - 'that'll be the next single'?  Well this time I'm writing it down...

Elbow - Hotel Istanbul

This is a B-side?! Brilliant!

Headway - Finish What We Started

A great support act (excited me more than the headliner at any rate), and some cracking songs, even if he does sound a little like Bryan Adams. Or is it Bon Jovi?

Dave Matthews Band - Crush

Not a new track, but one which heralded the realisation that all that old stuff doesn't mean as much at all anymore.  This is where it's at.

Motion Picture Soundtrack - Departure

I feel like I have woken from a very long sleep, and this is like breathing in the piercing energy of a long awaited morning.  I am inspired all over again...

Hot Chip - Hold On

The lyric 'I'm only going to heaven if it tastes like caramel' came to mind this evening during a conversation with a less than attractive woman. An alarming juxtaposition of images. Heaven and hell indeed.

The Last Shadow Puppets - The Age of the Understatement

Who'd have thought an Arctic Monkeys side project would have me wanting more!?

Twenty Twenty Vision - Complication

Something familiar about this - understated and quite unhappy, but I like it all the same.

The Frames - Falling Slowly

An Oscar winner! And a lovely story about receiving a congratulatory message from Bono - the stuff of dreams!

Counting Crows - 1492

I thought the other one would make it all OK, but it's just too much like the best bits of the past; a shadow of what could have, should have been.  This is alright with me, in hindsight.

R.E.M. - Supernatural Superserious

Oh yes, oh yes, oh yes!  I feel a new wave of obsession coming on. (I like it like that and I know it).

Elbow - Grounds for Divorce

What a bassline! What a bloody marvellous bassline! A wide smile spreads...

Adele - Cold Shoulder

Why is it you wake up singing songs by people you really don't like?  There's just no keeping a good tune down.

British Sea Power - No Lucifer

Still waiting for a way in, for the elusive penny to drop.  A little more of this and it might not be too much longer...

MGMT - Kids

Arcade Fire meets Flaming Lips; how could it not be brilliant?!

David Jordan - Only Living Soul

I can't work out what this guy is, he has so many facets.  And I don't rightly know where to put this song, but maybe none of that matters anyway.

Van Morrison - Crazy Love

Between the unceasing reggae and the vitriolic blast of rock guitar I could just about make out this song, gentle and optimistic, cutting through the varying layers of bullshit.

Hercules and the Love Affair - Blind

Reminds me of that Flaming Lips / Chemical Brothers collaboration, but Antony Hegarty's distinctive vocals take this into another league - infectious!

Vampire Weekend - The Kids Don't Stand a Chance

Just another week of abductions, murders, and general abuse of the young.  I am surprised by how much this bothers me; usually it's just animal mistreatment that upsets me.  But back to the point - Vampire Weekend are apparently 'The Next Big Thing'.  Other than this quirky little number, I'm not sure I'd agree.

We Are Scientists - After Hours

A great return, which doesn't sound like them at all, and yet sounds like we were always going to love it.

Scanners - Low

I think about the paths I've travelled since I saw Scanners play a dark damp room in a seedy corner of London.   Of all those unsigned bands I've seen, they were always the one I remember.

Laura Marling - My Manic and I

Simple and sweet and real and dark all at once.  That could describe many things I enjoy...

Cat Power - New York

Glorious cover of the year so far; hot, sticky and thoroughly delicious.

Royworld - Man In the Machine

A very strange thing indeed, the component parts of which I enjoy very much, but as a whole, well I'm not quite sure... If it were the early 90's, however...

Fredo Viola - Sad Song

Sigur Ros with a touch of the Flying Pickets.  On paper it sounds appalling, but in reality it's actually rather nice.

The Sonic Hearts - To Be Someone

Something familiar, something overfriendly, overused.  But something pleasing all the same.

The B-52s - Funplex

Fingers crossed... and it's a winner! Nostalgia and a fresh pot of fun, all in one.

The Ting Tings - Great DJ

By way of Zane Lowe; today's sing-a-long favourite.

Bob Mould - The Silence Between Us

Heard on 6Music whilst cleaning the kitchen! Inspirational.

Camille - Money Note

Vocal craziness, and oddly compelling.  Escudos!

Magnet - Navigator

For the moment that glorious bass breaks through - like a fine sunset in the dark of the night.

Brian Hodges - Angel Hodges

Another advert - British Airways this time.  Seems the best place to find new music these days!

Gwen Stefani - Early Winter

Something about this song chokes me up; it seems laced with a fatalistic sadness.

Alice Russell - Seven Nation Army (Grant Phaboa Remix)

One of those rare occasions where a cover version rivals the original. The dub vibe speads...

Nina Nastasia - Our Day Trip

Gentle and sublime; from the new Volvo advert.

Stephanie Dosen - This Joy

Mainly for the words  'stay where you are dear, i’ll find a way in'.

Goldfrapp - A&E

The most breathtaking reinvention in a long long time. Beautiful.

Muscles - Chocolate, Raspberry, Lemon and Lime

A shouty electro start to the day; I hadn't realised I liked this so much.

Starrfadu - Let It Out

The music on the current Kleenex advert.  Led to the first impulse purchase of the year. (CD not tissues!)

Speedstar - There Is A Light That Never Goes Out

A surprisingly lovely cover; Manchester by way of the southern hemisphere.

The New Pornographers - Failsafe

Surely there must be some interesting new music here somewhere? Ah, here it is!

Colin Hay - I Just Don't Think I'll Ever get Over You

From the Garden State soundtrack, I stumbled across this whilst looking for something nautical.

Phil Campbell - Cold Engines

A lovely acoustic way to start the year. A new song, a new artist, a new start.

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