First things first, The Works is a dive. Housed in a cavernous space in the centre of teen-drinking capital, Kingston, the club looks like it is more used to nights of 'banging' house and bland Euro-trance than be-cardiganned indie hordes. Because of this, the stage is cramped and the sound is truly dreadful. On the [...]
Hot Chip return to a scene with high hopes for their third LP, distinctly new territory from that encountered when releasing 2006's Mercury-nominated The Warning. That album was released to an audience largley unaware of their charms. Signing to DFA probably helped in the hipster stakes, but the massive expectancy surrounding Made in the Dark can [...]
So, to the Astoria for (ashamedly) my first live show of the year. 2008 has kicked off to some promising new music (Black Mountain, Sons & Daughters, Blood Red Shoes) and also some disappointments (I'm looking at you Hot Chip), so it was going to be interesting what two of 2007's highlights could offer up. [...]
As the 1970s gave way to the 80s, New Wave was splicing. Talking Heads had found African rhythms and Brian Eno. Blondie had gone in a different direction: disco. Moroder had stamped his authority over another of their hits, 'Heart of Glass' and the style was evident still in this epic cut, although produced by [...]
This week's single of the week is a re-release of the great 'You Bring Me Down' from Brighton duo Blood Red Shoes. Spiky guitars and a smooth vocal combine to make something akin to a young, slightly less angry Sleater-Kinney. As Drownedinsound suggest, there may not be much permanence to this song's charms but for [...]
The first number one of the 2000s, and one of the Welsh trio's very best. Sandwiched betwixt two utter slabs of utter drivel (Westlife's 'Seasons In The Sun' and Britney Spears' 'I Was Born To Make You Happy'), it is one of the very, very few songs in the modern era to hit the top [...]
Classy cover from one of my favourite vocalists, lifted from her brilliant debut solo LP, Sing, Memory. The track itself is from vintage-era Human League, their second LP, Travelogue to be precise. Track both albums down if you have a chance, Nixey's effort is particularly satisfying.
Stomping single-of-the-week this week is Sons & Daughters, with the second release from upcoming LP This Gift, 'Darling'. This is far from the Glaswegian quartet's best, indeed in my review of their December gig I went so far to call it "a misjudged stab at the mainstream". However, considering the sheer amount of dross littering [...]
Was just listening to this on t'stereo and thought that everyone [no-one!] should see the quite fantastic and most amusing video that accompanies this wonderful tune!
Breathe in that refreshing air: British Sea Power are back! Their third LP, the irritatingly titled Do You Like Rock Music? is released next week and has been preceded by this single. Comparisons to Arcade Fire abound, but the sound is certainly a small extension to the kind of music on show towards the end [...]
Stereo Jealousy
Sleigh Bells - Demons (Official Music Video)
The Rains of Castamere by The National
A-Trak & Dillon Francis - "Money Makin'" (Official Video)
DIIV "How Long Have You Known?" (OFFICIAL VIDEO)
Nas - Daughters
Bison - Quill
Neutral Milk Hotel- Aeroplane Over the Sea
Shinichi Osawa – Big Beach Mix 2012
