We cut through the hype and give the one thing lacking in so many places these days: an honest opinion. We're not going to put something down for the sake of it either. For an honest outlook on music (and other subjects), you're in the right place!
So, here we are with another singles roundup. Once again there’s so much exciting stuff flying through our letterbox that we’re just going to have to do a double post check back this evening for part two). So, what do we have for you this morning? How about a brooding folk charity single? The belated return of some rocking Aussies? Perhaps you’d prefer an introspective track from our favourite new Northern electro-pop/dance-rock act? Well, here’s our thoughts, why don’t you seek out the tracks and share yours?
HAUNTED STEREO – Cross The Sea
Tracks For Amnesty
First off – even if this isn’t your cup of tea, spend your pennies on this, it’s for a good cause. It’s a simple, haunting affair that, unlike most charity singles, would stand alone as a good track. In fact, we’ve been watching these guys & gals for a while and we think they’re something special, so go take a closer look.
MIIKE SNOW – Animal
Sony
Sounding like a Ragga classic updated for a modern chart audience, Animal is a strange beat indeed. With the writers behind hits like Britney Spears’ Toxic involved, you’d expect a chart rocket aimed squarely at the top spot, but somehow this seems to fall a bit short. It all feels a bit contrived and we can’t help but feel short changed by this.
WAVE MACHINES – Punk Spirit
Neapolitan
We like Wave Machines and, in our humble opinion, this is the best track on their album. Eschewing the upbeat dance of their previous singles, this is the sound of rage and frustration wrapped in a thin veneer of calm. We were worried that Wave Machines might end up a one trick pony, but this is a new skill altogether!
CATRAZ – Knock Knock
Side W7lk
I had to listen to this twice to get my head around it, this sounds like Mike Skinner working with Goldie Lookin’ Chain. That said, it’s a fun little track, but Catraz is walking a thin line between sincerity and pastiche.
JET – She’s A Genius
Rela Horrorshow/Five Seven
The boys are back and doing what they do best, bolting Strokes style tunes to fat rocking riffs and playing it all with the assured swagger of AC/DC. This is the sort of track designed to have you bouncing around your room, laying down some air guitar and pulling off your best rockstar poses. Is it the most impressive single we’ve heard ever… no, not even the most impressive this week. But it’s certainly the most fun!
It’s video time again folks, and we’ve got some treats for you, including the promo for the awesome Punk Spirit by Wave Machines (easily the best track on their debut album). Manchester Orchestra will be releasing I’ve Got Friends on limited edition vinyl, but you can check oput the video here. Rockers InMe return with a new album and here’s the video for Single Of The Weak! Last, but by no means least, we’ve got some fascinating Tour Diary videos from veterand Placebo, well worth a look-see!
We’re back from Glastonbury with good news: we’ve got 100 pairs of tickets to give away for our gig at this month’s iTunes Festival.
The show takes place on July 23rd at Freedm Studios, The Roundhouse, London. A winning entry gets you not only into our gig at 6.15pm but also a show by Graham Coxon, later that day, in the Roundhouse main space.
Just answer the following question to be in with a chance:
What stage did we play on Sunday at Glastonbury this year?
a: John Peel Stage
b: Queen’s Head Stage
c: Park Stage
One of TSDOLE’s best newer tracks, this manages to take a simple melody, couple it to Adam Woolway’s larynx stretching vocals and some very sweet and innocent backing vocals and forge a song that nestles away at the back of your brain only to pounce when you least expect it! This single, released especially to commemorate their theatre show (check out our review…) is strictly limited edition and only available through the bands myspace!
KILL IT KID – Send Me An Angel Down
One Little Indian
A nice relaxing tune this, the violin especially – or so you think, before the band blindside you.. Chris Turpin’s vocals are, frankly, bizarre, but somehow these guys make it work. This reminds me a lot of Moriarty, in a very good way. Melodramatic, folk with a distinct vocal that will mark these guys out instantly to the listener – with an album on the way these guys look all set to follow in the folkie footsteps of Mumford & Sons and CUTA favourites Lupen Crook and the Murderbirds.
THE JOY FORMIDABLE – Whirring
Friends Vs Records
Another act harking back to the darker fringes of eighties music, The Joy Formidable set up their stall between Ladyhawke and White Lies and, with this tune at least, have crafted a song that takes the best elements of both bands and hones them to a penetrating point. If these guys don’t end up massive then there is something seriously wrong with the world!
WAVE MACHINES – I Go I Go I Go
Neapolitan Recordings
If Hot Chip went out on the lash with the Pet Shop Boys and Calvin Harris, this might be the drunken result. One of the barmiest slices of electro pop I’ve heard in a while, I can’t help thinking I shouldn’t like this with it’s casio keyboard beats and Neil Tennant-esque vocals. But as I listen I’m beaming away and my feet are tapping enough to make me consider dancing around the living room a good idea!
DEFEND MOSCOW – Die Tonight
Kids
It’s fair to say this is the first time I’ve discovered a band coupling lyrics about what it would be like to deal with impending nuclear holocaust to a dance beat. What a beat though, this is invoking the very best of the eighties, with it’s boy-girl vocals invoking the spirit of The Human League and coupling it to a modern pop sound that their former touring partner Sam Sparro would be proud of. If you haven’t heard these guys yet, you’re missing out!
FENECH SOLER – The Cult Of Romance
Vulture
Yet another electro-dance-pop type act, there’s a fair few of them this week, but can this bedroom band match up to what’s gone before? Well, yes and no. It certainly doesn’t have the same chart potential, but to be fair, it’s more of a club track anyway, and for those who spend their nights on the dance floor, this is likely to be a great track. Sorry though guys, it’s not one I’ll be listening to at home!
DUB PISTOLS – Back To Daylight
Sunday Best
Much more out and out dance than the other tracks here, there’s something about this track, featuring Ashley Slater, that reminds me of Faithless (they don’t sound to similar though, so I can’t quite put my finger on it. Adding a relaxed hip-hop vibe makes this really stand out, it’s already on my summer play list and it might well end up on yours too!
