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Singles & Eps - February 2010
Your guide to the best & the rest of the Singles & EP’s out this month - hundreds of release judged, loved, and in some cases pounced upon and spanked to death! Featuring: BIFFY CLYRO / THE BIG PINK / COBRA STARSHIP / DEADMAU5 / FIELD MUSIC / FRIGHTENED RABBIT / CHARLOTTE GAINSBOURG / HIM / HOT CHIP / LATE OF PIER / LIGHTSPEED CHAMPION / LONELADY / MIRRORS & Much, Much More…
Another fabulous month of singles and downloads for you to read about, and who knows, maybe even buy (or illegally download, then complain about the state of the music industry without noticing the irony, Not that we condone such behaviour, or irony in general).
2 PLAY – THAT’S WHAT THE GIRLS LIKE – MO-JO MUSIC
Sparkly mix of R n B, vocodered vocals and dancehall toasting from the award winning producer turned cage fighter…
A:
AFTER THE ORDEAL – THE END NEVER COMES – WWW.MYSPACE.COM/AFTERTHEORDEALUK
Impressively emotive mix of Coheed & Cambria’s spiraling riffs, Saosin’s melodic bombast and Senses Fail’s sense of epic. With 2 tracks from their forthcoming EP included, you’d be a fool to miss out on the baby steps of a UK post-hardcore band who have so much to offer…
AMY CAN FLYY – LETTING GO OF THE MONSTER - WE ARE HORSE POWER
Hugely melodic throughout and full of synth-infused jubilance to keep things current, this is pop punk which would nestle very comfortably alongside all time low and cobra starship…
***A SUBBA-CULTCHA.COM SINGLE OF THE MONTH***
STEVE AOKI – I’M IN THE HOUSE – DIM MAK/MINISTRY OF SOUND
Featuring the US’ biggest superstar DJ and a mysterious side project of another unnamed dance superstar, this is well crafted, hook laden (and produced-heavy) dance music with a fist pumping sense of dynamics – catchy as fook too!
ASH – SPACE SHOT - WWW.ASH-OFFICIAL.COM
Another tasty nugget from the Album-bashing former teen stars of Ireland, Ash – With a synth heavy production and some fine pop-tastic moments included, it’s good to see Ash do what they do best, without letting it sound like there’s no progression at all…
B:
EMILY BARKER & THE RED CLAY HALO – NOSTALGIA – EVERYONE SANG
Gorgeously sung folk with a stirring sense of melancholy and drama bubbling under the surface – can be heard soundtracking BBC 1’s Wallander – fancy!
THE BDI’S – IT WAS NOT SERIOUS – BDI RECORDINGS
Soulfully delivered mix of 60’s classicism and pub rock – with an inspired harmonica solo!
BIFFY CLYRO – MANY OF HORROR (WHEN WE COLLIDE) – 14TH FLOOR
Alas, whilst I want Biffy to go onto bigger and better things after several critically acclaimed, albeit low selling albums, I do find releasing ballad’s is perhaps a step too far for myself. I hope it works with whatever film soundtrack will co-opt it in the future, or dramatic moment in Hollyoaks you’ll hear it blasting over, but for myself, I’ll stick to the rifftastic moments of which I love the band for, and have done for years…
***A SUBBA-CULTCHA.COM SINGLE OF THE MONTH***
THE BIG PINK – VELVET – 4AD
Currently riding a wave of attention, The Big Pink perfectly cater for the indie/electro heads, the shoegaze fans, and lovers of dynamic BIG music in general – whilst not full of the pop thrills Dominos offered, this is definitely the get down and dirty with someone track on the album – so what better excuse dya have, turn to the person next to you, grab them, and do things which would make others blush… just make sure they have their own teeth and aren’t sharing enough of your chromosomes…
C:
***A SUBBA-CULTCHA.COM SINGLE OF THE MONTH***
CAPITAL X – NUMBER ONE FIGHT STAR – WWW.MYSPACE.COM/CAPITALXUK
A CLUSTERFUCK of influences piece themselves together and take shape; creating something electronically primed, but emotionally explosive throughout. Clattering beats, sharp stabs of synth, vocals delivered with passion and some superb little twists along the way-definitely worth checking out!
CHA-CHA – PHONOGRAPHIC LOVE – WWW.MYSPACE.COM/WEARECHACHA
Indie pop with a disco-like groove and some inspired rhythm changes – whilst a little sickly sweet in places melodically, they’d make perfect tour buddies with Temper Trap and are definitely worth a spin out of curiosity…
***A SUBBA-CULTCHA.COM SINGLE OF THE MONTH***
CHAPEL CLUB – O MAYBE I – EAST CITY RECORDINGS
Opening with a funky beat and rumbling bass, it’s surprising that this leads to a dramatic mix of the Smiths & White Lies – but it’s a welcomed fork in the road, and one that reveals a real sense of pathos and grace bubbling underneath those dreamy guitar lines… very impressive collage of sounds and influences…
CITADELS – THE CHEMICAL SONG – PURE GROOVE
With a Motown-cum-Spector like shuffle and those piercing melodies driving the song along, there’s something a bit Christmassy about it, but those tender harmonies hit all the right buttons…
JACK CLEVERLY – THINGS YOU SEE – GEOMETRIC RECORDS
A sensuous mix of glitch-laden organs, near-whispered melodies and retro-sounding electronic beats – this would sound perfect on a mixtape with grizzly bear!
***A SUBBA-CULTCHA.COM SINGLE OF THE MONTH***
CLOUD CONTROL – GOLD CANARY – THE PASSPORT LABEL
A gorgeously complex mix of sounds and influences – choral chanting builds up whilst one of the most delicate and sumptuous melodies pours over it, the primal beat inspiring mass hand claps and whilst it doesn’t break a sweat to get your attention, the quixotic mix of ideas will certainly not leave you unmoved!
COBRA STARSHIP – HOT MESS – DECAYDANCE/FUELED BY RAMEN
Whilst not as pop-tastically catchy as their ‘Good Girl’s Go Bad’ single, Cobra Starship’s Gabe still knows how to pen a well crafted pop tune, with inspired production. It does kind of sound like a funky track by Maroon 5 in places, but that shouldn’t dampen the fun incorporated in every second of this single…
D:
DEADMAU5 – STROBE – VIRGIN
With a more trance sounding single, Deadmau5 can still create something catchy from the most laidback of dance music forms, inspired???
***A SUBBA-CULTCHA.COM SINGLE OF THE MONTH***
DJ HELL Feat: BRYAN FERRY – U CAN DANCE – GIGOLO RECORDS
A more darkened and somber affair than I imagined it would turn out, but still an inspired pairing from a DJ we really should hear a lot more of, and a rock icon who still radiates coolness – sublime!
E:
***A SUBBA-CULTCHA.COM SINGLE OF THE MONTH***
EAT Y’SELF PRETTY – I WAS BORN ON TV – WWW.MYSPACE.COM/EATYSELFPRETTY
A Pulsating mix of frenetic indie-pop & electro tinged bad-ass-ness – the call and response verses, choppy guitars, explosive breakdowns, Hot Chip-synth retroism with hooks a plenty! Like Bloc Party, but a far less pussy-like Bloc Party!
EIGHT LEGS – Best Of Me – BOOT LEGS
With flashes of 2-tones’ doom-laden rhythms, the hooks of Kaiser Chiefs and some fine indie-disco drumming, Eight Legs will certainly know how to make an impression on their forthcoming tour…
***A SUBBA-CULTCHA.COM SINGLE OF THE MONTH***
EMIKA – DROP THE OTHER – NINJA TUNE
Glitch-ridden beats and subtle electronic strings create a darkly malevolent backing for this bruised electronic soul, that ice-cool voice riding over a crest of broken beats, and unearthly dynamics. A beautifully complex moment given a noir-stained heart full of melancholy!
ERLAND & THE CARNIVAL – TROUBLE IN MIND – FULL TIME HOBBY/STATIC CARAVAN
A striking mix of Merseyside soul, otherworldly keyboards and vocals filled with the same foreboding gloominess as the much missed Coral…
***A SUBBA-CULTCHA.COM SINGLE OF THE MONTH***
EXAMPLE – WON’T GO QUIETLY – DATA
Smart hooks, superb production, hook laden raps and some damn amazing synth stabs – Example really deserves the crown Tinchy Stryder currently wears…
F:
***A SUBBA-CULTCHA.COM SINGLE OF THE MONTH***
FAR – PONY – BRIGHT ANTENNA
Awesome cover of Ginuwine’s classic from the Post-Hardcore legends
***A SUBBA-CULTCHA.COM SINGLE OF THE MONTH***
FIELD MUSIC – THEM THAT DO NOTHING – MEMPHIS INDUSTRIES
After what seems like forever, Field Music return with more lush, pop minded folk – powered by an effervescent mix of the Posies & Big Star in the hooks department…
FRASER – LAY IT ON THE LINE – MOODY NOODLE RECORDS
Melodic Indie Pop with hints of Monaco and mid-period Travis…
***A SUBBA-CULTCHA.COM SINGLE OF THE MONTH***
FRIGHTENED RABBIT – NOTHING LIKE YOU – FATCAT RECORDS
With the same twisted zeal for creating something infectious without following any clichéd rulebook as Biffy Clyro, FR deal in honest music, delivered with passion and excitement squeezed into every hook imaginable – more focused than on their previous album, you feel that this could be their year – and with singles as brilliant as this, you’ll be agreeing with us soon enough!
G:
PETER GABRIEL – THE BOOK OF LOVE – REALWORLD/VIRGIN
A gorgeously dramatic rendition of the Magnetic Fields song (the closest thing to his duo with Kate Bush on ‘Don’t Give Up’) from his forthcoming album, which interestingly pitches him alongside a durutti column member, bob ezrin & tchad blake.
CHARLOTTE GAINSBOURG – HEAVEN CAN WAIT – BECAUSE MUSIC
Teaming up with Beck only adds to miss Gainsbourg’s long list of coolness, this delightful romp through hi-end pop causes such joy within the listener, especially with it’s lush country-swing lilt…
GIL Feat: BLUEY ROBINSON – GOTTA BE A WAY – WWW.MYSPACE.COM/SOUNDSOFGIL
Funky pop, infectious with its soulfully delivered mix of Terence Trent D’arby and early Simply Red…
THE GREAT SOJOURN – INBETWEEN – SUBSONIC WORLD
Funky acoustically delivered pop with a more somber Justin Timberlake-styled vocals over – hard to get excited about, but well crafted nonetheless…
H:
HAIGHT ASHBURY – FAVOURITE SONG – LIME RECORDS
Slinking in with an icy cool delivery, HA remind me of early Bananarama, cool, fun pop delivered with a laissez faire attitude that makes it even more delectable…
***A SUBBA-CULTCHA.COM SINGLE OF THE MONTH***
HEXICON – SOMETHING STRANGE – HAIRCUT RECORDS
Like a lazy, hazy summery Sunday afternoon-this is beautiful and the sort of song you can get lost in your own thoughts to – fusing the softer than soft pop musings of Kings Of Convenience, Elliot Smith’s finer moments and delivered with the waywardness of Stephen Malkmus producing a Low album…
HIM – HEARTKILLER – SIRE
Like a gothic Europe bashing out some dramatic cock rock histrionics – it’s oh so wrong, but oh so right at the same time…
HOLICE – TOKYO BOY – COLD RECORDS
I can see the comparisons to La Roux, but I feel the Pet Shop Boys offered something infinitely deeper…
HONOREBEL – NOW YOU SEE IT – VIRGIN RECORDS
I have a bit of a soft spot for the crunk-ingly violent rapping style of Pitbull, especially since I lost my ONYX greatest hits cd – but add in some club-licious throbbing synths and ace mixing job – I’m down to my hot pants and shaking it like my mumma gave me it… ahem!
***A SUBBA-CULTCHA.COM SINGLE OF THE MONTH***
HOT CHIP – ONE LIFE STAND – PARLOPHONE
Electro-pop perfection; Hot Chip ride the line between sublime popness and geeky polyrhymic-masters… and long may they continue to do so!
SIVERT HOYEM – MOON LANDING – HEKTOR GRAMMOFON
Noir-stained guitar pop with dashes of Nick Cave, Editors & Roy Orbison…
THE HUSH NOW – CONTRAILS – NOELLEON MUSIC
Playful Indie pop in a similar vein to that of The Delgados, Teenage Fanclub & Yummy Fur…
I:
I, LUDICROUS – WE’RE THE SUPPORT BAND – BRETTPACK MUSIC
With the same bullish wit and charm as Art Brut via a BNP rally (without the racist overtones, obviously) – great lyrics make it a worthy purchase alone…
IS TROPICAL – WHEN O’WHEN – HIT CLUB
A gentle ukulele driven lilt crashes into a aggressively rhythmic slice of electro rock with melodies dripping in melancholy – an interesting mix of ideas, and near-hypnotic chorus makes this a winner!
J:
JAPANESE VOYEURS – THAT LOVE SOUND – SLIMEBALL RECORDS
Exploding from what seems like a mere mumble, Japanese Voyeurs posses the skills to wield some almighty quiet-loud dynamics, fuelled by garage rock riffs and those sultry, almost teasing vocals…
JUMPING SHIPS – THE BAD OUTWEIGHED THE GOOD – WWW.MYSPACE.COM/JUMPINGSHIPS
Epic indie rock with the soaring quality of Oceansize minus the prog-ery, vocals strangely reminiscent of Ian Watkins and some fine riffage… Another fine band to make 2010 seem all the better!
K:
THE KEITH BAGER EXPERIENCE – I CAN’T WAIT (FRAGMENT SIXTEEN) – A&M
Ain’t no mountain high enough… for the post-Armand Van Helden generation…
L:
***A SUBBA-CULTCHA.COM SINGLE OF THE MONTH***
LATE OF PIER – BLUEBERRY – PHANTASY
Thankgod you’re back boys – after coming from nowhere, delivering an album chock-full of psyche-minded, electro-wielded, indie-delivered pop brilliance, they seemingly disappeared into the crowd at one of their raves – but back and delivering their best homage to the pop-par-excellence of Syd Barrett-era Pink Floyd, we all rejoice at subba HQ…
LET’S GO TO WAR – LIFE WE LIVE – LAST GANG RECORDS
Bags of fun, Crunk rapping, chopped n’ spliced rhythms and vocoders a plenty – this is how I’d disco my party, how about you?
LIGHTSPEED CHAMPION – MARLENE – DOMINO
I don’t think I’ve ever heard Dev sound so camp? Fortunately the mixing of grand funk railroad, T-Rex and a more dame-like Morrissey melody gliding upon the top keeps me from noticing those natty strings all over the place (very Blaxploitation film soundtrack circa ’75)…
LILYGUN – CONVERSATIONS – WWW.LILYGUN.COM
I really like the verses on this single, with vocals from the Shirley Manson school of singing and some fine rhythmic riffing, the choruses are pretty powerful too – with hints of rock, goth & funk packing a meaty punch sonically…
***A SUBBA-CULTCHA.COM SINGLE OF THE MONTH***
LONELADY – INTUITION – WARP RECORDS
Delivering a tune with so much frenetic energy, taut with rhythmic prowess and a clusterf**k of influences including Talking Heads, Fleetwood Mac, Joy Division, Durutti Column, Devo – Lonelady has burnt herself deeply into my subconscious, you’ll be a fool to resist!
M:
MAMA’S GUN – WISHING – CANDELION
Sumptuous funk pop with a little bit of the Simply Red-about it… for the Capital FM generation!
***A SUBBA-CULTCHA.COM SINGLE OF THE MONTH***
MARIA &THE MIRRORS – OMAR – PARLOUR RECORDS
This is how I’d imagine MIA making a huge head-f**king Post-Punk album, excitable, full of fuzz, dynamism and yelps which make you explode with joy…
***A SUBBA-CULTCHA.COM SINGLE OF THE MONTH***
MEMORY TAPES – GRAPHICS – SOMETHING IN CONSTRUCTION
Otherworldly mess of analogue synths, warped 80’s new wave and the same melancholy rich vocal line of Hot Chip…
***A SUBBA-CULTCHA.COM SINGLE OF THE MONTH***
MIRRORS – SOMEWHERE STRANGE –
More awesomeness, taking the best moments of Bloc Party, Early Depeche Mode, & the sort of melancholy which richens the soul!
***A SUBBA-CULTCHA.COM SINGLE OF THE MONTH***
MIXTAPES & CELLMATES – SOON – TANGLED UP!
With a performance that takes the primal explosive qualities of thunder, fuses it with melodies which engage you emotionally, and so many influences from 90’s rock wastelands – these guys have got a bright future ahead of them – genius!
MONO TAXI – HOW YOU GONNA FEEL ABOUT THIS? – CIAO KETCHUP RECORDINGS
Like a bouncier Breeders being fronted by Courtney Love, Mono Taxi remind me of times long gone by, but they make looking back oh so much fun!
MUSE MECANIQUE – LIKE HOME – SOUTERRAIN TRANSMISSIONS
A beautiful mix of soft, melody rich songs that bring to mind a dream I had about a band where latter day Air, Radiohead & Beck (circa Sea Change) jammed together and created something so beautiful it made world peace an overnight sensation, and sold the movie rights for a billion jammy dodgers… so the moral of the story, more Muse Mecanique, less cheese before bed time!
BY Jeremy Chick
MORE TO COME SOON...
BOYS WITH X-RAY EYES – OH MY! HOW WE TERRIFY! – www.myspace.com/boyswithxrayeyes
No you don’t. You make a bad shouty noise and you irritate me. And you probably are incredibly polite and lovely. Don’t lie. (CM)
CHERRY – WORLD WAITS – FOUR:TWENTY
Japanese house music is always a winner. Clean and clinical, and yet soulful at the same time, with elements of Berlin, this is music to get lost in. (CM)
CODEJAK – CODEJACK – www.codejak.co.uk
Unashamedly old school rock that chugs along beautifully with foreboding, Jack Daniels vocal and some catchy refrains. A long way from the worst thing in the pile this month. In fact really rather good. (CM)
COLOURS OF ONE – BAD NEWS MAKES BIG NOISE – ROGUES GALLERY
Released on their own label, these Welsh treubadors have a tight, big sound, that should appeal to a wide range of fans. But man…. These are LONG songs, averaging between 5 and 8 minutes. More bang for your buck? (CM)
A SUBBA EP OF THE MONTH
DETROIT SOCIAL CLUB – KISS THE SUN – FICTION
Richard Ashcroft vocals with Duke Spirit instruments sounds like a match made in heaven, and sure enough, this is one of the most exciting EPs in the batch this month. Edgy enough for musos, and accessible enough for the rest of us.More please. (CM)
DANNY FREAKAZOID – ONE MILLION – Cr2
Danny’s name is spelt wrong on the label. Hardly a promising start. But you forgive him for naming himself after one of the coolest cartoons of all time. Early nineties influenced baleriac house (though I am sure he wouldn’t agree) that sounds great, but somehow feels unfinished. (CM)
EX WIVES – FUCKING DUTCH – RADIO IS DOWN
At first, I was quite excited by some jerky, angular heavy art rock. Then the second track on, and it sounded exactly like the first and I lost interest. (CM)
FREESTYLERS – PAST, PRESENT & FUTURE – www.myspace.com/freestylersmusic
A worthy collection of stompers from a group who could comfortably take their place alongside the majesty of Groove Armada and Simian Mobile Disco, if they made more records like this and less cheesy lame remixes. (CM)
GALLEONS –SWANS – CASKET
My iTunes thinks this is a Billy Joel record. It’s not though. It’s more shouty experimental metal. Sigh. (CM)
A SUBBA EP OF THE MONTH
THE GOOD THE BAND – FROM 005 to 008 – www.myspace.com/tgtb
Ooooh…. Surfy, dirty scuzzy beats. Man or Astroman eat your heart out, this is instrumental japery at its finest. And for those with a short attention span, the whole EP clocks in at just over 8 minutes. But they make their point. (CM)
THE HELL I AM – THE HELL I AM – www.myspace.com/thehelliam
Call your lead track “Chaka Demus I Can Take Or Leave (But Pliers I’ve Got A Lot Of Time For)” and you’ve got my attention. The song has nothing to do with the sentiment, but it’s kind of cute – a sort of Fuzzbox for the Muse generation. (CM)
HYPE THEORY – RACE THE RAIN – www.myspace.com/thehypetheory
They keep sending us octane charged, female fronted West London rock songs. We keep liking them. There. I’ve said it. (CM)
JAMES CLEAVER QUINTET – TEN STAGES OF A MAKE UP – ON DRY LAND
Raw punky rock and roll belied by the band name – it’s like the heaviest thing that Art Rock fans would cope with, but somewhat good for it. (CM)
JKLMNO –TRANSITIONS – www.jklmno.co.uk
Belied by some very “metal” looking cover art, this is joyful and triumphant indie-rock anthemism just begging to have a lighter waved at it. (CM)
A SUBBA EP OF THE MONTH
ALEX METRIC – IT STARTS – MARINE PARADE
A floor filling, guitar tinged rock out with a hint of campy eighties pop, that’s just leftfield enough for major credibility. We like this a whole bundle. (CM)
MONO STEREO – SPACE OUT- 360 DEGREE
Jangle pop from Sweden that sounds a bit like Bob Dylan being backed by Dick Dale. Trippy, man. (CM)
MY LITTLE PONY – MY LITTLE PONY PLAY THE HITS OF…. – LAZY ACRE
Pop! Pop! Pop! Tweecore that Sebastian and his pooch would be proud of, charmingly lovely, and guaranteed to make it big, if only through their law suit from Hasbro Norway. (CM)
NEON CIRCUS – FUTURE DISCO – JACKET POCKET
Electro-indie in the vein of Audio Bullys and LCD Soundsystem. 8-bit-tastic and rather splendid for all of that. (CM)
NEON HIGHWIRE – LUMINESCCENCE – HEALTH BOMBER
Sounding at various times like Hot Chip and Hadouken! In equal measure, this is certainly one of the more accomplished efforts of the month – bouncy, engaging and interesting. Yummers. (CM)
NIYI – JUNGLE FEVER – TOUCH TONES
The kids are going to love this somewhat repetitive, lyrically challenged R&B hinted stuff. Me, I’m a bit “meh”, to be honest. I just wish there were more than 2 lines of lyrics. (CM)
PENSIONER – PENSIONER – www.myspace.com/pensionerband
Hailing from Dundee and with a very silly press release under their belts, their chugging but melodic rock is actually rather pleasant with key and time changes a plenty. But not too much. (CM)
PG.LOST – IN NEVER OUT – BLACK STAR FOUNDATION
In the vein of everyone from Keyboard Choir to the mighty Sigur Ros, these sprawling orchestral ambient wig-outs give the word “experimental” something to be proud of. And there are even some heavy bits too. (CM)
READER’S WIVES – SECRECY & SEX – 360 DEGREE
Charming but bleak tenement pop, seemingly influenced by The Smiths unplugged – which didn’t happen much, so I guess they’ve found a gap in the market. (CM)
RED MIST – LAST DANCE BEFORE DOOMSDAY – BORED STIFF
Speak up, boys. I can’t understand a word you’re saying. Your guitars are very well played though. (CM)
ROCKET DOLLS – FRAME – www.myspace.com/therocketdollsmusic
Akin to “Swim” era Feeder, The Rocket Dolls have got the powerful, driving rock with a commercial edge thing down to a tee and we love them for it. (CM)
ANGUS & JULIA STONE – AND THE BOYS – FLOCK
With a haunting (think Stina Nordenstam) voice and some slightly electronic folky backing, this is a record that makes you sit up and take notice. A lot. (CM)
WE SHOW UP ON RADAR – A LOAD OF BREAD, A CONTAINER OF MILK AND A STICK OF BUTTER – HELLO THOR
If the radar in question is set to “tweecore, whispered vocal, electric piano and bontempi cha-cha-cha setting”. If you like Their Hearts Were Full of Spring, you’re in luck. Charming, I think is probably the word. (CM)
VELVET STAR – VELVET STAR – www.myspace.com/velvetstar
“Good time rock and roll” was the description that instantly leapt to mind. Think Manics circa Generation Terrorists, with some Stooges and Cramps for good measure. (CM)
VICTORIA & JACOB – WITH NO CERTAINTY – VOGA PAROCHIA
Charming bleep-fest with girly vocals. Like a back bedroom laptop genius hanging out with a sultry pop star. (CM)
THOMAS WHITE – THE LAST BLAST – COOKING VINYL
Danger! Concept! Yeah – it’s rather good though, crisp rocky pop about Sven Hassel. Reminds me a lot of Sack, but he’s actually from Electric Soft Parade, amongst other things. (CM) CM = Chris Merriman
