May Single Reviews with Gareth and Quinton…Grant ‘wacky student’ Jones:
Quite literally a nutter. Grant runs round in his oblivious, bourgeois bubble marvelling at 'how random?' and 'fucking mental', perfectly ordinary things are. He loves smoking weed and taking assorted soft drugs in his mate's flee-ridden, filthy bedroom. He believes that this habit combined with this sociology degree qualifies him as edgy and working class - despite the fact his father is Managing Director of Nestle. Grant believes the best way to take part in conversations is by shouting, only then will people know how popular, confident and wacky he is. University life allows him to slum it in a Hawaiian t-shirt and a stupid hat, safe in the knowledge he'll one day walk into a comfy job in daddy's accounts dept.

Quinton Fernley-Whittingbottom:
A regular columnist for the Daily Mail since 1862, Quinton is versed in classical literature and is a highly renowned historical expert on the last Great Imperial War of Burkino Faso July - August 1753. After a shake-up at the paper, he was the cause of a major gaffe when he referred to the right-wing rag as a 'newspaper' rather than a 'new-media 24/7 creative blogspace.' Since that horrible day he's been shifted to the reviews section where his intense knowledge of the Boer War stands him in good stead to review the Arctic Monkeys.

JAY SEAN - MAYBE - TWO POINT NINE
Quinton Fernley-Whittingbottom: “One of the many tragedies that befell this proud nation following the disintegration of the Great Empire by the liberal elite in the latter half of 1949, was the opening up of borders by the extreme left-wing socialists to undesirables from the colonies. ‘jay sean’ is one such offender; coming over to our great nation - with his extremist notions of ‘re-mixes’ and improperly capitalised nouns - apparently from the fuddy-duddy nation of ‘Ho-Uns-Low’, which I presume is near Rhodesia."


MARTHA WAINWRIGHT - BLEEDING ALL OVER YOU - DIS
Grant ‘Wacky Student’ Jones: “LIKE A CUNT. HA! Seriously though, I was once shafting a bird and that very thing happened, the bed looked like a butchers slab, always go for brown if in doubt! Mental. Our Martha’s ditty isn’t about that though. Well probably not anyway. What it is, is a beautiful bit of indie-folk sprinkled with Wainwright’s stunning vocals. Cracking.”


PLAIN WHITE T’S - OUR TIME NOW - HOLLYWOOD RECORDS
Quinton Fernley-Whittingbottom: “One of the many tragedies to befall the arts was the introduction of the ‘electric guitar.’ No longer did musicians have to have a sound grasp of the Schubert’s fifth before they were allowed by their Master to produce music. Plain White T-Shirts’ seemed like such reasonable gentlemen when they delivered that nice Tom Jones cover (Delia). But I’m afraid this is far less than exceptional, a noisy raucous of drums and non-acoustic guitars that could severely damage the ear drums. I’m afraid the noise of bands like Plain White Sleeves and their fellow punk rock and roll counterparts Busted, is a tad much for myself and 99% of the population who also rightly believe in the sacred rights of hanging, fox hunting and inter-marriage.”


THE CHARLATANS - THE MISBEGOTTEN - COOKING VINL
Grant ‘Wacky Student’ Jones: “How fucking random? Are these nutters still going? After years of touring and becoming more Radio 2 with every release, The Charlatans have returned with a radical new direction to denote the future sound of music: New Order circa 1991. That said, retro is cool as fuck, and if it’s good enough for indie kids surely its good enough for these Britpop granddads?”


SANDI THOM - THE DEVIL’S BEAT - SONY BMG
Quinton Fernley-Whittingbottom: “One of the many evils that plague our epoch is the incessant trivialisation of religious iconography. This jingly-jangly tosh is yet another attempt to trivialise the fiery pits of damnation that inevitably await non-believers, socialists and blacks. To ‘walk to the devil’s beat’ has serious connotations of colossal magnitude and should in no way be joked about in a two-minute popular number by Mr Tom.”


PORTISHEAD - MACHINE GUN - ISLAND RECORDS
Grant ‘Wacky Student’ Jones: “The coolest bunch of fuckers ever to emerge from the West Cuntry return with their first single in 11 years. Sounding like it has been lifted straight from a Bladerunner soundtrack; I first listened to this in my mate Drongo’s flea-ridden bedroom one Monday morning and it totally fucked the old melon up. To be fair, said head was chocked full of the finest hallucinogenic Mushrooms money can buy at the time, but what can you do when you can’t find butter for the toast?


PARAMORE - THAT’S WHAT YOU GET - FUELLEDBYRAMEN
Quinton Fernley-Whittingbottom: “One of the main causes for all that is wrong with the youth of today is owed to their prolonged exposure to gothic-inspired rock music such as this. In an experiment conducted by the Almighty Church of Evangelical Presbyterian Latter Day Saints of Delaware, it was found that when young people under 45 were exposed to rock acts such as Piramoor, 98.3% of young people immediately turned to murder, self-harming, cannabis and worse - bi-sexuality. Don’t let this evil pollute your child’s ears, ban this sick filth now before it’s too late or they become a liberal.”


PHIL CAMPBELL - MAPS (HOW I FEEL ABOUT YOU) - SAFEHOUSE
Grant ‘Wacky Student’ Jones: “Never heard of this Phil Campbell but judging by the forlorn off-camera looks into the distance on the CD cover, he’s clearly a cunt. Slapping the disc into the player does nothing to change this preconception either. Slow, sap-ridden cack probably written by the Disney Corporation in order to tap into the James Morrison / Blunt market, Maps resembles Eric Cartman’s crap Christian rock band in South Park Season 7, episode 9 entitled ‘Christian Rock Hard.’ Cack isn’t it?”


LUPE FIASCO - PARIS, TOKYO - ATLANTIC
Grant ‘Wacky Student’ Jones: “This guy’s a fooking legend, Paris, Tokyo puts me in the right place, spiritually. Bringing hip-hop back to the concrete streets comes Lupe, or ‘Wasalu Muhammad Jaco’ to his mates. Hip-hop’s supposed to be about keeping it real and shit, and Lupe knows growing up in the ghetto like me. One night I was MCing in me hometown club and it all got a bit naughty, I’ll spare readers the details but I barely made it out alive. Much Wenlock’s bare rough to grow up in mind, ya get me?”


IDA MARIA - QUEEN OF THE WORLD - RCA
Grant ‘Wacky Student’ Jones: “Described by the NME as the midway point between The Strokes and Amy Winehouse, this beautiful Norwegian ice queen shares the latter’s predisposition to alcohol beverages at least, with this cracking danceable bit of indie about the veritable benefits of getting rat-arsed on whiskey. Coming to a student union near you and, given the title, probably the odd gay bar too.”

...as told to David Allen.

Da NUMEROS:

4 OR 5 MAGICIANS - CHANGE THE RECORD - THIS IS FAKE DIY RECORDSHaving championed the band for their 2 last releases, Subba is happy to see the band on a fab label and still churning out tunes based around messy guitars, cocksure singing and a driving energy that makes an impact on first listen, go forward and prosper boys!

Welsh language, Celt influenced, folk with a stirring sense of melancholy…

Another stunning turn from our very own favourite soul beau… Though for those who caught Estelle bitching about Adele’s soul credentials, isn’t it a bit pathetic how Estelle has been lucky to have 2 chances to make a success of herself and still feels the need to bemoan someone else having a little hype without the resources of 2 major labels and Knye West behind them (and what credential do you need to be a soul singer, as I’m pretty sure Estelle didn’t grow up in Detroit or Chicago?)…

Another contender for Winehouse’s crown now she’s absent within her own problems, a joyous, if somewhat predictable stab at nu-soul-pop…

The verses rip off Maximo Park something chronic, but those haunting, brattish, echo-laden choruses make up for any nod towards plagiarism - driven electro pop with a punkish zeal…

Timeless Indie pop with more than a nod to The La’s, or dare I say it (cos it’s not cool to), Cast via the bold melancholy of Starsailor…

With a darkened air surrounding their throbbing, pop minded Indie disco glitch-fests, TBG’s oeuvre is one I could easily fall under the spell of, cooler than the Klaxons and as Funky as Justice’s best spliced slap bass-a-thons….

Stylish, dub-inflected reggae pop with a modernist edge and some damn catchy rhymes to get your lips around…

Jingly Jangly throw away Indie from one’s who’ve promised so much…

Everyone’s favourite Stoner rock band deliver a riff & organ based blast of epic proportions, perfect made for all those wanting to lose their minds anytime soon (like me)…

The modern face of old skool rock… Like a more thrash-influenced Buckcherry, you ready for some good times?

Raw and spirited, near communal Indie rock from warps new hopefuls. Those jazzy chords and call n response vocals certainly lightened my day!

There’s something infinitely more enjoyable about Brigade when compared to Fightstar (oh c’mon, I’m hardly the first writer to make a direct comparison between the brother’s bands), Instead of trying to take the yanks on at their metalcore/post-hardcore game Brigade have a more refreshing take on Brit Rock, and Those phasered vocals leading upto the chorus are nigh on hypnotic…

Raucous vocals, snappy riffs, and an Indie sound that may not be original now, but when tackled with this amount of confidence and charm, it’s nearly impossible not to fall under it’s charms!

When CW mixed electro with hip-hop, he took an old idea and gave it a millennial twist; with his latest opus packing some almighty punches, it’s a wonder that the world is still somewhat shy to his presence. Having witnessed him live and over 2 records, I can’t help but drop into the sort of hyperbolic loser I despise, but with this amount of talent it should be made law that not shouting from the rooftops is a hang-able offence, in brief, buy this NOW…

I can see why people fall under their spell, but I’m not one to revel in maudlin music, no matter how impressed I am by the parentage…

Suitably impressive Indie rock with a stunning summery hook at it’s very core, not the most original tool in the box, but a damn catchy one, regardless!

With a sound that’s somewhere between the sea shanty melancholy of The Coral and the much missed Crocketts, CB add style and some stunning playing to the driving pace that gives these hooks such presence…

Another fine single, but still the same complaint, those verses just make no impression whatsoever, but with an almighty chorus all is forgiven… More greatness by these Indie hopefuls, though I’d work a little on those verses, but I’m a perfectionist!

Rubber band bass, slamming grooves and some thud-heavy hip-hop funkiness from C-R, but it’s that bloc-busting hooks that keep drawing you back for more!

Cheesetastic mate!

THE CLIK CLIK - DID YOU WRONG - WWW.MYSPACE.COM/THECLIKCLIK

Amazing, utterly brilliant… With an Indie-cum-reggae like swing, all underpinned by a near-emo/electro-pop melody The Clik Clik are my new favourite band, infectious like summer hits ought to be, and the male vs. girl interplay keeps one hand in the twee-generation and with it’s stabbing synth, the other in the nu-rave world…

NIGEL CLOTHIER - COME NORTH - WWW.MYSPACE.COM/NIGELCLOTHIER

A touching slice of folk pop, delivered with some inspired, yet low key, backing & a voice that’s tender in all the right places…

A little too laid back to be a raucous post-punk vignette, and not crazy enough to really grab my attention, COTF neither inspire nor energise me…

My friend tried explaining this to me by referencing the Streets, but whereas there’s very little garage/grime to this, it’s that English-spoken-word rapping he was focussing upon and it seems a little unfair. Sure, there’s no faux-yankisms to this, but whereas Mike Skinner’s words pack a punch, his delivery can be a little unimaginative, but this fluid near rubber-like rhyming keeps you attentive from start to finish, with that stirring chorus sucker punching you for ever trying to link the two…

Somewhere between Oasis and Northern Uproar, sorry, really not my thing…

OH YES… I feel the summery rays striking my back, that rush of excitement you get when walking with your friends down the last road towards your summer holiday-cum-favourite festival, with tunes as big as this, it’s not hard to get excited about this summer!

An electro-anthem with sexual powers that make me walk with my hips sticking 5 inches in front of the rest of me (oh, ok, 3 inches really…)

Stirring, intensely performed grunge-cum-performance art module - a bit dirgey for my tastes…

Tempered in pace, this folksome slice of balladry tugs at the melancholic chords with ease and charm. The voice is sometimes a bit pitchy for me, but a stirring effort nonetheless…

Mixing emo with electro is hardly new these days, but it’s great to have a UK band who do it with so much vitality, ideas literally bursting out of the seams, DBA are a stunning proposition, catch ‘em live soon!

The greatest pop discovery of 2008, creating something weird, vivid and alien sounding in it’s very make up. Duels are intense yet catchy at the same time, music of epic proportions with the directness to capture your attention perfectly!!!

With the heavy air of the desert baring down on their backs, there’s something unnerving about the poignant power TDS possess, and with MST they’ve honed it perfectly in under 4 minutes…

Playfully twee, with a fine slice of recorder backing it’s jangle-like melody, EPDM create the sort of sounds I imagine toys do when their owners are out of sight…

An elemental (see what I did there) slice of harmony led rock n roll, touching it’s faultless peers (the who, the small faces, the foo fighters) with confidence and some fine licks. Sure individuality may not be something they’re achieving, but who cares with tunes as big as this…

ELENA - ANDROGYNY PROFOUND - WWW.ELENAONLINE.COM

Another fine slice of alt. Rock from Subba fav Elena…

Some fine mixes for a band who were perfect beforehand…

The last time I saw a lake catch fire was at the capital’s millennium “do”. With hints of Bluebird, Foo Fighters & early Idlewild these guys are making me wanna party like it’s 1999!!! Genius…

Perfectly executed emo rock with some fine stabbing riffs and interstellar vocals rising through the mellee…

Driving Indie-dance rock with an Oasis-sized snarl and some finely tuned anthemic bluster propelling it onwards…

Another fine slice of AOR pop from ELO’s natural successors…

Kind of how I’d imagine Bjork making a folk album, cool and otherworldly in equal measures…

Packing a Kaiser Chief-sized punch with a crafty sing along chorus akin to The Clash at their mightiest, F5 fuel their Britpop with sheer, undiluted energy, making it nigh on impossible to dislike, instead I found my fist raised and beating it in the air like I was fisting jesus…

Powerful mix of Symposium delivered with a Foo Fighters sized arena rock chorus, with a foggy yet intriguing production, these guys are really onto something!

A fine slice of electro clash, powerfully delivered, soulfully twisted and catchy as fuck…

I can’t rave about this band enough, combining the wired and warped sounds of the 90’s alt rock movement with the pace, power and delivery of a band on fire - the passion and thrill of it all sweeps you along, but when all these boxes are ticked by one band, you have to stand up and take notice…

Another fine slice from returning heroes, gifted as they are with harmonies and guitars, let them thrash your souls away into Indie heaven…

Great stab at Garage Pop, just 2 years too late…

I just can’t get excited about this, emo-folk-electro-pop hybrid, it’s all nice enough, but it’s neither new nor exciting, why Atlantic gave a 2^nd album option is beyond me, but I guess the record labels are gonna screw themselves into the ground, sooner rather than later…

Starring horns that ring out with the same menace as the Special’s ‘Ghost Town’ and the sardonic vocals of a potential Damon Albarn-project, and a twisting sense of melancholy prevailing over the proceedings GWS are a beguiling proposition…

Indie rock delivered with the harmonies of McFly & the nasally melodies of Billy Joe…

GIANT FALLS - VACATE THE BUILDING - WWW.MYSPACE.COM/GIANTSFALL

Inspired screamo with surging vocals, stabbed riffing and some interstellar harmonies, fusing the catchiness of The Used with the slamming power of First From Last…

A sugary slice of Pop-Punk from the hot up n comers, Go: Audio. Not as amazing as the hyperbole would suggest, but catchy as hell and enough personality to endure it to fans of the genre…

Whispered verses and echo-laden choruses, bewitchingly beautiful with a slight nod to The Posies on a quiet day…

Funkier than most, glitch-ridden like the finest Justice tracks, and with an utterly cool centre, GB are a clubbers best friends, and I don’t mean ecstasy!

A great mix of Three Colours Red and Stiff Little Fingers, bombastic as it is catchy as hell!

Emotive folk with a soulful, nervy edge - so much intensity with an energy not seen since Damien Rice’s last release…

Choppy organs pump whilst guitars scream and bleed over the near-spoken word vocals, intensely building with an attitude that’s not a million miles from Nick Lowe’s roots…

HAZEY JANES - NEW YORK - WWW.MYSPACE.COM/THEHAZEYJANES

WWW.THEHAZEYJANES.CO.UK

Nothing like some bluesy guitar and harmonica on a spring afternoon, the Celtic like rhythm and throaty delivery giving it an intensity that doesn’t diminish after repeated listens…

They wont return our calls, and yet still I can’t help being drawn to their alien-pop brilliance…

A heady mix of Los Campensinos with a more melodic, dare I say it, bold edge - delectable with it’s hazy, summery shimmer & a call & response hook that buries itself deep into your subconscious…

THE INDIGO ROAD - GOODBYE TO YOU - WWW.THEINDIGOROAD.CO.UK

A striking single from the daughter of Denny Laine, folk’ish and peppered with stunning melodies, sky high and superbly crafted into something warm and absorbing…

Low key, without an overbearing presence, electro-pulsed in groove and with some twisting vocal dubs, impressively catchy…

With a sound that’d suit the initial burst of Brit rock (The Wildhearts, Three Colours Red) & some rounded hooks that wouldn’t be out of place on a Jimmy Eat World record, JP certainly know how to make an impression - there’s an honesty and integrity that prevents this from dipping into the cheesier territory of pop-punk, that “oooh-oooh” vocal refrain adding a startling, melancholic dimension…

Look on Youtube.com for the latest episodes from Jont…

Modern R n B-based pop which will have Usher quivering in his boots (though it did get me asking, what‘s happened to Lemar?)…

Dreamy folk, hushed tones and some smart melodies give it a pop backbone that’s hard to dislike. Charming without being overbearing, this really grows on you!

Lush, summer-drenched soul-pop; The chipmunk-vocals and superbly mixed samples create a multi-layered patch quilt of pop genius. The mid-section breakdown is out of this world too (nice ski-Sunday theme sample, natch)…

Some fine Boogie Woogie with a pre-war edge, sung over by Johnny from Dogs - a bit kitsch, but when those surf guitars kick in, all hell lets loose…

Combine some fine breaks with some smart funk/soul vocal samples, and you’ve got a summer smash in waiting, crafted perfectly, with some inventive mixing, well, then you’ve got yourself a fabulous slice of genius!

Striking mix of melancholy and jangle pop, TLT supply some alternative edge to the dark country of Cash at his peak…

Glistening electro pop with an 80’s film soundtrack feel, Ladyhawke certainly catch the eye, though it doesn’t set the world alight… lets see how the next single fairs!

Amped up to the hilts with a Nico-like alien-ness to surroundings, LOT

Wistful country pop that finds itself somewhere between Joni Mitchell & Stevie Nicks…

A fantastically punchy electro-pop thumper, It almost sounds like Axel Foley’s theme at times…

The New Wave edge & retro-synths up the ante, and then some…

Some fine melodies literally jump from the strangest of corners throughout this song, swelling as the taut Indie rock keep driving onwards, with a hint of The Futureheads and the bullishness of The Kaiser Chiefs-mightily impressive!

Playful organ, soulful crooning and some lush harmonies, like a mix between Tori Amos & Duffy…

A claustrophobic mix of echo-laden noises, droning guitars and some mind expanding dimensions - definitely something worthy of a Zoot, headphones on, late at night…

Everyone’s favourite ex-Test Icicle returns with a fabulous slab of dramatic Indie Pop with a slight Americana-like swing, those haunting harmonies and frenetic chord changes make this the perfect Indie-alternative Bond Theme in my mind, I’ll be your miss money penny Dev!

LO-STAR - WAKE UP - WWW.MYSPACE.COM/LOSTARMUSIC

Nugget sized punch of Indie Rock, screaming guitars, passionate vocals and an energy fizzling through every second - bold!

Modern disco with Brit-pop sized hooks and a dark sexuality that got ’em a subba cover-interview!

New wave pop with an air of Starsailor’s melancholic grace…

Another fabulous single from the prince n princesses of tweecore, It’s like a marching band singing my favourite song with so much energy and youthful exuberance… actually it sucks, cos it makes me feel ancient… not really!

Another fine single from TMS, a band deserving your attention now (before they sneak off to record their forthcoming album)….

There’s something a little cold, detached about this single - sure it’s quirky, intelligently

There’s something a tad David Gray about the new M20, less raucous soul rock, more ballad-like plodding… neither of which I much liked in the first place!

Wonky-everything-and-the-kitchen-sink electro pop, with hints of Talk Talk alien-ness & some slack jawed new-wave-disco posturing; Welcome back metronomy!

Smart & overtly cool, wonky folk guitar collides with glitched drums & east coast-like harmonies, like a puppeteer orchestrating the coolness of youth. Perplexing, but in the best way… though it left me with one question, Wasn’t she a character in pokemon?

Icy electronica with an almost-praying like mantra melody slipping in and out of focus, those playful rhythms and bewitching harmonies are darned impossible to resist!

Crikey, releasing solo albums already, I hope all’s well in the world of Peter, Bjorn & John… onto the single; well the handclaps and tweeness is certainly catchy, but as a single, there’s just nothing in it…

When did the Mozz wanna sound like Oasis? Bring back the old mozz, all is forgiven…

I do like a bit of Glockenspiel, with the slow march drums prodding it onwards & those hushed tones gliding over the melodic arcs created, giving it a near religious feel…

Launching a new ninja tune offshoot, the label’s arch-hero Mr Scruff teams up with quantic to bring us a playful romp through some northern soul and R n B shuffle with a scratchy sheen to keep you grinding on the dance floor…

With a slight reggae shuffle to his guitar, and a twang in his voice - Mraz brings a summery sheen to this pop, but it’s just a bit too shallow to really stand out…

Desolate and remorseful Indie rock, melancholy driving it onwards as those haunting vocals and synths bleed through the gritty exterior….

Another edition to the tweecore family, with the wonky guitars of Pavement & a summery-laid back groove which certainly makes up for the let down that was Malkmus’ last album… impressive!

Perfectly crafted Indie-Pop, yet heavier on the Pop than most of their contemporaries. Mystery Jets bring back the joy those 80s singles brought without the nagging feeling that it’ll sound dated in a decades time, genius!

With some stabbing synths and clattering rhythms a la early-Prodigy, MM gives an old skool twist to this wondrous slice of grime brilliance, those manic rhymes and glitch heavy mixing perfectly distils the excitement of the genre, and keeps it fucked up enough for me to get a semi demi hard on! Bonza!

Street-weary Reggae pop with some bouncing rhymes…

With more ideas than most, NATW take the manic sorrow of Arcade Fire & bury it in changes, hooks & some fine folkness… there’s something sombre yet electrifying going on here, bare witness!

Like Dame Ertha Kitt getting groovy with an Indie folk band, Oddie gives her performance grace and gravitas

OLYMPIAN FALL - LONG, LONG TIME - WWW.OLYMPIANFALL.COM

A sprawling epic, Indie rawness & a power and dominance that could’ve come from the late 60’s, like The Hollies at their stadium raising best on an Oasis tip… Well crafted, passionate, honest & with the confidence to sweep you up along the way…

Clattering femme-folk with a tweeness that gets rather irritating after a while…

Well crafted Indie Pop, but where’s the soul boys?

Playful Indie Pop with some fine hooks & a kook-y like joyousness…

Excitable, direct Indie rock with some sharp hooks and impressive interplay, think The Maccabees meets

With a classic-rock sound, and the glitzy exterior of Parallel Lines-era Blondie, all given a power pop wistfulness, with some lush west coast harmonies…

Bold & striking melancholy from this aspiring singer songwriter…

A fabulous explosion of old skool technology, modern Dilla-influenced ideas & some stunning glitch mixes. Like an Americanised, zanier Infinite Livez….

Crikey, one second they’re topping the charts with their debut album, the next week they’ve got a new album in the bag and their third already written… where do they get the energy from? Will their music suffer? On the signs of this single, no chance, still the same bullish bravado and sense of anthem that made them such an exciting proposition in the first place…

80’s post-punk instrumentation fleshing out something as funky as Prince circa-Purple Rain, with the sexy glam-edge of prime-Bolan…

Lush instrumental’s as singles seems an odd proposition to me, only pre-rock n roll did such things make any sort of impact on the charts, but when they’re as strikingly alien-like as this, then you’ve got to buy it!

Another masterpiece in production and mood elevation, throwing disparate genres together, stringing them together with hooks and an openness to reinterpret every section differently throughout, this sort of “thinking outside the box” in pop should be awarded, something simple, straight forward, can be powerful, evocative even, but with this much to get your head around in one song, how could you ever be disappointed? Genius….

What a find these guys are, striding the electro-explosion with an air of new wave sleekness and the bold power of Brit Pop at it’s glory - it’s impossible not to fall under it’s cooler than thou spell!

Modern soul with an 80’s funky freshness…

Infectious beyond belief, with a hook that’s destined for some T4 I-dent, The Rivers may not be original, but they do the whole Indie rock pop thing with finesse!

Icy synths and squelching beeps throb as those mantra-like vocals add a certain coolness to proceedings

A sunshine-embedded gem of a single, featuring the elusive Travis of Gym Class Heroes infamy…

Well, they’ve done it, two months in a row - single of the month (well, one of the many) - this is epic pop, perfectly crafted, resisting the obvious and creating something startling in it’s wake…

A wondrous mix of Killswitch Engage’s metalcore edge, System Of A Down’s melodic genius & some stunning melodic invention throughout - the urgency, the riffs, the breakdowns, perfect from start to finish-check these guys out NOW!!!

Currently being hailed as the new messiah, Santogold certainly has the sound to achieve major success, intriguing enough to excite the underground, with enough hooks to ensure the curious mainstream public can at least sing along with it…

Another slice of morbid Indie Rock with some electrifying hooks…

Pulsating electro rock with new wave hooks pummelling the cosmic production from the inside, Scarlet Blonde are an exciting proposition for you to get your groove on to in the future…

White funk given an Indie sheen, The Field Music man’s done good - part Bowie, part Prince, with some punching bass driving it onwards…

Sparkly psychedelia meets Merseyside Indie pop, Sergeant glisten with promise like Cast did before they turned shit… good stuff!

Overtly poppy, a bit too throwaway (and trying to be overly sexy) for my liking…

“I walk a lonely road…” should Green Day’s lawyers be getting in touch?

Smart mixing, fluid rhymes & some intense interplay…

Some great rhymes, but the double bass/hip hop drum sample schtick is getting a little tired now…

TSC: Spirited with their performance, the band have a deep melodic heart with a raw exterior recalling Jawbox & Leatherhead, TAP: spiralling guitars and spluttered verses with the kneejerk frenetic qualities of early Rocket From The Crypt (sans horns)…

Finding itself somewhere between Hot Chip, Fiery Furnaces & Foals, SpiralBeach certainly make an impression… Post Punk with a cutesy modern edge that gives off charm like pheromones…

Some smart Indie chops given a striking guitar motif and the raucous energy an early Kaiser’s once had before they became so jaded…

Garage blues rawk with the passion of Springsteen given a scat-like manicness…

Having endured major label shuffling, Epitaph seems the perfect home for a band like SOTY. With the ability to tap into the mainstream at will without leaving a band exposed to “sell out” lambasting, yet still legendary enough to grab the scenesters attention. The band have grown, too; from a Used-replica, taking the manic energy and applying a rounded Pop-Punk, dare I say it, emo edge, but a strong one-none of this pussy nerd stuff that makes most people sick, it’s bold, striking and an anthem in the making!

There’s just something a little too ham fisted about this single, a nice, soulful take on Indie disco, but it all sounds a bit too vaudeville at points…

SUNFLIES - VAMPIRES - WWW.SUNFLIES.CO.UK

An impressive mixing of Joy Divisions darkened rawness and Echo & The Bunnymen’s neo-gothism… (Btw: can we make a law, 4 tracks or more is an EP, not 3, that’s just a single!)

Cheesy euro dance alert…!

Hypnotic electro pop with a darkly morose edge…

Spirited Indie disco, with a slight riot grrl attention to detail - the guitars bleed over the rattling drums, finally, some passion!

With the meeting of throbbing electro pulses and chiming guitars, one is reminded of Foals, but with the brattish, near-bitchy vocal delivery over the top, there’s something a bit more human about TIT, their single harnessing a dark undercurrent, blurred genres and the sort of energy that will electrify every Indie disco throughout the town…. CHECK THESE GUYS OUT!!!!

Imagine the Beach Boys going electro, dreamy psychedelia in modernist form, ST has created a pop monolith!

Fuzzed up, epic, and startlingly beautiful in places - Ten Kens take the brilliance of Post-Rock, give it an angular twist, and come out sounding like the most perfect nightmare - genius!

Confusion in sonic form, the mixing of disparate sounds and a mentalist sense of melody - these boys rule my world, make sure they’re masterful over you too!

More bullish Indie Rock, with a dark, stark, northern air lounging around…

Like a wondrous mix of a band playing like Hot Chip would if they had guitars, playing Talk Talk numbers in the style of Talking Heads… genius!

These boys should be superstars by now? Smarter than most, with the knack of writing spirally tunes with stunning choruses and a Cure-like sense of quirkiness that endears them to all…

Fuck the Test Icicles, these guys do it better…

Beginning like a Ramones track, the wonky demo-sounding guitar comes in before those malevolent vocals crash the party, building, building, a wall of confusion, this is post-punk, punk that’s been thought of very much outside of the box… great stuff!

Was about to give up hope on Wiley, it’s been a while since he’s released something that really grabs your attention - this electro throb-a-thon perfectly matches his grime-ness, created something smart, deep and catchy as fook!

Raucous Indie rock, with hints of Little Man Tate & Dirty Pretty Things…

Nu-Folk, wonky, deep, with a pastoral edge… just can’t get excited about this, sorry…

More wired Indie rock perfection from our former cover stars…

More tweeness with a few violins thrown into the mix, there’s something very late-70’s about this, like Nick Lowe being coerced by Dexys Midnight Runners on An E-Street band day…

Welcome back boys (and girl), bursting back with the Zeal of Slade via the vivacious hooks of T-Rex, there’s always been something a bit vaudeville, a bit glam about The Zutons, but here they lose the pretence, and turn back the clocks to the mid-70s, and it’s a wondrous treat! What a way to end the singles this month… anyone fancy a vacation, I know I do!

AOV - Untitled EP - www.aovband.com
Slick, accessible rock, with strong American influences. Lead singer Dave Thomas is an Eddie Veder in waiting, and the ep sounds as far removed from their South Wales roots as it’s possible to imagine. It’s a swearbox moment to use words like ‘epic’, but with all tracks clocking in at 6 minutes and above, I think I can be excused. (CM)

Firesuite - Forever December - www.myspace.com/firesuitemusic
Sheffield’s Firesuite sound far removed from the eponymous Doves track as can be imagined - loud yet delicate guitars,  falsettos and harmonies - with a classic rock bent, but an ethereal sense of harmony too. Nice. (CM)

Headway - The Start - www.myspace.com/headwayband
Headway make some extremely well constructed power pop songs. The sound is polished and accomplished, and in general  pleasing to the ear. On the whole, it’s completely inoffensive, but there are times when I wish I was a bit more offended. Safe to play to your mum, if she’s worried you’re getting into that nasty heavy metal. (CM)

Kidnapper Bell - Less Me, More Sky - www.myspace.com/kidnapperbell
Oh glee! Something in the review pile this month that’s refusing to categorise itself easily. Always a joy when that happens. Breaking away from the verse-chorus-verse safety net, and even daring to dick about with different time signatures in the same song (hoorah!), they’re Cardiacs-meets-Bloc Party-meets-Nu Metal sound (with hints of eightiesness) is a real breath of fresh air. Me-likey-long-time. (CM)

Kites - You and I in the Kaleidoscope - www.kitesmusic.com
Gorgeously orchestrated, sympathetically produced and head and shoulders above most of the “singer-songwriter vehicles” that pass through the office. Lovely lyrics, jangly guitars that augment rather than smother the vocals, and with enough atmosphere to disopate any elephants in the room. “Heroes and Villians” is particularly lovely. (CM)

Various Artists - No-one Gets Out Of Here Alive II - S-A-N Recordings
A chance to get jiggy with 4 fine rock outfits from the UK and beyond (well, Croatia, actually). Props to Father, Cedar Falls, Lap, Disarm, Truckfighers  for producing a very disparate, but listenable selection of the heavier end of new talent. (CM)

Scream Hello - Smart & Stupid - Red Leader
New Jersey’s Scream Hello return with a collection of songs to preceed their forthcoming long-player. Always a bit weary of bands that sound a bit too much like Panic at the Disco, but SH seem to manage to keep their integrity intact with some gritty, sing along, pacey rock tracks. (CM)

Shapes - Get Your Learn On - Godmonkey
With a very natty line in cute titles (try “Everything More Out Of Tune Than Everything Else”), there’s a fusion of math-rock and progressive metal in here, with room for loud shouty choruses and extremely intriquete and, I imagine, very difficult to play, Dadaist guitar solos. Ones to watch. (CM)

[sub]Nova - Fifth Season - Stunted
Downbeat, stilted rock from Sheffield - gorgeous vocals, but with a sense of morbidity that makes it more listenable to in the wake of a break up, than pogoing around. I question how much of a mosh-pit they can whip up. (CM)

Twisted Whistle - Eat Your Fucking Heart Out - www.myspace.com/twistedwhistlerecords
Loud and shouty and not my cup of tea at all.

All EP Reviews are writen by Chris Merriman, if you've sent any to Jeremy Chick, then you've sent it to the wrong person!