5 of the best singles and downloads hitting the shops this week.
Princeton - To The Alps
Jesse Kivel spent much of 2010 promoting his side project, Kisses. Now back to his day job as a member of LA based Princeton, he's managed to better anything from his other band's album. The insistent beat and half lazy vocals make you think of a more tidied up New Order. Fantastic stuff. It's out on 7" or download it for free below.
The debut full album (following the singles comilation from last year) by bubblegum/garage throwbacks Hunx And His Punx is out in the US this week (UK on Monday) and ahead of that, Hunx (real name Seth Bogart) has made the twisted Shangri Las-like title track a free download. Pick it up by hitting the download arrow on the soundcloud link, and you can also grab previous freebe 'Lovers Lane'.
To New York again for this one. I've never been too convinced by Matt & Kim's brand of commercial indie pop, in fact at times it's verged on the cheesy side of things. This latest single from the Sidewalks album may well do the same... I kinda like it though. Check it out and see what you think.
The sixth album from PB&J (isn't that a sandwich?) is out this week. I'm yet to hear it in full but reports suggest there's no hint of the annoying whistling which has become omnipresent on British TV adverts. Still it's probably pocketed them a few krona. They've been kind enough to let us have this more punky, guitar based sample for the price of an email.
We blogged a Craft Spells free download a few weeks ago. Their album 'Idle Labor' has already hit the US. In the UK we'll have to wait another couple of weeks. Not to worry - there's plenty of singles and downloads to keep us going. All are included below. Best of all is the truely sublime 'From The Morning Heat'. Like the best 80s indie/new wave band you never knew existed, with a dusting of shoegaze to put the icing on the cake. This could be a very exiting album.
“I wanna take this tape and blow up ya fuckin' stereo.”
That's the line that kicks off the second album from US based Australians, The Death Set. Cripes.
They give it a darn good go too, hammering their way through shouty second track 'Slap Slap Slap Pound Up Down Snap' (they have great song titles) and the third 'Can You Seen Straight?' (sic). Hardcore electro-punk-pop isn't all that's on offer, with things getting a little more anthemic on the likes of 'We Are Going Anywhere Man' and 'Is This The End Again?'.
As much high-octane fun as this album is, we're reminded of the tragedy of founder member Beau Velasco's death from an overdose at the beginning of recording in 2009. He features on one track (here we go with the song titles again) 'Is That A French Dog?' which is followed by an undoubted highlight – 'I Miss You Beau Velasco'. You won't hear a better piece of scuzzy shoegaze all year.
Cramming in 17 tracks in under 40 minutes, you can guess that Michel Poiccard is intense, and given the circumstances surrounding its inception you have to admire the band for sticking to their guns and producing a record of such calibre – an album that cries out to be heard. It's eclectic, it's hectic, and it's great. My stereo is quivering.
Get a free download of 'Yo David Chase! You P.O.V. Shot Me In The Head' from Counter Records
The Australians' most recent album 'Gloves' was slightly overlooked. Maybe if they'd released this piece of indie-pop fun as the first single from it people would have sat up and listened. As it is, it's the fifth and final track to be taken from it.Time to check them out if they've passed you by so far. More of the same on the next album please.
The free download of 'Catapult' is available from rcrd.lbl
2) Marissa Nadler - Baby, I Will Leave You In The Morning
Talking of things passing you by... Marissa Nadler has been releasing records since 2004, and this is the first I've heard of her. If the previous albums contained haunting, dreamy folk as beautiful as this then I've got a lot of catching up to do. Her new, self titled album is scheduled for a June release and will include the stunning 'Baby, I Will Leave You In The Morning'.
The free download of 'Baby, I Will Leave You In The Morning' is available from Marissa Nadler's bandcamp
For more info or to pre-order the album, head to Marissa Nadler's website
3) YACHT - Dystopia (The Earth Is On Fire)
What was I saying the other day about Portland? Well one of the city's most lauded acts are set to follow up 2009's 'See Mystery Lights' album with a new release on DFA in the summer. First up from that is 'Dystopia' - all synth stabs, apocalyptic thoughts and potty-mouthed lyrics. It's quite brilliant.
Another album to look forward to in the next couple of months. Now down to a duo following Alicia Warrington's departure, Uh Huh Her's second full length 'Nocturnes' is due very soon (exact date to be confirmed) but they're giving away 'Never The Same' to get you in the mood. Pop music as it should be done.
The free download of 'Never The Same' is available on soundcloud
To round things up, some good old fashioned garage-punk from Hanni El Khatib. 'Build. Destroy. Rebuild.' originally appeared as a 7" single last year but has recently recieved a more widespread UK release following an ever growing word-of-mouth fan base. His album will be out in June.
The free download of 'Build. Destroy. Rebuild.' is available from rcrd.lbl
New York has never been short of arty, experimental indie and rock bands. So along come Columboid, formed just over 2 years ago as a duo and now expanded to a three piece. 'We Were One' is an intense affair, all tribal drums, dark synth lines (you'd imagine they've heard a Suicide record or two) and brooding vocals - one part Ian Curtis, one part Jim Morrison.
It all works very well and the result is a powerful, atmospheric record which has quality throughout. It makes you wish Interpol had taken this route for their last effort rather than retreading old ground.
There are no particular stands-outs, it's more a collection of post-punk influenced songs which hold their own and have a unique style, despite maybe not quite reaching the heights the band sound like they're capable of hitting.
Overall - a good solid album, and definitely a band to watch.
As you can see The Sound Of Confusion has been on a shopping spree and treated itself to a flashy new look! – doesn’t it look dreamy *swoon*
There have been a few changes implemented to hopefully make the blog a little easier on your eyes and encourage you the reader to get involved. Here are the main snazzy new features:
Comments: They’re open to everyone now! - no need to log in via some obscure account you forgot you even had! So if you’ve got an opinion on what we write, or the bands we champion, then let’s hear it – don’t forget to put your name though so we can hunt you down!
Tick Boxes: If You're too shy or lazy to write down your views why not take the quick option and choose from one of our three tick boxes. One little tick will validate our work (even if it is zzzz). If however you're really impressed why not click the share on Facebook icon and spread the word, we'd appreciate it and will shower you with kisses.
Search: Over to the right we now have a very hard working search box who will scour the old blog posts on your behalf. So for example, you type in ‘Olly Murs’ and it will come back with every Obligatory Record Of The Week thus far – not really but you get idea.
Recommended Sites: Don’t like what we chat about? Why not click on the links to these other sites and see if you like them more!
That’s the main changes for now, we hope you like them. If you have any suggestions or feedback then just let us know and please feel free to get involved, we wont bite.
Alrighty Sound Of Confusionists!! (or perhaps SOCrates might be a better collective noun for you very clever people)
Hopefully you’re all enjoying your weekend and soaking up any bit of sunshine you can find! I saw a butterfly and a bee yesterday...in march...in Scotland!!! The world is truly upside down.
Anyway as there’s been a sudden synchronized burst of activity from our ‘Found of Confusion’ artists, here’s a quick news update for any interested parties.
...............................
Our first founders POLARSETS have only gone and got themselves hooked up with the ever fashionable Kitsune label! New track ‘Sunshine Eyes’ (below) will be released on the 18th of April and the band will then take to the road for a northern tour:
23rd April STOCKTON, KU - tbc
24th April DARLINGTON, Inside Out - tbc
27th April EDINBURGH, Electric Circus - tbc
28th April GLASGOW, King Tuts - 8:30pm £5
29th April ABERDEEN, Cafe Drummonds - £5
30th April LEEDS, Live At Leeds - tbc
1st May YORK, The Duchess - 4pm - £4
3rd May HULL, Fruit - 8pm £4.50
5th May MANCHESTER, TROF Fallowfield - 8:30pm £2 (bargain)
6th May DURHAM, Live Lounge - 7:30pm £5
18TH May SHEFFIELD, The Forum – Free!
It’s unlikely you’ll get the chance to see the band in venues of this size for much longer and at those prices it’s got to be worth your time so get along there
WASHINGTON IRVING are also being good enough to treat us to new material. ‘Abbey Gallop’ comes out on April 25th and it too coincides with a tour that makes its way round Scotland before heading south to Newcastle, Manchester, Cardiff and London – all dates are listed at the band’s MySpace page
The third new single on offer comes from SECRET RIVALS and it’s a cracker. ‘Tonight Matthew’ is out on the 4th of April via Kittiwake records and could prove to be a big breakthrough for the band. Here it is:
Our final update is the news that LASZLO, fresh from the release of 'Satori', has finished work on his album and has it provisionally pencilled in for a release around May time. I’m excited about this record but you can make your own minds up by listening to this medley previewing all the tracks:
5 of the finest singles and downloads that you can get your mits on this week.
The Jim Jones Revue - Dishonest John
The Jim Jones Revue pull off the neat trick of turning the kind of dull blues-rock played by pub bands across the country (boring) into something with genuine energy and excitement. The great Steve Watt said it best when he described the band as 'Little Richard On Speed'. This is the latest single to be taken from last year's 'Burn Your House Down' album. Download available now, 7" on Monday.
It may be the case that Okkervil River will never top career highlight 'Lost Coastlines', but not many bands could. That's not to say that other releases are in any way not up to scratch. They've released another wonderful single here in the shape of the waltz-like 'Wake And Be Fine'. Once again - the download is out now, the 7" on Monday.
For more information and a free download of 'Wake And Be Fine', head to Okkervil River's website
This week, The Sounds showed us what happens when pop goes wrong (see previous review). Fellow Swedes Icona Pop make far better work of things. This single from the Stockholm based synth duo first appeard on a Kitsune compilation last year, and now gets a deserved vinyl release in it's own right.
I almost consider The National to be a guilty pleasure. The kind of band that Uncut reading trendy Dads will rave about. This is made worse by the fact that this new single (taken from the soundtrack to the film 'Win Win') bears more than a passing resemblance to Bruce Springsteen's 'Streets Of Philadelphia.' Resistance is futile. They just write great songs.
Sure, she's had lots of hype and rave reviews - but there's a reason for that. It's not like the world has a deficit in credible solo female artists at the moment, Anna Calvi is a little different, though. There's no sign of any synth-pop or Kate Bush impressions going on here. Rob Ellis (of PJ Harvey fame) co-produces which has led to endless comparisons. There is a similarity, but imagine PJ Harvey, Shirley Bassey and The Walker Brothers forming a supergroup and you'll get a better picture. 'Blackout' is one of the standouts on Anna Calvi's debut (along with 'Suzanne & I and Desire') and suggests that she be the perfect candidate to score the next Bond film. Very grand indeed.
Music's formerWorld Players Of The Year return with an album that's at times Messi, but also... well, messy.
Review written by The Sound Of Confusion's Scottish Correspondent
Just short of a decade has now passed since The Strokes stared out from that New York Street Corner and reawakened a music scene that had been nodding off to the gentle strum of the New Acoustic Movement. Fast forward to the present day and they return to the fold after a 5 year hiatus to once again find acoustic guitars and bland lyricism in vogue, so the question is can they repeat the same trick again?
The answer is probably not, it's hard enough to create one generation defining album but to then make a second is a feat very few will ever pull off. Instead what they’ve come up with is a record that, while at times displaying flashes of their previous brilliance, is ultimately, on first inspection, a little bit confusing.
Things start off very well. Opening track ‘Machu Picchu’ is fresh and funky, echoing old favourite ‘Automatic Stop’ while lead single ‘Under Cover Of Darkness’ follows next with the classic Strokes mix of short punchy guitars riffs, tight drums and a rousing hearts on their sleeves chorus. Third up comes ‘Two Kinds of Happiness’ and it’s potentially the album's stand out moment, bristling with energy and a verse that seems to take a leaf out of ‘the pocket book of 80’s Bruce Springsteen’.
From that point on however, the album begins to lose direction a little. It’s not that what follows is bad, in fact some of the choruses are just what we’ve come to know and love from The Strokes; it’s just that perhaps it could have benefitted from a bit more quality control. The period since last LP ‘First Impressions Of Earth’ has seen all 5 group members indulge in solo work and this divergence of ideas comes through on the remainder of ‘Angles’ leaving the feeling that perhaps too many cooks have had their input into the broth. The net result is a group of songs that don’t appear to sit together as a coherent body of work.
With that being said this is a record worth persevering with (and they’ve earned that right from you haven’t they?) because there’s a lingering suspicion that repeated listens will lead to all the jigsaw pieces slipping into place to reveal a really enjoyable collection of tunes. Certainly the laid back air of ‘Taken for a fool’ and the Thin Lizzy inspired swagger of ‘Gratisfaction’ give the impression of being songs that will creep back into your mind when you’re daydreaming at your work, while album closer ‘Life Is Simple In The Moonlight’ has a sing-along hook that will definitely benefit from familiarity. It’s also worth remembering that even a mixed Strokes record will more often than not be superior to anything put out by the many subsequent groups who have tried to follow in their footprints.
So the initial feeling - I’m not sure it’s a classic or an immediate return to the top table BUT if you want my advice give this album a try and if (as it has for me) it puzzles you at times, stick with it because I suspect in a few weeks we may just all adore it.
Never having been ones for fanfares and crescendos, it's little surprise that the new EP from London's Sergeant Buzfuz covers much the same ground as their previous material.
Which will do just nicely, thank you very much! 'Knock Knock Knock' is all mandolin, acoustic guitars and violin, but the restrained production and the lack of pomposity from songwriter Joe Murphy safely manoeuvres it well away from Mumford And Sons territory, sounding far more natural.
It's not all about the title track either. 'Shift In The Sand' and 'Horns and Claws' are laments in the style of an early Belle And Sebastian, both given space to breathe rather than being buried under the weight of effects. Proof of the benefits of not over egging the pudding.
Stream the title track over on the Sergeant Buzfuz Myspace
Formed at the tail end of the 90s, The Sounds have had plenty of time to hone their sound. After over a decade together they've managed to spew up the kind of filth that wouldn't seem out of place at the Eurovision Song Contest.
Situated right next to the area marked 'great catchy pop', there's a pit marked 'a steaming load of cheese'. It's a fine line and on this occasion the Swedes have managed to cross it.
They describe themselves as 'post punk' and, according to wikipedia, have been compared to Blondie. Whoever came up with that one should seek help. It may have a catchy melody, but this is the kind of fodder that you can imagine being covered by the next X-Factor winner.
The pick of the songs out as singles or downloads this week. I wonder how many of them will chart tonight? (Clue: none)
The Morning After Girls - Alone
It may have taken them 6 FLIPPING YEARS, but finally the best shoegaze/dream pop band Australia has ever produced return with the follow up to 2005's hugely underrated masterpiece, 'Shadows Evolve'.
The album 'Alone' was released this week and is mixed by Alan Moulder (My Bloody Valentine, Interpol). The title track is yours for free.
The free download of 'Alone' is available on rcrd.lbl
The acclaimed New Yorkers release latest album 'Nine Types Of Light' in April. This second taster shows the band sounding as meaty and experimental as ever. We wish bassist Gerard Smith a speedy recovery and hope that he'll be able to hit the UK for gigs later in the year.
The free download of 'Caffeinated Consciousness' is available on the band's website
Secretly Canadian has spent the past few years proving that it's one of the most important independant labels out there. Here We Go Magic's 2010 album 'Pigeons' was incredibly well recieved. No mucking about, they follow it up quickly with a new release 'The January EP' (who cocked up the release date?!) and you can get hold of new track 'Hands In The Sky' for free.
Baltimore is one of America's hottest cities for current musical talent (along with Brooklyn and Portland) and the new album from Wye Oak only enhances it's reputation. Formed in 2006, 'Civilian' could well be the band's best album so far. If you want proof, get your ears around the title track.
Yeah, that lot again. I wasn't the only one to raise an eyebrow upon hearing the news that the desk for The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart's second album would be manned by Flood, famed for his work with *shudder* U2. Maybe I should have had more faith in the band who's debut was The Sound Of Confusion's album of the year in 2009. Less immediate than some previous singles, 'Belong' still comes up trumps. The extra gloss saves the band from any danger of repeating the same trick twice, but doesn't overshadow the song itself. The entire album is streaming online now, and first impressions are that once again, the Brooklyn collective have come up with another corking set of tunes.
Stream the single and album on The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart's website
The five best free downloads knocking around this week.
1) Brown Recluse - Impression Of A City Morning
Philadelphia's Brown Recluse are presumably named after the spider of the same name. The perfect moniker for a dodgy death metal band. So it's a relief that the poppy, jangly 'Impressions Of A City Morning' sounds more like a cross between The Stone Roses and The Las. It's the first track taken from debut album 'Evening Tapestry' which is released in the UK on Monday (21/3).
The free download of 'Impressions Of A City Morning' is available on soundcloud
More info and free tracks are available on Brown Recluse's bandcamp page
Music fans need to start a rebellion (everyone else is doing it!) to ensure that people like Kesha are banned from making records and the genuinely talented popstars like The Good Natured are the ones hitting the top 10. Wishful thinking, but it's scandalous that 19 year old Sarah McIntosh is still under the radar. Having recently signed to Parlophone, that could be about to change. 'Wolves' is set to be included on her new EP.
The free download of 'Wolves' is available on soundcloud
The word 'twee' could have been invented for Sweden's Acid House Kings. Formed 2 decades ago, they know their way around an indie-pop song, as proved by the various side projects (Club 8, The Legends, Starlet). Together again as a whole, they release 5th album 'Music Sounds Better With You' on April 4th on the superb Labrador Records.
Cult heroes White Denim are back with a new album 'D' in May. This first single sees them veering into 70s rock territory. Could the new album see a slight change of direction? Watch this space. 'Drug' contains plenty of guitar noodling, but they pull off the trick of doing it without sounding like twats.
The free download of 'Drug' is available on rcrd.lbl
Seattle - the home of Grunge. Craft Spells manage to sound far more British than their hometown would suggest, more like a less robust version of The Cure. Album 'Idle Labor' is out at the end of the month. You can pick up the lilting new track 'You Should Close The Door' below, and pretend it's 1986 all over again.
Article written by The Sound Of Confusion's Scottish Correspondent
Helloooo, back sooner than you expected is the 'Found of Confusion' as we fast forward the year to compensate for our slipshod approach to meeting deadlines! If you’re wondering Kev is still locked in the basement wasting away, although I’m a little bit disturbed to see he managed to post that Mirrors review...this suggests to me he’s established some communiqué with the outside world... come on which one of you was it eh, be warned I’ll be watching you closely...
Then there was February, the shy introverted month, the smallest month in the playground that all the others gang up on and give a good kicking too, then pinch its marquee days. February is the quiet romantic dreamer, sneered at and excluded by December and January for not being hard enough, it passes the time gazing wistfully at the popular spring and summer months as they hang out in the sun with all the pretty girls. Essentially February just wants to be loved and that’s why the one thing it hangs its knitted bobble hat on is giving the couples of the nation St Valentine’s Day!
This year I came down stairs on the 14th and quite literally could not get out the front door! That’s right reader, you guessed the punch line didn’t you – the crushing disappointment of ANOTHER year with no cards left me an emotional wreck, drowning in tears and unable to cross the threshold to face a desolate loveless existence outside!!! Thankfully instead of having to tackle my misery head on, I was able to push the rejection deep deep down inside and throw myself into this month’s ‘Found Of Confusion' - Harrah! For those playing catch up the premise is that I track down musicians that have thus far slipped under Kev’s sweeping radar then offer them up to him for his enjoyment or disgust.
So with that in mind here are the tunes that blocked out my sobs this month:
After intrepidly tackling the west coast of America last month, we began February by venturing even further afield under the guiding hand of London producer LASZLO. His ‘Nrv’ single from September came over all celestial and took us wandering round the galaxy, discovering the delights of the music of the spheres. A dash of Jazz here, a sprinkling of dub there, Laszlo stirs his melting pot and then serves up meticulously prepared helpings of ambient electro. A new single ‘Satori’ is due in the coming days with an album to follow in the close future. For the time being those hungry for more of his treats should take in the excellent ‘Zeitgeist’ from last spring’s ‘Mr Sunshine’ EP.
Returning to earth without a bump, our next ‘founders’ were already in position waiting for us, tapping their feet impatiently and plugging in the amps ready to blast away any lingering space dust. That band was Oxford’s SECRET RIVALS and the song the 4 piece belted out was ‘Prone to Explosion’ from October’s debut EP ‘Start The Fires’. Combining punk energy with a guitar riff that must surely have been borrowed from The Cure, this track would have fitted perfectly between Echobelly and Elastica on the next ‘Now this is Britpop revisited again volume XXIII’. Too retro for some? Well perhaps, but sometimes a bit of simple nostalgic fun is just the trick.
On a personal level what most definitely isn’t ‘just the trick’ is anything aligning itself to folk ‘music’. One too many school PE lessons taken up with pointless country dancing has left me breaking out in cold sweats at the mere mention of the word ceilidh and a steadfast belief that the fiddle plays no part in a civilised society, never mind on record! Norwich’s GRENOUILLEShowever have taken me a little step closer to letting go of that phobia. Their free 5 track ‘Hawk On the Down’ EP provided our third ‘Found’ of the month in the form of a duet to absent love called ‘Folding Wings’. Armed with an acoustic guitar, a piano and that dam fiddle they’ve put together a collection of heartfelt ballads that could charm even the most ardent grump into submission.
Download the EP for free over at Grenouilles bandcamp
Sorry going off track here a minute but did anyone else just hear Jamie T? No? It must be my mind playing tricks on me - well either that or one of you out there is listening to ‘Lost and Found’, our final track of the month that came from East London lads JUKEBOX COLLECTIVE. Currently recording their debut album in a studio in Manchester the JC’S sound is hard to pin down, a more electro Sunshine Underground? LCD Soundsystem’s little brothers? Neither description nails it to be honest, so the only solution is to click on the links below and make your own mind’s up – clearly one of you already had!
Come back next month for no less than 5, yes 5, new acts who are trying to win your approval. Don’t forget if you’ve got any opinions get in touch at the following places:
Over the past decade or two, Sweden has become synonymous with indie-pop. However, Stockholm based Kriget have more in common with the German experimentalists of the 70s than any Glaswegian C86 band.
Their name means 'The War' in Swedish, and this album is certainly an onslaught. Pounding drums, throbbing bass and distorted saxophone - apparently the only 3 instruments used in it's creation.
'What A Day' is refreshingly difficult to categorise. The press release describes the sound as 'kraut/jazz/dance/punk-ish' which just about hits the nail on the head. If Gyratory System and X-Ray Spex were to interbreed, one can imagine them giving birth to a monster like this.
The only gripe with this album is that over 11 tracks it gets a tad monotonous. This is a minor quibble and it's superb to hear a band ploughing a furrow that is genuinely their own. The best news is it's free to download in full from the band's website.
Because The Sound Of Confusion is as punctual as Pete Doherty (minus the drugs and talent).
5 of the best singles and downloads you've probably heard by now...
Acrylics - Sparrow Song (featuring Caroline Polachek)
Yet another Brooklyn band. Acrylics got the blogs twitching with the release of their 'Molly's Vertigo' single over a year ago. Debut album 'Lives And Treasure' is out now, and this new single features Caroline Polachek from Chairlift (where have they gone?!) providing suitably ethereal vocals.
Anyone who's followed any of the incarnations of The Sound Of Confusion will know that Swedish bands feature regularly. Purely because so many of them make great records. Those Dancing Days are barely into their 20s, but new album 'Daydreams And Nightmares' is sounding as indie-pop-tastic as we could have wished. As proved by this new single.
The term 'criminally overlooked' could have been invented for these guys. Having made one of the greatest singles of the previous decade in the shape of 'Nowhere's Nigh' , Parts And Labor are back any day now with a new album - 'Constant Future'. Ahead of the release they've been chucking out the odd free track, including this one, 'Rest'.
Fresh And Onlys frontman Tim Cohen has just released a new solo album, 'Magic Trick'. Slightly less lush sounding than his day job, but no less lovely. This is his new single 'Don't Give Up'.
Yeah, you'll be sick of hearing about these guys by now. I'm sure everyone has taken up their positions on their chosen side of the fence. The backlash has begun, as it does with any overly hyped band, and The Sound Of Confusion thinks it's unjustified.
No review, we've talked about them loads already - just have a listen to their new single and make up your own minds (without being a snob!). The video has low resolution sound quality, so just buy the damn thing.
The lengthy gestation period for Mirrors' début may mean they've missed their chance to jump on the synth-pop-revival bandwagon. It's a shame, because they do this kind of thing better than most.
The expected reference points are all in place. The opening bars of 'Lights And Offerings' might as well be Kraftwerk. We also have glimpses of OMD, Depeche Mode and, hell, even A-Ha. What they lack in originality they make up for in that more valuable commodity – good tunes. Highlights include 'Into The Heart', 'Somewhere Strange', 'Searching The Wilderness' 'Hide And Seek' and the pulsating 'Ways To An End'.
The comparisons to Hurts must grate slightly, however they're not far off the mark. Both plunder similar ground, press shots show both bands with sharp 80s suits and not a hair out of place, let alone any hint of a smile. Mirrors seem far less contrived though. Making the kind of music they want to make, rather than the music they think will make them. It's not all plain sailing, a couple of tracks can be filed under 'filler', but on the whole 'Lights And Offerings' is a thoroughly enjoyable and accomplished début.
Article written by The Sound Of Confusion's Scottish Correspondent.
'Due to the all too sudden demise of The Sound Of Confusion radio show, the brand new - but instantly hugely popular - ‘Found Of Confusion’ feature was thrown on the scrapheap (and there is no evidence to suggest the rumours that Kev fell on his sword because he felt threatened by my emerging popularity are true, so let’s cease with spreading that please.) Although the turn of events was sad and unexpected I can assure you that I wasn't in the least bit bitter that the blog I'd already written would be wasted.
The weeks in between have seen some soul searching from Kev and I on how best to proceed. After much convivial discussion we came to a sensible agreement, the gist of which is I now have him tied up in a basement living off scraps of shredded wheat and alcopops and have commandeered his blog for my own means - There’s no way he’s killing off my feature, NO WAY, YOU PEOPLE NEED ME!!! So with that in mind we’re all going to be good little readers aren’t we, and use our imaginations to pretend these songs actually made it to air and everything was all rosy in the musical garden.... GOT IT!! Good, on with the blog...'
Pap pa pa - Sound the trumpets (< they’re what that was meant to be), it’s the return of King Winsabet the 3rd, strolling down from my ivory tower to once more sprinkle my soothsaying magic upon The Sound Of Confusion blog!
Sorry about that, I just fancied making a grand entrance. Those of you that have heard The Sound of Confusion/Conclusion in 2011 will probably already have a fair idea why I’m here – Kevin Wright has set me a challenge! No doubt tired of me routinely rubbishing all his hard work, he’s put the boot on the other foot and ordered me to present him each Thursday (or so) with one band or artist that’s he’s never encountered. As tasks go it’s not an easy one – what exactly do you play the man who’s heard everything! For now though my luck appears to be in and I’ve found a couple of sources I can count on for new material, so I’ll be forwarding tunes to him until my secret wells run dry (around the start of march I’d say!). The songs I submit may not all be to my own or your taste, but I’m hoping to get together an eclectic mix so stick with me and, with a bit of luck, you’ll find one or two you like. If you hate all of it – yes I do mean you James - then don’t worry, it’ll be your turn when I get sacked!
That’s the housekeeping done so let’s go for it. Here’s what ‘The Found Of Confusion’ has been up to in January.
...............
The honour of being the first ever ‘Founder’ went to North East of England residents POLARSETS and they kicked us off in fine style. Put out via their own label ‘8 seconds records’, last spring’s debut release ‘Leave Argentina’ carried the hallmarks of a Two Door Cinema Club cut, all be it one that had been filtered through Crystal Castles mixing desk. Novembers follow up single ‘Morning’ adopted the same percussive acid house blueprint 808 State imported from Ibiza at the end of the 1980’s. A string of significant support slots (Everything Everything, Fenech Soler, Ellie Goulding) suggest 2011 promises much for this trio.
Week 2 saw us, by which I mean myself and you Kev’s faithful listeners, leave Tyneside and head north – waving at my house on the way through– to the welcoming arms of the City of Glasgow. This is somewhere we’re likely to revisit a few times in the coming months but on this occasion we were there to lend our ears to the warm melodies of WASHINGTON IRVING. Consistent with their Celtic roots this sextet (that is six right?) knock out folk infused indie rock, but let’s be clear it’s the good type rather than the Mumford and Sons variety. June’s ‘Little Wanderer, Head Thee Home EP’ was brimming with the kind of promise Stornoway showed during 2009’s uplifting Jools Holland appearance. Let’s hope Washington Irving can deliver where the Oxford lads have subsequently struggled.
Having had enough of the wintery streets of Govan and Maryhill, the decision was taken to get some sun on our backs, so we travelled across the Atlantic to Los Angeles and while we were there took the opportunity to get better acquainted with hip-hop MC and producer BLU (at the special request of our North of England Correspondent!). 2007’s skilfully crafted ‘Below The Heavens’ album, made in collaboration with fellow producer/rapper Exile, blended soul and jazz and bestowed on Blu a reputation as the most respected new voice on the hip-hop underground scene. Since then he’s maintained a relatively low profile preferring to hone his skills through a series of mixtapes. This year’s greatly anticipated solo debut however, working title ‘NoYork’, could see him crowned as the heir apparent to Nas and Mos Def’s brand of thought provoking lyrical street-hop.
The final week of January led us back to where we began for a get together with Newcastle’s LANTERNS ON THE LAKE. More informed observers than me have drawn favourable comparisons with the work of Mazzy Star and Sigur Ros, and it’s difficult to argue with their assessment. Be it the woozy berceuse that is recent single ‘Lungs Quicken’ or the haunting simplicity of ‘I love you sleepyhead’, ‘Lanterns’ coax out fragile melodies that slowly unfold, perfectly underpinning the worldly wise breathless vocals of lead singer Hazel Wilde. Having recently signed to Bella Union (home to Sound Of Confusion favourites Beach House) 2011 should bring about the release of their debut album to augment the assortment of tracks already lighting up the blogosphere.
I’ll be back next month with the next batch of ‘Founders’ but if you’ve got any views (good or bad)on the bands mentioned by Kev and myself - or simply want to give us abuse - then please get in touch.
If you live in the dark ages like me that can be done here:
Rant written by The Sound Of Confusion's Scottish Correspondent.
Is there anything more annoying than ardent Oasis fans!!! They seem to believe that music both started and finished with the Gallagher brothers and that anyone who doesn't regard Live Forever as the undisputed zenith of sound recording history is only saying so to appear cool. They don't seem to be able to fathom that people might just simply prefer other bands and that some of us enjoy hearing new music. Invariably this breed of super fan was actually a bit young to get Oasis at their peak, only discovering them around Heathen Chemistry and then playing catch up ever since, wowing us all with facts and stories we already know BECAUSE WE REMEMBER THEM FROM THE TIME!!!! Unfortunately their overwhelming desire to cram up on all things Oasis leaves them in a bubble that offers protection from having to try anything new or interesting, said bubble appears to be only penetrable by Kasabian and the fuckin Enemy!! They arrogantly spout 'If Oasis hadn't been so popular you'd all love them'.....emm who do you think got them popular knobhead - some of us have moved on deal with it!!
The thing is I really do like Oasis, but these guys make it bloody hard work to sustain that feeling - and now they're at it with Beady Eye too, there's not a chance a merger of Heavy Stereo and Hurricane #1 will ever yield a batch of life changing songs, if they do I'll eat my sky blue snood!!!
