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...
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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:
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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.
Laszlo on Myspace
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.
Secret Rivals on Myspace
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 GRENOUILLES however 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!
Jukebox Collective on Facebook
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:
The Sound Of Confusion on Myspace
The Sound Of Confusion on Facebook
Where friendly Kev will be waiting to welcome you with open arms!
Ta-ra
Andy
soundofconfusion@hotmail.co.uk
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