First up this week is this terrific split EP featuring tracks from The History Of Apple Pie, Echo Lakes, Novella and this free track from Gross Magic. 'Yesterdays' piles of the distorted noise and strangely treated vocals to create an unusual hybrid of grunge, pop and shoegaze. If you like the sound of this, seek out their recently released 'Teen Jamz EP' and look out for more next year.
This week also sees the release of a limited edition cassette by London/Brighton based quartet Fear Of Men. Those of you who've consigned your tape deck to the loft/landfill/charity shop will be pleased to note that highlight 'Doldrums' is available digitally for free. It's a lovely piece of woozy, melodic indiepop with sweet vocals, and it leaves us wanting more.
Californian six-piece Fol Chen put out a new track this week. 'So Good' is an excellent piece of alternative pop with a choppy rhythm and sounds which come pre-programmed into a new instrument the band have created, the Tetrafol, which is pictured above. Quite what this is and how it works is a slight mystery at the moment, but if this is an indication of what it does then it's worth owning!
Indie-rock act Guards have just put this new single online. 'Do It Again' suggests they could end up having a hell of a lot more than their current total of 491 'likes' on Facebook before too long. This is the kind of big hearted guitar tune that's destined for a wider audience whilst remaining an independent and slightly off-kilter charm. Guards should be very big.
Azure Blue is the new project from Swede Tobias Isaksson who was formerly a member of the bands Irene and Laurel Music. The pure synth-powered indiepop brilliance of 'The Catcher In The Rye' was initially released earlier in the year but now gets a much deserved new release on Matinee Records. This is like the best song that OMD never made crossed with Scandinavian pop genius. Stunning, in other words.
This article also appears on http://www.soundsxp.com
Meg Baird - Babyon
Espers frontwoman Meg Baird's second solo album 'Seasons On Earth' was, fittingly, released at the beginning of Autumn. Its organic, rustic nature is perfectly suited to nights drawing in and leaves turning yellow, and new download-only single 'Babyon' is the kind of crystal clear, gently plucked folk that's built to soundtrack cosy nights by the fireside, a glass of your favourite tipple in hand with "golden company".
This is surely a track that will go down well with the beards and knitwear brigade but should also appeal to the Laura Marling generation. Depending on your stance towards this sort of gentle, pastoral acoustics you'll either find 'Babyon' utterly spellbinding or be bored to tears. But no matter which side of the fence you choose to reside, there's no denying the beauty in Meg's captivating vocal. A lovely winter warmer.
Since their last album, 2010's 'Disconnect From Desire', School Of Seven Bells have lost a twin and are now down to the duo of ex-Secret Machine Ben Curtis and remaining twin Alejandra Deheza. Their third album 'Ghostory' will be out in the spring and is reportedly a part concept album about ghosts. First track 'The Night' is more of the top-drawer electro-rock they've done so well in the past. School of Seven Bells - The Night by Vagrant Records
Confusing as it may be, duo Blonds are an entirely different couple to similarly named duo Blondes. In a world currently overflowing with indie-pop duos this similarity doesn't exactly help matters. This pair are from Florida and have recently self-released their debut EP 'Dark Roots' for free via Bandcamp. 'Kite' is lovely chiming lo-fi with added hazey atmospherics.
The press and the A&R men have been getting themselves all excited about Camden's Tribes for over a year now, with many expecting them to be the breakthrough British guitar band of 2012. Their debut album drops in January and reports from those who've heard it already are positive. If you want to know what the fuss is about then pick up album track and previous single 'We Were Children' below.
Vermont's Villanelles followed up last year's self-titled debut album with a new EP, 'Kiss My Grits' earlier this year. The EP's opening track is the thrashy, trashy garage rock of 'Cereal Killer Whale'. Either an interesting play on words or a horrible misunderstanding of the English language (pretty sure it's the former to be honest), but a good tune nonetheless and it's yours for free.
Slightly psychedelic Portland Americana collective Blitzen Trapper released their latest album 'American Goldwing' in September and they're giving away new single, the typically acid-fried, 70s rock jam of 'Might Find It Cheap' as a free download. It'll only be available for a couple of weeks so get in quick by entering your email into the widget below.
This article also appears on http://www.soundsxp.com
As well as possessing a name that evokes the spirit of '77, Johnny Throttle's sound has its roots firmly planted in the British punk explosion. So if we throw in names like The Buzzcocks, Slaughter & The Dogs and The Damned then you'll begin to build a picture of where they're coming from. Formed in 2008 by former Parkinsons man Alfonso Pinto, they've so far released a couple of snotty, shouty 45s and now offer us their debut full-length.
'Johnny Throttle' is a 100mph blitzkrieg through a dozen tracks that barely get close to the three minute mark. There's not an ounce of fat to be found; these songs are short, sharp and to the point, hardly even pausing for breath. The real strength of this album is that it doesn't rely on studied cool, sounding natural rather than contrived. The abrasive riffs and angry, bellowing vocals occasionally recalling a young, hungry Paul Weller (most notably on 'Waking Up Alone') are difficult to replicate without real passion and desire.
Being a year-zero punk record there is the odd juvenile moment or two; try the questionably titled 'Love Me Till I Come' and the distinctly un-PC 'Spazztastic' ("It must be fantastic/to be such a spastic") but on the whole this is an explosion of heavyweight, primal energy which gives the impression of being best consumed in the live arena, with blood, sweat and spit included. Not one for the faint hearted.
This article also appears on http://www.soundsxp.com
There's a fine line between likeable, pristine, semi-acoustic indie and the M.O.R. mum-rock of Crowded House, and it's a line that London based five-piece Wolventrix must know well. It's a boundary they tiptoe along for the duration of this, their debut album, seeming to have not quite decided on which side to set up camp. This could position them as something of a gateway band; one to help gradually wean the James Morrison and Michael Buble fan in your life on to the harder stuff.
It would be rash to simply write Wolventrix off as middle of the road music for people who don't really like music, there are definite elements of merit to be found on 'Ours Till Dawn'. They undoubtedly know how to pen a tune, albeit tunes that are often entirely bereft of any bollocks, and when not veering towards the sickly-sweet, the lyrics are intelligent and witty. Sweeping highlight 'Wanderlust' concerns offsetting emissions following a long journey after clarifying the situation with the former environment minister - "I spoke to Ben Bradshaw, he said the carbon thing would be alright, if I plant 20,000 trees when I get back." It's safe to say this isn't your standard choice of song topics.
The regular employment of a string section does bring an expansive quality to tracks like 'Christmas Revelation' and 'Best Ways To Die', and the horn-fuelled 'Sham White Wedding' recalls The Divine Comedy at their most cabaret, but with the smugness removed. There's the nagging sense that if Wolventrix could bring in any kind of edginess it would transform them from being somewhat bland to a decent indie-pop band. Instead we're left with half an album's worth of guilty pleasures, half an album's worth of uninspiring, forgettable songs and testicles nowhere to be seen.
Indie rockers The War On Drugs are back with new album 'Slave Ambient' this week. It's the Philadelphia band's first full-length since the line-up change that saw Kurt Vile leave for a solo career, but the reshuffle doesn't seem to have affected their sound or quality with 'Come To The City' being an optimistic modern update on 70s Americana.
If the vintage car, hair and shades haven't given it away already, let me tell you that Strawberry Whiplash take an influence from 60s girl-groups, and like many other Glaswegian indiepop bands, the jangly guitars of 80s bands like The Primitives and The Shop Assistants. New single 'Stop, Look And Listen' is wonderfully bouncy, melodic and fun.
Since the release of their debut, Parisians Yeti Lane have slimmed down to a duo and have been working on their second album 'The Echo Show' which is due out in the spring. Free download 'Analog Wheel' (their spelling, not mine!) shows a slightly more experimental, Krautrock influenced sound and clocks in at just under eight minutes. And it's eight minutes well spent.
Los Angeles quartet Bleached nowhave a string of 7" singles under their belt, which hopefully means we'll be due an album some time next year, although nothing seems to be confirmed. Their latest single 'Searching Through The Past'/'Electric Chair' is out this week and you can pick up the scuzzy punk-pop of 'Searching...' by clicking the download arrow below.
Paul Cook & The Chronicles - Mine For Christmas/Exmas
We won't be overloading you with much from this year's vat of Christmas cash-in singles, but these gorgeous tracks by Paul Cook And The Chronicles are worthy of ear time. Both use the same melody to show the joy ('Mine For Christmas') and pain ('Exmas') of love over the festive period. It's all very sentimental and soppy but crushingly beautiful with it. Get both tracks free, or leave a tip - it's the season of goodwill after all.
Hopefully by now you will have read our albums of the year list as well as The Sound Of Confusion's Scottish correspondent's top 25 tracks of the year, but apparently I'm "Mr Sound Of Confusion" and that makes my list more "official". So I've been told. Anyway, I do take the editor's privilege of choosing the Obligatory Record Of The Year and this year's luck recipient will be unveiled below. First, though, the all important rules: all songs must have been released in 2011, although new recordings, remixes, edits, album/single versions of previous releases are allowed as long as they were made or first released this year. There is no limit to the amount of songs an artist can have in the list, it's simply what I consider to be the best 25 tracks of the year. There's a few free songs here too, so check those download arrows. Time to quit my jibber-jabber and begin the countdown...
25) The Go Team - Bust Out Brigade
Undoubtedly one of the bands of the year. 'Bust Out Brigade' takes 70s cop show horns and gives them a big beat and beefy production. Masterful and original. Why haven't these guys done a film soundtrack yet?
This dark epic was the highlight of debut album 'Again Into Eyes' and slowly builds with throbbing bass, synth washes and eerie vocals to a menacing but tuneful climax. It's a brooding, towering track.
Originally on the 'Just Like A Ghost EP, 'Big Waves' was rerecorded as the b-side to 'Sorrow, Sorrow'. This time they've made it more sparkly and better produced without losing any of its sweetness.
The full version of this appeared on last year's 'Fleecing The Easily Pleased' album, but this 2011 edit was even better and deserved to be a single. It's like a lost 90s indie classic and is only available to stream.
These are certainly one of our bands to watch in 2012 and this track shows why. With a powerful, quivering vocal and lush soundscapes before bursting into a huge crescendo. This band could be big.
We'll give these the joint band of the year title with The Go! Team. Debut album 'Cape Dory' was full of first rate fuzzy indiepop centred around a sailing expedition. All the tracks were stunning, this is one of them.
She may have been one of the most hyped artists of the year but there was a good reason for that. Her debut album was like Shirley Bassey fronting Arcade Fire and the pick of the bunch was 'Blackout'.
Another stand-out from a record which only contained stand-outs. This track featured the hotly tipped young rapper Dominique Young Unique and was more perfect experimental pop genius.
17) The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart - Heaven's Gonna Happen Now
The new album may have split opinions but we like it and some of the tracks easily match the indiepop rush of their debut, including the lovely, scuzzy 'Heaven's Gonna Happen Now'. This should be a single.
These former shoegazers went pop for new album 'Shapeshifters' with generally good results. Best of all was this little stunner with its funky bass, handclaps and non stop melody. It was also somehow not a single.
More boat themed sweetness from the best husband and wife duo in music. The surfy, tropical guitars and vocal coos are only possible to dislike if you have a severe case of miserableshititis.
Featuring the biggest (phattest?) bass of the year, this 60s pop influenced highlight from the free EP of the same name should be earning this duo way more plaudits than they're currently receiving.
The long awaited debut album took a while to get a release but it was well worth the wait, not only containing the superlative 'Keep Your Head' but this amazing slab of soulful, sparkling, sunkissed perfection .
Them again. The album's title track distilled everything that's great about the band into two and a half minutes. Beautiful, fuzzy melodies, twangy surf guitars and Alaina Moore's intensely loveable vocals.
11) The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart - My Terrible Friend
If any track was going to persuade any dissatisfied customers that 'Belong' was an album worth giving a second chance it was this one. Why some have turned against them really is beyond me. A wonderful track.
10) Acid House Kings - Heaven Knows I Miss Him Now (Feat. Dan Treacy)
This highlight from the Swedish indiepop legends recent album 'Music Sounds Better With You' was made even more delightful with the addition of vocals from the Television Personalities main man for its single release.
Latest album 'Raven In The Grave' may have taken a few more plays to get into than some of their previous efforts but in the end it was just as good. Single 'Recharge & Revolt' is pure, dark, fuzzy class.
Another highlight from a stunning album. 'Apollo Throwdown' proved a slightly more psychedelic take on their trademark mash-up pop that never fails to be uplifting. Impossible for other bands to replicate.
Another early track given a makeover for our favourite Swede's rarities compilation. This time with more guitars and a fuller sound. One of their best songs just got even better. Love guitars? Love SDFP.
This track from the Baltimore odd-pop band was instantly likeable but not instantly lovable. Over the course of the past few weeks it's unravelled itself to become a real lost classic. Quirky, but in a very very good way.
If you're one of the aforementioned people who now have a Pains Of Being Pure At Heart shaped hole that needs filling then here's where to look. This truly great debut single promises amazing things ahead.
This first track taken from their bar-raising album 'Only In Dreams' has the team behind The Raveonettes producing it, and with Dee Dee's masterful songwriting it's a match for some of that band's best moments.
Last year's demo of this track was good enough to make our top 25 then, but with a few tweaks the album version proved even better. Perfect lo-fi pop boasting a glorious chorus that doesn't even have any words.
Any death is tragic, but more so when it's someone so young and talented. From Beau Velasco's untimely passing came not only a great album but this stunner. And who wouldn't want something this immense written as a tribute? Monumentally good.
The Go! Team - Buy Nothing Day (Feat. Beth Cosentino)
Ah yes, The Go! Team. We thought they may never match the likes of 'Bottle Rocket', 'Ladyflash' et al again, but boy were we wrong. This year's brilliant 'Rolling Blackouts' album contained some serious contenders for their best track to date and the breathtaking 'Buy Nothing Day' was top of the tree. The single version was teasingly made available online at the end of last year but the full album version exceeds it for sheer unadulterated joyous fun. Beth from Best Coast adds some perfectly fitting vocals to the mix and between them they give us 2011's Obligatory Record Of The Year. Totally unique. Totally unbeatable.
