the quiet before the storm

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I've had a very relaxing morning, starting off with a bit of Louis Jordan as I got my children ready for school. I'm a firm believer in not having shouty music or radio DJs that spend all the time talking. There's a time and a place and breakfast isn't it. Since then I listened to a rather naff radio-friendly reggae album that sounds like the kind of music that Heart FM would rave about. That came off and since then I've been pottering about and listening to the new Death in Vegas album. They never cease to amaze me with the way they go about their business, making great music that, time and again, slips under the radar. 

This is Silver Time Machine, the first track off the album although I kind of wish they's saved that title for the second track which is a bit electro-shoe gazer and reminds me a bit of Hawkwind's seminal classic 'Silver Machine'.

As a bonus, let me add another tune from the album. This is a much deeper, less ambient track called 'Your Loft, My Acid'.

happy birthday to me

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Everyone should play some Nick Cave on their birthday.

the twilight sad mix 2

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I received a link to this podcast/mixtape this afternoon from Brighton-based Fatcat Records and is a brilliantly eclectic choice of tunes as selected by Twilight Sad guitarist Andy MacFarlane. It's been on loop this afternoon and I've especially enjoyed catching up with all those Scroggins sisters (otherwise known as ESG). I'll definitely feature them in a future post.

The Twilight Sad Mix 2 - FatCat Records Podcast by Fatcat Records on Mixcloud

philco fiction - finally

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This was released as a single back in August last year but is well worth a trip down memory lane which, funnily enough, the video seems to allude to as well. Philco Fiction are Norwegian indie poppers who are very good live. I do like to hear people sing in their own accents.

paradise circus (gui boratto remix)

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This is a quite stunning remix of the Massive Attack/Hope Sandoval track.

they smile in your face

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those backstabbers. O'Jays at their very best.

..faster, stronger

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This is a sneak preview of a new Solo remix of the Anna Lunoe and Diamond Lights track 'Stronger'. It's a bit slower and sexier than his usual fare and is released on February 1st.

lee stevens & the beautiful people - ridin high

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Good morning!

irene goodnight

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I can't decide which version to play so I'll post both. First Big Bill Broonzy and then Ry Cooder with a wonderful Old Grey Whistle Test session. (This isn't to detract from Leadbelly's original. They are all classic recordings as is the Pete Seegers one but I think any more than 2 versions on this entry is just plain greedy). 

Goodnight one all.

deer in the headlights (radioslave remix)

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I heard this superb heavy duty tune on the Jesse Rose Body Language compilation. It's very bass-y, very moody and deserves to be taken very seriously indeed.

orenda fink - high ground

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This is from her debut album 'Ask the Night' and very good it is too. The album has been on loop this afternoon in the house and it's really growing on me. It's more traditional country than alt or Americana but that shouldn't detract from listening. What it lacks in mawkish sentimentality it more than makes up with beautiful lyrics and simply delivered but complex tunes.

da sound of da polica

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This has been out a few months now and although it's a great tune, I do wish people wouldn't use auto-tune so much. I promise you, in 10 years time it will seem as outdated as cow bells. 

Polica - 'Lay Your Cards Out'

home at last

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Let's celebrate with an old anthem from a great band.

Spiritualized - Stop Your Crying

kyrstyn pixton

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The Premier Inn in Manchester isn't the most seductive of environments but I can still lie back and dream thanks to the Apple Mac, an internet connection and Bandcamp. Soothing my aching bones is this album from Krystyn Pixton, Portland-based singer/songwriter with her new album 'Embyrs'. i Discovered this a few days ago and have played it a few times since. I've also bought the limited edition album that includes all sorts of goodies - proof indeed that buying direct from the artist is a worthwhile way of doing business for artist and fan alike.

Ms Pixton plays electronic synth-pop with subtle trip-hop undertones. I've listened to this as background music and also with headphones on and am really impressed with the sound production at play. It remind me in part of the recent School of Seven Bells album but she cites the likes of Bjork, Regina Spektor and Massive Attack as influences so it should give you an idea where she is coming from with the album. I like it a lot, she has a strong voice that doesn't need to strain as she hits the top notes and there's a fair few catchy choruses too. It's radio-friendly without losing its credibility. She also steers well clear of the power ballads that are very in vogue viz Zola Jesus, Austra, PlanningToRock, Lykke Li. With 13 tracks on the albums you'd expect one or two duds but I don't think there's one song on there that hasn't deserved its place. I hope she hits these shores soon.

andre crom & martin dawson - gonna be alright (original mix)

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This tune is a real slow burner with an ever so slight little nod to L'il Louis 'French Kissing'. It's damn funky too.

gus gus - hateful (ada feat. mayburg rmx)

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Why did no-one tell me before about this awesome tune from everyone's favourite Reykjavik collective?

silver swans - 'let it happen'

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Their first official song from their upcoming album, this is a lovely introspective number that should see them do rather well this year.

chelsea wolfe in session

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The more I hear of this American chanteuse, the more I become a fan of her work. She's certainly not a by numbers performer and neither is she too generic to get pigeon-holed with (dare I say the word?) "goth". Her music is too varied and complex for lazy tags. Here she is with, admittedly, a dark atmospheric number that showcases her wonderful voice to perfection. It's called 'Movie Screen' and was recorded for Room 205.

major lazer is here to save the day

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Original Don (feat the Partysquad).  This is such a cool video.

ship shape and bristol fashion

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Bristol seems to attract its fair share of musical emigres and here's one longstanding band of French extraction, François and the Atlas Mountain, firmly rooted in the West Country. They really should be bigger in my opinion but then again maybe it's just as well that they aren't. They have a kind of whimsicalness (is that a real word? I probably mean whimsy) that is perhaps a little too French and a little too twee for mass appeal. Anyway, I like it, it's Sunday evening kind of music and this is my blog so I'm putting it on here.