Music - Singles of the Week - Monday, August 16, 2010
IndieLondon gleefully checks out the cream of the week’s singles. All you have to do is click on the pictures to order them…
SINGLE OF THE WEEK: DEAD CONFEDERATE – GIVING IT ALL AWAY: Athens, Georgia-based psych-rockers Dead Confederate offer a tantalising glimpse of what to expect from their sophomore album, Sugar, with the release of new single, Giving It All Away… and it’s a cracker! Boasting classic American song-writing values and a slight Dinosaur Jr meets Kings of Leon vibe, this is a barnstorming blues-rocker that marries a melancholy vocal around some genuinely inspired guitar work. Indeed, it’s a mark of the album that the darker, sombre realm of their debut LP has been augmented by a more focused, streamlined sound that blends harmony with Mellotron guitars and the lessons learned from spending time on the road with the likes of Dinosaur Jr and Meat Puppets. If you dig the single, just wait ‘til you get a load of the LP!
Released across all formats
Rating: 4 out of 5
EP OF THE WEEK 1: KASSIDY – THE RUBBERGUM EP: VOLUME 2: Glasgow-based Kassidy followed up their debut single, Stray Cat with the excellent Take Another Ride, released as a stand-alone single on August 9. The track, described by the Sunday Times Culture as “haunting”, sees Kassidy continue to build an ever increasing fan base of both critics and music fans alike thanks to their use of four acoustic guitars and emphatic vocals. The song is produced by Jim Abiss (Arctic Monkeys, Kasabian, Noisettes, Stereophonics), and slow builds in impressive fashion from acoustic strumming, to full bodied pop-rock offering. In doing so, the four-piece draw on their love of Americana influences while weaving in their own Glaswegian style, creating a song that’s equally capable of finding success on the other side of the Atlantic as it should here. The guitar work is particularly striking and should help to really get them noticed, while their emphatic chorus and keen ear for melody lend them crossover appeal too. Not satisfied, they now drop their Rubbergum EP: Volume 2, which includes Take Another Ride, as well as the bonus tracks The Lost, LA Revenge, Hover Car and Panic Day. If you liked last week’s instalment, then the EP is even better. Of the picks, The Lost is a thrilling slice of folk rock that comes augmented with some cracking, rapid guitar licks and some gospel tinged backing, and Losing You, which attaches a bluesy vibe around some emphatic vocals and some more really excellent guitar thrashing. Hover Car has a more playful, almost South American vibe attached to some of its percussion, while Panic Day is just a breezy, stripped back acoustic lament about anxiety and perception that also contains some fantastic harmonica. All in all, though, this is a first-rate listen from a cracking band.
Released across all formats
Rating: 4 out of 5
EP OF THE WEEK 2: PETE LAWRIE – ALL THAT WE KEEP EP: Penny Lane born and Penarth bred Pete Lawrie blames his parents for his idiosyncratic tastes in music and for the passion in his song-writing… it means he’s nothing if not eclectic. The release of his excellent All That We Keep EP is proof positive of that diversity… one that shows there’s more to this husky voiced troubadour than mere comparisons to the likes of Ray LaMontagne and Tom Waits. For sure, the warm, folksy acoustic vibe that comes with the lead single All That We Keep suggests that… albeit with some electronic elements and samples that give it a slightly different edge. The chorus, though, is a warm ode to love that’s utterly reassuring and set to become one of the year’s best anthems. But the rest of the EP comes backed by two of his own remixes under different aliases (the River Kids remix, featuring Shad being a particular highlight that gives it a hip edge and a hip-hop/rap interlude that borders on genius), as well as a Jay-Z cover (Song Cry) with American songstress Lauren Prichard, and a new track written with Guillemots vocalist Fyfe Dangerfield (The Penny Drop). Of those two new tracks, The Penny Drops is a tender, achingly poignant slice of piano-backed folk that’s utterly enchanting and totally cinematic, while Song Cry is a fusion of folk, hip hop and gospel that really has to be heard to be appreciated – it’s quite remarkable. Put together, it makes All That We Keep one of the year’s most unmissable EPs.
Released across all formats
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
BLOOD RED SHOES – HEARTSINK: Steven Ansell and Laura-Mary Carter, aka Blood Red Shoes, return with what they call ‘a perfect rock song’. Heartsink – which confidently despairs “we’ve heard it all six thousand times” – is, in Steven’s words: “We took the energy and simplicity of that four to the floor beat and layered it with a guitar sound as aggressive and industrial as possible. We never want to make anything too easy to get into, it’d be boring. It’s a pop song that we tried to destroy from the inside out basically.” What that means is taking a melodious chorus and some tight hooks, and then ripping them out from within thanks to some gargantuan guitar riffs that crash in and out from time to time. The mix works brilliantly, though, guaranteeing you’ll be chanting along in anthemic, arms in the air style to proclaim your loud, proud support. It’s a prime example of Blood Red Shoes’ DIY spirit that is as empowering as they could have hoped… and catchy too!
Released across all formats
Rating: 4 out of 5
ONE NIGHT ONLY – SAY YOU DON’T WANT IT: One Night Only release their second album, the self titled One Night Only, on August 23, through Vertigo Records, as well as the first single Say You Don’t Want It – a fizzing slice of electro-charged indie pop. An instantly catchy effort, the song talks of living like stars with beautiful girls and fast cars but also the fake and materialistic side of what can also be an empty and lonely world behind pop stardom. It captures the highs and lows – how it feels to be pop’s most wanted and the darker flipside of pop success which the fans never get to see. The synths and guitars collide in bright, breezy fashion, though, as if trying to capture the euphoria and excitement of being caught in the world they’re singing about. It’s an emphatic, fun return that bodes well for the sophomore LP. The video, meanwhile, features Emma Watson and can be checked out “here”:http://www.youtube.com/onenightonlyonline One Night Only’s album, meanwhile, was recorded in Brussels and produced by Ed Buller (Suede/Pulp/White Lies) and is described by the band as a “quantum leap” that will take them to a whole new audience.
Released across all formats
Rating: 3.5 out of 5
THE DRUMS – LET’S GO SURFING: It was, perhaps, kind of inevitable that The Drums would get round to re-releasing their breakthrough hit, Let’s Go Surfing – and justifiably so, given it’s ripe for becoming a bona fide summer anthem. Taking the unlikely templates of ‘50s surf-rock and Factory Records as inspiration and mixing in a new wave sound, the hip four-piece prove themselves to be the purveyors of some of the most exciting new sounds to come out of the US this year. Opening with the most infectious whistling line since Peter, Bjorn and John’s Young Folks and accompanied by a thrilling buzz-saw surf guitar riff, debut single Let’s Go Surfing offers three minutes of shimmering Florida sun-kissed, NYC informed brilliance. Singer Jonathan Pierce boasts a commanding set of vocals (raw but catchy and appealing), while guitarist Jacob Graham shows an exciting mastery of the ‘50s surf rock scene. Combined, they create a surf anthem in waiting that is destined to become a summer cult classic. You won’t want to miss out if you did the first time around.
Available across all formats
Rating: 4 out of 5
Order the album l Album review
THE CHARLATANS – LOVE IS ENDING: The Charlatans promise a new sound and a bold new direction on their forthcoming new album, Who We Touch and there are signs of it here on taster single and album opener, Love Is Ending. Arriving like a brash statement of intent, the opening seconds are just a wall of noise, hitting the listener with a sonic assault of no particular direction, before settling into a rapid groove that’s shot through with vibrant guitar riffs and a strong chorus. Burgess sounds clearly up for it and ever so slightly rejuvenated, while the guitars are robust and the pace among the most lively that the band has delivered in a while. It’s available as a limited edition 7” single and comes complete with a remix from The Horrors that serves as a B-side. But it is worth seeking out as a taster of what to expect. The track has been available since August 2.
Released as a limited edition 7” single
Rating: 4 out of 5
THEA GILMORE – YOU’RE THE RADIO: Ahead of the release of her new album, Murphy’s Heart in September, Thea Gilmore drops the lead single, You’re The Radio to showcase some of the reasons she can count Bruce Springsteen, Joan Baez and Martha Wainwright among her fans. A breezy, endearing slice of folk-pop, You’re The Radio is a summery sing-along offering that lives up to Thea’s hope of appearing “a bright, breezy, happy person for a few minutes”. It’s got a keen sense of melody, some nice lyricism (“I’m the drifter, you’re the place I go, I’m the song, you’re the radio”) and a laidback vibe that’s utterly enriching. There are more sombre moments on the LP of course (what else could you expect from an artist who delivered Strange Communion as her thought-provoking Christmas record). But for now, kick back and enjoy the sound of Thea having some fun. It’s pretty infectious.
Released across all formats
Rating: 3.5 out of 5
JOHNNY FLYNN – BARNACLED WARSHIP: One of the highlights to emerge from Johnny Flynn’s latest LP, Been Listening, is the vibrant folk-rock offering, Barnacled Warship. The track is notable for its resolutely upbeat vibe, its violin-heavy focus and kick-ass back-beat… as well as its emotive anti-war lyrics that make some valid points about the nature of conflict. Worth checking out, too, is the striking video, which has been directed by Christian DeVita, who served as lead storyboard artist on Wes Anderson’s Fantastic Mr Fox as well as Tim Burton’s forthcoming Frankenweenie. As the vibe around Mr Flynn continues to grow (he played a sold out headline tour in May and June), Johnny Flynn and The Sussex Wit have just been confirmed as main support to Mumford & Sons on the quartet’s forthcoming UK jaunt. That means, London readers, you can catch him as part of a super line-up at Hammersmith Apollo on October 8 and 9. Watch the video by clicking here
Available as a download and limited edition 7” single
Rating: 4 out of 5
Order the album l Album review
LUCKY SOUL – UP IN FLAMES: Described as an instant, infectious pop romp, Up In Flames marks the latest single from Lucky Soul, whose previous hits have included the appealing likes of Woah Billy! and White Russian Doll. The song charts the ups and downs of Lucky Soul’s career to date, which began when songwriter Andrew Laidlaw and singer Ali Howard found each other (following a newspaper ad) and released a critically-adored debut album, The Great Unwanted, in 2007. Things took a bit of a turn, however, while Andrew was awaiting the royalties from the first LP and found himself broke and having to live in the band’s studio (and wash in the local swimming pool). Nevertheless, he resolved to pen the songs that would make up the similarly well received sophomore LP, A Coming of Age, which subsequently gave rise to this gloriously upbeat, retro-laced North Soul infused single. Ironically, the bass amp caught fire mid-recording, but the band escape unsinged… as did the orchestra behind Brian Wilson’s Smile, which also help to lend the track it’s unashamedly vibrant feel.
Released as a limited edition 7” single
Rating: 3.5 out of 5
I AM SAM – LET IT PUMP: I Am Sam describes himself as a singer-songwriter with a point to prove. His style combines elements of Jason Mraz with Jack Johnson and Squeeze and his new single is Let It Pump, which shows signs of potential. The track incorporates a slick, hip-hop inflicted beat and soulful vocals, along with a Squeeze-esque guitar backing that gives it hybrid appeal. Occasionally, the mix of styles sits uncomfortably alongside each other, especially when I Am Sam drifts more towards a rap style. But it keeps you listening and is notable for daring to be a little different. Bonus track Where’s That Love? seeks to combine Jack Johnson elements with NERD and Handsome Boy Modelling School… though isn’t quite as good as any of those. Still, he’s not unappealing and you could quite easily find your head nodding along if ever you heard it on the radio.
Released as a download
Rating: 3 out of 5
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