Two lips, two lungs & one tongue

The Pains of Being Pure At Heart

2011-07-20T14:41:00.002+01:00

Belong is the latest album from The Pains of Being Pure At Heart and it's a really good listen. I loved earlier releases and this seems to have taken the sound to a new level.

We Were Promised Jetpacks

2011-07-15T16:52:00.002+01:00

I've just read that We Were Promised Jetpacks are releasing a new album this Autumn entitled In The Pit Of The Stomach... Can't wait!

The Antlers

2011-07-12T13:55:00.003+01:00

Beautiful dark music from the Antlers. 'Hospice' was one if my favourite albums of 2010 and the new album 'Burst Apart' is keeping up the standard in to 2011. Check out the video for 'Shiva' live on KEXP... amazing!

The Antlers - Shiva (Live on KEXP)

Admiral Fallow

2011-07-11T16:17:00.004+01:00

Another quality Scottish band from a similar musical place a Frightened Rabbit and My Latest Novel. Check out the arrangement on Old Balloons!

Official site

Crocodiles

2011-07-08T11:13:00.004+01:00

I love this album from the San Diego duo Crocodiles! It's like Mary Chain mixed with the VU and a bit of Spiritualized added in for good measure... Cool!

Crocodiles - Hearts of Love

Crocodiles - Mirrors (Studio Session With Insound)

The Joy Formidable

2011-07-07T11:03:00.004+01:00

There's not a lot I can say about how good these guys are... Just watch the youtube video of the live version of 'Whirring' below. It blew me away!

More about the band here: http://www.thejoyformidable.com/

The Joy Formidable - Whirring (Live on KEXP)

Yuck

2011-07-07T10:55:00.003+01:00

I saw them recently at the Friends of Mine festival and they blew me away so I thought I had better feature them. Their music takes me back to the early 90's in a really good way but still manages to stay right up to date.

More about the band here: http://yuckband.blogspot.com/

Yuck - Get Away

Silence Rises - Blues for a dead lover

2011-07-07T10:45:00.004+01:00

Here is an EP from a new band called 'Silence Rises'. It includes three well crafted indie guitar songs. The first song 'Shallow Water' has undertones of Pavement Slanted and Enchanted mixed with early 90's Brit indie rock. All in all it's a good first release.

You can buy it here: http://silencerises.bandcamp.com/

Silence Rises - Shallow Water

Okkervil River

2009-08-10T15:32:00.004+01:00

I think one of my last posts before the great quiet period was on the imminent release of the Okkervil River album 'The Stand Ins'. I thought I would just post a quick follow up saying how cool the album is... they just keep getting better and better in my opinion. I went to see them play live in Manchester and they were excellent!

Some of my favourites from the album:

Okkervil River - Bruce Wayne Campbell Interviewed On The Roof Of The Chelsea Hotel, 1979 [via]

Okkervil River - Calling and not calling my ex [via]

Okkervil River - On Tour with Zykos [via]

The Postal Service

2009-08-10T13:38:00.007+01:00

OK... bit of an old one here but it's a good one. 'The Postal Service' was / is a collaboration between Ben Gibbard of Death Cab for Cutie and producer Jimmy Tamborello of Dntel. Ben and Jimmy sent music back and forth, between California and Washington, each adding new elements until the record was complete.

The music it pretty electronically based but has a warmth that I wouldn't usually associate with electronic music.

The Postal Service - The District Sleeps Alone Tonight

and... a Phil Collins cover!!

The Decemberists

2009-08-10T12:14:00.006+01:00

I think The Decemberists are a bit of an aquired taste... I love them but I do get a but tired of the pirate shanty stuff. I loved 'Crane Wife' and now they have a new album. It's a concept folk prog rock album entitled 'The Hazards of Love' and I think it's their best yet!

The Decemberists - A Bower Scene [via]

The Decemberists - The Queen's Rebuke / The Crossing [via]

Other Lives

2009-08-10T11:42:00.010+01:00

I was in the pub last week with two good friends and I was asked why I don't update my blog anymore. I couldn't really answer other than saying I never get the time. I'm still discovering bands that I love but they never find their way on to the blog... what a shame I thought to myself.

Well... I'm back! and a new blog design to mark my resurrection!

First up... Other Lives a band from Stillwater, Oklahoma with a self-titled debut EP on ATO Records, which I think is a great record. They have an amazing orchestrated sound that incorporates elements of progressive rock, folk and classical music and some great lyrics to boot.

Other Lives - Paper Cities [via]

Other Lives - Black Tables [via]

The Dodos

2008-09-12T14:00:00.001+01:00

The Dodos are a San Francisco, US band who are currently touring the UK. I am hoping to catch them at one of the northern dates. Check out the tracks below… they have a great sound.

The Dodos - Jodi

The Dodos - Fools

Pete and The Pirates

2008-09-05T11:23:00.001+01:00

Reading, UK band Pete and The Pirates are a great new band. They produce a lovely guitar based sound with vocal harmonies. I think they could become very popular… perhaps a bit too popular for this blog?

Pete and The Pirates - Knots

Pete and The Pirates - Song For Today

Okkervil River New Album Soon...

2008-09-04T10:25:00.001+01:00

Okkervil River’s new album ‘The Stand Ins’ is out very soon… 9^th Sept in US and 13 Oct here in the UK. They have put the track ‘Lost Coastlines’ on their website to download (link below).

Also check out their youtube page here which has various artists covering songs from the new album.

Okkervil River - Lost Coastlines

The Twilight Sad

2008-09-03T15:32:00.001+01:00

Next up are FatCat records The Twilight Sad. I thought I had already posted about these guys but it turns out that I forgot. The four piece from Kilsyth, Scotland have a powerful Guitar based sound with a hint of folk music in there. Their debut album ‘Fourteen Autumns & Fifteen Winters’ is a must have album in my opinion.

The Twilight Sad - That Summer, At Home I Had Become The Invisible Boy

The Twilight Sad - Cold Days From The Birdhouse

Beirut

2008-09-03T15:06:00.002+01:00

I’ve been saving a few bands up to post over the last few weeks so here goes…

Beirut are a new band lead by Zach Condon who plays trumpet and ukulele as well as singing. They have a great sound somewhere between Final Fantasy, Decemberists and traditional folk music.

Beirut – Sunday Smile

Beirut - After The Curtain

Band of Horses

2008-06-04T14:07:00.001+01:00

Sorry I’ve not posted for a while… I’ve been moving house.

Band of horses are a Seattle based band signed to the Sub Pop label. Here are a couple of fantastic tracks from their latest album ‘Cease to begin’.

Band of horses - is there a ghost

Band Of Horses - No One's Gonna Love You

Pale Young Gentlemen

2007-11-27T12:09:00.000Z

Pale Young Gentlemen from Wisconsin, US have a great sound. They have a kind of Decemberists feel to them. Indie folk with a hint of classical chamber music... great lyrical story telling too.

Pale Young Gentlemen - Fraulein

Pale Young Gentlemen - Clap Your Hands
Pale Young Gentlemen - Saturday Night

Okkervil River

2007-11-22T11:18:00.000Z

I've been listening to Okkervil Rivers new album 'The stage names' a lot recently and I love it... so... here are some of my favourite tracks. Hope to see them in Leeds soon too.

Okkervil River - A Hand To Take Hold Of The Scene
Okkervil River - John Allyn Smith Sails
Okkervil River - Love To A Monster

Okkervil River - Girl in port (video)

Frightened Rabbit

2007-11-22T11:05:00.000Z

Scottish band Frightened Rabbit were formed in 2004 by Scott and Grant Hutchison. The brothers from Glasgow produce great infectious indie tunes with a hint of folk... just the way we like it.

Frightened Rabbit - The Greys
Frightened rabbit - Be less rude
Frightened Rabbit - Go Go Girls

Vampire Weekend

2007-11-22T10:45:00.000Z

The excellent Vampire Weekend are from New York City and have a really individual sound. I can only describe it as a mixture of early British new wave mixed with Paul Simon and his African influences.

Vampire Weekend - Mansard Roof

Vampire Weekend - Oxford Comma

Spoon

2007-09-26T10:52:00.000+01:00

Spoon are a good solid guitar based indie band with a little extra bit of zip which seems to set them apart from the crowd. They have beeen around for a while but the new album 'Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga' is getting great reviews.

Spoon - The Underdog
Spoon - The Ghost of You Lingers

Midlake

2007-08-31T13:17:00.001+01:00

Sorry I've not posted for quite a while... so busy at the mo. Anyhow, here goes... Midlake are a band from Denton, Texas with a sound pretty much their own. saying that... there is a bit of Grandaddy in there. Take a listen and make up your own mind.

Midlake - Mornings Will Be Kind
Midlake - Kingfish Pies

...and take a look too

Dear and the Headlights

2007-07-20T14:35:00.000+01:00

Just found these guys while surfing around and I was pretty in to them after listening to the piano opening to 'It's gettin easy'. Dear and the headlights have a bit of an Okkervil river feel with great instrumental arrangements.

Dear and the Headlights - It’s Gettin’ Easy
Dear and the Headlights - Sweet Talk

Dear and the Headlights - Skinned Knees & Gapped Teeth (video)

Minus story

2007-07-06T15:38:00.000+01:00

On the same label as Okkervil River (Jagjaguwar), Minus Story produce an awesome sound which is both big and delicate at the same time. There is a likeness to Okkervil with a hint of Mercury Rev.

Minus Story - Little Wet Head
Minus Story - Stitch Me Up
Minus Story - Time Wastes Itself

Black before Red

2007-07-06T12:27:00.001+01:00

Black before Red are from Austin, Texas. They are a four piece and they write really smart stripped down indie tunes with great rhythmical bass lines. Good lyrics too.

Black Before Red - Underneath Gold
Black before Red - Goddess in trauma
Black before Red - Matagorda

Arab Strap

2007-07-06T09:24:00.000+01:00

I'm well behind on this one.. I was in the car flicking through Mp3's and came across Arab Strap's 'Elephant Shoe' album again. Great stuff! I got to work and went to their web site and found out they have stopped making music! December 06! Lets remember them...

Arab Strap - There Is No Ending
Arab Strap - Dream Sequence
Arab Strap - Confessions Of A Big Brother

Arab Strap - Cherubs (Video)

Kid Dakota

2007-07-05T11:44:00.000+01:00

I first listened to Kid Dakota about two or three years ago. It was some tunes from 'So Pretty' which included the excellent song 'Smokestack'. I think it's the amazing use of quiet and loud that sets them apart from the crowd.

Kid Dakota - Smokestack
Kid Dakota - The Overcoat
Kid Dakota - So Pretty

Kid Dakota - Pilgrim (Video)

The Silent League

2007-07-04T11:56:00.000+01:00

I'm probably really behind the times with The Silent League But they have just released a new album "Of Stars And Other Somebodies". Great sound with amazing strings and VU style vocals but what would you expect from ex Mercury Rev keyboardist Justin Russo.

The Silent League - Let It Roll
The Silent League - Kings & Queens
The Silent League - Victim of Aeroplanes

Margot and the Nuclear So and Sos

2007-07-03T12:09:00.000+01:00

I am really liking Margot and the Nuclear So and Sos from Indiana, United States. I think it's the mix of guitar and strings which makes me like them. Good vocal too.

Margot and the Nuclear So & Sos - Skeleton Key
Listen to new stuff at Myspace

Margot and the Nuclear So and So's -Skeleton Key (Live video)

Cajun Dance Party

2007-07-02T15:48:00.000+01:00

Once again I don't know too much about Cajun Dance Party except that they are a five piece from North London. Good catchy indie pop with memorable guitar licks and intelligent lyrics.

Cajun Dance Party - The Next Untouchable
Cajun Dance Party - Colourful Life

Cajun Dance Party - The Next Untouchable (Video)

Germans

2007-06-29T12:34:00.000+01:00

Germans are good old fashioned indie rock and they do it so well. They write well crafted tunes on a par with the greats such as Pavement and Dinosaur jr. Nice electro sounds in there too.

Germans - I Am the Teacher
Tunes at Myspace

Germans - I Am the Teacher (video)

Hot Club de Paris

2007-06-29T11:31:00.001+01:00

Liverpool’s Hot Club de Paris are a three piece who deliver really tight and pretty complex tunes which have a real nice feel to them. The Paul Simon cover works somehow.. think its the accent on the vocal.

Hot Club de Paris - You Can Call Me Al
Hot Club de Paris - Everyeveryeverything
Hot Club de Paris - Sometimes its better not to stick bits of eachother in each other for eachother

Fanfarlo

2007-06-28T16:27:00.000+01:00

London based Fanfarlo have the knack of writing laid back indie music which keeps me interested and wanting more. There's a bit of Mercury Rev and Pavement in there somewhere.

Check their Myspace to listen Fanfarlo

Fanfarlo - Fire Escape (video)

The Lodger

2007-06-28T09:39:00.001+01:00

I had to put this one up cos it's a Leeds band. The lodger are a smart indie band with more than a passing hint of Leeds favourites (who I have seen a couple of times recently and they are back to their best) The Wedding Present. Anyhow.. enjoy.

The Lodger - Kicking Sand
The Lodger - My Advice Is On Loan
The Lodger - Let Her Go
The Lodger - The Story's Over

The Lodger - Let Her Go (Video)

Jack Penate

2007-06-27T14:07:00.001+01:00

I like Jack Penate nice indie pop with a bit of a twist. Great lyrics too. Check out the dancing in the video! that guy can move!

Jack Penate - Torn On The Platform
Jack Penate - My Yvonne

Jack Penate - Spit At Stars (video)

Takka takka

2007-06-27T10:44:00.001+01:00

Takka takka have a kind of early VU sound when Lou Reed sang a bit. There is a hint of early Pavement too all the right elements for me.

Takka Takka - Draw a Map
Takka Takka - We feel safer at night

Takka Takka "We Feel Safer at Night" (Live video)

Yeni Raki

2007-06-27T10:44:00.000+01:00

Introducing Yeni Raki a band from Chicago, Illinois. Great sound with a nice mix of twangy guitar and melodic tunes, some good swearing in the lyrics too which is always a bonus.

Yeni Raki - You’re Not Helping
Yeni Raki - Just this once (Sorry its not a proper link)

The Silent Years

2007-06-26T13:06:00.000+01:00

As usual i don't know too much about The silent Years except that I like them. There is a bit of devendra banhart and a touch of Grandaddy bit odd in some places but good stuff.

The Silent Years - Someone To Keep Us Warm
The Silent Years - Lidocaine

Someone to keep us warm (Video)

Mumm-ra

2007-06-22T23:08:00.000+01:00

Just been watching Glastonbury on the TV and stumbled on Mumm-ra (great web site). The lead singer is a bit irritating but I can't help really liking the music. 'What would Steve do?' was the first track I heard. Great song.

MummRa - Out Of The Question

Mumm-Ra: What Would Steve Do? (Video)

Bedroom eyes

2007-06-22T15:01:00.000+01:00

Ok.. I promise no more Swedish bands after this one.. well.. for a while anyhow. Bedroom eyes are one guy Jonas Jonsson, you guessed it, from Sweden. In his words 'striving to make pop songs that are short and simple compounds of bright melodies and heartfelt matters'. Sounds pretty good to me.

Bedroom Eyes - Stethoscope Sounds
Bedroom Eyes - The Skywriter

Shout out louds

2007-06-22T11:45:00.001+01:00

Another Swedish band! There seems to be a pattern developing here. The Shout out louds have a real Cure vibe, it's probably just the vocal but there are some pretty Cure type rifs in there too. Good tunes tho. Some are a bit too pop for me but thats probably a Swedish thing.

Shout out louds - The Comeback
Shout out Louds - You Are Dreaming
Shout out louds - Shut Your Eyes

Mixtapes & Cellmates

2007-06-22T09:58:00.000+01:00

Found some stuff by Mixtapes & Cellmates a couple of months ago and loved it. It's a great mix of indie electronica with great lyrics. The latest news is that Robert Svensson from Mixtapes, has announced that he will release his debut solo album on the Swedish label Nomethod records. Should be well worth a listen.

Mixtapes & Cellmates - Quiet
Mixtapes & Cellmates - Photo Jenny (Belle and Sebastian -cover)

Mixtapes & Cellmates - Quiet (Video)

Okkervil River

2007-06-21T13:58:00.002+01:00

Here is a real favourite of mine Okkervil river. I thought I would post a couple of tracks because they are due to release a new album in August. In my humble opinion Okkervil river are one of the best bands of the last few years. 'Black sheep boy' and 'Down the river of golden dreams' are must have albums.

Okkervil River - Black
Okkervil River - Our Life is Not a Movie or Maybe

The War Criminal Rises And Speaks (Live)

Bombay Bicycle Club

2007-06-21T13:58:00.001+01:00

Again, I don't really know much about Bombay Bicycle and Club except that I like them. Not bad for a group of 16-year-olds.. they should be in school really!

Bombay Bicycle Club - The Hill
Bombay Bicycle Club - Sixteen

Peter Bjorn & John

2007-06-21T13:58:00.000+01:00

I Don't really know too much about these guys I listened to 'Young folks' and really liked it. Not sure if I should like it but it's one of those tunes. I then listened to 'Objects Of My Affection' and I was hooked. Swedish pop music... what next?

Peter, Bjorn and John - Objects Of My Affection
Peter Bjorn and John - Young Folks

Voxtrot

2007-06-21T13:32:00.000+01:00

Lots of post's today to get things off the ground. So here are Voxtrot, a very cool indie outfit with comparisons to Belle & Sebastian and the Smiths so what's not to like?

Voxtrot - Trouble
Voxtrot - New Love

Voxtrot - Soft & Warm (live)

Final Fantasy

2007-06-21T11:56:00.000+01:00

I came across Final fantasy while surfing around Hype Machine. It's a project of master strings man Owen Pallett. I don't have any of his albums as yet but I'm working on it.

Anyhow... here are a couple of tracks to give you an idea of what I'm talking about. I especialy like the Stars' cover 'Your ex-lover is dead'

Final Fantasy - This is the dream of Win and Regine

Stars - Your Ex-Lover Is Dead (Final Fantasy Remix)

Stars - Your Ex-Lover Is Dead (original version)

Ra ra riot

2007-06-21T11:32:00.000+01:00

Well... this it the first post so I'll start with a good one. Only came across Ra ra riot a couple of days ago. They have been around for a while but as far as I know they have only just released an EP which includes the excellent tracks Dying is Fine and Each Year (links below).

I know their drummer has recently died but I do hope they continue to make music.

Ra ra riot - Dying is Fine
Ra ra riot - Each Year