Volcano Choir - Island, IS

Hey, I wanted to post this new track from Bon Ivor collective Volcano Choir, its by far the most interesting and musically excellent track from their debut album Unmap. Have a listen, that is all.

Island, IS - Volcano Choir

Bibio - Torn Under The Window Light

A beautiful piece of music from the band who brought us one of the best albums of the year so far. An otherworldly track reminiscent of Brian Eno, that drifts over you like crescent shaped waves in a sea of stunning emptiness. Listen and be calmed.

Ramona Falls - Intuit

Hello my first post in ages and its a beaut, may I introduce you to the wonderful Ramona Falls. Upon first glance it's a solo project from an imaginative young man Brent Knopf, yet as a project it is the collective works of a group of musicians working collectively on Brent's singular vision. What results is a collection of thoughtful and intelligent songs released under the title Intuit. So if you enjoy your music lovingly crafted then this is an album for you

Emiliana Torrini - Me and Armini

Me and Armini heralds the return of Icelandic songsmith Emiliana Torrini. I was pleased to hear that on her fifth effort she hasn't lost of the innocent charm that allowed her previous releases to find a place in your heart. This is her most accessible effort to date, and is full of songs that despite their subtlety work on varying levels. She's got past those early comparisons with Bjork to develop a style all of her own.

The title track sees her breaking into completely new ground. Ska heavy but inherently catchy its a stand out track. Birds and Hold Heart are both very beautiful acoustic tracks which wouldn't be out of place on her previous effort Fisherman's Woman. Wonderfully, you can find yourself drifting away to many of these songs, under the influence of Emiliana's soaring, soft yet distinctive vocals. Jungle Drum on the other hand is without a doubt her most pop song to date, it dances around and is reminiscent of KT Tunstall in style and execution but manages to retain Emiliana's distinct style. She has clearly been listening to a vast range of music since her last record as the influences and styles introduced here are numerous. Gun introduces a funky bass riff which repeats through the song, something which makes it impossible not to nod your head in appreciation to.

This is another first class album from a talented woman who has  yet to make a bad one. With the success of Feist, Emiliana deserves the same. Unfortunately she has yet to come up with a song about counting and thus remains in the record collections of those privilaged enough to have heard her brilliance. 

http://www.myspace.com/emilianatorrini

Andy Yorke - Simple

Heres a link to the new album from Andy Yorke, lead singer and guitarist of his Unbelievable Truth. But more famously know for being the brother of Radiohead singer Thom Yorke. Its a release i've been waiting for since Unbelievable Truth split up, who were a hidden talent and created some very fine and beautiful music. So I urge those who have never heard of them to give this a listen.

http://url2it.com/hod

John Mayer - Where The Light Is: John Mayer Live in Los Angeles

One of the finest guitar players today John Mayer, of whom i'm a big fan releases his new live 2- CD, DVD and Blu-Ray package on July 1^st,  Where The Light Is: John Mayer Live in Los Angeles was filmed last December at the Nokia Theater in Los Angeles and directed by Danny Clinch. The special Columbia Records release includes three distinct sets: an acoustic performance, a rare set with John Mayer Trio (John Mayer, Steve Jordan and Pino Palladino), as well as a Continuum set featuring Mayer’s full-band. 

Below is a great performance featured in the new release entitled Belief which is from his latest album Continuum

MGMT - Weekend Wars (Live at Paradiso)

This band is my favourite at the moment. MGMT (or Management) is their name and their brand is one of easily accessible electronic pop coupled with heavy influences from British prog from the 70's. What they excel at producing the unexpected. Their sound is modern and is as far from the stale, mudanity of the current guitar orientated music scene as possible. Check out a live performance recorded at the Paradiso of their song Weekend Wars which is from their debut album Oracular Spectacular.

Fleet Foxes - Blue Ridge Mountains (Live on Letterman)

If you loved the 70's you'll love this band. Fleet Foxes have been going down a storm recently, garnering accolades from all corners of the music industry. Their self titled debut album is Ménage à trois of folk pop at its best and rightly should have place in everyones record collection. They quite recently made their American network television debut on Letterman with their song Blue Ridge Mountains which has become a personal favourite of mine.

Kings Of Leon - Sex On Fire

The Kings of Leon have returned! Before we even realised they were away, they have come back with their forth album. The first single to be taken from this is the ludicrously titled Sex On Fire (even lead singer Caleb Followill is seemingly 'unsure' about the title). Despite this the song itself a huge, stomping effort that continues the bands inevitable rise to the title of best band in the world. 

You can hear the new song for yourself at their myspace page, the address of which is displayed below.

http://www.myspace.com/kingsofleon

The Week That Was - Yesterday's Paper

From the makers of Field Music comes an exciting new project, this time from the mind of Peter Brewis and after his brother David' marvellous School of Language record the expectation is high. But it does not disappoint, it once again highlights the brilliance that made up the niche pop simplicity of Field Music. 

Below is a link to my favourite track from the new album, entitled Yesterday's Paper.

http://rapidshare.com/files/135504437/06-the_week_that_was-yesterdays_paper.mp3.html

The Verve - Forth

The Verve have not only leaked the first single from their forthcoming album this week, "Love Is Noise", but they've also now given the record the title of 'Forth' and revealed the tracklisting.

It will be released on August 18th in the UK, while North America gets the record a day later (Aug 19th)

30 seconds in and I'm blown away" - Zane Lowe

"Ashcroft and McCabe, the twin lightening conductors of the band, are finally in accord and the results are nothing short of astonishing. The Verve are back-literally-with a bang. This is music? This is seismic." NME

"After playing a mix of older songs and a new track (“Sit and Wonder”), the familiar strains of the orchestrated track had fans sprinting from other parts of the field to watch the band achieve a sort of sonic ecstasy. "The band didn’t disappoint, breaking out epic Britpop anthems that set shimmers of sound across the desert night.
Rolling Stone (Coachella review)

"The Verve are here to provide you with an immaculately calibrated rock experience that will change your life forever..." Spin

'Forth' Tracklisting:

1. Sit and Wonder
2. Love Is Noise
3. Rather Be
4. Judas
5. Numbness
6. I See Houses
7. Noise Epic
8. Valium Skies
9. Columbo
10. Appalachian Springs

The Verve Tour Dates:

06.27 Cornwall, England - The Eden Project
06.29 Glastonbury, England - Glastonbury Festival
07.04 Werchter, Belgium - Rock Werchter Festival
07.05 Bobital, France - Bobital Festival
07.11 Balado, Scotland - T in the Park
07.16 Livorno, Italy - Italia Wave Festival
07.18 Barcelona, Spain - Summercase Festival
07.19 Madrid, Spain - Summercase Festival
08.09 Tokyo, Japan - Summer Sonic Festival
08.10 Osaka, Japan - Summer Sonic Festival
08.16 Weston Park, England - V Festival
08.17 Chelmsford, England - V Festival

The Music - Strength In Numbers (Single)

Here is the new video for Strength In Numbers taken from the third album by Leeds based band The Music. Much like this song the album sees a return to the style of their first album and moves away from relative disappointment of their second album Welcome To The North. With a return to dance orientated rock of their debut they have clearly recognised their importance in highlighting new rave sensibilities which they did well before the The Klaxons even came into the picture.

The Forms - The Forms

This is the self-titled follow up to The Forms well received debut album, Icarus. Many have commented on the their increasing similarity in style with bands like Battles, Deerhoof and Dirty Projectors and in many respects The National. These comparisons can be considered entirely justified on the hearing of this album but they are more than this. They have crafted a distinct sound which is well honed in almost all aspects. Every note and every melody seems to have gone over with a fine tooth comb to give it the highest impact in each composition.

Focus bristles with complex, forceful arrangements that ease into subtle and delicate vocals which allow caress the senses. The band clearly have developed a style where you can get lost inside tracks for the duration and come out the other side questioning reality and where all the time has gone, which makes it sometimes very unsteady listening. Bones bounces along with piano that produces the most carefree and beautiful moment on the album. Many tracks feature indiscernible segments which drive and drift in a complex manner. Creating something which few bands could pull off in such a conclusive manner.

Transmission is the finest moment on this album, its pulled along by excellent guitar work which frees it from all the other tracks and makes it the standout in this collection. One criticism you can aim at this sophomore effort is the confusing and almost unlistenable Blue Whale which while not diverting from their usual style features guitar work which makes you question their methods slightly. But only for a mere few seconds because what they have created here is an album which is unique while being extremely accessible and has clearly been a labour of love.

Spoon - Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga

I've always been confused by the name of this band, is it an order? Or merely a exclamation that they are in fact a piece metallic cutlery? I think I would prefer not to know, It maintains the aura of mystery. Something that can be said about this band for certain is that they are improving dramatically with each album, Gimme Fiction was a sign that this is a band that should be listened to. So with open ears and an open mind I picked up my copy of their newest album, eager to see whether they could keep up the magic touch which the now possess.

I was not to be disappointed the strangely titled Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga continues their rich vein of form. Underdog, the first single from this album a tapestry of a wonderful bass line and horns that puts it in line for song of the year. Its a celebration of how good they have become and a perfect choice for a first single. They have fine tuned their sound so well that every song jumps out you with lyrics and tunes that are unrivalled. Songs like Rhythm And Soul and Finer Feelings are a triumph of pop combined with studio ingenuity and anyone who dares them to produce these songs live should check out the performance of Underdog on the Late Show with David Letterman which can be found on youtube. So, what are you doing sitting reading this? Go out and buy this, you shall not regret such a decision.

The Jai - Alai Savant - Flight of the Bass Delegate

I stumbled across this band through another of my favourite bands The Mars Volta whom they share a record label which. In many ways they are similar to the aforementioned band. They have produced a debut album which jumps around and flits back and forth through multiple influences, like a ten year old boy who's had far too much Haribo and Capri Sun and wont stay still. Despite the strong impact of other bands on them including the Mars Volta they have a very clear sound, that is very much their own. Its held together by the hushed vocals of Ralph Darden which are at times very reminiscent of Sting and the sublime drumming of Michael Bravine.

Scarlett Johansson Why Don't You Love Me jumps out and hits you on name alone and it doesn't disappoint when heard, its a song I could listen to all day without becoming bored. One of the best songs is the funky The Low and Frequent See which trips along and at over 7 minutes as by no means short but have no fear as none of that time is wasted. Sugar Free has to be my favourite song from the album and is without a doubt the most police sounding with is superb chorus. They are a band who can produce pop brilliance or self indulgent mastepieces and with that range they have the potential to become even better. Although quite a few of the songs seem to cut out just as they are getting going, that's a minor quibble over what is an excellent debut from a band who should be huge.

Feist - 1,2,3,4 (Single)

One of my favourite singers currently and the creator of the critically acclaimed album The Reminder is the lovely Leslie Feist. Not only is this lady intensely beautiful but also amazingly talented. Yes, ok I'm in love with her. Anyway, this is the new video to her second single from The Reminder and is entitled 1,2,3,4. See if you can get through the whole video without smiling once.

Kula Shaker - Strangefolk

They have always been a band that alot of people love to hate. But one thing for sure is that they are an exceedingly talented musicians and on this their long overdue third album they show how good they really are. Hurricane Season and Shadowlands are well thought out pieces of songwriting brilliance that allow you to wonder how you haven't heard them before. Sure, their music might not be fashionable in our Arctic Monkeys flavoured world. But they play without compromise and in doing so highlight how poor some of the songwriting is out there in the current music scene.

Politics rear their head once again with a song that featured on their The Revenge Of The King EP. Great Dictator (Of the Free World) has since had a slight reworking and I think its a very witty and humorous take on a subject that others have sang and died by, but in this case it works well. The title track as I see it seems to act as a divide for the album. Before it I see lighthearted and jaunty tunes and afterwards they seem to switch into serious mode, perhaps I am imagining this so called split in the album but its something which I will credit them with.

The first track following the break is Song of Live/Narayana which incorporates elements from the tracks Narayan and Climbatize, both from The Prodigy's album Fat Of The Land. Narayan was a co-written with Mills and it featured his vocals, some would see the use of this as a remedy for a lack of decent new material but its such a good reworking and they've changed it enough to make it an worthy track in its own right. They are a band of the 90's, but this music is timeless. If only more British bands were making such good music.

The Verve Reunite For Tour

Excellent news music fans. The original band of Richard Ashcroft, Nick McCabe, Simon Jones and Pete Sailsbury are to get together for the first time in almost a decade to play dates this winter. It is thought that the band will be releasing new material in the form of a new album sometime in the near future.



The band are to play:

Glasgow Academy (November 2,3)
Blackpool Empress Ballroom (5,6)
London Roundhouse (8,9)

As a celebration of this wonderful news here is a live version of a song from the very start of their career, a live version of the song A Man Called Sun.

Smashing Pumpkins - Tarantula Artwork

The new artwork for the Smashing Pumpkins comeback single Tarantula makes one raise a single eyebrow. It's released in the UK on July 2nd but its already available to download. Make what you will of the cover which features the delightful miss Hilton holding a Blackberry with the cover of their new album Zeitgeist on the screen, against the backdrop of a nuclear explosion. Provocative to say the least.

Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Down Boy

A track from the delectable new york outfit with fiery, front woman Karen O. Its a track from their forthcoming Is Is EP. This band just keep on growing with each new record and with this track which is a marvellous piece of pop-rock. They appear to have expanded their branches even further.