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THE THURSDAY THREE
Some outstanding new things for your musical edification:
Beach House: Myth
The first track from Beach House’s fourth album, Bloom, ‘Myth’ is a swooping, dreamy tune with an lovely melody. Download it for the the price of your email at Sub Pop.
The Son(s): If I Hear You talk Apostrophes Again…
A glimpse of their new EP Leviathan ‘If I Hear You talk Apostrophes Again…’ is an original and addictive piece of tuneful songcraft. Download it for free via soundcloud
Mitchell Museum: Glasshouse
A slightly altered and newly making music again Mitchell Museum have released ‘Glasshouse’ on soundcloud. Admittedly I knew little about them first time round but it’s a song with real promise.
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THE THURSDAY THREE
Randolph’s Leap, Dying in My Sleep
I kind of love it when track’s are cheery in tune and dark in lyric - enter this catchy number from Glasgow folk-pop eight piece Randolph’s Leap. An extract from their new album The Curse of the Haunted Headphones download it for free via their bandcamp.
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Mix and Snatch
Hello folks. Here are some things I think are pretty great…as a bonus they cost not a penny.
Maps & Atlases…Winter
It might titled Winter but this track’s got a summery bounce that will cheer up your day. An infectious advance peek at the Chicago band’s spring album Beware and Be Grateful get it via via Fat Cat Records.
Blue Sky Archives…Cosplay the Hard Way
Although they debuted in 2010 Glasgow five piece Blue Sky Archives have just arrived on my musical radar. Their new single ‘Cosplay the Hard Way’ is out from their site, where you can also stream the entire album in advance of it’s release.
Human Don’t Be Angry…H.D.B.A Theme
If this track’s anything to go by Malcolm Middleton’s Human Don’t Be Angry album is sure to be a highlight of this musical year. Personally I could do without the robotic vocal, but in essence H.D.B.A Theme sees Middleton getting back to what he does best - creating incredible instrumental music.
Perfume Genius...Hood
It’s pretty much the case that you love a song when you’re about to turn the radio off and instead you stand beside it just to listen. That’s what I did with this track when I heard it on BBC Music last week, it’s a slice of something special. Perfume Genius is actually songwriter Mike Hadreas and the track’s out via Matador, you can also stream the full album Put Your Back N2 it via the Guardian.
Dress Rehearsal…The River Blue
Canadian’s Dress Rehearsal kindly sent me some songs a while ago to mark their new single The Lazy River Road. Admittedly I had never heard of them but the two tracks River Blue and Morning Grey are kind of captivating. As an added bonus they have a selection of credible Joanna Newsom, Beirut and Bon Iver covers which you can download free here.
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Play me…French Wives
Glasgow band French Wives may be set for some truly big things this year; their debut album ‘The Dream in Between’ is due out this Spring and a stint at SXSW is on the horizon. I’ve always thought they’re distinctive - makers of indie music with a beloved orchestral edge. The brilliant new single Younger is currently up as a free download on their site and it bodes well, silken violin interwoven with what is essentially an well executed, catchy as hell song.
Catch them live if you can over the next month, Scottish dates are:
- Tuesday 28th February - Sneaky Pete’s, Edinburgh
- Thursday 1st March - Hootenannys, Inverness
- Friday 9th March - Stereo, Glasgow
This is Bands in Transit session of Younger is a pretty sweet taster.
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Play me…Admiral Fallow
Let’s cut to the chase: I love Admiral Fallow. They deliver the kind of upbeat, intricate Scottish folk you never knew you always wanted. In advance of their new album the band have kindly given their new single Beetle in a Box as a free download on their site. With a persuasive retro beat at it’s core, the track’s perceptive lyrics are brilliantly delivered with their trademark slightly gruff boy/ethereally high girl vocal, guitar rhythms and a shaking tambourine spun in for good measure.
You can also stream an exceptional instrumental version of Boots Met My Face track Subbuteo and in the meantime enjoy the video, a live version of These Barren Years.
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Play me…Bellow Below
Bellow Below are a pretty exciting discovery. Thundering in to a Scottish rock renaissance the Ayr band’s timing is dead on; they are four people making music which will thrill you. Chaotic guitar, thumping drums and echo ridden vocal form noteworthy alt-rock tracks, while It Shouldn’t Work Therefore it Do showcases a fine kind of instrumental experimentation.
Ahead of an EP launch later this year the lovely chaps at wee Glasgow label Overlook Records have five tracks up for free download on their site. (PS - Get Trapped in Kansas while you’re there.)
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Musical happenings
New releases, live sessions and some noteworthy videos have been filling up the musical sphere this week; here’s a hearty handful.
Domino Records have released three Optimo remixes of Sons And Daughters Mirror Mirror album track Orion on Soundcloud. Shimmy through the work of Andy Meecham (Chicken Lips), Umberto and Wrong Island.
New videos! Enjoying Tango in the Attic’s Swimming Pool, Glaswegians Sparrow and the Workshop’s You Don’t Trust Anyone and Three Blind Wolves’ Echo on The Night Train; a brilliant track the band also currently have up as a free download.
Check out The Skinny Mag for a free download of The Twilight Sad’s new single Another Bed, along with a sweet little interview with the band.
Elsewhere it seems there’s no stopping Twin Atlantic, the Glasgow rockers did their first Radio One live lounge this week; fame, fortune and throngs of teenage fans are sure to follow. Listen again here - the music starts around six minutes in.
Glasgow based, Highland bred Call to Mind have put their most recent EP on free download. They’ve been quiet for a while but are due to start working on their LP this year, get caught up and expect good things.
Over and out.
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New Year Cheer
A belated Happy New Year to you. Despite the dark days, chilly weather and beleaguered bank balances I have a feeling it’s gonna be a good one…here’s some cheerful musical things to try and prove it.
I’d been looking for a Scottish tune which is both upbeat and New Year related - as if by magic stumbling across Edinburgh folksy types The Last Battle’s 365 days. Download it free at their bandcamp - you’ll want to whistle all the way home.
The Shins have released the first song from their soon to be released new album Port of Morrow, Simple Song. Having thought Oh, Inverted World was worthy but forgettable I loved Chutes Too Narrow then was fairly nonplussed by Wincing the Night Away, so it’s promising to hear something with more substance. Expect their trademark indie madeover with decent beat and sunshiney feel.
Moving slightly north Sub Pop have released a new track from Canadian’s Memoryhouse as a free download (keep an eye on their Soundcloud page for more - sure to be great - new freebies to come). The happily melodic The Kid’s Were Wrong is led by Denise Nouvion’s sugary vocal and there’s lots of aaah-aaah backing, near perfect indie drumming and reverberating guitar.
Lastly I have just discovered Ayr band Rose Parade’s material, including ra-ta-tat singalong Grace - head to their site for it and some other highly listenable tracks.
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A Year of Many Songs…Instrumental Reign
Don’t get me wrong I love a belting out song lyrics as much as the next person, particularly at gigs in a semi-intoxicated manner. But let’s take a second to applaud a pleasing little trend: a hell of a lot of new music this year has taken an exceptional instrumental form.
Here are my top five tracks, one’s that suck you right in.
Twin Atlantic - Serious Underground Dance Vibes
My personal highlight (above) from Twin Atlantic’s triumphant new album Free Serious Underground Dance Vibes starts and ends with a simple, addictive rhythm, thrashing drums and penetrative notes in between.
Sigur Ros - Luppulagio
A delicately glacial lullaby from their 2011 Inni.
Remember Remember - The Swimming
As a wholly instrumental artist listening to Remember Remember’s crafted soundscapes is like taking an epically annotated journey through experience and emotion. The Swimming comes from his self titled album, released this year.
Mogwai - San Pedro
You could almost include any Mogwai here (Rano Pano was tempting), but San Pedro is a belter.
PAWS - Shut up and Drink Your Battery Acid
This is the first track that really got me into Glasgow band PAWS, angry new rock at it’s finest.
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Christmas songs of 2011!
Number Four…Frightened Rabbit, Cheap Gold
Bless the frabbits, first they give us a free three track EP and now this Christmas inspired track. Sink into Scott Hutchison’s rolling Scottish vocal, addictive melody and typically just a little bit self deprecating lyrics.
Download for free…here
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Maybeshewill…Critical Distance
I’m taking a break from jingle bells. After searching for and listening to some fine Christmas singles (of which there are many this year) I’ve been craving something musically proper - or maybe just more angry.
A timely stumble led me to this today, a track called Critical Distance from Maybeshewill. It’s a brave and crafted offering, post- rock instrumental which is in essence a rhythmic, journey of strong guitars and orchestral keys. The Leicestershire based group also have a superb set of remixes on their site which you can download for free right here.
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The Stormy Seas do Christmas!
This is The Christmas Before Last from Edinburgh’s lovely The Stormy Seas. Thick, lyrical Scottish storytelling at it’s folky finest think sea shanty meets sleigh bell.
You can get it on free download via their bandcamp
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A small but perfectly formed version of musical treasure trove http://playthatsongforme.wordpress.com
