As usual, three of us choose five tracks we've been listening to recently. Usually new tracks to us but not necessarily recent releases, just songs we'd like to share. Find them on Apple, Google and Spotify.
Neil's up first:
Dark Dark Dark - In your Dreams
This is the title music for BBC Three's first online-only
drama, Thirteen (even though they've now started showing it on BBC2). Sarah and
I are quite gripped with it, and the music is very well matched to the
programme. Sort of like PJ Harvey, in a haunting kind of way.
White Denim - Ha Ha Ha Ha (Yeah)
What can I say about this track, except that it's flipping
ace. Proggy-blues at it's very best, the track wouldn't sound out of place in
between Led Zeppelin and Jackson Browne. The first single off their new album
'stiff', I'm certainly looking forward to getting acquainted with it in the
near future.
Courtney Barnett - Elevator Operator
Observant readers of this blog will realise that Courtney
Barnett's album made it into my top 5 for 2015, and as it was released quite
early in the year then that makes this track almost a year old. However, it has
just been released as a single and is getting lots of airplay on 6music at the
moment. It has a great storyline and Courtney tells it in her classic deadpan
way. I use this blog to chronicle my music of the moment, and this is certainly
bouncing around my head on a very regular basis.
Hinds - Bamboo
Another that is getting lots of airplay and is therefore
rattling around my head. I love the surf-charm of the melody, and the apparent
shambolicism of the lyrics. I'm also pretty sure I could play this on my
ukulele too.
ESTRONS - Make a Man
I went to the Outlines festival in Sheffield last month, an
all-day affair with bands and DJs playing at six venues throughout the city
centre. My friend Andy and I decided that we'd like to catch at least one band
at 'skate central', a stage set up on the roller-hockey pitch at SIlver Blades
- you could hire skates and whizz up and down while the bands were on or, if
you preferred, buy some beer and stand and watch. The first band on were
Estrons, who were very loud and energetic, they struck a chord, even against
more 'established' acts throughout the day (Spring King, NZCA Lines) and for
that they deserve a place on this playlist. After Outlines, they jetted off to
Austen for SXSW as one of BBC Introducing's selections, so we can probably
expect more from them in the future.
On to Chris's:
Delete – DMA’s – Hill’s End
I think this is the debut album for this Australian band.
This track is one of the more relaxed from the album, but it builds nicely. I
wouldn’t go overboard about it, but it’s pleasant enough.
Cold To See Clear – Nada Surf – You Know Who You Are
Apologies again for another track that just OK, and there’s
nothing wrong with this, but there’s nothing particularly new about it either.
Rhythmically similar to Doves ‘Pounding’ in places, but not quite as driving.
Slip Into Nevermore – Prince Rama – Xtreme Now
There’s a lot of Belle and Sebastian in this – vocals
duplicated by male and female singers at the same time. Some of the synth
arpeggios are reminiscent of the 80s. Nice energetic acoustic guitar strumming.
There’s one chord change in there that I particularly like too.
Freak Out – Wintersleep – The Great Detachment
A Canadian band who debuted in 2001 – as far as I can make
out this is their first album and it’s a good one. Lively and melodic with
plenty of guitars in - just my kind of stuff. As a curious aside, this album
features a track called ‘Amerika’ as does another new album this month ‘II’ by
Liima (as reviewed during a recent Strava update)
Cry Baby – Cage The Elephant – Tell Me I’m Pretty
I really thought John would feature a track from this album
in December or January, but he seemed to be not too sold on the album. Well I
keep returning to it and enjoying it very much. I find this particular track to
be very catchy – hard not to tap your steering wheel along with it when
driving.
Now John's:
Tastes Like Funk - I Set The Sea On Fire
This track really got in my head while I was painting the flat and, as the name suggests, it's a really funky number. I was amazed when I found out this band were from Sheffield! It's got a real American sound to it. They're touring locally at the moment.
Rollercoaster - Bleachers
A band from New York influenced by the John Hughes films of the 80s - who isn't in one way or another? They've certainly hit the 1980s sound with this.
The Flying Pyramid - Thousand
What a riff, if ever a track was made to go on an advert then this is it. As far as I can work out they're from France.
Cold Cold Man : Saint Motel
I think I'm very late with this band and their jangling pop. I've just been going through their back catalogue and I'm very much enjoying this. The band are from Los Angeles and have been going since 2009.
Anticipation : Holy Bouncer
Wow, how much does this sound like Embrace?! However listening to their other tracks that's more a one off than a way of life.
