what's wrong with the mainstream

Concrete Knives - Youth Compass

2012-01-29T20:48:00.000Z

Did anyone catch Concrete Knives at the Thekla in Bristol earlier this week? If not, pity. This French indie pop band have just finished a (very) mini tour of the UK and are now safely back in their motherland. Their biography says that they are the rightful heirs to the B52s, but I would say that they sound like a poppy version of Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, or even a de-folkified Polyphonic Spree. Anyway, have a listen - I'm sure they'll be back to these shores in the near future...

Standard Fare - Out of Sight, Out of Town

2012-01-24T19:27:00.000Z

I haven't posted much in the last week. This is not because I'm getting bored of posting, but rather because I've been listening to a few new albums that I've acquired in the post-Christmas, early new year lull. They're mainly albums that I've missed out on over the last year, and one of them is so good that I've decided to review it for you.

Out of Sight, Out of Town is the second album from Sheffield Indie-popsters Standard Fare. The album was released under the radar just before Christmas and so did not get enough of a listen to feature in any of the reviews of 2011, but after pretty heavy rotation on the Schönberg decks, I would maybe like to re-do my top albums of the year.

Not unlike Standard Fare's first album 'The Noyelle Beat' this album is full of whimsical indie pop, reminiscent of the 'C86' movement in the late eighties. In fact, the first song, 'The Look of Lust' is very much in the vein of "life's a riot" era Billy Bragg, a slow-burning start before the indie floor-filler that could be 051107. It is with this song that you realise that this second album marks a step up for Standard Fare - gone (but not forgotten) is the DIY, jam-in-the-bedroom production to be replaced by something so much more produced. This could be the breakthrough...

The real allure for me is Emma Kupa's (Cooper?) vocals. I would describe her sound as always on the edge, be it the edge of a scream, or breaking down into tears, but always evoking emotion as she sings tales of relationships and love and loss. And when her voice is accompanied by guitarist Danny How, then the clash is fantastic. Dead Futures is a great example, the chorus of 'b.. b.. b.. bite my tongue' and the bouncy melodies is akin to an edgy Belle and Sebastian. Emma's vocals can be mellow and soothing too - the low-key "Darth Vader" has her consoling over what must be a U2-inspired bass and drum beat (well, it sounds an awful like '40' to me).
So, all in all a great many really catchy indie pop tunes in there, in fact I'm amazed that they haven't already been booked to support The Wedding Present later this year when they tour the 21st anniversary of 'Seamonsters'. This album shows Standard Fare's graduation from their under-produced, quirky first album (which was incidentally also very good) to indie mainstream hopefuls. There's a new movement of C86-style whimsical indie pop coming, and Standard Fare will be right at the forefront.

051107 by Standard Fare

No Direction Home

2012-01-19T18:00:00.000Z

The time has come for Mr and Mrs Schönberg to indoctrinate the Schönberiños by subjecting them to their first music festival. Actually, what I mean is first festival in a field with tents and chemical toilets and stuff like that, because they've already experienced the rather excellent Tramlines festival held in downtown Sheffield. And really, this festival will be nothing like my first experience of a festival all those years ago at Reading. The No Direction Home festival is an off-shoot of the family-friendly 'End of the Road' a boutique festival held each year in Dorset. No Direction Home is the new Northern counterpart, to be held for the first time in 2012 at Welbeck Abbey, on the outskirts of Sherwood Forest in Nottinghamshire.

The first round of bands to appear have been released, and I'm expecting more to be named in the coming weeks and months. You can learn more about the festival here. Some interesting bands already confirmed, one I'm particularly interested in seeing is Veronica Falls, but a quick check on their website reveals that they've double booked themselves with Primavera in Portugal! They'd better turn up!

Bad Feeling by Veronica Falls

Fanfarlo - Shiny Things

2012-01-16T19:00:00.000Z

On the 4th January Marc Riley, on his 6music evening show, played a world exclusive of the new Fanfarlo single. Entitled 'Shiny Things', the track will be taken from the forthcoming second album by the group 'Rooms Filled With Light', and has already been showcased with new album material on the band's recent tour.

Fanfarlo, in my opinion, are the quintessential band for this blog. Mainly ignored by the mainstream in favour of other folk-rock combos such as Arcade Fire, Fleet Foxes, Mumford and Sons, etc., the band's debut album in 2010 was an absolute triumph. It seems from this track, and the album opener, Replicate (downloadable from the band's website here), that the band will follow up with yet another great album.

It's taken me four days to write this post, hoping that Shiny Things would appear on Soundcloud to stream, but so far nothing is available so you'll have to make do with this youtube video of the track live at The Mercury Lounge in New York last year.

I've purposefully held off writing this post in the hope that the track would appear on SoundCloud, and yippee! It has. I've already pre-ordered the album, and listening to this has certainly got me salivating.

Fanfarlo- Shiny Things by MMMusic

Guitar Bands are dead...

2012-01-14T09:00:00.000Z

... Long live the Guitar Band?

A recent interview with Jim Chancellor, MD for Fiction Records, revealed that record companies are scared to sign up guitar bands, preferring to invest in other forms of music. The reported interview can be found on the BBC Newsbeat website here.

Apparently there was only one debut album in the top 35 of 2011 from a guitar band (The Vaccines). The interview also cites the fact that only one guitar band made the top 15 shortlist for sound of 2012 as reason to panic.

Shaun Keavney on 6music hit the nail on the head the same morning when he declared that this sort of non-news story rises up every three or four years as music tastes cycle, and a quick search of the internet in trying to find the newsbeat story brought up quite a few, very similar, stories from previous years.

So, what do you think? I certainly would agree that there isn't the mainstream interest in indie guitar music that has been enjoyed around the time of, say, the Madchester scene of the late eighties / early nineties, or the Britpop scene in the mid nineties, but that's not to say that the quality of the movement is any lower, rather the genre is missing that one (or two) great bands to lift the scene into the public eye. I can't see 2012 delivering any such band, but then again sometimes I quite like the fact that the genre is left to deliver good, honest music without having the massive mountains of hype dropped on it by the 'mainstream' radio stations and TV programmes.

In celebration of the institution, here's a track by my favourite guitar band of all time. One, Two, Three, Four!

This Boy Can Wait by The Wedding Present

Well Did I Do It?

2012-01-11T21:45:00.003Z

Following in Schonberg's footsteps I attempted to buy 12 albums during 2011. Did I do it? Well as I type this I honestly don't know, so together let's have a look at the albums I bought and see how I got on. As I think it will be close, I'm going to count all albums I bought, whether they were released in 2011 or not - I may revise this if I easily make it!

So first up was Vampire Weekend's Contra which I bought in January. Meh. I last listened to it in June probably tells you all you need to know.

Next, also in January was Two Door Cinema Club. Tourist History is a great pop album, I also managed to see them live. Indie pop live is never as good as rock live plus most of the audience probably couldn't buy alcohol in the venue (18 in the UK). Beware this album is catchy.

Early February saw me purchase My Chemical Romance: Dangers Days... I wouldn't recommend it. Reminded me of Green Days last album. Like Green Day's album it had all the features of the previous album but with none of that special ingredient that makes you want to listen to it again and again.

Thankfully MCR were followed by the perfect antidote, Frankie and the Heartstrings. I know I've mentioned them a few times in the past year but their album got me through some solitary times as I worked by myself for nearly 8 months. I also managed to see Frankie et al live, sadly it was on a rescheduled Monday night and there was a poor turnout. The band and songs were great and were let down by a lacklustre atmosphere.

Their latest single came out on the 28th November. Preview it below.

Frankie & The Heartstrings - Everybody Looks Better (In The Right Light) by Wichita Recordings

Now on to the first album that both myself and Schonberg both bought. No surprises that it was White Lies album Ritual. This didn't get the same kind of play time that their debut album got and I think it's not because the overall album isn't as good I just don't think it has the stand-out tracks that the first album did. There's no Death or Unfinished Business.

The Vaccines is another album we both set our hearts on and I think I was happier than Schonberg, much more the singalong indie rock/pop that's my scene. I've run to this album, I've sang along in the car. Definitely in my top 5 albums of the year. My favourite track is Wetsuit, at a festival it would be awesome with the crowd joining in.

My patience is struggling with Elbow. Album after album I have bought of there's and every time I put a lot of energy in to listening to their albums. I know that all sounds like a chore but I know that if you give them time they will grow on you and become a really comfortable jumper that you put on at just the right moment. However, in a world of instant downloads it's hard to keep putting in that energy when I have such instant gratification at hand with the likes of The Vaccines and plus I've got four other comfy jumpers of theirs that I can put on at any time I want. I'll still buy their next album though...

Now Noah and the Whale was an album I really enjoyed when it came out, with a sound of Tom Petty and a couple of catchy singles that I couldn't get out of my head it was my kind of music. Yet for a reason I can't explain it's not an album I go back to often. I think it's just a bit slow at times without being beautiful or touching. However you look at it though Noah has grown up since his days at the zoo.

The Airbourne Toxic Event I believe are A LOT bigger in the States than they are in the UK. If I hadn't been careful they could have past me by altogether. All At Once is their second album and I love it, it's another one I like running to or driving fast. I particularly the combo of listening to The Kids Are Ready To Die followed by Welcome To Your Wedding Day. Like a great line out of a horror film "and the sign says run". Check it out.

Hard-Fi's Killer Sounds was downloaded rather than bought on CD as it was to be taken on holiday and studied. Sadly my daughter's love of Postman Pat seemed to win out and I didn't get much chance to listen to it. Without a physical CD in my hand I forgot about it on my iPhone and by the time I did remember about it my enthusiasm had gone. It just isn't anything new and if you stand still you go backwards.

Eleven already! I bought The Whip's album purely on the back of the strength of the first album and without expecting another stand-out track like Trash. As I was going to see them live I wanted to give the five "preview" tracks heavy rotation and those tracks came across fairly well, is it as good as the first album? No.

Cosmo Jarvis my main man! The gay, kiddy fiddling pirate/priest (you have to listen to his music to get what I'm on about) comfortably takes me over the finishing line. He's albums not bad, a real mixed bag of music styles and quality. As a debut album it's a good marker in the sand and I have big hopes for his next album, if he can refine his writing skills and choose a sound he is happy with I'll think he'll nail it. We could all be talking about him in 2013.

Kasabian's fourth album Velociraptor! took me by surprise in more ways than one. I'd not heard rumbles that they were about to release another album in what felt like a short time since the last album. It was in fact two years since the great W.R.P.L.A. had been released. It has seen a fair change in style with a more experimental and mellow style and it took some time to grow on me (to be fair all their albums have). Yet now I rank it amongst the best albums of the year. Don't get me wrong they show some of the old style and finesse but anybody who thought they might be getting stale will enjoy this new direction. For me the stand out track is Goodbye Kiss, a real departure from the hard rock of the Kasabian of old but it really shows their amazing range and why they look set to dominate for years to come.

I didn't buy this album but I'm still counting it as it was given to me before 2011 was up. Grouplove were brought to my attention last year with the excellent Colours. A real strong indie track. Then in 2011 Schonberg also ran the Lovely Cup and Tongue Tied tracks past my ears and despite being poppier (Tongue Tied reminds me a bit of Black Kids at times) I put them on my shopping list for January's pay day. Thankfully I didn't have to pay for it and incredibly I've already listened to it more than half the albums on this post. Buy it, you know you want to.

P.S. I did of course listen to other albums over the year, The Strokes, Coldplay, Noel Gallagher, Pete and the Pirates, The Horrors and Foo Fighters amongst others all had their chance but ultimately I didn't buy them for one reason another (I might still buy Noel's). However if I (and Schonberg) have missed some albums that we should definitely bought, let us know.

Allo Darlin' - Darren

2012-01-09T16:00:00.000Z

It's unlikely that I will get to see any bands play live in January, so to compensate for this I'm already booked to see three gigs in February. Next month will see Field Music play at the Brudenell Social Club in Leeds, Grouplove play the Leadmill in Sheffield and this lot (Allo Darlin') play a little-known venue in Sheffield by the name of The Shakespeare.

I'd never encountered Allo Darlin' before, I decided on a ticket after finding out that the support would be provided by Sheffield favourites Standard Fare and Leeds new-comers This Many Boyfriends. How excited I was to find that Allo Darlin', despite having a crap name, sound absolutely fantastic. If you get chance, make your way over to their bandcamp page where you can listen to their latest offering 'Darren' and the amazing b-side 'Wu Tang Clan'. This stuff is right up my street.

I bought two tickets for the gig (after all, there's nothing more lonely than going to a gig on your own), but am yet to finalise on a buddy to go along with. It's up fro grabs if anyone wants to join me?

Happy Birthday Bowie

2012-01-08T20:34:00.001Z

So, David Bowie is now old enough to claim his state pension. The guy is true pop royalty, inventing and re-inventing himself many times over his long career. I didn't always like what he had to offer (reaching musical puberty in the 80s, my first encounter with new Bowie releases was China Girl...) but looking back through his extensive catalogue reveals some absolute greats, which sound as fresh today as they probably did on release. Here's my favourite. Many happy returns.

David Bowie - Queen Bitch by rslblog.com

The artwork at the top of this post is a stone mosaic called 'Pin Up' by Manchester artist Ed Chapman.

Bleached - Electric Chair

2012-01-03T20:06:00.000Z

Urrrrgh, the first day back at work after a long Christmas holiday. I'd almost forgotten what my alarm clock was for until this morning, and as the radio clicked on at 6 am there was no way I was going to be moved from under the covers. Well, not until this track was played by Jon Hillcock on 6music, standing in for Chris Hawkins.

I've since done some investigative work and found Bleached to be a sister double act from Los Angeles. Electric Chair is the b-side to a 7" single 'Searching Through The Past' they put out in 2011, and sounds positively punky. Imagine the guitar riff from The White Stripe's 'Fell in Love With a Girl' and the vocals of Siouxsie Sioux.

The track can be downloaded courtesy of BN(mi)T here, or you can stream it below (with option to download too!)

Happy first day back!

Bleached - Electric Chair by lechoix_fr

Schönbys 2011 - Best album

2011-12-31T19:00:00.000Z

The Schönbys are fictional, made-up awards for me to let you know what I've enjoyed listening to during 2011. Winners and nominations are drawn from music I have seen, heard or bought during the preceding 12 months.

2010, to me, seemed a poor year for music. When it came to choosing my top albums of the year I struggled to come up with a top 5. Was it a general dearth of good music, or just the fact that having a young baby meant I had other things on my mind? Maybe both these things transpired to cause me to buy precious little music. In order to make sure 2011 didn't go the same way I vowed to purchase at least 12 albums in the year, one a month if possible, so that I could get to this point in the year with a considered view on the best album of the year to share with you.

In the end I bought 18 albums, and had access to a few more, so here, for your delight, or ridicule, or (hopefully) comments, is my top 10 of the year.

10. Young Knives - Ornaments From a Silver Arcade
Young Knives' third full-length album may have only reached #80 (and lasted only 1 week) in the official album charts, but displays a progression from their early rawness, whilst still keeping the infectious riffs and humorous lyrics.

Stand out track: Human Again
Young Knives - Human Again by rslblog.com

9. Elbow - Build a Rocket Boys!
I would get lynched if I didn't include Elbow in my top 10 of the year. Could easily have been a shadow of 2008's Seldom Seen Kid, but stands up well. A poignant, compelling story throughout.

Stand out track: Lippy Kids
Elbow - Lippy Kids by gwehen

8. The Vaccines - What Did You Expect From...
Initial disappointment that The Vaccine's debut album was not 11 versions of 'Wreckin' Bar' was slowly but surely replaced by an appreciation of the indie pop melodies. Not punk, but still well worth a listen.

Stand out track: Wreckin' Bar (Ra Ra Ra)
Wreckin' Bar (Ra Ra Ra) by The Vaccines

7. PJ Harvey - Let England Shake
I came late to the Mercury Music Prize winner, but listened to it almost continuously whilst on business in the South of Italy. Wilfred Owen with a guitar, this album is classic Polly Jean; sad, soulful and uplifting all at the same time.

Stand out track: The Last Living Rose
The Last Living Rose by PJ Harvey by coolhunting

6. White Lies - Ritual
It seems an age since White Lies released their second album. To many this was not a patch on the debut album but to me it was an obvious progression towards a more electronic feel to the music. Think more Depeche Mode than Joy Division.

Stand out track: Is Love

5. The Horrors - Skying
Another band attempting to better a previous Mercury Prize nomination this year were The Horrors. I guess there was quite a bit of hype surrounding this release, and when 'Still Life' was released I knew that the album would be close to another classic. The Horrors are become somewhat of a chameleon band, the style of each of their three albums so far have been distinctly different, and some compared this particular incarnation to Simple Minds. There are some early Simple Minds influences in the album, yes, but why is that a bad thing?

Stand out track: Endless Blue (but I can't find it to stream so here's Still Life)
The Horrors - Still Life by The Recommender

4. White Denim - D
I was amazed to find out that White Denim were formed in 2006 and had six studio albums to date, as previous to the release of 'D' they were not on my radar. That could have something to do with the continuous metamorphosis from punky, garage band to fully fledged 70s americana. The album is a collection of fantastic riffs and cool, lazy vocals.

Stand out track: Bess St.
White Denim - Bess St by ProspectPark

3. The Strokes - Angles
I've already waxed lyrical about the return of the Strokes. The band won this blog site's album of the decade with it's 2001 debut release, but since then there's been a steady decline in the quality of the bands output. Cue an extensive break and band members' solo projects, and then just when everyone was finally forgetting about The Stokes, bang! They release 'Angles' and they're back to their best. The album returns to the basics of 'Is this It' without the layers of overproduction and has some very catchy tunes.

Stand out track: Under Cover of Darkness
Strokes - Under Cover Of Darkness by flogase

2. Metronomy - English Riviera
Looking around the internet, I can't add anything to the plaudits that this album has received. The third release from Devon's finest really brought them from electronic experimental instrumentalists to the doorstep of mainstream. Don't take my word for it, this is what the NME wrote; "With this, his third full-length album, Joe Mount has transformed his Metronomy project from a jaunty, brilliant, yet ultimately niche electro outfit into one of the most expansive and visionary pop bands in the country"

Stand out track: The Bay (downloadable)
Metronomy - The Bay by acrylica

1. Pete and the Pirates - One Thousand Pictures
I wasn't interested in Pete and the Pirates' first album release in 2008, I thought they were forgettable indie pop, however after the release of 'Winter' and 'Come to the Bar' I realised that this indie pop had an edge to it, and the more I listened the more I could hear the post-punk suburban rock of The Buzzcocks or The Undertones in there. The album does not have one bad song on it, why it only reached #75 in the official charts is beyond me. Anyway, I hope the stand out track below will change your view of Pete and the Pirates like it did me.

Stand out track: Half Moon Street (listen to Blood Gets Thin too, but it's not on Soundcloud) Pete and The Pirates - Half Moon Street by Jaumita

Fairly decent top 10 don't you think? No? Well, if you want to tell me where I went wrong then leave a comment with your top 10 - we can compare and contrast.

Schönbys 2011 - Best single

2011-12-28T13:00:00.000Z

The Schönbys are fictional, made-up awards for me to let you know what I've enjoyed listening to during 2011. Winners and nominations are drawn from music I have seen, heard or bought during the preceding 12 months.

2011 has been a great year for the single, so great that I came up with 15 songs for my top 5 singles of the year. It really was difficult to choose, my first attempt at picking my favourite 5 resulted in an all-female line-up. However, I don't want to be accused of sexism like the Sports Personality of the Year people (congratulations Mark Cavendish by the way!) so I had a few more goes at it before finally arriving at my final choice below.

Those not quite lucky enough to make the top 5 are:

Anna Calvi - Blackout
Tom Vek - Aroused
Pete and the Pirates - Come to the Bar
Young Knives - Love my Name
Kasabian - Days are Forgotten
Chapel Club - Surfacing
Arctic Monkeys - Don't Sit Down Cause I've Moved Your Chair
Ghostpoet - Survive It
Justice - Civilization
Friends - I'm his Girl

The top 5 are:

Don't Look At Me (I Don't Like It) - The Lovely Eggs

The Lovely Eggs may not make it onto many end of year lists, but "the sausage roll thumb song" was most played on my iPod, primarily down to my 3-year old daughter adopting it as her song of the year. The song is catchy, fun and quirky - perfect for a little girl to jump around to, but delivered with edgy, punky guitars and colloquial vocals (perfect for an ageing rocker like me). You'll either love it or hate it, why not find out?

Don't look at me (I don't like it) by The Lovely Eggs

Still Life - The Horrors

I loved the last Horrors album, Primary Colours, and was worried that any new material would never live up to their mercury prize nominated 2009 release. When Still Life was aired this year, I knew that I shouldn't have worried. A lot of press likened the single's sound to Simple Minds, which in my opinion wasn't a bad thing. From the backwards, swirling opening to the anthemic chorus, this track is a classic.

The Horrors - Still life (BBC session) by mysteryfallsdown

Everything Goes My Way - Metronomy

Metronomy have already scooped my 'best live act' award this year, but their set at the Leadmill in Sheffield didn't include this track. This, I'm guessing, is because the track would not be the same without the guest vocals of Veronica Falls frontwoman Roxane Clifford. There are many great songs on the English Riviera, but Roxanne's vocals bring another layer to the already complex sound.

Metronomy - Everything Goes My Way by dustblaze

Is and Is and Is - White Denim

White Denim are on their fourth album apparently, but this song was my first taste of them. When I heard it on the radio, with it's prog-rock arrangement and powerful riffs, I just had to hear the rest of the album, and it didn't disappoint. If you like things like Wolfmother and, well, I can't think of anyone else, then you'll like this.

And the winner is...

Video Games - Lana del Rey

In a year when Adele made the album that adorns every middle-class coffee table up and down the country and female vocalists became commonplace in the alternative and indie charts, this track stood out above them all. Should it worry me that Lana del Rey (not her real name) is not the "resident of a New Jersey trailer park recently emerged from smalltown USA" that her record company blog stated, but the daughter of an internet millionaire? Probably, but the song sounds great.

Lana Del Rey - Video Games by The Vinyl District

Merry Merry Christmas!

2011-12-25T08:00:00.000Z

This is a pre-recorded post, so please don't get in touch as I'm not here.

So it's Christmas day, and I'm guessing that by now you're sick to your back teeth with The Pogues and Kirsty MacColl, The Waitresses and Jona Lewie, so here's one of my favourite 'alternative' Christmas songs, kudos to Billy2Tails for introducing me to this great track.

Merry Christmas and a music-filled New Year to all of our listeners!

Space Christmas by Shonen Knife

A quick playlist for the holidays

2011-12-22T20:27:00.002Z

In order for me to attempt to get some use out of my (increasingly) neglected iPod, I tend to put short playlists together of tracks that I'm currently listening to, so that I can turn the radio off on the way to work and enjoy some cool tunes without the banal chat you tend to get in the morning. My commute is less than an hour, so between 10 and 20 tracks does it perfectly.

So that I can keep up my promise of at least one post per week, I've decided to post this playlist to keep your appetites whetted before I share with you best single and best album of 2011 (due to be posted between Christmas and New Year).

Anyway, this is the playlist that will be on repeat when Mrs Schönberg and I take the Schönberinos down to see Jal and Co for Christmas. It is made up in the main of tracks introduced to me by the great man himself.

Let me (and Jal) know if any take your fancy. Enjoy!

Blue Cassette - Friendly Fires
True Romance - Citizens!
Think Tank - Coastal Cities
The Dark - Peace
Origins - Tennis
Death by Diamonds and Pearls - Band of Skulls
Lonely Boy - Black Keys
Raw Meat - Black Lips (with thanks to Fuck Yeah! Go Team!)

(I Keep Thinking About) A New Thing by Field Music
If you hurry, you can download this fantastic track for free from the band's website here.

The Maccabees - Pelican (Official Audio) by leonardalbert

Schönbys 2011 - Best new artist

2011-12-16T16:00:00.000Z

The Schönbys are fictional, made-up awards for me to let you know what I've enjoyed listening to during 2011. Winners and nominations are drawn from music I have seen, heard or bought during the preceding 12 months.

The next award is for best new artist, but what is a 'new artist'? I can't profess to ever being there at the beginning of any band, so my definition of 'new' is a band, possibly unsigned but not essential, who have released their first official recording in 2011. As I said before, crystal ball gazing is not one of my strong points so the list of new acts that I've happened to spend money on this year will be small. But, lets have a look anyway.

Hmmm, Chapel Club, Vaccines, Yuck, etc, all had debut albums this year but all had releases in 2010 so they don't count. Jonny released their debut album in 2011, which was a welcome interlude from the serious, heavy guitar based music I was listening to early on in the year, but I can't possibly call Norman Blake and Euros Childs 'newcomers' so it really leaves the award as a one horse race.

It's such a pity that This Many Boyfriends released 'Getting a life with...' in 2010, as otherwise they may have been a contender for the new artist award. Sounding like a poppy version of the Wedding Present, they sing songs of love and relationships in an infectious indie/punk style. Their 2011 debut single release 'Young Lovers Go Pop' was likened to the Cribs by Steve Lamacq, and hailed as an indie anthem by others. Tragedy struck the band late in the year with the sudden passing of guitarist Peter Sykes, but I'm glad that they are honouring his memory by continuing as a band and I expect to hear a lot more from them in 2012.

Young Lovers Go Pop! by This Many Boyfriends

So it seems that the only artist that I have had some interaction with this year that can truely be called a new artist is Fear of Men. I paid to see them in Leeds this year and was pleasantly surprised by their sound. I would liken them to The Smiths fronted by Sonya Madan (from Echobelly), or maybe The Sundays at a push. Their cover art and demo names are also reminiscent of Morrissey and The Smiths, tipping a hat to their obvious literary background. Oh, and the guitarist wears nice t-shirts. So congratulations, Fear of Men, hope to see some fantastic releases in 2012.

Ritual Confession by FEAROFMEN

There were other notable new artists this year (kudos to Cults, Fiction and I Break Horses), unfortunately my enjoyment of these bands was through the medium of radio only.

All I want for Christmas...

2011-12-14T21:32:00.000Z

I've made my first iTunes purchase with my recently-redeemed voucher that I told you about earlier this month. I made my purchase after dreaming about the song last night. I say dream, what I mean is it was the song going round my head at 3am whilst sat up listening to my young boy babbling to himself.

Lonely Boy is the first single from the seventh album released by The Black Keys earlier this month. I would have bought the whole album, but you can't go doing rash things like that this close to Christmas, can you? If you've never heard The Black Keys then seven albums is a bit daunting to wade through, so I would have a listen to their latest stuff and, if you like, check out their 2004 album 'Rubber Factory' to get a good synopsis.

Anyway, I'm off to give my earworm a spin...

The Black Keys - Lonely Boy by MMMusic

Schönbys 2011 - Best International Act

2011-12-13T14:24:00.000Z

The Schönbys are fictional, made-up awards for me to let you know what I've enjoyed listening to during 2011. Winners and nominations are drawn from music I have seen, heard or bought during the preceding 12 months.

The second award is Best International Act. Here's the measily list I had to choose from; gigs from Band of Horses, Warpaint, Phosphorescent and Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks, albums from White Denim, The Strokes, Foo Fighters and Airborne Toxic Event, singles from Beastie Boys and Friends.

I must admit that I've been fairly non-plussed by the overseas showing this year, especially as looking at the list above, they're all from the good ole U S of A. However, I have been mightily impressed with The White Denim album from this year (D) which may possibly get a mention in another award category, but the biggest success from the United States this year has got to be the re-awakening of The Strokes.

Angles has got to be one of the best returns from hibernation ever. Apparently, the band recorded the album in 2009, but didn't get round to releasing it until 2011 after disagreements over the album's readiness. Amazingly, until the release of the album and the subsequent tour, it had been 5 years since the band had taken to the stage together. Anyway the album, for me, is classic Strokes.

The Strokes - Machu Picchu by UKPlaylist

Schönbys 2011 - Best Live Act

2011-12-08T19:04:00.000Z

The Schönbys are fictional, made-up awards for me to let you know what I've enjoyed listening to during 2011. Winners and nominations are drawn from music I have seen, heard or bought during the preceding 12 months.

The first award is Best Live Act. Here's the list I had to choose from; Goldheart Assembly, Mojave 3, Band of Horses, Oxo Foxo, Laura J Martin, Jonny, Warpaint, Fiction, Metronomy, Yuck, Phosphorescent, Ash, Los Campesinos!, Futureheads, Dananananackroyd, Standard Fare, This Many Boyfriends, Fear of Men, Dutch Uncles, Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks, Ringo Deathstarr and Outfit.

Notable commendations go to:

Band of Horses - Leeds O2 Academy (Town and Country Club)
If there was a sub-award for 'live act that made me shed a little tear' it would have to be Band of Horses. The gig was everything that you would expect from BoH; tight playing and fantastic harmonies, and a bit of humour thrown in for good measure (the "de jour of the day" cover of a Neil Young classic was particularly noteworthy), but the crowning glory was the acoustic rendition of 'Evening Kitchen' played through just one microphone - simply awe-inspiring.

Evening Kitchen by bandofhorses

Laura J Martin - Sheffield Harley
I wasn't expecting to see Laura J Martin. There was no talk of support for Norman Blake and Euros Childs (Jonny) in this small Sheffield venue, and after the fire alarm had gone off a few times before any band came on I was fully expecting any support to be swiftly curtailed. What happened, however, was that the small crowd were treated to not only Oxo Foxo (local looping songstress) but also Laura. I had no idea what to expect, but her command of looping machine, flute, mandolin, and other objects was attention grabbing and very entertaining.

Spy by Laura J Martin

Phosphorescent - Leeds Brudenell Social Club
The venue is small, the band is many. Phosphorescent took to the stage and looked like the video to The Cure's Love Cats - elbows everywhere and moustacheoed axemen ducking and weaving their way out of getting a base guitar enema. The band played for what seemed like all night, the room getting sweatier and sweatier, but each blues/rock number played with feeling and gusto. Even a few issues with feedback on the microphones (they were on top of each other after all) didn't dampen the enthusiasm.

Phosphorescent - The Mermaid Parade by createspark

But the winner is:

Metronomy - Sheffield Leadmill
What can be said about Metronomy that has not already been said? I remember posting on Facebook that 'Metronomy rocked' after this gig. Not the words you would relate to the band, but they were extremely watchable, had excellent timing, and rocked in a sense that is difficult to explain. The best thing is, if you haven't already, is to go see them and make up your mind.

Metronomy - We Broke Free by FranklinP

Next year's thing?

2011-12-06T19:38:00.001Z

So, the BBC's sounds of 2012 list was released yesterday. I don't understand these lists - they may as well call it the "here's some artists that we know will be releasing material in 2012" list. Conveniently all genres are covered and everyone's happy because there's someone on there that they can root for. Looking at this year's list (naturally) there's not a great deal I know much about. Friends (who I blogged about a few days ago) have made the list, and there's also Dry the River who I've heard of in passing, but the big name in indie guitar band circles is Spector. I became aware of these guys because I heard (incorrectly) that they were from Sheffield - I looked them up and found that they're actually from London. I walked past the stage that they were playing on at the recent Constellations festival in Leeds (on my way to seeing Marc Riley in the queue for a pasty) but didn't really take them in. Anyway, as they've made the list, I'm sure that means that there will be enough record company clout behind them to make sure that we hear more from them. If you don't know of their work, they are described as East London's answer to The Strokes (by the BBC), and this is what they sound like...

Spector - Grey Shirt and Tie by Luv Luv Luv

The Schönbys 2011

2011-12-05T18:25:00.000Z

If you hadn't noticed, it's December. The Christmas decorations in our shopping malls are already covered in dust, un-easy silences are developing in offices up and down the country after the annual party, and bloggers and journalists alike begin to think about their end of year lists.

I've seen and heard quite a bit of music in 2011 (I set new year's resolutions to make sure I did!) and therefore would like to impart to you the music that has tickled my fancy over the last 12 months, and in order to do that I've devised the Schönbys - a bit like the Grammys but with better music.
I've decided on the following awards; best band, best single, best album, best live act, best new-comer and best international artist. I don't know whether I've got something that qualifies for all these yet, nevermind a winner, but let's have a go anyway!

First up will be best live act. Keep checking the blog for the nominations and winner, but to whet your appetite here's a track from what would have been my 2010 album of the year.

The National - Bloodbuzz Ohio by clubthemammoth

Every little helps

2011-11-30T17:54:00.000Z

Earlier this month I spent 90 minutes of my life trying to access (and subsequently crashing) the Tesco Clubcard website. Why? Well, they had a deal where £12.50 of your hard-earned points could get you a £25 iTunes voucher. I was so excited I bought two, looks like lots of other people had the same idea because the might of the Tesco website was brought to it's knees under the rush to get one of the 25,000 vouchers on offer.

I don't generally buy electronic music, I rather opt to buy the physical entity that is a CD and then rip the CD to my laptop - this deserves to be the subject of a blog all of it's own, don't you think johnjsills? One thing that does annoy me though is when a track is played on the radio and I think "Wow, I want to own that" and low-and-behold, it's not available for another month or so. This could be the reason why "some people" borrow tracks from the internet, and when they become available (i.e. when the CD comes out) then "they" buy that and "their" conscience is clear.

There are some tracks, however, that cry out to be owned as soon as possible - this is where I'm hoping my fifty quids worth of iTunes credit will come in. I'm sure my purchases may well appear on this blog over the coming year.

The last digital track I bought was a few months ago. I'm his girl by Friends was one such track that made me get off my electronic arse and buy it via iTunes - mainly because they'd done a great job in ensuring that "some people" couldn't get hold of it by any other means. I'm drawn in by the desperation of the need for ownership in the lyrics, and the bass is class. Enjoy.

Friends - I'm His Girl by LuckyNumberMusic

A Manifesto

2011-11-27T20:56:00.000Z

It's taken me (Schönberg) a while to understand blogs. The ones I read are probably read by thousands of people and they're usually telling me something I didn't know. I kinda feel that normally I don't have anything to say that would be useful or interesting to others, so it puts me off posting. Anyway, I now realise that you don't need thousands of followers, if you're getting through to just a few people then the whole experience can be worthwhile.

Each January I set myself some musical objectives for the coming year, some people may call them resolutions. Last year it was to go to more gigs and buy more albums. This year I want to set an objective that covers both my love of music but also satisfies another objective on embracing social networking. I want to share with the followers of this blog some of my favourite music, mainstream or otherwise.

So here's my pledge to you (yes, YOU. You singular. You, the person reading this). I pledge to post on this blog at least once per week during 2012, starting from next week. Sometimes it might be something really ground-breaking, sometimes it might be something I liked on the radio, sometimes it might simply be my earworm. So, if you're reading this and you want to support me, then why not leave a message to show that there's someone out there listening?

Music bloggers of the world unite, you have nothing to lose but your credibility.

The Smiths - Shoplifters Of The World Unite by EmergencyBroadcastSongs

Alexander - Million Years

2011-11-23T21:54:00.000Z

A Million Years from Alexander

Alexander, he of Edward Sharpe fame has just released his own album and the stand out track for me is A Million Years plus the video is pretty good too. If you enjoyed the Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros album then check this out. They seem to a have spent a bob or two on the video...

MP3: A Million Years - Alexander

Thank you to his label Vagrant for letting me post this, you can buy the album at iTunes now.

Band of Skulls

2011-11-17T19:00:00.000Z

With a name like Band of Skulls and a single called The Devil Takes Care of His Own you can already tell where this band are coming from. Heavy rock from the glory days of BRMC or you could even say a UK version of Kings of Leon with PJ Harvey adding extra vocals. This band are taking no prisoners and I'm looking forward to hearing their second album when it is released at the start of next year. Until I can give you more check out the video for the single...

Cocabelle

2011-11-13T19:00:00.000Z

A while back I mentioned that The Jones were coming back. Well sadly that never materialised by Kris and Kev "Jones" haven't left the industry. They are involved with a bright star who might just go one step further and make it in to our charts. The soul / blues influenced lady named Cocabelle is being co-managed by the former lead singer and guitarist of The Jones as well as them writing for her. I certainly recommend checking our Lion's Den and my apologies go to Kris for not bringing this to your attention sooner.

MP3: Lion's Den - Cocabelle

Sleater-Kinney esq vocals - I think I know someone who might like that

2011-09-22T19:00:00.000+01:00

Artists often find their real calling in the studio and can then move on to a career as a producer but every now and then you hear of a producers finally releasing their own material. It's a weird situation, having slaved away on someone else's material you're finally given a free rein, what do you do? Like a music critic you know your peers will listen closely and may not be too kind.

Doctor Rosen Rosen is one such producer turned artist (admittedly not all that famous) and he's giving away his debut EP. Entitled Girls it has four different female vocalists over four different tracks. I thought I'd bring you "Poison" but let the PR guy describe it:

"The EP definitely leans pop, but features a really cool track from a girl named Meg Myers who's voice is reminiscent of Corin Tucker from Sleater-Kinney,"

POISON (feat. Meg Myers) by DOCTOR ROSEN ROSEN

The Rassle

2011-09-20T19:00:00.000+01:00

When I originally posted about The Rassle it was part of a larger post and I'm kinda worried you all missed it. I've been enjoying the tracks off their free EP for a while and if you haven't sat up and taken notice of this band yet then you really should. I won't go over old ground again but what I will point out to you is that they have a new free download available. On first listen it sounds pretty damn good, pretty damn good indeed.

Call the doctor

2011-09-15T19:00:00.000+01:00

Call The Doctor have a new EP and not only are they playing Bristol but a whole host of other shows including Pen and Quill in Taunton. Wait there's more, there's even a free download to celebrate the release of their EP. We've featured them on here a few times so I'll let you read up on them yourselves but in the meantime you can download their EP here. Oh and here's a full list of their shows:

SEPTEMBER RIOTS TOUR
////////////////////////////////////////////////

08th - BATH - MOLES CLUB
15th - NOTTINGHAM - BENSON'S*
16th - LEEDS - MILO
17th - SCUNTHORPE - LINCOLN IMP*
18th - OXFORD - THE BULLINGDON*
19th - KINGSTON - THE CRICKETERS*
21st - CARDIFF - GWDIHW CAFE BAR"
22nd - BRISTOL - THE MOTHERS RUIN*
23rd - BIDEFORD - THE PALLADIUM*
24th - TAUNTON - PEN AND QUILL
25th - BRIGHTON - THE HYDRANT^
26th - LONDON - BULL & GATE
30th - BRISTOL - START THE BUS^

So get yourself along to your local show and/or buy their new EP.

The Whip - Live

2011-09-13T19:00:00.000+01:00

A while back I had a ridiculous idea, I would like to see each band that featured in my Top 25 most played tracks on iTunes. It can't be that hard can it, after all I have already seen White Lies, Elbow, Arctic Monkeys, Coldplay, The Courteeners, The Virgins and some of those appear more than once so it surely it's achievable. Looking further down the list there's Red Light Company, not sure how they made it in the top 25 but I've seen them too. Ah wait, there's Queen and Dire Straits, they might be a bit trickier. Maybe I could see the song that's in the Top 25 performed live, would that do? Well either way there was one I ticked off last night, Trash by The Whip which sits high up in the list - quite rightly at number 12. As my friend came all the way over to Bristol to see Two Door Cinema Club with me recently surely I could make the trip to London to see The Whip perform. So with their new album pre-ordered and enjoying the five track sampler you get for pre-ordering I headed to London village.

The crowd was certainly older than TDCC but then again most crowds at cinemas are older than that crowd. So without being self conscious of our ages we enjoyed a band fronted by a George McFly lookalike and moshed our arses off to Trash. Number 12 ticked off.

We've got some catching up to do

2011-09-08T15:30:00.002+01:00

So summer came and went without anyone really noticing and it's time to update you with a few posts. Lets start off with a music festival of a different kind. Catfest was a great event held to celebrate the thirtieth birhtday of Cat, wife of 3WTM's (very) occasional contributor and good friend Dancing Bear. Tickets were distributed, wrist bands worn (it is Dancing Bears arm modelling the wrist band below, he is an actual bear) and tents erected for this event in Wales. The idea was we'd all turn up in her Mum and Dad's garden (they own an awesome B&B), pitch our tents and set up a mini festival, all without Cat's knowledge. Amazingly it worked, she had no idea despite there being 20 cars parked out front when she arrived.

I'm sure you're asking yourself at this point what has it go to do with this blog? Well it was my task to create a playlist for the event so I set about creating a mammoth 9 hour playlist. How do you start putting together a playlist that will last so long? Well of course there has to be rules and you have to hit your target audience. As I didn't know hardly any of the target audience I aimed the playlist at the party girl and, having looked at her CD collection today I was pretty spot on - I was staying over after a trip to see The Whip in London but that's another post, hopefully to come. The poster by the way created by a Taunton graphic designer friend - thanks Paolo.

So on to those rules (more like guidelines as a pirate would say), I tried to cover each year since Cat got in to music and as there would be a strong contingent there I thought we'd go for a Madchester theme at the start, perhaps just before Cat got in to music but nonetheless I thought that was a good start point. I also thought I'd try to avoid having more than one song from any single artist and I thought I'd try to keep it fairly mainstream in an attempt to keep my playlist on the stereo and avoid anyone skipping tracks.

There were a couple of exceptions (and mistakes) of course - 2 x Oasis tracks, a few tracks before the time stated e.g. the song that was number one when she was born (Tainted Love - thanks to Dancing Bear for that), Lovecats by The Cure for obvious reasons etc. I largely achieved what I set out to, a playlist covering the key years of Cat's music life and also tracks that defined those years. Below is the track listing and I could question some of my later choices and for the omission of Kula Shaker but apart from that it's a cracking playlist. It got a few compliments on the day which was very nice, I'm not sure they realised how geeky I'd been about it.

Catfest
145 songs, 9:30:17 total time,
Name Time Album Artist
Tainted Love 2:44 The Best of Soft Cell Soft Cell
The Lovecats 3:40 Greatest Hits [UK] The Cure
There She Goes 2:42 The La's The La's
I Am The Resurection 3:46 The Complete Stone Roses The Stone Roses
Unbelievable 3:30 Unbelievable EMF
Groovy Train 4:07 Unbelievable The Farm
Kinky Afro 3:56 The Best Album in the World...Ever! Happy Mondays
Loaded 4:35 Dirty Hits Primal Scream
Smells Like Teen Spirit 5:01 Nevermind Nirvana
Losing My Religion 4:29 Out of Time R.E.M.
Jump Around 3:38 House of Pain House of Pain
Creep 3:56 Pablo Honey Radiohead
Two Princes 4:18 Nicked Songs Off S & N Spin Doctors
Everything About You 4:06 Planet Rock Ugly Kid Joe
Girls & Boys 4:51 Parklife Blur
Staying Out For The Summer 3:13 Homegrown Dodgy
A Girl Like You 3:59 Mixtape Riot Edwyn Collins
Connection 2:21 Elastica Elastica
Basket Case 3:02 International Superhits! Green Day
Saturn 5 3:58 Saturn 5 Inspiral Carpets
Laid 2:38 James: The best Of James
Digsy's Dinner 2:32 Definitely Maybe Oasis
Inside 4:25 The Best Rock Album In The World ... ... Stiltskin
Finetime 3:07 All Change Cast
Turn On, Tune In, Cop Out 4:19 Turn On, Tune In, Cop Out Freakpower
Stupid Girl 4:19 Garbage Garbage
Change 3:41 Like You Do... Best Of The Lightning S... The Lightning Seeds
Blue Monday 6:47 The Best Album in the World...Ever! New Order
Don't Look Back in Anger 4:48 (What's The Story) Morning Glory? Oasis
Broken Stones 3:18 Stanley Road Paul Weller
Common People 5:52 Different Class Pulp
Alright 3:03 10 Supergrass
Buddy Holly 2:39 Weezer Weezer
Lose Control 3:38 1977 Ash
You're Gorgeous 3:42 Ugly Beautiful Babybird
Spaceman 4:02 The Boy With The X-Rays Eyes Babylon Zoo
One To Another 4:30 Tellin' Stories The Charlatans
Breakfast At Tiffany's 4:17 Now: That's What I Call Music, Vol. 35 Deep Blue Something
Novocaine for the Soul 3:09 Beautiful Freak Eels
The Fun Lovin' Criminal 3:13 Bag Of Hits Fun Lovin' Criminals
She Said 4:25 The Sun Is Often Out Longpigs
The Riverboat Song 4:54 Moseley Shoals Ocean Colour Scene
How Bizarre 3:47 OMC
Love Rollacoaster 3:48 Whatever Red Hot Chili Peppers
Place Your Hands 3:39 Glow Reef
Children 4:02 Now: That's What I Call Music, Vol. 34 Robert Miles
Getting Better 4:12 A Maximum High Shed Seven
Female Of The Species (Radio Edit) 3:20 Female Of The Species Space
Something 4 The Weekend 2:53 Songbook Super Furry Animals
Born Slippy 4:20 Best Anthems... Ever! [2000] Disc 1 Underworld
Philosophy 4:37 Ben Folds Five Ben Folds Five
Tubthumping 3:25 Best Anthems... Ever! [2000] Disc 1 Chumbawamba
Save Me 4:37 Fireworks (Singles 1997-2002) Embrace
What A Beautiful Day 4:05 The Best Of The Levellers The Levellers
Wide Open Space 4:31 Attack of the Grey Lantern Mansun
Nancy Boy 3:20 Once More With Feeling -Singles 199... Placebo
Firestarter 4:40 Fat Of The Land Prodigy
Smile 3:45 It Doesn't Matter Anymore Supernaturals
Bitter Sweet Symphony 5:59 Urban Hymns The Verve
Sexy Boy 4:59 Moon Safari [US/UK] Air
The Boy With The Arab Strap 5:14 The Boy With The Arab Strap Belle & Sebastian
If... 5:08 'The Singles' The Bluetones
My Favourite Game 3:39 Gran Turismo The Cardigans
Mulder And Scully 4:12 International velvet Catatonia
The Rockafella Skank 6:54 You've Come A Long Way Baby Fatboy Slim
Only The Strongest Will Survive (Radio... 4:31 Only the Strongest Will Survive [Import... hurricane #1
Corpses In Their Mouths 4:12 The Greatest Ian Brown
Pretty Fly (For A White Guy) 3:09 Greatest Hits The Offspring
Let Me Entertain You 4:21 The Ego Has Landed Robbie Williams
It's like That 4:10 Connected [UK] Disc 1 Run DMC Vs Jason Nevins
Red Alert 3:37 The Singles Basement Jaxx
The Bad Touch 4:21 Hooray For Boobies The Bloodhound Gang
Hey Boy Hey Girl 4:51 Singles 93-03 The Chemical Brothers
National Express 5:06 A Secret Histroy -The Best of the Divin... The Divine Comedy
Muscle Museum 4:23 Showbiz Muse
Beautiful Ones 3:51 Coming Up Suede
Dancing In The Moonlight 3:55 Onka's Big Monka Toploader
All The Small Things 2:51 Greatest Hits Blink 182
Yellow 4:29 Parachutes Coldplay
Bohemian Like You 3:32 thirteen tales from urban bohemia The Dandy Warhols
Mr. E's Beautiful Blues 3:59 Road Trip Eels
Breakout 3:21 There Is Nothing Left To Lose Foo Fighters
Buck Rogers 3:13 Echo Park Feeder
Clint Eastwood (Mix) 3:40 Now, That's What I Call Music! Vol. 48 ... Gorillaz
Have A Nice Day 3:25 Just Enough Education to Perform Stereophonics
Hard to Explain 3:48 Is This It? [UK] The Strokes
Sing 3:49 The Invisible Band Travis
Dreaming Of You 2:21 The Coral The Coral
There Goes The Fear 6:54 The Last Broadcast Doves
Main Offender 2:33 Your New Favourite Band The Hives
You Held The World In Your Arms 3:22 The Remote Part Idlewild
Move Your Feet 3:03 Move Your Feet (EP) Junior Senior
Getaway 6:30 The Music The Music
No One Knows 4:39 Songs For The Deaf Queens Of The Stone Age
Danger High Voltage 3:37 Fire [UK] Electric Six
Don't Look Back Into The Sun 3:00 Don't Look Back Into The Sun -EP The Libertines
Hey Ya! [Radio Edit] 3:57 Hey Ya! OutKast
Silence Is Easy 3:40 Silence Is Easy [UK] Starsailor
Big Sur 3:07 So Much For The City The Thrills
Seven Nation Army 3:52 Elephant The White Stripes
Pin 2:00 Fever to Tell Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Take Me Out 3:57 Franz Ferdinand Franz Ferdinand
I Predict A Riot 3:56 I Predict A Riot (EP) Kaiser Chiefs
Club Foot 3:35 Kasabian Kasabian
Everybody's Changing 3:36 Hopes and Fears Keane
Mr Brightside 3:43 Hot Fuss The Killers
Stumble And Fall 3:02 Up All Night Razorlight
Chocolate 3:03 Final Straw Snow Patrol
Wake Up 5:35 Funeral Arcade Fire
I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor 2:54 Whatever People Say I Am, That's Wh... Arctic Monkeys
An Honest Mistake 3:41 The Bravery The Bravery
Tied Up Too Tight 4:49 Stars Of CCTV Hard-Fi
Gold Digger (feat. Jamie Foxx) 3:28 Late Registration Kanye West
She Moves In Her Own Way 2:49 Inside In / Inside Out The Kooks
Monster 3:46 Monster -Single The Automatic
Bang Bang You're Dead 3:33 Waterloo To Anywhere Dirty Pretty Things
Chelsea Dagger 3:37 Costello Music The Fratellis
Crazy (Single Version) 2:58 Crazy Gnarls Barkley
LDN 3:11 Alright, Still Lily Allen
Supermassive Black Hole 3:29 Black Holes & Revelations Muse
Nine2Five 3:08 Nine2Five -Single The Ordinary Boys vs. Lady Sovereign
Young Folks 4:36 Writer's Block Peter Bjorn And John
Steady As She Goes 3:38 Broken Boy Soldiers The Raconteurs
I Don't Feel Like Dancin' 4:11 I Don't Feel Like Dancin' -Single Scissor Sisters
Back To Black 4:01 Back to Black Amy Winehouse
Acceptable In The 80's 5:34 I Created Disco Calvin Harris
Standing In the Way of Control 4:18 Standing In The Way of Control The Gossip
Starz In Their Eyes 4:58 Starz In Their Eyes -Single Just Jack
It's Not Over Yet 3:37 Myths Of The Near Future Klaxons
Valerie 3:39 Version Mark Ronson
Grace Kelly 3:08 Life In Cartoon Motion Mika
Either Way 4:04 Either Way -Single The Twang
One Day Like This 6:34 The Seldom Seen Kid (Uni Recs) Elbow
The Beginning of the Twist 3:35 The Beginning of the Twist -Single The Futureheads
Sex On Fire 3:25 Sex On Fire -Single Kings of Leon
Paper Planes 3:25 Kala M.I.A.
Just For Tonight 4:19 Just For Tonight -Single One Night Only
Greatest Day 4:01 Greatest Day -Single Take That
Sweet Disposition 3:56 Sweet Disposition The Temper Trap
Dog Days Are Over 4:13 Lungs Florence & The Machine
The Cave 3:38 Sigh No More Mumford & Sons
Forget You 3:44 F**k You -EP Cee Lo Green
The Bike Song 4:23 The Bike Song (feat. Kyle Falconer & S... Mark Ronson & The Business Intl.
She Said 3:32 The Defamation Of Strickland Banks Plan B
Rolling In The Deep 3:48 Rolling In The Deep Adele

I hope some people arrived at this site looking to download all these tracks - we've all been there...

Strings and things

2011-06-30T19:00:00.003+01:00

So yesterday I booked tickets to go and see James play with a full orchestra and choir, I am immensely excited. I love bands getting involved with orchestras and adding strings just makes a track sound so much bigger. The band are going to do a lot of their back catalogue and maybe even some covers. The tickets go on general release tomorrow (Friday 1st July). Now I've had a search for an example of James playing with an orchestra (they did a charity gig before) but the recordings were pretty poor.

Instead below is an orchestral piece with choir used in Doctor Who that is fantastic, it's the main theme from the most recent series that have Matt Smith playing the Doctor. This is just posted on YouTube but I recommend getting the original version (off iTunes) and playing it LOUD - not on laptop speakers...

The New Enemy

2011-06-27T19:00:00.001+01:00

Town, that's the name of the band, try Googling it. It's bloody hard to find them. I heard them on Zane Lowe's show the other day as Huw Stephens stood in. It was the "Next Hype" track and I can understand why. They fit very much in to the mould of lads band. They sound very much like The Enemy and while that's not necessarily a bad thing I wait to see what more they've got in the locker.

What they certainly do have in their locker is an awesome T-Shirt / EP deal. £8 for a pretty hot looking t-shirt AND a CD. A good way to draw your fans in if you ask me. Check out their single, Teenage Sky below.

Town - Teenage Sky by ollierussian

Free Clap Your Hands And Say Yeah track

2011-06-24T19:00:00.001+01:00

I never really got in to Clap Your Hands and Say Yeah, their first album went down a storm with the critics, the second one not so much. This is a new track from them and it's got me tapping my foot. You can download it using this handy widget below, I'm a big fan of the widget, I get to give away a free track, you get a free track and they get to keep in touch. As Del Boy would say "everyone's a winner, petit dejeuner".

CYHASY release their new album, Hysterical, on the 12th September and supporting it with a European and States tour, they have three dates in UK, London, Sheffield and End of the Road Festival in Dorset.

Now For Something Completely Different

2011-06-23T19:00:00.007+01:00

We don't normally feature hip hop on this blog, not because I don't like it but because I don't know what I'm talking about when I get anywhere near that genre. What I do know is that I really like e-dubble. I came across his Freestyle Friday tracks a while back and a few of the tracks have been on heavy rotation on my iPhone. Check out Let Me Ohh, Hampden Parks and Paradise City for starters (use the Soundcloud scroll bar to see them all). This guy is really talented how come I've only heard about him recently? Anyway you can download them all and there's more on his Soundcloud page.

e-dubble's Freestyle Friday by edubble

Cosmo Jarvis - Sure As Hell Not Jesus

2011-06-21T19:00:00.001+01:00

Cosmo Jarvis is man with a sense of humour that certainly makes me smile. I mentioned yesterday his great track Gay Pirates, a song about two men's love on a pirate ship, and there captain who's not too happy about the situation. His latest song, Sure As Hell Not Jesus has a great video (above) which shows a priest who is not behaving himself with his choir boys and needs to be helped out by the big boss man, no not Jesus - The Pope. It's a great video and well worth your time watching.

I'm not sure where Cosmo gets his inspiration from but I read that he's straight and I'm guessing he's not in to kiddy fiddling...

The Most Fun Since...

2011-06-20T19:00:00.001+01:00

The track Are You Ready? by Fatty Gets A Stylist is the most upbeat and fun track I've heard since Schonberg introduced me to Cosmo Javis' great track Gay Pirates. It has the quirky nature of a track from Stranger Than Fiction's soundtrack and with a name like Fatty Gets A Stylist you can't help but be drawn in to listening to them. The band are made up of two Australians and an Englishman and they are based in London. They have just released their album and lots of there's more to come from the styled fatties.

Thanks to Kick In The Peanuts for bringing this track to my attention. You can download the track from there.

City & Colour - Fragile Bird

2011-06-18T19:00:00.000+01:00

City & Colour is Dallas Green's baby (Dallas is a city, green is a colour, glad someone pointed that out on YouTube). Fragile Bird, the single off his third album Little Hell reminds me of something Eels may have come up with. It has an upbeat instrumental with dark voices and a dark theme over the top. The video shows what I can make out to be a whore house and the lyrics talk of her making "it through the night".

You can download the single here: http://www.mediafire.com/?0b86lxgv6d725xw and the album came out at the start of the month. Album cover does look like the rug in my lounge though...

The Return of Big Gun Number 4 - The Kooks

2011-06-14T19:00:00.001+01:00

Last night Zane Lowe played The Kooks new track, three years on from their last (second) album Konk. The track sounds very like Supergrass despite being produced by Belle and Sebastian and Air producer Tony Hoffer. The track won't actually appear on their new album Junk Of The Heart but you can download it for free by signing up to their mailing list.

The Charlatans - One To Another done in another way

2011-06-13T19:00:00.000+01:00

Talk about messing with my head. This is The Charlatans performing One To Another like I've never seen/heard it before. Can it be described as acoustic with an electric guitar and drums? I don't think so but their PR person thinks it is. Either way it certainly messes with your head when you know the words, you know the band but the sound is something different altogether.

Sorry about the video posts lately but it's an easy way to legally share music with you that I don't have permission for download.

The Big Guns Are Back

2011-06-11T19:00:00.006+01:00

We don't hate the mainstream here, we just try to push artists that aren't getting the recognition they deserve. So it's with interest we note that a lot of established bands are back with new singles. Coldplay, Hard-Fi and The Kaiser Cheifs let their latest singles loose and it's interesting to see how the bands are getting on.

Coldplay first:

Nothing spectacular but a solid effort from the band, they certainly haven't strayed far. The track is available for immediate download, something they missed a trick with Viva La Vida. It was such a strong track that it was one of those "got to have it now" legal or not tracks. This certainly doesn't hit me with the same feeling.

So on to Kaiser Cheifs:

This isn't grabbing me yet but I'm hoping it's going to grow on me. To be honest it took a lot of effort to stop myself from listening to the Cults album on stream and to listen to it again. They are doing something "interesting" with their album. You can choose the play order of your album and not only that you can choose the tracks from a list of 20 and even choose the cover. I have to say I like someone to point me in the right direction as to which of the tracks are better but on a visit to their site I can see that they do exactly that. Members of the band, the media and "normos" have put together their albums and you can choose who to back.

Last of all are Hard-Fi:

This one didn't grab me to start off with but has grown on me, it reminds me of Reverend and the Makers' Silence Is Talking for some reason. It doesn't sound like it but has the same kind of vibe.

So comments please, what do people like? Dislike? Should they have all given up ages ago or is it great to have them back?

Cults

2011-06-09T19:00:00.001+01:00

I think I may have found a new band I really like. Sadly I'm a bit behind the curve but that's no bad thing. It just means I can get their album a lot sooner than if I'd found them when they were underground.

Cults sound perfect for 6Music, female vocals, ever so slightly slower than you'd get on commercial radio and with hell of a lot more class. Even more exciting is that they are coming to the UK, they're playing Birmingham, Cambridge, Aberdeen, Glasgow and The Bowery in Sheffield (August 22nd). Check them out and see what you think.

Cults - You Know What I Mean by cultscultscults

You can stream the debut album here.

Sheffield Music Compilation

2011-06-03T19:00:00.001+01:00

Sounds of the City is a compilation put together to raise money for Cash for Kids and features local bands from the city including Alvarez Kings who have featured on 3WTM in the past. You can listen to the tracks below (tracks 1-10 are from the Birmingham edition, 11+ are the Sheffield tracks).

Latest tracks by Sounds Of The City

You may have missed it, I certainly forgot

2011-05-25T19:00:00.000+01:00

On the 23rd it was What's Wrong With The Mainstream's birthday, sorry for not marking it by a big post but I thought I'd make up for it by telling you what I've been listening to recently. Hopefully you've all stuck with me on the New Years Resolution of buying one album a month or more accurately 12 albums over the year. So far I've bought White Lies, Vampire Weekend, Two Door Cinema Club, Elbow, Frankie and the Heartstrings, My Chemical Romance, and recent additions Noah and the Whale, and The Airborne Toxic Event. Now admittedly two of the albums are from last year but I'm still on track, the first time I've ever stuck at a NYR for more than a few weeks.

I'm still enjoying Frankie, TDCC a lot and the others have certainly had heavy rotation on my iPhone. If you've not heard much of Noah and the Whale's new album I think it's worth checking out. It's got a sound very similar to Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, certainly up there with some of his best work. You can watch the best song off the album here, that's the song that convinced me to buy the album and you can download album track Give It All Back here.

In other news Magic and Fur have released their debut album, they're a band we've featured before and you can stream or download their album from their bandcamp site. You can download the title track below:

Frankie and the Heartstrings - Hunger album review

2011-04-15T19:00:00.000+01:00

Frankie has a talent for writing, whether that's in his email newsletters or music on an album Frankie has a way with words. A way of drawing you in, he writes in a tone that speaks to you. Yes you. I've been really enjoying the album since it dropped through my letterbox and it's already got memories linked to it. In fact I know in years to come when I listen to it I will be reminded of this time and what I was doing now. It will remind me of cycling to work, driving up and down the motorway in the sun and sat in a desk on my own at work listening to album after album. I've listened to some other albums a lot during this period of time, Two Door Cinema Club's (TDCC) being one of them but there's definitely something special about this album.

The album has quite a lot of anthemic elements, sing along sections backed up by catchy riffs and beats taken straight out of the 80s and 90s. In fact the intro to Ungrateful sounds so familiar I wish someone would put me out of my misery and tell me what it sounds like please. Anyway it makes an album that I can listen to and then put on again straight away. I guess that's the pop nature of the album but there is more depth than that suggests. I have already touched upon the lyrical skills of Frankie but Fragile really does sound like a soul classic, admittedly it sounds like it's been covered by Frankie (so much so I had to check they'd written it). Unlike quite a lot of their songs it starts slowly and then builds up. It's the kind of song that should someone like Simon Cowell select it for X-Factor and open it up to a wider audience it could be a massive hit, like he did with Biffy Clyro I guess.

I was asked the other day by Schonberg which album was my favourite so far this year and I would say three so far could compete for it. TDCC, The Vaccines and Frankie & the Heartstrings. As TDCC was released last year I guess that makes just two. If you don't own them yet I think you need to get down your local independent record shop, don't you? (I won't judge you if you go to a supermarket but I don't think you'll find it there).

Frankie & The Heartstrings - Fragile by 3WTM

Could be a cover of a soul classic?

Frankie & The Heartstrings - Ungrateful by 3WTM

Please tell me what 80s song the start sounds like.

Ooh you cheeky little monkey

2011-03-10T18:45:00.003Z

Arctic Monkeys appear to be back and it's sounding good. New direction me thinks and heading in the right direction.

Their new album, Suck It and See will be out on 6th June.

Oh and Elbow's new album arrived on my doorstep this week so that's what I'm listening to at the moment if you're interested...

The Vaccines - Not Long Now

2011-02-26T19:00:00.004Z

It's not long now until the debut album is out from The Vaccines. You may remember me posting If You Wanna back in August, well that's now their new single but you can download Wrecking Bar (ra ra ra) and Blow It Up and then get across to play.com and pre-order their album for £6.99.

Frankie and the Heartstrings - Debut Album

2011-02-24T19:00:00.005Z

So I'm sure you're all hungry for more music and Frankie and the Heartstrings can satisfy that hunger as their debut album is out this week. It means I've ordered another album as part of my New Year Resolution. As it's only £4.99 from hmv.com it was a pretty easy decision to make.

If you need more convincing you can stream Ungrateful below oh and if you hadn't worked it out yet, the debut album is called Hunger.

Ungrateful by Frankie and the Heartstrongs
Supplied by radarmaker

I'm the only person sticking to their New Year Resolution, I wonder how Dancing Bear is getting on with his? Bet there's not a lot of whisky drinking going on in Cuba...

Where Are They Now

2011-02-08T19:00:00.000Z

First of all let me say that I've been meaning to write this post for months, I've wanted to do a "where are they now" style post as I find them great to read on other people's blogs. So what I've decided to do is look back at one of earliest posts entitled If I Didn't Have The Internet I Wouldn't Be In To Them (and they know so...) and go through the bands on there to see what they're up to now.

The Whip
After hearing their fantastic track Trash, which has now had 500k listens on MySpace, I bought the album. A fantastic album it is too and not just a one hit wonder coffee coaster that I expected. Since then the track has been used in a Coors Light advert and in the background on a lot of TV programmes. According to their Twitter feed they have just finished the new album but at the moment there doesn't seem to be any new material to listen to.

The Sunshine Underground
Since the post they have released a second album which was alright, I was listening to it the other day and while it's no masterpiece it's a solid second album. On the band's blog they say they've already got going with some new material and promise there will be "no 4 year gap" this time. I hope so. I'm still hoping to catch them live at some point.

The Dead 60's
The Dead 60s are sadly no more. Their second album "Time To Take Sides" was unreleased in the UK. I still find this a bit bizarre as I picked it up a few copies in Fop for £1 each back in '08 or '09. This suggests to me that they split on the eve of its release. Either the record company thought it was going to flop or the band couldn't face touring to promote it. Either way it's a shame as the albums not too bad, with lead single Stand Up a particular favourite of mine. You can read their farewell letter on their MySpace and according to Wikipedia the band, minus lead singer Matt MacManamon, are in a new female fronted band The Venus Fury.

Tiny Dancers
Quite poppy and actually a really good album. Quite a disappointment when I found out they'd split. I mentioned it on this blog at the time. Where they promised not to be the "Joey" to Tiny Dancers' "Friends". Well as Matt Le Blanc seems to have hit another good series with Episodes you've certainly achieved that. I can't find any information about them, if you're out there guys, get in touch.

The National
The National have just had their best year ever I'm guessing as their 5th album High Velvet was a great success, critically anyway. It was voted number 8 in Q Magazine's end of year best of album list (I've still not bought the magazine since they sold out and had an interview with George Galloway in it). In my original post had the excellent song Fake Empire in it and yet the album it was taken from, Boxer, disappointed me. High Velvet is better but still not quite my cup of tea. They are touring mainland Europe in 2011 along with some more far flung places such as Japan and the American continent.

Team9
Team9 AKA Neil Mason has been "destroying shit since 1999" and spends most of his time now as The Found Sound Orchestra and he has a project on his hands. He is going to make a new track each week and make it available for download. That's some feat and in his own words quality control will take a hit at times but he quite rightfully points out that at the end of the year he should have enough quality for an album. It's still very much down the lines of mashing up songs and putting them together just like the awesome Money Song I posted originally.

Ghosts
One of the reasons I am writing this post is because of a Ghosts' track. The World Is Outside describes how the last Monday in January is apparently the worst day of the year. Usually that's because it's cold, dark and another whole week until pay day. Of course that's not the case this year as it's the last day of the month but you get the idea. Anyway, Ghosts debut album which the above song is the title track, was released in 2007 and was a good piano / indie pop effort. They were even in the BBC's sound of 2007 list. I seem to remember their single was experimented with as downloads had just come in. The physical copy and digital version were released weeks apart and thus the band didn't get very high in the charts. In April '08 the band went to Sweden to record a new album but it was never released.

The Virgins
What a song Rich Girls was. In fact I crave for the days where I can come across another Rich Girls or another Trash by The Whip come to that. According to Wikipedia the band are in the process of writing their second album but a bit more digging suggests they are now more and some of the "casualties from the now defunct band" have formed The Rassle and you can download their EP for free from their web site. I recommend you get over there quick smart and download. It's pretty catchy stuff, try to ignore how much Wild Ones sounds like I Fought The Law.

British India
I'm sure when I first came across this band I read that they were "Australia's Arctic Monkeys". Looking back I can see the comparison to Arctic Monkeys' first album but it's not how I would refer to them. They're a proper rock band and they've certainly been busy since I got their album back in '08. Guillotine was released in '07 and they have released two albums since then. Unlike a lot of rock bands they haven't turned down the volume which is refreshing. British India were even in the UK at the end of last year.

Los Campesinos!
You! Me! Dancing! was a great track, you remember it don't you? Well I start tapping my feet just thinking of the track. Los Campesinos! are still around and producing music. Their web site has a real "get in touch/involved vibe" where you can download tracks, email the band and read their blog which they run like 'normal' people. Their tracks remind me of Switches.

The Aliens
The Aliens were born out of Beta Band and released two albums but it appears that mental illness problems that plagued the band (and Beta Band) took their toll. There doesn't appear to be any trace of them yet Steve Mason their band mate from Beta Band has released new solo material.

Glasvegas
Well I shouldn't really need to tell you what they are up to now following my post the other week but in case you can't be arsed to read it, they've got a new album out soon.

Pete & The Pirates
I saw them live at the floating gig venue that is Thekla in Bristol a few years back and they looked young, played pop and entertained. Now they appear to have grown up and perhaps have put their pop days behind them. Download new track Winter 1 for free and their new album is due out in May.

The Paper Cranes
The Paper Cranes promised much at the start with the excellent I'll Love You Until My Veins Explode but the Canadians have never really hit those heights again sadly. They have released two albums, the last of which was Halcyon Days out in 2009.

White Lies
White Lies are stars and have the talent to back it up. Their debut album To Lose My Life was fantastic from start to finish, tracks Death and Unfinished Business are still in my top 10 played songs on iTunes and I could still listen to them twice a day. Ritual their recently released second album is still to win me over but I'm certainly willing to give this band a few more listens.

Gotye
What's Goyte been up to?
"Over the last year and a half I've been helping the lovely Tash Parker with the recording of her debut album Waking Up. I sang on some songs, played drums and percussion and produced a couple of songs. Tash is releasing the record independently on her own label Little Buildings and I reckon it's an absolute gem"

The Electric Soft Parade
I really enjoyed their debut album back in 2002, perhaps even the album of the year for me but sadly they've never managed to match it. They've released two albums since plus as part of the band Brakes they've released three studio albums. I bought Brakes' first album but never got in to it, Colin Murray claimed that Brakes' second album The Beautific Visions was the best album in 2006. The track I posted in 2008 was taken from their third and most recent album but apparently there might be a new album for 2011 as they appeared on stage in December hinting new material was on its way. So there's No Need To Be Downhearted.

Phoenix
The song I posted, It's Never Been Like That, was the catchy title track taken from their 2006 album. It was followed up in 2009 with Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix. Free song 1901 never hit the mark with me but it and the album was well received by critics and it was their most successful album, winning a Grammy, whatever that is. So where are they now? Well they've recorded the soundtrack for Somewhere, a film written and directed by Sofia Coppola, you can catch the trailer here which has their music in it.

Vampire Weekend
At the time I posted the song I don't think Vampire Weekend were very big, now they're two albums in and going strong. They're still making music with an African feel and their album from last year, Contra, is growing on me.

The Courteeners
Their debut album St Jude was fantastic, my album of the year in fact and a real guitar band, rock n roll affair. The album won The Guardian's First Album Award, beating Glasvegas amongst others. The follow up to that album was released two years later in 2010 but didn't reach the same heights despite being called Falcon. Saying that it wasn't far off, it just had the feel of an album that was a little bit rushed, often the case with a second album where the record label is pushing for it's release. They also released an EP at the end of last year containing 5 tracks, two off the album, a cover and two new tracks. This year they've only got two festival style gigs scheduled so far, perhaps they're going to be holed up writing new material. They certainly seem to produce a lot, Falcon came with a special edition 2nd CD with tracks that didn't quite make the album.

The best part of doing this Where Are They Now post? Finding this on Gotye's web site "my current favourite palindrome- Go hang a salami, I'm a lasagna hog" You're a lasagna hog...

The Pigeon Detectives New Material

2011-02-02T19:00:00.006Z

It's been a while since The Pigeon Detectives released some new material, this after they released their first two albums within 12 months. It's not unsurprising then that the new material sounds a bit different. A different pace, an electronic influence but not a move away from Matt singing about women. Listen to the new track below along with a song off the previous two albums. The new album, Up, Guards and at 'em is out in April (I think) and they're on tour in March and April, tickets go on sale on Friday. The new single, Done In Secret is out 28th March.

Latest tracks by The Pigeon Detectives

Glasvegas back with new track and album

2011-01-25T19:00:00.002Z

Thanks to Music of the Moment for the tip off that Glasvegas are back and ready to release a new album in April. If that wasn't enough they're giving us a track off the album for free. You can stream The World Is Yours below or download it from the Glasvegas web site. I've got a feeling Schonberg is going to be very excited and this will certainly be bought as part of his New Year Resolution n'est pas?

The World Is Yours by glasvegas

Oh yeah, I guess I should mention the new album by The Strokes, Angles is going to be released on March 21st in the UK and on the 22nd in the States.

New Year's Resolution - Update

2011-01-19T19:30:00.000Z

So I've gone whole heartedly in to this album buying thing. I've got two already and another in the post. I was discussing this resolution with my good friend and sometime contributor Dancing Bear at the weekend. He's all for positive New Year's Resolution eg. do more of x rather than do less of y. Saying that I think his resolution is to drink more Whisky...

Anyway back to the albums, I've bought Vampire Weekend's Contra having posted Horchata off the album back in '09 so I'm not sure that counts and my second album is Two Door Cinema Club's Tourist History. Which again you eagle-eyed people may have noticed I posted about them back in January 2009 although the album was released in 2010. Anyway at least I'm cracking on. How are the albums? Contra is a great summer album sadly it's frosty where I am so it seems out of place. I'm only a few listens in so that's all I'm committing to. Tourist History is currently getting the most plays and is bossing the speakers at the moment. More updates soon.

New Year Resolution

2011-01-06T21:09:00.000Z

Now I know my New Year's resolution should be to post more but you know what? I'm not going to fall in to that trap. I've read enough "I promise I'll post more" comments on blogs only not to hear from them for many weeks / months. It just applies too much pressure. Trust me I'd like to post more, I'd like to discover more new music and that brings me nicely on to my New Year's resolution. Inspired by Schonberg I am going to buy a new album each month or more accurately I'm going to buy 12 albums in the next year. So what have I got to look forward to? In January White Lies' follow up their debut album To Lose My Life with Ritual. Download the single being played live below:

Then in February we have Frankie and The Heartstrings touring to support the release of their debut album Hunger. Tour dates below:

February

11 - Live Lounge, Durham
12 - Metropolis, Middlesbrough
15 - Cluny, Newcastle
16 - Cockpit, Leeds
17 - Academy 3, Manchester
18 - Fibbers, York
19 - James E Brown Room, Liverpool
21 - Heaven, London (NME Awards Show)
22 - Cellar, Oxford
24 - New Slang, Kingston
25 - Dempsey's, Cardiff
26 - O2 Academy 2, Birmingham
27 - Fleece, Bristol

Anyone fancy a Sunday night in Bristol to go to the Fleece?

Then in March we have the return of Elbow with Build A Rocket Boys. It's a great title but I do worry. I really enjoy all their albums but I worry that their new fans will be looking for an album full of One Day Like This. That's not how Elbow work. The album will be great, I have no doubt about that but they may not find themselves on Radio 1 so often but I guess they were used to that with the other albums. Listen to the title track below:

That's enough to get me excited about my album buying but let's look back at 2010 for a second. Regular readers may have noticed that I didn't produce an end of year best of list / awards. That's mainly because I didn't come across enough music in 2010 to warrant it. I will tell you that my most listened to album in 2010 was Mumford and Sons' great Sign No More. The fact that it was released in 2009 should give you some guide to my music consumption recently - my commute to work has gone from nearly an hour when I started the blog to 20 minutes now. I guess I should also mention Cloud Cult's Light Chasers which was released in 2010 and ran Mumford and Sons close by just a handful of plays less.

One site that does the whole looking back thing well is Bootie Mashup who every year post a best of mashups compilation CD. I've been pillaging the site for new tunes for years and I thought I'd provide a few off their best of to give you a taster. The first one I can't stop listening to, the second one is purely because I keep singing The Fresh Prince tune to my daughter in the bath (when a couple of ducks they were up to no good, started making trouble in my bath tub) Remember to listen with tongue firmly placed in cheek and you'll get it.

MP3: DJ Lobsterdust – Knock Out Eileen (LL Cool J vs. Dexy's Midnight Runners)

MP3: Rad Bad – Moving Da Royalty (Will Smith vs. Daft Punk)

MP3: DJ Fox – Club Can't Use Somebody (Kings of Leon vs. Flo Rida ft. David Guetta)

Chris Leo's Vague Angels

2010-10-31T21:00:00.000Z

This track reminds me of Chris Rea's Road To Hell. A great driving tune with a bit of South American influence I feel. It really is quite something and came from nowhere. Thanks to http://www.abadgeoffriendship.com/ who have let me post it for free download.

MP3: So Lonely - Chris Leo's Vague Angels

Jal & Schonberg in Sheffield Music Scene This Month

2010-10-29T21:00:00.001+01:00

I've written about one of my favourite unsigned bands, Kalenko, in this month's Sheffield Music Scene but not only that but, occasional writer for 3WTM, Schonberg has also written for the online magazine as he covers Pygmy Globe Trotters new album. Check out our reviews on pages 144 and 214 respectively.

Tom Williams & The Boat - New EP

2010-10-28T20:53:00.000+01:00

I'm a bit slow on passing this one on to you. Tom Williams and The Boat released a new EP at the start of the month. You can stream the EP below and download the title track See My Evil below. My favourite however is Get Older which has a real feel of Eels' Soul Jacker to it. Check it out.

Wild Beasts

2010-10-11T21:08:00.001+01:00

You may or (more likely) may not remember that Wild Beasts featured on this blog a while back thanks to the Dancing Bear who helped me out with the end of the month playlist at the time. Well I came across another track of theirs the other day at Likesounds. Give it chance, it starts off slow but grows to be something really strong that reminds me of The Pale.

MP3: Hooting and Howling - Wild Beasts

Talking of bands we've mentioned before, you can buy Yes Cassette's single Animal and Gods on iTunes now...

White Lies: White Lies Return With 'Ritual'

2010-10-08T18:17:00.001+01:00

This whole blogging on your mobile phone thing doesn't really work does it. Discover something interesting and click "share this" or whatever it says and all you get is a link put up as a post. That's not really adding to the reader's experience is it? Anyway excitement is in the air as White Lies: White Lies Return With 'Ritual' queue lots of people scouring the internet for any leaked tracks. They leaked very few when they were unknown, I don't think it's going to change now, sadly. If you do find any keep it to yourself, and send me a private email...

What's Wrong With The Mainstream September '10 Playist

2010-09-30T23:59:00.036+01:00

I found this art here entitled fosil_rock.jpg surely it should be a rock tape!? Anyway, what a perfect image for this month's playlist which is turning in to a bi-monthly event. So here's the best of the past two months, as I can longer use my iPhone in the car without it blowing up (I'm on my third iPhone in three months) I haven't got much comment to go with the tracks as I haven't listened to them as much as I usually do.

The Naked and Famous are releasing this single as a limited edition 7" vinyl via Neon Gold record label and they are starting to make some waves in the UK. Check them out.
MP3: Young Blood - The Naked and Famous

Dead Sons new band who have a mature sound that reveals their past - the five members have been in previous bands, think The Last Shadow Puppets and you won't be far off. I think I discovered them through Sheffield Music Scene.
MP3: Temptation Pool - Dead Sons

Rock music with a drum machine, Drift Run are tipped for big things.
MP3: Addiction - Drift Run

The Vaccines are another band just making their way in to the big wide music world but have previous form within their ranks.
MP3: If You Wanna - The Vaccines

I don't remember where I read it but I'm told that Jay Jay Pistolet is in The Vaccines, he used to go it alone with his acoustic guitar.
MP3: Hooked Up On Us - Jay Jay Pistolet

Philadelphia Grand Jury or the Philly J's as their promoter, I'm assuming fondly, refers to them are doing pretty well in the southern hemisphere and are nominated for the AIR Awards (Australian Independent Records). We've been going on about them for a while on this blog. Are you readers enjoying their music? Let us know, just click on the comments link at the bottom of the post.
MP3: Save Our Town - Philadelphia Grand Jury

I've written an article for next month's Sheffield Music Scene about their new single Littlest Pleasures, it's coming out the end of October. In the meantime enjoy the b-side from the band that describe themselves as “Unbelievably Russian with Romantically Sinister Tendency”.
MP3: Lights Out - Kalenko

This track really reminds me of The Levellers, I especially like the marching beat drumming throughout. This is a different track from the one I posted by The 48ks earlier in the month.
MP3: Falling Down - The 48ks

Catchy, geeky, pop music. Nuff said...
MP3: Things I Shouldn't Tell You - Cancel The Astronauts

Sounds like Marina and the Diamonds, getting lots of radio attention in the UK.
MP3: Prisoner - The Good Natured

This track really gets in with the rhythm of your heart with vocals that go at the same pace. The Spies have a dark, sinister name, this track might just match that name.
MP3: You've Got Some Nerve - The Spies

Tomorrow sees the Walk The Line Festival kick in to gear for its second year and I thought I'd introduce you to a couple of quality acts gracing the festival. First off are The Strange Death of Liberal England. These are quite a find, I was introduced to them through a video of their current single Rising Sea. While I'm not able to bring you that track as a download, the band have given me another nautical themed track that I'm pretty confident equally shows off their prowess.
MP3: Lighthouse - The Strange Death of Liberal England

Last of all is Luke Leighfield. He has a great picture on his MySpace of him looking geeky surrounded by some fit young ladies. Made me smile. Anyway back to his music, bit of a self confessed Ben Folds fan as far as I can work out. This is the title track from his album which you can get free from his bandcamp site. Sounds good to me Luke...
MP3: Have You Got Heart? - Luke Leighfield

British Sea Power - Zeus

2010-09-27T21:23:00.000+01:00

British Sea Power seem to have been around for years yet I have only got in to them recently by discovering great tracks like Waving Flags and Please Stand Up. Now while I wouldn't agree with the comparisons that point readers in the direction of The Cure, Arcade Fire and Joy Division, I find it hard to give you any better reference points (explaining why I have repeated those comparisons). All I can say is that they have swirling guitars and understated vocals that draw you in and have you singing along despite not really being sing-along songs. Anyway the lead track from their Zeus E.P. is available for free download, if you like this definitely check out the other tracks I mentioned.

MP3: Zeus - British Sea Power

Cancel The Astronauts

2010-09-24T17:00:00.000+01:00

Cancel The Astronauts are indie pop in a can and I like that. Maybe a bit geeky but hey I'm sat at my computer writing a blog so there's definitely a bit of geek in me. I'll be interested to see what more CTA have got in the locker, perhaps the next Wombats?

You can buy the Edinburgh band's EP, Funny For A Girl on their Bandcamp site.

MP3: Things I Shouldn't Tell You - Cancel The Astronauts

Ladies and Gentleman I think we have some talent on our hands

2010-09-22T18:00:00.001+01:00

The Good Natured are happy for me to post this b-side. Well I'm certainly happy to oblige. The Good Natured, aka Sarah McIntosh, is certainly a talent to watch and judging by the fact we get a video with the b-side suggest someone else thinks that too.

MP3: Prisoner - The Good Natured

Indra - The Lonely Kings

2010-09-20T17:00:00.002+01:00

OK, OK, it's not the normal cup of tea for 3WTM followers, but if you do happen to enjoy a bit of grunge-based rock 'n' roll then maybe this is for you. Indra are relatively unknown outside of their native South Yorkshire, but as far as nu-grunge goes they're pretty decent.

If you like this, then get over to their myspace page to hear more...

Before Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros there was...

2010-09-19T11:20:00.000+01:00

Ima Robot and the band are back with a new album. Alex Ebert, lead singer of ESATMZ, fronts Ima Robot and, as you've heard his voice before, it gives Ima Robot a familiar feel. I think I stated at the time that the ESATMZ had created an album with variety across it and this track just adds to that mix.

I was given a link to the video below and it's a great watch, skateboarding and pyrotechnics set to music by Ima Robot. The film is great in itself but keep watching as there is a "making of" section at the end which is nearly as good as the main film itself.

MP3: Ruthless - Ima Robot

The 48ks - Flick 'em the V's

2010-09-09T20:46:00.000+01:00

From Donny (Doncaster to pretty much everyone outside of South Yorkshire) and a band with a surprising description on their MySpace. Now before I tell you what their site says I should point out I like this band, I downloaded their free EP, thank you very much and as the MP3s weren't labelled with the bands name I actually went to the effort of reminding myself of who they were. Now I'm lazy and if I didn't like the track I wouldn't have bothered. However the description on the MySpace did not match my experience. Words like "original", "fresh" and "contemporary" are certainly not how I would describe this band. They're a good old fashioned rock n roll band, I can imagine hearing them in a pub and parting with some cash as their catchy tunes got straight in my head. On getting home I would have been pleased with my purchase. As I've got the tracks for free they've managed to endear themselves to a tight Yorkshireman. Check them out. Download the whole EP from their MySpace and remember they're The 48ks.

MP3: Gotta Get Out - The 48ks

Better Than The Drums

2010-09-05T15:29:00.007+01:00

Surfer Blood are better than The Drums. That's what a comment said on a blog I visited recently and I think it's pretty spot on. I then heard the track on the radio and surfer music it really is . Warm sun with a breeze. Head on over to Daytrotter where they did a session recently. There are four tracks for you to enjoy.

Just Dropped In My Inbox - Muse's Tour Support

2010-09-03T18:25:00.001+01:00

Muse are back in the UK for a few dates and if you're on their mailing list like me you would have received this:

"Over the next two weeks, Muse return to the UK to play three massive shows! First up it's Manchester's LCCC this Saturday (4th September) and then next weekend the band play two nights at London's Wembley Stadium (10th and 11th September).

And of course at each of these three shows Muse will be joined by some excellent support bands - Lily Allen, Biffy Clyro, Editors, The Big Pink, White Lies, Band Of Skulls, I Am Arrows, Pulled Apart By Horses and White Rabbits.

We thought you might like a taster of these supports, so a selection of the bands playing have very kindly donated us a track each for your listening pleasure."

CLICK HERE to download the MP3s now.

Save Our Town - Philadelphia Grand Jury

2010-09-01T19:00:00.000+01:00

The Philly Jays are heading back to Oz after a successful UK tour and now they're letting Save Our Town losse on the world and touring Australia to back up the single. It's more quality from the band featured before on Whats Wrong With The Mainstream.

MP3: Save Our Town - Philadelphia Grand Jury

PS. The end of month playlist will be back at the end of September.

If You Wanna - The Vaccines

2010-08-30T18:00:00.002+01:00

On the 18th August Zane Lowe had this track as his "Hottest Record".

"Tonight's HR is an instant vintage classic. And also, the first recording we've ever heard from this band. Talk about setting the bar high! The Vaccines 'If You Wanna' is like some long lost pop gem but instead heralds something new & exciting..."

Forward to 27th August and it drops in my inbox, sometimes it's great writing a blog. Sadly there was little other information than that but it's all about the music, right?

MP3: If You Wanna - The Vaccines

Some Great News

2010-08-27T18:00:00.001+01:00

Remember the good old days when you used to get something exciting in the post, well those days are gone but they have been replaced by the wonders of email. Just the other day I got an email through from the gentlemen above. The Jones, who we've covered a few times before, have ditched Atomic and have signed to CaraL Management. They've not been doing this totally in the quiet, they announced in March that they were still together and working underground but now it seems they're ready to face the world. I've no news on new material but here is a box.net link to The Girl Is Like A Gun, my favourite track that I still listen to on a regular basis. Think early Muse with a Leeds influence.

MP3: The Girl Is Like A Gun - The Jones

Two awesome bands in one song

2010-08-21T20:00:00.000+01:00

So if you wanted to get me really excited you'd tell me that the band who recorded my most played album of the year had covered a song of my favourite album of last year, oh and that they'd done a decent job. You can tell where I'm going with this can't you, I'm no mystery writer that's for sure. So all I need to do is hand over the weapon that is Mumford and Sons singing White Lies brilliant song Unfinished Business and let the track do the rest.

MP3: Unfinished Business (White Lies Cover) - Mumford and Sons

Bristol v Sheffield - Two Bands Of Tomorrow?

2010-08-19T20:30:00.000+01:00

Just over a year ago I got a couple of golden ticket "pass-outs" from my then pregnant wife to see two bands I really wanted to see, Kalenko and Call The Doctor. They were playing in their local city of residence music festival in Sheffield (Tramlines) and Bristol (Harbour Festival) respectively. In fact on the bottom photo of Kalenko you can me and Schonberg if you look closely. Anyway a year has passed, my wife gave birth to a beautiful girl, the bands have both been working hard and as they have just played the festivals I thought it was time to catch up with them and see how it's going. You'll have to excuse Rob's (CTD) sense of humour it's obviously a defence mechanism against Elliott's good looks.

Hit play and listen to these tracks as you read the interview below:

MP3: Lights Out - Kalenko
MP3: For Your Leisure - Call The Doctor

You’ve just played Tramlines / Harbour one year on since I last saw you, how’s the last year been for you?

Kal:
The last year has been steadily progressive. We've worked hard at our sound and set list. We consciously aimed for a more instantaneous live show; the key to converting an audience into a fan base is the first few songs. Last year, our first few songs would set the atmosphere, which is great if you have 45 minutes. But with the standard 30 minute sets we get asked to play, it is paramount that we capture peoples attention early on and hold it throughout.

CTD:
ITS BEEN GREAT, SINCE WE LAST PLAYED WE RECORDED A MINI-ALBUM, DID A COUPLE OF TOURS, PLAYED WITH BAND OF SKULLS, FOXY SHAZAM AT THE BARFLY, AND SHONEN KNIFE AT THE THEKLA, SORTED A DISTRIBUTION DEAL FOR THE RECORD WITH GLASSTONE, RELEASED IT, PLAYED MORE GIGS AND THEN LAST FEW MONTHS WE'VE BEEN STARTING THE SONGWRITING PROCESS AGAIN. WE JUST GOT BOOKED AS MAIN SUPPORT FOR OASIS' REFORMATION TOUR IN 2012

How was the festival compared to last year? Do you think the festival as a whole has improved?

Kal:
I think Tramlines is the best thing Sheffield has to offer. The buzz on the city streets in incredible, and it's important for the local venues to keep supporting the local talent. We see it as the one chance of a&r coming to us, instead of us travelling down to them.

CTD:
THERES MORE GOING ON THIS YEAR, ITS EXPANDED TO CASTLE PARK. WE PLAYED THE SAME VENUE BUT MUCH HIGHER UP THE BILL AND HAD A REALLY GOOD AUDIENCE, THERE WERE ROUGHLY 13,024 PEOPLE WATCHING US IN THE LOUISIANA - 1 IN, 1 OUT. GOOD TIMES.

What’s been your best moment from the last twelve months?

Kal:
Our best moment was being picked up by Tom Robinson on BBC 6Music. We got played as unsigned band of the week, which really boosted us to push things forward. We had some interest following that, and plan to chase that up in the coming months, with our first single release.

CTD:
I THINK GAINING A FEW GENUINE FANS FROM PLACES AS FAR FLUNG AS MEXICO, SWEDEN AND AUSTRIA. PEOPLE THAT WE DONT KNOW CHOOSING TO BUY OUR MUSIC IS THE GREATEST COMPLIMENT YOU CAN HAVE. WE HAD ONE GUY

You’ve written a few tunes in the last twelve months, how has your music progressed?

Kal:
Generally, i think we have refined our sound. It is satisfying to know that our earlier songs still stand up to the new material. We feel that our early songs seem more like the album tracks - a little more experimental. The latest material seems much more upbeat, without losing that sinister nature for which we have become known.

CTD:
WELL ITS GOING TWO WAYS AT PRESENT, WITH SOME POPPIER SONGS (THAT STILL ROCK) AS WELL AS SOME TRACKS THAT DONT FOLLOW THE TRADITIONAL VERSE-CHORUS-VERSE-CHORUS-BRIDGE-DOUBLE CHROUS SONG STRUCTURE. GOT SOME DRUM AND BASS AND DUBSTEP REMIXES IN THE BAG TOO. OUR DRUMMER IS REALLY INTO DISNEY SO WE ARE GONNA BE INCORPORATING SOME FAIRY TALE MAGIC INTO THE NEXT ALBUM IF HE GETS HIS WAY

If you were signed by a major label tomorrow would the whole band be up for it, would you quit your jobs?

Kal:
That's what we're in it for. Unfortunately, the way the industry is heading, it looks more and more like bands have to fund themselves while writing, recording & touring. If someone offered us something that enabled us to quit our jobs, then I would envisage a big leap forward in the calibre of product we create.

CTD:
HELL YES.

Talking of jobs, what are you doing to pay the large costs of being in a band?

Kal:
All of us have office jobs. Our Jonny (drums) used to work in a bar, but we convinced to get rid of that to make time for the band.

CTD:
WE'RE ALL DOCTORS OF SORTS. WASN'T THAT OBVIOUS ALREADY? (A vet's not a proper Doctor is it now Rob, I don't want you to come running if they shout "Is There a doctor on board?" - Jal)

You’ve built up a good following, what now, what will get you that break through?

Kal:
It was unnerving when our uni friends slowly migrated elsewhere. Conversely, it feels good when we win over new fans now - we've progressed past the 'friends and family' fanbase...although not exclusively. Our following is still growing, and we look to really push things over the next few months, to gather a bit of steam. It is important not to forget the brand away from the music - 'Sheffield's best Russian band' is something we hope people will remember.

CTD:
THIS INTERVIEW I HOPE

For bands who are trying to make it, what have you learnt along the way?

Kal:
Do something different; Unfortunately, it isn't all about the music.

CTD:
BUY ONE GET ONE FREE JAEGER-BOMBS ARE NEVER A GOOD IDEA BEFORE YOU PLAY.

Finally, what do you predict for your band in the next twelve months?

Kal:
Continued record label interest would be nice, and a few more high profile shows. We intend to move things down to the capital for a few weekends, as we've yet to explore the sights and sounds of London. All in all, continued support from people like yourself, (flattery always helps - Jal) and eventually people in high places will come around to Kalenko's way of doing things.

CTD:
MORE TUNES, MORE GIGS, MORE FESTIVALS, MORE DISNEY AND MORE BUY ONE GET ONE FREE J-BOMBS OF COURSE

So there you have it. Kalenko plan to release a single in October so we'll be getting behind that nearer the time. Call The Doctor's mini album is available from HMV.com

Something a bit different

2010-08-17T19:00:00.001+01:00

boyChild is lucky, I left his tunes on Soundcloud playing again and again. Normally I would have killed this track after one play but I didn't. I'm not sure boyChild will actually feel that lucky just because I like his track and am sharing it with you guys but here goes anyway. It's an instrumental piece, a dark piano track with, wait for it, more programmed drums. This isn't the way I intend to head with this blog it's just what's popping up in my inbox at the moment. Adding the strings and it's something you find yourself depressed with and enjoying at the same time.

MP3: Salad Days - boyChild

Coming At You Tonight - Quick Tip

2010-08-15T17:00:00.001+01:00

The Ultimate Battle of the Bands

Well that's what Legion of Many are calling Sky 1's new show Must Be The Music. Then again they would, they're on it tonight. Not only that but playing bass for them is none other than Pete "Mighty Rufus" Atkinson. To prove the point, the American based band are playing Pete's abode, Bristol next Friday 20th. Hope it goes well tonight Pete.

Something Special from Sheffield

2010-08-11T19:41:00.000+01:00

I spent a lot of time on Wednesday searching for a Sheffield band that I could get behind. I got frustrated by a lot of mediocre bands that hadn't found their sound yet. A lot of the demo quality music I listened to offered nothing new, in fact they didn't even offer a good version of old stuff. Eventually I came across a band I liked but then I couldn't get you a track cleared for posting, on I searched. Some time later and much later than I planned to be still looking I came across Driftrun. This four piece from South Yorkshire add a touch of drum and bass (yep, the description nearly put me off too) to the traditional guitar sound and show how mixing genres can work. If you've been reading this blog for a while I would describe their sound a bit like Humaniser, a Manc band with an electronic influence. I got in touch with the band and thankfully Chris Goodyear, the guy behind some of the vocals, guitar and in charge of programming, got back in touch with this track, my favourite off their MySpace. Addiction moves on at a fair lick, the vocals from lead singer Rich Gill are Richard Ashcroft esq at time and it has a real fast driving song feel to it. Comments are always appreciated.

Driftrun's coming up adventures:

"30th August - weston party - an outdoor music event being put on by us featuring seven Sheffield acts including us.
2nd October - headlining mainstage at corperation
6th November - O2 academy - charity gig"

MP3: Addiction - Driftrun

Friends to the rescue!

2010-08-04T20:30:00.000+01:00

A few weeks ago I was feeling pretty bored with some of the music around at the moment, so sent out an appeal to some friends (including JAL) to recommend me some albums. Following a mini-shopping spree on Amazon, I thought I'd share three of the best with you:

XX- The XX

What's that about not judging a book by the cover? When I heard the band's name and saw the black cover, I presumed some kind of My Chemical Romance spawn, but couldn't have been more wrong. The Mercury Prize nominated three-piece from London have produced a stunning début album, with the easy 'Intro' being followed up by 'VCR' and 'Crystalised', the stand-out tracks. If I had to compare them to another group, they're soft vocals and steady beats would edge me towards Massive Attack...

Hombre Lobo - Eels

From the first few beats of this 'concept' album, you know you're back listening to Eels. The rough voice of E echoes throughout 'Prizefighter', transporting you to a car with the roof down, road-tripping across America. 'In My Dreams' follows shortly after, (with a familiar nod to to 'Mr E's Beautiful Blues), before the drum-led 'Tremendous Dynamite' claims it's crown as the lead album track.

MP3: Tremendous Dynamite - Hombre Lobo

Brothers - The Black Keys

Several albums in, and The Black Keys have broken away from being the band that makes songs for TV and Film. This is an album that gets your toes moving, as 'Everlasting Light' kicks in and instantly engages. The Bluesy two-piece are often compared to the White Stripes, but if you want a hint of The Jimi Hendrix Experience thrown in for good measure, 'She's Long Gone' will be the track for you.

Music To Wake Up To

2010-08-02T20:40:00.000+01:00

OK, so I've taken the plunge and bought myself an iPhone. Then I discovered I can't easily create ringtones AND even more importantly, I can't have Mr Burns exclaim it's 'Excellent' when I get a new text. However I have finally managed to change my Alarm so it wakes my up with The Boo Radleys and the album version of Wake Up Boo! For those of you unaware of this version it's a softly, softly approach. So if you need a megaphone to get you out of bed this probably isn't the ringtone / alarm for you.

M4R: Wake Up Boo! - The Boo Radleys

3WTM July Playlist 2010

2010-07-31T17:00:00.004+01:00

Oh yes, it's back and it's a thing of beauty. The end of month round up, the essential sync for your iPod, the food rations for your ears, iiiiiits the What's Wrong With The Mainstream playlist. Originally put together for Schonberg as a CD and then jumping on to the interweb as a blog, the playlist is designed to be downloaded as a whole, listened to several times and then pick off your favourites to add to your own playlist. Go ahead, cherry pick my beauties...

With all songs directly hosted you should be able to click the play symbol next to each song and listen to them as you download.

Stars

Releasing their fifth album Stars are no stranger to the music world but I'm not ashamed to admit I've only just been introduced to them. On this track the female vocals certainly remind me of Black Kids. The Five Ghosts is out now.

MP3: We Don't Want Your Body - Stars

Hugo

Hugo's blues sound isn't new but it's not many artists who can do it this well. We posted his cover of 99 Problems just the other day so I'd show you what he can do when he's writing. Not bad Hugo, not bad.

MP3: Bread & Butter - Hugo

Anja McCloskey

Tinker on those ivories in the right way and you've got me. Anja is from Haunted Stereo who we wrote about a while back and this is her debut release on her own. I think this is the start of something really good, come on Anja live up to your potential. We just need some nice strings now.

MP3: Ivory - Anja McCloskey

Cha-Cha

Mix the Kooks with The Virgins or Hockey and you've got Cha-Cha. That's either your thing or it isn't...

MP3: The Fellowship - Cha-Cha

Steel Train

Somehow I managed to post the wrong track when I wrote about this band. I post a different track by them. I should have actually posted this track that was the one used in the video. It's a Bullet of a pop song - can I get any more lame?

MP3: Bullet - Steel Train

The Whigs

If you bothered downloading the three tracks that The Whigs were giving away then you would agree that it's difficult to separate which one is best. I'm enjoying them all and I'll be ordering it as soon as I've finished this post. You should too.

MP3: Hundred Million - The Whigs

Jeremy Messersmith

I was drawn to this song for its cover art, not usually the way I discover music but I knew what kind of feel it would have. Folk music singing about graves, not a revelation but disappointing when it's anything else.

MP3: Organ Donor - Jeremy Messersmith

William Fitzsimmons

Raised by his two blind parents would probably make your ear more acute than the next man's, this is a remix, I don't normally post remixes but I think this is worthy of your attention. He's got a beautiful sound but this remix definitely adds to it.

MP3: So This Is Goodbye (Pink Gater Remix) - William Fitzsimmons

Hot Hot Heat

Posted earlier in the month, a freebie from the band. There are two reasons bands give tracks away i) because no one will buy it ii) because they've got a sound they think everyone should hear. I'd put this closer to number ii.

MP3: Zero Results - Hot Hot Heat

School of Seven Bells

Best song of their new album, always welcome on my iPhone.

MP3: Windstorm - School of Seven Bells

Aerial

If The Cribs were from Scandinavia

MP3: Master Vacant Dreamers - Aerial

Bishop Morocco

Having listened to the album after my previous comments, the album is closer to Joy Division than Stone Roses. For me this is the best song on the album.

MP3: Last Year's Disco Guitars - Bishop Morocco

Jubby Taylor

Sheffield product Jubby Taylor gets his acoustic guitar out and plays a cheery song about life being heavy like the weather. Add a bit of Badly Drawn Boy esq strings and you've got something.

MP3: Hell Down Here - Jubby Taylor

Paper Swords

I've probably not given their album enough chance yet to comment on it. This track stands out but is that because I already knew it. As we all know that can often be the case so all I will say is that I really like this track, I love how the drums kick in after two minutes and it has a gradual build after that, nothing much at first, an instrumental section and then, after another verse the instrumental kicks in again. The instrumental swallows you and it could go on way past its 6 minutes for me. I posted about this on the 16th of June but as I didn't do an end of month playlist for June I'm putting it in this one instead.

MP3: Winter - Paper Swords

Trances Arc

I'm still enjoying this one, I hope you are too.

MP3: Boom City - Trances Arc

The Honey Pies

The retro blues start nearly makes me skip this track, jump to 15 seconds in and I remember why I like it. You can tell I'm from the CD / download generation, no time for intros.

MP3: Sex Wax (demo) - The Honey Pies

The Knocks

This track doesn't really fit with the other tracks on this playlist and so any normal person would drop it but that's not we're about here. I like it, I think you might too. They've got some new stuff out but this is my favourite so far.

MP3: Blackout - The Knocks

The Pains of Being Pure At Heart

We've written about this lot before here and they are/were kindly giving this track away for free - it's worth having too.

MP3: Higher Than The Stars - The Pains of Being Pure At Heart

J Roddy Walston & The Business

Find of the month and Jools Holland will probably wet himself when he hears this. I don't think it will be long before they're invited on Later... The label hope they will "do a Kings of Leon", having listened to the album the only comparison I can see is on track "I Used To Did" although I think they were meaning more success wise than sound. Kings of Leon with a piano? Kind of but not really. You tell me.

MP3: Don't Break The Needle - J Roddy Walston & The Business

99 Problems - Hugo

2010-07-28T21:00:00.001+01:00

If BRMC and Kasabian did a cover together and they covered Jay-Z then it might sound a bit like this...

MP3: 99 Problems - Hugo

Sacreligious Lullaby

2010-07-26T20:00:00.002+01:00

Or so it was titled when I downloaded it. The actual name of the track is Hell Down Here and it's by Jubby Taylor. From Sheffield, Jubby was brought in to this world by a midwife with a speech impediment who introduced the baby to his parents declaring "here's chubby Taylor", "Jubby?" his parents asked and from there it stuck. Of course that is a complete lie but I wasn't supplied the song with any more information than "Sacreligious Lullaby.mp3 I thought we'd share this with you - hope you enjoy!".

The fact that Jubby is from Sheffield isn't a lie and the track is certainly worth listening to.

MP3: Hell Down Here - Jubby Taylor

Brave Man's Death - J Roddy Walston & The Business

2010-07-24T20:00:00.001+01:00

It sucks being a record promoter, well I think it must. At times you must be pushing a band you don't like, you don't believe in and they probably think the world owes them a number 1 record. I guess that's why you can't believe a thing they say. Occasionally you come across a good promoter, one that only sends you decent stuff, give you mp3s to post instead of just a link to YouTube and they introduce you to someone good who you've not heard before. Enter J Roddy Walston and the Business' promoter who is 'proud' of the album they have produced. I would be too.

Brave Man's Death has got balls, it sounds like an American band who's been on the razz with Paolo Nutini. J Roddy sounds like a man who has travelled far to get away from his roots but they've followed him everywhere and made him the man he is. The album's out in a few days time, I wouldn't be surprised if it's a slow grower in terms of chart success and then all of a sudden people will declare J Roddy Walston & The Business an overnight success.

MP3: Brave Man's Death - J Roddy Walston & The Business

Trances Arc - Boom City

2010-07-22T19:00:00.003+01:00

An excited drummer and whoa, whoas end what is an exciting rock song. It may be nothing especially new but it's enjoyable as Trances Arc take you on an interesting journey through 90s guitar and vocal sounds. The track doesn't sound old just a bit familiar, I like it. Their self released "TA" album should be a good listen.

MP3: Boom City - Trances Arc

Celebrations

2010-07-21T20:30:00.000+01:00

Happy birthday to my wonderful sister and congratulations to Billy from The World Forgot on tying the knot. I was going to post this quality song (that I grabbed off Neon Gold) at some point so I guess this is as good a reason as ever...

MP3: Confetti - 1,2,3

Taking the blog upmarket

2010-07-20T19:00:00.000+01:00

Time for a 3D TV
Watch the ad...

I'm not saying that we're normally low brow at What's Wrong With The Mainstream but I thought I'd bring a bit of classical music to your ears. This piece has been used constantly during the world cup to promote a little know brand called Sony and their 3DTVs. Money wasted if you ask me but what do I know about marketing?

MP3: Clog Dance - Peter Ludwig Hertel

Aerial - Master Vacant Dreamers

2010-07-18T20:00:00.000+01:00

When I heard this track the other day "finally" was the shout as I'd found something worth listening to in my inbox. After wading through endless number of remixes and reggae bands I was happy to hear this track from Swedish indie band Aerial.

Aerial have stated their influences amongst others as Pavement, Animal Collective and The Flaming Lips. I think they've got a bit of The Cribs about them and basically just aren't like the other pap I have to wade through. Jump to the top of the queue Aerial, you're on next...

MP3: Aerial - Master Vacant Dreamers

Friday Cover Special

2010-07-16T19:00:00.001+01:00

As it's Friday I thought I'd post a couple of covers to keep you entertained. Two of them were sent to me by Schonberg, ocassional writer (hint, hint) for What's Wrong With The Mainstream. I'd been singing the lyrics for the first one without knowing what song it was and then out of nowhere Schonberg's CD pops up and has it on. The second track I got from The World Forgot wrote about back in April. The third track is cause we all like a sing-along every now and then, after all what's wrong with the mainstream? Wait is that a question or a statement?

MP3: Enjoy The Silence - Nada Surf (Depeche Mode cover)

MP3: Kids - The Ooaks of Hazzard (MGMT cover)

MP3: Bad Romance - Lissie (Lady Gaga cover)

Fieldview Festival / OST - Promises

2010-07-14T19:00:00.003+01:00

I've been contacted by OST (Old School Tie), terrible name, can't think why they abbreviate it. Anyway, they grew up not far from Bristol and they run their own festival called Fieldview Festival. So if you're at a loose end this weekend you could pop over and see the band. They've given me Promises to stream and the b-side "Wasteland" for a free download.

"Wasteland" is a strong track for a b-side and shows the band have potential as a middle of the road guitar band. "Promises" adds to that sound, bringing an 'ambient dance' vibe to their music (their words not mine) and it works. It takes them from pub band to something more advanced, I wait with interest to hear what more they've got.

MP3: Wasteland - OST

Bishop Morocco - Last Year's Disco Guitars

2010-07-12T21:00:00.002+01:00

So we're on a roll with this whole posting thing and I think the blog might claim that it's back and properly open for business. I'm quite excited to bring you this, I think the duo have really captured a sound of the past in a track that harks back to the time of The Stone Roses. Not surprising really as they had the skills of Martin Hannett who produced Joy Division and The Stone Roses. Bishop Morocco have added a bit of their own to that sound with syths but I'd certainly be interested to hear the rest of the album - they are releasing it in the States on the 12th of September. I've asked for a copy, we'll have to see if they send it me...

MP3: Last Year's Disco Guitars - Bishop Morocco

Scoundrels

2010-07-10T20:00:00.000+01:00

My inbox is already bulging to its max and then Scoundrels' PR fills it with big names that have something to do with the band - they know Madonna's cleaner or something. Anyway they sound alright and so rather than fill my post with name checks I don't really understand I thought I'd just tell you that they're a band from London who have a bluesy feel with a slight hint of Ocean Colour Scene.

They're giving this track away, so I am too...

MP3: Just Can't See It Through - Scoundrels

Young Heretics - Risk/Loss

2010-07-08T21:00:00.001+01:00

Whatever it is that keeps making me think of Garbage (the band) when I listen to Young Heretics is not a bad thing. I'd describe them as a Garbage for 2010 but I don't think the comparison is that close. Perhaps it's just her voice but I like it and I don't tend to steer towards many female voices. To describe their sound they have piano and strings but a heavier sound too. Bones of a Rabbit (which I've been sitting on a while, sorry) sounds a bit like a track that just got missed off the Matrix soundtrack. It's a bit lighter than the tracks on the soundtrack but could equally sit beside them in another film. I might post Bones of a Rabbit if I get clearance for it (Krissy?).

They're currently touring Australia if that happens to be in your neck of the woods.

MP3: Risk/Loss - Young Heretics

School of Seven Bells

2010-07-06T19:00:00.003+01:00

There's something magical and maybe even slightly mythical about identical twins. So many people dress the same and act the same that we often forget how individual we are until we see identical twins. It's no surprise then that Alejandra and Claudia Deheza produce quite unique music, the drive for identical looking people to create something unique must be quite high. Formely in a band called On! Air! Library! they met other band member Benjamin Curtis of Secret Machines when they were all supporting Interpol. They named themselves after a mythical (there's that word again) South American pickpocket training academy. If all the above hasn't got you interested in hearing what they sound like I haven't done my job properly.

I'm lucky enough to have been sent the album to preview and I will come to that when I've given it the proper attention it deserves however you can listen to it yourselves as they are streaming it on their website now and you can preorder the album if you like it. It's out on July 13th. To give you a taster here's a quality track that I know already deserves your attention.

MP3: Windstorm - School of Seven Bells

La Roux - In For The Kill (Skream Remix)

2010-07-04T20:00:00.000+01:00

My boss talks about work all the time, he'd talk 24/7 if he could. He only reads business books and only listens to business on the radio. Don't get me wrong it's not a bad thing, his enthusiasm is great and sure makes the days flyby. It turns out he did use to have a life outside of work (he's only a few years older than me) and he liked his dance music. In fact every now and then the radio gets switched over to a music radio channel and he absorbs whatever's on.

He told me about this remix, I was not impressed and when it got to the end on YouTube I went straight to turn it off, only it hadn't finished, it was just a pause in the song. My boss then told me how La Roux had sorted this mix out especially for a gig in New York and this was to be last track played before the DJ came on. As it reached the pause before it kicked in again the DJ thought that was his cue and came straight in, the mix went to waste...

Anyway I thought you might want to witness the one and only time Dubstep makes it on to What's Wrong With The Mainstream. Well there aren't any plans for more.

MP3: La Roux - In For The Kill (Skream Remix)

Cloud Cult New Album

2010-07-02T21:30:00.000+01:00

I really should tell you about these things a bit quicker like Billy does and he posts songs, which I'm not going to do. I'm not very good am I really? I've ordered their new album though and it's a secure connection now so I don't have to worry about my credit card being cloned now (which it was last time). Anyway the money goes straight to the band rather than waiting until it comes out everywhere else in September and giving the money straight to The Man.

Jal - a retired musician?

2010-07-01T21:00:00.001+01:00

I think I might have mislead someone or some'body', either that or I'm being scammed, I can't work out which. According to guidetoartschools (dot) com I'm a retired British artish and I'm number 49 in their top 50 Rockin' Music Blogs by Real Muscians (how embarrassing it must be to be number 50). Thanks for the link Nathan but I feel like a fraud, my name's not really Jal and I'm no retired artist or am I...

Bullet by Steel Train

2010-06-30T21:20:00.001+01:00

Rick Moranis does not carry any stature in his films, always playing nerdy, geeky, vunerable characters so imagine my difficulty in taking a band serious that has Rick for their lead singer. Well, Steel Train have got his doppelgänger leading the line for them and yet I still watched more. I don't know what made me watch the video in the first place, I can't be bothered normally and usually just delete any emails that are titled "New video from....". Something kept me hooked, there's something about the quality of the video (resolution rather than creativity) and the title "Harvey's Kitchen:Steel Train" that kept me watching. I saw this quite a while ago and left it in my inbox for when I had time to share it with you. Hope it was worth it.

MP3: Bullet - Steel Train

Wave Machines

2010-06-22T21:25:00.000+01:00

While I was being slack at posting, Wave Machines were putting their best foot forward in the States and having a real go at breaking that little country across the pond. Their debut album is now out over there, they've performed at SxSW and now they're offering a free remix of Keep The Lights On. I'll be back with more soon, might be a week or so...

Nun - I Am Arrows

2010-06-20T19:00:00.000+01:00

A quick heads up for you. Check out I Am Arrows web site and get 'Nun' as a free download when you sign up to their newsletter, it's worth it...

Winter - Paper Swords

2010-06-16T21:51:00.001+01:00

TJ got in touch from Paper Swords and described his band as mainly orchestral folk-rock. That intrigued me and I was please with what I heard. Try "Winter" and see what you think. On third listen I'm thinking it's really quite something.

The Honey Pies

2010-06-13T21:56:00.000+01:00

With 739 unread emails in my inbox I'm having to pick and choose which "request for submission" I pay attention to so it's always nice to get an email from an actual band member. Visiting their site I knew I'd get on with them when I saw their tour poster (see above) it's not that it's clever or funny but it's their "if you like our music you'll find out our tour dates" attitude. Turns out they're touring in Australia which is a bit of a trek for me (I'm struggling to get in to Bristol for gigs at the moment). However I can enjoy the pleasures of their music in my own home by downloading their EP for free here (you can of course make a donation if you like).

Their music has a Pete Doherty influenced feel to it, that kind of 'retro' but at the same time 'current' sound.

MP3: Sex Wax (Demo) - The Honey Pies

The World Cup Starts Today

2010-06-11T00:01:00.002+01:00

...and of course everyone's favourite is England. Just ask the Canadians. They got their best band (no, Celine Dion hasn't put a band together) We Are Scientist to represent them in the largest tournament there is - putting a world cup song together for England. This event is bigger than Eurovision and the results are just as bad. However, so far, We Are Scientists are the clear winners. Download GOAL England from the official site, for FREE!

The Whigs - Free tracks off their new album

2010-06-08T21:28:00.000+01:00

You may remember The Whigs from the album Mission Control which I think we featured on here in the early days. It may even have been around just before we started. They had an Oasis sound to them then but listening to the tracks off their new album they seem to have a sound of their own, more manly, more towards BRMC's first album. Even better is that you can download quite a few tracks off their album. Either visit their website for Hundred / Million and the title track In The Dark or go to RCRD LBL for Dying and Kill Me Carolyne. That's four tracks, all sounding good to me.

Blackout - The Knocks

2010-06-06T18:13:00.000+01:00

This track is getting quite a lot of coverage around the blogs and got stuck in my head this morning. I keep thinking that I'm getting fed up with all this electronica and must find some decent guitar music but then one track gets stuck in my head and there's no other new music out there at the moment. Anyone else finding this? Comments please...

MP3: Blackout - The Knocks