mp3hugger

My Sad Captains - Great Expectations

2010-03-18T22:38:00.003Z

Ah so cute and mildly surprising that they’ve sprung from Camden. Imagine they’d have been beaten up back when Britpop was at full throttle but then they could have just as easily hung out with Blur. This is the opening track from My Sad Captains debut and sounds like a cross between Luna and Apples In Stereo. Ultimately though it should easily assumes staple status on the most pristine indie pop jukebox known to geek. Warm melodies abound, we all clap in unison at the chorus and reach for the soft spectacle cloth when we fog up rendering even timid hip shaking manoeuvres deathtrap like potentiality. KD

My Sad Captains - Great Expectations

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: My Sad Captains
Year: 2009

In Motion - Until My Dreams Come True

2010-03-17T11:05:00.005Z

Ah the big bowl of shamrock arrives and I’m slightly relieved because after a week of local acts I think the well may be well and truly dry. To finish on an imperious high here is a track from In Motion’s ‘The Language of Everyday Life’. This is in our top 3 Irish albums of all time so you can imagine the goosebumps when we got to re-release in on Indiecater just last year after a decade long slumber. This is a piece of work that never fails to bring out my tearful side because it is at once so sad yet utterly redemptive. I've had this track as my ringtone since I first got a mobile that could handle such things. Beannacht Lá Fhéile Pádraig. KD

In Motion - Until My Dreams Come True

More Info: Official
Buy Songs: In Motion
Year: 1994 & 2009

The Foamboy Deluxe Arkestra - Honestly

2010-03-16T22:09:00.003Z

Oh how totally abstract, some Irish music for an alternative Paddy’s eve. Nope, there’s not a fiddle in sight and for much of ‘Honest’ Foamboy mainman Geoff Topley sounds like he’s up to his neck in binary theorems masquerading as alien abductors. Topley is based in Portadown and spends his time flitting between about half a dozen musical projects that are unlikely to ever trouble the charts. That said his Foamboy Deluxe Arkestra peddles fine tunes which are almost to a man partially hidden in a salmagundi of ethereal backdrops. KD

The Foamboy Deluxe Arkestra - Honestly

More Info: Official
Buy Songs: The Foamboy Deluxe Arkestra
Year: 2008

8ball - Fear I'm Falling

2010-03-15T21:23:00.007Z

I’d imagine they couldn’t care less what I think given that we’re not talking anymore but from this chair 8ball remain one of our brightest lights especially when they wallow in sweet electronica. ‘The Big Blue’, ‘The Whoop Whoop Song’ and ‘Fear I’m Falling’ came out prior to their largely disappointing second venture of last year but the evidence points to beings of higher sonic capability. The latter presents vocals as superficial asides with clouds of wispy melodies dispersing and reforming in increasingly elegant patterns. It could almost be Death In Vegas circa their most successful album ‘The Contino Sessions’. KD

8ball - Fear I'm Falling

More Info: Official
Buy Songs: 8ball
Year: 2005

Kowalski - Phil Kansas

2010-03-14T19:16:00.007Z

Bangor, population 50,000, sporting not one but 2 of the coolest new bands on the island. Everyone is getting to know Two Door Cinema Club but Kowalski should be running them close soon. This is as good as I’ve heard from the 4-piece; it’s taken from a 2008 compilation called the Oh Yeah Sessions, a lo-fi jangle pop affair that’ll appeal to Sarah Records aficionados. It’s pretty delightful, from the xylophone to the boy/girl vocal interactions. The band are about to release their second EP so here’s hoping something good will work out for them. KD

Kowalski - Phil Kansas

More Info: Official
Year: 2008

Sacred Animals - Chosen Seed

2010-03-13T08:39:00.003Z

He’s back but travels incognito until the time is right to take off the dark shades. What went before promised much but then what is emerging could be even better. Sacred Animals discography consists of 3 demo songs (a 4th is in the offing) which can be consumed for free over here. ‘Chosen Seed’ is the pick of the bunch, a gentle piece of melancholy that belongs at the table from which the angels dine. Bolstered by a small orchestra this could be epic in its sweep. The seas may yet realign. KD

Sacred Animals - Chosen Seed

More Info: Official & Myspace
Year: 2010

Hunter-Gatherer - Left For Dead

2010-03-12T20:14:00.005Z

Orbital remain the benchmark for thoughtful bleepages down our way. They were purveyors of albums with songs that only truly came alive in the context of their siblings. And that very thought struck me as I sat through Hunter-Gatherer’s debut long player ‘I Dreamed I Was A Footstep In The Trail Of A Murderer’. To look at it one way this could just be a collection of indistinct ambient asides but a bit of careful nurturing reveals a cerebral artist reinventing snivilisation. And the rewards are worth hanging in there for because although they never sound calculated the ideas always seem to add up. I keep returning to ‘Left For Dead’ because it was the one that initially intrigued. The kernel of the tune sports a recurring melody that softly gnaws until you relent, after which it never fails to outlast its welcome. Hunter-Gatherer is at present writing the Serbian entry for our World Cup compilation. KD

~~Hunter-Gatherer - Left For Dead~~

More Info: Official
Buy Songs: Hunter-Gatherer
Year: 2009

Adrian Crowley - The Wishing Seat

2010-03-11T14:20:00.005Z

Organising anything in this country is generally a recipe for thanklessness. Once you get past the begrudgers and naysayers you’ve got to deal with a whole heap of apathy. I’ve limited experience of the subject but my toes are unlikely to dip into said murky waters until I at least grow some balls. So I have genuine respect for the folks behind the Choice Music Awards. What it lacks in a clear mission statement it more than makes up in pushing a clutch of near unknowns towards that fabled spotlight. And the award has certainly stepped up to the plate the last 2 years as Jape and this year’s winner Adrian Crowley were deserving winners. The 10 grand prize money should keep the latter in fisherman caps for the foreseeable future but if ever a singer deserved some recognition it is he. Despite a string of wonderful albums Crowley’s profile at home is virtually non-existent and this in a country that affords legendary status to a never-ending list of workaday troubadours. The Barna man has a cushion soft vocal delivery and the atmospheric musicianship makes a combination that can often be heartbreaking. ‘Season of The Sparks’ may not be his best work but it supplies all the necessary Crowley moments to ensure you’ll delve further. Here’s ‘The Wishing Seat’, cheer up now. KD

~~Adrian Crowley - The Wishing Seat~~

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: Adrian Crowley
Year: 2009

Low Sea - Alex

2010-03-10T19:24:00.004Z

This has the be the best vocal via a metro loudspeaker since that sweetie decided it was a good idea on ‘Fade To Grey’. It's taken from Galway’s Low Sea’s debut LP ‘Las Olas’, an album that has already been feted by those Sound Team slayers. We've been on the duo's case for a while now so ‘Alex’ comes as a major twist in what we thought they were about. Low Sea normally frontload their tunes with shoegazing chords but this one goes a lot more in the direction of the Paris Angels (remember their perfumed numbers?). The effect establishes a lighter tone but an altogether more fluid dreamscape that should broaden the band's appeal. With the risk of being labelled a toasted heretic I now declare Low Sea the West’s most treasured bullion. KD

~~Low Sea - Alex~~

More Info: Official
Buy Songs: Low Sea
Year: 2010

Not Squares - Asylum

2010-03-09T19:22:00.003Z

Threadbare it might be but when did that ever stand in the way of control. It really clicked as I went about my daily afternoon jaunt and the acrobatic bass and coordinated yelps perfectly synchronised with a roadside jackhammer. It always strikes me as odd when such sonic marriages occur but for ‘Asylum’ it also led to some major fog clearance. The kinetic energy within Belfast act Not Squares is apparent, a sort of freewheeling attack on the senses where the individual parts are pushed to the limits of their capability. No gloss is required and for that we should be thankful. Top marks so, but please lads lots more cowbell next time round.KD

~~Not Squares - Asylum~~

More Info: Myspace
Buy Songs: Not Squares
Year: 2010

Yeti Lane - Twice (Team Ghost Mix)

2010-03-08T21:28:00.005Z

Sports a singular vision this one and reaches the promised land with consummate ease. First the associated factoids, Yeti Lane is in fact Cyann & Ben in disguise and Team Ghost who provides the decorative extras is Nicolas Fromageau (once of M83). Now that you’ve got the coordinates out of the way we can all sit back and admire this Stereolabtastic couple of minutes (em, they are all French too which makes it even more credible). Repetitive fuzzed up belters always go down well at hugger manor and the risks attaching to such a wall of sound at 10 on the volumeter is more than balanced by our wide grubby grins. Yep, wiggling was made for 4 minutes like this. KD

~~Yeti Lane - Twice (Team Ghost Mix)~~

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: Yeti Lane
Year: 2010

Mark Linkous RIP

2010-03-07T20:14:00.003Z

Just heard the very sad news that Mark Linkous of Sparklehorse has passed away. Such a major loss, he was an undoubted genius. ‘Hammering The Cramps’ is one of my all time favs but I can’t think of anything more beautiful than this track to honour him this evening. KD

~~Sparklehorse - Some Sweet Day~~

She Sir - Golden Ways

2010-03-04T22:40:00.008Z

She Sir were just made for me, they create that early 90’s sound through a finely tuned dreampop/shoegaze lens. It kinda makes me sad when I listen to them even if I am also truly elated (funny isn’t it, happens with all my favourite bands, the way Grandaddy used to do). Their second LP (and it truly is this time as it is available on vinyl) came out last month and the half I’ve heard is a touchstone for long lost floppy fringes. ‘Golden Ways’ is the one that cuts the deepest with vocals that are lyrically out of reach and MBV guitars rarely troubling the fog of noise that surround them. Yep, I’m in love and not even my wife or young baby will distract me from this beauty. KD

~~She Sir - Golden Ways~~

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: She Sir
Year: 2010

The Ruby Tailights - High & Low

2010-03-03T21:52:00.007Z

Where once stood Sunbear there then crouched the Ruby Tailights. The worrying word on the streets of Dublin are that the latter have ceased to exist. Would seem a thorough shame given the tunes that they have cooped up on their hard drives (with ‘High & Low’ being a prime example). They’ll probably hate me for making this public but this is just an attempt from a fan to get it in their thick skulls that a world without them is far less tempting. ‘High & Low’ is quite obviously still in a state of demo undress but boy is it appealing. It takes a real talent to cast such a melodic shadow and the Rubies still have it spades years after they were lauded from a stage by none other than Mr Sonic Youth. I can see a facebook group being formed as I write this, or at the very least a virtual punch from Martin. KD

~~The Ruby Tailights - High & Low~~

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: The Ruby Tailights
Year: 2010

Emily Jane White - Liza

2010-03-02T22:38:00.004Z

Emily Jane White, where have you been all my life? That's what I pondered as this epic hushfest reached its conclusion in the most dramatic of ways. These days it takes something really special to whip me into repeat play frenzy but ‘Liza’ affords so much scope for pleasure it's easy to become dependant on its charms. And for all that it takes a little while for the gem to warm, initially the meloncholic vocals while lovely do nothing but caress. As the seconds tick by however the song starts to colour so vibrantly it may just steal your breath away. ‘Liza’ is taken from Ms. White’s forthcoming release ‘Victorian America’ and I for one am feverishly awaiting its arrival. KD

~~Emily Jane White - Liza~~

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: Emily Jane White
Year: 2010

Electric President - Safe And Sound

2010-03-01T21:35:00.003Z

You know what you are going to get with Electric President duo Ben Cooper and Alex Kane. That being universally heartfelt, well constructed, electro founded indie pop music. Cooper also hosts a sideshow called Radical Face, which in itself elicits giant grins within my household. But for today we’re back to the day job and more specifically Jacksonville’s finest LP so far this year. It’s called ‘The Violent Blue’ and despite the title is as soft as an administrators grip. ‘Safe and Sound’ even goes so far as positioning itself as a clap happy friends around a campfire jamboree (even if the lyrics are altogether less wholesome). We need more songs of its ilk to banish this winter of discontents icy grip. KD

~~Electric President - Safe And Sound~~

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: Electric President
Year: 2010

Inu - Captured

2010-02-28T21:42:00.005Z

Inu are a collective taken from disparate parts of the music industry. They sport impressive CV’s but it reads a bit hifalutin to me. The positive is how good the music they make is, polished no doubt but with a notable allure. ‘Captured’ was the final track on their debut EP ‘Monsters’ from late last year and makes like the best closing numbers in its epic reach. In fact I’m sure someday soon a thousand eastern factories will be going 24-hours to manufacture the cigarette lighters required for the bands world tour to push their upcoming LP. These dogs are cute in more ways than one. KD

~~Inu - Captured~~

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: Inu
Year: 2009

Downdime - Lessons

2010-02-27T21:29:00.005Z

Maybe it’s because I’m stuck in this internet vortex but I can’t for the life of me remember a time like now when so few good English bands were generating a lasting impression. So when I happen upon a notable group from that neck of the woods it is a lovely reminder of the halcyon days when we looked left rather than right for our kicks. Leeds’ Downtime are signed to the Ian Brown dissed Squirrel Records and released a short indie pop album sometime last year. It was blessed with precious nuggets at every turn, none more so than ‘Lessons’ with its slightly fuzzed but utterly dreamy outlook. The album ‘Knowing Too Much’ proves that there’s life in the old bulldog yet. KD

~~Downdime - Lessons~~

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: Downdime
Year: 2009

The Ambience Affair - Lost At The Start

2010-02-27T09:03:00.004Z

Enter the underground seam that has been tunnelled so expertly by the Ambience Affair. A space so vivid in its use of space, acoustics and imagination but one where the prevailing sense is of love's scorn. The feeling that things should have been so perfect but somehow ended up less so. It's hard to imagine how any of us mere mortals could etch the sonic for such a drama but in the hands of Jamie and Marc it becomes effortless. 'Lost At The Start' is the most startling track from their second EP 'Patterns' which has just be digitally released on our very own label Indiecater. The band are growing and fragile things are beginning to sound altogether more muscular. They'll leave the comfort of the seam soon and all the world will have no choice but to cave in to their charms.KD

~~The Ambience Affair - Lost At The Start~~

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: The Ambience Affair
Year: 2010

Hanoi Janes - Across The Sea

2010-02-25T12:21:00.004Z

A quartet from Germany with their sights on the Go! Team Hanoi Janes get full marks for creating genuine retro. ‘Across The Sea’ was released on genuine 7” whale blubber, fizzed and fuzzed like something recorded in a back street basement and is bedecked in all the hallmarks of a classic sixties single. Pretty spectacular I think you’ll agree, given that it takes some talent to reconvene a classic sound and something even more impressive to include an effervescent tune while you are at it. This may even appeal to audiophiles normally appalled at the muddiness of a tune like this. This year's junior kickstarts for sure. KD

~~Hanoi Janes - Across The Sea~~

More Info: Official
Buy Songs: Hanoi Janes
Year: 2009

Moscow Olympics - No Winter, No Autumn

2010-02-22T21:22:00.004Z

Really holding a torch for this Filipino act who delve in the sort of classic jangle pop that we’d feature every day if there was enough good takes of it around. Moscow Olympics have been seen in all the right places (label wise) so you’ll not be alone in being swept away by their sweetness. ‘No Winter, No Autumn’ also has the distinction of finding itself on Rough Trade’s Indiepop Sampler from last year. The propulsive chime of the chords is one thing but when there’s ample fey boy vocals thrown into the bargain you know there was only ever going be one outcome. Adidas should really make a retro trainer and have this for the marketing campaign. KD

~~Moscow Olympics - No Winter, No Autumn~~

More Info: Myspace
Buy Songs: Moscow Olympics
Year: 2009

Christian Marsac - L'Amour Conjugé

2010-02-21T20:31:00.004Z

* pEtEr kAy - DiStIlLeD uNfUnNiNeSs
* FlOrEnCe AnD tHe MaChInE - nEw PoStEr GiRl FoR tHe AuRaLlY mIsGuIdEd
* TaKeAwAy CoFfEe – An AdMiSsIoN oF wIdE bOtToMhOoD

KD

~~Christian Marsac - L'Amour Conjugé~~

More Info: Official

Thunder Power - (Why Don't You Go) Take A Hike?

2010-02-21T09:14:00.009Z

Wherein a more appropriate name could have been Puppy Power but who are we to argue with such conflicting signals. And anyway when the music spirits forward with such twee pop glee the only dignified response is to clap along in time. Thunder Power come from Omaha and produced a debut EP called ‘Love Yourself’ in 2008 and quite like a drawer full of colourful socks it is a glorious jumble of small diversions. ‘(Why Don't You Go) Take a Hike?’ appropriates Belle before she met Sebastian, the melodies are there but they come hitched with a genuine sense of wide-eyed spontaneity. As you can probably gather we’re quite taken by it, even if it’s unlikely to be on the turntable the next time the lads call around for football. KD

~~Thunder Power - (Why Don't You Go) Take A Hike?~~

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: Thunder Power
Year: 2008

Tracey Thorn - Oh, The Divorces!

2010-02-18T23:02:00.007Z

Everything But The Girl may have been amongst the wettest duo’s of the 1990’s but to their credit were savvy enough to orchestrate a screamadelica like about turn when a remix of one of their tracks ‘Missing’ became a huge hit in 1994. Respect but the consistent nag that they could easily slip back into syrupy self-indulgence never went away. So it came as a bit of a surprise when I fell so madly in love with a track from (one half of EBTG) Tracey Thorn’s third solo album ‘Love And Its Opposites’ (due in May). ‘Oh, The Divorces!’ is expertly constructed but the most pleasing aspect is the strength of the tune. That and the fact that Thorn has shorn the piece of production effluent, this is stripped back and effortless. A wonderful tune from a late bloomer (for these ears at least). KD

~~Tracey Thorn - Oh, The Divorces!~~

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: Tracey Thorn
Year: 2010

Chapterhouse - Pearl

2010-02-17T20:24:00.005Z

That Tears Run Rings tune of last night has definitely set me off on a shoegaze buzz. Jumping in the delorean back to the time when floppy fringes, copious on-stage fog and dangerously wide flares were de-rigour we come across a band of young chaps from Reading. Chapterhouse released just one album of real cop but what a piece of work it was. 1991’s ‘Whirlpool’ could up to recently be picked up on ebay if you have a few hundred lying around and it’s easy to see why when you clasp ears on the majesty of its lead single ‘Pearl’. This is shoegaze so perfectly executed its no wonder Slowdive’s Rachel Goswell stepped in to provide a hand on vocals. Not many things on earth are this beautiful. KD

~~Chapterhouse - Pearl~~

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: Chapterhouse
Year: 1991