Attic Lights - "Say You Love Me"

Attic Lights are a Scottish indie rock band. Their sound is often described as Power pop, and while I can't really disagree, on "Say You Love Me" it is 70% power and 30% pop. "Say You Love Me" is from their second album 'Super De Luxe' released earlier this year. If they were previously unknown to you - then today is your lucky day.

The Shangri-Las - "Past, Present And Future"

The Shangri-Las may be remembered for the epic teenage tragedy hit "Leader of the Pack" but they released something in 1966 that was probably regarded as unique. However, as unique as it was, it has an air of simplicity about it. It is no more than a spoken word, or monologue, over Beethoven's 'Moonlight Sonata.' It is the state of mind of the protagonist that gives "Past, Present And Future" its strength. The past was obviously distressing, while the present seems slightly more positive, but with baggage, and the future seems bleak. For Shangri-Las fans, this must've been so unexpected at the time.

Jen Kirkman - My opinion on teenagers.

With this America's Cup gloom starting to take effect after ruining the last five or so mornings. Some cheering up is required.

Transistors - "Your Life Could Be So Easy"

"Your Life Could Be So Easy" is from the Transistors' second album 'Is This Anything?' released recently on the Arch Hill label. They are a power-pop, indie-punk trio - but on "Your Life Could Be So Easy" you can't deny the similarities with the Flying Nun bands like Straitjacket Fits and The Clean. Yes, this is something!

The Smiths - "Some Girls Are Bigger Than Others"

Morrissey's long awaited autobiography is to be published soon and there may be some interesting revelations. But one mystery that won't be solved is this... what the hell was he thinking when he presented the lyrics of "Some Girls Are Bigger Than Others" to Johnny Marr, during such a fruitful period of jangle guitar tunes that Johnny Marr was penning. Although it didn't ruin the album 'The Queen is Dead,' which is my favourite album of all time (tied with Bob Dylan's 'Highway 61 Revisited'), it gave the album a bit of a 'WTF' moment.

Daughter - "Youth"

London indie-pop band Daughter eventually released their debut album 'If You Leave' earlier this year, after a few EPs that attracted the attention and the anticipation for the album. On the single "Youth" Elena Tonra sings about heartbreak, bitterness and despair... but the problem I have is that it sounds so fucking good. I want to feel your pain, I do, but I just hear sweetness.

Frank LoCrasto - "Simple Times"

Frank LoCrasto is a New York based multi-instrumentalist and you could probably say his music is multi-genre. Going by the tags he has placed on his bandcamp page to describe his music.... '50's 60's ambient americana brazilian instrumental lo-fi stride surf tape western,' you kind of get the idea. I could actually add a few to that list as well. His second album 'El Dorado' was released in 2011 and the opening track "Simple Times" sets the tone perfectly. The album was released by a cool little record label called 'Hundred Pockets Records' and they got their name from a Friedrich Nietzsche quote "when one has much to fill them with, a day has a hundred pockets". So discovering Frank LoCrasto and the record label at the same time, that is two pockets nicely filled.

The Naked And Famous - "Hearts Like Ours"

"Hearts Like Ours" is the first single from The Naked And Famous' recently released album 'In Rolling Waves' - the follow up to their successful debut album 'Passive Me, Aggressive You' from 2010. They seem to be much more indie pop on "Hearts Like Ours" and less synth-pop... a move that was based on a preference to play live without backing tracks. "Hearts Like Ours" is an achingly catchy song that may hang around in your head for a long period of time.

KENNA "RELATIONS"

Forget twerking - this is much more fun.

CocoRosie - "Tearz for Animals"

CocoRosie recently released their fifth album 'Tales of a Grass Widow' and if you want my opinion, which could be somewhat biased - based on a long time obsession, it is an amazing album. There are so many songs that may end up on this blog, but let's concentrate on only one right now. "Tearz for Animals" features Antony Hegarty on vocals, along with Bianca Casady's sweet childlike singing voice and her sister Sierra's more classical vocal style, providing us with a song full of character. Do you have love for human-kind? You sure will after you listen to this.




Here is a fantastic live version.......

Pandora - Cocteau Twins

Speaking of Pandora (a couple of posts back), the Cocteau Twins also sang about a Pandora in the 80's. However, it sure wasn't about the girlfriend of Adrian Mole. "Pandora" was from the Cocteau Twins' third album 'Treasure'- an album that was the template for their sound thereafter. They were as unique as you could get, even in a period when the indie scene was ever changing and developing quickly from the punk roots. Maybe only Sigur Ros' Jonsi would bear comparison to Elizabeth Fraser's ethereal and cathedral style of singing... they even share the made-up language similarities. A real Treasure.

Moby - "The Perfect Life (with Wayne Coyne)"

Who would of guessed this pairing.... turns out Moby and Wayne Coyne are friends, after meeting when Moby and The Flaming Lips were both opening for the Red Hot Chili Peppers back in the mid 90's. From Moby's forthcoming 'Innocents' album, "The Perfect Life" is the anthem that all other anthems envy. It may be a Moby song with Wayne Coyne helping out, but it feels more like Moby has just walked into Flaming Lips-land. I feel spring in the air.

Ian Dury - "Profoundly In Love With Pandora"

For anyone who read Sue Townsend's book 'The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole 13 3/4' in the 80's was probably a fan of the TV series as well. If you missed it, grab the book now - you are guaranteed some laugh out loud moments. The theme song "Profoundly In Love With Pandora" by Ian Dury, was the icing on the cake. In fact, I couldn't think of a more suitable artist than Ian Dury.

Grandaddy - "Miner At The Dial - A - View"

With all the International spying allegations and our own Government Communications Security Bureau changes, just remember it wasn't that long ago when something like the dial-a-view was your best chance of spying on someone.

The Rolling Stones - "Monkey Man"

For us that didn't get to experience the Stones at their peak, we didn't miss too much because the records were always there anyway - but because my mates and I discovered their back catalogue retrospectively and at different levels, we all had favourite songs that seemed to differ from each other. However, there was one song that was universally loved and that was "Monkey Man" from 'Let It Bleed.'

Bad Bad Hats - "Super American"

Never judge a band by their name. Bad Bad Hats isn't the greatest band name but obviously it's the music that matters and that is where they redeem themselves. Their EP 'It Hurts' is fucking fantastic - I can't emphasise it any more than that. The highlight is "Super American" which is getting plenty of airplay on Bitter FM and is quickly becoming another obsession. Put on the headphones and bliss out.