Sharon Van Etten - "One Day"

One of my great discoveries in 2010 was New York singer-songwriter Sharon Van Etten. I caught on after the release of her second album 'Epic' in 2010 after she had released her debut 'Because I Was In Love' a year earlier. At only 32 minutes long, Epic is filler free and lives up to it's title because of quality songs rather than the quantity of them. She has such a beautiful soaring voice with the same effortless grandeur of Neko Case's... stunning, in other words. "One Day" is a pop moment on an album of heartbreak and feeling but she doesn't need our pity... she is too strong for that. You will enjoy every moment here. EPIC!


Live

Computers Want Me Dead - "Letters And Numbers"

Auckland electro-pop duo 'Computers Want Me Dead' arrived on the scene with an impressive single "We walk in circles" which went gold in NZ. Their latest single "Letters And Numbers" is just as impressive and has a video to match. They have a modern electro sound blended with a touch of retro synth. The debut album shouldn't be far away.

Braids - "Plath Heart"

Canadian band 'Braids' are continuing a trend with so many Canadian bands releasing interesting and complex music. 'Braids' singer Raphaelle Standell-Preston has a beautiful voice that takes "Plath Heart" to exceptional heights. Call it what you like... indie pop, dream-pop, experimental or avant-pop but whatever your take is, it is hard to deny it's beauty... which is truly engaging.

The Clean - "Beatnik"

My first Flying Nun purchase was the "Great Sounds Great, Good Sounds Good, So-so Sounds So-so, Bad Sounds Bad, Rotten Sounds Rotten" EP from Dunedin band 'The Clean' and that EP featured a fun organ lead song called "Beatnik" that even had a cool video... considering it was made nearly 30 years ago. David Kilgour hasn't changed much in appearance after all those years... the sunglasses are still worn constantly. These guys are the ultimate Kiwi cult band that basically created there own genre. No doubt, one of the most essential bands for me. "Is it wrong or is it right to be a Beatnik?"

Yello Featuring Shirley Bassey - "The Rhythm Divine"

Swiss band 'Yello' released their fifth album 'One Second' in 1987 and the single "The Rhythm Divine" featured Shirley Bassey on vocals... the song was written specially for her, with her voice in mind after they had approached her earlier about a collaboration. They certainly succeeded and took Shirley Bassey to a new generation... something the 'Propellerheads' continued in 1998 with their single "History Repeating" also featuring Shirley Bassey. It must be time for another collaboration.



Propellerheads - "History Repeating"

John Cooper Clarke - "Beasely Steet"

John Cooper Clarke still performs now but in the late 70's and early 80's he was the ultimate punk poet. He opened for all the punk heavyweights at that time but was well respected in his own right. John Cooper Clarke was also sometimes referred to as the bard from Salford... with hair that Ian McCulloch from 'Echo & the Bunnymen' would've been proud of. "Beasley Street" came from his 1980 album 'Snap, Crackle & Bop' and it is clear to us that the Manchester back street has a murky and sleazy story that is delivered in his unique style. The subject material may have been bleak but Thatcher's reign wasn't giving the working class much to celebrate. John Cooper Clarke's observations from those days are enlightening and entertaining.

Stateless - "Bloodstream"

Leeds band 'Stateless' released "The Bloodstream EP" in 2005 and the title track "Bloodstream" was also on their self titled debut album from 2007 as well as being released as a single to promote the album. They may be another rock/trip-hop hybrid... but they are not 'just' another rock/trip-hop hybrid. You may pick up some subtle 'Coldplay' similarities but that is not where they aim true. Being on the German dance label K7! tells us that they are more often on the trip-hop side of the ledger. As Chris James sings "You've gotten into my bloodstream" I realise that is exactly what this song does to me.