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.