So, What Are You Listening To Right Now?

Oh, I know the answer to this one!

Janelle Monáe: Neon Valley Street (Bad Boy Records, 2010)
I have checked the stats, worked out the angles and crunched the numbers. The results are in. There is precisely nothing not to love about this record. Jonelle appears to be that rare beast, an actual star. Amazing.



Alondra Bentley: Sunglasses (Absolute Beginners, 2010)
Alondra was born in England but she's lived in Spain since she was a child. How nice. I'd quite like to live in Spain, but that's mainly for the meat products, tbh. Anyway, all the songs on the CD a nice person sent to me were recorded in Cadiz, which is good, isn't it? Rather charming and romantic. Anyway, the album is lovely too. So there.

Music For a Beautiful Summer Day

Grasscut: Sorel Point (Ninja Tune, 2009)
I have a strong tendency to be be presold on stuff like this. Two blokes noodling about with acoustic guitars and folk and samplers and all that sort of thing, so I can only offer the weakest apology when I try and foist another one on you. Grasscut name Oliver Postgate and William Wordsworth among their influences and that just makes me love them even more. They are, clearly, old enough to know better too - another point in their favour. This is the last track on their new single, High Down, which is out at the end of July, but doesn't (quite) exist on the intranot yet. Literally, hello Grasscut, can we be pals?

These Three New Records Are Quite Nice

Astrid Williamson: Take My Breath Away (One Little Indian, 2009)
Astrid is just the right side of Dido-esque, Radio 2 cheeseology, She's also from the Shetland Isles, but lives in Brighton. I've listened to this track four times today already and, to be honest, I'm meant to be doing something else.

Ill Logic & Raf: Darkness at Noon (Bingo, 2009)
A pair of blokes - literally. This is refreshingly classic sounding, deeply melodic junglist business. And I like it very, very much indeed. The album - of the same name - is out middle of May and it's bloody great! No, really!

Swimming: Panthlassa (Russian Linesman mix) (Colourschool, 2009)
I know NOTHING about SWIMMInG (cUtE!), but I know what I like. And I like this a lot. Well, I like the remix a lot. What that proves, I don't know.

BONUS "OLD" RECORD POST
The Waterboys: She Tried To Hold Me (14th Floor, 2007)
This popped up out of nowhere this morning and I can't stop playing it. I love every single thing about this record.

This New Record Is Literally Quite Good

Jose Roberto Bertrami: Brilliante (Far Out Recordings, 2009)
Bertrami is a member of Azymuth. This is from a record he's just made that, and I quote, "mixes 60's soundtracks with 80's grooves", which, in reality, means it's like the sort of superbly produced test-card music that used to be played if something went tits up before The Love Boat. If I'm honest, that's my favourite music of all... More of this sort of thing here.

A Nice Record I Got In The Post Yesterday

Dan Arborise: Take Heart In Your Hope (Just Music, 2009)
I'm in a bit of a hurry, so I'll keep this short. I've been going through my post - most of it - and I'm not much taken with any of it. I have to be honest, I don't have any space in my heart left for "scratchy Josef K guitars" or "cinematic rock-scapes" or all that other nonsene. But I do have space - quite a lot of space, in fact - for someone who can write really, really good songs and sing them in a way that makes you want to listen to them Quite A Lot. Like Dan Arborise. I was listening to this (it's the "B-side" of his new "single") and thought, "He's like John Martyn playing the songs of Nick Drake." Then I went to his Myspace page and it said, "John Martyn sings the songs of Nick Drake" or something. So, amazing. Anyway. This is great. As is this, though it could do with a bit more Dan, tbh. (Let's not talk about the hair, OK?)

It's Indie-Pop O'Clock

The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart: Young Adult Friction (Fortuna Pop, 2009)
It has come to my attention that The Pains' new album is, literally, the greatest record ever made (as long as your idea of truly great records hovers around the greatest hits of The Razorcuts and very early Slowdive). It's like acid house never happened! Happily, on mornings like this one - - that combination works for me just fine. Their album doesn't really exist on the internet yet, but here's a handy Amazon link to check sometime in January (it's out in February - the one on this link is an import copy).

This New Record Is Literally Quite Good

Andrew Bird: Effigy (Bella Union, 2009)
Mr Bird is "a Chicago-based multi-instrumentalist, lyricist and whistler." He is also a writer of brilliantly mournful songs like Effigy that are a little like Leonard Cohen had the venerable Canadian gloomster spent a little less time on remote Greek islands and a little more time inside with the curtains closed watching vintage Scooby Doo reruns and listening to ancient sea shanties. If you have an un-scratched itch for twenty-one year old Momus records then, frankly, you'll love it.

Hello Old Thing, Hello New Thing: 38

Reggie Stepper: Cu-Oonh (Techniques, 1993)
I remember this record from "back" in the "day". I have strong memories of waving a beer bottle to it while trying to look nonchalant in a "fashionable" bar. That's not an easy look to master, I can assure you. Anyway, this little beauty can now be found - complete with the sort of deeply authentic crackles that only recycled vinyl Jamaican pressings can deliver - on this marvellous record that you can enjoy in your own home (raised container of "Stripe" optional).

Jesca Hoop: Murder Of Birds (acoustic) (Nettwerk, 2008)
This is one of those happy accidents where I actually played something that I'd sort of decided I didn't like (which is ridiculous). The thing I particularly like about Hoop is she is just the right side of annoyingly kooky. She's also makes interesting noises on her guitar, though I can barely believe I've just written that. But you'll see what I mean when you listen. The rest of this sort of thing is here...

This New Record Is Literally Quite Good

Avrocar: Soft Lightning (Make Mine Music, 2008)
I should probably point out that that isn't what the band Avrocar look like, that would be silly, wouldn't it? No, that's an actual Avrocar, a device which was intended to exploit the Coandă effect to provide lift and thrust from a single "turborotor" blowing exhaust out the rim (we've all been there, right?). No, this Avrocar are some English chaps who love Kraftwerk and My Bloody Valentine and Nick Drake and are - oh yes! - signed to the same label as Epic45 and July Skies. The album is rather nice too...

New Music Friday

M9: Paintbrush (Dark Matter Records, 2008)
The first time I heard this track - about an hour ago - I thought, "Jesus, this is a bit good" then played it again. Then again. Then I played the rest of the album and, oh Jesus, that's really good too. I was finding it hard to decide between this and two other tracks (Soldierz and Dark Matter), but decided to go for this as, I feel, the humble paintbrush has seen no love whatsoever from hip hop to date and, frankly, it's time for a change. Anyway, M9 is from Shepherd's Bush and he has clearly spent a lot of time chewing on the end of a pencil waiting for inspiration to strike and not a moment has been wasted as his lyrical skillz - excuse me, near 40-year-old coming through - are quite startling. As are those of Cyrus Malachi and Masikah who also appear here. Nice Wu-ish beats too... *orders another Lady Grey*

He also performs well as a public speaker...

Professional Gig Review: Bon Iver

Bon Iver played a concert in London last night. They (Bon Iver are a band now, donchaknow) were, literally, quite good. In fact, I'd go so far to say that they were, y'know, better than that. They played all the songs very well, including, to my mind, the best one. I enjoyed the nice bit where everyone* sang along and shouted a bit. They covered Talk Talk's Spirit Of Eden - great moment - and they played a new song which was so full of wall-shakingly anthemic Coldplayisms that, were I their A&R person I would be ordering the king shrimp and cocktails now and waiting for the money to come rolling in. Because it will. People love this band in a quite remarkable way.

*Everyone apart from me. I have my hack pride. Hence standing at the very back sipping mineral water and tapping the side of my "glass" instead of actually clapping (despite thinking it was all rather good). Btw, I am available for all photography jobs...

This New Record Is Literally Quite Good

HMS Ginafore & King Creosote: Quarter Inch (Fence, 2008)
And still the great Fence records keep coming. HMS Ginafore is Jennifer Gordon, assistant curator of the Anstruther Fisheries Museum which, to these ears, sounds like one of the all-time great jobs of all time. Anyway, this record is very brief - less than two minutes, stopwatch owners - and very, very lovely. If you can make out what HMS G is singing then, please, let me know. I get, "There is not one quarter inch of you I would not wish to charm..." then it all gets a bit misty. But that's OK - I kind of like misty. Anyway - this wonderful album is out in November. It doesn't exist on the intersquizz yet, but check here for "news"...

Hello Old Thing, Hello New Thing: 34

Sir Victor Uwaifo: Idogo Ekassa 42 (Phillips, 1974)
From Wikipedia: "Uwaifo's hobbies include swimming, bodybuilding, gaming, reading, writing, and bringing up children in the fear of God so that they will not depart from God when they grow up." Now that is more like it. I have been playing the album this track comes from almost non-stop since it arrived on my desk a few weeks ago. This is an absolutely brilliant record, so tight it's falling apart loose and warm like actual sunshine. A colleague of mine has suggested that this might be the greatest record ever made which is quite out of character for him. True tho'. Something of a showman too (Uwaifo, not colleague).

Dousk: Ass, Table And The Stick (Klik Records, 2008)
Since we're in a dancing mood... I know nothing about Dousk but I know what I like and I like this silk-hipped little number. I've been trying to work out whether the title is actually rude or just suggestive of beng rude and, after much work, I think it's the latter. Of course, there is the bit at the end where all the words get chopped up and it goes a bit mentalist and then, admittedly, it becomes a trifle more saucemongous. But it's still OK for kids parties (don't quote me on this).

*Rallies A Little*

The Apples: Debil's Dream (Freestyle Records, 2008)
The Apples are a 9-piece jazz-funk band from Israel. This is a great, great record. You can - ahem - source more of their stuff here...

Hello Old Thing, Hello New Thing: 32

Bud Shank: All This And Heaven Too (Capitol, 1956)
Yes, I know, it's a jazz record. Sorry about that. However, this is a lovely record, a proper slice of button-down, suits 'n' sneakers, west coast cocktail-hour loveliness from the days when rock and roll only just existed and was, clearly, destined to die on its bony arse within months anyway. There's lots more of this sort of caper here.


Sigur Ros: Fljótavík (EMI, 2008)
I'm not the world's biggest fan of Sigur Ros by any stretch of the imagination. I reviewed them live once when they were third on the bill to a bunch of really rubbish indie groups. They were very good (I can't recall if my original review was this in-depth), but our paths have only crossed a few time since. They tend to be one of those bands whose biggest fans sort of put off everyone else, but, woteva, this choon is, literally, nice. There is a chance I might get lined up against the wall and shot by an angry and vituperative EMI for posting this, so I should probably point you here and say that this recording is available in all good record stores - and a whole heap of crappy ones - in just under three weeks. Oh yes.

Hello Old Thing, Hello New Thing: 27

Tintern Abbey: Vacuum Cleaner (Deram, 1967)
There is, literally, nothing not to like about this. For one, it has a great intro. For another, it has that super-heavy bass meets knitting-needle drums that just sounds better and better the more you turn it up. For a third, it features the lyric, "Fix me up with your sweet dose, now I feel like a ghost" which is, actually, quite profound. And, finally, it has an amazing backwards guitar solo that only just fits into the space they've left for it. This is the B-Side of the only single they ever recorded. I stole it from here.

Kashmere: The Genesis (YNR Productions, 2008)
Finding this in the pile was one of the moments that make opening your post worthwhile. In among the crapola indie bands and, I kid you not, lesbian blues duos, was Kashmere a British hip hop artist who has what scientists call The Whole Package. He writes brilliant lyrics, has a great voice, he looks good and has the sort of production thump that makes your windows fall out. So, for all those reasons, I hope you'll forgive the Don't Bootleg This CD! alerts that are dropped all over this track. I suppose I shouldn't have stolen it. Sorry, Kashmere.

New Music Tuesday

July Skies: Waiting For The Test Card (MakeMineMusic, 2008)
The Skies are label-mates of, literally, the all-time greatest group of all time, epic45. This, naturally, gives them a huge leg-up in the interest stakes, at least from my point of view. Indeed, epic45 are on the record alongside Antony Harding who is, I discover, from Birmingham. This record is truly lovely: less folky and more abstract than Ver 'Pics, this is closer to something like The Pearl. It's my new Official Head Of Aural Relaxers and, let's be honest here, how can you not love a track called Waiting For The Test Card?

Hello Old Thing, Hello New Thing: 26

Betty Harris: I'll Be A Liar (Jubilee, 1963)
Is that a great publicity picture or what? I found this little beauty on a Bert Berns compilation that played so well in the office that each one of us stood up to mull over the track-listing at some point or other. My favourite was definitely Betty's track which seems to squeeze country, soul, doo-wop, blues and gospel into two minutes and fifty-nine seconds of wonderfulness. Betty's theme is that lying might well be wrong, but her man's loving "is, oh, so strong" that she just can't help herself. "If a lie brings your lips a little closer," she hollers, "then I guess I'll be a liar for the rest of my life..." That's romance for you, isn't it?

Bon Iver: Re: Stacks (4AD, 2008)
This is just flaming lovely. I remember reading something about this a week or so ago and thinking, that sounds right up my street, I must get my hands on one. Then, today, I opened the post and there it was. Literally, hooray. So, Bon is from what I imagine are the frozen wastes of North Wisconsin. If anyone reading is currently sat in their North Wisonsin garden drinking a pink gin and wearing shorts and sunglasses then I apologise. Bon plays guitar and sings, but he dresses it all up in this incredible ambience. His voice in amazing, a falsetto ache up there with Antony out of The Johnsons. If you have any sense you will like Bon's new record very much indeed.

Free Music Thursday

Amplive is a hip hop producer from San Francisco who has - after a bit of legal jiggery-pokery - put his remixes and reimaginings of Radiohead's In Rainbows album on - literally - the intranot. Lots of detail about it here. If you have as low an attention span as I do, then just jump straight to it here.

I Happen To Like This A Lot

Sea Wolf: The Garden That You Planted (Dangerbird, 2008)
I am currently ploughing through a huge pile of new CDs. I have to admit that the majority of them are twaddle (before I forget, you must read this, it's the best book about the lunacy at the heart of the music industry I've ever read). But there was something about Sea Wolf that I liked immediately. For those in a hurry, they have an air of Beck, Bonnie "Prince" Billy, even Echo & The Bunnymen about them. Great song. I stole it wholesale from this, which is very nice indeed...