Involuntary & Rapid Actions

Debuts

It's only January and there's already been a burst of good albums coming out - especially debuts. Vampire Weekend and These New Puritans are just a couple.

Vampire Weekend

Who Gives A Fuck About An Oxford Comma? Something I've never really thought about until listening to the debut album from Vampire Weekend. But it's very true, no? These guys have been bubbling on the surface of recognition for a few months now, but should hopefully get noticed with their catchy, vintage style music. Hang on a minute, they sound a little like The Coral...ignore that I don't want to put you off.

The New Yorkers have so far gained recognition on the blog boom, and have made their mark with a musical style harbouring hints of Western and African influences, resulting in a Soweto-Punk fusion. There's definite notes of Paul Simon in 'Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa' and 'M79'. Key singles from the album to watch out for are 'Mansard Roof' and 'A Punk'.

Check out 'One (Blake's Got A New Face)'

Download 08_one_blakes_got_a_new_face.mp3

These New Puritans

These New Puritans are growing on me (but at a very slow pace). It could be because they're not yet a good live band, but on paper and on record they've got some good ideas. Mainly using vocals as part of the musical landscape rather than as it's own entity layered over the music (espcecially in 'En Papier'). At first the simplicity of the lyrics seemed quite amateur, but after a few listens it seems a deliberate technique to focus more on the music.

Their debut album 'Beat Pyramid' is a crashy, distorted, craze-fest filled with angst, especially in tracks like 'Swords of Truth' and 'C 16th'.

Take a listen to their lead single 'Numbers (AKA Numerlogy)'

Download 02_numerology_aka_numbers.mp3

Building up for a fall...?

So the music industry is full swing with championing new female singer songwriters from our very own shores of the UK. We've already seen success over the past two years from Amy Winehouse, Lily Allen and Kate Nash, now cue Adele Adkins. With a couldn't-care-less teenage attitude, strong voice and fashionable image she's got the makings to be one of 2008's spotlight stars - with a gentle nudge in the right direction of course. She's got a whole lot to look forward to like gigging, interviews, TV appearances, fashion promotions, and social events where she'll be the centre of attention for all the vulture-like red-top tabloids and magazines - what fun!

Her debut album '19' (XL) has been well produced by Jim Abbiss (producer of Arctic Monkeys debut 'Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not'), and with simple R&B melodies sung with ease it's no wonder Adele has been likened to Amy Winehouse. And not only that, the track 'Cold Shoulder' has been produced by none other than Mark Ronson (who's had his hand in boosting the musical careers of Lily and Amy). Yes she has appeal, but the problem is that her name is being so adamantly integrated into our lives, that one wants to avoid listening to more of her music.

So if you can't handle listening to the whole of '19' because you're worried you might permantly have images of continuous concrete slabs, then just try the song 'Tired'.

Download 11_tired.mp3

A Touch Too Much?

Well, no not really. Hot Chip's new album (out on Febrary 4th) is a faithful mixture of chaotic beats, signature gliches but with much more soul than before, or at least compared to it's predecessor 'The Warning'. The guys have been testing out tracks from 'Made In The Dark' at live shows for the past few months, and I posted the brilliant 'Shake A Fist' when the notion of Hot Chip recording new material for an album was just the twinkle of an eye.

Listening to 'Made In The Dark' feels as though they've leaned towards the concept album, (yes it does still exist), with the sense of following a beginning of a relationship build and grow from an awkward disposition to something, settled and, in essence, romantic. Though there are the occasional tracks that stand out from this theme (like 'Wrestlers' and 'Hold On'), creating a shift between soul to manic rhythms and random lyrics, thus breaking it up enough to not feel too sappy. In my view the album would have done better were it not for the whimper of a closer like 'In The Privacy Of Our Love'. It just feels a bit much for Hot Chip. Instead enjoy a track that sits nicely in the middle.

'Touch Too Much'

Download 06_touch_too_much.mp3

Do You Like Rock Music?

So the new album from British Sea Power is out and their leading single 'Waving Flags' is being well received by fans and radio at the moment. 'Do You Like Rock Music' (Rough Trade) is their third studio album, and includes much the same angular indie guitar led music, if not a little more anthemic than before.

The guys have clearly thought about the release of the album, and especially 'Waving Flags' as it is perfect timing to integrate into the mainstream in time for the summer. The song may be a celebration of welcoming European expansion (in particular the Czech Republic), but what's more interesting is their impeccable timing. Summer hosts a hoard of festivals, (of which it wouldn't seem out of place if B.S.P were to be added to the line up for Latitude, Connect, Isle of White or Glastonbury), and you can imagine the atmosphere when the opening strings of 'Waving Flags' begins...very apt don't you think?

'Do You Like Rock Music' is a powerful listen, and you should check out 'Down On The Ground', 'Atom' and definitely 'No Lucifer', if only for it's heartening chants!

'No Lucifer'

Download bsp_no_lucifer.mp3

Poll Position

So last year I posted a poll for the best album of 2007 and you chose Kings Of Leon 'Because of The Times' as your favourite album of last year - though Arcade Fire's 'Neon Bible' was close behind.

So in light of this, it's only right to post a track from the album. This one probably sums up the album's elements of modern rock, hard bass lines, tight drumming, effortless coolness and Caleb's raspy and sexy vocals.

'Camero'

Download KOL_Camaro.mp3