The Zutons – You Can Do Anything
It is always quite curious to see what direction a band decides to go after stumbling upon unexpected success. This Liverpool collective first appeared in 2004 with the excellent Who
The Herbaliser – Same As It Never Was
The English jazz-meets-hip-hop band’s eighth album, and their first not on the groundbreaking Ninja Tune label, is something of a paradox – a bold foot forward for a band in
Carly Sings – The Glove Thief
Carly Sings is the buzz of the town at the moment and rather than playing the usual cat and mouse game with record companies she has forged ahead by releasing
Black Affair – Pleasure Pressure Point
Leo Buscaglia philosophised that “Love withers with predictability”. Thus, Beta Band and King Biscuit Time fans will hold distinctly shrivelled affections for Steve Mason’s newest project, the electro outfit Black
Spiritualized – Songs in A & E
Creation Records boss Alan McGee once claimed that Jason Pierce makes a classic album every ten years and Spiritualized are as culturally significant as Neil Young. High praise indeed from
Jape – Ritual
You know that feeling you experience while you’re in the queue to buy popcorn for the long-awaited sequel to one of your favourite films of all time? That cocktail of
The Futureheads – This Is Not The World
As much as it has become a cliche, some bands do suffer the second album syndrome and struggle to find a way back from it. The Futureheads certainly wandered off
Liquid Liquid – Slip In And Out Of Phenomenon
Soul Jazz Records must be seething. Not content with delivering some of the finest independent music to the masses, Domino Recordings have now muscled in on the lucrative reissues racket.
Port O’ Brien – All We Could Do Was Sing
Are Port O’ Brien a real band? Their back-story, the sound and their subject matter hint at some sinister contrivance of the North American indie aristocracy. Perhaps chatting backstage at
Isobel Campbell & Mark Lanegan – Sunday At Devil Drive
A quick glance at Mark Lanegan’s CV explains why the American’s voice is so gravelly and world-weary: The man never takes a day off. The Gutter Twins, Soulsavers, The Twilight
Martha Wainwright – I Know You’re Married, But I Have Feelings Too
A seismic leap forward from her promising self-titled debut album,IKYMBIGFT should put Martha up where she belongs; with her supremely talented maverick sibling, brother Rufus, at the forefront of a
Fleet Foxes – Fleet Foxes
Every year there is at least one album that unexpectedly slips into the spotlight and emerges as the release that unites music lovers and critics alike. The contenders for 2008
Max Greenwood – In The Blood
Max Greenwood, pianist in successful softie singer-songwriter Tom Baxter’s band, strikes me immediately as the type of musician I usually avoid. Jazzy, but not jazz, folky, but not folk, and
The Dodos – Visiter
From the artwork to the etymology of the misspelled album title (which takes in a charming story of a kindergarten kiddy gifting the band the scribble that adorns the front
Mates of State – Re-Arrange Us
Once a particular combination to something proves successful, many rush to recreate the same result but in a slightly different way. Think along the lines of magicians, or in this
Wild Beasts – Limbo. Panto
In retrospect it was probably one of those ‘Where were you when…’ moments. Wild Beasts? Never heard of them, but it’s on Domino so it’s bound to be interesting at
White Denim – Workout Holiday
As far as being a portrayal of the album to come, Let’s Talk About It, the opening track of Texas-natives White Denim’s Workout Holiday collection achieves an A for accuracy.
The Little Ones – Morning Tide
Ah the summer. Slate-grey skies and more milk-bottle white coloured skin than we need to see, Brittas Bay and wonky ice cream vans, screaming kids and factor 10 sun tan