Just Some Randomness @ A Silly Hour

You know I said the other day to remind me to get a Pavement album when I'm next in a record shop? Same applies to The Kills' new LP. The Kills, Future Starts Slow

I really love this song. Suede, Animal Nitrate I love this one even more. Why has it only got 75,657 views? Suede, again, Metal Mickey

And going from Suede to Bowie...not a big leap...but I heard this today and realised I hadn't posted it yet for some unfathomable reason. David Bowie, Jean Genie

Mollx

The Youtube Trail, IV

No, I don't just do this series when I can't think straight enough to come up with an idea...(yeeeaaah)

I like Sam Beam. I'm sure I've already said this, but he sounds like a good Donovan. And whatever you're opinion on Donovan, this song is beautiful. Iron And Wine, Waitin' For Superman 4/5 (also, credit should go to my friend Heather for getting me to listen to it)

Whoa! WAIT RIGHT THERE, that was a cover? This is the original? Hmm. I like it. The Flaming Lips one.  4/5. (I think I'm a Flaming Lips fan in denial. I keep finding myself posting their songs.)

Remind me when I'm next in a record shop to get a Pavement album. Pavement, Grounded 5/5

13/15! Yay!

Mollx

Label Day: The Lost And Lonesome Recording Co.

What's this?

I forgot Label Day? NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

I know I'm a bit of a broken re-re-record (pathetic joke alert. I won't be offended if you groan) when it comes to indie pop, but I like this, so suck it up.

Bjork springs to mind.

Like a less folky Stornoway. Very good.

Astronomical Music Monday

No, I don't know why this is my theme today. But at least I can share with thee some good songs, yes?

True to form, I knew the National's version of this before the original. But now I have come to my senses (yes, I have sense, sometimes). Polaris, Ashamed Of The Story I Told

I've never been quite sure whether the band and album is called Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix, or whether the band is Wolfgang Amadeus, or what. Anyway, Phoenix, 1901

And of course, how can you have a post such as this without this song? Velvet Underground, Venus in Furs 

Mollx

Album Of The Second - Capgun Coup, Maudlin

It's not often you come across a band like Capgun Coup. Yes, there are fuzz-pop bands around. Yes, they're pretty good. But do they make albums that are as fun to listen to as they are rewarding? I haven't found one. Apart, that is, from Capgun Coup.


Maudlin is a lot more consistent than its predecessor, but don't take that to mean they've lost that ramshackle charm. Oh no. Instead, they've just sharpened the edges, added a little more feedback, a little more spunk, and kept the tongue firmly in cheek. Bad Bands is a case in point. Fuzzy, distorted, and remarkably catchy, it stands up easily against their previous Adorable Doorsteps. For Fish is the only ill-advised track, sliding into territory of the irritatingly discordant. Following track When I'm Gone thankfully leads us back into the usual jauntiness and we can sigh in relief, right before we're thrown again by the melancholic Breaks No Heart Of Mine, which sounds more like Lua-era Bright Eyes than it does the previous offering. But Now That I'm Home really shows them up as a great band. It's one of the best songs on the album, playing to the band's strengths in sharp lyricism and off-kilter rhythm. No, there isn't another band like Capgun Coup. And when they make albums as good as this, we don't really want one.

Mollx

Song Of The Week

For a self-professed Smiths fan, I listen to scarily little (This here means This Charming Man and Panic). But thanks to a week holed up with little other than Yuck and The Best Of The Smiths Vol.1, this situation is semi-amended.

And with that, the SOTW this week is The Smiths, How Soon Is Now 

Mollxx

P.S. The lack of an AOTS will be explained tomorrow! Don't go anywhere!

Festival Fortnight: Reading And Leeds

Forget Glastonbury - this is the one for me.

I like that there rock'n'roll. She Keeps Bees, Stand Where I Can See You

Now, I don't condone animal abuse, but I do condone listening to this song. Pulled Apart By Horses, I Punched A Lion In The Throat

Totally coincidental, but I heard this on TV just before - can't for the life of me remember what on. Raising Hope  I think. Very glad I found it. Edward Sharpe And The Magnetic Zeros, Home

Oh, and did I say The National and Pulp are playing?

Mollx

P.S. Thanks to Mum for posting this week while I was gallivanting around Manchester!

Festival Fortnight - Glastonbury

THE BIG ONE (but it doesn't really appeal to me, "Best Festival" or not)

Why I have never listened to this band before, I don't know. Eels, I Need Some Sleep

Another band I've surprisingly never listened to, despite me loving the book. Danny and The Champions Of The World, These Days

A slight curveball here - Kitty Daisy And Lewis, Going Up The Country

Mollx

Festival Fortnight: Summer Sundae

I rather like the sound of this particular festival.

I'm posting this more because of his guitar skills than because of the quality of the song - which is veering scarily close to "commercially viable". Elliott Morris, A Matter Of Time

That's better. I Am Kloot, Northern Skies

I love the sound of the ukulele. Skinny Lister, The Kite Song

Mollx

Label Day: Asthmatic Kitty

It's to be expected that the name of this label "speaks" to me. You can hear my cat (hi, Izzy!) breathing from the other end of the house...yeah, the house is about three feet wide, but still, it's ridiculous.

I really love this song. I go through phases with Sufjan's music, from OHMYGODHE'SAWESOME to meh. he's ok. But this is one beautiful song. Sufjan Stevens, I Walked

I like this, which is unusual. Theoretically, I think there are songs from all genres that any given person will like - but I had yet to find a rap song I liked. That's fixed now. Serengeti, Kenny Vs Spring (and I also like the one from Dark Was The Night Comp, too.)

I must say, I like the name of this band and song more than I like the song itself, which is very good. Half-Handed Cloud, Feed Your Sheep A Burning Lamp

Mollx

Festival Fortnight: Camp Bestival

Bestival's little baby cousin!

Very much the kind of thing I think of when I hear "Camp Bestival". Lucky Elephant, Edgar

Ramones-esque intro...bit of a dark, fuzzy sounding creature. Two Wounded Birds, Summer Dream

It's taken me a long time to actually get around to looking up this girl - I like muchly. Caitlin Rose, Shanghai Cigarettes

Mollx

Festival Fortnight: T In The Park

Not exactly a flawless lineup, but still rather decent.

This was playlisted on 6 Music the other week, and it started to annoy me - as will any song you hear five or six times a day. It's good though. Grouplove, Colours

This is a nice one. The Head And The Heart, Rivers And Roads

Slightly sugary, but good all the same. Cancel The Astronauts, Funny For A Girl

Mollx

Song Of The Week

Hellooo there!

SOTW: Sunset Rubdown, The Empty Threats Of Little Lord

AOTS: The album from which the aforementioned comes - Shut Up I Am Dreaming. Very, very awesome album.

Mollx

Festival Fortnight: Bestival

Another Trendy Festival Alert! Don't worry, I'll get around to the big ones later

I love this song! Huzzah for geek-punk! Graham Coxon, Freakin' Out

More punk! (well, easy-on-the-ear punk) Tweak Bird, Lights In Lines

They've got the Mumford and Sons vocal harmonies thing going on, but I much prefer this. Plus, that knitted waistcoat is rather fetching. Dog Is Dead, Young

Mollx

Festival Fortnight: Hop Farm

Ah yes, the trendy on-a-farm-in-darkest-Kent festival. Good lineup though, for the most part. I'm just going to ignore Prince and Tinie Tempah.

Shiny! Shiny resonator guitar! Treetop Flyers, Is It All Worth It?

I want this guy to teach me to play guitar - It's like he's beatboxing, only...not. And his dreads look awesome too. Newton Faulkner,Teardrop

I'm not a great fan of soul, but I've really been enjoying this. Aloe Blacc, I Need A Dollar

Mollx

I'm Going Green

...with envy. Yessir, you heard me, it's FESTIVAL SEASON!!!!!! Really, festival season started last weekend, but I'm not really on the ball at the moment. Anyway, today's post is my picks from Kendal Calling!

I would hazard a guess she listens to a lot of Patti Smith. Joana and  The Wolf, Natural Born Killer

Vaguely Bjork-ish (read: really fantastically awesome). Let's Buy Happines, Six Wolves

Drums and Bass...unusual combo for a rock band. I think Death From Above 1979 are like that, but I'm not sure. And mister bass player plays a Rickenbacker, so they're fine by me. (Plus, they're from North Wales, so that's double brownie points). I Am Austin, Zombie Town

Mollx

Label Day: Flemish Eye Records

"Flemish Eye is a record label started in 2003 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada."

I really like her voice. Jennifer Castle, Powers

Remind me of something, but I can't place it. Anyhows, here it is. Ghostkeeper, By Morning

What is this? Do you think they have a screening system by which they only let in artists whose voices I like? They're doing a good job of it! Women, Eyesore

Mollx

The Youtube Trail, III

You probably know the rules - I start on one video, and go from link to link giving a macro-review as I go. Wish me luck!

King Creosote and Jon Hopkins, Bubble. This is really nice. Laid back electro-folk that I wouldn't necessarily buy, but I wouldn't turn it off either. 3/5

Four Tet, Smile Around The Face Cool video, boring song. 1/5

Sons and Daughters, Breaking Fun. That's better. Menacing and confidently self-aware. 4/5

Is Tropical, The Greeks. Not sure about this one. An interesting song, as far as indie-dance goes. 2/5

10/20 - Not a great score, but not awful.

Mollx

Song Of The Week

I know it's a bit later than usual, but then I've been busier than usual, so it all evens out I suppose.

Song Of The Week this week is Chrome Plated Suicide by The Flaming Lips. To say I don't really know a lot of their stuff, I feel like I mention them a lot!

Album Of The Second today is Simon Joyner's Beautiful Losers - Singles And Compilation Tracks. Worth buying just for One For The Catholic Girls. Sorrow Floats, Burn Rubber and Robin Hood are brilliant too.

Mollx

You Can Count On Me To Split

Jake White and Karen Elson have divorced (does that mean they'll start a band together now?)

Now, I quite like Guy Garvey & crew, but some of their songs are a touch...overly anthemic. But this is actually a really good song. Elbow, Grounds For Divorce

Never heard of this band, surprisingly. Good song, though. It's A Buffalo, Divorce Song

No introduction needed: Regina Spektor, Ode To Divorce 

Mollx

THE LIST, Part The Fourth

So, it's back to the dreaded LIST!

They've called themselves "The Future". But they sound like the past. A past where the Gallagher brothers got along well enough to be in the same room, in fact. (joking aside, this is actually quite a good Britpop song) Brother, Darling Buds Of May

Hmm. Cool. Stupid band name though. Dananananaykroyd, Muscle Memory

Great bassline, boys! Really good song, too. White Denim, I Start To Run

Mollxx

Label Day: Gold Robot Records

It's that time again!

They say:
"This record label was conceived in late 2006.
The actual birth occurred on or around April of 2007.

The name "Gold Robot" was chosen since the two words carry interesting weight: Gold is a precious metal and has served an interesting cultural role in the exploration of unknown frontiers, while robots have always captured the imagination of the human mind; they are "the future", no matter what era it is."

This is really nice. It'd fit beautifully into the mandatory self-discovery section of some low-budget-yet-awesome indie film. Seamonster, Oh Appalachia 

You'll get backache playing like that, you know. Bjorn Kleinhenz, Poets Dying

More sunny day alt-pop! Colossal Yes' Myspace page (specifically A Ballad Is The Air That You Breathe)

Mollxx

P.S. Also check out their website for free stuffs.

The Great-ish Outdoors

I went geocaching this evening.
Yeah, me, the wimpy recluse went outside.

A band which has been on the list for a while. Akron/Family, River

Like Evan Dando, I ain't the outdoor type (well, I do kinda like camping). Lemonheads, The Outdoor Type

You're bloody posh, Frank, but I like your voice, so I'm gonna let you get away with your Eton education and your knight-for-a-grandfather (no kidding. He really does have a knight for a grandfather.) Frank Turner, The Outdoor Type

A Footnote.

Well, I resumed the search for a crap cover of All The Young Dudes. I really wish I hadn't.

Hello.
Zayra
Halloween Jack
Cybernauts 

Don't blame me for the nightmares. You clicked the links.

Mollxx

Covers That Shouldn't Exist

Oddly for this blog, I'm going to do a post filled with songs I don't recommend!!! (cue gasps of shock and horror). Inspired by my Mum hearing a cover of Mott The Hoople's All The Young Dudes, which she thinks was done by Boyzone. I looked for this cover and couldn't find it. Quite frankly, I'm glad.

Busted. Don't they have faces begging for a slap? Even more so after this exercise in blasphemy. Busted, Teenage Kicks. Previously done magnificently by The Undertones.

*sobs* Smells Like Teen Spirit is not my favourite Nirvana song. But this has me reduced to a quivering wreck, and not in a good way. Take That, Smells Like Teen Spirit

The Killers, Four Winds. I don't care that they've make it all dance-y. Full marks for interpretation. NIL points for passion. The thing that made the original THE GREATEST song to dance around the kitchen to was the passion that Conor Oberst puts into it. And Mr Flowers sings it like he'd rather be doing something else, like a solo project. So I say this. If you don't wanna sing it, don't sing it. 

Mollx

Song Of The Week

{insert witty comment here}

SOTW: Josh Rouse, Slaveship. Thanks to a Rycodisk 20th anniversary comp. by MOJO (all the way from 2003)

AOTS: The Very Best Of Suede. I can't say I know a lot of Suede's stuff...but that's what best of's are for, right?

...Right?

Mollxx

Instruments Are For Wimps

Inspired by the fact that I've been humming (and occasionally singing ) this non-stop for a few days, a list of great a cappella songs!

My mum really hates Suzanne Vega. I'm not entirely sure why, but I'm not gonna argue. (God knows, there are songs my mum likes that I can't stand.) Suzanne Vega, Tom's Diner

I didn't know this, but apparently the whole Medulla album was constructed entirely from human voices. Bjork, Oceania

This is really good. Bon Iver, For Emma  (good look with the new album, boys!)

Mollx

It's Too LAAATTTEEE!

Curses, curses, curses!
I WAS going to do this yesterday, it being the first of June n'all, and technically the first day of summer.

But I forgot, didn't I. I think I should fire me.

It's a summer song. With To Kill A Mockingbird references. You shouldn't need telling what this is, but I'm gonna tell you anyway - Boo Radleys, Wake Up Boo

I wish you'd never learned to weep. The Lightning Seeds, Pure

I haven't heard this for a while. Caesars, Jerk It Out 

Mollx

THE LIST, Part The Third (I Think)

It only grows...

Hurrah for slacker-pop-rock! Tribes, We Were Children

Well, I missed out first time round...but better late than never, eh? Tom Vek, A Chore

You'd find it much easier to sing if you cleared your throat, mate. Tom Waits, Downtown Train

Mollx