Song of the Week: Adam and the Fish-Eyed Poets, Little Monkeys

I wouldn't call myself a big fan of Bruce Springsteen. But there's something about Kishore Krinshna's voice, very Bruce Springsteen though it is, that grabs you by the wrist. It doesn't beg you to listen - certainly not. It doesn't even seem to care.  It jumps along with a touch of techno, dark lyrics and I-don't-give-a-damn rock spirit (they've got that from Bruce too), but you get the feeling that they do care, that they are bothered. Because Little Monkeys is a good song, and you can't write a good song without caring about what you do.

7/10

Moll x  

Label Day: Kitsune

Did you know that Kitsune is Japanese for fox? I did. *smiles to self*. Sadly, that's not the kind of question Jeremy Paxman asks on University Challenge.

This song is great, but I can't see why it should be soundtracking a exercise video. Citizens, True Romance

Synth-rock isn't too hard to come by on this blog, but you could always do with a little more. Housse De Racket, Chateau

I like this. But I don't like dance music. Ergo, this is not dance music. Is Tropical, South Pacific

Moll x

Label Day: Ghostmeat Records

Hello there, Christmassy people! Done your shopping yet? No? There a petrol station near you? Yes? Well, that's ok then.

First up we have the rather awesomely named This Bike Is A Pipe Bomb, with Better Off Dead

90s underground rocks. I know I say it every few days, but that's because it's true, dammit! Sunbrain, Gravity

This guy's good. David Dondero, The Stars Are My Chandelier

Moll x 

Label Day: Anti-Creative

I think I just found my new favourite band. Well, maybe second favourite. The National are still occupying top spot. But this is awesome, lively folk punk, halfway between Mouldy Peaches and Mountain Goats. Ghost Mice, Homesick 

My internet is being blah again. Damn internet. Can't live with it, can't live without it. Anyway, despite constant interruptions, this still sounds great. imadethismistake,  Gravediggers On Their Deathbeds Pt. 2

For this, I'm going to have to link to an album stream, but what I've listened to so far, it's great. Defiance, Ohio, Midwestern Minutes

Mollx

Label Day:8bitpeoples

They were right. 2012 is the year of the apocalypse.The geek apocalypse. Yes. It started with The Big Bang Theory reruns. Then there was the arrival of the 50p Spiderman money box. Now it's chiptune. This time next year I'll have an Atari computer and a not-too-shabby collection of comic books.

This is fantastic. Really awesome. I'm not usually a big fan of electronica, but hell, this rocks. The J Arthur Keenes Band, The Bus That Couldn't Slow Down

How about this one? Firebrand Boy, Famous

This is adorable. I didn't ever think one could describe what is essentially a collection of bleeps and whooshes as "adorable", but there you are. Nullsleep, Her Lazer Light Eyes

And, you know what's more awesome? It's FREE! Well, most of their discography anyway. See?

Mollx

Label Day: Firebox Records

I feel I need to do something different.

This song makes me want to hide under the desk. That said, I really like it. Hmm. Swallow The Sun, Deadly Nightshade

This one is also quite...ah...intimidating, but they're being nice about it. Dark The Suns, The Rain

Gentle. I like. Forest Of Shadows, Selfdestructive

Well, I did warn you.

Mollx

Label Day: Quote Unquote Records

Well hello! Nice of you to join me for another Label Day, which today is apparently the first ever donation based record label. 

I love this, unsurprisingly. (Less Than Jake - ska) + The Mountain Goats = The Taxpayers, The Windows Break

Picture this. You're in a car, probably a red or blue truck, driving down Route 66; the sun is shining and the wind is blowing your hair into your mouth as your brother plays guitar on the back seat. Heavenly, in other words. The Wild, Set Ourselves Free 

This reminds of something. I can't place it though, so you'll have to listen to it and make up your own mind. Shinobu, Antarctic Stare

Aaaand here is their site quoteunquoterecords.com

Label Day: Catbird Records

I would like to preface this post with two tips for any newbie record labels.
First, email me. See how over there  -->
Second, and I should have lead with this, get yourself a good name. See the title of this post.

Another victim of the heard of but still unheard syndrome, sadly. This song is brilliant. Somebody Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin, Lower The Gas Prices Howard Johnson.

Eleven seconds. ELEVEN FREAKIN' SECONDS, that's all it took for me to fall in love with this. I'm getting Crash Test Dummies crossed with Devendra Banhart. Go on. Click the link. Pet Politics, Sunday Morning.

Twelve seconds this time. I should make a post or a page of songs that catch you within twenty seconds, really I should. Air Waves, Shine On

Also, their website: www.catbirdrecords.com

Mollx

Label Day: Arts And Crafts

*stretches*
My blogging muscles haven't had much of a workout recently, have they? Let's warm up with a little thing called Label Day, shall we?

I keep seeing this band around the place, and I've always pretty much gone: "Tssh, I can't be bothered right now, I'll look 'em up tonight before I go to bed." And have I done? No, not until now. Timber Timbre, Too Old To Die Young

Do you love drifty music? Yes? Here you go. The Darcys, Shaking Down The Old Bones

This gal reminds me a bit of Zooey Deschanel, and if She and Him were more like this instead of that twee thing they've got going on (although, before you all throw rocks at me, I like twee, and I like Zooey's voice, but more than a minute of listening to She and Him and it starts to annoy me). Amy Millan, Bury This

Mollx

Label Day: Young God Records

Usually, if I'm not impressed by a label's website, I just won't bother with it (oh come on. I can't be doing with hard to navigate websites at quarter to eleven! ) but today I'm making an exception.

Larkin Grimm. Brilliant name, isn't it? Her music's good too. Here's Ride That Cyclone. (free download!!!)

Whoa. I mean, whoa. There's a little Nick Cave in there, a little blues, a little rock, and a helluva lotta awesome. Wooden Wand, Ms Mowse

Unless you've been under a rock for the past...what, two, three years is it now? Jeez...you'll have heard of Marcus Mumford and his Sons (who aren't actually his sons, but that's another matter). If that slightly commercial folkpop leaves a bitter taste in your mouth, give this a go instead. Fire On Fire, Hartford Blues (free download again!!!)

Mollx

Label Day: Rob's House Records

First off, I wanted to say I'm really sorry for all my absences of late - I've got exams at the end of the month, so I've been under a fair bit of pressure and consequently I've been too tired to think of a theme or write up a review. Y'all really awesome for reading my blog, and I've been feeling guilty about never posting. Forgive me, please? ;) I thought I'd compromise and try and do Label Day and at least one review a week. I might be erratic with the posting, but I think two a week is pretty manageable, don't you?

All girl band, singing drummer, bassist with a really cute jumper, and a touch of both Warpaint and Bikini Kill. A band made in some kind of heaven, don'tcha know. The Coathangers, Toomerhead

You'll have noticed, I'm sure, a slant toward the...quirky side of punk on this here site. Well, if it ain't broke, don't fix it. Cola Freaks, Mig Mig Mig

How about this as a last song of the day? All Night Drug Prowling Wolves, Maybe Tomorrow.

Mollx

Late Label Day: Better Looking Records

Well, that was a good start to the week, wasn't it, being ill for near two days with food poisoning? Grr.

Anyway, let's kick off Label Day with some good old alt.rock music. The Electric Soft Parade, If That's The Case Then I Don't Know

Well, this is a twangy electronic mass, isn't it? Meho Plaza, I Sold My Organs

As a Heatmiser and Sordid Humor fan, I love this. The And/Ors, Flexiclocks

Mollx

Label Day: Afternoon Records

I'm not going to lie and say that the past few Label Days have been easy. You see, I've got a list (thanks Wikipedia) and I - much like when looking for records or books - just scan until something catches my eye. Not the best method I'll admit, which is why I'm particularly happy with having found today's label.

I think this guy is really good. I can't think who he reminds me of, but his bio says: Comparisons range from Daniel Johnston to Robbie Fulks to The Mountain Goats to Guided by Voices, but he’s just trying to sound like Neil Young. Watch him closely, or he will come to your house and watch you. Here's his page. I like the first track most myself.


I'm having flashbacks to when I used to listen to folk most of the time (Jon Boden, Seth Lakeman, Kris Drever etc) but really it's only his lyrics that bring that style to mind - he's most certainly in the alt./anti-folk vein. John Vanderslice (also, if this helps, he's collaborated with John Darnielle {who's All Hail West Texas I am still in the process of reviewing for last weeks AOTS}) 

If the last Bright Eyes album had been more like this instead of a watered-down Digital Ash..., I'd have been a very happy girl indeed. Poison Control Center The first track, by the way.


Mollx

Late Label Day: Cooking Vinyl

I  have often said that Buzzcocks' Ever Fallen In Love is one of the best songs ever. And together with this song, I'm pretty sure they also should have the title of  "Most Epic Band".  Buzzcocks, Fast Cars

I listen to the radio, but I respect his views. The Vines, Don't Listen To the Radio

Well well well. This band've been on The LIST  for a few months now...and who'd'a guessed it? They're good! The Wedding Present, I'm From Further North Than You

Mollx

Label Day: Smells Like Records

Well, this is awesome. Take Spectoresque bubblegum pop, adopt it, raise it on Sleater-Kinney, and then give it a band. I'd say it'd sound like this. The Rondelles, He's Outta Sight

If you'd asked me yesterday, I'd have said "Yeah, I like Cat Power. Why?". Now, I say, "I love Cat Power. Why don't you buy me Myra Lee, since you brought it up?". Cat Power, Ice Water

Now this rocks. Be honest, who's going to give Pixies-esque alt. rock a miss? John Wolfington, Shotgun

Mollx

Label Day: Sub Pop

Tell me something.

Why has it taken me so long to feature Sub Pop?

Oh, and you know what I was saying yesterday about free music? All the following rockin' tracks are FREE!!!

I - somehow - didn't like this when I downloaded it. I love it now. Dum Dum Girls, He Gets Me High (download)

*looks meekly at floor* It's not riot grrrl, it's not, it's not! Sleater-Kinney, Entertain (download)

I haven't listened to this in ages. I'd forgotten how good it is. Oxford Collapse, Please Visit Your National Parks (download)

Mollx

Label Day: Sarah Records

I'm in love with the idea of fanzines. I'm especially in love with the idea of a fanzine that releases flexi-discs (a flexible record! I had no idea such things existed!), and the record label that springs up as a result.

Where is this summer I ordered? Out of stock? Damn. Well, at least we've got this little bit of C86 sunshine. The Orchids, Apologies

Good god. The 90's music scene really was awesome. I listen to music like this and just imagining how terrible it is that these bands just fall by the wayside, and that the members are probably doing the nine to five in an office block somewhere. It's heartbreaking. Even As We Speak, Blue Suburban Skies

It's the same with this one. It sounds like it was recorded on a rainy summer afternoon, while everybody was praying for sunshine and candyfloss. Another Sunny Day, I'm In Love With A Girl Who Doesn't Know I Exist

Mollx

Label Day: Kill Rock Stars

I'm surprised I haven't done this one yet.

I think this might be how Sheldon Cooper from The Big Bang Theory might be if he embarked on a alternative rock project.

This is really good. Dirty, heavy guitars and one of those awesome basslines I like so much, with Warpaint-esque vocals. Absolutely gorgeous.

Smudgy, muted rock. Good stuff.

Mollx

Late Label Day: Dot Dash

I was sitting in the office chair, relaxing after finishing my college (high school, I think, to my dear American readers) admission letter, and it suddenly struck me. I haven't done Label Day this week. And given how disappointing the nominations were, I really shouldn't have bothered doing the Mercury Prize post instead. Or maybe I should have done both. Anyway, it's late, but it's here now, so stop pulling that face.

Mellow, dreamy alternative pop. Quite Yuck-esque if you want a comparison.

Pulsing bassline? Check. Synth? Check. Damn good? Check.

Cool drumming, cool bassline (again). Good song, but you'll do your throat in if you keep yelling like that, lassie.

Mollx

Label Day: Merge Records

I'm doing Merge today for one reason and one reason only.

This. Lyrically gorgeous, understated, and boy-girl duet done so well it knocks the pretenders for six. Even the St Vincent/National cover can't beat it.

It's rare that a band with a bassist, two guitarists, a drummer, a keyboardist, and a singer sound minimalistic. It's not as if each instrument doesn't try and take the spotlight, but they seem to know when to shut the hell up and let that killer bassline breathe. White Whale, What's An Ocean For

And now it's the drums that want a bit of space. Alright by me! Telekinesis, Tokyo

Mollx