Compilation Week – TBTCI Dives Into Asian Sounds

The Blog That Celebrates Itself Records (TBTCI) specialises in producing compilation tribute album whether to an artist, label or even part of the world. This latest compilation is a roundup of the Asian Scene and includes both covers as well as new or recent original recordings. Musically the album contains indiepop, shoegaze and dreampop. Standout tracks come from Indonesian noise pop outfit See The Eye, Chinese Shoegazers Dear Eloise and Jaapn’s Fluffytails with a gorgeous cover of Lemon’s Chair’s SWallowtail. However Indonesian post-punk outfit Pullo win it for me Round The Bed complete with Ian Curtis style vocals. It’s a … Continue reading Compilation Week – TBTCI Dives Into Asian Sounds

Compilation Week – El Sonido Del Río Hablador (Vol​.​1)

El Sonido Del Río Hablador (Vol​.​1) is a twenty track compilation of Peruvian indiepop recordings from 2000-2009 which is well worth investigating. Some of these tracks are pretty raw, some are too bloody twee and some may not even meet the purists idea of what indiepop actually is. However, the further we head into the track listing the quality gets better and there is much to enjoy such as the Field Mice inspired Moon Over Soho, Numen’s excellent Losing You, Ambarina’s dreamy Tambourine and the instrumental Noodles At Bingo’s by Callahan. Highlight for me though is Agnes dice by Subterráneos … Continue reading Compilation Week – El Sonido Del Río Hablador (Vol​.​1)

Compilation Week – Indietracks Compilation 2018

The UK’s premier DIY-pop/indiepop festival is approaching fast as one of the Midland Railway Centre’s restored steam trains. There are over 50 bands playing, including two Sarah Records bands, with British Sea Power headlining on the Saturday night. As in previous years there is a cut price compilation available featuring 40 of the artists playing including the likes of Night Flowers, Melenas, Even As We Speak, Boyracer, LInda Guilala, Tinsel Heart and many more. I have not been for a few years now so this is the nearest I am getting – for now! Indietracks takes place between 27th and … Continue reading Compilation Week – Indietracks Compilation 2018

Compilation Week – The Spirit of ’82​.​.​. Alcopop! Records Summer Sampler 2018

A right mixed bag this one and to be fair that’s what compilations should be about. The fuzzy and noisy pop contingent lead the way (Happy Accidents, Spook School) and Kississippi’s indiepop is a delight. There are also good efforts from itoldyouiwouldeatyou and Youth Man, both of which have post-punk elements about them. However the rest leave me a bit nonplussed and I don’t think I ever want to hear Tubelord again. Given the football themed sleeve this compilation is certainly a game of two halves. You can get it for nowt from here. Facebook Continue reading Compilation Week – The Spirit of ’82​.​.​. Alcopop! Records Summer Sampler 2018

The King In Mirrors – So Long Serenade

So Long Serenade is the follow up January’s impressive Fall Into Place which was a teaser for this release and rightly starts the proceedings. There are five songs here and all are fine examples of well written crafted and melodic indiepop. The guitars are catchy and Rich May’s distinctive vocals, as ever, demand the listeners attention. Standout track for me is the driving and blistering Big Tomorrow which soon develops into a listening addiction. So Long Serenade is available digitally from here. Facebook Continue reading The King In Mirrors – So Long Serenade

Various Artists – The Official Matinée World Cup EP

With the football, soccer if you prefer, World Cup kicking off next week Matinee Recordings have released a World Cup EP featuring five songs from five artists from countries partaking in this years tournament. Australia’s Last Leaves give us some jangle pop complete with cheering crowds whilst Spain’s The Royal Landscaping Society song harks back to their 2010 triumph. There are more cheering crowds on The Popguns effort Red White And Blue with the band doing their usual jangling thing driving England on to another quarter final defeat – if they make it pass the group stage this time that … Continue reading Various Artists – The Official Matinée World Cup EP

Cariño – Pop Para La Bajona

Madrid’s Cariño released two excellent indiepop tracks between March and May this year which I failed to mention despite playing them both to death. The three piece have now picked up by Elefant who will be releasing a 10” Mini-LP under their New Adventures In Pop banner later this year. The aforementioned two tracks will be included on this 10″ but before then Elefant has issued them as a digital single complete with a video for Canción De Pop De Amor. It’s synth driven indiepop at it’s finest harking back to days gone by. You can buy the digital single … Continue reading Cariño – Pop Para La Bajona

Agent Blå – Another Reason To Cut Off An Ear

Swedish band Agent Blå’s penchant for producing indiepop which could easily fill a stadium given their sound shows no sign of abating on latest single Another Reason To Cut Off An Ear. Vocalist Emelie Alatalo’s voice is as epic as the accompanying soaring guitars giving the song a haunting and dramatic feel. It’s also the lead track from their new Vinyl EP Medium Rare which was released this past Friday. Get the single (with an exclusive b-side) and/or the EP from the band or the label, Luxury Records or; Kanine Records in the States, Through Love (Germany) or 2670 Records … Continue reading Agent Blå – Another Reason To Cut Off An Ear