Alt Rock, indiepopLeave a comment

The Crystal Furs – The Crystal Furs

Tom

Texan alt. rock/indie-pop band The Crystal Furs have just released their debut self-titled album which includes the recent Tunnel Vision single and it’s fantastic flip side Miss Hughes. The album is fast out of the blocks with frantic guitars driving Quit You and Weightless coupled with with Amanda Camille’s lovely vocals. The band are best when they maintain that level of pace (Summer’s Over) with the only exception being the aforementioned flip side as the Camille’s distinctive vocals dominate the slowed down guitars. All in all it’s an enjoyable debut! One for fans of the likes of Belly, Throwing Muses, … Continue reading The Crystal Furs – The Crystal Furs

Alt Rock, Coldwave, Garage, indiepop, Jangle Pop, Minimal/Cold Wave, Post Punk, Powerpop, Punk, Riot Grrrl, Shoegaze, Synth pop1 Comment

Records I Like Top 10 2016

Tom

Blimey. This year’s list was hard to compile given that I restrict myself to just 10 choices (self-inflicted stupidity!). I have been listening to plenty of punk, coldwave, indie-pop, riot grrrl, queercore, garage and post-punk but I think this selection is a fair reflection of my listening habits these past 12 months. Tracks missing the cut include the likes of Underworld, Joanna Gruesome, The Radio Dept., The Legends, Earth Girls,The Liminanas, Red Sleeping Beauty, Massive Attack, Jessica & The Fletchers, Vital Idles, Useless Youth, E’spaniel, Nice Try, Hate Week, Primetime, Tape Waves, The Wolfhounds, Merchandise, Slam, Blind Delon, Lad’s Mags, … Continue reading Records I Like Top 10 2016

C86, Dream Pop, Garage, indiepop, Jangle Pop, Post Punk, Punk, Riot GrrrlLeave a comment

Finishing Off….. 2016

Tom

After scrolling through my bookmarks here are some releases that deserved posts of their own but a busier solstice than usual has prevented that so please divert your ears into the direction of the following: Swimming Tapes – Set The Fire / Souvenirs Excellent debut 7″ from this London based alternative pop band. Facebook Son Bou – Cinta Indiepop from Barcelona. Out now on cassette from Snap! Clap! Facebook Kamikaze Girls – SAD Kamikaze Girls could be described as an angrier and noisier version of Curve. Stitches is a must hear. Facebook Fascinations Grand Chorus – Actor/Actress More dreamy 1960’s … Continue reading Finishing Off….. 2016

ShoegazeLeave a comment

Molly – As Years Go By EP

Tom

Two lengthy slabs of epic melancholic shoegaze from Austrian duo Molly. Both tracks are pretty impressive and, despite their length, I am yet to get tired of them. I am really liking the crackle effects on Milk Teeth. A few plays later I am still wondering if it’s fire or worn vinyl that is causing them. I think we have missed the 10″ pressing but you can get it digitally from bandcamp. Homepage Facebook Continue reading Molly – As Years Go By EP

C86, indiepop1 Comment

Battery Point – Battery Point

Tom

With a name like Battery Point it should come as no surprise to find this release tagged as C86 and indiepop on bandcamp but the real surprise is just how good these songs are. The essential elements are here including jangling guitars and girl/boy vocals but it’s how infectious these songs become after just a couple of plays that amazed me. None more so than on the closer Violet Dreams where the female vocals become dominant over driving drums with the guitars shimmering and soaring. I have been playing this all morning. I suggest you do the same. Continue reading Battery Point – Battery Point

Goth, Post PunkLeave a comment

Cruz De Navajas – Demo

Tom

A sometimes rough sounding but strong never the less demo from Mexican two piece post-punk outfit Cruz De Navajas (Cross Knives). The songs lean on the darker side of the genre and if you want pointers Joy Division fronted by Siouxsie Sioux would be a good place to start but fans of Skeletal Family, early Sisters of Mercy and Red Lorry Yellow Lorry may also want to listen. There are five tracks here including a cover of The Mob’s 1983 single The Mirror Breaks but it’s Las Personas Son Bestias (People Are Beasts – thanks google) that is the standout … Continue reading Cruz De Navajas – Demo

C86, Garage, indiepop, Jangle Pop, Noise Pop, Shoegaze1 Comment

Catching Up with Long Players!

Tom

Young Romance – Another’s Blood After what seemed like aeons Young Romance finally released their debut album at the back end of last month. Because of that the album does have that “best of” feel but given the likes of previous singles Pale and Wild who can really complain? Buy it from here or digitally from the band. Facebook Bubblegum Lemonade – The Great Leap Backward I must admit to having mixed feelings about Bubblegum Lemonade these days. I was not too impressed by July’s Beard On A Bike EP as, aside from the title track, the rest of their … Continue reading Catching Up with Long Players!

Synth popLeave a comment

New Division – Precision

Tom

Vicious and Vices are taken from the forthcoming by EP from retro synthpop act New Division. It’s called Precision and will be released in mid-January. Both tracks here are a natural progression from last years thoroughly enjoyable Gemini album and if you cannot wait until the release date both these tracks are available digitally from the usual places. EDIT: 06/01/2017 Precision has now been released and is available on Bandcamp. Homepage Facebook Continue reading New Division – Precision

Post Punk1 Comment

Vital Idles – My Sentiments 7″

Tom

Not Unloved is one of the few music blogs I read on a regular basis these days and the goods news is that they now have set up a record label. The first release on the label is from Glasgow’s Vital Idles and it has set the benchmark high early doors. The tracks here sound like undiscovered gems from the late 1970’s and quite rightly draw comparisons to the like of Kleenex, The Slits, Modettes and to a lesser extent bands like Essential Logic especially on the flip side The Garden. There have been some brilliant post-punk releases this year … Continue reading Vital Idles – My Sentiments 7″

C86, indiepopLeave a comment

Tinsel Heart – Hey Boyfriend!

Tom

Whilst listening to this debut release from Sweden’s Tinsel Heart I got the same “hair on the back of my neck standing up” sensation I did when I first heard the debut EP from The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart. Like that EP this one too is packed to the rafters with homages to that classic C86 and jangly guitar indie-pop sound. They even call one of their songs Sunny Sunday Smile which should give you some idea of how these songs sound. However, they don’t just make a carbon copy replicas but instead expand on their influences effortlessly. … Continue reading Tinsel Heart – Hey Boyfriend!