The Pipettes

This week I've actually been listening to Helen Love, but couldn't find a decent video for her. Furthermore, this is going to be my last post of 2006, so something released this year would probably be fitting. As Ms Love was the first to coin the term girl power (a good five years before The Spice Girls were unleashed on unsuspecting footballers and comedians), I thought The Pipettes would be a good choice.

In case the polka dot dresses didn't give it away, I think it's fair to say The Pipettes are probably closer to being successors to the Phil Spector girl groups of the 60's more than descendants of Scary, Minger, Chav, Chubby and Council of the 90's. The video places the Brighton girls in Russ Meyer's Into the Valley of the Dolls. Ace.

Neutral Milk Hotel

Neutral Milk Hotel are the Flying Scotsman for music trainspotters everywhere. Nobody likes them on first listen. They only produced two albums, the first of which (in my not-so-humble opinion) is a mess of noise, while the second is an Anne Frank concept album recorded with period instruments (if you're willing to invest the time and effort it is a sure thing to become one of your favourite albums of all time. Though you'll have no idea why). They played their first gig at a laundromat.

I don't think they actually made any music videos as such (the one linked here is a fan-made effort). I guess it's not really all that surprising: I can't imagine they were much in demand with MTV.

The Rakes

Leaving the early 90s behind and moving a bit closer to the present day… The Rakes. I was first introduced to these skinny Brits at a gig in Boston, where they supported Stellastarr*. Now, I adore Stellastarr*’s first album, therefore it pains me somewhat to have to say: They truly, truly suck live (thanks America. If there’s one thing I’m grateful to you for, it’s the term “suck”. No other word quite conveys how something can be so actively bad). When a band relies heavily on vocal harmonies, they should at least be able to hold a note. I’m looking at you, hot female bass-player. At times it was genuinely painful. Oddly, this sorry headline performance came during one of my favourite gigs of last year, saved entirely by the two, as then unknown to me, support bands (the other being Interpol/Joy Division lovechild, Editors. More from them at a later date).

The Rakes, taking the tricky first spot in a three-band line-up, positively brimmed with energy and enthusiasm, a welcome change from the usual Indie-boy affected nonchalance. And frontman Alan Donahoe is not afraid to dance like an electrified stick-insect on cheap whizz. A trait I always admire. I salute you, sir!

Pulp

I seem to be stuck firmly in the early nineties (I'm not quite sure why - even milk-bottle thick rose-tinted lenses can't hide the fact I was awkward, spotty, speccy, had crap hair and shit shoes. At least the acne eventually cleared up). Pulp were the perfect outlet for mis-shapes, mistakes, misfits, with front-man Jarvis proving skinny and enormous glasses weren't actually the end of the world (though I swear the NHS goggles my mum used to buy me were some kind of prototype re-entry shielding for the space shuttle).

I can't listen to this track without thinking back to my time working in the trendy, upper-class supermarket, Kwik Save, when the rebellious assistant manager let me play His'n'Hers over the tannoy system. How amused I was to watch the Sunday morning shoppers (predominantly female pensioners) expecting jingles for No Frills toilet cleaner instead be greeted by I want to take you home, I want to give you children.

The Stone Roses

Not just skinny white-boys with guitars, but skinny white-boys with guitars that want to make other skinny white-boys dance! Along with a few other of their Madchester contemporaries, The Stone Roses are credited with fusing dance and indie, and ushering the lost generation back to the dance floor. On evidence of this video, that may have been mainly achieved by demonstrating that it doesn't matter if you dance like a complete goon, you can still be a rock-star. Ian Brown's moves even fail to look cool when the camera switches to slow-motion and zooms in with the beat. After watching that, even I feel less self-conscious about shaking my stuff. At least the music has aged better than the video.

Amy Winehouse

I'm attempting to claw back some semblance of credibility today. I'm also continuing to give the impression that my music collection isn't comprised almost exclusively of skinny white-boys with guitars (expect a deluge of awkward art-rock in the near future). Thus I give you Amy Winehouse's Rehab. Tune!

Can't say I know much about the artist, other than Steve Lamacq's been giving her some serious airtime. And that I like it: I think growing up with my Dad's obsession with early Motown probably leaves me predisposed to her sound.

Lily Allen

Now, I'm on dangerous territory here, as Lily Allen (daughter of British comedian, Keith Allen) is both mainstream and old news, having been at number one in the UK charts this past summer. However, I can't resist her chav-charms, and frankly I gave up any aspirations of being cool quite some time ago. This is her brilliantly cute/edgy ode to London. Favourite line: There're people from city having lunch in the park, I believe that is called "al fresco". She's sharply naive.

As a bonus, here's Lily covering Bowie's Let's Dance, with some help The Rakes (more from them later):

Lily Allen and The Rakes - Let's Dance (mp3)

Here I go again on my own.

Despite things, I've decided to start this back up, cos I kind of like doing it. And I'm bored at work. So more music shortly...

Belle and Sebastian

Now, I'm not a huge fan of Belle and Sebastian, and I think recordings of live performances are a bit of a waste of time (as they're necessarily imperfect renditions in comparison to studio recordings, yet they also that fail to capture the buzz and energy of "being there"). So here's a video of The boy with the arab strap from Coachella a few years ago. How could I resist a track that follows the line I am a lazy git with a recorder solo (I'm informed by a reliable source that "recorders are kewl". I'm fairly sure use of the term "kewl" is not cool, but with kids nowadays, you can never be sure).

And yes, this track was used as the theme tune to Teachers, a show that was undoubtedly kewl skill.

The Upper Crust

Oh yes! I've been looking for a decent video clip of these boys for a while now, as I wanted you all to bathe in the insanity of The Upper Crust, as I did a few weeks ago at The Middle East. It's been a long hunt, but I finally found a watchable clip - only problem is, it's Windows Media Player, so all you FireFox/Opera devotees are probably gonna have to fire up Internet Explorer for this one. It's painful, I know, but worth it. Trust me (I am a doctor...).

This is the video for Rabble Rouser, take from the album Once more into the breeches. Yes, The Upper Crust are a novelty act: at live gigs they wear full 17th century nobility gear and maintain a suitable aloofness, while continually blasting AC-DC riffs into the ears of the surrounding "peasantry". You might think their Jane-Austin-meets-Malcolm-Young shtick would get old quick, but while the songs may be generic, they're just ridiculous enough to hold your attention for a full set*. And I have to say I never tired of the between-song banter**, particularly between the Jagger-mouthed lead singer and Lord Basey (I guess I don't need to tell you which instrument he plays?). 'Roque and Roll!

* Disclaimer: I'd had a few beers.
** I was really quite inebriated.

Darren Hanlon

No videos today, just mp3's. As a quick side note, these mp3's are links to other sites, which often have quota limits. So if they appear down, just try again later.

Today's artist is Darren Hanlon, who I decided to give a spin solely due to him having the same surname as a mate of mine (who is completely devoid of musical talent). I figured some kind of universal conservation law would mean Darren Hanlon is great - and he is! I don't know if the Hanlons are related, but as one is a Welsh/Irish mutt, and the other is Australian (and therefore may have links to British criminals somewhere in the family tree. Was that softly worded enough?), I'd say chances are high.

As for the music, he's being referred to as the Australian Colin Meloy (of The Decemberists), so I'm predestined to like him. Personally, I'd say he's closer to The Lucksmiths, as he's far more whimsical than everybody's favourite peddlers of anachronistic shanties (totally check out my pseudo-muso-babble!). I was slightly disappointed to learn that (There aren't enough songs about) squash is an ode to the sport rather than the orange-flavoured cordial, though still inclined to sing along.

Darren Hanlon - Punk's not dead (mp3)

Darren Hanlon - (There's not enough songs about) squash (mp3)

The Decemberists

The war theme continues today. War, huh! Good God, what is it good for? Inspiring quality rock songs. Say it again! In fact, while you listen to The Decemberists gently croon about the loss of fallen comrades, I shall share with you the loss of a much anticipated gig. The Decemberists are playing at the Orpheum on Saturday night, and I've been harping on about going for at least two months. I then go and agree to a dinner party the same night. Fucksocks.

I did, however, look at the Ticketmaster (hold on a minute while I disinfect my keyboard after typing those letters) website - only the fancy-pants tickets are left at $28 a pop, which in itself is not too bad for such a quality band in a cool venue. But get this, Ticketmaster (may their souls burn forever in the eternal fires of the ninth circle of purgatory) want $9.05, PER TICKET, as a "convenience charge". And just how much "convenience" are you getting for a third of the price of a ticket? Um, not a lot - delivery of said ticket is an extra $3! I have become enraged.

British Sea Power

Ah, this song takes me back. To writing my PhD thesis. Rock! To sitting in front of a computer for twelve hours a day wearing only my pants. And! To anticipating the trip to Tesco's to buy my lunch and replenish my supply of own-brand toffee yogurts. Roll!

Back in those heady days, I used to listen "CDs". Changing from one album to another involved physically walking across the room and actually shuffling those shiny bad-boys about. Imagine that! Consequently, I had a tendency to listen to the same album on loop for days on end. The Decline and Fall of British Sea Power was one such album, and Remember Me undoubtedly my favourite track. For those unfamiliar with British customs, the song is about Remembrance Day, which celebrates the end of the second World War when the Rolling Stones used their rock/blues fusion powers to defeat the disco-loving Nazis at the Battle of Waterloo.

Camera Obscura

The girlfriend's visit is over, so back to the lonely-boy distractions of music geekery and the blog. The Hold Steady were great last night. So great that I sank too many PBRs and am going to have to pass on Favourite Sons tonight. I'm too old to hack two nights in a row.

Up to the plate today are Camera Obscura (see how I used a reference to the American sport of baseball, yet referred to a band in the plural, a grammatical quirk that Americans have yet to grasp? I'm an international magpie). These boys and girls are without a doubt Scotland's finest (Franz who?) . Lloyd, I'm ready to be heartbroken is not my favourite track off the new album, but it's the only one I could find a video for. Listen to If looks could kill here:

Camera Obscura - If looks could kill (mp3)

Favourite Sons

No videos today. Instead there are two mp3s to listen to. You can download them and keep them forever if you like (Right click > Save As). Makes no difference to me. The band is Favourite Sons, and this is a timely post as they're playing TT The Bears on Tuesday night (31st October). I'm hoping to go along. Come see them now before they get famous, and then when everybody's raving about them in a year's time you can snidely say you were into them before they sold out. I love doing that. It's one of my many arsehole tendancies that I'm particularly proud of.

Favourite Sons - Down Beside Your Beauty (mp3)

Favourite Sons - Hang on Girl (mp3)

Cansei de Ser Sexy

Today's offering is the aforementioned Brazilian "electronica" (though the video shows a number of real instruments being played by real people. It also shows the Earth shaking to bring people together. Don't believe everything you see. I have only a rudimentary knowledge of plate tectonics, but I'm fairly sure "loving" is not the primary driving force). The track is Let's make love (and listen to death from above) from debut album from CSS. I heard a rumour that the hospitals in Rio are playing this over the tannoy, and immediately diagnosing anyone who's foot is not tapping as dead. Sounds reasonable to me. I'm not a natural dancer, but I've bopped round my room to this on more than one occasion. I’m alive even by Brazilian standards – result!

The Hold Steady

For my second "band du jour" I originally planned some quality Brazilian electronica (no, really... how pretentious am I?), but after the sweet and twee-ness of PBJ yesterday, I didn't want you to get the wrong impression: I do like a bit of rock. And The Hold Steady have a certain beer-soaked, back-room bar vibe to them. But don't let that fool you - they write some of the best lyrics to grace a guitar anthem since the decline of Carter the Unstoppable Sex Machine. If anyone mentions the Artic Monkeys I might have to administer a healthy dose of violence. To the groin. Yes, that's right, always follow the simple equation: Artic Monkeys = groin violence.

Anyways, I'm off to see The Hold Steady at the Middle East next Monday (30th October). If anyone wants to come along, you should grab tickets soon - these guys are gaining quite a reputation for their live show. And after your Nth PBR, remember the Monday night mantra: How'm I supposed to know that you're high if you won't even dance?

Peter Bjorn and John

Ok, first proper post is about the excellent Peter Bjorn and John. I've been bugging people to listen to these Swedish badboys. Nobody listens. Fools. Anyway, check out the video for "Young Folks" from the new album, the pun-tastically titled Writer's Block.

The girl singing on the track is Victoria Bergsman, ex-frontwoman of the Concretes. I love her voice, and hope her new solo project goes well.

First blood

OK, I’ve decided to start a little blog to keep track of what I’ve been listening to recently. I’m sure everyone that reads this (i.e., me) will be hugely interested as I have both impeccable taste and vast musical knowledge. And modesty. I have that too. Buckets of it.