Peppertones
Apart from Japan, I didn’t really cultivate an active interest in what the continent of Asia had to offer, in terms of music, up until only recently. I feel like such a fool for admitting that because I’ve been missing out on a lot of absolute gems. One of these diamonds happens to be Peppertones – a Korean duo who have been rocking it since 2004. Upon first listen to their debut album Colourful Express, I instantly relived old travelling memories of Disneyland. It’s all carefree lightheartedness with occasional shifts to sparks of orchestral enlightenment. It's like Tullycraft and of Montreal had a love child – cute and cheerful electro pop where the optimism never stops to rest. The amount of sanguinity that Peppertones create is pretty hefty - it is perplexing and it incites a rather large amount of curiosity. I would think that this much happiness in a record would obviously veer onto the road of perpetual irritation but I’m always, unabashedly, ready to accept it - it’s an instant pick me up that stays affable. Their new LP New Standard, is out now on Lo-Fi Cavare Sound.
Peppertones Ready, Get Set, Go! [Radio Edit] (Feat. Deb)
Peppertones Ready, Get Set, Go! [Full Version] (Feat. Deb)
Peppertones Heavy Sun Heavy Moon
Peppertones Superfantastic (Feat. Westwind)
Peppertones Bike (Feat. Westwind)
Labels: Grace
Labels: Grace
2007 has been a tumultuous and grand year in music for myself. I've discovered a lot of new artists and bands, so I'd say this year's list is notably different from the last 'year of' post I wrote for OTR. Dizzying highs and new lows seemed to be the general consensus of this year. I hope you've enjoyed it as much as I have. So long, farewell! Now, enough sappy hubbub, here are my top fifteen albums of 2007. I hope you enjoy. Labels: Grace
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As people may or may not have noticed, one valued member of the Off The Record team has been absent from posting this year. Although she has tried her hardest to make posts here and there, and add in her little thoughts as well, she has been extremely overwhelmed in her life at the moment, and thus she has decided it was time to leave the website to pursue a career. For those of who who may not know who I'm talking about, I'm talking about our Singaporean writer Jacq. She has been with the team for a long time now, almost since the beginning, and has contributed some real interesting and extraordinary posts over the months. Everyone here who is apart of Off The Record would dearly like to Jacq for her contributions and hopes that whatever she may choose to do in life, she does it with flying colours. She will most definitely be missed around here. Thank you Jacq!
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Fionn Regan Be Good Or Be Gone Labels: Grace
Indescribably filled with wonderful records by numerous bands, 2006 has possibly been the best year of music for me. How a group of people can put together such an insanely amazing record beats me. Each album to their own, I must comment that it was extremely hard to pick 15 albums, let alone the top spot, but each one was so monumentally terrific in their own right or way, well, they just deserved a spot. Below is my list for the top 15 albums of 2006. Enjoy! Labels: Grace
There's Old Curiosity in the Air
Arrah and the Ferns forming is a happy accident. Their debut album, Evan is a Vegan, is a candy store full of Wurlitzer organs, banjos and sunshine filled guitars. While the whimsical, sweet melodies and convivial moments remind me of Play School, the lyrics spew vitriol about emo kids and ways to kill someone. Apart from the amusingly malevolent words, I also love the Arcadian atmosphere imbued within each song.
Arrah and the Ferns Problems
Arrah and the Ferns Southern Comfort
Arrah and the Ferns Skylark
Constantly changing homeroots even up to the point when she graduated from Berklee School of Music in Boston in 2003, Caroline Lufkin is more than just your normal musician. She’s a wondrous duet of pleasures, composer of romantic and starry eyed minimal arrangements and a master at finesse. Lufkin, who was recently in Australia as part of Mice Parade’s band, has the most illuminatingly sweet voice ever.
Caroline Where's My Love
Caroline Sunrise
Caroline All I Need (Owen Vallis Mix)
Bring on the bubblegum! Hey Willpower, the brainchild of Will Schwartz (part of pop group Imperial Teen) with the addition of Tomo Yasuda and a rotation of collaborators inject their helping of slick sunshine and candies of synth pop, queercore, and contemporary R&B. The addition of choreographed dances and matching outfits at live shows make this rightly unabashed pop troupe even sweeter.
Hey Willpower Chewing Gum
Hey Willpower Not Trippin'
Hey Willpower Silent Ring
The Kills’ new one is a softer record, to say the least. They’ve chosen to take a refined route with their new record but it doesn’t necessarily mean that they’ve abandoned anything great. While I do proclaim my love for their No Wow regularly, Midnight Boom is pleasantly surprising. There are catchy hooks littered everywhere. My particular favourite, Cheap and Cheerful, is at the same time a fervent and serenely calm track, complete with drum rolls and comical samples. Midnight Boom is out in March.
The Kills Cheap and Cheerful
The Kills Tape Song
Crystal Skulls is a collection of bookmarked pages of a history book. They flourish with warm, intelligent pop and read pages from jazz and soft rock, as well. There’s a proclivity on all their records to appeal to everyone on the sound spectrum. The compositions are intricate, yet very romantic. The words out of Christian Wargo’s mouth are eloquent and ready to incite zealous discourse between listeners but inversely, have diaphanous and even quixotic tendencies. And, best of all, it’s excellent music for the lazy lounge.
Crystal Skulls The Cosmic Door
Crystal Skulls Baby Boy
Grace's Top 15 Albums of 2007
15. !!! - Myth Takes
!!! are the ultimate dorky dancing, no holds barred musical collective, and have proved themselves to be reigning with their third album Myth Takes. With the most excellent dance moves courtesy of lead vocalist Nic Offer (who reminds me of black cats and outcasts prowling the late night streets in search of mischievous, random fun), !!! pounds all their energy into efforts of punk and dance to create a bloody stadium of electric dance, funk and groove.
!!! Must Be the Moon
!!! Heart of Hearts
14. Deerhoof - Friend Opportunity
Deerhoof have crafted a precious gem in the jewel box album. Friend Opportunity still has those inherent Deerhoof qualities with the explosive deception of noise duelling with seemingly incongruous vocals, but they’ve leaned towards a more poppy sensibility. Oddly danceable in all contexts, Friend Opportunity is a full blown will contest of catchy melodies, erratic rhythm and copious additions of tone due to the pedals and loops. Distorted, yet elegant, it’s a bouncing ball of unbridled creativity.
Deerhoof The Perfect Me
Deerhoof Kidz Are So Small
13. I Heart Hiroshima - Tuff Teef
Angular Brisbane rockers I Heart Hiroshima released their début album earlier this year, and I say, ‘tis a very strong début. It’s got that lo-fi sensibility attached to it; raw edges and sound and all. The slightly pessimistic but still funny lyricism gives the album a blunt charm. The detached vocals, tight execution, bassless, energetic sound and equally shared vocal duties yield great opportunities to expand their possibilities, which I believe is a road in the very near future.
I Heart Hiroshima Punks
I Heart Hiroshima Crime
12. Immaculate Machine - Immaculate Machine's Fables
Musical ability runs in one of the vocalists, Kathryn Calder, family tree. Her uncle is the eminent all around star A.C. Newman. Calder and her fellow bandmates have been gifted themselves with the ability to create vivifying tunes complimented with vocal harmonies, profuse enthusiasm and cryptic lyrics. Fables is also secretly musician packed – Alex Kapranos from Franz Ferdinand and The Cribs contributed vocals while Owen Pallett lent his violin skills as the icing and cherry on top of the cake.
Immaculate Machine Jarhand
Immaculate Machine Nothing Ever Happens
11. A Sunny Day in Glasgow - Scribble Mural Comic Journal
A relative newbie on the ethereal pop scene, A Sunny Day In Glasgow’s eerie emanation that coincides with the delirious background sounds like a match made in heaven. The whole album is a mindtrip to a slow descent of ominous possibilities. Whimsical in nature, the striking musical arrangements are simple, yet alluring daydreams radiating innocence. The buoyant, gauzy whispers illuminate the luxuriant electronic layers.
A Sunny Day In Glasgow Wake Up Pretty
A Sunny Day in Glasgow Ghost In The Graveyard
10. Pants Yell! - Alison Statton
I only recently started listening to the new Pants Yell! album but it truly is a rich, textured album. The mellifluous melodies, humble vocals, exciting brass instruments and quick bursts of energy deviating from the usual quietly warm melody always get me smiling. Expressing reverence towards the vocalist of post-punk band Young Marble Giants, Pants Yell! have created elegant compositions with intent to discourse their honest, solemn sentiments to the listener with an almost fragile beauty.
Pants Yell! Reject, Reject
Pants Yell! A New City Life
09. Caribou - Andorra
Caribou falls into the unique and highly perplexing bundle of experimental electronic artists. There’s no definite way to pinpoint any aspect of these artists, but with Andorra, his latest album, it seems he’s flown out a bit. Andorra, for lack of better words, reminds me of spring. It’s a spectrum of lush sounds, wistful vocals and a throw in of summery pops. The sweeping strings, guitars and keyboard serve as the ground for an expansion of his already broad musical palette. Andorra really is a whole new language.
Caribou Melody Day
Caribou Desiree
08. Marnie Stern - In Advance of the Broken Arm
Marnie Stern's proficient guitar work has captured my applause. Everyone’s always blabbing on about how girls can do things just as good as boys, and Stern proves that without a doubt. She leaves her trail of destruction one song at a time with crazed impetuousness, procuring a greatly opulent energy all the while teaming it with her nearly nonsensical, strange vocals. She masters something not many people can achieve – an elaborate, all guns a-blazing album. Hurrah!
Marnie Stern Grapefruit
Marnie Stern Precious Metal
07. Do Make Say Think - You, You're a History in Rust
Do Make Say Think records have a penchant of being gossamer until I listened to You, You’re a History in Rust. Of course, I expected the same technical skill and interplay between each song, but You has captured more than my attention. There’s no need for eloquent discourse when you’re talking about Do Make Say Think. My favourite, The Universe!, is shift from normal counterparts with harsh guitars that explode into an almost discordant mash of noise and emotion.
Do Make Say Think The Universe!
Do Make Say Think Executioner Blues
06. Bonde do Rolê - With Lasers
A listen to this record is a dance across the line from puritan to raucous, sex permeated fun of the decadent kind. They rattle on about sex after school and metal fans in the most indubitably brusque and offensive manner, which is quite entertaining. The album has that certain quality to strike up camaraderie, which is rare. Bonde do Rolê were supposed to tour the country in January but unfortunately cancelled due to friction in the band.
Bonde do Rolê Bondallica
Bonde do Rolê James Bonde
05. Yelle - Pop-Up
"Cuizinier avec ton petit sexe entoure de poils roux" is the first line that Yelle sings with a sense of satisfaction from the song Je Veux te Noir, a ferocious criticism about a man and his words. I can see how she garners comparisons with Uffie. They also both have that electro pop French related girl persona. She really did pop up out of nowhere with her brand of electro pop being of the infectiously catchy kind. I recently saw her life at Parklife, and it was voice losing, crazy dancing fun. Always a plus!
Yelle A Cause Des Garçons
Yelle Je Veux te Voir
04. Gutevolk - Tiny People Singing Over the Rainbow
Japan is really a land of everything – the pure pop purveyors, the noise rockers and then there are the experimenting, electronic crafters to name a few. Gutevolk, or Hirono Nishiyama, is the perfect cast of the third. Nishiyama adds a bit of everything in the pot from cloudfuls of bedroom pop, lashings of ambient leanings and decent sprinklings of folk aesthetics. Her heavenly vocals make for a very delightful listen and the animated, perspicuous arrangements is a child’s dream come true.
Gutevolk Portable Rain
Gutevolk The Door to Everywhere
03. Shugo Tokumaru - Exit
Do you remember that scene from Amélie where he watches the tape with the many different scenes in it? Exit is like that; like a demented dragonfly whizzing through the perilous soundscapes, finding a new experience in each one. Tokumaru is a provisioner of blithe guitar pop and he created Exit, a feast for the ears. Each track paints their part of a sweet sounding anecdote for the lazy Saturday afternoon.
Shugo Tokumaru Parachute
Shugo Tokumaru D.P.O.
02. The Most Serene Republic - Population
My first post about TMSR hoped that they would hone their youthful enthusiasm into their second album and the result is something I would have never imagined of – a complex, rousing collection of unblemished perfection that opens up to one amazing record. It combines the best aspects of their previous album with a more refined outlook to create a daring album of monolithic proportions. It's got the compelling flourishes and the pensive moment then and now.
The Most Serene Republic Compliance
The Most Serene Republic Neurasthenia
01. To My Boy - Messages
Messages seems to be the typical cold new rave record from first glance. In actuality, it’s more like a carnival ride overflowing with exuberant fantasticality. Eccentric beats accompanied by grand vocals seems like a sure-fire road to a pretentious disaster but To My Boy can basically pull off anything. The lyrical goodness resembles the Jetsons - the image of the information age with hovercars and computers. Messages is an exhilarating ride through binary codes that never fails to hit the right beat.
To My Boy Eliminate
To My Boy In the Zone
Metronomy
When I first encountered the word 'Metronomy' I came up with many absurd and awkwardly devious connotations – the Citroën robot car breakdancing ad (or at least I think it was Citroën), robots actually doing the robot dance, the sound of a clock and a scene from a Spiderman cartoon. But they don’t actually mean or having relation to Metronomy. Metronomy is the brainchild of Joseph Mount. In between the dissolution of bands he played drums for, Mount started to create electrical arrangements and soon after, Oscar Cash and Gabriel Stebbing were integrated into Metronomy after being his back up band, The Food Groups, for a while. Metronomy fits into a little niche of music – an amazing cacophony of bleeps, highly addictive bass lines and oddly danceable beats. From time to time, there are subtle hooks which make it even more awesome. I see some of Goldfrapp’s aesthetic thrown in there somewhere, as well. Metronomy are currently rocking the UK with the likes of Bloc Party, CSS and Justice. They are definitely a band to look out for in the forthcoming years. It also makes me wants to dance like either a robot, or someone who has consumed too much sugar. I mean, wouldn’t you like to see someone dance like that? I would.
Metronomy You Could Easily Have Me
Metronomy Trick or Treatz
Metronomy 1 String Strung
Seabear
Does a seabear really exist? Originally a myth concocted by locals, it is now the truth that one truly does but alas, 'tis rare. This mysterious creature hailing from one of the world's greatest animal hotspots (from the likes of Björk and Sigur Rós) consists of one to seven members when migrating. Their call is one entirely of its own – dainty indie pop with lashings of folk touches interjected in between. Sprinkle with Kings of Convenience’s solemn lyricism, simple but unforgettable melodies and Belle & Sebastian’s charm and this call may as well be named a certain term - music – perfect music to turn the bluest of blues into happy, bursting pinks.
Seabear I Sing I Swim
Seabear Lost Watch
A Sunny Day in Glasgow
The members of band A Sunny Day in Glasgow aren’t actually from Glasgow. As a matter of fact, they’re from Philadelphia, of the United States. The faux-Glaswegian siblings craft really dreamy, haunted pop music that when you listen to it, you'd think that it'd be perfect film music for a character’s epiphany or experience of catharsis. ASDIG is most certainly filed under the indie pop genre, but have a charmingly enigmatic quality about them which distinguishes them from fellow indie pop bands. Apart from exercising indie pop semantics, they make excellent use of electronic music – the ambient sounds, dance beats and the layering of constant rhythms which is truly sublime. The best quality about ASDIG is the nearly undecipherable, angelic lyrics courtesy of sisters Lauren and Robin. The music is amazing; like you’re suspended in animation. The feeling of when listening to one of their records is like touching colour. Some may think of the music as a disorienting, shapeless mass, but each track from their all records does differ and have their own sort of story. There’s a twang, or a small difference that makes it and differentiates each song to make it it's own story.
A Sunny Day in Glasgow Wake Up Pretty
A Sunny Day in Glasgow 5:15 Train
A Sunny Day in Glasgow The Best Summer Ever
Beach House
When I first heard Victoria Legrand melt her words into my skin in the opening track "Childhood" (Love you all the time / Even though you’re not mine), it struck a euphoric feeling throughout. Beach House only have one record out, but it is, in short, stunning. Someone could of listened to their album and surmise that it was an undiscovered gem from another time (I know I did) or make connections regarding similarities – Mazzy Star, The Zombies, Slowdive and perhaps a bit of Broadcast, but Beach House are entirely in their own category. They craft minimalist and serene dream pop with hefty amounts of fuzzy organs, woozy slide guitars and breathy, delicate vocals that weave throughout so seamlessly. The blankets of melancholy are balanced out with the relaxing calmness lingering over. The imagery connected to this album is pretty breathtaking. The record is a soft waltz; the sweet breeze on a dim day; the languidness of a sunset rising. Perfect.
Beach House’s self titled debut album is available now on Mistletone Records.
Beach House Saltwater
Beach House Master of None
Beach House Childhood
Bonde do Rolê
Lately, I’ve been seeing that Bonds ad everywhere – the one where there’s a phalanx of girls in colourful undies and whatnot doing a synchronised dance routine to a tune of a colourful, wild riot of energy. That song is called Marina Gasolina. And it’s by Bonde do Rolê.
The band started out in their relatively big hometown of Curitiba, merging baile funk, guitar riffs, generous amounts of samples and filthy, filthy lyrics into a big fat conglomerate of fun and all good cheesiness. The first band signed to Diplo’s own label Mad Decent, they soon then signed to British label Domino Records where they made their presence fully aware with companies using their songs in ads everywhere; the song Solta o Frango is currently in a worldwide campaign for mobile phone company Nokia. In no way tenuous or tentative, Bonde do Rolê is the band to make you dance and basically, go crazy.
Bonde do Rolê Office Boy
Bonde do Rolê Marina Gasolina
Bonde do Rolê Bondallica
The Clientele - God Save The Clientele
The Clientele have wafted around for a while but really only since 2007, have they gained some ground in the indie scene with the release of their third studio album, God Save The Clientele. The method of The Clientele is simple but profoundly memorable: generous amounts of atmosphere, reverb soaked lyrical delight and MacLean’s breathy vocals. Opening track Here Comes the Phantom lifts a page from The Monkees, but what’s ironic enough is that the ghost written four would never reach the musical heights of what is following. The Dance of the Hours is surreal, breezy prose set to music. The short monologue at the beginning sets a moment of intrigue as an anecdote about a child finding a toy knight in a garden is relayed through hastily whispered words. Lush string arrangements and bursts of childlike piano add a breezy kind of feel. The Queen of Seville percolates melancholy and through the acoustic guitar plucking, maracas and a slow motion piano line. It perfectly sets a grey skies country road travelling scene. The Garden at Night jolts the album’s gears, claiming a few rapid guitar successions and uncertain territory, while Bookshop Casanova is a care free and whimsical plotting of love saturated in an ingénue-like quality. The songs stick around long enough to resonate before smoothly gliding out. The implementation of orchestra, piano and pedal steel radiates throughout God Save The Clientele, giving the record a bounce. God Save The Clientele is a glimmering effort to date, expanding on the trademark sound without becoming soppy or without any expense of intimacy.
Thursday, 26th of July - Melbourne
The East Brunswick Club
Supported by Institut Polaire
Tickets are $26 + booking fee or $30 at the door, if any are available
Buy online here or call the East Box Office on (03) 9388 9794
Friday, 27th of July - Sydney
Spectrum
Supported by Institut Polaire
Tickets are $26 + booking fee
Buy online here or visit any Moshtix retail outlet
Saturday, 28th of July - Brisbane
The Troubadour
Supported by The Zebras
Tickets are $34.40
Buy online here or purchase from Rocking Horse or Skinny's
The Clientele The Dance of the Hours
The Clientele The Queen of Seville
The Clientele Bookshop Casanova
The Clientele The Garden at Night
Goodbye and Hello
With the leaving of one member, it has pretty much forced me and the rest of the team to consider where Off The Record will be heading in the future. I'm sure I speak for the team when I say that we need a new writer to fill Jacq's shoes. With that, people can start emailing us as soon as they want. We're looking for someone that would be willing to at least make one post every couple of days, or even everyday (that would be nice), we're not picky with gender (although the website is mostly female orientated) or country your from, but we are looking for someone who is around the same age as all of us other writers (Me 17, Sandra 16, Grace 13, and Molly 19) and if possible, handy with some HTML. If you think you can fill those specifications, then please, drop me or Sandra an email and we'll see what we can do.
Now, just to let people on a bit of an insight as to the direction the website will be taking here are the following improvements the website may possibly be taking:
- Posting makeover (more info, more songs, more viewer friendly, and possibly streaming)
- Sidebar makeover (not sure how yet, but I'm sure the team will figure something out)
- Possible Template makeover (Highly unlikely, Sandra is the template designer and may not have time.)
- Hosted website (we're looking into finally hosting Off The Record, officially making it a "dot com")
- More posts (I'm always promising this, but we're all trying our hardest.)
Who knows what the future will bring to this website, I guess we'll just have to wait and see. Oh, sorry, no music today as well. I will make a post as soon as possibly can.
The Most Serene Republic
What is the correlation between Venice and The Most Serene Repbulic? Apart from the band name being taken from Venice's moniker during the Renaissance period, TMSR has also enjoyed a vibrant flourish. The first band signed to label Arts & Crafts that had no relation to Broken Social Scene, The Most Serene Republic have truly played their cards right. Leaving school to pursue artistic endeavours, the Canadian sextet is a dreamy fusion of synth based arrangements, melodic guitar segments and lengthy song
titles. Inevitably, they draw comparisons to BSS due to the band adopting non-linear song structure and being on Broken Social Scene's flagship label, but, I sense a fun, nerdy aesthetic that I don't find in any other A & C band. Producing a full, lush sound as such, the factor that makes TMSR even more appealing is the unpolished and relaxed production values that came about while recording. Proposition 61 was built on sporadic handclaps and clicks and included shouts at one another across the room. Whimsical and energetic in all its glory, Underwater Cinematographer is a shimmering effort that reclaims child-like innocence while touching on tight manic tendencies. Hopefully they can hone the youthful enthusiasm into their second record they are currently working on.
The Most Serene Republic Content Was Always My Favorite Colour
The Most Serene Republic Proposition 61
Do Make Say Think
I inadvertently discovered Do Make Say Think through a CD my friend kindly burnt for me. I didn't explicitly ask him to burn DMST for me, but I'm glad he did. Now truly illustrious with relative bands, Constellation Records and the indie goer scene, 'twas not easy from the start. DMST formed with humble beginnings and in a primary school room. When they released their first record, it was slanted as formulaic and unoriginal material compared to other post-rock contemporaries such as Godspeed You! Black Emperor and Fly Pan Am on the Constellation roster. Out of anything generally considered or haphazardly tagged 'post-rock', Do Make Say Think is superlative. While relaxing in the daedal dynamics they are recognised for, DMST employ a broad spectrum of influences from free jazz to electronica; even shifting from elegant tortuosity to roaring, boisterous clicks and clacks. Steeped in culture and pensiveness, DMST have a musical depth to them you can only find in only a few bands and artists. The epic songs elicit feelings of ambient spaciousness. Recording and playing flows with spontaneity. Everything is complacential, which easily allows the listener more to enjoy.
Their fifth album, You, You're a History In Rust is out now on Inertia Records.
Do Make Say Think Bound To Be That Way
Do Make Say Think Executioner Blues
Do Make Say Think The Universe!
We Got Issues
There's just something about Sweden that I love. From happy children's literature, H&M and Ikea, the music scene is a cut from the same cloth. To be more specific, Irene. Part of what makes Irene so catchy and charming is their love of '80s and '90s guitar pop. It is easy to fall in love with their cheery lyrical goodness sung to effortless and delicate melodies that never becomes saccharine. Their album, Apple Bay, is out now on Popfrenzy Records.
Irene Little Things (That Tear Us Apart)
I recently got my hands on Sound of Silver, the sophomore release from DFA Records co-founder James Murhpy's musical project, LCD Soundsystem. A tight and streamlined effort, Sound of Silver is a consolidation of rock values and dance music dynamics, while blending in a touch of pop aesthetics. I wouldn't expect much lyrical poignancy from him but surprisingly, emotion is alive in his rich songwriting. With the opening track Get Innocuous, Murphy exercises his appreciation for Brian Eno. He reaches new ground with Someone Great. It holds profound sadness in a meticulously set electro pastiche, about loss. Such a contemplative memory is blasted out by the lyrical polar opposites of the record. In no way patriotic, North American Scum is a part sardonic funk-punk reflection about the degenerate image of his country. All My Friends is an asseverate realisation about the cusp of adulthood, kicked back with pianos which soon rolls into a climatic explosion of earnestness and tightly knit energy. New York, I Love You But You're Bringing Me Down echoes The Velvet Underground, while plotting Murphy's love of the currently dirty ranks of the city.
Murphy has grown, as a lyricist and perfected his production sound with his second record. Sound of Silver is deep and coalesces euphoric production values and lyrical sorrow which acquiesce with each other to work on the previous template of LCD Soundsystem's previous record. Thus, bringing a potential contender of the Album of 2007.
LCD Soundsystem Get Innocuous
LCD Soundsystem North American Scum
Teenagers Say Yes
Mirah - Joyride: Remixes
Mirah Pollen (Pee Pollen Remix)
Mirah Make It Hot (All Over Remix) - Mixed by Y.A.C.H.T.
Mirah Fruits of Your Garden - Remade by Khaela Maricich
Modular People - Leave Them All Behind 2
The Presets Are You The One? (Club Mix)
The Futureheads Skip to The End (Digitalism Re-rub)
Justice Waters of Nazareth
Erase Errata - Nightlife
Erase Errata Tax Dollar
Erase Errata He Wants What's Mine
Jenny Wilson - Love and Youth
Jenny Wilson Let My Shoes Lead Me Forward
Jenny Wilson Summer Time - The Roughest Time
Jenny Wilson Love Ain't Just a Four Letter Word
Psapp
I only realised yesterday that the Psapp song Cosy in the Rocket from their 2006 release The Only Thing I Ever Wanted, is actually the song that plays over the opening credits of the TV show Grey's Anatomy! This English duo has been hitting me with their incredibly hypnotic tunes brimming with simple creativity and blissful electronic beats. Do include the unusual samples which are, surprisingly, used well in such situations. Galia Durant's voice is also quite charming, rich with sultriness. What you can also revel in is the great songwriting over quirky instrumentation. Psapp develop songs with such beautiful melodies and tasteful noise that it's impossible not to find the duo and their musical genius a delight to listen to.
Psapp Hi
Psapp Cosy in the Rocket
Psapp The Words
Jens Lekman
I always fall for romantic lyrics, no doubt. Jens Lekman is a genius in such fields. A pop star in his native Sweden, everything about his music is heartfelt and literal. Strongly reminiscent of Stephin Merritt of The Magnetic Fields, he combines gentle guitar, humorous samples and light, gorgeous melodies layered over delicate arrangements. Such humbleness and wonder exists in every one of his songs, it never, ever falters, while evoking feelings of warmness. Truly intimate and lovely, Lekman is a charming pop visionary to behold and treasure.
Jens Lekman Maple Leaves (EP Version)
Jens Lekman A Man Walks Into A Bar
Deerhoof
Panda panda panda! Satomi Matsuzaki, the lead vocalist of band Deerhoof, has had no formal musical training, like the other members of Deerhoof. But who cares about that? They have somehow perfectly formulated a way to compose meticulously chaotic, strange compositions of sound, while still retaining an absolutely great melody and an ability to keep in time (something that would be hard for such a band). I would never of thought that it was possible to have meticulous and chaos next to each other in a sentence, but Deerhoof has proved me wrong. It's an electric mish mash of harsh noise and light, catchy melodies that are wildly performed. While it takes time to get familiar with the music, you can later appreciate the effort. The vocals are beautiful and smooth and the diverse instrumentation is used well.
Deerhoof will release their 8th album, Friend Opportunity on the 23rd of January, and are in Australia in April for The Great Escape.
Deerhoof Rrrrrrright
Deerhoof Wrong Time Capsule
Broadcast
What can you expect from Broadcast? Everything always evolves with the newly fresh and eerily hypnotic duo (formerly a quintet). While not always instantly enjoyable, it's definitely surprising. You can look forward to Trish Keenan's dreamy, ethereal vocals that ring a bell of Acid House Kings but all the while sinister over sample-heavy and retro, futuristic electronic beats used minimally. Everything about them reminds me of the words 'synth' and 'analog.' There's this mysterious atmosphere that clouds. While also branching out in surreal, ambient dream-pop, Broadcast is cemented in my mind as the cool as, strange sci-fi flick reminiscent band who perfectly mix androgyny and effeminateness. You can pretend it's the new age of space!
Broadcast Black Cat
Broadcast Michael a Grammar
Fionn Regan
Everyone must be aware of the plenitude of singer-songwriters out there, but there's something about Fionn Regan which makes him stand out from his contemporaries. The languid, calming vocals are sung to minimalist setups. Amazingly soft chords and fluid, but frantic finger plucking (without technical obsessions) interchange effortlessly and without mistake. The songs encapsulate different emotions, perfectly interpreted through his poetic lyricism, which is abundant throughout - it easily evokes vivid and picaresque images. For a debut, he is stunningly mature! Currently, The End of History is one of my favourite albums to listen to. Regan will be supporting Damien Rice on his Australian tour in February, and will be here again in March for Laneway Festival.
Fionn Regan The Underwood Typewriter
Fionn Regan Put a Penny In the Slot
Off The Record Top 15: Part 3 (Grace's Picks)
01. M. Ward - Post-War
Undeniably beautiful and soothing music thrown in a thought-provoking album title. You don't see that combination everyday! Perfection. Absolute perfection.
M. Ward Today's Undertaking
02. Love is All - Nine Times That Same Song
The 5-piece Swedish band have got me dancing to their spectacularly manic tunes. Energetic, confident and rowdy and amusing lyrics about liking the same type of cheese. They'll be in Australia in March for Laneway.
Love is All Busy Doing Nothing
03. The Blow - Paper Television
The Blow is one of the most creative duos in indie music history. What appeals to me is its quirky, enigmatic vibe and the witty, playful lyrics - which are sung beautifully. I recently saw them at Newtown Theatre, and it was an amazing experience.
The Blow Babay (Eat a Critter, Feel Its Wrath)
04. Joanna Newsom - Ys
Indulge in lesser known instruments and include a full orchestra. The finished product is eccentric and innocent; everything is whimsical and exquisitely produced.
Joanna Newsom Cosmia
05. TV on the Radio - Return to Cookie Mountain
TV on the Radio is intense and complex. Songs are epic and enthralling and layered, which is heightened further by the execution of certain sounds/effects. Simply amazing!
TV on the Radio Wash the Day
06. Camera Obscura - Let's Get Out Of This Country
I love Camera Obscura. These gentle, nostalgic melodies with melancholic lyrics and wistful vocals make for the most uplifting experience. This is by far the best Camera Obscura album.
Camera Obscura If Looks Could Kill
07. The Long Blondes - Someone To Drive You Home
The Long Blondes appeal to me in every imaginable factor. The image, musically, and the general feeling. It reminds me of the 50s so very much. All songs are incredibly catchy.
The Long Blondes Separated By Motorways
08. Camille - Le Fil
Her songs just radiate with innocence and mysteriousness. They still remain fresh and catchy after many listens and her beatboxing is used to the record's advantage so very well.
Camille J'Ai Tort
09. Belle and Sebastian - The Life Pursuit
It's really a daydream, all songs are so light. While they remain lyrically and musically sound, they have evolved tremendously. Belle and Sebastian never cease to amaze me!
Belle and Sebastian Sukie in the Graveyard
10. Islands - Return to the Sea
From the remains of The Unicorns comes Islands. They are insidiously trippy and so awesomely organic, I love listening to Islands on a sunny day. I can't wait for their second album.
Islands Jogging Gorgeous Summer
11. Nouvelle Vague - Bande à Part
Nouvelle Vague's second album is surprisingly pleasant! I usually gawk at the thought of covers, but these are so seamlessly constructed and are interpreted extremely different to the original, the pay-off is immense.
Nouvelle Vague Dancing With Myself
12. Phoenix - It's Never Been Like That
A strong return from these French gentlemen, Alphabetical was lacking from what United had left off with. Using many simple, but striking musical arrangements, It's Never Been Like That is a smooth as record. I can't wait to catch them at V!
Phoenix Long Distance Call
13. Tilly and the Wall - Bottom of Barrels
The sophomore album from tap-dancing aficionados have returned with the same fun-loving, exuberant warmth I love. Listening to their songs make me want to take up tap-dancing.
Tilly and the Wall Bad Education
14. The Pipettes - We Are The Pipettes
Oh so catchy and reminiscent of the 60s girl groups, it makes you want to dance endlessly. With choreographed dance moves, matching outfits and the cutest backing band, The Pipettes are dazzling.
The Pipettes Pull Shapes
15. Mates of State - Bring It Back
Known for the shifting rhythms, and simultaneous male/female harmonies, the duo have widened their musical palette with this album. Mates of State are still vibrant and thrilling as ever.
Mates of State Think Long
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