My introduction to Lavender Diamond was literally only a couple of weeks ago whilst they were supporting The Decemberists on their UK tour. I was instantly captivated by them. The band are a perfect mix of classic folk and genius like pop hooks along with the undeniably kooky personality of front woman Becky Stark it would be a slight understatement to say I was instantly smitten these guys. So far the only thing commercially available is a 4 track EP "The Cavalry Of Light" which was released on Rough Trade on January 30th of this year. However, the debut album "Imagine Our Love" is released on May 7th, and, after hearing if for the first time this morning can honestly say will be worth the wait.
For anyone wanting to know a little more about the group, heres a little bit of history:
While living in Providence, Rhode Island, Stark began performing as Lavender Diamond in a play that she and a friend wrote, created and toured with called Bird Songs of the Bauharoque, inspired by the work of artist Paul Laffoley. A self-produced CD of Stark's songs accompanied the tour in a hand-sewn, silkscreened sleeve. Lavender Diamond grew into a four-piece band after Stark relocated to Los Angeles. They self-released a four-song EP and have performed at L.A.'s ArthurFest, at South by Southwest in Austin, Texas, and at the CMJ New Music Seminar in New York City. In 2006 Lavender Diamond signed to Rough Trade Records in Europe, and Matador Records in the U.S.
Listen to possibly the best pop song you'll hear all year right now. Download the magnificent "Open Your Heart" below.
Stylus magazine hit the nail on the head last year when describing moi Caprice's third album The Art Of Kissing Properly as “soundtrack music”. It can literally turn a dull dreary walk into work into a cinematic experience, to transport you to another place. Jesus, if a song like "The Town & The City" can make Ipswich feel like Paris then it must be good huh? For those of you, like myself new to the dramatic synth pop of moi Caprice please allow myself to give you a quick recap of their career thus far. (with a little help from the internet).
Danish 4 piece band moi Caprice rose to underground fame in the late nineties when they entered the top slot on the Alternative Chart with the song The Sun & the Silence as the first unsigned band ever. A few years would pass before the band released their first actual single, Daisies, and despite it being a slightly awkward ballad, the song turned into a minor hit in Denmark, and with 7 consecutive weeks in the top slot of the Alternative Chart is was the biggest hit on the chart in 2002.
The band ended the year with a nomination for best new band of the year at the Danish Radio Awards. The next single, Artboy Meets Artgirl, proved moi Caprice one of the finest art rock bands in the country, and paved the way for their 2003 full-length debut, Once Upon a Time in the North, which was widely praised by the critics. After an extensive tour moi Caprice released their second album, You Cant Say No Forever, in early 2005. Again the reviews were amazing, some claiming it a true masterpiece. Both To the Lighthouse and My Girl You Blush turned into hits, on both the Alternative and the mainstream charts. In early 2006 moi Caprice was nominated for the grand prize of the Radio Awards. moi Caprice has been widely acknowledged for their skillful song writing, their apt ear for the pop tune in a dark melancholic musical setting, their highly intelligent lyrics in an original style that is in arguably the sound of no one but themselves.
All clued up now? Excellent. So the bands third full length was released last year on Glorious Records and for the first half at least is a pretty solid record. It mixes perfectly crafted love lorn lyrics with lush synths and breathy atmospherics with Phil Spector-esque drums thrown in for good measure. Think what the Pet Shop Boys would sound like if they spent a fortnight in Europe making beautiful music with Camera Obscura and you'd be headed in the right direction. It starts off strong with the title track followed by "The Town & The City" and "For Once In Your Life Try To Fight For Something You Believe In", the latter sounding somewhat like a distant relative to The Flaming Lips'' "Do You Realize?". It is an album, I've found, best played in small portions. After a while things to start to get a little samey, almost as if the band have put all their best ideas into the first four or five songs and then repeated the formula for the remainder of the record. When its good though, its absolutely breathtaking and certainly worthy of investigation.
The band are yet to confirm any UK dates as of yet but are heading over to Canada and the States next month for a quick tour, most notably for the SXSW festival. Dates are as follows:
8 March - Silver Dollar Room. Toronto 10 March - Canadian Music Week. Toronto 12 March - Union Hall. New York 13 March - Pianos. New York 15 March - Uncle Flirty's. Austin, Texas 16 March - SXSW. Austin, Texas 17 March - Tiswas, The Annex. New York
I swear they must be putting something in the water in Sweden. Sure, the past decade has seen the country produce a number of successful indie bands - The Cardigans, The Wannadies & The Hives being the most successful internationally - but never has there been a rush like this.
Last year saw a load of fabulous Swedish indie pop releases from I'm From Barcelona, Jens Lekman, Surburban Kids With Biblical Names, Loney, Dear and Peter, Bjorn & John to name just a handful. All these albums were greeted with vast critical acclaim with Pitchfork scoring the Jens Lekman album "Oh You're So Silent Jens" a whopping 8.5/10 and Bella Union label boss Simon Raymonde claiming Loney, Dear's "Sologne" to be "one of the most incredible albums i own, it will seriously make your life better". An album that slipped under the radar though was "Steal My Horses And Run" the sophomore album from Stockholm 4-piece Blackstrap. Released at the tail end of 2006 to rave reviews in Sweden, Germany & Holland and receiving a fair amount of radio play on US indie stations, it has pretty much gone unnoticed here in the UK.
Lets hope that will change soon because this is an album to fall in love with, to cherish and to tell all you're friends about. The easiest way to describe the sound of these guys is to mention their influences; Jesus & Mary Chain, Spiritualized, Joy Division & Primal Scream. Its blissfully fucked up rock n roll drenched in fuzzed out guitars and atmospheric shared lead vocals from Jonatan Westh and Maria Lindén.
The opener "Winning Speech" sounds like a harder, better, faster, stronger version of "Medication" from Primal Scream's Vanishing Point. Its a perfect blueprint for whats to follow, and just as the final chord rings out you're smacked around the face with the juggernaut of a track that is "Rough Parade", an obvious choice for a single and a sure fire hit at festivals this summer with its call and response boy girl vocal in the same vein as The Ravonettes but with a more poppy sheen to it. Things continue at full throttle with "Lay Down Low", this track has a great vocal by Westh, his Swedish drawl fits perfectly with the pounding rhythm section. Things slow down a little with "The Far Gone" and "The Open Road", a real gem of a track, this would fit perfectly on the Lost In Translation soundtrack, a hypnotic drone of guitars and vocals which leads onto possibly the strongest moment "The Bitter, The Sweet", even though it draws comparisons to early Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, it has more bite, more attitude. The only acoustic track on the album is the dark and brooding "Still Lost", swathes of background noise combined with acoustic guitar and a haunting vocal by Lindén lead the song, its not until a pounding floor tom draws the song to a close is in its final minute.
Weighing in at just under 50 minutes there really isn't a weak moment on these 13 songs. If you're a fan of the twisted rock n roll that The Duke Spirit or Howling Bells produce then I strongly urge you to check it out. An overlooked classic that hopefully will be heard by many more sets of ears this year.
The album will get a UK release later this year but for now you can buy the CD for €16 which works out at about £10 from youmakemusic.com
Hear a brand new track from the forthcoming third album "Because Of The Times" from Kings Of Leon. Released on April 2nd (3rd in the UK). Ethan Johns (Ryan Adams, Ray Lamontagne) is back behind the mixing desk having produced the bands two previous albums.
The new release is promised to be an eclectic mix, “I think people tend to expect a certain sound from us,” says Kings of Leon’s drummer Nathan Followill, “but on this record, we tried to throw them for a loop.” Frontman Caleb adds “We took the limitations off of ourselves.” “We went into the studio with an open mind, thinking let’s do whatever it takes to get these songs to the next level. Because we really have a lot of music inside of us and a lot of different places we can go.”
You can download a track from the album right here. It certainly is a different direction for the band who have admitted to rush releasing Aha-Shake Heartbreak. Judging by this track we're in for a mighty return.
Stream the track below - or hit the download button.
Kings Of Leon - On Call
The band are in the UK for a whistle stop tour at the end of February and are back for more once the album hits the shelves in April. Dates are:
22 Feb Leas Cliff Hall, Folkestone 23 Feb Norwich UEA, Norwich 24 Feb Engine Shed, Lincoln 26 Feb Astoria, London
Every month I will be posting a mix of songs currently taking priority place on my mp3 player. Mixing new material with hard to find tracks plus a few old classics just for the hell of it. Hopefully there is something for everyone here so dive in and help yourself.
Disclaimer I don't condone piracy in any way, shape or form. MP3s posted at this site are for evaluation purposes only. The playlists are intended to encourage people to seek out new music, if you like any of these tracks - please support the artists and buy the music or go to a show. Contact me if you are the copyright holder and want the files removed.
The Line Of Best Fit favourites Loney, Dear have signed a record deal in the UK with Regal, having recently signed to Sub Pop in the US.
The first Regal release will be a single. 'I Am John' is out February 12th and features a CSS remix of 'The City, The Airport' as a b-side. Loney, Noir is released in the US on February 6th but wont see a UK release until April 16th. Madness!
If you pre-order 'Loney, Noir' via the Sub Pop website they will throw in a 7" UK import of 'The City, The Airport' b/w 'Ignorant Boy, Beautiful Girl'. Plus stickers and badges. How can one resist??
Remember you can also purchase the first two Loney, Dear albums direct through the website here priced at 80 kr each - which works out about a fiver each. See the website for more details.
Download the CSS remix of The City, The Airport right here, right now. Just click on the link below.
With the once revolving line-up of musicians settled on the three constants of Conor Oberst, Mike Mogis and Nate Walcott, Bright Eyes spent much of 2006 in the studio working on their follow-up to the acclaimed simultaneous releases Digital Ash in a Digital Urn and I’m Wide Awake, It’s Morning. "Four Winds" is the first single from these sessions that took place in New York City, Los Angeles, Portland, OR, and Lincoln, NE featuring Gillian Welch, David Rawlings, M. Ward, and Janet Weiss of Sleater Kinney. "Four Winds", is backed along with 5 exclusive B-sides not included on the forthcoming album Cassadega which is expected to be released on April 10th.
Bright Eyes - Four Winds (EP) Released 06/03/07 Tracklisting: 1. Four Winds 2. Reinvent The Wheel 3. Smoke Without Fire 4. Stray Dog Freedom 5. Cartoon Blues 6. Tourist Trap [DOWNLOAD]
I stumbled across this and thought i'd share the wealth. Its an audience recording but the quality is pretty damn good. If anyone reading this has a copy of the bands gig from Brixton Academy last year i'd love to hear it - just get in touch with me via myspace.
Death Cab For Cutie - Live Bonnaroo Festival 16/06/06 Tracklisting: 01. Passenger Seat 02. Different Names for the Same Thing 03. The New Year 04. We Laugh Indoors 05. Title And Registration 06. Soul Meets Body 07. Lowell, Ma 08. Crooked Teeth 09. Your Heart Is an Empty Room 10. A Movie Script Ending 11. Company Calls 12. What Sarah Said 13. I Will Follow You Into the Dark 14. We Looked Like Giants 15. The Sound of Settling 16. Transatlanticism
Released on March 1st is Endless Highway, a tribute album dedicated to the music of The Band. Normally these things are pretty poor, and there is some crap on there - the Jack Johnson track is as drab as can be, but hey whats new. There are definately a few decent tracks worth checking out though, especially Death Cab For Cutie's take on "Rocking Chair" and "It Makes No Difference" performed by My Morning Jacket.
The full tracklisting is:
1. Wheel's on Fire - Guster 2. King Harvest - Bruce Hornsby, 3. It Makes No Difference - My Morning Jacket 4. I Shall Be Released - Jack Johnson 5. Weight - Lee Ann Womack 6. Chest Fever - Widespread Panic 7. Up on Cripple Creek - Gomez 8. Night They Drove Old Dixie Down - The Allman Brothers Band 9. Stage Fright - Steve Reynolds 10. Rag Mama Rag - Blues Traveler 11. Whispering Pines - Jakob Dylan, Lizz Wright 12. Acadian Driftwood - The Roches 13. Unfaithful Servant - Rosanne Cash 14. When I Paint My Masterpiece - Josh Turner 15. Life Is a Carnival - Trevor Hall 16. Look out Cleveland - Jackie Greene 17. Rockin' Chair - Death Cab for Cutie
Download the Death Cab For Cutie track here Bob Dylan & The Band - Like A Rolling Stone (1966)
Sub Pop have struck gold in their recent signing. Loney, Dear or Emil Svanängen as he's known to his friends will release his fourth album Loney, Noir through the label on February 6th.
His music has been described as soulful indie folk with a powerful mini orchestra. Layer upon layer, adding instrumentation and vocals, these songs seem to bloom like time-lapse photography, depicting glimpsed scenes of modern disaffection and timeless yearning. Loney, Noir is at once effervescent and resigned, exhilarating and melancholy, joyous and confessional.
Preview tracks from the album below. Plus, as an extra treat watch a live performance of The City, The Airport from last years equally brilliant Sologne.
A Christmas present to you all. As this will be the last post of the year I thought i'd treat you all...
The Line Of Best Fit: 2006 Playlist is a 17 track compilation of my choice picks of the year. There is something for everyone here so feel free to grab it. I hope you enjoy! Merry Christmas!
Tracklist:
01.Consolation Prizes - Phoenix 02.Black & Blue - Tim O'Reagan 03.Fire In The Sky - The Hazey Janes 04.Where Are You Go Go Going To? - Loney, Dear 05.7/4 (Shoreline) - Broken Social Scene 06.Be Good Or Be Gone - Fionn Regan 07.The Crane Wife 3 - The Decemberists 08.Low Happening - The Howling Bells 09.Eyes on the Prize - M. Ward 10.Waiting for the Time to Be Right - The Brother Kite 11.Black Swan - Thom Yorke 12.The Jeopardy of Contentment - What Made Milwaukee Famous 13.Let's Get Out Of This Country - Camera Obscura 14.There Goes My Outfit - The Dears 15.The Hope Edition - My Latest Novel 16. ABC - The Pipettes 17.Head Home - Midlake
Download this fascinating insight of The Stone Roses' rehearsal sessions for The Second Coming. All the tracks here are completely unmixed and are direct from the studio tapes. 1. Ian & Reni Recording Water For Breaking Into Heaven Intro 2. Producer Giving Instructions/John In Background 3. Alternate Ten Storey Love Song Intro 4. John/Reni: The Tribal Jam 1 5. Good Times 6. Love Spreads 7. Love Spreads 2 8. Begging You 9. John/Reni: Jam 2 10. Daybreak (JB Groove) 11. Reni Solo 1 12. Tightrope 13. John/Reni: The Funky Jam 14. Breaking Into Heaven 15. Driving South 16. John/Reni: The Crazy Jam 17. How Do You Sleep 18. Reni Solo 2
The Jenny Lewis show mentioned yesterday was so so good I decided to split up the mp3 in seperate tracks, and, as i'm the nice i've uploaded it here.
The setlist is:
Long Black Dress The Big Guns You are What You Love Melt Your Heart The Charging Sky Happy Fernando Rise Up With Fists!! Carpet Baggers Sunday When Jack Killed Mom Born Secular Rabbit Fur Coat Acid Tongue Handle Me With Care
The US public radio station NPR is currently streaming a handful of live shows including a full set by Jenny Lewis. Also its worth noting that on 19th October they will be streaming Wilco at the famous 9:30 club in Washington DC. The show will be archived for a year after the transmission date. Hopefully it will be available as a download like the Jenny Lewis show.
Heres a show from Line Of Best Fit favourites The Postal Service. Recorded in Minneapolis on 25th April 2003. It was recorded direct from the Soundboard so its real good quality apart from some slight feedback in one of the tracks.
Jimmy and Ben are joined by the very fine Jenny Lewis for backing vocal duties. Hope you enjoy it. Tracklisting as follows:
1. District Sleeps Alone Tonight 2. We Will Become Silhouettes 3. Sleeping In 4. Nothing Better 5. Recycled Air 6. Clark Gable 7. This Place Is A Prison 8. There's Never Enough Time 9. Brand New Colony 10. Such Great Heights 11. Natural Anthem 12. Against All Odds
Indie discos of the world rejoice, the new album from NY disco punks The Rapture has arrived and it does not dissapoint. A huge step forward from Echoes, its a throbbing electro/indie mash up with a far more commercial edge to it than their previous efforts.
It gets it official release on September 12th in the States and September 18th in the UK. But, you lucky peeps can get your hands on it two weeks early. Enjoy.
Well, The Decemberists new album is being released October 3rd and as with pretty much every release nowadays its leaked a couple of months early. Its been getting some serious love from me for a couple of weeks now and I'm sure will be considered their strongest release to date. As with the bands previous album Picaresque, the album was co-produced by Chris Walla of Death Cab For Cutie and also features Ben Gibbard on guest vocals for the closing track Sons & Daughters.
The Decemberists - The Crane Wife is available to download here.
MP3s posted at this site are for evaluation purposes only. If you like them, please support the artist and buy their releases. Contact me if you are the copyright holder and want the files removed.
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