Too Much Time To Waste (Part 2)

So this is the second part of my update. Basically it takes in Aberdeen and then The Unwinding Hours gig.

I don’t have much time tonight so a summary of the Aberdeen trip is as follows:-

Being stoned in a busy car park
Dead seagulls
A lot of walking
Morrisons sandwiches
Listening to Limp Bizkit on the journey up to Aberdeen (just for nostalgia)
Shitty North Sound Radio on the way back down
Ghost stories
Morgans Spiced Rum
Getting ID’d for cigarettes (“Do i look under 18? Do those glasses work?”)
Getting a new high score on Fall Down on my iPod
Being stoned and slightly paranoid in Subway
Coffee
Getting stuck in rush hour traffic
“Yah’s”
Talking with Kurt Cobains spirit in a high street store
Lipstick marks on pint glasses….yuck
Tiny bathrooms
Early morning phone calls
Running backwards
Discussions on bizarre ways to die
Horrible take away food
Losing a hat
Losing money on quiz machines
A cravat
Getting lost in nightclub toilets
Being eyeballed by a strange, drunk man
Custom handshakes
Talking to a kind policewoman
Being stoned in a supermarket (bad idea)
Attempting to decipher the Aberdeen accent
Lots of bottles of water
Almost spending £1oo on a new iPod dock
Almost losing my tickets for The Unwinding Hours gig
Going home

So here’s a few songs to sum up the trip….

MP3: My Bloody Valentine – Drive It All Over Me

MP3: Iggy Pop – The Passenger

MP3: Yo La Tengo – Little Honda

And a few to sum up the ghost stories from the Thursday night…

MP3: Maps and Atlases – Songs for Ghosts to Haunt To

MP3: The Haunted – Shithead

Oh and one tune to sum up the story i told about a certain loony on a bus and his creepy crawlie fetish…….only some of you will know that story.

MP3: System of a Down – Spiders

So in short story form:- Aberdeen – Welcome To The North

Myself, Luisa and Keane took a road trip up to Aberdeen to see our friend Emma. Keanes girlfriend Lisa also happens to stay in Aberdeen so she kindly allowed us to stay at her place and joined us on our adventures. The original plan was to go see Emma and take in the Ex Lovers gig at The Warehouse. Unfortunately i believe said gig was cancelled but we decided to go ahead with the trip anyway. We left on the Wednesday morning, got there about 5pm on the Wednesday afternoon. That night we spent a few hours in various pubs and then onto a club. On the Thursday, those of us who braved the hangover (not you Emma!) went for lunch/dinner and then took a wander around a few shops before heading to the bus station to see off Luisa. She had to head back down on the Thursday night to make her work on the Friday. I spent the Thursday night with Emma and Gemma. It was a rather enjoyable few hours of storytelling and discussions and then it was back to the flat and tucked up in bed (the floor and a sleeping bag) for midnight. We left for home about 3pm on the Friday but not after i’d had one last stroll about Aberdeen city centre. Keane dropped me off in Glasgow about 7pm on the Friday night and it was straight to The Unwinding Hours gig at Stereo for me………

5th March, The Unwinding Hours @ Stereo

This was a gig and night that didn’t exactly go to plan. But it turned out amazing in the end. The plan was: I come back from Aberdeen, meet my brother in law Gary in Glasgow, we grab a few beers then head to The Unwinding Hours gig. Everything was going well until we got just outside the venue. I’d met Gary on time, we’d grabbed a few beers. Then i made the mistake of offering him a smoke. He hadn’t smoked in ages. Months and months. He felt really sick, really quickly and after taking my advice he decided to head off on the train home. I was on my lonesome.

Strangely though i didn’t feel awkward at all. The music kept me company. The Unwinding Hours have that knack of making comforting sounds. The epic and constant ethereal feel of the songs is more than enough company for any mere human. They recorded their debut album as a duo but live they are aptly assisted by a few more musicians. They will eventually play the album in it’s entirety over the course of the night.

The lighting makes for a warm mood. The lyrics add a somewhat sombre feel. They almost threaten to bring the place to a hush with whispery vocals in some parts before letting the songs soar again. Craig B’s lungs soar along with the music and i can feel a shiver in my spine. I take a look around and i can practically see the hairs on everyone’s necks standing up. We’re all sharing in this dream like sequence of songs together. It’s cold outside and the rain is lashing, the wind is howling but in here, downstairs in this little venue the sounds of perfection are keeping us warm and happy. And then it’s wake up time, the gig’s over but not before some more witty banter from the shy but charming frontman.

After the gig i end up chatting to a friend of one of the support bands “Olympic Swimmers”. We discuss various bands, mainly Aereogramme (if you don’t know why, you shouldn’t be reading this post.) But we end up on the subject of “slacker” music and shoegaze. Dinosaur Jr and the likes. I think it’s because i brought up a band called “A Grave With No Name” into the conversation. Get them checked out, seriously amazing band. A mixture of pianos and guitars with the wooziness of a softer My Bloody Valentine tinged with the vacant yet emotion full lyrical feel of Dinosaur Jr. And they can do sludgey shoegaze at it’s best too, just check out the song “Silver” for proof. Anyways back to the conversation, the subject of the “slacker” genre almost ultimately leads to Pavement. Alongside Dino Jr, Pavement could be credited with being pioneers of that movement. Of course there are so many others but those two stick out. So when Pavement came up i jumped straight in, “Oh my friend Emma absolutely loves Pavement….” before going on a ten minute spiel about Emma and her Pavement adoration. During this ten minute period, another few people join in, one being a member of said band “Olympic Swimmers”. He happens to mention his band have contributed to a Pavement tribute album called “Show Me A Word That Rhymes With Pavement”. It’s a free download. Find it here…http://www.filthylittleangels.com/

I know the website sounds like some sort of porn site, i was sceptical when the dude first told me. But it is genuine!

Seriously though it’s an album worth getting, especially if you’re big on Pavement. I downloaded it as soon as i got home from the gig on the Friday night and sent it straight to Emma.

Also, it’s worth mentioning that the other support act for The Unwinding Hours, a band called “Holy Mountain” were very very good. And very loud. They reminded me of a two man Kyuss. You can find a free download of an EP on there MySpace page.   http://www.myspace.com/mountainholy

So that was 3 very good Scottish bands in one night. Not bad for a night that looked set to be a downer.

MP3: The Unwinding Hours – There Are Worse Things Than Being Alone

MP3: Olympic Swimmers – We Dance (Pavement cover)

MP3: Holy Mountain – Kegs

And the band i was supposed to see while in Aberdeen…

MP3: Ex Lovers – You Forget So Easily

Oh and in other news, i’ve added to my PA System 🙂

MP3: Refused – New Noise

So that’s the update finished. And as a parting shot here’s some of ” A Grave With No Name”, just in case you couldn’t be bothered looking them up! I highly recommend the album “Mountain Debris”. The songs “Lavender” and “Silver” are my favourites but couldn’t find a video for either of them. I’ll post the actual tracks when i have time.

S.I.T Wolf X

Caught In The Act

Didn’t have  much time to do a post this afternoon…… i had an important meeting with a few friends and a few pints of Tennents round the local pub.

So, i’m just gonna do a quick post on some upcoming events that i’ll be attending. Some i already have tickets for, some i’m buying on pay day. Which is this Friday coming thankfully and boy could i do with it. I do the same thing every year, spend the November/December wage on Christmas presents for people and spend the majority of the Christmas wages during the festive season (nights out, parties etc) then realise, too late nonetheless, that i have the whole of January to wait before i get paid again. Maybe i’ll finally learn this year. Probably not.

Back to the gigs though..

You Can’t Eat The Word Food @ McChuils, Glasgow
Saturday 30th January

You may think i’m being biased here (the singer/guitarist is my brother in law) but if you want jagged indie rhythms that come tinged with many different influences from ska (Soap Opera King) to mod era punk (Rudiments Of No) and with a unique vocal delivery then get yourself along to one of their shows. Or at least their MySpace if you can’t make it. They’ve been together for years now and are one of the hardest working bands on the Glasgow scene, they’ve played all over Scotland and last year managed to get a London show in and impressed the audience. They’re signed to Headhunter Records and released their debut album in November 2008. They deserve to reap the rewards for their hard work, i’m sure they will this year. This show at McChuils is already their 3rd gig of 2010 and they’ve got many more to come this year. Try and catch them if you can. Oh and bring some food along if you do, they’ll appreciate it.
http://www.myspace.com/youcanteatthewordfood

The Sunshine Underground @ ABC, Glasgow
Wednesday 3rd February
MP3:  The Sunshine Underground – Borders
The Leeds quartet have finally decided to return and give us another album. And with it another tour. They release their second album “Nobody’s Coming To Save You” on the 1st of February. Will it have been worth the wait? Judging by new lead single “We’ve Always Been Your Friends” it’s a yes. Catch them live if you can. They come across as a very different animal in the flesh. Punk, indie and they tend to show their dancier edge when performing live.

God Is An Astronaut @ Oran Mor, Glasgow
Tuesday 23rd February
MP3: God Is An Astronaut- Forever Lost
These guys are all set to unleash their new album “Age of the Fifth Sun” at some point this summer or before and are proceeding that release with a tour. I only got into them a few years back through my friend Keane, they reminded me a lot of Mogwai and i’ve liked them ever since. They are one band that i’ve never managed to see live before and quite frankly i can’t wait to get the chance to bask in their audio/visual arrangements. Apparently their live shows are immense.

Errors @ Grand Ole Opry, Glasgow
Thursday 25th February
MP3: Errors – National Prism
I’ve already seen these dudes three times before. Each time was a stand out gig in it’s own right. The first was seeing them as a support band back in 2006 and i was very impressed. The second time was a herbal drug induced haze at the Connect Festival in 2008 and then i went and seen them again in October 2008 at the Oran Mor, that night was just unreal. One of the best gigs (and nights) of my life to be perfectly honest. They have an avid fanbase and trusted live reputation and when you add the fact that they have a new album on its way then this show begins to look even more appealing than it possibly ever could. They’re definitely one of Scotlands leading musical lights and they look like burning bright for many years to come.

Japandroids @ King Tuts Wah Wah Hut, Glasgow
Friday 26th February
MP3: Japandroids – Young Hearts Spark Fire
Anybody who is a regular reader on here will probably have read my review of the A Place To Bury Strangers gig back in November last year. Japandroids supported that night and added to the immense volume of that particular gig. I was hooked before i seen them live. Their hook laden anthems dragged me in from the first time i heard the opening chord of their debut album “Post Nothing”. Their care free lyrics are a refreshing change from a time where too much lyrics are focussed on the negative. And after witnessing them live, even if it was just for the modest 35 minutes or so they played, i wanted more. After that support slot they announced they’d be coming back to Scotland..and well, here they are. Headlining. This is one gig not too miss.

Ex Lovers @ The Warehouse, Aberdeen
Wednesday 3rd March
MP3: Ex Lovers – Incomplete
This is another gig that i’ve been looking forward to for a while. I only discovered this band last summer and since then i’ve been waiting for them to announce a Scottish gig. I didn’t have to wait that long. The band seem to have decided to miss out Glasgow and Edinburgh right enough and have chosen Aberdeen as the destination. It’s a bit of a journey for me to make but i’m sure it’ll be worth it. If not for the gig itself then i know it’ll be worth the journey to see my friend Emma who is currently living and studying in Aberdeen.

The Unwinding Hours @ Stereo, Glasgow
Friday 5th March
MP3: The Unwinding Hours – Little One
The Unwinding Hours gig at Stereo has the potential to be gig of the year i reckon, the return of legends . I’ll start from the beginning. Some people will know Aereogramme, some won’t. For those who don’t, i’ll explain. Aereogramme were Scottish post-rock cult legends that decided to call it a day in 2007. They were held in the same bracket as Mogwai when it came to pioneering Scottish music acts. Well, anyway the man with that distinctive, delicate voice known as Craig B has went on to form The Unwinding Hours with fellow ex-Aereogramme member Iain Cook. I bore witness to Aereogrammes last show in 2007 and it’s going to be amazing to see The Unwinding Hours first headline gig at Stereo. They have a small gig on the 31st January right enough as part of the Celtic Connection shows happening in Glasgow but Stereo will be their first headline gig and after managing to get my hands on a promo of their debut album (due out on the 15th February) i can safely say that this gig promises to be immense. Ps. their debut is an early contender for album of the year.

Four Tet @ The Bongo Club, Edinburgh
Saturday 13th March
MP3: Four Tet – Love Cry
It’s all set to be a chilled out noise fest when this one man show rolls into Edinburgh. Four Tet (Keiran Hebden to his freinds) is known for being very improvisational during his live shows. He can be dark sometimes but usually sticks to his more breezy brand of electronica, it’ll be the perfect gig to stand back and just admire. However, with the release of his new album “There Is Love In You” (out officially tomorrow but it’s being doing the rounds for a few weeks online now) he has glided into an even  more ‘dancier’ sound than usual. “Love Cry”, the lead single from the new album, is more than enough proof of this. It was the perfect way to tease his fans and build up anticipation of the new long player.

Black Rebel Motorcycle Club @ The Barrowlands, Glasgow
Friday 16th April
MP3: Black Rebel Motorcycle Club – As Sure As The Sun
I’ve seen these guys so many times now that i could be forgiven for deciding just to give this gig a miss. But i’m going, i’m despearte to see them live again. I’ve seen pretty much every single show they’ve done in Glasgow since they got together. First time i caught them live was back in 2001 at the tender age of 16 and i was taken in by the “cool”  image they so effortlessly portrayed. They were named after a motorbike gang from a Marlon Brando film right enough. Cool? No? Every time i see them though they still amaze me. Their musicianship is second to none, they’re unbelievably tight as a unit and they swap between instruments and songs structures with enviable ease. They’ve also had their fair share of problems, like most bands do eventually i suppose, but they always come back stronger. They grow with every offering, each album bringing something different from the last.

65Daysofstatic @ Oran Mor, Glasgow
Monday 3rd May
MP3: 65Daysofstatic – Retreat! Retreat! (live in NY)
I’m actually just smiling to myself with the thought of seeing these guys once more. They’re everything you want and need in a modern band and then more, the Sheffield natives are an awesome proposition on stage. Live, they have the opportunity to delve into their impressive back catalogue and use any number of amazing tracks they have at their disposal. And being brave enough to have break beat samples backing up their live shows alongside live drums only adds to the appeal. They are certainly among the elite of instrumental bands of today. Like i mentioned before their discography/output is frighteningly good, in fact, the vast amount of unreleased tracks they have recorded (remixes etc) have inspired many a mash up i’ve made. And i’m not ashamed to say i’ve “borrowed” samples from them on more than a few occasions. This will no doubt be an absolute epic gig from start to finish and along with The Unwinding Hours this is the gig i’m looking forward to the most.

S.I.T Wolf  X

THE MONDAY LIST #12: The Top 5 Tips For 2010

2009 promised and delivered so much in the way of good music, lets hope this year can be the same.

1. EX LOVERS
Ex-Lovers are a London based band who had a good 2009. Last summer saw the release of their debut singles “Just A Silhouette” and “Photobooth” and then in September they released the EP “You Forget So Easily”. The title track was the standout but other tracks such as “New Years Day” were enough to draw them favourable comparisons to Elliott Smith and The Cure. Almighty praise indeed.

They begin this year by heading off on a few gigs this month and then starting a 3 week tour of Britain on the 20 February. I’ll be taking in the Aberdeen show. If they can start off this year as they finished the last one then 2010 could be a very big year indeed for this loveable quintet.

MP3: Ex Lovers – New Years Day

I’ve previously posted “Just A Silhouette” and “You Forget So Easily” so if you like what you hear, go download them too.

http://www.myspace.com/weareexlovers

VIDEO: Ex Lovers – Photobooth

2. ZAZA
Brooklyn-ites Zaza are slowly making a name for themselves with their take on the sombre side of shoegaze. Their Cameo EP was littered with haunting sounds and glistening vocals and hazy cymbals. Never veering off far from their influences the band still manage to create a sound all of their own. If you let them they’ll take you on a musical journey.

The band are playing SXSW this March, so it won’t be long before the secrets out. Get involved.

MP3: ZaZa – Always On

http://www.myspace.com/warofzaza

VIDEO: ZaZa – Sooner Or Later

3. LOVERMAN
These guys are darker and more evil than an alleyway on Sauchiehall Street in the early hours of a damp, winter Sunday morning. The lyrics are dark, the music even darker. Swirls of feedback and threatening chords mixed with almost tribal sounding beats. Then there’s the deep and quite frankly scary voice of Gabriel Bruce. They remind of a band i fell in love with a long time ago, the Eighties Matchbox B-Line Disaster. They have the same psychobilly and gothic undertones throughout everything they do, including their dress sense. There is definitely a visual element to the band, they also have that “shock” value too and although the band themselves may deny it i feel that it isn’t intentional. I don’t think they are trying to shock (well not too hard anyway), i think that its just simply their idea of “musical and visual expression”. This dark and evil image they portray is how they feel about society and so this is how they’ll perform on stage, this is what they’ll sing about etc.  I’m probably wrong but that’s just my opinion. Intended or not, the menacing look works and it certainly adds to their cult status. The music speaks for itself though and if the image they have helps them along the way then brilliant. I just hope these guys get the recognition they deserve in 2010.

Ok. so the above picture doesn’t look that menacing but that’s them being nice. If you want menacing, check the video for “Crypt Tonight” below.

MP3: Loverman – Crucifiction

http://www.myspace.com/lovermantheband

VIDEO: Loverman – Crypt Tonight

4. HURTS
These two could have stepped right out of the 80’s. I’m probably not alone in guessing that the era of New Romanticism from that decade have hugely influenced them. They have the same aching lovelorn lyrics, style and drum machines. And they’ve certainly blown the dust off of a few twenty five or so year old synthesizers. What i like most though is their ability to tell a story in a song without getting to “into” it. If that makes sense, which it probably doesn’t again. They dress slick, they sound slick and they’re destined for a big year.

Another really appealing thing about Hurts is that you can dance to them, so get yourself along to one of their shows this year and dance like it’s the 80’s. Yes, even if you missed/were too young for that era. I totally missed that scene (i was born 1985) but it won’t stop me loving and wanting to dance along to Hurts disco anthems.

MP3: Hurts – Blood, Tears And Gold

http://www.myspace.com/ithurts

VIDEO: Hurts – Wonderful Life

5. PULLED APART BY HORSES
This is Leeds noise punk at it’s finest. Leeds has produced a lot of good music over the last few years or so. The Tupolev Ghost and The Music to name but two. Pulled Apart By Horses are the product of cult Leeds band Mother Vulpine splitting up. The members went on to form PABH and also one of last years tips, Dinosaur Pile Up. But lets focus on Pulled Apart By Horses. They are effectively a bulldozer of noise. Aggressive in output yet the melodies remain. It’s beautiful noise. A lot of times band this heavy end up losing their sense of melody, not these guys. They sometimes garner up an almost Disco feeling. They’re also a mouth watering prospect as a live act with the ability to keep a crowds attention, which in todays “scenes” can be a pretty hard thing to do.

MP3: Pulled Apart By Horses – Get Off My Ghost Train

http://www.myspace.com/pulledapartbyhorses

VIDEO: Pulled Apart By Horses – Meat Balloon

S.I.T Wolf X

The 30 Best Songs of 2009

Ok so a week into 2010 is a bit late for a “best of 2009” post but any regular readers (are there any?) will know i’ve had problems with hard-drives, my internet connection, my laptop in general and more recently some other stuff has came up that has prevented regular posting recently.

But back to the post..

Deciding on the songs and the order of them for this Top 30 was a hard decision (the Top 30 albums was even harder, post that at the weekend) to make. Basically there were only one rule when picking the list. The rule was that a band can not feature more than once in the list. If that rule wasn’t made then i’d have had the full APTBS album in there, shit, i’ve just gave away the identity of my album of the year haven’t i?

Apart from that it was pretty simple. 30 slots and hundreds of songs. Pick the best.

Remember though, having a song in the Top 30 songs doesn’t automatically mean that the artists will be in the Top 30 album countdown as well. Take for example Yes Giantess, Ou Est Le Swimming Pool and Stuck In The Sound. In the case of YG and OELSP they won’t make the Top albums cos they don’t have one out yet and in the case of Stuck In The Sound its because their album just wasn’t good enough (imo) to be in the Top 30. The song i included here however “Zapruder” is pure shoegaze genius. There’s also the other side of the coin. Bands like The Prodigy, MSTRKRFT and many more brought up absolute brilliant albums in 2009 but even though their albums as a collective were amazing, none of the individual tracks managed to make it into the Top 30 songs.

Sorry i’m not very good at trying to get my point across. I think i might just be trying to justify the fact that i had to leave some amazing songs out of the Top 30. I would have made a Top 500 if i had the time!

So away from the mumbled jibberish that i just wrote, here is the list in countdown style 30 to Number 1

SOMEONE’S IN THE WOLF TOP 30 SONGS OF 2009

30. Erol Alkan & Boys Noize – Death Suite (Bobermann Remix)
29. Paper Planes – Permanent Marker
28.  Ou Est Le Swimming Pool – Dance The Way I Feel
27. Freeland – Borderline
26. Nathan Fake – Basic Mountain
25. Stuck In The Sound – Zapruder
24.  Mew – Introducing Palace Players
23. Tigers That Talked – Artificial Clouds
22. The XX – Night Time
21. Yes Giantess – Tuff N Stuff
20. Bat For Lashes – Daniel
19. Miike Snow – Animal
18. Russian Circles – Malko
17. IAMX – I Am Terrified
16.  Maybeshewill – Co-Conspirators
15. Them Crooked Vultures – New Fang
14. The Temper Trap – Sweet Disposition (re-release)
13. Japandroids – Wet Hair
12.  Tape Deck Mountain – Ghost Colony
11. Crocodiles – I Wanna Kill
10.  A Place To Bury Strangers – In Your Heart
9. The Tupolev Ghost – Diagrams
8.  Moderat – A New Error
7. Ex Lovers – You Forget So Easily
6. The Big Pink – Velvet
5. Cougar – Florida Logic
4. Zaza – Sooner Or Later
3. Lymbyc Systym – Ghost Clock
2. Passion Pit – Moths Wings

And the winner of Track of 2009 goes to

1. Ex Libras – Radar

Instead of making all these tracks available individually i’ve  put them all in a ZipFile for anybody who wishes to download the list. The songs have been numbered so they should play in the correct order.

Download it here:
http://www.4shared.com/file/190954768/e192dfa6/best_of_2009.html

Once again sorry for the delay.

S.I.T Wolf  X

SIT WOLF: The 5 Best EPs of 2009

As the year comes to a close it’s time to start compiling the end of year “2009 Best Of” lists. Over the next 10 days there will be a list of the best EPs of 2009, the best music videos, a countdown of the top 30 tracks. Finally there’ll be a top 30 album countdown. As a bit of fun there might be a Top 5 Worst albums of 2009 and a Top 5 “Let Downs” of the year which will consist of albums that promised so much more than they delivered…..are you listening Andrew Weatherall?

So the first List we have is the Top 5 EPs of 2009.

1. THE TUPOLEV GHOST – SELF TITLED EP

Released on the 30th March 2009

1. A Hymn For
2. Zeroes And Noughts
3. Diagrams
4. Giant Fucking Haystacks
5. The Night
6.  Our Greatest Destroyer *(downloadable MP3)*

I only just discovered last week that the Tupolev Ghost broke up on the 13th December and must say i’m more than a bit gutted. I’d been keeping tabs on them since 2006 and told anyone that would listen that i thought they were destined to be the new At The Drive In. If anything they were a bit more melodious than the famous ATDI, they’re certainly louder anyway thats for sure. Their live shows have left many an ear bleeding and their politically charged lyrics on certain songs acted as the perfect vehicle for their blend of edgy post-hardcore punk. They mixed elements of thrash with spiky drumming, thunderous bass playing and had the ability to pen a tune or two along the way. They’re a sad loss to the independent music industry.

2. HUORATRON – CORPORATE OCCULT EP

Released on the 17th November 2009

1. Corporate Occult (Original Version)
2. Gbay *(downloadable MP3)*
3. Prevenge
4. Corporate Occult (Mixhell Remix)
5. Corporate Occult (Passion Splatter House Remix)
6. Prevenge (SPA Remix)

This is the mighty electro Fin’s second EP release on New Judas. Following up “$$ Troopers” was going to be hard but the bearded nutter has somehow managed to do it and possibly eclipsed his previous effort. All the usual ingredients are there from the one man wrecking machine. His pounding rhythms, his chopped up glitchtronica noises, his electro loops. He seems to know the exact perfect time to drop his noises. The title track shows this more than others with its slow build up and vocal samples, it waits till it knows the listener can’t wait any longer then just goes all out assualt. This EP is perfect for getting you up for a night out or when you get back in from a big night out….depending on your state of mind obviously…. 

3. EX LOVERS – YOU FORGET SO EASILY EP

Released on the 22nd September 2009

1. You Forget So Easily
2. New Years Day
3.  Just A Silhouette *(downloadable MP3)*
4. Incomplete
5. The Moon Has Spoken

This wonderful EP shot onto the scene in September and hasn’t been off my iPod since. With more than a tinge of Elliott Smith influence and a few leanings towards The Cure, the Exlovers have managed to make the perfect alternative pop EP. Every tune is accessible. Wistful lyrics, intricate guitar lines and delicate tones are the backbone of the acoustic driven songs. The title track is the standout and will be included in the Top Tracks of the year without a doubt but “New Years Day” is a thoughtful song that bares the Elliott Smith influence at its soul and the other tracks that follow fall into place perfectly.

4. TIGERS THAT TALKED – BLACK HEART BLUE EYES EP

Released on the 8th June 2009

1. Black Heart, Blue Eyes *(downloadable MP3)*
2. Smokescreen
3.  The Electric Press
4. Duet

Described in some circles as “anti-folk” this Leeds group managed to separate themselves from the pigeonhole they were put in and produced an EP full of pop gems. The songwriting ability is clear on all four tracks and the element of catchy melodies are evident through the sombre guitar picking and the mood lifting violins. The fact that their best song (in my opinion) “Artificial Clouds” wasn’t included on this EP and was released as a separate single later in the year proves that we can expect so much more from this band in the future.

5. THE RADIO DEPT – DAVID EP

Released on the 28th July 2009

1. David *(downloadable MP3)*
2. Messy Enough
3. David (The Rice Twins Remix)
4. The Idle Urban Contemporaries

The Radio Dept already had an impressive discography before releasing “David” this summer. With a back catalogue that contains cult classics “Lesser Matters” and “Pet Grief” the Swedish shoegazers are in a world of their own when it comes to writing the perfect Dream Pop songs. “David” is set to be included on the upcoming 2010 album “Clinging To A Scheme”. It can’t come quick enough. Here on this EP the group stay true to their style and never stray from their usual songwriting structure. It’s the old saying “if it isn’t broke don’t fix it” and thats exactly the way i like The Radio Dept. Don’t ever change.

Some other EPs worthy of a mention are Blood Bank EP by Bon Iver, the self titled and online only EP by Union Of Knives, Unicorn Kids Lion Hat EP/Single, Up and Down EP by She Wants Revenge and The Rock N Roll EP from Dirt Road Logic.

S.I.T Wolf  XX