To commence a Happy Birthday to Farley my ex-pat chum who resides in Christchurch, New Zealand and provides me with regular scoop fulls of interesting music from the other side of the planet.
Now then – yesterday proved to be very busy with a ton of new stuff coming in – so I will point out:
– Stolen Mushrooms – who are from Luton and sound a little like the RHCPs but have their own style and stance, there’s also a slight smattering of Marr guitaring mixed in with a crisp afro-beat feel and the interplay is reminiscent of early Yes to some degree. If you are confused by that confusing description I suggest you give them a gander via Facebook and reach your own conclusions.
– The Ascension – Macclesfields’ finest rocking beat combo are still looking for a drummer but have put together a new five track EP “Blood Upon The Rose” which will be out shortly. Recorded in Salford and then mixed/produced by Mr Archer at 6dB studios I am advised. Doug (bass, vocals, keys) has sent me a couple of tracks over and they are rather marvellous.
– Kit B – who don’t appear to have a Facebook page yet – have been joined by my chum Mr John Montague on the bass guitar – they are looking for a drummer as well (bit of a trend here) – and the fruits of their early collaboration have emerged with a new tune “Rock-Ola Rocket”. Both Mr Leigh and Mr Montague (ex of the very excellent Pearl Divers) are getting very close to the “three band” magnificence of Mr Dutton – one wonders if Mr Dutton will form another combo in order to maintain a reasonable gap?
– Joy Division – the 10CD/7 vinyl/download compilation “Plus Minus” appears to be excellent value for money as long as you don’t opt for the vinyl option. In terms of rescuing the planet from environmental meltdown I don’t quite see the logic of producing all the plastic and paper but I suppose it’s art. Whether you have all these already and want to splash out your cash is a moot point which I guess reflects the pricing structure. In any event the re-mastering does refresh the sound somewhat and it’s good to have all the stuff in one place on the hard drive I guess.
– Lambchop’s new album – out in three weeks – is dedicated to Vic Chesnutt. It’s called “Mr M” – i’ve always been a fan of Kurt Wagners pained lyricism and this album is packed with it – whether it is just a little bit too lacking in grit I suppose is the key issue. It’s late night music, relaxed, reflective and to some degree a little too laid back for me.
– In a similar vein – The Hello Strangers – play a laid back and utterly melodic form of bluesy Americana. The promo is pretty good on this one – “Texas country-folk, and roots rock, all tied together with lilting harmonies that only sisters can accomplish. Timeless imagery and fables accompany each song, from tales of a boggy creek bottom where a murdered man sleeps, to a Texas roadhouse with bawdy dancers and clinking beer bottles, to more poignant reflections on the loss of winter and a man gone wrong.” I was particularly struck by “Conococheague” with it’s eerie guitar intro and insistent folky sound. I got six tracks from their “Introducing Max Schmidt” release from a couple of years back. Very impressed.
And on this evenings Aural Delights Radio show you will find the following dear listener:
| The Nectarine No: 9 | Holes of Corpus Christie | D’un Echantillon De Marchandises EP |
| The Sexual Objects | Here Come The Rubber Cops | Cucumber |
| Kill Pretty | Stress | Demo |
| Hero and Leander | Collider | Collider EP |
| Ronin | Benevento | Fenice |
| The Umbilical Chords | Evil Idle | EP |
| Future Pilots | Assange | Future Pilots EP |
| Vic Godard | End of the Surrey People | D’un Echantillon De Marchandises EP |
| Kill Pretty | Joey Stefano | Demo |
| Factory Star | When Sleep Won’t Come | Enter Castle Perilous |
| 50 Foot Wave | Rushing | With Love From The Men’s Room |
| The Sexual Objects | Outta Place Again | Cucumber |
| Moff Skellington | Dashboard Photo | Pukes of A Hot Cloister |
| Kill Pretty | Babes in the Wood | Demo |
| Sandells | Girl from Iphegenia | Reformation Session (TFAB Remix) |
You can listen to the show here
Aural Delights 