Just thought I'd give any Yanks who are in need of a new music fix a heads up about a fresh and interesting singer songwriter who is a firm favourite of mine, as my previous obsessive blatherings on here will have shown.
With a new Autumn UK and Europe tour this year as well as playing at the prestigious South by South West, it seems things are looking up for old' Frank..




If you're up for a chilled evening of damn good folk/indie, definitely give Frank Turner a look see, you won't regret it!

For US and UK/Europe Tour Dates check out www.myspace.com/frankturner

The Mae Shi

If anyone's reading this from the USA and is planning on going to South by South West, then make sure you look these guys up.

The Mae Shi are a four piece experimental punk band hailing from sunny California, whose mix of Indie, Punk and anthemic tunes combine to make one intriguing band, and one only look on their Myspace profile playlist to see why.

Run to Your Grave is that song you heard on the radio a while back but have never been able to find since. With a shouty, upbeat chorus and simple arrangement, it's a definite contender for Song of the Year (so far).

The Lamb and the Lion, which you might recognise as the song from a Skins advert, is also one to listen out for. The Tetris like guitar riff at the start hypnotises, before the very Yeah Yeah Yeahs-esque bridge entices with it's psychedelic charm, making this track very groovy indeed.

If you're into the heavier stuff however, then Vampire Beats is bound to be more your cup of tea. With an altogether more edgy vibe, the short but not so sweet track demonstrates just how intense 90 seconds can be. And if you're really up for chillaxing to something ambient, there's a rather epic extended version of The Lion and the Lamb. At 11 minutes, Kingdom Come is a very mellow synth track that drifts in and out of a slightly surreal James Bond theme.

Tetris? Skins? James Bond?
Told you they were intriguing.

It may only be March but, seeing as the sun's made it's debut appearance in the South this year, I think it's not too early to say that this band will be definite summer BBQ/festival material.

www.myspace.com/themaeshi

Yeah Boi!

Is it just me or is the new track from the Yeah Yeah Yeahs completly addictive?





I've dipped into some of their previous stuff and always been impressed, but never quite enough to warrant a second listen. This, on the other hand, has got me completely hooked. And with extensive coverage on the radio, it looks set to be, dare I say it, a hit.



What do you think?

Hello Stranger

I know, it's been a while. I've been meaning to update for a while, but what with AS Module results, the birth of my social life and general laziness I haven't quite gotten around to it until now. Fear not though my lovelies, I will try and keep you posted more regularly and will be making vital changes to the blog in due course- watch this space...

Remember these guys?

That's right- the man who sold androgeny to the alternative masses (Noel Fielding eat your heart out) and his quirky chums are back. New album Battle for the Sun may not be out until June, but judging from their tease of a free download, it looks set to be a return to form. Compared to some of their previous offerings, title track Battle for the Sun is a lot more chilled, Molko's voice still managing to draw you in with his distinctive lusty drawl all the same. The plinky plonky piano in the background of the chorus combine with lucious held string notes to make an elegant yet epic sound; listening to this track makes me remember how much I loved this band as a child. And with Brian Molko promising a rejuvenated and enlightened Placebo, one can only hope the rest of the album is as good as this.

Battle for the Sun.mp3


Battle for the Sun is released on CD/Download and Deluxe Box Set on 8th June, you can preorder the album here.