Ladytron – Witching Hour 2005

After buying their first album ‘604’ in 2001 I never returned to Ladytron until now, which is strange as I’ve always had a soft spot for them. For some reason I’ve gone out of sequence and bought 2005’s ‘Witching Hour’, but I’m so glad I did. This is a return to simpler more innocent times when a decent indie tune and a melodious voice was all I needed to be away with the fairies. It’s solid, but gorgeous unspectacular indie tinged with flecks of electronica and it’s like a breath of fresh air in 2014.

It’s an uncomplicated album, unfazed by fashion or expectations. Guitars, base and drums intertwine with subtle synth rhythms and the girls’ voices lash the whole thing together ribbons of pure digital clarity. There’s a nod to the old Russian influences on 604 but by and large this is indie music at its simplest and most organic.

‘High Rise’ will take most of the plaudits with its robust soundtrack complete with delicate vocal like a more accessible and direct version of My Bloody Valentine. It sets the tone for the rest of the album with its uncompromising beauty. ‘Destroy Everything You Touch’, ‘International Dateline’ and ‘AMTV’ are all worthy of a mention, but every track is a winner.

A great album from a great band rediscovered. Now to search out one of their other albums for next year. 

Sufjan Stevens – Come on Feel the Illinoise

Never have I been so sure I would enjoy an album as I was when I purchased this offering from Sufjan Stevens. I’d already heard and enjoyed one of his songs in Evlkeith’s festive fifty a couple of years ago and the whole concept of Sufjan is so camp acoustic, quirky folk and unusual instrumentation that I couldn’t possibly dislike it. Or could I…

It’s far from a terrible album, but I just can’t engage with it. It’s like all the worst self indulgent bits of Bright Eyes mixed with none of passion of Neutral Milk Hotel and without the melodies of Elliot Smith. It’s almost a parody of the camp-acoustic gene and with twenty-two tracks it’s a war of attrition to wade through.

The horns, flutes and banjos are all agreeable enough, the reedy, soft vocals are not offensive and the lyrics are quirky and witty. However there’s an inverse synergy to this collection that leaves you feeling empty and cold. It’s a huge disappointment all round, but I doubt Sufjan will lose any sleep. It’s a struggle to pick a favourite track, but 'Casimir Pulaski Day' is at least low key and mellow and the ‘Seer’s Tower’ is fairly stark and moderately haunting.

Maybe I’m missing something, but Sufjan is not joining the Into the Valley gang. Perhaps that’s a positive thing for him as he may become successful.   

 

Royksopp - The Understanding

I like Royksopp. I'm not sure why and I'm not sure anyone else likes them. The Norwegian down-tempo duo make music that is distinctly Scandinavian and has the unique Royksopp sound. When you hear one of their tracks you know with certainty that it's them. 'The Understanding' is their second album and it carries on from where Melody AM left us, and sadly it's going to be one of those reviews where if you like Roysopp, you'll like this album. It basically does what it says on the tin.

Roysopp are like a more rounded and commercial version of Trentmoller, but with a smooth, mellow version of Morten Harket on lead vocals. It's a brain cleansing, refreshing experience and leaves you feeling like you've been floating in a relaxation tank of creamy luxurious mashed potato. Not Smash either, the real stuff with Lurpack and the cream off the top of the milk. The only criticism is all that soft, honey sweetness is just a touch too sickly, but check out the Trentmoller remix of 'What else is there?' for a bit of 'devilled' Royksopp with some edginess thrown in to spice up the sugery fun.

All the tracks are quality offerings but if pressed I'd go for the Beloved-esque 'Only this Moment', the Boards of Canada-esque 'Sombre Detune' and the uniquely Royksopp-esque 'Circuit Breaker'. As I stated earlier if you like some Royskopp flavouring sprinkled on your chilled dance music then 'The Understanding' will be right up your street. If you don't like them, this isn't going to change your mind.

 

Bright Eyes - Digital Ash in a Digital Urn

My fourth venture into the world of Conor Oberst and although easily the least accessible so far, this is yet another great album. It's a complex feast of lyricism and musicality that takes a little hard work to fully appreciate, and I've got to say after the first couple of listens I thought it was awful. But as is usually the case with decent albums, repeated listens illustrated the beauty and artistry in these songs, with the word-play and vocal delivery particularly standing out.

Conor is another of those artists out there who are definitely ploughing their own furrow. Each of his albums could not be mistaken for anyone else, but each one still has a presence and individuality all of its own. Digital Ash is less folky, less organic and less immediate than I'm Wide Awake. It's more urban, electronic and soundscaped than the standard offering, but the words still flow with a ease and fluidity of a natural talent.

There's a real pain in these lyrics. You could argue there is always underlying pain in his narratives, however this pain is more overt. He's confused, empty, hollow and at times bitter, but as always there's that distant sparkle of hope hidden in all that introspection. The highlights come thick and fast, but the standout tracks for me are the surprisingly jaunty 'Hit the Switch', the hauntingly catchy 'Devil in the Details', and the baby crying fun of 'Ship in a Bottle'.

If you don't already love Bright Eyes, it's not the best of starting points. However if I'm preaching to the converted, then it's definitely one for your Amazon list and an acerbic little titbit to look forward to.

Sons and Daughters - The Repulsion Box LP

What is it?
Glasgow's Sons and Daughters build on the success of Love the Cup with a feisty collection of home-grown indie stompers.

Why should you listen
Take the attitude of Arab Strap, the unashamed pop of Belle and Sebastion, throw in a bit of the B52's and you've gone part way to describing Sons and Daughters. The sound is definitely Scottish, certainly indie and possibly a little like Evlkeith's favourite 1980's female vocal bands such as the Joyce Mckinnie Experience, which can only be a good thing. It's a thoroughly enjoyable album with an altogether endearing 'homemade' feel to every song, like it was recorded in a single day to save on studio expenses. Every song is a winner but 'Red Receiver', 'Dance Me In' and 'Monsters' all showcase the punchy aggression of the band. I'm now really looking forward to listening to the copy of 'This Gift' which is nestled snuggly in my big pile of CD's to listen to.

What's it like?
It's like two of your Scottish Auntie and Uncles grabbing instruments and microphones and launching into 'Rock Lobster' with very little rehearsal, (in a good way.)

What's the best song?
'Taste the Last Girl' is a nine weeks at number one single in any other reality.

Who does it sound like?
Everyone and no-one really. The B52's comparison works best for me.

Nedelle - From the Lion's Mouth LP

What is it?
Nedelle Torrisi produces an album of acoustic simplicity in a cut above the usual female singer-songwriter standard.

Why should you listen?
This is a thing of rare beauty. It's simple, straight to the point, no frills song-writing with a distinctive voice thrown into the bargain. The songs are short and punchy with down to earth lyrics and a relaxed atmosphere. There's a fragility and vulnerability on show in 'From the Lion's Mouth' that can hopefully be nurtured and extended in future releases. This definitely sounds like an artiste in the early stages of her development and the future promises much from this classically trained violinist.

What's it like?
It's like Phoebe from Friends with talent and a decent voice.

What's the best song?
"The Natural Light" is an acoustic gem, but I only wish it lasted longer.

Who does it sound like?
Lisa Hannigan, Feist, Laura Marling, Rachel Unthank

A Wilhelm Scream - Ruiner LP

What is it?
Massachusetts combo A Wilhelm Scream almost make 'melodic hardcore' an attractive listening proposition.

Why should you listen?
It's a shame really because there's a lot to like about A Wilhelm Scream when they're in full on, shouty 'King is Dead' mode. However to a greater or lesser extent, they manage to break two of the cardinal sins of rock music in virtually all of their songs. Firstly, there's too much annoying guitar based self indulgent 'noodle-doodling' and secondly, and worse still, they come perilously close to 'sounding like Blink 182.' Drop the 'melodic' from the hardcore and AWS could have been massive. Worth a listen though, just for 'Killing it' and 'The King is Dead.'

What's it like?
It's like a really gorgeous pizza, but they've tried to be too clever with the toppings and added brussel sprouts, beetroot and honey.

What's the best song?
"Killing It" manages to stay out of Blink 182 territory for virtually the whole song.

Who does it sound like?
The good bits sound like Leatherface or Hot Water Music. The rubbish bits sound like Blink 182.

Okkervil River - Black Sheep Boy LP

What is it?
Okkervil River's critically acclaimed 'Black Sheep Boy' combines elements of Lo-fi, folk and indie to deliver an intense and emotion-packed lyrical experience.

Why should you listen?
You've got to work at this one and give it a fair few listens before you make any judgements. Get used to the forceful vocal delivery and the complexity of the songwriting and the next thing you know it's in your head and you can't get rid of it. The album is distinct for it's heartfelt passion and the quality of the lyrics which evoke a strange sense of melancholy, but never stray into depressing territory. There's a whole range of instruments on offer with production that is seriously lo-fi with similarities to a beefed up version of Bright Eyes with a side order of slide guitar. Ultimately, it's quality collection of dark, folky little gems!  

What's it like?
It's like Morrissey's folky, alt-country cousin has come to visit from Austin, Texas.

What's the best song?
'Black' is a lyrical onslaught, but with a catchy sing-a-long chorus, well as near as you'll get anyway.

Who does it sound like?
Bright Eyes, Tindersticks, Neutral Milk Hotel, Sufjan Stevens.

Yourcodenameis:Milo - Ignoto LP

This album is very much like the graph of y=x squared (maths fans rejoice). It starts out strongly with 'I Am Connecting Flight' and '17'. They are both quite harsh, combining screaming with a 'My Bloody Valentine'-esque wall of sound.

Then there is a gradual decline until we get to the total shoegazing action of 'Team Radar'. We are in major 'Slowdive' territory here. It's okay (ish, at best) but you can't help craving an album entirely consisting of songs like the first two.

Luckily, things start to pick up again after this with the soaring vocals of 'FiveFour', informing the listener that the worst is over. I always breathe a sigh of relief when I get to this point in the album.

The quality continues to improve, but it is difficult to be prepared for the sheer brilliance of the final track, 'Audition'. It starts gently with a repeated phrase and gradually builds to be an intense... noise? Think of the 'instrumental break' in 'You Made Me Realise' by the aforementioned 'My Bloody Valentine' and then make it even more excessive. It still won't be close to the ending of 'Audition'. Turned up to full blast it's amazing how emotional the whole experience is. It's definitely vying for song of the year, even at this early stage.

With this album, if you learn to take the rough with the smooth, you are rewarded with a satisfying listening experience overall. 'Audition' is made better by the somewhat arduous journey needed to reach it. (The Mars Volta fans will know this feeling all too well.) Definitely recommended.

evlkeith

49. Freemasons ft. Amanda Wilson - Love on my Mind

An odd choice admittedly, but there's definitely a place in the world for upbeat House influenced dance music. I love the Freemasons and this track combines everything that is positive about them and the genre. There's the retro rhythm, the lush horns, a beautiful soulful vocal and a certain campness not seen since the George Michael 'Outside' video. Put this on the car stereo when you're on holiday, forget you're an Into the Valley fan (is there such a thing?), relax and enjoy yourself for once. 

Dan - Thology 2005

What is it?

It’s a compilation of all Dan’s albums, all for less than a tenner, which is great for me because I don’t have to bother converting the original records now.

Why should you listen?

I don’t think that music like this gets made any more. Guitar, bass, stupidly fast drumming and two lovely ladies screaming. The perfect set-up. 

What’s it like?

When I bought the CD recently, I was thinking that 64 songs of pure shouting sounded fantastic (and maybe a little wearing on the ear drums), but listening to Dan now, I’m surprised by the amount of variety on offer. You get ‘Army Of Fools’, which actually contains harmonies and the drumming is a lot slower than the usual 380 bpm. There’s also the poppy(ish) ‘The Cull’, a lounge lizard intro to ‘Meltdown’ and the Ska rhythms of ‘More than life’. Dan’s bread and butter is shouting though and there’s plenty of that to go around too. It’s the perfect music to make pensioners say, “Thank goodness for that!” when it finishes. I tend to say exactly the same thing when the comedy numbers finish. A cover version of ‘If You’re Happy & You Know It’ is not funny and musically useless. Exactly like all comedy songs, in fact. 

What’s the best track?

So many to choose from... but I think I would have to plump for ‘A Dream Come True?’ It's not their fastest, but it is quite tuneful in parts. Luckily, the chorus reverts back to form with some tuneless shouting. Great stuff. The live version (also included) is faster and possibly a tad shoutier. Even greater stuff.

Who does it sound like?

Sofa Head, Inside Out, The Joyce McKinney Experience

evlkeith

New Order - Waiting for the Sirens' Call LP 2005

It may be a bit of a controversial statement but New Order albums have always been a bit patchy in my opinion. Great singles, the odd stormer of a track, but otherwise inconsistent. Only 1985's Low-Life seemed to really hang together as a coherent collection of songs with any sort of purpose, however listen to it today and it still sounds like a curate's egg of an album.

Enter 'Waiting for the Siren's Call', an album that I didn't know existed until I stumbled upon it by accident on Amazon. Having almost abandoned New Order after the uber-patchy 'Get Ready' I still felt I needed to complete the set with the final offering from the group. And believe it or not it's not at all patchy!

Maybe it's because they are now grumpy, podgy middle aged men, but this is by far the best New Order LP in terms of  the overall quality of all the songs. Don't get too giddy, there are no superstar tracks of the standard of 'Blue Monday' or 'True Faith,' but all the songs are really catchy, enjoyable and undeniably New Order. It's fair to say that if you liked the band's other offerings you'll like this too.

If you want a couple of standout tracks I'd go for the stringy sing-a-long of 'Hey Joe' and possibly best of all is the Low-Life throwback of 'Dracula's Castle'. For a couple of quid it's a bargain and it's definitely a case of last but not least. An essential purchase to complete the collection.

Gogol Bordello - Gypsy Punks: Underdog World Strike LP 2005

Sometimes things just don't go to plan. If there was one album I thought I was guaranteed to like this year it was 'Underdog World Strike'. It has all the ingredients: folky shoutiness, Eastern European, gypsy inspired, high octane paced, with a good cover and a decent title. Unfortunately they just don't do it for me.

The songs somehow get caught betwixt and between gypsy and punk genres and the combination just doesn't work with any depth or quality. The whole thing also sounds really false, with the singer's voice so stereotypically Eastern Euro meets the Clash, that it comes across as a parody rather than a genuine juxtaposition. It's the equivalent of those 'mockney' cockney accents put on by middle class groups who want to be 'street' when they are really posh kids from Reading. The icing on the cake is the odd bit of 'ragga' inspired vocal interjection which is just embarrassing.  

The whole concept would be greatly improved by dropping the whole punk/Clash business. It's a proven fact that all groups that sound like the Clash are rubbish, and that includes the Clash themselves. On one hand, Gogol Bordello could make quality bouncy gypsy music which I'm sure would be great, alternatively if they want to go down the fusion of styles route, they would be much better fusing gypsy music with techno, alt-country or synth-pop, then we'd really be cooking on gas.

Apparently they're a different proposition live and put on a sparkling stage show. I'm sure this is the case, but for me the whole idea of Gypsy Punk is fundamentally flawed and I'm going away to listen to some Taraf de Haiduks to calm down.

Doccortex

Bloc Party - Silent Alarm 2005

Not all wilfully obscure stuff #1

I'm sure it's no surprise to anyone other than me but Bloc Party are actually quite good. Having decided early on that I'd hate them, I'd never engaged until I was buying five CD's for a tenner in a discount music shop and needed that all important fifth CD to make up the numbers. 'Silent Alarm' was that CD and I kept it for a couple of years before I had the stomach to give it a listen.

To my amazement it's pretty decent stuff. They don't sound at all like the way they look or the way they've been portrayed in the media. It's geeky voiced indie with particularly bangy drums and clashing guitars that is at times faintly reminiscent of The Jam, Blur, The Buzzcocks, Muse and Echo and the Bunnymen all mixed together, and at other times unfortunately like Ride.

The three absolute standout tracks, which all probably got to number one in the hit parade for all I know, are 'Banquet', 'Helicopter' and 'Positive Tension' which has one of the best endings you'll ever hear. But there's an awful lot more to enjoy in addition to the obvious. Perhaps in future I'll have a more open mind and listen to the advice of George Micahel and 'Listen without Prejudice' but somehow I doubt that will be the case.

Doccortex

Camille - Le fil LP 2005

What is it?

French singer songwriter Camille undertakes a voyage of discovery into her own voice and adds a single droning thread  for good measure.

Why should you listen?

Even with the single note, string or 'le fil' that drones through the whole album it's not quite as annoying as you may imagine. It's all very sparsely arranged with Camille's voice taking centre stage in 'Medula' era Bjork style, but obviously not quite as full on. The thread, her voice and the originality of the song-writing combine to provide a unique atmosphere that is undeniably French but at the same time spanning a range of global music styles. It's sometimes challenging to come to terms with but ultimately really rewarding.

What's it like?

It's like the sound French people who can't speak English hear when they listen to Kate Bush through ear muffs.

What's the best song?

"Pale Septembre" is beautiful, haunting and bold.

Who does it sound like?

Maybe a cross between Bjork, Kate Bush  and Emiliana Torrini.

Doccortex

Tujiko Nuriko & Aoki Takamasa - 28 LP 2005

What is it?

Originating from Osaka, Japan, Tujiko Nuriko & Aoki Takamasa produce beautiful, expressive electronic layered compositions with trademark fragile vocals.

Why should you listen?

It's experimental music at it's best; sparse and almost acoustic in style, but at the same time rich and complex layers of sound. These are not so much songs as electronic images capturing a modern, clean and industrial landscape with Tujiko's voice adding a touch of ethereal humanity. At times it's like downtempo dance music with the intense use of repetition and bleeps, chimes and samples, but with the vocals adding the ultimate chillout ingredient. Not to be listened to every day but in the correct mood and circumstances it's a stunning collection.

What's it like?

It's like waking up not knowing where you are.

What's the best song?

"Hae (Fly) Variation" even has a singalong chorus, well almost.

Who does it sound like?

Everyone would say Bjork, but this is not really an exploration of voice. Reminds me more in mood of Moloko, Aphex Twin and Cocteau Twins.