Whilst First Aid Kit’s debut album title may reference Steve Abini’s Chicago noiseniks, the sound couldn’t be more different. The Söderberg sister’s focussing in the main on soft instrumentation and soaring vocal harmony, with no distortion, drum machines or buzz-saw… Continue reading
Almost three years after their patchy but in places brilliant last album Asleep At Heaven’s Gate Californian band Rogue Wave return with a far more consistent, upbeat slice of summery indie-pop. Permalight has been a long time in the making… Continue reading
Scottish indie rock outfit Frightened Rabbit’s third album The Winter of Mixed Drinks is their most accessible to date but lacks the wow factor of their previous album, 2008’s The Midnight Organ Fight. Some of the intensity of The Midnight… Continue reading
Ted Leo, who turns 40 this year, was tragically born about ten years too late to be part of the 1970s punk and new wave movement his music encapsulates. Despite this misfortune of timing he has been doing his best… Continue reading
I’m sober, sitting at a desk, in daylight. I like good lyrics, fine melody and indie-guitar music. Ok, so I’m not exactly the market for Swedish band Ef, but just because I’m not off my tits on space cake in… Continue reading
The Besnard Lakes Are The Roaring Night is the 3rd album by the titular Canadian band. And it is a strong contender for album of the year so far. Not a great claim in March, but I am confident it… Continue reading
Broken Bells is the self-titled debut by the collaboration of Shins’ frontman James Mercer and producer de jour Dangermouse, AKA Brian Burton. It was one of the albums that we had picked to watch out for in 2010 and it… Continue reading
This self-titled debut album from Fang Island, the quirky Brooklyn band who blend power pop with heavy metal so expertly, has left me exhilarated. Imagine if you will Bill and Ted’s band Wyld Stallyons, but better, speeded up and backed… Continue reading
Memphis based label Goner Records is building up quite a reputation for distributing some of the best garage punk around. Last year’s Alice and Friends, the debut by US act The Box Elders was a real find, expertly blending Ramones style… Continue reading
Swedish folk singer Kristian Matsson must be bored to tears with being compared with early Bob Dylan, especially when in many respects he is actually better than the great man at the same stage in his career. Ok, I know… Continue reading