December Ditties!

Without music, life is a journey through a desert. - Pat Conroy

Listen to ‘Constellations’ and look at this picture of Darwin Deez, the musician responsible, and tell me that it isn’t Julian Casablancas in some sort of super-hi-tech make up and costume! The Strokes sound-a-like comes in a variety of flavours, with ‘Bad Day’ vibrating with Beck-like enthusiasm and ‘Bedspace’ taking a leisurely, drawn-out approach to indietronica. Check out the mustachioed maestro asap!

Darwin Deez's Myspace

Best Coast’s frontwoman, Bethany Cosentino, comes from the school of shoegaze, with her drawling slur of a voice and her shuffling lyrics that squeeze through the humming guitar riffs, broken drum beats and muffled sonics that coat each song. A garage rock sensibility is also embedded in each track, especially in the gorgeously titled 'Sun Was High (So Was I)', where the lead guitar juts and jerks through the entire piece. The current surf-rock fusion that has swept bands across the US still manages to hold a sort of sway and intrigue, though it may very well soon become an overhyped and overheard phase. Until then, Best Coast sweep along with a surprisingly refreshing lo-fi attitude.

Best Coast's Myspace

That will do for now...until next time....

xXxXxXx

Sonic Suggestions

Music is your own experience, your thoughts, your wisdom. If you don't live it, it won't come out of your horn. -Charlie Parker

Punk and Mariachi music are two genres with very, very, very little crossover possibility. Yet The Bronx have decided to blast that out of the water by renaming themselves as Mariachi El Bronx and releasing an album of Mexicano ditties. And it bloody works. The music is upbeat, catchy and holds a sway and kick that a punk background may have helped spur. Current single 'Cell Mates' claps and hops along aboard a heap of trumpets and joy, with a vocal performance quite distant from the usual screech of The Bronx frontman Matt Caughthran. The video is equally brilliant with flashing suits galore. (Cell Mates on Youtube)

The Bronx Myspace

The past few months of my life have been soundtracked by The Drums brand of Brian Wilson-infused beach indie pop. Although summer has long since evaporated into rain and wind, the likes of 'Let's Go Surfing' and 'I Felt Stupid' summon such imagery of sand, sea and surf, the sun comes out with each whistle, yelp and foot stomp. Perfectly danceable indie pop to stop the rain, if only in your head.

The Drums Myspace

Whilst I am here, I shall mention some current fantastic singles from established artists that are well worth a listen. Firstly, Lighspeed Champion (aka Dev Hynes) sidles alongside Basement Jaxx on 'My Turn', a top notch fusion of Lightspeed's lyrical delicacy and the dance band's bells and bounce style. Also check out the colourful video HERE! [Includes dancing bright bears!]

I have mentioned Passion Pit about a year ago and they are only JUST hitting the big time (another scoop just for you New Narcotics readers), with 'Little Secrets' all over BBC Radio now. Still perfectly synthed and sultry indietronica for the ears. Live for good ol' Myspazz

Christmas is creeping slowly upon us and Julian Casablancas of The Strokes has released a cover of an SNL christmas ditty alongside his brand new solo album 'Phrazes For The Young' which ain't half bad (even if it is just The Strokes goes solo). Anyway here is his festive attempt...

I shall be back very soon with Winter Warmers to keep your ears toasty as we enter the cold December month....

XxXxX

Poetry....

Music is the poetry of the air. ~Richter

I have not had chance to listen to too much this week but have enough to fill up todays blog. I seem to have descended into slightly older music, so have a few older bands and albums mentioned after a couple of new bands I have decided to love!

Fleet Foxes are a Seattle band I have stumbled across completely at random on the internet but they make harmonic, gorgeous, sweeping music that will be perfect for a summers day, as soon as one comes along that is. The soft and delicate balance of instruments and vocals sound confident and beautiful, stringing themselves together with awesome cohesion. They have 'Drops in the River' available as a free download on their myspace but 'White Winter Hymnal' and 'English House' are the two best on their page. 'In The Hot, Hot Rays' is not on their myspace but i'm sure you can find it on the web somewhere and you should, as it sums up how good they can get. They are at SXSW this year and don't seem to be approaching England but we can hope for the future!

Fleet Foxes Myspace

Drew McConnell, the bassist for Babyshambles, has created his own musical outfit named Helsinki and they are damn good. He is obviously a very talented musician and it is kind of sad he gets overshadowed by the overly excessive (though very talented for the most part) Pete Doherty. He mixes urgent riffs with soft bass and vocals to create songs with an enduring presence and sweetness. 'Ampersand' and 'Ribtickling' are two fantastic tracks that show off Drew's talent clearly. There are rumours abound that Helsinki consists of Drew, The Strokes and Fionn Regan though I am unsure on these statements from the not-so-reliable NME. I hope to hear a lot more from Mr McConnell though!

Helsinki Myspace

Finally, here are a couple of older albums I have finally gotten around to getting and loving!

Hüsker Dü were an American alternative punk band in the 1980's and released a stream of awesome stuff, the highlight of which in my opinion was the concept album 'Zen Arcade'. It managed to influence numerous underground alternative rockers since and showcased a fast and loud ethic to creating a reckless concept album. Standout tracks are the impulse driven 'Chartered Trips' and the expansive 'Masochism World'. Definitely worth a listen!

'Chartered Trips' on Youtube

A band I have mentioned before, but only for their single 'D.A.N.C.E', who released their album '†' (also known as 'Cross') in the middle of last year, is the French electro duo Justice. I have only just got the album due to lack of funds and lack of memory/intelligence/whatever and it is damn amazing and I wish I had gotten it sooner! The pulsing beat of Justice tears its way through every track on the album from the dancefloor perfect 'Let There Be Light' to the robotic force of 'DVNO'. The album embodies a new disco genre, electro disco, and if you are not dancing after one listen, you have no soul!

Justice's Myspace
'DVNO' on Youtube

Thats about it and Happy International Women's Day for yesterday if you missed it!
xxx
xx
x