Tag Archive for Current

5th July 2012

Kotki Dwa* – Poison (NAT)

These guys were something of a recent discovery for me via The Guardian, even though they seem to have been about for a while. Their name is derived from a Polish lullaby, which is as good a way to name a band as any.
This track is taken from their recently released Staytcations album. It’s perhaps a little light but it’s certainly energetic and fun. The organ and guitar riff work together to excellent, infectious effect.
Wow! There’s a light show over your house…
RjK
*Artist #478

3rd July 2012

Sierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars* – Mother In Law

There is an interesting story about these guys, in that they were formed while all were refugees from the conflict that ravaged Sierra Leone in the 90’s.

This track contains all the ingredients that make up a classic world music tune; Heavy Horns, Tinny, infectious guitar and joyous, uplifting vocals. It doesn’t really get much better. If you are interested you can download it for free here.  

RjK

*Artist #477

2nd July 2012

Alabama Shakes* – Hold On

This was another track I first heard while trawling some ‘best of 2012 so far…’ lists. I may be a little late on it as it has a very radio friendly sound so I suspect it has been receiving lots of air play already. Still an excellent, feel good song though.

It has a classic, old fashioned rock sound. It reminds me of Kings of Leon and Yuck (good band, terrible name), who I posted last year.

RjK

*Artist #476

1st July 2012

T.E.E.D.* – Garden (Calibre Remix) (Dom Ayliffe guest post)

I liked this track the moment I first heard it and it’s subsequently become one of the most listened to tracks on my iTunes collection.

I’m a big fan of drum n bass, and I must credit London Elektricity’s Hospital Record Podcasts for introducing me to this gem. I think it’s a perfect example of how many diverse emotions can be evoked by music from this genre.

Those haunting chords, the hopeful vocals and the undulating bassline all woven together with a clinical drum beat. Put this on some speakers with decent bass and enjoy my Sunday chill out song.

DA

*Artist #475

28th June 2012

Grimes* – Genesis (NAT)

Montreal artist Grimes is another whom I have heard much about so far in 2012, and she has featured prominently in the “Best of so far…” lists I have been reading recently as the half-year approaches.

She kind of reminds me of other one-woman troubadours tUnE-yArDs and Grouper who were favourites from last year. I really like this track too, there is something in the synth that is delightfully 80’s.

RjK

*Artist #472

25th June 2012

Miike Snow* – Devil’s Work

As the half-year approaches I have been reading a few “Best of 2012 so far” lists (as well as trying to compile my own). These guys showed up on a couple of lists and I quite enjoyed this track.
They are a Swedish band, and not in fact a singer that was born Michael Snow. Those crazy Swedes! The track has a classic Euro-electro sound that has been quite prominent of late (see M83, Air France, Delorean etc..).
I’m out for dinner for a friend’s birthday this evening. We are going to a restaurant that only serves Chicken and Steak. Think I might give the meat cocktail a miss though. I will report back tomorrow.
RjK
*Artist #469

23rd June 2012

The Futureheads – Beeswing

I have a little soft spot for singers that have a very obvious accent, given my own adventures in this field London. I spent about the first 18 months of living here being met by almost uniform blank looks (it still happens frequently).

Sunderland band The Futureheads are one such band. I suspected that they had been consigned to the annuls of one hit wonders after releasing a spectacular Kate Bush cover which I posted last year. However, I was surprised to hear them play this track live on TV last night and was very taken by it. It’s another cover, this time of British singer Richard Thompson and is taken from their recently released album Rant.

RjK

21st June 2012

Rudimental* – Spoons (NAT)

Hackney band Rudimental were new to me this week, but it seems that I was rather late on them as they are currently number one in the UK pop charts. I guess that is a testament to how irrelevant charts have become to me. Perhaps they should change it to reflect the most watched videos on Youtube.
I was out for dinner tonight in one of my favourite curry houses in London, Tayybs in Whitechapel. Check it out if you are ever in that neck of the woods, it is worth the queue.

RjK
*Artist #466

Chatham County Line* – Country boy, City boy

I don’t normally respond to live versions and bluegrass is a pretty new one for me, so this is a little bit of a rareity. However, I couldn’t get enough of it over the past couple of day. It has an energy and there is a truth to the lyrics that resonates with me (as a country boy living in the city).
I have been doing some research into bluegrass music as a couple of old friends from university have started playing in a bluegrass band an it piqued my interest. I was more impressed than I expected. I don’t know it I would want to listen to it all the time but it is nice as a change of pace.
One wishes that they were the other, the other just the same. One life so exciting, the other just so tame. If I was a country boy I’d wish for the city lights, If I was a City boy I’d wish for a quiet night…
As the mid-way point of the year approaches I have begun to think about a few highlights of 2012 so far. Does anyone have any suggestions? Look out of my list next week.
/RjK
*Artist #465

Paul Buchanan* – Thin Air


Paul Buchanan is the lead singer of The Blue Nile, a Scottish band who I really love (and have posted a couple of time before). This is from his recently released solo album, also called Mid Air. Similar to his work with the Blue Nile this is simple and heartfelt and I have been really enjoying it so far this week.

RjK

*Artist #460