Craft Spells, from Stockton, CA, were one of my favourite finds of 2012. Their track Still left with Me was number 14 in my top 30 tracks of 2012.
The comparison may flatter them slightly (as it would most bands) but they remind me a little of New Order, who I posted last week and which made me think of them.
Craft Spells:
/RjK
That ‘V’ in their name is stylised, not pronounced. You just say ‘Churches.’
With that tiresome piece of administration out of the way, the real work of listening to the song can begin. Thought it’s not work at all, it’s easy peasy lemon squeezy. Like a lot of the music that’s appealed to me lately, it’s a saccharine mix of melodies and synthesised beats. It reminds me of Grimes and Purity Ring and a little of Haim. Grimes is really the only one out of those 3 whose music has had any staying power in my regular listening. It remains to be seen if CHVRCHES are going to stick as they have yet to release an LP.
The Scottish trio are ‘hotly tipped’ for 2013 and were featured on the BBC Sound of 2013 list, but don’t let that put you off. Their other single, ‘Lies’ is also highly listenable so it’s looking likely that they’ll be able to pull off a solid album.
/HC
*Artist #602
For some reason this awesome advert came into my head this week (good job Cadburys) and this tracks has been running around my mind ever since.
Phil Collins:
/RjK
One of the very best things about writing for this blog is getting sent music. This is sometimes bands or DJ’s sending me their own tracks but more often just my friends sharing music that they are excited by. Whist I don’t always share it, I never tire of feeling the warm glow of people’s enthusiasm. Also, I’m frequently introduced to artists I wouldn’t otherwise have encountered.
Darkstar are one such band. A friend (thanks Maggie) sent them along this week and I have been listening to them repeatedly since. Its dreamy and fragile and has rather hypnotised me.
Their album News From Nowhere is out on Warp Records on February 4th. Check it out
/RjK
*Artist #598
I know that I am late on Jessie Ware as she has received significant publicity over the past 18 months. Frankly, I had somewhat dismissed her as being a little too “pop” for my taste.
However, I heard this track over the weekend while out and about and I haven’t been able to shake it from my mind since. Also, once I got home and checked out this video that I realised she reminds me more than a little of Sade, especially stylistically here.
Jessie Ware:
Sade:
/RjK
*Artist #597
I am a little in two minds about whether posting guilty pleasures on a Friday was a successful ploy or not last year. This has lead me to wonder whether it is worth continuing or not. Let me know if you have any feedback on this. My current thinking is that it’s good to mix things up so I will continue it for now but perhaps review it again in a couple of months.
This track is a favourite. I am actually very surprised I haven’t posted it already. While I might connect with some other Outkast songs in a more substantial fashion, this is simply one of, if not the best pop song I have ever heard. On the basic level of “Does it make you want to move?“, it doesn’t get much better than this.
Shake it, shake it like a Polaroid Picture, shake it, shake it…
/RjK
I don’t know about these ladies – look how hard they’re trying. They’re 3 sisters from California and the band name is their surname. I’m switching off already. They’re booked to support Florence on her tour next year and have played with Mumford and Sons and Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros. I’ve pretty much walked away by now.
But then, this song. Oh man, this song is just right up my street. The melody is pure ’90s pop presented in beautiful wrapping paper that you don’t want to tear. Most likely, what you’ll find inside is that the song borrows too much to be very original and the lyrics are a bit weak. I’m ignoring all that though and singing along, at the top of my voice. This is going on all of my morning playlists for the foreseeable future – it makes me feel bouncy. I rarely feel bouncy.
The Ronettes – Sleigh Ride
If it has to be a Christmas song (and at this time of year unfortunately they seem to be unavoidable) it might as well be The Ronettes, Phil Spector and The Wall of Sound (or perhaps Wham!). Music doesn’t get much better than that magical combination.
This is taken from the 1963 album A Christmas Gift for You from Phil Spector. Setting aside the Christmas motif it is actually a pretty spectacular record.
Merry Christmas all…
/RjK
The New Radicals* – You get what you give
I am at home for the weekend visiting my family. Somehow this made it on to my father’s dinner mix last night! I had completely forgotten about it. It is something of a pop gem and 90’s throwback (with a video to match), really bringing me back to my school days.
Fashion shoots with Beck and Hanson, Courtney Love and Marilyn Manson…
/RjK
*Artist #575
Van Morrison – Domino
I have probably waxed lyrical enough about the regard I have for Van’s music. Suffice to say, I think he’s got some game.
I had forgotten how good this sounds until it came on my MP3 player as I was walking home from work last night. From the jangly (not sure this is the correct technical term) intro to the horns and relentless energy throughout it is both a great pop song and a throwback to Fats Domino and all the great 50’s and 60’s Rhythm and Blues.
There are also several very tasty live versions (which are well worth checking out on YouTube where available). Not least the one on the seminal It’s too late to stop now which is both a personal favourite album and a guiding maxim.
/RjK