Awake from Slumberland

Crystal Stilts are back with some new material. To get us in the mood for the release of their sophomore album early next year, the hypnotic psychedelic hole has been reopened with 'Shake The Shackles'. The 7" is due to be released on 26th October on Slumberland Records. The sound's about the same as last years release 'Alight of Night', but that was good, so this probably will be too.

Shake the Shackles by Slumberland Records

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Happy out

Idiot Glee is doing the rounds supporting Women next week here in London town, so I thought I'd see what the beef was about. The Kentucky man's fifties influenced acapella approach is a great way to start the day, but his sound is more Brooklyn. A gentle vocal sound that floats between Owen Pallette and Grizzly Bear harmonies. Some nice plinky keys in there too. He released his self-titled EP in March and for $2 you get four very good songs.

Idiot Glee – All Packed Up
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/buy EP

Danger Maus

I've only just become aware to John Maus and now I'm mildly obsessed. I don't know how this is humanly possible after constantly listening to Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti and Panda Bear, seeing as he's been a part in both. The cheesy synths, booming monotone voice, random spurts of noise all make a great listen. Sometimes I don't know whether I should laugh as much as I do at some of the songs, if it's intended that way or not ('Rights for gays' - so good), but there's a couple of belting albums to listen to, and it puts a smile on ya face. His last release 'Love is Real' was in 2007 but he's played a couple of gigs recently, so hopefully he'll be emitting more sounds soon.

John Maus - Bennington
John Maus - Pure Rockets
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/buy

Back to the floor

Factory Floor. Minimal. Industrial. Cold wave. Whatever, they're fucking good. The 10" 'Lying / A Wooden Box" came out in May, they just released two remix versions of this too. Tour dates on myspace means get down and see them. I saw them at Rough Trade a few weeks back and was left with little hearing. You'll be like a moth against a light bulb.

Factory Floor - Lying
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/buy

Public Strain

Ace news... the wonderful Women are putting out a new album 'Public Strain' on August 23rd on Jagjaguwar. I was pretty much obsessed with their self titled album last year. Experimental, eclectic, shoe gazey, and beautifully produced by Chad Vangaalen. They've announced UK and European tour dates for August and beyond. Pick up tix quick, they'll sell out double fast. They've put up a free download of 'Eyesore' as a pre-treat. Preorders start on July 27th and come with a free 7". About time.

Women - Eyesore
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Flock of Segall

I'm pretty much over the garage scene right now, but I've been listening to Ty Segall's latest album 'Melted'. It's very good. Catchy slaggy fuzzy riffs and lazily drawled lyrics. It's more of a pop version of Thee Oh Sees, with some Supergrass thrown in. I really like the down tempo tracks when they feel like his right arms going to drop off from playing the guitar to slowly. All the songs a good. A rare treat. San Fran can.

Ty Segall - Girlfriend
Ty Segall - Finger
/buy Melted
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El Scorchio

It's set to be a belter this weekend. I recommend the following to cool your ears down:



El Guincho
Finally the lovely man from Barcelona is following up his album Antillas with a somewhat more relaxed release called 'Piratas de Sudamérica'. Set to be buyable from July 12th on Young Turks. Love the single being put out called 'Hindou'. The EP is a a mix of lost and loved songs from South America and you can hear them all here...

YT044 - El Guincho - Piratas de Sudamerica by Young Turks

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/buy EP




Monster Rally
I read about Monster Rally and had to check out their series of dreamy, fifties exotica hawaiian style sample heavy songs. Don't know anything about them, other that the fact you can download the self-titled EP from bandcamp. Very generous. Proper lovely.

Monster Rally - The Wolf
/Download EP

New Weirdos

Get ya cobs and fill 'em with some Prize Pets. My fellow Midlanders from Nottingham are a meaty meal. I saw 'em about a month ago at an in-store gig at Beyond Retro and was well into their set. Rockabilly with more guts. They just had a 7" out a couple of weeks back on Sex Is Disgusting with the track below on it. It's worth the purchase. Get down to see them live too.

Prize Pets - New Weirdos
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/buy New Weirdos 7"

Show us ya teeth

Teeth are a 3 bit band from London consisting of Ximon Tayki, Simon Whybray and Veronica So. They make an ace noise of rave influenced synth, electro and heavy beats. They're bringing out an awesome single 'See Spaces' on August 16th on Moshi Moshi Records. The band have been scrabbling round the east-end's underbelly for a year or so now pounding out some parties, forming their sound as they go. I really rate their first single. I've heard a couple of demos floating about the webbernet too that bode well. Exciting times are afoot. Teeth are playing a few gigs out and about including Latitude and Offset fests. Winner.

Teeth - See Spaces
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/Pre-order See Speces

Primavera

Primavera Sound 2010 was one of the best fests I’ve been to in years. Top fun, top bands, top city. After not writing for an age – here’s a monster round up of some of the hottest acts there…




Thee Oh Sees

One of my favourites as you probably know, Thee Oh Sees were ace face to face. First time I’ve seen them live and I wasn’t disappointed. They played a massive crowd at the Vice stage in the early eve and filled the air with slaggy riffs, and a din of delayed harmonies. So good. They played all my favourites off last years album ‘Dog Poison’ and a good few off their latest album ‘Warm Slime’ which can out a month ago. John Dwyer wins best front man of the festival.

Thee Oh Sees – I Was Denied
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/Buy Warm Slime




Chrome Hoof

They are the future. Effin awesome live too. If Grace Jones and James Brown fused together they would probably create the leading lady Lola Olafisoye. She is amazing. Not only that but the deathrock jazzy crazy shit that is produced by the band is too tight to mention. They just had a new album out ‘Crush Depth’ a couple of weeks ago which is good, but it’s that track ‘Tonyte’ off their last effort that pipped my post on the night.

Chrome Hoof – Tonyte
/Myspace
/Buy Crush Depth




The Almighty Defenders

Not only do the Californian gospel garage boys have a rage on stage, but they possibly did one of the coolest things I’ve ever seen. The half Black Lips, King Khan and Mark Sultan had to endure the annoyance of Florence (of the Machines) skanking around backstage hankering for attention. To my horror, she launched onto stage wailing into a microphone on the Defender’s last track. Khan calmly wandered over to her, picked up her mic, switched it off and handed her a tambourine. Amazing! I will be indebted to them forever. Their self titled album is ace and it’s out now.

The Almighty Defenders – All My Loving
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/Buy The Almighty Defenders


Other highlights…

Sleigh Bells – Tell ‘Em
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Here We Go Magic – The Collector
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Wild Beasts – Devils Crayon
/Myspace