The Ordinary Boys – I Luv U

This is the second song I have reviewed today with “Love You” in the title. But, The Ordinary Boys decided to be funny and spell Luv like that. “I Love You” (I will not spell it there way) is the best song they band has written in a good two and half years. It’s the bands attempt at a sappy ballad, and we all know I am a sucker for these. It is soppy and whimsical and the strings cover up Preston’s vocal nicely. I can just see the band outside a girls window serenading here for the video.

By John Siwicki

Kasabian – Me Plus One

Kasabian finally release the best track off “Empire.” “Me Plus One” follows the laughable “Shoot The Runner.” The tune is not like your usual Kasabian affair. It is relatively short slice of sunshine pop. It is about ecstasy, “Here you come to take me away/Like a little white rabbit from yesterday.” It is a little like the more musically moments of Primal Scream and its one of the best Kasabian songs.

By John Siwicki

The Good The Bad and The Queen – S/T

The Good, The Bad, and The Queen were huge before they even begun. It’s probably the most important, and what some people may find the most exciting music collaboration in years. They have quite a reputation to live up to, just the names of Damon Albarn, Paul Simonon, Simon Tong, and Tony Allen, but the release of their self titled debut album has only cemented this belief that they would be a supergroup.

The album has very much a continued feel of Albarn’s post-Coxon

A Sunny Day In Glasgow – Scribble Mural Comic Journal

A Sunny Day in Glasgow is Ben Daniels’ musical project, and one for which he got his two sisters, Robin and Lauren, to sing. Notenuf has kindly release their debut album to us. “Scribble Mural Comic Journal” is just a flat out masterpiece that needs to heard with headphones on. It is a large ambitious piece of work and you will want to her every nook and cranny inside the record. Ben Daniels and his sisters have a gift at crafting one hell of a story.

The album really gets working with “No.6 Von Karman Street.” The song features the Daniels sisters’ vocals swelling and circling this odd dance like beat. The song gives off the aura of fogginess, and confusion. It leads perfectly into “A Mundane Phonecall To Jack Parsons.” The tune is mind-blowing. The sisters’ get to emerge a bit from the noise with a 60s-type harpsichord behind them. “5:15 Train” is very intense and aggressive musically but has such a gentle backbone. “Lists, Plans” is one of the finest pieces on this record. The song waves in and out of these little brief scenes if you would and then you get hit with this strange and addicting note. For a five minute track, there are so many changes and just so much going on. “Watery

Yes Boss – Look Busy

Yes Boss are Gavron (beat man) and Noah(word man). They have been playing with the likes of Spankrock and Sway. Also, they have been remixing Sunshine Underground and Forward Russia(singer Tom guests on the album). It is hard to classify Yes Boss into one genre. They mix up a lot of rap and electronic elements together.

The album starts off with “Meet The Boss” which, allows us just what the title says. The track is much more grime than their previous singles. “Hospital Time” is rather strange. “NYB” has been around since their early days, its catchy and fun. “Indie Kids” is there anthem; it’s a knock on the indie scene and indie kids. It is just quite comical and in good fun. Next, we get “Tongues in Knots’ and “See It Through” there two must recent singles. The first, “Tongues in Knots” with Tom from Forward Russia on vocals and it’s quite a unique combination. As, Tom’s vocal is very chunky and ragged. “See It Though” has been maligned but its quite a danceable and fun song.

Yes Boss are a fun bunch. The songs sometimes might not get many people going but the words are clever at times and the beats are solid and danceable.

By John Siwicki

Yes Boss – See It Through

“See It Through” is released on 12inch and download in run up to their debut album “Look Busy.” Yes Boss are a bit of the odd man on the Dance to the Radio label, they make what some would call “garage/rap/electro” Once, “See It Through” kicks in you will fall instantly in love with these guys. The very danceable groove kicks in and the funky bass line provides such a danceable track you can sing about anything over it.

By John Siwicki

Damiera – M(US)IC

Produced by Coheed and Cambria’s Jayson Dezuzia Damiera’s album “Music” brings something different to the table than your usual heavy album. Dave Raymond’s singing vocal is not like a whining below or a heavy yell, he achieves a nice balance and it leans to more an indie type vocal rather than an emo type sound. The track

The Bird and The Bee – The Bird and The Bee

The Bird and The Bee debut album is a bit of a mix bag. You will be hard to find anyone who will argue that Inara George’s vocal is as beautiful as it comes. But sometimes the songs lack fire, if you would. “Again and Again” sounds so much like something, cant seem to put my finger on what that is. But it is a sweet little pop song. “Birds and The Bees” sounds like a remix gone bad. Yet, “Fucking Boyfriend” sounds like a more sophisticated version of Lilly Allen’s “Smile” but Inara seems so much angrier. “Preparedness” is the standout track here, musically sounds like something off Thom Yorke’s “Eraser” with a light and lovely vocal by Inara. The album has its hits and misses, it is a strange mash up of songs.

By John Siwicki

The Earlies – The Enemy Chorus

The Earlies seem to split opinions. Their first album got a 10 in the NME. Yes, the NME. But the band is an acquired taste. Their sound is very distinct and unique and unlike much you will hear out there. “The Enemy Chorus” is strange, very strange. The albums starts off with the one two punch of “No Love In Your Heart” and “Burn the Liars.” The first track marries electronic waves and violin solo and Beach Boys like vocals. It does sound a bit swishy washy but it works on so many levels. “Burn The Liars” is based around a piano riff and is a very layered and deep track. “When The Wind Blows” has a stomping piano and drum and a hook that is very “Hey Jude” like. Its got quite a catchy ring to it.

The Earlies remind me a lot of the Beta Band. They have that same approach to experimentation but still remain poppy and experimental. Let’s just hope they last a little longer.

By John Siwicki

Clap Your Hands Say Yeah – Underwater (You & Me)

CYHSAY first album took me ages to really get used to, maybe it was Alec Ounsworth’s vocal or the hype. But, it has become an old friend now. Anticipation has been high for album number two. While, listening to “Some Loud Thunder”, the album will surprise a lot of people. I noticed a true gem of a tune hidden right at the end. “Underwater” just hit a chord with me unlike a song has in a long time. It is slightly repetitive, but the last bit where it starts to get quite and you hear the lines “We’ll retreat to the bottom of the sea./We were destined to live out our lives underwater, you and me” ever so quietly it is a powerful moment.

By John Siwicki

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