The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart - S/T

The first great record of 2009 in comes from an unlikely source. New York’s The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart have created a record that is soaked in the soul of shoegazing but still sounding fresh and invigorating. The record starts off with a giant roar of “The Cotender.” Kip and Peggy sing a lovely harmony together but the song is really a set up piece for the rest of the record. “Come Saturday” follows next and the song immediately is louder and catchy right from the start. The song blitzes in with that one hanging riff that leads into the furious track. This is a track that really shows off the bands skills the most. It is just so loud, catchy and fun and that is really all you could ask for. “Young Adult Friction” showcases Peggy’s vocals a little more and she has a wonderful croon for these lush sounds. “Everything With You” is such a beautiful and mind numbing escape of a track that I could just leave it on repeat all day.

The Pains are already getting a lot of buzz off their debut single and this record will lead them to be one of the more talked about acts of the year. There are a lot of obvious influences of the band but it does not get in the way of enjoying the album or do you think about them during the listen. The tracks sound fresh and exciting.

By John Siwicki

The Joy Formidable - Cradle

This is a time of year when you just get starved for new music. I came across this video on youtube and ever since the first listen I just can’t seem to get enough of this track. The band hail from Wales and are set to release their debut album next month. The thing that really strikes a chord with me is the lead vocals of Ritzy Bryan. Her voice really sticks out in this song as just a tone and delivery that sounds unlike anything out there. The track is a three minute moment of pure joy as it leaves you so satisfied. You get some woohoos to sing-a-long with some rather big sounding riffs to complement Ritzy’s vocal and a track that will become a regular play for most. The track is a perfect slice of indie pop that is excited and fresh.

By John Siwicki

Chasing Arrows - Unaware

Newport News’ Chasing Arrows are set to released their latest single “Unaware.” Chasing Arrows are very to new to me and looking at their wikipedia page there is a quote that describes the bands sound. “The Wallflowers meets Mars Volta meets Coldplay” I could agree with part of that as I can’t really understand the Mars Volta influence. “Unaware” is a power ballad from start to finish. It is not a bad tune but it does nothing to really stand out. I am sure I could switch on the radio and hear a song that is pretty similar in sound and style. I think if the band have something with a little more teeth than this worth taking a look at. But, this one is just the status quo.

By John Siwicki

Steve Cradock - The Kundalini Target

It has always been an unwritten, immutable truth that Steve Cradock cannot sing. This view had been substantiated by the argument that if he could hold a tune half as good as his buddy and the Ocean Colour Scene front man, Simon Fowler. Then surely, given Cradock’s undoubted status as one of the best guitarists of the last two decades and the fact that he is seen by many as being the man responsible for inputting the oomph, drive and rhythm into the Madchester scene and the post-mod era. You’d be forgiven for thinking that if he had any voice that was capable of more than low-key backing status, then surely he would have already forged a solo career to rival the likes of Paul Weller and Richard Ashcroft?

With ‘Something Better’, a swooning ballad of an opener to this debut album, Cradock’s skill and arguably his limitations are laid out to bear. Purists will point out that he doesn’t attempt any high notes, but given the personal and swooning nature of the track he doesn’t necessarily need to. The slightly weary lag is glossed over by a stirring piano and weaving acoustic guitar base. Be grateful for what you have is the laudable lyrical message and the overall impression given off, it has you settling down all prepared for some low-key philosophy and well weaved tune crafting. You’re not disappointed either, as the slightly upbeat, nostalgia spewing ‘Apple’, makes us appreciate our roots and of course Mr Craddock’s as well.

Maudlin reflection pushes its way to the fore in ‘You Paint Your Picture’, bearing out a mournful, poetic edge punctuated with a weaving acoustic pattern. This latter element draws out the romantic searching and reflection concealed within the lyrics;

“I’m silent like a shadow, my lovelight tenders embers.

The blank pages lying fallow are for love songs of tomorrow.”

With ‘On and On’, Cradock has produced the Bacon & Brie Panini of all pop songs; crisp and melting, as the vocals are given an uplifting gloss, helped along by the comforting touch of Paul Weller. This feel-good factor flows inextricably into the searching ballad, ‘The Clothes They Stood Up In’. A striking feature that appears, almost from nowhere, is a lobbing Duke Special spirited piano kick that gives the likes of ‘Still Trying’ and ‘Ask The Sound’, a colourful coating. With a gospel trickle giving the latter number a bit of boldness and heart.

The answer to the question, why it has taken the Cradster so long to step out into the exposing solo limelight still goes unanswered. Then again, don’t we need a bit more mystery in modern music?

By Dave Adair

Manu Chao - La Vida Tombola

Mogwai mysteriously and almost eerily accompanied the haunted and taunted Zidane through every move, now Manu Chao use a smooth samba coating to give Maradona the same treatment. This single stuck out like, well Maradona’s hand, in a documentary about the life of the troubled genius.

‘La Vida Tombola’, oozes Latino rhythm and springs from an ambient base that allows the slow leaping horns to take over and add energy. It is the perfect accompaniment to a spiralling run passed the likes of Peter Reid (I still think he could have tackled him, though!). Manu Chao continues to show their mastery at producing carefree rhythms.

By Dave Adair

The Bloody Beetroots – Cornelius

The Bloody Beetroots are a duo from Italy but they also bring a deep love of Daft Punk and apparently Spiderman. They always wear this admittedly cool black Spiderman mask all the time. They have a new track out on Dim Mak right now and that is “Cornelius.” The intro reminds of the final fight scene in Star Wars Episode I. The track is a brilliant little banger that came out at just the right time. That intro really set the stage for the track as after hearing that piece the track had this swagger to it. Even the video for that track feels like a knock on Justice’s A Cross The Universe. Still this is a hell of track that once you give it a listen you will not stop spinning this little guy. Also, the bside “The Death of Cornelius (Overture) pt.1” is a lot of fun as well. There is something about guys in black Spiderman masks performing, it really is the small things.

By John Siwicki

Kylie Minogue - Boombox

Kylie is one of those pop stars who I always find to have very likable music. “Boombox” is a record that is a bit long overdue. This remix record cover her last few records and includes all of her big singles. Kylie also has enlisted some of dance musics finest acts to remix her over the years. Chemical Brothers and Mylo are just two of the names that did a remix for Kylie.

The album’s most notable track will be “Can’t Get Blue Monday Out Of My Head” which, is a mashup of “Blue Monday” and Kyle’s “Can Get You Out Of My Head.” The match up here just feels right. I love New Order a lot but the mash up just works so well. Another track that got my attention was “Love At First Sight (Kid Creme Vocal Dub)” as it featured Kid crème exchanging lines with Kylie. The remix comes across with a rather funk tinge to the song. “Boombox” also includes a few new remixes. The best of the bunch being the “Boombox (LA Riots Remix).” The remix does a great job of both maintain the essence of the original song but still turning it into a loud and noisy track that is still a lot of fun.

“Boombox” is not for everyone but that is how it goes for most remix albums. I personally enjoyed it more than a traditional hits package because each track gives you something complete different than the previous tracks. Just one listen to “Your Disco Needs You (Casino Mix)” and “2 Hearts (Mark Brown’s Pacha Ibiza Upper Terrace Mix)” shows that there is quite a bit of variety on this record. Its worth a look as Kylie sounds great being remixed.

By John Siwicki

Pendulum - Showdown

Intergalactic, synth sliding old skool, drum n’ bass coated dance punk is back and who’d have thought that it would be the Aussie crew of Pendulum that are at the forefront of this revival?

A few years back it seemed as though they were on the brink of giving up on cracking the UK and the States, but their rumbling, instrumentally soaring ‘In Silico’ album and reputation bolstering Festival performances at the likes of Coachella and Leeds, has emboldened Pendulum’s appeal.

In ‘Showdown’, they have selected a snappy and slightly abrasive number that will keep their new found fans amongst the Kerrang reading community, very happy. The balance between being high octane and radio friendly has been found and this Antipodean outfit seem to be ticking all the right boxes at the moment.

By Dave Adair

Faunts – Feel.Love.Thinking.Of.

Faunts have recently released a remix album and have unleashed a little sample of their forthcoming album. “Feel. Love.Thinking.Of” is the title track of the record of the same name. The intro to the track is so dark and brooding that is downright scary. It has a very hard beat that recalled something from an IDM artists at times. The vocals on the track really caught me off guard as they were really full and lush. They created a beautiful little sound scape inside the track to counter act the hard beats. The vocals just glide along with the beats to create a rich and enduring track that will help us thought these winter nights. Faunts have gotten me excited for this track and their second album which, is sure to be something special next year.

By John Siwicki

Waking Lights - Song For Jo

It is the end of the year so it is always good to go back and see what you missed. “Songs For Jo” was released back in September. While “Songs For Jo” may only be a mini album and they might be from Northern New Jersey the band still have created a lush and fulfilling record. The stars of this record are cellist/vocalist Jodi Mozeika, and violinist Nicole Scorsone. They have created a beautiful environment for Matthew Maroulakos to create his songs. There is something about Matthew’s voice that I think without the instrumentation behind him the songs would not work nearly as well. The best example is on “Comfortably Swollen” the track is largely acoustic but when that violin comes it lifts the track to another level. The EP on a whole was enjoyable. The diversity in the arrangements were welcomed and it would be interesting to see the band on a full length. Also, I think a little more vocals from Jodi could be very interesting to hear.

By John Siwicki

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