Featured August: xx @ the xx

The xx

What can I say about this album? NME (UK indie and music journal) gave it #2 in their 2009 chart. Couldn’t agree more; but let this album grow on you. Melodic; cool; indie – this album is perfect if you work at night. It’s been my friend through the Winter and also this Summer, perfect before bed. It contains one of the most uplifting spirtual songs I think I ever heard. Thank you, the xx! [Or is that the XX?]

458489 A Sides @ The Fall

These guys, from Manchester, UK, are like the Indie of the Indies, if you get my drift. Still recording today, this album is a good intro, detailing A sides around midway through their history.

Check out Creep and Hit The North – and you’ll see why the Fall are played on MTV2, this is just fantastic indie pop. There’s a good sense of humor on a lot of these tracks. Prolific band! I just checked on eMusic, and there’s 28 albums at the time of writing.

Manchester is an incredible city. This place is friendly big time. An absolute hotbed of music, from the Stone Roses, to the Smiths. And the Fall are part of this great city.

(Album link coming later tonight – !)

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Vampire Weekend @ ditto

Vampire Weekend

Stunning debut, capture this band as they burst confidently on to the scene. Indie guitar pop, melodic, not afraid to mix in other instruments, including strings. Easy to relate to. Upbeat vibe, with some angst. Anyone with a connection to Boston will love this album. I read that the band members intend this to be a short-term project; personally, I wouldn’t be surprised as if they were around as long as bands like REM or U2.

Antics @ Interpol

Antics

Delicious rock, hard, edgy, indie. Very positive lyrics and vibe. One thing about this album is unique for us: it’s definitely the album with longest “grower” tracks. In other words, for us, we had to listen, and listen, and listen… and then … BANG! Even longer growers than the Pet Shop Boys. In fact, still waiting for a few tracks to click.

Tallulah @ The Go-betweens

Tallulah

Sublime pop from the Australian outfit, wide range of instruments. From the late eighties. Possibly some of the best pop never to hit the radio. Pre-Internet, things were less globalized, making a breakthrough harder.