An interesting mix of stuff this week. Two “skinny guys with guitars” bands, two warbling ladies and a dance outfit. Surely there’s a joke in there somewhere…
First up sees a Dirty Little Shop by Dogs. This is normally a cue for me to ramble on about these being this weeks “guys with guitars” band, but this is actually really good. It might start slowly and predictably but when the chorus crashes in, this becomes something very anthemic and I find my foot tapping and my mouth singing the words. In fact, the chorus feels out of place when following the usual angular, post-Libertines opening, but it’s a real highlight and what drags this out of the mire.
This week sees the debut single release of Bella Union’s latest signing Stephanie Dosen. They can’t seem to do any wrong at the moment, their current rosta featuring bands that create some of the most ambitious and beautiful music. And Midlake. Anyway, this falls into Fionn Regan territory, with it’s gentle folk arrangements and acousitc guitar. What makes This Joy stand out is Dosen’s amazing voice, crystal clear and yet hinting at some deep and dark emotional craving just under the surface. Maybe not an obvious choice for a single, it’s still a song of real and gentle beauty.
As a duel of female singers, up next is Regina Spektor with her double A-Side release of Samson and On The Radio. The latter was released as a lead single from her last album, but never mind. Whilst not as straightforward as Dosen, Spektor’s music is also rooted in some kind of twisted folk music. On The Radio is just that, but it’s embellished with flourishes of drums and odd haunting electronica. Samson, however, is more stripped back with just a piano and some gentle strings as accompaniment. Coming across very much like Tori Amos, it’s really a lovely song and Spektor’s voice haunting and yet lulling at the same time.
And now for something completely different. LCD Soundsystem return with their indie-dance anthems, this time with All My Friends from the quite stunning album Sound of Silver. By default, and with my brimming love for this album, this would usually be my single of the week, but it doesn’t quite work as a single for me. The sparse arrangement doesn’t really lend itself to the shortened format. Though every time I hear the New Order-esque guitars I feel like throwing my arms in the air and dancing around the room like a loon. Anyway, this misses out this week…
To some, no doubt skinny, guys with guitars. Who’d have thought it. I’m like a twisted, contradictory bastard. Anyway, The Changes are my Single of the Week with their double A side Such A Scene / Her, You & I. It might not be the most original piece of music here, but there’s something about it that I like. From the opening reverberating chords and the Beatles-esque vocal delivery of Such A Scene, I feel myself falling under their spell. The guitars seem to be guiding me on some weird and wonderful journey along a rugged and impressive coastline, the cheeky solo towards the end just augments this feeling of air and movement. Her, You & I is a little more straightforward and suspiciously sounds like Maroon 5 in places, but its oddly angular guitars and vocals seem to be steeped in lounge acts of the 50’s and 60’s until the tempo slowly increases and it descends into something more aggressive and unsafe, like The Stones in their 60’s prime. Great stuff.
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