It’s the end of the year and you might think you have missed out on some of the great music out there. Well, to get you match-fit for 2013, we suggest that you listen to these bands before the year is out. If you do, we are convinced that you will be one step ahead of everyone else next year. You can say, “Oh yes, I know all about them already…” Listen to these sounds while you wrap up your pressies.
No 1 : Deap Vally
Apparently Lindsey Troy (guitar, vocals) and Julie Edwards (drums) bonded over needlework… yeah, hard to believe isn’t it? And they formed their band in 2011.
Deap Vally’s debut album will be released under Island Records / Communion in 2013. The girls recently supported the English band, The Vaccines on their UK tour during November 2012. And they are opening for Muse this month. So believe us when we say that they are hot stuff.
Deap Vally’s ‘End of the World’ sounds like ‘Suzi Quatro’ spliced with ‘Joan Jett’ singing over the sounds of an electric eel as it wriggles into a sink of cuttlefish ink. The guitars seem more flexible than the slots at Vegas. Big gloopy bass notes are often as dark as molasses. And the percussion is comprised of a pair of shots here and there. Sporadic is not the word. It may be stripped back strop. But it’s none the worse for it.
In ‘Hobo Playa’ you may picture an image of Jack White captured in the boudoir of a woman with a grudge filled fantasy. He is being strangled by one of her silk stockings, but is somehow still able to play a basic riff, with his one free hand. This song has a lot of attitude, displaying a sexual awareness that can only be achieved when you sit on the guitar amp and let it vibrate you to bits.
Link: http://www.facebook.com/deapvally
No 2 : Palma Violets
This band have ignored the normal route to success. You could not find them on facebook until recently. They played concerts underground. And they play the publicity avoidance game. But the wait has been worth it. They perform wild ‘back to basics’ rock and roll and seem to have claimed some kind of Apostolic Succession from the greats – Muddy Waters, Johnny Cash, The Doors, Echo & the Bunnymen. You name ‘em.
Their cowboy song ‘Best of Friends’ has that brave western twang. It has a riding, rolling beat that brings to mind the great outdoors. Dusty ranches and sweat stained saddles. But the voices are very reminiscent Jagger – mocking and shabby. Cocky and uncorrupted. Then there are the higher keys, (from Pete) and a smoky environment reminiscent of the work of Ray Manzarek. In fact, the more you concentrate, the more you realize that the overall effect is Joy Division spiritually conjoined with The Highwaymen
‘Last of the Summer Wine’ loops in and out and sounds like it has a Hawaiian summer T shirt worn tight across its manly chest. A silver ribbon is woven on a sunny beach in the moonlight. Small streams of shimmering guitars fleck the otherwise perfect stillness of the water. Then a crooning voice (Sam) threads his way through the silky shine. A chorus of “over-and-over-and-back” seems indulgent – like a second portion of dark chocolate cake. But this song will stay with you longer.
Link: http://www.facebook.com/palmaviolets
No 3 : Peace
Birmingham’s four piece band PEACE, comprising of Harrison Koisser (vocals, guitar), Sam Koisser (bass), Douglas Castle (guitar), Dominic Boyce (drums) play melodic, technically proficient pop – but with a furry African coating.
‘Ocean’s Eye’ from their successful ‘Delicious’ EP has sultry beats the twist around a fanciful cluster of pinpoint accurate guitars. A squelchy accompaniment may remind you of Happy Mondays. Piles of shimmering cymbals bundle themselves into the spaces provided by the space-age vibes.
‘Bloodshake’ has a spiky tribal feel to it. Beats sound like they are played on a basketball, and the voice lingers on each note, stretching the words into a bubblegum fantasy wriggle-worm. The gaseous sounds boil over the rim like smoke billowing from a cooking pot.
Link:
http://www.facebook.com/peaceforeverever
No 4: Swim Deep
Another Birmingham band, Swim Deep may sound (to some) like Wavves crossed with Duran Duran (yes, really.) Sounding like surfland dropouts, Austin , Higgy, Zachary and Cavan make sun-kissed noises from the UK’s most un-seasidey city.
‘Honey’ has a chattering charm. Hoops of wonderfully sunny chords fluster over a bubbling beat. Vocals are neat and cool. A bit like a long Santa Monica kiss. A cheerful backbeat means this is danceable. In a cool, swirly way.
‘Orange County’ is even more sure of its idyllic surfer setting. Golden sun and clambering guitars. But the somnolent vocals, though dressed in wavelets of cool spikes, seem understated and dark. But the song grows, and as it grows, the warmth envelopes you. And you are smitten.
Link:
http://www.facebook.com/SWIMDEEPUK
No 5: Savages
Savages are the only British all-female post-punk rock band that you should really care about right now. Just last week the BBC announced that the London band have been nominated for the Sound of 2013 poll. (Winner to be announced on 4 January 2013)
‘City’s Full’ is ripe and resilient. A hacking beat ( Fay on drums) rumbles along amidst bubbles of gurgling guitar sounds. Vocals from Jehnny Beth are loopy, hicuppy and fanciful. One minutes she is gurgling. The next she blips and squeaks. It’s as if Siouxsie (from the Banshees) has hijacked Joy Division. And made it her own. This is a jazz stew of grungy sounds and textures.
‘Give Me a Gun’ is more energetic. The tufts of voice lay in wait, like a parasite on a disco dance floor. Guitars are always clamouring for more attention ( Gemma ) as they helter-skelter around – a whole lot of feedback, backflips and missed opportunities are left on display. It ‘s exciting. Because it’s true.
Link:
http://www.facebook.com/savagestheband
No 6: Grimes
Montreal based multimedia artist Claire Boucher is Grimes. An ethereal electronic Christmas-tree angel in a grubby world. Described by Bullett Magazine as “The marriage between the voice of a human and the heartbeat of a machine”. She will keep you guessing. If you get her latest recording, put it on for the long drive home.
‘Genesis’ is a plucky little song.Sighing and chirruping at times. The whole thing is under-laid with velvety textures, full-rounded keyboard sounds and a ‘hit the trash can with a brush’ percussion. The keyboard backchats. And Claire continues to push forward. You will find comfort in this.
‘Oblivion’ is altogether darker. Rivers of chocolate licorice keys eventually boil down, to create a mulch for the gentle, dainty voice to sink into. And to la-la about in. It’s like seeing Tinker Bell booting herself up up for a rough kick-about. She’s gonna get muddy. But we are all fascinated.
Link:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Grimes/133232266718746
No 7: Django Django
London based band (with Scottish roots) Django Django take Indie-rock and run with it. They prove that it ain’t dead yet. Dave Maclean, Vincent Neff, Tommy Grace and Jimmy Dixon mix live instrumentation with electronic samples. Think Super Furry Animals. But with more attitude.
‘Default’ is crazy. It is a surreal mix of slamming doors and ringing riffs. A woodcutter takes a saw to a piece of timber. And then there is a fire crackling in the fireplace. It has a country twang. But an Alka-Seltzer sound spritzes and sparkles in your eyes. The song delves into a freak show for some whizzing sounds. And all the time it ensures that there are very danceable rhythms- to keep those knees knocking and toes tapping.
‘Firewater’ has lapping, slamming beats and deep-vein bass reproduction. Vocals are cheerful and clean-cut. A guitar rings out. And the song moves into a comic Beatlesque landscape . ‘Hail Bop’ is more liquidy. It‘s like lathering with too much soap . A simple set of chords and handclap sounds remind you that this band look back lovingly at the Sixties. Then the eloquent and harmonious voice grabs your ear. You will yearn for more.
Link:
http://www.facebook.com/thedjangos
No 8: Purity Ring
Purity Ring are a Canadian electronic music duo from Montreal, formed in 2010, consisting of Megan James (vocals) and Corin Roddick (instrumentals). They make scary disco music.
‘Fineshrine’ has a thinly cut, trembling beat. And synths that wallow in and out. Taking deep breaths. The shining vocals are steeped in honey. It feels slightly childish. And raggedly disturbing.
‘Crawlersout’ is like seeing your own reflection in a dimpled chrome plate. It makes sense, but it seems broken into pieces. The electronic beat will remind you of hip-hop. The vocals are full of holes. The song is like a paper doily. Thin, highly decorative lacework.
Link:
http://www.facebook.com/purityringmusic
No 9: Melody’s Echo Chamber
Parisian Melody Prochet (vocals, instruments) is an amazing and inspiring musician. One listen of ‘I Follow You’ from her self-titled new album will convince you. We are sure of it. Classically trained, she writes and performs a kind of sunshiny dream-pop with shoe-gaze influence.
In songs like ‘Crystallized’ you will hear the sheer beauty of the overlapping sounds- as they create a crease for her fairy-voice to snuggle down into. Repeating textures create the rhythm – that is until it boils over the brim into a kind of hypnotic broth. Then it sounds like an underground train is coming out of the gloom to get you. Watch out.
‘You Won’t Be Missing That Part of Me’ see-saws back and forth. Melody’s gossamer voice enthrals and delights. But then, as usual, the song seems to take a back-street shortcut. And you are immersed into a higgledy-piggledy world of loose vibrations and stand-and-deliver fuzz.
Link:
http://www.facebook.com/MelodysEchoChamber
All words -© Neil_Mach December 2012 –
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