The Indie Anthology 80: essential songs

Let's keep with the recovered pace, so here comes another one for the Indie Anthology! Today we move to Essex, to pay our modest tribute to a very beloved band of the Blog (that his mighty leader David Callahan took his time to answer our questionnaire is among the "achievements" I'm most proud of). One that is very well "alive and kicking", in what, in my humble opinion, easily ranks among the most exciting comebacks in music history. Jangle-noise (what?) courtesy of the pack from Romford!

Song: Magic Triggers 
Artist: The Wolfhounds 
Year: 1990

It started, of course, with me downloading (Audiogalaxy folks, pure Pleistocene era) the über recurrent C-86 compilation. A bunch of wonders (Close Lobsters, Bodines, Shop Assistants and McCarthy, to just name a few), but also quite an amount of fillers (being polite). And then, others with a big question mark on it. Discovery, promise, or just one hit wonders? 'Feeling So Strange Again' was in that category for me. But not for a long time. Not when you discover a blasting tune like 'Anti-Midas Touch', or a record like 'Unseen Ripples from a Pebble'. It was jangle-pop, sure, but there was also bite and lyrics to dig in. And the following discoveries were asking me to dig deeper, more consciously, in that rage and social commentary, while the noise and experimentation kept the group interesting. Raw indiepop. with thorns in every side. What was not to love? Like McCarthy, The Wolfhounds were a group for me. So, to choose just one tune has been excruciating. The aforementioned 'Midas', the perfect combination of grit and mellowness of 'Me', the stormy, sonicyouthesque 'Blown Away', the incarnation of The Fall's gloom in 'Another Hazy Day On The Lazy "A"', or more recently, the mesmerizing melodic urgency of 'Divide and Fall'. Any of them could have gone here. Why the choice of 'Magic Triggers' then? I guess it has to do with the "take no prisoners" upbeat start, or the pressing, contagious immediacy of the tune, or the desperate vocals delivered by David, or the manic guitar halfway of the piece, or the tension, the constant threat between melody and fury. Sums pretty well all the reasons why I love The Wolfhounds and why I think they are among the most criminally underrated bands. Period. Here I rest my case.

The Indie Anthology 54: essential songs

Revamped section, here's another one for our Indie Anthology, this time thanks to the great Minifestival de Música Independent de Barcelona. One of the bands playing at 2015's edition is an incredible, unexpected and extremely exciting comeback. First, with 'Kunstwerk in Spacetime', a great EP on our dear Shelflife Records... and now playing in my city? The tribute was mandatory.

Song: ln Spite of These Times
Artist: Close Lobsters
Year: 1987

I can't exactly remember when I first heard of the Lobsters. I'm pretty sure it was quite long ago, at a time when I was doing 'some research' on The Paisley Underground bands after getting knocked out by The Dream Syndicate's 'Days of Wine and Roses', and then the Internet source brought me to the Close Lobsters. Wow, 'Foxheads Stalk This Land' blew my mind! It was jangle-pop, sure, full of the trademark ringing & shining guitars, but there was a different, more straightforward, post-punk-rockier vibe too. A genuine strength combined with an unparalleled talent to build indie-pop flammable anthems. Like the glorious 'In Spite of These Times'. An intro made in heaven, the rickenbackers chiming, keyboards subtly creating the atmosphere, and Andrew Burnett vocals right up in front of you, forcing you to move, dance and sing-along until the tune explodes. Oh my! The unstoppable force of nature that is the majestic chorus where the carpe diem coda "don't let it slip through your hands" is delivered like a thunderstorm, before it all ends modestly, saying bye with a little, shy bang after all the epic. Oh, God, if I'm getting emotional just by writing this imagine when I see them live in February...

Discoverer 105: new indie findings

Another Primavera Club special, now in our Discoverer Series. Three very different bands just discovered this weekend!!

The Coathangers. Punk style for starters. Coming from Atlanta, Georgia, the band formed in 2006 as a fun excuse to hang out but, after playing just a house show, they were asked to open for The Hiss as the result of their powerful performance. Since then, constant touring, several EPs, singles and four full lengths: 'The Coathangers' (2007), 'Scramble' (2009), 'Larceny & Old Lace' (2011) and latest 'Suck My Shirt', released this March on Suicide Squeeze Records 2014. Although the group has now been reduced to a trio, there are no signs of exhaustion, as a matter of fact, it's clearly the opposite. Minnie, Crook Kid and Rusty are adding new resources to its trademark palette between no-wave and garage, without losing any sense of their spontaneity and vivacity. Dissonant, wild and fun ride.

Strand of Oaks. Timothy Showalter hails from Goshen, Indiana, though he is based in Philadelphia, after a very troubled personal story. After putting out a couple of first releases in 2006 and 2008, debut album 'Leave Ruin' appeared in 2009 on La Société Expéditionnaire. The folky, singer-songwriter territory was quickly overtook with self-released LP 'Pope Killdragon' a year later, where synthesizers and effects pedals offered a much wider range in Showalter's music. Tours followed, with another album, 'Dark Shores', coming in between via Ten Atoms Records in 2012. Finally, after a near-death experience in Christmas Day of 2013, this survivor recorded 'Heal' out this year on Dead Oceans. Confessional indie-folk turned into stormy rock and performed with a brutal honesty. Don't miss him live if you can, what a beast!

Horsebeach. This Mancunian four piece started out their short career to date as the solo bedroom project of Ryan Kennedy, but soon evolved into a full band. Self-titled EP appeared in November 2013, with track 'Even' being saluted by the UK media as the first step of a band to follow closely. The buzz made the limited edition 7" single 'Faded Eyes', out on Alone Together Recordings in February an immediate sold out. Something that anticipated the general praise their s/t album, out since July, is receiving. Melancholic, chiming jangle pop, with Real Estate, Wild Nothing but also 80s indie-pop dreamier bands as references. Oh! The knack for penning perennial melodies and the ability to stop time with a four minute tune. Horsebeach have both talents in their DNA, so don't miss them.

Discoverer 100: new indie findings

Who made the 100 post in our discoverer series? The last three bands to reach the landmark of 300 music proposals for your ears only!

The Luxembourg Signal. LA-based, this fantastic new project means the birth of a super-band, featuring members from the great Aberdeen or, most recently, Fonda and Trembling Blue Stars. The origins of the group can be traced almost ten years before, but only after several reunions Johnny Joyner, Beth Arzy and Brian Espinosa started The Luxembourg Signal with Betsy Moyer and Ginny Pitchford, recording the tunes each time Beth visited the States. After the 7" single 'Distant Drive' released in April 2014 by our dear friends of Shelflife Records, on September 30th their debut, self-titled album, will arrive. 10 rich tunes combining dreampop, glimmering pop with a darker twist, shoegazing textures and a talent to knack unbeatable melodies within the noise and guitar drones. Spectacular.
Minipop. Hailing from San Francisco, this group formed a decade ago, when Matthew Swanson joined forces with Tricia Kanne the duo began composing music with a clear '90s vibe like Slowdive or Lush, completing the band shortly afterwards with the addition of Lauren Grubb and Nick Forte. They self-produced debut EP, 'Precious', in late 2005, signing with Take Root Records and releasing their only album to date, 'A New Hope', a year later. Despite the great press and successful tours along with bands like Stellastarr, Film School or Cursive, Minipop has always taken their own path and rhythm to do things. Another EP, 'Automatic Love' arrived in 2010. With the band becoming a trio, now they are back with another EP, 'Chances' out since July. Starry-eyed dreampop, always fuelled with Kanne's irresistible voice. Melodic, spacey and ethereal sounds. The band's name is ironic, for sure. This is huge pop, not mini at all.

WORKING. Hailing from Rhode Island, here's an extremely exciting new group, with a quartet formed by John and Catherine Kolodij, whose previous projects include Aura'd and The Best Wishes, joined by friends Matthew Derby and Mary-Kim Arnold. They just released a debut, digital single on Shelflife Records entitled 'More Weight', announcing they are currently preparing a full length album scheduled for 2015. Three promising tunes of noise pop, C-86 style, recalling Black Tambourine or Velocity Girl, as addictive as the summer season. Great, huge expectations, keep WORKING that good!  

The Indie Anthology 46: essential songs

What about celebrating the expanded reissue of the legendary C86 compilation cassette for the next chapter of our Indie Anthology? Here's our modest tribute to one of the most underrated bands (polite way to avoid saying completely neglected) that took part on that landmark release...

Song: Therese
Artist: The Bodines
Year: 1986

Mike Ryan, Paul Brotherton, Tim Burtonwood and Paul Lilley, like many others, seemed to have all aces in their hands. Formed just a year earlier, they quickly became one of the most promising upcoming of jangly indie combos spreading around that time. Debut 'God Bless' on Creation Records was followed by 'Therese', being included on the C86 album, allowing them to sign with major Magnet Records with extremely high expectations. That were never fulfilled, commercially speaking, making the band disband. A shame, because songs like 'Therese' are simply impossible to resist. Compulsive jangle-pop, that seems to be propelled by a rocket, inviting the listener to get lost and dance the humming guitar lines. Criminally forgotten gem.

These Go to 11: Interviewing The Wolfhounds

As we move on from the end-of-the-year lists, is time to offer you another interview. A great one, as a matter of fact. I'm proud to bring you the answers to our peculiar questionnaire from the frontman of a legendary (criminally underrated) band that, happily, has returned to action. I'm referring to David Callahan, leader of The Wolfhounds. These Go to 11!

Band named Wolfhounds & the
gallows behind,  what's not to fear?

David Callahan, The Wolfhounds

Formed in 1985 in Romford, UK, their first EP "Cut The Cake" made them part of the mythical C86 compilation album. After the poppier debut "Unseen Ripples From A Pebble on Pink", they evolved into a rockier, raging indie rock combo with brilliant albums like "Bright and Guilty", "Blown Away" and "Attitude" in 1990, after which the band disbanded. Several music adventures (urge you to check Moonshake) followed until they got back together in 2005 for a gig on the 20th anniversary of their first single. More gigs came, plus an EP with three tunes pre-dating band's debut in April 2012. Fuelled by the success of song "Skullface", the band is back in full form as the stunning 2013 singles "Cheer Up" and "Divide and Fall" prove, with more to come in 2014. The dogs are released again. Here we go!

1. First record that you bought (be honest)

"Gudbuy T'Jane" by Slade from a post office near where I lived - I still like the bad spelling of their titles - the B-side was "I Won't Let It 'Appen Agen" ...

2. First and last concert you have attended (be honest too!)  

City Rock '77, when
Mr. Callahan went punk

First gig I ever went to was a punk festival called City Rock in Chelmsford. It was a little pathetic as you can see here. However I got to see Rob Tyner from the MC5 sing with Eddie and the Hotrods and Slaughter and the Dogs. The Damned got to the stage where they were onstage ready to play, when their manager ordered them off again as they weren't getting paid. They should have played anyway. I remember the Doctors of Madness being quite impressive. Most impressive was the aggression and teenage confidence of the older punks with their dyed hair and ripped school uniforms. I was 13, but remembered to make my flared trousers skinny with a packet of safety pins. The last gig I went to was to see my mate Mathew Sawyer play with the Len Bright Combo (which is Wreckless Eric with a couple of the Milkshakes). Mathew was good but he was even better the week before at a smaller venue. Len Bright Combo were also enjoyable, but unfortunately I spent most of their set chattering as there were a lot of people I knew there.

3. Guilty pleasure (song/band you shouldn’t like but you do, yes, it’s the embarrassing question)
Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young, though I think it's fair to say I only like the Crosby and Young bits. And "Our House".

4. Most precious music item you own (collector mode on)
A notebook, a pen and an instrument to mess around with (and a laptop or phone to record it on). Otherwise I'm not really precious about memorabilia, though I understand that some records I own are worth quite a lot of money.

Don van Vliet, Captain Beefheart

5. Favorite lyrics (not yours)

Today, it's the English translation of "Jackie" sung by Scott Walker, or all of "Trout Mask Replica" by Captain Beefheart and the Magic Band.

6. Musician/s you would like to meet (should be alive, for obvious reasons, but you can choose a dead one too)
Members of a few young bands that I've seen, but I never introduce myself in case I either patronise them or make a fool of myself. I'm not great at meeting those with a body of work that I admire, and (perhaps foolishly) turned down introductions with Captain Beefheart and Dr John.

7. Favorite artwork album (not yours)
I have a Dutch classical LP released as a picture disc in the shape of a circular birth control pill dispenser - I'm not sure it gets better than that! Otherwise, I like American cheesecake and exotica sleeves from the 1950s.

8. Books or movies? Depending on your answer recommend us one (trick: you can choose both)
I would press a copy of Cormac McCarthy's "Blood Meridian" into your grateful hands, after forcing you to watch Nicolas Roeg's "Don't Look Now", accompanied by coconut and lime ice cream and several gin and tonics.

"The Sound Your Eyes Can Follow",
Moonshake's 2nd album 

9. Song (of yours) you are most proud of
My favourite song of my own is "Just A Working Girl" off the 2nd Moonshake album. I wrote it on my 4-track portastudio when I lived in Hackney Central, after coming back from the pub pissed, went to sleep, and then had to spend the whole of the next day trying to figure out what I'd done as I'd erased all the source samples and not written down the lyrics. I was double happy that PJ Harvey agreed to sing on it, but still regret not honing the song first before it was recorded. Unfortunately, it was a lot better a year later after we'd toured it, but it was out by then.

10. What’s does it mean indie for you? (yes, the “serious question”)
I'm a literal indie fundamentalist - it means striving to be independent of influence and doing as much as you can by yourself or with like minds. Most 'indie' groups aren't.

11. Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
I'd like to think I'd be taking a well-earned break from writing and music by trying to see all of the exotic birdlife of the Polynesian islands. But I think it's entirely probable that I'll be on a defibrillator.

Zillion thanks David!

Discoverer 72: new indie findings

It's Sunday, so here you have more new indie proposals, enjoy !

San Fermin. Forget the terrible band name (I'm not Hemingway so I won't pretend I like bullfighting and getting drunk) and allow me to introduce you to Ellis Ludwig-Leone, a young songwriter from Rhode Island based in Brooklyn that after finishing his musical studies in 2011 became assistant of acclaimed arranger Nico Muhly (among other works) while prepared his own songs prior to collaborating and recording. The self-titled album is out since September via Downtown Records and is a surprising blend of chamber-pop and contemporary classical composition, where the ever-recurrent topics are "characterized" and sung with several vocal contributions. You'll hear The National, Tindersticks, Sufjan Stevens, The Divine Comedy and a dozen bands more at the same time, so be prepared. San Fermin, the band, is a unique experience.

Break It Up. Short drive to Philadelphia to meet drummer Casey Bell, who in 2009 found guitarist-vocalist Jen Sperling, and after several iterations of members added guitarist-vocalist Dan Morse, initially their producer, to complete the band. In 2011, they debuted with blogosphere's hit single “Excavate” and, since June, we have their ridiculously enjoyable self-titled LP available at their bandcamp. An immediate collection of hyper-vitaminated power-pop tunes, fuzzy and noisy guitars, traces of riot girrrl enthusiasm, a knack for melodies and a genuine feeling of enjoying themselves while playing together. A MUST.

The Clothes. And we end our "trip" in Macerata, Italy, to introduce you to singer and guitarist Massimo Scoposki and drummer Laura Palmiz. It seems the idea of having a band came to Massimo during his Erasmus in Nancy. Whatever the case, the White Stripes alike duo recorded their debut songs last year, and the result, “Fairy Lights Dress” EP (a mini-album of seven songs) is available since February, and for free at their bandcamp. You should be virtually running to grab the tunes now, because The Clothes are a C-86 injection straight to your spine and brain. Punk-pop, a relentless, true live spirit packed with the most "in-your-face" version of jangle melodies. Not to miss.  

Discoverer 67: new indie findings

New dose of band proposals this Sunday for your ears only, enjoy!

Bubblegum Lemonade. You know I love Strawberry Whiplash, the Glaswegian duo formed by Sandra and Lawrence "Laz" McCluskey. Today I want to introduce you the other Laz's band, something I've been postponing waiting for a new release. The wait is finally over. Almost a one-man-affair until now, Laz's has already given us three EPs and two albums, all in our beloved Matinée Recordings, between 2007 and 2010. And now he is back with more. "Have You Seen Faith?", out now is a flamboyant 7" of perfect jangle pop pills, full of killing guitars lines and choruses, that previews a forthcoming third album, "Some Like It Pop", set for release this autumn. Welcome back Laz!

Selebrities. Forget their unfortunate name. This three-piece (four live) based in Brooklyn debuted, after signing with Cascine Records, in 2010 with "Ladies Man Effect" EP, blossoming with single "We've Been Foolish" and first album "Delusions" in 2011. A growing buzz, touring with Craft Spells or Puro Instinct, and single "Night Heat" anticipated their sophomore LP, "Lovely Things", out this June. Cradled with Maria Usbeck's ethereal vocals, their atmospheric mixture of post-punk & synth pop, sounds like New Order injecting blood to The XX's ecstatic pace, or Kraftwerk swallowed by Mozzer's desperate romanticism. Hypnotic.
Night Flowers. Our last stop is in East London with a 2013 project product of Chris Hardy and Greg Ullyart, quickly expanded with Film Director Ryan Haysom, singers Hester Ullyart and Emma Stewart and drummer Zeb Budworth. That's all in terms of info available, but enough to embrace their first two songs (freely yours if you want it at their bandcamp) "Night Beds/North" unabashedly. A fragile 90's affair, The Pains of Being Pure at Heart immediately comes to mind on the first tune, while the female vocals on the second recalls on the dreamiest side of C-86 before guitars arrive. Here's a promising start.

Spanish Indie 10: suggesting the best national acts

It's been ages since I wrote the last chapter of this section devoted to the alternative music made in Spain. Luckily, I have been receiving/checking several new bands that deserve to be discovered. Hope you enjoy them!

When Nalda Became Punk. Started in 2006 as the solo project of Galician (Vigo) Elena Sestelo, under the name of Nalda, but after a first demo came a long break, until summer of 2010. A second demo, “Time to meet your family”, followed by the arrival of Roberto Cibeira in 2011 certified that When Nalda Became Punk was a reality. A 7” single out on Pebble Records on August anticipated, thanks to the infallible Shelflife Records, their debut album out now, "A Farewell To Youth". Fresh but instantly classic C-86, jangle-pop...pure pop joy. Think of Heavenly, The Pains of Being Pure at Heart, Helen Love... Yes, that good, just follow Nalda!

Coffee&wine. Ana Franco, the modest artist behind that (why?) lower case nickname, hails from Madrid. Creator of Manderley, a company provider/promoter of cultural services, in 2004 started her own music career. After a first single in 2009, a proper debut arrived with the self-produced EP "From the Roofs", out in August 2010. Past October she presented her first album "From The Ground", wonderful collection of folk and americana tunes with a melodic, pop taste. Like a crossover of Gillian Welch with Aimee Mann, Ms. Franco is a refreshing voice on Spanish scene. Looking forward to her gig at Minifestival de Música Independent!

Stand Up Against Heart Crime. This was pending since December, when I discovered them at Primavera Club. The once struggling project of Josep Xorto and Arnau Obiols finally took form in 2010 when they came up with “A Hundred Lovers”, a song selected for an ad campaign. The buzz had started. After an EP came their homonym full-length debut, last year, receiving the unanimous critics praise. And deservedly so, because their synth-pop, post-punk, or as they self-define, kraut-wave is shining despite its glooming touches, swooning despite the threatening atmospheres, and addictive as only good music can be.

Discoverer 52: new indie findings

Back with our regular dose of new proposals, enjoy!

Born Ruffians. We begin our discoveries with this Canadian band from Midland, Ontario, but based in Toronto since 2004, when after some local gigs they signed to the UK electronic label Warp Records. Their self-titled debut EP came in 2006, followed by the successful single "Hummingbird", in anticipation of the LP, Red, Yellow & Blue. The second album, "Say It", arrived in 2010. Now they have announced their comeback with "With Her Shadow" and "Needle" both included on the forthcoming album "Birthmarks" out in April. Quirky, joyful and smoothly anthemic indierock. Very special.

Pins. We move to Manchester, UK to meet an all-female quartet with  a very short story behind them, as they've only been a full band since summer 2012. A double A-side, "Eleventh Hour/Shoot You" and the live EP "LuvU4Lyf" are the only releases so far, but are more than enough to get us excited. Like the missing link between Warpaint (these tribal cymbals) and the Dum Dum Girls, this is hyper addictive indierock with one foot on the C-86 style and the other on Phil Spector and the "droning 70s". Irresistible combination of fuzz, echoes, reverbs and pop melodies. Band to watch.

Khushi. Our third proposal comes thanks to the good indiespot website, who at the beginning of the week discovered this mysterious artist/band. After tracing the few information available thanks to social networks, it seems that behind Khushi (which means happiness in Hindi) there's an unsigned guy from Hackney, London with four spectacular tunes on his soundcloud. As indiespot says, you can hear the echoes of Bon Iver, The National, Local Natives or The Antlers. Impressive references for this amazing little collection of slow burning songs, full of intensity, delicacy and fire that captures real emotion. Judge yourself and let's expect for more.

The Indie Anthology 23: essential songs

I know, I know. My previous post was already a chapter of this very particular indie Anthology . But while doing my research of new bands for tomorrow's "Discoverer" section, I've found the new release of a band I had completely forgotten. So it was a fantastic excuse to "clean the dust" of a lovely EP.

Song: Ride My Star
Artist: The Girl With the Replaceable Head
Year: 2001

Ten years already since I received this extremely simple, b/w EP from the now defunct Bus Stop Label in my mailbox? Wow, time flies. And usually has no mercy. Except with great music. Wonderful tunes resist everything. It was 2002 when I discovered this hypnotic, marvellous trio of songs. Immediately grabbed a copy through the Internet (not that usual buying that way then). And the leading force of the three was "Ride My Star". That simple start with keyboards before the melody and mellow female vocals arrive were pure bliss. The whole song was enveloped on an aura of pure magic, slightly fuzzy despite its "bedroom style", and I guess, small budget for production. Yeah, it was lo-fi when lo-fi wasn't "cool". It was C86 when that was "yesterday's news". But guess what? Eleven years after, it still stops the time. At least for me. 

No youtube video this time, but here's the link of the EP

Discoverer 38: new indie findings

New trio of wonderful bands discovered for you. Enjoy!

Echo Lake. Some hypes deserve the buzz. Formed in London only two years ago, Thom Hill and Linda Jarvis are the duo (amplified to a five piece live) responsible of the praised debut "Young Silence EP", drawing comparisons to indie totems My Bloody Valentine. Now they return with "Wild Peace", debut album out on Slumberland/No Pain in Pop since June, bound to be included among the best-of-year-lists. More polished and diverse, sometimes closer to guitar indiepop, others to Beach House's ethereal dreampop, always with Jarvis voice shining among the layers and the wall of sound Hill builds around her. The result: "Wild Peace" is a gift for the listener, moody, sonically rich, atmospheric and captivating.
  'Wild Peace' LP (No Pain In Pop/Slumberland, 2012) by Echo Lake

Anaesthetics. I usually ask for more than a couple of songs before including a band on the Discoverer series. But there are times the songs are so great that you need to share them with the world immediately. "Slow Trains/Pulse" is the debut A side single from this Mancunian quartet and both are irresistible indiepop gems. "Slow Trains" being an ultra-catchy tune full of lovely guitar lines and one chorus to die for, all with the A+++ of the boy/girl vocals, while "Pulse" is a more uptempo and rockier number, with the nice addition of an organ beat, and a knock-out closure. Already in love with the band. Want more, more, more!

slow trains by Anaesthetics pulse by Anaesthetics
The History of Apple Pie. Fuzzy, hyper-vitaminated and highly addictive noise pop is what this very young band from London offers us. Two wonderful double sided singles released on 2011, "You're So Cool" and "Mallory" plus the stunning new release of "Do It Wrong/Long Way To Go", out now, are enough to show the promise of band that could blend the best from the American college rock and the C86's spirit: crunching guitars with dazzling pop vocals (careful with the combination of  Stephanie Min and Kelly Lee Owens voices, creates addiction). Eagerly awaiting their next step.

"Veronica Falls", a debut fated to indie-pop heavens

Veronica Falls

Loved their firsts songs, adored "Bad Feeling" and "Come On Over", and enjoyed their performance at FIB Festival this summer. Anticipation for their album was huge. Now "Veronica Falls" is here and (for once) all expectations have been fulfilled.

The record is almost flawless, but what's more important, it is ridiculously addictive, vital and, despite all its dark imaginery (these lyrics), joyful. Twee, jangle-pop, C-86 revivalism, sixties devoted sound... I'll leave the comparisons to you and the critics. I don't want to ruin my listening with the "influences game", because I believe "Veronica Falls" is an album to enjoy and embrace unabashedly.

I had the fear a LP could be the sad demonstration the British were another singles band. And although 1/4 of the record was already heard (the two songs mentioned in the first paragraph plus oldies "Found Love in a Graveyard" and "Beachy Head"), that shadow disappears very quickly. "Veronica Falls" works as a cohesive and uplifting whole.

"Found Love in a Graveyard", amplified, with a more intrincated guitar work and resounding drums, and "Right Side of My Brain", with its incredible chorus and foot-stomping riffs, are unbeatable openers. Immediacy and catchiness, mixed with a somber twist. What's not to love? You will find yourself asking for more. And it comes instantly, in the form of an obscure, Gothic horror film that turns, in a slow-burning crescendo, into a gorgeous indie-pop burst. That's "The Fountain". What a powerful starting trio.

And without allowing you a single second to catch your breath, "Misery" appears, a pop gem where the dialogue/dueling between the boy/girl harmonies reaches heaven, that is topped by a couple of equally wonderful and rewarding tunes: the disarming and upbeat melody of "Bad Feeling" and The Pixies go straightforwardly pop that is the gentle, more paused, "Stephen". You'll be hopelessly in love with the band by now.

The second half of the album opens with another edgier, reverb-drenched one. "Beachy Head" sounds reinvigorated, almost surf-punk mixed with tortured lyrics. It is followed by "All Eyes On You", a poppier affair, that needs a while to knock you out, until the pause previous to the final chorus conquers you. The easy but supercute "The Box", with its irresistible harmonies, ends this round of tunes with a smile.

Because Veronica Falls reserves some of their best for the last trio of songs. "Wedding Day" puzzles you. Rockier and direct. So simple yet so infectious. One word? A classic. Next comes the more atmospheric, laid back (I wouldn't say ballad though) "Veronica Falls", where the band delivers a different pop approach, more suggestive. It works marvellously. And fits so right before "Come On Over", a slow burning number that wakes up into a raucous stampede of drumming and shimmering guitars. As the storm fades gracefully, you can't help but run for another spin of the record. 

What a fantastic debut album. Look for them among the best records of 2011.

SCORE: 8,25/10

Discoverer 19: new indie findings

Back with Sunday's music proposals!

Seapony. This trio from Seattle could be added to the ubiquitous sun-bathed lo-fi music trend. Yes, the surf pop's West Coast feeling, the fuzzed-out guitar and simple drum paths are there. But luckily, "Go With Me", their debut LP (they released an EP on 2010) out since May, has plenty to offer. There's tension in the album, between rockier tunes, Best Coast's style, and the poppier ones, getting closer to C86 spirit and showing a really attractive dreamy side, where Jen Weidl’s vocals shine in a particular, narcoleptic way. Seapony provides immediate fun, but also repeated listens to go deeper.

TV Girl. Sampling is not my thing, but this was a forced exception. Trung Ngo and Brad Petering come from San Diego and in October 2010 they released a praised self-titled EP, thanks to the addictive "If You Want It", that also gave them serious problems with Warner, as they sampled Todd Rundgren. After a split single with Dirty Gold in March, they are back with this "Benny and the Jetts" EP. Four stunning songs, full of references (dream-pop, lo-fi, 70s, soul), with a sweet melancholy transcending all debate about sampling. Just great music you can grab freely in their bandcamp or facebook!


Help Stamp Out Loneliness. Preparing a playlist, I recalled the indispensable "Songs About You" by The Language of Flowers. Searching to know what happened to the band, I found that Bentley Cooke and Colm McCrory formed a new band, and you know what? It's ace. HSOL are a sextet from Manchester with an eponymous first album, out since spring, that every indiepop lover should listen. Why? Because of D. Lucille Campbell vocals, the killer melodies, the keyboard parts, the dark lyrics, the jangly guitars... Could keep writing 'cause the only fault is an awful cover. Forgiveable when on the inside you have such a gem.