The Indie Anthology 78: essential songs

More immortal music coming in our Anthology section! From the Antipodes to the other kingdom of indiepop, Scotland, in order to get disarmed by one of the finest albums of the 90s, from a shamefully underrated band (happily reactivated by the way). It's all jangle over here!

Song: Obscurity Knocks
Artist: The Trash Can Sinatras
Year: 1990
First, the mandatory question. It's The Trash Can Sinatras or the plain & shorter Trashcan Sinatras? I discovered them as the first option, so that's why I'm sticking with it. When Internet & mp3 weren't so all over the place, and discovering music was quite a bit harder (but much more exciting), there were those sort of compilations folders in the computers made after too many hours of song-hunting. I had one (no kidding) named Scotland unknowns (work in progress) and my two standouts there were 'Obscurity Knocks' and 'Maybe I Should Drive' (I just tossed a coin to choose between the two!). It took me a while to properly listen to 'Cake', the majestic album that included the two gems. What a glorious record, still sounding as emotional and fresh as the first day I listened. Of course, there's the guitar lines, inviting and gently at first, more upbeat and anthemic as the chorus arrives, preparing the listener for the whole burst of pop adrenaline (the harmonies before the final rush, gosh!) arriving in its mesmerizing last minute. But there were also the lyrics, which I guess helped  A LOT to make the difference back then... You know when you discover a song at the right age and seems is talking about you? That's 'Obscurity Knocks' for me, with the killer line "looking at my watch and i’m half-past caring". The bites behind the beauty, the knocks of light beneath the darkness or viceversa.. What a song, what a band!

The Indie Anthology 75: essential songs

For the next chapter of our Anthology I thought I was fated for a "protest", raging tune to epitomize how hard a part of the United States wants to ruin their own country. But while choosing among the candidates, I realized I didn't really want an angry tune. After all, I love that country too much. The books, the ideas, the never-ending landscapes & roads, the lights (been on both coasts, so I know, at least a bit, what I'm talking about), the mystery, the friendly, open, shiny, talented people, and of course, the music. So instead of blaming the deaf & the ones who are incapable/unwilling to listen, here's a song for the America I love, the one that will overcome...

Song: Our Time Has Passed
Artist: The Pernice Brothers
Year: 2001

If we talk about underrated bands, what about the Pernice Brothers?I was discovering Teenage Fanclub or, better said, getting completely knocked-out by the Scotts, when (again, thanks to the alternative radio) I heard for the first time 'Working Girls-Sunlight Shines' and 'Our Time Has Passed', arguably their landmark. The band from Massachusetts with a couple of eternal, gently, slightly melancholic yet shimmery & hopeful tunes. There was much more to haunt for, either going backwards and forward in their career, as the majestic 'Yours, Mine & Ours' would prove just a couple of years later. Joe, Bob and Co penned, once and again, the perfect soundtrack for bright, warm, embraceable days. Jangly? Umm, let's say heavenly. A remedy for letdowns or depressing times encapsulated within the lilting melodies, heartwarming vocal harmonies, the humming choruses, the delicate arrangements. I think it's about time for a new Pernice Brothers to heal some wounds, don't you agree?...

The Indie Anthology 26: essential songs

It's been a while since the last chapter of our Anthology, but today the band election has been very easy. My little homage to one of my dearest friends, now quite far from me, but capable still of sharing with me what really matters in life.

Song: Animal Cannabus
Artist: Mull Historical Society
Year: 2001

Can't believe more than a decade has passed. Like Mull, the Scottish island where he comes from (I remember checking where it was on a map), Colin MacIntyre came out of the blue for me (for us). On a time when MTV still played music, "Animal Cannabus" was quite a shock. An epic, torrential indiepop song. A classic with flamboyant new clothes. Then came "Loss" with that unique, impossible dog cover. Music that was a bit surreal, joyful, and very rich (both lirycs and music). Unfortunately, Colin was heavily underrated despite its many talents and vibrant way of understanding music. But this was part of the soundtrack of those years. And still is a magnificent tune, and an artist to vindicate.

Discoverer 48: new indie findings

The first trio of proposals in this 2013. Judging by this new findings, the year ahead of us looks amazing! Hope you agree with me, enjoy!

Beat Mark. They hail from Paris, but have nothing to do with French music cliches. The quartet was born in 2009, after an initial seven-track cassette, they embarked themselves on their first LP, "Howls of Joy" out, only in France, in 2011. But 2013 is going to be their year. A brand new EP, "Beat Mark... Move On" will be released on February 15th, and the aforementioned record will have a proper global release three days after. We should celebrate, because this band merges the noisy vibes of 90's American rock scene with the charms of 80's indiepop. Fuzz & melodies, intensity & vocal delights, noisy & urgent pop to cheer you up.
 
Yakuri Cable. This Scottish (Glasgow again folks) quartet approached me on Twitter few months ago. I immediately liked the tunes, but the lack of information made me put them on a "have to check" status. Little I knew that half of its members were also part of the wonderful, and dearly beloved Baffin Island. Then it's quite easy to understand why the band tunes, just five songs available at their soundcloud at the moment, sound so delicious. Charming indiepop, with a slight synth-pop touch presiding their music, the overall feeling couldn't be so promising. Keep an eye on them this 2013.
 
Golden Grrrls. Still on Glasgow to meet this trio, which after a couple of 7"s, now is preparing themselves to assault the indiepop scene with their debut album, out on the infallible Slumberland Records and Night School records on February 25th. They have all the weapons to achieve the victory. Infectious and uplifting guitar-driven twee-pop, full of hooks, melodies, reverbs, sun-soaked vocals and armonies... Expectations couldn't be higher after what we have heard so far. Anxious to confirm the first great impressions.

Primavera Sound 2011 wished setlist: Belle & Sebastian

As started with The National three days ago, here's the second wished setlist for Primavera Sound Festival 2011, this time a playlist of my beloved Scotts Belle and Sebastian, who will be also playing on Friday 27th. A highly expected gig. Enjoy the "setlist"!

1. I Didn't See It Coming
2. Me And The Major
3. Asleep On A Sunbeam
4. If You Find Yourself Caught In Love
5. Like Dylan In The Movies
6. She's Losing It
7. I'm Waking Up To Us
8. Seeing Other People
9. Wrapped Up In Books
10. I Want The World To Stop
11. Another Sunny Day
12. The State I Am In
13. Get Me Away From Here, I'm Dying
14. There's Too Much Love
15. Expectations

Here's the SPOTIFY LINK