My Most Anticipated Albums of 2007

As 2006 draws to a close, it is time to assess what 2007 will bring in the musical world...

Radiohead - TBC
(summer/autumn?)
Probably the most anticipated album of 2007 but its not worth trying any in-depth predictions - it could yet be a set of EPs or download only. But the new songs played throughout the 2006 tour, such as Videotape and All I Need, suggest that it could be right up there with their classic albums. Nigel Godrich back on production duties is also rarely a bad thing.
WHILE YOU'RE WAITING, LISTEN TO...Kid A Buy (via Amazon)

Doves - TBC
(summer/autumn?)
A recent update from the band says they have been holed up in the Peak District trying to find the right direction for their fourth proper LP, but it seems be coming together ready for a February recording. 2005's Some Cities was a critical success but personally a slight disappointment, however a new direction should provide positive results for Doves.
WHILE YOU'RE WAITING, LISTEN TO...Lost Souls Buy (via Amazon)

Elbow - Ustinov (working title)
(early 2007)
It seems barely any time since 2005's excellent Leaders of the Free World, but, like Doves, Elbow seem to be racing towards their fourth album. The promising Friend of Mine has been played live in an early form, with Guy Garvey's vocals as good as ever. He suggested in a recent interview that a duet with Richard Hawley may be on the cards.
WHILE YOU'RE WAITING, LISTEN TO...Leaders of the Free World Buy (via Amazon)

The Shins - Wincing the Night Away
(January 23)
The power of the internet means most seem to have heard it already, however some excellent self control and/or an extreme lack of hard drive space means I've restricted myself to the almost Beach Boys-esque first single Phantom Limb. The Shins seem to be getting better as they go along.
PRE-ORDER Wincing the Night Away (via Amazon)
WHILE YOU'RE WAITING, LISTEN TO...Chutes Too Narrow Buy (via Amazon)

Deerhoof - Friend Opportunity
(January 23)
I own disappointingly little of this San Francisco band's suprisingly big back catalogue, but many listens to their excellent last album The Runners Four, full of incredibly catchy songs, make their forthcoming album an anticipated one for me. The artwork, comprising twelve different colours by a great Glasgow artist David Shrigley should also be interesting.
PRE-ORDER Friend Opportunity (via Amazon)
WHILE YOU'RE WAITING, LISTEN TO...The Runners Four Buy (via Amazon)

Arcade Fire - Neon Bible
(March)
A much anticipated follow-up to the stunning Funeral, superb first single Intervention is almost a Christmas single and bodes well for Neon Bible, which has been produced by the band. The intriguing and promising use of an organ on the album also goes some way to explaining the choice of venues such as St John's Church in London for an early 2007 tour.
WHILE YOU'RE WAITING, LISTEN TO...Funeral Buy (via Amazon)

The Clientele - God Save The Clientele
(spring/summer?)
Criminally underrated and unknown in the UK but having gained some success in the US on Merge Records, this jangly London indie-pop band have recently become a four-piece, and look set to release their fourth proper LP at some point this year, which could well deservedly propel them towards a wider audience.
WHILE YOU'RE WAITING, LISTEN TO...Strange Geometry Buy (via Amazon)

British Sea Power - TBC
(spring/summer?)
Most reviews seemed to suggest their last album Open Season to be a step-down from the cult classic debut The Decline of British Sea Power, however I think I prefer the arguably more 'conventional' style of Open Season. This is not a conventional band by any stretch of the imagination, however, so their third album should be an interesting one.
WHILE YOU'RE WAITING, LISTEN TO...Open Season Buy (via Amazon)

Art Brut - TBC
(early 2007?)
For Art Brut there really is only one way to follow Bang Bang Rock & Roll, which is basically do it again - which should raise no complaints from anyone who appreciated the sheer genius of that album. Recent single Nag Nag Nag Nag certainly suggests they haven't lost their knack.
WHILE YOU'RE WAITING, LISTEN TO...Bang Bang Rock & Roll Buy (via Amazon)

Explosions in the Sky - All Of A Sudden I Miss Everyone
(February 19)
Another album that has leaked well ahead of release, and from the couple of minutes I've heard of one track it seems similar to their previous work; however reviews have stated it shows many developments and diversity. Also looks set to be a contender for the best cover art of 2007.
PRE-ORDER All Of A Sudden I Miss Everyone (via Amazon)
WHILE YOU'RE WAITING, LISTEN TO...The Earth Is Not A Cold Dead Place Buy (via Amazon)

Happy New Year everyone.

Patrick Wolf

First of all... Merry Christmas everyone!
Now that that's out of the way I'll get onto business. I decided that despite Patrick Wolf being relatively common knowledge, now would be a good time to post about him due to an upcoming album release and an amazing new track.
To this date he has released two albums of brilliant "folktronica" mixing unusual instruments with stomping beats. On the strength of the tracks I have heard so far, his new album, The Magic Position, due on the 26th February should be just as excellent.
Several teaser videocasts have been released which include some interviews and performances. One of these contains new track Augustine that has been forcing me to stretch my vocal chords in a sing-along fashion all week. The chorus is delightfully simple and catchy. An mp3 rip of Augustine can be downloaded from the blog that introduced the track to me: Say What You Wanted To Ask Me.

Buy:
Lycanthropy (via Amazon)
Wind In The Wires (via Amazon)
The Magic Position (Pre-order via Amazon)

Listen:
Augustine (via Say What You Wanted To Ask Me)

Watch:
Videocast Part 1: Bluebells
Videocast Part 2: Adder
Videocast Part 3: Augustine

Links:
patrickwolf.com
Myspace

The Fashionably Late But Inevitable Christmas Post

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Dear Santa,
We’ve been very good so this Christmas, please please please can you bring us a CD full of festive goodness.
Merry Christmas, from
Too Much Biography.
----------

----------
Dear Too Much Biography,

I checked my list and, although you had been good girls and boys this year, you had let yourselves down too. Downloading the new Bloc Party album months before release, dear oh dear, Mrs Christmas said I had to wait for it. So as your punishment, I came up with some tunes for you to listen to during that depressing bit of Christmas Day; when the presents are all opened and the relatives are making conversation. I had a quick listen to it when fixing my sleigh last week but it made Rudolph cry. Luckily its not too much punishment as they are all rather good tunes if I say so myself. Ho ho ho.

Hope you enjoy the music. And be good next year – my elves and I are always watching. If I see any of you downloading the new Radiohead album before release, there will be trouble.

Jingle jingle.
Love Santa
---------

And this is what we found in our stockings..

FESTIVE GOODNESS
Radiohead - Winter Wonderland
Badly Drawn Boy - Donna & Blitzen (buy here via Amazon)
Joy Zipper - Christmas Song (buy here via Amazon)
The Flaming Lips - Christmas at the Zoo (buy here via Amazon)
Middle Distance Runner – Xmas Party (download here from official site)
Yo La Tengo - It's Christmas Time
The Pogues - Fairytale Of New York (buy here via Amazon)

FESTIVE DEPRESSION
Death Cab for Cutie - Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) (buy here via Amazon)
Pedro the Lion - I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day (buy here via Amazon)
Sufjan Stevens - That Was the Worst Christmas Ever! (buy here via Amazon)
Bright Eyes - Blue Christmas (buy here via Saddle Creek)
Low - Just Like Christmas (buy here via Amazon)
Rilo Kiley - Christmas Cake (buy here via Amazon)
The Arcade Fire - No Winter for a Year

Wow! Thanks Santa.

Jenny Owen Youngs

Jenny Owen Youngs is an American singer-songwriter whose debut album has been rolling around my head for the last couple of weeks. Her debut album Batten The Hatches was released in 2005 without causing much of a stir. Luckily for Jenny though, it contained Fuck Was I; one of those songs that just has to go big eventually, and make her big with it. August this year it was used on prime-time American television show Weeds and touring with Regina Spektor can't have done her too much harm.

In fact Jenny and Regina are friends with Regina featuring via answer machine on the track Voice on tape, the opening few lines of which have refused to let me go the last few days:

All the evidence points in one direction,
Says I don't need you physically around,
I've got your voice on tape,
I've got your words in me,
I don't want anything else.

With this more recent success her debut is being re-released (on a label) in early 2007 (which is why I'll leave out a buy link for the album... as until 2007 it isn't available to buy!).

Buy:
Official Shop

Listen:
Fuck Was I (via Official Site)

Links:
jennyowenyoungs.com
Myspace

Radiohead - Videotape

Videotape was quite possibly my favourite of all the new Radiohead songs exhibited on the band's last tour. Being there on it's debut night will always give it a place in my heart. Thom performed the song on Nigel Godrich's new, download only, television show. Anyway here's the performance (watch out it is likely to be removed from youtube at any moment).



The lyrics for this song were perfect before, but it looks like Thom felt the need for a little fiddling. Of course he was spot on, the new line is superb (new line in bold).

When I'm at the pearly gates
This'll be on my videotape
My videotape

When Mephistopheles is just beneath
And he's reaching up to grab me

This is one for the good days
And I have it all here
In red blue green
Red blue green

You are my centre when I spin away
Out of control on videotape
On videotape

This is my way of saying goodbye
Because I can't do it face to face
Or talking to you after it's too late, from my videotape

No matter what happens now
I won't be afraid
Because I know today has been the most perfect day I've ever seen.

Links:
fromthebasement.tv
radiohead.com

Arcade Fire Announce UK Tour

Well with myself strangely locked out of msn I thought I'd post the big news of the day (well yesterday in all honesty). Arcade Fire have announced a UK tour for late January / early Febuary. The following are the dates:

• 29th Jan - St John's Church, Smith Square, London


• 30th Jan - St John's Church, Smith Square, London


• 31st Jan - St John's Church, Smith Square, London


• 1st Feb - Porchester Hall, London


• 2nd Feb - Porchester Hal, London

The idea of going to see Arcade Fire in a church, which may I just mention has an organ!!! (I am longing so much for them to use it), is making me tingle.

Tickets go on sale 9am tommorow from all your normal outlets. Good luck everyone with trying to get them. It's going to be an interesting morning.

Links:
Official Homepage
Us Kids Know (Fan Site)
Myspace

Frànçois

I bought Frànçois' album, The People to Forget, recorded with the Bristol ensemble The Atlas Mountains, after they supported Camera Obscura in Norwich this summer. He and his band were so incredibly infectious, endearing and fun live that we fell a little in love with them - the most memorable song of the night, Tracey Emin, has a live performance on YouTube from the night before I saw them live, although its not on the record.

It's a superb, sparkling little album, as distinctively lo-fi and French as Yann Tiersen's Amelie soundtrack. Not even half an hour long for ten songs, it has a mixture of upbeat pop tunes (I'm So Glad I Met You/The People To Forget) and quiet, wistful songs like the rain-spattered On Résistait or album opener The Song of the Drowning Man are the always welcome 'songs to fall asleep to'; it's definitely a night album. Frànçois sings his simple lyrics interchangeably in both English and French in his very sweet accent. Harp, melodica, clarinet and brass are all part of the subtle, often piano-based instrumentation, recorded mostly live. Going into GCSE Graphic Products student mode for a moment, the hand-made artwork of the album also makes it a particularly worthwhile purchase.

When he arrived in Bristol looking for musicians he advertised his influences as Minotaur Shock, Autechre, múm and so on, yet its hardly an electronica album: tracks like Revu from his debut album, of which I have heard little, seem to be far more influenced by these bands. He's also an artist and filmmaker - his website is full of his work and well worth a look.

Unfortunate, then, that half the time I've no idea what he's singing about - guess I'd better dig out that French dictionary again.

Buy:
All releases (via official site)

Listen:
I'm So Glad I Met You (via official site)
The People To Forget (via official site)
Revu (via official site)

Links:
kidfrancois.com
Myspace

Anechoic

Anechoic are an indie band from Leeds. They released their debut (mini) album earlier this year, moving their sound forward from their previous singles and EPs. I, along with many others, first heard Anechoic via them supporting Embrace. Looking back I'm not even sure why I was going to see Embrace, but it seems they have developed quite a close relationship with the band that has helped bring them to a much wider audience than would otherwise have been possible. Strangely despite this, they still seem to be without a proper record deal? I'm sure there must be a more complicated story behind this, as to me, they're sound could make it big, really, really big.

After picking up their Just Like You single at the Embrace gig, I was surprised by the contents of the CD. Gone was almost all of the big guitar, and any rocky elements of their set. Instead I had infront of me three melencholy, laid back songs, laced with piano and subtle electronics.

Their more recent mini-album, This is how it is, rounds off their sound a little more as I remember it, introducing back more of the indie swagger and anthemic moments that Just Like You had been lacking. At the same time, that melencholy , and relaxed nature had not been forgotton. Both releases are pure genious in my belief, and with the sheer value of 9 tracks for a fiver found with This is how it is you should definately consider a purchase.

Buy:
This is how it is
Just Like You

Watch:
Keeping Count (acoustic) (YouTube vid)
Flickering (acoustic) (YouTube vid)
Time And A Half (YouTube vid)

Links:
anechoic.co.uk
Myspace

Efterklang

Efterklang are a Danish post-rock band that released their debut album, Tripper in 2004. Whilst that makes this post a little late, I feel they are a band worth writing about after a friend recomended them to me a few weeks back. The name 'Efterklang' translates directly into english as 'after-noise', but a looser translation could give you 'reverberation' or even 'rememberance', both names should start to give you an idea of the bands musical ideals.

Their sound fits in well with the plethora of post-rock and experimental bands that have been streaming out of iceland recently (despite themselves being from Copenhagen), combining glitch beats with violins, brass and some wonderfully laid back vocals. For me the vocals really make this band. The majority of the tracks have both a male and female vocalist singing together, or prehaps you could even say speaking in tune. In a way they are vocally similar to a band like My Bloody Valentine, but of course in a completely different musical context. Then as a polar opposite to this in everything but beauty they empolyed a Greenlandic choir for several of the tracks.

The album is consistantly good, one of those albums you can sit down, get absorbed in, and then stick on repeat.

Buy:
Tripper (via Amazon)
Springer (via Amazon)

Listen:
Monopolist (via Rumraket)
Step Aside (via Rumraket)

Links:
efterklang.net
Myspace

Guillemots

Due to my listening habits of the past week, it was inevitable that any attempt at writing for this blog would be concerning Guillemots.

The band was formed in London by lead singer Fyfe Dangerfield, who writes the majority of their songs. They have been very well-received by the media, with a Mercury Prize nomination and 5th place in the BBC's sound of 2006 awards, and have had two successful singles in the UK.
However, I feel that there is a common misconception concerning this band and the style of music they write. Their two singles, Made-Up Lovesong #43 and Trains To Brazil are lively and catchy pop songs, and I can understand that it might be difficult to see past this to the collection of talent that has produced minute after minute of creative and original music. To label this band with a genre, I think, would be impossible. Whilst listening.. pop, jazz, swing, blues, hip-hop, indie, rock.. all of these words have come to mind at one point or another.

For those seeing them live after only hearing a few songs, I warn you, be prepared to be shocked. The energy this band creates is not to be overlooked.

My point isn't very clear. Mostly, what I'm trying to say, in a way that doesn't make me seem extremely biased, is that I'm in love with this band, and I'm pretty certain you could be too.

Their debut album, Through The Windowpane, demonstrates a well-balanced mixture of energised pop alongside beautiful keyboard/piano ballads often performed solo by Fyfe. However, to really immerse yourself in the spirit of the band, it's a necessity that you hear one or more of their EPs.

I realise I haven't really gone into details on any of their releases, but I hope I've written enough to tempt you into discovering this band yourself.

Buy:
Through The Windowpane (album) (via Amazon)
From The Cliffs EP (via Amazon)
Of The Night EP (via 7digital)

Listen:
Who Left The Lights Off, Baby? (via Boy From School)
Take Me Out (Franz Ferdinand Cover) (via Drifting Nowhere)
Trains to Brazil (via Filelodge)

Links:
guillemots.com
Myspace

Los Campesinos!

Los Campesinos! are a group of seven Cardiff University students. Now, for a lot of people the first word to come to mind when you mention a combination of wales + university is "aaeeulldyyggh". Which, as everyone knows, is welsh for "crap". However, there will always be exceptions to rules, and Los Campesinos! seem to be one of these. Their debut EP, 'Hold On Now Youngster' has a small collection of entirely delectable songs. The first track, 'You! Me! Dancing!', seems to undergo constant anamorphosis. It begins with an introduction that wouldn't sound out of place on a 'constellations' release. Very post rock, very Godspeed You!. After a minute or so of build up, in come the drums and the guitar riff, reminiscent of something by Clap Your Hands Say Yeah. Another transformation takes place when the xylophones are introduced, changing the sound to something along the lines of Architecture in Helsinki. In the end, they settle somewhere between AIH and The New Pornographers. When the vocals first come in, you're in for a bit of a shock. Whilst not so extreme as, say, Joanna Newsom, I can imagine lead singer Tom's voice being a bit of a deal breaker for some. Though it put me off on my first listen, I've grown to actually like the sound of his voice now. It's nice to here a genuinely British accent on a record, and it provides a nice juxtaposition to the very innocent sound of the lead female vocalist.

The second song is a great example of why I love small bands. "It Started With a Mixx" could well be just one long piss take of The Killers' song, "Mr Brightside". Find me a big name band that has lyrics that compare to these:
"Trying to find the perfect mix between pretentious and pop, some crappy artwork that took, way way too long to draw. Hand written tracklisting restarted every time the pen smudged, encoded title doesn't give away as much as it should. It started with a Mixx, how did it come to this?"
and you'll have found "Weird Al Yankovic". Find me another, and you're probably lying.

If I've yet to convince you of the merits of Los Campesinos!, then chances are I never will, and so I'm going to quit whilst I'm ahead. The debut EP is soon to be available on Wichita records, and through all your usual illegal sources, but if you've got the funds, I'd say buy the thing. After all, They're young and they need the money.

Buy:
'fraid you've gotta go to one of their shows.

Listen:
Deat h To Los Campesinos (via BBC)
It Started With A Mixx (via BBC)
Sweet Dreams, Sweet Cheeks (via BBC)

Links:
Myspace

Monkey Swallows the Universe

There's a little band called Monkey Swallows the Universe. They're an acoustic indiepop 5-piece from Sheffield, who I heard about as they were supporting The Long Blondes in Cambridge in October. Their debut album The Bright Carvings is packed full of super super tunes: my particular favourite has to be the opener Sheffield Shanty, a devastatingly simple pirate-themed tour through their home town, or maybe the catchy and distinctly danceable Fonz You!, showing that, along with Peter Bjorn and John's Young Folks, whistling, while very annoying in all other situations, is the perfect addition to indie pop. Live, even with the absence of their violinist due to illness and in a relatively large venue, they kept the Junction transfixed and/or dancing about at all the right moments. Singer Nat Johnson has a gorgeous voice, sometimes reminiscent of Polly Harvey, with the girl singer aspect bringing about obvious comparisons to Camera Obscura and early Belle and Sebastian. But they're not to be pigeonholed. They're pretty much perfect. They deserve to be big. But maybe not too big.

Buy:
The Bright Carvings (via Sheffield Phonographic Corporation)

Listen:
Sheffield Shanty (via official site)
Jimmy Down the Well (via official site)
Florence (via official site)

Links:
mstu.co.uk
Myspace

Electric President

My first proper post on this new blog brings you Electric President. Definately not the smallest band I will be posting about; I'm sure the name will have passed many of you by without you paying any attention, but pay attention you must. The cheapest comparision that can be made with Electric President, is that they sound like The Postal Service; in fact they sound A LOT like The Postal Service. Personally though, for whatever reason I have listened to Electric President's self titled debut far more than I ever did to The Postal Service's debut, Give Up. I'm not saying it's a better album, most likely it isn't, but something about it has drawn me to it many a time over the past few weeks. Have a listen for yourself, Metal Fingers is my personal favourite; the lines "From the sky, the train tracks look like stitches/ Like they're holding the world together; like it'll blow any minute," seem more and more interesting to me every time I hear them.

Buy:
Electric President (via Amazon)

Listen:
Metal Fingers (via offical myspace)
Ten Thousand Lines (via official myspace)
Good Morning Hypocrite (via official site)

Links:
radicalface.com/electricpresident
Myspace

Welcome

Hello internet. We are a blog about music. We like music. For the rest of our lives we will be furnishing this corner of the internet with lovingly informative posts about bands, albums, songs and gigs.

The team comprises:

Matt
Fi
Ben
Leah

As you can see, we like last.fm, and we cry when the weekly charts are late.

We love you, adoring public.

Matt and Fi