Mumford & Sons. Some lads with a guitar, a double bass, an occasional organ and crucially, a banjo. But don’t let that put you off.

Tune

Awake my soul

 What

I wouldn’t call them alt.country,folk, americana or bluegrass, because that doesn’t do them any justice. But there’s a touch of all in them.  It starts off sparse, but swells into a wall of sound crescendo. and i do love a decent wall of sound crescendo. The lyrics are great, meaningful but masculine. And the instrumentation and brave vocal belie their age. I have a huge pash on for M&S.

Why

English boys do gorgeous vocal harmony with an amount of insistent banjo that should be wrong to my city ears but works brilliantly. They’ve released 3 EPs to date, you can buy em all (show the love) and listen to them at Rawrip here

Stand out tracks from various releases: Roll away your stone, Little Lion Man, White Blank Page (below)

Awake My Soul (Live)

Swedish pop-punk[lite], Ida’s Fortress around my heart album originally released around last summer, but a deluxe [updated] album release with 2 extra tunes was released February 09.

what

With insistent sometimes fratellis like guitars, it’s a jangly upbeat relentless ride. Ony 2 [out of 10] slower tracks interrupt the fun, and tho they’re both good showcases for Ida’s breathy vocals, they do slacken the pace, giving you time to catch your breath. You’ve probably heard i like you so much better when you’re naked on the radio or in your local high street topshop equivalent. But this is a topical well needed album chocca with good ideas, quirky lyrics and gorgeous vocals.

 why

from the infectious opener “oh my god”, to the downtempo ode of “keep me warm”, Maria’s by turns scratchy n sweet vocals compel you to keep listening.

Also check out Ida’s sultry cover of Sweet about Me from the live lounge sessions

Stand out tracks: 

i like you so much better when you’re naked, Stella, Louie

Who

What

Gorgeous vocal but not overly mixed samplage, swelling but not overpowering horns.

 Why
Tune for humpday You can download their fantastic 2 muffins bonus track here: muffins

Giantess: chirpy orchestral electro pop, from Boston. No, not Passion Pit. Giantess!  They are in fact produced by Ayad Al-Adhamy of the Passionate Pit, and you can definitely hear it.

What

They’re yet to be released officially single Tuff n Stuff is a cracker. There’s so much going on that it really merits repeated listening to appreciate it. I’ll admit it straight out, there’s a lot of bleeps and electro twitches in the intro which will make some people come out in hives, but the swelling spector-esque production really does sound fresh

Why

Because they’re not just the next passion pit, who were the next, who? MGMT? Boring! The band’s apparently diverse influences mark Giantess out as more than a one trick pony, and the intensity of the lead vocalist swaying from near Smooth Criminal era Michael Jackson to the dreamy falsetto of Amazing Baby or ok, Passion Pit gives the tune some depth, when combined with the strong synths, pumping guitar and bleeps which come up over the hook

There’s no video that i can locate as yet, so here’s a weird one that some blokes made in their bedroom:

Who

I first saw Gavin Glass and the Holy Shakers do a powerhouse cover of “The night they drove old dixie down“, my favourite Band song, at a pirate themed night in the spiegeltent in Dublin. Gavin and the band impressed with their energy and passion.  They’re currently touring with Lisa Hannigan in the States.

What

Gavin’s style has been described as ‘Americana’, and there’s definite affiliations with Wilco, Ryan Adams and the alt.country crew. But Iget a more bluesy, downbeat feel from them – there’s an effective use of horns, piano and sweet gospel backing throughout, which keeps some of the tracks from becoming too gloomy

Why

Gavin and his band do upbeat and downbeat equally well, but my money’s on the slower tunes on the album breaking through.  Southern Comfort and Red Dress are standouts, with the touching lyrics poignant without being sentimental. the harmonica and “this little light of mine” gospel sample in Southern Comfort admittedly sound terrible on paper, but just check it out- it works so well

You can check out or buy all the tunage here:

http://ie.7digital.com/artists/gavin-glass

Stand out tracks are: Red Dress, Southern Comfort, Ragdoll (duet with Cathy Davey), and Wrecking Ball. The live version of wrecking ball gives  a nice sense of what the bend are like in the flesh

The first thing you need to know about Morning Runner is that they are no longer with us. They’re not dead, just de-funked. I’m telling you this, because once you hear them, you will want more. The first time I heard them I was hooked, and i searched fruitlessly for more from them, but there was no more to come. So i’m saving you that emotional carousel. It’s a kindness.

What

Wall of sound pianos and guitar riffs give them a touch of Phil Spector produced starsailor, but the sensitive production here really allows the band to realise their potential and not just fill up the album with posturing mancunian hot air. Also, there’s a touch of also defunct The Open,  with sporadic horns adding texture to orchestral pop, not clutter

Why

the brilliant songwriting, distinctive plaintive but persistent vocal and on the album raise them above a coldplay also-ran. Also, the clever album name, and the brilliant video for top tune Burning Benches – check it out

Stand out album tracks

It’s not like everyone’s my friend, Oceans, Gone up in Flames, Burning Benches

Ladyhawke’s fantastic self titled album took a while to filter through to me, mainly through the help of blip.fm, and when i mention her to people they usually say oh, yeh, lady gaga, i love that just dance. No, not lady gaga! 

What?

Technically an electro-pop album, but through a 80′s anthem lens  - it’s a bit cyndi lauper, a bit lykke lyke but more upbeat musically, more downbeat lyrically. Ladyhawke definitely owes something to Roisin Murphy, Bjork and PJ Harvey, but she’s created something that really sounds fresh, as if it was missing before.

 Why?

Absolutely lush vocal, non-annoying beeps and squeaks, pounding percussion. She’s also a kiwi, who looks like Jem.

Ladyhawke, with friend

Stand Out album tracks

Magic, Paris is Burning, Back of the Van