Crusaders of Love remind me quite a lot of The Exploding Hearts which sits just fine with me. The band are from Lille in France and kick out a real punchy blend of Power Pop and Punky Garage and in their own words, "Make a delicious gooey mess of it!" Delicious for sure, a mess, no, this is really great music!
The band list their only interest as fun and it certainly sounds as though they are having plenty on this album.
Photo by Janicks
Stream and buy the album on the best format in the world, vinyl...here: Bandcamp
Contact, befriend, like and love The Crusaders Of Love here: Facebook
Be sure to check out the bands over long player "Never Grow Up" over on bandcamp too!
I have been waiting to shout about this album since receiving a promo copy a couple of weeks back from the band, I have really fallen in love with this band after featuring their self titled debut album on the blog.
Once again the album the album is recorded entirely in Spanish and despite my ability to just about manage to order a cerveza (beer) or cafe con leche (coffee with milk) in Spanish, nothing is lost on me with the album, the songs are bouncy, upbeat, danceable even and bring a huge smile to my face, I wonder just how much more I would love this band if I understood them?
"Lo Que Quiero" which translates as "What I Want" (see, I am getting good at this!) is released today and I am sure that they will win over a fair few new fans with this album, both within the Spanish speaking countries and beyond.
Los Autonautas will certainly be landing in my top albums of the year without any shadow of a doubt, this album, like their debut is an absolutely brilliant affair, there is not a single low point on this album, no filler tracks, this is an absolute rocker from start to finish BUY IT!!!
The album will be available from Bandcamp to stream and download sometime today: Bandcamp
(The debut album will also be available too) Physical copies of the album can be bought by placing an order to the band via facebook or by e mailing the band at somosautonautas@gmail.com
Contact, follow, befriend like and love Los Autonautas here: Facebook
Conceptus from San Diego released "Trebly Feelings" last year and I can't believe I missed out on this until now! From the very first track "At Sea" it was like being back home in Brighton, England in the late 80's and watching one of the Sarah Records bands that seemed to be in town every weekend with their infectious blend of Indie Pop, some quite twee, some not quite so, it also reminded me of The La's "There She Goes" with the riff. Conceptus, quite possibly intentionally, have managed to capture the essence of that era perfectly and then built upon it with a flourish of Power Pop, some 70's college radio and have created a wonderful sound of their own.
This is a really great debut album with some of the most jangly guitar sounds I have heard since those days back in the late 80's, the lyrics are well crafted and delivered from the stance of a sensitive guy and whilst I bang on about the late 80's, I should point out that the bands sound is far from dated, these are timeless tunes in as much as T-shirts and Jeans are timeless clothing....your favourite ones of course!
This is an album that you will want to listen to again and again, one that will sit comfortably with fans of 70's College radio, Sarah Records, Power Pop and 90's Brit Pop/Pop and those that just love great music!
Stream and download "Trebly Feelings" here: Bandcamp
Contact, befriend, follow, like and love Conceptus here: Facebook
Back in July I featured the release of The Seasongs fantastic LP "Out of the City" and now the band have released a FREE EP DOWNLOAD of tracks from the album, which serves as a perfect introduction for those of you that don't yet have a copy.
This album has been a mainstay of my music listening since it arrived and will certainly be in my end of year list, go grab this free download and find out why!
Download the FREE EP and check out the bands album and other releases here: Bandcamp
Contact, befriend, follow, like and love the band here: Facebook
The "Ice Cream Man" has been asked to spin some records tomorrow in store at Skivhallen in Majorna, Gothenburg, if you are in the area, come along and join us for a good eclectic mix of music and browse through the copious amounts of vinyl, in every genre, on offer at the store.
Check out Skivhallen here: Facebook they ship all over the world, so if you are looking for anything in particular, drop them a message, they may just have it!
"Ice Cream Man Power Pop and More!" supporting local business since tomorrow!
This is a wonderful album, if like me you like some trippy, psychadelic, sixties, swirling organ then have a listen to this. There is an obvious "Doors" reference but look beyond that as there is so much more in the music and lyrics.
This is the debut album for a Wellington outfit known for their freaky and electric live performances in bars, lounges, masquerade parties, practically anywhere you can lug a Hammond organ. With a live recording circulating in the underground for a few years and a bit of radio play here and there Ginger Brown have built up a strong and mysterious rep and must have wanted to get an album out there pretty quick. The huge psychedelic carnival sound is captured well throughout 'Who Scared Who' with the skill of Nic McGowan from Island Bay Studios, but does settle at times in that difficult area of translating an energetic live performance into a mastered studio album.
The skill of Lawrence Taula on organ is hard to ignore as is his vocal range stretching from high and forlorn to howling and deranged. Joe Dobson kicks out a diverse and talented sound on drums and must go through a few skins, while Matthew Armitage completes the trio on guitar with solid '60s rockabilly respectability. A slight tease of instrumentals feature, showing promise for these guys to deliver more sans vocals.
Songs such as Boston Dance, It's the Weekend and Blinded by the Light deliver a real show of power for Ginger Brown and make them easily one of the most unique and modern/nostalgic bands about at present. I think in the future they could better focus on creating different music for their studio albums, possibly going a bit 'concept' and then, when they feel the need, record a live one. (NZ-music)
I was sent a copy of this album by a fan of Wolveramptons, The Clocktower, who was bubbling with enthusiasm for them and suggesting that I should have a feature on the blog. I had already heard of the band but had only heard the song "Kiss Ya Glass" which is somewhat of an anthem for the band.
The first thing that strikes you on the opening track, "Nostalgica" is the similarities to Oasis especially with the vocals, this is followed by "Black River Forest" which is a cross between mid career Inspiral Carpets and Space, the bands influences are definately from the Britpop era and I for one certainly have no problem with that at all, they wear their influences openly and proudly, in amongst the dirge of music being force fed to daytime (and night time) radio listeners, The Clocktower are a real breath of fresh air that will hopefully wake up a nation of disaffected youth.
The album is mainly an uptempo affair but the inclusion of a couple of slower numbers like "Mr Wallace" and "Things will Fall" helps to balance the album out nicely, giving you the chance to get your breath back too!
This is the bands debut album, following a few EP releases, and I sincerely believe The Clocktower will flourish and grow into something very special, the songs are extremely well written and the guys know how to deliver them, and, looking at the bands photos on the internet, it looks like they are having fun and in 34 years of watching live music I have learnt that when a band is having fun, you will have fun too!
The Clocktower are a band to watch, I think the future could be very bright for them, so it is good to see that they are taking the precautionary measure of wearing sunglasses most of the time!
The Clocktower are:
Lead Vox/Guitarist/Songwriter - Ryan Evans Backing Vox/Guitarist/Songwriter - Ian Dowdeswell Bass Guitar - Andy OBrien Drums & Percussion - Connor Dowdeswell
Contact, befriend, like and love The Clocktower here: Facebook
The band are currently setting up wider distribution of the album and it will be available at itunes, play.com and Amazon in the near future, for physical copies contact the band via facebook.
