In The Ocean is the debut single by Brighton's Stars And Sons. Its full of handclaps, catchy melodies, guitar solos and falsetto. Singer Mike Lord used to be in noisy layabouts 4 Or 5 Magicians. The band are named after a Broken Social Scene song. To me, it sounds like one of those cartoon theme tunes of your childhood that you still remember even after years of not humming it. The tune will still be bouncing around your skull even when you're a half-rotting skeleton in a maggot infested coffin. It's that memorable. Its out now on Alcopop Records! But its a limited release so hurry on a copy. Here's the video:
Here's a piano version of the song. It sounds like you walk into a lounge bar at the start.
Featuring ex-members of one of my favourite bands Bullet Union, Tropics get me all hot under the collar. They continue in the same vein as their predecessors. Hot rocking riffage, powerful percussion and snarling vocals are the name of the game and these four guys put their heart and souls into winning. Their myspace describes them as "70% too loud", which I undeniably agree with after seeing them at Barden's Boudoir a few weeks back. My ears weren't right for a week after. While the John Reis influence is very apparent in thee band's sound, their six-string interplay and ability to write a memorable melody marked them out as something original, not just imitators. With a spilt 7" with Seattle's experimental noisemakers These Arms Are Snakes just out on We-Be Recordings and I seriously going to keep an eye and ear out for these guys, because from past experiences I know they can produce the goods.
Little Boots was going to get featured in the long-delayed second issue of the funfunfun zine but seeing as that's been put on hold for the time being I thought I may as well take this opportunity to talk about her. After the demise of the all-girl synth-pop Dead Disco, lead singer/keyboardist Victoria has gone out on her own. Under the guise Little Boots, Victoria creates bubbling, electro-pop tunes that wouldn't seem out of place in the Top 20. Recent single Meddle is an infectious and sultry number. With Hot Chip's Joe Goddard on production duties, its got some heavy backing but its Little Boots' contribution thats the most striking. The subtle synth interplay, sexy and snarling vocals and the quality of the songwriting are first class - its reminscent of Annie and Robyn to name a few popstresses who could produce anything as good - and the added dirty percussion give it a edge. Better still is LB's first offering Stuck On Repeat. Its builds and simmers for a minute and a half. Hypnotic keyboards and swirling bass layer and layer to create a sumptious mix of ecstasy which carries throughout the track's 6 minutes. The vocals again are sultry and passioned. And when the percussion kicks in over halfway through the track turns euphoric. Now, having only been playing as Little Boots for a short time these may be hyperbolic words to lay on the young lady but they are throughly deserved and it seems others think so too. Already with one single under her belt, Victoria is releasing a ep later this month, entitled Arecibo, but only Stateside and will be performing on Jools Holland tomorrow so you'd better stay in... or just watch it on iplayer next week.
The Mp3s on this blog are only available for a limited period.
If you like the tunes, go and buy the CD. Those shiny discs are well
worth it. Or go and see the band play live. If, for some reason (like
you own the rights to the mp3), you would like any of the tunes taken
off the site just email me
In The Ocean is the debut single by Brighton's Stars And Sons.
