MV : "This day will come" by Postcode

Another great song from Postcode.

Top 5 Records (June)

1) Ane Brun - rarities
2) The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart - days of abandon
3) Real Estate - atlas
4) Bob Dylan - modern times
5) Mary Chapin Carpenter - essential

MV : "Fantasy" by Tesla Boy ft. Dasha Malygina

Cool modern synth pop. Video contains mild nudity (if that kinda thang worries you?)

Phil Reynolds and the Dearly Departed - if my feet were fingers, i'd stab you in the eye

What can you say about an album that presents an irresistible slice of pop perfection like "Close as stars" next to the moody space rock of "Sweetheart"? Well you can say its brilliant as it is actually. Packed full of different influences and styles admittedly it is a record that meanders like the mid-point of a river, occasionally the song gets a bit stuck. An ox-bow lake then. Geography isn't it? That doesn't matter though as the flow of the album is strong and well worth a listen.

MV : "Pic Pic" by Voltaj

Come on how can you resist a singing flower?!

Boxed Wine - quiver

Boxed Wine have gone a bit synth-pop and new wave with this single and its lovely. The title track has some great pop hooks and a great deal of fun. "Young lovers" reminds me a bit of The Cure and is another terrific pop track. The sound of the Summer? Why not?

P.S. The band have given away their entire discography on Noisetrade, and you really should check it out because its awesome!

MV : "Swing Lynn" by Twin Cabins

Sweet sounds.

Mary Chapin Carpenter - stones in the road

Mary Chapin Carpenter's fifth album was one of her more commercial releases and indeed has been her only country chart #1 to date. You can see why though with songs of the calibre on the album, such as the infectious and catchy "House of cards" and the reflective and nostalgic title track.

The big hit "Shut up and kiss me" is a stylish hoe-down but like the rest of the album expertly combines mainstream accessibility with intelligence and style. Sometimes the majority are right and they were with this modern album.

MV : "Echoing days" by Monnone Alone

Check out more at Monnone Alone's Bandcamp.

Adorable - sunshine smile (Creation)

The debut of Adorable was a great single. Actually more than great, a lot more. Back in the early 90s i regarded this as the best single in the history of mankind(!) So now its quite a few years later on how does it stack up...

The title track is still the amazing fusion of reimagined psychedelia, noise and alternative thrash. A swirl of acid noise dragging you into a whole universe of new possibilities. A parallel universe where the 60s never ended. And you never want it to end.

The B-sides arn't bad either, "Sunburnt" especially is drenched in pop noise. The vocals annoyed some, personally i liked them though i guess they can be a bit marmite. Well does it stack up? Is it still the best? I have to say yes. Maybe its nostalgia, maybe its just bloody mindedness. Or maybe it just is that damn good.

MV : "Un millón de zombies más" by Linda Guilala

Very impressive band.

Mononne Alone / Math and Physics Club (Dufflecoat / Jigsaw Singles Club)

Dufflecoat Records & Jigsaw Records launched an exciting new singles club this year of which this 7" single is one of the 6 releases. Mononne Alone's "Eddie" is a lovely jangley indie pop track with pleasing harmonies and a suitably bright chorus. Math & Physics Club meanwhile present "It must be Summer somewhere" which has classic C86 overtones, a simple melody full of sunshine.

MV : "Long drag" by Math and Physics Club

Indie pop and trains, can't get much better.

Silver Screams - creep joint scratch

Silver Screams from Boston produce a great post-punk noise. You can hear influences from some of the cream of punk, hardcore and post-punk in their EP but with plenty of their own personality and attitude too.

The EP is bacially a glorious thrash and so alive, all in all a great debut by this trio. Highlights are "Mt Rumpke" and the cover "Wash away" but all 5 tracks are powerful slabs of no-nonsense punk rock.

MV : "Just like Tom Thumb's blues" by Deena Webster

Deena Webster tackles Bob Dylan.

The Grateful Dead - workingman's dead

Recorded in 1970 at a time of great turmoil for the Dead, the band hammered out this album in quick time amid the drug busts and being ripped off. The album moved the band into country rock territory and introduced harmonies and layered vocals to the Dead repertoire. As such its a perfect 1970 album, a celebration of country, folk and Americana.

Laid back and rooty, "Uncle John's Band" starts the album off in fine style. A highlight of the album though is the bluesy "New speedway boogie", a lovely shuffle of a song. "Casey Jones" is driving that train, high on cocaine. What a great way to start a song!

Soundcloud : The Gentle Isolation - wind chase

Great track!

MV : "The opening" by Ane Brun & Fleshquartet

From the Wallander ending credits, beautiful and haunting track.