AM Laboratory: ToneMatrix

I've said it before, and I'll say it again, thank goodness for boffins. Andre Michelle is one such person. He and ilk make our dreary lives worth living.

This is a great website for geeky sound experiments. It is just getting easier and easier to make music these days - and ToneMatrix is simply beautiful.


lab.andre-michelle.com/tonematrix

Monthly round-up: February 2010

February - the shortest month of the year - derived from Februa, the Roman festival of purification. I have been drinking plenty of water, and eating fruit. Admittedly some of the water and fruit I have consumed has been mixed together, and left in bottles for a while in dark places before it reached me. Such is life.


ALBUM OF THE MONTH: Oh No Ono, from Aalborg are massive.....in Denmark. Eggs is their second album, and first to be released and promoted outside of the safety of their homeland. The album is an excercise in mimicry. As you listen to these ten tracks, it is very easy to pick out, not only genre influences, but specific bands. For example, Eleanor Speaks begins as The Telescopes, veers towards The Flaming Lips, then Mike Oldfield. The Wave Ballet starts out as the best track MGMT have never released, before ending up as an ELO wig-out. Elsewhere we find Roxy Music, Owen Pallet, Arcade Fire, The Wannadies, The Kinks, Pink Floyd, and of course, The Beatles. Throughout, we are treated to fantastically detailed production. Idiosyncratic sounds permeate this record, the gentle noise of a coin spinning then dropping, wind swept landscapes, distant fog horns and full rich orchestration. George Martin's influence is clearly at hand, and the musical variation throughout feels very much in the Sergeant Pepper mould. Though perhaps the mould has been melted with a bic lighter until it resembles an octopus. It's an oddly composed and frighteningly consistent record, but the final reckoning is that of a joyous collection of weird, and truly wonderful pop songs. (9/10) (Leaf)

youtube.com/oh no ono - internet warrior
youtube.com/oh no ono - icicles
youtube.com/oh no ono - the wave ballet

COMPILATION OF THE MONTH: The best compilations are compiled by music obsessives with better record collections than the rest of us. Minimal Waves Tapes Vol.1 is a perfect example. Stones Throw is fast becoming the avant-electronica label of the moment, and this set of obscure eighties european synthpop and cold wave experiments is like Genesis - the book, not the band. These gems have been expertly placed by New York scenester empresario, Veronica Vasicka (pictured left). I love this stuff, and she has kindly introduced me to music I was hitherto unaware of. I will be sending out my deep sea trawlers to excavate more of the same. (9/10) (Stones Throw).

youtube.com/crash course in science - flying turns
youtube.com/martin dupont - just because 
youtube.com/the somnambulist - things i was due to forget

SINGLE OF THE MONTH: It's Liars turn to try and coax us into buying their new album, Sisterworld, which finally materialises in March. The first cut off the record, Scissor, demonstrates again that this band has an uncanny ability to develop their sound with each release. Still more focus, still more structure, still more depth and still darker. There's nothing like an unhinged little ditty about murdering your lover to get the party swinging. The unliteral video for the single is also rather good. (8/10) (Mute)

youtube.com/liars - scissor


 OTHER RELEASES:

Black Noise is German producer Henrik Weber's third full length release under the moniker of Pantha Du Prince. The album rings with warm techno and is full of worldly atmosphere, present in the use of ethnically diverse samples (mainly chimes!). The overall effect is rather like listening to the soundtrack of a cutting edge National Geographic documentary. Luckily, this tactic is restrained enough to stop well short of the dreaded new age category of musical definition. (7/10) (Rough Trade). youtube.com/pantha du prince - stick to my side

Austin's Strange Boys emulate the tight schedule of the sixties bands they worship by releasing their second album in under a year. Unsurprisingly, this short space of time has prevented them from wandering too far from the sound marker they left with their debut. Be Brave provides us with more authentic, raw psychedlic garage delivered softly with charm and humour. (7/10) (In The Red). youtube.com/strange boys - be brave

Whoever told me that the Brewis brothers were no longer recording together as Field Music clearly had their pants on fire at the time. Lo and behold, we have been treated to a double helping of new material in the form of their third album proper, Field Music (Measure). This is definitely Field Music as we know it - though perhaps a little more stripped down than before. Sadly there are no 'In Context'  moments on the album, the track that stole the show last time around - but the experimental XTC influenced noodlings are enough to keep this listener relatively happy, for now. (7/10) (Memphis Industries). youtube.com/field music - them that do nothing 

XL's main mai Richard Russell nurtured this project whilst Gil Scott-Heron was still serving time in New York State Prison for cocaine possession. Gil is a man not known for his reliability, and the sessions that make up I'm New Here were spread out over a two year period. Russell provides the haunting urban production, and Gil wrestles with the same poignant political poetry that gave birth to his career forty years ago. Except this time he is talking about himself and the car-wreck that has become his life. Incredibly powerful stuff, though I am very sorry to say that this has all the trappings of a swan song. I sincerely hope I am wrong. (8/10) (XL Recordings) youtube.com/gil scott-heron - new york is killing me

Minneapolis's Clipd Beaks specialise in drone like gothic art-rock. To Realize, their third album, is reminiscent of Liars at their most subdued. The trick is in the layering, with every strata beautifully building up into cacophony, then parring back to trance then building up again. They have created a very natural sound which brings rewards for repeated listening. (8/10). (Lovepump United). youtube.com/clipd beaks - visions

The mash-up is one of the many end-products of producers attempts to find new ways for us to consume music. Tim Caruana is of the current batch of fine exponents of this great art form. It didn't have to be this man that stumbled across the inevitable marriage of The Beatles and Wu Tang Clan, but fate decided it would be him. Enter The Magical Mystery Chambers will give you a sideways smile from the top of one eyebrow to the opposite dimple which will remain fixed for the duration of the record plus one hour. You won't be able to exchange your hard earnt cash for it though, as McCartney's lawyers have already been on the case, and it has been removed from the labels catalogue. If you want to hear it, I'm sure you'll find a way (7/10) (Tea Sea Records) youtube.com/tim caruana - wu tang vs the beartles - mighty healthy

Yeasayer release their second album, Odd Blood as great hopes, rather than promising newcomers. They have taken on this duty by bringing a healthy dose of eighties new wave pop to the established world folk fusion that made up their debut. At somepoint somewhere, somebody in the band must have said out loud, "What we really need to do with this, is sound a little more like Talk Talk", and eveyone else chimed "Eureka! Give that man a prize". (7/10) (Secretly Canadian). youtube.com/yeasayer - ambling alp  

This one actually came out in the middle of January, but I missed it (I can't check everything!) and it's too good to leave out. Shlohmo is a 19 year-old  producerling from LA. Shlomoshun Deluxe, his debut full lenth release, combines matieral from an EP released last year with new tracks. It is simple experimental techno of the squelchiest kind. This is what insects listen to on their ipods. (8/10) (FoF Music). youtube.com/shlohmo - hot boxing the cockpit
 

Midlake have finally returned with the follow-up to their 2006 album,  The Trials of Van Occupanther. The Courage of Others has been a great dissapointment to many, as it just doesn't bristle with the same array of crunchy goodness of their past glory. However, I can report that it is a slow burner. The songs are certainly simple and subtler, like the English folk bands of the sixties that they pay homage to, but there is nothing wrong them. We just have to get over the fact that Midlake haven't given us another Van Occupanther this time around. Maybe next time, ay. (7/10) (Bella Union) youtube.com/midlake - the courage of others

Georgia Anne Muldrow produces the type of R&B that I can handle. Be-bop influenced dischordancies, made crisp with up-to-date production and enough experimentation thrown into the pot to make her stand out from the crowd. She is also prolific - King's Ballad is her fifth album in five years, and she has also found time to produce music for others, such as Erykah Badu. The title track is a heartfelt tribute to Michael Jackson. (8/10) (Ubiquity). youtube.com/georgia anne muldrow - king's ballad

Spotify mix:
spotify/DIGITAL TENDERNESS:2010/2

Noughties #56: Akron/Family "Akron/Family" (Young God, 2005)

Another debut release from another Brooklyn band. Like their contempories, Akron/Family are interested in pushing the boundaries of pysched-out alt-folk. Amidst these unusual and highly worked song structures are some very sweet, and simple melodies. It's this juxtoposition that gives the album it's strength. Running, Returning is perhaps, one of my favourite tracks of the decade, on any album. It's like three songs for the price of one - each fantastic.

youtube.com/akron-family - before and again
youtube.com/akron-family - i'll be on the water
youtube.com/akron-family - running, returning

Noughties #57: Yeasayer "All Hour Cymbals" (We Are Free, 2007)

Yeasayer's debut album was all about fusion. With the crisp ingredients of folk, prog, new wave, world and middle eastern music they have stirred up a potent brew indeed - served up in the backroom venues of the reinvirogorated Brooklyn music scene that they share with the likes of Gang Gang Dance and Vampire Weekend. Thematically this is a wide eyed collection of songs, though these are not laid back hippy musings but vigourously luxurious pop experiments.

youtube.com/yeasayer - 2080
youtube.com/yeasayer - wait for the wintertime  
youtube.com/yeasayer - many waves

The Downlow Radio

This is the website of a friend's brother, who is a set-designer, and DJ on London's gay scene. Billed as "the world's first travelling homo disco" - Downlow Radio includes a plethora of delicious classic old school dance mixes, dealing in Roots Reggae, Electro, House, Funk and many more besides. All fully streamable or downloadable as MP3. These are seriously great mixes - classics hand picked by connoisseurs - and not fucked about with too much either. Thank's Gideon and co.

www.thedownlowradio.com

Monthly round-up: January 2010

This is the first of a monthly overview of recent music releases that have prodded my interest. Who know's if I'll keep it going on a regularly basis - as with everything on his blog - I make no promises.

Nobody listens to new music in the first couple of weeks of January anyway. Personally, I was too busy keeping warm and recapping on things I've missed in 2009 by trawling through everyone else's end of year lists to notice what was current. Publishers obviously concur, as the release schedule was dead until about two weeks ago, and that's when the year officially exploded into action:


ALBUM OF THE MONTH: Without a doubt, the most suprising release of the month has been from Southend's These New Puritans. Very rarely does a record come along that makes you sit up and think - where the fuck did that come from? TNP's debut was pretty good as a math-rock library piece, but with their second album Hidden, they have taken a leap into new territory. This is music that takes itself very seriously - it is the sound of politics, war, science and history. There is no room for self-absorbed angst here - the hard rhythms and stark orchestrations have gauged away at any sentimentality that might have crept through. This is agressive music, but not in the same way that metal or punk may serve violence as gothic horror and male posteur. It is mannered agression presented in a way that is quite real and beautiful. If there is a better album released this year then we are in for a vintage period. (10/10). (Angular Recording Co)

youtube.com/these new puritans - we want war
youtube.com/these new puritans - three thousand
youtube.com/these new puritans - attack music


SINGLE OF THE MONTH: It's always worth getting off on the right foot with your debut single, and Emika has succeeded in doing that with Drop the Other - a lusciously dark and off-kilter piece of electro dubstep released on Ninja Tunes. This is the music that Alison Goldfrapp probably intended to make (should have), but couldn't quite reach down low enough to grapple in the grime and extract. Very promising indeed. (9/10). (Ninja Tunes).

youtube.com/emika - drop the other


OTHER RELEASES:

Vampire Weekend were the first off the mark quick this year. Contra, the follow up to their successful 2008 debut utilises their penchant for afro-beat and urban story telling to good effect. Cousins, the first single of the album seems to be doing the rounds on the radio at the moment - which makes a nice change to N-Dubz. The strongest is the final track, I Think Ur a Contra, which is reminiscent of Paul Simon's african collaborations. (7/10). (Rough Trade). youtube.com/vampire weekend - cousins

Due to the threat of multinational litigation, Final Fantasy has now reverted to the name on his birth certificate - and to be honest Owen Pallett is a perfectly usable moniker anyway. Heartland is his third solo album away from the constrains of Arcade Fire. The orchestration is big and bold and the vocals fey. Great stuff - might even be better than He Poos Clouds. (9/10). (Domino). youtube.com/owen pallett - oh hearland, up yours!

I have never been too sure about Beach House, but Teen Dream could well be the catalyst for my re-evaluation of this Baltimore duo. The first single from the album, Norway, may have the legs for a successful indie crossover hit. The rest of the album is just charming too, in a laid back, boy/girl harmony kind of way. (8/10). (Sub Pop). youtube.com/beach house - norway

Mirror Mirror is the debut from London's avante-garde pop ten-piece, The Irrepressibles. The band is actually the vehicle for Jamie McDermott, who's penchant for glamorous extravaganza has been realised with pazazz. The effect is like listening to a Vegas cabaret show in a world imagined by Tim Burton. Their live performances and videos are impressive - like Peter Greenaway arthouse cinema. Very distinctive. (8/10). (V2 Coop). youtube.com/the irrepressibles - i'll maybe let you

Hot Chip are in danger of becoming prolific. One Life Stand, is yet another in the line of impressive albums. Same ingredients here - old school electro patterns, indie rock sensibility and quirky romantic points of view. At least five stand out tracks too. (8/10). (Parlophone). youtube.com/hot chip - one life stand

2008 was the year of Los Campesinos! - two fantastic albums within the space of eight months, and so the follow-up, Romance is Boring has been greatly anticipated. I've been told that they are a marmite band, and I bleed the brown stuff. This new record exudes the same levels of cocky youthful exuberance, and very british lyricism as the previous - so it must be great - though maybe not quite as great as before. (8/10). (Arts & Crafts). youtube.com/los campesinos - there are listed buildings

Sweden's Lindstrøm & Christabelle have consilidated the mark they made last year with some very promising single releases with their debut full length. Real Life is No Cool is a consistant collection of smart dance tracks. (7/10). (Smalltown Supersound). youtube.com/lindstrøm & christabelle - high and low

Scout Niblett has released a new collection of material produced by Steve Albini. The Calcination of Scout Niblett is not quite as consistent as some of her previous albums, but the same sparse rhythms and troubled vocals extend her repoirtoire without harming her average too much. (7/10). youtube.com/scout niblett - cherry cheek bomb

Good Shoes also make a return with No Hope, No Future, their follow up to their acclaimed 2007 debut. Despite not pushing any new boundaries with its sound, there are enough highlights on the album to keep things interesting enough. New single "Under Control" is one of them. (7/10). (Brille).


One from the rock left field, the debut release of Surfer Blood. Astro Coast is ripe with melodic riffs lost in waves of distortion. There are so many hidden corners in this record. I think this could be a real grower as the year progresses. (8/10). (Kanine). youtube.com/surfer blood - swim


Kieran Hebden returns with his fifth Four Tet album, and first since 2005. There is Love in You provides more post-rock electronica. Very nice, without having to be too innovative or cause much undue stress on the emotions. (7/10). (Domino).



Other releases worth a listen to this month:
Bullion "Say Goodbye to What" (Single, Rush Hour); Dirty Projectors "Ascending Melody" (Single/free download, Domino); Esben and the Witch "33" (EP, Rough Trade); Jaga Jazzist "One Armed Bandit" (LP, Ninja Tunes), Keepaway "Baby Style" (EP, Jezebel); Malory "Water in My Hands" (LP, AC30); The Octagon "Warm Love and Cool Dreams Forever" (LP, Serious Business); Laura Veirs "July Flame" (LP, Bella Union); Charlotte Gainsbourg "IRM" (LP, Because); AFCGT "AFCGT" (LP, Sub Pop); Adam Green "Minor Love" (LP, Rough Trade); Clipd Beaks "To Realize" (LP, Lovepump United); Dorias Baracca "Handsome Melting Point" (EP, AC30); Race Horses "Goodbye Falkenberg" (LP, Fantastic Plastic); Shield Your Eyes "Shield Em'" (LP, Gravid Hands); Spoon "Transference" (LP, ANTI-); Shlohmo "Shlomoshun EP Deluxe" (LP, FoF Music).


And finally, for your convenience, a couple of mixes for you:

youtube.com/DIGITAL TENDERNESS:2010/1 
(25 tracks so far, though I'll add more when they come up).
spotify/DIGITAL TENDERNESS:2010/1  
(21 track mix - ditto).

Noughties #58: Sigur Rós "Takk..." (EMI, 2005)

Iceland's Sigur Rós had a worldwide hit in 1999 with the release of the post-rock classic Ágætis Byrjun. On this, their fourth album, the elven vocals and otherworldly strings combine to drag our imaginations into their ice-warm fantasy world once again. Not only that, with Hoppípolla, the third track on the album, they have managed to soundtrack triumph against adversity to such a degree that it has now become the official anthem of that emotion, and as so must be one of the most prolific tracks of the decade. The music has that rare quality: a compelling and original composition from the left-field that, though the medium of populist television, has managed to cement itself in the conciousness of the masses. It must have earnt them a few bob along the way too.

Highlights:
youtube.com/sigur rós - glósóli
youtube.com/sigur rós - hoppípolla
youtube.com/sigur rós - se lest

Noughties #59: The Dirty Projectors "The Glad Fact" (Western Vinyl, 2003)

The Dirty Projectors have bean at the forefront of experimental art-folk throughout the decade. Essentially, the band is the project of David Longstreth, and his output is willfully glitchy and completely original. The eight or so albums he has produced have been steadily attacting attention, culminating in the comparatively accessible and critically aclaimed Bitte Orca, released last year. That album narrowly misses this list, but The Glad Fact, one of his earlier collections, is the first of two that are included.

Highlights:
youtube.com/the dirty projectors - my offwhite flag
youtube.com/the dirty projectors - like fake blood in crisp october
youtube.com/the dirty projectors - naked we made it

Noughties #60: Adem "Love and Other Planets" (Domino, 2006)

The groundwork for Adem Ilhan's musical career was laid down as the bassist for the London post-rock band Fridge in the nineties. His 2004 debut solo album Homesongs was excellent but this, the followup, was fantastic. The concept was to merge science, space travel and astronomy with matters of the heart, weaving all manner of lyrical metaphors along these lines with beautifully subtle accousticly driven compositions. For me, science fiction has always been the most romantic of literary genres - and so the analogy is successfully appropriated. Geek folk.

Highlights:
youtube.com/adem - something's going to come
youtube.com/adem - launch yourself
youtube.com/adem - these lights are meaningful

Noughties #61: The Pipettes "We Are The Pipettes" (Interscope, 2006)

The Pipettes, from Brighton, sing about sex, love and boys - though mainly sex. They are the sort of gals that would have made Charles Hawtrey's right knee twitch and Sid James cackle like a Hyena. On this, their debut and only album, they transformed a homespun 7" enterprise into an international phenemomen. Their svengali, Bobby Monster, and local backing band The Cassettes can take some credit for creating this collection of sixties influenced pop gems - but The Pipettes pure charm and panache is the driving force. Indie chicks have never been sassier. Sadly RiotBecki and Rosay have now departed the band and their new incarnation has yet to materialize. It looks like The Pipettes may go down as one of those wild summer flings that we will always remember with dewy warmth.

Highlights:
youtube.com/the pipettes - dirty mind
youtube.com/the pipettes - your kisses are wasted on me
youtube.com/the pipettes - pull shapes

Noughties #62: The Wrens "The Meadowlands" (BB Island, 2003)

Formed in the eighties, The Wrens from New Jersey only got around to releasing this, their third album, until well into the noughties. Their style is heartfelt, country influenced melodic indie guitar pop and nobody does it better. Rumour has it that the band are making preparations for their fourth record which is great news, but guys - don't let the day jobs grind you down! We need as much of this material as you can muster.

Highlights:
youtube.com/the wrens - happy
youtube.com/the wrens - she sends kisses
youtube.com/the wrens - per second second

Noughties #63: Liars "Liars" (Mute, 2007)

Post-punk artrockers from Brooklyn, Liars have released four excellent experimental rock albums this decade. This self-titled album is the most recent, and also the most convincing. The sound is less sprawling than their other releases, it is honed and simplified.

Highlights:
youtube.com/liars - plaster casts of everything
youtube.com/liars - freak out
youtube.com/liars - clear island (live)

Noughties #64: Amerie "Touch" (Sony, 2005)

Let's get one thing straight - "1 Thing" is quite probably the best pop single of the decade. Right? OK, we can continue. Producer Songwriter Rich Harrison was on a roll with this record. Having already created massive hits for Beyonce, including "Crazy in Love", and Jennifer Lopez, it was time for one if his original muses, Amerie, to get the same treatment. This album is ridiculously consistent, and the structures and samples just a little bit more left-field than most pop R&B albums of the era.

Highlights:
youtube.com/amerie - 1 thing
youtube.com/amerie - not the only one
youtube.com/amerie - talkin' about

Mix of the year

You may have noticed that I have got bored with posting my noughties list. This is partly because I have been compiling this baby in my spare time.

As a special New Year's present, I have donated the following spotify playlist containing 365 of the best tracks released last year. THAT's ONE TRACK A DAY!!!

DIGITAL TENDERNESS:365x2009

It contains all the critically acclaimed favourites that spotify can provide, as well as some pop gems, indie obscurities and muso geek nuggets. The rules were, one track per artist. (Note to Spotify+artists concerned: what no Grizzly Bear, Pissed Jeans, Raekwon?)

If you get lost then the following highly accurate road-map will guide you confidently through the mix.

ENJOY.

Noughties #65: Gang Gang Dance "God's Money" (Social Registry, 2005)

Gang Gang Dance, from New York, have been releasing consciously arty music since their 2004 debut, Revival of the Shittest. Although their modus operandi is avant-garde chaos, the results are surprisingly structured, in a tribal and hullicinatory kind of way. It is world music filtered through an art school lens.

Highlights:
youtube.com/gang gang dance - egowar
youtube.com/gang gang dance - god's money V
youtube.com/gang gang dance - glory in itself & egyptian

Noughties #66: Iron and Wine "Our Endless, Numbered Days" (Sub Pop, 2004)

Iron and Wine is singer/songwriter Samuel Beam from South Carolina. He hit the scene in 2002 with the low-fi bedroom recording, The Creek Drank the Cradle. This album was the follow-up, and the higher production budget has not dulled the intimacy of Sam's songcraft, and the extra instrumentation and harmony creates more range. What still remains is the strength and conviction of the folk songwriting, and sincerity of his breathy vocal performance.

Highlights:
youtube.com/iron and wine - naked as we came
youtube.com/iron and wine - love and some verses
youtube.com/iron and wine - fever dream

Noughties #67: Radio Dept. "Lesser Matters" (Shelflife, 2003)

This album, from Sweden's Radio Dept. was released to much critical excitement six years ago. Tagged as the best thing since My BloodyValentine, they were one of the few bands that lived up to the hype. Their own brand of indie dream pop was not overly tarnished by retrogressive tweeness, but was brought up to date with a very diverse production, drum heavy, fuzzed mix and bristling with fine melodies.

Highlights:
youtube.com/radio dept. - where damage isn't already done
youtube.com/radio dept. - keen on boys
youtube.com/radio dept. - against the tide

Noughties #68: Stars of the Lid "Tired Sounds of Stars of the Lid" (Kranky, 2001)

Brian McBride and Adam Wiltzie from Austin Texas have been releasing ambient music under the name of Stars of The Lid since 1995. In that time they have released many fine albums: And Their Refinement of the Decline (2007), was also a contender for this list, as was Wiltzie's solo project The Dead Texan (2004). Their music is minimal and drone-like. Varying deep chords crescendo, sustain then diminish. Like breathing.

Highlights:
youtube.com/stars of the lid - requiem for dying mothers, part 1
youtube.com/stars of the lid - austin texas mental hospital, part 3
youtube.com/stars of the lid - fac 21

Noughties #69: Akino Arai "Furu Platinum" (Victor, 2000)

Akino Arai is one of the most popular singers in Japan. Her stock in trade has been the composition and production of anime themes, such as Outlaw Star and Gedo Senki. Furu Platinum is her fourth album of original material. Like anime, her music is otherworldly, highly produced and full of delicate intricacies. It is also very beautiful - though you will need a sweet tooth.

Highlights:
youtube.com/akino arai - furu platinum
youtube.com/akino arai - sputnik
youtube.com/akino arai - ai no ondo

Noughties #70: The Fiery Furnaces "Gallowsbird's Bark" (Sanctuary, 2003)

This brother and sister combo from New York launched themselves with this collection of precociously confident bluesy garage rock. The Fiery Furnaces distinguish themselves from their direct contempories (White Stripes, Kills) via, not only the strength of the songwriting, but their inclination for compositional experimentation. This is more evident on later recordings, such as the expansive and ambitious follow up, Blueberry Boat (2004) but on Gallowsbird's Bark the balance between killer hooks and the avante garde really chimes.

Highlights:
youtube.com/the fiery furnaces - i'm gonna run
youtube.com/the fiery furnaces - asthma attack
youtube.com/the fiery furnaces - two fat feet

Noughties #71: Califone "Roots and Crowns" (Thrill Jockey, 2006)

Califone elvolved out of another band from Chicago, Red Red Meat, in the late nineties, and have since released nine excellent albums. This one shaves it for me over the also brilliant Quicksand/Cradlesnakes (2003). Their noise is a bluesy alt-county rock, with bags of detail and texture, though when boiled down to its essence, these are essentially simple folk songs using the primary tools of acoustic guitar, gravelly voice and sweet harmony.

Highlights:
youtube.com/califone - spiders house
youtube.com/califone - the eye you lost in the crusades
youtube.com/califone - three legged animals

Noughties #72: Arcade Fire "Neon Bible" (Merge, 2007)

Arcade Fire, from Montreal, hit it critically large with their debut full length, Funeral in 2004. All eyes were watching the follow up, and with Neon Bible, they didn't disappoint. While it is not quite as compositionally playful as the first record, it is solid and unwaving in its content. Many of the tracks are built on a marching dirge. Interwoven melodies, and strong lyrical progression push the album on through political and contempory themes. I guess you might describe Arcade Fire as the flag bearers for the current Canada scene of indie rock stars, and they follow the mould of many contemporary bands by employing the talents of a multitude of musicians, some of whom are resposible for worthy projects in their own right (refer to Final Fantasy, who will appear higher in this list).

Highlights:
youtube.com/arcade fire - intervention
youtube.com/arcade fire - windowsill (live)
youtube.com/arcade fire - no cars go

Noughties #73: Les Savy Fav "Let's Stay Friends" (Frenchkiss, 2007)

Post-hardcare band, Les Savy Sav from Rhode Island, took a six year break due to 'writer's block' before this album emerged. The gap years were obviously conducive to the creative process, as Let's Stay Friends is a positive progression from their roots. The songs are sophisticated, layered with noises other than guitar and drums, and the song-writing is multi-dimensional and crisp, tinged with post-punk and new wave sensibilities amidst the grunge.

Highlights:
youtube.com/les savy fav - patty lee
youtube.com/les savy fav - raging in the plague age
youtube.com/les savy fav - kiss kiss is getting old