Archive for the British Invasion Category
You tell me what you think for a change. As the title suggests, I’m posting this without listening to it.
The Bravery – “The Spectator” (right click to download)
The new album by The Bravery, Stir The Blood, comes out on December 1. With the album’s first single “Slow Poison” being played on radio stations throughout the land, the song “The Spectator,” which will be on Stir The Blood, will also be released tomorrow on The Vampire Diaries soundtrack.
There was a psychedelic re-awakening of sorts in the late 1980’s, due in part to the pervasive cultural trend towards retrospective of the late-1960’s “Summer of Love”. In the midst of this, there appeared the psych-pop of The Dukes of Stratosphear. The Dukes were a spin-off of the much-loved British pop/punk act XTC, whom many consider the most important British rock act of the 1980’s. Though they worked feverishly to cloak themselves in anonymous monikers and lack of fanfare for the release of their first EP, 25 O’Clock,
The Dukes of Stratosphear went on to release the full-length Psonic Psunspot
Though they’ve been out of print for some time, they’ve returned for a visit. Nearly twenty years later, Andy Partridge’s very own APE Label has reissued these beloved psych-pop albums, proving they’re just as bright and inviting today as they were tongue-in-cheek vogue during the “Summer of Love” renaissance 20 years ago. Enjoy these two tracks from the release.
The Dukes of Stratosphear – Brainiac’s Daughter
The Dukes of Stratosphear – My Love Explodes
* This LIMITED EDITION packaged CD comes in a HARDBACK digibook featuring brand new artwork and the booklet includes new sleeves notes by Andy, Colin and Dave Gregory and exclusive archive photos.
* Includes 9 extra tracks of demos and extra recordings including “Black Jewelled Serpent of Sound{Radio Caroline edit}”, “Open a Can of Human Beans”, “Tin Toy Clockwork Train”, and the VIDEO for “MOLE FROM THE MINISTRY”.
I’m glad people are rediscovering the funky side of 80’s electro, even if it’s just an accident. I mean, truly there was a load of absolute crap that came out back then; however there remains a select handful of artists who created uniquely identifiable electronic funk music in the 1980’s. Among them, I have to account for the accomplishments of Heaven 17. The song “Penthouse and Pavement” remains one of my favorite so-called ‘throwbacks’ to drop into a set. The dirty nasty funk signatures in the electronic configurations of this track remain unlike any I’ve heard since.
This video was a staple of MTV back in the day and you might even recognize it. Dig on this, enjoy the track and definitely get your hands on the fully-remastered edition of their crowning achievement, Penthouse and Pavement.
Once again, at long last, its time to re-evaluate the songs of The Smiths. Rhino Records is releasing a compilation entitled The Sound Of The Smiths: The Very Best o the Smiths(2 CD Deluxe Edition)
photo credit: dongraftI’ve been bragging about the new Oasis album Dig Out Your Soul
I don’t have a lot of time this morning to give it a proper overview, but I can honestly say this: if for many a year it has seemed to you (as it has to me) like Liam and Noel have been on about nothing when calling themselves “geniuses” or “brilliant”, their luck has turned (and thankfully, so has ours). Dig Out Your Soul is by far the finest new recording by Oasis in over a decade. I have enjoyed listening to it repeatedly over the last few days & plan to spend time telling you more about it when I get to a slow-down point.
All I can say is this: with a new recording this exceptional, I think Liam & Noel may have jumped the proverbial shark on disavowing the Radiohead model. This album would have sold millions in presales from fans who, upon hearing this, would immediately recognize the lost & found sounds. Don’t steal the album, you prat! Go purchase it when it comes available. I’ll tell you more when I know more. Also, forgive my hubris as a writer: I’m calling this a comeback.
Carry on.
I’ve already talked about how much I love Voxpop’s sound here and here. I’ve told you that their songs are delightful & how I can’t wait to hear them live. So, without being repetitive, here’s another track given to Loudersoft by the band entitled “The Boomerang Generation” for you to enjoy. You can hit those other links for previous downloads if you’re feeling them as much as we are.
Voxpop – The Boomerang Generation
Visit Voxpop on MySpace by clicking here.
After exchanging emails with Voxpop’s Alexander Miller, we’re going to eek out a new Voxpop MP3, one at a time in the hopes your excitement about their new songs will be equal or greater than ours.
Some helpful biographical information about the band: Voxpop formed in the wake of Alexander Miller’s exit from UK band The Upper Room, who released an album and a couple of singles on Columbia. They’re doing regular gigs around London, so make sure and keep an eye out for where they’re playing. Since we can’t get to London, we’d be thrilled if you send along some pictures?
Here’s the second round of MP3’s from their as-yet-untitled-and-unreleased new album, a song called “All The Time” along with a proper MP3 of “Hacienda Motel” which, Alexander informs us, is a tribute to the late Sam Cooke who was murdered at the Hacienda Motel in 1964. Enjoy.
Voxpop – All The Time
Voxpop – Hacienda Motel
Visit Voxpop’s MySpace page by clicking here.
I was sure I needed to get my eyes checked when I read that folk-pop legends Chad & Jeremy would be appearing at the Folk Alliance Conference this year. I was stunned. “THE Chad Stuart & Jeremy Clyde? Could it be? ‘Distant Shores’? ‘A Summer Song’? No!” Before the thoughts could be completely formulated, I was told that yes, in fact, they would be attending and I could rest assured I would be surprised.
Even 40 years later, it’s as if time stood still when you hear them. These guys were so good, it made everyone in the audience fahrklempt. If you love indie pop or folk pop, you owe it to yourself to see Chad & Jeremy performing live in a city near you, and here’s the proof.
Listen to Chad & Jeremy – A Summer Song
You can purchase Chad & Jeremy’s Greatest Hits
