The Hit Parade

She's Hit
From: Glasgow, Scotland

Fantastically energetic indie punk from a band who sound like the ungodly sons of The Cramps and the Jesus & Mary Chain. One day all bands will be made this way.

Go Try

RE:PEATER by She's Hit

MP3 - She's Hit - She Slips She Slides (Demo)
MP3 - She's Hit - Black Transistor Nightmares (Demo)
These tracks are linked direct from the She's Hit Last.FM site and are therefore already freely available so please don't claim breach of copyright

Go Visit

She's Hit - Myspace : Last.FM

Go View

She's Hit
RE:PEATER

Arctic Blast

Arran Arctic
From: Edinburgh, Scotland via Portrush, Northern Ireland

To quote a wise artist: "It's been a long road, gettin' from there to here" but for those of you who have been waiting on tenterhooks for the Arran Arctic album need wait no more. Yes it's finally released from the captivity of Arran Southall's mind to the late British winter wan sunlight today.

As those of you who have been following the blog will expect it blends the tenderness of King Creosote, the introspection of Damien Rice and the lonely self analysis of Bon Iver.

The album can be ordered from the Arran Arctic website www.arranarctic.com/buy/inmyhands

Go Try

MP3 - Arran Arctic - You Could Have It So Much Better
This track is published with the permission of Arran Arctic so please don't claim breach of copyright

Go Visit

Arran Arctic - Myspace : Website : Last.FM

Go View

Arran Arctic
All That I Can Do

Video Killed The Radio Star 27th February 2011

Here are the videos that caught the Devil's eye this week...

Melody Klyman
In Limbo



Ex Libras
Teenage Eyes

Haunting!



Ideals
Significant Other



Poly Styrene
Virtual Boyfriend



Woom
Quetzalcoatl's Ship

Quetzalcoatl's Ship from Sara Magenheimer on Vimeo.

Soil In The Synth with Clytem Scanning
Stabilize

SOIL IN THE SYNTH with clytem scanning "Stabilize" from Miss Lois Iron on Vimeo.

Scumbag Philosopher
Scumbag Philosopher



The Bishops
Nowhere To Run

Devil's Round Up 27th February 2011

This weeks rounds up of the tracks that I haven't had the space to post...

No Monster Club

From: Dublin, Ireland

Irish trio who sound like Pavement marooned on a tropical island. A different twist to the usual lo-fi fare.

Go Try

MP3 - No Monster Club - Wish Me Will
This track is linked direct from the No Monster Club website and is therefore already freely available so please don't claim breach of copyright

What Do I Get
From: Long Beach, California, United States

More Buzzcockian pop from those posers of the eternal question for the me generation What Do I Get.

Go Try

MP3 - What Do I Get? - Nothing To Base Nothing Upon
This track is published with the permission of What Do I Get so please don't claim breach of copyright

Audiac
From: Melbourne, Australia

To create your own Audiac take a bowlful of The Teenage Fanclub, stir in a few drops of Smashing Pumpkins and leave to bake in the Australian sun.

Go Try

If you were ever meant to be there by audiac

Cat Matador

From: Oxford, United Kingdom

Cat Matador sound like the lovelorn long lost cousins of Elbow.

Go Try

03 When Did You Go Blind by Cat Matador

Islington Boys' Club
From: London, United Kingdom

Dark art rock that throbs like an electric bruise.

Go Try

Pristine - Islington Boys' Club by islingtonboysclub

Hold Kiss Kill
From: London, United Kingdom

Indie rock so heavy it's got it's own chemical symbol.

Go Try

HOLD KISS KILL- 'Neon Girls' by HOLD KISS KILL

The Angry Years
From: From: London, United Kingdom


The blog is in danger of turning into The Angry Years fan club but there really isn't anyone around who sounds like this and they get better and better every time I hear them. Check out their new track the intriguingly titled The Depressing Resurgence of One-liner Comedy.

Go Try

The Depressing Resurgence of One-liner Comedy by The Angry Years

OK
From: Cardiff, Wales

Pop so fizzy it should be sponsored by Sodastream.

Go Try

OK- Lego by Soundandvisionpr

Boxing Clever

The Boxer Rebellion
From: United Kingdom

This month's Devil album of the month is the new album from The Boxer Rebellion, The Cold Still. With titles like Doubt, Cause For Alarm and themes of excessively obsessive love, paranoia, betrayal and 'the beast within' The Boxer Rebellion are a serious bunch of young coves. This is glum rock par excellance and they don't come much more glum than the shocking Locked In The Basement which could be the lead track from a rock opera based on the life of Josef Fritzl. If you're looking for frivolous songs about birthdays in May or Post Break-Up Sex then you need to look elsewhere (try Brother or The Vaccines).

This could well be the album to break the band in the UK and not before time.

Go Try

Both Sides Are Even by The Boxer Rebellion

Not on the album but useful for those wondering if The Boxer Rebellion can do uplifting

Spitting Fire by The Boxer Rebellion

Go Visit

The Boxer Rebellion - Myspace : Website : Last.FM

Go View

The Boxer Rebellion
Step Out Of The Car




The Boxer Rebellion
Both Sides Are Even

Something For Evryone

Evryone
From: The Home Counties, United Kingdom

Oh my god Evryone's 'Do You Understand' is wierd. It sounds like a mash-up between Richard Hell & The Voidoids, Mika and The Associates and has to be the strangest song I've heard all year. It's like they've spot welded the entire history of music into a sub four minute single. I really don't know what to make of it. This could either change music for ever or disappear leaving a faint trace of strangeness and a few perplexed bloggers.

Check it out and make your own mind up.

Go Try

Evryone - Do You Understand by Wasted Youth PR

Go Visit

Evryone - Myspace : Last.FM

Go View

Evryone
Flamingos


Evryone - "Flamingos" from Entrepreneurs on Vimeo.

Labyrinth Of Love

Labyrinth Ear
From: London, United Kingdom

The curiously monickered Labyrinth Ear (sounds like a name discarded by a failed prog rock group from 1972) are Emily and Tom an electronic duo from the New Cross, the artistic hub of independent London. Their debut EP of glacial electro pop, issued late last year, is a strong statement of intent from a duo clearly going places.

The Devil's favourite track, 'Navy Light', a perfect combination of Depeche Modesque electro and heart rending lyrics, harks back to the golden age of futurism of the early 80s (and yes I do see the irony). It would have thrilled them down at the Blitz club in 1980. White Gold is a slow burning beauty. If I didn't know better I'd call it chillwave.

For such a young band their ambition and assurance is simply breathtaking. To attempt an electropop take on 'I'm Wishing' from the Disney movie Snow White & The Seven Dwarfs is ambitious and some would say doomed to derision. To make it sound like a chillwave classic is bordering on the unbelievable.

Lithium, unfortunately not an electro pop cover of Nirvana's Lithium, starts like an experimental track from OMD's early days before morphing into the weird product of a midnight liaison between Madonna's Vogue and The Normal's TVOD. Labyrinth Ear are one of the bands to watch in 2011.

Now about that name...

Go Try

White Gold by Labyrinth Ear

MP3 - Labyrinth Ear - Navy Light
MP3 - Labyrinth Ear - Lithium
These tracks are linked direct from the Labyrinth Ear Last.FM site and are therefore already freely available so please don't claim breach of copyright

Go Visit

Labyrinth Ear - Myspace : Last.FM : Website : Soundcloud

Go View

Labyrinth Ear
Snow White

Laboratory of Love

bretonLABS

From: United Kingdom

Mad reclusive remixing scientist creates freaking Frankenstein pop monsters in a laboratory somewhere in the UK. Probably.

Go Try

Here are a couple of their own children...

HOURS AWAY by bretonlabs

DECEMBER by bretonlabs

And here are some of the children they've made with the left over bits of other artists...

Maps & Atlases

MAPS & ATLASES / Living Decorations - bretonLABS RMX01 by bretonlabs

Penguin Prison

PENGUIN PRISON / Something I'm Not - bretonLABS RMX by bretonlabs

Go Visit

bretonLABS - Myspace : Last.FM : Soundcloud

Go View

The Temper Trap
Drum Song (bretonLABS Remix)

Fishing For Compliments

Catfish and the Bottlemen
From: Llandudno, North Wales

I've really enjoyed the experience of judging for the Glastonbury Emerging Talent Competition. It's introduced me to some really good bands that I might otherwise have missed and it's reaffirmed my belief that there is some brilliant music out there if you know where to look.

I can guarantee that Llandudno, a quiet coastal town in Wales without a great history of producing world conquering artistes, would not have been a place I'd have gone searching for brilliant music. Maybe I missed it but the Llandudno scene seems to have passed me by. More fool me because the strangely named Catfish and the Bottlemen, a name that makes them sound like a third rate skiffle band from the late 50s, are really rather good. 'Tyrants (inc Trippin)' is so widescreen a 50 inch plasma would struggle to contain it while the superior Collide is a catchy two and a half minute slice of non fattening indie pop that'll be rattling round your brain for days.

I have less than a week to make my final decision and believe me it's not easy. Especially when bands like Catfish and the Bottlemen keep upping the ante.

Go Try

Tyrants (inc. Trippin) by Catfish and the Bottlemen

Go Visit

Catfish and the Bottlemen - Myspace : Last.FM : Soundcloud

Go View
Catfish and the Bottlemen
Collide

The Cat's Whiskers

Miaoux Miaoux
From: Glasgow

With a week to go until the deadline I'm still trying to finalise my top three bands from the Glastonbury list and it's not helped by Miaoux Miaoux, aka 22 year old Glaswegian Julian Corrie with his potent mix of electronica, melody, magic and magnets (for all I know). Yet another artist on the far too large possibles pile!

Go Try

Knitted by miaouxmiaoux

Snow by miaouxmiaoux

He's also a prodigious remixer as this remix of fellow Glaswegian Firebrand Boy's 'Oh Deer' demonstrates...

Firebrand Boy - Oh Deer (Miaoux Miaoux remix) by miaouxmiaoux

Go Visit

Miaoux Miaoux - Myspace : Last.FM : Soundcloud

Go View

Miaoux Miaoux
Harbour Lights (Live Remix)

Hinge & Bracket

The Jonbarr Hinge
From: London, United Kingdom

Croydon indie trio The Jonbarr Hinge could have been made to order for the Devil. They include ex members of Nosferatu D2 (featured on the Devil back in 2009, A Symphony of Terror), Superman Revenge Squad (featured on the Devil last April, O Superman) and they sound like they've been dipped in a tank full of extract of Wedding Present. Perfect.

Go Try

The Jonbarr Hinge - Looks like a nail by The Jonbarr Hinge

MP3 - The Jonbarr Hinge - Why Do We Pretend?
This track is linked direct from the Jonbarr Hinge Last.FM site and is therefore already freely available so please don't claim breach of copyright

Go Visit

The Jonbarr Hinge - Myspace : Last.FM : Soundcloud

Video Killed The Radio Star 20th February 2011

Here are the videos that caught the eye of the Devil this week...

PRDCTV
Metropolis


Metropolis by PRDCTV from Plastic Horse on Vimeo.

Mike Marlin
Play That Game



Alpines
Drive



The Melting Ice Caps
Oh Brother



The Difference Engine
Elephant Island



Death In Plains
Whirlwind


W h i r l w i n d / Death In Plains from Enrico Boccioletti on Vimeo.

Travis & Julie
Osmosis

Devil's Round Up 20th Feb 2011

This weeks round up of the tracks that I haven't had the space to post...

The Active Set
From: Austin, Texas, United States

Indie pop that bites.

Go Try

MP3 - The Active Set - It Multiplies
This track is published with the permission of The Active Set so please don't claim breach of copyright

The Skeleton Dead
From: London, United Kingdom

The type of haunting folk that gives you nightmares.

Go Try

Gather Up Your Clothes by The Skeleton Dead

I Am In Love
From: Leicestershire, United Kingdom

A belated valentines gift from the Devil

Go Try

Call me an animal by i am in love

Silhouettes
From: Wolverhampton, United Kingdom

Silhouettes aim for Radiohead and land somewhere between Pablo Honey and The Bends.

Go Try

MP3 - Silhouettes - Paint Me As You See Me
This track is published with the permission of Silhouettes so please don't claim breach of copyright

Niteflights

From: London, United Kingdom

Indie pop that's as crisp as a fresh bag of Walkers with added flavourings of the quirky variety.

Go Try

Here Comes Tomorrow by niteflightsmusic

Algodón Egipcio
From: Caracas, Distrito Capital, Venezuela

Sound like the Stone Roses if they'd been born in Venezuala and bottle fed the entire Sigur Ros discography.

Go Try

MP3 - Algodón Egipcio - El Dia Previo
This track is published with the permission of Lefse Records so please don't claim breach of copyright

Two Zebras
From: Glasgow, Scotland

Catchy indie Caledonian pop that sounds like a beefier Tommy Reilly with a stylophone.

Go Try

TWO ZEBRAS - DESPERATELY SEEKING SOMETHING by twozebras

Ghost Animal
From: California, United States

Ghost Animal serve up huge portions of noise pop that'll have fans of gazing getting their shoes out.

Go Try

MP3 - Ghost Animal - Young & In Love
This track in published with the permission of Banter Media & Management so please don't claim breach of copyright

Le Butcherettes
From: Denver, United States

Feminist tinged, punk singed rock that'll have you digging out your Hole, Kills and Yeah Yeah Yeah albums.

Go Try

MP3 - Le Butcherettes - New York
This track is published with the permission of the Us / Them Group so please don't claim breach of copyright

Mausi
From: Newcastle Upon Tyne, United Kingdom

Geordie quartet with a nice line in catchy boy/girl choruses that have faint echoes of Deacon Blue and louder echoes of Los Campesinos.

Go Try

Follow me Home by mausi

Nostalgia Ain't What It Used To Be

The Winter Olympics
From: London, United Kingdom

With their nostalgic tribute to the last decade of the twentieth century 'I Miss The Nineties' (check out the video below) London based hard pop squad The Winter Olympics have put in their bid to be Gritpop's Pulp to Brother's Oasis.

Go Try

MP3 - The Winter Olympics - The Great Outdoors
This track is linked direct from the Winter Olympics Last.FM site and is therefore already freely available so please don't claim breach of copyright

Go Visit

The Winter Olympics - Myspace : Website : Last.FM

Go View

The Winter Olympics
I Miss The Nineties

Purple Reign

Violet Youth
From: Stockport, United Kingdom

Well I'm very nearly at the end of the Glastonbury list and nestled neatly away at close to the bottom were Stockport's Violet Youth. They sound like the Arctic Monkeys if they'd been brought up in the shadow of the Stockport Viaduct with John Cooper Clarke on vocals. 'Carla's Song' could be their Dancefloor moment, the point at which they go stratospheric and change the world forever. Get in at the groundfloor before the herd and boost your indie street cred.

Go Try

Carlas Song - Violet Youth by violet youth

Together by violet youth

Go Visit

Violet Youth - Myspace : Last.FM : Soundcloud

Go View

Violet Youth
Leaves



Violet Youth
Have You Seen Her

There Is A God After All

The Good Gods!
From: London, United Kingdom

The Good Gods have completely reinvented Robert Palmer's Addicted To Love and have just possibly created the best cover version ever. Compare and contrast.

Go Try

Addicted To Love by The Good Gods!

and just to show it's not all re-imaginings of 1980s soft rock here are some originals

Shut Up Tom (just fucking run) by The Good Gods!

Lying On Our Bright Red Backs by The Good Gods!


Go Visit

The Good Gods - Myspace : Website : Last.FM : Soundcloud

Go View

The Good Gods
Addicted To Love

Live And Let Live

The Top 5 Live Acts of 2011

With a new year comes a new empty calendar to fill up with new gig dates and new acts to check out. To help Devil's readers fill up those empty spaces Callie Morris, web editor on ticketing website Aloud.com, has listed some of her favourite acts and hot tips for 2011. Thanks Callie.

Surfer Blood
From: West Palm Beach, Florida, United States

Surfer Blood released their first album Astro Coast in 2010, after they had gained some radio play for their debut single 'Swim'. With catchy beats and fun melodies it's a shame they haven't been getting a lot more recognition for their music. These guys are definitely worth seeing in 2011, especially the percussion/keyboardist - he's just rad.

The energy they put into each performance is pretty infectious and their live acts are really tight - these guys are definitely ones to watch out for this year.

For Surfer Blood tickets and more information check out Aloud.com.

Go Visit

Surfer Blood - Myspace : Website : Last.FM

Go View

Surfer Blood
Swim (Live on KEXP)




Django Django
From: London, United Kingdom

Everyone should know about Django Django, they are just what we all need at the moment to beat the winter blues - refreshingly energetic without taking themselves too seriously. Pretty much psychedelic art pop with a twist, these guys have a completely distinctive sound. And the more people that get to hear it the better off we'll all be! They're snazzy dressers too.
At their live shows they like to keep it very concise and choreographed, stripping everything back to create a really crisp sound of old rock n roll - they then mix this with their experimental recorded stuff creating an unforgettable performance.

Check out their topical (and somewhat prescient) Skies Over Cairo, the soundtrack to a revolution.

Go Try

Django Django - Skies Over Cairo by The Bonjour Branch

Go Visit

Django Django - Bandcamp : Last.FM

Metronomy
From: London via Brighton (by way of Devon), United Kingdom

Metronomy are technically (actually!) not a new band, they were formed in 1999, but vastly underrated they put on such an amazing performance that it would be silly not to go see them this year!

Live, the Brighton based band are known for their synchronised chest-light shows - quirky dance routines and the general feeling that they're all having an amazing time.

They are doing quite an extensive UK tour in April this year, so for more information about Metronomy go to their ticket page at Aloud.com.

Go Visit

Metronomy - Myspace : Website : Last.FM

Go View

Metronomy
She Wants

The Heartbreaks
From: Morecambe/Manchester, United Kingdom

Lancashire lads The Heartbreaks released their debut single 'Liar, My Dear' in 2010, have an album in the pipeline and are doing a very mini UK tour next month... Not just your typical indie band they have been likened to greats such as The Smiths and are definitely one of my firm favourites for 2011.

They'll be performing in Oxford, Bristol and Manchester in March and April this year, so check out Aloud.com for news, information and gig tickets for The Heartbreaks.

Go Visit

The Heartbreaks - Myspace : Last.FM

Go View

The Heartbreaks
Liar, My Dear

The Border Surrender
From: London, United Kingdom

After releasing their debut EP in April 2010, The Border Surrender have been playing the occasional London based gig, but definitely deserve a place on my list as they are all set for big things this year.

With influences from artists such as Bon Iver, The Shins and Band of Horses their sound is a mixture of folk and indie and has gained them a dedicated bunch of fans. This year their energetic gigs will kick off in London in March, to keep yourselves up to date make sure you keep an eye on their official Myspace

Go Try

The Border Surrender - Call To Prayer by Smoky Carrot Records

Go Visit

The Border Surrender - Myspace : Last.FM

Go View

The Border Surrender
Oh Mary

Twisted Firesuiters

Firesuite

From: United Kingdom

Firesuite are another band I was lucky enough to find on my Glastonbury ETC list, another band that stand out from the generic indie by numbers crowd infecting the British music scene. The two tracks on their myspace site are real heart stoppers. 'Amity' is a dose of old school shoegazing that sounds like it's being played through gauze while the cardiac arrest inducing Sammy Davis Jr Jr is just over one minute of mental metallic rock that burns a hole in your ipod.

I like these twisted firesuiters.

Go Try

Sammy Davis Jr Jr by firesuite

 

Amity by firesuite 

Go Visit

Firesuite - Myspace : Last.FM

Go View

Firesuite
Amity

Queen Bitches

Bitches
From: London, United Kingdom

Still working my way through the Glatonbury Emerging Talent Competition list and uncovering some great bands. It's been a mixed bag but there are a few bands who stand out from the crowd. Tonight's band Bitches really stand out from the crowd with their raucous, chaotic, messy atonal punk. They are far from average and bloody hell I love 'em. Another band making the job of judging almost impossible. Thanks a lot guys.

Go Try

MP3 - Bitches - Can Not Love
MP3 - Bitches - Wallet
MP3 - Bitches - Cholula
These tracks are linked direct from the Bitches Last.FM site and are therefore already freely available so please don't claim breach of copyright

MP3 - Bitches - Vampires
This track is linked direct from the Deathbomb website and is therefore already freely available so please don't claim breach of copyright

Go Visit

Bitches - Myspace : Website : Last.FM

Go View

Bitches
Winner


Bitches - Winner from PEACE BITCHES on Vimeo.