Chasing Lions

The Eminently Likeable West Indian Girl

LONDON - I want to post lots of pics of blue seas and skies and photos of beaches with beautiful people surfing, so cheerful is the new album from West Indian Girl, 4th & Wall.

Actually, let’s see what I’ve got in my StumbleUpon sea and water tags. (Links generously shared to (a) show sources, (b) give you something to meditate on whilst you listen. Honestly, gorgeous pics + 4th & Wall = sublime!) See how that’s working already? Have fun browsing.

Before you go, a brief description of the album. 4th & Wall is all 60s psychedelic pop via a little rock, electronica, synth pop, happy catchy hooks and gorgeous harmonies. You’ll want to get up and dance to Solar Eyes and continue doing so for Lost Children, then you’ll want to hear the whole thing again, as I did.

The album was released in the UK on 23 October 07. The groovy new single Blue Wave is available now on iTunes.

West Indian Girl - Blue Wave

Alexandria Quartet - Wide Range Rock

LONDON - The Alexandria Quartet and I had a weird, synchronous moment. I was loving Justine by The Alexandria Quartet (different band) over in October’s NNME and a few hours later, Alexandria Quartet (no ‘The’) found my MySpace and messaged me, wondering if I’d be interested in reviewing them.

Favourably disposed, I listened to the five tracks off their debut EP, The Daydreams of Youth, I was so generously offered.

Going on the very catchy opening tracks, Five Minute Zeitgeist and Through The Back Door, I was all set for some modern, melodious, slightly scuzzy post-punk indie rock, so how surprised was I to hear Manor House Girl? So unexpected! It’s rock without rocks, heading towards folk, delicate in a masculine way.

It’s Just A Ride is like an early 90s indie anthem, the kind that was played loud at every good party.

Finishing, we hear why they’re a quartet in the traditional sense. Nostalgia looks over it’s shoulder to the 60s and people like Syd Barrett and The Pentangle. Hippy, folky rock multi-layered and textured, keeping it interesting on every listen.

Alexandria Quartet are: Adam Donen (vocals, guitar), Dafna Dekel (drums, hangpan, percussion), Tom Dewey (keyboards, vocals, whisky), Simon Aulwich (bass)

There’s nice scope here. A breadth of knowledge and an ability to deliver. Musically, there’s much promise which, to my mind, makes them ‘ones to watch’.

The Daydreams of Youth EP is out now.
Continue reading Alexandria Quartet - Wide Range Rock…

Arcade Fire: interactive video for Neon Bible

Quite possibly the coolest video I’ve ever seen is the interactive one for Arcade Fire’s Neon Bible, at the band’s BeOnlineB website.

Click on the screen and control what Win Butler does with his hands, or click on his face and watch it disappear in a puff of smoke.

Click: here

Seabear: These Are The Things, The Things That Dreams Are Made Of

I’m so lucky this week. I’ve been feeling just a tad under the weather and really needing softness around me - and that’s exactly what I got. Neighbours have been quiet, weather has been dull and dozy, and the right music found me.

I’m so relaxed right now and my arms are so heavy, I’m struggling to write this. What I really want to do is lie down, close my eyes and just listen, drift away.

I’ve got the new Seabear album on. If you’ve heard it, you’ll know exactly how I’m feeling. The Ghost That Carried Us Away is an exercise in soft, restrained, gentle, dreamy acoustic indie pop.

I can hear a whisper of Mr. E of the Eels in the vocal style. I can hear a silhouette version of The Shins, as if through a fog far, far away. Most of all, I can hear Belle and Sebastian as they used to be years and years ago, but again, only sketched. Sufjan Stevens is a heavy influence, but I am also reminded of Iron & Wine. That’s the best comparison I can come up with - Iron & Wine. Slow, draggy, makes you slump and not want to get up again.

I’m just… going… to check… my… cushions… are as… soft and fluffy… as I think.. they are…

(later) … I actually fell asleep. : )

Just looking up Seabear in YouTube and I see my response was entirely appropriate. Michel Gondry used Seabear in his film, The Science of Sleep (2006).

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=40nvcGCyKh0[/youtube]

This is incredible. As some of you know, I have chronic insomnia, which is why you see me listening to music day and night. I wonder what makes this album so soporific? I have 754 artists/tracks tagged in my “music to fall asleep to” tag radio, and none have had this effect on me. Not so immediately anyway.

As I was drifting off, I heard “Just squeeze the blue out of the sky”, “You punched a hole in the sun” and “You’ve got a diamond under your skin”. The language of dreams; imagery to capture the imagination.

I shouldn’t really be surprised. Seabear are from Iceland, home of Sigur Rós, and are on the Morr Music label, specialists of idm, electronica and dreampop.

These videos are worth watching - they’re a showcase of what’s on the Morr Music label:

Part One (06.27)
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r-RCQL6G2yI[/youtube]

Part Two (04.58)
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4OVmiHQ0O54[/youtube]

I’ve got a craving for The Eels album, Blinking Lights and Other Revelations which I think should go well next. But where ‘Blinking Lights…’ is downbeat, rich and heavy with emotion and sadness, ‘The Ghost…’ is downtempo, slow and light. Like playing with soap bubbles. Watch the stopmotion video for this Seabears track and you’ll see what I mean.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p0M6s_OIRNc[/youtube]

To conclude: after today’s amazing response, I think I’ll be listening regularly, if not daily. Don’t play this album in your car, will you?! Wait till the end of the day, when all your jobs are done and it’s time to unwind. That’s the time for Seabear.

Seabear - Cat Piano

Seabear - The Ghost That Carried Us Away

Orba Squara Reach Parts Other Bands Fail To Reach

I’ve not had that great a day, today. For a start, it’s Monday. The sun didn’t come out and it’s been dull and grey here in south London. More leaves are falling off trees and the wind’s picked up.

The only thing that made me smile was the Leave Britney Alone video, which was an ‘and finally’ on the evening news.

I didn’t even call Mum. I can’t even manage to muster fake cheeriness.

*sigh*

What do you listen to on a day like this? I went straight for comfort and started with Radiohead. Can’t go wrong with old favourites. Then, out of curiosity, I picked up Orba Squara’s new album, Sunshyness. I only had to hear the opening bars of the first track to know this was exactly what I needed right now.

The music is acoustic folk, quietly upbeat and cheerful, but not aggressively so. It’s cajoling and encouraging. And kind. Kind is the right word for it. Soothing, adorable little bells, acoustic guitars and friendly voices make 31 minutes fly by far too fast. Someone’s having fun with maracas, and someone else is very good with the ukulele. If you’re familiar with freak-folk, you’ll recognise some influences, such as Sufjan Stevens, The Polyphonic Spree, and Feist but if not, not to worry, they’re subtly used and won’t interfere with your enjoyment.

Music to drift off to, to daydream to, to curl up on the sofa with a blanket and a book to.

Ho hum.

Have you seen the new iPhone ads yet? The music is from this album. It’s the track called Perfect Timing (This Morning). Ah, now that rings a bell. Correct me if I’m wrong, but they delayed the release of this album till Apple gave them permission. They were waiting on the ads going out.

Not important. Doesn’t make a blind bit of difference to me. They made my Monday better and that’s all I care about.

Time to head back to the sofa. Think I’ll have another rooibos tea.

Orba Squara - Perfect Timing (This Morning)