International
Beth Ditto - I wrote the book
As you may have heard, Beth Ditto from Gossip recorded a solo EP with the help from Simian Mobile Disco. First single has an interesting theme, and sounds like a more electronic, slowed down en toned down version of the Gossip. The video is stylish in black and white, apple cheeks!
The Strokes - Under cover of darkness
In one way or another, the media always treat a new The Strokes single like we're back in the year 2001 and The Strokes are still the next best thing in rock, whereas in real life, following the lackluster succes of their Room on fire album (their best), the big masses have long moved on to other bands and genres. So turns out, The Strokes aren't going to save rock and roll, but this up-tempo single is their most infectuous track in a long time.
Noah And The Whale - L.I.F.E.G.O.E.S.O.N.
The verse from this band's new track undeniably has a melody and rhythm similar to this or this. And the melody in the "and you're going your own way"-line is also something I recognize from something.
Glasvegas - Euphoria, take my hand
The new Glasvegas album is entitled "EUPHORIC /// HEARTBREAK \\\" with the slashes and backslashes symbolizing the emotional rise and fall of a love crush. Man, that's real deep. Wasn't all too convinced of their debut album, on the new album, the vocals seem to get even more productional emphasis, not really my liking. The Scottish accent also seems to have increased, rendering the lyrics even more non-intelligible. Also, the guitars on this track have a slight bagpipe feel, which has been done better in the past (see Big Country below) . This video looks quite expensive, unfortunately, we don't get a good peek at the new percussionist.
The Raveonettes - Recharge & Revolt
Their new track isn't really exciting. There, I've said it. It's long, it drags on, nothing much happens. This being said, I'll probably end up buying their new album anway, because I'm a fanboy like that. The video makes it painfully clear why Sune Rose tends to wear his sunglasses. I'm estimating he's at 0.8 Robert Smith on the scale of facial puffiness.
Dance
Chilly Gonzales - You can dance
Straight males and females of the lesbian persuasion should have no problem whatsoever keeping their focus on this video. I like the disco touch and the overall simplicity of this track a lot.
Nero - me and you
Looks like Nero used to be a Streets of Rage and Out Run fan. S to the Ega.
Chase And Status - blind faith
Another comtemporary dance track by drum and bass heroes Chase and Status. I like both vocalists.
Gyptian - Hold ya
You'd think that to accompany this emotional, heartfelt reggae track, they'd stray from the standard reggae music video concept. But you thought wrong, this is buttgrinding to every imagineable nearby surface once again. Shame.
Biffy Cliro - Folding Stars
This track dates from a while back, but I saw it on the new Xite music video channel, and boy, does this track sound a lot like Foo Fighters "The Colour and the shape"-era or what? Even the frontman's beard reminisces of the late nineties Dave Grohl.
Compatriots
SX - Black video
Spectacularly good and atmospheric track by a new band from Kortrijk. Very promising stuff. The video features a nerdglasses-adorned blonde girl with freckles, which just so happens to be the singer. In other words, you have no excuse not to check this out.
Intergalactic Lovers - Delay
I already mentioned Intergalactic Lovers a couple of blog posts back with their debut single. A lot has happened for the Aalst-based band since then apparently, they signed to a major record label, and return with a new single, which sounds bigger and more mature (even though I appreciated the naivety in their earlier work). It took me a couple of listens to get used to the rock sound meets jazzy vocals formula, but the chorus definitely sticks. Not sure if this is special enough to break through internationally. The music video seems to have been delayed (get it?), until the international release, I'm guessing?
Marble Sounds - Sky high
Nice, fragile track from the dude that used to be in Plastic Operator .
Mastercab - Strange
I used to think this band (featuring a radio station producer on vocals) was just a hobby project, but this single reveals their ambitions lie beyond that. As ambitious as the cleavage in this video?
Teddiedrum - Miami
It took some time, but we finally have a (slightly less funky) Belgian response to Chromeo . The lazy phrasing of the vocals kind of reminds me of Balthazar. Excellent moustaches too. Good stuff.
Das Pop - The game
Packaging your new album with a magazine for an interesting fee, that's nothing we haven't seen before. But Das Pop found a new edge to that concept, by selecting horrendously ugly cover art for the pre-release. I guess people that like the discount won't mind too much, but it's definitely not an album you'll put in a prominent physical position in your cd collection, I'm guessing. Usually, the waiting period for a new Das Pop album is quite extensive, but this time around, seems like things moved pretty fast, even though the album was recorded/mixed/mastered pretty much everywhere (being able to record your album in exotic locations is pretty much what separates the little fish from the big boys in the Belgian music industry). Song itself isn't bad, and does sound a little different than we're used to.
Lady Linn & Her Magnificent Seven - Cry Baby
So apparently, Lady Linn wants to conquer the French market now? Professional track (Lien masters the whole sixties American accent and song buildup, the song does lack a bit of a punch and excitement however, don't you think?), professional (and leggy!) video. Lien rocks a pro asymmetrical haircut (kinda makes her look Joke Devinck -> bonus points) and a light purple blouse that seems to be just a teensy bit too tight.
The Bony King Of Nowhere - Eleonore
Like this track, but I probably couldn't bear listening to a 20 minutes (live or record) of this however. Nice job on the Boudewijn De Groot haircut, man. #irony
Random eighties
Prefab Sprout - King of rock 'n' roll
A track that regretfully didn't come to mind when I was feverishly making eighties compilations (I did get Cars and Girls by the same band though) a while back. Came across this music video while flipping through some channels and I got the kind of goosebups you get when you hear a track you used to know again for the first in 15 years. I have literally watched/listened to this a hundred times in the last weeks. Flawless track (the guitar licks!, the question-response mechanics of the verse melody!, the speedup in the chorus!, the la-la-la-la backing vocals!, the utterly nonsensical chorus lyrics!) and a completely silly video to top it off. "Now my rhythm ain't so hot/but it's the only thing I've got/all the pretty birds have flown/now I'm dancing on my own/I'm the king of rock and roll/completely". See for yourself if you can resist the blue-eyed, spectacled ginger singer!
Big Country - In a big country
I know, trying to make guitars sound like bagpipes is a scary prospect, and brings nightmarish folkrock-visions like The Levellers to mind, but this track actually succeeds in making it sound cool. Of course, eighties Top of the Pops videos are always cool. Check out the haircuts and pants in this one. I think this track also contains my favourite pronounciation ever of the word 'Desert'. Kinda sounds like "Deeeeseeeeuuueueurt". The bass player is really feeling it, too.
