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Friday, December 05, 2008

Sex Education - Get Sick Get Stung

"Touches the sky, conquers the sea"

I've got an epic, beautiful RoxyMusic-style track today. Sex Education are from the UK and have a great glam/electro/new wave sound that at times is beyond impressive. The best example is the gorgeous, atmospheric Get Sick Get Stung. The extended guitar intro gets it started and you know you're in for a treat. This is one of those close-your-eyes-and-just-let-it-all-wash-over-you kind of songs. It sounds like INXS and Roxy Music slow dancing together. Other tracks are a bit more lively, but none are as good as this one (though I am partial to Twisting And Shaking on their myspace). Definitely a band to keep an eye on.

Sex Education - Get Sick Get Stung (zshare)

(Music posted for evaluation purposes only. If you like what you hear, support the artists. Buy the single here!)

Thursday, December 04, 2008

Surferosa - Controversy

"Do I believe in god? Do I believe in me?"

A little while ago a massive 80 track Prince tribute called Shockadelica was released, featuring an army of Norwegian artists covering their favorite Prince songs. It's a great idea, and not entirely legal (or so I've heard--Prince apparently doesn't like his songs being covered). While I haven't heard of most of the artists participating, I had to of course check out some of my favorite ones. At the top of the list is Surferosa, who have picked an excellent early Prince track to record. Controversy fits Surferosa's sound to a tee. Other alienhits' faves featured on the album are Don Juan Dracula, Lene Alexandra, King Midas and Dinosau.

Surferosa - Controversy (zshare)

(Music posted for evaluation purposes only. If you like what you hear, support the artists. Buy the album--or individual tracks--here!)

Wednesday, December 03, 2008

Candy - Whatever Happened To Fun

"The weekend's here and I've got nothing to do"

We're going back to the 80's today because I just discovered a little gem of a band that I'm loving. Candy are sort of like the 80's incarnation of the Bay City Rollers... all classic, catchy hooks and a great pop/rock sound. This is big pop music the way it should be. It's overblown, sugary and instantly gets lodged in your head, sounding like a classic the very first time you hear it. And in an odd little twist, Candy was the band that Gilby Clarke from Guns & Roses was in before G&R. Candy sounds nothing like G&R, but I thought it was a funny fact given that Chinese Democracy just came out last week. Regardless, though, this is an amazing under-the-radar band and I'm super excited to delve into their (admittedly limited) catalogue.

Candy - Whatever Happened To Fun (zshare)

(Music posted for evaluation purposes only. If you like what you hear, support the artists. Buy the album here!)

Tuesday, December 02, 2008

A Silent Film - You Will Leave A Mark

"If I have no religion I have no reason to be scared"

It doesn't happen often, but sometimes a completely unknown and otherwise forgettable indie band releases a totally epic track. The band is A Silent Film from the UK, who I'm sure you probably haven't heard of. Their album is full of melodic piano pop that didn't really do anything for me, but this track sure did. You know You Will Leave A Mark is going to be great about thirty seconds in, when it really kicks into gear. "Surging" is probably the appropriate word. It's all about the piano and the verses in this one. There's definitely a touch of the 80's here, but it's also very current. In fact, this could have easily fit on Keane's latest. Even the vocals are somewhat similar.

A Silent Film - You Will Leave A Mark (zshare)

(Music posted for evaluation purposes only. If you like what you hear, support the artists. Buy the album here!)

Monday, December 01, 2008

Jackson Jackson - Looking So Hard For Love

"In your crystal ball you might have seen it coming"

I hope everyone had a peaceful Thanksgiving weekend and didn't get trampled at Wal-Mart. Before I start this post, I have to go on a little rant that most of you probably won't even care about. As an overseas viewer of the UK's X-Factor, I am so freaking pissed that Ruth Lorenzo was voted off! I was such a Ruth fan. What a voice!! Now there's only one good act left and three lame ones.
Whew, now that that's out of the way, let's talk about Australia's Jackson Jackson. Earlier this year they released an absolute stormer of a single called All Alone, which you should definitely check out. Right. Away. Their album's not as good, but there are a few more gems to be found. Their sound is a great mix of electro, soul and a bit of reggae. Looking So Hard For Love, in particular, has a really cool old-school theatrical feel to it. It definitely stands apart from most pop music this year. The same can be said for the band. There's something very authentic about them. I especially love the girls singing background on this track.

Jackson Jackson - Looking So Hard For Love (zshare)

(Music posted for evaluation purposes only. If you like what you hear, support the artists. Buy the album here!)