The Virgins

There is something about the sultry guitar and the laconic vocals which makes you think perhaps The Virgins don't live up to their name. If James Brown had a penchant for guitar based indie instead of being a Sex Machine extraordinaire he would sound like these. I bet.

'Rich Girls' is like a sexy Razorlight strutting about as New York cool exudes from the very notes played. Apparently they are supporting the Pigeon Detectives which probably doesn't do justice to their tour de force. Gathering the listener up in a dizzy swirl of laid-back music it demands to be played in the hottest clubs as the best dressed people nod along with a cigarette in one hand and a bored expression on their faces. Pop-noir-c'est-cool.
'One Week of Danger' takes a Strokes influence with the Five O'clock Heroes bringing up the rear and a dash of brit-pop for good measure. It would, however, be quite easy for a band like this to slip into obscurity- quietly fading away as the newest fad takes their place. If their next handfulof songs can polish the edges with some added substance (and no, not cocaine) then they'll be okay if not then just enjoy their sultry guitar pop for what it is- achingly cool and probably not out of place on the Gossip Girl soundtrack.

Jade XX

Rich Girls- The Virgins

One Week of Danger- The Virgins

Fan Death

These sultry 80s beats (which wouldn't feel out of place in a Flashdance-esque escapade) will surely have hearts melting and eyebrows flickering upwards everywhere. Not since MGMT burst in and psych'd up summer will a band get so much hype in 2009...

It is blissed out pop which reeks of cool. "Veronica's Veil" grasps the 80s infused sound to it's fullest extent whereas "The Constellations" sounds more like a subtle Kate Bush if she had it off with Little Boots (ooh er).

Fan Death are everything you need in a band, nothing too serious yet nothing to flippant with a head for merging good beats with non substantial lyrics. "The Best Night" would make you silly not to dance where "The Son Will Rise" somehow reminds me of Rocky (in only a good way- a song you could power walk too, no doubt). Rather than the noir Gothic pop that is stemming from London 'Fan Death' have a multi-coloured glow beneath the torrid exterior as eerie noises emit from synth and voice.

Or if you are Wikipedia:

"Fan death is a South Korean urban legend which states that an electric fan, if left running overnight in a closed room, can cause the death (by suffocation, poisoning, or hypothermia) of those inside. Fans manufactured and sold in Korea are equipped with a timer switch that turns them off after a set number of minutes, which users are frequently urged to set when going to sleep with a fan on.[1]"

Jade XX
The Constellations- Fan Death

Veronica's Veil- Fan Death

Pavement

The genius that is.

This is simply because I've reacquainted myself with their lofi blend of musical greatness.

Words can't even describe so:

Shady Lane- Pavement

Shoot the Singer- Pavement
Kennal District- Pavement

Jade XX

Old School / New School

Three bands which have blossomed over the years rather than withered by the wayside have new material out! Yes, Franz Ferdinand, Kings of Leon and Bloc Party are all marching down the road with a fistful of new stuff.

These are bands that made me love music and, unlike the Rakes who's second album didn't really hit the spot, they have continued to progress and get better with every album and new single they get out there (minus, maybe Bloc Party's "Flux" which was mediocre compared to their earlier stuff).

Kings of Leon's "Crawl" is a dysfunctional slam of fuzzy guitars, Calebs trademark wail and perhaps a glance back to earlier stuff which was laden with sexual references (eg; Molly's Chamber). With a simple guitar refrain echoing through the driving force of the drums sets the song rolling forth as the vocals settle on top like an old glove. "Sex on Fire" is even more blatant with its innuendo but a step forward, if it is believable the band could get any better, with whirling guitar and gritty vocals.

Franz Ferdinand's "Lucid Dreams" is undeniably them; Kaprano's vocals drip over the lyrics with ease as a feeling of noir and romanticism rolls over the music. Building up as the song nears towards the end the crescendo is a powerful impact. Lyrically as ever Franz Ferdinand have shown craftsmanship but its the stomping drums which keep the track together as guitar riffs slide across. Although unfortunately their album has been put back to 2009 hopefully the process isn't too fraught with problems as they sound better than ever.

Bloc Party's "Mercury" is perhaps the only song of the three bands which takes a departure from what they used to know. Strong synth and brass laden moments mean than there is hardly any comfortable ground here- no hint of Helicopter or Hunting for Witches. Only Kele's vocals remain similar ground as trumpets and thumping drums jump in and out of skittering and shrieks and beeps. This is exciting music, it has all the elements of not only a dance floor classic but a genuine classic song. Its discordant beats drip over a copy and paste chorus as Kele's vocals rip down the middle of the organised mess.

This band have a bundle of talent underneath their skinny frames. The stuttering beginning might throw you for a moment but give it time as the rest of the band launch a full assault on your eardrums. It's darker, more serious and grittier than previous endeavours- even more doom-laden than Hunting for Witches. This might be a song which upsets "true" Bloc Party fans- yet their admirable attempts to move forward is something to applauded rather than vilified. They have created a densely musical song which retains their ethos without compromise- as strangely addictive as The Prayer with all of the craftsmanship expected from the band.
Crawl- Kings of Leon
Lucid Dreams- Franz Ferdidnand
Mercury- Bloc Party

Oh...
In Other News?
New issue of XOX is out here: XOX ISSUE THREE with interviews with the Maccabees, Bombay Bicycle Club, Pop Levi as well as reviews, Festival fashion and competitions!
Jade XX

Pengillys

1stly ; Thank you Drunken Werewolf for getting me into the loop via Pengillys. His music is heart-achingly good.
Have you ever sat by a lake, chewing a piece of grass a la Clint Eastwood whilst perusing the Collected Works of Shakespeare? No? Me either but that’s what Pengillys music makes me want to do. His music is epic, nostalgic, beautiful and raw. “Mr Punch and Thomas Moore” takes the simple strum of a ukulele and soaring vocals which turns into the chorus skilfully refraining “I will never grow old” as a menagerie of instruments take over including an accordion and violin. “Films” rattles along very nicely. A track to play when on a long train-ride where your imagination can be cast back to black and white movies and take the line “They play noble parts / Like two English hearts” and run with it.
Whereas “To London” almost feels like a battle cry with an evocative take on a march as trumpets toot and rolling piano carry the listener the more subtle “The Wind Blew Her In” whispers its message over soaring violin. “Lavenders Blue” reinvents the lullaby with sweeping noises and sweet vocals whilst wrapping it all up with a carnivalesque and triumphant musical interlude. It’s ragamuffin, Dickensian music for the here and now. “Escapades” sounds like early Patrick Wolf as ominous sounds twist and turn into a more up-tempo call to arms. Its music for the backlash to the flaccid fashionista favourites and Top Shop play-list; rolling and raucous to soft and reflective it binds itself up in triumph and tradition. It’s more than “alt-folk” it’s what’s needed in music today-whimsical nuances, thundering ideals, brilliant lyrics and talent. Basically he is wicked !

Jade XX

Films - Pengillys
Mr Punch and Thomas Moore- Pengillys
To London- Pengillys

The Faint

The wildly addictive trash-punk-electro-dance band have been on my radar for quite a while and I've been hearing they are back! Thank the Lord. Their macabre and dense dance music is irresistible and makes you need to dance. Not even dance. To jerk bits of your body about in obscene ways and as arms and legs flail they drive the beat home and you look a tit as 'dancing' occurs. Its all a bit wrong.
And any thought that the band might mellow over the years is proven wrong as "The Geeks Were Right" unleashes trademark electrified vocals and frazzled synth alongside dirty drums and guitar; phew. Sounding not unlike "Agenda Suicide" it is less aggressive than "Dropkick the Punks" or "Worked Up So Sexual". If the Rapture copulated with ADULT whilst !!! watched on I wouldn't be surprised if the slightly sordid Faint wasn't the result.
However the one Faint song I can't stop listening to right now is "Glass Danse" which grabs synth laden verses and tangles them in with the dips and dives of guitar; taking a lesson from Year 8 music I know that they use tempo and dynamics to the best of their ability. It's the type of song which makes you think it's over but it continues in a stream of beat and bass. Addictive.

Their new endeavours show a maturity in lyrical content and a refinement of music but the basics are the same; dirty punk-dance music for your head, heart and soul.

Jade xx

The Geeks were Right- The Faint

Agenda Suicide- The Faint

Glass Danse- The Faint

Lovesick

Haha, this is actually amazing. Friendly Fires couldn't get any better- 80s beatz meets synth laden goodness! Basically I can't stop listening to this/// Jade xx

Lovesick - Friendly Fires

Dananananaykroyd

Or Dananannananannananannnackroyd (as I always end up putting one too many "anana's" in there) are the essence of youthful abandonment and the sort of night that causes you a deadly but satisfying hangover. After initially rebelling against their music I've come to realise they are actually seriously good. Their exuberance and energy might have something to do with the sheer amount of members in the band as six people sharing the weight of jumping around isn't bad going. Me and Hannah ended up seeing them live last year in a tiny, grotty bar which they utterly wreaked havoc in, winding over bar stools, under wires, into the audience and onto tables. As the lead singer caused havoc in the audience the other members pushed forth a sheer amount of sound and noise. It was a bit mental.

Listening to their songs isn't the same as watching them live- it's easier to stomach and easier to make sure your feet don't get stamped on- but songs like "Some Dresses" and "British Knights" capture their pure noise ethic.

Describing their influences as "1991 the year punk broke" is pretty genius and if you like Johnny Foreigner you'll pretty much like these I'd guess.

Listening intently there are tiny essences of Hot Club de Paris plinking and nautical theme but it's driven hard down under thundering guitars and shit hot drumming as Sonic Youth gives the whole thing a whack around the head.

The best thing is the urgent, crazy mess streams into your ears yet the band are in full control of what your hearing, "tight as a misers fist" is what my mother would inevitably say. "British Knights" rambles like crazy around guitars and raucous drumming whilst "1993" retains a little more dignity and more vocals; they are not- it has to be said- one trick pony's. They are- it again has to be said- pretty amazing!

Jade xx

Some Dresses- Dananananaykroyd
British Knights- Dananananaykroyd
1993- Dananananaykroyd

Pop Levi

The cosmic scouser returns this summer with his brand of saucy glam-pop. The new album is looming & if the single "Never Never Love" is anything to go by it'll be the sickest soundtrack to the summer this side of Mars. Out of sync synth over the repeated refrain "Never never love, love, love/ never never love, love, love/ all the time" it's possibly the most sublimely addictive thing - guaranteed to have you humming it to death.

Me and Hannah caught Pop Levi in Manchester when touring "The Return To Form Black Magick Party" and it remains possibly the most intense live show I've ever been too. It wasn't packed out (but then it wasn't empty either) and the band came on to distortion, strobe lighting and a 5 minuet long intro as the maestro had a long look around Academy 3. With roaring guitar and eye contact galore it was modern-retro-chic (ooh er) at it's best.

Shifting the Ladytron electro puppy fat to reveal the slim-lined, glam rocked, 70s infused goodness of "TRTFBMP" (yeah!) thundering drums, grimy bass lines and fuzzy guitars took hold with songs like "Blue Honey" and "(A Style Called) Crying Chic" contrasting to the upbeat goodness of "Sugar Assault Me Now" and "Pick-Me-Up-Uppercut". If the Kinks had copulated with Bowie would Pop Levi be the result? A question for genetic scientists everywhere I'm sure.

Diversity and cult status as well as a cracking live show was thus achieved.

So with the looming second album and a couple of teasers on the Myspace what is to be expected? Never Never Love certainly has that ear-catching factor and the camp goodness of a dancefloor sweeping tune and whats great about Pop Levi is the strive for new, better music with something different about it. Sure there can be heard the strain of Bolan in some of the vocals or the Doors keyboards or the strum of Bowie in the guitar but this is looking forward, moving forward and dragging the listener relentlessly forward with it. Moog, drums, guitars and intensity in hand hopefully the new album will be even more astounding than "TRTFBMP" (I do like that)...

Dita Dimone is all that is sultry electro-infused with a deluge of scratchy vocals and an onslaught of glamour and dirty beats. Refrains and repeats mean for another addictive offering- they should bottle/crush up/ make up in pill-form whatever it is used to make these songs. I swear it'd sell faster than cocaine! Songs to Check= Wannamamma, Never Never Love, Skip Ghetto, Blue Honey, Oh God (What Can I Do?). Oh sack it- buy the albums and shake with excitment. Dare you.

Jade xx

Hades Lady- Pop Levi

Sugar Assault Me

Dita Dimone