THE RECOMMENDER – NUMBER 47

As we write this we have our blog’s tunes climbing the Hype Machine’s charts, which confirms to us that our selections are not only resting on our passions, but yours too. Nice. Here’s three more…

MEW

Its been a long, arduous four year wait for us obliging Mew fans. The seminal and highly acclaimed And The Glass Handed Kites left us wanting, so it’s with reverent excitement that we can announce their return. Though initially they’ve teased us with the five track EP, No More Stories, which includes the truly exceptional new single, Introducing Palace Players, (see below), which will also feature on the LP later this month. This ethereal sounding tune is a disjointed and awkward pop number that is both unabashed and uncompromising in its blending of jazz, disco and funk. With the help of the widely respected producer Rich Costey, (Muse, Glasvegas and Interpol), Mew have laid down an abstract landscape which pop never dares to usually investigate. For one thing they take two minutes to get to the first vocals so they may not make any commercial friends with this single. However, we salute these brave Danes for conquering the outer musical regions and delivering some of the best in experimental and emotionally soaring music.  (DV)

Find them here:       Myspace

Hear them here:       MEW – INTRODUCING PALACE PLAYERS (ysi)

THE MIGHTY ROARS

Never before has a band been so aptly named. They literally roar their powerful indie punk in your face. We imagine the front row of their gigs to look like people in a wind tunnel! It’s fast, highly energetic, punchy rock music. It’s delightfully catchy, with plenty of hooks that blast along whilst gorgeous frontwoman Lara Granqvist kicks out the energy. Getting releases through the ever resourceful One Little Indian label they had the below single released on June 1st. As powerful as this three piece are it’s never too much. They bring in a brass section to lift certain sections and you are never far from a speedy guitar solo. Fun is no way to describe a band if you’re trying to critique them, however the likes of Madness, or perhaps early Red Hot Chili Peppers mastered the humour often needed in energetic tunes and this is an ideal that’s followed by the Mighty Roars. It has it’s place and should never be taken too seriously. It’s enjoyed best at the right moments, like all good bands.  (MB)

Find them here:        Myspace

Hear them here:       THE MIGHTY ROARS – ELVIS LIVES (ysi)

HERE WE GO MAGIC

Austin City Limits Music Festival isn’t quite the barrage of new music SXSW is.  In fact it’s kind of the opposite experience in that it’s a bit exclusive.   However, every year there are still some promising lesser known bands on the roster.  One of these is the ambient, folk rocker quintet Here We Go Magic out of Brooklyn.  They selected their name in much the same way the project came together; it was an “I like the way that sounds.  Let’s do it!” moment.  And so Luke Temple, formerly a solo kind of guy, recorded the music in his bedroom and then grabbed four friends to tour with him.  Their self-titled debut album has the intimacy and quiet, if not slightly haunting, feel of a cozy space with a little ethereal beauty thrown in.  The looping sounds and soft vocals weave nicely throughout the dreamy songs, much in the same way Simon & Garfunkel used to manage a generation ago.  Their album is available on Austin Indie label Western Vinyl, and they will be on tour in the U.S. in September supporting congenial band The Walkmen.  (OG)

Hear them here:        Myspace

Find them here:        HERE WE GO MAGIC – FANGELA (ysi)

Thanks for reading through another edition. Hope you found it enjoyable. We post approx twice per week, so make sure you head back soon enough for more lovingly selected cuttings.