Mr Haynes - The City That I Know

Mr Haynes of the Derbyshires set himself the tough task of recording a new album every year from 2009 onwards. Sadly, owing to the onerous weight of his other projects/beings the scheme has already failed to meet its objectives one year on. We’re not here to point out shortcomings however as the tropical delights of ‘The City That I Know’ from ‘Up After Dark’ is too much of a distraction. And even if the LP’s are thinner on the ground that expected there is a Christmas EP from last December to enjoy again once it has been undeleted. KD

Mr Haynes - The City That I Know

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: Mr Haynes
Year: 2009

Belaire - You Really Got Me Goin'

Could be showing the gap in my knowledge of the Austin music scene but I think of that town and a thousand unironed bands with guitars strapped around their torsos spring to mind. That’s why Belaire sound so out of step with that impression, despite the shiny chords they seem altogether less male dominated. And the entirely bouncy ‘You Really Got Me Goin’ is a fabulous introduction to their modus operandi. So for anyone planning on organising the world pillow fighting championships there’s no need to commission a theme tune because it has already been written. KD

Belaire - You Really Got Me Goin'

Watch The Video: You Really Got Me Goin'

More Info: Official
Buy Songs: Belaire
Year: 2008

The Cranberry Saw Us - Uncertain

Yep, this really is them when they were just a bad pun and Dolores O'Riordan a schoolgirl like a thousand others from Limerick. The difference of course was her voice and the fact that she could pen a killer tune or two (with Noel Hogan). I remember taping this session from the radio and passing it on to my brother who held me in the highest regard when the band went supernova at Suede's expense stateside. In truth the Cranberry Saw Us weren't much better than plenty of other bands at the time but in O'Riordan they had the genuine article. She might be the antithesis of it now but back in 1991, when this was recorded for a 2FM session on Dave Fanning's show, O'Riordan was a shy flower who was the last one you'd expect to become a star. The sessions included future megahit 'Dreams' and this song which was the title track from the band's debut EP. As often turns out fame takes as much as it gives but it is heartening to listen back at the unbridled innocence of the bands early days. Thanks to the excellent Fanning Sessions blog for passing this on (also on the lookout for the Emperor of Ice Cream session from around the same time if anyone out there can help?). KD

The Cranberry Saw Us - Uncertain

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: The Cranberries
Year: 1991

Blak Thor - Rascal

This is so old (2007, internet derived franchises age in dog years) that the thing that announced it – the Chamber of Commerce label – has crashed and burned. Well, the site has anyway which is a shame because Lucas Jensen (of Venice Is Sinking fame) who ran the joint is a man made up entirely of musical instruments. Blak Thor is/was another of his side projects which yielded several EP’s including one that went by the name of ‘That's The Thing About Blak Thor’ that came out 21 internet years ago. Blak Thor kept their compositions to a minimum and most had ceased to exist by the 2-minute mark. Flush they were with ideas too, the sort that others would have eloped with or at least used to make the album of their career. ‘Rascal’ reminds me of Folk Implosion’s ‘Natural One’, it’s all over the place but boy does the place look a whole better. KD

Blak Thor - Rascal

More Info: Official
Buy Songs: Blak Thor
Year: 2007

Lacrymosa - Simple Questions

Despite only turning 22 Caitlin Pasko is already onto her second record ‘Selah’ as Lacrymosa. The Brooklyn based singer admits she has been influenced by that other New York chanteuse Regina Spektor yet there is much in Pasko’s gift to eek out a neat corner all for herself. ‘Simple Questions’ from the new album is nigh on perfect, relying on angelic vocals and an arrangement that fills in the soft rounded gaps. There is a climax of sorts that gently but hurriedly dissipates, its end simply ushers a return to the crystal lake of sound. Spellbinding. KD

Lacrymosa - Simple Questions

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: Lacrymosa
Year: 2010

Verve - Gravity Grave

Some time soon I am going to hit you with choice fragments from my CD collection (the one that stopped growing about 3 years ago), or the plastic mountain as Mrs. Hugger likes to call it, but my cunning plan is currently on hold as I dare not breach the disorder that is our attic. Amongst the debris there are also boxes that originally housed adidas runners but are now the place several hundred cassettes call home. For a long time this inexpensive tat was what spared me from the ubiquitous MOR that ruled the airwaves in the west of Ireland so I’ve a lot to be thankful to them for. Somewhat sadly (and really stretching what was already a thin thread) I can’t ever recall Verve being on any of said spools of desire but back in 1992 their self-titled EP had a dizzying effort on my bowl cut head. ‘She’s A Superstar’ was the undoubted star but ‘Gravity Grave’ was still a giant cloud of psychedelic genius. Listening now I still feel the pangs of despair that was their post ‘A Storm In Heaven’ career, the drugs could only for so long I guess. KD

Verve - Gravity Grave

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: Verve
Year: 1992

Rudely Interrupted - Close My Eyes

In an era of overwhelming homogenisation Melbourne’s Rudely Interrupted certain corner a previously unregistered angle. I won’t go into because you can read what it is via pretty much every other dispatch about the band. Besides before I altavista’d them I couldn’t help falling for the direct hit that is ‘Close My Eyes’. I mean here is a tune that is the distillation of what we all have in our head but never get around to recording, genius. At less than 2 and a half minutes it sure packs a lot in and in the process sets the stage for the most unlikely indie anthem of the year. Can’t help shivering with utter joy every time I hear it. KD

Rudely Interrupted - Close My Eyes

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: Rudely Interrupted
Year: 2010