#264 The Late Cord - My Most Meaningful Relationships Are With Dead People

Ah Sunday mornings, don't you just love them. No other time provides such an unhurried feel, with a full 12 hours stretched out ahead of you with little to do but wonder how great life is. Could really do with something interesting to listen to though. Something meditative, something thoughtful and something that can be rerun in 7 days time. The Late Cord could be the answer to this particular quandary. Consisting of singer Micah P Hinson and John Mark Lapham (The Earlies) they are about to release the 'Lights From The Wheelhouse' EP. 'My Most Meaningful Relationships Are With Dead People' is one piece of this fragile masterpiece. Characterised by its sparseness, there is nonetheless an overwhelming warmth in the experience. The thumb piano takes centre stage (depicting a Sigur Rosian atmosphere) while Hanson corrals his words with a unique touching soul. The organ drones flit in and out adding to the plush squalor. Makes sense when you find out that the piece was recorded in a dusty basement in a forgotten town in Texas. Never has despair sounded so appealing, by the last chord you'll feel like taking on the world. KD The Late Cord - My Most Meaningful Relationships Are With Dead People More Info: The Late Chord Buy Album: The Late Cord Year: 2006 Get 50 FREE Music Downloads for your iPod® or any MP3 player!

#263 annemarie - Apple

annemarie come from Java in Indonesia. Now put that in your coffee and drink it. Following in the grand old tradition of a host of tweepop songsters annemarie nicely fill the gap between Camera Obscura records with uninhibited wonders such as 'Apple'. The band are signed to the Swedish musicismygirlfriend label who seem to be on their way to assembling a roster of artists to match the legendary Sarah records. 'Apple' twins the boy and girl vocals with decidedly shiny riffs and the result is 3 and half minutes of warm cutesy sound. Throwaway it might be but forgettable it is not, in fact it's hard to shake the sound of 'Apple' once it appends itself to your innermost. If you can listen to this at least once a day it could do wonders for your medical expenses. KD annemarie - Apple More Info: annemarie Buy annemarie's: The Living Model EP Year: 2005 Get 50 FREE Music Downloads for your iPod® or any MP3 player!

#262 Plan B - Sick 2 Def

Apart from the odd foray into noveltyism these narrow taste buds means that most of what appears on this blog is telegraphed. 'Sick 2 Def' shouldn't be too much of a surprise then because it is entirely guitar based. While the Arctic Monkey's are happy to paint the picture of youthful vigour, 22-year-old rapper Ben Drew gravitates towards life's underbelly. The chord changes are simplistic but it's the gritty message that is hard to forget. In Drew's world no topic is taboo, this is a soundtrack that truly belongs after the watershed. 'Sick 2 Def' (sick to death, cockney you see) is a startling piece of work, anyone who saw his explosive performance at the NME awards can testify to this fact. Drew could easily coattail on the Streets audience yet the strength of 'Sick 2 Def' suggests that both could soon become indispensable. Drew also has a vocal resemblance with Zach De La Rocha which could endear him to angry youths the world over. You may need some Sugababes after this one. KD Plan B - Sick 2 Def More Info: Plan B Buy Plan B's: Sick 2 Def [7" VINYL] with Prodigy references Year: 2005 Get 50 FREE Music Downloads for your iPod® or any MP3 player!

#261 Smudge - Superhero

If you think you can hear something familiar in this song then you’d be right because 'Superhero' is a joint Smudge/Evan Dando collaboration. Dando was merely returning a favour, however, as Smudge's Tom Morgan had lent a big hand on the song writing duties for the Lemonheads classic 'It's A Shame About Ray'. Smudge’s drummer Alison Galloway also got in on the act by being the subject of 'Alison's Starting To Happen' from the same album. 'Superhero' is the title track from one of a number of EP's released by the Sydney band in the early 1990's. It takes on a frantic Dinosaur Jr bent from the off revealing a sound that bristles with energy and scatters its post-punk attitude with a solid chorus. The production has a distinct hands off quality giving the piece a natural feel as if it was recorded in one blissed out take. KD Smudge - Superhero More Info: Smudge Buy Smudge's Debut: [UK] Manilow [US] Manilow Year: 1993 Get 50 FREE Music Downloads for your iPod® or any MP3 player!

#260 Alfie - Bookends

In October of last year a little known band from Manchester named Alfie broke up. The event hardly registered. Back in 2001 it seemed the world was about to fall in love with Lee Gorton's low ebbed tales about manor house farm and a dream James had. Gorton’s uncanny vocal resemblance to Ian Brown (and Tim Burgess for that matter) and his rather chimp like chiselled features also meant that he was offered the role to play Brown in '24 Hour Party People'. He turned it down. Alfie's debut is their coup de grace, a collection of 3 early EP's that nonetheless play like a seamless collection of tunes. 'Bookends' is the opener and reveals itself to be a polished exhibition of eye opening acoustics. Matt McGeever's forlorn cello plays so gently one hardly notice the tinkle of the xylophone in close proximity. Gorton delivers his lines in drawn out melodic sequences, fighting to be heard above a heavy quota of lo-fied instrumentation. This is as delicate as a gosling, as graceful as a swan and the only thing required to have you seek out Alfie's accomplished back catalogue. KD Alfie - Bookends More Info: Alfie Buy Album: [UK] If You Happy With You Need Do Nothing [US] If You Happy With, You Need Do Nothing Year: 2001 Get 50 FREE Music Downloads for your iPod® or any MP3 player!

#259 The Immediate - A Ghost In The House

With Thom Yorke's closely guarded secrets on their way some time this year the rumours abound about a return to the song. I for one can't wait for it but in the interim there are bands like the Immediate who take what Radiohead gave to the world and turn it into priceless entity in its own right. 'A Ghost In The House' wouldn't have sounded out of place on 'The Bends' recording yet it fashions enough intrigue to suggest the Immediate have some fine avenues to explore themselves. David Hedderman twists his vocals in intriguing ways, sounding affecting whichever way they turn. The music is also noteworthy, providing an instantly memorable spindly riff as well as oodles of percussive drama. Following as it does the path of most resistance also means it offers a lot of rewards for repeated listening. The Immediate's debut album is on the way, could well turn out to be the season of the song. KD The Immediate - A Ghost In The House Watch The Video To Don't You Ever More Info: The Immediate Buy the Immediate's: Make Our Devils FLOW EP Year: 2006 Get 50 FREE Music Downloads for your iPod® or any MP3 player!

#258 Pugwash - It's Nice To Be Nice

It's too easy to be tough on bands that are derivative. After all, have you ever heard of an acclaimed cover band? Nope they don't exist, the beauty is in the creation not in the facsimile. Pugwash are so overwhelming indebted to the Beach Boys/Beatles template that you'd half expect for Brian Wilson to have a direct debit from Thomas Walsh's account. But for all that, Pugwash are well capable of turning heads themselves by turning the derivative into the delirious. 'It's Nice To Be Nice' stands imperious alongside 'Apples' and much of the bands new album 'Jollity' as a reason to embrace the past in order to illuminate the present. Early doors it’s pet sounds but as soon as Walsh's lush vocals kick in you'll be caught up in a slipstream of lavish harmonies that are uniquely Pugwashian. Don't say you haven't already been consumed by its sunshine spirit, let Pugwash be the captain of the soundtrack to your summer. KD Pugwash - It's Nice To Be Nice More Info: Pugwash Buy Album: Jollity Year: 2005 Get 50 FREE Music Downloads for your iPod® or any MP3 player!

#257 Luna - California (All The Way)

New Zealander Dean Wareham has had an eventful time in the music industry. Since the break up of his first band Galaxie 500 he has worked with a diverse set that included Mercury Rev (he played on 'Car Wash Hair'), Sterling Morrison (the Velvet Underground), Laetitia Sadier (Stereolab) and the drummer from the Feelies. If that wasn't enough his second project Luna went on to record a near masterpiece in 1994 called 'Bewitched'. The album not only swaggered under the weight of its own adventures but also proved to be among the best drivetime companions ever. Top of the pops was 'California (All The Way)', a song that featured all the essential Luna elements. Guitars straddle the narrow line between pop and country and Wareham sings as if he is about to break out into conversation. His voice is unique, warmly following a steady course that ensures that the words are all the more distinctive. Luna officially broke up in March of last year but a greatest hits and a documentary of their final tour should keep them in the minds eye. KD Luna - California (All The Way) More Info: Luna Buy Album: [UK] Bewitched [US] Bewitched Year: 1994 Get 50 FREE Music Downloads for your iPod® or any MP3 player!

#256 Pagoda - Tear Down The Tents

Here's a nice one to send you to sleep tonight. The band are Pagado and they come from Washington DC. Following a direct lineage of Big Star/Apples In Stereo/Yo La Tenga means that 'Tear Down The Tents' could be nothing else but a set of goose down pillows for your ears. Ben Licciardi sings like he's just found the perfect beach and his mates conjure superlative toying riffs that whisk you to his newly found heaven. You can tell the music was put together with love and attention and unless its Christmas Eve and you are a miserly Charles Dickens type character you will return the compliment with interest. Think 'Anecdote' by Ambulance LTD with more jangle. The lads are working their way towards having a second LP to show off to the world and you can follow their progress here. KD Pagoda - Tear Down The Tents More Info: Pagada Buy Pagoda's: Seven Nights EP Year: 2005 Get 50 FREE Music Downloads for your iPod® or any MP3 player!

#255 66e - One Cast One Catch

All told 2005 was a pretty good year for post-rock in Dublin when two genuine forces emerged triumphant. God Is An Astronaut are already on the cusp of international acclaim and if 66e's debut is anything to go by they will soon be following them. 66e do spot their elegant musical frolics with vocals but it's only when they let their instruments do the talking that they truly illuminate. 'I Died In A Movie' and 'One Cast One Catch' are superbly crafted instrumentals with buoyant characters that continually shift at obtuse angles. That's not to say that the music is inaccessible, however, because the bands guitars have their sights clearly set to grand central melody. 'One Cast One Catch' is a truly effervescent piece of music, it laps so delicately at your feet that you're unlikely to see the lethal great white noise about to pounce. 66e are indeed electric. KD 66e - One Cast One Catch More Info: 66e Buy 66e's: Fall Down 7 Times... Stand Up 8 Year: 2005 Get 50 FREE Music Downloads for your iPod® or any MP3 player!

#254 Silent Partner - Stop To Think

Shall we take a trip down memory lane? Four famous lads from Manchester who have decided that the time has come to roll back the years and give it another go (well 2 of them anyway). No, not Take That, but the 'Take Five' lads Northside who are very much back in the groove again under the moniker Silent Partners. Warren Dermody (Dermo) is again at the controls and his recent foray into the clubs as a DJ will ensure that the rhythms of old are very much to the fore. So far the lads have recorded a demo, which has made waves on Manchester's Revolution radio station. It's easy to see why when you take a listen to the shimmering effort that is 'Stop To Think'. This is so acutely sweet it could charm the birds from the trees. Danny Yates has shined his riffs to perfection and Dermo sounds as if he is singing into a playpen such is his velvet soft delivery. In the background a female voice sighs and the atmosphere brews gently under a shuffling beat that recalls a baggier time. This is gorgeous stuff and you get the feeling that in this case practise does make perfect. KD Silent Partner - Stop To Think More Info: Official & Myspace Album: On the way... Get 50 FREE Music Downloads for your iPod® or any MP3 player!

#253 Bentley Rhythm Ace - Bentley's Gonna Sort You Out

Formed out of the ashes of the quirky Pop Will Eat Itself (who came from the same town that produced Ned's Atomic Dustbin) Bentley Rhythm Ace (or BRA if you are into tired adolescent tittles) were quickly snapped up by the emerging Skint label in the mid nineties (home to Fatboy Slim and Lo-Fidelity All-stars). Bentley Rhythm Ace were adept at throwing in knowing samples and infiltrating the noises of the universe into their shape shifting sound. Their concerts were madcap adventures that involved the duo standing behind a vintage car that had been fashioned to include several banks of electronics. 'Bentley's Gonna Sort You Out' encapsulates the duo's intentions with circular alien emissions creating a distinctively eclectic listen. You could for all intensive purposes be standing in the room in Wonka's chocolate factory that makes the everlasting gobstopper such is the loopy audio on show. Somehow the song gathers itself at intervals to deliver a distinctive bolt of melody. KD Bentley Rhythm Ace - Bentley's Gonna Sort You Out More Info: Bentley Rhythm Ace Buy Album: [UK] Bentley Rhythm Ace [US] Bentley Rhythm Ace Year: 1997 Get 50 FREE Music Downloads for your iPod® or any MP3 player!

#252 The Invisible Clock Factory - The Quantum Particles Song

I work in an icehouse that makes tongue cleaners from seal bones. I am a 2 year old polar bear and my days spent on the assembly line are not that difficult but can be boring. I have to ensure that the tiny spikes on the combs are sharp enough to be effective (polar breath is rampant this winter). My supervisor is a kindly old soul and is prone to handing out small pieces of sardine whenever one of us gets a bit stroppy. Things changed completely the other day when the owner brought in this tiny man made device (it looks like a small square snow block) that can play endless pieces of strange noise. Nobody had ever heard anything like it before (but it made us happy). Neither could we understand how when one of the noisemakers the Invisible Clock Factory came on how our feet shuffled in a way that resembled us as babies on the ice pack. They're my favourite noisemakers, certainly beats the sound of those damn whales that keep us awake every night. KD The Invisible Clock Factory - The Quantum Particles Song More Info: The Invisible Clock Factory Hear Their Album: Charlie Takes A Holiday Year: 2005 Get 50 FREE Music Downloads for your iPod® or any MP3 player!

#251 The Ultra Montanes - Stains

Things went a bit quiet for the Ultra Montanes at the early part of the century. Despite spades of critical acclaim for their EP's things just didn't fall into place the way they should have. But now they're back and ready to conquer the world. They have just released a new EP called 'Dirty Blood Saved Our Town' and thankfully their un-sterilised sound remains intact. 'Stains' is a song from their debut EP 'Cells'. Rory O’Keeffe's Molko like vocals are the the most immediate thing that hits you but 'Stains' also features chord placements that recall Whipping Boy's first LP 'Submarine', churning and devilish they spit vitriol in a rainbow of colours. With these influences seeping through you'd imagine they're be nothing left for the Ultra Montanes to offer yet 'Cells' is such a sweeping statement of intent it signifies a brooding talent about to take on the world. With a bit of luck TUM's that are releasing songs in 2006 will finally ascend to their rightful place on the indiepop throne. Supporting Babyshambles could be a nice leg up, at least when Doherty decides to turn up. KD The Ultra Montanes - Stains More Info: The Ultra Montanes Buy their eponymous LP: [UK] The Ultra Montanes [US] The Ultra Montanes Year: 1998 Get 50 FREE Music Downloads for your iPod® or any MP3 player!