MGMT has said that their new CD Congratulations would not have any singles released off it

What’s the difference between a pre-release song designed to built hype on the CD and a single?

Both are going to get over played on the radio (although I don’t see pop FM playing this track like it did Kids etc)

Both are designed to sell more CDs

Both are the catchiest song of the CD.

Shouldn’t they just call a pre-release song a single?

Anyhow, onto the song itself, It cycles through MGMT’s influences, sounding like lou reed, then bowie in phases, then arcade fire. This makes it slightly schizophrenic. It is definitely a progression from the songs on Oracular Spectacular, but does not have the same poppy glam feel that made that CD so enjoyable.

Flash Delirium, builds my enthusiasm for the new CD, but still leaves me far from excited.

MGMT website-http://www.whoismgmt.com/

MGMT Myspace-http://www.myspace.com/mgmt

MGMT – Flash Delirium

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I love the fact that music I could have never heard before gets presented to me everyday.

Today has 2 random but great internet finds.

Not Squares – Asylum

Not Squares are a indie dance punk band from Belfast, they have a MySpace, they have a blog, yet neither contains any details of who the band is or any details except for the desire to create drunken music for people to enjoy and dance to.

Their first(?) EP is available now free via lastfm.

Not Squares – Myspace – http://www.myspace.com/notsquares

Not Squares – Blog – http://notsquares.com/

Not Squares – Asylum

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Cults – Go Outside

A 2 piece indie pop band from New York, due to the generic nature of their name even less is known about cults, yet this track has been mentioned everywhere in the music blog, eventually getting picked up by pitchfork, receiving a best new music track.

Instantly beautiful, the authors are enigmas. There is no MySpace page, no website, only an empty band camp site, offering their 2 song EP for download.

Cults – Bandcamp http://cults.bandcamp.com/

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A bunch of kiwi indie bands played – Bandicoot, Rackets, An Emerald City, O’Lovely, Bang Bang Eche, Naked and Famous & the Mint Chicks.

For me the show was stolen by Bang Bang Eche, I have been listening to these guys for ages, but first time that I have seen them live.

Their catchy, dance show was perfect to lie in the sun and watch while drinking a few warm beers.

Their EP is available free via lastfm or for purchase on their bandcamp page

If you like upbeat indie dance punk, you will enjoy these guys.

Bang! Bang! Eche! Myspace – http://www.myspace.com/bangbangeche

Bang! Bang! Eche! Website – http://bangbangeche.com/

Bang! Bang! Eche!  – Nikee

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This CD is a huge progression from the first, creating a huge wall of sound, which sounds far to intense for only 4 people to create.

While dark all the way through, it is amazing to listen to. It flips from post rock, to rock, to synth pop to electronica, but yet fits together very well. It took a few listens to devour, but now is one of my favourite of 2010.

Hidden constantly seeks your attention, it is not a CD to put on quietly in the background, the sound constantly switches, from orchestral, to angry chants, to beautiful melodies, while always keeping the consistency of the tight rhythm section and bullet like drums. There are times when you can’t work out what you are listening to – what is it making that sound? keyboard? flute? oboe?

This track is Attack Music. I love the melodic thumping, the constant build up of pressure and then the release. The horns fight against the bass while the beautiful backing vocals juxtaposed against the anger of Jack Barnett’s vocals.

Even if you don’t like this song, the rest of the CD is worth listening to, there is a huge variation, and if you let it build on you, you will be hugely rewarded.

These New Puritans – Attack Music

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These New Puritans  Myspace – http://www.myspace.com/thesenewpuritans

These New Puritans Website – http://www.thesenewpuritans.com/

With Big Echo’s release date (9/3) coming closer, my excitement is building for the rest of the CD.

The Morning Benders are a Californian 4 piece surf pop/rock band, which is of course highly fashionable right now.

Available for full stream on Sterogum I have just completed my first listen I have thoroughly enjoyed, much mellower & slower than the pre-released songs, but many beautiful moments.

Apart from the singles, it has many great tracks, My Picks – Hand me Downs (love how it slowly builds), and the haunting Mason Jar.

Attached below is the second single, Excuses, which came out a month a go, it is a nice track, and really representative of the rest of the CD (far more so than Promises)

Have a listen and enjoy

Morning Benders Website – http://www.themorningbenders.com/

Morning Benders Myspace – http://www.myspace.com/themorningbenders

Preorder CD

Morning Benders – Excuses

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With Plastic Beach being released on March 5th, and hearing the blog world buzz with excitement, when a stream became available on NPR I had a listen and was completely impressed.

While each song varies completely – by tempo, genre, and feel – it had many moments which blew me away, things that shouldnt have worked, just did, and did well. My initial favourite songs on first listen were White Flag & Glitter Freeze.

As always, Gorillaz features a wide range of collaborators, while using Damon Albarn’s vocals as a centre piece holding the whole piece together, this CD opens with Snoop Dogg and Hypnotic Brass Ensemble, later tracks include Lou Reed, Mos Def & Mick Jones.

This track Stylo – the first single, features Mos Def & Bobby Womack, like the rest of the CD it flows between genre to genre, features a catchy drum into, before turning the vocals moving from hiphop, to britpop to soul and back agian.

I look forward to having a proper listen when the full CD is released, I had no idea a virtual band could sound so good.

Gorillaz Website – http://gorillaz.com/

Gorillaz Myspace – http://www.myspace.com/gorillaz

Gorillaz -Stylo (feat. Bobby Womack and Mos Def)

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In general I like what I like, and this song I like.

Caribou is the stage name of Dan Snaith, a Canadian Indie-Electronica DJ. This song comes off his upcoming CD Swims, released April 25th.

It has catchy, twangly backing track, with a dominant bass line and features Hot Chip like hooky vocals and guitar.

Intense, bouncy enough to make you move in your seat, if not get up and actually dance, the four and a half minutes form a great track for building up the crowd at the start of your summer party.

When I define my own genre of electrotwang, this will appear on the best of.

Caribou website: www.caribou.fm
Myspace : http://www.myspace.com/cariboumanitoba

Download Odessa via Caribou Website – http://www.caribou.fm/swim_download/ (Email address required, but worth it)

The second single to be released off Jón Þór Birgisson (Jónsi)’s upcoming CD, Go, is Go do.

The CD, Go, is to be released April 5 2010. Jonsi was formerly lead singer of Icelandic postrock gods Sigur Ros.

While not as catchy and beautiful as Boy Lilikoi, it is still an amazing song, and builds anticipation for the rest of the CD. It features delicate strings and amazing harmonies. Its sweet and soft, but still hits very hard.

In other news, Jónsi, is working with production company 59 productions to produce a promised ‘amazing life atmosphere.’ I’m sure this would be magical to see live as I’m sure he would do it very well, unfortunately it means my isolation in NZ means I will be very unlikely too.

At least I can put on his amazing songs, drift away in my headphones and enjoy.

Jónsi Myspace – http://www.myspace.com/jonthorbirgisson
Jónsi Website – http://www.jonsi.com/
Jónsi Live Tour production details – http://www.fiftynineproductions.co.uk/project?p=58

Jónsi – Go Do

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Jónsi – Boy Lilikoi

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Charlotte Gainsbourg is an strange one (All the best ones are).

A French actress/singer, Charlotte grew up making movies, and recording music (Including the song ‘lemon incest’ with her father when she was 13!) before releasing her solo CD 5.55 in 2006.

Her latest CD IDM has just been released, a collaboration with Beck, compared to her previous love songs, this CD is far darker, focusing on Charlotte’s near death experience over the last year. I am not normally a fan of female vocalists, but I instantly fell for this CD.

These songs provide a great starting point to the rest of the CD. IDM is a dark almost electro track, featuring Charlotte singing over trippy synths and drums. It’s intense, short and to the point.

Heaven Can Wait shows the Beck influences more, they both sing, over guitar & tambourine, the happy upbeat music juxtaposed against the somber lyrics.

If you normally like girls, you will adore this CD.

Charlotte Gainsbourg Website : http://www.charlottegainsbourg.com/
Charlotte Gainsbourg MySpace : http://www.myspace.com/charlottegainsbourg

IRM

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Heaven Can Wait

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Surfer Blood are a 5 piece indie rock band from Palm Beach, Florida, their debut CD, Astro Coast has just (January 19th) been released.

Surfer blood have built up a huge amount of buzz over the last year, this song Swim, is instantly catchy, and was a favourite of the blogosphere and featured on many top tracks of 2009 lists.

It features catchy hooks, sing along vocals, and a stadium filling rock sound. It will fit into every scene, both the hipsters and the dull rock boys will happily enjoy it together.

I have yet to hear the rest of the CD, but based on this track it sounds like it is going to amazing.

For the record, the name Surfer Blood came from the intense dislike of the surfer kids in Florida, making their high school years hell. If you are reading this, you can probably relate.

Listen if you like: General Fuzzy Garage Rock Bands – Arctic Monkeys, Kings of Leon, The Strokes.

Surfer Blood Myspace – http://www.myspace.com/surferblood

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