THE FUTUREHEADS - "Christmas Was Better In The 80's" (Single)

A holiday-themed song from The Futureheads. The song starts off slow, with a single piano and lyrics that reminisce about the singer's youth and how, as the title suggests, "Christmas was better in the eighties". The song then kicks into the tight post-punk/new-wave you know these guys for, with harmony vocals, chimes, and a propelling drum rhythm. The chimes really give the song a Christmas feel. After the band kicks out the jams, they return to the solitary piano and vocal at the end, which neatly wraps up the song. This is a solid single, props to the band for this one.

www.thefutureheads.com
www.myspace.com/thefutureheads

EDITORS - In This Light And On This Evening

This is the third full-length album from the band that originally formed in Birmingham, England. Half of the band, bassist Russell Leech and guitarist Chris Urbanowicz, now live in New York while singer Tom Smith lives in London (I don't know where drummer Edward Lay resides). In This Light And On This Evening was recorded in London and produced by Flood. This album came out in October 2009, and I've been sitting on it for over a year. Why? I've always liked the singles this band put out but could never get into listening to a whole album. Truth be told, I think this is the first time I've ever listened to an entire Editors album so I can't really say how this album holds up to their first two. The Joy Division comparisons are still present, but the machine-like, synth-heavy backing music really pushes the band's sound in a great direction. Lots of lyrical references to London, God, death, and love. I think Smith's voice is creepy at times (I've always felt the same about Ian Curtis, too). Still, I'm liking this album and I think maybe it's time I gave their previous albums their overdue playthroughs.

www.myspace.com/editorsmusic
www.editorsofficial.com

KIMBERLEY REW - Bible Of Bop

Kimberley Rew was the guitarist for both The Soft Boys and Katrina and the Waves. Although many don't recognize his name, most are familiar with the big hit song he wrote while with Katrina and the Waves: "Walking On Sunshine". Bible of Bop was released in 1982, a year after the Soft Boys broke up and a year before Katrina and the Waves would release their first album. The album was composed of eight songs; three of these songs were recorded with the Soft Boys serving as the backing band: "Stomping All Over the World," "Nothing's Going to Change," and "Fighting Someone's War". Another three songs put the dB's to work as the backing band: "My Baby Does Her Hairdo Long," "Walking in the Dew," and "Fishing". The remaining two songs, "Nightmare" and "Hey, War Pig!" were recorded with the Waves. Through this set of songs, we see just how good a songwriter Rew was. He was well at home with the post-punk/new-wave crowd; at times, his songs are reminiscent of the work of Television or The Cure. I've listened to this album a bunch of times and I think I like it more each time. Great stuff.

www.kimberleyrew.com

FRANK TURNER - Poetry of the Deed

Born in Bahrain, the London-raised punk rock troubadour presents his third full-length album. He's released several other solo EPs and compilations and has played in the bands Kneejerk and Million Dead as well. He plays punk rock with mixed acoustic and electric instrumentation and meaningful lyrics. The sound is similar to that of Billy Bragg. I highly recommend this album, it's great.

http://www.myspace.com/frankturner
www.frank-turner.com/

ART BRUT - Art Brut Vs. Satan

Art Brut Vs. Satan is the British quintet's third full-length; this one is produced by Frank Black aka Black Francis aka Charles Michael Kittridge Thompson IV aka the lead singer for the Pixies. We get eleven songs of fun, upbeat British rock/post-punk goodness filled with witty lyrics (many referencing other bands, songs, and music in general, along with several other pop culture references) that are delivered in singer Eddie Argos' trademark deadpan talking style. I've liked this band since I heard them in 2005 on their debut, and this album is no exception to their awesomeness.

www.myspace.com/artbrut
www.artbrut.org.uk

Frank Turner - Love Ire & Song

He used to be in the English hardcore band Million Dead, but now he plays acoustic punk rock. Love Ire & Song is his second solo full-length though he has released some other EPs, a DVD, and a compilation as well. Imagine a more punk, angrier Billy Bragg and you'd have this guy's music.

www.myspace.com/frankturner
www.frank-turner.com

Keane - Perfect Symmetry

The third album from the English trio. Though still a piano-rock band, their sound is a lot more muscular than on their good, albeit very wimpy, debut. Very slickly produced, the album reminds me of the U2 song 'City Of Blinding Lights,' one of the songs I still take the time to listen to off of How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb. Very poppy, heavy on the piano, a sprinkling of rock, and an end result of a HUGE sound that will fill up an arena (but, does Keane have enough fans to fill up an arena?!).

www.myspace.com/keane
www.keanemusic.com

Bloc Party - Intimacy

The British quartet presents their third full-length album. Their first album was full of catchy angular rock/post-punk; the second album saw them branching out a bit, experimenting with new rhythms and electronics, but maintaining most of the good qualities that their first album possessed. On Intimacy, however, they feel like a pretentious band that shows too many weaknesses and simply recycles their strengths without creating anything new. The lyrics are laughable (see: "'Cause I love my mind when I'm fucking you", "Sometimes I think I would float away if this sadness did not weigh me down", and "You get sadder the smarter you get and it's a bore"); the songs are just uninteresting. The upbeat songs, which are the type that Bloc Party became famous for, are retreads of their older songs and not even as catchy. The two bonus tracks that are included with the CD are fairly decent; last spring's single, "Flux", remains the best track these boys have put out since (at least) 2007. Despite this, it's a disappointing and underwhelming release from a band that we should be able to expect more from.

www.myspace.com/blocparty
www.blocparty.com

Kaiser Chiefs - Off With Their Heads

The five lads from Leeds return with their third album. They continue to combine Britrock, mod, pop, post-punk, new-wave, and rockandroll influences into their music. While the songs aren't as immediately catchy as the ones on their first album, Employment (see: "I Predict A Riot"), they display a more muscular sound that even incorporates different instruments, such as djembe and agogo bells, on a few tracks. They sound more mature while not forgetting that it was the energy and youthful exuberance on their first album that made them so much fun. I am very pleased with this album on first listen and think that it will only get more enjoyable with repeated plays.

www.myspace.com/kaiserchiefs
www.kaiserchiefs.co.uk

Chris Difford - The Last Temptation of Chris

He was the co-founder (with Glenn Tilbrook) and lyricist for the British pop/new-wave band Squeeze. This is his third solo album. His lyrics tend to be stories about everyday events and people, sometimes deviating to topics that most writers wouldn't want to touch (example: "Reverso" is about vasectomy). The songs are all very good and if you listen to the lyrics, you will enjoy the little slices of life that Mr. Difford presents to us.

www.myspace.com/cdifford
www.chrisdifford.com

Noah And The Whale - Peaceful The World Lays Me Down

Folk/pop/tweefolk from England. This is the band's debut. They are already big in the UK, having their song "5 Years Time" crack the UK chart's Top Ten. Mostly warbly/yelpy male vocals, which can be a bit much at times. However, the female backing vocals are very nice. Not bad stuff. Recommended if you like Thanksgiving/Adrian Orange, or Herman Dune, or K Records type stuff.

www.myspace.com/noahandthewhale
www.noahandthewhale.com

The Subways - All Or Nothing

The second full-length for the powertrio that features Billy Lunn on guitar and vocals, Charlotte Cooper on bass and vocals, and Josh Morgan on drums. Though they are from Britain, they recorded this album in Los Angeles with the production assistance of Butch Vig, the drummer for Garbage and long-time producer (he's worked with Nirvana, Smashing Pumpkins, Jimmy Eat World, Killdozer, etc.). The result is a much more polished sound than their debut; these songs sound ready for modern rock radio. That could be a good thing for people who didn't like the rawness of their first album, or a bad thing for people who loved the first album. Take your pick, and marvel at the fact that their lead singer must have taken screaming lessons from Dave Grohl.

www.myspace.com/thesubways
www.thesubways.net

Black Ghosts - Black Ghosts

Debut album for the duo of Simon Lord (former member of Simian) and Theo Keating (The Wiseguys). They are based out of London. Marketed as a dancey electrorock group, several of the songs on here are slow and boring and highlight the fact that their singer isn't that good. However, the faster songs live up to the hype and should be suitable to fans of Klaxons, New Young Pony Club, and the like.

www.myspace.com/blackghosts
www.theblackghosts.co.uk

Jamie Lidell - Jim

This is the third full-length release for the Brit who has frequently been touted as the new King of Soul. He's certainly got soulful, rhythm and blues influences in his sound. Some music sites list his sound as electronic, but aside from a few electronic bits in the backing music of his songs, he owes a greater debt in his sound on this album to an artist such as Stevie Wonder, than Squarepusher. Personally, I rather enjoyed this album. There are a few slower songs that don't mesh as well with the rest, but a track like "Out of My System" more than makes up for it, and will probably stick in your head for a long time after you hear it.

www.myspace.com/jamielidell
www.jamielidell.com

The Hoosiers - The Trick To Life

Here is the U.S. release of the British trio's debut album. Upbeat pop/power-pop/rock with male vocals that hit the higher register at times. Their sound is very polished but doesn't feel too overproduced. They remind me of a poppier version of The Attorneys, and I think they would also appeal to fans of bands like OK Go and Scissors For Lefty.

www.myspace.com/thehoosiers
www.thehoosiers.co.uk

The Kooks - Konk

This is the second full-length for these lads from Brighton, England. They play a mixture of rock, garage rock, and Britpop. I really really love these guys. I could listen to them all day (and have). The songs on here are more laid-back than the ones on their debut Inside In/Inside Out, but I think their songwriting has improved drastically and considering that they are still only in their early twenties, they will hopefully keep getting better and better yet! Recommended if you like British rock i.e. Arctic Monkeys, Supergrass, Razorlight's first album, etc.

www.myspace.com/thekooks
www.thekooks.co.uk

Switches - Lay Down the Law

These guys are from Britain and they totally kick ass. They play fun, catchy, upbeat rock and roll. It's not the newest sound in the world but who cares, it rocks. If you like bands like Franz Ferdinand, The Rakes, Maximo Park, and The Hives you will probably take a liking to these guys too. Please play at exceptionally high volume levels, thanks.

www.myspace.com/weareswitches
www.switchesmusic.net

The Duke Spirit - Neptune

The second album from this confident, female-fronted rock band from England. Liela Moss fronts the group and sings in a lovely voice full out authority (and with a British accent!). The band backs her up with tight rock that has bluesy-rock influences, somewhat akin to the older stylings of the Rolling Stones. Very well-done, this one's a keeper. Recommended if you like female-fronted rock that could take you out on the town or kick your ass, or maybe both.

www.myspace.com/thedukespirit
www.dukespirit.com