Category: A-Z of New Music

A-Z of New Music: A Reflection

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I’m pleased to say that I can tick off March’s Project as complete! I have managed to listen to 26 ‘new’ bands/artists over the past month, and just as impressively I have managed to blog about them each day. Due, in part, to friends suggesting new indie bands there was definitely an indie feel to the music. Although this did make me question what ‘indie’ actually is? Not mainstream? Independent? Do ‘indie’ bands need a sub-genre? Indie-pop, indie-rock, twee-indie? Even now I’m not entirely sure. All I know is that I’ve had the pleasure, and in some cases, the misfortune, to listen to a variety of music:

Only two bands got a cheer: Allo Darlin’ and Urbantramper. Both great finds, both forced me to buy albums off iTunes, and both on the list of bands to see live.

Ten bands got a thumbs up. Of these bands, Boy Mandeville and Louise and the Pins got the closest to a cheer. I’d definitely like to see Boy Mandeville live at some stage.

Six bands left me undecided. Mainly because they were a bit heavy on the rock or they were a bit the same as everything else around at the moment.

Four bands got a thumbs down for various different reasons: too boring, too much 80s funk, don’t mix jazz and hip-hop or just plain Yuck.

Only Four bands left me with head in hands. Probably due, in part, to the genre, but also the fact I may be getting old.

April’s Project requires me to build a 1:130 model of The Cutty Sark, but it least I will now have some new music to listen to whilst I’m painstakingly glueing!

Zombie Disco Squad

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We reach the end of March’s Project and The A-Z of New Music……Zombie Disco Squad.

It seems only right that we finish March with probably the biggest load of rubbish we’ve had the pleasure to listen to. The only thing going for today’s DJ/Producer duo is the name, Zombie Disco Squad. The genre? Electro dance music? Or electro, techno, dub step hip hop music?. Zombie Disco Squad are creating the most awful tracks and remixes you can ever wish to hear. Although, if you made me listen to any combination of electro, techno, dub step hip hop I would probably say exactly the same.

I think I may be getting old…..

This final A-Z of New Music blog was brought to you by the letter Z…..

Yuck

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Day 25 of The A-Z of New Music brings us to the letter Y and I’m afraid we have yet more indie, only this time indie rock……Yuck.

Fancy some wah-pedal guitar? If you do then Yuck may be a port of call. Seemingly stuck in the 90s this indie rock band aren’t doing anything new, the odd track maybe worth a listen: ‘Georgia’ or ‘Soothe Me’. But most of the tracks are just a lot of noise! Far too much guitar-heavy, fuzzed out, weird feedback sounding rock.

Overall, Yuck!

This blog has been brought to you by the letter Y…….

The xx

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As we reach the last few entries into the A-Z of New Music, coinciding with the end of term, I’m having trouble controlling the excitement. Today we have…..The xx.

Apparently The xx won the Mercury Prize in 2010, although I’m not quite sure how, considering that Laura Marling, Mumford & Sons and Villagers were also up for the prize in the same year. Having spent the last half-hour listening to The xx, quite a few of the tunes I recognise: ‘VCR’ and ‘intro’ definitely sound familiar. The xx surprised me slightly, their self-title debut album, xx, is full of atmospheric melodies, big beats and sullen vocals. Not an album to listen to when you want cheering up, but never the less it has something going for it, not exactly sure what, but something. Standout tracks for me: ‘Crytalised’, ‘Islands’ and ‘Basic Space’. It’s definitely a grower….

Overall, The xx, I’m pleased to say it gets a solid B…..

Today’s blog was brought to you by the letter X……

We Are the In Crowd

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The A-Z of New Music reaches the 23rd letter of the alphabet, W, and thanks to @samayres1992……….We Are the In Crowd.

It has taken us 23 days to get some punk but we’ve made it, even if it is American pop punk rock. We Are the In Crowd are from the same mould as Paramore, All Time Low or actually any other group coming out of the States at the moment. In fact, that’s probably the problem, there is just too much of the American rocky-pop-punky stuff around at the moment.The tracks that I’ve heard off their latest album, Best Intentions, are actually quite good, it’s just that I’m not a great fan of the genre, I find at all too similar. Although, I did find this acoustic version of ‘Never Be What You Want’ which is OK……

Overall, I can take them or leave them, which is not probably what you want from a band…..

Today’s blog is brought to you by the letter W….

Veronica Falls

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Despite the stack of marking that is staring at me, I’ve managed to get round to blogging, this shows the power of the A-Z of New Music. Today, thanks to @davidmarples, we have V………Veronica Falls.

There is no guessing what genre we have tonight, it’s full-on indie, no messing around with various amalgamations of sub-genres. There debut self-titled album, Veronica Falls, is crammed pack full of rhythmic indie pop tunes with catchy melodies and cheerful harmonies. Take a listen to, ‘Veronica Falls’, ‘Misery’ and ‘Beachy Head’, they probably sum-up the album. Although, you could argue we’ve heard it all before. I’m not sure if they’ve done enough to win me over. You decide, new single, ‘My Heart Beats’ was released this week….

Veronica Falls, CD borderline….

Today’s blog was brought to you by the letter V……