A new Squarepusher album was released last week. I have no audio to share, although you can listen via the official website anyway. But the ideal selling point for this album is that it’s the perfect counter-terrorism to embrace when your neighbour is bombarding you with Disney infused gospel and singing along at full voice while you’re trying to work. I’m not sure it’s the actual reason Tom Jenkinson creates his electro wars and sirens and little bits of ambience, but I’m sure I’m not the first to embrace this weapon for such purposes. Anyway, it’s also nice to discover that track 11 - ‘The Modern Bass Guitar’ - also just happens to be the best drum’n'bass-type song I’ve heard in absolutely ages.

Sometimes the easiest way to stumble upon a band isn’t by reading magazines or listening to the radio. Sometimes it’s better just to download some music by a band because they have a great name. It worked for me with Youngblood Brass Band because Is That a Riot has surely become my favourite album in April, and I’ve been listening to it over and over.

Here’s the basic synopsis:

‘Youngblood Brass Band is focused on creating consistently progressive, acoustic (the band is made up of 3 drummers, 5 horn players, a sousaphonist and an MC) music, employing whatever means necessary to do so.’

The result is the freshest, most purposeful hiphop I’ve heard since…I can’t remember…possibly since seeing Ozomatli live in San Francisco in 1999.

The album opens with two of the strongest tracks I’ve heard this year - ‘March’ and ‘Nuclear Summer’. They’re menacing, brutal and just soar like most bands never manage. They’re made all the better with their extreme dynamics, switching from a whisper to an explosion, all without the aid of guitars or electronics - just natural acoustic power.

Afterwards the energy levels drop slightly. I’m always partly grateful and partly disappointed, because I think another song with so much energy would kill me, but then, I always want more still. What you do get instead certainly doesn’t disappoint, however. Sometimes the songs are jazzy, sometimes they switch into instrumental Latin rhythms and bursts of carnival-style horns. Other times it’s back into the ominous hiphop vibe. ‘Waiver’ even manages to sound a bit like Fugazi without requiring a single guitar.

Put simply, Is That a Riot? is fantastic. And as great as this album is, it’s going to sound a thousand times better live, so if you ever see the name around, don’t hesitate to buy tickets.

Track 2 - ‘Nuclear Summer’ and other tracks are available to stream via piespace.

For downloadable tracks visit the official website: http://www.youngbloodbrassband.com

mp3: Sister Sneaker, Sister Soul (windows media)

website: http://www.mylatestnovel.com

You know, I was trying to be smart. I first wrote about My Latest Novel on March 25, 2004. You can see the proof here. So when it got to the 23rd last week and I began falling for their new album Wolves, I looked back in time to discover when I first found them, realised it was almost two years to the day, and thought to myself, “I know. I won’t write about them today, but I’ll save it until the anniversary and make it look more spooky.” So of course I ended up extra-busy again and it all slipped past. Now I look quite foolish instead.

The thing is, My Latest Novel are in Amsterdam tonight playing London Calling, and I thought long and hard about going because I’ve really wanted to see them live since I first heard them. But I just can’t help the fact I’ve been too busy, so I’ve settled for watching them on 3voor12TV all the time (as all they ever show is London Calling performances), and hoping that the band go down so well that they are given a proper Dutch tour in a few months.

The first song I ever heard by them was ‘Sister Sneaker, Sister Soul’ and I still love it. The windows media file I have linked at the top is still that original demo version I think. The album version is possibly more subtle in parts and also much longer, as it features an extended outro, but it’s still lovely.

As for the rest of Wolves, well I really wasn’t sure at first. One of the things that initially hit me was a couple of spoken word moments. Sometimes I’m into that kind of thing, but more often than not, I’m not - like with Arab Strap for example. But I’ve given it a fair go since, and I must admit that I’ve really come to like the complete album. When it wants to be dark there are swirling violins and great moments of tension. When it wants to be cheery, there are the perfect summer’s day moments like ‘Sister Sneaker’ and ‘The Hope Edition’.

I’ve noticed a trend of English press calling them the Scottish Arcade Fire. It’s quite funny seeing as how they had the core of their sound sorted long before anyone in Britain cared who the Arcade Fire were. But I suppose it can’t hurt too much, and there are brief glimpses where I can see what they mean. The more prominent comparisons in my mind, however, are Belle and Sebastian, Deacon Blue (Fellow Hoodlums-era for those spoken word bits, but I think it’s just me hearing that), and when they’re at their best I get to remember The Delgados (who I really miss).

Not only am I sorry that I’m not seeing them tonight, they make me regret not being around more in Glasgow where I could experience bands like this regularly. For now, I’ll just settle for having a lovely album to carry around with me for the coming spring.

mp3: Think Niles Drink
mp3: Strike You As The Enemy
video: Think Niles Drink

website: http://www.whataboutabout.com

It’s no secret that every so often I get wildly excited about a song or album then start writing effusively. Well, I think my latest audio crush is About, aka Amsterdammer Rutger Hoedemaekers.

I first came across him last year while doing the music listings for the paper. I should add that some band names are a real bugger to work with. As you can imagine, a lot of my work involves scouring Google and trying to find a website to find samples that I can write about, and just you try find a band called About without knowing where to start. Anyway, I somehow did find the site eventually, and was impressed enough with the audio clips on there to bookmark it for future reference.

So six or seven months later and his debut album Bongo is out, and whenever I listen to it, I can’t help thinking, ‘bloody brilliant!’ Only 32 minutes long, it’s just short, sharp bursts of great fun.

Quoting myself from the newspaper, ‘it’s straight in your face with a concoction of glitchy electro madness, spiky guitars, unexpected pop hooks and persistent energy. When asked what drives such diversity, his answer was simply, ‘I get bored quite easily, so I try to keep it interesting.’ Either way it works, and when he’s joined onstage with guitarist/vocalist Marg as he pushes buttons, twists dials and sings his songs enthusiastically, it’s all about the release and having a fantastic time - just like gigs should be.’

However, I was limited in space with that piece, so let me add that his music is like some sort of unlawful cross between three of my favourite Dutch acts – Voicst, Persil and Solex.

There are a couple of reasons why I have the comparison with Voicst in my head. Firstly, it’s because he was responsible for the electro flourishes on their album 11-11, and has appeared onstage with them to add some extra noise too. But while the balance of electronics and guitars is weighted more towards the electronic manipulation on his album, there’s still an element of punk spirit mingling with the poppy hooks and breakcore mania, and it all comes together in a wall of energy. Often the hardest thing to capture on tape (or a hard disk), all the noise and melody of Bongo is just brimming with life and that’s why I can’t help getting excited by it.

If I was to single anything out, ‘Think Niles Drink’, ‘Band Dynamics’ and ‘She Knows Everything About All Who Ever Drank Coffee With Her’ are three of the best pop songs I’ve heard this year, but thanks to the runtime of 32 minutes, Bongo is seemingly one of those rare albums that I can tolerate going right back to the beginning and playing again.

Upcoming Dutch shows include:

22/03 - Club3voor12, Amsterdam
25/03 - Vera, Groningen
15/04 - De Nieuwe Anita, Amsterdam
27/04 - Patronaat, Haarlem

mp3: Standing in the Way of Control

website: http://www.gossipyouth.com

I’ve literally gone on about The Gossip for years, firstly being introduced to them via good friends from the US, then eventually seeing them at the inaugural (only?) Ladyfest Glasgow. A magnificent bluesy raw rock/punk band led by singer Beth Ditto, they always blew everyone away when they hit the stage. The problem was, it never quite sounded the same on record. Sure, they nailed a few great songs on the way (’Sweet Baby‘/’Fire Sign‘), but their full force just wasn’t captured on tape.

In contrast, their new album Standing in the Way of Control has completely dazzled me. It’s not just the production of Guy Picciotto that’s transforming their sound, but it feels like over the past couple of years the band has really grown and introduced much more in the way of dynamics into their songwriting. There are big grooves, coarse guitars and plenty of screaming as always, but also slow soulful tones and a lot more subtlety shaking things up. After hearing the opening track I thought, ‘wow!’ After hearing the second track I wanted to tell everyone I know who has ever heard The Gossip. By the third I wanted to tell the world. And whereas their past releases may have faded away into general noise as time ticked away, anytime this album threatens to slip, a new groove erupts and freshens things up.

Probably the most excited I’ve been about an album so far in 2006, a full 28 days in.

They played Waterfront in Rotterdam in November while I was out the country. Let’s hope they return to NL around May when they appear at All Tomorrow’s Parties in England with Sleater-Kinney.

As in so much of what I write here these days, I’ve been incredibly slow to write about the new Audiotransparent album. If I thought the band actually cared, they’d probably be afraid I don’t like it. Having enjoyed their debut so much and gone on and on about it, after half the band left last year, they may be scared I’ve gone off them. That isn’t the case though. If anything I’m just lazy.

Nevland is another beautiful album which maintains the original atmosphere and tone of their debut. Continually slow, considerate, dark and immensely pretty, Audiotransparent deserve much more success. The textures are unavoidable, with a range of instruments creating layers of attractive noise. It shouldn’t be a surprise because all the ingredients were there before, yet I did find myself amazed that they didn’t lose much in the way of magic while shedding band members.

I can’t even pick out favourites from this release because it is of high quality right across the board, but I must admit, whenever the strings appear I become completely lost in the music. Andreas Willemse’s violin parts have always been exceptional, but with some additional help from a string section on this record, the arrangements have become epic. Not in a cheesy Hollywood style, but in an emotional, gripping sense. I still want to stand up and make the world listen to Audiotransparent. I’m not sure anyone actually listens to me but there are definitely moments of musical greatness on Nevland.

‘The Friday Of Our Lives’ is available to download from http://www.audiotransparent.com

On a personal note, I like to think I keep on top of the Scottish indie scene relatively well considering my physical distance from the country. I know about upcoming bands and who’s playing where. Unfortunately, when this CD dropped through my letterbox, I learned there was a whole Scottish electronic scene I was completely oblivious too. For the rest of the world that’s a positive, but I hate being caught unaware.

It turns out The Village Orchestra is Ruaridh Law, an electro experimentalist, and one third of Glasgow-based electronic outfit The Marcia Blaine School For Girls. I now realise the latter have been receiving plenty of plaudits over this past year and are an act to look out for. And judging from this solo project, The Village Orchestra have also got some goodness to offer.

In contrast to the Nanko release reviewed above, The Village Orchestra sit much more comfortably in the ambient category. The songs feel fluid and relaxed, capable of being manipulated slowly into any form Law desires. And that’s exactly what you hear. Tracks build upon themselves step-by-step, taking you on casual journeys then easing themselves back down to 0dB again. Sometimes the sounds are purged from the organic world, sometimes born from distorted scratches, glitches and crunches, but the balance makes for a pretty result.

At 58 minutes, it’s a fairly long piece of work that’s very roomy. But while the songs enjoy long repetitive stretches, the album actually improves as you go through it. Once again, it will be a welcome addition to my Zen Jukebox. Definitely one to check out.

Website:
http://ruaridh.marciablaine.com/

For samples, listen to: Love Theme From Two Man Rumble.

I’ve been sitting on this release for a few months now. I hate taking so long, but my favourite time for electro music is typically when I’m travelling. Unfortunately I haven’t loaded up my Zen Jukebox for ages now, so I’ve only managed limited goes at this release on my CD player. I like it, however, and it will definitely make it amongst the MP3s chosen to dazzle my mind during future train journeys.

Nanko is a Rotterdam-based musician, but there’s nothing particularly local about his sound. As such, this release is through Laterax, a label in Rotterdam with an international mentality. Apparently his musical background is guitar improvisation, but here his imagination is let loose on a broad range of electronic moods, samples and rhythms.

Described in his own press release as Brian Eno meeting Aphex Twin, there are elements of truth to it. From one point of view, the album is blessed with a lot of ambience, space and atmosphere that can really trigger diverse thoughts and feelings in your mind. Yet the tracks pulse with energy. There’s a real sense of purpose and forward motion driving throughout, and with 17 tracks spread across only 42 minutes, there are so many active ideas that there’s no time to lose interest.

Bored of the Boards of Canada? Try out Nanko for a real sense of composition, organics and computerised chaos.

Website: http://www.laterax.com/nanko.htm

For samples, listen to: Bicycle Pets and Brouter Wuno.