Whiskycats - 'Slipped Disco' (Medical Records, 2008)
Every once in a while you come across something so brilliant, so infectious, so out-there, that it's hard not to be completely won over. This is the case with Whiskycats which, despite having only heard one song, have royally won me over. Hailing from Manchester they mix a staple diet of indie-dance-rock with jazz elements to create something verging on the Gogol Bordello. Albeit a Gogol Bordello which sounds as if the members of the Coral had joined the band too.
Whether on the train, at work, at home or in the live context, it is almost impossible to not, at the very least, tap your feet to what should be the indie-disco dancefloor filler of Summer 2008 - if the Gods of taste get their way and make them famous. Their debut album is due out later this year and recording duties have been taken up by Jim Spencer who has worked with New Order, the Charlatans, and Johnny Marr. A fabulous release which will not leave your playlist any time soon. Go and listen to this now!
The song is featured on our new Mixtape! Click here to listen to it
MySpace Site | 'Slipped Disco' on the mixtape
Official Secrets Act – 'Victoria' (Weekender Records, 2008)
The band who stormed the last Backstreets night at the Windmill, organised by yours truly Rockbeatstone, have released their first single, ‘Victoria’. It’s a stomping powerhouse of a song, frantic guitar and drums power the song through nearly two and a half minutes of Futureheads-a-like, radio-friendly music.
However, it is the B-side which is the most akin to what the OSA boys are really about. ‘Sell, Sell, Sell’ sees the singer wax-lyrical on the finer points of modern culture while the music is just as, if not more so, addictive than the A-side. This release proves that the boys can indeed adapt their electric live show to the recorded medium. Let’s hope that other people realise this too. It's out on May 5th from all good record shops and online.
Read an interview with the Official Secrets Act boys here
MySpace Site | OSA interview | Photos and more from Backstreets IV
It Hugs Back – 'Other Cars Go' (Too Pure, 2008)
The boys from Kent and previous Backstreets entertainers are back with a new single. 'Other Cars Go' is less poppy/country affair than previous singles and reveals a Sonic Youthesque use of feedback and noise taking the song to the edge of a cliff musically, but never completely falling off. It’s perhaps their greatest single to date and a great track which truly does prove that these boys have all the talent necessary to achieve success.
It’s very reminiscent of Wilco at times and fans of said band will find much to enjoy here. Despite being over six minutes long, the track manages to hold the attention thanks to a drumbeat and bass riff which drive the song forward at full speed, while guitars and feedback swirl around. Listening to this track reminds me that I have to see this band live again. And soon.
Read an interview with It Hugs Back here