Song of the Day: The Breeders – ‘Overglazed’

The Breeders – ‘Overglazed’

Signifying the onset of the weekend, Kim Deal and co. are here with a song whose lyrics comprise just four simple words: “I can feel it.” Succinct it may be, but few can argue that this song taps into an energy and attitude that we’d all like to immerse ourselves in at this time of the week.

From the forthcoming album to be released this April on 4AD, Mountain Battles is one comeback album that feels surprisingly good. Expect a full review soon…

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Fleet Foxes – Sun Giant EP

Fleet Foxes – ‘White Winter Hymnal*‘

I’ve been waxing lyrical about these guys since the day they signed to Bella Union. Now I can exclusively reveal that Fleet Foxes have recorded their very own Take Away Show at Noise Pop just yesterday, and given that Pitchfork have just stamped n 8.7 on their new EP Sun Giant (released today), I think their forthcoming appearances at SXSW could see these guys being the most talked about band over the coming months – the kind of hype that can often make people wary before they’ve even heard a note.

Fleet Foxes – ‘English House’

As for the music itself, it’s rich in the kind of uplifting harmonies Grizzly Bear are known for, though with a very pronounced gospel influence. Saying that, the dynamics repeatedly shift, hitting peaks and highlights when you thought there could be none left, their shimmering baroque arrangements (which will inevitably draw comparisons to the likes of CSNY) feeling like a much needed release of endorphins.

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Live Review: MGMT – La Maroquinerie, Paris

MGMT – ‘Electric Feel’ 

It’s not everyday that my choice of gig overlaps with that of screaming teenage girls, but this was not the only surprise that MGMT’s live show offered. Having recently ditched the two-guys-and-an-iPod setup, Ben Goldwasser and Andrew VanWyngarden now lead a rather sharp five-piece band, giving the the songs’ complexion a total makeover in the process.

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Song of the Day: MGMT – ‘The Handshake’ (Demo)

MGMT – The Handshake (demo)

Few bands have enjoyed a wildfire of hype in 2008 to the same degree as MGMT (a pair of music students from Wesleyan University formerly known as “The Management”) and their colourful new album Oracular Spectacular. At this point it may seem as if Brooklyn’s capable of producing an infinite number of dynamic, spaced-out indie group, but to see what all the buzz is about, these two tracks might be a good jumping off point. I prefer the demo version of ‘The Handshake’ as it seems a bit more focused and distilled…and there’s a little less ‘Ziggy-ness’ about it.

MGMT – Weekend Wars

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Song of the Day: Fleet Foxes – ‘Drops in the River’

Fleet Foxes – ‘Drops in the River’

I’m excited to say that I think I may have found my favourite new band. It’s a feeling that, when it does manage to come along, rewards all the daily music hunting a thousand-fold.* Judging from the fact that Fleet Foxes have garnered over a quarter of a million listens on MySpace without even releasing any material, perhaps I’m not alone in this feeling…and given that I found it tough to pick just one track out as a ‘song of the day’ seems to only underline Fleet Foxes as a significant discovery. Expect to hear plenty more gushing praise very soon. No further information is needed; just head over to said MySpace site and let the music do the rest.

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Song of the Day: LCD Soundsystem – ‘Someone Great’

LCD Soundsystem – Someone Great

This is a song about that slow, sinking feeling you get when you receive bad news; that dreaded moment when the phone rings at an unnatural hour. Although the lyrics and melody seem rather casual (and even upbeat) at first, that ominous, Joy Division-esque warble of the bass synth keeps pounding home the reality of the situation until it finally sinks in. Only then does the song begin to lift off, capturing the feeling and paying tribute to that certain someone, suddenly gone.

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The Fiery Furnaces – ‘Widow City’

The Fiery Furnaces – ‘Ex-Guru’

Unconventional, intriguing, literate, experimental, hectic, flustering – much as I’ve tried to be taken by the music of this arty brother-sister combo, time and time again, everything about the Fiery Furnaces has made it a surprisingly difficult task. But with the ’70s bounce of ‘Ex-Guru’, however, a door has finally be opened…Hopefully there’ll be no going back.

Watch the video:

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Song of the Day: Wimple Witch – Save My Soul

Wimple Witch – Save My Soul

“Despite the silly name and their near-total lack of commercial success, Wimple Winch was an interesting British ’60s group, weaving soul, intricate harmonies, and unusual whimsical lyrics into their original material…”

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Song of the Day: Lightspeed Champion – ‘Waiting Game’

 Lightspeed Champion – ‘Waiting Game’

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Song of the Day: Animal Collective – ‘Dancer (with Flowers in Her Hair)’ [Unreleased]

Animal Collective – ‘Dancer’

I was taken by this song the minute Animal Collective used it to open their set in London’s Astoria II. Far more dark and haunting than anything on Strawberry Jam, which most people were clearly there for, it unsettled expectations brilliantly.

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Song of the Day: Cass McCombs – ‘Pregnant Pause’

Cass McCombs – ‘Pregnant Pause’

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Song of the Day: u.n.p.o.c. – Come In

From the relatively obscure 2003 release ‘Fifth Column’ (Domino records) by Scottish one-man band, u.n.p.o.c., comes this catchy, modern take on garage psychedelia.

u.n.p.o.c. – Come In

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