Monthly Archives: January 2011

Presenting…Luxury Car

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luxury-car

Edinburgh’s Luxury Car is the work of John Robertson (guitars, keyboards, vocals) and Kieran Heather (bass).

Signed to Biphonic Records, the label which brought us the fine electopop styling of Seafieldroad and Swimmer One (both acclaimed and featued on this very blog), they are set to release their album When I Was Good on February 28.

They make perfect sense on Biphonic, and the music is both stylish electro and hauntingly acoustic (and if I hear one more idiot mention the ‘f’ word, I’ll deck ’em!), as exemplified by the two tracks that have been made available to download ahead of the album’s release: ‘I Play the Guitar’ with it’s gorgeously stuttering, glitchy intro into a fine pop song and the heartfelt, forlorn ‘Shame’. Think The Blue Nile. Think Boards Of Canada. Think Errors…and think it in the same act.

Luxury Car – When I Was Good (sampler) by Biphonic Records

The album’s tracklisting is as follows:

Hit By A Car
Discrete Packets
I Play The Guitar
When I Was Good
RTZ
Hinderland
Shame

…and, as ever, i’d love to know what you think.

The return of British Sea Power

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British Sea Power will return with their fifth album (including Man Of Aran) next week.

Entitled Valhalla Dancehall, the indicators are that they are on fine form and they have even told NME that they’re finally learning to enjoy themselves. Glad to hear it. Though they’ve never had quite the level of coverage that some of their labelmates (particularly the Strokes and the Libertines) got, they’ve continued to grow.

The fine foliage-botherers have made ‘Who’s In Control’ available to download.

British Sea Power -‘Who’s In control?’ mp3

And if you sign up to the mailing list you can get another free track, too…


and finally, the tracklisting is as follows:

Who’s In Control
We Are Sound
Georgie Ray
Stunde Null
Mongk II
Luna
Baby
Living Is So Easy
Observe The Skies
Cleaning Out The Rooms
Thin Black Sail
Once More Now
Heavy Water

Mick Karn remembered

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mick-karn

17 Seconds is sad to report that Mick Karn, who played bass in Japan from 1974-1982 has died of Cancer. He was just 52.

Japan were originally perceived as also-rans on the punk scene but as a band who were more than equal to the sum of their parts -in no small part due to Karn, they became commercially successful, releasing some of the most haunting and evocative music ever recorded. The three tracks posted below give a small idea of just how special and unique Japan were. ‘Ghosts’ must be one of the most unusual -but brilliant songs -ever to break into the top 5 and parent album Tin Drum is one of the classics albums of the period.

As well as his solo career, Karn collaborated with Gary Numan, Kate Bush and Peter Murphy of Bauhaus (with whom he formed the one-off project Dali’s Car). He had a successful solo career, and even a hit duet with Midge Ure ‘After A Fashion.’ He also joined Rain Tree Crow, the band that were to all intents and purposes a reformed Japan.

Japan -‘Nightporter.’ mp3

Japan -‘Quiet Life.’ mp3

Japan -‘Ghosts.’ mp3

RIP Gerry Rafferty

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Gerry Rafferty, former Stealer’s Wheel frontman and most remembered for the saxophone-tastic ‘Baker Street’ has died aged 63.

Born in Paisley, he played in the Humblebums with Billy Connelly, before joining Stealer’s Wheel and then becoming a solo arist. ‘Baker Street’ became an AOR classic, and the rumour -started as a joke by Stuart Maconie that the saxophone solo had been played by Bob Holness stuck around for many years. In the 1990s, the use of Stealer’s Wheel’s ‘Stuck In the Middle Of You’ in Reservoir Dogs continued to keep Rafferty in songwriting royalties.

He had been ill for a number of years, but according to reports passed away peacefully.

In your honour, Mr. Rafferty:

More from Arran Arctic

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Last year I wrote about Arran Arctic, who had just released a rather fabulous free track called ‘the Door’ which I played, along with other stuff, on my radio show on Fresh Air (should learn how to do podcasts sometime).

This is another gorgeous slice of dreamy pop from Arran (Arran Southall to his Mum), entitled ‘All That I Can Do.’

Arran Arctic -‘All That I Can Do.’ mp3

You can download more free music from Arran arctic at his website and see more videos, too.

His album In My Hands is scheduled to arrive next month. He’s not been well, so best wishes from us to you, Arran!

17 Seconds Records’ next release

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Fiction Faction will release their debut single ‘Apparitions’ on 17 Seconds Records on January 31 (17SEC25). It will be coupled with the Nevada Base remix of ‘A Fair Escape.’ And like the best debut singles, it sounds like a call to arms.

The four-piece band meld post-punk influences with contemporary electronica. They have received radio support from the likes of Tom Robinson, Vic Galloway, Jim Gellatly and have previously been Steve Lamacq’s unsigned record of the week. They recorded a live radio session for Vic Galloway’s BBC Introducing in Scotland and been featured as a future scottish anthem on his Radio Scotland show too. The band are based in Glasgow and have supported the likes of Egyptian Hip-Hop, I Am Arrows, Harlem and The Neat. They’ve headlined Glasgow’s famous PinUp Nights, as well as playing at the legendary Hope and Anchor in London’s Islington and at music industry legend Alan McGee’s club Death Disco. The Daily Record’s Rick Fulton has tipped the band as ones to watch, as have the Scotsman’s Radar blog and online magazine Is this Music? And they are building up a following across the blogosphere.

The band are David Richards (Rhythm Guitar, Vocals), Paul Mclean (Lead guitar, Vocals), John Paul Dunne (Bass, Backing Vocals) and Graeme Ellis (Drums, Backing Vocals). Amongst their influences they list artists such The Cure, Echo and The Bunnymen, Soft Cell, Blur, Kate Bush and XTC.

The single launch will take place on Friday January 28 at Glasgow’s Admiral, with support from CD/EX (Chris Devotion and the Expectations.

The band are also playing at King Tut’s, Glasgow on January 11 with Park Circus and at Club Fandango at the Bull and Gate, London on February 1.

The single will be released on download only.

Stream a-side and b-side here:

Apparitions by fiction faction

Fiction Faction-A Fair Escape (Nevada Base Remix) by fiction faction

…and if you missed it when I posted it last year, here’s the video:

My top tip for 2011 – CocknBullKid

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cocknbullkid

I’m going to put my neck on the line here and say that the person who deserves to become a star most of all in the next twelve months is one Anita Blay, AKA CocknBullKid.

Though she’s been around for a couple of years now, and has released stuff on Moshi Moshi (the London-based label that has been responsible for early releases by the likes of Hot Chip, Bloc Party, Kate Nash and The Drums), She is now signed to Island. The last few months have seen here support Kele Okereke and Marina and the Diamonds

2011 will see the release of her debut album, entitled Adulthood. The five track sampler that arrived at 17 Seconds Towers just before Christmas suggests that this is a lady who deserves to go places. She leaves Kate Nash and Lily Allen standing and if she’s not battling it out with Amy Winehouse and Katy Perry by the end of the year it’ll be a travesty.

This was the first single released through Island -‘One Eye Closed’

This was her 2009 single ‘I’m Not Sorry.’

…and her forthcoming single ‘Hold Onto Your Misery’ is a five star slice of excellence. No links to post it but this. This is due for release on February 21, 2011.

Meanwhile this is her self-titled track ‘CocknBullKid’

CocknBullKid -‘CocknBullKid.’ mp3

For some free mp3s go here at RCRDLBL

CocknBullKid’s website/CocknBullKid’s myspace

…and a Happy New Year from The Last Battle

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As you will doubtless have realised by now (assuming you are a regular visitor to this site), The Last Battle are not a band to let the grass grow below their feet.

Not only did they offer up a fantastic free song for Boxing Day, but they have released a free song for New Year’s Day too.

And you can download it here:

[NB this was available to stream from December 31, and the download should be available from today. If it’s not yet -they’re struggling with hangovers. Probably…]

You can download the Nature’s Glorious Rage EP for free here and their A Wee Red tale Live EP for free here.

Hopefully this will inspire you (if you haven’t already) to go and buy their debut LP Heart Of The Land Soul Of The Sea. If you’ve yet to hear it (tut tut) stream it here