Matthew Young writes one of the best-regarded mp3 blogs around, in Song, By Toad. He also runs a fine label, Song, By Toad Records and since we met at a Camera Obscura gig in 2007, we have been pretty supportive of each other’s blogging and record shananigans.
So, I feel rather ashamed that I haven’t covered his most recent releases over the last couple of months in more detail, and whilst this post is not a full review (these will come, promise), this is a guide to what he and his artists are up to. (This post does not cover the excellent Jesus H. Foxx, but as I reviewed their gig from last week, hopefully that won’t matter).
Maxwell Panther is a singer-songwriter whose music has been described by Toad as sounding ‘Rough as a bear’s arse’ so if you are expecting Mike Oldfield type stuff, you will be disappointed (It is also debatable, however, whether you have anything to contribute to the world other than one day becoming fertilizer). His debut album Do You Feel Different Yet? is indeed rough sounding, but that’s part of its’ charm. And the fact that they’re some bloody great songs on it. Like these two:
Maxwell Panther -‘My Ex-Identity.’ mp3
Maxwell Panther -‘Lost Soul On A Roll (That’s Me).’ mp3
Do You Feel Different Yet? is out now
There’s so few bands ever who have sounded like Trips and Falls. that doesn’t matter – because as far as I’m concerned, when you hear their excellent album He Was Such A Quiet Boy you will fall for them hook, line and sinker. And how can you not love a song title like ‘And in Real Life He Wears Corduroy Pants?’
Trips and Falls -‘And In Real Life He Wears Corduroy Pants.’ mp3
Trips And Falls -‘How Do You Do…’ mp3
He Was Such A Quiet Boy is out now
Loch Lomond released a split 12″ single with the Builders And Butchers on Song, By Toad Records last year. The Portland, Oregon band are shortly to release an EP on Song, By Toad Records on May 17 entitled Night Bats. Check this out:
Loch Lomond -‘Wax and Wire.’ mp3
Last, but by no means least, the mighty Meursault are to release their hotly anticipated sophomore album on May 24, entitled All Creatures Will Make Merry. I loved their debut Pissing On Bonfires/Kissing With Tongues and having taken delivery of their new album last night, it looks like lightning might well have struck twice: