The Raveonettes - In And Out Of Control

Hot on the heels of fellow Danish rockers Mew's latest album (the one with the extremely long name), The Raveonettes have returned to follow up 2007's Lust Lust Lust. The shoegazey feel remains but the Copenhagen duo have swaggered towards a much poppier sound on their new record, In And Out Of Control.

Does it work? Yes. A resounding yes.

Much like the earlier Raveonettes albums, you can look at their latest effort from two perspectives. You can see it as a rich tapestry of musical influence, from Blondie to the Velvet Underground to Jesus and the Mary Chain. Or you could simply describe it as an extremely good rock-pop album.

The dark undercurrent remains from their earlier songs, but this time it's laced with a serious dose of cheeriness, jousting for attention amid the darkened lyrics. There's no small hint of dark humour in there too, 'Hit me please/strike again/sadistic girls, I don't get you' being a lyric from 'Break Up Girls!'

All in all, this album will satisfy hardened Raveonettes fans and, whether this was intended as a mainstream clincher or not, open them up to a much wider audience. As for the highlights, Bang!, Gone Forever, and Heart Of Stone are my personal favourites, but don't be surprised to see Last Dance appearing on the radio...

Download 'Last Dance' here for free!

In And Out Of Control hits stores on 6th October 2009.

London loves The Antlers at the Lexington

I've been an avid and intense follower of music since I was about 14. Many gigs have been played out infront of me in those 9 years, yet few can be described as life affirming or profoundly touching. Seeing the Foo Fighters play at Leeds Festival left a mark, Pixies playing in a tiny club venue in Prague was special, The Arcade Fire at Brixton proved to me that the music industry was worth getting into.

Thanks to a trio of Brooklyn-based musicians, I've had another 'moment'. I have been listening to Hospice (their debut album) quite regularly since I first heard it - and loved it. However, nothing really prepared me for how good they'd be live. It was only a 45 minute set (as the first band on) at The Lexington in Islington, but it felt much more poignant than that. Hospice was written about seeing a loved one die from cancer - the hope, the fear and the devastation bears itself openly in the beautifully crafted lyrics.

The hauntingly vivid vocals of Peter Silberman are often operatic while the keyboard provides a stunning ambiance to the whole event. By the end of 'Two', their final song, I was stood motionless in speechless silence.

This band could go anywhere. They harbour the passion of The Arcade Fire, the lyrics and heart of Bon Iver, and a strong sense of a Radiohead. I would pay to see these guys 365 days a year if I could. Epically beautiful.

Come back to London, Antlers!

The Dodos aren't extinct; I saw them at Bush Hall

Frenchkiss label-mates Passion Pit may be grabbing the headlines, but this trio of talented San Franciscans have garnered as much critical acclaim from their records as their trendier cousins. Their eponymous (official) debut, Visiter, is widely regarded as one of the best albums of 2008 by critics and helped them construct a healthy UK fan base. This was demonstrated by the sell out signs held up outside the door at London's Bush Hall venue.

The set was near-enough half Visiter, half Time To Die - their second and newly released album, brought forward due to one of those all too familiar torrent leaks. A raucous opening was characterised by tunes such as Paint The Rust, Joe's Waltz and This Is A Business and culminated with the superb Red & Purple. They are men of few words while on stage - although altogether more talkative with a beer in their hands backstage - yet manage to create an atmosphere of bonding with the crowd due to the nature of their music. A blend of joyful folk guitar and African (even Latino) influenced drumming leaves a near headache inducing cacophony that proves strangely gratifying. It shouldn't work - but it really, really does.

These are three contented musicians, perfectly comfortable with where they're heading and what they're doing. There are no delusions of grandeur - they're just making damn good music.

Passion Pit Show Their Good Manners

As one of the buzz bands of 2009, Massachusetts 5-piece Passion Pit have been making waves on both sides of the Atlantic. It started with their stunning debut EP - Chunk Of Change last year and the hype machine has been in full-swing for their first LP named Manners.

Summertime electro took off last year with the likes of Vampire Weeekend and MGMT but Passion Pit have developed this sound and created something far more complex and gratifying. To be perfectly frank, it's just a lovely album.

Some parts are challenging, in part due to the feminine pitch of vocalist Michael Angelakos, but overall it's generally a beautiful listen. Stand out tracks include 'Moth's Wings' and 'Sleepyhead' - but listen to the whole thing on a hot summer's day and I challenge you to not feel charmed.

Pixies Announce European Tour In October 2009

October

1 Dublin Olympia

2 Dublin Olympia

4 Glasgow SECC

6 London Brixton Academy

7 London Brixton Academy

8 London Brixton Academy

9 London Brixton Academy

11 Frankfurt Jahrhunderhalle

13 Amsterdam Heineken Music Hall

14 Brussels Forest National

15 Paris Zenith

Tickets go on sale on 3rd July.

Pixies To Play London Show?

Pixies are set to play a show at the Village Underground in Shoreditch on Monday (15th June) in London. Tickets are on an invite only basis, although NME and Pixies themselves are offering several pairs as competition prizes.

Who needs Led Zeppelin when you've got an Airship?

Airship - Spirit Of The Beehive (2008)

I think it's fair to say that live music is infinitely better when you know the material being performed on stage. However, there are exceptions. Airship produced one of these moments for me.

A young collective of four aspiring Mancunian musicians produced music beyond their years while supporting Ra Ra Riot at KCLSU in London. A collection of catchy hooks mix beautifully with the guitar work reminiscent of Modest Mouse and the Pixies  - comparisons which would leave many green with envy. 

This melody heavy content could open the way for mainstream success, after all, mediocre bands continue to dominate NME. It's about time a fresher, more exciting band took the place of the bland, predictable top shop rock on offer at the moment.

The band themselves found out about their support slot less than 24 hours before they were on stage in London - in Sheffield - and it speaks volumes that they produced a composed and technically superb gig at such short notice. 

Remember the name - they could be huge.

Time For A Ra Ra Riot

Ra Ra Riot - The Rhumb Line (2008)

I've always felt violins have been an underused instrument in rock music. Then the Arcade Fire came along and fused them with guitar and bass, vocal and piano. It'd be wrong to think that the Ra Ra Riot haven't been influenced by the Montrealers in this sense. Except the guys from New York state have also brought in a cello. So, where am I going with this? Well, you probably have pictured a quaint band that gracefully play a tempered, measured style of music.

You're wrong. And I apologise for insinuating. Ra Ra Riot provide, as they describe it, a "frothing cauldren of gruel." They are, hopefully, the spearfront of a new genre, a new era in rock music could beckon if they continue to produce this extremely lively and bouncy music. It's happiness tinged with sadness, with catchy lyrics and often rowdy drumming. 

Having recently secured a slot supporting Death Cab for Cutie and previously touring the UK with The Editors, they are making a name for themselves through other bands. It's a method that the Riot can pull off, as they are essentially a live band. They audience doesn't need to provide any energy, they will be drawn in with the tractorbeam-esque nature of their music. It's almost hypnotism.

If there is one criticism of their music, however, it must be the overproduced nature of The Rhumb Line. It doesn't quite portray the true spirit of the band. Still, a magnificent record (even if the singer occasionally sounds like Johnny Borrell) with the highlight being a stunning cover of Suspended In Gaffa. 

Check them out at Kings College Student Union in London on Tuesday 17th February. £8 adv.

Rating: 8/10

Let's all get Dirty on Purpose

Dirty on Purpose - Hallelujah Sirens (2006)

Rarely does an album capture the imagination as much as this one. This mixture of heart-breaking tones and uplifting melodies should have propelled this Brooklyn four piece to stardom. Unfortunately, as I write this, two months have passed since they parted ways.

There's plenty going on, shoegazey riffs, vocals reminiscent of Stuart Murdoch (Belle & Sebastian) and a Shins-esque lo-fi sound. The glorious opener, No Radio, begins with a triumphant horn and guitar intro, presenting the joyous side of the album dramatically. Gliding down a notch with consummate ease, Your Summer Dress kicks off with a more sinister tone before emerging into a fantastic indie song. The lyrics aren't bad either, 'It's raining out, the sky is dark, you're staring at the ground, someday soon, I promise you it'll turn around". Shades of Snow Patrol strike through with the backing vocalist capturing Gary Lightbody's precious sounds gloriously. It builds into a crescendo that drifts to a close in a sublime manner. 

There are a couple of songs on this album which don't do the rest justice, one being Love Effect, but soon we're into the defiantly optimistic 'Light Pollution'. Experimenting is one thing that Dirty on Purpose did superbly - and Monument is a great, er, monument to this. A 4 minute prog-instrumental song focused heavily on sharp riffs and complex guitar work that is usually more attributed to metal bands. 

All in all, a truely exceptional album to spend an afternoon, an evening, or even a morning listening to. It's just a shame it didn't get the commercial success it deserved. More people need to hear this.

Rating: 9/10

MP3: Light Pollution From Hallelujah Sirens

A Different Path Up Some Narrow Stairs

Death Cab For Cutie - Narrow Stairs (2008)

After a lukewarm response to Plans (2006) - even though it gained popular success - Ben Gibbard decided to realign Death Cab for Cutie back towards the lo-fi sound of yesteryear with the release of Narrow Stairs.

Over production is kept to a minimum - and you're far less likely to hear this record being played in Starbucks. While Plans felt like a few gems (Crooked Teeth, I Will Follow You Into The Dark) amongst a sea of filler, this album is far less skippable. It has teeth.

After about 3 minutes of the opening track - Bixby Canyon Bridge - it's clear that Death Cab have surrendered the mainstream shackles. And yep, even distorted guitars! Very un-Plans. The follow up is the epic first single from the album, I Will Possess Your Heart. It's as menacing as it sounds with a funky bassline that guides you through the 5 minute intro. Perhaps slightly repetitive (you may prefer the Radio Edit), but superb nonetheless.

No Sunlight is reminiscent of The Sound Of Settling, with its upbeat tempo and jumpy vocals. Cath, however, is my favourite track on the album. Exceptional drumming and lyrically brilliant, it's a track that you find yourself listening to over and over.

The drifty Grapevine Fires is relaxing as it is upsetting (if your life has been affected by forest fires, that is) although Long Division proves Death Cab's scope. Who else could write a song about mathematics and still get the entire crowd singing along? Hmm. I'm struggling. They don't need no education.

The album peters out slightly, but it's still a great record. Don't miss it.

Rating: 8/10
MP3: Cath... From Narrow Stairs