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The Beach Boys What follows is an erratic look into the career of The Beach Boys. It's not definitive, nor is accuracy guarenteed, but hopefully you'll share in my renewed appreciation of their music.The Beach Boys' legacy is an odd one. Far from the fairy tale of The Beatles, their career suffered its fair share of hiccups (and genuinely bad songs), leaving their story fragmented and at risk of being unheard by generations to come. It real shame because theirs is a story worth hearing.Till I DieThe Early ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Red RidersRed Riders had me worried for a while. Band members were leaving and time was ticking by without much action. It was a shame, not just because of the awesome music they proudce, but because they're genuinely nice guys. So it's great to see that they're back on track and sounding better than ever. They've picked up Brad Heald from The Vines and will be releasing their second album in early July. The first single to come off it was You've Got a Lot of Nerve. I liked it from the beginning, but ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Dappled Cities - The PriceIt begins. In just a few months, Dappled Cities will release their 3rd album, Zounds, and if past experiences are anything to go by, it should be totally freakin' amazing. I’ll save my schoolgirl swooning for the actual release, but let’s just say I’m excited. Yesterday the band unveiled the first single off the album, The Price. I’ve been drawn to this song from the moment I first heard it in a sound check. That was a full 12 months ago and since then it’s undergone plenty of tra ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Peter Bjorn & John - Living ThingI had high hopes for this release. Their first album had grown to be a favourite of mine, and despite the downright strangeness of their second album, it had some promising moments. Sadly, Living Thing hasn't delivered. It continues in a direction of unorthodoxy, narrowing in on a style that will cater to just a minority of their fans and alienate the rest.Peter Bjorn & John have always been a minimalist band. Instrumentation has been scarce and subdued, directing the focus to the vocal ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Last DinosaursThis band divides me in so many ways. On one hand, I've found their sound refreshing and instantly appealing, but at the same time I've been listing the bands they appear to be ripping off. One minute I'll be digging a melody, the next cursing them for repetition. There's so much contradiction going on, I'm beginning to wonder if we're schizophrenic. But whatever the case, this is a band to watch. They have a number of very strong songs that are sure to get some attention. In fact, it's mor ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website A (not so) quick helloOf Montreal - LiveThey're probably the most mentioned band on this blog, but you can never get enough Of Montreal. They're in Australia for the first time and their Sydney show was pretty awesome. Sure, it was disappointing that they didn't play any old stuff, but when a band is over a decade old, you sort of expect it. What makes them impressive though, is that despite so many of my favourites being absent, nearly every song they played I loved. It's testimony to the strength of their cata ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website A (not so) quick helloOf Montreal - LiveThey're probably the most mentioned band on this blog, but you can never get enough Of Montreal. They're in Australia for the first time and their Sydney show was pretty awesome. Sure, it was disappointing that they didn't play any old stuff, but when a band is over a decade old, you sort of expect it. What makes them impressive though, is that despite so many of my favourites being absent, nearly every song they played I loved. It's testimony to the strength of their cata ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Valentines DayHopefully everybody reads this in time because you would be terribly upset if you did something wasteful tomorrow, like have a romantic picnic, when there was so much good music on offer. After all who doesn't love music?The Alandale All Stars play Holiday RoadThis is a concept born heaven: a group of Sydney's funniest musicians have gotten together, formed a cover band and play for free on Saturday afternoons. The super line-up consists of Jake Stone and Jerry from Bluejuice, Lindsey from ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Laneway WrapupWow the day went fast. I was bouncing from stage to stage, enjoying my day, when all of a sudden Architecture in Helsinki began playing. The day had disappeared from underneath me! But I think all in all it was another satisfying Laneway experience. I still maintain that even though it has modest (but still awesome) lineups, it succeeds because the secondary factors (layout, organisation, crowd, atmosphere etc.) are great, allowing the music to flourish. Highlights included:Crazy antics fro ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Hottest 10It took at least 5 bands spamming me on Facebook, but this year I got my act together and voted in Triple J's Hottest 100 (last year I planned on voting solely for Vitriol but sadly, left it too late). I never actually realised this, but apparently the Hottest 100 is the world's largest song poll. And while its far from perfect, it certainly presents a much healthier look at the current state of music than any Billboard Top 20. So do your bit; vote now before it closes this Sunday. YES WE C ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website RemixesAs any regular reading would probably know, I'm no fan of remixes. This is simply because the vast majority of them aren't needed. They tend to just hack up a decent track and stick a fat beat on it, hoping to cash in on the fame of the original. It's a blunt and cynical view, but hey, its all too often true. But that's not to say I'm a total hater. When a remix comes along that enhances the original and brings something new to the table, I'll gladly respect it. Here's a couple that have re ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Guilty PleasuresConsidering this blog recently passed the 300,000 visitor milestone (!!!) and we're right in the middle of the Christmas/New Year period, I think it's appropriate to do some indulging. You know those songs that you put on, and love, but only you and friends appreciate them, because only you know the back-stories behind them? Well these are some of my songs. And the back-stories. Cause with all the serious music journalism I've been doing this year, it's about time I had a break. Will Smith ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website The Real Tuesday Weld - Last WordsI present to you a single-listen blog. It's always a special occasion when you hear a song for the first time and instantly feel attached to it. The feeling is one of warmth and satisfaction, but also quiet anticipation of what more could await. It's a feeling that happens far too rarely for me, so I had share it while it lasted. Sadly though, the very nature of a 'single-listen' means I can't offer much in the way of description. However I do remember the chorus having some great vocals. T ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website 4 - The John Steel SingersI wouldn't exactly call this Brisbane band a highlight on the Laneway bill, but after seeing them live recently, I can testify for their worthiness. The first time I saw them, they were a fun six-piece with a sit-down keyboardist (meh). Now they're a rockin' troupe with some killer songs and great live energy. If only their album didn't come in a Jeans pocket.....hehe. Shame on you Levity.Rainbow Kraut| myspace |Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Howling Bells - Into The ChaosIt's been well over a year since I've even thought of this band and then all of a sudden, BAM, this song comes on the radio. One round of the chanting opening riff and I was hooked. The slow, haunting vocals took over in the chorus and the Howling Bells memories came flooding back. It's been so long that all I can really remember about their last album is that it was good. With a second album on the way, the band couldn't have found a more perfect lead single than Into The Chaos. My attenti ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Seekae - The Sound of Trees Falling On PeopleAnother album which I've been listening to lately is the debut release by Sydney electronic outfit, Seekae. So early in their career, I would hardly have expected them to have an album, let alone one with 18 fully developed tracks. Their music is some sort of dramatic techno, mixing strange electronic clippings with looping keyboard melodies. I'm only just getting into it, but already I'm discovering an incredibly diverse array of sounds. My current favourite, Void, sees them really live up ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website The MotifsAfter listening to Jay Reatard, I don't think I could have stumbled across a starker contrast than The Motifs. As 'Matador Singles 08' finished, iTunes moved into 'Matches', easily the indiest indie release I've ever bought. You really can't fault it, with a mini CD, cover made of glued-on pieces, hand-drawn insert, individual message, sticker and even a sleeve hold it all. Believe it or not, the music is even cuter. The 6-track EP comes in at just 10 minutes, but offers an abundance lovely ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website 3 - Born RuffiansI've been pleasantly surprised to discover that this band are more than just one-hit wonders. The rest of their album may not match the brilliance of Hummingbird, but it's got plenty more of their signature slurred vocals, jagged guitars and edgy rhythms. I'm expecting good things when they swing by.Hummingbird| myspace |Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website 2 - Jay ReatardI haven't listened to much, but then it doesn't take much to realise that this will be a performance not to miss. Short, fast punk-pop can never fail.Always Wanting More| myspace |Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website 1 - Girl TalkThe first album was a novelty. The second album is.....also a novelty. But its a damn fun novelty. The insane variety of samples, mashed together so effortlessly, is almost too much for the mind to comprehend. But whilst the last 50 years of music are competing for a cameo, there's wicked beats flowing through every song. I'm looking forward to this live show so much that it will also be my first sideshow for the year.In Step| myspace |Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website John Columbus ResidencyThis Sunday will see the final installment in a Hopetoun residency by my good friends, John Columbus. The band (not a person) have recorded their second EP and will be offering it exclusively at these shows. This new EP was recorded live and is slightly quieter and more reserved than their last release. Give it a few listens and you'll begin to see that its strength lies in its subtleties. John Columbus create some of the most soothing and finely crafted music in Sydney. Catch them from 8.3 ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Decoder RingLast Saturday, Sydney band, Decoder Ring played as the feature act of the Riverbeats festival, a multicultural arts celebration on the banks of the Parramatta River. The location was certainly out of the ordinary, as far as gigs go. The stage was set up on one side of the river, with audience on the other. Above the stage was a giant white dome, with images being projected onto it. As you went down the river in either direction, there was an assortment of lights and candles and two more gia ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Top Australian Artists of 2008Oh how I hate compiling these lists. They are damn near impossible to sit back thinking 'Yes, that accurately represents my tastes'. You just can't do it! For starters, how do you compare an awesome live show with a solid album? Does it count if I got into an album this year that was released last year? I can barely remember back to the start of the year, let alone try to piece together which bands had the biggest impact! And so the list comes to you with so many faults. Missing bands, stra ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Homebake Incentive 2008 Grand FinalI know I've gone on about this competition, quite a bit, but if you're looking for a sample of rising talent in Sydney, you won't find much better. The grand final will be held over two nights, at The Hopetoun Hotel, with 4 bands playing per night. Here's a quick overview of who made it to the final 8:Night 1 - Monday 3rd NovJordy LaneJordy Lane's music has two very distinct sides. There's the warm, soft and downright gorgeous side, seen on tracks like Gallileo, and then there's the erratic ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Flamingo Crash - Triangle IslandFlamingo Crash have been bouncing in and out of my favour for a couple of years now. I saw them once or twice, here and there, but never really followed up. But then I caught them at the FBi birthday gig and was quite impressed. It was a fun, energetic set, filled with some really cool songs. They were like an Australian version of Hilotrons. That probably doesn't mean much to most of you, but for a fanboy like myself, it was great. If these guys had an album, I was buying it. Well that was ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Mystery JetsThe previous Mystery Jets album came and went without making much of an impression. But after hearing (and seeing) some of their new songs, I might just have to give them another chance. Haha brilliant. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Ernest EllisErnest Ellis is a relatively new band out of Sydney, playing their first show just two weeks ago. I managed to catch the end of this set, and was quite intrigued with what I saw. What struck me most was the diversity of their sound. Each song seemed to remind me of a different artist. If you head to their myspace, you can hear a TV On The Radio song (Want For Anything), a Sea And Cake song (Holiday) and even a Bit By Bats song (Bad Blood). I don't make these comparisons in a negative way ei ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website The Temper TrapThe Temper Trap are one of those bands gifted with an incredible voice. When lead singer, Doug, hits full stride with his singing, the result is a display of immense power. It's crisp, focused and seems to project endlessly. But of course vocals are just one part of a very complicated equation. You need to write music that supports and strengthens them.About 18 months ago, The Temper Trap burst onto the scene with their debut EP. The songs were solid and catchy, but it was the vocals that w ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Peter Bjorn and WHAAAT!?You may not realise this, but Peter Bjorn and John have a brand new album. Whatever you do, don't go out and buy this record based on the merits of their last one, because I can safely say this album is nothing like it. No, I don't mean that they've changed their style. Instead, they've gone out and created something that can only be described as utterly bizarre. The album is entirely instrumental, other than occasional snippets of foreign-language speech. Apparently the homelands of all th ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website New Devoted FewA few months back, I got my hands on an unreleased album and was told that should I leak it, I would die a horrible death. Not being too keen on such a scenario, I obeyed and kept it to myself. That album was the long-awaited third release by Sydney band, The Devoted Few. It's titled Baby, You're A Vampire and it's grown to be one of my favourite albums of the year. With it's release fast-approaching, I reckon it's about time everyone started paying attention.The Devoted Few have had some s ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website The Middle EastThe beauty of music in today's age is just how easily it spreads. Once upon a time it took money and major support to get your music heard. Such forces still exists, but the internet has changed the game. Music can spread purely on its own merits, independent of the band's efforts. If a song is good enough, the listeners will do the promoting. Take, for example, the song 'Blood' by The Middle East. By all logical explanations, I shouldn't know it exists. The band is based in Townsville, ove ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Sparkadia: Jealousy VideoSparkadia have put out a video for their current single, Jealousy, and it's quite an interesting one. In tune with the song's lyrical content, it features the ceremony and subsequent celebrations of a couple getting married, whilst the best man looks on enviously. This wouldn't be anything special, but for the fact that these parts are played by the band members themselves. Alex (lead) and Tiffany (guitar) are the happy couple, while Nick (bass) plays the dejected outsider. Is it reflective ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website FirekitesFirekites make some great music. Really great. Their recordings show a band creating soft, intricate sounds that sit nicely alongside the likes of Yo La Tengo. There's so many subtleties in it that every listen offers something new. It's the kind of music that really comes into its own when you pop on some headphones and immerse yourself in it. BUT. There is a problem. Apparently they fail to recreate this atmosphere live. I don't want to judge them before I've seen them personally, but I'v ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website MGMTAbout a year ago, I came across MGMT on a music blog somewhere. The song I heard was Time To Pretend and while I thought it was good, it wasn't enough to make me want more. I seem to remember the reviewer writing them off as a bit off joke band, not being all that serious about their music, and I guess that image just stuck in my head. I certainly didn't expect to hear from them again. That's why it came as such a shock to see posters appearing all over town saying nothing but "Who Is MGMT? ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website "New Zealand's Dappled"Something about the above words struck a chord with me when I heard them last night. They were used to describe The Boat People. Now considering that they're actually from Brisbane, it was probably the comparison to Dappled Cities that I found intriguing. This may have been a bit of a stretch with some of The Boat People's earlier material, but with this latest single, I can certainly see the parallels. It has me quite excited for the arrival of their new album, Chandeliers, some time in J ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website The SeabelliesWho would ever have thought that getting played by the country's only decent national radio station would have any effect on your popularity? Well it's certainly done wonders for The Seabellies. Sure they've played V Festival and won a host of competitions, but it was getting their single, Heart Heart Heart Out, played on Triple J that has catapulted them in to the public eye. It also hasn't hurt that it's a damn good song. Stream it below and experience the full glory of that keyboard ri ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Weezer - Pork and Beans clipI was recently introduced to this very funny video for Weezer's latest single. It's full of cameos by YouTube stars, so those who will appreciate it most will probably have already seen it, but if you haven't, you're in for a treat. It's the kind of nerdy brilliance that only Weezer could pull off.I wouldn't say the song is one of Weezer's best, but it's up there and shows promising signs for their upcoming album (The Red Album). Then again, they're disappointing track record means I probab ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Death Cab For Cutie - Narrow Stairs (2008)Last week I mentioned that the fake Narrow Stairs was possibly better than the real one. Well perhaps I spoke a little too soon. It's sounding stronger with every listen and memories of the 'other' one are quickly fading. However, I wouldn't go so far as to say it's a great album. I like it the sense that it's new music from a band I love, not because it's outstanding in it's own right. But all this could easily change as time goes on. Even as I write this, I'm listening to the album and st ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website This blog isn't dead. It's lazy.Soldier’s Grin – Wolf ParadeWolf Parade has always been a bit of an anomaly for me. As you may know, the band is led by Spencer Krug and Dan Boeckner, both of whom feature heavily in other bands, such as Sunset Rubdown, Frog Eyes and Handsome Furs. Well I don’t like any of these bands. At all. Yet when they come together, everything fits and I’m enchanted. Early listens of their forthcoming album suggest that they’ve somehow done it again. Rather than looking for an explanation, I think I’l ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Hjaltalin - Sleepdrunk SeasonsSeeing as I’m yet to hear this album in it’s entirely, you probably wouldn’t classify this as a traditional review. Instead, I am inviting you into the process of consideration, as I try to decide whether this is an album worth investing in. The band in question, Hjaltalin, are yet another Icelandic band to emerge with a distinctly strange sound. Like their predecessors, they create music which is immediately engaging and yet ventures beyond the safe confines of standard musical technique. ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website A tasty treat for youBa da da da da, BA BOW WA!You heard me.Custard - Love MeasurerListen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Sydney SmatteringIs smattering even a word? Who cares. Here's some music by a bunch of Sydney bands that have been on my mind lately:Telephone - Cuthbert & The Night WalkersI can’t believe I haven’t gotten around to talking about Cuthbert & The Night Walkers yet. They’re so cool! You may be thinking that because they have 5-piece choir, they are somehow a gimmick. It couldn’t be further from the truth. Underneath the choir is an incredibly solid band, with some excellent music. Whenever I watch them ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Mix #34 (analytical edition)Love Me Already – Black KidsBlack Kids have a rather interesting sound. The keyboards and guitars are relatively standard, but it is the vocals that set them apart. The leader singer has a weird delivery style that isn’t quite yelling, but is certainly forceful, creating a rather washy sound. At times it works, but elsewhere it can get annoying. This song demonstrates this problem nicely, as well showing some of the underlying melodies that are driving people towards their music.On and On – ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Monday MixMaasai Mara – The Ruby SunsFor many of you, your first encounter with New Zealand band, The Ruby Suns, was when far off foreigners, The Shins, chose them as special guests for their tour of Australia. So much for our close relationship with NZ. But now they’re coming for their very own show (this Friday at Spectrum) and I’m getting pretty excited (for various reasons). Their music fits somewhere in the ‘twisted indie-pop’ category, alongside the likes of Animal Collective. Their debut album ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Monday Mix #31The Opposite Of Hallelujah – Jens LekmanAfter the success of ‘Your Arms Around Me’ it really comes as no surprise that Jens Lekman has released an album full of nicely polished pop gems. The lyrics can occasionally get a little awkward, but this is always made up for in pure sweetness.123456 (Pardon Us) – Aleks and The RampsSpeaking of lyrics, this song has some rather interesting ones. I bought Aleks and The Rams’ debut album on the back of some rather impressive reviews and I must admit, ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website The Octopus Project and why you should pay more attention to your music.I’ve always been one who sees the allure of vinyls, indulge yet I’ve also done my best to avoid getting swept up by them. I do this because I know that it is neither practical nor affordable to listen to everything on vinyl, no matter how much better it sounds. Yet in recent times, my standards have been slipping a little and I’ve been indulging myself. The most striking thing I’ve noticed is how different the listening process is. The fact that you have to physically turn the record over, ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Mix # 30 somethingI Get Around – The Beach BoysLast week I had the pleasure of seeing Brian Wilson. Despite him missing many of his lines, barely touching his keyboard and just generally being out of it, it was an incredible show. It really is testimony to his genius and the strength of the Beach Boys material. His band were also excellent, especially Jeff Foskett who really carried the performance. Don’t ever let anyone put you down for listening to a bunch of men singing falsetto harmonies. It’s heavenly.F ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website The Hopetoun Hotel's Melbourne Menagerie!Just in case you didn't have enough great shows to go to in January, here's another one. This Saturday, three of Melbourne's finest indie-pop bands are coming up to Sydney to play one special show at The Hopetoun Hotel. It's an overdose of super sweet sounds. Melbourne really does beat us hands down when it comes to making warm, energetic and fun music. It's sure to be a treat. Here's some samples by each of the bands:The Zebras - You Look ReadySummer Cats - DiscothequeThe Motifs - Backward ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Soft Tigers - Gospel AmbitionsIf you know of Soft Tigers, it is most likely for their two biggest songs, M.A.R.I.A. and Mr Ice Cream. This is no surprise, because after all, these two songs are undeniably great. Catchy, energetic and fun, these two have ‘hit’ written all over them. You may also have seen them live and discovered a whole new side to them. Their on stage show is far more chaotic, mixing shambolic recreations of their recorded material with all sorts of new sounds. This experimental (and a little apathetic ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | |