Here's some reviews from band's you've never heard of. Plus George Michael...
Shimmering Stars – East Van Girls/I Wanna Try
Trivial Persuit
Shimmering Stars has been one of big discoveries of 2010. Despite coming from Canada, they make lovely ‘60s style psych-rock that never fails to transport you to some weed-hazed beach in a fictional California where Syd Barrett and Brian Wilson live.
Double – a-sides definitely don’t come any better than this. East Van Girls is a woozy trip through the Byrds early years, whilst ‘I Wanna Try’ kicks off one of the nicest sounding records I’ve ever heard with the line ‘walking down the street, and I wanna kill everyone I meet”. I mean, does it get any more awesome is that? 5/5
DH
George Michael – December Song (I Dreamed of Christmas) 2010
Island Records
Sure, it's no 'Last Christmas', but then what is? George Michael's latest crack at Christmas is a bit of a dreary fireside snooze-fest. But, we'll let him off for two reasons: 1. the poor fellow has just been in jail (where apparently he was very popular); and 2. the video is super cute.
Full of sadness, melancholy, wonder and charm it's like a cross between Belleville Rendez-Vous, one of those Tim Burton cartoons, and Dickens at his most creative and celebratory. 4/5 (for the video alone)
Molly Wagger – Weekend
Tirk
Despite sounding a lot like an insult you might slur at your wife after too many cans of Buckeeee, this Scottish band’s sound is surprisingly mellow.
The title track is a mellow, limping elegy to lazy Sunday mornings, all stripped-down drums and simply understated piano. I can see this being my boxing day track of choice: it’s short but sweet, and my only criticism would be that it leaves you hanging unexpectedly and wanting more. 4/5
AH
Carpathian – Wanderlust
Deathwish Inc.
The student protests still haven't got a theme tune, so I'm going to put this bad boy forward. The Smiths might be all 'Come on disaffected students! Join hands and sing 'Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now!' but what we really need are some angry Australians screaming incomprehensibly.
'Wanderlust' makes me feel a little bit motion sick, it has thrashy guitars and it sounds like someone screaming down your ears. Which is great. Remember kids, if you're going to be kettled, keep it metal. 3/5
LM
Treefight For Sunlight – What Become of You and I?
Tambourhinoceros
This is the sort of song for which my review could go one of two ways. With a hangover and minus my morning coffee it could easily turned into a rant about the annoying incessantly upbeat 'chimey' vibe.
Luckily it caught me on a good day and the happiness has charmed me - I like it. 3/5
LG
Internal Affairs – Evil Egyptians
Deathwish Inc.
Internal Affairs are splitting up. What! Am I the last one to know? So, their farewell consists of a 'four song single' re-release which in my opinion, is a portfolio of their best work. I feel like I've been taken on a musical journey, from the evocative chords of 'Guilty' right through to the finale, 'Nightbreed'.
I shall sit for the rest of the day in my tour t shirt, with 'Snake Skin' on repeat. It’s the end of an era. 3/5
CW
The Wave Pictures(Johnny Helm Sings) – Now You Are Pregnant
Moshi Moshi
Listening to The Wave Pictures 'Johnny Helm Sings' raises two questions, is he singing this to me personally, because it’s almost feels like a bed time story in its narrative, melodic style. And two, who is Johnny? I can answer that, he's the multi talented drummer of The Wave Pictures and he has 3 offerings, the first being 'Now You Are Pregnant' (I hope not).
This is a very pleasant and gentle tune and for me not much more. He strums away on his guitar soothingly whilst talking about stacks and stacks of slacks. The end. 3/5
JD
Watch out for our round-up of this year's Christmas contenders next week!
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