that’s what this LP is all about, being glossy, ridiculous, perfumed but elegant – acting out a part, made giddy by the possibility of high romance at any minute – yes with dirty fingernails and soiled cuffs but able to charm the preppy girl who’s just crossed the Place de République wearing shades and a miniskirt and with Le Grande Meaulnes tucked under her arm.
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Smalts – It’s Good to Be on A Well Run Ship and Nevelglans
And, as befits two members of seminal Dutch avant garde band Minny Pops, we also get a Minny Pops track – Kogel – but one stripped of its icy punch and replaced with a sort of abstract, Arabic funk.
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Alexander Tucker – Third Mouth
Tucker’s voice is the key throughout the record; it’s often pitched fairly high and the notes are held as long as possible as if to create a sort of monkish drone, a plainchant that also doubles as a sort of “troubadour’s lament” when needed.
Bear In Heaven – I Love You, It’s Cool
This hazy, electronic number is fairly representative of the album’s mood, but it is punctuated by the occasional spasm from a clap drum that hangs there, awkward as a fart in church and so many drum fills that you would swear you were listening to the chorus of “In the Air Tonight” by Phil Collins on repeat. Otherwise, it’s a great song.
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Johnny Foreigner -Johnny Foreigner vs Everything
This album stretches the band’s musical talent and the entire album plays out more like a rock orchestra than a trio. They experiment with electronic melodies and even a retro Stylophone gets an airing on Doesn’t Believe in Angels.
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Bowerbirds -The Clearing
This time Bowerbirds have been able to flex their muscle fully in regard to how they use their instruments and experiment with sounds. A throb of strings, horns and percussion in the likes of In the Yard and Death Wish make The Clearing their most colourful and sophisticated album yet.
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Sinéad O’Connor – How About I Be Me (and you be you)?
Once again Sinead O’Conner has become something bigger and more profound than a news headline or a retweet.
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Howler – America Give Up
Jordan Gatesmith does have the same indifference and gruff voice as the Strokes frontman, but that’s where the similarities end. Instead we’re transported to California , with surf rock riffs and high-spirited hand claps.
White Hills – Ekko, Utrecht 25/03/12
The Anti Group – Meontological Research Recording 3: Transmission From The Trans Yoggothian Broadcast Station – Qbus, Leiden 24/03/12
Afterwards the Qbus came together in a mild celebration coloured, it has to be said by a considerable outpouring of relief that such a difficult prospect had come off so beautifully, but then there’s no substitute for great music, wherever it’s performed.
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