Slow Club

Yes, so they've been mentioned twice before, but truly I can't stop gushing. Slow Club are as good of a band as you'll find anywhere these days and I'm looking forward to their debut album more than anyone else's (yep, it's true). And I'll tell you why. One word. Charm. As in CHARM. They've got in it spades and when you've got that then there's no need for posturing or being gimmicky.

Here's an "old" (I mean, 2007, c'mon...) UK radio session that I've been loving lately.

Slow Club - "Because We're Dead" (Radio Session).
Slow Club - "I'm Alive" (Radio Session).
Slow Club - "Sunday" (Radio Session). (This is quite easily my favorite tune of the past month; oh, I could go on... but I won't.) (And, check out "Dance Till The Morning" on their myspace page...)

Glasvegas 1st Major Label Single

OK. I need to calm down cause I'm really frustrated right now. Argh. I could easily launch into a diatribe about the pointlessness of major labels in 2008, but I'll resist for now. Regardless, here's the bad news about the recent Glasvegas signing to Columbia UK:

New single "Geraldine" is now out (the good news). However, as a USA resident, I cannot figure out how to access it. (1) Stupid iTunes seems to have the b-sides in the UK store and I can't purchase them without a UK payment card. (2) I could order the actual CD single through Columbia UK (which I'd love to do), but the shipping to Texas is (oh, let's see) $18.40 for the cheapest shipping option, bringing the total cost to $27.43. Uh, I don't think so.

So, it's 2008, right? Then why can't I pay for a download of each and every new A and B-side? Man, it was so easy before. Yeah, I'm frustrated. (In other frustrations, why does everything they touch now have to be so 'big'? Back off on the shoegazing guys, your songs are good enough).

The good news is that the always kind Glasvegas manager sent me my first swag ever in the form of a "Geraldine" promotional CD copy. Since you can't download this in the US, here are the "Radio Edit" and "Instrumental" versions. Enjoy.

Glasvegas - "Geraldine" (Radio Edit).
Glasvegas - "Geraldine" (Instrumental).

PS - Here's the new website and the single charted at #16 in the UK. Impressive. If only I could buy it...

A Baker's Dozen : Volume 12

Long before the muxtape, there was "A Baker's Dozen". And it's back. Volume 12. Enjoy.

01 - Lykke Li - "Dance Dance Dance". "When I'm shaking my hips, look for the swing, the words are written in the air...". My #2 favorite song of the past month (with #3 here and #1 coming up).

02 - Florence & The Machine - "Kiss With A Fist". Well, I can't say I recommend the sentiments of this one, but not taken literally it's a great jam. This tune does a great job of doing what a TV critic told a dance contestant last night ("you need to get into the floor more!"; amen).

03 - Absentee - "Bitchstealer". The mighty Absentee are back with the deep gravel baritone firmly in place. If you're a fan, you'll dig this one.

04 - People of Water - "Vale of Aching Hearts". The first of two instrumentals this time out. This one sounds like an outtake from The Cure during the "Pornography" era. Huge.

05 - The Rosie Taylor Project - "Black And White Films". I've referenced this tune before and so here it is. These guys (and gal; see above!) bring the melodic mellowness that I love.

06 - Ema & The Ghosts - "Ermine & Mink". One of many tunes (including The Weather Underground and The Sweet Hurt) that I've nicked from Rock Insider lately (hey, she brought me Ferraby Lionheart so I'm forever in her debt). It drifts and drifts and I'm in its wake.

07 - Underwater Getdown - "Hey". I know absolutely nothing about this band other than this tune somehow finds my skull first thing in the morning. Catchy.

08 - Organic Stereo - "Brightness". The 2nd of the 2 instrumental tunes in this set. The "glitchy electronica" thing is somewhat overdone, but this one hits.

09 - Kleerup - "Until We Bleed" (with Lykke Li). How much do we love this girl?!?!? I know!

10 - Taken By Trees - "Only Yesterday". And yet another great Swede. Soothing and impeccably cool.

11 - The Weather Underground - "How Many Operations". Interesting name choice here. Normally this style doesn't grab me, but the energy on this tune is undeniable.

12 - The Sweet Hurt - "Where Would You Go". So, going soft again. It may sound harmless, but at least it's melodic to the core, which I dig.

13 - Gemma Hayes - "At Constant Speed". This one took me a bit but I love it now. Ever watch "So You Think You Can Dance?" (if there answer is "no", change your ways now). I could see this song on there. Gorgeous.