OMD — New Babies, New Toys

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They Might Be Giants — Meet the Elements

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Perfume — Voice

Still jaunty, still bright, still sounds entirely computer-generated.

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The Brilliant Green — It Really Makes My Day!

It really made my day. Well actually, the gangsta rap video my friend made with his hamster really made my day. But this great song came a close second. The Brilliant Green are back and sound as if they never left with this sunny ’90s indie-pop singalong. It’s an extra track on their “I Just… Read more »

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My Dead Girlfriend — My Piggish Girl Died Miserably

Song name of the year. The name of the group is interesting too because it reminds me of My Bloody Valentine, and so does this track. A wall of guitar with slow lazy vocals and languid drumthumping. One to get lost in. Via Japanator Radio 146.

Vampire Weekend — White Sky

The Basement Jaxx remix is really nice. The nice falsetto hook from the song over an old-school 4/4 dance beat. Solid and compelling. Best Vampire Weekend track I’ve heard, actually. Jim and Fenny were really on a roll this week. OTW FTW! Via OTW 7 August 2010

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The Tansads — Fit to Drop

Oh, another folky melody, this time nestled in a folky pop band setting. Lyrically gritty, though sweet-sounding. There’s a slightly wild-eyed edge to the vocla though, which really works well. The Tansads were active in the ’90s, and maybe I need to investigate more to find out just how active. They’ve had some of their… Read more »

Johnny Flynn — The Water

A lovely and plaintive folk duet with Laura Marling. I could listen to this imagery and harmony till the river runs dry. From the album Being Listening. Via OTW 7 August 2010

Dau Cefn — Buwch 33

A very nice cut-up of a preacher of some sort, but not the cliched evangelical type: rather a more philosophical tone. There is a very soulful vocal line running throughout, though it’s completely undecipherable to me. The musical backing has a simple beat building up gradually while still maintaining interest, and there’s a slow plaintive… Read more »

Shonen Knife — Barbecue Party

Shonen Knife are still ploughing their Ramones furrow in a very charming way. It’s an energetic three-chord description of a barbecue, including cherry trees and deep-fried tofu (well, they are Japanese). From their 153rd album “Supergroup”. Apparently there are no original members left in the group. So is it really Shonen Knife? Discuss. (via OTW… Read more »