Cougar Microbes

To celebrate the release of Florence + The Machine‘s ‘Ceremonials‘ album we have a copy of the album and related goodies to give away to one reader.

All you have to do to be in with a chance of winning is to comment on THIS post in the Cougar Microbes facebook page stating your favorite red head in history is.  The winner will be picked at random on the 9th of December.

GOOD LUCK!

TRACKS:

Florence + The Machine – No Light No Light

In 2009 the magnificently flamboyant Florence Welch burst onto the music scene with her band’s first album ‘Lungs‘. No need to recall the success attributed to Florence + the Machine that year: 2009 was underniably their time.

Even though Florence hasn’t released any new material since she has stayed active releasing mostly remixes and live recordings and making many memorable appearances more recently performing the new track ‘What the Water Gave Me‘ at a Chanel runway show.

Three years later, Florence and her Machine are back with a new breathtaking album named ‘Ceremonials‘. Faithful to the magical, eery atmosphere that characterized them, this album is the perfect second chapter.

Whereas ‘Lungs‘ was very musically diverse, ‘Ceremonials‘ is more like one long ballad, following Florence through storms or mountains. In my opinion, three songs stand out on this album: ‘Shake It Out‘, the gospely/ pop song which supposedly refers to Welch shaking the regrets and things haunting her; ‘What The Water Gave Me‘, the first single from the album and which is said to be inspired by Virginia Woolf ( who drowned herself in a river), and finally ‘No Light, No Light‘, which I find to be one of the most powerful songs I have heard in a while.

What I have always particularly enjoyed about Miss Welch is that she does not simply count on her incredible voice to make up the music. She creates an atmosphere, with brimming drums, organs, harps and vocal chorales that all mix up perfectly to create a sound that touches gospel, celtic melodies, goth, rock and plain pop.

Indeed, just as ‘Lungs‘ sounded like nothing else around at the time or indeed before ( no matter how often she can be compared to Kate Bush), this album delivers the same uniqueness.

Now I just cannot wait to see her perform this album live!

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Post by Olivia

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TRACKS:

Florence + The Machine – Shake It Out

Three years after releasing ‘Superabundance‘, Young Knives came out with their third full-length ‘Ornaments From the Silver Arcade‘ back in March. ‘Vision in Rags’ is the second single from the album.

I saw these guys at Kendal Calling festival in July and their stage presence is awesome. They are light hearted, energetic and tight as you like. This release is a divergence from their typical, frenetic single. The guitar hooks are still there but more laid back than we’re used to. Dreamy melodies and harmonies are layered over a steady groove.

But fear not purist YK fans, a familiar angular breakdown adds extra dynamics to this instantly memorable number and reminds us exactly who we’re listening to.

It’s undoubtedly indie-pop, but I’m definitely into it.

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Post by Kenny

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TRACKS:

Young Knives – Vision In Rags

Last week I bigged up Tashaki Miyaki and subsequently selected them for my BBC 6 Music takeover segment.

I had promised to feature this video for ‘Somethin’ Is Better Than Nothin’‘ and considering its stunning qualities I’m glad to share it.

TRACKS:

Somethin’ is better than nothin’ by tashakimiyaki

Ashtar Command‘s debut album ‘American Sunshine‘ was finally unleashed this fall marking the culmination of almost ten years of songwriting. One of my favourite DJ’s, and all round music guru, Chris Holmes joins forces with Brian Liesegang of Filter/Nine Inch Nails fame to record what is far from your typical 2011 release introducing obscure sci-fi references and a multitude of influences.

Here is new track ‘Mark IV‘ featuring Joshua Radin on vocals. Director Matt Ornstein delivered a brilliant video with his futuristic psychic spies and awesome views of LA. Check it out!

TRACKS:

Ashtar Command – “Mark IV (ft. Joshua Radin)”

Cougar Microbes has teamed up with Southern Comfort to offer one lucky reader the chance to take three mates to the Southern Comfort Juke Joint party on the 17th November at Islington’s Metal Works.

On the dance floor you’ll rub shoulders with live brass band musicians as they jam along to beats by DJs Blonde Ambition, The Dixon Brothers, Domin8or and John Hendicott.More importantly headlining the one-off night will be Hot Chip’s very own Joe Goddard.

To enter simply answer the following question in the comment section below:

What is your favourite Western Movie quote?

The competition is open to UK residents who are over 18 and our winner will be selected at random on tuesday 15th.

These tickets are like gold dust, but if you don’t win, don’t cry, check out facebook.com/SouthernComfortUK for details on the next Juke Joint. Good luck!

TRACKS:
Joe Goddard (featuring Valentina) - Gabriel

Joe Goddard – Jump

Joe Goddard – All I Know

The Miserable Rich echo tales of debauchery, paranoia, and sweet nightmares like a travelling Dr. Parnassus-style band of misfits.

It is the sweet meeting the sinister; modern lyrics meeting a backdrop of country mystery, rather like Gogol Bordello meeting The Decemberists somewhere in Eastern Europe for a swap of campfire stories.

‘Miss The Days’ is the new album packed with these Ghostly Stories.

‘Laid Up In Lavender‘ could be a twisted Dr. Caligari nightmare, a ‘why don’t you do right‘ sexy bassline and demon piano being cast over by a shadow of moaning violin.

‘Tramps‘ lightens the load with it’s Peter, Bjorn and John Parisian folk before slithering into ‘Honesty‘ and into the beautiful hymn that is ‘Ringing The Changes‘, swirling like a timeless dancing ballerina.

‘On Certain Night‘ culminates these sounds and is perhaps the best choice for a first single, an upbeat but slightly sinister folk tale sang by the ringmaster of a twisted circus.

The most evocative track on this wickedly styled album is the painfully pretty ‘Under Glass‘, the classical guitar sounding almost harp-like. ‘She’s a good girl and she don’t ask‘ still hinting at that insidious undertone that The Miserable Rich do so well.

Already achieving plenty of national radio play from the likes of Huey Morgan and Steve Lamacq, The Miserable Rich set off for a tour of fantastically spooky venues in the UK from the 29th October starting with Westminster Library.

‘Miss The Days‘ was released on Halloween.

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post by TR Wicks

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TRACKS:

On A Certain Night by The Miserable Rich

Bergen is already home to The Whitest Boy Alive, Röyksopp, Ungdomskulen and Datarock. Casiokids continue in the fine tradition of great acts to come out of the Norwegian city.

Having fallen in love with the band’s single from a few years ago ‘Fot I Hose‘ I was really eager to hear some more and ‘Det Haster!‘ (meaning literally “it’s urgent!”) does not disappoint.

Managing to deliver electronica-tinged music whilst playing instruments as a band can be hit and miss at times but the 4-piece succeed gloriously. In addition Of Montreal provide a special remix of the track to mix it

While we await news on a new album Casiokids plan some live dates including a bunch of performances in the UK towards the end of November.

‘Det Haster!‘ is taken from the album ‘Aabenbaringen over aaskammen‘ and is out now on Moshi Moshi.

TRACKS:

Casiokids – Det haster!