Cougar Microbes

1. The Decemberists- The King is Dead

Made the Cougar Microbes Top Albums of 2011 list here

2. Beirut- The Rip Tide

Made the Cougar Microbes Top Albums of 2011 list here

3. Death Cab for Cutie- Codes and Keys

I have been a Death Cab super fan since about 2001. ‘We Have the Facts and We’re Voting Yes’ is one of those albums that stopped me in my tracks, and ‘The Photo Album’ will always be one of my favourite albums of all time. However, whilst Death Cab’s quirky under the radar indie sensibilities may have been what won me over in the first place, I am unashamed in saying that indie rock pop songs (such as 2005’s ‘Plans’) are often when they’re at their strongest. Which is exactly why ‘Codes and Keys’ is so fantastic- tracks such as ‘Stay young, go dancing’ and ‘Portable Television’ are perfect indie pop for the Portland generation.‘Codes and Keys’ basically solidified it for me: Death Cab For Cutie are most definitely the band that I will never fall out of love with.

4. Bon Iver- Bon Iver

Made the Cougar Microbes Top Albums of 2011 list here

5. Braid- Closer to Closed

Okay, so it was only an EP, but if 2011 can be remembered for only one thing, it has to be the welcome return of Braid and their melodic pop accompanied by Bob Nanna’s distinctive vocals. This 4 track EP is hopefully the shape of what’s to come from a full length in 2012- Kinsella-core style tunes with heartbreaking lyrics. Roll on that 2001-era emo comeback..

6. Surfer Blood- Tarot Classics

Another EP, but one that is too good not to mention. Surfer Blood’s follow up to their 2010 debut ‘Astro Coast’, is all kinds of wonderful. ‘Tarot Classics’ is 4 brilliantly upbeat Beach Boys-esque tracks- the kind of songs that make you want to do spontaneous handclaps as you listen along. Main single ‘Miranda’ is Surfer Blood showing they can take the sound they encapsulated on their debut to the next level- polished hyperactivity if you will. With their second full length due next year, Surfer Blood well and truly remain ones to watch.

6. The Horrible Crowes- Elsie

Filling this year’s Hold Steady/Gaslight Anthem void in my life, The Horrible Crowes debut album oozes Jersey and Springsteen sensibilities. This is the kind of record that is made for dive bar jukeboxes, soundtracking ill advised all night whiskey drinking (the above may or may not have been based on personal experience). Brian Fallon’s vocals sound just as affecting as they do on Gaslight Anthem records, but yet benefit from the stripped down simplicity of The Horrible Crowes’ recording style. It’s a rare thing when side projects contain enough good songs to stand along, but ‘Elsie’ most definitely slots into that elusive category

7. Fleet Foxes- Helplessness Blues

Made the Cougar Microbes Top Albums of 2011 list here

8. Bright Eyes- The People’s Key

Made the Cougar Microbes Top Albums of 2011 list here

9. Mister Heavenly- Out of Love

An indie-rock supergroup comprising of members of Modest Mouse, Unicorns, Man Man with Michael Cera on touring bass, Mister Heavenly had pretty good odds in producing one of the albums of 2011. Bursting full of upbeat style indie-pop, accompanied by 1950s influences, ‘Out of Love’ is a must listen for anyone who has a remote leaning towards catchy indie rock that doesn’t take itself too seriously. And if that’s not enough, their biography states that Mister Heavenly are ‘very excited by the prospect of their music being used in a big-screen, teen romantic comedy’, which is pretty much all I could ever want from a band’s press release. Instant scene points? Yeah, I think so.

10. Alex Turner – Submarine (Original Movie Soundtrack)

Movie soundtracks aren’t often strong contenders for albums of the year, but Alex Turner’s self composed soundtrack to Richard Ayoade’s ‘Submarine’ is more than worthy of a place in the list. As a huge fan of the book, the songs that Turner produced for the film managed to perfectly encapsulate the melancholy and quirkiness of the story, whilst also showing that there is more to his musical repertoire than just the Arctic Monkeys. All haunting vocals, slow beats and acoustic guitars,especially on stand out track ‘Stuck On The Puzzle’, this a mini album that is most definitely one of the best things to emerge in 2011.

TRACKS:

The Decemberists – This Is Why We Fight by IndieRockReviews

Beirut – Santa Fe by Revolver USA

Death Cab for Cutie – You Are A Tourist by mownoislam

Calgary by boniver

Braid – “Universe or Worse” by AwkwardSound

Surfer Blood – Miranda by SPEAKIMGE8

Behold the Hurricane by SideOneDummy

Fleet Foxes – Bedouin Dress by magic.arrows.blog

Bright Eyes- Shell Games (k-noble booty folk remix) by K_noble

Mister Heavenly “Hold My Hand” Live at KDHX 11/12/11 by KDHX

Alex Turner – Stuck on a Puzzle (2011) by EmergencyBroadcastSongs

Miles Kane, former frontman of the Rascals and one half of the Last Shadow Puppets (alongside Arctic Monkey Alex Turner), releases his debut single ‘Inhaler‘ on limited 7” and digital download.

He is touring the UK throughout November (including a free show as part of Liverpool Music Week on the 11th) and December. Catch him on the road

TRACKS:

I first stumbled across The Tunics a few months ago and made a mental note to get to their next London show. The three-piece follow in the tradition of recent British rock successes, mixing Fratellis-esque arrangements with an Alex Turner like gift for socially aware lyrics that are symbolic of a generation. Fortunately I didn’t have to wait long to see them live and on the 12th of February I headed down and enlisted my photographer friend Stefan to come along.

I have to admit I was a little surprised by the fact the band was not headlining on the night as I had seen quite a lot of press exposure for them. Even more annoying was the constant muddled conversation that droned across the small venue. Clearly this audience had no appreciation for live music and the musicians delivering it even going as far as forgetting to clap (even politely) when presented with the frightened faces of the next band.

Under similar circumstances many other bands may have acted petulantly but The Tunics managed to use this to their advantage blasting through their set, barely acknowledging the audience’s indifference. It may come across as shallow but one slight concern I had was that, in contrast to their promo shots/videos, they failed to present the unified band image which in this day and age can separate the contenders from the also-rans. This mattered little because in frontman Joe Costello, they may have found their ace in the pack. His clever lyrics and Gallaghers-meets-Arctic Monkeys delivery raised The Tunics above many other bands doing the rounds.

Is must be said that if the 3-piece are to fulfil their potential they should not get complacent with their brand of straight up indie and attempt to push more boundaries. However, with tracks like the brilliant ‘Cost Of Living‘ they have shown enough of a work ethic to warrant my belief that the next time I will see them they will be looking sharper, performing in bigger venues to more attentive audiences. It’s the least they deserve.

The Tunics release new single ‘Shine On’ on 2nd of March through Manta Ray Music.

Arctic Monkeys need no introductions on these pages unless you have been living in a cave in Afghanistan for the past few years. I must confess I was almost frightened off by all the press build up and was frankly quite sceptical before I heard them expecting another twee indie band for the NME to proclaim “Saviours Of The Universe, (and inventors of the AIDS vaccine)”.

Whilst on holiday abroad later in the year I was listening to a local radio station and a song came on unannounced and boy did it rock. The drums were thunderous and the guitars were jangly and unusual. Even better they were spiced by a chorus that sprayed melodies left right and centre. When the DJ announced this was ‘The View From The Afternoon’ my jaw dropped. It was time to give their debut a chance with no prejudices.

So I went out and bought ‘Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not‘ and caught them live in Italy and soon enough tracks like ‘Fake Tales Of San Francisco’ were regular fixtures on my car CD mixes. Yet again the band were able to blend their quiet-loud approach to perfection whilst managing to slip in an occasional shout-along.

I have never been to Sheffield but somehow I can completely associate with the band both musically and lyrically drawing parallels to my own life (how presumptuous). I think it’s a testament to the strength of this album that the media that year all named different tracks from the album as their “Best Of Year” lists. Simply, there are a load of standout tracks that any budding songwriter would love to call their own.

The scary thing is these boys are in their early 20s and just getting started.