Cougar Microbes are marching in like army ants…

Five friends from Bergen, Norway, came together as the Real Ones 11 years ago while still in their mid teens, and have played ever since, gaining a reputation on the Northern European indie circuit as one of the more colourful live performers around.

With long blond hair, sprouting tufts of beard, and loud patterned shirts, they wouldn’t be out of place somewhere on the American West Coast during the 70’s. Their folksy sounds fuse psychedelic African rhythms with 3 part harmonies, 60’s pop with funky Indo-Chinese sounds, and Mbaqanga with organic rock. Each band member plays a variety of acoustic instruments, creating a rhythmical orgy of guitars, banjo, Bouzouki, Indian Jaisalmer Violin, Wurlitzer, ukulele, and fiddle, probably washed down with copious amounts of akevitt.

From the nostalgic choruses in ‘Every Dog Has It’s Day’ and ‘Lonesome Town‘, to the retro funkadelic ‘Outlaw’, and the delicate tones throughout, these songs are a bubbly collection of intelligent and adventurous, yet strangely familiar tunes.

If you like Wilco, the Beach Boys, and lazy sunny afternoons, you’ll love the feel-good optimism exuded by the Real Ones.

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Post by the delicious Dorian

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TRACKS:

The Real Ones – Every Dog Has His Day

“Hey B,

Here’s a quirky idea for a short film about you! Please not that all characters appearing in this work are fictitious and any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.
D”

Here is some Israeli chill-pop from Metropolin.

TRACK:

Metropolin – Malahim

An old Chevy van has its windows smashed. Shattered glass litters the pavement, reflecting the yellow sodium streetlight above. The thieves quickly vanish into the darkened alleys with their loot.

Following the robbery outside a concert venue in Seattle, the band So Many Dynamos were left without any guitars and seemingly unable to make the scheduled performance that night, let alone continue their ambitious nation-wide tour.

This was not the end, but the start of what was to become the ‘Loud Wars’ album. To the rescue came Death Cab for Cutie guitarist Chris Walla, who lent them the equipment, and a few years later collaborated on the album, specifically the track ‘New Bones’.

The song has a similar style to The Postal Service, with clear vocal melody, and a strong overlay of electronic sound effects to the quasi-dance beat. The choruses take you on a merry-go-round and then return to the angular and rhythmic verses. It almost sounds like a remix, with its gunshot snare, keyboard bass lines, and beeping in parts.

Perhaps the instrumental is a little over the top in places, taking center stage to the singing at times, but this is a song that shows off both song writing and studio creativity. The prowess lies in combining both elements, and they have done it to a T.

Formed in Edwardsville, Illinois in 2002, the band named themselves after a famous palindrome (look that one up), and have been branded a mixed bag of  dance-punk, math rock, and indie-pop.

So Many Dynamos set out on a mini European tour in February taking in some UK dates as well as performances in Norway, Belgium, Holland, Germany and France. Catch them live and make up your own mind.

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Guest post by the indefatigable Dorian

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TRACKS:

So Many Dynamos – New Bones

Up until a week ago my house was free from wailing spirits. Not so any more.

The Banshee‘s 80’s Britpop undertones are reminiscent of The Killers and Franz Ferdinand as well as the inevitable Joy Divison reference, their new single ‘Colder‘ is guaranteed to warm you up quickly. Matter of fact, the whole album will. The choruses lift and the verses, well… they keep lifting. These guys differentiate themselves with keyboard textures and effects augmented by soaring riffs and multiple layers of angular sound. They clearly like their 16-beats with a disco hi-hat, and the tracks – although carefully produced – retain a rawness that conveys the band’s energy.

But it’s for better or for worse,that the album never lets up. It feels like a rollercoaster ride without the uphill parts – it’s fast and furious all the way through. By keeping energy levels up and a constant sharpness throughout, there’s not much time to breathe and savour the anticipation of the next rush.

Don’t get me wrong, the good songs are very good indeed. Tremendous choruses, such as the skilled build-up in ‘Kicks Up‘, and ‘People Around’, with it’s deliciously soothing verses that burst into a chant. ‘Cut Me Clear’with it’s guitar riff and disco-beat on the verses, is another one I liked,  and the aforementioned ’Colder‘ is simply a cracker.

These are clever tunes, and The Banshee certainly has potential for the Indie charts, and despite sounding more British than a bacon sarnie for breakfast, the quartet – believe it or not – are Italian. Their début album ‘Your Nice Habits‘ should be out anytime now, and it’s worth keeping an eye out for.

TRACKS:

The Banshee – Your Nice Habits

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Guest post by the mystical Dorian H.

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