let color spew forth

Scissor Sisters, on the verge of unleashing "Magic Hour", their forthcoming, fourth longplayer, have lensed a colorful, equine enhanced video for their current single, "Only The Horses". Let's have a peek.



Nicely shot. I see the often used, spilled paint played in reverse trick is still popular. The single is hugely listenable. Although, I'm still convinced it is stripped of anything resembling the Scissters with the exception of Jake Shears' vocal. Still, a lovely tune which grows with each passing listen.

And if you'd like to know how this modern slab of celluloid was created, here's a short, behind-the-scenes look at the making of it.



The tracksliting for "Magic Hour" has been revealed. And I am pleased to be able to share it with you now.

1. Baby Come Home
2. Keep Your Shoes On
3. Inevitable
4. Only The Horses
5. Year Of Living Dangerously
6. Let’s Have A Kiki
7. Shady Love
8. San Luis Obispo
9. Self Control
10. Best In Me
11. The Secret Life Of Letters
12. Somewhere
13. Ms. Matronic’s Magic Message
14. Fuck Yeah*
15. Let’s Have A Kiki (DJ Nita Remix)*
16. Fuck Yeah (Seamus Haji Remix)*

The asterisk (*) donates the ever growing popularity of the bonus track. Not sure if the three additional tunes are exclusive to a digital retailer or make an appearance on the CD. Either way, I think it would have been nice to add the Seamus Haji remix of "Shady Love" to the tracklisting. I prefer that one to the original. Just my two cents. Regardless, "Magic Hour" will be available in the "shops" on May 25.

And for those who appreciate a little personal anecdote, I'm thrilled to tell you that, as a child, my siblings and I used the word "kiki" when referencing female genitalia. I can hear your satisfaction at being duly informed. I don't suppose the Scissters had that in mind when they recorded the album track, "Let's Have A Kiki". Carry on.

calling all occupants

Gravitonas, fronted by vocalist Andreas Öhrn and curated by legendary, Swedish maestro Alexander Bard, have returned with "Call Your Name", a brand new single which sports a slightly different sonic direction for them.

While their latest is still aimed directly at the dancefloor, it takes on a slightly more progressive bent than previous efforts.

The pulsing synth figure is powered forward by a snappy clapping percussive track and swings under Andreas' urgent, insistent vocal. It's slightly darker sounding with a hook that manages to bury itself deep inside your brain within moments of hearing it. And they push the boundaries of the dubstep breakdown by adorning the squelchy, rumbly bits with Eastern European string lines.

The single is accompanied by a suitably quirky, jerky video which sees Andreas' straightforward performance juxtaposed against Alexander's ominous presence. It reminds me a bit of Pet Shop Boys' finest visual work. Think some of the darker moments from "Heart" or "I Don't Know What You Want But I Can't Give It Anymore".



While the overloaded, 17 mix digital bundle is scheduled to be released on May 21, "Call Your Name" is already available to purchase as part of Gravitonas' brand new, six song EP, "Black Ceremony".

What is truly unique about the Gravitonas manifesto is that they are embracing the power of the internet and the current, single driven environment while exploring the impact of promotion in territories which are often overlooked in the international marketplace. So far, they have released numerous singles and EPs without ever issuing a full length album.

However, I have one suggestion for Mr. Bard regarding "Call My Name". I desperately want an old school, six minute, extended version of the original mix. It's begging to be done. He can thank me for that little marketing nugget later. Cash will do nicely.

And the superior pop of Gravitonas doesn't begin and end with their current offering. Previous single, "Lucky Star", was a light n' breezy little number. It contrasted nicely against preceding single, "Everybody Dance", a stomping track which has been getting a lot of dancefloor attention, especially in its reswizzled form courtesy of house honcho, Ralphi Rosario.

horsing around

"Only The Horses", produced by synth wizard of the moment, Calvin Harris, is the first single, possibly second, from the forthcoming, fourth longplayer from Scissor Sisters. I say "possibly second" as it is unclear if their previous platter, "Shady Love", will feature on it.



With only two tracks from the latest studio sessions to go by, it's difficult to judge what the album will sound like. But my first reaction is that "Magic Hour", for that is the title of the longplayer, is, essentially, a Jack Shears solo album. Ver Scissters appear to have succumbed to record company pressure in their search for the elusive "hit" and in the process, have been stripped of their sonic identity.

Neither of the recent singles have been bad. Although, I must admit I despised "Shady Love" when I first heard it and it grew on me after numerous listens. They seem to lack the humor and spark that attracted me to the band in the first place.

And have we not had enough of the lyric video promotional concept by now, darlings? Plus, I have a bone to pick with ver Scissters about their single "sleeve". The animal featured in the artwork is a zebra not a horse. I suggest they change the title or replace the animal on the cover. I am a serious advocate when it comes to truth in advertising.

"Only The Horses" will be available from all fine digital retailers on May 13 while the new elpee, "Magic Hour" will hit the "shops" on May 28.

blood and garbage

Garbage are back on the scene after a seven year hiatus with "Blood For Poppies", the first single from their forthcoming, fifth, studio longplayer, "Not Your Kind Of People". The single is a return to the their roots which features chainsaw guitars, a dusting of twisted electronics and Shirley Manson's signature vocal sneer.

While the verses are dark and a bit grungy, it lifts into a chorus that's begging to be adorned in Beach Boys harmonies. You can almost hear the band on the knife's edge holding back those tendencies and they deliver it with a just a hint of that surf side vocal influence without ever exploding into a full-on, sunshine hook.

The video for the single, directed by renowned fashion photographer and filmmaker Matt Irwin, is a black and white vamp through the glamorous homes of Los Angeles spliced together with some film noir imagery.



While "Blood For Poppies" has been touted as the first single, it appears the UK will lead with "Battle In Me". Both tracks will be available as limited edition 7" singles which will be exclusively available through brick and mortal retailers for Record Store Day on April 21.

Glad to have the fierce foursome back in the game. And they've returned just in time for the wave of 90s nostalgia which is about to sweep the globe. Come to think of it... Whatever happened to that proposed Shirley Manson solo album? I think we need to give Shirl a little jingle about that.

"Not Your Kind Of People" will be available from all fine "shops" on May 14. The following is the official tracklisting for the elpee.

1. Automatic Systematic Habit
2. Big Bright World
3. Blood For Poppies
4. Control
5. Not Your Kind Of People
6. Felt
7. I Hate Love
8. Sugar
9. Battle In Me
10. Man On A Wire
11. Beloved Freak

The deluxified edition of the album will contain four bonus tracks tagged onto the end of the eleven main tracks.

12. The One
13. What Girls Are Made Of
14. Bright Tonight
15. Show Me

The standard CD will feature a white cover while the limited edition version of the disc will sport a fetching, red sleeve.

seeing in believing

Saucy Aussies, Sneaky Sound System, fresh from their Mardi Gras appearances, have just unleashed "Really Want To See You Again", the third single from their current longplayer, "From Here To Anywhere".

The singles a slinky synthy number with Miss Connie Mitchell's confident and assertive vocal over a cool wash of plinks, plonks and rubbery bass lines. The video is an homage to everything 90s from Milli Vanilli to C+C Music Factory and MC Hammer.

once more with feeling

Rod Thomas, aka Bright Light Bright Light, has a penchant for laying down on floors flat on his back. He also has a habit of writing intelligent pop songs with massive singalong hooks. His latest single, "Waiting For The Feeling", is no exception.

The long awaiting follow-up to last year's tears on the dancefloor epic, "Disco Moment", is a thumping dance choon with a deliciously jagged piano riff and a killer chorus that's guaranteed to earworm its way into your heart. Think Pet Shop Boys with a splash of Black Box. Very 90s in a 2012 kind of way.

Furthermore, yours truly has reswizzled the tune for maximum discotheque flammability. Pass the poppers, ladies and gents. Glitter cannon at the ready.

"Waiting For The Feeling" is the single of the year. Hands down. There's even a brightly colored video to accompany the tune.



Lovely. I see Rod doesn't mind having his hair messed up by someone's random hands. Perhaps his floor fetish is really just a reason to reference the lyrics of the song. Has he been thrown there? Is it a metaphor for love? So many questions.

"Waiting For The Feeling" is available on iTunes right now! The remix EP will be available from all fine digital retailers on April 30. "Make Me Believe In Hope", the debut longplayer from Bright Light Bright Light (please note - no comma between the bright lights), will be released on June 4. Mark your calendar!

all I ever wanted

Alphabeat are back, back, BACK! The Danish collective have been busy tinkering in the studio in order to deliver the follow up to "The Spell", their second longplayer. Of course, if you bought that sophomore effort in the UK it was called "The Beat Is...". Christ on a cracker! That was a shit title.

Anyway, the first single from their forthcoming elpee is called "Vacation". Thankfully, it is not a cover of the Go-Go's tune.



Ooh! That's got a fun, fresh, colorful, sunny vibe to it. It's like a scoop of raspberry sherbert! Just in time for an unseasonably warm, springtime winter. Love the cheesy synth horns. Glad to see they didn't go down the electro route. Instead, they revisited the sound of their debut album. Well played!

Look for their third, as-yet-untitled longplayer by the end of the summer.

cinematic strangeland

Keane are about to return from the wilderness with "Strangeland", their first new music since the "Night Train" EP in 2010.

It's their first, full longplayer in nearly four years since the sound altering "Perfect Symmetry" which saw them replace their delicate, piano led lushness with lots of buzzy synths and clattering drums. I, for one, loved the album and thought it was a bold and necessary step forward for Tim Rice-Oxley and co.

For the new album, it appears the band, now a foursome with the official addition of Jessie Quinn on bass guitar and percussion. And it appears they've returned to the velvety simplicity and cinematic scope of their first two albums. Tom Chaplin's yearning vocal soars above the beautifully produced arrangements and he seems to sing with a greater sense of assuredness and confidence

In anticipation of the album, the band have cobbled together a lovely overview of it and whacked it up on their website. Let's have a peek.



Ooh! That's lovely.

Keane's fourth, studio longplayer will be released on May 7th 2012. The tracklisting is as follows:

1. You Are Young
2. Silenced By The Night
3. Disconnected
4. Watch How You Go
5. Sovereign Light Café
6. On The Road
7. The Starting Line
8. Black Rain
9. Neon River
10. Day Will Come
11. In Your Own Time
12. Sea Fog

As well as the standard CD and digital versions of the album, "Strangeland" will be available as an extended CD with four bonus tracks and a vinyl elpee. Additionally, a deluxe CD/DVD combo will be released which includes the bonus tracks, five acoustic videos and a book packed with photographs as well as, a short story by British author William Boyd. That's a lot cash for fans to drop in one day. It's reminds me somewhat of the days when singles were released in five or six formats. Ah, the eighties. Bless.

"Strangeland" will be available from all fine "shops" on May 7.

punk movement

Unlike most people, I am getting quite sick to death of Adele. Girl is gonna have a bitch of a time following up her sophomore longplayer. I want to gouge my eyes out with hot knitting needles everytime I hear some poor karaoke queen butcher one of her songs.

However, one thing I am enjoying is the creative way people have been splicing, slicing and dicing her work. There are far too many bad remixes out there of all three singles from "21". But there are a small handful of well produced reswizzlings that I play from time to time. It's almost refreshing to hear her songs in a different setting.

And now the mash ups have started making appearances across the interwebs. Again, there are a ton of ill conceived train wrecks. But there are a few gems like "Something About The Fire" which is a beautifully constructed collision of "Set Fire To The Rain" and "Something About Us" by Daft Punk which originally featured on their 2010 elpee, "Discovery".

This magnificent of marriage of sound was produced by Carlos Serrano and it deserves plenty of attention. My only criticism is that it hasn't been given a more extended treatment. Bliss.

single tonight

Saint Etienne have revealed the artwork and tracklisting for their current single, "Tonight".

As you can see from the image above, the photo captures the spirit and excitement of attending a gig by your favorite band. Also, it's an homage to The Specials as it is reminiscent of the cover art to their EP, "Too Much Too Young". Because ver Et are sticklers for detail, the photograph was also taken at a gig by The Specials.

"Tonight" will be available on March 12. It will be released on 7", 12" and as a digital download bundle. The physical configurations are being limited to 1,000 copies each. Once they are gone, no more will be pressed. Snatch yourself a copy tout de suite!

The tracklisting for the 7" single features "Tonight" on the a-side and a cover of "Manhattan" which was originally recorded by Scott Walker in his latter day period. Saint Etienne first released it in 2009 as part of "Scott Walker - 30th Century Man", a collection of Mr. Walker's finest moments as interpreted by contemporary artists.

The 12" and DL will include mixes from 2 Bears and Club Clique while Richard X turns in an old school, 1980s style extended version. Huzzah! Someone has answered my prayers.

However, it unsettles me that a CD single won't be released. Surely, their fans would prefer a shiny CD over the less viable 7" single. Why not issue four formats? Have the chart rules shifted once again? Certainly, there is a way to make it as collectable as the other formats.