Chapel Club took off for the States at the start of the month to begin a 2-month sojourn in California working on the next album. From the sounds of it, they are having rather too much fun over there, with sunset gazing and and mingling with the LA stars - not to mention Lewis spending an inordinate amount of time tweeting! With Mr Bowman proclaiming a follow-up 'disco' work, I am fully expecting this album to be the Village People of 2012 - look out for garish costumes and a few moustaches next tour!
One of my little quirks being that I am not a great fan of female vocalists (with a few exceptions, they just don't somehow kick it for me), I ended up with January being full of quite a lot of them. Trailer Trash Tracys released their 'Ester' album and aired the material at The Lexington in London (prior to dates with The Maccabees). Parts of the album are lovely, 'Candy Girl, for example, but I was left somewhat underwhemed by their live performance. Just a little too mellow for me. Highlight of the month was undoubtedly the simply amazing album 'Something' by Chairlift. This Brooklyn-based duo have turned out a work that is sublime at best, and even on the one or two less than sublime tracks, it still far surpasses everything else. Caroline Polachek delivers an awe-inspring vocal, that twists and turns, dips and dives and fully enchants, surprises and delights. Certainly a guaranteed album for the end of year 'Best ofs'. I am very much looking forward to seeing them live when they hit the UK in March.
Haight Ashbury were a new name to me for January. The Glasgow trio offer a rather dreamy Mamas & Papas-like, 60s influenced feel, and have a new single 'Sophomore' out with a full album forthcoming. Personal highlights are 'Maastricht' and 'Everything Is Possible' of their set, which I caught a few nights ago at The Lexington, as part of the Clash magazine launch night. Blissful harmonies from the two girls (Kirsty and Jennifer)and male guitarist (Scott), and was very intrigued by how they create a 'sitar-like' sound, without any evidence of one being on stage! They tell me it's achieved by the tunings of Scott's guitar and effects pedal. Well, I never...amazing.
Further grooves were provided down at Queen of Hoxton for the This Feeling Night, which played host to several up-and-coming bands: Born Blonde, Janice Graham Band, The Carpels, SULK, The Ghosts. Indie night promoters This Feeling have garnered the reputation of putting on good event nights, and this one was pretty darn good. The Carpels, seeing for the first time, came as something as a shock since I was not expecting them to be THAT young (around 17/18 years old). Ah, signs of an ageing reviewer maybe, but nonetheless they provided an entertaining set; highlighted by vocalist Dylan who has a mesmerising stage presence, beset with facial grimaces, expressive gestures and a vocal that blasts like a fiery furnace. SULK have all the impact of a latter-day Stone Roses and if shoegaze is your metier, these are the guys who look set to bring it to you in 2012. I have been bigging up The Ghosts (pic below) since last October time and first hearing of the single 'Enough Time'. They didn't let down live either. There's a nice synthy edge to them, that does not dominate, but allows the lyrics and melody to flow, with one or two very danceable tunes as well.
Popping down to Hoxton's Bar & Kitchen mid-month to see and review Theme Park was to be a momentous night since it produced what have become my most favourite band of the month - and one who I think I have bored everyone rigid with by banging on about them and how good they are. First act on the four-way bill - along with Theme Park, The Cast Of Cheers, Man Without Country - Citizens! left me a little open-mouthed, grinning like a fool and loving every single second of each of the nine song set. Wow! is all I can say. The London-based quintet with their infectious brand of 80s influenced indie pop are set to be big, there is no doubt whatsoever. Their debut single release last year of 'True Romance' is a good song, but in no way does it compete with the forthcoming 'Reptile' (a killer of an earworm tune if ever I heard one). And, in fact, their 'Monster' and 'Let's Go All The Way' are two further potential singles. Vocalist Tom Burke is a highly interesting figure to both watch and hear. Think David Bowie/Simon Le Bon/Bryan Ferry with some Minnie Mouse-esque vocal manipulations. It's a bit weird, you think? Maybe, at times, but hell is it good. They left me so impressed, that as I was leaving the venue I was already looking up their next live show. That was actually at the aforementioned Clash night at The Lexington this last Thursday. Once again, I grinned and fell more in love. And yes, I shall be back once more for their next show in London on the 17th! Like they say, you can NEVER have too much of a good thing.
Another good thing is Sound Of Guns. Liverpool's finest rock exponent of recent years, they are a massive live act with plenty of anthemic songs. They are a band geared for earplugs! Andy Metcalfe has a vocal that packs a punch, even without the aid of a mic. They kicked off what promises to be a fine year for them, at the Camden Barfly on Thursday (Feb 2nd) night. Hotfoot from Citizens! I raced down and managed to catch most of their stunning set. Their new album 'Angels and Enemies' drops in March, and I am greatly looking forward to hearing it. Can't say I am the biggest fan of rock bands, but since I first saw SOG as support to The Twang back in 2009, I have to confess to a bit of a soft spot for the Scousers. I call them 'indie rock gods' - and they are! Spotted in the audience, fellow Liverpudlian and actor Paul McGann (recently seen in 'Waking The Dead' and 'New Tricks') - very sensibly wearing earplugs, I noticed.
Funny moment to the night was whilst I was away grooving to SOG's 'Architects', I noticed out of the corner of my eye a dark haired indie guy approaching. He stopped and said something I couldn't quite catch, but I *thought* he was asking where I got the copy of Clash magazine I was carrying. He took it from me, turned it around to face the back cover image of the band Tribes and their 'Baby' release, and said 'Good band they are!'. I looked at him, looked at the cover, looked back at him, 'I know!' Thank you, Johnny Lloyd.
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