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[audio http://www.iol.ie/~pippen33/04 In the New Year.mp3]

The Walkmen – In the New Year

Normally when there is a huge amount of hype surrounding something and people proceed to go absolutely crazy for it, I tend to steer clear. I can’t help it: it’s just an automatic reaction. Only when there’s a consistent stream of praise over time will I begin to investigate. But with The Walkmen’s new album, You & Me, I gave in a little quicker than usual…and I’m glad I did because it’s not what I expected at all. Though the band doesn’t bear much resemblance to The National, the feel of this album reminds me of The Boxer in several ways and I can see it enjoying a similar success in winning people’s hearts. Continue Reading »

Popularity: 1% [?]

[audio http://www.seewhatyouhear.com/Alessi Woman.mp3]

Alessi – Woman

Alessi is certainly a talent to watch out for, but at this point I’m not sure whether the similarities between the Londoner and Joanna Newsom will detract or facilitate her career path. Currently finishing the recording of her debut full-length release for EMI, it will most likely be early 2009 before Alessi begins to make a name for herself. In the meantime, the four tracks posted on her MySpace are perfect for curling up on the couch with a hot drink over a Sunday afternoon. Continue Reading »

Popularity: 1% [?]

The Helio Sequence – Shed Your Love

I’m liking everything I’ve heard from Keep Your Eyes Ahead, a 2008 release by Portland duo and sub-pop artists The Helio Sequence. This isn’t in keeping with the feel of the others songs I’ve been listening to and it’s not even in keeping with what I would normally post on a Saturday, so if you’d like to hear them take on a bubblingly upbeat sound, head over to their MySpace where the title track has notched up an impressive 157,000 listens. As for this one, it’s just too beautiful and tender not to share right now. Continue Reading »

Popularity: 1% [?]

[audio http://www.iol.ie/~pippen33/21st union.mp3]

Arch M – 21st Union

There is little info available on Arch M; all we know is that he’s a guy called Corey Reid from London whose lo-fi aesthetic is infused with a gutiar sound similar to Susnet Rubdown. It’s also the sound of my weekend rupturing open as I while away the afternoon making and listening to mix CDs.

Arch M’s cassette EP Mountain Tan Commericials is available for free download here, and his album Moon Tan should be released on the Cavern label some time in the near future. If you’re in London, Arch M will also be performing at the lovely Café Oto in Dalston – which is a lovely family-run café that has become a late-night venue showcasing little-known but mightily impressive international artists. Continue Reading »

Popularity: 4% [?]

Something for the weekend! This is a mix of songs I’ve had on repeat over the summer, with three different parts blended together in a way I’m quite happy with. There are jarring guitar songs, cheery pop tunes and hazy, transcendental moments. All of them fitted in to the upbeat, positive feel I was going for here. I came up with the name by clicking on a random title generator three times. As always, it fits snugly on to a blank CD – but please support the artists involved and buy their work if you don’t own it already. Hope you’ll like it. Continue Reading »

Popularity: 14% [?]