see what you hear.com

Dan Michaelson and the Coastguards – Thirteen [Exclusive]

Bit of an honour for the blog today as Dan Michaelson kindly took the time to cover this classic ballad about teenage romance by America’s finest power-pop group, Big Star. It has always been a cult favourite, covered by the likes of Wilco, Elliot Smith, and Garbage, but Michaelson’s gentle growl adds a warmth and intimacy that does it justice. Dan Michaelson and the Coastguards begin a UK tour next week, starting in Southampton Joiners on October 4th and concluding in London’s Luminaire a month later (full dates below). Meanwhile Big Star’s entire discography is about to be expanded and reissued in the form of a box set entitled  Keep an Eye on the Sky. Continue Reading »

Popularity: 7% [?]

Veronica Falls – Found Love in a Graveyard

Writing a catchy song about falling in love with a ghost can’t be the easiest thing, but there’s so much in this song to like: the structure, the imagery, the way the hooks link in together, the use of ‘dearly departed’ – damn! There are only two tracks to speak of so far (the equally catchy ‘Beachy Head’ being the other), but they’ve played a handful of shows with fellow twee tappers the Pains of Being Pure at Heart and the Pastels – with talk of an imminent 12″ EP. Continue Reading »

Popularity: 13% [?]

The Bitters – Warrior

Fucked Up’s Ben Cook, the man behind this blast of woozy lo-fi garage, has just announced a new 7″ entitled East which will ship from Captured Tracks on Monday – you can even get all six new releases the label has in one bargain swoop. In the meantime you can read a recent Q&A with the duo where Cook explains how he has put his kleptomaniac ways behind him. Continue Reading »

Popularity: 8% [?]

Twi the Humble Feather – Higher Than the End

Speaking of Animal Collective, this trio from New York have had to deal with their fair share of comparisons to AC; but when I saw them live the other night, it didn’t even cross my mind. The encounters of Twi, an “interstellar adventurer” are mapped out by three classical guitarists whose hushed and hocketing vocals absorb you into the trail. Their album Music for Spaceships & Forests is out now on Friendly Ghost Recordings. Continue Reading »

Popularity: 6% [?]

YouTube is full of well-intended but utlimately awful-sounding cover versions by overzealous fans. This intrumental take on AC’s ‘Bluish’ was inspired by someone else’s particularly cringe-worthy attempt and it does what all good covers should do: accentuate the best parts of the original in a way that will make you appreciate it differently.

Popularity: 10% [?]