Song of the Day

Tom Williams & the Boat - My Bones

Top Albums of 2011

These are just a selection of albums that I've been constantly playing this year:

What Did You Expect From The Vaccines? - The Vaccines

Being given a lot of hype at the start of the year, it would've been easy for The Vaccines not to be able to live up to it and consequently fade into obscurity. Yet their debut album serves up short and sharp songs, full of direct lyrics and unapologetically catchy melodies. Tracks such as Wreckin Bar (Ra Ra Ra) proves that 1 minute 21 seconds is more than enough for a hit and that The Vaccines can make music that translates into a live setting perfectly.

Paradise - Slow Club

The second album from Slow Club shows just how much has changed since their Yeah, So? debut. The songs aren't just about relationships anymore and the music offers something more to dance to - Where I'm Waking being one of many standout tracks. Yet what still remains are the harmonies. In amongst the more up-tempo songs of the album are Never Look Back, Hackney Marsh and Gold Mountain. It is here where the music takes a step back to showcase how well Charles Watson and Rebecca Taylor sound together - wonderful.

Wounded Rhymes - Lykke Li

Something evident in  Wounded Rhymes is the theme of love. There is an element of vulnerability within the songs that people are able to relate with. Lyrics such as, "..for sorrow the only lover i've ever known" shows that Lykke Li doesn't try to sugarcoat anything, for the purposes of a song and the simplicity of Unrequited Love emphasises the uniqueness of her vocals. Definitely a great follow-up to her first album, Youth Novels.

Not forgetting...

Bombay Bicycle Club
A Different Kind of Fix

Tom Williams and the Boat
Too Slow

Summer Camp
Welcome To Condale

Song of the Day

Tom Williams and the Boat - Get Older

Moshi Moshi presents

It's almost stupid to think that using the beautiful seaside attraction of Margate (and the Turner Contemporary) as a backdrop to live music hasn't been thought of before. Last night was home to the wonderful Tom Williams and the Boat, Psychologist and Slow Club, as part of a showcase from London-based label Moshi Moshi.

First was Tom Williams and the Boat, a 6-piece hailing from Tunbridge Wells. Before introducing a song, Williams jokes how a review of a recent gig stated that "there were 2 really angry songs and the rest were limp, country songs." Having seen the band twice, (in a week) it's very much evident that there is nothing limp about their songs and their execution. The opening guitar on Get Older sets up a punch served by the foot-tapping interludes between Williams' dark, strong vocals, whilst stand-out song 90mph presents a beautiful amalgamation of guitars, drums and saxophone.

Tom Williams and the Boat official site

Before Psychologist even approaches the stage, the dark, ominous tones of the music has already started. Without a single word sung, the audience's attention is already caught. As the set is in full swing, Iain Woods is almost caught in a trance, throwing himself around the stage - his moves captivating the audience. Though Psychologist isn't a case of style over substance - this guy can sing. Woods' powerful vocals only add to the chilling violins, as supplied by Maddie Rix and Emma Goldie and make for an intense live performance.

Official facebook for Psychologist

Finally, the night ends with a set from Sheffield 2-piece, Slow Club. Not wanting to waste time, the duo launches straight into the unapologetically catchy Where I'm Waking - fresh from the band's second album, Paradise. With the exception of Our Most Brilliant Friends, the set consists of mostly new songs but didn't disappoint in supplying the crowd with heartfelt lyrics, accompanied by punchy riffs and laced with faultless harmonies that Slow Club are loved for. A new addition of a saxophone/bass player and drummer, as well as Rebecca switching from guitar to drums and back again makes the live set-up even more worthwhile. As their  first release of their new album, Two Cousins draws to a close, the crowd erupts in applause. Charles and Rebecca, endearingly unaware, jump off stage in search for a local nightclub. A gig worth making the 2 hour 30 minute journey back home for.

Slow Club official site