January 2005

"It's not you, it's the E talking"

1. New Young Pony Club: Ice Cream / Tight Fit (7", Tirk)
Mysterious new bassy punk-funk with a hint of The Droyds' electro-pop action going on. This is a great way to start the new year.
2. Ladyfuzz: Oh Marie..! (7", Transgressive)
Something of a re-invention for Ladyfuzz, who last we heard were knocking out so-so beats and acoustic ditties. This is basically an explosive mix of The Rapture and Elastica - if you're gonna cross two bands into one they aren't bad choices.
3. Patrick Wolf: The Libertine (7", Tomlab)
Something of a rallying call for the alienated, this is epic, orchestral pop, while B-side Afraid is a lovely piano ballad. This Wolf man comes across as a seriously talented, serious guy.
4. Laura Cantrell: Not the Tremblin Kind (CD, Shoeshine)
I once had a track by Laura on a Shoeshine compilation CD, but never followed it up. Then after Peel died they played her a couple of times on the tribute shows and the songs were amazing. They are found on this beautiful, lilting country album from 2000.
5. Plush: Underfed (CD, Drag City)
Worth tracking down, this is a wonderful listen. The voice may sound fragile, but it makes you hang on his every word.
6. Le Tigre: Nanny Nanny Boo Boo (12", Universal)
Junior Senior remix Le Tigre into ESG-style grooviness, and they wear it well. Peaches' mix of TKO is less successful. Change the record, someone.
7. Closer Musik: 1,2,3,4, Gravity (12", Out of the Loop / Kompakt)
This was first heard on the radio at about 2 in the morning during a programme about Kompakt Records. A fine label putting out some amazing electronica, and this has to be up there as one of their best releases. Spaced out grooves from planet E.
8. Depeche Mode: World in My Eyes (Cicada remix) (12", Mute)
This came out last year but passed me by. Thanks to Philip Normal for turning me on to the amazing Cicada remix. There are also decent remixes of other DM songs by Rex the Dog and Black Strobe, making this a pretty handy 12".
9. Le Dust Sucker: Meanboy / Meangirl (12", Plong!)
Not quite as great as Mandate, My Arse from last year, but still a pretty rocking electro effort.
10. Midnight Mike: Bring Me to My Senses (12", Gomma)
Oh joy! A new year, a new Gomma release. This one is essential for the extra track Hot in the Kitchen, which you really gotta hear...
11. The Kills: The Good Ones (12", Domino)
Wasn't so keen on the idea of Kills dancefloor remixes at first, but they actually work. Jagz Kooner's pumping electro mix is particularly good.
12. Franz Ferdinand: more remixes (12", Domino)
Does the world really need more FF remixes?? Well yes, if they're done by Trevor Jackson, who turns in a typically bass-driven version of This Fire, while Headman gets to work on Matinee.
13. Soulwax: E Talking (12", PIAS)
Trevor Jackson has a hand in this too, responsible for the headache-inducing op-artwork. This is another great Soulwax 12", with a tasty, dark mix from the band themselves, and a Trash favourite. Unfortunately there seems to be a problem with the vinyl pressings of this. Shame.
14. Crispin J Glover: This is Not a Love Song (12", One Little Indian)
Not sure if we need another version of this new wave fave, especially from someone who calls themselves Crispin J Glover. Yet it's kinda good, in a Kinda New kinda way...
15. Filthy Little Angels Singles Club: EP1 (7", Filthy Little Angels)
Volume one of this cool little series features tracks from The Favours and The International Karate Plus, whose track Hats Off to Harry Kewell is really rather great.
16. Gangplank: Walk the 7" (7", Static Caravan / Fence)
Picked up on a whim in a month of very few new releases (and I couldn't leave the shop empty-handed now, could I?), this turned out to be a pleasant surprise, if hardly essential. Meandering, wilfully experimental, featuring an accordian, and sounding a bit like The Beta Band.
17. Snow White: Bored, Somewhat Detached (7", Click Click Bang)
Song title of the month, if nothing else (to say nothing of the b-side title, It's Not Art, It's Paedophile Porn). This is like if Selfish Runt had actually taken the time out to pen some decent tunes.
18. The Emperor Machine: The TV Extra Band / Bloody Hell (DC Recordings)
This is such a cool record. Dr Who-ish sounds on the one side, dark and moody electro funk on the flip. We like it like that.

Not bad for January...