Mum's the word

Mum - Go Go Smear the Poison Ivy

Originally formed in 1997 by Gunnar Orn Tynes, Orvar Poreyjarson Smarason, and twin sisters Gyoa and Kristin Anna Valtysdottir (who appeared on the cover of Belle & Sebastian's "Fold Your Hands Child, You Walk Like A Peasant"), Mum is one of my most adored bands. Inspired by the likes of Aphex Twin and Boards Of Canada, and with an ever-changing cast of members (now a 7-piece band), Mum create an almost impossible jumble of glitchy beats, children's toy instruments, accordions and pianos, and spacey vocals. The sound they create is unmistakably recognizable, but difficult to describe - on their website, they do their best:

"The feeling of the music is hard to explain. Maybe a cross between something and something else, you know like music critics say. 'It´s like Aerosmith and Spin Doctors stuck together in an elevator,' obviously they don´t say stuff like that about us, but they could say something in that direction so you know what I mean. I can make up one of these for us: 'It´s like a cross between hovering silently over a field of rhubarb jam and breaking your teeth, remembering how you broke your teeth or dreamily anticipating the time that you eventually will.' Doesn´t quite seem right though, but we tried."

Check out the track "A Little Bit, Sometimes".

Hailed in the UK, Simian Mobile Disco gets released in USA

Simian Mobile Disco - Attack Decay Sustain Release
Consisting of remixers/producers James Ford and James Shaw, Simian Mobile Disco grew out of the experimental psychedelic pop band Simian. The project evolved out of Ford and Shaw doing DJ gigs while touring with the band. Hoping to prevent sounding too programmed, Simian Mobile Disco exclusively used analog equipment to create "Attack Decay Sustain Release." Bringing a pop sensibility to electronic dance music, they have drawn comparisons to artists like Daft Punk and Vitalic. The U.S. release of "Attack Decay Sustain Release" adds two bonus tracks, including "Clock," which you can check out here. Simian Mobile Disco's Attack Decay Sustain Release CD is available now for just $9.99

Bassically a bad idea?

Wow! It's the new "supergroup" Freebass, which you can hear a sample of here! Comprised entirely of bass players and nothing else, Freebass includes Peter Hook (New Order) Mani (Primal Scream), and Andy Rourke (The Smiths). Put them all together, and that's still only twelve strings!

Ace of Clubs - one of the many secret identities of Luke Vibert

With only a rare promo 12" issued five years ago, the name Ace Of Clubs will probably mean nothing to many electronica listeners. But you should recognize the name Luke Vibert from his releases under the names Wagon Christ and Plug.
His latest incarnation as the Ace of Clubs has provided him a platform for his best material in quite some years. A tribute to the acid house sounds of the late eighties and early nineties, Benefist continues where Vibert's 2003 album Yoseph left off. Check out this track "Assid," which plays like a demented game of Pac-Man. The Benefist CD is in stock now and can be yours for a mere $15.99

Caribou visits a European tax shelter

I have always been fascinated by the one-man-band. On one hand, it seems that it would be easier to make music that way, because there are no bandmates' schedules to work around, no arguments within the band, and the purity of the original creative vision never has to be compromised in order to accommodate anyone else's tastes or playing style. On the other hand, it's all up to one guy to have every idea, to play every part, to put in the hours of composition, rehearsal, and recording time. A perfect example of this type of intense dedication is Dan Snaith and his project, Caribou. Upon first listen, it sounds like Andorra is a total departure from the more electronica influenced earlier Caribou albums, a psychedelic romp through 60's folk-pop nostalgia. But a few more listens reveal complex layers, analog synths that mimic fluttering flutes, and other interesting things going on underneath it all. Most importantly, Andorra, Caribou's first album for Merge Records, is full of the kind of songs you want to listen to again and again - a nearly perfect gem of an album.

Check out the last track, the dark, shimmering "Niobe," then grab a copy of the CD for $13.99 or the vinyl for $17.99.


Also, check out the making of...

I hate you, Klaxons, I hate you!!!!

The Klaxons just won the 2007 Mercury Prize. Please. I didn't not like their album, I just didn't care either way that much about it. From now on though, I will actively dislike it for robbing my beloved Maps of their deserved award!