fourty nine:

Hello, time for my month's obsessions...so far...

Blue Roses. Once again Laura Groves makes a big impression, even with some demos.

I received a 5 track promo type thingymajig, which includes previous "I am Machin" infatuations "Doubtful Comforts" and "Does Anyone...", two spruced up tracks from the Laura Groves days, "I Am Leaving" and "I Wish I..." and a newbie, "Rebecca".

I'll eat my hat if Blue Roses isn't the name on everyone's lips by the end of Festival season. Catch Laura at Bestival and Camp Bestival with Bat For Lashes, Peggy Sue and Fleet Foxes etc.

Listen to "I Wish I..." here.

Telekinesis. Michael Lerner of Seattle who creates fun, loved up music for a living. The songs are individual and creative, and brilliant variants of the American "indie" you get around parts, reminding of Modest Mouse. Stream his album from here.

And listen to "Coast of Carolina" here.

Gaoler's Daughter. A london four piece consisting of Alfie, Ben, Alex and John. Together they create jumpy, upstarting music, bound to get you in the mood for a fight on the tiles. Self described as New wave/Indie/Jazz, your hear the members bringing in ther respective influences amongst the melodies of the tracks.

John Sterry for example, has a hint of Paddingtons to his voice, straining it in a rebellious fashion on songs such as "In A While Crocodile". There's also hints of old Reggae roots scattered here and there, contrasted with contemporary lyrics.Listen to "Without Rhyme or Treason" here.

Alan Pownall. That's right, it's another ka-pow from Pownall. Alan brought 4 sublime songs to listeners ears recently, that span from sleepy slumberers to summer shiners. It's hard to pick a favourite, so be sure to check out all the songs (and a K.West cover) through the above link to his myspace.

I was thoroughly excited about seeing Mr Pownall again next Monday, but the tour's been re-scheduled to May. See you there!

Listen to "You Know" here.


Bat For Lashes. Natasha Khan is officially back with a megabite or two with her new album, "Two Suns". Crafted around the concept of relationships and double personas, Khan's second album soars to dizzying heights and swoops within grazing distance to the Earth's surface. I can't describe how essential this record is, and will be, to the impending year.

Listen to the one of the album's sombre moments, "Good Love" here.

thirty nine: Blue Roses

Blue Roses is something truly, truly gorgeous. Like a limbo between Joanna Newsom and a waterfall, Laura Groves (a former solo artist) has morphed her old material into a living, breathing being.
I managed to see Laura Groves at the Night & Day way back when, and despite the fact that on record she melted into the sea of female singer/songwriters, she stood her ground with a vocal range to strike fear into the hearts of rivals and brilliant musicianship on both the guitar and piano.
I loved her music even then (to the point that I'm suprised I didn't blog her earlier), but when I heard her new stuff played at an Emmy The Great gig in November I was flipping head over heels. Accompanied by her friend Diane (I think!) on strings and drums, Laura projected her voice a hundred times more effectively and it was more than obvious she had enthralled a fair few members of the audience.
Blue Roses is now in full swing. Two new tracks were revealed today and they do not disappoint by any measurement. I'm completely at odds as to which one is my favourite!

Does Anyone Love Me Now? flows with a sublime ease and all the elements compliment each other flawlessly. It's also a wonderful treat to the ears to hear Laura's arching and swooping vocals at the heart of the song. Does Anyone Love Me Now? is a track with a secret passion that can only be heard through the sincerity of lyrics such as "I believe in plans/I believe in maps that you drew sitting next to me".

Doubtful Comforts sinks its fingers into your muscles to relax a tense shoulder or two as Laura's voice once again dominates the foreground of the song, pulling you gently into hanging onto her every word. The use of what I think is thumb pianos also gives the impression of time, and that it is simply melting away into the background of your life. This is certainly a song to forget your cares to, mug in hand, eyelids shut.

Listen to Doubtful Comforts here (but please, please for your own good, go and listen to Does Anyone Love Me Now? on the myspace!!).