"Quiet Hearts For A Quiet Start"

Hello,

I'm gonna be rushing up to things as there are a lot of catching up to do but first let me get on to a bit of rounding up new releases and upcoming ones too...It was truly a cracking dawn when my speaker's blown to the sound of dreamy atmospheric's of Moscow Olympics new release "Cut The World" out now on Lavender label. After the release of their astonishing single debut "Still" on Fraction Disc comes this new mini-LP. Whew! Was it Keith fronting The Radio Dept. with Peter Hook on their bassline? This was a wonderful release with the new and very gazey "Ocean Sign" on it, Im really throwing myself offshore ( not to the sea! ) but through a waves of glittery guitar soundscapes. This really put our country on the map.

Buy the CD Here or Direct from Lavender

Another lovely release was from the melancholy yet very catchy lovelorn kids from Richmond, CA. "Half-Steps Towards Bright Skies" was Apple Orchard's debut release and also their first on their fledging label, Haymarket Recordings. This marks the heavy output made by Ryan & Dale which took the LP 2 year's to be made but now has been widely released to critical acclaim. This includes new songs but still carrying that same sound mix only to broader horizons which can be heard on trace on "Unfazed", "The Cloud Fleets" and an old favorite "Midnight Stars And Kisses". Hearing them now is like hearing Trembling Blue Stars riding on a winter train, This is the start i guess and we're waiting for more! Can't wait for that compy on Haymarket and the Sonnet LVIII LP or a Golden Teardrops EP or finally a Sodajerk LP release but it will see the light of the day...Keep your fingers crossed.

Buy the CD Here or visit Apple Crumble ( Japan )

Now we go to upcoming and new bands that set up the tone of Filipino music nowadays, Let's start with The Fantasy Lights. Another melancholy yet very dreamy outfit armed with heavy synthesizers and organic laptop's, Patryk and co. have just released an EP on the beloved Cloudberry label. Check them out if you'd loved the music of Brighter, Trembling Blue Stars and many Sarah Records acts.

Another lovely act that should be heard by the globe was the charming sister's Ria & Chary Silva, They composed the lo-fi, acoustic outfit The Wentletraps. Formed by the loved of music and was not quite an idea to be a live band but more of a studio project but at last these guys made it sure that their music was to be heard, Hearing them remind me so much of The Softies and Rose Merlberg ( and her other outfits as well ). I loved their cover of The Radio Dept. song titled "Bus" and The Smiths "This Charming Man". Im sure there will be more to follow...

As the once heralded guitarpop outfit had parted ways last year, A new crop of talented band emerged from the ashes of that group. Im talking about The Camerawalls. It was spearheaded by the former singer/guitarist of Orange & Lemons Clem Castro. It was a joy hearing their demo "Markers Of Beautiful Memories" on their Myspace page and i was delighted to hear that they are up to a new LP this year. The band which composed of Clem ( guitars/vox ), Law Santiago ( bass ) and Ian Sarabia ( drums ). Hearing them puts me in nostalgia when i first heard OnL back in 2003, This one was great! A far cry from their mainstream counterparts! A hint of Trash Can Sinatras, The Housemartins and a dose of Mozzer on this fledging group. I hope they sustain that musical feeling... A true marker of beautiful memories.

That's the first part of this round up and i'm off to my friend's place to get some drinks and keep an eye soon to a lot more of great music...

"Feel The Beat And Do It Anyway"

Hello,

How are the popkids and fans feeling nowadays? It's been close to a year since i last wrote an article but it's kinda refreshing to be back!!! Thanks to the wonderful world of music and a lot of great new bands to hear on in with new releases to catch on their backs...I just woke up after a drinking spree last night with the Ortega boys and it was lovely to see a brand new day passing by with the sounds of electro-tinged pop from the beautiful London based band, Sparky's Magic Piano.


The band which is comprised of Marion Turnbull ( vocals ) and Oliver Bartlett ( guitar/synths/effects ) plays music which may bring to mind the likes of St. Etienne, Freezepop, Stereolab and Club 8 on their electronic mode. They have just released their LP late last year titled "Feel The Beat And Do It Anyway" on the Melody Factory label which features songs filled by love layered by beautifully crafted electronic music, Songs such as "Something Somewhere", "You Like Her" really mend my ears and my favorite track "Like Falling In Love". This is pure, crisp indiep!o!p! music you must chilled on! Cloudberry Records have also released an EP which is also my personal fave none other than "Falling In Love". They have been playing around the UK since last year and im sure there is a lot more coming in from them, I can't wait and surely will feel that beat and i'm really doing it anyway!!!

Buy the CD Here or Direct from Them