The Middle East – ‘Blood’

I feel like Arcade Fire comparisons have been overused in music reviews over the past whenever, so I’m going to do my best to not compare The Middle East to Montreal’s finest.

It’s tough though, because this Townsville (QLD) collective do fit the criteria, at least initially – a large collection of musicians (at least 6, possibly 7) who create dramatic and climactic folk-ish anthems. Plus, if the Arcade Fire released this song, it would’ve got a whole lot more attention than it has so far, because it’s really fucking amazing.

‘Blood’ was released as part of Spunk Records’ ‘Singles Club’, a succession of ten seven inches from unsigned bands released weekly from November to January. They’ve all been pretty great, and should be available together on a compilation sometime in Feb.

www.myspace.com/visitthemiddleeast

For years I’ve heard people rave about Spod and I just haven’t gotten it, but now thanks to this helpful music video I finally understand. Thanks Spod, you’re the raddest!

Grand Atlantic – ‘Tripwires’

Grand Atlantic’s last album was an exploration of classic rock sounds and structures with a contemporary pop inflection. I’ve seen this Brisbane four piece several times and they never fail to impress during a live show.

Their latest song is a thick slice of power pop/rock and sees them inject their sound with a surprising but welcome lead synthesiser. Backed by some solid power chords and chorus full of classic staccato ‘ooo-ing’, Tripwires will surely make those indie kids get their hands out of their skinny-legged pockets their fists pumping.

Their new album is out in March and the new ideas they’ve injected into their palette here are cause for excitement in my books. Keep an ear out for these guys in a few months.

Kate Bradley – ‘Gold Body’

Hey guys! Do you remember back in ’07 when US Billboard Magazine named Brisbane as one of the top five unlikely hotspots for new, original music? Do ya?  Well, they did and they also picked singer-songwriter Kate Bradley as an up-and-coming artist to watch.

Her songs are strong, her live performances are great, but both Bradley’s music and personal appearance strongly resemble “Stories From The City, Stories From The Sea” era PJ Harvey. That’s not a bad thing, I really like PJ Harvey, but if you’re one of those music snobs who won’t listen to anything even slightly derivative consider yourself both warned and deprived.

Bradley and her band The Goodbye Horses are the winners of the most recent Toohey’s UncharTED competition, scoring a slot on the 2009 Big Day Out tour.

www.myspace.com/katebradleymusic

Brown Bear – ‘Was That It?’

Brown Bear are from Brisbane and write good, solid songs. Sometimes they try to get all clever with glitchy programming, but for that we should cut them a bit of slack – after all, they did meet whilst studying a tertiary music course.

‘Was That It’ is a little guilty of this whole ‘glitches=clever music’ thing, but is saved by the simple but effective piano part and Col Hockey’s lyrics and vocal melodies. Excellent arrangements and production don’t hurt it either – every band attempting this sort of music should have a film composer as a guitarist.

With Hockey having returned from a year in London, Brown Bear is currently raising funds and writing songs for their debut album.

www.myspace.com/brownbearblog

The Jezabels – ‘Disco Biscuit Love (official)’

Jerry blogged the demo of this song in January, but the official release of The Jezabels’ ‘Disco Biscuit Love’ deserves a post of its own, as it’s now the shiniest, loveliest, poppiest thing you’ll hear all Summer (maybe), and holy shit I’m in love. This song makes we feel what I think English people feel when they hear ‘Mr Brightside’.

thejezabels.net