Birds of Tokyo – ‘Silhouettic’ (mp3)

It only took me about 20 seconds to realise this is the best thing Birds of Tokyo have ever done. Their first release, Day One, was a solid pop-rock album but something about ‘Silhouettic’ (which, by the way, isn’t in my dictionary Mr Kenny) pushes all the right buttons.

When you dissect it though, there’s not a lot going on, but the power of a well-written song is that you don’t need bells, whistles and fluff. Ian Kenny’s vocals are second to none, and the reason why he’s considered king amongst men in the alt rock scene in Oz. He carries this song that plain rocks, and doesn’t do much else. It’s just 3:25 of pure rock goodness, and why would you want anything else? Production is a step-up from the first album, enveloping the listener in sound. Check it out in your headphones!

http://www.myspace.com/birdsoftokyo

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Feist – ‘1234 (Vanshe Technologic Remix)’

Now calling themselves Vanshe Technologic rather than using the old Van She Tech moniker, the DJ/remix personality of Van She have – for some reason – decided to remix Canadian Feist’s iPod soundtrack, ‘1234’ (which was written by Australia’s New Buffalo). I’m not sure whether I’m into it or not: the beats and dirty synths are suitably electro/indie, but the vocal doesn’t seem to fit. But maybe that’s because I can’t get the original out of my head.

http://www.myspace.com/vanshetech

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Sarah Humphreys – ‘Waiting To Burn’ (mp3)

Last week, doing my little radio show, I discovered a great track by a Sydney artist called Michael Peter. And as good as the tune (the name of which evades me right now) was, it was the backing vocals of Sarah Humphreys that caught my ear. Inspired, I went on the hunt for her own solo material and have discovered a goldmine of sweet folk which marries a Missy Higgins-esque voice, dripping with the Aussie accent, with the intelligent pop of Clare Bowditch. Her music, particularly ‘Waiting To Burn’, has the joyous baroque feel of The Beach Boys and the rich vocals of Lennon & McCartney songs.

Her debut album, Teapot Trees and Love Birds, came out late last year and just by the songs I’ve heard on her JJJ Unearthed and MySpace sites, sounds like it’d be a beautiful chest filled to the brim with gorgeous melodies and sublime story-telling. If you live in Sydney, Sarah’s playing every Wednesday with Sara Storer and Bec Willis at the Excelsior Hotel in Surry Hills. Since I host my radio show on a Wednesday, I can’t make it, so I implore you, dear reader, to go along and check out this fantastic local talent.

http://www.myspace.com/sarahhumphreys

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The Paper Scissors – ‘The Bandit’

Based around a Hawaiian melody and staccato acoustic guitar, ‘The Bandit’ is the new single from The Paper Scissors. They’re going on tour with bluejuice, so check their MySpace for all the dates. Sure to be some awesome shows.

http://www.thepaperscissors.com
http://www.myspace.com/thepaperscissors

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Pivot – ‘Didn’t I Furious’ (mp3)

A cacophony of Autechre-style monotone industrial samples and fuzzed-out, Sonic Youth lead guitar, one of Sydney’s most unique acts Pivot give us ‘Didn’t I Furious’, the first taste from their John McIntire-mixed release which Get Big, Little Kid is claiming to be called O Soundtrack My Heart.

Goodbye the gentle, wistful melodies infused throughout Make Me Love You – hello a world of aggressive beats, courtesy of the consummate Lawrence Pike, scattered electronics from the fingers of Dave Miller and Richard Pike’s omnipresent guitar work which melds angular melody with a unbridled fury.

Recently signed to esteemed Warp Records – home to some of the greatest genre-bending acts in the world like Boards of Canada, !!!, Aphex Twin, the aforementioned Autechre, Prefuse 73, Jamie Lidell, Maximo Park, Squarepusher and so many more luminaries – this could be the start of massive things for Pivot, and as one of my favourite Aussie outfits, I really hope it is. Earth, look out!!

http://www.pivotpivot.net
http://www.myspace.com/pivotpivot

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Theatre Of Disco – ‘YOA (The Twelves Remix)’ (mp3)

Thanks BIGSTEREO for putting us onto this great remix by Brazil’s The Twelves of Theatre of Disco‘s track ‘YOA’. After a week of guitars, it was about time we put something up with synths and shit in it.

http://www.myspace.com/theatreofdisco

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The Scare & Holiday Sidewinder – ‘Tragedy (live)’

Disappointingly, this isn’t a cover of the Bee Gees tune, or a cover of a cover of Steps’ rendition of ‘Tragedy’.Well, perhaps we should be thankful that it isn’t the latter. This is a live recording that features Bridezilla’s husky-toned frontgirl Holiday Sidewinder, though she’s practically non-existent on the recording. Maybe she’s just playing guitar?

http://www.myspace.com/thescare

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