Into The Ocean – ‘Idiots of Noise’ (mp3)

If the history of popular music has taught us anything, it’s that teenagers love angst they can dance to.

If you’ve got some time to kill (and let’s face it, if you’re on here you probably do), trawl through MySpace Music for half an hour or so. You’ll see the genres commanding the most attention from heavy users are post-hardcore/screamo and generic dance music. If you’re anything like me (and you could be) you’ll wonder, “Gosh, why hasn’t any band formed a fusion sub-sub genre from these sub-genres?”

Well, Into The Ocean have done just that and are onto a winner. Nine Inch Nails did something similar twenty years earlier and it worked really well for them.  Now, I promise I’m not being snarky, I genuinely like this track and although the band wear their influences on their sleeve, it comes across as more homage than imitation.

I missed the band’s EP launch last weekend, but I’m really keen to see if they can pull this stuff together live.

www.myspace.com/intotheoceanforever

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Eleventh He Reaches London – ‘Hollow Be My Name’ (mp3)

A few times a year, Perth band Eleventh He Reaches London fly from their home in the most isolated city in the world to play to handfuls of people in dingy rooms all over the country. It’s hard to imagine their style of post-metal appealing to crowds of thousands, but it is a shame to see it enjoyed by so few.

Their latest album Hollow Be My Name is admirably well-executed and one of the best heavy Aussie releases this year. Lead vocalist Ian Lenton screams and croons the story of an ex-convict in the early days of free settlement, combining the emotional punch of folk with the brawn of death metal.

Like U.S. band Between The Buried and Me, Eleventh He Reaches London manage to lurch between dozens of genres in a single song without sounding disjointed or attention-seeking. More please!

www.myspace.com/eleventhhereacheslondon

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Cam MacKellar – ‘Glebe Point Road’

In an ideal world, all singer-songwriters would have the qualities Cam MacKellar posesses in spades – life experience, a strong musical skill-set and a great voice. That said, the lackustre competition just highlights the how rare it is to find talent like his.

An accomplished musician, MacKellar has worked along Shane Nicholson as a guitarist and received considerable critical acclaim for his work as a composer on Silent Soundtracks, a soundtrack project featuring Paul Kelly, The Necks and Paul Grabowsky.

His debut EP Saudadé is a gorgeous piece of work. MacKellar has crafted five strong songs, his voice carried by piano, strummed guitars and impeccable string arrangements, best showcased on the title track. The whole package is pressed onto a mock-postcard disc in mock-fabric packaging, a nod to MacKellar’s years spent travelling overseas.

www.myspace.com/cammackellar

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Eskimo Joe – ‘Foreign Land’

In the ten years since “Sweater” made the Triple J Hottest 100, Eskimo Joe have surprised many by making some of the most intelligent rock music to come out of Australia. The band have hit the sweet spot with “Foreign Land”, blending post-Coldplay modern rock with Arabian instrumentation in a way that isn’t as pretentious as it sounds. Really.

New album Inshalla is out on May 29.

www.myspace.com/eskimojoemusic

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Philadelphia Grand Jury – “I’m Going To Kill You” (mp3)

There  aren’t enough death threats in indie music. Sure, there are plenty of suicide references and misdirected anger, but no specified threats. Luckily, Philly Jays are doing their bit to claw some of this lyrical material back from black metal and in the process have made one of the catchiest death threat songs ever. Yes, ever.

“I’m Going To Kill You” was featured in a chase scene in Underbelly and will be on the band’s debut self-titled 7”, out on June 1st.

Jump, jive and run for your life.

www.myspace.com/philadelphiagrandjury

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