I have a feeling my summer will be dominated by Stay Positive, the staggeringly good new disc by The Hold Steady that sees the official light of day on July 15. The lead single, "sequestered in Memphis" hit their myspace page a couple of weeks ago and it may even convert you non-believers (I'm looking right atcha and you know who you are).
But there's more to life (and rock and roll) than just The Hold Steady ("Hey jackass, you wouldn't know it by this blog"), and we are here to help spread the word. My only criteria is a great hook or melody and generally a manageable song length. My partner Michael is much more open minded.
So please, feel free to check these out, support the artists if you find anything you like, and drop me a line if you hear any crush-worthy pop songs.
The Hold Steady - Sequestered in Memphis - "In barlight, she looked all right/ In daylight, she looked desperate"... is there a better live band right now? (I will come to your house and give you a purple nurple if you say Radiohead). The song of the summer.
But there's more to life (and rock and roll) than just The Hold Steady ("Hey jackass, you wouldn't know it by this blog"), and we are here to help spread the word. My only criteria is a great hook or melody and generally a manageable song length. My partner Michael is much more open minded.
So please, feel free to check these out, support the artists if you find anything you like, and drop me a line if you hear any crush-worthy pop songs.
The Hold Steady - Sequestered in Memphis - "In barlight, she looked all right/ In daylight, she looked desperate"... is there a better live band right now? (I will come to your house and give you a purple nurple if you say Radiohead). The song of the summer.
The Explorers Club - Do You Love Me? - Beach Boys inspired kids from Charleston, SC deliver a 1966/2008 mashup.
Fleet Foxes - Tiger Mountain Peasant Song - Think Jim James fronting the Mamas and Papas, but without The Mamas.
Los Campesinos! - You! Me! Dancing! - Breathtaking blur of spasmodic new wave zazz - deserving of each and every one of those exclamtion points!!!! (Note to J. Johnny Mezz - song kicks in at 1:42... stay with it)
You Me And Iowa - Dress The Stage - LA power poppers do the Death Cab/Shins/Big Star great 3 1/2 minute pop song thing... I can't get this one out of my head.
Mates of State - Get Better - Husband/wife electro-pop get high gloss sheen with fantastic results. (This has Mannix written all over it).
Amy Lennard - I Wish It Were Mine - Lyrically almost too naked (she wants her girlfriend's life), the evocative performance stays with you... a budding americana sweetheart? I'd like to hear more.
Helio Sequence - No Regrets - Indie pop duo with a blues gospel stomper that sounds like a lost nugget from Harry Smith's collection. Sounds like nothing else on their new record, but I love it. (Bonus points for clocking in under 2:00).
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Hi Teenage Kicks,
On behalf of Rough Trade, Beggars Digital and The Hold Steady, many thanks for plugging "Stay Positive" (street date 15th July) ... .. thanks, also, on behalf of the label and the band for not posting any pirate links to unreleased (studio) material and, if you / your readers want good quality, non-pirated, preview tracks, “Sequestered in Memphis” is available for fans and bloggers to stream / link to on the band’s MySpace ... .. check-out http://www.myspace.com/theholdsteady and http://www.theholdsteady.com for details on “Stay Positive” and the band’s 2008 shows and keep an eye out for details of further, preview material and exclusive content.
Thanks again for your plug.
Regards,
My crush-worthy pop song of the moment: 'Lupe Brown' by The Fratellis. Sounds like the Beatles circa 1965, and there's never anything wrong with that.
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