Superheroes " What’s going on "
These Danish with the half-marvel, half-warhol inspired name do an amazing job of 80’s synth pop revival. They dynamite it! To top it all, not only do they know their classics but they also have the knack for perfectly turned melody (a bit like their Scandinavian neighbours Eggstone or Wanaddies) and a particularly communicative energy. All this makes their second album, " Igloo ", an impressive collection of Tunes. And that is where we got the impeccable “What' S Going On ". There is something magical in the kingdom of DenmarkDiscographie : " Dancing Casanova " (Crunchy Frog), " Igloo " (Crunchy Frog / Spirit Of Jungle / Wagram)
Site web : http://www.superheroes.dk
Transbeauce " fmf "
Present on many compilations, they opened for LOW in concerts in 1999. This french duet mixes melancolic guitars and abstract samples. Building bridges between Aphex Twin and Ian Master their amazing music is fascinating.
Discographie : 7" (Active Suspension), compilations Spymania and 555.
Site : http://transbeauce.citeweb.net/
Elk City " Love’s like a bomb "
These three Americans have undoubtedly a green thumb to grow such beautiful pop garden.
Elk City’s song grow there with the likes of Yo La Tengo, Blonde Redhead or Galaxy 500. Shivers down my spine if the first reaction to such beauty, press the “repeat” control on the remote is the second. " Love' S Like A Bomb " is taken from their first album (Talitres Records).
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Discography : " Status " (Talitres Records / Poplane)
Web site : http://www.elkcity.net
Flóp " Un homme de goût simple "
Flóp, is the project from mad multi talented man Francisco López. Fake slacker he builds his own universe between poetry and a sophisticated sense of minimalism. Doing so he also brought back some kudos to the neglected genre of “chanson française”. Inventive, genius, he calls it "rechûte", we call it a renewal !
Site web : http://www.mange-tout.com
Pooka "Yes Lad"
Pooka c'est le nom d'une créature féériques irlandaise douée de mystérieux pouvoirs magiques... Pooka, c'est aussi le nom de scène qu'ont choisi Natasha et Sharon, et il y a effectivement une bonne dose de magie dans les chants jumeaux et entremêlés de ces deux lutins, passant avec autant d'aisance d'un son acoustique ensorcelant à des climats plus planants, voire électroniques.
Site web : http://www.pookaonthe.net
Lambchop "The Fade Away Jumper"
Lambchop avait frappé très fort avec "Jack's Tulip" en 1994, qui alignait ses sombres ballades country folk et ses orchestrations tout en finesse avec un talent à faire pâlir d'envie la plupart des apprentis Tindersticks du dimanche. On découvrait alors une voix, celle de Kurt Wagner, impressionnante d'émotion, de profondeur et de retenue, et un groupe (ou devrais-je dire un orchestre?) à géométrie variable fonctionnant au gré des tentations de son leader incontesté. Depuis, la musique de Lambchop n'a cessé d'évoluer, en intégrant des influences soul dans sa country dandy et en convoquant le fantôme de Curtis Mayfield. En fil rouge, la voix de Kurt
Wagner (seul véritable concurrent de Stuart Staples au titre de crooner du 3è millénaire) qui, même lorsqu'elle s'essaie au falsetto, conserve toute sa personnalité et toute sa chaleur.
Discographie : Jack's Tulip (1994), How I Quit
Smoking (1996), Thriller (1997), What Another Man
Spills (1998), Nixon (2000)
Site : http://www.landlocked.net/lambchop/
The Trash Can Sinatras "In Capitals"
Kilmarnock must be a very very remote city so that the news of Trash Can Sinatras arrives to us also sporadically. It must also be a splendid city if the songs reflect their geographical origins. After 3 albums received by enthusiastic critical greeting but timid public reactions the TCS have returned (finally! shout the despaired fan) and give us (in exclusivity) the fruit in their long studio work. Misty like the plains of Scotland the melody escapes slowly from a crystal guitar. It feels great to hear them again.
Discography ; " Cake "(1991), " I’ve seen Everything " (1993), " A Happy Pocket " (1996)
Site : http://www.trashcansinatras.com
Melon Galia "Extraordinaire Ressemblance"
In their own universe, as far as possible from rigid rules and completely mad about melodies the 5 members of Galia Melon reveal a new aspect of the already contrasted Belgian pop landscape. Their songs are light, spontaneous. Playing with the words and the sounds,
they takes us on a journey of complicated red herring where nothing is what it seems it is. They prefer charming sinuous walks to straight, boring motorway.
Web Site : http://www.mange-tout.com
Calc " Brest#4 "
Based in Bordeaux Calc is a young group but with acclaimed albums and they reached the status of unchallenged POP songwriters. They seem to have the perfect touch to find the exact balance between intimist and intense, between typical English songsmiths and unrivalled American power pop. They discovered a fountain of youth and imposed a new, impossible to miss, landmark in the pop landscape. For POPvolume#2 they gave us one of the first blueprint for their anticipated new album. It is an opportunity to witness a bit of Julien Pras’ group journey towards the grounds of Elliott Smith.
Discography : " Something Sweet " (1999, Spirit of Jungle), "Great Fun"
(2000, Spirit of Jungle)
Web Site : http://www.calc.fr.st
Emak Bakia " Samba Deçejo "
Behind this exotico-Basque name hide Abel Hernandez and Coque Yturriaga from Spanish combo Migala. This lineage implies a little wackiness and much talent for a music driven by melodies over global coherence. Emak Bakia it is great collage using bits and pieces of electronica, dark voices, samples of conversations, simple melodies and all the other components of what surrounds and inspires the duet.Discographie : " jane " (Acuarela), " Despues " (Acuarela)
site web : http://www.acuareladiscos.com
Port Vale " Hold the towers Down "
Gimme Indie Rock ! Port Vale, is the perfect illustration of how good American pop can be. Nerve raking guitars and tumultuous melodies a cross over between Pavement and the Wedding Present. Pure energy and pure pleasure.
Discographie :
Site web : http://www.ojet.com/portvale/
L'Altra "Colding Fields"
C'est par le biais d'un EP rare (dont le titre présenté ici est extrait) que l'on a découvert L'Altra... Ambiances désolées, mélancolie automnale, instrumentations riches et parfaites jouant avec finesse sur les silences, voix à l'unisson, tout concours à faire de L'Altra un des plus belles machines à rêves récemment découvertes.
Discographie : "L'Altra" (Aesthetics), "Music of a Sinking Occasion" (Aesthetics)
Site web : http://www.aesthetics-records.com
Orwell " La Boutique du Xxème Siècle "
“Orchestral pop from Nancy”, that’s what is mentioned on the label. A lazy Sunday morning half awake in bed is what this gorgeous comfy melody feels like. The melodies of Orwell find their roots in the sixties with the Kinks but grow strong today with the likes of Autours de Lucie. A little nostalgic but incontestably modern Orwell’s song are the ideal soundtrack for your romantic spring walks.
Migala "The Guilt (Rough Version)"
Originating in Spain Migala has succeeded in 3 albums to materialise its own universe. Taking their roots in the Tindersticks and some of alt.americana (Lambchop) they are constantly reinventing themselves. Dark melodies, end of party kind of feeling, beautiful orchestrations (piano and violins) and the odd squeaking noise, they all contribute to an extraordinar stripped down, baroque atmosphere where everything fits in. Ideal for late evening listening
Discography : " diciembre, 3 a.m " (Acuarela), " Así duele un verano " (Acuarela), " Arde " (Acuarela)
site web : http://www.acuareladiscos.com
John Home " Wrong Fur "
Members from John Homes say that they found inspiration from Sonic Youth or the Pixies. But unlike your usual noisenick their music uses more tension than simple noise making. After building up their wall of rising guitars Sandra’s voice comes in and tops it all with elegant lyrics. There is no doubt, this is not a simple competition where the loudest takes all, this is Power pop at its peak.
