The Phoenix Foundation - Bright Grey

The Phoenix Foundation are from Wellington, New Zealand and took their name from the fictional organisation featured in the TV programme McGyver.  Their sound is indie rock/psychedelia and despite being formed in 1997, they have only recently been gaining in popularity over here since signing with UK label Memphis Industries and touring the UK and Europe at the start of this year.

Their latest album, Buffalo, has been praised by critics however their single here, Bright Grey http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o87HdCm7CfQ comes originally from their previous album Happy Ending.  It now forms part of a 6 track bonus ep included with the Buffalo Deluxe Edition, available exclusively through iTunes.  

The Guardian has said ‘’Song writing this good doesn’t come along often…..an album that already seems destined to be among the best of 2011.’’  And The Independent said "The most potent band to come out of New Zealand since the far-off days of the Chills… Gorgeous.”


http://thephoenixfoundation.tumblr.com/

To Kill A King - Bloody Shirt

Another Communion band!  I didn't know when I first heard this - honest.

Anyway, To Kill A King are from Leeds and were formed by Ralph Pelleymounter, Ian Dudfield and Josh Platman in 2009 when they were at Leeds University.  At the time they were called Kid iD but changed their name to To Kill A King when joined by Jonathan Willoughby and Ben Jackson later that same year.

Their first release, an ep entitled My Crooked Saint, was released on 17th October from which this track, Bloody Shirt, is taken  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vMlogROPGhw&ob=av2e and there is also a video release for each track that together tell a story (which may explain why I didn't have a clue what was going on in this one when I watched it).  

At first there may seem nothing particularly special about this band - it is guitar led indie/folk of which there is plenty around.  But repeated listens reveal a surprising depth, a subtle underlying harmony that adds richness to the song and yet doesn't shout to the listener how clever it is.  It doesn't need to.  Simple, memorable and it works.

Blurred Vision - Democracy

This is a new track from Iranian/Canadian band Blurred Vision called Democracy. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iBrPIjg4wBM  Their new album, Organised Insanity, is almost complete and some of the unmastered tracks are available to stream this week, 14-16 October, via http://vibedeck.com/blurredvision

Brothers Soheil & Sepehr Osloobi first moved to Toronto, Canada from Iran in 1988, and music helped them deal with the resulting culture shock.  You may have heard their take on Pink Floyd's Another Brick In The Wall a couple of years ago (Hey Ayatollah, Leave Those Kids Alone).

Earlier this year the band, along with Amnesty International and Roger Waters, encouraged musicians and music fans alike to join in their 'viral activism' to raise awareness for the youth of Iran.  "Events in Iran, Tunisia, Egypt and Libya demonstrate the power of young people rising up against oppression, and Blurred Vision champion this idea in our music,” says Sepp. “We’re delighted to be working with Amnesty international and with the man himself and great hero of ours, Roger Waters, lending their support to the campaign we really hope can make a difference and lead to a positive change in the region.”  Members of the public were able to follow the Facebook link and post videos of themselves on the official Hey Ayatollah Facebook page shouting "Hey (Ayatollah, Ghadafi, Assad, Saleh etc) Leave Those Kids Alone".

Along with the brothers, the band consist of Keyboardist Joel Lightman, drummer Ben Riley, and guitarist Mike Bongertman.   More information about the band, their music and their activism can be found on their website.

http://www.blurredvisionmusic.com/

Spycatcher - Don't Like People

Watford band Spycatcher released their debut album Honesty recently and this is the second single to be released from it.  Entitled Don't Like People http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R_a57IF2TNg
it is a raw, energy driven number fronted by lead singer Steve Sears and has been written, recorded, mixed and produced by the band themselves at their own studio.  They have gained the reputation of being a great live act at various festivals this year and I think this will be where they will be best received because I have to admit, I did find Sears' voice grated somewhat after listening to a few of the album tracks in succession and I ended up wanting to tell him to STOP SHOUTING!!!  But there are those who love this type of thing of course (even me on another day!) and it is only a small gripe of course.  A band to watch.

dEUS - Constant Now

dEUS are a rock band from Belgium who have been around for a long time but the latest album (Keep You Close, released 3rd October) is their first in 3 years.  This track, Constant Now, was the recent single release http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YqchDW5SV_Y

Formed in 1991, they were originally a covers band but once they began writing their own stuff, they quickly attracted the attention of the music industry and became the first Belgian band to sign to a major international label.  Their debut album, Worst Case Scenario, was released to critical acclaim in 1994.

Six albums later, including a break of a few years so band members could pursue various projects, and despite various band members coming and going, dEUS are still a force to be reckoned with.  Lead singer and songwriter, Tom Barman,  has lost none of his original writing spark and still continues to craft intelligent and yet listenable songs, which isn't that easy to do.  What I can't understand is why this band aren't more well-known.  Their music is accessible enough for radio airplay whilst still retaining an experimental style which will ensure their original fans remain loyal.  They have matured rather than sold out.

You can stream the album here http://soundcloud.com/deusbe/sets and decide for yourself.


http://www.deus.be/home/