Issue Five

This is probably the only post I will do that is going to say the next one will be better. Not to say this week’s top ten isn’t killer as usual. It’s just I am so freaking excited about the next few weeks. There are so many sweet releases that we are literally days away from hearing. Wrap your heads around this, not only does Little Comets new album “Life Is Elsewhere” get released on Sunday the 30th of September, but on the same night Gold Fields’ new single “Dark Again” is going to premier on Triple J! On October 5th, Northeast Party House will be releasing their single “Stand Tall” on iTunes for sale as well. Oh it’s just so much to take in and I promise there will be tonnes of epic stuff in Issue Six. However, Issue Five is just as nuts; check it out.

10. Vampire Weekend – The Kids Don’t Stand A Chance (Chromeo Remix)

I’ve always loved this remix. I think this was the point that I decided I finally enjoyed Vampire Weekend. I know it’s not the most recent thing in the world (in fact I think it’s a few years rusty) but damn is it good. I finally found where to get this tune onto my iTunes and have rehashed it into a regular rotation. I’m sure you’ll enjoy as our first recommendation this week.

9. Glow Marrow – Julian

Glow Marrow haven’t done a huge amount of stuff. I actually think all I could find besides this song was a 2 track EP (one of the tracks being Julian) so I guess for the moment these guys are a one song wonder. All that aside I think this song is great, it maintains a catchy style in the pace and fluttering vocals and makes for a great first single that is hopefully a glimpse of the brilliant music that Glow Marrow could possibly make towards their debut album.

8. Tomas Barfod – November Skies (feat. Nina Kinert)

This is so freaking cruisy. I don’t know what it is about this song but it just cannot go wrong. The way it kind of plods along at the start before the bass arrives to give the song a heartbeat. Also, Nina Kinert’s vocals are amazing, riding the tempo of the song so well and adding so much extra feeling. Fair to say I’ve been repeating this so many times over the past few months. Hopefully you will too.

7. Does It Offend You, Yeah? – Pull Out My Insides

I. Love. This. Band. From the time I first heard their debut single Dawn Of The Dead which made it far into the Triple J Hottest 100 the year it was released, I’ve been stinging to see them live and missed so many chances. If you haven’t heard them yet then don’t let the opportunity go by! This is one of the singles off their second album that was released sometime last year and which I only managed to get a proper copy of recently. It’s easily also the best track on the record.

6. Strange Talk – Is It Real?

Easily one of the best Aussie acts to come up recently in the surprising flourish of amazing releases as of late. Their first self titled EP is top stuff from start to finish and with instant classics like Climbing Walls and Sexual Lifestyle being already smashed constantly by Triple J, it’s easy to assume their upcoming single Cast Away is due to cause a cah-fuffle. This was my favourite on the EP as it was basically the only single I couldn’t find on Facebook or any of those other media outlets. Enjoy.

5. Kyle Andrews – Make Me Feel Human

Here he is again, the wonderful Kyle Andrews. This guy makes fricken catchy tunes and this frontrunner off the album Robot Learn Love is not different from any of the other stuff I’ve had stuck in my head for months on end. He’s been in these playlists a few times now and deservedly so. So what? How many other blogs do you know go greedy and stick it for thirds? You’re welcome.

4. Deerhoof – Fete d’Adieu

Deerhoof have apparently been around since 1994! What the hell? Where have they been hiding. Originally I thought I was super cool and found a French band that no one else would know because it had a French song title and I couldn’t understand the lyrics. Sadly, they’re quite well known and from San Francisco. So super generic. Who cares, great song.

3. Frank Ocean – Thinking Bout You

Frank Ocean played on the first episode back for Saturday Night Live. Since I love SNL, I give anyone that plays there a chance and I’d heard a lot of hype around this guy. Turns out they’re completely right. There’s nothing cliche or silly about this style of R n B, Frank Ocean is an amazing artist and the songs are so well crafted and easy to listen to. He was unreal on the live stage for this particular song; just like the CD.

2. The Jungle Giants – She’s A Riot

I’m so excited to say these guys are supporting Last Dinosaurs in a few weeks and I got tickets!! Get there guys seriously, it’s going to be unreal. I thought Jungle Giants sound quite similar to Two Door Cinema Club and if you think there’s something wrong with that then there’s something wrong with you. So many amazing bands coming out of Australia at the moment and to be honest, even if they weren’t playing with Last Dinosaurs I’d be going to see them for the same price anyway. It’s coming in at number two because I have only listened to one other song more this week. That aside, in all honesty, She’s A Riot really comes in at a tie with number one as it is easy one of my favourite songs of the year.

1. Northeast Party House – Pascal Cavalier

I mentioned at the start that Northeast Party House were releasing their new single soon and I’m a barrel of excitement at the moment. Well this is the reason I’m out of my wits about this development. Their first single, Pascal Cavalier has just been abused on my iPod. So many times this week as soon as it finishes playing I start it again. They are playing up in Newcastle at the Cambridge on October the 5th (same day as their Stand Tall release) only for about $10 so if you get a chance come along, it’ll be so worth it. Get ready for this song to blow your mind tank.

So that’s it for this week! Make sure you keep an eye out for Issue Six, shits gonna get mental. You can join up via twitter (with no notifcations afterwards) to your right by selecting the “Join site” icon. It’s much appreciated.

Issue Two

Although my first post was purely for a bit of fun, I’m pleased to report a lot of good feedback so far. As history would have it the sequel is usually not as good as the original but let’s hope this week pleases, cause to be honest these ten songs have pleased the hell out of me over the past two weeks (that sounded weird but whatever).

You’ll find a couple of songs in here this week that have been around for a while (one over two years old) but you can’t argue with playlist stats and as I’m heading to NZ this week to catch up with old buddies from my time in the Canadian snow, I’ve gotten a bit nostalgic about some of the songs I used to ride to.

So without further adue, here are this weeks top ten songs as judged by my ears.

10. Little Comets – Bridge Burn

Don’t worry, I’m not re-hashing all the same bands from last week (it’s why the repeat offenders are coming in early). You’ll understand why this had to be here after you take a listen. You already know I love Little Comets and this is another sterling track off their “Jennifer and Other Short Stories EP”. These guys usually blend up to sound like a cross between the blues-tinged folk style of some of The Kooks softer stuff and the dancy, pop infused hits of The Wombats. Those facts aside, this track is one of their own; making you appreciate musical talent in its simplicity.

9. Kyle Andrews – Polar Bear

Another song from an artist that was in last weeks top ten, but seriously how can you not listen to this album for over a month? This is heaps more relaxed than the track that came in number one last week and it shows exactly why the album is such a decent mix of everything that is good about music. Kyle Andrews is a relatively new find for me which is why he comes in again this week with another track. Once again, you can check out his stuff at kyleandrews.bandcamp.com

8. Tycho – Coastal Brake

Funny thing is I literally started listening to this band in the middle of writing this blog and decided on the spot that I want to chuck them in. I think these guys only do electro instrumental stuff but its so easy to get lost in this song. It is purely coincidence that I put a semi-instrumental song in at number 8 last week. With a brand new album out called “Dive”, you can Check out their other stuff at tycho.bandcamp.com.

7. Fenech-Soler – Golden Sun

This is one of those almost two years old songs that I was talking about. These guys are absolutely great. As a two piece electro outfit originating from the UK, they got pretty well known pretty fast and you’ll understand why when you listen to this catchy number. Everytime I play this song in front of someone they always ask “Who is this?” followed by me later hearing it blasting in their cars. Hopefully it has the same effect on whoever reads this blog.

6. Reptar – Houseboat Babies

Remember that fictional show that the kids from Rugrats used to love? Yeah, that’s where you’ve heard the name Reptar. But these guys have way better songs than that (albiet awesome) theme song with the burps from the Nickelodeon classic. The vocals take a bit of getting used to but I love them, and this is my top ten so suck it. These guys played at SXSW this year by the way, and this song is really cool. The album is unreal too. Check it out on iTunes it’s called “Body Faucets”.

5. Gold Fields – Treehouse

This is another one from at least two years back. I recently checked my iTunes for which song on my entire library had the most plays since owning a computer, and it was this song by a whopping 87 plays. It’s impossible not to get addicted to this song which may be one of the reasons why it was the 5th most played song on Triple J in 2011. Sadly (and surprisingly) it didn’t make it into the hottest 100 this year. It might not be the number one song for this week but it is definitely at number one for the last year. Oh and new album coming soon by these guys too.

4. Late of the Pier – Best in the Class

I feel this song actually has really inspiring lyrics for the type of song that it is. These guys are like prog rock/electro/brit pop and just pure craziness. Late of the Pier have been absent from the music world for a while now and this was their last single. It wasn’t released on any particular album but it was a sweet little tune. Their only album “Fantasy Black Channel” is absolutely nuts and I highly recommend that everybody go and check it out.

3. Passion Pit – Carried Away

As this is a top ten of music in my iTunes, it’d be stupid to not include this band. Most of you would already know them from the song “Little Secrets” or perhaps just know them because they’re last record was completely awesome from top to bottom. I started listening to Passion Pit whilst overseas so their sound brings back great memories for me. I bought the new album “Gossamer” this week and have had a few songs on repeat. This just happens to be my favourite from the new album.

2. Twin Shadow – Beg for the Night

These guys were a surprise for me. With a new album out called “Confess” I’d heard a few songs but nothing really stuck. I put this one in the list of maybes and within a day it has jumped to being on repeat pretty much all day today. This being said, it probably requires a bunch of listens before you really get into it. Twin Shadow have that little 80’s feel mixed with electro/indie stylings and I guess if I keep doing these blogs you’ll come to understand how much I do love the 80’s and anything that reminds me of my favourite bands from the 80’s. Get ready to replay the chorus over and over.

1. Van She – Tears

Damn I have been waiting a bloody long time for these guys to bring out a new album. I even resorted to listening to every single Van She Technologic Remix ever created just to get my fix until it was dropped. I bought this album the other day alongside Passion Pit’s newy and got caught onto this song faster than anything ever. Since then its plagued any room I can hook music up to. Easily my favourite on the album and easily the number one choice for this weeks Issue. Enjoy.

Well that’s it for the second run. Hope you enjoyed and feel free to follow the blog via Twitter or comment on any of the posts with your own stuff that you think I should check out. Issue three in a week or two. Whenever I feel like it.

Issue One

Welcome to The Whamtam Ten. A bi-weekly blog post featuring the top ten songs of the fortnight on rotation in my iPod. I’m trying to feature a lot of songs and artists that are not very well known by most people hence why I get unnecessarily excited about showing them to everyone.

Being the first week of doing this, and it being the beginning of the final month of winter, I’ve had a lot of chill/upbeat songs that seem to hypnotize from time to time. But that’s enough typage. Here are the top ten songs for this week.

10. Urban Cone – Freak

These Swedish guys remind me a little bit of Miike Snow for some reason. I started listening to this song a couple of months back which is why it comes in at number 10. However, and it’s still in my rotation and that says a lot!

9. Fixers – Floating Up

 

Fixers are apparently quite big in the UK. I downloaded the full album and didn’t really dig the rest of the songs. But disregard that comment because the single “Floating Up” is wicked and the “woah”-ish stuff in the intro gets stuck in your head in such a good way.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQl4P9M_z1A

8. Mike Landry – Heartbeat

 

This is pretty much an electro/indie instrumental apparently of another song that I’ve never heard before but I love this version. I caught my sister listening to it earlier tonight and realised it had to go in the top ten somewhere. Great to listen to when you’re just chilling with your headphones in and blocking out everything around.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KX_s5w0Lkh4

7. Stepdad – Show Me Your Blood

 

The songs not as evil or hardcore as the title suggests. This synth-pop/good times band has an amazing new album out at the moment called “Wildlife Pop” and every single track is pretty much awesome. This just happens to be my favourite. Listen to the rest at stepdad.bandcamp.com.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sWytFIMIKSg

6. Glowbug – Heatwave

 

The coolest thing about this find is that if you go to glowbug.bandcamp.com you can download the new album “Suit of Swords” for free. Glowbug is Daniel Anderson and he’s a generous dude giving away most his LP’s free of charge on the net. Heatwave is the single off his album and it’s absolutely wicked. Glad he turned down the reverb on the vocals for this album, it’s a good effect but at least now we can make out what he’s saying.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-9FlcWlzhwY

5. Beat Connection – Saola

 

This song is just straight up fun. You feel like getting out the pots and pans and singing along while you tap on anything around you. Catchy lyrics too. Don’t know too much about their other songs but this one has been on repeat at least a few times a day this week.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M1sopmdj4qM

4. Little Comets – Language Is Over

 

Well. I am a MASSIVE fan of Little Comets ever since I discovered their single “Worry” and I literally have loved every single song they’ve done so far. It is because of this I’m so excited about their new album coming out called “Life Is Elsewhere”. Before this, they did a small EP in anticipation with one of the tracks being this great emotional piano number. Such a good use of his voice.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oPYFIKxSiGQ

3. Future Screens – Don’t Stop

 

These guys also have a great and consistent album that is available on futurescreens.bandcamp.com for only $5. I originally wanted to put a song called “Sidewalk Chalk” up as number 3 but I couldn’t source it from YouTube or anywhere else so here is the single. It’s just as worthy of being number 3.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oMVvdDgnENg

2. Summer Camp – Better Off Without You

 

I really like this song. It’s been on repeat for a while now and I keep picturing the eighties all the time when I listen to it. I got into these guys because of a really good remix of their song “Losing My Mind” by St Etienne which you should also check out if you have time. But for the mean time, “Better off Without You” is just fun.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EgrP6fzGKjg

1. Kyle Andrews – Sushi

 

This song is so fricken fun I don’t really know how to describe it. I found it as the background song on the trailer for the Isenseven snowboard movie “Lets Go Get Lost” and it’s just stuck in my head forever. It’s such a good song though and it comes in as number one as my attempt to force everyone to like the music I like.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B7HCAwJDRCc

Hope you enjoyed these and maybe discovered some new music to chill to. Until next time.