The Brit Awards

 

I didn't watch The Brit Awards, because it doesn't appeal to or aim at me. In the same way that I don't watch Hollyoaks because I don't pretend to relate to da kidz or Eastenders because there's enough shouting in the world without using down time to be entertained or as that soap would say get "sorted".

It is assumed that I will have watched it because of the music connection, but I'm not going to learn anything or be entertained, so why would I want to waste that time. Duglas T. Stewart made a great point that as you get older, the decades seem to move through so quickly, so why would I spend precious time watching and / or listening to something that I'm not gonna like.

It it like the people who moan and moan about how crap the Top Of The Pops 1990 repeats are on BBC 4. It wasn't a great time musically, but better was to come and why blame Top Of The Pops which only reflects the charts and what people are buying. Just realise that people were buying stuff that you didn't like, but they did.

The Brits only reflects how the Big Record Labels see the music industry and they are increasingly irrelevant in these small label, self release Indie days. For god sake they are still describing the world of music as the "music biz" as though Absolutely Fabulous never ended.

If some of our generation want to watch it to take the piss, all well and good. At least reading their thoughts is enjoyable. However, I think too many watch it wanting to be appalled in the way Mary Whitehouse used to watch Dennis Potter plays. In fact they would be incredibly disappointed if they weren't.

I see Coldplay were on it, My thoughts on Coldplay are that they are a musical nothingness. With all that money they should cheer up. Many musicians will tell you it is much easier to write a miserable song than a chirpy one. When I've read the odd Chris Martin interview, he comes across as a space cadet, a man as in touch with the world as David Essex was in Stardust.

So I am not going to learn anything by listening to them, but other people do like them and they will watch and defend them. If you want to be  angry about something get riled at the way this Tory Government is going down the voting prevention route, long practiced by the Republicans.

With Social Media, we can surround ourselves in an echo chamber and continue to shout at the moon or just enjoy what we might have a chance of liking. Follow the better new Music Sites that cover the sort of music that you might like, but will also allow you to discover new artists to follow and  / or collect. 

The Beatles are ace. but what are you gonna learn by constantly listening to something you've listened to forever. There's a whole musical world out there. TV wise, BBC 2, BBC 4 and Sky Arts are offering some in depth musical documentaries that are more than Toyah talking about how she invented every form of music after 1979.

The Brits is not our sort of village, so spend your time more wisely. Alternatively you can shout at the moon and everyone will agree with you, but you will never ever get that time back. Music is to be enjoyed not as something to get mad at.

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Kool Kat Musik Weekly New Release Update

Welcome to the Kool Kat Weekly New Release Update. Kool Kat are distributed in the UK and Europe by I Don't Hear A Single as part of our aim to keep CDs available and affordable. The Kool Kat Links with each album take you to further details on each release..

Please place all UK and European orders by following the details here. Links to Kool Kat's Entire Stock can be found here. Without further ado, here are seven new additions to Kool Kat Musik this Week.

John Howard - Collected – The Best Of John Howard (2CD) Kool Kat Musik 2021      $18

A long overdue, specially-priced 2CD career retrospective (including a cache of previously unreleased tracks) by one of the UK’s best artists you probably never heard!  This 2CD set was curated by Edward Rogers (host of The Atlantic Tunnel and quite an artist himself) who also wrote the copious liner notes.  John is one of the great lost Singer Songwriters with a career that approaches five decades.

Kool Kat Link

Apple Music Link

The Legal Matters - Chapter Three (Futureman Records 2021)      $13

I can think of no better album to accompany me than one by The Legal Matters. The trio seem to be joined at the hip - their music always comes across as brotherly, tight and united. There is a real bond between the three and this album more than any confirms that.  The Legal Matters have far more in common with Crowded House and the harmonies are more Simon And Garfunkel or The Everly Brothers.  The Legal Matters usually do mellow best and there is plenty here to keep those fans happy. But there seems to be more chances taken on this album and boy do they work. The harmonies are as tight as ever, but the songs seem to have even more oomph.  

Kool Kat Link

Bandcamp Link

Jim Trainor - Staring Down The Sun  (Self Released 2021)      $11

Pure popper Jim Trainor’s full-length debut not only showcases top shelf songwriting and execution, but is also a sonic masterpiece produced by Jim and mastered by Nick Bertling. His 2020 “Glass Half Full” was (unfortunately) a digital-only release that provided a peek at his pop prowess garnering some rave reviews.

 Kool Kat Link

Bandcamp Link

 

Fleur De Lys - Circles – The Ultimate Fleur De Lys (Acid Jazz Records UK 2021)      $22 

Atlantic Records, Andrew Loog Oldham, Shel Talmy, Cream, Isaac Hayes and Tony Blackburn, all these and so many more turn up in the story of Southampton band the Fleur De Lys and so many more. You may not have heard of them, but the singles they released in the second half of the 60’s are one of the greatest collections of singles by any band, ranging from R&B through freakbeat and psych and back into club soul.  

Kool Kat Link

Bandcamp Link

Sunrise Highway - Windows (Kool Kat Musik 2014)       $13

The second effort (and Kool Kat debut) for Sunrise Highway (Marc Silvert and mates) garnered rave reviews!  "A light and airy sunshine pop record that's not afraid to rock. Guitars that are alternately hard-edged and Byrds-like mingle with bubblegummy lead vocals and winning melodies, providing a platter full of ear candy!" - John Borack 

Kool Kat Link

Bandcamp Link

The Yellow Melodies - Life  (The Beautiful Music  2017)      $12

Released in 2017, “Life" is The Yellow Melodies eighth album and contained nine brand new original songs, of fine Pop!   "A set of songs that affirm the joys of living from start to finish.  This is music to accompany a drive with a loved one, time with the children, a family picnic, or perhaps just a hug.  We can all think of a number of reasons to listen to music, but one of the best is that it makes us feel good.  If you want to feel good, choose Life.” – When You Motor Away

Kool Kat Link

Bandcamp Link

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Tamar Berk - The Restless Dreams of Youth

 

I've long realised that one of I Don't Hear A Single's weaknesses is the coverage that female vocalists get. It isn't misogyny or some boys club thing. I believe and hope it is largely due to the circles I move in. I listen to a lot of music that I uncover or get sent and sadly most of the female lead stuff falls into two categories that don't appeal.

There are shouty noisy guitar led albums or the twee breathless nonsense that seems to have taken over TV Adverts. So when I hear something that really grips me, I have to shout it out and Tamar Berk is a fantastic singer songwriter in the classic mould that we used to hear a lot of, but now hear little.

There is a real lyrical depth to her songwriting. She's lived a life and tells you about it clearly and wonderfully. There is a real story telling feel to her writing, matched with an instrumental variety and a vocal that just makes you listen. 

She's equally at home with a performance that is so Brit Pop such as Better Off Meditating or as moody as Cleveland. Shadow Clues is a wonderful example of what Berk is ace at, a song that is very Beth Orton like. The frustration in the lyrics just grips you, you just think talk to her will you?

Red Ball is a splendid affair, an Indie College Rock affair that includes a Country Guitar Riff and In The Wild has a similar Country vibe, but is much more Aimee Mann. If you want moody, there's Suitcase & Gun, if you want something more jaunty try Skipping The Cracks.

The real gem here is Heavy & Abusive, a personal cry out of a song that is just outstanding. Tamar Berk has created an absolute masterpiece. A lesson for all singer songwriters. I feel like I've read a book, whilst being enchanted by a wonderful album.

You can listen to and buy the album here.

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Dutch Tulips - Double Visions

 

There's no doubt that the Boston Quartet Dutch Tulips are American, but at times they come across so UK. For example, Pez Mansion has a verse that is all Lou Reed in London Transformer period, but then it explodes into the catchiest chorus imaginable.

It is really hard to label what the band do, there is a slight hint of The Killers without the pomposity. They certainly hit on a riff that completely hooks you and the choruses are massive, so all the essentials are present for the Pop Rockers. But there is something more.

EMTR has an almost 60's Garage Rock feel crossed with the Indie College Rock of the 90's. Mike Holland's Vocals help to spread the variety. The odd time he can sound like a grown up Feargal Sharkey, there is a gentleness and warmth to his voice. Take for instance, Frozen Orange which has a 60's Beat fighting to get out.

Sick Middle just explodes with melodic noise, it doesn't come up for air. Disconnected is a Brit Pop riff accompanying a generally 80's Synth Rock affair. Too Late is very spacey with a Bass line that just takes over your body and the guitar solo is a real plank spanker.

The one common factor here is that there is a real storytelling chatty feel to the verses, mainly with a lot of words, that builds up to an unexpected killer chorus. The album is very Indie Guitar, but brilliantly produced which updates the sound. Lockdown has meant way too much Lo Fi, so it is refreshing to hear something sound so clear.

My personal preference are the songs that take chances, but most will be grabbed by the little anthems like Tell Me Your Codes and Stages And Phases. Double Visions is a cracking album, songs that get your foot tapping, played splendidly. A proper band album. Highly Recommended!

You can listen to and buy the album here. 

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Johnathan Pushkar - Compositions

 

Jem Records is a label with a great roster, maybe second only to Big Stir in depth and quality. It also has one of my favourite PRs in Maureen Pietoso whose sheer enthusiasm motivates you personally. But having said all that, I have no idea what Johnathan Pushkar brings to the label.

Lockdown excluded, this is something that I could hear every night in Liverpool. It is Karaoke Merseybeat. A defence could be made about self written songs, but these are all "I Love You, Yes I Do, I know It's True" The whole thing is a musical cliche. 

Get yourself a Beatles Suit, a mop top, a Rickenbacker that you hold on your chest. Master that cheeky grin and you have yourself a Lego Power Pop figure. I'm not as close to Power Pop as I was, but this is the worst type, it pigeonholes it in that twee throwaway corner that those who don't know it, think it is.

If this is the future of Power Pop then the genre is done for. Thankfully it isn't. I've heard three Power Pop albums in the past month that are fantastic. If any of those three were awarded the support that Jem gives an album, they could be stars. Instead it can be trebles all round as it gets to Number 1 in invented Internet Radio Charts devised by those with an interest in the release.

I thought Junior's Farm was a song that no one could ruin, I was wrong, but even that is miles better than what else is on show. Jingle Jangle "Janet And John" level lyrics that are supposed to have us believe that this is the future of Power Pop. 

Does What She Does holds out hope that there is something there, but everything else is just a completely out of date Power Pop By Numbers affair. There is no malice here, just honesty. I know  many of my fellow reviewers feel the same but maybe don't want to say it out loud. One reviewer friend described it as below.

"Beatles influenced Beatles Pop with the spirit of the Fab Four. McCartneyesque melodies recall the heyday of The Beatles with moptop flavoured tunes that put one in mind of The Beatles."

The album is out on 4 June. You can find out more about Jem Records, which I reiterate is largely a splendid label here.

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Caper Clowns - Abdicate The Throne

 

The only question about Denmark's Best Export is can their third album live up to the quality of the first two, The Buca Bus was an absolute gem of a debut album and the follow up, A Salty Taste To The Lake, was third in the IDHAS Best 100 Albums of 2018. You can read the reviews here and here.

Abdicate The Throne not only hits the heights of previous offerings, but it reveals a lot of hidden depths. Known for their Live Performances, the lockdown could have really slowed the band up, but that time has been used to play around with that they do.

This is a very different Caper Clowns album. True, there are still the Crowded House like elements that enhanced their popularity. Songs such as I'd Be Me, Space & Time and Four Letter Season fit that bill and match what has gone before.

But having five vocalists in the band was never fully utilised until now and the varied song writing of all has taken Caper Clowns to another level. Different genres are successfully tackled and the results are fascinating. 

Being a band that previously rocked you gently, a song with the pace of April Fool makes you sit up, real 70's glammed up Power Pop. Be There (The Ever- Changing Tone) is pure Andrew Gold Piano Pop. The Club Of Humanity goes all 80's synth.

It doesn't end there. What She Became borders on Country Rock and the band really let go on On Your Kaleidoscope, edging towards Psych Pop, which could be the best song on the album. Under Your Command is a song that dallies with Psych Pop even more. It is almost Toy Town. 

Alec In A Line is Bluegrass and the closer, Valley Of The Queens is largely instrumental with just 7 lines song. It is a gentle meandering finish, something you could imagine on a Nick Frater album. A perfect end to a perfect album.

There is more than enough here for existing fans, but more importantly, there is lots more for newcomers. I can't wait to hear these songs live. A different side to Caper Clowns is revealed here and I like it. I like it a lot!

You can listen to and buy the album by following the links here.

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The Mono LPs - Shuffle / Play

 

It was during the first few months of I Don't Hear A Single that I reviewed The Mono LPs State Of Decay. You can read that review here. I knew that the follow up would be something special, I just didn't expect it to be five years later.

Since then I've discovered another rock and roll band with a cello, although The Happy Fits inhabit very different territory to The Mono LPs. On listening to Shuffle / Play, they've also moved from being the best band In Liverpool to the best in the UK and now seem ready to take on the world.

The album seems much deeper and varied than State Of Decay. Ste Reid sounds less like Dave McCabe, although you can still find some comparison and the whole album is less in your face and more fully formed. For those who think the album is dead, this offering shows you can provide something complete that also allows the Spotify brigade to go to any track and find something different.

There could be a tendency to build everything around the cello at the expense of any other instrument. There's not a bit of that here. It obviously takes centre stage on the slower numbers, being particularly wonderful on Chancy Gardener, that being a wonderful orchestral piece of McCartney Pop. But the album consists of perkiness at pace and here the instrument just slots in as part of the piece. It also rocks incredibly well.

Think About It is the nearest you get to what listeners of State Of Decay would expect. Hell Save My Soul is a slab of 70's Classic Rock, wonderfully celebratory, yet Make Your Mind Up is so atmospheric and moody. Getting Away With It is jauntiness personified.

Love Me edges towards the dance floor, but the real gem is the closer, You Say which is approaching 7 minutes of moody magnificence. It is a meandering atmospheric joy.  Shuffle / Play is so much better than even I expected. Please please don't take so long with the next one. Highly Recommended!

You can listen to and buy the album here,

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