after a lengthy period of disconcerting calm, one of ireallylovemusics favourite record labels, memphis industries, seems to have suddenly sprung back into life.
first up is the return of the noisy hip hop party collective that stormed the world back in 2005, the go! team, with the first single, grip like a vice, from the forthcoming bands second album.
the single comprises of 3 tracks that prove that despite the fact that ian originally conceived the band as a home based production set up and now has to make music with a big proper band set up now, can extend the unique marriage of old school hip hop with underground styled noise brilliantly. in fact to drive the love for both worlds home the band totally go for the cheer leader vs layered noise and avoid any accusations of going radio friendly ! opening the ep with a blast of dirty guitar lines, sirens, gets the blood rushing helped out by ninja giving it that rocksteady crew-esque vocals to keep the vibe upbeat and funky.
then they prove the love for old indie rock noise, with a cover version of a sonic youth track, bull in the heather that’s as great/bad as you’d expect depending on whether you like the lack of tune stuff that the youthful ones do so well. things are finished off with a typically ruff and ready lo-fi recording of a version of myself that even with the lack of production manages to mellow the listener out, despite the reappearance of the recorder instrument ! still, the 3 tracks prove that the bands hit debut album was no one-off occurrence, and hopefully, now that the legal small print is all sorted, lets hope the band continue to make many people smile and jump around.
more detail : here
next up, is the glaswegian 4 piece bricolage who release their first memphis industries based single, the waltzers, having already had records released by such labels as creeping bent, and fantastic plastic. cheeky chappy, handclap filled indie pop music with a wink and nudge towards glam and late 70s pub rock, an insistent hook ridden chorus makes this brilliant song one that will have listeners to the evening radio jumping with glee. adding an instrumental b-side, our fires are electric where fairground organs are let loose, and more joyous moods to the proceedings, making this a good find, and one to keep an eye on for when the album drops later in the year.
more detail : here
and then for those that like their indie rock fix to be a little more in yer face with a dash of post punk urgency, there is the fantastic, tokyo police club, who earlier this year released a fine mini album, a lesson in crime, (as reviewed here). new single, your english is good hits the ground running with the declaration, give us your vote if you know whats good for you backed by a bass propelled 3 minutes that will be a bugger to shift from your memory once this has been exposed to your stereo system. catch the band across various festivals if you get the chance, as i would love to see this band hit the world in a big big way.
more detail : here
then finally there is the return of the labels moody and sublime blue states, who, following recent production duties for various people around the planet (the pipettes, 18th day of may) are now about to release another album, first steps into .. for a sneaky insight into the bands new groove, they have posted a video onto youtube for all to enjoy.
video : allies : here
more detail on all the above : memphis industries