Inspiral Carpets Play Radio 5 Session

Inspiral Carpets did a radio session on the Tony Livesey show on BBC 5 Live last night; apparently they were the first band ever to be featured on his show. They did three songs and an interview, links below go to the time the track begins on BBC iPlayer. A guy called Andy Heath posted them on the band's Facebook page so credit to him for that.

Saturn 5 - http://goo.gl/adFJk
You’re So Good For Me - http://goo.gl/zPMuT
This Is How It Feels - http://goo.gl/IkBcM
Interview - http://goo.gl/xRT4R

Album Leak - Sonik Kicks by Paul Weller

This leaked online today or yesterday, I think originally from a torrent site although I found it easily on Soulseek. Not going to up a link of my own but it shouldn't be too hard to find by now. Listened to this once earlier today and it sounds like quite a mixed bag like his last album, however there are some very good songs on here too, including That Dangerous Age, Paper Chase and particularly When Your Garden's Overgrown. Bit early to tell but on first listen I prefer this to Wake Up The Nation for sure.

New Album Release - Troubled Times by Cast

Cast's fifth studio album, Troubled Times, was released to the general public today. The album was available to people (of whom I happen to be one) who pledged money towards the making of the album last November, but has finally got a full release. I don't remember being blown away by it the first time round although it was an enjoyable listen, will need to listen to it again and re-evaluate it.

Inspiral Carpets Play First Gig in Nine Years Tonight!

Inspiral Carpets played their first gig in nine years tonight, and their first in a staggering 24 years with original singer Steven Holt, at the Sheffield Leadmill. Hopefully some new songs will have been aired (excluding You're So Good For Me which is basically a given), have to wait and see!

Viva Brother Complete Work On Second Album

Less than a year after their debut, Famous First Words, was released, Viva Brother have completed work on the follow up.  The above picture was posted on their Facebook page earlier with the caption "We just finished recording our second album so we threw a party."  The band has also been teasing something (my money's on a new song) on their Twitter account recently: sample tweet "SO FUCKING CLOSE YOU DONT EVEN REALISE!"

Recent Albums I've Enjoyed - March 2012

For no real reason other than it's a slow news day, I've decided to post a list of albums released this year that I've enjoyed. Quite taken to the idea so might do this every couple of months. Anyway:


Bad Liquor Pond - Blue Smoke Orange Sky

I know next to nothing about this band other than they're from Baltimore and are very good. Psychedelic-y, garage-y, very enjoyable listen. Discovered this on a a blog called Trip Inside This House which is excellent, check it out if you like this kind of music.


The Spyrals - The Spyrals

Another psychedelic rock album discovered on Trip Inside This House, although this one reminds me of The Brian Jonestown Massacre a bit too. Only 9 tracks here but the standard is very high, consistently good album.

The Bevis Frond - The Leaving of London

Yet another psych flavoured album, however this one is by a British band and was dicovered by me in the reviews section in Q magazine. The band has been around for ages and has released almost 20 albums since the mid-80s, although they had completely escaped my radar until I heard this. 18 tracks here and it's quite a long haul, however everyone should be able to find something to their taste.

Mark Lanegan Band - Blues Funeral

This is a solo album from Queens of the Stone Age man Mark Lanegan, and really the title gives a pretty good idea of what to expect. Great bluesy rock album with Lanegan's gravelly voice at the centre.

Nick Ward - Cadenza

To be honest no clue who this guy is, singer-songwriter is as far as my knowledge goes. Discovered him through The Cornershop blog and must say I really enjoyed this album, simple singer-songwriter stuff at its finest.

See also:
The Foxes - Last of Many
The Minutes - Marcata
The Law - Trigger
Tribes - Baby
The Sunshine Factory - Sugar

New EP Release - Love Will Save Us I Hope by The Sand Band

The Sand Band posted their new EP (contrary to what I posted the other day it is in fact made up of 10 tracks so more of an album!) online earlier today; all the tracks are now uploaded although it took a few hours to get them all up. Not listened yet but eagerly anticipating hearing this. Plus it's only £1.99 for 10 songs, with the money going to charity, so there's no excuse not to give it a download! Get it here.