TLOBF’s Monthly Mix Tape: May Edition

For those at the Art-Rock end of things head over to here

Mostly fairly chilled and downtempo stuff. But worth a listen for the Indiephiles.

The Brides : Sofa City Sweetheart

I must admit that US fourpiece The Brides are one of those outfits I have been aware of but never really listened to. I now have a back catalogue to go through, but in the meantime I want to review their latest album, because it is just so good.

The Brides bring together a range of musical influences, Goth, Post-Punk, Caberet, Rockabilly, Glam, New-Wave and it is hard to think of many equivalent artists - The Soho Dolls have tried to do the same think in the UK with some mainstream sucess, but The Brides just seem to pull the whole thing off so much better.

Sound for a Pound Collection 2007

What is Punk? Is Punk dead?

Well that is an interesting question. I guess you can go back to the garage rock of The Modern Lovers, through the glam of The New York Dolls, to the art-school influenced work of Adam and the Ants, Wire and all the other acts that spawned Art-Punk and Post-Punk. Punk is raw energetic rock and roll with an intelectual edge that subverts traditional gender and societal roles. From a British perspective it is riddled with folks like me, people from Working Class backgrounds who go to university thanks to a socialist taxation system and want to Rip it up and Start again.

Violet Violet, These New Puritans, Blood Red Shoes

As I made my way to this gig I was listening to Wire's Chairs Missing, an Art Punk classic. A fitting intro for two of tonight's bands.

The venue was the Junction 2 in Cambridge. With a capacity of over 200, and about that many there, this was a bit larger than my preference for gigs. Give me the back room in a pub any day.

Manic Depression offers Poisened Dead Frogs

Which happens to be a free two disc compilation available here

Read on for full download links ...

Deathrock Kittie & Goth Card

I have no idea why, but it had to be done.

Also a useful printout, cut out and keep proof of your subversive art-punk leanings. (click for bigga!)

Art Brut: It's a bit Complicated

Eddie Argos. What can we say. Art Brut weave together simple catchy riffs with Eddie's unique vocal style and earthy lyrics about life, love and, well stuff. So a new album, It's a Bit Complicated. A new direction, or more of the same?

Ultravox! : Ultravox!

Released in 1977 Ultravox!'s debut seems to fortell the coming post-punk evolution by two or three years. There is a least one web rockist that claims post-punk is nothing more than the bastard child of art-rock and poncey brit punk. And you know maybe they are right? In a good way.

XX Teens: Darlin'

The XX Teens (Nee: Xerox) serve up their first video. Caught these folks a few months back trailing some beige indie tripe. Now they seem to have some backing and I love this cacthy off-beat art-rock piece. The video has it's moments too. Enjoy.

The Horrors:
She is the New Thing

I really enjoy The Horrors organ driven garage rock. The latest single plods along like an advancing phalanx of the un-dead, accompanied by this rather natty video.

Pure genius? Maybe not, but at least something interesting is coming out of the wider Indie scene.

Victorian English Gentlemen's Club: Stupid as Wood

Leading bass line, fantastic tribal drum patterns, and that guitar refrain! Add some more eyeliner and fishnet and it would be Goth
Enjoy

Goth Industrial Tree

Ever wondered how also those different types of music got tied up in the Goth Industrial labels?

Well maybe you should have...

Read more for Interactive version