Clearlake

Unlike other British indie-rock acts of their generation, Brighton-based four-piece Clearlake have spent the best part of the decade so far putting out interesting, critically well-received records without ever making much of a splash. Either with their debut Lido (2001) or their sophomore effort Cedars (2003), the band failed to piggyback on the ascendance of similar-sounding acts such as the Doves or Electric Soft Parade. Now Clearlake returns as a trio with a more aggressive, psychedelic sound in their third album Amber. Electric guitars have gained prominence, bass and drums have been re-energized, while the dreamy, hypnotic atmospheres of their earlier efforts have been preserved and even become more overwhelming. Some would argue that Clearlake have discovered and incorporated American college-rock influences, but I hear more of an early-90's shoegazing inspiration in standout tracks such as current single 'Good Clean Fun' and upcoming new single (and potential dance-rock hit) 'Neon.'

Utah

My friend Björn recommended this new band to me a few days back, and although it's taken me a while to find the time to check them out, I must say I'm glad I did. Still unsigned but already working on their debut album, this Danish quintet specialize in dark, grandiloquent guitar rock constructed around Jesper Both's grave, powerful vocals and obscure lyrics. Think a dead-serious version of Muse trying to cover The Bends, or a double-album by the Smashing Pumpkins where Billy Corgan's vocals had been replaced by Chris Cornell or Eddie Veder, and you'll begin to get an idea of the musical universe Utah seem to live in. Listen to the title track from their self-released 2005 EP Break the Mould.
-Thank you Björn!

My Latest Novel

... is not an attempt of mine at writing fiction, but the name of a Scottish band (a quintet from Glasgow, to be precise) whose debut album Wolves is coming out in two weeks (no word yet on when the record will be released in the US). Already being hyped as the British answer to The Arcade Fire, and showcasing a wide palette of classy influences including Low, Bright Eyes, Sufjan Stevens, Belle and Sebastian and even Mogwai, My Latest Novel certainly excel at creating hypnotizing moments of sheer beauty with their lush vocal harmonies, post-rock dreamy atmospheres, poetic lyrics and baroque, string-ladden instrumentation. Check out their first single 'Sister Sneaker, Sister Soul,' album track 'Pretty in Panic,' and new single 'The Reputation of Ross Francis' (out today in the UK) and see for yourself why Wolves ensures that the race for album of the year 2006 is going to be a very competitive one.

Morning Runner

Reading quartet Morning Runner occupy that undefined space between the predictable, commercially established, modern-mainstream stadium pop/rock of Coldplay or Keane and the more visceral, spontaneous, energetic indie Brit-rock of, say, Kaiser Chiefs or Arctic Monkeys. This naturally results in a certain sense of confusion (otherwise expected from a new band still looking for their own trademark sound) punctuated by the occasional moment of true inspiration. Case in point: the serene, melancholic piano-driven intro leading up to the anthemic, 'Yellow'-sounding mid-section and then turning into the intense, dark, pulsating finale of 'Burning Benches,' new single from their upcoming debut album Wilderness Is Paradise Now.

Placebo

After two excellent albums in the late 1990s (their self-titled 1996 debut and their best-to-date sophomore effort Without You, I'm Nothing [1998]), Placebo followed up with increasingly disappointing records (Black Market Music [2000] and Sleeping with Ghosts [2003]). Three years and the obligatory singles collection later, Brian Molko's band is back with Meds, a new attempt at recapturing the magic of their early dark, hypnotic glam-rock sound. While the UK will see the release of the unimpressive 'Because I want You' as its first single, elsewhere the job will go to album closer 'Song to Say Goodbye,' a more polished, mid-tempo piano-driven track that showcases Molko's anguished vocals and builds up to a powerful string finale.

Graham Coxon

Sometimes break-ups are clearly necessary and fruitful to both parties: Since Graham Coxon left Blur in early 2003, he has been producing some very decent guitar-rock (exhibit A: his last album, Happiness in Magazines [2004]), while Damon Albarn has spent more time focusing on Gorillaz, originally meant to be just a fun side project, with evident success. Now it's Graham's turn again: check out the video for new single 'Standing on My Own Again,' the first to be taken out of his upcoming album Love Travels at Illegal Speeds, out in four weeks.

Pretty Girls Make Graves

The Seattle punk-rock band is about to release their third album Élan Vital, the follow-up to the impressive The New Romance (2003), a complex, highly calculated display of technical prowess that somehow still managed to feel inspired, exciting and even moving. Two months ahead of its release date, the opening track in the new record has been posted on Matador Records' website. Along with everything else that has leaked so far, it would appear that PGMG are evolving and veering towards a more atmospheric, hypnotic post-rock sound, where the raw tension is still present but more contained, seldom coming out in the form of fist-pumping moments like they used to. Check out the haunting 'The Nocturnal House.'

Hot Chip

Although Astralwerks only released their remarkable last album Coming On Strong (2004) two months ago in the US, the British electronic male duo formed by Alexis Taylor and Joe Goddard has already finished work on their new album The Warning, out in May in Europe. It will include current single 'Over and Over,' an addictive, upbeat funky number full of infectious hooks, soulful keyboards, a pounding bassline, ironic lyrics and a fun video to boot.

Morrissey

Another hot new release that can be streamed online: the first single from Morrissey's upcoming album Ringleader of the Tormentors. Both the song and the album cover (see above) appear to be in keeping with his unmistakeable, melodramatic, ironic style. Check out 'You Have Killed Me' in Moz's Myspace.

Yeah Yeah Yeahs

The Yeah Yeah Yeah's website has started streaming the irresistible first single from their highly-anticipated second album Show Your Bones, both scheduled for release in late March. If you like your guitar-rock catchy, electric and syncopated, check out 'Gold Lion' right away.
"Tell me what you saw, I'll tell you what to... oooh-oooh, oooh-oooh"

Delays

Here's something you don't see every day: a band refusing to replicate the sound of their debut album for their sophomore effort. The Delays appeared on the UK indie pop music scene in 2003 and were generally well received thanks to the uplifting, dreamy classic-pop melodies and sunny vocal harmonies of minor hits such as 'Hey Girl,' 'Long Time Coming,' or 'Nearer Than Heaven,' which often recalled 60's pop classics such as The Byrds (and of more recent power-pop wonders The La's). For the follow-up to Faded Seaside Glamour, however, the Southhampton quartet appears to have taken the road suggested by their non-album single 'Lost in the Melody' and have updated their sound by about two decades, turning it more disco-friendly. The knack for catchy, radiant melodies and Greg Gilbert's beautiful, falsetto voice are still there, of course; but these now shine over 80's synth beats and electric guitars. Check out stand-out track and lead single from their upcoming second album You See Colours, 'Valentine.'

Absentee

Aside from referring to my inactive status as a blogger recently, Absentee is also the name of an up-and-coming, highly prolific indie-rock British band who have been making a name for themselves with two mini-albums (Hawaiian Disco in late 2003 and Donkey Stock last year) and with their opening act slot in The Magic Numbers' recent UK tour --in fact, their bassist Romeo used to be a member of Absentee until he left the band to focus on recording the Number's debut album. The London quintet, often compared to such diverse, well-established alternative acts as Pavement (for their moody sound and often funny lyrics), Nick Cave or Tindersticks (for Dan Michaelson's powerful, haunting vocals), will finally be releasing their first full-length album Schmotime in May, with the energetic 'Something to Bang' leading the charge as its first single later this month. Check them out.

Johnny Boy

After a year and half since the publication of their classic single 'You Are the Generation That Bought More Shoes and You Get What You Deserve,' English duo Johnny Boy finally announce the release of their self-titled debut album (at the very least in Sweden, for now). The album kicks off with the phenomenal 'Generation' and, while it never quite reaches those same heights again, manages to come very close several times: 'Fifteen Minutes,' for example, is another richly produced slice of powerful, uplifting pop with an irresistible melody, a joyous atmosphere, and an intro riff straight from 'Dancing with Myself,' all of which will inevitably have you grinning and toe-tapping within seconds...