Downloads
The Rocks - Heartbreak City
The Rocks are back to bring the much neglected roll back into R&R, and not a moment too soon. 'Heartbreak City' is the first single to be plucked from their forthcoming second album, and contains all of the shimmering backing vocals, catchy riffs and crazed croonings that we've come to expect from them. Watch the video, then catch them live for a real treat on their UK tour supporting The Paddingtons (don't worry, you can always leave before the headliners come on).
'Heartbreak City' is released on December 4th on Weekender
Records
The Young Knives - The Decision
A re-release for the most eccentric cut from The Young Knives recent 'Voices of Animals & Men' album (and that's saying something).
This time it comes complete with a video that dredges up long surpressed memories of rambling trips with the parents, and mixes them up with hellish Wicker Man imagery - scarey stuff indeed.
Watch the video - Windows Media: Hi / Lo; Real Media: Hi / Lo
'The Decision' is released on October 30th on Transgressive Records - read Maps' review of the single here
The Favours - Islands
Long term Maps faves The Favours are finally starting to get the recognition that they deserve, having won a presitigous slot on the Electric Proms line-up through a BBC competition.
Part of the prize was to shoot a video, and here is the result:
Sparkly retro popsters The Long Blondes release what seems like their hundredth single of pitch perfect glitter-kissed pop confectionary (their official discography claims it's only six, but that can't be right, can it?)
You can join in the fun by logging onto www.iknowhowitfeelstobeyourage.com and uploading a photo on the theme of 'How it feels to be your age' & you'll get a free ringtone into the bargain - magic.
Watch the video: Windows Media: Hi / Lo; Real Media: Hi / Lo
'Once & Never Again' is released on October 23rd, followed by their
debut album 'Someone to Drive You Home' on November 6th, both on Rough
Trade
iForward Russia! - Nineteen
A few years back, iForward Russia! finished as runners up in a competition to play at a festival I was co-organising behind Killers On Camera, The Schla La Las, October All Over and Artichoke. Only history can decide whether the right decisions were made...
'Nineteen' sees them in unusually restrained and reflective mode, which is more than can be said for the paint slinging kids that populate the video.
'Nineteen' is released on November 13th through Dance
to the Radio
Dirtblonde - The Hangmen
About a year or so ago I received a blood red cd filled with some of the dirtiest garage rock tunes it has ever been my pleasure to experience.
A year on, we're hosting their messageboard on Maps, and they've finally got around to putting together some visual accompanyment to the aforementioned slab of filthy rock action.
One of the real finds of the still vibrant Leeds music scene, Duels take the very best of Britpop's anthemic swoops and update them for the current millenium, creating a sound quite apart from anything else around either now or then.
The band have just launched a new feature on their website allowed you to remix their songs - just head over to www.duelsmusic.com/remix and pop in your details to have a crack at it yourself
'Once in the Night' is released on October 16th through V2 Records
New Rhodes - History of Britain
Dreamy guitars, floppy hair and bouncy castles are the order of the day, as quintessentially English indie-popsters New Rhodes take a rose-tinted romp through our fading memories of summer.
'History of Britain' is released on October 16th, followed by the
album 'Songs from the Lodge' on the 23rd, both through Salty
Cat Records
Some choose the electric guitar, others choose the classical route and learn the violin or piano, those of a more technological bent might opt for the laptop or synthesiser. Not for David E. Sugar these anachronystic symbols of staid musical traditionalism. No, David's instrument of choice is the humble Gameboy - and he puts it to surprisingly good effect, as evidenced in the fitful beats of 'We Weren't Put Together'. Video's a blinder too.
'We Weren't Put Together' is available on 'The Coin-Op Rocker EP', released through I Can Count Music
Words by Paul Madden