Goldhawks, “Daybreak”

“We can live the life we have always wanted to.”

Everytime I jump onto the tube and happen to see Goldhawk Road on the map, I am reminded about how very much I adore West London’s Goldhawks.   I’m also reminded that this song, in particular, should be a massive radio hit.  And it doesn’t matter much to me that the music is a perfect mix of Coldplay/U2 adult alternative sensibilities that I grew out of in the 9th grade.  The music is fantastic, and I suppose I don’t even need to articulate exactly why I like them – it’s just so.  The debut album Trick of Light was released via Mercury Records earlier this fall, and the band tours regularly in support of it.

Goldhawks – Daybreak

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Dog Is Dead, “Young”

“Hold your breath and count to ten.”

Strangely kitschy, operatic, and never lacking on the ingenuity.  Dog Is Dead calls middle England home, but has both aspirations and abilities that are bound to send them far outside their Nottingham base.  The new single “Young”, released late last month, is fine evidence of such panache.  They played the BBC Introducing state at Glastonbury this year, and I can imagine they’ll return next year – no longer needing an introduction.  The band has a few shows –  Bristol, Cardiff, Leeds – in the next few days. Drop down if you’re in the area…

Dog Is Dead – Young

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Carpenter, “Sea to Sky”

“You don’t have to say those mean things…”

Vancouver’s Carpenter has found a comfortable home stylistically in the midst of, both classic and contemporary, raw Americana and punk greats like Springsteen, the Replacements, and the Gaslight Anthem.  The band’s debut, Law of the Land, occupies a special place in my collection, and the newest release from Paper & Plastick/Goldstock has already earned my favor in the few weeks it has been out.  If I had ten thumbs, I’d use them. Carpenter is currently touring in support of Sea to Sky, and travels throughout Canada before making their way down into the States.

Carpenter – Mean Things

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Tom Williams & the Boat

Milestone: I think I have officially posted about Tom Williams & the Boat more than any other band on the site.  The London regulars, though officially from Kent, continue to impress fans, critics, and passers-by.  The new See My Evil EP follows in the footsteps of the band’s beautiful Doing My Best release, and takes on a noticeably more fiery temperament.  Preview a couple of tracks below, and follow the purchase link to pre-order the release, with comes with a free immediate download of the five tracks.

See My Evil EP (Sample) by TomWilliamsBoat

The Attika State, “The Horton Shuffle”

“It’s a matter of time before they all know.”

I was more excited than any one person should be at 9am in the morning.  I awoke to a review copy of the new Attika State album, “Measures”, via the good people (person?) at Alcopop! Records.  The band writes near perfect alt-pop tunes, with a very welcome bit of 90s throwback.  The album hits shelves this upcoming Monday, and contains a fantastic collection of 12 tracks – which they’ll be supporting with a short string of 10 dates throughout the UK.  I’ll be at the Oct 9 show at Notting Hill Arts Club show.  In a quick note to anyone else planning on attending, it’s an early show.

The Attika State – The Horton Shuffle

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