side note.

If you're in the London area, you need to get out and see a Captain Phoenix show sometime soon. I've seen them a few times since I've been here, and they never disappoint. Check their site for dates, otherwise the next show is this Thursday at the Horse & Groom in Shoreditch. Listen, and be there!

http://myspace.com/captainphoenix

Pilot Speed

"It's the way you always left me coming down..."

This band likely doesn't need my help, but they're going to get it regardless. Toronto's Pilot Speed (to whom I still refer to by their former name, Pilate) is, in my humble opinion, fantastic. The band has often times been compared to U2. So, as you can imagine, I have a natural affinity for them. I'm suuuuuuuch a sucker, I know. They've made a name for themselves up in Canada and are only now just raising some brows over in the States. I've included tracks from both the band's debut disc as well as their most recent, Sell Control For Life's Speed. The disc has also been released in the US, but under a different name - Into The West.

Pilot Speed - Mercy
Pilot Speed - Turn The Lights On

more info...
Official Site
Myspace
Purchase

Televise

"You said you were the only one..."

I've had a few of this band's songs for awhile now, but I've only just today picked up the rest of the disc. Televise, a London based band, boasts former Slowdive drummer Simon Scott. Fans of Scott's former projects likely won't be disappointed as he has continued on in similar fashion. This time around, you'll find Scott at the helm experimenting heavily with everything from guitar to woodwork. Ethereal, guitar heavy tracks seem to be the band's forte - if you're a fan of shoegaze music like myself, I don't doubt that you'll fall in love with this band.

Televise - Smile
Televise - If I Told You

more info...
Official Site
Myspace
iTunes

the Honorary Title

"...at that age when everything is seemingly life or death."

I was cruising through my some of my music the other day and happened upon an old favorite. The Honorary Title, from New York City, was originally the solo project of frontman Jarrod Gorbel. Though the acoustic melancholy (RIYL Bright Eyes) of Gorbel's debut self-titled EP was pretty remarkable in its own right, the addition first of drummer Aaron Kamstra and later two more members finds the Honorary Title embarking down a slightly less despondent path. Though Gorbel still tries to stick to his guns, the 2004 release of the band's disc Anything Else But The Truth is certainly more pop-oriented. The disc was recently re-packaged and released again with a few bonus tracks. I suggest you buy it, you'll be very pleased...

The Honorary Title - Snow Day

more info...
Official Site
Myspace
Purchase

Somme

I'm sticking to my guns with this band. Anyone who really knows me knows I'm a BIG sucker for shoegaze music. While I don't really have time to write a proper feature just yet, Somme is still worthy of a mention. Upon hearing the tracks, you'd be highly unlikely to discern that the band consists of a mere two members. The lush, vibrant instrumentation (don't wait around for vocals) is pretty killer.

Somme - Massless
Somme - Forge

more info...
Myspace