The Dawning Of A New Era - Part 2
Well, I've checked, and in the days since the last look into the future there have been no grand announcements of silver jumpsuits taking over from tight black girly jeans, or of people starting to take rockets to work on a daily basis. So I can only conclude that The Future isn't really going to pan out the way we all hoped it would. Bah!
But don't despair, chickabiddies, here's another selection of bright, thrusting new musical acts who might just be able to make The Present bearable for the next twelve months, while we're waiting for our laser-guns to arrive.
Emmy The Great
Last seen crooning a beautiful ode in the back of a black cab, Emmy The Great is being talked up something rotten by none other than Kate Nash. And quite right too, as she is possessed of a crystal-clear voice, melodies that Conor Oberst out of Bright Eyes (OK, so he IS Bright Eyes) would very much like to have thought of himself, and some brilliant one-liners. And that's before we get to the song which wonders how you pronounce the name of the singer MIA...
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One Night Only
Even though they are all a little young to get this anthemic, there's no doubt that One Night Only are carrying the hopes of...well...all their fans and families with them into 2008. Their first single 'You And Me' took them from somewhere dark and lonely to the giddy heights of Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ's Sound. Who knows what the second will do. AND the band's debut album 'Started A Fire' is out on January 28th. This is 'Just For Tonight', which kind of over-emphasises the band's name, don't you think?
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Wild Beasts
No, we're not going to shut up about this band. They're very, very good, and deserve nothing but praise from dawn until dusk. How many other bands would begin a song with the line "My top's off, I'm a goosepimpled God" in a squeaky voice and get away with it? That kind of hubris is what put people off Robbie Williams, y'know...
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Sway
If Lethal Bizzle can break through to wider public consciousness in 2007, and if Dizzee Rascal can do the same, then surely a talent like that of Sway Dasafo should be worth a lookover, right? His 2006 CD 'This Is My Demo' was a big hit with the ChartBlog-massive-to-be, so we're pretty excited to hear the follow-up is gonna be out this year.
, albeit in a pretty homemade form...
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Bishi
I asked Steve to fill me in on why it is we like Bishi, and this is what he said...
Well, she's a friend (and I think ex-girlfriend) of Patrick Wolf, and she's currently unsigned (or was last time I checked), but attracting a lot of interest from the gigs that she's played. And her sound is sort of Julie Andrews meets Lily Allen.
There, that's definitive, that is. I can also tell you that her album 'Nights At The Circus' was released in November, and this song, 'Never Seen Your Face' came out a couple of months beforehand.
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Elliot Minor
If you want a surefire way to waste the whole year, get into a conversation with a rocker about whether Elliot Minor should be getting the support from Kerrang! that they currently are. The row will last for ages and there will be no winners, but at least you'll sharpen up your debating skills...
'Still Figuring Out' is out on January 28th.
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Blood Red Shoes
What manner of circus freakery is this? A lady guitarist? A singing drummer? No bass player? It's like a parallel world (something Elliot Minor know loads about) where all the usual rules are turned on their head.
Well, not really. It's like a fiery new indie band with some raucous songs, doing their thing rather well. Check out 'It's Getting Boring By The Sea' too, if you're interested...
'You Bring Me Down' is out on January 28th.
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Joe Lean & The Jing Jang Jong
They're too skinny, they look like an indie band who've been put together by a casting agency rather than by, saying some form of talent audition process, and they've got the worst name in living memory. But they will be successful in 2008, you mark my words. And if they are, against the odds listed above, maybe they deserve a little respect. Just a little, mind...
'Lonely Bouy' is out on February 18th.
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The Whip
The Whip: For everyone who likes the idea of Hot Chip, but who prefers their singing with a little extra beef. Also for everyone who like Simian Mobile Disco but misses the insanity of when they were just plain old Simian.
The robots will have their rave, and there is nothing you or I can do about it.
Comments
I think I have to disagree about Joe Lean and the Jing Jang Jong having the 'worst name in living memory'. Before they became the Beatles, Lennon and co for a time called themselves 'Johnny and the Moondogs'(!). And then there was the Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band (good band, silly name), Showaddywaddy, The Shaggs(snigger!), Richard Cheese (genius!)....need I go on?
I'm really looking forward to hearing more from to Joe Lean, Lucio Starts Fires was a brilliant song.
[I see what you're saying, but I can counter your arguments thusly...
Johnny and the Moondogs eventually saw sense and changed it. Not that the Beatles is AMAZING as a name either.
If you can find a more fitting name for what Vivian Stanshall, Neil Innes and co did than the Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band, I'm all ears. They even changed the relatively sane 'Dada' section to 'Doo Dah' ON PURPOSE! A skinny-legged, serious, pouting indie band they were not.
Richard Cheese seems to be a comedy act too, so again, it's fitting.
Showaddywaddy sort of suited them, bearing in mind the whole doo-wop, '50s revival thing they did, but it is a rubbish name, you're right. Joe Lean and the Jing Jang Jong is worse tho. So ner! ;-) - Fraser]
One Night Only are really great. I heard You And Me back in October and instantly loved it. Even though they aren't bringing anything remotely new to the music industry, what they are doing is good.
Elliot Minor, I wish all the best to them. Saw them supporting McFly and they do play brilliantly live. Although they mix more pop for them to be rock really.
Sway is soo good, I hope this year he gets the recognition he rightly deserves. I saw him live a couple of years ago when he supported Fort Minor and he was brilliant. I've never seen/heard anyone freestyle as well as he did.
As for Elliot Minor. . . seriously what is all the fuss about. They are just a gothed up McFly.
get 'still figuring out' on Jan 28th IT ROCKS!!!