Sound Generator's Single Of The WeekFans of defunct indie legends The Beta Band will be ecstatic to learn that their drummer and keyboardist (ahem) have turned up in new outfit
The Aliens, who this week release their "Alienoid Starmonica" EP. Of the four tracks, "Only Waiting" bears the closest resemblance to Beta Band's hesitant, unreachable essence, while standout song "Robot Man" is best described as psychedelic groove-funk. Before you run a mile though, you should know that it's really rather good.
The pick of the rest of this week's releases...
The Pet Shop Boys - absolute giants of eighties and early nineties pop - are back once again, with the lazily titled "I'm With Stupid". The song itself shows a similar lack of inspiration, being as it is a halfway house between "Domino Dancing" and "Opportunities (Let's Make Lots Of Money)", without reaching the dizzyingly fizzy pop peaks of either. The self-parodying video featuring David Walliams and Matt Lucas is worth checking out, however.
The vaguely Britpop tinges on "Did I Tell You" from
The Spinto Band belie the fact that the band in fact hail from Delaware, USA. Something like Pulp's "Disco 2000" but with yelpy vocals and an organ, this is upbeat but unremarkable indie, and lacks the quirky charisma and lyrical incisiveness a Jarvis figure would impart.
"Liquor", by North London four-piece
Gear is worth a mention, if only for its million miles-an-hour collision of punk-funk rattles, Bloc Party choral shouting and late Radiohead-esque guitar buzz / electronic howling, all clinging onto a rhythm so fast it's surprising it doesn't fall apart.
Phoenix, "Long Distance Call". Breezy, summery, slightly wistful tuneage from the Parisian outfit. The chiming guitars and sassily cool verse tones are spoilt by the mid-song realisation that for some horrifying reason, this tune resonates with the pop ghost of Nelly Furtado's "I'm Like A Bird".
Uncomplicated, raucous, drenched in melody and filled with guitars-for-the sake of it, "Get Steady" is the lead track from US punk-popsters
Jonny Lives!' new EP. Its unpretentious Ramones / Beatles vibe, exuberant atmosphere and simple hooks are a breath of fresh air in the current self-consciously arty indie scene.
