Reviews

• Crystal Castles: ‘Vanished’

  So it’s been noted that Crystal Castles don’t actually write a lot of their music, but what’s to write? Ethan Kath programmes his SNES to malfunction, laces over some analogue beats and endless Atari loops, and Alice Glass hypnotically whispers over the discordance / electro lull. Delete as applicable.

   
• The Raid: ‘On A Scale’

  ‘On A Scale’ is a dynamic, stomping little number that rollicks with the tribal drums and visceral guitar that the 22-20s had in their fleeting pomp.

   
• Passenger: ‘Things You’ve Never Done’

  ’Things You’ve Never Done’ is delicate, introspective and comes with a poignant message of embracing the day and living without regret. Andrew Phillips demonstrates an ear for some composed arrangement and Mike Rosenberg’s easy going delivery ensure it all ebbs and flows.

   
• I Was A Cub Scout: ‘The Hunter’s Daughter’

  Unfortunately this release marks I Was A Cub Scout’s obituary. Despite a year of mammoth tour schedules, a SxSW appearance and the release of their debut album, the unassuming duo deemed it necessary to call it a day.

   
• CSS: ‘Left Behind’

  After the sexually charged immediacy of their debut, it seems CSS have fallen foul of second album syndrome, finally forcing out the muddling, over produced follow up, ‘Donkey’.

   
• Noah And The Whale: ‘5 Years Time’

  So almost a full year after its initial release, ‘5 Years Time’ has been thrust out into the big bad world once again to make everyone feel good about themsel… sorry, to cash in on their current wave of sweet, twee appeal.

   
• Biffy Clyro: ‘Mountains’

  After the career high of their last album, 'Puzzle', the Scottish three-piece have, in a somewhat strange though not unwelcome move, chosen this moment, four albums into their recording history, to release a single to act as a bridge to their next album. If ‘Mountains’ is anything to go on we’re in for a monster of a record in 2009.

   
• The Pigeon Detectives: 'Everybody Wants Me'

  Very often denigrated and dismissed, with 'Everybody Wants Me' The Pigeon Detectives shuffle by with the bare bones of a modern indie guitar rock song - no change here folks.

   
• The Splendour: 'Money'

  Here is a novelty: guitar music brimming with imagination and a carefree spirit. Crucially for the enjoyment of such a record, The Splendour sound like they’re having an absolute riot playing the thing.

   
• Alphabeat: '10,000 Nights'

  With their endearingly shoddy videos and enjoyable second generation grasp of the English language, Swedish popsters Alphabeat are around a zillion times more interesting than, say, half the new indie acts propping up the UK festival circuit this summer (yes, that means you The Courteeners).

   

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