Surprise Find: Skye

I always try and stay on top of what's coming out in the music world, but every once in a while I'm pleasantly surprised to learn that one of my favourite artists has new material out. Such was the case with the latest Skye album, released at the end of October on iTunes only.

It's no wonder I didn't hear about it, both of Skye's record companies have gone out of business and she is now a truly independent artist.

For those who know Skye's first solo halbum Mind How You Go, or remember her from her days with Morcheeba, you will not be disappointed with her new Keeping Secerets album. Perfect for a Sunday morning or downtempo evening... sit back and enjoy!

Most Wanted: Hairglow

The genious that is Alex Callier -- mastermind behind Hooverphonic -- has released a solo album under the name Hairglow.

I'm really looking forward to this one... I think Alex has been one of the most creative minds in music over the past decade.

For some reason I'm not finding any on eBay, so I'll have to order directly from Belgian shops.

On Deck

Up on deck and under review are new albums from Athlete, Bad Lieutenant (the new band for New Order's Bernard Sumner), Gus Gus and The Hours.

I've very much enjoyed previous albums from the three of them, and you could put Bernard's vocals on any track and I think I would like it, so I'm looking forward to giving them all a listen.

(Bernard's vocals on Blank & Jones' 2008 track "Miracle Cure" was one of my favourite songs of the year.)

Heavy Rotation: Dragonette

In heavy rotation with me at the moment is Dragonette's Fixin To Thrill album.

Fixin To Thrill captures all that's right with much of this year's new music -- a combination of power, melody, electronics and guitar that leaves you feeling good. It's one of those great albums in which your favourite track is always changing. I'm loving "Easy" most at the moment.

Originating in Toronto, but now based in London, Dragonette is currently finishing up a North American tour before heading to Europe and Australia, where they have found the most success.

Trivia: Dragonette's singer-songwriter Martina Sobara is daughter of former Ontario Finance Minister Greg Sobara.

Boogie Tonight...

Looking forward to hearing some great music and having a good dance tonight!

Most Wanted: Royksopp - This Must Be It

I'm looking for the 10-track promo remix CD of this fascinating Royksopp track featuring the haunting vocals of Karin Elisabeth Dreijer Andersson (of The Knife and Fever Ray).

Seems like this one is pretty rare -- I was recently outbid on eBay to the tune of some GPB67.

Tracklisting includes:
RADIO EDIT
THIN WHITE DUKE REMIX
REX THE DOG REMIX
APPARAT REMIX
DANTON EEPROM REMIX
MAXIME DANGLES
PETE HERBERT REMIX
MOGUAI REMIX
THE BLOODY SISTERS REMIX
FLORIAN MEINDI REMIX

I'm particularly eager to hear the Thin White Duke Remix. Stuart Price's remixes are always favourites.

UPDATE: Found it!

Most Wanted

As I start a regular feature on my “Most-Wanted” items, I need to explain that I am a collector. Simply going to iTunes and downloading what I need leaves me feeling somewhat empty. I will do this only when I know for sure that the music I need is not available in a tangible format.

Instead, I collect CDs. Some may find this an increasingly archaic method of purchasing music but, for me, it fills a fundamental need to enjoy the chase, the purchase, and the ownership.

I fear how much longer I will be able to continue my collecting ways. Some say the death of CDs is imminent. However, let’s remember that the same was said about vinyl. Today, even some big-name artists are returning to vinyl.

So if you have the CD that I’m looking for in my regular “Most Wanted” post, let me know!

Guilty Pleasure

From time to time, I will admit to loving a song that I just can't stop singing and moving to. At the moment, this distinction belongs to Cascada's Evacuate The Dancefloor. A typcial Euro-dance stomper, it manages to make me smile, put on my dancing shoes and enjoy!

CD of the Week - Week 43, 2009

Editors - In This Light And On This Evening

Birmingham-based quartet Editors return with their third full-length LP entitled In This Light And On This Evening.

I approached this album with great expectations as 2005's The Back Room and 2007's An End Has A Start were both on my Albums of the Year list in their respective years. With In This Light An On This Evening, Editor's manage to surprised, but not disappoint; an excellent combination.

It is clear Editors have brought keyboards into the forefront of their sound, perhaps aiming to ride the wave of the current neo-electronica trend sweeping a number of musical genres at the moment. While surprising for what has been mainly categorized as an indie, guitar-driven band, the influence of keyboards blends well with singer Tom Smith's brooding vocals.

Papillon -- the first single from the album -- is clearly the stand-out track, although the album's opening and closing tracks are more representative of the spine-tingling atmospheric sound Editors are so very capable of. In between are a solid collection of songs that cement Editor's standing as on of the UK's finest.

Verdict: A fine return that will not disappoint fans of Editor's previous work.

A Reflection

While I'm under no illusions that my impressions on music are definitive or an authority, I have always wanted to share my enthusiasm for the music that makes a difference in my life. Whether these musings will be of interest to anyone else or not, I cannot say. However, I am eager to keep this record of what has mattered musically to me.

I intend to begin with a review of the music that has been issued in 2009, and offer some ideas on what warrants consideration for honours of the year.

With that... here is a visual teaser to what is currently in my running as Album of the Year...