Woohooo…

…that has been quite a long break! Although it seemed to me that I have been listening to music constantly, I couldn’t really concentrate on what I was listening to. Shame, really, as there’s been quite a few good things around, like the arrival of Northern Portrait‘s clear-vinyl 7″-single Life Returns To Normal (aahh… the good, old vinyl-collector’s days… 🙂 ), or the announcement of Champagne Riot‘s new EP, to be released on that wonderful Matinée label. Blog-buddy Morten has already covered those stories, so I don’t have to repeat it.

Northern Portrait – Life Returns To Normal (MP3)

Of course, the mailbox has been growing constantly as well; I managed to listen to some of the stuff (but once again, not really concentrated), and found that other blog-buddies have already been covering these stories, like Peter 1 with i am poet, or Peter 2 with iLiKETRAiNS. So instead of writing some more about the same, I’m just going to tell you that you should check out these articles and artists.

Something no indie-pop-lover should miss is the new release from Eardrums Pop, the Tiny Fireflies EP. Three beautiful songs that will make your heart smile. Go and get ’em!

There is still more stuff I’d like to cover, but with so much going on besides music, it really is hard to concentrate. Keep your fingers crossed that things might be looking up again over the next few days and weeks. In the meantime, here’s one of the most beautiful songs from 2010… aptly named Concentrate!

The Guggenheim Grotto – The Universe Is Laughing (MP3)

Summer? Here!!!

You just have to love Matinée Recordings! Not only do they have a great lineup for us indie-pop-lovers, they also make it very easy for bloggers to promote their acts (and most of all those bloggers among us who don’t have much time on their hands… 🙂 ). So here’s a simple copy-and-paste-post about the – damn great – new release from Bubblegum Lemonade:

Scottish pop act Bubblegum Lemonade have a new three-song 7” out later this month and we are previewing it with a free download of the superb lead track ‘Caroline’s Radio’:

Bubblegum Lemonade – Caroline’s Radio (MP3)

Glasgow popkids Bubblegum Lemonade resume transmission this summer with a new three-track 7” single! The first release since their celebrated debut album Doubleplusgood in 2008, Caroline’s Radio is a fantastic Scottish pop hit that pays homage to offshore pirate radio station Radio Caroline with zippy lead guitars and rich harmonies perfect for surfing the medium waves.  It’s a preview of the band’s sophomore album set for release later this year.

The single also features two exclusive b-sides — Stalling and Laughing is ace stop start pop with revving guitars and a clever nod to fellow Glaswegians Orange Juice, while Looking To The Sun is a ‘Psychocandy’-era blast of Mary Chain pop with 12-string guitar intro, stomping drums, and reverb drenched harmonies.  Limited to 500 hand-numbered copies on transparent red vinyl!

New Entries…

I just wrote yesterday that the first CDs of this year have already been ordered, and today, they landed in my mailbox. That really was a quick delivery! The two CDs came from fine label Matinée Recordings, and I really don’t have much to add to Morten‘s posts about Northern Portrait‘s debut-album Criminal Art Lovers (here) and the Matinée Grand Prix sampler (here). Two collections of wonderful jangle-pop, and a perfect start into the year. Of course you can guess that I highly recommend both these albums, even more so that they come at a very reasonable price and a damn quick delivery (hell, even packages sent within Switzerland don’t get delivered that fast!). So, off to Matinée you go now, and place your oders!

Northern Portrait – New Favourite Moment (MP3)

Strawberry Whiplash – Picture Perfect (MP3)

The Guild League – Dead Hour (MP3)