Prattle

Fountains of Wayne - It must be summer
It must be summer, because I’m listening to Fountains of Wayne.

The Needles - Dianne
So much Bloximo Parky, but a very catchy song nevertheless.

James Dean Bradfield - Emigre
Second best song on his new solo album, and therefore the second best song he’s been involved in since “Masses against the classes”. The album’s largely drab, but I quite like the way he clearly feels free of the MSP shackles, and able to indulge himself in “Sha lala” type choruses.

Young Knives - She’s attracted to
They should probably remind me of the Fall or someone like that, but they remind me of Mclusky. As with some of their other songs, this one has some superb lyrics.

Muse - Invincible
Probably not the best track on the new album, but still pretty good. I chose it because I do like that guitar solo. He must spend a fair few quid on effects pedals. They’ve dropped their orchestral arrangements, but still sound ridiculous and (largely) brilliant. The album gets better with repeated listens, so give it a chance. Apologies for the slight click(s) in the sound.

Dears - You and I are a gang of losers
I wish they could translate their live performances into an equally energetic and emotional record, but they don’t quite manage it with the new album. Still, I’ve got a great deal of affection for them, and they’re always worth seeing live.

Joanna Newsom - Peach plum pear
Clearly as mad as a box of frogs, she makes a ridiculous noise. Included here because they played it in Reykjavik’s Kaffibarin the other weekend, and it went well with a pint of local lager.

Down the line
Quick excerpt from BBC Radio4’s excellent spoof phone-in show. Listened to most of the series while driving between Icelandic sites of interest.

TV on the radio - Wolf like me
Some are talking about TVOTR like they’re going to break through with this album. I don’t think it’s much less patchy than the last album, but I suppose they’ve rounded off some of the sharper edges. As you’ll hear from this song, they haven’t exactly overdone this sanitising.

Russian Futurists - Paul Simon
Goes on a bit, but I like the trumpetiness.

Jim Noir - Computer song
He’s made a very summery album which, not unlike Icarus, flies too close to the sun of twee. This song’s good, though.

Morgan - Miss Parker
Another album I can only listen to when the sun’s out, this song remains brilliant. If you disagree, you are an evil, deaf, chuntering dunderhead.

Starlight Mints - What’s inside of me
I’ve always got them mixed up with someone else, this lot. In fact, I … Star Spangles! That’s pathetic. If it was the Wondermints, it would make more sense. Still, this is a good song, from their forthcoming album. It just sounded like an opener, to me.

Camera Obscura - Lloyd I’m ready to be heartbroken
It sounds a bit like the Concretes. They’re Scottish, so people try to compare them to other bands from that nation e.g. Belle & Sebastian, er… Del Amitri and Mogwai. Peas in a pod, I’m sure you’ll agree.

Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Turn into
As you’ll know - unless you arrived here by Google, and are monitoring my copywrongs - I really don’t like this woman. And the first album gave me plenty of reason to continue not liking her. If it wasn’t her face, it was her music. Well, the second album’s much better, and this is easily the best track they’ve ever done. But I still find her face offensive.

Tilly and the wall - The ice storm, big gust and you
They’re probably Christians. Tap-dancing Christians. I tried to check their website but I found it confusing and annoying. Their new album’s not quite as good.

Infadels - Love like semtex
Let’s call them “The Infidels”. Looks like this annoys them. They should have thought of a better name. I bet Tilly and the Wall don’t get this problem.

White rose movement - Girls in the back
A less German Robocop Kraus (see previous podcast). Actually, they remind me of Gary Le Strange, the mock New Romantic.

Casiotone for the painfully alone - Young shields
I seem to remember this was one of the few tracks on the album that didn’t make me vomit. It simmers, I think. I like their name more than their music, unfortunately. Take note, The Infidels.

Wrens - Hopeless
Powerpopindieguitarmusic. Nice repetitive motif, sir.

Gorky’s zygotic mynci - The game of eyes
Last week, someone announced that Gorky’s had split. I thought this had happened years ago. It’s also been announced that a remastered version of “Bwyd Time” will be released next month. Fantastic.

Wedding Present - Dan Dare
Saw them playing the other night, for the jangillionth time. Happily, it was the best show I’ve seen them play, too. Not the obvious Wedding Present song, this, but I love it.

Mitchell & Webb bonus.
Wait at the end, and you’ll hear a Mitchell & Webb sketch, from their second radio series. TV series is in production at the moment, and it’s likely to be superb.