24...Colin Clary - Sweater Weather Or Not, These Are The Songs I Got (2005)

This record's really grown on me over the years, until it's become a regular guest in my ears. Heartfelt, tender, lyrics wrapped beautifully in a nice hand-made gift box, full of sweet, sweet melodies. I guess you could say that I'm a little Smitten with this record... It's so contagious that you might have to see a doctor to get the songs out of your head. But of course, this isn't recommended and is strictly optional.

• favourite song - the engine light's always on
• record label - Asaurus Records
• if this record were a fruit - loquat
• if this record were a colour - green beige

The Smittens - Garden (live) (this is my favourite smittens song. Colin is on the right)

(thanks to davidsmitten)

23...Little Joy - Little Joy (2008)

I haven't been able to stop listening to this record. Definately one of my albums of the year. It reminds me of Darren Hanlon if he were a part of a New Yorked, Portuguese religious revival troupe. Travelling the serene, sunsoaked countryside on a healthy diet of cuter Velvet Underground numbers...

• favourite song - Brand New Start
• record label - rough trade
• if this record were a fruit - key lime
• if this record were a colour - maize yellow

Little Joy - Brand New Start (Live @ the Conservatory)

(Thanks to gundleok)

22...Teenage Fanclub - Thirteen (1993)

The kings of big starred jangle pop. I consider this album to be their finest hour. I love Teenage Fanclub. Their albums are like my favourite piece of clothing. When it's taken from the wardrobe, it brightens up my whole day. The layered, sweet, angelic melodies are similar to the gentle, light breeze that whispers through the flowering trees on a perfect spring day.

• favourite song - fear of flying
• record label - creation records
• if this record were a fruit - quince
• if this record were a colour - green beige

Teenage Fanclub - Norman 3

(thanks to rodandroll)

21...The Just Joans - Hey Boy-You're Oh So Sensitive (2008)

Someone once said, "The Just Joans are the most Scottish band ever?"... A heavy Scotch brogue and a witty, lovelorn, down beat country (without leaving the city) feel made this record quite the appetizing prospect. Like riding a bicycle through rainsoaked city streets. Raincoat blowing in the breeze, as you ride through puddles while waving at the commuting masses.. They don't know what they're missing..

• favourite song - grant kelly
• record label - weepop!
• if this record were a fruit - kumquat
• if this record were a colour - pearl mouse grey

The Just Joans - Hey Boy...... Your oh so sensitive

(thanks to modiplop)

20...The Cat's Miaow - A Kiss And A Cuddle (1996)

A collection of early DIY cassette releases from the influencial Melbourne foursome. I always listen to this album with great fondness. The gentle chiming guitars, embrace delicately sweet melodies. With mournfully dreamy, complicated lyrics, these songs wash over you like a wintery warm bath. Whatever the situation, I can always rely on this record to be more than accomodating.

• favourite song - the phoebe i know
• record label - library records
• if this record were a fruit - nutmeg
• if this record were a colour - fawn brown

the cat's miaow - third floor fire escape view

(thanks to cosyden)

19...Architecture In Helsinki - Fingers Crossed (2003)

The Melbournian octet's first album is my personal favourite. It captures my inner child's imagination with its whimsically layered melancholy. It's like a piece of timeless, fine art. Hanging proudly in the hallowed galleries of Alice's Wonderland. I'm late, i'm late, for a very important date. Cute enough to hug.

• favourite song - the owls go
• record label - trifekta records
• if this record were a fruit - riberry
• if this record were a colour - raspberry red

Architecture In Helsinki - Like A Call

(thanks to fanta0312)

18...Belle And Sebastian - If You're Feeling Sinister (1996)

This is my favourite album, of all time. I remember purchasing this from the local import record shop. Lying on my bedroom floor, headphones submerging my ears in the beautiful, dulcet tones while reading the little story on the back of the insert. Little did I know at the time, that Belle And Sebastian would go on to mean so much to me. Hoorah!

• favourite song - get me away from here, i'm dying
• record label -jeepster
• if this record were a colour - pearl blackberry
• if this record were a fruit - nectarine

Belle And Sebastian - Get Me Away From Here, I'm Dying

(live lowlands festival 2006) (thanks to tako808)

17...Crystal Stilts - Crystal Stilts EP (2008)

The Crystal Stilts have just released a new album. But I find this collection of former singles/7" a lot more to the point and just plain brilliant. The impact this EP had on me, was comparable to last years darlings The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart's EP. The gloom curiously draws you in closer. You can overhear Velvet primitive drumming and JAMCisms, but, it's getting dark. It seems the weathers closing around. I might stay in.

• favourite song - converging in the quiet
• record label - woodsist
• if this record were a fruit - boysenberry
• if this record were a colour - traffic black

Crystal Stilts - Converging In The Quiet

(thanks to libraquaracorn)

16...Acid House Kings - Mondays Are Like Tuesdays And Tuesdays Are Like Wednesdays (2002)

It's quite difficult to choose the best Acid House King's album. They all hold special places in my heart, and on my record player. But, Mondays.... feels like a light summer breeze blows through my home everytime it's listened to. It makes me want to garden. To eat a cinnamon cake with a cup of tea, on a blue skied sunny day.

• favourite song - mondays are like tuesdays
• record label - labrador records
• if this record were a fruit - wolfberry
• if this record were a colour - chesnut brown

Acid House Kings - Say, Yes If You Love Me

(thanks to giddystratospheres87)

15...Gentle Waves - Swansong For You (2000)

This is my favourite piece of Isobel Campbell's work. It has an intriguing beauty. The strings are a misty, fresh, winter's morning. Comforting, soft delicate vocals shimmer like dew on the grass. The horns are pleasant bird calls, piercing the morning air from the towering pines.

• favourite song - loretta young
• record label - jeepster
• if this record were a fruit - persimmon
• if this record were a colour - pastel green

Gentle Waves - Falling From Grace

(thanks to chrisclover)

14...My Teenage Stride - Ears Like Golden Bats (2007)

Oozing with the sounds of New Zealand's Flying Nun label, this record really captured my imagination last year. Like walking on a deserted, cold, windswept beach. The waves crashing on the shore. The city lights glowing brightly off in the distance. This is the place you have to be.

• favourite song - reversal
• record label - becalmed
• if this record were a fruit - custard apple
• if this record were a colour - ochre yellow
  

My Teenage Stride - To Live And Die In The Airport Lounge

(Thanks To Dakkan)

13...Nixon - Only Ugly People Smoke (2000)

The debut from Nixon is overflowing with heartfelt, sincere, claustrophobic beauty. Whenever, I listen to this record it's like the album's showcasing its goods, in an intimate performance, in a wardrobe. So, push aside the overcoats and button up shirts. Watch out for the hard umbrella. Find a comfortable spot, and enjoy this pleasing memento from Sweden.

• favourite song - teardrop collector
• record label - Heavenly Pop Hits (2002 reissue)
• if this record were a fruit - avocado
• if this record were a colour - silk grey
  
  
  
  
  
  

Nixon - Hospital (not from album)

(thanks to tweepopstar)

12...Cats On Fire - The Province Complains (2007)

Cats On Fire ruled the roost in 2007. This record with it's driving organ,
Marr-esque jangle and irresistable melodies left nothing in their extremely well stocked pantry. Like a master chef delivering a finely crafted seven course degustation menu. The Province Complains satisfies the musical hunger pangs. A record to savour...

• favourite song - the sharp end of the season
• record label - marsh marigold
• if this record were a fruit - white mulberry
• if this record were a colour - carmine red

Cats On Fire - Draw In The Reins (live - Brooklyn 06/08)

(thanks to StringBeanJen)

11...Moscow Olympics - Demo/Cut The World (2007)

This was one of my records of last year. When I first heard 'Demo', it was like a strong, minty breath of fresh air had blown through town. The Philippines finest, Moscow Olympic's dream-pop/shoegaze/ and early New Orderism's create a swirling, aural snow storm, that makes you want to climb the nearest glacial peak (or something)...

• favourite song - no winter, no autumn
• record label - lavender recordings
• if this record were a fruit - lychee
• if this record were a colour - oyster white

Moscow Olympics - Second Trace

(thanks to eduardoomine)

10...The Fairways - This Is Farewell (2004)

Not really a tradional album, but a collection of songs from over the years. Never the less, the combined songs create a serene, tranquil form of pleasant melancholia. Jangle guitar, handclaps and the right amount of ba ba ba's transport you to the overcast day, that you had a picnic on a red checked blanket in a beautiful, grassy field,

• favourite song - the back of her hand
• record label - matinee records
• if this record were a fruit - grape (green)
• if this record were a colour - olive yellow

The Fairways - Emily

(thanks to teddyduchamp)

09...Tompaulin - Into The Black (2005)

This record left me amazed by its dark, introspective beauty. Dwelling on the edge of a deep, dense pine forest. Intriguing sounds are lurking behind the old, gnarled trees. A cold winter chill adds it's bite to the air. Maybe, take a few more steps to see where the haunting hymns are coming from.

• favourite song - seams
• record label - track and field
• if this record were a fruit - fig
• if this record were a colour - moss green

Tompaulin - Brave

(thanks to ikonvideo)

08...The Lucksmiths - A Good Kind Of Nervous (2001)

This is the sound of The Lucksmiths at the height of their powers. One of my most cherished records of all time. It's like photographic memories of the most fantastic holiday you've ever had. Driving through lush rolling hills. Seaside towns that summer had long forgotten. Poster billed city streets with the hussle and bustle only broken by the electric crack of a passing tram. Honestly it doesn't get any better than this.

• favourite song - the great dividing range
• record label - candle / lost and lonesome
• if this record were a fruit - strawberries
• if this record were a colour - sky blue
• more lucksmiths

The Lucksmiths - The Year Of Driving Languorously

Chicago 2007 (thanks to becuriOus)

07...Love Dance - You Should Know Where I'm Standing 7"EP (2005)

Once every so often a band produces music you just want to watch the hi fi to. The debut release from Norway's Love Dance sits comfortably in such a category. Dream-like indie boy vocals create a soft, cotton ballesque, weightless quality that provide the perfect accompaniment to the guitar jangle and the palpitations of the drum machine.

• favourite song - all of them...
• record label - marsh marigold records
• if this record was a fruit - cloudberry
• if this record was a colour - traffic white
• more love dance

06...Ballboy - The Sash My Father Wore And Other Stories (2003)

The late John Peel championed this Scotch band, and with good reason. I adore this Ballboy album. Not a fortnight goes by without it making it's way into my welcoming eardrums. It's like a beautifully crafted, soft, comfortable blanket. With wry and witty lyrics wrapping around you to keep you warm from the highland chills. Brrrrrr....

• favourite songs - i need two hearts & the sash my father wore
• record label - sl records
• if this record was a fruit - pear
• if this record was a colour - tele grey
• more ballboy

Ballboy - The Sash My Father Wore...

Live at The Social - Nottingham 23rd July 2008 (Thanks to Thedyingfly)

05...Mazy Fields - Where Sunshine's Sold (2008)

German boys Mazy Field's debut, is the perfect recipe for the forthcoming warm summer days. It's like cut lunches, mod drumrolls and wandering city adventures while humming the latest jangle pop hit that you can't get out your head.

• favourite song - there goes the summer
• record label - firestation
• if this record was a fruit - banana
• if this record was a colour - dahlia yellow
• more mazy fields

04...Jen Corace (Artist)

Isn't Jen Corace's work wonderful. The subtleness, it never fails to intrigue me. Viewing all Jen's work, it fills me with the feeling of pleasant moody contentment... A fantasy place where wintry weather, herbaceous floralness combine with whimsical creatures in a girl's adventurous mind.

• displayed print - sitting,+thinking,+staring.
• more jen corace

03...Darren Hanlon - Early Days ep (2000)

The lovable Mr.Hanlon's first solo release, invites us into the lives and loves of a quaint semi rural Australian town. A town with no traffic lights, just round-abouts. A town where neighbours wave as they water their lawns. A town where you can purchase locally grown produce whilst the beautiful sounds of this record drift through the brisk morning breeze.

• favourite song - she cuts hair
• record label - candle
• if this record was a fruit - mango
• if this record was a colour - saffron yellow
• more darren hanlon

Darren Hanlon - Falling Aeroplanes

@ the BMMF 17.03.07

02...Sambassadeur - Sambassadeur (2005)

Sambassadeur's debut album sounds like familiar old friends travelling back from a long journey across the sea. With salt spray and fuzzy guitars in the air, you can just make out the face of your old comrades amidst the sound of far away tambourines....

• favourite songs-if rain & just because of you
• record label - labrador
• if this record were a fruit - blueberry
• if this record were a colour - fir green
• more sambassadeur

Sambassadeur - New Moon

(Thanks to Aquoiboniste)

01...Summer Cats - Passion Pop cdr/ep (2007)

"Summer Cats are made up of three boys and two girls from Melbourne, who make an exceptionally pleasing racket packed with hooks and handclaps, completely guaranteed to induce spontaneous dance attacks - watch out!"

• favourite song - head to toe
• record label - weePOP! records
• if this record were a fruit - pineapple
• if this record were a colour - pastel violet
• more summer cats