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