I Hear a New World - May 2009

Come May we ought to be preparing ourselves for four months of long hot days lounging about in beer gardens in a sun-drenched reverie, complemented by Grease-style summer nights of holiday romances and other such debauchery.

However given the unpredictability of the typical Scottish summer it might be best to rely more heavily on decent music - and this month's podcast features just the right mix of slightly off-kilter summery indie pop with a dash of folky goodness thrown in for when the heat gets too much.

The Vaselines - Son of a Gun

Classic songwriting genius from Glasgow, but it took a certain Seattle band to bring them to most people's attention. First released back in the 80s, it's rare that a re-release makes this column but this is still instantly thrilling in the way that only a perfect pop song can be.

Jason Lytle - Brand New Sun/Flying Thru Canyons

Y'know when I told you Grandaddy had gone to "a better place" and wasn't coming back no more? Well he's back. Ok, he's not quite the same Grandaddy you used to know, he's more sprightly, carrying less weight, and though he has a haunted look in his eyes he's finally got his shit sorted. He gives you a big, comforting hug and reeks of tobacco and polo mints just like he always used to.

Meursault - William Henry Miller Part 1

There are a few William Henry Millers on Wikipedia. Which one of them, if any, this song is about will hopefully be revealed by this month's podcast guest, Matthew of Song By Toad Records, who re-released the stellar debut album by this excellent Edinburgh band late last year. They're perhaps better known for their blistering electronica-based live sets but here they excel in the acoustic realm with impassioned vocals, banjo, handclaps and deeply endearing harmonies.

Grizzly Bear - Cheerleader

Not to be confused with Grizzly Man, whose love for big furry not-so-cuddly real-life teddies was perhaps taken a tad too far, resulting in the untimely death of him and his girlfriend. No, Grizzly Bear are in fact a highly-rated, (but understated) melodious band from Brooklyn. And Cheerleader is nothing to do with the jailbait from Heroes - it's a blissed out indie animal, lumbering about a peaceful mountain forest full of honey-laden beehives.

I Hear a New World April 2009

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