The Dirty Dozen – October 2011

The Joy Formidable – Cradle (Atlantic, 17 Oct)
Charles: Is that a CD single? I haven't seen one of them in ages. Nice cover. Like the artwork. It isn’t really ticking my boxes, though. The bit in the middle I really like, but this isn't really my kind of thing.
Rebecca: It sounds good, and well recorded, but it's not like the kind of thing I listen to really. Can I give point five marks?
The Skinny: I suppose so, yes.
R: 5.5 out of 10.
C: This isn't a complete thumbs down, I don't dislike it.

Sons and Daughters – Rose Red (Domino, 17 Oct)
C: They're from Glasgow, aren't they? On Domino? We've played with them a couple of times.
R: It's not my thing, again. The guitar sounds really cool though.
TS: So, you admire it rather than like it?
R: Yes...
C: The guitar is amazing. The guy on guitar, when I've been to see them... he has these layers of pedals, and he's great at getting Nancy Sinatra style sounds. 6.

Feist – How Come You Never Go There (Polydor/Arts & Crafts, 3 Oct)
TS: This doesn't really sound like a single. More of an album track that you get into over a period of time.
C: She does this kind of thing really well, doesn't she? You were saying it doesn't really sound like a single, but I like album tracks, especially when they take a while to get into. I'm going for an 8.
R: Her voice is really amazing. I think this is the best so far. Nice song.

Josh T Pearson – Sorry Within A Song (Mute, 3 Oct)
TS: This song is from a very sad, intense album, I'm surprised he's released a single from it at all.
R: Has this got a model on the front again? And dodgy artwork? I hate his artwork but I'm listening...
C: We met him recently – very cool!
TS: We saw him live recently; he opened with Rasputin by Boney M – in his own style, of course. He's a brilliant guitarist.
R: [after singing the chorus to Rasputin by Boney M] Mmmmm. Alright, it's nice. You can't argue with stuff like this, really. It's not offensive...possibly. Nice guy. I don't like the really skinny models on his covers. But he's cool. I love nude women on stuff, but sometimes it gets a bit...urrgh.
C: What's Rasputin?
R: You know Rasputin, Charles. Boney M!
C: He looks a bit like Rasputin.
TS: Do you see this getting airplay?
R: It must be hard for this kind of act, to write with a single in mind...
C: I'd probably need time to get into it. A bit mumbly.  6.
R: Hey Josh! Cheer up!
C: He's got a very strong look.
R: He's totally hot.

Two Wounded Birds – Together Forever (Moshi Moshi, 31 Oct)
TS: They're label mates of yours, and they're from Margate. Anyway, let's hear it...
C: Definitely the catchiest one yet. Johnny B. Goode with loads of reverb. Catchy, fun...7.
R: I agree. I'm sure they're really cool. She [the bass player] looks really gorgeous... probably really cool live. Great.

Marina & the Diamonds – Radioactive (679 Artists, 3 Oct)
R: Oooooooh!
TS: Getting the sense already that this one isn't going to go down well.
C: I like her, actually. She's quite impressive live.
R: I just find... Hmm. I like R n' B, that's my favourite music, I'm not so indie that I can't like that kind of thing. This doesn't really do it for me... you can't really dance to it. There are so many standard rave sounds on records like this.
C: I agree with what Becky said about the rave thing – you know, the lighters come out, the same formula of sounds ... 2.

Real Estate – It's Real (Domino, 10 Oct)
C: [Referring to the lush guitar sound] Chorus pedals are back in a big way. I really like this band.
R: Really like this band. We saw them at South by Southwest. They're great. Shame they've been labelled as 'chill-wave' or whatever, because they're the best at this. 8.
C: The voice is really nice. Good to go to sleep to.

DZ Deathrays – Gebbie Street (Too Pure Singles Club, 10 Oct)
C: I find it difficult to remember anything about this. Sinfully boring!
R: Charles! [Rebecca looks slightly shocked at the way Charles has condemned the poor Deathrays]
R: I find it hard to say... it is probably good for what they are trying to do. It is very hard to judge this... I'd need the knowledge of some different reference points. 3.
Single of the Month: Django Django – Waveforms (Because, 17 Oct)
R: Best one so far. Best groove. The vocal melody is very cool.
TS: I was reminded of something John Peel used to say – he'd always be more interested in bands when he couldn't tell who they'd been listening to. I can't tell where that song has come from, what they've been influenced by.
C: Sounds a bit like These New Puritans. I agree, nine as well .That's the winner, yeah. 9.

(The Other) Single of the Month: Portugal the Man – So American (Atlantic Records, 10 Oct)
R: Nine on ten. Cool. I like the drum sound...very like the Beatles or something of that era. The melody is really nice. 
C: Like it. Reminded me of the Beatles...always a good thing.  9.

The Travelling Band – Sundial MMXI (Cooking Vinyl, 17 Oct)
C: The Travelling Band? Sounds like the Traveling Wilburys. Do you know they only got together because they knew Roy Orbison was really ill and they wanted to record something?
R: Yeah, anyway, I think we have our winner, but it's a 6.
Various Cruelties – Chemicals (Hideout Recordings, 10 Oct)
C: Sounds like Hard-Fi, so I give it ten...
R: You're wrong, 4.
C: No, you're wrong.
R: You are wrong.
C & R: You're wrong [laughter]...
C: Just let it be known that I'm right.