Inme - Herald Moth (Graphite Records) 17/08/2009

N: You know what this reminds me of? Darkstar. The rhythm anyway.

T: Alarmingly, it reminds me of a cross between Gigolo Aunts and Elliot Minor. If I ever go to Uni as a mature student - though of course, I would pass as an ordinary one - I would imagine all the teenage girls going on about how they used to be into Inme when they were fifteen but have now outgrown them. I can just imagine the conversation - "Have you got Inme"? "No, but I'm working on it".

N: Trust you!

T: It's ok, they'll be in their late teens by then.

N: Now anyone who knows you will understand when I say that's a real headfuck! Better than I remember the band, with age seems to have come understanding, whether for them or me I've not yet worked out.

T: The band is still playing? 5/10

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James Yorkston & The Big Eyes Family Players - Folk Players (Domino) 10/08/2009

T: As with all Yorkston's albums, "Folk Players" seems to be something that you need to let grow. Always immaculate in their presentation and seething with beauty (hey, that was an effective oxymoron, I must do more of that), James' Big Eyes are no exception. Very much a late night album - or maybe even a "very early morning" one, the amiable Scot's tunes are rustically effervescent and hold a magical charm that few others are able to purvey.

N: They're a good collection of words.

T: Aw shucks. Thanks. Oh hang on...do you mean James? Either way, you're damn right. Perhaps it's Yorkston's way of twisting and playing with the English language that has rubbed off on me. Or maybe it was those magic mushrooms.

N: Well, I was actually referring to yourself, the way in which you had captured the magic of this album was really quite excellent, or was the the magic mushrooms?

T: I have my moments. Admittedly, I really ought to have had more over the past ten years, but still.

N: Ummm, anyway both the way in which you've captured this album and foremost how Jomes has wriiten such a work is simply breathtaking. A wonderful waste of time. 9/10

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Wild Beasts - Two Dancers (Domino) 03/08/2009

T: One of those bands that everyone talks about in hushed tones, as though they are the saviours of music, and practically every critic lauds as pure genius. Except me. Now, don't get me wrong, I think they're ok, but when all and sundry are comparing them with the inimitable Associates (and hey, we probably even did that ourselves), I can't help feeling I should like them more, but I don't. It's much the same this time around - they're not doing anything to stimulate me, but then neither are they doing anything to piss me off. A bit like a bowl of celery soup.

N: Just like what you had for lunch then?

T: No, not that good.

N: Hayden's vocal might be somewhat similar to that of Billy MacKenzie, as too is the swagger in which the music proceeds, but I wouldn't go as far as to say that they are a copycat group, nor that they should garner the same acclaim. It's ok...

T: Oh I see, so you're saying it's just the vocals and the music that sound like The Associates then? and nothing else?

N: Oh fuck off. 7/10

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Street Sweeper Social Club- Street Sweeper Social Club (Cooking Vinyl) 03/08/2009

T: Rage Against The Machine's frontman joins forces with the illustrious leader of The Coup, and rather surprisingly comes out sounding like Fun Lovin' Criminals - well, on the album opener "Fight! Smash! Win!" anyway.

N: Certainly possessing a retro feel, this album might not gain its deserved exposure. Not surprisingly full of a Morello shade, this album's gangsta funk is off the scale and one that swans about in paranoid beauty. Street Sweeper Social Club, from this, will surely be a name that will be easy to quote alongside the highest company.

T: I liked that line about swanning about in paranoid beauty. I would never have thought about that.

N: Read it and weep. 8/10

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Ten City Nation - At The Still Point (Sturm Und Drang Recordings) 03/08/2009

T: Would you think I'd flipped if I said that the first track here reminds me of Moose?

N: Not at all, although this similarity isn't at first apparent, given a little time to absorb the sonic scape presented here a similarity might be drawn and obviously you have.

T: I have, and seeing as I liked Moose a lot, this is a good thing. From the second track, "Silent Disco" though, the band sound rather more like Radio Birdman - perhaps even The Damned musically, but remain of considerable appeal. In fact, it's very difficult to suspend them from any musical hangers, so varied is their outlook. I haven't used the word "ace" in a long time, but it definitely appeals here.

N: I agree, Ten City Nation might not be a group that trips off the tongue, but maybe they should. Although not a group unfamiliar to me, they're never one that have garnered much attraction, but hearing this new album today, this is something I realise should change. "Ace" is in no way an overexaggeration of what this album is, and a group that certainly deserve further investigation. 9/10

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