Jake Bugg

After reading NME's top 50 albums of the year, I decided to listen to the bands I had not heard of before.  There was one artist who really stuck out and I have just fallen in love with, and that is Jake Bugg.  His self-titled album was ranked #9 on their list.  The genre is folk/country and to me that is partially right.  His sound reminds me of some oldies and I think that is the main appeal.  It's a sound that has been done, but he adds his own touch to it.  Listen for yourself and let me know what you think.

Here's his music video for, "Two Fingers."

However, I do love the tracks "Seen it All" and "Note to Self."

Doom And Gloom

For anyone who thought "The Stones" were done. This brand new music video, directed by Jonas Åkerlund and starring Noomi Rapace, proves they've still got more energy than most much younger bands. Respect. Meanwhile, their newest compilation album GRRR! debuted at #3 on the UK Albums Chart.

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey soundtrack

In honour of the upcoming release of the most anticipated movie of the year, The Hobbit, which premiers in just four days in New Zealand and two weeks later worldwide, I present to you its soundtrack. Well, in case you missed it... Once again, it's being composed, orchestrated, conducted and produced by Howard Shore.

I have already booked my tickets to the midnight screening. The question is, have you? :)

Black Chandelier

In 2009, Only Revolutions not only catapulted Biffy Clyro even higher on the charts than their previous breakthrough album, Puzzle, but it also started my obsession with the band. Their next output, the double album Opposites, comes out on 28 January and my expectation are pretty high at this point. There's a brand new song...



Thoughts? I have no doubt Opposites will be a serious AOTY contender next year.

Lonerism

Few weeks ago, when I was writing about Emitt Rhodes and the uncanny resemblance of his and Paul McCartney's voices, I had no idea I would later discover another John Lennon too. Well, I did, in the person of Kevin Parker, the 26-year-old frontman of an Australian dream pop band, Tame Impala.

Tame Impala came into my attention after the release of their sophomore album, Lonerism, which has been receiving large amounts of praise all over the interwebs and will, without a doubt, be appearing on many upcoming AOTY lists, including mine.

The songs are mostly instrumental, making good use of all the production tools and sound effects a music studio has to offer, and yet, at the same time, they are very guitar-driven. The psychedelic melodies and Parker's ethereal voice only add up to the feeling of a very complex listening experience.



As the album progresses, you start to feel the increasing longing to put on Magical Mystery Tour, but it's also very difficult to let go of such a captivating and absorbing album, that is Lonerism.

Best tracks: Be Above It, Why Won't They Talk to Me?, Feels Like We Only Go Backwards

Jules and Jim

It's been almost a year since Nada Surf released their latest album. Well, it's still great. There is a new music video for one of its best songs.

Presenting: Spacebrother

Spacebrother (Jared Piccone from Innerpartysystem), Shaun Lopez (†††) and STV (Stevie Aiello from Monty Are I) collaborated on a track called "The Antidote." You can check the music video below and download the song here. Its better than nothing, I guess, while Innerpartysystem are on their indefinite hiatus. Thoughts?