BEEHIVE CANDY

A summer feel to much of this edition of Whats Up Doc , and why not, it is after all summer here, and we have had some sunny days of late! In absolutely no order at all here are a few songs that meet the summer criteria for me. This Is Ivy League have gained a lot of attention of late, with some drawing comparisons with Belle and Sebastian, others even say Simon and Garfunkel. Links Removed - MP3 Policy. This Is Ivy League - 01 - The Richest Kids In Town.mp3 This Is Ivy League - 07 - A Summer Chill.mp3 This Is Ivy League - 01 - The Richest Kids In Town.mp3 They are in my humble opinion worthy of further investigation, hopefully the above 'tasters' will have a similar effect on you. More HERE at their My Space site, where you can also order the album. Santogold (aka Santi White) is different, hard to categorise her, however very accessible.. oh just have a listen.. Santogold - Lights Out.mp3 MySpace has more HERE . From Canada (home of so many good artist's!) this is Feis...

Whats Up Doc goes international again for this edition, some unashamed plugs, and a few gems found on other sites, all shared here for your pleasure. Australia first and the excellent Angus and Julia Stone , who are currently touring in Europe before heading home, the picture tells a story, here are a couple of songs to add more. Links Removed - MP3 Policy. Angus and Julia Stone - Bella.mp3 Angus and Julia Stone - Here We Go Again.mp3 Check their MySpace and listen to more HERE , Beehive Candy store purchase option HERE . Giant Bear is a five-person collective of multi-instrumentalists, singers, poets, and songwriters. Their music is firmly rooted in the sound of the American South, but never confined by its conventions. Well so say their website and I tend to agree! Giant Bear - Nashville.mp3 Giant Bear - Devil on the Wall.mp3 Check their site for more music HERE , or buy HERE . As mentioned previously James have recently released 'Hey Ma' and it does not disappoint. A coupl...

A second helping of 'Whats Up Doc' this month, exclusively for The Puppini Sisters . OK I am a little late as their second album was released in February, and yes, they have received considerable attention in the UK media, however just in case you have missed them, here's an unashamed plug from the Beehive! The Puppini Sisters led the British retro wave in 2006 with their 1940’s-influenced blend of pop with swing, a gorgeous sense of glamour, and fun. Their debut record, Betcha Bottom Dollar , was the fastest selling jazz debut in Britain on its release, also debuting at number 2 on the US jazz charts and in the Top 10 of Billboard’s Heatseekers chart. In that vein, their second album The Rise & Fall Of Ruby Woo is a collection of highly original songs written by the trio, including “I Can’t Believe I’m Not A Millionaire” and “Jilted,” as well as extraordinary covers of tunes by artists ranging from Barry Manilow to BeyoncÈ. The Puppinis’ trademark watertight harmonie...

This is the April minimalist edition of 'Whats Up Doc', in keeping with those fine chaps The Raconteurs website . Released recently then, check out the excellent new Raconteurs album - 'Consolers Of The Lonely'. The Raconteurs - 2 - Salute Your Solution.mp3 The Raconteurs - 05 - The Switch and the Spur.mp3 The Raconteurs - 13 - These Stones Will Shout.mp3 (links for The Raconteurs removed - see comments below) However those nice folks at NPR are currently 'officially' streaming two tracks from the new album HERE . Buy HERE. Portishead have not rushed into their third album (called Third) fans may also want to tread a little carefully - mixed revues all round. Links Removed - MP3 Policy. Portishead - Machine Gun.mp3 Buy HERE . REM recently released 'Accelerate', if you are a fan you will probably have a copy (reviews have been generally quite positive), if you are unsure then checkout: REM - 06 Accelerate.mp3 REM - 10 Horse to Water.mp3 You can lead ...

Welcome to this months 'Whats Up Doc' . They have been called 'pop surrealists' and 'new wave kooks', their original 'trade mark hairstyles' clearly have had an influence on this blog, whatever, they are The B52's , and in these dark times, any band that can pick up sixteen years after they left off, with some fun music gets my vote! The new album 'Funplex' is due out later this month, and here are two songs and two versions of the title track including a CSS remix, (CSS are just one of numerous bands to happily admit the positive impact The B52's have had on their music). Links Removed - MP3 Policy. The B-52s - Funplex.mp3 The B-52s - Funplex (CSS Remix).mp3 B52s - Hot Corner.mp3 Album details and purchase option HERE . Another favorite band of The Beehive are The Black Crowes , who finally have their new album 'Warpaint' out, as of yesterday. Recently insulted by Maxim magazine who reviewed and graded the album without even ...

I am not a number !! - I am a free man !! - welcome to number six of 'Whats Up Doc' (fans of the sixties TV series The Prisoner, will know what I am on about). The Drive By Truckers new album 'Brighter Than Creation's Dark' , is the top choice for both of the UK's leading music monthlies, Uncut and Mojo Magazine, for their album reviews, in the March 2008 publications. Not surprising, this is one incredible album. Based in Athens, Georgia, though three out of five members (Mike Cooley, Patterson Hood, and Shonna Tucker) originally hail from The Shoals region of Northern Alabama, this is 'southern rock / Alt Country' at it's finest, I cannot recommend this album enough! From the album check out: Links Removed - MP3 Policy. Drive By Truckers - Self Destructive Zones (07).mp3 Here is a live version (unofficial) recorded in Athens, Georgia a month ago, of another track on the new album. Drive By Truckers - 3 Dimes Down (Live Version - 12th Jan 08).mp...

You may have noticed, January 2008 has arrived. Well although it can be a lean month for new music, I have two bands that I reckon can be pretty big this year, mind you - the competition will be tough. Just look at some of the established acts with new albums lined up, and these are just the ones I am looking forward to right now! In no particular order... Emmylou Harris, Marianne Faithful, Franz Ferdinand, CSS, Madness, Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds, The Black Crowes, Billy Bragg, Guillemots, Martha Wainwright, Drive By Truckers, REM, David Byrne, Moby, PJ Harvey, Primal Scream, Supergrass, Counting Crows and The Pogues. Musically that's quite a taster for the year to come. However if you want a recommendation right now, then if you have not yet enjoyed No Fixed Abode , can I be the first to share this superb band with you. Their roots may be in folk (predominately modern), however as I listen I hear so many inspirations (The Waterboys, Bruce Springsteen, Fairport Convention and ...