Whats Up Doc - Number Four - 2007 and all that kinda thing...

I am going to avoid any pretentious personal charts for the year soon to pass.

Rather you can just skip back over the previous 'Whats Up Doc' posts, and if you are still awake, after the ordeal, get a feel for some of the more current music that has appealed to my ears.

Among those already featured have been, Vanessa Paradis, Clare Burson, Lucy and The Teenage Monster, Siouxsie, Tegan and Sara, Radiohead, Bruce Springsteen, Babyshambles, Robert Plant and Alison Krauss, The White Stripes, Pauline Croze, and plenty of others, some well known and some not so well known.

So on this edition I thought I would fill in some of the gaps, of other artists and music, that has appealed this year.

Afterwards I will probably remember some more, so lets just say, this is far from definitive.

Neil Young's 2007 release 'Chrome Dreams II' is simply wonderful! Full of a variety of styles , it exceeded all expectations by miles. Here are a couple of examples:

Links Removed - MP3 Policy.

Neil Young - 01 Beautiful Bluebird.mp3
Neil Young - 09 No Hidden Path.mp3

If you have not checked out Beirut, then please do, Zach Condon has come up with some incredible music that skips across genres with ease. I just love watching the music press trying to place them in one. From the second album 'The Flying Club Cup' here's some choices:

Beirut - 02 - Nantes.mp3
Beirut - 03 - A Sunday Smile.mp3
Beirut - 04 - Guyamas Sonora.mp3
Beirut - 09 - In The Mausoleum.mp3

The previous album 'Gulag Orkestar' has a wonderful 'Balkan gypsy style' , like I say hard to define, all I can say is check them both out!

Bjork remains as popular as ever, her album 'Volta' this year, is a favorite of mine, and watching the Glastonbury concert (albeit on TV sadly), was really superb.

Bjork - Earth Intruders.mp3
Bjork - Volta - 07 - Pneumonia.mp3
Bjork - Volta - 09 - Declare Independence.mp3

Grinderman was a rollicking blast from Nick Cave and three other Bad Seeds, gone was some of the seriousness on more recent material, and a little bit more rock'n'roll.

Nick Cave & Grinderman - Go Tell The Women.mp3

Have I mentioned Arcade Fire this year? OK so here is another shameless plug for their second album 'Neon Bible'. That's all it is, a shameless plug.

Arcade Fiire - 05 - Black Wave Bad Vibrations.mp3
Arcade Fire - 07 - The Well and the Lighthouse.mp3
Arcade Fire - Black Mirror (1).mp3

I banged on about Rilo Kiley last year on another blog, this years album 'Under The Blacklight' has gained lots of attention, and that's deserved as far as I am concerned. Its a good album, a little less indie a bit more LA classic pop, and whats more highly enjoyable.

Rilo Kiley - Dreamworld.mp3
Rilo Kiley - 05 - Under the Blacklight.mp3

Last month I mentioned Kate Nash, and commented that I was not sure what to make of her album. Yes I still here Lily Allen in there, and I can add Goldfrapp as well now, but actually I really like her music. Here's a couple more reasons:

Kate Nash - Foundations.mp3
Kate Nash - Carolines a Victim.mp3

Finally a totally unrelated song from the late great Kirsty MacColl - do I need a reason?

Kirsty MacColl - A New England.mp3

You can find all the featured artists albums in the Beehive Candy Store with some quick links HERE, HERE, HERE, and HERE.

Whats Up Doc? - The Third One

Welcome to the third 'whats up doc' musical round up. Picking out some current and earlier albums from the year, that have the full attention of the Beehive!

First of all a band I am somewhat overdue featuring, The White Stripes.

Jack and Meg's latest offering 'Icky Thump' released back in June, is still a 'regular play' of mine, if your a fan you will have a copy, for those uncertain check out the following couple of tracks from the album.

Links Removed - MP3 Policy.

03. The White Stripes - 300 M.P.H. Torrential Outpour Blues.mp3

09. The White Stripes - Rag And Bone.mp3

Album details HERE.

Robert Plant and Alison Krauss new album 'Raising Sand' has had mixed reviews, everything from album of the month to disappointing. I personally quite like it, and if you like either musicians solo work, it is well worth checking out.

02. Robert Plant and Alison Krauss - Killing The Blues

05. Robert Plant and Alison Krauss - Gone Gone Gone

Album details HERE.

Another band who released their second album back in June are The Editors. I was reminded of how good a live act they are when they appeared on the 'electric proms' at London's Roundhouse last month. From their album 'An End Has a Start', here are a couple of taster's for those unfamiliar with this fine band.

01 Smokers Outside The Hospital Door.mp3

07 Push Your Head Towards The Air.mp3

Album details HERE.

Charlotte Gainsbourg (daughter of Serge Gainsbourg & Jane Birkin) recently did a Bob Dylan cover, which considering the contrasting styles makes interesting listening, and any way it's an excuse to promote her fine music!

Charlotte Gainsbourg - Just Like A Women.mp3

A selection of Charlotte's material HERE.

Groove Armada have a second compilation out, the last only three years ago, this does have more from their fifth album, but still seems a duplication of effort, for fans. For those not familiar with the act, this is a worthy introduction - here's a couple of tracks from the brand new 'Greatest Hits' collection.

01. Groove Armada - Song 4 Mutya

02. Groove Armada - Get Down

Album details HERE.

Back to France and another superb artist I recently came across Pauline Croze. She has a new
album 'Un Bruit Qui Court' (out November 22), and here are a couple of songs from it.

Pauline Croze - Legere (Souleve-moi).mp3

Pauline Croze - Jour de Foule.mp3

I do not have a link to the new album yet, check out last years album HERE. More about the new material on her My Space site HERE.

Kate Nash is a very in person at the moment here in the UK. I am not sure myself. I cannot help but think of Lily Allen when I hear her. Oh well imitation is a form of flattery I am told. More on Lily Allen another time, here's one from Kate's first album 'Made of Bricks'.

Kate Nash - Merry Happy.mp3

Her debut album HERE

Finally Buffy Sainte-Marie, with a tenuous link to the French artists featured this month, in the song title. No other reason just fancied featuring Buffy!

Buffy Sainte-Marie - Guess Who I Saw in Paris.mp3

Some of her very excellent music HERE.

Whats Up Doc? - Second Helping

Time for another bout of Whats Up Doc? Plenty of very good new music, some brand spanking new, some recent.

Not long now before the record industry starts the season of inevitably dodgy repackaged compilations...

So whats on my play list right now? Lets start with the new album from Siouxsie namely 'Mantaray'. If you like anything by the Banshees, or The Creatures, it's a must to check out. Have a listen to:

Links Removed - MP3 Policy.

Siouxsie - Into a Swan (radio edit).mp3

Official site and more info HERE.

Radiohead have announced the release of a new album - 'In Rainbows', as I am sure all their fans already know. For full details go to their site HERE. Two options, one - pre-order to download the single album, you choose the amount you want to pay, and two - order the comprehensive Cd & vinyl package, that will be dispatched in December.

Some of the songs from the new album were played on their tour last year. Whether they are like the finished article, will become clear soon. The following are live versions of the first three tracks on the new album:

Radiohead - 15 Step (Live 6.04.06).mp3

Radiohead - Bodysnatchers (Live 8.26.06).mp3

Radiohead - Nude (Live 8.17.06).mp3

Tegan and Sara, are in my opinion absolutely wonderful. From Canada Tegan and Sara are identical twins, and have also been very busy producing excellent music in recent years. From their most recent album 'The Con' here are a couple of tracks:

Tegan and Sara - 03 The Con.mp3
Tegan and Sara - Like O, Like H.mp3

Visit their site to find out more and buy this superb album HERE.

Richard Lloyd perhaps known to many as the guitarist in Television, (whose album 'Marquee Moon' has to be towards the top of my all time favorite list), is releasing a new album this month.

It's called 'The Radiant Monkey' and to quote Richard - "I feel by far that it is the best record I have ever made short of being involved in the making of Marquee Moon".

Check out: Richard Lloyd - Monkey.mp3

More details and release schedules HERE.

Annie Lennox has just released 'Songs Of Mass Destruction', which is a really good album, with a full range of musical styles, and her voice as powerful and classy as ever.

From the album (released October 1st):

Annie Lennox - Dark Road.mp3

Annie Lennox - Love is Blind.mp3

Annie's new(ish) website and purchase options HERE.

Bruce Springsteen has a new album out today (Wednesday 3rd) called 'Magic', and do you know what? I think I am going to have to get hold of a copy!

It's Bruce's fifteenth studio album, and it sounds like a gem. He is back with The E Street Band, and to give you an idea of what I am rambling on about check out these to songs from 'Magic'.

Bruce Springsteen - Livin' In The Future.mp3

Bruce Springsteen - Terry's Song.mp3

Here for more details etc.

Babyshambles new album was released in the UK on Monday. I think it's out elsewhere later this month.

I personally hope Pete Doherty gets over his addiction problems, it detracts from the music, and I cant think of anyone more boring than your average 'coke head'.

If only the abject misery of so many millions of people in lands where cocaine & opium are produced, could be transferred to the users for a month or two, maybe then, the message would get through?

Anyway off of my soapbox, the new Babyshambles album 'Shotters Nation', is like alot of his and their material, actually quite good. I like the rough and ready, and at times quite lose sound, and the mistakes are surely a little bit rock'n'roll anyway. Here are three songs from the new album:

Babyshambles - Unstookie Titled.mp3

Babyshambles - Baddies Boogie.mp3

Babyshambles - Carry On Up The Morning.mp3

Heres a link to the official website where at the time of posting this, no details of the new album are available - now that's a shambles.

And finally as it is now October, here's a song to remind us all of last month !

Frank Sinatra - September Song.mp3

Just fancied some Frank Sinatra - that's all for now folks...

So Much New Music - If Only I Could Catch Up With The Back Catalogue!

Whats new or current in the Beehive?

Lets start with The Polyphonic Spree, who released their third album 'The Fragile Army' this summer. On this album they take their unique 'spaced out choral pop' a little towards the dark side. I think they are probably a love or hate group. I like them (to be awkward).

Links Removed - MP3 Policy.

The Polyphonic Spree - (The Fragile Army - 02) - Running Away.mp3

The Polyphonic Spree - We Crawl.mp3

The Polyphonic Spree - The Fragile Army.mp3

Now a band I am really keen to promote (you know you can still buy music & help new artists?). Bodies Of Water remind me a little of the aforementioned, add a touch of Beach Boys harmonies, and something a little maverick, and you are almost there. All of which probably does not help - elsewhere they have been described as gospel pop, so here's a few songs to clarify.

Bodies o fWater - Doves Circle the Sky.mp3

Bodies Of Water - Our Friends Appear Like The Dawn.mp3

Bodies of Water - I Guess Ill Forget the Sound, I Guess, I Guess.mp3

Visit their website with links to buying the album HERE.

Now to Auckland City, New Zealand, but not for long as they are about to decamp to the USA, in search of greater things. The Brunettes, are wonderful (apologies if you know all the stuff on this posting already). They have the album 'Structure And Cosmetics' out now, find out about them, and listen to more HERE.

The Brunettes - Small Town Crew.mp3

The Brunettes - 02 - Loopy Loopy Love.mp3

What can I tell you about The Moonbabies? They are from Malmo, Sweden, which is street cred enough in my books. Check the detail & listen to tons of their stuff HERE.

The Moonbabies - Sun AM.mp3

OK Grinderman have been out & about for a while now, but in order to ensure at least one download has some nasty teeth, and as an unashamed fan of Nick Cave's music here's a reminder!

Grinderman - 05 - Depth Charge Ethel.mp3

A few links to MySpace sites on this posting, sometimes however you can discover a real diamond or two there. I would like to pretend that I came across this myself tirelessly in search of new musical gems, sorry in this instance it was the excellent Gorillas v Bears blog that led me to this.

Golden Ghost and a Murder Hawk - The Orca and the Eskimo.mp3

If you check out something new today, check out Golden Ghost... and visit their site with more to listen to HERE.

Then there is PJ Harvey who I am delighted to say, has a new album out next month (September). From what I can find out, it is more piano based, but no less to the point than most of her music. One of the late John Peels favorites, it took me a while to appreciate Polly's music, glad I took the time too. This I understand will be on the forthcoming album.

PJ Harvey - When Under Ether.mp3

Click HERE, for a selection of some of the above Cd's or on the links provided after some of the artists.

Finally another unashamed plug for Coco Rosie, because I still find myself enjoying there music, a couple of months on from last shouting about them, and wondering why they are not reaching a much wider audience?

Coco Rosie - Rainbowarriors.mp3

Coco Rosie - Beautiful Boyz.mp3

Coco Rosie - Madonna.mp3

Or am I just missing something, a lot of visitors came back for more first time around!

Buy Coco Rosie HERE.

So much new music, if only I could catch up with the back catalogue !!!