Futuresounds 2009 Part Four

This blog post was taken down from Blogger. Probably because I uploaded a live version of the Titus Andronicus track. But seeing as that's not commercially available, I think that's a bit stupid. And if it's because of the other two tracks (given away as free downloads by the artists themselves) then that's really stupid. I guess I'll never know.

It's not over yet. But it's almost over. Following the tried and tested method of using one hyped band, one KHI past favourite and an act that has yet to be featured on this blog, we've come to the final edition of my 12 tips for 2009. After these three acts, I'll do a little round up and maybe mention a few bands that made the longlist but I didn't include for whatever reason.

Dan Black
Dan is a KHI oldboy but after appearing in the BBC Sound of 2009 list and signing to a major record label, he's had a fair bit of a buzz. His magical reimagining of seminal Notorious B.I.G track 'Hypnotise Me' (retitled as 'HYPNTZ') was my #1 single of 2008 and the LCD Soundsystem-esque new single 'Alone' is fast becoming another favourite. If you like innovative electro pop a la Tom Vek, Dan is your man.

DAN BLACK - I LOVE LIFE (DEMO)



Grammatics
I know in most people's minds MySpace is a long forgotten memory but if you've ever gone onto a band profile, you might have noticed they have genre tags. Grammatics list themselves under "Melodramatic Popular Song", an entirely appropriate and reflective label. One of the most lusciously enigmatic and grandiose British bands to have emerged in the past decade, they remain sadly underappreciated. I can only hope that their forthcoming self-titled debut album reveals their genius to the mainstream music world. This should be the future of pop.

GRAMMATICS - NEW FRANCHISE

Titus Andronicus
Punk rock or drunk rock? Following a favourable Pitchfork review of self-released album 'The Airing of Grievances', ears pricked up this side of the ocean. Since then though, the hype has been relatively muted on these shores. The remastered, new UK album release is unlikely to be much of a commercial success but their insulated sound reflecting bands like The Clash and Tokyo Police Club should result in plentiful cult fandom.

TITUS ANDRONICUS - FEAR AND LOATHING IN MAHWAH, NJ (LIVE)


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That concludes today's proceedings. As for Futuresounds, we've seen four hyped acts (White Lies, Little Boots, Mumford and Sons and Dan Black), four KHI past faves (Fight Like Apes, The Joy Formidable, Fanfarlo and Grammatics) and four newbies (Red Light Company, The Temper Trap, Little Comets and Titus Andronicus). With White Lies already topping the UK album chart, things are looking good. For most of the acts on my list, such an achievement is unrealistic but let's hope they manage a decent stab at success in 2009. Other acts I'm hoping for success, both critically and commercially, include Sky Larkin and Dinosaur Pile-Up. No doubt you'll be hear more about the acts that have appeared in this feature on my blog and elsewhere.

Grammatics

Leeds based outfit Grammatics are one of the most exciting bands I've heard in the last year or so. First coming to my attention via the Dance To The Radio record compilation, 'Something I Learned Today', they reaffirmed their early promise with outstanding recent single 'D.I.L.E.M.M.A'.

Taking "Melodramatic Popular Song" to an obscenely amazing level, they are characteristered by Owen Brinley's majestically operatic vocals. But that would mean little without the captivating backdrop of Grammatics' beguiling instrumentation. Particularly Emilia's cello work. Although that may just be because there are too few cellos for the discerning popular music consumer these days. Plus, she contributes heavily to the Grammatics-do-pop song that is 'D.I.L.E.M.M.A', aka 'T.H.I.S.I.S.A.C.E'. Not that they're too afraid of treading a pop line, with 'The Vague Archive' sounding wonderfully bouncy. Their versality can be exhibited by the main tour support slots they have held in the last few months - The Futureheads, These New Puritans and Forward, Russia! - a reasonably eclectic bunch in my eyes. And ears.


And you know the palava surrounding Amy Winehouse and her faffing around regarding the new Bond theme. Banish all thoughts of her and get Grammatics on the job. They could never be accused of understatement. There are few bands today that show the spellbinding brilliance of Grammatics. Check out their recent BBC Radio 1 Session below:

GRAMMATICS - BROKEN WING (BBC RADIO 1 SESSION)
GRAMMATICS - D.I.L.E.M.M.A (BBC RADIO 1 SESSION)
GRAMMATICS - SHADOW COMMITTEE (BBC RADIO 1 SESSION)
GRAMMATICS - THE VAGUE ARCHIVE (BBC RADIO 1 SESSION)

Grammatics are playing a few festivals this year, most notably Latitude (which is looking progressively awesome). They're also headlining DrownedInSound.com's DiScover showcase tomorrow in London, for more details, see [here]. Unfortunately, one of the bands on that line up Dinosaur Pile-Up have pulled out but I recommend having a listen to their songs on MySpace. They have my seal of approval. But for the time being, it's all about Grammatics.