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Greetings, readers bought all seven copies of my self-help guide, Getting back at the rustler that stole your red oxen (vol .2 Electric Boogaloo)! Welcome to another edition of our “off again, off again, hey it’s on again!” single reviews column. Granted, some of them aren’t singles, but I liked them and made my stupid human collaborators review ’em. Mahalo. 

This week’s singles are double-double, so watch out for that trans fat in our delicious cuts of smoked shoegazing bacon. Mind the indie dance chicken. And for Krist Novoselic‘s sake, don’t throw your bass in the air, you might end up writing political science for the rest of your life while you wallow in self-pity on that day you said no to a high paying job packing foodstuffs in orange bags at Sainsbury’s.

Ah, singles, right:

Heroes of the Mexican Independence Movement – The singer inside us all / The gift

The Followers of Twee must be scared, as there are peddlers of indie pop that do not resort to iterations of ‘kumbayah’ have another apostle in Heroes of the Mexican Independence Movement. ‘The singer inside us all’ is a sparse, slow tropical ditty that builds and builds and then explodes. It’s like starting as a simple priest and then going out on a night with a flag with the Virgin Mary and yelling “Viva Mexico” and causing a general ruckus and a neverending parade of jokes about Spain. Good-o, as in ‘the ballad of El ___’.

‘The Gift’ is a psychedelic pop track. Marmite. Not for me, but you might like it. Then again, I despise hippies but enjoy psychedelic romps. I’m confused. –Orestes P is for Picky Motherfucker Xistos. 

What the blood revealed – To travel deadly ground

Those brutal Scots go all post-rock/metal with they claymore-sharp notes and thick, atmospheric music. ‘To travel deadly ground’ starts with a lot of attitude and defiant pace, slowing down almost to a treacle-slow psychedelic route. Then it blows back, volcano-style. It’s this calibre of salvo that let you relish on their music (and their intense live show). Great one. -Sam. 

Adi Carter & Jane Silence – One Summer Evening

Somehow, Mr. Adi Carter has got us in a time booth (more Bill and Ted than Peter Davison) and got us a queue jumper into late 95 era Hacienda. With a super bassy line, ‘One Summer Evening’ benefits from the voice of Jane Silence, an organic Yin to the steely cold beats squaredancing in a Yang pattern. You get two remixes with this release, one is the ‘Adi’s Sheffield Dub’, where the colder digital elements overtake and make it more of a chillout track (although with the heartbeat still in a rush). Why is the hearbeat in a rush? ‘Cause it was bustin’ mooooves in in the ‘Tommy Vicari Jnr mix’, the paciest of the three. Good for electronica lovers who need their fix. – Sam. 

Johan Reinhold – Shoot Me Down

The freezing temperatures currently plaguing us seem to be attracting quite a few dancey tunes. ‘Shoot me down’ by is the new single by Johan Reinhold. In its original, weather-proof form, the track is a pop rock piece that waxes and wanes and laments a bad ending to a simple proposition. We’ve all been there, walking back home with the cool Members only jacket hanging from our shoulders. But life continues in three more chances, let’s call them remixes because that’s what they are. The ‘Owsey Remix’ is the trippiest (and best) of all three, with a dreamy atmosphere growing into a quick burst of anger (wall knocking!) and then reverting back to several layers of feedback. Gorgeous 7 minutes of reverb drenched stuff. The ‘Kill Van Kulls’ remix is more grimey than anything else (get your alcopops and ringtones ready, kiddos), with a dancey finale. The ‘FRNKSTYN Remix’ is more zumba & pilates routine than anything else, so it’s a little weaker in comparison to the other two stronger remixes. -Sam. 

Nowhere Again – Han Shot First 

Of course he did, don’t pay attention to George “I have no chin nor integrity” Lucas, he sold his soul to Palpatine a long, long time ago (in a ranch far, far away). A slightly forlorn voice is the sensitive part of this rather grungy (as in the genre, which rules) track. In the tradition of duality, the grunge beast calms down and lets a dreamier angel fly around and share some disco biscuits with the loving public. We all end up winning on this one, except Greedo. -Sam

Floating Death Picnic – Robert of Wickersley

50 % Thomas Dolby, 50% eurodance, and a fictitious, phlogiston-flavoured 10% of Pop will eat itself is the possible explanation for this strange but catchy track from a one-man army fighting the good fight with whatever piece of circuitry he can use to do noises.. We are told several facts about ‘Robert of Wickersley’ but never his political affiliations. A fact best left unsaid.  -Orestes P. Xistos

Ninetails – Rawdon fever

This is gorgeous. Not only due to the lovely animated videos, but because of the musical ideas being presented. Extremely dreamy and post-rock (with an upbeat tinge to it), ‘Rawdon fever’ is a very nice  feelgood track (although there’s some melancholy – can’t pinpoint where) that might bring a lil’ smile to your face. Certainly did it for me. -Sam.

The Bedford Incident – Voices on the radio 

A throwback to 80s new wave, The Bedford Incident fear those voices on the radio, telling them to rock the fuck out of that tambourine and do the girl/guy voice duplet at the right moment. Strangely retro synth attracts my ears, a hint of folk (no patchouli, though) lingers a little after it’s done. Hopefully no sailors were melted here. -Orestes P. Xistos.

Black Market Serotonin – Irons in the fire

Very industrial rock that sports a nice, shiny pair of post-rock fangs from time to time and some great axe work (really, that’s brutally loud). Black Market Serotonin‘s new album is just around the corner, waiting to pounce you into a bloody mush, Spring-Heeled Jack style. ‘Irons in the fire’ is a sure keeper, play it loud, play it two times (it’s for luck, y’see?). -Sam the Spam. 

The Hudares – Last Time Again

A jangly slice of indie pop, ‘Last time again’ is a happy-go-lucky track full of good vibes. Might be a good remedy for the bleaker days of this rather cold spell we’ve been under, and a sweet guitar tone is a good droplet of honey to that sore throat and chesty coughs. –Orestes P is for Pharmacy Xistos.

Retro video of the week: Retribution Gospel Choir – Poor Man’s daughter

Not really that retro, but, man, are they amazing or what? You can catch them live at The Harley in April 4th. If you don’t, then, dunno what you believe in but start praying. BWA HA HA HA.

Until next time, I’m Orestes Xistos and I rule this dump. I’m the Lord of Darkness. I’m your Lord. I sing The Payroll Union while I cook chicken in cider and chipotle salsa. See ya and kisses and (((sholay))) (((hugs))).

Links: 

What the blood revealed Facebook. Bandcamp. Myspace. Twitter. Last.fm.

Adi Carter Blog. Flavors. Bandcamp. Soundcloud. Twitter. Facebook.

Heroes of the Mexican Independence Movement Sop. Facebook. Reverbnation. Last.fm. Bandcamp.

Johan Reinhold Website. Soundcloud. Twitter. Facebook.

Floating Death Picnic Soundcloud. Facebook. Myspace. Last.fm.

The Bedford Incident Facebook. Myspace. Last.fm.

Black Market Serotonin Myspace. Website. Facebook. Last.fm. Twitter.

Nowhere again Facebook. Bandcamp. Myspace. Last.fm. Twitter.

Ninetails  Facebook. Website. Bandcamp. Twitter.

The Hudares Facebook. Soundcloud.