Mixtape June 2021

Welcome to June - it’s almost July as I write this introduction.  I’ve been writing this blog on and mostly off for the last four weeks so it includes a number of songs that have been out for a while plus a two that aren't available on Spotify yet - which I'll add later, if I remember.

My previous blog was an album review for The Shop Window debut which is out on 25th June.  If you missed that then check it out here…The State Of Being Human Album Review

I’ll be hosting the #Indie100Cup Chart Show InYourEarsMusic.com on Saturday 26th June from 10am (UK time).  Listen in as I reveal the Top 40 indie songs as voted by the Twitter Music Community.  The Cup isn’t over yet but as we are half way through the year I’ll bring you the best popular unpopular songs from the first half of 2021.  

Enough cross-promotion, time for 20 reviews and recommendations in the continuing saga that is my new music blog. 

Old Indie Kid's Mixtape June 2021 Spotify Playlist 

1) Tangerine Dream by Alright
A wonderful strum-a-long from this new band about their upbringing in Blackpool, the streets, the people and a desire to leave.  The Tangerines is the nickname and colour of the kit of Blackpool FC.  “We’ve been living in a Tangerine Dream, but that’s not, that’s not enough for me”.  A great debut and one to watch.

2) Emily by Lossline

Brilliant single from this new Manchester band. It has a similar theme to Tangerine Dream’s song - trapped in a dead end town and no way out.  Whilst family and friends have moved on they are stuck there.  Maybe Alright and Lossline could arrange a house swap? I’ve gone back and listened again to Lossline’s previous releases and they’re really growing on me. Further essential listening are their songs Streetlights and Ready Welcome.  

3) 84 by Bad Money

A trip to the past - the Mid-Eighties - it’s full of 80s cliches and pop culture references.  Heaps of fun in an idolised 3 minute blast of Back to the Future era day-glo nostalgia.

4) For My Friends by Super 8 

I’ve only recently discovered Super 8 but I’ve already been inducted into the inner sanctum of the Super 8 fan club and want to share the music I’ve discovered there.  

Trip is another prolific singer songwriter producing his songs in Trippy Towers and simultaneously working on two albums.  Super 8 creates some brilliant songs like this example - a distant cousin of The Beatles All I Need Is Love.  A song for his friends - befriend him on the socials and it can be a song about you. Super 8's Bandcamp Page

5) Golden by George Rowlands 

George Rowlands has been gathering a large following on YouTube posting cover songs and singing as Liam in Oasis tribute bands. Last year he released his debut EP of original material and this song is taken from his forthcoming second EP.  It’s a quality song that starts with a strum-a-long guitar, hand claps and a killer vocal singing about the old days, footy in the streets, tunes on the jukebox and a fond remembering of his youthful days.  It’s a well written song which acknowledges times have changed but George raises a glass to his friends from his armchair who are still golden. Stay gold Pony Boy.  

6) Trauma and Grace by Feverjaw

Soaring guitars, driving percussion and great harmonies “Don’t waste your time, seize the moment” urge the South Wales  rock trio on a single taken from their forthcoming debut album All Bets Are Off available for pre-purchase here.  Great band - get into them. https://feverjaw.bandcamp.com/album/all-bets-are-off

7) No Place to Hide by Shocks

Northern Ireland’s Shocks play great rock n roll with metallic tasting guitar riffs. This is another talented trio that rock hard and have the tunes.  A Feverjaw and Shocks double header would be a fantastic gig one day! 

8) Manchester, You’re My Heaven by Ollie Winder

Ollie has just released a three track EP led by this ode to Manchester dedicated to the 22.  It has a Ten Story Love Song vibe with added beats.  Ollie is perfecting the art of the short indie pop song where 2 minutes is considered a long track.  This is his eighth single of 2021 and also includes a funky Begging You like track called All Across The Sky.

9) Slow and Steady by Blokeacola 

Blokeacola specialises in trippy melodic melodramas with dry humour in the lyrics and daft humour in his videos.  This is like the psychedelic furry animals and it’s well worth exploring his previous releases if this whets your appetite. Blokeacola's Bandcamp Page 

 

10) It’s Been Heaven Knowing You by Amends

A song told from the perspective of a long term inmate. Amends are a New South Wales band mixing punk country and indie sounds whilst channeling the rebel spirit of Johnny Cash and the longing for redemption.

11) Hang Glider (Bubby Style) by Lewca ft The Geezer Choir.  

One of the best cover versions ever recorded in my humble and well sought after opinion.  It helps when the original in a much loved slice a laid back indie pop brilliance taken from Moonlight Parade's  outstanding Paint The Sun EP.  Lewca scoured the world, assembling some of the finest untapped talent of their generation to provide the terrace chants on his cover version.  The cover is faithful to the original in some ways but where Moonlight Parade’s original is like sipping a fine wine, Lewca’s version is more snorting chemicals at a rave with the Geezer Choir leering and sneering over the chorus.  The song is available to buy on Lewca's Bandcamp Page with all profits from sales until the end of June going to Cancer Research.  Also check out the video below which is a homage to the original but features a Parisian punk rapper and a couple of bucket headed buffoons.  

12) Don’t Be A Fool by Lonely Lost Boy is the debut single from Dundee based artist Gordon Hennessy.

It’s jangly country pop and sung with a distinctive warbling vocal delivery.  Gordon’s played in plenty of bands but after writing a stack on songs during lockdown he has decided to launch his solo career.

Give him a follow on the socials and streaming sites so you don’t miss his future releases.  In fact that obviously applies to everyone here.

13) Patriot Song by Art Block

Here’s a song that demands your attention.  It’s a little reminiscent of History by The Verve - perhaps it was the mention of The Thames flowing through both songs but it’s a good reference point.  The strumming acoustic guitar and violin accompaniment builds well as Art Block sings a love poem to his city and takes his listeners on a meandering tour of the sights and feelings that are invoked along the way.  It’s a beautiful song that deserves all the acclaim it has received since release. 

Art Block's Bandcamp Page 

     

14) Beautiful Day by The John Mitchie Collective 

This is the final single taken from the glorious High Vibrations album that was released in January.  John throws the kitchen sink at the mix and it’s all the better for it.  John’s a self taught studio wizard, in fact he might actually be a wizard?  He’s a fan of Brian Eno, Brian Wilson and anyone who would rather lace together musical snippets into something that rewards those who listen closely on their headphones.  John doesn’t plan to play this live so he is free to create amazing soundscapes.  Do yourself a favour and listen to his debut album in the dark on the best headphones you own. 

The John Michie Collective Bandcamp Page

15) Blu by Pastel 

Swirling and jangly belter of a new song from Manchester’s Pastel.  “Strung up and quartered, blood’s thicker than water, It’s getting better and higher than this”. Does it have a deep meaning- probably not but it does it’s job of being a choon! 

16) Dreams, Schemes and Young Teams by Shambolics

Shambolics have released some brilliant singles over the last few years and this is another fine example of the Scottish band’s talent for crafting guitar based indie-pop ear worms.  I’ve just noticed they are managed by Alan McGee so they should be in safe hands.  

17) Meet Me By The River by Matt McManamon

A song dreaming of a reunion and second chances with a rendez-vous by the River Mersey.  Taken from the new album Scally Folk https://mattmcmanamon.bandcamp.com/album/scally-folk

18) The Madhouse by Crimson Bloom

A new acid funk bonkers bongo fest, celebrating the club culture of your youth “Red Stripe, Blue Monday”.  Pete’s guitars are spot on here and it’s a huge indie-dance tune.  It’s part of a four track ep that’s already been released on bandcamp.  It includes a version of last single The Storyteller sung as a duet between Andy and Jen Dixon. There is a limited edition 10 track CD which compiles recent singles and remixes. Buy it on the Crimson Bloom Bandcamp Page.

19) Find Another Way by Shark Star

Shark Star recently announced he was retiring from making music due to his hearing loss making it almost impossible to continue working as a recording artist. He is returning to visual arts projects.  Shark Star has signed off with a beautiful song that encourages the listeners to pick themselves up and find another way.  I only discovered Shark Star’s music in April but Thanks for the music Shark Star and good luck.

20) The Scenic Route by Sam Lambeth 

The final track from Sam’s debut solo album Love & Exile is a thing of wonder - Sam begins the song using his acoustic guitar and piano that we have all become familiar with during his entertaining isolation recordings.  Sam sings about the end of a relationship, and the mixed emotions that he’s feeling  “Was I born a bad seed, that my soul can outgrow?” as he leaves it behind taking the scenic route through life.

It reminds me of Find The River by R.E.M. which is one of my favourite songs.  This is a well constructed opus that clocks in at 6:30 but never outstays it’s warm welcome. A limited edition, WWF Chariety CD with Sam's hand drawn animals is available on Sam Lambeth's Bandcamp Page  

I'll be back with another blog next month but tune in to my Chart Show on InYourEarsMusic.com 

The Shop Window

Album Review

The State of Being Human

The Shop Window

reviewed by Old Indie Kid 

Release date: 25th June 2021 on Vinyl and CD and a later release date on digital platforms. 

Pre-order a physical copy today before they sell out

https://theshopwindow.bandcamp.com/

https://www.spinoutproductions.com/shop/

The State of Being Human is the debut album from Maidstone’s The Shop Window.  As a supporter of the band, and with Maidstone on my birth certificate, I’ve been entrusted with early access to the album. Whilst reviewing an album in depth means you play each track multiple times, I’m pleased to report that the  more I play it, the more I like it, and I’ve been spinning The State of Being Human like a Roberto Carlos free kick. 

The origins of the The Shop Wiindow can be traced back to 1990s band Westpier in which Carl Mann and Simon ‘Syd’ Oxlee once plied their trade.   They were label mates and still friends with Sleeper. After Westpier folded, Carl became an occasional Sleeperbloke and still plays with Sleeper from time to time. Carl spent many years overseas and lived in New Zealand for many years.  He played guitar on some of Kylie’s tours and even penned a Kylie b-side in 2000.

When Carl returned to Kent a few years ago he started a band with friends Phil Elphee on drums and Martin Corder on bass guitars and backing vocals.  They crafted some great songs and the group’s lineup was completed when Syd joined them on vocals and keys.  The Shop Window began releasing music in December 2019 with the free download of Christmas single Signpost On their Bandcamp site.  During the lockdown or what some clever wit recently dubbed, the Bandemic, The Shop Window tested the water and raised their profile in the new music scene with a string of well received singles and issued their debut 7”vinyl on DIY outfit Spinout Nuggets.

So that’s their potted history and now, after three decades, the moment has finally arrived when they release an album.  I was excited for this release so I can only imagine how the band are feeling.  Perhaps they are dreading the critical reviews from the darkest corners of the internet?  Fear not my Maidstonian Brethren, I have nothing but praise for the wonderful State of Being Human album.  I haven’t reviewed a full album in detail before so this is my debut album review of The Shop Window’s debut album. So let’s dive straight in to the first slice of delicious Jangle Cake.

Mannequin Lies

The Shop Window is the face you put on to the world whilst, your feelings are hidden beneath.  This was their first real single in April 2020.  The band are tight and and intricate jangling guitars and harmonies place this sonically in the late 80s early 90s period.  For someone who enjoyed the music of that period it will evoke nostalgia and there are reference points to other great bands that emerge from many of these songs.  Ultimately it sounds like The Shop Window to me as they have crafted a cohesive sound from their influences of past masters of jangly indie pop.  

Ride It (Whilst You Can) 

The second track opens with a stabbing piano before the chiming guitars return. The theme here is to live it whilst you can and don’t let anyone - especially yourself dissuade you from following your dream. As contemporary band The Shed Project put it “You only get one shot to live your life”.  This isn’t the cocky voice of youth singing “We’re gonna live forever” but a more mature reflections “don’t hang on regrets” and “don’t be guilty of broken dreams”.  The lyrics certainly resonate with us middle aged indie kids and the pulsating indie pop music drives it along.  

Out of Reach 

Imagine Ride playing Echo Beach from a helicopter while the world revolves at 45rpm. A quote so good I’ve revived it and embellished it for the album review.  This is a lockdown song, being trapped inside, lamenting the wasted days, weeks, months and missing the people and places that are out of reach during this pandemic.  The sense of loss for days that could have been. The repetition of another day inside are juxtaposed with the life affirming frantic indie guitar music.  Someone recently suggested that an album can be judged on the strength of track three. Well this bodes well for The State of Being Human. The awesome video won an award and is worth viewing.  

Break Down Walls 

This song has a lovely singalong vibe and echoes of The La’s.  It is a calmer moment that briefly slows the pace of the album. Break Down Walls is about reaching out and offering support to help another in need.  It continues the theme of breaking down the barriers that humans build around themselves.

Calling Out

There’s a little nod to Girls on Film by Duran Duran on this one. Or is it just me?  It opens with a baying crowd listening to a speech.  The imaged past can’t be recaptured and this song is calling out to embrace the future.  I doubt I’ld be too far off target to say it was written about Brexit but it could also be applied to other political issues.  It’s a calling for humans to come together, and change the current path we are taking and expose the liers who led us here. That’s my take on this song - it’s a political calling to rise up and do something unspecified to change the direction.  The mood is angry as befits a political song but it takes a wonderful musical shift towards optimism with one of my favourite moments on the album when The Shop Window go full “Vapour Trail” whilst calling on people to wake up and not to delay action.  As we know rebellions are built on hope.

Disengage The Robots 

Human connection is being reduced to brief interactions between the domination of technology that has crept into everyone’s lives. A parent’s concern that their child’s life will be dominated by their mobile devices.  I hear a sly nod towards Giorgio Moroder, and Together in Electric Dreams, which is rather appropriate. It is a sentiment I can relate to as I stream this album on one device whilst reviewing it on another.  

Flags

Side 2 of the album (I’m getting this on limited edition vinyl so it has two sides in my mind) opens with another uplifting protest song.  I’m guessing it could be nationalism but The Shop Window avoid preaching about specifics so it won’t date the song. “If they wave their flags for you I’ll raise mine higher and set it on fire”. The Shop Window urge the listener to act, “nail your colours to the mast” and refuse to be passive consumer of whatever’s been spoon-fed.  Like many of my favourite, er mature aged indie bands, they still have the fire in their bellies and fury about injustices.  The ever present jangly guitars are accompanied by a choir of backing vocals and some cheery Robert Smith style “do do do dos”.  

Evacuate

This was the song that first turned my attention to The Shop Window last year when MobyTanner featured it in one of his first Rebirth of Cool blogs.  It was released as a double A-side with Out of Reach in January as a perfect 7” vinyl.  The music sounds like it was made by a supergroup containing Teenage Fanclub, Ride and The Wedding Present.  Carl attributes the frantic pace with the origins of the song  being written to keep up with his son’s dance moves.  The themes on Evacuate stem from the anxiety of constantly moving “chasing jet streams”  and not setting down roots.  

2nd Book

A funky bassline with a Charlatans vibe.  There is some reverb or possibly reverse reverb? “On the second book of the trilogy of life”. Another song about embracing the reality of aging and seeing where it takes you rather than trying to relive your youth.

Sad Eyes

Continuing the themes of human connections, aging and reminiscing is previous single Sad Eyes written following Carl’s visit with Nana Shop Window.  This wasn’t originally intended for the album but maybe it’s popularity as a single and the themes fitted well with the rest of the album.

I Realise 

A love song about the dependency between a couple separated by distance.  The guitars are set to understated Johnny Marr.

Jack’s Lullaby

Ending the album on a beautiful instrumental track.  It does remind me of the softer moments on Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness and The Shop Window even add sleigh bells to the mix and I’m a sucker for them.

So that concludes my track by track deep dive into the album.  I suggest you be quick about it if you want a copy on vinyl or CD.  You’ll be supporting the band, improving your record collection and you’ll get to hear it before the streamers.  Don’t be a Johnny-Come-Lately, splash your cash and reserve your copy of  2021’s jangliest album for your music collection. Capital idea! 

The advertising campaign alone is worthy of an award so kudus to whoever created these brilliant teaser videos.