Titus Andronicus, Arch M and Your Twenties

Did you see the ‘New Bands 2009′ lists? If the idiots who voted for them knew anything they’d have voted for these three bands. Oh well who cares, the industry can have Frankmusik if that’s what they really want, we’re happy with MP3s from these dudes.

Titus Andronicus

titus

The ghosts of a bloody Shakespearean tragedy or some French existential author are never far from the unflinchingly aggressive Titus Andronicus. These guys played their first UK show at the Old Blue Last a while back and it was intense. Led to battle by the raging bull of Patrick Stickles they smashed the place up, somehow making our sense of impending doom seem like a glorious crusade. Three minutes of low fuzzy vocals on ‘No Future’ burn like a fuse before finally erupting into life with the familiar concrete melodies. Everyone’s got a hard-on for this band, you can see why, they make you want to rage. And read more books. But mostly rage.

MP3: Titus Andronicus – Titus Andronicus
MP3: Titus Andronicus – No Future

Your Twenties

you're 20 fool

For rent Gabriel Stebbing plays bass with Metronomy, but in his heart he’s the Your Twenties top-dog. It seems a little ironic listening to this sunshine quintet while people are freezing to death outside on bikes, but if you’re going to die of chilly poverty, you might as well do it to up-tempo harmonies evocative of everything from Pavement to Fleetwood Mac. Your dad probably likes them, but he’ll starve before you, so don’t worry, you still win.

MP3: Your Twenties – Caught Wheel

Arch M

arch m

Everyone in the UK upset that SALEM don’t live here and that The Rollercoaster Project isn’t playing live yet, has become obsessed with Arch M over the last three months. Arch M is the moniker and solo project of Corey Reid, an American citizen now residing in monochrome London. Thankfully he brings the fragile Technicolor of San Fran to the lo-fi pop layering on upcoming release ‘Moontan’. His imagination soars to shimmering peaks and splashes deep into watery depths. You can feel the spray of the ocean on your face.

MP3: Arch M – 21st Union

SAHIL VARMA