For Mondays | GRANDPA STAN

#Monday. We can get into a good concept album as much as the next Stan when the mood strikes (see Unruly Dogs for supporting evidence). Bad ones we are, unsurprisingly, not so sure about. This free download from the forthcoming debut by The Magnetic North – inspired by an in dream visitation from a suicide victim of the late 1700s that takes the island of Orkney as it’s principle subject matter – has all the markings of being one of the former. Visit The Magnetic North website here.

Tindersticks – Show Me Everything

February 20, 2012 § Leave a comment

Taken from the album ‘The Something Rain’
Out now on Constellation/Lucky Dog (iTunes)

Sleigh Bells – Comeback Kid

February 17, 2012 § Leave a comment

Taken from the album ‘Reign Of Terror’
Released 20 February on Columbia (iTunes)

#Friday. Repeated behavioral experiments have shown that we start maxing out on Sleigh Bells exposure at somewhere around the 9 minute mark. That’s alright though – it’s almost the weekend, we’re so not in the mood for listening to anything vaguely ambient right now and we should still have the capacity to listen to this two more times in the next 12 hours without melting.

James Levy and The Blood Red Rose – Sneak Into My Room

February 13, 2012 § Leave a comment

http://soundcloud.com/music-as-usual/james-levy-and-the-blood-red

Taken from the album ‘Pray To Be Free’
Out now on Heavenly (iTunes)

#Monday: Hawley + Sexsmith + Hannon + … =

François & The Atlas Mountains – Gold Mountain

February 6, 2012 § Leave a comment

http://soundcloud.com/dominorecordco/francois-the-atlas-mountians

Stan says: #Monday. One of the things we have liked most about François has been the continued prominence of his native tongue in the lyrical mix. JS and PC in particular will attest to the strength of feeling that has sometimes been displayed on this subject. But while we think this was an exceedingly good decision, it’s hard to dispute the restorative powers of this (English only) Slow Club cover. Especially as the thaw sets in on a wet Monday morning.

Mercury Rev + Porcelain Raft

January 23, 2012 § Leave a comment

‘Deserter Songs’ out now on V2

‘Strange Weekend’ out now on Secretly Canadian (Shop)

Stan says: #Monday. Is today the most depressing day of the year or was that last week? The reports seem to be conflicting as far as we can tell. One thing we do know is that ‘Opus 40’ continues to generate a lump in the throat for us even after an uncountable number of listens and today it seems especially perfect – regardless of occasion. Decided to throw in a bit of Charlie Chaplin (as soundtracked by Porcelain Raft) for good measure.

Where Am I?