Agile Beast
Agile Beast were a fantastic pop surprise for me. I spotted them at their first gig at Brixton Jamm. They’re reminiscent of both Happy Mondays and Flowered Up, but they’re so young they probably don’t even realise it and that’s why it’s such a fresh take on the guitar-driven, tribal vibe. Live? They’re as urgent and powerful as early performed by Arctic Monkeys.
The Violet May
The Violet May are an electric and inspiring live act; I saw them at my club night and it was intense. They’re from Sheffield and add a violent rush to the hedonistic stoner riffs of Josh Homme. They want to tell the world that their time is now.
Washed Out
The songwriting of Washed Out is futuristic and meditative. The track Belong has the stoned and sun-kissed catharsis of a great Beach Boys song. Everyone is tipping Washed Out at the moment and rightly so.
Dead Skeletons
Icelandic rock group and part of the Brian Jonestown Massacre posse, Dead Skeletons made my track of the year with Dead Mantra, a song that culminates with a compassionate, almost plea-like mantra of “He who fears death cannot enjoy life”. Look for more Buddhist boogie in 2010.
MyDogJane
Late in October, Canadian one-man band MyDogJane started sending me YouTube clips of his songs and they’re truly fantastic. MyDogJane writes dense, psychedelic pieces that carry an eerie, cinematic vibe reminiscent of Pink Floyd and Ennio Morricone.
The Grants
The Grants are steeped in Liverpool’s venerable tradition of classic, tuneful rock. They have the potential to be one of Britain’s best bands. The scale and passion of their songs should be enough to win over any music fan for whom the Beatles and the La’s hold a special place.
Ras G
Ras G is a genius producer whose dubby, other-worldly rhythms have built him a devoted underground following. His heavy, sometimes trance-like beats make me think simultaneously of Sun Ra and Lee Scratch Perry. If the former’s intergalactic imagining of jazz had been heavily infused with hip-hop sensibilities, it would sound like Ras G.
Pearl Harbor
This LA sister duo write perfect pop songs like LUV Goon and the sad stoner beauty of California Shakedown. Their main inspirations are Jan Terri, Stone Harbor and private press records, all with a decidedly west coast feel. What’s not to love?
Paper Spaceman
Ross Everett’s plaintive voice gives Paper Spacemen a sense of irreconcilable tension. He explores this to great effect on Shadow by combining the northern atmosphere of New Order with the power of Jesus and Mary Chain
Shelta
I predict Shelta to be the dark-horse band of 2010. Their astonishing song, Beautiful Girl, made me think of the sweeping, emotive ballads once offered up by the Verve
The Vortex
“Never negotiate!” With these powerful words, the Vortex storm the hallowed stage of rock’n’roll history like ravenous barbarian invaders. Their rollicking, and heavily danceable tunes summon the mighty days of early Primal Scream with intermittent guitar blasts from Bonehead (formerly of Oasis). You should also check out Irish kraut-groove merchants Twinkranes.
Male Bonding
Everyone has been waiting for the UK’s reaction to the stoner punk, lo-fi scene inhabited by bands like Wavves. The answer can be found in Male Bonding. Their songs are similar to the sleaze of the early Germs, channelling an urgent rush that sounds like it designed specifically for pressing on to scratchy 7″s. See also Mazes and Spectrals.
The Invasion of …
After the druggy demise of the Libertines, and then Dirty Pretty Things, who in their right mind would have expected Libs drummer Gary Powell to form a trailblazing, no-holds-barred rock’n’roll band? Furthermore, who would expect said band to be fronted by a founder of London’s legendary rap collective, the Taskforce?
Avi Buffalo
There’s a whole army of artists around right now who are lo-fi through economy, yet possess a songwriting nous that reflects a fascination with classic rock. Whether it be Woods, Kurt Vile, Real Estate, or the Swarming Branch, it seems that bands are being influenced by Neil Young again.
Toro Y Moi
Toro Y Moi are from the same homegrown scene as Washed Out. The sound on Causers of This is a combative force between drone, R&B and hip-hop, mapping out a futuristic new pop sound.