Codes In The Clouds - Don't Go Awash In This Digital Landscape, Listen on Middle Boop

The epic Codes In The Clouds have a new single out, "Don't Go Awash In This Digital Landscape" this is probably the shortest Post Rock track ever made, weighing in at just over three minutes but is a great track from their epic debut 'Paper Canyon' which was released earlier in the year.
You really need to check this song out here.

Lazy Oaf new collection

On Thursday the 24th September from 6 - 8 the Lazy Oaf stores will be unveiling their new collection at their store on Kingly Court in a way 'you might not expect, it will have to be seen to be believed.'

Vivian Girls - Everything Goes Wrong

The garage punk trio Vivian Girls could well be in the right place at the right time with their second album 'Everything Goes Wrong.'
The Brooklyn based all girl group have created an album that people over here are really taking a shine to, each song is a fun, fast paced, scuzzy hark back to 60's girl bands and surf pop with a charming, DIY ethic that is seeing a much needed revival of late.
There seems to be a rift as to whether they are actually creating interesting, sign of the times music or are just a bunch of incompetent posers,
well you only need to look at where they get their name from to pretty much sum up that debate, coming from artist Henry Darger's magnum opus, In the Realms of the Unreal. Darger's Vivian girls are said to be some of the most slippery, troublesome figures in contemporary art.
With extensive tours of the US and Europe, already gaining some great national press, 'Everything Goes Wrong,' a much darker approach than their 22 minute debut looks set to raise a few eyebrows as the word spreads.
Everything Goes Wrong is out today.

Micah P. Hinson - All Dressed Up And Smelling Of Strangers

Cover albums are always a tricky thing to get right, Deftones 'Rarities' and A Perfect Circles 'Emoitve' spring to mind straight away, but if there was one man that could guarantee adding his own touch of class to every song it has to be Micah P. Hinson.
'All Dressed Up And Smelling Of Strangers' is a double disc collection of songs that each have a very personal connection with Hinson and he does more than just do the songs justice, whether it's early 19th century blues or Leonard Cohen each song gets the full Micah P. Hinson treatment making this a worthy addition to an already sterling back catalogue.
The recording of the album adds a lot to do with why this album works so well, thwe whole thing feels so live and intimate as if he could very well be in the room with you, especially on the first disc where there are barely any additions to the sound than Hinson (with his unmistakeable voice) and his acoustic.
The second disc is where things get more interesting, when things go 'electric,' getting drums and piano into the mix creating a more upbeat atmosphere it shows how diverse his tastes are with covers ranging from Sinatra, Dylan and Presley to Pedro The Lion and Emmy The Great, but it's the final track, The Beatles 'While My Guitar Gently Weeps' that really makes the album worthwhile.

New work from Jeffery Bowman

Mr Jeffery Bowman, one half of Middle Boop contributors Wizard's Hat has some great new updates on his site

PAVEMENT TO REFORM!!!!!

From the sounds of things this could actually be the real deal, Pavement are set to be playing some dates next year at Central Park Summerstage in New York on September the 21st.
Whether this is set in stone remains to be seen but all I know is at this rate I'll be in New York this time next year.

Sunset Rubdown, The Garage, 15/09/09

Sunset Rubdown are a band that don't come around that often, with such a unique and catchy sound I jumped at the chance to see these guys showcase material from their new material in the newly reopened and refurbished Garage which, despite now having a ridiculous sponsor (it is now called the 'Relentless' Garage) is a great little venue.
After an uninspired set by support act Oh Ruin, in which the crowd were more concerned about continuing their conversations than anything going on up on stage,
Sunset Rubdown appear on stage and plough straight into a number of the big songs from their recent album 'Dragonslayer,' belting out songs such as the epic 'Idiot Heart' and 'Black Swan' which just sounded great live and also managed to engage the crowd (which by the look of the crowd would have been a pretty hard task) to the point where the front of the venue was awash with indie kids dancing their asses off and left the rest of the extremely packed crowd watching on in amazement.
Most of the set consisted of the new album which, although a great album was a little disappointing they only played one or two from the phenomenal 'Random Spirit Lover' although when they finally played 'Mending Of The Gown' I felt pretty fulfilled.
I was surprised how busy the Garage got on this extremely wet and windy Tuesday night, it's encouraging to know that so many people are starting to cotton on to the greatness of these guys and the roof leaking being sandwiched between literally the biggest man I've ever seen at a gig and a Woman who can only be described as 'The Scottish Widow on acid' that didn't distract from a belter of a gig.

Maps - Turning The Mind

Turning The Mind, the follow up to the Mercury Prize 2007 shortlisted début offers the listener a mixture of uplifting and ambient electro that 'explores themes related to the human mind.'
There is a definite retro feel with a lot of the loops and synth sounds harking back to the Eighties and some dance beats coming straight from the 90's rave era but there is certainly a good mixture of contemporary sounds in the mix as well, a lot of the tracks get a little epic and generally build up to very 'feel good' choruses, which I believe was the intention as the album title 'Turning The Mind' comes from the cognitive therapy practice of 'Mindfulness', which James Chapman aka Maps came across a few years ago, taught by Professor Marsha M. Linehan. It is a practice which, in simple terms, takes negative thoughts and turns them towards positive ones by accepting reality as it is, however bad it may be.
With quotes like that you can tell a lot of time and thought has gone into the creation of this album and there are some really strong tracks on this album, especially 'Let Go Of The Fear' and 'Love Will Come' when Chapman moves away from the dreamy synths and switches more to dance with a great beat sounding like a cross between Faithless and M83.
Turning The Mind also boasts some great artwork

KK Outlet - Cloning by 5.5 Designers

To coincide with London Design Festival the KK Outlet in Hoxton Square are hosting a special event on 23 September 7 - 9pm. All members of the 5.5 Designers team will be in attendance and will be offering people the opportunity to have their own Mensuration vase mocked up (visually, not physically) based on the measurements of their torso. The event is free and open to all

Lark - Store

What a way to start the week!
East London sextext 'Lark' are a unique blend of of psychedelic, alt blues that sets out to tell a dark tale.
Shop is an album that could only have been made in London, it is packed full of truly oddball gems with each song offering something completely different, from the beating drums and Stooges esq riff of 'A Failed Scheme,' to the instrumental 'Dirt Track' which just sounds heavenly.
Lark create their sounds using instruments mostly bought at the Kingsland Waste Market which is featured on the front cover and with legendary producer Brendan Lynch a keen supporter as well as Stuart Marconie playing them on his Radio 6 'Freakshow' despite having only released a couple of un-promoted 7"s Lark look set to have a great year on the back of their debut.

Cool shoes

Check these out

Si Scott at Electik Sheep

From the 3rd of September until the 30th at Electrik Sheep gallery in Newcastle, the wonderful Si Scott will be showcasing his new solo show with a host of new pieces exclusively for Electrik Sheep.
Si Scott's instantly recognizable style has been dominant around a whole host of huge brands including BBC, Hugo Boss, MTV, Unicef and Volvo.
All of the pieces will be made available via the Electrik Sheep website .
If you are around the Newcastle area this is one not to be missed.

Lovvers new track

Lovvers - Society Jam by divisionpromotions
To celebrate their upcoming huge tour in support of their debut album last month, Lovvers have released a previously unheard track entitled 'Society Jam.'
Check it out.

Their tour starts on the 18th of September.

The Big Pink - A Brief History Of Love

The amazing debut album from The Big Pink is out today, if you haven't heard them yet now is your chance.

Clues - Haarp video

Clues - "Haarp" from Clues on Vimeo.

Check out the awesome video for Clues new song Haarp.
Wicked stuff

best joy division cover version in the world!

I literally love this!

You’re Smiling Now But We’ll All Turn Into Demons - ‘Contact High Wit Da Demons’

Hailing from Portsmouth. You’re Smiling Now But We’ll All Turn Into Demons have continued to build a cult following for best part of 8 years with their loud riffs, psychedelic jams and on stage performances. Despite so far only releasing material on independent labels, the Demons release their fifth full release on London label, Function Records. Having previously worked with Blood Red Shoes’ Steve Ansell on previous release ‘Black Demon Time’, ‘Contact High Wit Da Demons’ also gathers a collection of some of the finest Stoner Rock beats and Post-Grunge revival anthems your likely to hear on the South Coast this year.
Opening track ‘2009’ sucks you in straight away displaying furious sounding guitars with a number that bands like Mudhoney and Black Sabbath would be proud of. We hear the influence of bands such as Dead Meadow, Sonic Youth and Om throughout the record in live favourites such as ‘Nervous/Alive’, ‘The Recidivist’ and ‘Jammin’ on the 13th Floor’. Compositions like ‘Alpha and Omega’ bash out a near 7 minute guitar and bass repetition that will make grown men want to head bang away like they did when they were 14 years old. Throughout the record we sense the passion each band member gives in their performance which is also transferred into their live performances. Although singer and bass player Richie Troughton has a quieter relaxed approach to his vocals they add a certain laid back charm that you would find in groups such as Slint and Oneida.
36 minutes and 8 tracks later, ‘Contact High’ climaxes with an eighteen minute volcanic explosion. ‘Prismatic Reflections’ takes us on a journey of Desert Rock with mind-blowing drone guitar noise to finish the record off splendidly. It leaves you with a sense of euphoria that makes you think “what the hell happened there!?” and invites us to listen again to see if the last 54 minutes really did happen.
If any band deserves some continued underground success then these guys have well and truly set the standard of what Rock n Roll should truly sound like.

Freddy Rothman

Manchester Orchestra - Mean Everything To Nothing

'Mean Everything To Nothing' Manchester Orchestra's second album is a real rock album, full of raw, energetic, loud songs that people can easily relate to.
Manchester Orchestra have already gained quite a legion of fans touring with the likes of Kings Of Leon, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah and Brand Newand have built up a huge reputation for having a great live show, which comes across well on the cd, in fact lead singer 'Andy Hull' wanted the album to be recorded live to give it that raw edge.
This is a decision that really payed off as they just have that sound that is meant to be heard live, with the beginning five or six songs merging into one long energetic assault well equipped with loud, punky guitars, cheesy keyboards and the quiet loud/ quiet loud stop start formula that makes a classic rock album with the latter half of the album mellowing out into a couple of ballads and ending on the six minute 'The River.'
Manchester Orchestra have the makings of a band that will certainly not always be playing the smaller stages at Reading.

Graniph T shirts

The lovely people at the Graniph stores sent Middle Boop over some wicked t shirts the other day, to mark the self titled debut of La Roux's album in Japan Graniph teamed up with La Roux to produce a limited edition t shirt available exclusively from the Graniph stores which looks awesome.
These guys work with some amazing designers and come up with some great t shirts, such as a Collaboration series which has seen Graniph produce t shirts based on the works of some of the most influential designers ever, with designs based on the likes of Emil Ruder and Josef Muller Brockmann's work.

Steve Harrington

Steve Harringtonis an illustration from CA, USA and has a fantastic portfolio crammed full of rich and colourful illustrations of charcaters and shapes. Steve is another designer who is heavily influenced by geometric shapes and character design and has used his talent to produce work for Computer Arts and can also be found in the new edition of Arkitip.

Yo La Tengo - Popular Songs

Oh Yes Yo La Tengo are back!
Popular Songs is another absolute stunner of an album that, as most Yo La Tengo albums are is full of many surprises.
Take the opener 'Here To Fall,' starting off as a proper psychedelic hark back to earlier material and then breaking off and ending with a string section for the outtro.
Popular Songs, which is anywhere from their 12th to 19th album (depending on what you are counting) shows how a band as talented as this trio can evolve and still write music that affects people in different ways, albeit the spacey pop of 'Avalon Or Someone Very Similar' or the two minute garage rock genius of 'Nothing To Hide' to the heart wrenchingly emotional nine minute epic 'More Stars Than There Are In Heaven' (by the way what an awesome name for a song) you just get the feeling that this is why a band like Yo La Tengo have been around for so long, their music evokes so many different emotions from just one album and that to me is the sign of a really special band.
This is typical of Yo La Tengo, releasing an album that can incorporate all the things their legions of fans have grown to love about them but still produce something that is challenging and different. In fact 'Popular Songs' not only retains the qualities of such classics as 'And Then Nothing Turned Itself Inside-Out' and 'I Am Not Afraid of You and I Will Beat Your Ass' but pushes the boundaries further in what they can achieve musically. To me this is one of their best albums and songs such as the brilliant final fifteen minute rock out 'And The Glitter Is Gone' and 'More Stars Than There Are In Heaven' are already contenders for some of my favourite Yo La Tengo songs.
They will be in the UK in November, I'll see you there.

Middle Boop prints for sale

Resident Records in Brighton are selling of Middle Boop's recent prints for Oneida.
Resident is one of my favourite shops ever so its awesome to see my own stuff in there. The Rough Trade stores are also selling the Deerhunter Print here

Mariachi El Bronx - Cell Mates

Haha this is classic. Loud punk band Teh Bronx have released a mariachi side project band and this is their first single.
Genius

Something Wierd

Something Weird is the website of Canadian based artist Maxime Francout. Maxime produces some highly detailed and original illustrations inspired by his interest in skateboarding and books. His won awards for his illustrations and is also the creator of French Fourch Editions who goal it is to produce neat and original books.

Foreign Beggars - crazy video

This video features the Foreign Beggars heads being used as turntables and drums, a pretty awesome idea that looks cool.
Foreign Beggars new album 'United Colours Of Beggattron' is out on October the 19th.

House Of Burvo

House of Burvo is the online portfolio of designer and typographer Matt Burvill. Matt is really passionate about typography and this is really obvious in his design work, all the type in his work has been carefully crafted and thought about and most of the typefaces in his work are also available to buy. His new website is also very original and radiates creativity.

Sax Ruins - Yawiquo

This is a very unique album. The duo Yoshida Tatsuya and Ono Ryoko who are both highly regarded in the Japanese Avant Garde scene combine to reconstruct songs from their old band Ruins in entirely new ways.
Where Ruins relied on heavy bass and guitars, Sax Ruins (as you might have guessed) replaces that with multiplexed recordings of Saxophone.
From start to finish, Yawiquo is a chaotic album, with the mix of fast, heavy drums and sax it makes for a very refreshing listen, it's like mixing some form of Ska'Jazz with post hardcore, I really haven't heard anything else like it.

Sian Alice Group - Troubled, Shaken Etc

Having missed Sian Alice Group on a number of occasions despite some expert recommendations I felt it would be rude not to check out their latest album 'Troubled, Shaken Etc' to see what all the fuss was about.
Troubled, Shaken Etc, Sian Alice Group's second album eases the listener in with the wonderfully haunting, minimalistic 'Love That Moves the Sun' which sets the record for a number of songs. Sian Alice Group are certainly writing music that is challenging but the more you listen, the more you are drawn in to the strange world that is created by this collaboration of musicians, a world that has been created by a band wanting to experiment every step of the way, mixing in a variety of different styles ranging from Avant Garde Jazz to the ambient, minimalist drone.
Despite the complexities of the music, the whole album has a very raw, 'live' feel to it which adds to the hazy atmosphere.
This is certainly an album that needs to be listened to in full in a darkened room with a glass of wine to give the full effect of its greatness. Very unique.

Jessica Walsh

Jessica Walsh is a designer living and Working in New York with an amazing portfolio of work who is currently working for Pentagram. She has produced work for ID magazine and AIGA and her work is really passionate with a passion for typography, photography and illustration.

Graniph Design Awards at KK Outlet

Awesome T Shirt designers 'Graniph' run an annual design award attracting over 10,000 entries.
The winning designs have been shown at the KK Outlet for the last month or so.
The exhibition finishes tomorrow so get down there to check out some awesome designs.

Deerhunter, Health and Crystal Antlers - Koko - 24/08/09

With a lineup as strong as this, it was always going to be a pretty historic gig, the headline act Deerhunter have made quite a name for themselves over the last couple of years as have Health, Crystal Antlers still have a little way to go with building reputations but if tonight's performance was anything to go by they won't be far behind.
In fact Crystal Antlers really stood out and caught me more than Health which was really unexpected. In fact Crystal Antlers live show is really something to behold, taking full advantage of the larger stage with huge, trippy projections and a live sound that was aggressive yet also melodic and a percussionist who was absolutely mental from start to finish, Crystal Antlers have a lot of potential and hopefully next time they are around they'll be higher up the bill.
If you haven't checked out their latest album Tentacles yet you probably should.
Health were a little disappointing, maybe it's the fact that it was quite clear they had been on the back of an extensive tour (which shouldn't really be an excuse for a poor show) or maybe it was the fact that the sound just wasn't as bone shatteringly loud and sharp as last time I saw them but either way they weren't up to scratch.
By the time Deerhunter entered the stage Koko was heaving. So much so there was no way I was ever going to push my way through to the front, it is great to see such an original band start to reap the rewards. Playing a host of the great tracks from Microcastle and their latest e.p. 'Rainwater Cassette Exchange' opening with the title track from 'Cryptograms' which although heavy on record, eased the crowd into a much less intense start than we had from Crystal Antlers or Health which was pretty relentless noise throughout. Things really kicked off for Deerhunter with the brilliant 'Nothing Ever Happened' in which they jammed out the end of the song into a haze of noise, they did this for a few numbers and it was really refreshing, reminding you just what a reputation Deerhunter have built up with their live performances.
This was a big gig for Deerhunter, their biggest in London so far and apart from the bass guitar breaking forcing lead singer Bradford Cox to josh with the crowd for a few minutes things went off without a hitch and certainly wowed the packed venue.

OOIOO - Armonico Hewa

Across the mountains and over the hills, there is a band that is now experienced beyond their youthful looking years, as they boast a back catalogue of layered minimalist electro pop. Days gone past have proved the fiery female foursome to be a little ‘left of centre’ from your average pop outfit.

’Armonico Hewa’ Is the new record from Japanese Alt rockers OOIOO and it is certainly an album to bend your ears around. With their latest effort they have managed to create a bold experiential pop album packed full of hidden repetitions and natural progressions. Uncovering an undiscovered side of electro that’s being boldly explored, whilst countlessly veering off to create not just their own sub genre, but a journey of the girls travel through the alternative music spectrum. They are indeed a band that that must be heard to be understood as the quirky and unique blend of Japanese pop culture and intense rhythmic beats creates a wild storybook journey for the lucid listener.

Opening track 'SOL' possesses the ceaseless drone of machinery ridden samples and drums of death. Booming effortlessly with a sense of 'seek and destroy' into the superb guitar progressions on 'UDA HAH'.

Track 6 'POLACCA' has a real anthemic groove, very familiar to the new wave Indie blast to hit our radio waves, reminiscent of The Ting Tings' with a healthy dose of delay and chorus.

Stand out song 'NIN NA YAMA' is a fast paced odyssey, braking only for the scenic balcony of the ‘sing along’ chorus and an incredibly soulful vocal harmony, hypnotizing the outer reaches of your brain, before exploding into the similarly structured but more vocally appealing 'HEWA HEWA'. Heading for the finishing post with ’HONKI PONKI’ a nursery rhyme style pop song with a real sense of psychedelic purpose.


’Armonico Hewa’ contains moments of clarity and self realisation, but don't be fooled as the record unfolds “oh-oh-eye-oh-oh” will unravel an artichoke chocked full of chord formations, time changes and a uniquely youthful spirit. Another fine effort from the outfit headed by founding member Yoshmi P-we. A tightly coiled package of percussive polyrhythm's and a musical attitude that’ll keep the cult band a big part of the underground music scene for years to come…

The Big Pink - A Brief History Of Love

The Big Pink already have a lot of hype residing around their upcoming debut 'A Brief History Of Love' and it's no surprise, the duo Robbie Furze and Milo Cordell have been creating a stir in the industry for quite some time.
Cordell runs the label Merok which is responsible for launching Klaxons and Crystal Castles among others and Furze has played for people such as Industrial legend Alec Empire and Panic DHH.
This is most certainly not the only reason why the duo have received so much press of late, 'A Brief History Of Love' is a really great album full of synth laden, atmospheric, droney classics that all are aimed to give off a personable message of Love. Songs such as opener 'Crystal Visions' and 'At War With The Sun' optimise what the Big Pink are all about, 'Armageddon Love Songs.'
Their sound feels like it couldn't have come from anywhere else but London right now, it is certainly an album that fits 2009 very well with their knack for making intense, droney dance tunes sound totally accessible.
There are a few stand out track, 'Dominos' and Velvet' both of which I have had in my head for ages.

Ólafur Arnalds - Found Songs

Found Songs is an ingenious idea by the talented Ólafur Arnalds.
The idea behind Found Songs is that the man himself, Ólafur Arnalds created and produced a song a day for a week with each track becoming an exclusive download straight from label 'Erased Tapes' website.
The material on Found Songs mainly comprises of minimalist classical piano and strings.
It's great to see such a hark back to classical music but with a completely modern spin on how the music has been made available.
Although some of the tracks can be a little hard work you have to think to be written and produced in such a short timeframe to this quality is very rare and there are some real gems such as the last song 'Ljósið' which is stunning.

Lightning Bolt preview 'Colossus'

Here is a mere snippet of what is to come from the noisy as hell duo Lightning Bolt's upcoming album 'Earthly Delights'
This is Lightning Bolt at its best, seven minutes of sheer brutality.


Check it on the Pitchfork Site here.