1. There's No Secrets This Year 2. The Royal We 3. Growing Old Is Getting Old 4. It's Nice To Know You Work Alone 5. Panic Switch 6. Draining 7. Sort Of 8. Substitution 9. Catch And Release 10. Surrounded
This L.A indie quartet first started making themselves heard on this side of the pond back in 2006 when they promoted their debut album 'Carnavas' with a series of support slots for Snow Patrol and Kaiser Chiefs.
The dreaded second album has been three years in the making, but it's been worth the wait. There is definitely an American sound to this album - the drums and bursts of melodrama accompanied by grungey guitar riffs are a real give away, but there is no disputing the general quality 'Swoon' has to offer.
The tracks seem to creep up on you and take you spiralling out of control before you have time to react, 'The Royal We' or 'Growing Old Is Getting Old' are both clear exponents. However, some just hit you in the face from the very beginning - personal favourite 'Panic Switch' an obvious example.
Brian Aubert's vocals are strong and varied enough to accompany the changes in rhythm and tone and the pace and intensity are maintained throughout this quality album from start to finish.
This week's Myspace Magic feature takes us to an unexpected destination - Malta of all places! However, one listen to the tracks on offer on The Does'myspace profile is enough to clear any doubts; this is music we all want to hear. Such was my delight at this discovery that I decided to find out more about this mediterranean quartet. Here's what they had to say....
NME-E: So, who are you? TD: The Does are an Indie band from Malta. Formed in June 2008 the band currently consists of Lello on vocals, Dirk on bass guitar, Mauro on drums and Owen on guitar. Having lived in the UK for a few years, Dirk was influenced by the UK indie music scene and on returning to Malta he started working on a few ideas. In June 2008, Dirk then caught up with former guitarist/band-mate Owen, who was working on various solo projects. Together they formed The Does and continued to develop their unique sound.
They have finished their first catchy and upbeat track Too Far which was recorded and produced by Dirk in The Does own studio room. Too Far was an instant hit with local radio DJ's and entered the Top 10 radio charts straight away. Too Far is included in the Tour De Force compilation (matchbox recordings) and is currently being aired on various international radio stations. The Does are currently working on various other tracks and will be compiling an album in the near future. They aim to continue their musical ambition in the UK, home of their favorite genre. NME-E: Have you had any releases to date? TD: The aforementioned 'Too Far' with more singles to follow in the coming weeks.. A new track, 'My Better Side' has recently been uploaded to their profile.
NME-E: If you could choose a band/artist to support you, who would it be and why? TD: We..d rather support them ... Franz Ferdinand/The Sunshine Underground/The Kooks/Kaiser Chiefs.
This list gives you a good idea of what you're in for.
NME-E: What's your favourite album at the moment? TD: Our Favourite album at the moment is Tonight:Franz Ferdinand NME-E: Finally, tell us about your objectives/prospects for next 12 months? TD: We aim to release an album and tour the U.K.
With a sound like theirs, they must stand a good chance of getting what they want.
Thanks, obviously to The Does for taking the time to answer my questions. I sincerely recommend you visit their profile - you won't get many chances to experience a British sound from Malta and these guys don't disappoint.
Hello everybody. Here is the news..... Top Stories This week must be "International Promote Your New Release Week" or something similar, as every second news bit seems to be dedicated to a new album. Here's an example of just a few of them; Maximo Park will offer a free download of their new track 'Wrathlike' from the forthcoming album 'Quicken The Heart' on their webpage; Kasabian have named their third album 'West Rider Pauper Lunatic Asylum', which will be out in June; in the middle of the Blur reunion, Graham Coxon has announced the release of his new experimental album 'The Spinning Top', due out on May 15; Super Furry Animals will broadcast a live version of their new album 'Dark Nights/Light Years' their myspace page on Mar 16 coinciding with its digital release). Better start saving my cents!
The rest of the news appears to belong to veteran Irish rockers U2. On the back of claiming the tenth chart topping album of their career with 'No Line On The Horizon', the band have announced the first details of their forthcoming world stadium tour. The tour will kick off on June 30 at Barcelona's Nou Camp stadium, then continuing through Europe – including four UK dates and a Dublin show – before heading to north America.
Audiences will suuround the group on a specially designed stage and will also be able to enjoy support bands such as Glasvegas, Elbow, Kaiser Chiefs, Snow Patrol and Black eyed Peas.
As if that wasn't enough, they have also had a street in New York City named in their honour to celebrate the release of their brand new album. 53rd Street is now U2 Way. Shame the album is only average (more of that later).
Still in the States, Morrissey has had an eventful start to the US leg of his world tour. After cancelling the first few dates due to illness, he was reportedly interrogated by US immigration officials in Atlanta. You can read all about it on his myspace page blog, but he appears to be ready to take on the world if, in his words, "the world can take it".
Myspace Magic Myspace has been unreal this week and I'm having serious trouble keeping up to date with things. Friend requests galore and stacks of really cool music mean the list of pending interviews is getting longer and longer. Its A Buffalo are the latest band to be featured, coinciding with the release of their debut album 'Don't Be Scared', which is currently on the iphone awaiting a formal review. I'll get the rest done as soon as I can, so please be patient.
Elsewhere, Liverpool's The Rackets have announced free downloads of their tracks on their myspace page. Don't be a fool and take them up on the offer, 'The Usual Suspects' is my personal recommendation.
Reviews I foolishly got my hands on the new U2 release last week and will explain my foolishness in due course. Fortunately, I also got Its A Buffalo's 'Don't Be Scared', a review of which will appear shortly. I can see I'm going to be void of time to review everything I'd like to, so I might have to re-organise things a little. Let's see what I come up with - so much to listen to and only one pair of ears!
Festival Fever Manic here too, with most of the big festivals finalising line ups. The V festival announced headline slots for Oasis and The Killers. Tickets went on sale on March 6, the Chemlsford show sold out in two hoursand their ar eonly a handful of ticket left for Staffordshire! Myspace Magic bands The Little Hydes and Metropolitans are taking part in the Road To V competition, so please click on the following link to see how you can help them. You can also find link to the official website on the sidebar and keep abreast of developments of this and other top festivals there.
And finally..... Couldn't sign off without a special mention to local Murcian boys Second who offered a fabulous gig last Saturday night. The quality was outstanding in all aspects and confirms them as one of the top bands in Spain right now. Check out the youtube video below, where Jose Angel and co. invite fans on to the stage to take part in the final track - what a shame I was so far back! Enjoy.
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1. There's No Secrets This Year
