How the hell it's July already is beyond me! We are now over half way through the year, and already have had quite a few contenders for album of my album of the year. Luckily the need to compile that list is still, thankfully, a little way off. Instead here is some of the new music I have been listening to this month.

Monday – She’s Always a Woman – Fyfe Dangerfield

Some of you may know Fyfe Dangerfield as the founding member of indie rock band The Guillemots, however on this cover of the Billy Joel hit; he very much has his solo hat on. What’s most striking about the track is the sheer simplicity of it. With the current fashion of overproduction and chucking horns on everything it is nice to hear a track that’s so stripped back; drawing more attention to the quality of the performance. The rest of the album from which this track is taken is of a similar quality and well worth a listen, if you haven’t already.

Listen/Watch: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yATtdheYPzg

Tuesday – The Trip to Pirates Cove –Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers

Tom Petty is back. His latest album Mojo has been released for just over a month now, and is really rather good. I say this as someone who has never listened to a Tom Petty song before this album. There is no denying the quality of this album, especially considering it was recorded live.  This particular track has a really nice bluesy and mellow feel to it and features some great guitar work as well as some greatly understated vocals. The track is not at all forceful, seeping its way into your subconsciousness.

Listen: http://soundcloud.com/sneakattackmedia/the-trip-to-pirates-cove



Wednesday – This is War – Lone Wolf

Lone Wolf is what I consider to be my one great find of the year so far. His debut album (under that name) The Devil & I has not long been released but has been garnering great praise from pundits in his home country the UK. The album perhaps will not strike you as cheerful, though in my opinion it is one of the most beautiful and lush albums I have heard in quite a while. The vocals are understated and backed by some great orchestral moments. Not only is the performance and delivery great, I love the lyrical work – his subject matter can be quite black but at the same time highly poetic.

Listen:  
http://iamlonewolf.bandcamp.com/track/this-is-war
                                      

Thursday – The Girl is Gone – Mystery Jets

Mystery Jets are back with their third album Serotonin, an album with its fair share of twists and turns. This track in particular is a lovely summery song, with a nice jaunty beat. It has a very 60s/70s feel to it; reminding me slightly of The Beatles on first listen, though I can’t quite decide why. It really is a great ensemble performance, with some great harmonies, and of course those jangly shimmering guitars are there in force as well. It’s good to have them back.

Watch: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=neKBnf6730M

Friday – Cold War – The Morning Benders

The Morning Benders hail from Berkeley, California and I would argue that this come across in their sound. They have the great youthful, whimsical vocals which characterise so many Californian bands. This track however has some great rock and roll elements, a great echoey feel to it; though all the while still retaining a good dose of whimsy and pop sentiments. This is another band which has seems to have benefited from the music of the sixties.

Download: http://www.indyweek.com/music/031010/war.mp3



Saturday – Devils Spoke/Sneh Ko Marg –
Laura Marling, Mumford and Sons & The Dharohar Project

I won’t lie; I was sceptical about how well this work. The idea of recording Laura Marling with Mumford and Sons was a logical one, and one which should have taken place sooner. The decision to amalgamate elements of traditional Indian music was perhaps a risky one, but to be honest thank god they decided to do it. I love it, and am pleasantly surprised at how well they all come together. The transition between the two styles is seamless and really gives the whole track an extra kick. The rest of the EP is much the same; a powerful example of musical collaboration, proving we are all singing about the same things when it comes down to it. I can only imagine how incredible this would be live.

Listen: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQt4Zdy8BV8

Sunday – Mommy is Beautiful – The Martyrs

The Martyrs are a currently unsigned rock band hailing from Hollywood, California (or at least that’s what their Myspace says), they have just released their debut album, which can be purchased direct from their website. They are probably what you would class as a punk rock, but really I would say that they aren’t what you call a stereotypical punk band. The track in question is quite up tempo, with some strong guitar, but what the track most benefits from is great vocal delivery from Nathanael Felon; understated and controlled, it reminds me of bands like The Gaslight Anthem and the Bouncing Souls. Most importantly it’s a good fun track, a great example of pop punk.

Listen:  www.myspace.com/themartyrs