The 405

So many great songs this year I could quite happily indulge in a Top 50, but sending our readers into a boredom coma is not what we strive for here at  The405.  So minus the unnecessary 45, here are my fav’s from the years action so far…

5. Duels – Regeneration

If I was a lazy man I would simply copy and paste the link to my single review from earlier in the year to let you know about this wonderful dark stomper from Leeds’ recently revitalised, Duels.

As it happens I am an incredibly lazy man, so here goes

http://thefourohfive.com/2008/07/29/there-be-beasties/

4. Lost Valentinos – Man with the gun

Worlds apart from the previous entry now, as Sydney’s Lost Valentinos step in with a high voltage short sharp piledriver of a rock tune.  ‘Don’t stop ‘cause you are on the run and your on the run from the man with the gun’ goes the chorus sounding like it should be soundtracking a car chase in the latest Bourne movie.

An Aussie acquaintance of mine noted that this is considered a ‘Sydney anthem in the clubs’, one listen and you’ll see why.  Simple and very effective, this little beauty blew the socks clean off my little trotters.

http://www.myspace.com/lostvalentinos

3.  65daysofstatic – Dance Parties (Distant)

I could write down what I know about 65DOS on the back of a stamp and to be honest I’m not all that keen on their work as a whole.  However this is something to behold.  Another Yorkshire outfit (South as opposed to West), the Sheffield troupe merge beats and chanted vocals that makes for an eerie yet highly danceable track.

Rarely could a dance song be described as an anthem but here the description fits just fine.  A real indie-disco belter.

http://www.myspace.com/11488230

2.  Broken Records – If the news makes you sad, don’t watch it

‘Watch the TV, tell me what you see, all these bleeding wounds and rising seas, it don’t mean much to me’.  All very political and moving this, from the Edinburgh outfit, fear not though you don’t need to know your NATO from your NAFTA to enjoy this.

The Accordion, Glockenspiel, Mandolin, Cello, Violin they’re all often put to use by this 7 piece which regularly draws comparisons to The Arcade Fire.  Not that the band would thank me for it, but they actually don’t sound a million miles away from the Canadians on this effort, which is of course a good thing.

This is a rare gem in a sea of indie slime and adds proof that these ‘broken’ records are playing just fine.

http://www.myspace.com/brokenrecordsedinburgh

1.  Frightened Rabbit – Modern Leper

In 2006 when I blogged my excitement for some Scottish bands I was digging at the time, I found myself surprised at just how much I liked Frightened Rabbit, as the stripped down acoustic thing wasn’t really my bag.  However, after buying their debut LP and subsequently receiving a personalised Frightened Rabbit Christmas card from them, like soon turned to love.

Now two years on they have managed to pull off that rare trick of producing a second album far superior to the first.  I can feel myself slipping into an album review here, which is not what I’m after.  Suffice to say the colourful imagery of the lyrics bellowed straight from the heart of Scott Hutchison, for me not only makes this song of the year but a stone cold classic to boot.

http://www.myspace.com/frightenedrabbit

A mixed bag then but a nice bag all the same.
Rich Melvin

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