This Week’s Listens…

• 60’s British girl-group music; I honestly did not think I would care for it, until I came across the expertly assembled Dream Babes compilation series, which is now up to 8 volumes. I have heard the first four, and have liked every one of them, particularly Vol. 3. There are loads of tracks that are sappy, humorous, groovy, and sweet, sometimes all at the same time! What’s more is that the compilation usually features more obscure artists, as well as previously unavailable tracks. They are all available from Amazon. If you like, you can hear a stream of a favourite tune of mine from the series, The Breakaway’s “Sacred Love”, from Vol. 4 here.


• Luxuria: The music of ex-Buzzcocks, ex-Magazine member Howard Devoto and multi-instrumentalist Noko. Despite my love of Magazine, I had not heard of this band whatsoever, until I was reading a post from John Buckley at Tulip Frenzy comparing thenewno2’s You Are Here somewhat to Luxuria. Naturally, I had to go and find out what it sounded like. Their two albums, Unanswerable Lust from ‘88 and Beast Box from ‘90, are absolute classics, and it is alarming that there is not more talk of these gems. I definitely hear the similarities,with unusual background snippets and modern-spooky-electric vibe, though of course there are many differences in vocal delivery and lyrics…but, I think thenewno2 might be able to cover “Ticket” in their way, no? Click to check out their official MySpace Music page.


• The new Panda Steps in Chocolate Paper EP: Stream in full on Last.fm here! Just as fun as the last, just more fine-tuned, with “Porcupine” being a particular favourite of mine.


• Mod music: My absolute affinity for all things Mod began in 2006 when I heard The Small Faces and The Jam in 2005 on Carl Barat’s compilation of favourite tracks, Under the Influence. I got some albums of theirs in 2006, and delved into The Who (though I didn’t get The Ultimate Collection, followed by all the rest of their albums through the year, until around April 2007) and the Kinks in 2007. I’ve made a point, recently, to unearth some more obscure Mod acts and jazz popular with the Mod scene. Here are some of the better ones I’ve spoted: The Mod Scene, Yet Mo’ Mod Jazz, and the (3 disc!) Immediate Mod Box Set.

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