Jack Johnson - If I Had Eyes (7", Island)

"If I Had Eyes" is the first single to be taken from Jack Johnsons latest album, Sleep Through The Static. On the whole, the album and this track are a dissapointment. Jack Johnson gives us the same laid-back songs, sung so easily they maneuver straight into the background. True, he's gone electric on this track, but he strums his guitar like it's acoustic, so that doesn't really count as change. The self-conscious "oohs" dont help either.

However, the gem on this single is the B-side, "Let It Be Sung". The track was originally on the soundtrack to the film A Brokedown Melody (unfortunately that's not yet been released on vinyl). The track features friend & fellow musician Matt Costa.

The track is a totally endearing blend of acoustic guitar riffs that are perfectly accompanied by Johnson’s soft, shimmering vocal delivery and the nice layering from Costa. It's the perfect track to kick back with and wait for the next Jack Johnson album.

Camera Obscura - If Looks Could Kill (7", Elefant)

"If Looks Could Kill" is the third single from the band's third album, Let's Get Out of This Country.

Scottish indie-pop band Camera Obscura have been around since 1996, but are one of those bands that is on the cusp of rising popularity. It's a shame that success has eluded them for a career spanning over a decade, but I guess it's better late than never.

"If Looks Could Kill" has a Shangri-Las style of bounciness, with its opening line of "Tell me where it all went wrong" as lead singer Tracyanne Campbell tries to explain to a clueless chap exactly why he's upset his girlfriend. The upbeat melody, however, overshadows the excruciatingly heart-breaking lyrics, "If it's true looks could kill and you will be the first to make me mad / Then you'll have to go".

"If Looks Could Kill" is a simply joyous Motown-style indie-soul stunner. The limited 7" version comes with exclusive B-side, "I Know How I Love You", a cover of the Phil Spector-produced Paris Sisters classic.

Paperplain - 11:30 (7", Too Pure)

Paperplain is the alias for analogue-loving 18-year old, Helen Louise Page. She records songs on an old 8-track in her bedroom (everyone seems to be doing that these days), two of which were released by Too Pure as a single.

"11:30" is an incredibly intimate & gentle track. Helen has one of those voices that feels like she's singing to you personally, and she employs the eight-track to great effect. Her hushed tones and raw talent, hidden behind the hiss and clicks, results in endearingly honest music.

"Spin Wheel" on the B-side is more of the fragile vocals accompanied by simple acoustic guitar. Helen may only be starting out, but this is quite the debut. The single was mastered at Abbey Road, and has the following etched into the runout grooves:
Side A: "IT WILL BE OKAY"
Side B: "SPIN WHEEL; YOU'RE LIT!"

Your 33 Black Angels - Tales of My Pop-Rock Love Life (LP, no label)

I finally received both my copies of Y33BA's latest offering, Tales of My Pop-Rock Love Life (let's call it TMPRLL for short). In the tradition of their earlier offering, Lonely Street, TMPRLL is also a limited-edition album with hand-printed silk-screened cover. TMPRLL is, however, a double album. In my view, that's a bold move for a second album, but Y33BA make this record as organic and nonindulgent as their debut.

TMPRLL can best be described as an opus, filled with musings on love, death, memory, violence and politics. Adding to the theme of memory and retrospection, guitarist and original keyboard player, Tim Mumford’s 2006 death became both an undercurrent and an inspiration for the record. With Mumford having written "Modern Marvels" and the title track before passing, TMPRLL became a creative jumping off points and, in Josh’s words, the name of the album became homage to Mumford’s "magical song".

This album thrusts Y33BA to the next level, and I for one can't wait for their next album.

I received a poster reprint of the cover with my first copy (#5/500), but I think those are sold out as my second copy (#48/500) didn't have it.

The Magic Numbers - Love's A Game (7", Heavenly)

This is one of those few tracks that's uplifting and melancholy at the same time. The third single from their debut album, this track is more subtle than their previous hits, "Love You Like Me" & "Forever Lost".

The Stodart and Gannon siblings retain their trademark boy/girl harmonies (reminiscent of The Mamas And The Papas) and the jangly indie guitars, with lead singer Romeo Stodart's fragile vocals making this a pleasant track.

"Love's A Game" is neither uptempo nor a ballad - it's somewhere in between the two. This is one of those tracks that it's easy to have ambiguous feelings towards. It's not going to stick in your head for very long, however it's pleasant all the same.

I managed to get an autographed copy of the single, so if nothing else it's a nice collectable.