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.

Queens Of The Stone Age - Make It Wit Chu' (7", Polydor)

I have to admit that I'm not a fan of QOTSA. Their brand of stoner rock/death metal has never appealed to me. That's probably why I like "Make It Wit Chu'" so much.

"Make It Wit Chu'" is perhaps the bluesiest track QOTSA have ever written, with a side of booty-shakin' funk. The track was first played live at the Desert Sessions (with PJ Harvey on backing vocals), and appeared on the bands live DVDs. It finally made its way to an album with 2007's Era Vulgaris.

Lyrically, there's not much to the track. It's a lovers lament, with Homme doing a seductive falsetto over a pseudo-funk riff that will stick in your head. Here Homme’s ultra melodic delivery makes perfect sense, fluttering over a slow, soulful boogie. There’s something Neil Young-like in the shuffle of piano and drums, and particularly in the long-noted guitar solo. It’s also as close as QOTSA gets to a love song, jaded about life ("Sometimes the same is different/But mostly it’s the same"), but unusually direct and open-hearted. The only downside about the song is the way it finishes, in a series of big distorted guitar notes that are totally out of place in this track.

The album version of the single (pictured above) is backed with "Needles in the camel's eye", while the acoustic version is backed with a cover of Billy Idol's "White Wedding".

It Hugs Back - Carefully (7", Safe & Sound)

With a name like It Hugs Back, you'd expect a lovely, big, warm embrace of a sound, wrapping its arms around you and caressing all the troubles of the world away. And that's just what It Hugs Back provides.

It Hugs Back create a carefully crafted sound, inspired by Stereolab, Sonic Youth and Wilco. On "Carefully", lead singer Matthew's engagingly delicate voice is combined with unusual arrangements like an upright bass and subtle horns to form an exceptionally distinctive sound.

Flip over to the B-side for the instrumental "Sometimes the Sun", and you'll be treated to more glorious sounds. Hand claps, whistles and deftly plucked chords transport you to a more idyllic place.

It Hugs Back have yet to release an album, but get your hands on all five of their singles. They're keepers.