Recently Ive found myself looking back more than forward for quality music, as there are a plethora of hidden gems out there. The Lines for instance are one. Their music coexisted between contemporaries Wire, Joy Division, The Feelies or Mission of Burma.
Although they played shows with bands like The Cure, Bauhaus, The Sound and Birthday Party, and featured members of Prag Vec and Alternative TV, they were never part of any scene. They never toured and rarely spoke to the press. For 5 years they performed and recorded to little acclaim, leaving only 8 releases on vinyl, which have become cult collectibles. While unappreciated in their time, they perfectly encapsulate the best qualities of the era: angst-ridden angularity, danceable catchiness, dub-influenced atmospherics, sonic experimentation and killer hooks.

MP3: The Lines – Have A Heart
MP3: The Lines – Stripe

John Maus, when he’s taking time out from Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti, has found the time to release some great solo records. 2007’s Love is Real was described as ‘an upbeat Joy Division’ which isn’t true but it gives you an idea of the sound. Like being deep in an an ocean of synths where everything echoes and everyone’s sad.

Do Your Best is a standout track and Too much Money is by far the most up-tempo track on the record.

MP3: John Maus – Do Your Best

MP3: John Maus – Too Much Money

Similarly, I’ve been obsessed with this Laurie Anderson track for weeks now. Dark, moody, seductive and apocalyptic, it like a neon light on a hot summer night. Love you Laurie.

MP3: Laurie Anderson – Speak My Language

I…love…this album. Nowhere is one of THE best shoegaze albums of the 90’s. After Loveless obviously. I would like the re-spread the love of these British gentlemen, because it seems like people are just getting onto My Bloody Valentine and not some of the other, great stuff out there. Well, here is my favourite track of Ride’s debut album.
MP3: Ride – Nowhere

First of all, how good were Cut Copy back in the day of the I Thought Of Numbers EP. Not that I still dont love them, but back then it was such a different sound. Full of samples and quirkly, jumpy little synth stabs. Now, Ive actually got a track that I wanted someone to help me with. Its an old one called Stars from like 2003, and I cant find what its from. Couldnt even find it on Discogs. Was it ever on an official Cut Copy release?
MP3: Cut Copy – Stars

Most of you would have heard this original which is an absolute classic, but Tronik Youth have had a stab at messing with it, which as wrong as it should be, is actually quite good. Pulls it apart and sews it back completely wrong, like if you were actually friends with Frankenstein.
MP3: Joy Division – She’s Lost Control (Tronik Youth Shred It Edit)

Next up is a band out of Toronto, The Cansecos who happen to be SXSW this year (like every single outher band on the planet it seems) and produce some fun, danceable indie pop. Honestly, Raised By Wolves (not a cover) isnt really anything explosively new, but it does bubble along quite nicely and good if your after some some rather unchallenging sounds.
MP3: The Cansecos – Raised By Wolves

What else have we got? The Emergency from here in freezing old Melbourne have been doing the rounds for a while now and Im surprised they haven’t really exploded. Perhaps not up-tempo enough for most, which I can understand. Even their live show isnt all that energetic, but the music is great. Go see them, buy their stuff etc.
MP3: The Emergency – Vanishing Prize

A Town In City consists of Travis MacDonald and Tristan Davies and at times sound like TV on the Radio with deep, fuzzy riffs, along with the dark, depressive vocals and mood of Jesus & Mary Chain or Joy Division. The recordings obviously sound very raw, but this is a band to watch. ‘Mr. K’s Arcade Invertables’ is an example of how well two guys can give such a full sound, much in the way you often forget that the Black Keys are just two men. Supporting The Renderers (nz) and Into The Void (nz) this Valentines Day at the Northcote Social Club. Come with your girl (or guy, depending on your sex and sexuality). Should be $12 on the door.

MP3: A Town In The City – Mr. K’s Arcade Invertables

MP3: A Town In The City – I Wish My Mind Was A Video Tape