Splitting the dividing line between power pop and rock, effortlessly, and all with the aid of a banjo?! In the early 90's in Dublin the band with the biggest buzz about them were Juniper, but then things went awry and their singer, Damien Rice, left to pursue a solo career. The remainder of the band became Bell X1, and now, their second album, and in particular this tune, gloriously gives the finger to all those who labelled them as Rice's backing band. The lyrical references are poetic and incomprehensible, perhaps except to those who grew up in an Ireland where Chris de Burgh wrote some good songs, and Yeats poems were learned by rote as 'education'. The music has the short sharp shock of jumping in an ice cold lake in summer time. Brilliant.

 

Keith Richards famously lamented the racism inherent amongst music critics, who fall over themselves to praise the great blues legends who continue to produce albums in their 'later' years. He may have had a point, not in relation to the Stones, who are the living proof that sometimes it is better to fade away, but none could argue that John Martyn has been criminally neglected by the music press. A contemporary of Nick Drake, his biggest career mistake was to be physically resilient - if he'd died, like Drake, his legendary status would be assured. Instead he's had a lifetime of ups and downs and musical developments, as if he's been growing into his voice, which, as showcased on this tune, is magnificent. For those who revered his 70's classic 'Solid Air', they'll be happy to hear a stripped down guitar sound, foresaking the echo box experiments and reminding us of how good he still is.

 

There are two elements linking the prolific releases of Thea Gilmore, one is her hauntingly beautiful voice, and the other is her inspired ability to write a lyric. In a world where the finest songwriters are/were expected to be a) male and b) possessed of a voice that at best is an acquired taste (see Dylan, Young, Cohen, and personal favourite Shane McGowan), Gilmore is a revelation. The music is sparse, and when combined with a simple but crafted lyric, delivered by such a beautiful voice, it's impossible to resist.

 

Italian Hip-Hop - you must be joking! Well, no - not really, though there's a light hearted approach to Caparezza's political grooves. His 2nd album has shot him to MTV and chart success in Italy, but we at the Monkeys are addicted to this track from his first release. Imagine Jay - Z meets Cypress Hill, by way of Mexicans Control Machete, with a dollop of Italian style anarchism stirred in, and you'll get the picture.

 

 

"My Love is bigger than your love, it takes more drugs than a touring funk band. SING IT" - in a word, demented. It's not to say that their subsequent recordings are any less strange or wonderful, but this single from their 2002 album remains so over the top in its brilliance that we can't get enough of it. This is what punk rock should have been/be. Unmissable. It demands your attention. Forget all the nonsense about bands like the Hives, the Distillers etc - this is all you need.

 

This may have the more fashion conscious shaking their heads in disbelief, and certainly there were enough duds during Catatonia's brief success to merit scorn, but there's something truly unique about Matthews' voice, that in the right setting is spellbinding. God damn it! For whatever reason, possibly domestic bliss and the arrival of her first child, last year's first solo album dissapeared with precious little fanfare, but this serenade to the bottle is intimate and confessional, without being mawkish or depressing.

 

The closest thing to optimism both musically and lyrically from the Belgian band's thoughtful, melodic From here to there album. We know precious little about the band, and could probably care less, preferring to imagine bloated bodies with angelic voices dreaming of the Southern Sun and some sort of escape from a grey landscape. There's a good tune to it all as well.