Constantines

So I wanted to tell you about Constantines because they are kind of my life right now. I’ve had their 2003 album Shine a Light playing non-stop since I discovered them a couple of months ago.

There are a few tracks which, at first listen, might appear a bit pedestrian. The first track is your standard hard rock/punk intro and Young Lions – the only track released as a single from this album – is what you’d expect; a catchy, mellow indie tune, kind of similar in style to the National’s output.

However, delve a little deeper and you find some really great tunes like the title track; a cacophonous delight of smashy guitars and drums. The use of brass instruments in some songs is inspired – particularly in Goodbye Baby and Amen. If you listen to that song and don’t die of heartbreak then, well, I just don’t know anymore. That song is everything to me right now – when the brass kicks in at the 2nd chorus it’s fucking rad man. I even love the experimental jazz-style trumpet tootle which makes me feel like I’m in that episode of The Mighty Boosh, you know the one where the evil jazz cell infects Vince?

Anyway, what this album lacks in structure, it makes for times infinity with amazing songs that make me forgive any issues I had. Insectivora was the song that made me fall in love with the album and that love has only intensified.

Bryan Webb’s voice is brilliant, from Shine a Light's murmured verses, to the inevitable shouty denouement of every song pretty much, to On to You wherein he at times channels the late great Phil Lynott. Some songs sound a bit Foals-y too, in terms of jangly guitar riffs and even vocals. There’s something for everyone!

I just love them, and I’m sure there’ll be some people who read this who’ll love it just as much.

Django Django

After another lengthy break (sorry!), I'm going to cover a relatively new band for a change.

I heard Django Django's single Hail Bop on Radio 6 Music last year and immediately wanted to check out their album because it sounded like exactly my kind of thing. And if atmospheric, slow build-up indie with electronic influences is our mutual bag, I'd definitely advise you do the same.

Their self-titled debut is a chilled out, psychedelic roam through the desert, reminiscent of some of my favourite bands growing up. Their harmonies are a bit Beach Boys at times, which was my prevailing impression at first listen, especially in the track Firewater. Their drummer is actually the younger brother of The Beta Band keyboardist John Maclean, which makes a lot of sense if you're a fan of theirs. A lot of parallels are there to be drawn. The sound effects sampled in Zumm Zumm spring to mind for instance.

A very summery album, the robot beats keep it bouncing along nicely and it's really accessible. I loved it from first listen rather than it being a grower, despite the complexities apparent in DD's song writing and playing. You'll also most likely recognise their song WOR from the BT Sport advert.

I'm sure these Mercury nominees have a pretty hefty fan base already, but if you haven't heard them you should think about looking them up, I've become pretty fond of them since first discovering this album and I think most people would enjoy it.

Gomez

These aren't so obscure, particularly not to me. I was brought up listening to Gomez alongside such greats as Van Morrison and The Eagles; to me they're a classic and therefore it seems like they should be to everyone else.

Gomez are pretty successful, more so in America I believe (a song of theirs features in the movie American Beauty) - but quite a few people aren't aware of their music and  this is a sin, which I am here to rectify.

I'd say their best albums are Liquid Skin and Bring It On, the latter of which contains perhaps their most famous song, Whippin' Piccadilly. They're a British Indie band whose use of electric mixing and sounds mingle with jazz influences to create a unique style, funky and bluesy but also modern.

Ben Ottewell's voice is fantastic; powerful and gravelly - and the variety of voices and instruments they employ along with their imaginative, if occasionally nonsensical lyrics ("open hearted surgery never works" ... except it does, doesn't it lads?), are a joy to listen to. From the soulful sensuality of Rosalita (Liquid Skin) to the bouncy energy of Detroit Swing 66 (In Our Gun) and Get Myself Arrested's pure coolness (Bring It On), Gomez are consistently wonderful.

Check them and their entire back catalogue out, you won't regret it.

Another Earth

This is what is going to be an uncommon occurrence - a film review.  For the simple reason that advertisement of films is an easy and immediate process; you see a trailer and know whether you want to watch it.  So good films get watched by a lot of people.  This isn't necessarily the case with music (as many great albums take several listens to make an impact) and even less so with books. A blurb is a pitiful excuse for a word trailer.  However, if I know of a great film which I believe to be under-valued I will give it a mention - such as now with this one. 

Another Earth was released in 2011 and won awards at the Maui and Sundance Festivals that year.  On the face of it, it's a sci-fi centring on the discovery of a nearby planet identical to Earth; not only host to intelligent life but an echo of our world - same cities, same people, same lives and events.  This element of the film takes a back seat however, to make room for the story of Rhoda Williams.  

Brit Marling plays the young woman whose prospects are shattered by a horrific accident in which her mistakes lead to the deaths of a woman and child.  Four years on we rejoin her life, freed from incarceration but forced by anxiety, depression and a criminal record to take on a cleaning job at her former school.

She seeks out the man (played by William Mapother) who's wife and child were killed because of her and - by an unusual but believable series of events - takes a job cleaning his house, whose dingy interior and state of disrepair reflect clearly that his life too, has become empty and miserable.  The four years have led to acceptance of his loss, but made it no less painful.

Throughout the film, the two become closer and their hesitant friendship brings some brightness to each of their lives. This relationship and its journey towards inevitable complications and heartbreak makes for a compelling human drama, set against the constant backdrop of 'Earth 2' and the inescapable news coverage of its discovery.  Beautiful cinematography and the constant image of the mirror planet hanging in the sky contrasts with the bleak reality of the two main characters' lives.  

The unsteady, sometimes blurry handheld camera work which marks this out as a low-budget independent film - as well as the extremely subtle acting by the two leads - creates a strong feeling of realness which lays the tragic subject matter bare.  

This film is extremely affecting.  Its themes of pain and loss really bring home the randomness of the universe and how everything can change in an instant. And the fact that a lot about the newly discovered Earth is not revealed keeps the viewer's interest alive.  You can't help but be intrigued by the idea of a parallel planet and its implications.

Another Earth is a beautiful, engaging story of pain, dark truths, love and relationships.  Maybe not suitable if you're looking for an evening of light viewing but it's wonderful and you should watch it.