Too Many Zooz

This band have been my fave for like the last three months and my love for them has not waned.  You may have seen the viral video on Facebook, of Too Many Zooz's saxophonist and drummer busking on a New York subway platform (if you haven't you need to).  That was where I first encountered them; turns out there's also a trumpet player and two full albums available on Spotify!

Too Many Zooz play music like I've never heard before.  Most of it is instrumental, athough they enlisted a number of guest vocalists to rap on a few tracks on their album Subway Gawdz.  Sometimes they invoke Latin brass music, reminiscent of the Dexter soundtrack; other times you can definitely hear a heavy jazz influence; but the off key trumpet sections and dramatic crescendos make me think more of contemporary drum and bass or dubstep (is dubstep even a thing anymore?).

The earliest album on Spotify, Fanimals, is only six tracks long but not a single one of them is bad.  I love that album so much right now.  I would probably say Subway Gawdz is the slightly more accessible of the two however, since Fanimals is completely instrumental and I think a lot of people find it difficult to get used to a lack of vocals.

Whichever album you're listening to though, it's loud, it's dirty, it's different, it's in your face, and I think it's bloody fantastic.  I can't get enough, and I can't not dance whenever they're playing.  If you're looking for something new to listen to/obsess over, and are willing to approach with an open mind, you should definitely seek out Too Many Zooz.  Ugh, I can't even convey to you how good they are - seriously, go listen to them.

I was so disappointed to find out that I missed their recent live appearances in London by just a couple of months - hopefully they'll come back in the future, I'll be there in a shot.

Saxophonist Leo P also plays in Lucky Chops, who - from what I've heard - play more traditional big band music, similar to the swing-style work from the Cherry Poppin' Daddies.  I haven't made as much of an effort to listen to their stuff to be honest, they sound good but they're just coming from a different place to TMZ.

I'm always interested in discovering bands who offer something new, and Too Many Zooz are the best example of that I've encountered in a long time.

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.

The Cherry Poppin' Daddies

To be honest, the band name may be enough in itself to lure you in - I know it was for me.

The Cherry Poppin' Daddies are a versatile bunch; I think it would be fair to say that they mainly stick to the ska genre, but that isn't really my bag. If it is yours however, then by all means check out their recent compilation, Skaboy JFK. Even for someone not that keen on ska, there are some very good songs on there - Hi and Lo is pretty catchy.
 
The Daddies have a useful habit of combining all of their songs which are of a similar style on compilations. The one which I listen to a ridiculous amount is Zoot Suit Riot, which contains most of their swing inspired tunes. And it is fantastic: Steve Perry's swarthy, jaunty voice, combined with high octane drums and about as much brass as you could possibly handle, make for maybe the most fun album I've reviewed here.

This album is musically accomplished but makes it look oh so easy, combining a classic style of crooning with some casual cursing, adult content and often comical lyrics. They just have it all!

Their more recent album, Susquehanna is also excellent, often channeling a more 'flamenco' vibe with a lot of Spanish guitar and frantic beats. Roseanne is a long-standing favourite of mine, filled with passion and emotion and beautiful lyrics, showing yet another string to this group's (if anything, too stringy) bow. The Mongoose and the Snake is another brilliant track on that album, but I can't just sit here listing all of the brilliant songs the Cherry Poppin' Daddies have penned - that would make for a very long and boring article and a tired Spodle.

... well, just one more: the first song I actually heard by CPD was Irish Whiskey which appears on two of their albums, which has much more of a classic rock feel to it, though with some ska elements (depending on which version you listen to - I prefer the Soul Caddy one) and the dizzying momentum and string accompaniment associated with the American Irish tradition of Flogging Molly and Dropkick Murphys. If you like those bands, I imagine you would like the Cherry Poppin' Daddies - it would be difficult not to find something you like amongst their plethora of different albums and styles.

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.

The Dresden Dolls

I absolutely effing love the Dresden Dolls.  They are sublime.

Amanda Palmer's wailing vocals and off-key piano playing may not be for everyone but to me they embody everything I love about 'weird' music.  Weird means different, means like nothing you've heard before.  It means original and unique, and that's what I look for in a band.

Their début album - my favourite - ranges from the manic silliness of Girl Anachronism and Coin-Operated Boy to the sad, soulful vulnerability of Half Jack, with Palmer's fun and poetic lyrics often touching on something deep, dark and disturbing - like in the troubling Slide.

Brian Viglione's drumming is punchy and imaginative, keeping the songs strong and surprising. The two elements of the band work together perfectly and it's a testament to their genius that they can achieve so complete a sound without guitar or bass players.

Dresden Dolls' mix of cabaret, twisted classical crescendo and punk makes for fresh and beautiful listening.  Their self-titled first album is one of those records that comprises brilliant songs but also comes together as a whole to create a work of art; a sepia-toned, Plath-inspired, pain-tinged, musically accomplished masterpiece that never fails to touch and engage me.

I know a lot of people won't like this album - it's definitely a grower - but I think it's awesome and everyone should give them a listen.

This is a song from their second album, which is creeping ever closer to the first's top spot the more I listen to it, as it has some wonderful songs on it.  Delilah has been a favourite for a while.

Songs of Love, Loss and Debauchery

Now here is a band that is criminally underrated.  And again, one about whom no-one except my good friend Jayne, who introduced me to them, seems to have heard (in my experience).  Even the guy we got talking to when we got to see them live was there to see someone else. 

Kill It Kid are fantastic, and this is one of my favourite ever albums.  Produced by Eels and PJ Harvey producer John Parish as a teaching exercise at Bath University, its complex riffs, grinding bluegrass-style guitar and heavy beats are right up my alley.  To go along with those, there's folksy harmonies, beautiful lyrics and - in my mind - an incredible violinist (Richard Jones, who unfortunately left the band after this album).

Lead singer Chris Turpin's vocals are bluesy and unique - the power of his voice only became fully apparent to me when I saw him perform on stage.  I wondered how that sound didn't damage him on its way out.  And it's perfectly complimented by the other singer/keyboardist Stephanie Ward, whose delicate feminine tone harmonises wonderfully with his throaty timbre. 

An evocative album, it always puts me in mind of dusty desert roads and the deep South - even after the surprising revelation that it's creators are a group of English university students.  

I urge you to listen to this album - I cannot fault it and I never tire of it.  

Darlings of the Splitscreen

For my first music related post I thought I'd go uber-obscure with a band whom nobody (save the person who introduced me to them years ago - and I suspect he may have known them personally since they are from Sheffield) seems to have heard of: Darlings of the Splitscreen. I used to listen to them constantly despite their limited back catalogue and still go back to them regularly. 

They spout a brand of funky electro-pop with more energy than much else out there at the moment - with fun and clever lyrics epitomised in the track In/Out and computer based robotic riffs like that of Juxtaposed, they offer a low-budget, up-tempo bubblegum style that I feel is lacking in pop music.

I am espousing their merits now as there seems to have been a bit of a dearth in their material in the past few years and I fear that their already negligible fame will slide into nothingness pretty soon. And I feel they're talented enough to deserve a bit of exposure.

The best place to hear most of their songs is on their myspace page: http://www.myspace.com/darlingsofthesplitscreen/
and their EP This Is How We Roll is available on iTunes.
They also have at least one music video on YouTube.

So go and check them out, I hope you enjoy. Here's the only song of theirs I could find on SoundCloud; the WTF Panda Club remix of one of my favourite DOTS song, Hiroshima:


https://soundcloud.com/massnerder/darlings-of-the-splitscreen-hiroshima-wtf-panda-club-remix