Circa Waves | Soundcloud

Mark my words: Liverpool garage rock quartet Circa Waves are going to make some pretty big waves on the indie scene, and pretty soon. Formed in 2012, they have already been signed to Virgin records, touring with the likes of Interpol, and performing at major festivals in the UK, before even dropping their debut album. With pulsing rhythms reminiscent of the Vaccines and punkish lure akin to the Libertines, it’s no wonder they have already garnered attention from the likes of NME and Zane Lowe. Their music is undeniably addictive, marked with a youthful charm and a sense of urgency. Listen to their music below and be sure to be on the look out for their debut.

A little over a year since the release of their debut album, all I can say is I still honestly don’t know what to expect from the Vaccines. Their debut was a glorious tumult of vintage-esque British rock, catapulting them into the libraries of fans of such exalted Brit rock bands as Arctic Monkeys and Kasabian. It was an exhilarating sugar rush of rock and roll and it was over all too fast. Just when we thought we had their sound nailed, however, they released the Please Please Do Not Disturb EP on their website. Four dusty acoustic-picked demos long, it’s the sort of melancholy nostalgia you want to turn on before bedtime. It’s definitely more sedated than what we’re used to from them, which just goes to show their range. It’s consistent with frontman Justin Young’s former solo stuff as Jay Jay Pistolet. It’s definitely worth snagging. Download it here. Fo free.

The West London four-piece are due to release their sophomore album in just a few days. I’ve listened to it through and I can say it’s definitely worth getting excited about, especially if you liked their first album. Stream it at the Guardian.

Track List, Downloads & Free Candy after the jump (more…)

You might have just had to do a double take but that man is not a young Paul McCartney. He is Miles Kane and he is a vision in guyliner. Mr. Kane recently released this EP, following his debut solo album “Colour of the Trap.” He has a very consistent sound, so if you heard his album and liked it, you’ll like this. If he is a new act for you, he has a ’60s rock throwback appeal.

For Fans of: Kasabian, Arctic Monkeys, Alex Turner

1. First of My Kind
[audio:https://controlaltdelight.com/album%20reviews/first%20of%20my%20kind/01%20First%20Of%20My%20Kind.mp3]
2. Night Runner
[audio:https://controlaltdelight.com/album%20reviews/first%20of%20my%20kind/02%20Night%20Runner.mp3]
3. Looking Out My Window
[audio:https://controlaltdelight.com/album%20reviews/first%20of%20my%20kind/03%20Looking%20Out%20My%20Window.mp3]
4. Colour of the Trap (Acoustic)
[audio:https://controlaltdelight.com/album%20reviews/first%20of%20my%20kind/04%20Colour%20Of%20The%20Trap%20%28Acoustic%29.mp3]

Free Candy

The Last Shadowpuppets – In the Heat of the Morning
[audio:https://controlaltdelight.com/album%20reviews/first%20of%20my%20kind/04%20In%20The%20Heat%20Of%20The%20Morning.mp3]

I would have dreams about Arctic Monkeys and Miles Kane making music together and those dreams finally came true in the form of S.I.A.S. b-side “Little Illusion Machine” for which Sr.Kane provided the vocals. This is one of two songs that Arctics have released under the moniker “Death Ramps” which is pretty much just the band’s edgier alter-ego. This song is everything you’d have expected from a Miles Kane and Arctic Monkeys colab. It meets somewhere between “Rearrange” and “Don’t Sit Down (Cause I’ve Moved Your Chair)” with elements of “You and I.” It is something beautiful.
P.S. Download “Electricity,” Arctic Monkey’s last song from the Suck It and See era. Ergo, the last song they release before their next album (which is on the way woo-hoo). So much Helders. So much O’Malley. So many good things.

Arctic Monkeys – Electricity
[audio:https://controlaltdelight.com/album%20reviews/DEATH%20RAMPS%20/Electricity.mp3]

The Soft Pack

I was fortunate enough (understatement) to get tickets for the sold out Soft Pack/Arctic Monkeys show at the Glasshouse in Pomona this week. Though I’d already seen the Soft Pack once and Arctic Monkeys twice, I was really just excited to see them in such an intimate venue. Granted, Arctic Monkeys are one of my all-time favorite bands. There are times when I would rather stay in and listen to Arctics by myself than hang out with a lot of people–a slightly sad but true statement. And I’ve met and bonded with some of my best friends over Arctic Monkeys. They’re just one of those bands that if you love them, you loooooooove them. In any case, I was pretty stoked to see them again.

The Soft Pack opened for them and got the energy in the place really stirring. They’re just some cool dudes with cool style. Their beach-rock vibes are quite addictive and make for a pretty rad live performance. My only complaint was that their set was really short. I’d love to see them again, hopefully with a longer set list.

The Soft Pack-Extinction
[audio:https://controlaltdelight.com/album%20reviews/the%20soft%20packkkkkk/08%20Extinction.mp3]
The Soft Pack-Right & Wrong
[audio:https://controlaltdelight.com/album%20reviews/the%20soft%20packkkkkk/01%20Right%20%26%20Wrong.mp3]
The Soft Pack-Answer to Yourself
[audio:https://controlaltdelight.com/album%20reviews/the%20soft%20packkkkkk/03%20Answer%20To%20Yourself.mp3]
The Soft Pack-Beside Myself
[audio:https://controlaltdelight.com/album%20reviews/the%20soft%20packkkkkk/02%20Beside%20Myself.mp3]

I don’t really know where to begin with the Arctics’ performance other than it was all around the best experience I’ve ever had at a concert. It completely exceeded my expectations–which were high, mind you, because Arctics have a reputation as being stellar live performers. Their energy was incredible, their sound spot on. And on top of that, the entire audience was in love. The fact that the Glasshouse is such a small venue (the stage isn’t really a stage at all, it’s more of a ramp) only amplified the experience. My only qualm with their set list was that it ended. Other than that, they played everything I would have wanted them to, including two of their S.I.A.S. b-sides, Evil Twin and R U Mine? They came back for an encore and played Suck It and See, Fluorescent Adolescent and closed with 505. I hate to sound melodramatic or trite, but this show was the closest I have ever been to perfection. I’m dying to see them again in another small venue.

Arctic Monkeys-Do Me a Favour
[audio:https://controlaltdelight.com/album%20reviews/the%20soft%20packkkkkk/07%20Do%20Me%20A%20Favour.mp3]
Arctic Monkeys-Suck It and See
[audio:https://controlaltdelight.com/album%20reviews/the%20soft%20packkkkkk/11%20Suck%20It%20And%20See.mp3]
Arctic Monkeys-Love Is a Laserquest
[audio:https://controlaltdelight.com/album%20reviews/the%20soft%20packkkkkk/10%20Love%20Is%20A%20Laserquest.mp3]
Arctic Monkeys-Evil Twin
[audio:https://controlaltdelight.com/album%20reviews/the%20soft%20packkkkkk/Evil%20Twin.mp3]

To download: right click > save/download file

If Miles Kane isn’t already on your radar he should be, especially if you’re into British rock or 1960’s inspired rock. And especially if you’re into good music. He’s the chap that plays along side Arctic Monkeys headman Alex Turner in The Last Shadow Puppets (among other things) and he recently released his debut album, “The Colour of the Trap.” His debut was all things stunning–shimmering rock nostalgia. He’s set to release a followup EP next month (actually, on the same day that Arctic Monkeys are releasing their final b-side from Suck It an See). My calendar is marked. But in the meantime, he released a song the other day to tide us over. It’s amazing. It left me speechless. Take a listen:

Miles Kane – First of My Kind by Miles Kane

Do I Want You? by Miles Kane
The Meeting Place by the Last Shadow Puppets

CoachellAltDelight brings attention to special artists that will be featured in Indio come April.
Some we love. Some we just discovered. All good stuff.
Click here for more from this series.
33 (40) Days

To be honest, I had a minor heart-attack when I saw Kasabian on the Coachella 2012 line-up. Probably because they’re one of my all-time favorite bands and I’ve been dying to see them live for quite some time. Simply put, they’re just cool. Some of the coolest, actually. No one does rock and roll like them. And their live performance would be an other-worldly experience. They released their fourth album, Velociraptor! last year. In true Kasabian form, it was awesome. You’re not going to want to miss these guys on Saturday, trust me.

Goodbye Kiss
Happiness
Processed Beats
Shoot the Runner
Underdog