iLiKETRAiNS : "Spencer Perceval" (Beggars Banquet)

The rather charming Czech blog, Getecho, alerted me to the new iLiKETRAiNS single, "Spencer Perceval". I was quite impressed with the brooding nature of their "Progress: Reform" Ep last year and featured them in the tips for 2007 post. This track is eccentrically English, dark, epic and is what I'd call progress from this young band. It has the potential to propel them into the big leagues. This is what Sigur Ros would have sounded like if they had to put up with the miserable UK weather. The video is also pretty excellent and reminds me of some of those stunning Tool promos. Impressive stuff all round. The single was released on March 26th

This is the band's explanation of the themes of the single:

"Spencer Perceval is a colossal nine and half minutes, reciting the story of the only successful assassination of a British Prime Minister in 1812. The song is written from murderer John Bellingham's perspective whilst its accompanying track I am Murdered is sung from the perspective of Spencer himself. Both tracks were produced by the band late 2006 in the first recording session for their forthcoming debut album. Read more about the history of both the murderer and the murdered "

If you want to find out the story of Spencer Perceval, go here.

Points of Interest...

1. If there any aspiring writers or anyone with some opinions on musical, political or artistic issues. Ask for a inivite to the Hidden Shoal Recordings project FluxusTV. There is an ever-growing band of like-minded individuals posting their thoughs and sharing their interests at this intriguing venture. I've joined up and it looks very good fun.

2. Arclight Communications have confirmed that they will release Romance of Young Tigers self-titled ep via 10" vinyl this year and it will feature a bonus track. It will be limited to just 400 copies.

3. Mark 6/02/07 in your diaries, because n5md will issue their latest batch of "emotional experiments in music". Albums by Sweden's Tobias Lilja and Canadians SubtractiveLAD and Arc Lab will be released on this day.

4. Two of my tips for 2007 will be releasing new material very soon. iLiKETRAiNS will have a new single, "Spencer Perceval" out on 26/03/07. While, Slow Dancing Society officially releases "The Sound of Lights When Turned Dim" this coming Monday. Order it here

5. Keser will return to Glasgow on 23/01/07 to play a free gig at everyone's favourite late night bar, Bloc. ÅsA are also due to play at what should be an excellent night for contemporary Scottish music.

Tips for 2007

This is a blatant rip-off, of Brett Spaceman’s article which you can read here. But it’s a great idea. So here are my top tips for 2007. I expect (or hope) each of these bands or artists to make a significant impact this year.
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Romance of Young Tigers

This Dayton, Ohio three-piece absolutely blew me away with their self- titled, self-released Ep. They make one incredible sound using just two guitars and one bass. I was inclined to give it a 90% score in this review, with “Long Withdrawing Roar” and “We Sing Sin” being some tremendous compositions. The Ep will be getting a release, via Arclight Communications, on 10” vinyl in 2007. There is an aura of something special surrounding this band. Remember seeing Explosions In The Sky for the first time?, well I reckon this band are in the same catergory. Romance of Young Tigers are destined for very the top.


immanu el

Like Brett Spaceman, I too, reckon 2007 may belong to Sweden’s immanu el. Listen to “Panda” here and tell me it is not one of the most glorious pieces of music you have ever heard. The band are at the final recording stage of the new album, which will be a mix of old and new material. I, for one, hope the band continue exploring those serene, glacial soundscapes. This is THE must have record of 2007.



The Strange Death Of Liberal England

An Ultra-cool name and an ultra-cool sound to boot. The UK may have just found an answer to those pesky Canadians, Arcade Fire. This male and female six piece, also flavour their sound with a cinematic Godspeed sweep. Their debut single is due out soon, watch them explode.


iLIKETRAINS

Much like Brett Spaceman (again!!), iLIKETRAINS too. Last year’s “Progress:Reform” Ep hinted at an epic Sigur Ros style sound. But being English, gives this band a certain degree of eccentricity and those brooding vocals blend effortlessly with massive sounding guitars. They have enormous potential, let this band win you over.


Strap The Button

It must be very cool to be a member of Strap The Button. The rule is, there are no rules and anything goes. Post-Rock, Folk, Krautrock, Psychedelia anything and everything, really. God only knows, what they will do next, but one thing is for sure its going to be good.


Our Sleepless Forest

Type Records rarely get it wrong and they seem to have scored another goal by signing this young South-East London three piece. Currently recording their debut for Type, it is taking shape while the band hone their experimental psychedelic/electronic sound into a fine art. This is one of my most anticipated releases of 2007.


Engine7

Glasgow’s Engine7 has been under the radar for too long. Various releases are available on netlabel’s, but now its time for the music buying public to sit up and take notice. “Me, But Perfect” took 2 years to record, but these efforts have been worth it. The album features inventive beats, lush string arrangements, hazy guitars and filtered vocals, “Me, But Perfect” basically has it all and is set to be one of the most refreshing releases of 2007.


Alexander Tucker

This guy was meant to be nothing more than a mere support act for Bardo Pond a couple of months ago. But, while Bardo Pond were plagued by time and sound issues, ATP artist Alexander Tucker stole the show with his brand of looped guitar effects and operatic vocals. His experiments that night created a massive wall of hypnotic sound. “The absolute negative of Jamie Liddell”, Tucker’s album “Furrowed Sounds” was released last year, but 2007 will be the year the rest of the world will catch on.


Slow Dancing Society

Utterly gorgeous stuff from Washington based producer Drue Sullivan. A stunning collection encompassing Pink Floyd’s ethereal guitars, Explosions In The Sky melodies, shimmering synhts and delicate electronica. Australian label, Hidden Shoal Records, didn’t mess about, signing this guy immediately upon hearing the demo. “The Sound Of Lights When Dim” is inspiring. Full Review to follow.