Emily Wells… Distracted by a small flying saucer that got in through the window
The Rest of This Week’s Singles: Emily Wells, The D.O.T., Ron Sexsmith and more!
Published on May 2nd, 2013 | Jonny Abrams
Go on, then: have the rest of this week’s singles, you scamps…
Amplify Dot – “Kurt Cobain”
Last year, Chiddy Bang released a song called “Ray Charles”, which basically revolved around some bloke’s eminently disputable assertion that he was Ray Charles. Amplify Dot was clearly taking notes, albeit she at least crossed out the line “say I am him”.
This is actually pretty decent – she’s got a good enough flow and it’s backed up with an odd sort of crunchy, twittering rhythm section – but the “Speed through life in a purple haze / Live fast, die young, like Kurt Cobain” schtick is an aggravating cocktail of obvious, contrived and naïve to the point of dumb.
There’s plenty to like about the rest of it, though, so here’s to more of that and less of the hedonistic nursery rhymes.
Rocksucker says: Two and a Half Quails out of Five!
Dingus Khan – “Knifey Spoony”
An entertainingly tangential blast of garage punk steeped in hedonistic humour and fuzzy mania (you knew from the band name and title not to expect Radiohead, right?), this is most certainly our video of the week on account of the singer doing the following things in it:
* Chewing a dreadlock then throwing up into an ashtray
* Thrashing around on an inflatable zimmer frame outside a church
* Beating someone to a bloody pulp using a spoon
We shan’t quibble with that.
Rocksucker says: Three and a Half Quails out of Five!
Emily Wells – “Passenger”
We initially skipped past this one, finding it a trifle dreary; but then we found ourselves singing it afterwards, its monged kind of eccentricity infusing itself further into our delectation with each slurred delivery of the titular refrain. A grower, basically.
Rocksucker says: Three Quails out of Five!
Kode 9 – “Xingfu Lu”
Chillwave? Dubstep? Glitchcore? Goodness knows what this is – or, more precisely, how it can most accurately categorised in modern parlance – but it’s strangely, deliriously lush and we’d like to hear more.
Beats that don’t forget to bring the melody along for the ride. Or, you know, some other attempt at a snappy tagline. This here chillstepcore has addled our senses, you see.
Rocksucker says: Three and a Half Quails out of Five!
Ron Sexsmith – “Nowhere to Go”
Lovely fluttery strings and a huffing English horn feel like they could usher in a glorious spring on this cheerfully pessimistic strum from Ron’s recent Forever Endeavour album. Classy, uncomplicated stuff from an enduring talent, and good to see him back in the fold after his recent health scare.
Rocksucker says: Three and a Half Quails out of Five!
Swiss Lips – “U Got the Power”
MGMT, Foster the People, Empire of the Sun, chillwave, ironic ’80s video, yeah yeah.
Three cheers for this week’s best bandwagon jumpers!
Rocksucker says: Two and a Half Quails out of Five!
The D.O.T. – “How We All Lie”
A collaboration between Mike Skinner from The Streets and Rob Harvey from The Music? How did this manage to limbo so comprehensively under the radar? Well, for starters it’s surprisingly un-showy – relatively gentle and melodic, in fact – which rears the notion that neither are making the most of their respective talents.
It’s a nice tune though, so we’d like to hear more before drawing any conclusions.
Rocksucker says: Three Quails out of Five!
See you next week, everybody!
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About the Author
Jonny Abrams Editor of Rocksucker and the website's founder, Jonny is passionate about the music he listens to, both good and bad, as well as interviewing his favourite musicians.
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