Mike_Diver has written the following articles:
The back story: Vertical Montanas is the collaborative venture of Youthmovies and Jonquil. This seven-inch was initially meant to be a straightforward Youthmovies release; then, the idea of a split with Jonquil was mooted. As sessions progressed it became apparent that a fully consolidated venture was the right way forward»
Big, fist-in-the-air rock from Jared Leto’s Thirty Seconds To Mars, ‘From Yesterday’ is quite clearly the Kerrang! Award-winners’ (best single, for their last, ‘The Kill’) most boldly mainstream standalone yet»
The debut major-label single from Glasgow’s Attic Lights is a bah-bah-bah-along number in the vein of The Thrills, only not quite as memorable. Perhaps that quality will come with time, but this is nevertheless summery enough to briefly have us all forgetting it’s still fucking miserable out there»
One of the week’s two big re-releases – alongside I Was A Cub Scout’s ‘Pink Squares’ – Blood Red Shoes’ ‘You Bring Me Down’ is typically bombastic, but completely in keeping with the Brighton duo’s repertoire to date»
A strange first month: high-profile passings in the media, the axing of a national icon, real life snow; plus much-hyped albums falling wide of the mark. But let's not dwell: here DiS picks its favourite LPs of January , featuring anticipated debuts, rewarding follow-ups, and an ambitious fourth from a prog-rock super-power»
Following the critical success of the likes of No Age, BARR, Abe Vigoda and Mika Miko, DiS asked HEALTH's John Famiglietti who he thought was worth us - and you - checking out... and spoke of his love of English breakfasts»
A reminder, if you'll allow it: tomorrow, our second DiScover Club of 2008 goes down at the Notting Hill Arts Club, London - in conjunction with Rough Trade Shops/RoTa - and it looks likely to be a winner. On the bill: Munch Munch (pictured), One More Grain and Elle S'appelle»
19 is not the maximum-rating masterpiece the predictable few have made it out to be, but there are moments to remember. Adele has delivered a debut album full of noticeable but forgivable flaws, but also one that truly does bristle with a quite singular potential»
It’s worth mentioning that this is a hip-hop concept record. Let that settle in; absorb the information, and apply it to your listening experience. Or, simply, don't - The Cool isn’t an album distracting enough to warrant deep analysis. In short, Lupe Fiasco's follow-up to his Grammy-nominated debut is a comparative shadow of its predecessor»
DiS takes a moment to reflect, and to appreciate the bands that made us the site we are today, basically; the Gateway Acts that opened up new doors of exploration. From Band A to Band Z - nothing would've been possible without that kick-starting someone. With our selections 'outed', it's over to you for your own choices»
Bristol's Munch Munch have been dissected a number of ways by different DiS staffers. One remarked that the band’s quirkily hyper indie is akin to a much better Friendly Fires; another made comparisons to Man Man and Klaxons in an attempt to pin them down. Conclusion: they are brilliantly awkward to describe»
If Bleach meant everything to you as a kid (perhaps it still does?) and you’re yet to check out Nottingham’s Lovvers, please get out of your chair and down to your nearest stockist of fine seven-inch releases immediately, as this will make you feel like an unruly teenager again»
There’s a long line of successful solo songwriters with not-quite-right vocals before her – too many, indeed, to even dip into here – but Anni Rossi’s singular squeak might be one shattered champagne flute too many for some»
“Like The Twang, but without the edge,” is how one in-house DiS staffer summarised One Night Only’s ‘Just For Tonight’; me, I thought it was The Enemy doing an awful ballad when I heard it on Radio 1 however many weeks ago it was when I woke up in the coldest of sweats»
It’s so tempting to open with it that it can’t be ignored: this review as good as writes itself with a title like that. There. Done. Over. And? Well»
Dev Hynes, a.k.a. Lightspeed Champion, isn't into irony; when he says he loves something, he loves something. Sitting down in the DiSopolis, he tells us about recording his new Falling Off The Lavender Bridge album in Omaha, amongst the Saddle Creek massive, and possible Nirvana badge problems»
An album for the dancefloor this may have initially been conceived as, but such is Turning Dragon’s propulsive aggression and overall mood of confrontation that it’s hard to fathom how the standard club-goer could keep pace with its hyper-speed palpitations»
A week, just over, on and we’ve had time enough to let those Brit Award nominations sink in. Now we're wondering: who's actually going to win, and do we want them to? Here, the DiS office picks its ideal winners, and compares them to the favourites at the bookies. Snap? Rarely»
Los Angeles-based electronica-tinged experimental punk-rockers The Mae Shi are in the UK as of now, promoting their new HLLLYH album. DiS catches up with them in Cardiff to discuss natural progression and subsequent reaction, and the band's fondness for 'booty bass'»
Tonight, DiS is out in force at the Monto Water Rats, London, presenting a selection of bands we reckon could make your listening in 2008 that bit more excellent»
Radiohead have been confirmed as the headliners at the first-ever Daydream Festival, due to be held in Barcelona on June 12»
Sailors don't talk much about music themselves; they're keener to let their own noise do any necessary talking. Their EP of last year is a great slice of agitated punk-rock, replete with a delicious wonkiness. They play our first DiScover Club of 2008 this Saturday, January 26»
Kelley Stoltz is to release his third album for Sub Pop next month, Circular Sounds. Ahead of said record's domestic emergence, DiS catches up with the San Francisco-based musician to talk carbon footprints and the depressing cycle of eggs, chips, sausage repeat, i.e. the British breakfast»
Brooklyn's odd-rock four-piece Yeasayer have confirmed a second night at London's ICA in March, as part of their DiS-sponsored UK tour, due to public demand. And rightly so»
‘Scream Aim Fire’ is ridiculous: four minutes of shouting and swearing set against some tight-as riffs that, while technically applaud-worthy, leave everyone but spotty Slipknot-hoodie teens and denim-all-over crusties utterly cold»
Single of the Week... Yes, yes: they’re a permanent fixture on DiS’s front page these days, it seems, but we’ve good cause to celebrate These New Puritans’ output to date, which will soon culminate with their debut album. Heard this before? Fair. It's still the best thing out this week by a significant margin.
Read more reviews of this week's singles here»
On last year’s single ‘Mouthwash’, Brit-nominated female solo artist Kate Nash spoke of “nostalgic pavements”; here, on her second single, Brit-winning female solo artist Adele questions whether she should “chase” them, or not»
DiS is pleased to present no fewer than three gigs for your consideration this week, starting with TONIGHT'S Winter Warmer show headlined by The Mae Shi (pictured), rolling on to Thursday's Wild Beasts-topped bill, and ending with Johnny Foreigner at our once-monthly DiScover Club. Good times, for sure»
A little reminder, for those with wandering attentions: Meg Baird, she of Espers and recognised solo artist in her own right, tours these shores from January 24. DiS, we say go»
Oakland quartet Saviours formed in 2004 after Austin Barber and Scott Batiste reached the end of a “vision-quest”. Sounds fantastic. And ridiculous. And both adjectives apply to Into Abaddon, early frontrunner for metal album of the year»
