New video: The Drums -- Me and the Moon

ONE of the acts of 2010 return with this fun-loving video for Me and the Moon.
Although it's the first video without Adam Kessler, The Drums remain effortlessly cool.

Beastie Boys announce Hot Sauce Committee Part 2 track list

THE circus surrounding Beastie Boys' forthcoming album Hot Sauce Committee Part 2 continues to grow by the day.
In a statement issued on beastieboys.com, the trio announced the track listing for Part 2, scheduled for a spring 2011 release, will be pretty much the same as that of Part 1.
Let's hope it's worth the wait.

Hot Sauce Committee Part 2 track list:

Tadlock's Glasses
B-Boys In The Cut
Make Some Noise
Nonstop Disco Powerpack
OK
Too Many Rappers (featuring Nas)
Say It
The Bill Harper Collection
Don't Play No Game That I Can't Win (featuring Santigold)
Long Burn The Fire
Funky Donkey
Lee Majors Come Again
Multilateral Nuclear Disarmament
Pop Your Balloon
Crazy Ass Shit
Here's A Little Something For Ya

New track: Cee-Lo Green -- Old Fashioned

CEE-LO Green follows-up his mega-smash Fuck You with Old Fashioned - the next hit from his up-coming album The Lady Killer.
Enjoy.

Keepaway -- Sideways Smile

Keepaway from mentioning Animal Collective
KEEPAWAY exploded onto our radar earlier this year with the release of Yellow Wings, but its hazy, polyphonic ambience is sadly a distant memory in Sideways Smile.
Sideways Smile is more of a sideways step, sounding similar to a rough cut from one of Animal Collective's earlier albums.
But we can't be too harsh on Brooklyn three-piece. Keepaway remain one of 2010's most exciting discoveries and Kompetitor, the forthcoming free digital release, is sure to keep us occupied for a few months.

Kanye West's "banned" artwork

KANYE West left an intriguing tweet just before I retired for my well-earned 40 winks last night – oh, the mires of maintaining a transatlantic relationship.
It read: “Yoooo they banned my album cover!!!!! Ima tweet it in a few...”
Well, he posted the “banned” cover to forthcoming My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy a couple of hours later and, within minutes, it was everywhere.
What the hell is it? It kinda looks how Kanye would look if he were morphed with Sonic the Hedgehog, getting jiggy with Ronald McDonald's winged mother in a drunken stupor.
He added: “In the 70s album covers had actual nudity... It's so funny that people forget that... Everything has been so commercialized now.”
They’ve done you a favour, Kanye. You were cooler when you wore a backpack.
Kanye seems to be the PR king and this revelation can only heighten the frenzy surrounding MBDTF’s release in November.
Luminous Plectrum cannot wait

Top five albums of 2009

2009? Aren't you a bit late?
LUMINOUS Plectrum is busy compiling its end of year lists for 2010 and, while we're at it, here's a reminder of what tickled the fancies last year.

5. Wild Beasts – Two DancersI FEEL far too guilty to be putting this incredible piece of work at number five but, alas, that’s life. Wild Beasts have matured from 2008’s spellbinding Limbo, Panto, to release the beautiful Two Dancers, one of 2009’s greatest highlights. Hayden Thorpe has one of the most definitive, erratic and distinguishing voices in indie rock and clearly sets this band apart from the rest. They’ve grown from the rough and ready hits from Limbo Panto, which included Brave Bulging Buoyant Clairvoyants – arguably one of the greatest songs of the century - to produce immaculate, if a little unfashionable, masterpieces. Bassist Tom Fleming shares more of the vocals on this release and his deeper tones are welcome, but it will always be Thorpe’s punishing vocals that will propel this band to greatness. Think Kate Bush mixed with a little Sparks.
Stand out track: Hooting and Howling

4. Girls – AlbumWE had been waiting a while for Girls’ debut album and it hasn’t disappointed. This could have been my album of the year and it is a clear surf-rock classic for the 21st century (not in the way The Thrills were billed to be a few years back) but I guess I am just fonder of the three above it. Girls are exciting and Album is a joy to listen to. Its androgynous, drug-induced lyrics will push you deeper under Album’s skin with each listen. This is one enjoyable discovery.
Stand out track: Laura

3. Phoenix – Wolfgang Amadeus PhoenixPHOENIX'S latest effort is pop music at its finest. The French rockers have built up a reputation as a band who can put a smile on anyone’s face with hook-driven Summer rock tunes and have put in a stellar effort in trying to succeed their previous and flawless release It’s Never Been Like That. The album is just over 30 minutes long but don’t let that put you off. It’s quality, not quantity and there is a hell of a lot of quality crammed into this beauty. Up-beat opener Lisztomania is one of the catchiest tracks of the year and sets a high precedent but 1901, Fences, Rome and Girlfriend ensure the sun is always shining when listening to this.
Stand out track: 1901

2. Future of the Left – Travels With Myself and AnotherTHIS album is visceral, vicious, vivacious and oh so victorious. We are all mourning the death of Mclusky but this confirms they really are dead. Explosive front man Andy Falkous is on absolute form screaming through alarmingly tight punk rock tracks such as Arming Eritrea, Chin Music and You Need Satan More Than He Needs You. If you haven’t checked out Future of the Left (formed of members from Mclusky and Jarcrew), you really must. FotL are definitely my favourite live act of this year and Travels With Myself and Another is album you won’t be able to take out of your stereo for some time. Prepare to be gripped.
Stand out track: You Need Satan More Than He Needs You

1. Animal Collective – Merriweather Post PavilionPICKING the number one slot was the most difficult part of this list. I thought long and hard as to whether Merriweather Post Pavilion deserved it…and it does by a long shot. To have been released in January and to still hold a significant of playing time on my iPod is something to be commended. It truly is their best effort yet and is a supersonic assault on the senses. They have released countless efforts prior to this but it seems AC have finally created a concise, majestic sound that could easily see them become one of the most important outfits in the past ten years. The wonderful opener, In The Flowers, is arguably one of the greatest music moments of the year. It starts off lazy but explodes into something utterly breathtaking. This is a special album and from the sound of the Fall To Be Kind EP, released earlier this month, it seems as if AC are going to get better and better.
Stand out track: Bluish

Diamond Rings -- Something Else

Diamonds are forever.
JOHN O'Regan is having a storming 2010.
After releasing Luminous Plectrum's song of 2009 All Yr Songs towards the back end of last year, the Canadian's been very busy with new releases being thrust into our ear drums left, right and centre.
Something Else is a tight piece of indie pop and its low budget video reflects the song's sincerity.
This is essential viewing.
His anticipated debut album Special Affections is out on October 25.