The Delays new single, Valentine (as recommended by NME) is really quite brilliant. To be honest, I found their album last year ultimately quite forgettable. But they’ve clearly been given a bit of a kick and this is much, much better. Hi-engergy indie - if there is such a thing. With more than a whiff of A-ha about it..(ok, maybe that’s not selling it too well). Find it on iTunes.
It’s all been girl power so far this year. Cat Power’s The Greatest and Jenny Lewis have been on constantly - as has Paris Motel’s 071 ep. In addition to this, Hush records in Portland (home of the Decemberists and Kind Of Like Spitting, among others) sent me an advance download (bless them) of a new Shelley Short album, Captain Wildhorse, which isn’t something I’d normally fall upon, but sits alongside the other three almost perfectly.
The boys, however, are back in town. Not just Jack and Brendon , but - and I can’t believe I’m writing this - I’m very excited about Neil Diamond’s 12 songs coming out on Monday, and also the James Roberts album, Everything You Know Is Right - which was reviewed in NME in the first week of January (it got 9/10) and then in the Guardian on Jan 20, but only released on Monday — and it sounds perfect lolloping wintry stuff. Waiting for it to arrive.
[Started writing this post about 10 days ago, then got sidetracked] ..If Jack White and Brendan Benson decide to release their first Raconteurs single: Steady as She Goes and Store Bought Bones on 7inch vinyl - then I’m afraid it’s a case of needs must (and the fact that it was so easily available on Limewire means many others felt the same). I’ll buy two copies of the album to make up. Promise.
I’ve been so busy that I haven’t noticed if it’s now number one or something. But their album is obviously going to be huge. The thing is - it sounds more like Jack White tinkering with Brendon Benson than the other way round, if that makes sense. Bodes well, methinks.