Webcuts Music

The Triffids, one of the most revered and highly regarded bands to come out of Australia are due to release a mammoth 10 CD box set, as well as a brand new compilation album entitled Wide Open Road – The Best of the Triffids on April 5 through Domino Records. In addition, on April 9, the remaining members of The Triffids will gather together with friends at London’s Barbican for a special concert to celebrate the songwriting genius of their late leader David McComb.

Stephen Malkmus has been ‘jicking’ for as long now as he was leading the charge in Pavement, releasing as many albums, yet never reaching the same heights. His solo career seemed to be in constant war of expectation over delivery. It’s not Pavement. It’s not a bunch of twenty-year-olds fighting their generation. But the louche stage prescence, that hazy cynical drawl, the greying hair framing the eyes in a semi-slacker curl, little has changed over the years.

Highly anticipated here at Webcuts HQ is the forthcoming album from the actress lady who married that whiney guy from Death Cab for Cutie, and the talented tunesmith, M. Ward, also known as She & Him. “In The Sun” is as pop perfect as they get folks, a bright, upbeat number, a little piano swing and a sweet helping of some Zooey Deschanel sass and Matt Ward soul, tied in a neat little three minute bow. The video clip itself is a school scene cross between “Grease” and Britney Spears “Baby One More Time” without the red leather catsuit (swap it for librarian chic), but with dance moves and fun galore. Taken from their forthcoming album Volume 2 “In The Sun” is released digitally by the kind people at Domino Records on March 29 and on 7″ single replete with a cover of the Beach Boys “I Can Hear Music” on the flipside for Record Store Day on April 17. I don’t know about you, but I could watch Zooey Deschanel wink at me aaaaaall day long.

Kaki King – Junior
Serena Maneesh – No.2 – Abyss in B Minor
To Rocco Rot – Speculation
Pavement – Quarantine The Past
Sloan – B Sides Win (1992-2008)
Black Francis – Nonstoperotik
Shearwater – The Golden Archipelago
Midlake – The Courage of Others
Spoon – Transference
Beach House – Teen Dream

One of the more surprising turnouts from the New Order burnout is the arrival of Bad Lieutenant, formed in 2007 by Bernard Sumner with longtime New Order guitarist Phil Cunningham and new gun Jake Evans. Even more surprising is that of the quality and consistency of the bands debut album Never Cry Another Tear, released in October 2009. With their second single “Twist of Fate” about to be released, the band are about to embark on a 5 date UK tour.

Disappointing, is the answer, if asked the question “What does Webcuts think of the new Spoon album, Transference. Probably for the first time in this Austin, Texas quartet’s career would we feel obliged to say this. Having gone from incredible strength to incredible strength with each successive release from Series of Sneaks on, it seems even the hardened, unwavering fan knew this day would come. “Written in Reverse” has all the pieces, the clatter and clank of piano keys, Britt Daniel’s hoarse voice riding atop of his see-sawing guitar, yet it feels like a song adrift in the search for a tune. Much of Transference feels like it was built from unfinished demos and studio jams in which “Written in Reverse” was chosen as this year‘s “The Underdog“. Unlikely to win new fans and unsettling to old, it will be interesting to see how Transference rides out the year. Out now on Merge in the States and Anti- in Europe.

Luke Haines looks back at the 20th Century, and takes pop shots at the maligned and those who got left behind in typical Haines fashion.

Forever known as Nick Cave’s red right hand in the Birthday Party, Rowland was the purveyor of that skeletal, metallic guitar style that along with the bass growl of Tracey Pew, defined the sound of the band. Speaking to Static’s Chris Berkley, only a few weeks before his passing, Rowland S. Howard recounts his extensive career and his brief return to music with Pop Crimes.

Don’t be deceived by the name,Warpaint are the latest signings to Rough Trade Records, an all-girl quartet from Los Angeles who came to prominence on the back of their self-released “Exquisite Corpse” EP last year. Currently recording their debut for Rough Trade, the girls are going to be playing around the UK in May and Webcuts has already made a note in its diary. “They weave intricate guitar lines, hypnotic vocals, and driving post-punk rhythms into gorgeous, sprawling songs that skirt the line between the soundscapes of psychedelia and intimacy”. That last combination talks to me. Psychedelics and intimacy. So does this track taken from last years EP. Gorgeous stuff.

Webcuts are very excited to announce that sultry pop swingers She & Him will be playing shows across the UK and Europe for the very first time this Spring. The live shows will feature a seven-piece band including She (Zooey Deschanel) and Him (M Ward), performing songs from their gorgeous forthcoming LP, Volume Two (April 5th), as well as their debut, Volume One.