Featured, Interviews, Introducing

Introducing: The Buttless Chaps

They've been playing in their native Canada for over ten years, but TLOBF thinks it is about time the UK got better acquainted with Vancouver's The Buttless Chaps.

Articles, Featured, Record Reviews

Robert Wyatt - A Retrospective

One of the most treasured songwriters and performers the UK has ever produced. Rich Hughes takes a look back at Wyatt's musical legacy.

Featured, Live Reviews

TLOBF 2008 :: Gigs of the Year

Eight of TLOBF's most obsessive gig-goers list their picks of the year's live music. Bon Iver, Tom Waits and Neil Young all feature...

Articles, Featured, Record Reviews

TLOBF :: Under the Radar 2008

Even us at TLOBF can miss SOME albums... A selection of our writers champion releases that you might have missed over the past year.

Articles, Featured

TLOBF :: Ones to Watch 2009

Our "Ones to Watch" for 2009 - we take our pick from the best new stuff to come at your ears in the next 12 months.

Informational

The Whitest Boy Alive announce new album

Posted on 06 January 2009

The Whitest Boy Alive have unveiled plans for a new album, to be released in the Spring, with a UK tour to follow. Continue Reading

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Informational

Royksopp announce new album

Posted on 06 January 2009

Royksopp have announced a new album for release in March, featuring a whole list of fantastic guest stars. Continue Reading

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Informational

Release date and track list revealed for Neko Case newie

Posted on 05 January 2009

News reaches us that the eagerly awaited new Neko Case album Middle Cyclone will be released on Monday 2nd March. The fifteen-track album is Case's first release since 2006's 'Fox Confessor Brings The Flood'. Continue Reading

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Record Reviews

renfro - Mathematics

Posted on 05 January 2009

renfro are an experimental electronica outfit with a peculiar style all to themselves - their sound is of electronics and systems breaking down. Continue Reading

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Informational

New acts confirmed for ATP Festivals in May!

Posted on 05 January 2009

HEALTH, The Acorn, Shearwater, CSS and Supersuckers all added to this years ATP May Festivals. Fuck yes. Full details inside. Continue Reading

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Informational

New Live DVD and Studio album due from Wilco

Posted on 05 January 2009

Our first news story of 2009 and it features one of our favourite bands. Could be a good year... Wilco have announced plans to release a live DVD to proceed a new studio album later in the year. Continue Reading

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Interviews, Introducing

Introducing: Copy Haho

Posted on 29 December 2008

In what will be our last 'Introducing' of 2008 we wanted to give you a band we're really quite excited about. Recently signed to Big Scary Monsters, Copy Haho hail from Stonehaven in Scotland and produce - to put it in simple terms - really fucking fantastic pop songs. Continue Reading

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Interviews, Introducing

Introducing: Wye Oak

Posted on 25 December 2008

A double header of interviews this week as we look to clear the decks prior to 2009... This time, we get Wye Oak to tell us a bit about what makes them tick. Continue Reading

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Articles

Xmas Advent [24th December] :: Labrador Records

Posted on 24 December 2008

As well as being a member of Acid House Kings, Club 8 and The Legends, Johan Angergård is also the head of the uber-influential and dearly loved Swedish label Labrador. Here he chooses one of his favourite songs of 2008. Continue Reading

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Live Reviews

Young Knives w/ Pete & The Pirates - Carling Academy, Oxford 21/12/08

Posted on 24 December 2008

What better place than the Academy to stage "Homecoming Oxford", a night headlined by Young Knives, a band who adopted the city as a second home to help kickstart their career... Continue Reading

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Informational

We Wish You A Merry Christmas

Posted on 24 December 2008

We here at TLOBF Towers are taking a well earned break for a week or so to enjoy some festivities. But fear not, dear reader - we wouldn't leave you in the lurch. We've got some great features to keep you content until we return at the start of January. Continue Reading

Comments (1)

Live Reviews

Jamie Lidell - Shepherds Bush Empire, London 14/12/08

Posted on 23 December 2008

Jamie Lidell may hail from Cambridgeshire, but he acts like he's from Detroit. At first glance, this unassuming, slightly nerdy Englishman doesn't seem like a natural soul man, but this long-awaited show at the Shepherd's Bush Empire proves that he's no anaemic pastiche. Continue Reading

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Articles

Xmas Advent [23rd December] :: Bella Union Records

Posted on 23 December 2008

Friend of TLOBF and all round decent chap Simon Raymonde of Bella Union picks a singer songwriter from Nashville: Heidi Spencer. "Imagine Dolly Parton and Alan Sparhawk writing together. She's really something else...." Continue Reading

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Live Reviews

Stereolab - Koko, London, 18/12/2008

Posted on 23 December 2008

Even with an odd 10pm curfew at Koko's tonight, Stereolab still play like a band at the peak of their powers - mixing old and new songs together and inspiring the crowd. Continue Reading

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Record Reviews

Blackmarket - The Elephant In The Room

Posted on 23 December 2008

"A sheenful glaze of production at least attempts at washing away the woefully inept song writing but you'd need Phil Spector, a rifle and a shit-ton of microdots to make this record sound halfway entertaining." Billy Hamilton is full of the joys of Spring when reviewing Blackmarket's latest. Continue Reading

Comments (1)

Record Reviews

Franz Ferdinand - Tonight: Franz Ferdinand [First Listen]

Posted on 23 December 2008

Adam Elmadhi gets a sneaky listen, thanks to our friends over at Domino, of the new Franz Ferdinand album. Was it worth the wait? Continue Reading

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Articles, Downloads

Xmas Advent [22nd December] :: Brainlove Records

Posted on 22 December 2008

One for all you fret-wankers out there. John Rogers of Brainlove Records recommends a track by the one and only Marnie Stern. Continue Reading

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Record Reviews

Her Space Holiday - XOXO, Panda and The New Kid Revival

Posted on 22 December 2008

"There are no more good ideas in me" chant Her Space Holiday. Ro Cemm is happy to go along with that assessment. Continue Reading

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Downloads, Interviews, Introducing

Introducing: That’s The Spirit

Posted on 22 December 2008

A bold statement perhaps, but a few of us here at TLOBF truly believe that the debut album by Ben Wilson's indie pop outfit That's The Spirit is one of the best things to come out of Canada all year. And, considering the competition - that is certainly saying something. Continue Reading

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Informational

Important Update for RSS Feed Subscribers…. Please read.

Posted on 22 December 2008

For those of you that subscribe to The Line Of Best Fit via RSS Feed, from today you will need to update your Reader with a new address. Details inside. Continue Reading

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Live Reviews

Tindersticks - Union Chapel, London 16/12/08

Posted on 22 December 2008

Tindersticks prove themselves to be on top form with a last minute attempt to claim the 'Gig of the Year' crown. Ro Cemm reviews. Continue Reading

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Record Reviews

Tony Christie - Made In Sheffield

Posted on 22 December 2008

Sheffield's Kings of Croon join forces to pay tribute to their home city. Will it manage to banish the memories of 'that' song and give Christie a new found credibility. Richard Hawley is on top of his game, and Ro Cemm thinks it deserves a chance. Continue Reading

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Articles

Xmas Advent [21st December] :: Something In Construction

Posted on 21 December 2008

It sounds a bit like a Swedish disco cousin of Laura Brannigan's 'Self Control' and is going to be Number One in the charts for eleven weeks next summer. Can you tell what it is yet?! Continue Reading

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Articles

Xmas Advent [20th December] :: Tenebrous Liar

Posted on 20 December 2008

Really fucked up, funny, mental and menacing. That's what Steve Gullick of Tenebrous Liar thinks of Black Carrot...and we'd have to agree with him too.. Continue Reading

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Record Reviews

The Lines - Flood Bank

Posted on 20 December 2008

Perhaps with a bit of backing and appreciation back in the day, The Lines could have been major contenders. While 'Flood Bank' should see them quite rightly receive some belated recognition, Alex Harvey doubts it will put them alongside their peers. Continue Reading

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Articles

Xmas Advent [19th] :: Windsor for the Derby

Posted on 19 December 2008

"These fellas are the best unsigned band in Austin right now. They’re all about lo-fi Factory-style synth rock doodling with an extreme groove." says Jason McNeely of Windsor For The Derby on fellow Texan's Toko-Ri Get High. Continue Reading

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Downloads, Informational

Download new Sound Of Arrows - ‘M.A.G.I.C’

Posted on 19 December 2008

Download the brand new Sound Of Arrows single 'M.A.G.I.C' inside. Plus their previous single 'Danger' - which just so happens to be the best pop record of the year. FACT. Continue Reading

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Informational

Elbow to perform The Seldom Seen Kid at Abbey Road

Posted on 19 December 2008

Elbow have announced a special concert, recorded for Radio 2 and accompanied by the BBC Concert Orchestra. Continue Reading

Comments (2)

Live Reviews

Keyboard Choir – Holywell Music Room, Oxford 12/12/08

Posted on 19 December 2008

Devoid of theatrics and tin foil encrusted dancers, Keyboad Choir are more than just a sweet novelty act, and a serious proposition in modern electronic composition. TLOBF's newest recruit Sam Shepherd reviews. Continue Reading

Comments (1)

Record Reviews

The Research - The Old Terminal

Posted on 19 December 2008

Tom Whyman THINKS The Research are a band... but a default image of a band without substance. He puts it down to the drumming... Continue Reading

Comments (2)

Articles

Xmas Advent [18th December] :: Sasha Frere-Jones

Posted on 18 December 2008

The New Yorker pop-music critic Sasha-Frere Jones sent over a few thoughts on Ida Maria's 'Oh My God'. "Sivertsen sets off the charges with her voice, which swings from a humid mutter to an eyes-out, hair-down vomiting of air." Continue Reading

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Live Reviews

Beach House - Cargo, London 02/12/08

Posted on 18 December 2008

This dreamy pop music is a slow revelation. The only low point in the performance is that it ever has to end, leaving the audience warmed through, washed up and wanting more on the rainswept Shoreditch streets. Continue Reading

Comments (2)

Record Reviews

The New Year - The New Year

Posted on 18 December 2008

The New Year prove to be a peculiarly North American prospect. When phrases like 'Competent' and 'Workman like' come in to play you know things aren't going well. Continue Reading

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Informational

Strummerville holds its first Christmas Benefit Gig

Posted on 18 December 2008

Strummerville – The Joe Strummer New Music Foundation Charity - is holding its first Christmas Benefit gig on December 21st. Continue Reading

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Informational

‘Quiely Now’ - Frightened Rabbit unplug and tour

Posted on 18 December 2008

Off the back of winning our "Album of the Year" poll, Frightened Rabbit have announced the release of an acoustic live album, and a series of lvie dates for March/April next year. Continue Reading

Comments (0)

Record Reviews

Imelda May - Love Tattoo

Posted on 18 December 2008

Something of a blast from the past, Imelda May offers a fusion of rockabilly and jazz performed with her five-piece band. Continue Reading

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