Jeff Tweedy of Wilco
After a brief hiatus (don’t worry, you’ve not missed anything of note, Rihanna is still number one) we’re back with a batch of quality singles. From Sweden’s Loney, Dear to our very own Electric Soft Parade whilst our single of the week comes from one of the greatest American bands of recent times.
Kicking things off this week are Their Hearts Were Full Of Spring. A rather promising new act with their roots firmly planted in the more twee side of British indie rather than the current breed of dirty young scamps with guitars singing about having sex with tramps in alleyways, or something… No, theres nothing like that here - A Question Of Trust is a sunshine filled gem of a track, where the light and breezy rhythm section and sugary sweet harmonies blanket the songs theme of a nation losing faith in their government. With a new album in the works these guys are certainly ones to watch.
Riding off the back of the critical acclaim that followed the release of Electric Soft Parade’s latest album No Need To Be Downhearted the brothers White release Misunderstanding. A two and a half minute slice of guitar led pop. These boys have always had the knack of writing a catchy hook, and they are in their absolute element here. Think Island In The Sun by Weezer mixed with a motown inspired melody and you’d be on the right track. Great stuff.
This week sees the return of Loney, Dear as Regal release the second single from one of this years finest albums Loney, Noir. Saturday Waits is somewhat of a slowburner of a track - the acoustic ripples and and tenor synth cosey up with Emil Svanängen’s pondering lyrics. It’s an obvious choice for a single, but it works best when listened to in the context of the album - so just go out and buy that instead! Check out the video though, directed by Andreas Nilsson it tells the tragic love story between two dogs, cos, you know, dogs have feelings too.
Wilco release the opening track from this years sleeper hit of an album, Sky Blue Sky. It’s been the one album this year that has slowly, but surely, worked its way into my subconcious. I reach for a Wilco album to put on (usually Yankee Hotel Foxtrot) but my hand now waivers and chooses their most recent release instead. Either Way is a perfect slice of American rock. Wrapped in a soft, 70’s blanket it won’t rattle the bastions of rock ‘n roll, but that’s not the point. This is a beautiful song about love, doubt and understanding - the holy trinity of what makes up relationships. This probably won’t get in the charts or get any radio play. But who cares. It’ll be Single of the Week just for Nels Cline’s guitar solo.
Loney, Dear - Saturday Waits [video]
