the only indie advent calendar worth opening - Day 24

Hands down winner of single of the year, 'Let it happen' opens Tame Impala's third album and for this reason alone I think you need to celebrate Christmas with a copy of the album 'Currents' in your household.

The only problem with opening the album with one heck of a tune like that is it leaves the listener wondering where you're going to go next. On first listen, the rest of the album may not grab you as instantly as Let it happen does, but trust me when I say it's worth sticking with. Other stand out tracks include Eventually - a hopeful ode to overcoming the break up of a relationship and the delicious sound of 'Cause I'm a Man'.

Over the past few years, Australian artists have been coming up with some massive musical highlights. If the ashes in cricket were played on a turntable, us brits would be wondering what we'd need to do to win back that little urn, So, while you're making your last minute Christmas preparations, let's raise a glass to the excellence of Kevin Parker's creation Tame Impala and make it the soundtrack to your festive season.

 

As I round off the #indieadvent24 featuring some of my favourite songs of 2015, I think it's apt that on this the 24th day of the advent of indie music, my gift to you is my single of the year, Tame Impala - Let it happen

 

BONUS CHRISTMAS TRACK

 

 

Like all good advent calendars, the 24th door always offered something a bit more than the usual daily chocolate, or in this case, a cracking slice of indie music.

 

I'd like to thank all of you who have followed this advent reflection of the year in music, especially @musicnostalgic and @theedgeofthesea who have helped spread the word and offered helpful support and advice along the way.

 

I'd like to wish you all a very merry Christmas and leave you all with my favourite Christmas song - the phenomenally talented Sufjan Stevens with his melancholic masterpiece - Sister Winter

the only indie advent calendar worth opening - Day 23

As we get closer to the end of the indieadvent24# I'm aware today's choice could be met with a fair amount of surprise and dismay from some of the indie crowd. However, I'm sticking to my guns and coming out in support of arguably the most surprising album of cover versions we've seen in a long time.

Earlier this year, the excellent Ryan Adams bizarrely took the decision to cover Taylor Swift's 1989 album. Instead of the radio 1 live lounge-esque car crash many might have expected, Adams took each song and reinvented them in a way your ears will actually appreciate.

I was lucky enough to witness Ryan Adams perform live at the Sage, Gateshead about 10 years ago and I learnt that night he isn't one to play by the rules. He didn't have a set-list, just a book of 120+ songs that he chose to pick from at a whim. He annoyed punters by voting for a smoking break mid-set and generally crawled around the piano, smashed off his face. Despite that, it remains one of my favourite gigs as I witnessed a modern day musician not afraid to do things his way and when he sang, his voice was outstanding live.

Adams brings a touch of Jose Gonzalez Heartbeats to his version of Swift's Blank Space, and he slows the tempo down on Shake It Off in a way that Johnny Cash's great American albums would be proud of. But it's on the less famous Swift single Style, that he adds his trademark sound, many fans of the classic Gold album will undoubtedly appreciate. It may not be everyone's cup of tea, but get past your Taylor Swift prejudices and open your ears to another great Ryan Adams creation - you might just enjoy it.

At this late hour on the 23rd day of the advent of indie music, my gift to you all is the enlightening sound of Style by Ryan Adams. Happy listening!

the only indie advent calendar worth opening - Day 22

At the start of this indie marathon all the kids are trending as #indieadvent24 (honest) I said these tracks were in no particular order. Proof of that was the very early inclusion of the excellent Jasper by Hooton Tennis Club but now we're into the final three days I can safely say today's track by King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard would always be near the top of any favourites list.

You can now listen to the full album Paper Mache Dream Balloon. It was the second album to be released by the band this year. While some may see this as a sign that they're willing to throw out any old rubbish - think again. Fans of this blog and regular listeners to Rick Witter's #discodown will have already heard the lead track Paper Mache Dream Balloon. As the weather stays nice and warm this December it remains the perfect soundtrack to a sunny walk in the park.

The standout track from the album is today's pick of the day. It's a song that demands repeat listens and has a flute solo that will stick in your head for the rest of the day. So, my gift to you on this 22nd day of the advent of indie music is the spellbinding Trap Door by King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard. Happy listening!

the only indie advent calendar worth opening - Day 21

'If it ain't broke don't fix it' seemed to be the game plan for CHVRCHES' second album Every Open Eye. Their debut album remains one of my favourite albums of the last few years and while their latest release doesn't possess the full impact of its predecessor, it certainly deserves a mention in any positive look back on the music of 2015.

Mainstream radio stations were quick to play Leave A Trace back in the summer and it feels like the band are getting some of the recognition they deserve. They even have the Royal Albert Hall in London on their schedule for the end of March - no mean feat for a band still relatively in its early years.

I'm a sucker for a good female vocal and Lauren Mayberry has one of those voices I could sit and listen to for hours. Throw in a decent electronic sound and it's no surprise I'm hooked. If you have the time give Never Ending Circles a quick spin. Otherwise enjoy a few minutes in the company of one of the best things to come out of Glasgow in years. On this the 21st and shortest day of the advent of indie music, here's the delightful sound of CHVRCHES - Empty Threat. Happy listening!

the only indie advent calendar worth opening - Day 20

One of New York City's best kept secrets, Public Access TV joined the 2015 party late this year with a cracking double A side single (apparently you can still do this in the digital world) In Love And Alone and Patti Peru.

In a similar way to how The Strokes set the music world alight in 2001, we can have a lot to look forward to in 2016 when Public Access TV finally release their highly anticipated album. It would be lazy to suggest the two bands sound the same while they hail from the same place, but on the basis of the tracks here it would be equally remiss of me not to acknowledge that there is a heavy influence to their sound from some of NYC's finest. I'll leave it to you to make your own judgement.

On In Love And Alone, we find the band offering up a future indie disco floor filler. It's not too late to add it to your final Christmas party playlist of the year. On this the 20th day of the advent of indie music, here's the next big sound from the big apple, Public Access TV - In Love And Alone. Happy listening!

the only indie advent calendar worth opening - Day 19

Every week in 2015 seemed to be the 20th anniversary of various cracking albums. It brought to light just how good a year in music 1995 was. Arguably the biggest music story of 1995 was of course the chart battle between Blur and Oasis in August. I pinned my colours to the Oasis mast back then, although deep down the 16 year old me knew that The Great Escape had some impressive songs on it.

20 years on and NME seem to be happy to openly debate the possibility of an Oasis reunion at any given opportunity or to fill a slow news day. What should draw bigger headlines is the fact Damon and co continue to pop their heads into the indie music scene every few years and drop a killer album into the mix without much fanfare.

Appearing from thin air earlier this year, The Magic Whip featured so many delightful pop moments it would be ridiculous to link to them all. Go Out and Lonesome Street would be a good place to start if you haven't already heard the full long player.

The outstanding highlight of the album and one of the singles of the year is an audio and visual delight. So, on the 19th day of this advent of indie music, my gift to you is the ridiculously happy sound of Blur - Ong Ong. Happy listening!

the only indie advent calendar worth opening - Day 18

A proper belta of a track to celebrate the biggest Friday night of the year and today's #indieadvent24. The Prodigy have gone from strength to strength on their most recent releases and 'The Day Is My Enemy' picked up the baton where 'Invaders Must Die' left off in 2009. I'd argue they're creating some of the best music of their long career right now, without getting the true acclaim they arguably deserve.

Fans of The Prodigy in the 90s will find lots to enjoy on the album with lead single Nasty sounding like the mashed up love child of 'The Fat of The Land' singles Firestarter, Breathe and Smack My Bitch Up.

The Prodigy have always divided opinion amongst my mates. I have to admit I don't think everything they touch turns to gold, but on The Day Is My Enemy they've proven once again that they're still as important and relevant to the music scene today as they were amidst the world of 90s Britpop.

So, on this the 18th day of the advent of indie music, my gift to you is a cracking tune to sort out your Friday night, here's The Prodigy - The Day Is My Enemy. Happy listening!