Snowden are the first band since TvOntheRadio that have actually made me want to post anything about them! From Atlanta, they are signed to Jade Tree which is a label I would normally associate with hardcore bands like These Arms Are Snakes , but their sound is more reminiscent of Interpol and they have been compared to the Cure in a number of reviews of their album Anti-Anti, which was released August 22nd.

The title-track from this album is unquestionably the most immediate and uplifting song I have heard for such a long time; you can tell it is something special from the first smatter of high-hat.

I’ve ordered my copy of the album already, check out some more tracks on myspace, and from their first ep on their website.

Snowden - Anti Anti

- Hamish

The Colour (note the english spelling :)) are a bluesy rock band from California with influences in their music from The Black Keys to Led Zeppelin. They are just starting to get noticed and about to embark on a tour around the US, leaving me hoping they might come to the UK sometime…
The Colour / MySpace

The Colour - Save Yourself / 2
The Colour - Deveil’s Got a Holda Me / 2

- Tim

These tracks have been sitting in my inbox for over a week now, waiting for me to get around to having a listen with all the other music I get sent. Well, I have finally had a listen and I really quite like the soun d they’ve got going on - a bit Kings of Leon and a little bit of REM.

They come from Chicago, and are currently label shopping for the moment - so you label a&r boys take note.
The Interiors / MySpace

The Interiors - I’m So Happy
The Interiors - You Should Have Known

- Tim

Well I know I am not the only one that has been eargerly anticipating the Walkmen releasing their next album, and if this track is anything to go by I think I may like it quite a bit.

I’m seeing various nods to other bands here, with an almost country whining guitar, and an old Gomez type singing style. A lovely song to have on in the background having a Pimms and a little game of cricket going on in the garden. Having no job is a really nice change with me being able to enjoy the summer for once without scraping together cash for travelling.
The Walkmen / MySpace
[Buy] The Walkmen - A Hundred Miles Off

The Walkmen - Many Rivers To Cross

- Tim

It has taken me a while to get around to listening to Regina Spektor’s indie best-of release here in the UK on Transgressive. Most if not all of the songs are already available on other albums, but having all my favourites on one CD caught my attention.

Us is the final track of the album and gives Regina a break from her usual staccato style of piano and vocals, replacing them with flowing piano and even a string accompaniment, making this one of the more beautiful songs I have heard since Anthony and the Johnstones last year. Regina always puts out a good record, but this one offers something new.
Regina Spektor / MySpace
[Buy]Regina Spektor - Mary Ann Meets the Gravediggers and Other Short Stories

Regina Spektor - Us

Talking of minimalist music with a singer/songwriter on utilising just one instrument I have recently got into William Elliot Whitmore, where there is just him and his banjo playing folky songs, many in the style of old southern songs with others a little more upbeat like The Praire Yields. There is nothing better at the moment than sitting back in the sunshine listening to this and maybe taking a small turn in my new hottub
William Elliot Whitmore / MySpace
[Buy]William Elliot Whitmore - Ashes to Dust

William Elliot Whitmore - Praire Yields

Enjoy

Tim

The Blue Walrus has been on a new server for a while, but I have been working on the new layout and have just finished it. Also, I have a little more time on my hands at the moment, so there should be some more regular updates.

I’ve got a few bands/artists in mind for the coming weeks. Also, as our userbase has exploded recently, the YSI links we have been using are going dead within a couple of days. To remedy this situation we will be using a different file server from now on that gives us more flexibility and longer storage. Stay tuned…

Tim