Aaron's Modern Monday recommendation this week comes from NYC based Radio 4 and their 2002 album 'Gotham!' Radio 4 mixes punk elements with dance grooves along the likes of Gang of Four or The Rapture. I'm very much reminded of The Clash song 'Lightning Strikes (Not Once But Twice) when listening to Gotham!
Favorite tracks: Eyes Wide Open, Calling All Enthusiasts, The Movies
Listen: Spotify
The Crookes' debut, Chasing After Ghosts is a fusion of heartbreaking melodies inspired by 1950's and 60's pop-music and kitchen sink realism. Fans of The Smiths, Orange Juice and The Everly Brothers will absolutely adore this record. NME once said "a band this good are unlikely to remain obscure for long."
Favorite tracks: Godless Girl, The Crookes Laundry Murder, 1922
Listen: thecrookes.co.uk
Purchase: Amazon
Aaron's Modern Monday Recommendation: The Ocean Blue 'See The Ocean Blue'
This week's recommendation comes from an American band, The Ocean Blue. The album, 'See The Ocean Blue' was released in 1996 during brit-pop's heyday. The Ocean Blue is a great American alternative to The Smiths or The Housemartins. According to their Facebook, they are working on a new record to follow their 2004 EP 'Waterworks' and we can't wait.
Favorite tracks: Whenever You're Around, Ways & Means, Cloudy Days.
Track Listing:
01 - Jouissance
02 - Whenever You're Around
03 - Out Here
04 - Ways & Means
05 - My Scream
06 - Past Future Perfect
07 - Bitter
08 - Slide
09 - 10 10 Cloud Deck
10 - Behind
11 - Bite Your Lip
12 - Cloudy Days
13 - Bye
Here is a recap of Vincent's top 10 of 2011, as well as some honorable mentions.
1 - The Vaccines ‘What Did You Expect From The Vaccines?’
2 - Snow Patrol 'Fallen Empires'
3 - Big Talk 'Big Talk'
4 - Arctic Monkeys 'Suck It and See'
5 - The Rifles 'Freedom Run'
6 - White Lies 'Ritual'
7 - The Pains of Being Pure at Heart 'Belong'
8 - The Kooks 'Junk of the Heart'
9 - Girls 'Father, Son, Holy Ghost'
10 - Other Lives 'Tamer Animals'
Honorable Mention
Foo Fighters 'Wasting Light'
Glasvegas 'Euphoric Heartbreak'
Mona 'Mona'
Kaiser Chiefs 'The Future is Medieval'
Beady Eye 'Different Gear, Still Speeding'
Happy 2012! Here's a recap of Aaron's top albums of 2011 with some honorable mentions listed below.
Top 10
1 - White Lies ‘Ritual’
2 - The Vaccines ‘What Did You Expect From The Vaccines?’
3 - Mona ‘Mona’
4 - Big Talk ‘Big Talk’
5 - Glasvegas ‘Euphoric Heartbreak’
6 - Chapel Club ‘Palace’
7 - Viva Brother ‘Famous First Words’
8 - Miles Kane ‘Colour of the Trap’
9 - The Drums ‘Portamento’
10 - The Features ‘Wilderness’
Honorable Mention
11 - Rival Schools 'Pedals
12 - The Horrible Crowes 'Elsie
13 - The Kooks 'Junk of the Heart
14 - Arctic Monkeys 'Suck It and See
15 - Girls 'Father, Son, Holy Ghost
16 - The Rifles 'Freedom Run'
The Modern Countdown 2011: Vincent's #1 Album of the Year!
The Vaccines 'What Did You Expect from The Vaccines?'
Listen: Spotify
Buy: iTunes / Amazon
Web: thevaccines.co.uk
The Modern Countdown 2011: Aaron's #1 Album of the Year!
White Lies 'Ritual'
Listen: Spotify
Buy: iTunes / Amazon
Web: whitelies.com
The Modern Countdown 2011: Vincent's #2 Album of the Year
Snow Patrol 'Fallen Empires'
Releasing 1/9/12 in the US
Buy: iTunes / Amazon
Web: snowpatrol.com
The Modern Countdown 2011: Aaron's #2 Album of the Year
The Vaccines 'What Did You Expect from The Vaccines?'
Listen: Spotify
Buy: iTunes / Amazon
Web: thevaccines.co.uk
