I Speak Because I Can is 20-year old Laura Marling’s coming of age album, its ten songs are imbued with a new richness, ripeness and sophistication. It is also a record marked by its quintessential Englishness. For all of its American instrumentation, and its shades of Joni Mitchell and Neil Young, these songs are no pale Americana interpretation; they are tales deeply rooted in England.
Producer Ethan Johns was an excellent choice as his use of reels, quiet and traditional methods of production are very suited to Marling’s music. This new record reveals a new maturity and at points her voice sounds a little harder and more cultured.
Wolfmother are back and definitely on form. Single ‘White Feather’ is the band’s latest anthem and one of the highlights from latest album Cosmic Egg. With its bluesy lead licks, AC/DC-esque thump and stadium sized chorus, expect it to be sung with a force.
The song combines stylishly shimmying vocal hooks and screechy guitars; hitching and awkwardly-shaped riffs; with lead vocalist Andrew James Stockdale’s impossibly cool, indie-rock drawl.
The Optimist finds New Young Pony Club at their poppiest with this melodic sexy record. The album is self produced and more importantly self funded and self released, it is the sound of a band taking full control of their present and future. Opening with incredibly catchy Lost A Girl, it provides an excellent anticipation for the rest of the album. It combines cutting disco vibes, dance ethic with pop ethic, all set in a dark, mysterious tone. Stone and The Architect Of Love are stripped back, post punk indebted break-up records that heighten to an explosion of synth. NYPC are definitely on top.
“We have finally finished the 2nd issue of Vinyl and Vodka Magazine. I’m so happy because the 2 months seemed like forever! I didn’t get much sleep at all and finishing the magazine in time was always on my mind. I intended to get the issue out by the beginning of February before Valentines day (if you click through the magazine you’ll see why) but that didn’t happen, so oh well.
This issue features an interview with HEALTH and articles like The Internet and its Effect on the Music Industry, along with reviews of Tim Burton’s art gallery at MOMA. We also featured 500 Days of Summer and A Single Man. 5 bloggers (We All Want Someone, The Culture Of Me, Pigeons and Planes, We Listen For You, Both Eyes Closed) also participated in creating a cool feature.
There are 2 editorials that are in this issue, and thank you SO SO SO SO much to Shaun Scade from Scade Photography for fighting the cold and dealing with us for two days straight, shooting our models.
P.S. Be sure to download the Vodkast here and stream it while you’re reading the magazine because it will make the experience so much better!”
Indie Music Finds was started in April 2009 as a place for people to find something new. It’s now being written by two people both living in the U.K. I try and keep it quite diverse so rummage around a bit and I’m sure you’ll find something you like to take away with you.
Contact
For music submissions and advertising enquiries, contact indiemusicfinds(at)googlemail.com
I Speak Because I Can is 20-year old Laura Marling’s coming of age album, its ten songs are imbued with a new richness, ripeness and sophistication. It is also a record marked by its quintessential Englishness. For all of its American instrumentation, and its shades of Joni Mitchell and Neil Young, these songs are no pale Americana interpretation; they are tales deeply rooted in England.
