The perfect match between pretentious and pop

Well I had better mention Wycombe's heroic exit from the cup last night at the hands of Chelsea. The world's richest club played extremely well - and had to - and in the end the return of Shevchenko, Cech, Lampard, Carvalho & Drogba made the difference for them. Gifting them their first goal was our death knell, but we never gave up. We fought; we passed; we came close; we roared like lions; and gave it everything we had. At work today people were full of consoling words, however I needed no consolation. We played magnificently in both games, and though we lost 4-0 on the night we have the memories of Charlton and Donacaster and Fulham. And Stamford Bridge. And a team who played far above themselves and got within touching difference of the most astonishing appearance in a major final that I can think of.

Well done lads.





So I suspect you're here for some music rather than tales of a division 4 football team in the league cup. So allow me to oblige with some quality stuff.

Now I'm hardly sticking my neck out suggesting that both of these are heading for big things this year. Seems that anyone who has heard Los Campesinos! demo 'Hold On Now Youngster' has fallen under its spell... I can't remember a band without a proper single having this much blog coverage before. I feel a bit lame coming onto the blog bandwagon so late, however i've been loving this ever since Mike Nothing But Green Lights introduced me to it 6 months ago. And his infectious love for the band has verged on the fantatical ever since. No doubt helping them to be voted by bloggers as the second hottest British band of 2006.



So how could all this be acheived on the back of a demo? Well one listen to 'You! Me! Dancing!' and all will be revealed. It's exilarating singalong fun... and sure to be an indie disco staple for years. Joyful shouted lyrics, a chorus that will never leave your head, and a great spoken section... as featured on many a pop classic. 'and I always get confused because in supermarkets they turn the lights off when they want you to leave, but in discos they turn them on'

LOS CAMPESINOS! - YOU! ME! DANCING!

'It started with a mixx' is almost as good, and 'Sweet Dreams, Sweet Cheeks' is excellent as well. I'm looking forward to hearing their forthcoming debut single, and I've also been trying & trying to find tickets for this gig, which sees Los Campesinos! come from down from Cardiff to The London. But i've had no luck so far. Anyone know where I can buy 'em?


So my second attempt to clamber onto a long departed bandwagon is with Mr Jamie T. Again i've been hearing him around for ages but haven't totally fallen for his undeniable charms. But he now has an album out - 'Panic Prevention' - which has given me the chance to give him a bit more time.



I'm sure if you've heard singles 'Calm Down Dearest', 'If You Got The Money' or 'Sheila' you're well aware of the shtick... guitar strumming indie troubadour with a strangely accented half-singing style. The indie Streets if you will.

To be honest although I like the singles, i'm still a bit bemused as to how he's become such a sensation with the nation's indie kids. One new track th0ugh that I did really enjoy from the album was this one, 'Salvador'. Seems that it may have been his debut single, but it's new to me. And makes me think there's maybe something in this unassuming looking chap.

Typically ska-tinged, the song sets out it's stall from the off... 'From here to Salvador, the ladies dance
To fill us reckless sons with passions of the heart'. Yes it's about drinking, dancing, girls, bright lights... I love the driving bassline, and the ooh aaah's. And I love some of the lyrics.. ''Twirls around and I fall about, in giggles and laugher, oh I’m plastered, can’t damn help it I’m sorry love'.

JAMIE T - SALVADOR

The album's out on Monday, and though at the moment it's got a bit of a way to go to get into my heart, it's certainly going the right way.