Music to drink tea by
Posts tagged Allo Darlin'
The Middle Ones – For Giving
01 year ago
in MP3s
On Tuesday night I went to the Allo Darlin’ album launch at The Lexington. It was an excellent night all round. Allo Darlin’ played to the packed and appreciative room that they deserve and Standard Fare continue to get better each time I see them. Nothing I say though is going to sum up the night in as lovely a way as this. The third band on the bill were The Middle Ones, who I wasn’t familiar with. I tend to be pretty sceptical of opening bands. Mostly you just get someone local thrown on the bill to make up the numbers, but every now and again you get a real gem. It’s these gems that still encourage me to always try and see every band that is playing at a gig. Thankfully this was one of those cases and I walked away from their set completely charmed.
The Middle Ones are a two-piece who make very stripped down acoustic pop songs. It all seemed a bit ramshackle at first, but within a couple of songs I couldn’t help but be utterly won over by them. Both of the band members seemed a bit awkward on stage, though their later comment that the night was like “playing a stadium” to them explained that somewhat. It’s all very gentle, slight stuff, where even sequences of whistling doesn’t seem out of place, but it’s all pulled off with such conviction that it’s near impossible to not go with it. Wonderful.
MP3 The Middle Ones – For Giving
The latest release by The Middle Ones, entitled Things Grow There, is out now on Where It’s At Is Where You Are. Both of their previous releases, including the excellent At the House of Boursnell (which you can stream in full below) are available for free download from Bandcamp. Of course, the band will also be playing at Indietracks which is only 36 days away. 36!
Indietracks lineup takes shape
01 year ago
in Indietracks, Videos
Video: Indietracks 2009 in 7 Minutes by LastNightFromGlasgow
The Indietracks lineup seems to be pretty much complete now (though a few more bands are still to come) with Everybody Was In The French Resistance… Now and Slow Club both being added to the bill. Perhaps more excitingly though, the day by day breakdowns have now been announced, giving us a festival that looks something like this:
Friday
Everybody Was In The French Resistance…Now, Allo Darlin’, Veronica Falls
Saturday
The Primitives, Love is All, David Tattersall, Ballboy, Stars in Coma, White Town, The Orchids, Boy Genius, Cineplexx, The Smittens, The Just Joans, Burning Hearts, La La Love You, The Callas, Betty and the Werewolves, This Many Boyfriends, Linda Guilala, The Give It Ups, The Felt Tips, Foxes!, The Hillfields, Urbantramper, Paisley and Charlie, Micktravis, Jam On Bread, Lime Chalks
Sunday
The Pains of Being Pure at Heart, The Pooh Sticks, Pale Sunday, Slow Club, Springfactory, Stars of Aviation, Shrag, Secret Shine, Sarandon, The Cannanes, Internet Forever, The Sunny Street, Printed Circuit, The Blanche Hudson Weekend, The Millipedes, The Loves, Onward Chariots, Winston Echo, Standard Fare, MJ Hibbett and the Validators, Be Like Pablo, The Specific Heats, Mexican Kids at Home, The Middle Ones, Yokoko, Clint Play People
Pretty, pretty, pretty, pretty good. On a personal level, the lineup is quite nice for me with a decent split across the days of the bands that I like, though it looks like Sunday has the possibility of being clash central. Not that it matters too much at Indietracks though. I had great fun last year watching bands I hadn’t even heard of even if I didn’t get to see all of the ones I would have liked to.
Indietracks takes place between 23-25 July at the Midland Railway Centre in Swanwick, located a little way off of the M1 north of Nottingham. Bands play across four stages, one of which is located in a moving steam train. Various workshops and discos happen around the site, and it’s quite simply the nicest place you’ll ever go. Tickets cost £60 for all three days or £32.50 per day, and can be purchased here.
Tender Trap – Girls With Guns
0“Amelia Fletcher never meant anything to me” declared Los Campesinos! on The International Tweexcore Underground, and for the longest time, I was just like them. My journey through indiepop has been a largely backwards one, with many of my discoveries only through the modern bands that are influenced by the bands of the past. A few years ago was the first time I heard Fletcher’s seminal Heavenly, and more shockingly, it was only last year that I first listened to Tallulah Gosh. It took me a while with Heavenly, and I went through quite a long period of reasonably enjoying them but not much more. Some time on though and I regard The Decline and Fall of Heavenly as one of my favourite albums.
For the last decade though, Fletcher’s talents have been located within Tender Trap, not to be confused with a bafflingly more popular band with a similar name. Tender Trap used to slant more toward an electronic sound, but now seem to be heading back toward a sound more in line with Fletcher’s previous bands. Adding to this, Elizabeth Darling of the oft-praised on here Allo Darlin’ is now a part of the lineup, somehow finding time to be in more than one top notch band at the same time. Girls With Guns is a great little single with a half-hilarious, half-disturbing video that doesn’t hide the fact it was made on a shoestring. I might have been late jumping on the Fletcher bandwagon in the past, but I’m certainly on board for the band’s upcoming third album now.
MP3 Tender Trap – Girls With Guns
Tender Trap’s third album, entitled Dansette, Dansette will be released sometime in the summer on Fortuna Pop! in the UK and Slumberland in the US.
Live: The School & Allo Darlin’ // Bush Hall, London
02 years ago
in Live Reports
Bush Hall seems to be something of an oddity in terms of London gig venues. That’s even after one takes aside the fact it’s a fairly large ballroom (with chandeliers!) that dates back over 100 years. It’s location was what took me most by surprise. Nearly every venue I’ve been to in London tended to be in the northeast of the city. Shoreditch and Highbury tend to be where it’s at on the north of the river, Brixton on the south. Bush Hall sits a fair way out to the west, across raised roads and ridiculously large shopping centres. I’m sure to the Londoner’s this is all very normal, but it took me rather by surprise just how separated it was.
This also meant arriving at the place rather early, before the doors had even opened. Thankfully a few minutes later we were let in from the cold. There’s something quite nice about being one of the first into a venue. Particularly when the venue offers tables and chairs around the outside. I parked myself at the table nearest to the merch table that held the Allo Darlin’ album that I desperately wanted but alas no one was there to sell to me. Still, within half hour I was holding a shining new copy in my hand, alongside The School album and a couple of badges too. All bands should be required to supply badges at their gigs, if only because it makes my bag look rather less boring.
Pagan Wanderer Lu was the first act on. I’ve been aware of him for a while and if I’m honest, what he does isn’t really my cup of tea. He’s very talented and all, it just doesn’t do much for me. Which is fine. Alas that meant that the most interesting part of his set to me was the fact he was wearing a Space Invaders t-shirt that I also own.
While waiting for Allo Darlin’ to setup, it was time for a drink in the bar in the lobby, which led to an impromptu game of London Indiepop EyeSpy. This was my first attempt at the game but I think my final score of 27 29 was fairly respectable. Was anybody else there playing? It’s stalkertastic. I even spotted MJ Hibbett tweeting about the very gig we were both watching both on Twitter and in person at the same time. Crazy!
After that excitement it was finally time for Allo Darlin’ who were absolutely superb. Seriously, I can’t think of a single band that I enjoy more at the moment. They went with a bold gambit of starting and closing the set with gentle, solo songs that seemed a bit risky at the start, but by the time they’d jumped into The Polaroid Song, the whole place was bouncing along. Each time I see them I’m sure the El Scorcho sample in Kiss Your Lips gets louder from the crowd, and it never fails to bring a smile to my face. The only slight disappointment was the omission of Henry Rollins Don’t Dance from the set, but it’s not on the album, so it’s understandable. Speaking of the album though, it’s already slotted itself in as my favourite of the year so far, which in a year in which Romance is Boring was released is no mean feat.
Last on, and to a slightly smaller audience were The School, who were treating the gig as their album launch party. Seems a bit odd given the album isn’t out properly here until June, but who cares? I’ve said before that I like The School but with some reservations, and it’s about the same here. I like their songs and enjoy them live, but there’s something that holds me back from regarding them as a favourite band. Which is fine really. Maybe the album will be the thing that finally tips me over the top. Their set was good fun though and the finale with Allo Darlin’ and “anyone else” on stage singing brought the night to a lovely conclusion.
An excellent night out in a unique venue overall. Find a selection of my photos from the gig below. Behold, my first attempts at gig photography with manual settings!
New videos from Allo Darlin’ and The School
02 years ago
in Videos
It seems fitting that new videos from both Allo Darlin’ and The School should appear on the same day. Both have been indiepop darlings of the recent past, both have new albums coming out around the same time, and both bands have been touring around the UK together. Their final dates together are in the next few days, including a special Bush Hall show this Saturday that I’m looking forward to immensely.
First up is the video for Allo Darlin’s single Dreaming, which will be out on Monday. The song features the guest vocals of Monster Bobby that gives this a rather Heavenly-ish vibe, which is no bad thing. The video was shot during London Popfest last month and is just lovely. Wandering around London late at night has never looked so enjoyable. Myspace.
The School’s video is rather more produced, but no less good. The whole thing has a very 60s feel to it, but that’s always been the appeal of The School in the first place. The band’s debut album Loveless Unbeliever will be released on May 31, but they will be selling copies at any shows between now and then. Super. Myspace.
First band announcements for Indietracks 2010
02 years ago
in Indietracks
Now that London Popfest is out of the way, it’s time to turn our attention to this year’s Indietracks festival, which will take place 23-25 July at the lovely Midland Railway Centre in Derbyshire. Last year we covered the event quite extensively, and this year will be no different. Previews of the bands in the run up to the event, followed by reports and a shit ton of photos of the weekend itself. I’m not exaggerating when I call Indietracks the highlight of my musical year. Where else can you get a non-stop indiepop while surrounded by (and sometimes on!) steam trains?
Rather excitingly, the first band announcements are now out, giving us our first 24 bands that will be playing the festival:
- Allo Darlin’
- Ballboy
- Be Like Pablo
- Betty and The Werewolves
- Boy Genius
- The Cannanes
- Cineplexx
- Fanfarlo
- The Felt Tips
- Foxes!
- The Give It Ups
- The Just Joans
- The Loves
- MJ Hibbett & the Validators
- Onward Chariots
- Sarandon
- Shrag
- The Smittens
- Standard Fare
- Stars of Aviation
- The Sunny Street
- This Many Boyfriends
- White Town
- Winston Echo
Highlights for myself amongst that lot include Allo Darlin’, Ballboy and Standard Fare, but there’s a lot there already that I’m looking forward to. A number that I’m not familiar with that I look forward to getting acquainted with too. No word on any headliners just yet, but announcements seem to be coming thick and fast now, so hopefully we’ll have more soon.
Update: Of course, mere hours after I post this, 8 new additions have revealed: Internet Forever, Pale Sunday, Burning Hearts, The Hillfields, La La Love You, Stars in Coma, Springfactory, Urbantramper.
Live: London Popfest 2010
02 years ago
in Live Reports
This past weekend was my first experience of London Popfest, an annual event that aims to bridge the gap between Indietracks’ for indiepop kids. Taking place over four days in deepest London, the world’s finest indiepop bands descend on tiny venues to “indiepop ’til we drop“. For various reasons I only made it to the Friday and Saturday days of the weekend, but the weekend still managed to be the highlight of the year so far.
Friday // Buffalo Bar
What a tiny, tiny venue. Little more than a square room with a stage on one wall and a bar on another, it’s amazing just how packed the place quickly became. I’ve been into some cramped venues before, but the torturous “trek to the toilet” that I endured here may have been the worst. Still, any negative feeling there was quickly countered by the music itself. The Sunny Street provided some decent melancholy pop to start. I wish I could say more about it but the sound was a bit crappy where I standing. Moving to a new spot for Horowitz massively turned me around on them. I’d been familiar with them for years but they’ve never done much for me. Their set was tight and punchy though, and I’ll definitely be exploring their album(s?) some more. Up next, The Garlands brought some Swedish flavour to the festival, including somehow even getting away with a Wham! cover. Headliners The Just Joans opened with their excellent Hey Boy…You’re Oh So Sensitive!, which was useful as it’s the only song theirs I really like and allowed me to duck out a bit before the end before the heat and volume in the Buffalo Bar finally destroyed my head completely.
Saturday // 100 Club
I hate going to the 100 Club. Not because I have anything against the venue itself. Indeed, it’s actually a nicely laid out venue, everything being sideways with a stage in the middle meaning everyone gets a decent view. My problem with the 100 Club is it’s location. Being right in the centre of Oxford Street, there is literally nowhere to park anywhere near it (short of paying something ludicrous per hour in an underground horror movie set), particularly for an all-dayer. It’s fine for Londoners and their public transport and all, trying to get back to Kent at god knows when from central London without a car is an absolute bastard. That aside though, I did enjoy the fact that from Oxford Street itself, the most recognisable shopping street in the country for locals and tourists alike, you could hear indiepop blasting out of the doors for much of Saturday. Probably didn’t win any new fans, but the thought of random Japanese tourists being assaulted by the sounds of Allo, Darlin’ as they walked past amused me no end.
Walked into the place during Plouf!, had a quick drink and walked back out again in search of Forbidden Planet round the corner instead. Nothing against Plouf! in particular, but they just aren’t really my cup of tea. Arrived back somewhere toward the end of Red Shoe Diaries who seemed pretty good and made me regret disappearing for so long. Oh well.
After that began the perfect triple bill of Soda Fountain Rag, Standard Fare and Allo, Darlin’. Soda Fountain Rag was perhaps the most surprising of the three. I loved (and posted about) her brilliant Don’t Kill The Clowns back in 2008, but when I listened to some more songs, they didn’t seem to match up. Live though, it’s a different matter altogether, the end result being one of the most consistent sets of the weekend. Standard Fare seem to be on a meteoric indiepop rise at the moment. Seemingly coming out of nowhere over the past year, they managed to absolutely own their set, and seeing them headline such an event by next is by no means out of the question. Allo, Darlin’ are one of my favourite bands from the past year, and seeing them live was joyful. I’m convinced that they can’t make a song that isn’t catchy as hell, and rousing renditions of the superb Henry Rollins Don’t Dance and The Polaroid Song did nothing to argue with that view. Newer songs like Dreaming and Kiss Your Lips fit just as well, the latter even managing to sample Weezer’s El Scorcho, something that will instantly endear it to popkids the world over.
Not much was going to compete with that combination so it was time for a nice walk up and down Oxford Street after that, leading to an indulging in Burger King and trying to work out where the hell the light shining on Centre Point was coming from. Never did figure that one out. Wandered back into the 100 Club to see most of Shrag’s set, which was a pleasant surprise. I’ve never been much of a fan of their recorded output, but their live set was pretty damn fun. Following them were the wonderful Ballboy, taking their rightful place as headliners. Opening with the mighty Avant Garde Music, they ran through
a mixture of old classics and newer material. Sadly I missed the last bit of their set due to requiring a tube back to the car parked across the city. From the half I did see though, they were certainly one of the most professional bands of the festival. And I’m not just saying that because Gordon McIntyre told me to.
Please find below a lovely gallery of photos that are in black and white to look arty, and certainly not because I suck at taking decent pictures in low light.
Allo Darlin’ – The Polaroid Song
02 years ago
in MP3s
From about ten minutes after I first heard Allo Darlin’s Henry Rollins Don’t Dance, I was certain that it was going to be a strong contender for my favourite song of the year. I couldn’t see anything else coming close to the utter joy that those three minutes brought over and over, and as the year moved on, it seemed even more certain. Indeed, it took until December for another song to challenge for the position, and incredibly, it was from Allo, Darlin’ once again.
The Polaroid Song isn’t as immediate as the aforementioned Rollins. It doesn’t have one particular line or image that ingrains itself into one’s attention. What it does have though is a feeling. It’s all upbeat and cheerful enough, but there seems to be a slightly mournful take to the proceedings here. It’s the vocals that do it I think. Elizabeth Darling’s voice here seems more restrained than before, only really letting go for certain lines, but it works. We end up with a song that seems to lament the passing of time and what’s left behind, making it ideal for this time of year.
You can download the b-side to the Polaroid Song, the even more apt for this time of year Will You Please Spend New Year’s Eve With Me? for absolutely nothing from the superb Fortuna Pop. They’ll also sell it to you on 7″ vinyl if that’s your cup of tea too.
22 Songs
1I’ve missed far too much music in the past year to make a proper best of list, so instead, here’s a list of 22 songs that I’ve loved from 2009. Listed in alphabetical order, not preference. Even though all of them are bloody good.
4 or 5 Magicians – Preaching to the Converted
So 2009 didn’t turn out to be the year that 4 or 5 Magicians finally “made it”. They did manage to put out their first proper album though, and despite a few missteps, it’s an excellent start. Dan Ormsby’s great talent as a songwriter shine through throughout, perfectly chronicling both a struggling band and the state of the country side by side.
Obama is your new Che Guevara / Scouting for Girls are your new Nirvana / You’ve written ‘Free Tibet’ on the back of your hand / But you figure Tibet is a part of Iran
Youtube
Allo Darlin’ – Henry Rollins Don’t Dance
Pretty much the song of the year for me, although The Polaroid Song put in another strong effort for Allo Darlin’ Seemingly going from strength to strength at the moment, I’m half expecting them to be everywhere this year.
But in my head you’re Patrick Swayze / You drag me from the corner and call me ‘baby’ / But baby you don’t even wanna see Dirty Dancing
Youtube
The Answering Machine – Another City, Another Sorry
The album as a whole never quite lived up to the promise, but The Answering Machine did manage to deliver some superb individual songs. Kind of what the Arctic Monkeys might be sounding like now if they hadn’t turned to shit.
I’m sort of lacking certainty / Situations tease the drunk out of me
mp3
Art Brut – Demons Out!
Three albums in and Art Brut seem to be stuck in a holding pattern. No real advancement in terms of songs or abilities. A set of decent songs that are a hell of a lot better when performed live due to the natural charisma of Eddie Argos. I suspect Art Brut are about as a popular as they are ever going to be at this point. Which is why we can expect plenty more songs like Demons Out! in the future.
How am I supposed to sleep at night when no one likes the music we write / Record buying public, we hate them / This is Art Brut vs. Satan
Youtube
Camera Obscura – French Navy
2009 seemed to be the year that Camera Obscura finally came into their own, to the extent that after 13 years, the band were finally able to give up their day jobs. Each album has seen the band grow considerably, with more complex and elaborate arrangements making their way in. It might have taken a while, but they certainly aren’t the “female Belle & Sebastian” any longer.
Spent a week in a dusty library / Waiting for some words to jump at me
Youtube
Cats on Fire – Horoscope
The album was a little patchy, but Horoscope is an excellent little song. Mattias Björkas’s voice is the standout attraction here. He may sound like a Euro-Morrissey, but it’s incredibly easy to drift away in his voice.
I don’t believe in happy ever after / A pyramid scheme, I keep telling you
mp3
Dananananaykroyd – Pink Sabbath
A band that creates such a ruckus that they require a whole new genre has to be created for them (fight pop). Dananananaykroyd’s album was an assault on the ears from start to finish, but in a good way. If such a thing is possible.
Buy it, run it, kick it, fuck it, yeah
mp3
Emmy the Great – First Love
It took her the best part of five years, but Emmy the Great’s debut album just about lived up the high expectations. Boldly leaving off a number of “old favourites” in favour of a more structured collection, the album is a grower, but worth investing the time in.
You said I have a room / At the top of the stairs / I have a room with a view
Youtube
Fight Like Apes – Something Global
Possibly the most exciting band that I came across this year, I can’t think of album that has anywhere near as much play on my car stereo. And boy does it sound superb when bombing along at speed. Wonderfully unhinged.
So give me my hook / I know it might sound lame / Do you like my new look? / Waistcoats are so today
Youtube
Go Away Birds – The Year of Letting You Down
The first of two songs on this list to feature Catherine Ireton, who quickly became one of my favourite voices. A small start for someone who deserves to be huge.
I met with a little success in my work / You wouldn’t call it taking off / But you wouldn’t call it starving
mp3
God Help the Girl – God Help the Girl
..and here’s the second. For some reason that’s baffling to me, the Gold Help the Girl album didn’t seem to get the acclaim I expected it to. The fact it’s not showing up on many end of year lists is deeply confusing to me, but I suppose you can’t win them all. The song choice here is pretty arbitrary, as it could have just as easily been I’ll Have To Dance With Cassie, Musician Please Take Heed or a handful more.
The dawn will touch me in a way a boy could never touch / Their promise never meant so much to me
Youtube
Johnny Foreigner – Choose Yr Side and Shut Up!
An excellent song from what was an ultimately disappointing second album. Don’t get me wrong, I do like it and all, but it doesn’t even come close to Waited Up Til It Was Light. This album opener hints at the bigger things in store though. Short and to the point, it has anthem written all over it.
So we scattered pretty / Arcs across the city / Turned pockets of doubt / Into blankets of hope
Youtube
Let’s Wrestle – We Are The Men You’ll Grow To Love Soon
A slightly disjointed debut album from Let’s Wrestle still brought us a bunch of excellent little songs, if nothing incredibly exciting. Still, a band very much of their time. Few others can so perfectly articulate life in modern Britain.
We’re going down the job centre / And soon we’ll come out with a job
Youtube
Loney, Dear – Airport Surroundings
Typically late to the party with stuff like this, I never got into Loney, Dear (is there a comma or not?) much when the critically loved Loney, Noir came out. I absolutely love Airport Surroundings though. You’d think that would inspire me to check out the rest of the album, but I still haven’t got around to it. One day.
The last pain got away when I gave up myself / I bought a ticket to hell when I met up with you
mp3
Los Campesinos! – The Sea Is A Good Place To Think Of The Future
Utterly, utterly perfect. The album is quite good too. So I’m told.
I ask her to speak French and then I need her to translate / I get the feeling she makes the meaning more significant
mp3
Pocketbooks – Footsteps
The debut album from Pocketbooks delivered on all of the promise of the past few years. One indie pop gem after another, it makes me very excited for the future. From their adoration soaked performance at Indietracks to high profile support slot of God Help the Girl, bigger things are almost certainly in their future.
From the supermarket aisles to the dance floors of provincial towns / I’d occupy my vacant hours just waiting for something
mp3
Projekt A-ko – Molten Hearts
It always great when you discover a great band that is still rocking as if it’s 1994, and that’s exactly what Projekt A-ko do. Distortion, lazy vocals and even the odd “woo”. More like this in 2010 please.
I’ve got no fashion sense / I haven’t got any sense / I’ll never make any sense
Lastfm
Stagecoach – Break
Another band unashamedly influenced by the 90s US indie rock scene, Stagecoach bring the sound of Seattle to Brighton. Break is three minutes of song perfection, from a band we’ll be hearing a lot more of in the near future.
It’s not like her to cross the line / But she crossed it before and she’s gonna cross it one more time / Shit breaks / I kick in her face
mp3
Superman Revenge Squad – Super Sad Morgan
Pretty much any song from the supremely talented Ben Parker could have made it onto the list. I actually debated placing a Nosferatu D2 song on here, but it seemed to be pushing things a little. His songs are a masterclass in the writing of lyrics. Quite why a label hasn’t snapped him up is completely beyond me.
If someone mentions Woolworths again I think I’m gonna combust / We stole all of the Pic ‘n’ Mix from out her hearts
Lastfm
Tigers That Talked – Black Heart Blue Eyes
One of the most beautiful songs of the year from a band I really need to listen to more of. Black Heart Blue Eyes has such a wonderfully theatrical sound to it, topped off with some perfectly snappy wordplay.
Bigotry’s obligatory around here / There’s nothing for me to defend / Just got to go
mp3
Voxtrot – Berlin, Without Return…
Everything that the debut album should have been but never managed. Ramesh Srivastava’s vocal is as pitch perfect as ever, once again with a song worthy of his talents.
Do you spend your whole life trying to get back home? / Where do you go?
Youtube
The Young Republic – The Wolf
Now a fully formed band, The Young Republic may not be the same band they were a few years ago, but they know exactly what they want to be. Shifting from orchestral indie pop to Americana isn’t the easiest leap, but they’ve pulled it off with style. Incredibly self assured.
It hasn’t been this bad since my grandpa was a kid / He made it through, he never told us what he did
Youtube
AFoR Advent: Allo, Darlin’
12 years ago
in AFoR Advent, MP3s
I didn’t realise this song was quite so popular. I know I’ve heard a few different renditions of it in the past, but Wikipedia lists no less than 43 recordings of it. That doesn’t even include this one and a bunch of other unknown bands that have likely recorded it over the years. I also had no idea that it originally dates back to 1944. The things you learn on the internet.
It would be easy to argue that, like yesterday, this isn’t really a Christmas song either. It’s certainly not festive, and aside from the gentle sleigh bells in this version, there’s nothing to suggest it’s much more than a maudlin love song. Like yesterday’s entry though, it does have that cold feel, no doubt helped considerably by the lyrics. If not a Christmas song, it’s certainly a winter song, and given I’m likely going to run out of songs by next week anyway, it has a place here.
You can expect more Allo, Darlin’ before the year is out too. They’ve quickly become a favourite band on the back of a mere handful of songs over the past few months. Their superb single from earlier this year, Henry Rollins Don’t Dance, is a lock to be at the top end of the best of the year list. A list that we’ll actually manage to publish this year, unlike the disaster that was 2008.
