Bill Drummond and Jimmy Cauty must go down as two of the oddest creatures in history of pop. Together they were the creative forces behind the KLF (Kopyright Liberation Front) and long before they had struck commercial gold with ‘The White Room’ they had written a manual on how to score a number one hit. Along the way they incurred the wrath of Abba and delivered several gallons of animal blood at the doors of an award ceremony to which they were invited. Not content with such daft manoeuvres they deleted their whole back catalogue and eloped to northern Scotland to burn one million sterling all in the name of art. The event was filmed with the intention of selling the recording for vast sums of money, sadly no eccentric could be duped into the sale. ‘What Time Is Love?’ is acid house/rave in a nutshell. It starts out like a cut from a schmoozy Alexander O’Neal’s album but quickly descends into a riotous example of what the Hacienda was pumping to back in the late eighties/early nineties. Listening now the song has retained an incredible energy even if it sounds completely of its day. It’s hard not to be taken in, I’ve already lost half a day searching for my moo moo whistle. KD

The KLF – What Time Is Love?

Album: The White Room
Year: 1991
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While Canada deservedly collects the prize for the most startling new bands this year let’s not forget that Scandinavia has also been punching above its weight. Aside from the immaculate Swedish Labrador label (Afraid of Stairs, South Ambulance, [Ingenting], the Radio Dept. et al.) the likes of Magnet, Royskopp and the untouchable Mew have all released albums of distinction. Here’s another one to watch, Stockholm’s Shout Out Louds sit easily with the emo brigade, their songs are immediately enjoyable yet are suddenly forgotten 5 minutes later. Their debut album is about to be re-released and ‘Comeback’ is one of the standouts. Combining the sounds of an Atari console with the hearty guitar kicks of a good Weezer single it certainly begins with a bang. And the fun doesn’t end there as the chorus is as pleasing as snow on Christmas day, just don’t expect to be still whistling it by New Year’s. KD

The Shout Out Louds – Comeback

Buy The Album: [UK] Howl Howl Gaff Gaff [US] Howl Howl Gaff Gaff
Year: 2005
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Before it all went right for him (and wrong for us) Guy Chambers had a credible history with Karl Wallinger’s World Party and his own band the Lemon Trees. Chambers is best known as Robbie Williams songwriting foil which has spawned countless mega hits yet it could have all been so different if the Lemon Trees’ ‘Open Book’ had taken off. This was the bands only major release and its lack of success is hard to counter when you compare it to the insipid Williams’ back catalogue. Released at the back end of baggy it boasted the requisite groovy textures as well as some of the most gorgeously simple melodies imaginable. ‘I Can’t Face The World Today’ is driven by a sea-saw trumpet and is soaked in Chambers hammond excursions. Paul Holman’s singing is wholesome yet alert to the possibilities presented by Chambers fertile imagination. There are so many different noises popping in and out of the song this could be possibly be one of the happiest sad songs ever written. KD

The Lemon Trees – I Can’t Face The World

Album: Open Book
Year: 1993
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Calling your latest album ‘The Struggle Continues’ might be admitting defeat, but hey it worked for Snow Patrol! The Jubilee Allstars have been knocking around the Dublin indie scene for a decade now but despite local critical acclaim they have failed to incur even a smidgeon of sales. This is a shame because the McCormack siblings are a talented lot. Ok, the vocals may be ropey at times but that is a bona fide plus when you hear their lo-fi countrified compositions. Back in 1996 it seemed as if they were truly onto something special. The ‘By The End Of The Night’ EP was their third release but it set out the blueprint for their glorious ramshackle approach. All 4 songs revealed an innate quality in the songwriting even if the playing was occasionally so hushed it could have backed a nursery rhyme. ‘Without You’ is sung by Niall with such heartbreaking passion it’s easy to forgive the less than perfunctory drumming. The guitars twinkle about for all their worth to boost the atmosphere, so much so that you’ll end up feverishly flicking through that little black book to find that number that could’ve changed everything. Go seek and make them stars. KD

The Jubilee Allstars – Without You

Album: By The End Of The Night EP
Year: 1996
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Yet another Bob Dylan cover that is superior to the original. And it’s not just the fact that Even Johansen has a craftier voice, here the regurgitation is dressed up in some wonderful atmospherics giving the song understated prowess. The backbone comes by way of the lush instrumentation and the soft interplay between Johansen and Ireland’s Gemma Hayes. The smooth delivery is remarkable, picture the synchronised sequeing of 2 young lovers heartbeats and you’ll approximate the lavish drift. The oboe, ghostly backing singers and violin turns swirl together perfectly creating the perfect bedrock for the singers. At last there’s an alternative for all non-musicians to woo the maiden of their dreams from her balcony, just make sure there is a power supply close by to power those ipod speakers. KD

Magnet – Lay Lady Lay

Album: On Your Side
Year: 2003
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As eccentric as the old man down the lane who never ventures outside Gorky’s Zygotic Mynci share the same rambling patterns as their countrymen Super Furry Animals. While this can be utterly frustrating there are times when the scattered approach is parked and what remains is premium straight ahead pop. ‘Diamond Dew’ is minimalist in its application with Euro Childs strenuously holding court while the psychedelic surroundings and cackling banjos shadow his words. The verse chorus verse works a treat and even though the songs peaks and valleys could be alien to chart hounds the sound is one that would augment a winter’s afternoon tucked in beside the fireplace. KD

Gorky’s Zygotic Mynci – Diamond Dew

Album: Barafundle
Year: 1997
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Dodgy had a lot going for them. Great songs, quirky image, neat t-shirts and their own fab club night meant that the scene was set for stardom. Aside from a few minor hits like ‘Staying Out For The Summer’, ‘Good Enough’ and ‘In A Room’, however, they remained on the sidelines. It’s a shame because their fluid harmonies and well-chosen references (early Stone Roses) could be a boon for listening ears. Dodgy’s first 2 albums exposes a wealth of material of the jangling kind and while their best seller ‘Free Peace Sweet’ was a tad diluted it had several moments of note. ‘Summer Fayre’ encapsulates the bands intentions and conjures Monkees like stylings with Beatlesque ingenious twists. This sounds like it was hatched in the sixties and the psychedelic edge certainly adds to the drama. The hold each other’s hands and sing out loud ending should be played at primary schools the world over during roll such is its potential happy inducing niceties. KD

Dodgy – Summer Fayre

Album: Melod-EP
Year: 1994
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As the scariest day of the year approaches how better to get into the mood than to sit back and be shaken by the threat of hooded axemen wielding guitars that conjure shadowy silhouettes. Despite the fact that Shipping News could alarm the vulnerable there is an emotional depth to their music that coaxes the brave towards further investigation. ‘Axons and Dendrites’ plays the post-rock card to perfection yet it’s the eerily layered vocals that appear after several minutes of expansive shenanigans that catapult this mood piece skywards. This is the sound of the voices that come from your cupboard at 3am as you hug your comfort blanket. The undeniable swing creates a momentum that could propel the pendulum on a 12-foot grandfather clock. Todd Cook’s rich bass and Kyle Crabtree’s ambling percussion integrate with such intensity that the whirling wall of sound can’t help but levitate nearby furniture until it crashes to the floor at fade out. KD

Shipping News – Axoms & Dentrites

Album: Flies The Fields
Year: 2005
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In an unfair world Bell X1’s legacy could well have been remembered for the backing track to a lesbian kiss in a teen drama. Fortunately their latest album ‘Flock’ looks set to change all that, finally placing them amongst the elite. ‘Music In Mouth’ is where it all started to go right for the Kildare band, Damien Rice had long since fled and the dubious directions of their previous incarnation Juniper had been vanquished. ‘Music In Mouth’ spilled great ideas from every pore; jangling guitars were ubiquitous as were great admiring nods to ‘The Bends’ era Radiohead. As a live prospect Bell X1 have few peers and even the potentially embarrassing sight of 2 papier-mâché apples holding hands fails to diminish the experience. ‘Snakes & Snakes’ is a rush of surging riffs, breakneck rhythms and vocals that career off at odd tangents until they uncover another source of pure melody. Picture a 21st century reincarnation of the Byrds at their most shimmering and you’ll get the idea. KD

Bell X1 – Snakes & Snakes

Album: Music In Mouth
Year: 2003
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