Arty Karate
We are deep into territory clearly demarcated by Bloc Party. A rushing undercurrent of rhythm stabbed at by the lead guitar work and lyrics about being worried about “getting left behind” and forgetting yourself. Stop start stop start stop. (MB)
www.myspace.com/artykarate

Autumn Chorus – Rosa EP
This new bands first self-release, available in Resident, is a huge, shimmering work of vibrating, atmospheric balladry. At 18 minutes, Rosa has a whole five to build into a massive chiming refrain before the vocals come in, a thick gruffness to them in place of Jónsi Sigur Ros’ more fey delivery. Though Autumn Chorus’ sound owes the Icelanders a debt, it is an utterly distinct magical entity in it’s own right. (MB)
www.myspace.com/autumnchorus

The Hornblower Brothers
Skiffle done over in a fuller fleshed-out form is going to be the big thing this year, we can feel it. The Hornblowers should be at the front of the movement as soon as it rallies in force – their songs are just so delightfully upbeat and charming, catchy and breezy – all the things you need to make you feel good when it’s so damn bleak outside. (MB)
www.myspace.com/thehornblowerbrothers

The Lieutenant’s Mistress
In ‘Next To Me’, singer Andrew Motley asks “Am I the only one not chasing the sun?” Well sir, you have come to the right person because I’m not either. I understand your pain. I too see the beauty in death on a pretty day, can appreciate the melancholy of that dichotomy and I like the way you use trumpets to create the funereal atmosphere in songs that would otherwise be soulless. (MB)
www.myspace.com/thelieutenantsmistress

One Knuckle Fist
OKF dudes – you can’t cite your sole influence as ‘being English’ then go on to sound like vintage 90s Gothenburg thrash being battered about by mid-80s Bay Area bermuda short sporting riffaholics. That might be tying this sound up a bit too tightly, but you know what I’m saying. (MB)
www.myspace.com/oneknucklefist

StrangeA
People like Kate Nash and Feist are going to be responsible for a lot of mini-epic kitchen-sink amateur dramatic pop this year. Their influence is already being felt in StrangeA whose “Heart of stone would like to thank you all for being here today.” My heart would like to bleed, alas, it is made of stone too. (MB)
www.myspace.com/strangea