Stereo Jealousy

Gig Of The Week – Vivian Girls – Brixton Windmill

Brooklyn’s Vivian Girls have had a whirlwind 2008. Recently named in Rough Trade’s 50 albums of 2008 (#9, no less), the band follows support slots with Deerhunter, Fucked Up and Love is All over in the States with a couple of shows here in London. The first is the peach, set in the dark, cramped surroundings of Brixton’s tiny Windmill venue. The sound is resolutely lo-fi, with hints of Sarah Records influence along with classic girl group vs Jesus And Mary Chain noise. So ignore the glitzy XFM bash up the road at the Academy and go and head for Brooklyn in Brixton.

You can stream the entire debut album over at Last.fm

Where Do You Run To (mp3)

Photo: Mercurialn

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AC/DC Black Ice	Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy Is It The Sea? Arise Therefore	The Dears Missiles Berlin Heart
Gang Gang Dance Saint Dymphna House Jam	Jolie Holland The Living And The Dead Palmyra	Kaiser Chiefs Off With Their Heads
The Long Blondes Singles Giddy Stratospheres	Max Tundra Parallax Error Beheads You Nord Lead Three	Okkervil River The Stand Ins Pop Lie
	The Sea And Cake Car Alarm

You can click on any of the album covers to be whizzed to Amazon to buy these…

As I was putting this post together I saw the news on NME about The Long Blondes splitting up. It’s pretty sad but obviously guitarist Dorian Cox’s health comes first. Their compilation, out this week on New Cross label Angular, includes all their marvellous early singles and b-sides. It’s probably the best way to remember them, although 2008’s Couples is an underrated gem too.

Gig Of The Week: Mogwai, Fuck Buttons & Errors

A stellar post-rock lineup this Friday at Hammersmith’s venerable Apollo. Though The Hawk Is Howling is a little hard work Mogwai still have a live reputation that is untarnished. If they needed any encouragement to be on top form, there’s the potential for an upstaging from both bands. Bristol’s Fuck Buttons have produced a fantastic record in Street Horrrsing, and are a live draw on their own. Mogwai’s Glaswegian labelmates Errors complete the bill, and with tracks like Salut! France and National Prism look set to win some new friends. Obviously this is largely sold out, but I think there are a few seats left…

Gigantic / Stargreen

Mogwai – Hunted By A Freak (Live)
Fuck Buttons – Ribs Out
Errors – Cutlery Drawer

The gig that Hunted By A Freak is from can be found in full, and in great quality, here.

Read on for the best of the week’s gigs around the capital…

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