Raining Pleasure - Love Was Just A Girl

"Integrity's a virtue"

I think that this must be the first Greek band that I've posted on Alienhits. And, Raining Pleasure (great name, btw) are a perfect one to start off with. Apparently they've been rather popular in their home country for some time. They're a rock group, though an experimental one that isn't afraid to embrace their pop side. For instance, their new single Love Was Just A Girl begins with some odd electronic doodling before bursting into a catchy dance rock beat and later turning into a funky Scissor Sisters-esque chorus. It's a party track through and through, and a very interesting and bizarre one. If all music from Greece is this good, I've really got to do some more research.

Raining Pleasure - Love Was Just A Girl (mp3) (zshare)

(Music posted for evaluation purposes only. If you like what you hear, support the artists! I have no idea where to buy these guys' stuff, so you're on your own!)

Miley Cyrus - East Northumberland High

"You're my type of guy I guess if I was stuck in East Northumberland High for the rest of my life"

Yeah, you read that right. Today I am posting a song by Miley Cyrus (aka Disney's Hannah Montana). Living in the States, it's hard not to be aware of the recent Disney music craze in the charts. I can't say I'm particularly immune. I watch far too much Disney Channel (that means all the Hannahs, Corys, Dereks, High School Musicals... but I can't stand those hotel twins). It's pretty much the only channel nowadays where the sitcom is still alive and well. Out of curiosity, and with my tail between my legs, I decided to listen to the new Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus release. After all, it seems to be "all the rage," as they say. There is a lot of crap on it, including some absolutely awful, treacly songs. But, to my surprise, I was able to cut it down to about ten tracks that actually make up a really strong, electro-inspired album that hardly sounds Disneyfied at all. Some of this stuff is excellent! And, I'm becoming less and less ashamed to admit that. Take East Northumberland High, for instance. It's my favorite song of its type since Since U Been Gone. Melodically, it hearkens back to something that No Doubt might have done in their earlier years. And lyrically, it's actually kind of clever. The capper is the insanely perfect chorus, though. This could be a massive crossover hit, especially if nobody knew who was singing it. That's not to take away anything from Cyrus (who, from what I understand, has actually written most of the stuff on her album) but there definitely is a stigma attached to anything Disney. The only hideous thing about this track is the very end with its amazingly unconvincing cry of "rock and roll!" But, even that's pretty funny. Anyway, enough defending my song choice today. Listen to it and see what you think.

Miley Cyrus - East Northumberland High (mp3) (zshare)

(Music posted for evaluation purposes only. If you like what you hear, support the artists! Buy the album here!)

Pikko has updated her myspace with two new songs to download free (off of her Electric Body Design album). I especially recommend the wicked Bad Intentions, featuring the just-as-amazing Moto Boy as her duet partner.

Update!

You can now listen to a small sample of BWO's new superballad The Destiny Of Love here. Click on "provlyssna."

Murder Mystery - Love Astronaut



"I go looking for love, but is it looking for me?"

Murder Mystery are a new band from New York with an old-school rock sound. Love Astronaut, my favorite song from the new record, sounds like the Strokes if they decided to write a really good pop song. From the bubbling synth that opens to the track to the catchy, simple chorus, it's an insistent little song that doesn't necessarily hit you over the head but instead gradually works its way into your consciousness. It's an example of indie rock at its best... not overly produced but still catchy and polished.

Murder Mystery - Love Astronaut (mp3) (zshare)

(Music posted for evaluation purposes only. If you like what you hear, support the artists! Buy the album here!)

Just as I had recommended (several times, if I'm not mistaken) the boys from the BRILLIANT band Superfamily are releasing Warszawa (the most beautiful song on the album?) as their next single. Rush over to their myspace and give it a listen. It will be a massive hit.

More Delays News!!!

Straight from the mouths responsible for my number one album of 2006 comes a bucketload of extremely exciting news, including word on what I guess will be the first single from the new record!

"Hello dear friends, we bring you good news-the mixing of our next Album 'EVERYTHINGS THE RUSH' is now complete and we do declare it sounds fucking amazing! (Really-this is no time for false modesty!) The first release is going to be the limited edition 'LOVE MADE VISIBLE EP' featuring 'Love Made Visible', a reworked 'You See Colours', 'We Together Make A City'(Love Made Visible Torch Team remix) and 'Slow Burn' (which is a bit of a first for us as it was completely written and recorded in a day.) We don't have a release date for the album/single with a tour of full size venues yet but we can announce we'll be sharing 'Love Made Visible' with you on October 22nd. Or rather, Oct 22nd is officially 'Love Made Visible' day! Around the time of the EP we're going to be playing some shows in smaller venues in the UK and of course you guys are going to get first shout on the tickets, (within a week or so we'll have what computer boffins call a 'microsite' with all the dates and info on getting the EP and gig tickets first.)Much as we're loving being back in Southampton we're all dying to get out there and play for you all-choosing the setlist is going to be a bit of a bastard but its a nice problem to have, see you soon! Delays XXXX"

Montt Mardié - Metropolis



"A city that can touch the sky"

If you're anything like me, you're still lamenting the demise of extraordinary Swedish synthpop duo Le Sport. Well, we're both in luck, as Montt Mardié's new single (from his amazing Clocks/Pretender double disc) features none other than Fredrik Hellström from Le Sport! Mardié's latest album is divided into two halfs: one disc of classic motown-ish inspired stuff backed by a full orchestra and the other disc influenced by the 80's where each song is a duet with a well-known Swedish artist. Metropolis is from the second disc, and it's probably the best song I've posted on this blog since Superfamily. It is sinfully catchy (as is all of Mardié's stuff, really), incredibly 80's, and you will all love it. Absolutely guaranteed.

Montt Mardié - Metropolis (mp3) (zshare)

(Music posted for evaluation purposes only. If you like what you hear, support the artists! Buy the album here!)

Sneaky Sound System - Thin Disguise



"Spending too much time at the disco? Well, maybe you've got to give a little jazz a go"

I wrote about Australian pop band Sneaky Sound System a few months ago before I had heard their album in whole. Now that I have, I can't resist posting Thin Disguise, my favorite track from the record and a song that I think is perfect for the last days of summer. It's what all those Armand Van Heldens, David Guettas, and Groove Armadas should sound like. I love all those guys... don't get me wrong, but this track blows all of their recent stuff out of the water. It's just so... fun. Plus, it's got perhaps the best line this year (quoted above) that precedes a very random, but very enjoyable, jazz piano breakdown.

Sneaky Sound System - Thin Disguise (mp3) (zshare)

(Music posted for evaluation purposes only. If you like what you hear, support the artists! Buy the album here!)