Codeine - Kitchen (Demo) (Numero Group, 2012)

Not-so-slow demo from the pioneering Codeine.

I am waiting with baited breath for my copy of the Codeine boxset so I can relive the slower-than-slow sounds of the groundbreaking Codeine.

Active for only a few years around the turn of the nineties, Codeine were the epitome of slowcore, glaciers forming in the space between the notes on tracks like 'Realize'. Some notable bands like Mogwai, Low, Slint and Red House Painters forming in those gaps too.

'Kitchen' is an acoustic guitar and vocal demo that whets the appetite for the box's bonus material.

Enjoy.

Download Codeine 'Kitchen (Demo)' (Slowcore, Post-Rock, Sub Pop, mp3) (via Stereogum)

Blur - Into Another (Parlophone, 1993)

Gently psych, pre-Britpop b-side.

Some lovely guitar work from Graham Coxon, creating curly clouds whimsy as Damon does his best Syd Barrett impression in the verses before releasing the tension with a soaring, anthemic chorus. B-side of 'For Tomorrow'.

Download Blur 'Into Another' (indie, Britpop, mp3) (Divshare)

The High Llamas - Checking In, Checking Out (Target, 1994)

Gorgeous, harmony-drenched pop.

The High Llamas is effectively the work of former Microdisney songwriter Sean O'Hagan. Still ploughing a highly melodic furrow now, 'Checking In, Checking Out' was a single from the second High Llamas album 'Gideon Gaye'.

It's a densely arranged song that feels light as air. Sweeping melodies and counter-melodies create a delightful broth of a song that recalls The Beach Boys and Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young. A classic.

Download The High Llamas 'Checking In, Checking Out' (Beach Boys, mp3) (Divshare)

Kenickie - People We Want (EMIDISC, 1997)

Loud-quiet indie melancholynonchalance.

The Eat Junk Become Junk blog recently posted Kenickie's 'At The Club' album and reminded me what a great song 'People We Want' is.

'At The Club' is a genuinely good record with the bubblegumpunk of 'Punka' and lots more besides. 'People We Want' is a shimmering vignette of regret, faded glamour, lost love, tears and Cinzano. It fizzes along on a loud-quiet guitar attack, underpinned by some Pulp-y synths. Perfection.

Download Kenickie 'People We Want' (indie mp3) (Divshare)

 

Hood - The Lost You (Domino, 2004)

Glitch-y, Shoegaze-y, Post-Rock-y delights.

Definitely one of the most under-rated bands of recent times, Hood seemed to combine disparate influences - Post-Rock, Shoegaze, glitchy techno, ambience, leftfield sound collage and found recordings - into a thrilling soundscape.

Their best work runs along a similar line to Bark Psychosis and Disco Inferno where conventional instruments are merged with effects and entwined with samples and atmosphere. The likes of Trophy Wife are trading in a similar sound to the mighty, but now disbanded, Hood.

'The Lost You' kicks of with some glitched up beats, delivering a driving, staccato groove. A pale, translucent vocal comes in and the track builds up a clattering momentum before dubbing out into an extended break with delicious tones and piano, the treble whacked-out like on one of those Filter Disco tracks from the 90s. The vocal comes back and the tracks explodes in all directions, refracting sound like a post-rock mirrorball. 

Download Hood 'The Lost You' (post-rock, glitch, mp3) (Divshare)