Futuresounds 2009 Part Four

This blog post was taken down from Blogger. Probably because I uploaded a live version of the Titus Andronicus track. But seeing as that's not commercially available, I think that's a bit stupid. And if it's because of the other two tracks (given away as free downloads by the artists themselves) then that's really stupid. I guess I'll never know.

It's not over yet. But it's almost over. Following the tried and tested method of using one hyped band, one KHI past favourite and an act that has yet to be featured on this blog, we've come to the final edition of my 12 tips for 2009. After these three acts, I'll do a little round up and maybe mention a few bands that made the longlist but I didn't include for whatever reason.

Dan Black
Dan is a KHI oldboy but after appearing in the BBC Sound of 2009 list and signing to a major record label, he's had a fair bit of a buzz. His magical reimagining of seminal Notorious B.I.G track 'Hypnotise Me' (retitled as 'HYPNTZ') was my #1 single of 2008 and the LCD Soundsystem-esque new single 'Alone' is fast becoming another favourite. If you like innovative electro pop a la Tom Vek, Dan is your man.

DAN BLACK - I LOVE LIFE (DEMO)



Grammatics
I know in most people's minds MySpace is a long forgotten memory but if you've ever gone onto a band profile, you might have noticed they have genre tags. Grammatics list themselves under "Melodramatic Popular Song", an entirely appropriate and reflective label. One of the most lusciously enigmatic and grandiose British bands to have emerged in the past decade, they remain sadly underappreciated. I can only hope that their forthcoming self-titled debut album reveals their genius to the mainstream music world. This should be the future of pop.

GRAMMATICS - NEW FRANCHISE

Titus Andronicus
Punk rock or drunk rock? Following a favourable Pitchfork review of self-released album 'The Airing of Grievances', ears pricked up this side of the ocean. Since then though, the hype has been relatively muted on these shores. The remastered, new UK album release is unlikely to be much of a commercial success but their insulated sound reflecting bands like The Clash and Tokyo Police Club should result in plentiful cult fandom.

TITUS ANDRONICUS - FEAR AND LOATHING IN MAHWAH, NJ (LIVE)


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That concludes today's proceedings. As for Futuresounds, we've seen four hyped acts (White Lies, Little Boots, Mumford and Sons and Dan Black), four KHI past faves (Fight Like Apes, The Joy Formidable, Fanfarlo and Grammatics) and four newbies (Red Light Company, The Temper Trap, Little Comets and Titus Andronicus). With White Lies already topping the UK album chart, things are looking good. For most of the acts on my list, such an achievement is unrealistic but let's hope they manage a decent stab at success in 2009. Other acts I'm hoping for success, both critically and commercially, include Sky Larkin and Dinosaur Pile-Up. No doubt you'll be hear more about the acts that have appeared in this feature on my blog and elsewhere.