Echo and The Bunnymen Release a New Compilation

Echo & the Bunnymen have released a new two-CD set compilation summarizes the band’s output between 1979 and 1987. The compilation is entitled 'Do It Clean: An Anthology' and it is a 38-track collection which actually contains all the band’s singles from this era including non-album 45s and "People Are Strange" from 'The Lost Boys' soundtrack. There’s a small sprinkling of relative rarities with the inclusion of The Original "Cutter" – A Drop in the Ocean – originally on the flipside to "Never Stop". Speaking of which, that single is also included in its remixed form (Never Stop (Discotheque)). New sleeve notes from Paul Lester are included in the 16 page booklet. Do It Clean: An Anthology 1979-1987 is out on 16 April 2015.

Retrovision: Marc Almond- Stories of Johnny -Live-

"Stories of Johnny" was one of the lead tracks on the album of the same name which was relesed in 1985. This prefomance on Wogan in 1985 gave a whole new dimension to the song with boy choir and wonderful backing vocals.

 

WAW: East India Youth- Carousel

"Carausel" is one of the lead singles for East India Youth, from the upcoming album 'Culture of Volume'. The album is out this month on XL Recordings and the video for this hauntingly magnificent song 'Carousel' was directed by Andy Inglis and produced by Cherise Payne.

 

Franz Ferdinad team up with Sparks for Album Release as FFS

Sparks are back with a brand new album and their first in this decade. This time they decided with fellows Franz Ferdinand for a brand new album. This comes ten years after the initial seed was planted between these two iconic bands Franz Ferdinand and Sparks are now FFS. The mutual admiration society between Alex Kapranos, Nick McCarthy, Bob Hardy, Paul Thomson, Ron Mael and Russell Mael has manifested itself in a striking new album. And without further ado, FFS is upping the ante with the announcement that they will be performing live. FFS: Franz Ferdinand and Sparks together in concert. It’s true! (FFS Facebook page)

A-ha Announce New Album for September

After their decision to split in 2009 after the release of their ninth studio album and farewell tour, a-ha were delighted to announce the release of a brand new studio album this autumn. The new album, 'Cast In Steel', will be the band’s tenth studio album and it will be released on 4th September 2015, three weeks before the band return to play the Rock in Rio music festival in Brazil, and thirty years since their debut single, "Take on Me", reached number one around the world.

Dimension Gondry: Michael Andrews & Gary Jules- Mad World

Another good one from Michael Gondry and quite an unconventional one compared to the other videos he directed. In 2000, Richard Kelly commissioned Michael Andrews to do the soundtrack for the film Donnie Darko. Its original score album went on to sell over 100,000 copies in part because of Andrews's remake of Tears for Fears' "Mad World", featuring Gary Jules). One video featured the scenes from the video while the other featured singer Gary Jules and scenes from every day life reflected in the hanging mirrors. 

WAW: Talking Bush- Overgrow

Great new music coming from St Petersburg in Russia. There is not much info about the artist other then that his name is Nikita and that he writes music. You can hear that his music was influenced by The Smiths and that he himself sounds like Morrissey. For now, two songs are available for your listening pleasure through his Soundcloud and there is some info about an upcoming EP.

Next Wave: Liste Noire

Liste Noire is a brand new incarnation of the art wave project Velvet Condom. Alice Gift and Obers T are joined by a new member Kalle on guitar and keyboards and they are playing what they call Disco Noir. Their debut EP 'Afire Afire' is expected to be released this spring and it is available as a free downloaded on their page. Two of the songs from the new EP have already been revealed on Youtube, "Afire Afire" and "Mother". 

The Monochrome Set's New Album 'Spaces Everywhere' Out Now.

The Monochrome Set have released a brand new album 'Spaces Everywhere'. This is a follow up to their album 'Super Plastic City' which was released in 2013. This is how the record label described their sound: "A very particular humor. And a very unique sound, although this time banjos, Hammond organ, female backing vocals and even flutes can be heard on the new album, experts and laymen alike will recognize,...On one hand, the music is very melodic and cheerful. The lyrics, however, deal with death, decay." The album was released on Tapete Records on March 13th.

Retrovision: Inspiral Carpets- This is How it Feels

Twenty five years ago Inspiral Carpets released their seventh single "This is How it Feels" and the first one to reach the top 20 in the UK charts. The US music video for "This Is How It Feels" was inspired by the imagery of the British art duo Gilbert and George, making use of their signature "stained glass" and grid style and their standard iconography. The song was written by Clint Boon.