Grammatics formed around april 2006 in a terraced house basement just outside Leeds city centre. They soon found that they shared many mutual loves...argument, doing things in the most difficult possible manner and general pretentiousness. Chances are if you've been to any European festival or indie-themed club night over the past 18 months you'll have seen this four-piece in the flesh at least once, and having steadily honed the majority of the eleven songs that make up 'Grammatics' over this period of time, they've unashamedly unleashed one of 2009's most astounding, and in many ways unparalleled albums. It ranges from mysterious ballads to instinctive angular pop songs. The incorporation of strings into many of their arrangements give the tracks a different feel than if they'd stuck to the standard guitar, bass, and drum approach. For fans of Arcade Fire, Radiohead, Wild Beasts or Patrick Wolf. On Dance To The Radio.
'The Hazards of Love' is a refreshingly substantial listen in a culture plagued by throwaway blog hits. It is set to become an anomaly in an age where the album is supposedly dead! The album plots an extravagant tale rooted in ancient language and imagery of a woman ravaged by her lover who is able to change his form between animal and man. The result is musically and lyrically rich with elaborate orchestrations that explode like baroque fireworks. The Decemberists are joined on this record by Lavender Diamond's Becky Stark and my Brightest Diamond's Shara Worden and there are cameos from Jim James of my Morning Jacket, Robyn Hitchcock and The Spinanes' Rebecca Gates.
2008 saw the return of one of rocks most unique and enigmatic duos, The Kills, with their third album 'Midnight Boom'. VV (Alison) and Hotel (Jamie) have long symbolised what draws people to rock 'n' roll, downright cool and sexy, and with songs that most other rock 'n' roll acts can only dream about making. 'Black Balloon', one of the stand out tracks from 'Midnight Boom', is the haunting tale of having to say goodbye to a love and shows a side to The Kills that many aren't familiar with, a gentler, more melodic side. The limited 10" (1000 copies) comes backed with exclusive b-sides '44' and 'Weedkiller'.
