The Boy With The Thorn In His Side

Here we go and it’s about time too!

2 March 2010 Hands, the debut record from Little Boots will finally see the light of day Stateside via the relaunched Elektra label. It only took almost a year to make it happen but in this day and age, we will have to take what we can get.  In celebration of this momentous occasion, Little Miss Victoria will be heading out on the road in an effort to dominate our great land. Many have tried, many have failed so we shall see if our favourite synth-playing pixie can charm our fellow Yanks the same way she cast her spell to our brethren across the pond.  Incidentally the tour starts on… March 2nd in NYC. Who’s s going?!

New York, NY Highline Ballroom (March 2)
Vancouver, BC Venue (5)
Seattle, WA Neumos (6)
Portland, OR Hawthorne Theatre (7)
San Francisco, CA The Fillmore Auditorium (9)
Los Angeles, CA El Rey Theatre (10)
Pomona, CA The Glass House (12)
San Diego, CA The Casbah (13)
Indio, CA Coachella Festival (April 18)
Atlanta, GA Masquerade Hell Stage (22)
Washington, DC 9:30 Club (23)
Philadelphia, PA Pure (24)
Boston, MA Middle East (28)
Montreal, QC SAT (29)
Toronto, ON Phoenix Concert Hall (30)
Chicago, IL Metro (May 1)

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“Mathematics” by Little Boots, taken from the 679/Elektra release, “Hands”

It’s about that time once again, Suede-heads! Another year has passed and I’m going to share my favourite records of the year that just passed us by. 2008 was a wonderful year and put a halt to the overwhelming mediocrity and crapitude we had been subjected to in recent years. 2009 upped the ante by introducing us to some note-worthy new artists and some brilliant returns to form from a veteran or two. With that said…

Never mind the bollocks, here’s Billy Suede’s best of 2009. Part one!

20. Little Boots. Hands. (679)

2009 brought the debut by Miss Victoia Hesketh better known as Little Boots, the pixie beauty who showed the world that pop music isn’t the realm of the likes of Lady Gaga alone. While we’re still waiting for the official release of Hands stateside by Atlantic, those of us who bought the import, LEGALLY downloaded it or or…got it off the torrents (Shame on you!) were treated to some of the best pure pop gems of the year.  Lady Gaga might have had the mainstream, Jersey Shore  crowd but Little Boots had the blogosphere on its knees. Truly an artist to keep an eye on for the next decade, to be sure.

19. Raekwon . Only Built 4 Cuban Linx, Part 2. (ICEH2O/EMI)

While everyone and their mother was singing the praises of Jay-Z’s trimuphant return to the charts with The Blueprint 3, Another luminary in NY hip-hop was releasing a better record on the same day. Raekwon of the almight Wu Tang Clan came out of hiding and released his fourth solo record and the long awaited sequel to 1994’s Only Built For Cuban Linx. Needless to say, there’s nary a bad track on here. As is normally the case with any record from a Wu-Tang Clan member, there are appearances by fellow members throughout. What puts this record on this list is the lyricism and the storytelling that Raekwon displays here. No matter how many producers had their turn manning the boards, there is a consistency throughout that is rare in hip-hop right now. Another shining example to prove that if you’re looking for real hip-hop, it’s not on the radio.  It’s in the streets of New York.

18. Franz Ferdinand. Tonight. (Domino/Epic)

It must be said. I am indeed a fanboy of the Franz. It also must be said of their second record,2005’s You Could Have It So Much Better which should have been retitled This Could Have Been So Much Better that aside from a couple of songs, the record as a whole was a disappointment compared to their sterling debut.  The band returned with a vengeance in 2009 with a smart and tidy record that brought back the groove, added with some synthetic ornamentation and cut back on the balladry which is not the band’s strength. While the record didn’t get the love that the band had enjoyed in the past, be assured that Tonight was proof positive that the Franz is not going anywhere.

17. Filthy Dukes. Nonsense In The Dark. (Polydor)

Another solid debut from the indie dance world. The Dukes had been making waves for  quite a while through the blogosphere with hot tracks like This Rhythm (featured above), Messages and Tupac Robot Club Rock. Much like the Raekwon record, this album is one of there are many movable parts. In this case, virtually each song is given a different personality as there are different vocalists throughout. The record doesn’t suffer a bit for it. It’s an adrenaline boost from the get-go and one of the few dance records that can also be looked as a pop record and we haven’t had one of those in quite a while. A shame they don’t have a US deal as yet. Hopefully 2010 will be the year the Dukes gets some shine. Hey, at least Kanye likes them!

16. The Temper Trap. Conditions. (Glassnote)

A simply beautiful record. A debut record from a band that certainly has the talent that break through in the very near future. Dramatic. Melodic. Tunes. While the son this record are most certainly singles Sweet Disposition & The Science of Fear, the band has written a solid record that they can be proud of. Another record that while it did well in the UK with the NME crowd as well as the band’s native Australia, the record really didn’t bother the US at all. While disappointing to the band, I’m sure, I’ve got a feeling The Temper Trap will find their way high on the Billboard charts very soon.

15. Editors. In This Light And On This Evening. (Kitchenware/The FADER Label)

The record comes out Stateside early this year but it came out everywhere else in 2009 so it counts! What counts even more is the about-face the band underwent for album number three. Gone is the refined dark post-punk sound of the 2005 debut The Back Room. Tossed aside was the Coldplay tinged arena-rock lite that was 2007’s An End Has A Start. 2009 found the band showing off their love for Blade Runner and the synth! The anthems are still present as is Tom Smith’s stentorian baritone but the use of synths add another element to the band’s repertoire. In some respects, the album is even darker than the debut. While that may scare some fans of their earlier work away, it may also be the reset button the band needed in order to move forward. Anyone who still thinks they sound like Interpol is getting smacked.

14. Mos Def. The Ecstatic. (Downtown)

Before he became a likeable and acclaimed actor, Mos Def was a rapper. A very good one with respect coming from backpackers and the mainstream crowd alike. To date, his 1999 Black Star collaboration with fellow great, Talib Kweli is still the stuff of legend and the template from which today’s underground hip-hop scene draws inspiration from. While his own records do tend to be a bit on the spotty side, no one can utter a negative word on his 2009 opus, The Ecstatic.

Quite possibly, Mos’ most complete work, period. He shows his diverse influences yet again from a little bit of rock, a little bit of Afrobeat…all the while bringing the lyrical force that we come to expect from the man formerly known as Dante Smith-Bey.  It’s pleasing to see that while he got the normal shine from the underground circles, Mos’ work was appreciated by the public at large with the record debuting at number 9 on the Billboard charts and garnering a Grammy nomination for Best Rap Record….if you follow that sort of thing, of course.

13. Muse. The Resistance. (Warner Brothers)

Muse has been on the precipice of greatness for a while now. Personally I felt 2006’s Black Holes And Revelations was a slight come down from the band’s high water mark, 2004’s Absolution due to the band’s experimenting a bit more but leaving the urgency of the songs behind. 2009 found the band revving up their political juices and sounding as angry as ever.  While political in scope and still embracing the progressive rock sound the band has been delving into more and more with each record, The Resistance is also arguably the bend’s commerical sounding record yet as evidenced by the glam-stomp vibe featured above in leadoff single Uprising. A great band just got even better in 2009. Ten years in and the band is well on their way to becoming an all-timer.

12. Yeah Yeah Yeahs. It’s Blitz. (Interscope)

Three albums in and NYC’s Yeah Yeah Yeahs have evolved quite nicely over the years. A sparkling, frenetic debut in 2003’s Fever To Tell which spawned the mega-hit in Maps, there was a let-down of sorts as the band veered in lie alt-country with 2006’s Show Your Bones. In 2009, the band came back with a kick in their step and an infusion of synths to augment their sound. It worked like a charm as evidenced by the two lead-off singles Zero and Heads Will Roll. The band finally got their balance right between the rockier pieces, the softer ballads and the more accessible work. Karen O found his footing and the band find themselves as quite possibly the heir apparent to the Pretenders. Always on point, never boring with a beast of a frontwoman leading the way.

11. Hatcham Social. You Dig The Tunnel, I’ll Hide The Soil. (TBD)

A debut record that really came in under the radar in 2009 but it’s my hope that the band will not continue to reside in their current underrated status for much longer. Hatcham Social, a band long championed by the likes of Faris Badwan of the Horrors and Tim Burgress of the Charlatans made their album debut in 2009 after releasing some quality singles beforehand. Their sound is reminscent of the seminal bands one would have heard released from the Kitchenware and Postcard labels in the early 80s like Josef K and Orange Juice but doesn’t lack any of their charm or immediacy. The record is simply a joy to listen to and displays a brilliant future for the band.

“How many countless nights
I try me best to hide
Soon as you slam the door
My tears fall to the floor
I know that people change
Maybe your not to blame
But must you burn a hole
So deep into my soul”

Oh dear Victoria. You really shouldn’t have! They say the third time’s the charm and I dare say that old axiom does indeed ting true yet again. Now I know that Remedy made it into the UK Top Ten. I know how irresistible and glamtastic the song is but It must be said that deep in the cockles of my heart I was hoping against hope that at least one of two fave tracks from Hands would indeed be released as a single. My prayers have been answered and here’s Earthquake! The second track on the record but first in our hearts has made its way to the charts and a clear ascent is to be expected for such a wonderful song.

Lyrically we find our heroine telling us a tale about the tug-of-war that is a relationship when things start going sour and how delicate a task it is to rekindle the flame. I know what you’re thinking. Gee. Nothing new there. I would say you would right but since it’s Little Boots and she is so cute delivering the lyrics in the video and in the song that you simply have to let it slide. Isn’t that what pop music is all about?

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“Earthquake” by Little Boots, taken from the 679 release, “Hands”

Presenting the promotional film for New In Town, the official leadoff single from Little Boots’ debut Hands. A cute video showing Miss Boots travelling through various parts of the city being followed and mobbed by the dregs of society who follow her every move dancing every step of the way. For a second there I thought I was watching a Michael Jackson video like Beat It or Bad. Apparently the creators of the video were most likely were right on the same train of thought. Luckily the song itself drives it home. 

NYC people! Aren’t we lucky to live in the greatest city of them all? Why? Because Miss Boots is coming on May 15th to play one, yes I said ONE show on the 18th of May at Le Poisson Rouge at 158 Bleecker. She’ll be supported by the very meh HeartsRevolution with Dave P of the Making Time night in Philly spinning. Get your tix here.

“Im gonna take you out tonight 

Im gonna make you feel alright
I dont have a lot of money
But we’ll be fine
No, I dont have a penny
But I’ll show you a good time”

The 8th of June will bring the release of another anxiously anticpated record and should be one of the hits of the summer presented to us by none other than Miss Little Boots. Hands, judging by the blog hits Meddle and Stuck On Repeat should ably to allow us to move on from Goldfrapp quite quickly and allow Victoria Hesketh to assume the throne. The official lead-off single is a seedy little ditty called New In Town. The track was produced by Greg Kurstin who also handled the production for the rest of the record as well as being responsible for Lily Allen’s latest. I offer a golf clap for a job well done. NIT is one of those songs that when you hear it on the radio, it will make your ears perk up. The voice and synths work in concert to transport to a dark early morning roaming the streets of New York or London and what you lack in currency, you more than make up for in courage. Little Boots just wants you to know that as long as you stick, you’ll be okay. Isn’t that a quaint concept? I suppose all my fears would disappear if I was walking the streets with Little Boots arm in arm but I digress…

The song’s hot. Check for it. It’s going to be a great summer.

“New In Town”, taken from the forthcoming I Am Sound release, “Hands”

PS:  Here’s the tracklisting for Hands: