You tell me what you think for a change. As the title suggests, I’m posting this without listening to it.

The Bravery – “The Spectator” (right click to download)

The new album by The Bravery, Stir The Blood, comes out on December 1. With the album’s first single “Slow Poison” being played on radio stations throughout the land, the song “The Spectator,” which will be on Stir The Blood, will also be released tomorrow on The Vampire Diaries soundtrack.

There was a psychedelic re-awakening of sorts in the late 1980′s, due in part to the pervasive cultural trend towards retrospective of the late-1960′s “Summer of Love”. In the midst of this, there appeared the psych-pop of The Dukes of Stratosphear. The Dukes were a spin-off of the much-loved British pop/punk act XTC, whom many consider the most important British rock act of the 1980′s. Though they worked feverishly to cloak themselves in anonymous monikers and lack of fanfare for the release of their first EP, 25 O’Clock, people would eventually come to figure out that the Dukes were alter-egos of Andy Partridge and co.

The Dukes of Stratosphear went on to release the full-length Psonic Psunspot and, later, repackage the two releases together as Chips from the Chocolate Fireball.

Though they’ve been out of print for some time, they’ve returned for a visit. Nearly twenty years later, Andy Partridge’s very own APE Label has reissued these beloved psych-pop albums, proving they’re just as bright and inviting today as they were tongue-in-cheek vogue during the “Summer of Love” renaissance 20 years ago. Enjoy these two tracks from the release.

The Dukes of Stratosphear – Brainiac’s Daughter
The Dukes of Stratosphear – My Love Explodes

_{* This LIMITED EDITION packaged CD comes in a HARDBACK digibook featuring brand new artwork and the booklet includes new sleeves notes by Andy, Colin and Dave Gregory and exclusive archive photos.}

_{* Includes 9 extra tracks of demos and extra recordings including “Black Jewelled Serpent of Sound{Radio Caroline edit}”, “Open a Can of Human Beans”, “Tin Toy Clockwork Train”, and the VIDEO for “MOLE FROM THE MINISTRY”.}

I’m glad people are rediscovering the funky side of 80′s electro, even if it’s just an accident. I mean, truly there was a load of absolute crap that came out back then; however there remains a select handful of artists who created uniquely identifiable electronic funk music in the 1980′s. Among them, I have to account for the accomplishments of Heaven 17. The song “Penthouse and Pavement” remains one of my favorite so-called ‘throwbacks’ to drop into a set. The dirty nasty funk signatures in the electronic configurations of this track remain unlike any I’ve heard since.

This video was a staple of MTV back in the day and you might even recognize it. Dig on this, enjoy the track and definitely get your hands on the fully-remastered edition of their crowning achievement, Penthouse and Pavement.

Heaven 17 – Penthouse and Pavement

The Sound Of The Smiths: The Very Best o the Smiths(2 CD Deluxe Edition)

The full singles schedule is as follows:

Released: November 10th 2008

1. Hand in Glove (3:17) b/w: Handsome Devil (Live) (2:53)
2. This Charming Man (2:41) b/w: Jeane (3:02)*

_{*MP3 provided here is not the same mix that appears on the single. This rare mix is from The Troy Tate Sessions}

Released: November 17th 2008

3. What Difference Does It Make ? (3:51) b/w: Back To The Old House (3:04)
4. Heaven Knows I’m Miserable Now (3:34) b/w: Suffer Little Children (5:27)

Released: November 24th 2008

5. William, It Was Really Nothing (2:10) b/w: Please, Please, Please Let Me Get
What I Want (1:50)
6. How Soon Is Now? (3:41) b/w: Well I Wonder (4:00)

Released: December 1st 2008

7. Shakespeare’s Sister (2:08) b/w: What She Said (3:08)
8. That Joke Isn’t Funny Anymore (4:58) b/w: Meat Is Murder (Live) (5:34)

Released: December 8th 2008

9. The Boy With The Thorn In His Side (3:15) b/w: Asleep (4:10)
10. Bigmouth Strikes Again (3:12) b/w: Money Changes Everything (4:40)

Exclusive To The Singles’ Box

Still Ill (3:20) b/w You’ve Got Everything Now (4:29)
Originally scheduled as the fourth single
Issued as DJ “A” Label promo R61DJ, Feb ’84.

The Headmaster Ritual (4:51) ** b/w Oscillate Wildly (3:26)
Originally issued as Megadisc MD5295 (Holland), Jul.’85.

photo credit: dongraft

I’ve been bragging about the new Oasis album Dig Out Your Soul ever since it leaked & I’m not one for needless banter about bands that over-hype and under-deliver. Oasis hit this one out of the park. Don’t believe me? Click here to visit them on MySpace and find out for yourself. Win, win, win. Dig Out Your Soul is without a doubt the most well-crafted Oasis album in over a decade & now you can see what I mean for yourself.

All I can say is this: with a new recording this exceptional, I think Liam & Noel may have jumped the proverbial shark on disavowing the Radiohead model. This album would have sold millions in presales from fans who, upon hearing this, would immediately recognize the lost & found sounds. Don’t steal the album, you prat! Go purchase it when it comes available. I’ll tell you more when I know more. Also, forgive my hubris as a writer: I’m calling this a comeback.

Carry on.

Voxpop – The Boomerang Generation

Visit Voxpop on MySpace by clicking here.

Some helpful biographical information about the band: Voxpop formed in the wake of Alexander Miller’s exit from UK band The Upper Room, who released an album and a couple of singles on Columbia. They’re doing regular gigs around London, so make sure and keep an eye out for where they’re playing. Since we can’t get to London, we’d be thrilled if you send along some pictures?

Here’s the second round of MP3′s from their as-yet-untitled-and-unreleased new album, a song called “All The Time” along with a proper MP3 of “Hacienda Motel” which, Alexander informs us, is a tribute to the late Sam Cooke who was murdered at the Hacienda Motel in 1964. Enjoy.

Voxpop – All The Time
Voxpop – Hacienda Motel

Visit Voxpop’s MySpace page by clicking here.

Even 40 years later, it’s as if time stood still when you hear them. These guys were so good, it made everyone in the audience fahrklempt. If you love indie pop or folk pop, you owe it to yourself to see Chad & Jeremy performing live in a city near you, and here’s the proof.

Listen to Chad & Jeremy – A Summer Song

You can purchase Chad & Jeremy’s Greatest Hits from Amazon.Com