yes yes yes yes

i've written about Operator Please in this blog a few times before and my tune has never changed. they are one of the best bands around at the moment.

not only do they make fantastic pop music, they make it with style and charisma oozing from every single pore in all of their bodies.
their album 'Yes Yes Vindictive' is a collection of finely tuned guitar stomping, violin wheeling, shouty tunes.
Amandah Wilkinson's voice is almost hypnotic as she belts out lyrics with a touch of 'i know i fucking rock'. newer songs such as 'Cringe' and 'Yes Yes' take the classic components of catchy to the next level with clap claps and echoed shouts ('don't! don't! make me!' 'who! are! you!').
there are softer songs on the album, 'Other Song' and 'Pantomime', and they are dominated by the violin but not in an overbearing "wtf where's the guitar gone" type of way.

my favourite track is 'Ghost' (it MUST be the next single after 'Leave It Alone'). it's just seven shades of wonderful. fast drumming, the haunting bleat of the keyboard, speedy vocals.. everything is ace.

Operator Please have taken a soulful voice, surf rock (think 70s theme tunes and Bermuda shorts), a violin, the sunshine, a couple of genius kids and put them through some kind of magic processor.

'Yes Yes Vindictive' is a brilliant debut and i cannot wait to see this band live again.

Operator Please - Ghost
Operator Please - Cringe

it's not out in the UK yet but you can buy the album here! and 'Leave It Alone' is out on the 19th November!

oh you young things!

it's Easter. I was struggling like mad to think of an Easter theme. and this is what I came up with. ermm, it's not really to do with Easter but today's theme is Young artists/bands, (i.e. the obligatory Cajun Dance Party post). to make this more exciting or whatever I have chosen artists/bands who are younger/the same age as me (which is a pitful 17 years of age).

so. Cajun Dance Party. these guys are currently everyone's favourite "I liked this band waaaaaaay before you did" band. I am admitting right here and now that I only started to listen to this band last May. which is scarily almost a year ago. with their debut single coming out a week tomorrow, it seems like the world is at their feet. CDP make delicious indie pop. there is something about them completely different from all the boring stuff that you will get recommended by your Last.Fm thingy majiggy. 'The Next Untouchable' is out April 16th on the superb Way Out West label.

Cajun Dance Party - Amylase
Cajun Dance Party - Buttercups

more kids! Jack And The Free Trees. how I adore this band. they have to be the funniest people I have ever come across also. and I love how George's mum sent me an email about the laws on buying alcohol for minors one night after he was sick all over his house. they're like my little brothers, but more fun than that. they actually play decent music too, I'm not just bumming them for no reason.
I've previously described them as being like a weird kind of ¡Forward, Russia!-Bloc Party hybrid, if there could ever be such a thing.
in five years time they'd like to own a farm.

Jack And The Free Trees - Paths
Jack And The Free Trees - 31.08.06

Brille has to be one of the best record labels around. they have impeccable taste when it comes to picking who they sign. Good Shoes, The Knife, Envelopes, Whirlwind Heat... and the latest signing, Operator Please an Australian outfit. my god when I first heard them I was like "who is this and why haven't they been in my life forever?". they aren't even old enough to swear (or play their scheduled slot at White Heat on the 17th April) but they have made me dance like crazy. they're a little like a more structured version of Be Your Own Pet. crashing cymbals and quick guitars topped off with vocals that are older than their years.

Operator Please - Get What You Want
Operator Please - Crash Tragic

everyone else has mentioned her so now it's my turn. Laura Marling. same age as me, yet infinitely more talented (cry cry). if you could bottle her greatness and sell it I'm pretty sure you could make a fortune. there's a load of singer-songwriters around at the minute but Laura has that spark; there's something so raw about her music, but it remains beautiful at the same time.

Laura Marling - Mexico
Laura Marling - London Town

I'm sure there are tons of other bands out there younger than me, so please feel free to bring them to my attention by screaming in a comment "OH MY GOD YOU MISSED OUT *BLAHDEEBLAH*".
and happy Jesus Zombie Day.