UPDATE: THIS WAS WRITTEN MONDAY APRIL 28th, APRIL 29th APPLE OFFERS “THE TING TINGS” AS THEIR WEEKLY DOWNLOAD. HMMMM….. COINCIDENCE?

Well, another music funk-show from the UK, “The Ting Tings” (Myspace Site) are getting spewed into the US Market, and but good! iTunes just released a new commercial, with a 80’s vibe and a killer new song by “The Ting Tings” called “Shut Up And Let Me Go.” I honestly was super tired and mildly hungover when I saw the commercial, but I had enough energy to press purchase on iTunes, and commence listening to it for the next 30 minutes straight. Then I scoured the internet for other versions and similar songs from them.

Like The White Stripes, to whom they are frequently compared, The Ting Tings believe in a clear division of labour. Katie White sings in a girlish purr and occasionally bashes her guitar; Jules de Martino pounds out frenetic rhythms while, via looped pedals, conjures weird, warm melodies that bathe the beats in a school-disco glow. (Like in this jam, “Fruit Machine“.) Get it, jam and fruit, like a play on words, its me, being clever, at 9am.

But White and de Martino aren’t exactly naifs — their last group, Dear Eskimo, was on the cusp of a breakthrough when their label yanked the plug; both have toiled for years in the trenches of support slots.

The Ting Tings’ debut album “We Started Nothing” is dropping May 19, 2008. Although their album has not yet been released, Jules and Kate are already being heralded as part of the top three of the BBC’s Sound of 2008 poll. These guys actually don’t have that much to do with the mood of boredom but I just really like this song. Enjoy!

Great DJ (IDC Rerub)
That’s Not My Name
We Walk (Demo)
Fruit Machine (Live)

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The LK are from Sweden. Their full name is actually The Love Of Kevin, Colour, Chaos And The Sound Of K, but I guess The LK is easier to remember. This duo is comprised of Lindefelt and Fredrik has a new album, Vs The Snow, set up to be released on March 4 on The Kora Records. They’ll have a US tour to follow including dates in DC and SXSW. That’s the facts. Now here’s the scoop. If there was ever an example of perfect electro-noise-pop, then The LK is it. Some could say they resemble a European version of the Postal Service, but there are notable differences. The Postal Service’s sound evolved from fragmented electronic sounds combined with Gibbard’s hushed melodramatic vocals. The LK is textured, smooth, almost hip-hop/dance floor driven beats with Lindefelt’s catchy new wave vocals bouncing all over them. What usually kills albums like these is the repetitive nature of them, but

mp3: The LK - Eurovision –> website

mp3: The LK - Blakboy Vs. The Snow

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Today, being the infamous V-Day, should be the day to sit down, light a fire (or a candle), find a companion, and listen to Private Eleanor (if you don’t have a companion, that’s okay too. Celebrate yourself!). Private Eleanor, has played around Philly for many years, so much so that they recently went on an indefinite hiatus. Released in 2007 on the Beechfields (Among Wolves, The Red Vines) label, Sweethearting accomplishes what many pop bands fail to. Many pop bands focus on the melody and arrangements (which are important) so much that their lyrics and meaning become transparent. Private Eleanor overcome that hurdle blending savvy folk pop melodies with genuine lyrics and heartfelt performances. They astutely combine the catchy-ness of bands like Imperial Teen with the tempestuous flavoring of Elliot Smith. Truly a gem of 2007.

mp3: Private Eleanor - A Better Way To Run –> website –> buy($5!!!!)
mp3: Private Eleanor - Enter Early And Often

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