Los Campesinos!

[Laurence]

Okay, I had some kickass post lined up but then my browser did me the wonderful service of logging me out so this is not nearly as comprehensive. So.

Los Campesinos! are an indie pop/rock outfit based in Cardiff, Wales, numbering 7 members in total. They list their influences as Pavement through The Fiery Furnaces and Yo La Tengo, and I would argue there's some Broken Social Scene in there somewhere. It's basically really fun, upbeat music that is great to dance to, with really clever and cynical lyrics. They have said that they formed simply because they were sick of the same guitar-driven 4-piece rock groups being churned out of the UK, so here they are with a relatively unique sound. I love their music, and they've got a 2007 EP (Sticking Fingers Into Sockets) and an album from 2008 (Hold On Now, Youngster...), with another due in late October (We Are Beautiful, We Are Doomed).

In essence it is multi-layered, multi-instrumental guitar pop/rock with violin and glockenspiel and male/female vocals. I don't think this will be everyone's cup of tea at all but I implore you to give it a go, because it's really very fun.

Some videos:
You! Me! Dancing! (http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=Nj6SO_yKMe8)
Death to Los Campesinos! (http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=Dc4GethJnBg)
We Throw Parties, You Throw Knives (http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=fTbj0Wyx12Q&feature=related)
My Year In Lists (http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=Tk0vQhxyR5Y&feature=related)
The International Tweexcore Underground (http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=rHt2CveSXqE&feature=related)

And their MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/loscampesinos

This has more tracks, including 3 from the forthcoming album, as well as more info about them and stuff. Enjoy!

[theblueneutrino]

I dunno, they're waay too twangy for me to really enjoy them. Also they've taken forever to reach the level of popularity they are at so I don't really think they'll go on very far.
The International Tweexcore Underground is a good tune though, but they'll go the same way as the zutons.

If you like them though I'd recomend Laura marling. Not really that similar, but if you like them, you'll like her, and she's incredible.

[Petey2112]

I thought it was fun to listen to, but I probably wont go out and buy an album. It's definitely refreshing though, I dont think Ive ever really heard too much music like that.

[Laurence]

Mmm, I know what you mean. The first song I listened to was We Throw Parties, You Throw Knives and I just loved the sentiment, and also, it was early in the morning. I decided to hunt down their EP, and have loved it ever since.

The dislike of the twanginess is a fair point, I've thought many times about how irritating it can be. I didn't actually listen to their first album very much, then I left it for a month or so and came back to it and really appreciated it more. I'm not sure if that indicates it is something you have to ease yourself into or not, but the music is very energetic and happy and there's really a mindset you have to be in to enjoy I think.

No, they'll never be chartworthy, but that is far from what they set out to do. I've seen several interviews with them where they've said they didn't even intend to record anything and have no future ambitions for the band, so it almost seems like a bunch of friends running around with instruments and stuff just enjoying themselves. And I like that. It's refreshing.

Also, Laura Marling is great.

[Laurence]

For anyone who is interested, the latest album is available on iTunes via this link: Here (http://ax.phobos.apple.com.edgesuite.net/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/browserRedirect?url=itms%253A%252F%252Fax.phobos.a pple.com.edgesuite.net%252FWebObjects%252FMZStore. woa%252Fwa%252FviewAlbum%253Fid%253D292615771%2526 s%253D143444).

Also, bump!