The Sifting Pan

Helping you find those Indie Gems!

Tag Archives: British


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Top 10 Albums of 2011! #4 Velociraptor!

Kasabian has done it again with the alternative rock powerhouse of an album; Velociraptor!.

I’ve always been very perplexed with the band Kasabian’s popularity in the states. Here’s a band that simply knows how to play rock n’ roll. Never mind the fact that they’re from Britain, or that they’re landscapers of the alternative scene there, these guys just need to be acknowledged for their creative and talented approach to rocking out. I’m left to assume that the states simply can’t handle the ferocious beast that is Velociraptor!. Their fourth album is a very solid addition to their already amazing discography. Track for track, this might be the most complete album so far. I mean, seriously, these guys crammed so many great tracks into this one album they actually had to put out some amazing b-sides early. This was definitely an album I had no second guesses about ordering online and has seen many spins in my car this year. Kasabain’s other albums may still hold a special place in my heart (Because they’re f***ing awesome), but Velociraptor! is sure as sunrise going to be a CD future me is going to play a lot.

“Switchblade Smiles” – Kasabian

Switchblade Smiles is the only song Kasabian is allowing to be shared on Soundcloud. Not that I don’t really enjoy this song I just strongly believe that Velociraptor! has so many stronger tracks to offer. Yet this is still the same signature scatterbrained alternative rock I would so easily associate with the band, and enjoy hearing from them. New comers might not fare as well with this particular track. Feel free to browse the Youtube links below for a greater variety of choices. Might I suggest one of my favorites Let’s Roll Like We Used To as a starting point.

Kasabian - Velociraptor! (click image to buy album)

  1. “Let’s Roll Just Like We Used To“* 4:47
  2. “Days Are Forgotten“* 5:02
  3. “Goodbye Kiss“* 4:04
  4. “La Fée Verte“* 5:47
  5. “Velociraptor!“* 2:51
  6. “Acid Turkish Bath (Shelter From the Storm)” 6:01
  7. “I Hear Voices“* 3:58
  8. “Re-Wired“* 4:44
  9. “Man of Simple Pleasures” 3:51
  10. “Switchblade Smiles”* 4:13
  11. “Neon Noon” 5:20
*Notable Tracks

Open and listen to Kasabian’s Velociraptor! in Spotify


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Top 10 Albums of 2011! #5 Blood Pressures

Blood Pressures are sure to rise when listening to The Kills' moody brand of rock.

Gush, gush, gush- that’s me whenever I listen to Blood Pressures. The Kills are just that amazing at conveying heartfelt relatable emotions through their music. Edgy, sexy, strict, simple, dirty, sensual, fun, etc. I could really go all day with adjectives that describe the massive and encompassing sound The Kills bring us this time around with their fourth album. There is one word that I can easily omit from my description of Blood Pressures and that is disappointment. Getting my first taste of Satellite at the beginning of the year got me so hype for this album, along with the bar being set so damn from their previous album Midnight Boom. Not only did they met the high standards they set for themselves, but I’m pretty sure they soared past them. In 2011, Blood Pressures was my go to album for a healthy form a musical release from the world’s many stresses, because this album was a sure fire guarantee of making me feel fucking great. So have a listen and feel… well fucking great!

“Baby Says” – The Kills

“Heart Is A Beating Drum” – The Kills

The Kills - Blood Pressures (click image to buy album)

  1. “Future Starts Slow“* 4:05
  2. “Satellite”* 4:14
  3. “Heart Is a Beating Drum”* 4:20
  4. “Nail in My Coffin”* 3:32
  5. “Wild Charms” 1:14
  6. “DNA”* 4:32
  7. “Baby Says”* 4:28
  8. “The Last Goodbye” 3:41
  9. “Damned If She Do”* 3:52
  10. “You Don’t Own the Road”* 3:22
  11. “Pots and Pans”* 4:35
*Notable Tracks

Open and listen to The Kills’s Blood Pressures in Spotify


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Song of the Day! Metronomy – Corinne

Metronomy - Corinne

England based Metronomy are responsible for this year's stunning album The English Rivera


[Note: This is NOT the real version of Corrine. This a bizarre reversed remix that is a stand-in because the real Corrine is copyright protected and was removed from Soundcloud.]

Ok, so when I last posted about Metoronomy, back in April, I had only just discovered the indie/electronic band through the track the laid back single The Look. After I couldn’t get enough of that track I had to get my hands on a copy of the band’s 2011 album The English Rivera for myself. There is no exaggeration in my words when I say picking up this album was musically one of the smartest things I did this year. The English Rivera is like journey of love and lust lead by a cascade of electronic beats and the smoothest bass playing you’re likely to hear out of an indie album this year. Then there’s the intelligent and beautiful lyrics, the intricate electro loops, and the always dominating soft percussion that just adds this perfect level to each track. I could keep going on and on about why The English Rivera is on of the best albums of 2011, but there is no way to truly convey into words the powerful and some what primordial energy put of from this wonderful third studio album. Listening through track by track never leads to disappointment. Do you know how hard it was to pick Corinne as my stand out track? Well, actually it wasn’t that hard because Corinne is an amazing song after all. I can’t help but to sway slightly back and forth faster and faster every time I full get into this song. Yeah, I’d say the majority of Metronomoy’s songs have the power of possession, which is a scary thought, but sometimes you just have to surrender and give yourself up to the music. If you too want to chill out and lose some inhibitions then I highly recommend getting yourself a copy of The English Rivera.

Please head on over to Metronomy’s Facebook Page and give them a Like! There is tons of great info about  The English Rivera on the page as well.


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Song of the Day! Films of Colour – Capital

Films of Colour - Capital

London based Films of Colour will surely make some Capital off a tune as good as this.

Wow. I am absolutely blown away by this track. The song Capital is like falling down an indie rock Alice in Wonderland rabbit hole with its intense and overwhelming mixture of synth and guitar. Just has you feel like this track is throwing you about carelessly the amazing vocals of lead singer Andy Clutterbuck come in to level everything out. I’ll say it again, Wow. Just simply amazing delivery of the lyrics, almost sounds like Chris Martin from Coldplay. I don’t know why but I feel so much more connected with this song with each successive listen. I really wish Films of Colour had an album I could pick up, but so far the just have A and B side singles. That just means this is a band to watch and very closely at that. After looking into Films of Colour I can assume that the band is in due process of recording a real LP or EP. To say the least I’m pretty stoked to hear more. You can hear 6 great tracks, including an amazing acoustic version of Capital, on Soundcloud right here.

These guys are up and coming and need your Likes! Head on over to Films of Colour’s Facebook Page to show your support.


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Song of the Day! Los Campesinos! – By Your Hand

Los Campesinos! - By Your Hand

Los Campesinos! give us the first taste of their 4th LP Hello Sadness from Cardiff, Wales


There are few bands out their that interlock themselves into my life emotionally, and Los Campesinos! just happens to be one them. For nearly four years now I have been infatuated with the band’s the amazingly heartfelt indie pop. So when it came down to it, I easily forked over the 12 Euros so I could pre-order the upcoming album Hello Sadness, which won’t see a release until November 14th. I’m so excited to hear how the band has evolved from 2007 to the year 2011. Every album has built upon the last in terms of style and passion, and believe me when I say the band’s debut album was chalk full of style and passion. Twas as twee as a band could be.

If By Your Hand is any indication of where the new album is venturing then I am so on board. It’s classic Los Campesinos! in that I can’t help but feel like they are trying to capture such a vast amount of emotion in such a small little track. Throw in a catchy chorus that makes your heart warm and fuzzy and we have a winner. I actually have a funny feeling that By You Hand isn’t even going to be a track the album is known for. I just know that somewhere in Hello Sadness lies a track that I could lyrically sync with my life and that when I hear it I will feel as though a little bit more of me is complete. Am I psychic? No. But able to predetermine Los Campesinos! new album being a success? Yes.

Check out the fun little video Los Campesinos! made to go along with the new track By Your Hand.

Also don’t forget to check out Los Campesinos! on Facebook and give them a like!