The Sifting Pan

Helping you find those Indie Gems!

Tag Archives: British


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Song of the Day! Bombay Bicycle Club – Shuffle

Bombay Bicycle Club shuffle things up from Crouch End, London, England

If someone were to ask me who is my favorite band above all others I would simply reply Bombay Bicycle Club. This little indie rock band from London has stolen my heart since the release of their single How Are You back in 2007. Finaly 2009 saw the release of their debut album I Had the Blues but I Shook Them Loose which held a place above all other music released that year and to this day has to be the greatest album to ever grace my ears. With perfect singles like Dust On the Ground and Always Like This it was an album impossible not to fall in love with.

So as you can probably already tell I got pretty damn excited when I heard the news that they would be releasing a new album August 29th called A Different Kind Of Fix. The first taste of the their third studio album is their newest single Shuffle. I could not of asked for anything greater from Bombay Bicycle Club because Shuffle is everything one could ask for in a BBC song. Intriguing piano to lure you in and then a swift beat with take off of melodic guitars all topped off with beautiful vocals that just beg you to sing along. Ok, so maybe I’m digging a little deep into the song but it’s really hard not to when your favorite band releases such amazing new material. I haven’t heard such an wonderful single from Bombay Bicycle Club since the release of the song How Can You Swallow So Much Sleep, which was written for the Twilight Saga: Eclipse Official Soundtrack. Yeah I know *bleh* Twilight but the song stands miles away on it’s own from the rest the indie BS on the soundtrack and is a work of musical genius in my highly biased opinion.

A Different Kind Of Fix now tops my list of most anticipated albums yet to be released in 2011 and Shuffle might soon take the spot of most played song in my Itunes due to being played over and over again as I eagerly await their fall release. My only wish is that Bombay Bicycle Club breakthrough in the United States because I’m tired of being the only person I know who is aware of this magical band. Then again if they remain popular solely in the UK I can live with them being Britain’s best kept indie rock secret, and mine.


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Song of the Day! Kaiser Chiefs – Little Shocks

Kaiser Chiefs give us Little Shocks from their hometown of Leeds

EDIT: Seems the Kaiser Chiefs have pulled down Little Shocks from Soundcloud. You can still scroll down and check out the video though.

You know what’s more then a little shock? The fact that this band just released the new song and video overnight. Without warning to pretty much the general public + everyone else. I love this sudden drop from a band that has always delivered in the past and the Kaiser Chiefs have a long history of delivering. In fact this band is really far from a rare indie gem because everyone else will soon hear this one throughout the land. The song Little Shocks is just too damn good not to share!

You got to love the sense that somethings off but in an edgy and danceable way all the same. Those intro bells and on going pino riff add the right amount of classiness needed for these Brit Rockers to stay in line with their inde genre and fans. I’m not saying this song is too different from songs past, but its just simply showing the band has come a long way from their debut album Employment released a good 6 years ago. If you follow the way the band has changed over the years it does seem only right for them to reach this sound. You have to stand out somehow to get some attention these days, or at least be signed with a good record company. I wish I knew more about when the next Kaiser Chief LP is set to come out but no such news yet. I feel that they will be releasing some info soon, but only after the storm of people swarming to listen and catch up with the band due to their 2 and a half year absence since the release of their third and latest LP Off With Their Heads in 2008.

I just had to bite on this one. So I also decided to post the new music video for Little Shocks as well for your viewing pleasure. Enjoy!


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Song of the Day! Gorillaz – Revolving Doors

Gorillaz recorded The Fall from all corners of the globe

Somehow the Gorillaz managed to sneak a full album release under my nose. Apparently the band was busy behind the scenes of their Escape to Plastic Beach World Tour last year recording their latest album The Fall in between tour dates. The most interesting thing about the album is that all the recording was done through Gorillaz founder (and Blur frontman) Damon Albarn’s iPad and various apps that he downloaded. For an album recorded on a 9×7 inch device I have to give the band major props. While the album doesn’t stand out as anything special when you look at the Gorillaz amazing track record, it is still a beautiful work of musical art that refuses to be ordinary and mundane. Revolving Doors is one of the best tracks you’ll find on The Fall and seems to have a more traditional Gorillaz sound (If such a thing even exists). The album saw a free release to Gorillaz fan club members back in December but just recently got a physical release in April of this year. The Fall is a must have for all of those who claim to be true Gorillaz fans.


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Song of the Day! Morning Parade – Under The Stars


Morning Parade formed under the stars in Harlow, Essex, England.

Music Video: Under The Stars

So I wake up this morning and do my normal routine of a shower and a bowl of cereal, all the while listening to my favorite Dutch internet radio station streaming out the best new indie tracks. Then this little number comes on a draws me in and doesn’t let go. Under The Stars has a beautiful upward stride that just builds anticipation that levels out just right and then takes off. I haven’t heard such wonderful guitar struts since Foals’ first album Antidotes. Having only heard Under The Stars for the first time this morning I have not yet had a chance to dig into Morning Parade’s recent release of the Under The Stars EP. From what I’ve read comparing the band to Foals really isn’t too far off track but I’m probably not giving Morning Parade enough credit for their own wonderful sound. The band is set to release their debut album sometime before the end of 2011 and you can bet that The Sifting Pan will be revisiting these indie rockers when more news of a debut comes into the light.



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Song of the Day! Wolf Gang – Lions In Cages


Wolf Gang keeps the lions in cages from London

Oh my goodness this sure is something sweet right here. Lions In Cages is new indie pop at its best and brightest. The chorus, the whistling guitar, and that steady beat all come together to make something extra special. Where did this Wolf Gang come from and how has he not made a name for himself already?! Apparently Wolf Gang is the solo effort of British singer/song writer Max McElligott and has already began touring with big names like Florence And The Machine, Miike Snow and Metric. If he keeps dishing out beautiful poppy tracks like this and I have no doubt that it will be him one day headlining a major tour. We can expect Wolf Gang’s debut album Suego Faults to be released on June 27th. Now excuse me as I scower the internet to find every Wolf Gang track I can get my hands on in the mean time.