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Big Troubles
The first single from Big Troubles fantastic second album Romantic Comedy. A lovely slice of updated power-pop based on a catchy stop-start verse that gives way to an indelible, spiraling chorus, this tune is as big and bright as they come. On the flip side, "Phantom" raises the volume a bit, hearkening back to first album hits.
[more info + MP3s]Sarandon
At last, a single version of the pop hit from Sarandon's Age of Reason. A perfect example of Sarandon, the 2011 version. Catchy as hell, and yes it's 'pop', but pop with a razor edge and a wicked sense of humor. Also featured on this single are covers of two huge influences on Sarandon - The McTells' "Expecting Joe" and The Nightingales' classic "Crafty Fag." Sarandon know their music history and are great interpreters for these two cornerstones of DIY post-punk pop.
[more info + MP3s]Devon Williams
LA pop master Devon Williams is back with this simply beautiful piece of timeless pop, recalling legends like The Church, Felt and Teardrop Explodes while still being pure Devon in it's attention to arrangement and melody. Includes an exclusive non-LP b-side.
[more info + MP3s]Art Museums
Comfortably occupying the spot where 60s pop suss meets first-wave post-punk DIY pop and contemporary bedroom experimentation, The Art Museums craft positively giddy tunes that make terms like lo-fi and indie-pop redundant and pointless; this is just great POP made by people who know and love it. Three great songs from one of our favorite bands.
[more info + MP3s]Weekend
As one of the highlights of Sports, "End Times" is power-pop as interpreted by "Feed Me With Your Kiss"-era MBV, an amazing mix of melody and racket that perfectly encapsulates what Weekend are about. Driven by relentless drums and a pummeling bass line, it could the most straightforwardly pop track on the album. On the flip side, LA duo Speculator remix album opener "Coma Summer" into a hypnotic Kraut-inflected daydream -- trippy, motorik and totally compelling.
[more info + MP3s]Phil Wilson
Ex-June Bride Phil Wilson is back with a new band and his first new songs since the late 80s. Taken from his forthcoming album God Bless Jim Kennedy, "I Own It" combines electric and acoustic guitars to create a light, folky atmosphere. It's a brilliantly catchy tune that showcases Phil's finely-honed pop sense. The b-side, "What Time Can Do," is exclusive to this single.
[more info + MP3s]Crystal Stilts
"Shake The Shackles" is Crystal Stilts' first release since "Love Is A Wave" and is a great snapshot of where the band is now and a taster for their second album, due in early 2011. Driven by echoed guitar strum and droning keys, it's a dexterous update of 60s garage pop that places it alongside late 80s Paisley Underground heroes, but the song itself is totally timeless, and impossible to place anywhere but firmly in Crystal Stilts' own unique style. B-side "Magnetic Moon" is exclusive to this single.
[more info + MP3s]Spectrals
Excellent Spector-esque pop that combines classic 50s/60s songwriting with modern suss and a punk rock vibe. 7th Date is Spectrals' first release for Slumberland and it's a corker - an understated slow-dance shimmy punctuated by tambourine shakes and tinkling bells. Lovely!
[more info + MP3s]Tender Trap
Tender Trap are back and man did we miss them. With two extra girl voices (from new members guitarist Elizabeth and drummer Katrina) this great single combines the harmonies, oohs, ahs and sha-la-las of classic girl-pop with the stripped down beats and dirty guitars of the Shop Assistants and The Vaselines. The punk-rocking flip side "The Sum and The Difference" is exclusive to this single.
[more info + MP3s]Manatee
Straight-ahead power-pop inspired by bands as diverse as Velvet Underground, The Ramones, The Feelies and The Replacements. Impassioned, timeless noise-pop, featuring Mike from Whorl/Black Tambourine/Bright Coloured Lights/Crabapples.
[more info + MP3s]Brilliant Colors
Inspired in equal parts by post-punk DIY fervor and the spiky pop of C86 and early Flying Nun/Creation label output, Brilliant Colors are back with two brand new songs that further cement their status as first class purveyors of crash pop. Both tunes are non-lp!
[more info + MP3s]The Lodger
Digital-only taster for their upcoming album Flashbacks. Includes two non-album b-sides. Excellent soulful pop from Leeds' finest.
[more info + MP3s]Summer Cats
Melbourne's pop greats are back with two brand-new songs. With all the fuzz, fizz and jangle you've come to expect, this double a-side single is the perfect party platter with which to kick off your summer.
[more info + MP3s]Gregory Webster
Lovely 12-string folk-pop from one of out all-time favorite artists. From Razorcuts to Saturn V to Sportique, Mr. Webster has always delivered the goods, and we're pleased as punch to have this understated gem of a single on Slumberland.
[more info + MP3s]various artists
The Membranes noisy post-punk classic gets a 2009 re-rub from Sarandon - dig the howling chaos. To sweeten the deal we've put the 1984 original on the flip. Death to trad rock!
[more info + MP3s]Devon Williams
Jangly power-pop that connects the dots between Buddy Holly, the Brill Building and the punk-informed pop classicism of songwriters like Chris Stamey and Paul Westerberg. Top drawer tunes and smart arrangements make this one a double a-side winner.
[more info + MP3s]various artists
Our Searching For The Now series continues with this excellent all-Swedish edition. The note-perfect C86 girl-pop of Liechtenstein makes a great complement for the feedback-driven buzz-pop of The Faintest Ideas on the flip. Three great songs on cream/black swirl vinyl.
[more info + MP3s]various artists
Slumberland's popular Searching For The Now split single series continues to fire on all cylinders with this excellent UK pairing. On the a-side we find Welsh pop mavens The School, with a smashing cover of late Left Banke tune "And Suddenly." George Washington Brown creates pastoral, psychedelic power-pop, and his two songs on this split single are brand new and exclusive. Pressed on grey/black swirl vinyl.
[more info + MP3s]