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Girls Names

Girls Names give us some songs to listen to before they head out on tour.

Posted 18th March 2010, 8:10pm in Soundtrack
Girls Names How can you not love a band who look as though they've had their press shots taken in the Secret Garden?

Belfast duo Girls Names are on the verge of releasing their new EP (a four song 12" through Captured Tracks), and heading out on tour with the rather wonderful La La Vasquez.

So, we got them to jot down a Soundtrack for us before they leave (the first date's in Belfast on 26th March, check here for more shows). It's amazing how frequesntly The Fall turn up in these things...

Josef K - Heaven Sent

If only all bands were like Josef K. I love bands that put out great records and singles and then call it quits leaving you wanting more. The “Entomology” compilation that Domino put out a couple of years ago is vital.

Grass Widow - Black Hole

A San Francisco band who put out one of the best LPs of last year in my opinion. This is from an EP Captured Tracks released last year.

Happy Refugees - Warehouse Sound

A band I know nothing about; I’ve never even seen a picture of them, but I love their LP “Last Chance Saloon”. I like the thought of that – listening to a record and picturing an image in your head and making up your own romantic myths. The reality usually blows.

Cause Co-Motion! - Say What You Feel

“Say What you Feel/It’s OK/No one will judge you.” A great sentiment and a great pop song. I think nearly all their songs are under two minutes long, that’s an impressive feat.

Fire Engines - Big Gold Dream

The Fire Engines never played with cymbals, just driving primal drumbeats. I love that, youthful aggression at its best. This, their last single, showed what a great pop band they could have been.

The Associates - Boys Keep Swinging

Far better than Bowie’s original. The bass line is so good and Billy Mackensie’s voice is pretty powerful. There’s quite a lot of space on this recording, the panned reverbs on the vocals and snare sound amazing.

Black Tambourine - Throw Aggi Off The Bridge

I’ve said this before but this song blows my mind every time I hear it. This is quite possibly the perfect pop song. Simple.

Felt - A Wave Crashed on Rocks

“I’m not your Jesus/Will you get off my Cross/You ruined it all”, briiliant! We love Felt a lot. Lawrence has everything you want in a pop star -Eccentricity, mystery, astuteness and great hats.

The Fall - Kicker Conspiracy

Everyone loves The Fall. I could have listed a hundred Fall songs. Mark E Smith’s delivery is impeccable as always, “Pat McGatt, the very famous… sports… reporter… is talking… There!”

Orange Juice - Falling and Laughing

You can’t not love Orange Juice. Edwyn Collins is probably the most underrated songwriter of the last 30 years. The guitars manage to sound both delicate and urgent but the bass line and drums nearly steal the show. It’s a close call.

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