Singles round-up: the Pains of Being Pure at Heart, the National, First Aid Kit, Crocodiles
The Pains of Being Pure at Heart – Say No To Love
The Pains of Being Pure at Heart may be telling us to ‘Say No To Love’ in their latest single, but it will be hard to keep away once you’ve heard it. Singer Kip Bermans soft alluring voice will have you smitten within the first 30 seconds and along with a simple mix of guitars, drums and a piano when the 3.49 minuets are over you will be in a full blown love affair with this track before you know it. To ensure the love affair continues catch them at Latitude early July then a short UK tour end of July. Out Now. To fall in love head to The Pains of Being Pure of Heart’s MySpace. - JP
The National – Anyone’s ghost
While summer might be all about those fun loving, care-free tracks and this is a song more fitting to slightly overcast weather, here at For Folk’s Sake we don’t like to leave anybody out. Hailing from Brooklyn The National’s latest single, ‘Anyone’s Ghost’ fits the bill perfectly. Claiming Joy Division as one of their influences, this certainly rings true as singer Matt Berninger moodily tells his tale of woe and a lost love. Unfortunately its going to be tricky to catch them live as they are not going to be in the UK much these next few months, so for the next best option head to YouTube for a watch and a listen. Out Now. - JP
First Aid Kit – Sailor Song
Taken from their debut album The Big Black And The Blue the third single, ‘Sailor Song’ is simply beautiful, if folk is the genre for you, I need say no more other than you will love this track, I guarantee it. While the lyrics may not be relatable to everyone, “the sailors leave in the morning, I’ll be waiting for you all night” its certainly heart warming and will not fail to put a smile upon your pretty little faces and even a tear to a certain reviewers’ eyes. Out 12th July. What ever your plans are right now, stop and watch the video, I promise it will bring you nothing but enjoyment. - JP
Crocodiles – Sleep Forever
We have had a lot to thank the Californian sun for over the years, with all those frazzled brains churning out psychedelic fuzz and upbeat melodies. Crocodiles’ ‘Sleep Forever’ is the latest in the long line of offerings from the Golden State, and yet initially seems more suited to our own summer climate with it’s charming opening line “Yesterday the sky was cold and gray/kept me as a prisoner in my home”. As the song progresses the brief touches of suitably trippy vocals, vaguely poppy harmonies and the hazy, electronic mirage of sound are frequently drowned out by anthemic posturing of the post-punk variety. The result is an interesting mish-mash and with Simian Mobile Disco’s James Ford on producing duty you can probably guess which musical legacy wins out in the end. (Clue: it ain’t the sunshine pop of the 1960s.) - LJ
Words: Jess Powderly, Lois Jeary
