Build your music collection #7

It’s that horrible becalmed time when record companies don’t release much so they can clear the decks for the Christmas rush – all diverting their marketing dollars to the x-factor and novelty nonsense – so new releases are a struggle. Never fear though, I’m here, sifting through the releases and making sure you get the best new tunes for your music collection. Don’t take my word for it though – hit up the links and have listen before spending your hard earned cash.

• Miike Snow by Miike Snow – reminding me a little bit of the recent Friendly Fires album, an intelligent mix of electronica and pure pop from a group that includes production duo Avant and Bloodshy (Britney and Madonna). With a pedigree like that, you know this is going to be top drawer quality. Includes the singles Animal and Black & Blue.
• Asleep at the Back by Elbow (Reissue) – as all the furore around Seldom Seen Kid dies down, I’ve found myself drawn again and again to this album, the debut from Elbow. In my opinion, it’s their strongest album – with Powder Blue and Newborn amongst my favourite tracks of all time. This reissue has extra tracks from the Newborn EP and some unreleased demo’s which are all a good listen.
• Live at Reading by Nirvana – it’s easy to forget just how powerful Nirvana were at their height – but this romp through their 1992 set at the Reading festival shows just how exciting it would have been to see them at the time. It’s a patchy affair, with some rough sound and terrible weather affecting the overall quality of the set – but its undeniable how ferocious some of the tunes were – well worth a listen if you enjoyed Nirvanas brand of grungey-pop.

What new music are you listening to at the moment?