Chad Valley is the solo name for artist Hugo Manuel, under which he crafts his individual brand of Balearic dance music. I’ve never been to Ibiza so I am not qualified to speak on behalf of this track and its merits for inclusion within this particular genre, but I’m guessing it’s suited. Chad Valley is actually a side project for Manuel, who also performs with another band I’ve never heard of named Jonquil, who’ve toured with the likes of Foals and Bombay Bicycle Club. Heady company indeed, both monikers are names to throw in the memory bank.
The track we’ve attached today was a bit of a slow burner for me; only on my third listen did its charms truly make themselves present to me. Once I became privy it became all the more obvious I was missing something upon my initial take. It’s chill and great for a sunny day on the deck, with a beer and book in hand.
6. Bombay Bicycle Club – I Had The Blues But I Shook Them Loose Andy : 13 :: Dave : 2
I struggled with where to begin writing about our sixth best album of the year. You will not be getting the most descriptive of write-ups, as that is not what I wish to say about this band and this album. As you can see from our individual rankings, I loved this album more than any other this year with the exception of one. The authors of my second favorite album of the year are a group of four young North Londoners who have put forth two EP’s and a single prior to the release of this, their debut album. It’s straightforward indie rock with glimpses of shoe-gaze and jagged guitars. But what it truly breaks down to be is pure enjoyment.
I listen to a lot of music and generally enjoy consuming it in album form. Albums can mean several different things to me and often fall into one of a few varied categories. I won’t be getting into all of the categories I catalogue in my head, but the category this album falls into is that of one I can affectionately designate “anytime.” There are certain albums that people wish to listen to when feeling down, when drinking and when driving (separately of course), and any other countless situations. Certain albums are good for background music or to be blasted when angry. Regardless of where I happen to be or what I happen to be doing, this album can be popped in (if in cd form, there is no good description for pressing play on iTunes), listened to from beginning to end and loved each and every time. There are a select few albums in my collection I can say this about.
At this point Blues has gotten far past the usual infatuation period one encounters with a new album. I played the shit out of it when I got it, and it is my go-to music for when I’m driving and don’t know what the hell else I want to listen to. This is how I know it has made it that “anytime” status. I’ve kept my previous entry into this category, Minus The Bear’s album Planet of Ice in my car for well over two years, perhaps I now have a suitable replacement.
Our post on Bombay Bicycle Club that we made back in February has received a bit of traffic lately, and if I were to venture a guess as to why, it would be because the band has recently released a new single entitled “Always Like This.” This is the first single, in advance of their new album set to be released in June (at least in the UK) entitled I Had the Blues But I Shook Them Loose.
There is no physical single to be had – at least in anything other than a 7″ and 12″ – and the single can only be downloaded through the UK iTunes store, which is annoying. I haven’t seen anything about a US release.
Without further ado, here’s the single, and a remix we were sent as well. Oh, and get out today and support your local record store.
Being no expert in the science of measuring demographics, we here at Tympanogram find it confusing that Band X or Band Y can be declared “the most talked about.” How can that possibly be measured? Where is this band most talked about? Do ad firms have all public and private spaces bugged? We sure hope not, because we talk about nonsense a vast majority of the time.
If they do have our respective homes bugged, however, we are undoubtedly contributing to the notion that Bombay Bicycle Club is the most talked about band. For a group comprised of members who are so young (they finished high school last June), they already have 2 EPs and 1 single to their credit, and those 10 songs make for stellar talking points. Taken as a whole, they showcase the range that the band has, moving seamlessly from driving pop to slower, well, pop. The news on the band’s MySpace declares that they have another single in the works, an acoustic EP to be recorded and a proper album due in June. The maturity of the music belies their age, and it will be interesting to see how much of the previous work will be on the eventual album, and how much cleaning up any production will do.
NOTE: Concerts are in Rochester unless otherwise noted.
2/22: William Fitzsimmons
2/24: Mike Doughty
2/25: Charles Bradley (Buffalo)
2/29: Summer People
3/3: Matthew Good
3/5: Evening Man
3/23: The Men
3/30: tympanogram’s 3rd Birthday with Born Gold, Old Tapes, TBA
4/20: fun.
4/23: Cults (Buffalo)
5/6: Bear In Heaven (Ithaca)
5/7: M83 (Buffalo)
an examination used to test the condition of the middle ear and mobility of the eardrum, and the conduction bones by creating variations of air pressure in the ear canal.
Basically, it sounded like a cool name for a blog intended to be primarily about music. We’d both had other blogs previously, but over beers it was decided that more damage could be done as a joint venture. And here we are.
We share a passion for the undiscovered and under-appreciated, and hope that you’ll be able to find something you love as well.
Disclaimer
The music offered on this blog is for sampling purposes only. If you enjoy something you hear here, please go out and buy the music, see a show, or purchase some merchandise. Posted mp3s are available for a limited period of time only.
If there are any materials featured here that are your intellectual property, and you would prefer them removed, please notify us and we will be happy to oblige.
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About the Author: Dave
I like music. I can't describe how I came to like the music I do, because I don't know how or why, I just do.
Many years ago, Napoleon's brother, my great-great-great-great-great-great Grandfather, came to America. He was asked his name on Ellis Island while being processed as an immigrant. Not understanding English, he was under the impression that he was being asked how he had arrived in the new land. So he turned around and pointed at the sea vessel and said, 'LaBarge.'
About the Author: Andy
I come by my music taste of my own free will. My friends listened to 2Pac, my parents to contemporary Christian and me? Sunny Day Real Estate. I can’t explain it.
“Music, true music, not just rock ’n’ roll, it chooses you. It lives in your car, or alone, listening to your headphones…” - Lester Bangs
![m cd3011c0fb224e7ab421a5afe910e3c1 [mp3] Chad Valley Up and Down](http://c2.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/7/m_cd3011c0fb224e7ab421a5afe910e3c1.jpg "[mp3] Chad Valley Up and Down")
Chad Valley is the solo name for artist Hugo Manuel, under which he crafts his individual brand of Balearic dance music. I’ve never been to Ibiza so I am not qualified to speak on behalf of this track and its merits for inclusion within this particular genre, but I’m guessing it’s suited. Chad Valley is actually a side project for Manuel, who also performs with another band I’ve never heard of named Jonquil, who’ve toured with the likes of Foals and Bombay Bicycle Club. Heady company indeed, both monikers are names to throw in the memory bank.
6. Bombay Bicycle Club – I Had The Blues But I Shook Them Loose
It’s $5!)
Being no expert in the science of measuring demographics, we here at Tympanogram find it confusing that Band X or Band Y can be declared “the most talked about.” How can that possibly be measured? Where is this band most talked about? Do ad firms have all public and private spaces bugged? We sure hope not, because we talk about nonsense a vast majority of the time.
