The Welcome Wagon - Welcome to the Welcome Wagon (2008)

Would you take a look at that cover art. Ain't it something? I'm not quite sure what to make of it. Makes it look like the album is going to be some guy and his wife singing songs about love and jesus.

Wait a minute. That's exactly what it is.

Still, you should never judge a book my its cover, because if you did you'd end up missing out on a load of great music, and this album is no different.

So, The Welcome Wagon is actually reverend Vito Aiuto and his wife Monique, and a bunch of gospel singers that back them up. Oh, and Sufjan Stevens. Yeah, that's right, Sufjan is involved. He produced the album and as a result it just oozes Sufjan, abeit a more religious than usual Sufjan.

So you've got a lovely christian married couple singing indie pop songs with gospel singers in the background and Stevens' production techniques slapped on for good measure. It sounds like a mixed bag and many people will be put off by the whole religious aspect of it, but fuck that, it's good music. End of.

You know you want to hear this now.

Give it a listen

Buying this album is like buying my way into heaven, right?

Sea Snakes - Clear as Day, the Darkest Tools (2004)

So, your hipster cred is down and you need an album to boost it back up. Well, I've got this album...let's get the checklist and see how it fares.

1. Must be by a non-british/non-american band. Check
2. Must be the only album by said band. Check
3. Must have less than 2,000 listeners on last.fm. Check
4. Album art must not have the name of the band or album on it. Check

Oh, well there you go. You'll have to check out this slice of indie pie.

Sea Snakes only put out one album (this one, hurr durr) before each member went off to do his own thing (maybe you heard of one or two of them). It's a darn shame as well, because this is one of the best albums that I've heard in a long time.

Not too dissimilar from A Weather I suppose, they have that same quiet/quiet dynamic and both bands kick out some beautiful songs, but Sea Snakes have a certain sound to them. They're quite wintery, I guess. They sound like they're playing in a shed in the middle of winter, that's what it is. And I suppose the lack of a female vocalist makes their songs less sweet and more emotional. Think A Weather and American Football mixed together with a pinch of I Am Robot And Proud and you might get an idea of what I'm talking about. Better yet, get the damn album.

Quiet, acoustic-ish, wintery, indie cred boosting indie pop. Get on it.

Give it a listen

I would spend money in order to boost my indie cred. COME ONNNNNNN.

A Weather - Cove (2008)

Well, long time no post. I think I've posted enough emo albums to last you all a good while (which is a shame, because I actually had a few more I wanted to share but I guess I'll save those for a rainy day). So to take a break from all that noisey, angsty, emotional bullshit here's a quiet, innocent and truly heartfelt album by some band you've never heard of. Does that sound good? Well, ever onwards then!

Again, this is one of those albums I've completely forgotten the story to - that is to say, I have no idea how I heard about it or got my hands on it but I have to admit, I wouldn't have it any other way. It seems so magical as a result.

A Weather are from all over the place, but they're based in Oregon which is where they make all those quiet, innocent, heartfelt songs I went on about before. And as far as I'm aware this is their only album as of now, and it's beautiful. Nine songs. That's all it is. Nine wonderful songs, each with its own story and personality. It's one of those albums were it's so hard to choose your favorite track because they're all amazing and unique. The one thing they all have in common is this very "hush" sound that makes listening to this album a very personal experience; it's like the band is whispering to you (telling you everything is going to be alright...ish). The lyrics are part of their charm as well, telling tales of heartbreak and the like. It's all stuff we can relate to and it really does add to that personal element I was just chattering on about.

And come on, the band themselves describes their songs as “The things that stuffed animals might tell you if they’d had a few too many.” If that doesn't appeal to you then I honestly think there's very little hope for you.

Give it a listen

It's like the band is whispering to me...they're saying "buy our album"

The Ropers - All The Time (1995)

"Friendships can be gauged on the mutual love of The Ropers" - Robert Hardy, Franz Ferdinand

"All The Time is one of the most completely inspiring rock records I've ever heard" - Richard Reed Parry, Arcade Fire

"One of the few 'indie' rock records that I would consider to be a classic. Lyrically - complex and gruesome. Musically - simple and sweetly melodic." - Andy Broder, Fog

Okay, okay, okay. So maybe those guys didn't actually say those things about this album and the wonderful band who recorded it. Maybe they were actually talking about another album by another band but the point still stands.

This album is amazing, and you should listen to it.

Give it a listen

I love buying obscure records

The Ropers are awesome, and it's a shame that all the members went on to do different things. However, if you find yourself in New York on the 14th of November you can grab a chance to see them performing together as a band for the first time in a long time. Just in case you're interested, y'know?

Lullatone - The Bedtime Beat (2008)

Wanna be happy and innocent ie. feel like a kid again? Well now you can!

This release from immensly childish japanese indie pop group Lullatone is a surefire way to brighten up your day and make you envious of many a child. Just listen to the opening track (a cute little number that features the playful sound of splish-splahing around in a bath) to see what you make of it. The rest isn't so different.

I will admit that there are a few tracks that aren't so upbeat, but they're still pretty innocent and childish. I think that comes down the the vocals, which are very hush-hush almost like a mother trying not to wake her baby.

Seriously, give it a spin.

Give it a listen

When I was a kid I bought albums

Church Library - My Very Dear Friend (2009)

Here's a nice surprise.

"My Very Dear Friend" is a short and sweet E.P. released on the always awesome record label Holiday Records. If you're a fan of dreamy female vocals like those found on The Innocence Mission's or Cocteau Twins stuff then this is for you. A wonderful blend of acoustic indie pop and lush dream pop, it may only be 3 songs but this release is a sign of a fuckwin band in the making.

Give it a listen

Tell me more about Holiday Records