Jul 30

NEW RELEASE: The Irony Board – Unfinished Business

Just who are The Irony Board & why have we not heard of them before? Information about the band is quite scarce, but we do know that they had a song featured on one of Firestation Records legendary “The Sound Of Leamington Spa” series (Volume 7), which in itself automatically gives them some street cred., as Firestation Records are certainly one of the purveyors of great taste in this modern era. We also know that a published novel, “Capturing The Wry”, was written about the band, this book written by John Hartley (aka Johny Nocash) chronicles the crazy and fascinating story of the trials and tribulations of his unsigned band The Irony Board. That book, which is highly recommended, was endorsed by Merric Davidson (editor of Toppermost.co.uk) and Steve Williamson (EIO40 kingpin), and several members of the Trash Can Sinatras, making this story even more intriguing. Initial copies of the book were accompanied by a free bonus CD, of studio recordings, of the tracks featured within the book. That however is just the tip of the iceberg.

This brings us to the release of, “Unfinished Business” by The Irony Board, as we dig deeper into this mysterious 90’s indie band and unearth more of their wonderful music. They have been described, at the time, by renowned music journalist Martin Aston, as “bittersweet, naive, hook-lined, captivating, unpretentious, clever – but not clever-clever – and deserving of more widespread attention”. And we couldn’t agree more, which is why we are releasing this fine collection of songs. To give you an idea of what the music sounds like, here are a few comparisons, although none of these are completely accurate, they give you a sense of some possible influences or maybe traces of sounds that I heard on repeated listening of these songs: Television Personalities, The Wedding Present, The June Brides, The Razercuts, Trash Can Sinatras, some of the Sarah Records bands like The Orchids, The Field Mice, 14 Iced Bears and possibly a few others.

A few more pieces to the puzzle that I will add, is that John Hartley, has also written a book “Who’s He? an A-Z of The Trash Can Sinatras” and has released music as a solo artist and under the guise of several other bands on the Broken Down Lorry label – please check out their page on Bandcamp here – www.brokendownrecords.bandcamp.com/

We are very proud to release this album and hope it finds a home in your ears and heart as it has in ours. Please Enjoy “Unfinished Business” by The Irony Board!

“Unfinished Business” is available as a CD (Beauty 046) directly from our site and a few select online distributers.

Order your copy now:

The Beautiful Music

Unfinished Business by The Irony Board
Beauty 046

NOW AVAILABLE on CD ONLY! Digital Copy Coming Soon.
$12.00 CDN


The Beautiful Music

For Immediate Release: Parlour Sounds by James Clarke Five

As we get back in action, we have a brand new album to be released on our label in May, which I’m very excited about, it’s an album by James Clarke Five, the latest project by James Hughes (AKA Clarke), an amazing musician who played in the short lived, but very talented 80’s Liverpool band, The Cherry Boys who were contemporaries with the Teardrop Explodes and Echo & The Bunnymen and Wah! but had a unique sound of their own, influenced by a mod sound but incorporating some of the post punk sound also. Sadly they only released a handful of singles, but they were all amazing, with one of my all time favorite songs being Kardomah Cafe. In more recent years, James has released several solo albums that didn’t get the attention they deserve. This new album, reminds me at times of Madness, as well as some of Terry Hall’s solo albums and has been compared to The Zombies and The Left Banke – hope you enjoy it.

Order your copy now:

The Beautiful Music

Parlour Sounds by James Clarke Five
Beauty 044 NOW AVAILABLE on CD!!
$15.00 CDN


The Beautiful Music

Here’s a review from Jack Rabid, featured in the upcoming issue of Big Take Over magazine.

“Not the Dave Clark Five, Sex Clark Five, or James Gang, this is Jimmie Hughes of early ’80s Liverpool faves The Cherry Boys. Unlike Zoo Records’ legends (Bunnymen, Teardrop Explodes, Wah!, Big in Japan, etc.), their half dozen strong singles couldn’t parley Merseyside popularity into stardom, although two members went on to The La’s. 35 years on, their ex-keyboardist/singer is still playing harpsichord/piano-based sugar pop like the Cherrys’ best platter, the La’s/Ocean Rain Bunnymen/Pale Fountains-ish “Kardomah Cafe.” His ripening is the baroque feel in “Jade” or “Just a Smile,” like a mash of 1968 music by Paul McCartney, Kinks, Emmit Rhodes, Left Banke, Zombies, Cyrkle, and Association. That’s the purlieu of Belle and Sebastian, only Parlour is more akin to Roddy Frame, Andy Partridge, Martin Newell, and lighter Bevis Frond (with a voice more like Supertramp’s Roger Hodgson). The above wrote/still write great songs; so, too, does Hughes.” –Jack Rabid, Big Take Over

jamesclarkefive.com
JC5 on Facebook

 

 

Apr 22

NEW SINGLE: End of the Summer by SKYTONE

Skytone spotted in Thailand, heard throughout the world!


The elusive and mysterious band known as Skytone have been spotted on some rooftops in Thailand working on new music.

It has been rumoured, that the band does not actually exist. We can however confirm that new music is in the works and judging from this latest single “End Of The Summer”, a beautiful and languid delight of hooks and harmonies, we can confidently say that there must be some humans behind this project and without a doubt, you are going to love their new album. Listen to “End Of The Summer” on their Bandcamp page.

Here is what the press had to say about their current catalog… “Rodney and Darius Doddridge comprise Skytone, emitting a warming jangle-pop sound with yearning vocals. “Dreaming” is a beautiful effort, intertwining jangly guitars and effervescent synths with consuming, melodic vocals. “Tell me why I’m without feeling / Tell me is that you I’m seeing,” the pleasant chorus emits, the jangle-pop aesthetic intact alongside hook-friendly, power-pop sentiments. The project – based out of Ottawa, Ontario – succeeds with a familiarly nostalgic aesthetic, which plays well with their naturally melodic songwriting.”-.obscuresound.com

Wally

Mar 05

New Release: Dreaming by SKYTONE

“Rodney and Darius Doddridge comprise Skytone, emitting a warming jangle-pop sound with yearning vocals. “Dreaming” is a beautiful effort, intertwining jangly guitars and effervescent synths with consuming, melodic vocals. “Tell me why I’m without feeling / Tell me is that you I’m seeing,” the pleasant chorus emits, the jangle-pop aesthetic intact alongside hook-friendly, power-pop sentiments. The project – based out of Ottawa, Ontario – succeeds with a familiarly nostalgic aesthetic, which plays well with their naturally melodic songwriting.” – Obscure Sound

Visit here to purchase track: Skytone Official Bandcamp

Feb 08

New Video: The Yellow Melodies – “Our Time Is Over”

The Yellow Melodies are proud to release another video of the song “Our Time Is Over”, taken from their much loved and brilliant “Life” album which was released on The Beautiful Music on CD as well, as on Hurrah! Musica on Vinyl.

The album has been well received and is still winning the hearts of fans worldwide. One listen to this song and the album, it’s clear to see why as The Yellow Melodies master the perfect pop song, and include influences from the 60’s Pop & Psych underground as well as traces of mod and soul sounds with a nod to bands like the BMX Bandits, Television Personalities, Superstar, Teenage Fanclub, Big Star, and many others.

The video paints a cautionary tale to warn of our destructive behavior and the possible results but still manages to infuse hope and a positive vibe as it ends with “Is this the end, or the start of something really beautiful?”

This is a song and album you need in your life – listen and enjoy!

Jul 26

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Proto Retro by Dot Dash

Dot Dash’s new album Proto Retro, the band’s sixth long player, out now on TBM. Proudly our 42nd release!

Coming off of 2016’s amped-up, fuzzed-out Searchlights, the 12 track Proto Retro sees Dot Dash taking a poppier, janglier direction but one that retains the punky, garagey energy that has marked the band’s previous releases.

Proto Retro was recorded at Inner Ear and The Bastille in Arlington, Virginia and produced by Geoff Sanoff (Lloyd Cole, Darlene Love, Television.)

Dot Dash is a Washington D.C.-based trio — Terry Banks (guitar & vocals), Hunter Bennett (bass), and Danny Ingram (drums.) Ex-bands within the Dot Dash orbit include power-poppy indie rockers Julie Ocean; harDCore pioneers Youth Brigade and The Untouchables; indiepoppers The Saturday People, Tree Fort Angst, Glo-Worm, and St. Christopher; plus Swervedriver and Strange Boutique.

Along the way, Dot Dash has played shows with The Brian Jonestown Massacre, Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever, Richard Lloyd (ex-Television), The B-52s, The Monochrome Set, The Psychedelic Furs, The Chameleons, The Dickies, Ash, Hugh Cornwell (ex-Stranglers), The Clientele, Stiff Little Fingers, The Godfathers, The Bats, Ian Hunter (ex-Mott The Hoople), The Fleshtones, Urge Overkill, Glen Matlock (ex-Sex Pistols), The Drums, Ultimate Painting, The Trashcan Sinatras, Sylvain Sylvain (ex-New York Dolls), Drivin’n’Cryin, Frankie Rose, Tommy Keene, The Empty Hearts, Wussy, Matt Pond PA, Moon Duo, Terry Malts, Soulside, Jack Grisham (TSOL), Wax Idols, Chris Stamey (ex-dB’s), Allo Darlin’, The Supersuckers, Adam Franklin (Swervedriver), X___X, The Explorers Club, D.O.A., Elf Power, Stevie Jackson (Belle & Sebastian), Eternal Summers & lots of other rocking combos.

To order the physical CD :

DotDash

Beauty 042 NOW AVAILABLE!!
$15.00 CDN

To order the electronic version: BandCamp

Oct 29

NEW RELEASE! “LIFE” by The Yellow Melodies

Life by The Yellow MelodiesWe are extremely proud to be involved in the release of “one of SPAIN’S finest power pop bands who are hero’s of their craft!” as Jeremy from Jam Records once described them. He went on to say: “The Yellow Melodies are engaged in the indie sounds of bands like Teenage Fanclub, Big Star, BMX Bandits … and the Pooh Sticks. The innocent sound of these bands once created a new movement that is still influential today! The Yellow Melodies pay sincere tribute to that movement in a most effective way! Hail the indie pop scene!”
 

Rafa Skam, from The Yellow Melodies once described Duglas T Stewart (BMX Bandits) as a band who had “a love of POP with capital letters, with an extraordinary musical sensitivity, an authentic and charming type” and those words I think capture the essence of The Yellow Melodies perfectly. They are a band who truly love POP, regardless of its shape or form, whether it’s indie pop, psych pop, orchestral pop, power pop, mod or beat, its first and foremost pure POP! They play music from the heart, with true passion and with style and flair. They remind you of (and are obviously inspired by) bands such as the Television Personalities, BMX Bandits, Monograph, The Wedding Present, The Pastels, Teenage Fanclub, Superstar, The Merrymakers, The Saturday People and many other similar bands and over the years have recorded many fine covers of some of their musical heroes (including 2 fine tribute EP’s for The Beautiful Music).

Their new album “Life”, their eighth album, contains nine brand new original songs, of the finest POP! you will hear this year and is being released in conjunction with their own label DISCOS IMPRESCINDIBLES and also HURRAH! MÚSICA for a vinyl edition for those so inclined. 

Here are a few more quotes from previous releases: “The Yellow Melodies are an indie pop band from Spain whose music combines classic jangle and harmony-filled indie Brit pop and psychedelic influences of the 60’s and 70’s with contemporary instrumentation and production, and a charming delivery.” (Ray -Koolkat); “Great Spanish power pop that explores a variety of power pop bands like The Church, Temples, Television Personalities, The Merrymakers, and Carrots. The band is very interesting and the sounds mix power pop and jangle with psychedelia. From time to time the orchestral flourishes bring a bit of Left Banke to the table” (Jeremy – Jam Records); “… the stars here are The Yellow Melodies, who put a vibrant sheen on each track, with appealing hooks and great harmonies” (Scott – When You Motor Away); anyway you get the idea – this is a release you will love and treasure for years.

The Beautiful Music
LIFE by The Yellow Melodies/em>
Beauty 041 NOW AVAILABLE!!
$15.00 CDN


The Beautiful Music

Jun 27

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Janglewaves by Skytone

Janglewaves
Skytone is back with this summer’s playlist! Janglewaves is the latest album from Skytone, we think it’s fantastic but here is what the web is saying:

Ottawa’s Skytone don’t really fit into a neat little package for consumers, but that’s precisely why I love the group. Sure, their brand new album Jangle Waves has the aforementioned jangling, but there are also moments that lean towards swinging croons like in “Second Hand Shops.” They almost adopt a beach vibe with “Missing You” only to move into dreamy pop territory with the following tune, “Lonely Holiday.” Throughout the listen, you’ll likely find yourself enveloped in warm harmonies reminiscent of the sun you’re trying to avoid outside your window; it’s the power of pure pop at its best!
Nathan Lankford (austintownhall.com)

“Evoking sun-dappled drives to the lake on a summer day or wine-on-the lawn evening with good friends, and leavened with jangle and hints of ’70s soft rock, JangleWaves is a welcome addition to the summer playlist. The album is the latest from melodic indie pop band Skytone, which is comprised of brothers Rodney and Darius Doddridge. While the Canadian duo does, indeed, pack a lot of jangle in their compositions, dream pop, power pop and a liberal dose of beach pop all live harmoniously, melodically, and pleasingly, in JangleWaves. Good vocals, good guitars, and good times. Summer is here, and JangleWaves is coming along.” – (whenyoumotoraway.blogspot.ca)skyline

“Ottawa’s Skytone would have you believe that they Jangle and of course they do, but not in that 12 string way that you would envisage. This is Great Pop, done with a croon and the jangle is in a 80’s sort of way, although the harmonies are very much mid 70’s Pop Rock.

All this works beautifully, Jangle Waves is wonderfully laid back. The guitar riffs are very C86, but there’s plenty more thrown into the mix. Drop In The Water is all funky in a Mid 80’s vibe that you can imagine appearing on Hit Mix 86. Think of Lloyd Cole fronting Johnny Hates Jazz.” -(hearasingle.blogspot.ca)

You can sample more of the new album here: 

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/ca/album/janglewaves/id1250418287

Bandcamp: https://skytone1.bandcamp.com/album/janglewaves

May 17

Holding Hands Under a Cloudless Sky – A Tribute to the Television Personalities: Vol 4

They said it couldn’t happen here, but it did. They said we could never pull it off, but here it is the 4th volume of the Television Personalities tribute series “Holding Hands Under a Cloudless Sky”. Eight years in the making and a long overdue release with all your favourite (and soon to be favourite) artists. And as Alan McGee once said: 

The shambolic genius behind Television Personalities made me realise that I could run a label. Yet this great songwriter still hasn’t been fully recognized for his contribution to music” … “I’m not a nostalgic person, but the first TVP gig I saw in 1982 changed my life. Back then, the first two TVP albums And Don’t the Kids Just Love It and Mummy You’re Not Watching Me established Treacy as the UK’s version of Jonathan Richman, as re-imagined by Ray Davies.

“Holding Hands Under A Cloudless Sky”
Television Personalities Tribute – Volume 4

1. THE YELLOW MELODIES – Look Back In Anger
2. SIMON BISH & ANDY FONDA – Silly Things Lovers Do
3. DOT DASH – Jackanory Stories
4. THE STEINBECKS – Strangely Beautiful
5. SKYTONE – The Boy Who Couldn’t Stop Dreaming
6. JEREMY – A Good And Faithful Servant
7. PAUL BONIN & THE CHOSEN FEW – How I Learned To Love The Bomb
8. THE PENELOPES – Stop And Smell The Roses
9. THE MILESTONE BAND – Honey For The Bears
10. BRIGHT LIGHTS, BIG ZOMBIE – She’s My Yoko
11. PRETTY EYES FOR CAPTAIN AMERICA – She Lives for the Moment
12. THE PUDDLE – You Are Special And You Always Will Be
13. AJ JACKSON – If I Could Write Poetry
14. I SATELLITE – This Hearts Not Made Of Stone
15. THE JUST JOANS – I Hope He’s Everything You Wanted Me To Be…
16. THE PRISTINES – The Painted Word
17. THE DUPONT CIRCLES – How I Learned To Love The Bomb
18. ROBERT SCOTT – Stop And Smell The Roses
19. TODD SHUSTER – Someone To Share My Life With
20. CHESTER – Silly Girl
21. PAUL MESSIS – If That’s What Love Is
22. SCHUMAN THE HUMAN – Look Back In Anger

 

Special Offer: Be one of the first 100 to order and receive the bonus disc for free. This includes another 25 tracks!

The Beautiful Music

Holding Hands Under a Cloudless Sky
Various Artists – TVP Tribute 4
Beauty 025PRE-Order NOW AVAILABLE!!
$15.00 CDN


“1980s indie would have sounded very different without Treacy. The international indie underground would sound very different today, too, had it not been for Treacy. His bare honesty, direct DIY approach and emotional fragility have made him one of the biggest influences on that scene in the past decade, revered by the latest generation of hip guitar bands as at least a touchtone and in many cases as their founding father.”

 
The Beautiful Music

Mar 31

For Immediate Release: “Sweet Magnolias” by Nick Danger & SKYTONE

For those of you who have follow our little label since the beginning you will recognize the artist connected with the first two releases on The Beautiful Music.

It has been a long friendship both on and off stage between Nick Danger and SKYTONE, which finally brought them together to record “Sweet Magnolias”(Beauty 037). This is a 7 track album of songs written and recorded originally by Nick and the DCR/The Social Icons, but this time out he is supported musically by his good friends. For a lark they decided to record this live off the… lawn, outside a little cottage on Mink Lake. Captured in raw single takes, the environment plays its own part with electro surges, seagulls, laptop stutter, motor boats and kids at play.

In addition they recorded “Sweet Jane” from The Velvet Underground’s catalog and also Leonard Cohen’s “Hey, that’s no way to say goodbye”. This was all captured on video by the way over here on Youtube

This album is now available on Bandcamp for download and a physical CD is available here from thebeautifulmusic.com. Have a listen below:

The Beautiful Music

Nick Danger & SKYTONE
Sweet Magnolias(CD Version)
Beauty 037 NOW AVAILABLE!!


Download: https://dangercity.bandcamp.com/album/sweet-magnolias
The Beautiful Music