Coastal Skid Spy Wok v21.0

Thanks to holidays and work, we're long overdue a wee trip through the latest happenings on SoundCloud.  So here goes!  There's been an unusually high amount of great Scottish albums released in the last few weeks, so in this notcast, I'll pay homage to five of my favourites.  Let's kick things off with one I've mentioned a few times already... and my favourite of the bunch if I was forced to pick.  Here's one of the many standout tracks from Animal Love Match, the debut from the lovely Cancel The Astronauts.

   While I Was Sleeping by Cancel The Astronauts

The superb album can be bought over here.  While you're off buying that one, you're as well heading over here to buy the stunning debut, Under Mountains, released on the same day by Carrbridge songstress Rachel Sermanni.  

   The Fog by Rachel Sermanni

Now, if you're thinking "that's a pretty good day for Scottish albums", you'd be right.  But that's just the half of it!   The same day as those two hit the shelves, the latest from The State Broadcasters was released via Olive Grove Records.  Here's recent single Kittiwake for you to listen to.  If you're suitable impressed (and why wouldn't you be!), you can get your hands on the album Ghosts We Must Carry over here. 

   Kittiwake by The State Broadcasters

And... AND!! That wasn't all.  Scottish hip-hoppers Stanley Odd also released their latest album Reject on the very same day... September the 17th if you're interested.  You know me, I'm not really into all that Icy T and Scoopy Scoopy Dogg Dogg kinda thing, but this album surprised me... must be those dulcet Scottish tones that make all the difference! 

   Killergram by Stanley Odd

Reject can be snapped up over here.   If the last one left me pleasantly surprised, then this one was no surprise at all.  The mini50 label doesn't tend to release anything that doesn't float my boat.  And their latest release The Awkward Hello, Handshake, Kiss by Edinburgh three-piece Hiva Oa is no different.   Badger, streaming below, is a gorgeous, haunting wee number, something which can be said for their debut album as a whole.   It's available over here.  So, yeah... that's pretty much it.  Hope some, if not all, of these float your boats too!

   Badger by Hiva Oa

Coastal Skid Spy Wok v15.0

No shite intro this week.  Instead, let's get straight into the first track from Dolfinz.  It's a free taster from Song, by Toad's recent split 12" with PAWS, Sex Hands and Waiters.  You can read more about it over here, and get your hands on it here.

   Kitsch Craft (Radge Version) by Dolfinz (courtesy of Song, by Toad)

 
What was that about guitar music being dead?!   If that's not enough, the wonderful Mr. Toad is also gearing up for the release on Meursault's third album Something For The Weakened.  First up though, is the 7" release of lead single Flittin' which can be bought here.  Probably their finest moment to date I hope you'll agree... until you hear the album that is.

   Flittin' by Meursault (courtesy of Song, by Toad)

The album will follow on the 16^th of July but you can pre-order it from Song, by Toad Records on CD or vinyl, or you can treat yourself to a limited edition boxset if you're feeling flash.  Right, that's enough music of an amphibious nature.  Here's a track from the brilliant Saint Max's EP.

   Die Annie Die by Saint Max (courtesy of Braw Power)

An EP which is frighteningly good!  Next up, here's something new from Kill The Waves that went up on SoundCloud a week or so ago.  They'll be releasing new single Oak Tree in July via Glasgow's Strange Fish Records.  Here's the B-side Friend.  I love this track!  Can't wait for the album!

   Friend (new single B-side) by Kill The Waves (courtesy of Strange Fish Records)

Call me lazy, but I think we'll just have 5 tracks this week.   What better way to round things up than with this beauty from Rachel Sermanni, someone I don't feature half as much as I should around here.   Her Black Currents EP (available here) is one of the must-buys of the year, and according to the email I got yesterday, her album Under Mountains, will be with us in October.   Enjoy!

   Breathe Easy by Rachel Sermanni

Kowalskiy's Eleven for 2011

Happy New Year folks!  I said I wouldn't do this after my half-arsed attempt last year, but I suppose there's no harm in sharing my eleven tips for the year with you.  Besides, it gives me a chance to try out the playlist widget below!  There's a few familiar names in there that are no strangers to the Kowalskiy blog, and a few getting their first mention.  Either way, keep a look out for them in the year ahead.  In no particular order, they are...

Rachel Sermanni [MySpace][Twitter]
Indian Red Lopez [MySpace][Twitter]
Dear Mountaineer [MySpace][Twitter]
Trapped Mice [MySpace][Twitter]
Johnny Reb [MySpace][Soundcloud]

Rose Parade [MySpace][Twitter]
Weather Barn [MySpace][Twitter]
The Son(s) [Soundcloud][Twitter]
White Heath [MySpace][Twitter]
The Ramisco Maki Maki Rocking Horse [Website][Twitter]
King Post Kitsch [Website][Twitter]