September saw the release of psychedelic New Yorkers, Mercury Rev’s, new album ‘Snowflake Midnight’. Described by the band as “a set of nine self-luminous and astonishing new songs”, you may understand why I was so intrigued to hear the band’s latest offering, including their latest single release which I shall be reviewing today – ‘Butterfly’s Wings’.

The trance track is truly spell-bounding. The glittering synth and gentle percussion, combined with hypnotic vocals allows the listener to float away to a mellow land, far, far beyond. Ignoring the rather, well, creepy child laughter mid-way through the track, listening to ‘Butterfly’s Wings’, one can understand why the album achieved 5-star ratings all around. So get out your incense sticks, stick on Mercury Rev and relax…. ahhhhhhhhh….

(Mercury Rev are currently on tour around the U.K and Europe, finally finishing in the U.S in December. Tickets are still available should you want to check them out in the flesh!)

Top Photo is taken from vk-red’s flickr stream.

Just a quick one tonight, as I’m plain and simply cream crackered at the moment – working 30-40 hours a week and then going to a gig or so a week and the usual pub evenings is pretty hard work… (boy, it’s a hard life, no?)

Bloc Party did another one of their suprises last night, announcing the release of Talons, their second single, and one that wasn’t on Intimacy, but will be on the physical release in October. In short, it’s pretty darned amazing, as with all of their Intimacy era stuff. A bit 80’s rock, a bit dark and murky, but ultimately good. I’m not posting the MP3 as I think it’s just asking for me to get (another) cease and desist, but I’m sure those of you in the know can get a copy for free.

Of course tonight is also the Mercury music prize, with my money firmly on Laura Marling to win, though I doubt the judges will choose her, probably sticking to a safer bet like Radiohead, Elbow or Last Shadow Puppets. If Adele or Estelle wins I won’t be a happy bunny though – they’re good, but not Mercury material.

There are still some reviews of Hydro Connect coming in, almost 10 days after the event, and just make me yearn for Scotland again. Only about 50 weeks now until Hydro 2009, eh? Rock Sellout have put up a guest blog from the festival, along with a better (and more indepth) interview with Rab from Glasvegas than we did.

Meanwhile, Mike over at Chromewaves caught this weekend’s Virgin Festival in Toronto, with Bloc Party, Kooks, Fratellis and more. I’ll be checking out some of the smaller (and larger) bands I haven’t heard of when I actually have a day off.

Yes, I know it’s a tad late, but below are my five favourite videos of this week…

Below: Bloc Party: Mercury
I’m undecided about this one at the moment – it seems a bit too much of a divergence from the stuff I love from them. However, I did grow to love Flux, so here’s hoping this one grows on me.

Below: Feist does 1,2,3,4 for Sesame Street.
I’m a bit late to the whole Feist loving – but I do love this track she did for the new season of Sesame Street.

Below: Radiohead: House of Cards
Apparently this was filmed without cameras, all lasers and stuff. But it still looks and sounds great.

Below: Delays: Keep it Simple
Personally, one of my least favourite tracks off of one of my albums of the year so far, but the video is mildly amusing, not as good as it should be.

Below: Ben Folds: Rockin’ The Suburbs
Since seeing Ben on Sunday night I’ve been rediscovering his greatness… this was one of my favourite tracks (well, apart from Not The Same, but there’s not a video of that!).

If anybody has any issues with me posting the tracks or videos, please email me at phil@tgtf.net and I will take them down ASAP. Many thanks.

Mercury Rev, those New York dream poppers have announced four new dates in November around the UK.

Tickets are on sale now, priced around £16 for each date.

Wednesday 5th November - Manchester University
Thursday 6th November – Leeds Academy
Friday 7th November – Birmingham Academy
Sunday 9th November – Newcastle Academy
Tuesday 11th November – Brighton Corn Exchange
Wednesday 12th November – Bristol Academy
Thursday 13th November – London Shepherds Bush Empire
Friday 14th November – Oxford Academy

Tom McRae’s fourth studio album, “King of Cards” is launched tomorrow here in the UK, and its one of his most accomplished works to date. I got a (quick) taste of his album when I saw him on the Hotel Cafe tour in November last year, and was amazed. On CD however, its simply amazing: more complex, full-band sound, and rewards you more each time you listen to it.

Gentle, brooding, and dark at times, “King of Cards” is more upbeat than some of Tom’s earlier albums. Its not as accomplished as some of his earlier stuff, as some of it feels like he’s going “through the motions”, however it could well be his “breakthrough” album that brings him to wider publicity than he has enjoyed before.

Some of the songs are just perfect for a night in with a bottle of wine: “Got a Suitcase, Got Regrets” seems to cover a breakup that isn’t exactly smooth – epic, yearning and bitterness-filled, this is one of the highlights of the album for me.

“One Mississippi” is the closest to a pop song Tom has done – accessible, catchy, memorable, it is one of the highlights of the album, however it does take him off more into James Blunt/Morrison / Paulo Nutini territory than his usual Nick Drake / Jeff Buckly route.

Overall, a very accomplished album, yet not as good as some of his earlier stuff: See his self titled debut which was nominated for a Mercury Music Prize in 2003 – its a bit better, but this one is more upbeat.