NEW ARTIST ALERT - BERTOLF LENTINK:


I wanted to recommend the singer Bertolf from the Netherlands who has just released his new album "For Life". I haven't been able to find out much information in English on him, but he appears to be currently touring the disc and tonight (Jan. 14/09) opens for Brit James Morrison at the Heineken Music Hall in Amsterdam. I found this blurb on Last Fm site "Bertolf Lentink, singer-songwriter of The Junes. I’m going to play in the band of Ilse de Lange, for the summer festivals and more very cool gigs! "


The first single from "For Life" (buy the cd here) is "Another Life" which is a nice pop/rock song, but I really like the Keanesque track "All In The Letter" (which is up here for download for one week). Check out Bertolf and see what you think, the video for "Another Day" is available below..


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KEANE ON THE ELLEN DEGENERES SHOW WEDNESDAY:





















Keane is scheduled to appear on the Ellen Degeneres show this Wednesday. They are playing a few intimate shows in L.A. but that appears to be it for North America right now as no proper tour dates are scheduled yet.

04 December 2008 Echo LA
05 December 2008 The Roxy LA
07 December 2008 Largo LA
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NEW KEANE CD PERFECT SYMMETRY IS EXCELLENT:





















I've been a big fan of Keane since I first heard them and have been lucky enough to see them in concert many times and also chat with them on occasion. I've been waiting for the release of "Perfect Symmetry" and look forward to picking up the deluxe 2 CD edition when it is released on October 14th in Canada.

Listening to the record this morning I have to say there is definitely a change in sound for many of the songs including the already released 'Spiralling' and the first single 'Lovers Are Losing' and the Bowie sounding 3rd track 'Better Than This'. Then along comes the classic Keane sound on the title track 'Perfect Symmetry', and the grower 'You Don't See Me'. 'Again And Again' returns to the new sound followed by 'Playing Along'. Not having the chance to listen to my entire Keane collection for comparison I have to say that 'Pretend That You're Alone' has to be the funkiest track Keane has ever recorded, cool bass line and a horn section (probably synth horns I know). The album closes with two classic sounding Keane tracks 'Black Burning Heart' and 'Love Is The End'. "Perfect Symmetry" is a very strong record and should get Keane the good cd sales and sold out tours that they deserve.

Highlights: 'Lovers Are Losing', 'Pretend That You're Alone', 'Perfect Symmetry', 'You Don't See Me' and 'Again And Again'.
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VARIOUS BITS AND PIECES:

















Tahiti 80 are back with a new album "Activity Center" and you can view the music video for the first single "All Around" on their MySpace site. Click here to download one of the stronger tracks from the album called "Unpredictable".

Get over to the great OhhCrapp blog to download a cool track by faves Lo-Fi-Fnk called Want U (from the Kitsuné Maison Compilation 6). I've been waiting for a follow up to their excellent "Boylife" cd, let's hope we don't have to wait much longer for it's release.

A new Naked Eyes recording "Movies I Dream" is now up on their MySpace site, a three track EP that includes the song is for sale at the band's live shows. The song will also be included on Pete's forthcoming electronic album "Piccadilly" due out in Spring 2009.

Alison Moyet is about to start a North American solo tour, her first in 14 years. Below are the tour dates, I'm tempted to travel down to Seattle as I saw her 14 years ago at The Phoenix in Toronto and she was great.

05.10.2008 Queen Elizabeth Theatre (CA) Toronto
07.10.2008 Blender Theatre (USA) New York
08.10.2008 Wilbur Theatre (USA) Boston
10.10.2008 Capital One Bank (USA) Westbury
11.10.2008 Paramount Theatre (USA) Asbury Park
12.10.2008 Keswick Theatre (USA) Glenside
14.10.2008 9.30 Club (USA) NW Washington
17.10.2008 Lakewood Theatre (USA) Dallas
18.10.2008 Numbers Nightclub (USA) Houston
20.10.2008 Celebrity Theatre (USA) Phoenix
21.10.2008 Grove of Anaheim (USA) Anaheim
23.10.2008 House of Blues (USA) San Diego
25.10.2008 The El Rey Theatre (USA) Los Angeles
26.10.2008 Warfield Theatre (USA) San Francisco
28.10.2008 Wonder Ballroom (USA) Portland
29.10.2008 Moore Theatre (USA) Seattle

WATCH THE NEW KEANE "SPIRALLING" MUSIC VIDEO BELOW:


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NEW KEANE SONG "SPIRALLING" DEBUTS:















You can now download a new Keane song "Spiralling" from their forthcoming third album "Perfect Symmetry" (that is due out on October 13th) from their website (the download will be up for one week only).

I think the song is pretty good (it's growing on me), the vocals certainly aren't what I'd call "trademark" Keane, in fact if you didn't know it was Keane you may not recognize Tom's singing. I'll definitely buy the new Keane album as they are favourites of mine that I've seen in concert many times and I've also had the pleasure to meet a few times. You can also listen to the single at their MySpace page

Tom Chaplin was interviewed on the BBC this morning and had some interesting things to say about recording the new album and his preparations for touring. Someone has posted the interview (which includes the entire Spiralling track) on YouTube.
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