Koodoz Design

Oh my god! It’s been waaaay to long since we last posted something on The Klog.

As I wipe away the cobwebs and blow the layer of dust from WordPress, I realise it’s been close to three months since we last posted something on here. The Klog has seriously been neglected.

Not to make excuses, but things have been somewhat busy in the office (to say the least) over the last few months, and as a result, this section of our site has been relegated to the backseat. Hopefully, with some improved time management and allocated dedication, we will be able to find the time to tend to the blog a little more regularly.

As a quick fix for quality content, I thought I’d put together a bunch of amazing albums we’ve been listening to for the first quarter of 2010 which get our creative juices flowing. Strangely enough, they are all UK artists – That part of the world has some shitty ass weather, but they sure know how to make good music!

The xx – xx

I’m so obsessed with the sound of these guys at the mo’. They’ve got an incredibly fresh style going on and have come up with some fantastic covers on the side. Quite dark and moody with low key vocals (which I love) and generally quite introverted and modest.

Check them out performing Islands, live on BBC’s Later. I love the opening riff on this track… very Stone Roses.

Jack Peñate – Everything Is New

This album has been growing on me more and more, with every listen. In fact, it’s been ‘On High Rotation’ now for the last six months (iTunes claims I’ve played the album from go to whoa 35 times). I absolutely love it!!

If you’re looking for a pick-me-up in the morning, this album is sure to get you bouncing around as you get ready for work. I think one of the other massively appealing things about Mr. Peñate is the uncanny vocal similarities between him and the legendary Robert Smith from The Cure. They’re frickin’ identical. So, if you love The Cure (when they sang cheery songs) then you should definitely give Jack a go… and whatever you do, do not judge the music based on it’s album cover. It does this talented artist’s music no justice.

Massive Attack – Heligoland

I’ve always been a fan of this class act from Bristol. They are absolute pioneers in pushing the boundaries of music and styles – so much so, they were one of the first UK bands to be dubbed by the genre Trip-Hop.

After a massive seven year gap between their last, incredibly dark and looming album, 100th Window. They’ve managed to deliver, yet again, with a myriad of new sounds and have given free reign to a selection of top-shelf vocalists, including Elbow’s Guy Garvey, TV On The Radio’s Tunde Adebimpe, Gorillaz Damon Albarn and Mazzy Star, to name a few.

Check out the visuals in this kick ass video for the single Splitting the Atom:

Hot Chip – One Life Stand

Seriously! These guys are the coolest music geeks, ever! Their last album, Made In The Dark, was good… but this one kills it. From the auto-tuned vocals to the carribbean influenced beats of the steel drums – this album oozes a sound that is so 2010.

Understandably, Hot Chip do produce some left-of-centre music and it probably won’t appeal to a lot of folk. Having said that, if you haven’t heard of these guys and want some new music in your life, I recommend you give Hot Chip a go – this album really hit the spot for me.

Gotta love the video for I Feel Better. Tongue in cheek, much?