Voxtrot: The Start of Something

For those of us who like the Smiths, but are tired of listening to the Smiths. That's what Voxtrot is. Which is pretty cool when you think about it. Almost everyone seems to go through that 1 -2 year period where you are constantly playing the Smiths singles collection or Meat is Murder or whatever, and then you kinda get over it and move on to other things. You hear a smiths song every once in a while on the radio, and of course enjoy it but, really, your over it. Well when you first listen to Voxtrot's single, The Start of Something, you get this feeling that someone has somehow unearthed a bootleg copy of some random Smiths song you've never heard. Other cut from the EP Voxtrot If the Smiths angle doesn't do it for you there is also a HEAVY Belle & Sebastian influence here. Personally a Loathe Belle & Sebastian but there it is. Saying I hate Belle & Sebastian in public is generally like saying I like to drown kittens to most people , but, whatever.
Anyway enough of the comparisons, I just wanted to nail down the audience. So I can't find too much info on Voxtrot at the moment, except that they are originally from Austin, TX. The group originally got together to record a few songs for lead singer, Ramesh Srivastava. I thinks he's originally from Scotland or something but I'm not sure. He was recording the songs as side practice. They debuted the songs on the indie circuit in Austin, and sure enough they took off. Since then, Voxtrot has been touring around and are generally getting pretty decent club buzz. I doubt they'll ever blow up or anything (They sound just a bit too derivative to be original and not derivative enough of the right type of music to get in under copycat pretenses) but in the meantime the 80's dance music flashback style is welcome on my Itunes folder.

They've got an official website but it sucks royally. Just tour dates and T-shirts order forms. If neither of these catch your attention try their MySpace Page
It's much more informative and has got several MP3's for you to listen to, otherwise I'd post them here.

Bedouin Soundclash: When The Night Feels My song

When I was about 8 or 9 I remember someone in my house introducing me to Paul Simon. I don't remember who specifically, but I suspect it was my mother as she was a recovering hippy. This was about 1990 when Paul Simon had released Graceland. If you've listened to Graceland then you'll immediately know what Bedouin Soundclash sound like. In a word, beautiful. Now there is a lot more influence in here than just Paul and African tribal rhythms. In fact, Reggae and ska would be more appropriate as the Bob Marley, Clash, and early Police are also very evident throughout Sounding a Mosaic. Of note to is their excellent When the Night Feels My Song, which feel like an honest homage to the Specials Pressure Drop. After all if your doing second wave Ska Ripoffs, you gotta show respect to the masters.
To sum up, if you have any interest in Ska, dub, reggae, or African music, then check these boys out. You'll love them. I on the other hand you find any of the other three to be repetitive and dull, or obnoxious than stay away from them as well as blues as well because obviously you don't like dance/riff songs.

Here is the official site.

on it you will find a few MP3's to these songs which are presented here. Enjoy.

When the Night Feels My Song.

Money Worries ft. Vernon Buckley

Unfortunately these are just little sample clips but it'll give the general idea.