Track of the Week: Her Parents - Why Don't You Just Fuck Off

It's been busy times over at our favourite record label. So much so that we've actually lost count of who is on the Alcopop! roster. What we do know is that's it's getting ever stronger with 2013 looking set to be their best year yet. The last couple of weeks have seen them add not only Fight Like Apes to their bulging pool of talent, but Dananananaykroyd offshoot Her Parents, too.

Coming out fighting, this taste from a forthcoming release follows hot on the heels of Her Parents 2012 released Physical Release album. You may have missed it mid-blink, but 'Why Don't You Just Fuck Off' was released on limited edition CD earlier in the week for just 1p. It sold out in a flash, which is appropriate for a song that makes Buzzcocks seem like Yes. But worry not, it's a free download from soundcloud!

Blisteringly energetic, it's obvious that Her Parents inherited the irreverent fun from the Danana's and from the sounds of things are likely to be incredible live.

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Track of the Week: Mumm-Ra - Technicolour

If everyone tom, dick and harry reforming means that we get our favourites back, then we are all for it at KPL. After all, this phenomena meant we got to see Pulp live. Although not as big news as that event, we're pleased to say that this week we were alerted to the return of mighty mid-00s wonderkids Mumm-Ra. And boy, were we chuffed.

New track 'Technicolour' may not quite be the world-slaying 'She Got You High', in fact it's a pretty low-key return, but that's not to say it's not rather excellent, in an hypnotic drifting way. Building from a hum and a carefully plucked acoustic guitar it seems like the five years since we last heard from them has never happened. Bridging the gap between These Things Move In Threes quieter moments and the current trend for honest, dreamy numbers.

Although just over three minutes in length 'Technicolour' feels over rather quickly, easily promoting repeat plays. If we were being honest we'd say that we were really hoping for something a bit bigger to mark the return of one of our most missed recent bands, however that they're back and already tweaking our expectations means that it's excellent to have Mumm-Ra back. And we know we're not the only ones to think so.

With luck there'll be shows in support of the forthcoming record, and if this means that we get to leap around like a nutter to 'Out Of The Question' just once more then this comeback is something to get very excited about in 2013.

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Track of the Week: Menace Beach - Drop Outs / Tastes Like Medicine

With last year's cassette release, the Dream Out EP, still fizzing in our ears we didn't expect to hear from Menace Beach again so soon. But as luck would have it this double whammy of an AA side has been unveiled and is due to be released on Too Pure later this month.

Both 'Drop Outs' and 'Tastes Like Medicine' capture both the sound and the feel of early 90's alternative music, before the behemoth of britpop took hold. These are tracks in thrall to America and allowing you to almost touch the scorched asphalt of a stretching summer. The former pulses into being before the distorted guitars weave their magic. 'Drop Outs' is elevated to become something rather special by the backing vocals on the chorus that seem at odds with the often discordant sounds coming from the musicians. Second track 'Tastes Like Medicine' begins even more dream-like before kicking into a snarl of an alt rock chorus, and ensures that it's impossible to pick a favourite from the two at this stage.

With this single Menace Beach have ensured that they're much more than a side-project (from bands including You Animals, Pulled Apart By Horses and Sky Larkin), so wrap your ears around it, and listen properly as this is mastered much quieter than all the fakers out there.



Menace Beach will support the single with the following dates
March 25th - Old Blue Last, London (Free entry)
March 27th - Kraak Gallery, Manchester
March 29th - Wharf Chambers, Leeds

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