BATTLES - MIRRORED

This is the debut album from New Yorkers, Battles. They have been described as prog-rock, experimental rock, math rock and electro-rock! I'm not sure what any of those mean but this is really fresh and exciting. Loops, beats, drums, guitars all give the sound incredible drive. One of the most unique albums of the year.

www.megaupload.com/?d=D0G40RKQ

SIMIAN MOBILE DISCO - ATTACK DECAY SUSTAIN RELEASE

Simian Mobile Disco are James Shaw and James Ford, two of the members of the sadly disbanded Simian (highlight - "Chemistry Is What We Are' from 2001). They started remixing other artists such as The Go! Team, Klaxons, Air and Muse and have now released this debut album. A really loved-up, heart-pounding sound that you will want to have on at any party!

www.megaupload.com/?d=F1BVYLKH
OR
http://rapidshare.com/files/30362406/Sim-Mob-Dsco_Att-Dec-Sust-Rls.rar

PASSWORD - slim

GHOSTS - THE WORLD IS OUTSIDE

The feelgood album of the year! Britpop is back and it never sounded so good. Belting indie pop that will brighten your day.

http://www.mediafire.com/?04jgvmx016j

BROKEN SOCIAL SCENE - BROKEN SOCIAL SCENE

The third full length album from Canadian band, Broken Social Scene. They were formed in 1999 and have gradually grown in number to the point of having 16 members as we speak. This album was released at the end of 2005 and many members have gone on to produce their own projects as the band take an official hiatus (see Feist album 'The Reminder').

Any album that reminds you of My Bloody Valentine, Pavement and Grandaddy and still feel fiercely fresh and original is special. They seem to throw everything into the mix and and make it work. Highly recommended.

http://rapidshare.com/files/49448237/BSS_-_ST.rar

THE NATIONAL - BOXER

The National are originally from Ohio, but are now based in Brooklyn. This is the follow-up to the outstanding 'Alligator' and word has it that the band did not want to record another album as they did not feel it could reach the same heights or please the fans as much. How wrong they were and glad we are they continued. 'Boxer' is a modern masterpiece, with fear, alienation and optimism. Just wonderful.

http://www.filefactory.com/file/9190d1/
OR
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=YTTSONJJ
OR
http://rapidshare.com/files/44202155/boxr.rar

PANDA BEAR - PERSON PITCH

This is the album I simply cannot stop listening to at the moment. It is broken into songs but it is just one long, stunning, ride. You are enveloped in a wall of uplifting sound and taken away. Astonishing.

http://rapidshare.com/files/14080203/Panda_Bear.zip

HOT CHIP - THE WARNING

Formed in 2000 but Hot Chip did not release their debut album, 'Coming On Strong', until 2004. They are renowned for being the remixers of choice for many bands today. They have reworked songs by Badly Drawn Boy, Gorillaz, The Go Team!, Bright Eyes, Amy Winehouse, !!!, Aliens, CSS, Ladytron and Stephen Malkmus amongst others.

This is far more than an album by dance producers, though. It was many reviewers album of 2006 and is full of energy and life. They have a feel of New Order about them which is high praise indeed.

http://rapidshare.com/files/40169438/HOT_CHIP_-_WARNING__2006_.rar

PASSWORD: gustavoeo.blogspot.com

FIGURINES - WHEN THE DEER WORE BLUE

A great Danish 5 piece band, 'When The Deer Wore Blue' is their third full length album. Full of wonderful flourishes and just great tunes.

http://rapidshare.com/files/42241581/F-WtDWBadvance_TeK.rar

OR

http://rs106.rapidshare.com/files/41635753/Figurines-When_The_Deer_Wore_Blue.zip

THE RAPTURE - PIECES OF THE PEOPLE WE LOVE

This is the second full length album by New Yorkers, The Rapture. As with LCD Soundsystem they are a major part of the New York dance/punk/rock scene. Their first album, 'Echoes' came out 4 years ago and was the first of it's kind for a long time. It caught me by surprise as well as most people who heard it. They are an absolute blast live, often appearing to be completely off their heads! However, they are having genuine fun and do everything to make sure the audience does as well. I really love these records and cannot recommend The Rapture and LCD Soundsystem enough.

http://www.gigasize.com/get.php?d=tqnhw3ff0zd

LCD SOUNDSYSTEM - SOUND OF SILVER

This is the follow up to 2005's self-titled debut. LCD Soundsystem are New York dance-punk producer, James Murphy's project. When playing live he has a live band including Hot Chip's guitarist, Al Doyle. This is a real thrill, an exhiralating ride. We now have what feels like real cutting edge music, often referred to as dance/punk/rock with this band and The Rapture (to follow this post). Both also play spectacular, pulsating, shows.

http://rapidshare.com/files/21487834/LCD_Soundsystem_-_Sound_Of_Silver.rar
OR
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=EXV1NVJM

THE GOOD, THE BAD & THE QUEEN - THE GOOD, THE BAD & THE QUEEN

This is Damon Albarn's latest project. This time he is joined by members of The Verve, The Clash and Fela Kuti. You may not like the man but you have to admire his talent. Blur constantly reinvent themselves to keep it fresh and exciting. Gorillaz demonstrated he also has an ear for dance music with big beats. He also did a solo album named 'Mali Music' which sounds like a vanity project but is actually quite amazing.

The Good, The Bad & The Queen is lyrically similar to Blur's 'Modern Life Is Rubbish', but just concentrates on London. It is a mainly acoustic album and feels intimate. It's a gem of an album and Albarn just goes from strength to strength.

http://rapidshare.com/files/13676515/The_Good_The_Bad___The_Queen_-_The_Good_The_Bad___The_Queen.rar
OR
http://rapidshare.com/files/11824237/The_Good__The_Bad___The_Queen__2007_.rar.html

OKKERVIL RIVER - THE STAGE NAMES

The fouth full length album from the American band. Sounds like a personal 'best of' from all the bands I have loved over the last 15 years - all at the top of their game. It's a treat.

http://rapidshare.com/files/39071595/Okkervil_River_-_The_Stage_Names__2007_.zip

OR

http://rapidshare.com/files/46813017/stagenames.rar

SPOON - GA GA GA GA GA

A wonderful four piece from Austin, Texas, fronted by Britt Daniel. Spoon recently released this, their 6th full album. They are the favourite band of Adam Buxton of 'Adam & Joe' fame. Whilst not quite hitting the heights of 2005's 'Gimme Shelter' (which I may post later) it is still an absolute cracker. It comes and goes in a whirlwind 35 minutes and will make a fan of you straight away.

http://rapidshare.com/files/46499134/o36a.rar
OR
http://rapidshare.com/files/32690676/GaGGGG.rar

IAN BROWN - THE WORLD IS YOURS

I'm sure most people know of Ian Brown from The Stone Roses and some of his earlier solo albums. Sadly none of the solo stuff matched the mighty Roses but, after the first few listens, this seems to be his most accomplished and mature work in years. It also comes with a bonus second disc of orchestral versions of each song.

http://rapidshare.com/files/57533883/IB-TWIY.part1.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/57520116/IB-TWIY.part2.rar

THE DECEMBERISTS - THE CRANE WIFE

The Decemberists are a five-piece from Portland, Oregon and fronted by Colin Meloy. They are named in reference to the Russian Decembrist Revolt of December, 1825. This was easily my favourite album of 2006. It is their fourth full album and marks a further step in their evolution. They are playing in Britain next month. I will be there - join me;

10/02/2007 Royal Festival Hall London
10/03/2007 The Junction Cambridge
10/05/2007 Wulfren Hall Wolverhampton
10/06/2007 Anson Rooms & Ar2 (Bristol University) Bristol
10/07/2007 Academy Oxford
10/09/2007 Vicar Street Dublin
10/10/2007 Academy I Liverpool
10/11/2007 Academy II Newcastle
10/12/2007 Academy Glasgow
10/13/2007 Metropolitan University Leeds

http://rapidshare.com/files/23041397/The_Decemberists_-__the_crane_wife.rar

FEIST - THE REMINDER

Feist is Canadian singer/songwriter Leslie Feist. She is also in Broken Social Scene (of which more to come!). This album is one of those rare treats that makes investigating new music such a thrill. You will fall in love with her voice and hauntingly beautiful melodies. Like being wrapped in a warm blanket. Seek it out. Do it now!

http://www.zshare.net/download/18911201b59e94/
OR
http://rapidshare.com/files/31376672/Feist_-_The_Reminder.zip.html

APPARAT - WALLS

Apparat is German electronic musician, Sascha Ring. This is his sixth album and is full of blissful tunes. It's not all about big beats but creating fresh sounds which is rare in modern electonica. I like it!

http://rapidshare.com/files/35056745/apparat_-_walls__shitkatapult__2007_.rar

iFORWARD, RUSSIA! - GIVE ME A WALL

Debut album from Leeds 'art' band. Now this is not to everyones taste but persevere and you will be well rewarded! All the songs are simply numbers - not in order. They are based on the order they were written. You often can't hear the vocals and it feels like an assault on the senses at times but thank heavens bands still dare to be different.

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=WUVTZD7H

or

http://rapidshare.com/files/6846660/forward_russia_-_give_me_a_wall_sharedmp3.net_.rar

PASSWORD - sharedmp3.net

GUILLEMOTS - THROUGH THE WINDOWPANE

The first full length album from the British band is alive with invention. I bought this a year ago and each listen STILL reveals something new. These guys know their music - pianos, keyboards, brass and string sections, acoustic and electric guitar, wonderful beats. Singer, Fyfe Dangerfield, has the most incredible voice. I have been fortunate enough to see them a couple of times over the last year and they seem even better live. It's hard to pick out one song from such a brilliant album but the closing, 12 minute song, 'Sao Paulo' will leave you stunned at just how good music can be. Get ready to welcome Guillemots into your life!!

http://rapidshare.com/files/9662516/G-TTWP.rar

PASSWORD - MaZpA

THE SHINS - WINCING THE NIGHT AWAY

If you do not like this album, you are a cold and bitter robot!! This is The Shins' third album and they are all stunning. The band are from Albuquerque, New Mexico. Like most people, I came across them after they featured heavily in Zach Braff's (JD from 'Scrubs' ) beautiful indie movie 'Garden State' which he also wrote and directed. The album is sweet, sincere and uplifting without ever grating. Prepare to become obsessed by the song 'Phantom Limb' which is surely the song of the year.

http://rapidshare.com/files/27031059/The.Shins.-.Wincing.The.Night.Away.zip

or

http://rapidshare.com/files/29727985/The_Shins_-_Wincing_the_Night_Away__2007_.rar

CSS - CANSEI DE SER SEXY

A spiky, raw, grimy debut album from this Brazilian band. The name - Cansei De Ser Sexy - is Portuguese for 'tired of being sexy'. It is this swagger that makes the album so special. It is funky without trying.

http://rapidshare.com/files/35485362/CanseiDeSerSexy.rar

THE PIGEON DETECTIVES - WAIT FOR ME

This is purely for future contributor Ashley!!

http://rapidshare.com/files/34894593/Wait_For_Me.rar

AQUALUNG - MEMORY MAN

Aqualung is Englishman Matt Hales. This is his fourth album and easily the most accomplished. It is really wonderful. It is that rarest of things - music that can sum up the dizzying/excited/hopeful feeling of being in love. It is a real grower as well and is fast becomming one of my very favourites of the year.

http://rapidshare.com/files/30736648/Aqualung-Memory_Man-2007-Saschok.rar
PASSWORD - rapidalbums.blogspot.com

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=EXTYUW2Y

BLONDE REDHEAD -23

I only discovered this a few weeks ago. On further investigation it is their ninth album since forming in 1993. I will be buying a few albums myself. The three piece is based in New York and comprises the Japanese female lead singer and two Italian brothers. This album knocked my socks off. It is very reminiscent of Garbage's first, self-titled, album yet sounds very contemporary. There is a real drive throughout that demands multiple listens.

http://rapidshare.com/files/33513087/blonde_redhead_-_23_2007__1_sharedmp3.net_.rar
PASSWORD - sharedmp3.net

or

http://rapidshare.com/files/32330136/BR232007.rar
PASSWORD - Blast

THE NEW PORNOGRAPHERS - CHALLENGERS

This is the fourth album by the Canadian band. Of the first three, I highy recommend 'Twin Cinema'. This is a beautiful album, by turns grand and intimate. You will be listening to this for weeks...

http://rapidshare.com/files/51015101/the_new_pornographers_-_challengers_2007__sharedmp3.net_.rar

PASSWORD - sharedmp3.net

BEIRUT - GULAG ORKESTAR

I will start with a wonderful band - Beirut. They are as fresh and exciting as any band out there today. Horns, violins, cellos, ukuleles, mandolins, glockenspiels, drums, tambourines, congas, organs, pianos, clarinets and accordions make this musically stunning. There are no guitars on this album!

http://rapidshare.com/files/23703379/Beir-GulOrk-mp3-320.rar

PASSWORD : NePolyak

The Start Of The Stash

Hello there, blog reader! The simple purpose is to hunt down some of the best new music and provide some information on each band. This is the music that excites me. It is purely to introduce people to bands they may never otherwise discover and I would encourage everyone to use this to preview and sample bands. If you like, please support the artist by buying the album, merchandise or by going to see them.

I am going to post on here everyday (where possible!)

I have not uploaded any of the links myself but have sourced them from across the internet. If the copyright owner wishes for any link to be removed, please mail me and it will be removed immediately.

There's the introduction. Happy listening....