Chalk and Numbers #5 - In The End

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Chalk and Numbers have long evoked memories of yesteryear with a couple of EP's already under their belt highlighting a classic 60's pop influenced sound that is nearly always bright, sunny, and welcoming. They now team up with one of our finest little labels Soft Power for a 'compilation' cassette which sees five tracks from their two earlier releases compiled with an altogether new track "In The End".

I'll focus on the new one (though if you haven't heard the wonderfully catchy "He Knew" make sure you rectify that like now), "In The End" sits in nicely with the rest of the material on the releases, sparkling with life as Sable's gorgeous swooning vocals floats over vibrant instrumentation, where horns, piano and percussion combine to have you toe-tapping along in agreement. And while I'm at it. Here's two new tracks for the price of one, a cover of the Misfits "Angelfuck" has cropped up on the duo's soundcloud, here transformed into a reverb-heavy beauty full of swirling analogue synths, chugging guitars riffs and runaway percussion - there is nothing not to like.

The cassette compilation is due for release next week and you can order one now via Soft Power's Bandcamp.

Chalk and Numbers #4 - Boy

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The utterly charming Chalk and Numbers are back with "Boy", the first track to be taken from their forthcoming EP Parade (due March 12th). I've been a fan of the duo's easy on your ears, sunny day pop music for a while now but if you're new to the Brooklyn act, I promise you, your Monday morning is about to get infinitely better. Especially if you stayed up half the night watching men run around a field...

"Boy" is deliciously upbeat, a guaranteed mood-enhancing track about finding love which is both nostalgic and warm, as I listen to it, it fills me with a fuzzy feeling and I find myself hitting the repeat button again and again. Completely irresistible, Chalk and Numbers again prove themselves able of making pop tunes of the very finest order.

If you haven't already, make sure you have the wonderful seven track debut EP He Knew too, free via bandcamp.

Chalk and Numbers #3 - Christmas Song

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Yes, yes, I've got my religious holidays all wrong I know but I completely missed this wonderful Chalk and Numbers Christmas song back in December, so on the day so good it's actually called Good Friday I'm posting a xmas song.

Frankly who cares for bad timing when a song is this cute and adorable, "Happiness This Time of Year" is sickly sweet, deliciously nostalgic and best of all, fun. I really am happy to be posting it upon my discovery, what's timing anyway? For me at least, it goes as well with chocolate as it does with turkey (yes, I may have overlooked the really meaning of the 'holidays' there)...

As an antidote for the Scrooges and good weather seekers I've also posted the Brooklyn duo's latest track, the more seasonally friendly, "Summer Nights (and Summer Days). Whichever you prefer, you can download the tracks for a price I'm sure you'll agree with, free, right now via bandcamp (also get the wonderful 'He Knew' EP I've previously mentioned for the same price).

Have a great Easter, back on Monday. If these bank holiday's go to your head and you're stuck for something to do on London on Tuesday come here (hint):

Chalk and Numbers #2 - Summer Nights

chalkandnumbers.bandcamp.com/ / Facebook

When I first posted about Chalk and Numbers last December I described them like this; "...with the same charming vibe that works so well for She & Him, pretty as a flower lyrics, lovely vocals and happy melodies...". On August 22nd the Brooklyn duo return with their new single 'Summer Nights', a bonus track on a re-issue of their 'He Knew EP', and guess what? I could say pretty much exactly the same thing again.

For fans of nostalgic sun-drenched, beautiful day music "Summer Nights" will be perfect. Endearingly sweet vocals, unobtrusive production, it's glorious ode to 60's pop. Unashamedly whimsical and totally, totally lovely.

We all need some bright and fun music in our lives and Chalk and Numbers offer up a delicious slice of that here.

Listen:
Chalk And Numbers - Summer Nights
Chalk And Numbers - Let's Go Away

Chalk & Numbers - New Music "Introducing"

http://chalkandnumbers.bandcamp.com/

I really like BandCamp as a medium to listen or buy CD's / Mp3's from bands. Let's face it MySpace is now horrendous for the user, it takes up all your computer resources and is ad-central. Drop down adverts and enforced ad pages equal instant turn away for me. The sooner all bands leave it in favour of BC / Soundcloud the better ...

Another thing guaranteed to make me happy is bands making their material available electronically for free / not a lot of money... so with the news that you can download Chalk and Numbers debut EP 'He Knew' for free right here combined with a wonderful 60's retro summery pop vibe means that this Brooklyn’s boy/girl duo are onto a winner...

I've been enjoying their sounds a lot these last few days... Full of a charming vibe, some pretty as a flower lyrics and a lovely vocal and happy melodies which really is making a lovely contrast to the winter / Christmas chills that have been filling the pages recently.

With Cults and Tennis earmarked to make the retro 60's pop act mainstream in 2011, Chalk and Numbers might just be in that same bracket before long. Yeah, this is very nice.

Listen to the title track from the EP: