Looking for something new to stick on your iPod? Well, read on, as our writers give us their monthly insight into what they're listening to at the moment and as usual, it's an eclectic mix:


James Stant

Weird Al Yankovic - Running With Scissors
Comical genius Weird Al demonstrates his loveable charm with another collection of witty songs in this 1999 release. Medley 'Polka Power' certainly doesn't disappoint and tracks such as 'Pretty Fly for a Rabbi' will most likely leave you with a cheeky grin on your face. Despite clocking in at over 11 minutes, 'Albuquerque' is a fantastic finale and rounds off a hilarious album.

Wheatus - Wheatus
The New York rockers never managed to top this debut album, but the era will be fondly remembered thanks to the success of 'Teenage Dirtbag' and Erasure cover 'A Little Respect'. However, do not write this album off as a flop; there are some tasty little numbers to be found alongside the hit singles.

5BridgeS - The Thomas Tracks
Although this 2009 release may sound rather dated, fans of Seventies prog rock are sure to find a lot to appreciate here. The Dutch quintet have produced quite an interesting aural experience that you should consider immersing yourself in, should you have the time.


Jenni Wallace

The Wombats - Techno Fan
Regular readers will know that I'm very much a punk rock/metal fan, but this month I'm going a bit indie, and what better song to do it with than The Wombats' 'Techno Fan'. It is one of those upbeat songs that gets stuck in your head without becoming annoying, filled with witty lyrics telling the story of a guy who joins a girl he likes at a techno concert, even though he doesn't like techno music!

The Jude - Les Filles Francaises
Up and coming Londoners The Jude are getting rave reviews and increasing amounts of airplay with their follow-up to 'Ha Ha Goodbye'; 'Les Filles Francaises' is another exciting, energetic track filled with their self-described "vicious skiffle" sound.

Colours of One - RLD
To round out this month's picks, I'm going back to a favourite of mine. Welsh boys Colours of One's strong melodic rock verges on an epic sound, especially in 'RLD' with its soaring melodies and strong rhythms it's a must for melodic rock fans.


Gavin Lloyd

New Found Glory - Radiosurgery
It's already been a great year for pop punk and things only got better with one of the scene's most important bands. While New Found Glory may never have reached the dazzling heights of the likes of Green Day and Blink 182 they have an arguably better track record and this latest album is no exception. Songs such as 'Drilling it in My Brain', 'Summer Fling, Don't Mean a Thing' and 'Memories and Battlescars' (to name but a few) are all ridiculously infectious. It speaks volumes that New Found Glory are still writing songs this good 14 years into their career.

letlive.- Fake History
After seeing them perform yet another mind blowing show, this album has once again found itself on heavy rotation on my iPod. The live shows are so ridiculously chaotic you almost forget how great the actual songs are, almost being the key word as you'd be hard pushed to ignore how good "Fake History" is. Bags of energy and technicality work great with singer Jason Butler's passionate vocals and some truly colossal sounding choruses. Believe the hype, there's a reason everyone raves about this band.

Sonic Boom Six - Kids of the Multiculture
Sonic Boom Six have been an amazing band since their inception however they've been criminally overlooked by many for a number of years. Luckily though things seem to be changing and many more seem to be taking notice of SB6 following two equally fantastic singles in the form of 'New Style Rocka' and 'Sunny Side of the Street' giving us the first taste of their new album and it's a banger. A feel good anthem that makes you want to party but also gives you hope and makes you feel proud that there's still bands saying the things that need to be said.


Will Cross

Man Overboard - Man Overboard
With the right-on pop-punk renaissance having shot into the stratosphere this year, Man Overboard move up alongside The Wonder Years as the leaders of a most promising pack. Unbelievably consistent and full to the brim with dual-vocal bliss, this is an essential modern addition to the field that blends sky-scraping choruses with genuine intricacies and layers while the band's three-guitar wall gives everything a genuine sense of power. Defend pop-punk indeed, get involved!

I Am The Avalanche - Avalanche United
With a six-year gap since their debut, Vinnie Caruana's post-Movielife crew have been much-missed, thankfully their follow-up is a heartfelt, irrepressibly euphoric, often heartbreaking record that gives a masterclass in melodic hardcore and from-the-heart emo. Huge choruses, killer gang-vocals and topics ranging from love-letters to Amsterdam to the piercing pain of never forgetting lost friends, an incredible return that demands your attention.

Architects-Devil's Island (single)
Halloween 2011 brought with it a gift most beastly in the form of the new Architects single that follows the release of January's 'The Here And Now' album and it's absolutely huge, signalling very well indeed for the future. The band's album was a brave step into uncharted waters and for parts of it was a clear-fire success, the awesome album opener 'Day In Day Out' for example is one of the best songs the band have written and has become a floor-filler staple, but the album as a whole just didn't possess the staying power that it's predecessor 'Hollow Crown' did. This new track then blends the fearlessness of recent with the brutal knife-through-butter production, tone and ferocity of old and the results are something fresh, exciting and dangerous. With the band entering the studio in January exciting times lie ahead.


Matt Rich

Evidence - Cats & Dogs
The latest album from Dilated Peoples' front man Evidence, "Cats & Dogs" is full of well delivered lyrical content and featuring top guest spots from the likes of Aloee Blacc, Atmosphere and Raekwon. Fresh sounding and stacked with top class production, modern underground hip hop is well and truly showcased here. Current single 'It Wasn't Me' is the perfect introduction to this truly underrated hip hop maestro with its fist pumping chorus and buzzing verses.

M83 - Hurry Up, We're Dreaming
An epic double album from the French visionary Anthony Gonzalez. A truly mind blowing record that is practically flawless with elements of sythn pop, electronica and post rock all coming together in a kaleidoscope of sound. Featuring the pulsing lead single 'Midnight City', "Hurry Up, We're Dreaming" is sprawling with creativity and almost generates abstract pictures for the mind. It is nothing short of beautiful.

Ghostpoet - Peanut Butter Blues & Melancholy Jam
The next heir to Mike Skinner's crown as The Streets are beginning to call it a day? Quite possibly. A dense soulful album with serious doses of realism from this Mercury Music Prize nominee. Hip hop here made is intricate and more British sounding with the clever use of samples and twists in the lyrics. A trippy experience from the Coventry native known as Obaro Ejimiwe to his mother; "Peanut Butter Blues & Melancholy Jam" is a progressive and forward thinking album that put gives the like of hip hop heavyweights such as Roots Manuva a run for their money.