If you like a cheeky tapdance

Sometimes, people tell me I write too much about hardcore. You haven’t seen my neck beard, you don't quite understand how much I ‘dig that shit man'...


But actually, deep down inside I'm a sweet, soppy indie child who would like nothing more than to fly back to the 80s for a night to watch The Smiths (among others) live and then cry afterwards.


Okay, maybe I'm not that bad. Point is, I love a good bit of indie when it’s done properly. None of this Vaccines rubbish mind you.


Hence I like Tilly and the Wall. Not one of the best band names out there, but you can't have everything. Hailing from Nebraska (Omaha, Nebraska to be precise) and linked to the whole indie scene that came out of there in the early 2000s they even released their albums of Conor Oberst's 'Team Lover' record label.





So far, so hip. They also have/had a tap dancer instead of a drum kit and feature multiple, very nice looking girls singing. It's like twee heaven.


Musically the band play a sweet indie pop mix with sweet harmonies and the feel of a brightly coloured camp fire sing-along. Often, but not exclusively, acoustically driven it can sound at times a lot like early-Bright Eyes but never strays to close to do so in a bad way. The first two albums are the best (in my opinion) as they capture the bands off kilter charms perfectly. Melody and energy in equal measures. The third album, 'O' is still good, but lacks a certain something I can't put a finger on. That being said, it does have some very good songs and certainly isn't to be dismissed.


Have a little listen to debut 'We Like Children' for starters and if you like what you hear, pick up 'Bottoms of Barrels' as well. With summer looming over the horizon here in the UK both are perfect 'summer albums'. If you're going to chill out with your mates in the sunshine, listen to this not whatever 'Summer Hit' that Radio 1 is force feeding us all that particular week, you'll be far more satisfied.