Music Under Fire

Mute Math

For the boys from New Orleans, the road ahead is well lit. Two years after their self-titled debut album hit stores and flocks of new fans clung to "Typical", Mute Math have once again been drawn to the spotlight with their song "Spotlight", which features on the the Twilight soundtrack.

Paul Meany on the keytar and wobbly Rhodes piano certainly sparked our interest when we saw them live in early '06, but the strong supporting cast of Darren King (drums) Greg Hill (guitar) and Roy Mitchell-Cárdenas (bass) places Mute Math on a must-mention and must-see act for '09.

Bell X1

Bell X1 blew the socks off of thousands when they released Flock in 2005 inside their homeland of Ireland. Then they released Flock in 2006 and 2007 in Europe and the U.S. to the renewed joy of many others.

Just last week we mentioned their upcoming album Blue Lights on the Runway which is slated for release on March 3. Four years of writing and perfecting this already enamoring sound should draw some more smiles from eager listeners.

Coldplay

Every year Coldplay has hurdles to clear so that the orchestrated music they create doesn't receive bad reviews. Since they broke onto the scene 10 years ago, the Londoners couldn't have stayed firmer at the top of the rock scene.

Although gaps in albums have occurred in the group's history, live shows across the world and that ever-burning desire to hear new material will keep the group on top of their game. Plus, Viva La Vida is hardly over despite the Prospekt's March EP which was supposedly cleaning up from the album.

Video: Coldplay - Jingle Bells (live at O2 in London)


Delorentos

To no ardent MUF reader's surprise, the Dublin bunch of the Delorentos are hot on the radar of the music industry's finest.

2008 provided some readjusting for the group as they fiddled with labels and the 'making-it-big' syndrome. They have expressed plans to release a full-length fixture in the first half of 2009 which could be even more interesting depending of which label decides to step in. We have the full scoop here.

Beirut
Every time the conglomerate Beirut comes together to record, the results turn heads.

When Gulag Orkestar launched in 2006 it ascended above the clouds and coasted its sweet melody to an international audience whom welcomed it as it should have been welcomed. 2007 marked The Flying Club Cup and another classic. With a somewhat silent 2008 from Beirut, we look forward to the big third album that sets them to another level of recognition.

MP3: Beirut - A Sunday Smile (buy)

Broken Social Scene

The influence of Toronto-based indie icons Broken Social Scene mixes well with any indie rock fan's collection. Built around the idea that each album is a solo project has enabled their sound to
remain eclectic as well as manufacturable from year to year without losing any edge.

Most recently BSS released Brendan Cumming's Something For All Of Us..., which continues this individualistic approach the group has designed. Any time this group of talented artists release a new album, eager people will listen, including MUF.

MP3: Broken Social Scene - Hit the Wall (buy)

Video: Broke Social Scene - Churches Under the Stars




Pela

Hospital trips for Billy McCarthy, canceled tour dates and eventually memorable live shows highlighted 2008 for Pela. If it wasn't for such a dazzling Anytown Graffiti album from 2007, the group probably would have never traveled as much as they did despite the sporadic drawbacks.

For 2009 expect a lot less injuries, a complete tour and a new album. Anything less shouldn't suffice. MUF certainly hopes to finally see them live this time around.

Sea Wolf

Although no formal announcement has come from the group within the past few months, the touring success from Sea Wolf after their 2006 release of Leaves in the River speaks volumes about the folk hook the group has latched to the masses.

Video: Sea Wolf - You're a Wolf



Their show at the end of May really got us hyped about where they could be headed. In October the group stated they were finished touring for the year and that an album would once again be in motion starting in March. For a group with six members, including the uber-talented Alex Brown Church, the sky is the limit.

Thirteen Senses

Contact didn't jump out to the masses like Thirteen Senses expected. Many critics don't expect superb sophomore albums, so the so-called letdown wasn't really a letdown at all, just a bump in the road. What can be expected could be a reinvention of their roots that made The Invitation such a jaw-dropping debut.

With a new record in mind, lead man Will South headed to Cornwall to begin musing over lyrics and the direction of what will be their third release. Soon after his arrival, his bandmates joined in on the process at the North London studio.

MP3: Thirteen Senses - Into the Fire (buy)

Director / Editors

Filing Director and Editors together has become a routine thing for MUF. Both groups are important positions in video and print media. Both artists will both be important in 2009, too.

Director last landed on the UK rock charts in 2006 with their release of We Thrive On Big Cities, when they challenged The Killers for the top spot. For 2009 the Dublin rockers have prepared their follow-up, as we wrote about earlier this month.

On the same island in the pond, Editors last recorded An End Has A Start in mid-2007 and have their third album looming in front of them. We will keep you posted on any new info on the group as it passes our inbox.