Avenue61 is a leading indie music site that specialises in album and gig reviews, breaking new bands, publicising events, and exclusive interviews with the leading cutting edge acts in the alternative music scene. Avenue61 covers a wide range of artists – some you would have heard of, some you won’t. Artists the site has reviewed recently include the Fleet Foxes, MGMT, Noisettes and Ladyhawke. The site is updated regularly so come back to catch up the latest news and reviews from the bleeding edge of the alternative music scene.

Ok, so first off I must iterate the fact that this particular run down is in no particular order, nor is it a definitive list of the best British record labels of all time (as if such a breakdown could ever be truly quantified). It is simply a list of some personal favourites within the British...MORE>>

The acoustic riffs throughout this song are some of the best I've heard this year, simply magical. Then, only 20 seconds in and the band are getting you involved with a "bah bah bah-rah..." section that will have any listener delightfully (and probably badly) singing along. The proper vocals then join us, and very rarely does it get any

better than this. Four guys, four guitars and vocal harmonies never sounded this good - I guarantee it. Stray Cat may just be the most convincing argument of the decade as to why acoustic guitars are still cool, and not just used every once in a while for ballads. The chorus "Cos you're everything, you're everything I always wanted" sums up the song pretty well, and should you consider yourself a 60's/70's lovin' folkie? Then get listening to Kassidy, pronto!

Signed to Vertigo Records and creating material of this caliber, it's easy to see why Kassidy played T in the Park earlier this year and have a hectic UK tour coming in February - they will be big. Alongside these fantastic achievements is the time frame in which it's all happened - Kassidy only formed on the 2nd of September 2008 (according to their blogs and nothing short of phenomenal) originally called "Cassidy" but changed the "C" in fear of being murdered by some rapper (again on their blog).

Debut single "Night In the Box" highlights that they aren't afraid to bring electric guitars into the mix - and by the looks on some photos, accordions get used at some point as well. Even more interesting is that the band came together by chance (not surprisingly in a pub), so appreciate them while you can - although I imagine they'll be around for some time yet, you can't just throw talent away. Kassidy are that talent.
 

Christmas is well and truly on it's way, New Year 2010 nears, money is tight, gifts will more than likely be mediocre at best, it's cold outside, you can't see properly after 3pm, so let Kassidy brighten your day. You'll be more than happy that you did. You'll feel fantastic.
Stray Cat, once you hit play, whacks you with sheer funkiness (that said this isn't funk music) and a slight blues tinge - in search of better words, 'brilliance' gets straight to the point.