A very august update this month as we await the release of four splendid albums from four of our popular Matinée idols!

First up is the brilliant new CD "The Morning After" (matcd032) from beloved London quartet Would-Be-Goods! Following the celebrated album "Brief Lives" (matcd017) in 2002, the band expanded to a four piece lineup with Jessica Griffin (lead vocals and guitar) and Peter Momtchiloff (lead guitar) welcoming the addition of ex-Headcoatees member Debbie Green (drums and backing vocals) and current Pipas star Lupe Nuñez-Fernandez (bass and backing vocals).

The current lineup adds a wonderfully rich dimension to the classic Would-Be-Goods sound. The album features new songs 'Pantomime Devil', 'The Morning After', 'Bluebeard', 'Big Cat Act', 'Le Crocodile', 'Too Old', 'What Adam and Eve Did Next', 'I Broke the Spell', 'The King of Lace', 'Miss La-di-dah', 'Innocent Abroad', and 'Dear St Valentine.' The new songs demonstrate that the Would-Be-Goods have lost none of their melancholy charm or wit while perfecting a classic guitar pop sound. Although we acknowledge our proprietary bias, we still regard it as the strongest Would-Be-Goods release to date!

You can preview "The Morning After", "Big Cat Act" and "Miss La-di-dah" now on the sounds or catalog pages. The album is available RIGHT NOW exclusively via the Matinée mailorder or in shops from August 23rd, so what are you waiting for?

Also now available exclusively from the Matinée mailorder is the third album "All Things Can Be Mended" (matcd033) from Brighton duo Harper Lee! One of the most popular Matinée acts since release of their debut single "Dry Land" (matinée 014) in January 2000, Harper Lee has earned passionate reviews for its singles and previous albums "Go Back To Bed" (matcd009) and "Everything's Going To Be OK' (matcd020).

Band members Keris Howard and Laura Bridge layer guitars, keyboards, percussion and vocals in an intricate manner that is uniquely Harper Lee. The new album builds on the duo's signature sound with the addition of enhanced electronica, trumpets, and backing vocals, plus additional upbeat flourishes that recall the poppier moments from Howard's former bands Brighter and Hal. The album features new Harper Lee classics 'Everybody Leaves', 'Left-handed', 'I Don't Need To Know About Your Wonderful Life', 'Let Me Know', 'Stupid', 'Autumn', 'Isn't This Where We Came In?', 'This Is The Sound That A Heart Makes When It's Breaking', 'Everything's Going To Be OK' and 'There Is A Light In Me That's Gone'.

We are now spinning "Stupid" on the sounds page, while the catalog page also features "Everybody Leaves" and "This Is The Sound That A Heart Makes When It's Breaking." It is the strongest Harper Lee record to date, but you know you want it notwithstanding our humble opinion so order your copy exclusively via the Matinée mailorder TODAY or from your favorite shop from September 6th.

The latest band featured in our Artist of the Month series is the fantastic Nottingham quartet The Liberty Ship! One of the more recent additions to the Matinée roster, they quickly made their mark with the standout singles "I Guess You Didn't See Her" (matinée 036) and "Northern Angel" (matinée 046) in 2002 and 2003. Early this year the band released its impressive debut album "Tide" (matcd029) to even greater fanfare. These releases have earned the band numerous favorable reviews and comparisons to pop greats East Village, The Weather Prophets and The Byrds. In addition, the band has contributed exclusive songs to all of the recent Matinée compilations and has an abundance of other great songs just waiting for release. During the past two years the band has developed its live self and now delivers spectacular but criminally rare live performances. If you've missed hearing The Liberty Ship so far, you owe it to yourself to pay an immediate visit to the Matinée sounds page. Just listen to that 'Northern Angel' chorus...pretty catchy eh?

To commemorate their Artist of the Month residency, we have updated the Liberty Ship artist page with new text, links to interviews, and a poll to determine your favorite Liberty Ship song. The artist page also features a fantastic video for 'Northern Angel' and a cheeky Liberty Ship FAQ for all you fan obsessives. The sounds page now features three Liberty Ship mp3s, including a brand new exclusive song called 'Jackie Paper's Dream' which is only available for download this month. Of course all Liberty Ship titles are on sale at the mailorder throughout August so get in on the action today because these kids are ready to become your new favorite band.

Voters in the July Artist of the Month poll named 'Train Not Stopping' as the top Harper Lee song, just one vote ahead of its b-side 'I Could Be There For You.' Now do you believe you need that single? The debut single 'Dry Land' took third place. Thanks to everyone who voted!

Now scheduled for September release is the brand new "Inner North" CD (matcd034) from Melbourne Australia's The Guild League! We had some delay with the album's artwork thanks to an indolent Australia Post, but all seems to be sorted now so we'll work double time to get the release back on track.

The Guild League is of course the brainchild of Tali White, respectable singer and stand-up percussionist of fellow Melbourne trio and international jetsetters The Lucksmiths. Musically, the intricate guitar and rich cello of core Guild League members Rodrigo Pintos-Lopez and Cressida Griffith shape the "Inner North" sound. Around this rides White's rhythm guitar and galloping piano, the exemplary work of drummer-about-town Marty Brown (Art of Fighting), and bursts of brass from Guild League guru/engineer Craig Pilkington (The Killjoys). As always, Tali wraps his distinctive voice around words that warm and chill in equal measure. The album features great new songs 'Animals', 'The Storm', 'Trust', 'Citronella', 'Shot In The Arm', 'Why Wait?', 'Time Please Gents', 'Scientists', 'Fingers Of Sun', 'Falling Ovation', 'Where Are You Now?' and 'Shirtless Sky'.

We have just added 'Citronella' to the updated sounds page, and you can find 'Scientists' and 'The Storm' on the catalog page. Have a listen and we think you'll agree that this album is even better than the Guild League's spectacular debut "Private Transport" (matcd023) from last year. We'll take preorders for the album shortly so check the order page soon to get an advance copy. The band plays three album launch shows in Australia in the next few weeks: August 21st in Melbourne at The Corner, a free lunchtime show on September 1st in Wollongong at Wollongong Uni, and September 2nd in Sydney at Hopetoun Hotel.

In other forthcoming release news, we are perfecting the artwork for the brand new "Everybody Hates" CD (matcd035) from Lovejoy! The master arrived at the end of last month and we have been listening to the album nearly nonstop ever since. The first Lovejoy release since the very well received "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?" (matcd018) in 2002, the album features fantastic new hits 'Everybody Hates Us And We Don't Care', 'Petrol Stars', 'America', 'Drug Autumn', 'Sandcastles', 'Sid Vicious', 'Nicotine & Love', 'Because You're Worth It', and 'This Could Be An Ending'. Lovejoy previewed a few of these at the We & You festival last month in Sweden so there is already a lot of anticipation for the album.

We'll schedule its release for late September but should have advance copies earlier in the month exclusively via the at the mailorder so check there for an early copy. For now, you can listen to the wonderful track 'Sid Vicious' on the sounds page or go to the catalog page to also preview 'Everybody Hates Us' and 'Petrol Stars.'

Our most recent release, "This is Farewell" (matcd031) by The Fairways, continues to receive rave reviews. Some of the choice recent quotes include Mundane Sounds writing "the spark of brilliance that the Fairways had may never again be lit, but 'This is Farewell' will always warm your soul," Erasing Clouds observing "a showcase of the skill of writing perfect songs, with melodies, harmonies and structures to die for, but also a running conversation about love and loneliness and heartbreak," and 75 or Less saying "indie pop hasn't sounded this tender and unspoiled since the Cat's Miaow played their final chords some years back.

As we've previously reported, "This is Farewell" is the swansong Fairways release, featuring eight previously unreleased songs, two tracks from their sold out 'Darling, Don't You Think?' 45 (matinée 009), a song from a limited split single with The Aislers Set, and two tracks from a 2001 tour CD. The album is available NOW in shops worldwide. You can preview 'The Back Of Her Hand' plus 'Winter Song' and 'Emily' on the sounds page...but just trust me on this one and save yourself some time: click here to order the CD today!

Finally, while June and July artists of the month The Lucksmiths and Harper Lee dominated the hit parade, The Fairways still reigned supreme. Here are the top sellers for last month:

10. Razorcuts - R is for Razorcuts CD
9. Harper Lee - Train Not Stopping CDEP
8. The Lucksmiths - Friendless Summer 7"
7. Pipas - Bitter Club CDEP
6. Harper Lee - Everything's Going To Be OK CD
5. Various - Romantic and Square is Hip and Aware CD
4. The Lucksmiths - Midweek Midmorning CDEP
3. The Lucksmiths - Where Were We? CD
2. The Lucksmiths - A Little Distraction CD
1. The Fairways - This is Farewell CD

see you in September!
Jimmy
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