Franztastic

• ARCHDUKES of art rock Franz Ferdinand have continued their saga with a new single, Ulysses.
The track, a funky slice of alternative rock, is the first glimpse of the group’s forthcoming album Tonight: Franz Ferdinand, which is out on January 26.
• Rock experimentalists Bloc Party release new single One Month Off on January 26.
The track, taken from their latest LP Initimacy, is a typically furious flurry of guitars and electronica from the London-based band.
• Saxophonist and composer Tim Garland has teamed up with his group The Lighthouse Trio and The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.
Double album Libra, which fuses the worlds of jazz and classical, is available from January 26.
• Musician, mystic and apprentice prophet Rainbow George has released a new single, forboding folk track Scoring Goals.
The track shares it’s name with Rainbow George’s ongoing film project, which was filmed on August 8, 2008, about a utopian vision for December 12, 2012, which is set to premiere on October 10, 2010.
• Are you ready for Are You Ready For Love?, the very best of The Detroit Spinners, which is out on January 26?
The LP features hits such as the title track, Working My Way Back to You and Then Came You as well as other Motown classics.
• Go nuts for Wild Young Hearts, the new single from indie rockers Noisettes.
Released earlier this month, the track is upbeat piece of pop rock in the vein of Ting Tings and Blondie.
• Children’s TV superstars Freefonix - made up of lead singer BB, zen guitarist Freezebone and beat junkie Mostart - release an album on January 26.
The CBBC band’s eponymous LP is packed with the kind of feisty pop that has made the show a hit with young music fans.
• Belfast band Kyron And the Strangels have released a new single, Hanging On The Ground, this month.
The song is an epic piece of string-soaked piano-driven pop that sounds like Royworld fronted by Leonard Cohen.
• Let the sounds of Makin’ Whoopee be the soundtrack to your Valentine’s Day this year.
The double CD is out on January 26, and features tracks such as Sam & Dave’s Hold On I’m Coming, Can’t Take My Eyes Off You by Frankie Valli and Knock On Wood by Eddie Floyd.
• If all of this is music to your ears, you can read more from the pop world online at www.echoisaacashe.blogspot.com.