ATL Producer - Paul McClean

Two Door Cinema Club - Tourist History (Kitsune) 

Debut albums should always sound like this - infectious, full of the adrenal rush of youth and young man (or woman) hood. Tourist History, whether the band were Bangor-based and previously known to the ATL authorities or not, would have always had this effervescent effect. Pure, uncynical pop is a joyous thing and the hooks and rhythms on this album are peerless in a sea of faux-indie dullards for whom the right skinny tie is more important than anything. Relentless touring causes concerns for the follow up (will there be a comedown/reaction to the high?) but we're certainly sure the Club will remain open for business for the foreseeable.

ATL Buddy: Steven Rainey

Enemies - We've Been Talking (Richter)



Office legend Philip Taggart first alerted me to Enemies after seeing them on one of his jaunts down to Dublin to do a report for Radio 1, telling me, "You will love these guys!" He was not wrong.



Injecting a fresh bit of life into the increasingly overpopulated Irish instrumental band scene, Enemies' music positively bristles with excitement and energy. Beautifully textured guitars and interlocking melodies intertwine to create a patchwork quilt of sound that is absolutely irresistible. Working very much in the mould of a "traditional" album, We've Been Talking possesses real flow, each track operating in context of what came before and after, leading to a thoroughly rewarding listening experience. With friends like this, we all need a bit of Enemies.



(I hereby apologise to everyone I've ever met for that pun).

ATL Content Assistant: Philip Taggart

Pat Dam Smyth – The Great Divide (Public Sector)

January threw me a delightful little curve ball this year. A month not renowned for the most prolific of months music wise, I was pleasantly, albeit unexpectedly introduced to the unkempt whimsy that was Pat Dam Smyth’s ‘Great Divide’.

You may remember Pat Dam Smyth if you follow your local music closely, as erstwhile member of Pat & Nipsy, The Fools and the most recently defunct Smoky Angle Shades. Well guess what, he’s back! The Great Divide, Smyth’s debut album, harks back to the classic pop music of The Beatles and The Velvet Underground but without sounding to derivative. It’s a fresh and cleansing listen, the sort that’s perfect for a lazy Sunday or a long drive.

The Great Divide is an album of a battered, bruised and broken Pat Dam Smyth and if this is what we get then let’s hope he doesn’t see the light just quite yet.

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So make your choice carefully....via facebook or twitter (on by texting us on 81771 during the show) and we'll give you a shout out, before announcing our own (slightly pointless and irreleant, but whatyagonnado) peoples choice prize winner!