I'm not sure if someone posted this or not yet but I got my newsletter today from Fierce Panda and this is what the have to say in regards to The Features:

THE FEATURES 'The Beginning' EP (NING 146CD) First release from Tennessee fourpiece who play hectic, wildly enjoyable rock/pop with guitars and keyboards and tank tops and suchlike. A recent flying trip to London saw them play four crazed gigs in a week and this single has been salivated over by Lamacq and Zane in Radioland. The EP features five Features tracks and the band have just signed to Universal in the US.

Well, that's news to me.

Tank tops?

Has anyone tried to purchase the Beginning EP's UK counterpart yet?

Yeah, I did, as my birthday present to myself. It was $8.28. Don't know how long it will take to get here.

I wish that the tracklist was up somehwere. I would like to know if the changes Michael or Brian W mentioned actually happened...

But $8.28 is definitely worth it. I'll have to order mine soon...

Tracklist:
1. The Beginning (Week One)
2. Walk You Home
3. Bumblebee
4. Two By Two
5. Stark White Stork Approaching

It's listed on the Fierce Panda site under "Singles".

Welcome, Coach! Thanks for the info.

Lamacq is a big deal. If Lamacq likes them they'll get a nice boost from bbc1.

My guess is that the tank top comment is a refrence to the granddaddy of all "emo" bands - Weezer (although some might dispute that they are the grandaddys, this is neither here nor there), recalling the classic "Sweater Song". While we from the Nashville area recognize that the moog rock scene that came out of the 'boro some years ago posesses a sound that is unique to the area and isn't "emo", to the outside world, it's all the same. It is horribly sad that the great bands that came out of our midst have not gotten the genre recognition (or for that matter general recognition) that they deserve.

Which is really sad, because I frikkin' hate the whole "emo" thing. I mean, the word is even stupid. Don't get me wrong, I like the music, I just hate the lumping and labeling.

After investigating this Lamacq guy, I came across his bio from the BBC- interesting parts:

"a slightly unhealthy obsession with the charts and music press drew him into the world of music. Steve joined the NME and at one point saw more than 200 gigs in one year - resulting in tonsillitis and glandular fever"

"A remarkable record of picking the next big thing"

Which would explain in some sense my complete and total cluelessness.

You don't know Weezer? (insert gasping incedulent noise)

Go out immediately and get the blue album and pinkerton. You can ignore the other two for the time being because they are not as good.

I'm at a loss for words...not knowing who Weezer is...I don't care if you like them or not, but for you to not know who they are...it's not like they are something obscure...

i'm going to go freak out now, you find those albums.

What exactly does that sound like?

well, it's a sound that escapes when there are no words - thus, no real words will describe it. It's a half gasp/groan/moan/squeak sound, combined with that "glub" sound water makes when you throw a big rock in it at the right angle.

It's a substancial noise. It goes on for a long time.

and that lamacq guy is a HUGE deal...also deserves a fun noise.

So what exactly do tank tops have to do with Weezer? I don't recall ever seeing them wear tank tops.

If you're talking to Mr. Thunder, I would assume that he was clueless about the apparant connection between Weezer and tank tops. I'm sure that he knows who Weezer is.

I know who Weezer is. But I've never liked them, so I've never owned an album.

And I still don't know what tank tops have to do with the Features.

Yessiree.

exactly. they may make reference to a tank top in one (ONE) of their songs, but that doesn't make tank tops and weezer synonymous or even associated.

yeah dude that made no sense at all.

i've listened to his show quite a few times. he has a tendency to be the first to play a lot of brit singles.