A.H. KRAKEN - Gianna Michaels 7"

Never played. Black vinyl, first pressing.

Highly recommended.

French people were responsible for two of 2008's most interesting records. A.H. Kraken's debut album is one (Cheveu's Cheveu was the other). A.H. Kraken is the noisier of the two, comparable to In the Red Records labelmates like the Lamps and The Hunches.

For the uninitiated, that means wild, go-for-broke vocals, snarling, distorted guitars and savagely-beat drums. This is music that demands notice but moves too quickly for anyone to dissect it to death.

It's the kind of aural caffeine I need to get me going, day-in and day-out.

On the always reliable Sweet Rot label (who were also responsible for a single by other French favourites, Teledetente 666)