I’m only giving myself 25 minutes to write this. Mainly so I don’t go on and on and take useless digressions that uncover nothing but tedium and irrelevance. Like this one. Mock the Week’s on though in a bit and, even though it’s now five sevenths terrible now that Boyle’s left, I like to treat my brain to its own version of Angel Delight sometimes. Even though it’ll probably vomit. Here are my thoughts on something much better though. (more…)
Esben and the Witch – Lucia at the Precipice
Mixing Underworld exhilaration with the minimalist indie of The xx, all with lush Siouxie Sioux vocals, smothered in echo and effects, Esben and the Witch know how to create atmosphere.
You can nearly taste that moistened steam on your tongue as ‘Lucia and the Precipice’ bubbles up a potion of tension, lust and chills.
There’s a Gothic romance too – more Shelley or Stoker than Twilight – that gives maturity to this young Brighton lot, who, with warrant, should be heading to critical acclaim in a music press enraptured with anything a clever synth.
A song of edge to enthral, perfectly paced in devilish ambience.
8.6/10
Release Date: 8 Feb
White Rabbits – It’s Frightening
For a record so reliant on Jamie Levinson’s skilled, thoughtful drumming (and Matthew Clark too on occasion when one kit just isn’t enough), it’s odd to find this rhythm section somewhat of an afterthought when it comes to the production on White Rabbit’s second full-length effort. (more…)
Marina and the Diamonds – Hollywood
If there’s one thing any mainstream pop blockbuster needs, it’s a chorus that sweeps away all thoughts of reality, inspiring only positivity, excitement and maybe a little bit of sweat.
It’s what seperated the likes of Florence and La Roux from Little Boots in 2009, and Marina and her Diamonds look set to take on the next leg of female fronted power pop reliant on that central hook, simple in structure but dynamic in its execution.
There’s a cynicism too shared with The Ting Tings’ Katie White (though without the silly indie girl annoyance) making verses crackle with a confidence of someone who wants this pop world for their own. One for the A-list.
8.3/10
Release Date: 1 Feb
fanshaw – Dark Eyes
The awkwardly cased (curse you artist names that just don’t care about where to put those capitals!) fanshaw has some pedigree to live up to. Her Vancouver home has seen the rise of such rapturous Canadian pop as New Pornographers and revelatory prog as Black Mountain, and her own musical adventures have seen spend time as part of The Choir Practice – a ramshackle collective of uplifting spirits whose member list reads like a slightly less successful Broken Social Scene. (more…)
Peter Buckley Hill - A genuinely insane man
Something has gone wrong with this blog. All the font colours have gone wonkaloid. Was solid 000000 black not good enough for these words or something? Will only a pale, sickly grey that can’t really be seen against a white background do? Is this content too hot for the partially sighted?
The answer to all of these questions is of course an emphatic “no you dingle dongle!” Dingle dongle can only be said emphatically. Or with disdain.
I have been away for a while though (getting a job and moving to the other side of the country) but things are settled now, and I shall start tappity typing away again like the good old days. Oh, those days were so good. And old. All wrinkled and diabetic.
I’ll try keeping the black around too. It makes me happy.
My first proper entry follows. It is a review of some comedy I recently saw here in London town. It was good. Read on for why! (more…)
I know I’m very late to the show with this one, but does it really matter? Well, it might do if you’re reading this. Most people aren’t though, so by the law of averages, you probably don’t care. About anything. It was probably the least exciting musical year in conscious memory for me. When Lady Ga Ga was our biggest star and Susan Boyle was our biggest selling album. If only they had done a duet, things may have been salvaged. Alas, we have to make do with this lot. Actually, these 10 are quite good. Enjoy. (more…)
Luke Haines – 21st Century Man
“I was a spiteful child, caught up in the razzle-dazzle/I gotta get myself together – just like Peter Hammill” Or so says Luke Haines on the imaginatively titled ‘Peter Hammill’ – a glam funk ode to the Van der Graaf Generator front-man, following a familiar Haines path of underground pop culture and fearful introspection. (more…)
My entry for STV’s Write Factor competition thing.
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Am I the Scottish Richard Littlejohn – Nick Griffin’s favourite columnist and the man who described the deaths of “disgusting, drug-addled street whores,” or those five women with names, families and their own personal stories of trauma and addiction that saw them compelled into working as prostitutes in Ipswich before being murdered by Steve Wright in 2006, as “no great loss?” (more…)
I Am Kloot – B Album
Ten years since they first formed, Manchester’s most underappreciated band (now that Elbow have hit the big time) mark their anniversary with this collection of B-sides, rarities and unreleased songs. Spread over two CDs, these 28 tracks not previously seen fit for a proper release may be an intimidating prospect for anyone other than a die-hard Kloot fan.
Fortunately, the quality of what’s on offer seems more suited to a ‘best of’ than some collection of cast-offs only desired by Kloot completists. Keeping mainly on the acousitc side of indie, tracks like ’Junk Culture’ and ’Fat Kids In Photographs’ are warm and welcoming takes on the little things in life that can mean so much. Things do get dark though, with ’This House Is Haunted’ a fitting release for Halloween – discordant and vengeful, and another side the band are just as comfortable in. (more…)
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