Monday, October 9, 2017
Song of the Day # 1,359 Mudcrutch
For the recently departed Tom Petty whose American Girl I just woke up with going round and round my head. This is from his original band, the splendidly entitled Mudcrutch. Not a million miles from Paul Simon's Mother & Son Reunion.
Sunday, October 8, 2017
12 Great Albums with 12 Songs on Them # 2 Protomartyr - Relatives in Descent
My current favourite and destined probably to be my record of the year. Oh and it has twelve tracks. Here's how I reviewed it a week or so back.
Detroit's Protomartyr have entered their imperial phase with their new album Relatives in Descent which is released today. It's an astonishing record, building on their already remarkable body of work but this time going nuclear, surging into a mode of monumental assurance and sheer power beyond anything they've ever done before, (raw power indeed), that marks this down as an instant and unassailable modern classic. Twelve songs in all, each streaked with a staggering confidence and an ability to shift gears mid-track to take you somewhere you were never expecting to go.
It's not easy listening. Nor should it be. These are troubled and troubling times. A new dark fear seems to be stalking the world and Protomartyr understand that only too well and are here to soundtrack it all. Or certainly as much as they can. As reference points, think Pere Ubu, think Joy Division and The Fall, their songs are reminiscent of the troubled surfaces and dank murky seabeds of all three bands, and they're not shamed for a moment by the comparisons. They're that good!
Three troubled teens who chose to form a band with their alcoholic uncle, (Joe Casey, one of the best frontmen of modern times), who strangely resembles a David Cameron who's let himself go. Altogether too smart for words, they understand the darkness but also appreciate the light. There are some utterly glorious melodies at play here. I've just listened through to the whole album at one sitting before heading into work, unable to tear myself away from my headphones. Like the very best books, I was sorry and slightly shocked when it came to an end. Undoubtedly one of the records of the year. I need to say more but wanted to post now. I'll return here at greater length later on. In the meantime, make a point of hearing it!
The Heart of Rock and Soul # 462 The Sex Pistols
'Holidays in the Sun is a blur, roaring and crashing in waves of fragmented noise. Within, over and under through that noise, Johnny Rotten's voice spits and crackles. It's an assault and what's being assaulted isn't a concept of 'good music' as much as the very concept of culture in a society that endures the reality of Belsen through the desensitizing apparatus of liberal moralism.'
Song of the Day # 1,358 Strawberry Runners
I'm never entirely sure that calling your band after something that will get a lot more hits before you're mentioned on a Google or YouTube search is a very good idea. Such is the case with New England based Strawberry Runners. Anyhow, their music is rather lovely. Here's the main track from a forthcoming five track EP.
Saturday, October 7, 2017
12 Great Albums with 12 Songs on Them # 1 Elliott Smith - Either Or
I have a theory that twelve is the best number of tracks for an album. The Never Mind the Bollocks review beneath this on the blog has encouraged me to start a series related to that idea. It, after all, has twelve tracks and is a rather good record. So here are eleven more, Bollocks will appear again later during the countdown. Ten is also good, plenty of classic albums with five on a side, (perhaps an idea for a later series further down the line). But even is definitely better than odd. Stone Roses, Are You Experienced, Rumours, Ziggy and Hunky Dory are perfectly great records to anyone's ears, but they're slightly hamstrung by only having eleven tracks. Perfectly good for a football team, not quite right for an album. The Kick Inside has thirteen which in itself make it highly questionable. The Ramones and The Clash being authentically Punk and therefore prizing value for money have fourteen but I'm not sure I'm willing to spend an inordinate amount of time hunting down twelve more for a third series. Eight is also good, see Horses, Marquee Moon and Born to Run.
But I'd still stick with the affirmation that twelve is best so there are twelve of these over the next week and a half. Loosely arranged in a descending chart going from #12 to my own Number One and also my favourite record of all which is perhaps why I have such a thing about the number. Starting with Elliott Smith and probably his greatest album and certainly the one that hurts the most, 1997's Either/Or. The man anyhow was a genius, and is still not widely enough recognised as such, at least in my eyes.
Record Player Evenings # 1 The Sex Pistols - Never Mind the Bollocks
Four and a bit years ago, when I started this blog, one of the, (perhaps the), major instigator of my decision to do so was an event called The Record Player held at an upstairs lounge in the Tyneside Cinema in the heart of Newcastle. It was something I'd discovered a couple of years earlier towards the end of 2011, and it had become a major part of my social calendar and something I looked forward to and relished greatly.
Taking place on Thursday evenings, always the best times to do these kind of things, just as the weekend beckons, the format of these events was simple. An opportunity for the audience to gather, greet each other and buy drinks while taking in the pre-record slides. Then a short intro to that evening's selected album from host (Mr.) Steve Drayton. Then the record itself, played on vinyl, (of course, the format was coming right back into vogue at just this point in time), to the accompaniment of a longer slide show related to the band or artist concerned.
No interruptions, except for the moment where Steve emerged from under his desk where he invariably slumped during the playing of the albums, only evidenced by his tapping DMs) to turn the record over. Then a round of applause when it ended, a chance to discuss the record and refuel or take a leak and then a quiz with a music related theme, a chance to win some prizes then goodnights all round and out into the Newcastle night, almost invariably invigorated and feeling like a kid on Christmas morning. I never had a bad evening there, even with albums I didn't care for, except for the time Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds Murder Ballads was played. I truly hated that one and took a long time to forgive Cave for it.
And the reason such a simple idea invariably worked, apart from the idea of actually listening to wonderful music in a room full of people who you knew or got to know, in its best format, (no room for discussion on that one). There are a number of other similar events that have popped up nationally and globally, but in The Record Player's case in Newcastle the reason for its original and enduring success is down to its host Steve Drayton.
A striking looking man, well over six feet tall with a resplendent quiff and beaky nose, always very well turned out, Steve is a local celebrity, comedian, BBC producer, DJ, and generally go-to renaissance guy in this part of the world when you're seeking a host for these kind of events. He has an understanding of how to work a room, make people feel at home, a back to front gift for showbiz delivery, and, most importantly in this context, a deep-rooted love and understanding of music.
So, thanks to Steve and The Tyneside Cinema, I've had a number of wonderful evenings at the Record Player there and at other related venues over the past six years. But recently these evenings have been further and further apart. Steve has got involved in a number of different ventures, a lot of the key records that would come to mind have been done, and done again. In any case, I've missed it, and a lot of the regulars I got to know through it.
So I was delighted, a month or so ago, when I saw that a series of four more evenings would be held throughout October to commemorate the fortieth anniversary of 1977, British Punk's high summer. I'll be going to all of them and why not write about them here. So first, naturally to The Sex Pistols, Never Mind the Bollocks, which I attended with a friend a couple of evenings back. I've got the record of course, anybody with a record collection related to these things should have it, it's one of the ones.
But I don't listen to it all the way through and never have, since I bought it, probably thirty years back, even though I love many of the songs. Why not? Because I was labouring under the misconception that you didn't need to. One song at a time was enough and anyway the whole thing is such a cultural monument now that perhaps even that wasn't necessary. It's stamped indelibly on your memory anyhow.
I was wrong and will be listening to it much more from now on. In his prelude to the playing of the record Steve said a number of interesting things about it. He was there at the time after all, a young Punk on the rough streets of Scunthorpe. I can't remember most of the things he said I'm afraid but there was a comment made by Noel Gallagher, (a man who I generally don't have much time for, but this was pertinent), which was particularly memorable.
Gallagher said it was the best Pop record ever made and having listened through to it on Thursday along with the visuals, I'd agree. It's a better Pop Record than Revolver, a better Pop Album than any ABBA ever released, even better than The Ramones or Parallel Lines. It's only real competitor as a Pop Record to my ears is Bowie's Ziggy Stardust and I wouldn't like to choose between the two. Nevertheless, despite agreeing with Gallagher here, I'd stick to my conviction that Oasis themselves are strictly lower division, and am unlikely to change my opinion there, unless perhaps Mr.Drayton has a Definitely Maybe evening and I doubt he'll ever do that!
So Bollocks is still a wonderful record and document on its own terms. Of course it sounds unbelievably different to how it would have done at the time. I can't verify this personally, I was between eleven and twelve at the time and far to timid to be seeking out The Sex Pistols, I was scared enough of the first Punks I was coming across on the streets of Richmond. But it sounds funnier now than it must have done at the time when it was and was widely perceived to be a genuine threat. The singles stand out of course, that's why they were singles but every song merits its place. Submission sounds like nothing else on it, pointing the way to PiL and post-Punk. Bodies, Problems, Seventeen and EMI , particularly are wonderful supporting players. It's great to hear Steve Jones re-inventing Chuck Berry and the band sound like a ten ton truck. Great evening, why should I be surprised, and I'll be back next Thursday for the Damned and The Clash.
Song(s) of the Day # 1,357 Howl & the Hum
All three songs from the debut EP of a young York band who played in Newcastle last night but I didn't get to see as I was otherwise engaged. All set in a distinctly classic mould but they do it all rather nicely with s definite crafted verve.
Named, at least partially, after Ginsberg's poem, they echo other bands, cite Dylan and Beatles as prime influences but sound rather more nineties to my ears, Radiohead came to mind, (particularly during Manea). A highly promising start.
Friday, October 6, 2017
Thirty Days of Things Sampled on Paul's Boutique # 10 Fancy
The drum beat is sampled throughout 3-Minute Rule.
Song of the Day # 1,356 Husky Loops
I'm not the first to remark on this but Husky Loops sounds more like the name of a rather unsavoury American breakfast cereal than the name of a Rock and Roll band. But it's definitely actually the latter rather than the former and a cursory listen will tell you pretty quickly that they've definitely got something going for them.
London-based, (though they're Italian and apparently formed in Bologna), and warming up for their first album, they fit somewhere into the worn-out but easy-fit category of Post-Punk and take interesting, exploratory and strangely-addictive trips within that scheme of themes lyrically and melodically. Currently doing their time as a support band for the likes of Yak, Sunflower Bean and Placebo but they seem destined in time for greater things and it should be well worth listening out for where they choose to go next.
Thursday, October 5, 2017
Song of the Day # 1,355 Chain & the Gang
Ian Svenonius is a pop cult theorist in the tradition of Jonathan Richman, Lux Interior and Fred Schneider. Like all these visionaries, he's entirely comfortable in his own skin and intent on flaunting his sense of the utterly ridiculous in order to express and remain true to his artistic vision. So there's no end of silliness on Experimental Music, the new album from his current project Chain & the Gang. In fact it's quite daft from start to finish. Though this prevents it from attaining the intense pleasurable heights of previous Svenonious outfits like Make Up which also had more serious intent, it still has plenty to recommend it.
Like Lux Interior, the man is essentially a curator. In thrall to the golden rockabilly garage punk and soul legacy of the fifties and sixties when rock and roll was still, young, innocent and simply thrilled to be alive, his records revivify the essence of this age. That spirit is expressed well by the title and opening track which I've posted here, which in many ways is pure Jonathan.
Elsewhere Svenonius purloins plenty more from the well thumbed alternative manuals of American 'bad taste'. So if you're familiar with the work of John Waters, Johnny Depp, The Cramps, Jim Jarmusch, The B52s, Iggy Pop, Jon Spencer, the original Nuggets record and you're still determined that a part of you will never ever grow up, then Experimental Music is the record for you.
Wednesday, October 4, 2017
Songs About People # 476 Stan Bowles
When I was growing up in the mid seventies my father used to take me to watch Queens Park Rangers who played in Shepherd's Bush in South West London. They were some team, a side of flair and skill, packed with gifted players; Gerry Francis, Dave Thomas, Don Givens, John Hollins, Frank McLintock and Phil Parkes. But their talisman and maverick genius was Stan Bowles, and old style Number 10, socks round his ankles and chock full of gifts and tricks. Guerilla Indie Band The Others pay tribute on their 2005 debut album.
The Heart of Rock and Soul # 466 Al Green
I'd have to say that I think this should me much, much higher than # 466. One of the very best singles ever made.
Song(s) of the Day # 1,354 Holiday Ghosts
X marks the spot. Holiday Ghosts, surely the finest band ever to come roaring out of Falmouth, Cornwall, know where the treasure is buried. With the release of their eponymous twelve track debut, just out, they're here to give you the map. Discover them now before the hip kids cotton on. They only have five hundred Facebook likes as we speak.
This state of affairs is sure not to last as they're one pearl of a band. Holiday Ghosts has more than its share of rough edges but this is all part of its charm. They've got a record collection and they know how to use it. Displaying a shambling, happy guile, that sets off, (as so much wonderful guitar music does), from the template that the Velvet Underground laid down between the release of their third album and Loaded. They also take in Sixties Garage, The Modern Lovers, much of the C-86 scene, The Marine Girls and The Popguns. Then they add a sprinkle of their own personal concerns, inspirations and eccentricities, a dash of 2017 joie de vivre, get the motor running and we're off, finding ourselves breaking away from the pack and arriving at the finishing line breasting the tape before we know it.
Holiday Ghosts will keep me happy and chugging along for the remaining months of 2017 and surely well into 2018 too. It will be interesting to see how they develop and whether they reach the broader audience they so richly deserve to be embraced by. It's nice being slightly ahead of the curve and chance upon a little known band before all and sundry are wearing their t-shirt. But in this case I'm so enthused that I want to share in a big way. Go on, treat yourself. Make Holiday Ghosts your latest discovery!
Tuesday, October 3, 2017
Thirty Days of Things Sampled on Paul's Boutique # 7 Lightning Rod
The main beat pulsing through Eggman.
Song of the Day # 1,353 El Goodo
A fine new album from a fine returning Welsh band. El Goodo, who presumably take their name from Big Star's Ballad of , have returned from an eight year gap, with the splendidly titled By Order of the Moose. Much has changed in the meantime but clearly not in their world, as they still place the upmost faith in creamy, melodic pop songs that hold the sixties and early seventies to their hearts, tread in the footsteps of the Teenage Fanclub, Coral, Allah-Las and Super Furry Animals, (oh yes, and the early Beatles), with plenty of warm invention, craft and personality of their own. Hailing from the utterly mystical sounding village of Resolven, (where they recorded the album over time in the derelict miner's welfare hall), it seems that their guiding ambition is to do nothing more than their own thing in their own time but on the evidence of this excellent record they deserve greater appreciation whether they want it or not. Twelve songs and an album to treasure!
Monday, October 2, 2017
Thirty Days of Things Sampled on Paul's Boutique # 6 Paul McCartney
Sampled drumbeats on Johnny Ryall.
Sunday, October 1, 2017
Thirty Days of Things Sampled on Paul's Boutique # 5 Jean Knight
One of the most often and instantly recognised samples of all. From Johnny Rynall.
Song(s) of the Day # 1,351 Florist
Defiantly, floaty, ethereal and indie, If Blue Could be Happiness is the new record just out from Florist. Accompanied by an abstract album cover which is as good a way of describing their music as any, three colour splodges, the largest of which is blue. It's unapolagetically escapist music, 'If you're terrified of living, like me, I hope you'll be fine. Because we're terrified together in this terrifying time,' sings frontwoman Emily Sprague in opening song Blue Mountain Road. Dread and terror are overt and implicit themes of a lot of new music this year. Incredible invents on the global stage have enforced this scenario and heading towards great, enlightening and comforting music is often the most pleasurable and useful response available to us. If Blue Could be Happiness is one of the more enticing go-to options I've come across recently.
Florist seek their own personal peace within. Listen to one song and in many ways you've heard them all because they never venture far from a minimalist template. But I still recommend you experience the whole record. It's a little book of calm, quite beautiful in its simplicity, like a walk in the woods with somebody you love. For this is a record about appreciating the beauty of nature if it's about anything. The wonder of all that's around us, has been given to us as the greatest gift of all, respite from the rank stupidity and destructive urges of so much of humanity around us. Florist hit the spot and restore normality better than any prescribed tablet ever can.
Saturday, September 30, 2017
Song(s) of the Day # 1,350 Zara McFarlane
Zara McFarlane stands resplendent on the front cover of her new album Arise like some Cuban revolutionary, but one who finds herself on a leafy backstreet of Dagenham rather than Havana. The record is a splendid mix of Kamasi Washington style jazz and rootsy reggae. Here are two highlights.
Friday, September 29, 2017
Songs About People # 475 Marc Bolan
Luke Haines is getting a Box Set of recent albums released shortly. Not sure that this is entirely merited. However, this tribute to Marc from his latest album is worth remembering.
Protomartyr - Relatives in Descent
Detroit's Protomartyr have entered their imperial phase with their new album Relatives in Descent which is released today. It's an astonishing record, building on their already remarkable body of work but this time going nuclear, surging into a mode of monumental assurance and sheer power beyond anything they've ever done before, (raw power indeed), that marks this down as an instant and unassailable modern classic. Twelve songs in all, each streaked with a staggering confidence and an ability to shift gears mid-track to take you somewhere you were never expecting to go.
It's not easy listening. Nor should it be. These are troubled and troubling times. A new dark fear seems to be stalking the world and Protomartyr understand that only too well and are here to soundtrack it all. Or certainly as much as they can. As reference points, think Pere Ubu, think Joy Division and The Fall, their songs are reminiscent of the troubled surfaces and dank murky seabeds of all three bands, and they're not shamed for a moment by the comparisons. They're that good!
Three troubled teens who chose to form a band with their alcoholic uncle, (Joe Casey, one of the best frontmen of modern times), who strangely resembles a David Cameron who's let himself go. Altogether too smart for words, they understand the darkness but also appreciate the light. There are some utterly glorious melodies at play here. I've just listened through to the whole album at one sitting before heading into work, unable to tear myself away from my headphones. Like the very best books, I was sorry and slightly shocked when it came to an end. Undoubtedly one of the records of the year. I need to say more but wanted to post now. I'll return here at greater length later on. In the meantime, make a point of hearing it!
Song of the Day # 1,349 Luxembourg Signal
Splendid, sparkly indie guitar pop from Luxembourg Signal who have their debut album out next month. Altogether makes a great deal more sense than Twin Peaks nowadays.
Thursday, September 28, 2017
Songs About People # 474 Mike Tyson & Buster Douglas
Perhaps the greatest shock in modern boxing. Buster Douglas knocks down Mike Tyson and takes his World Heavyweight crow in 1990. The moment is eulogised on for me, the best moment on The Killers new record.
Thirty Days of Things Sampled on Paul's Boutique # 3 Harvey Scales
Another sample from Track 2 Shake Your Rump.
Song(s) of the Day # 1,348 The Bronx
The Bronx, a band who can switch from Hardcore to Mariachi in consecutive sets go slightly to the metallic edge of punk on their newly released fifth album, appropriately entitled V.
Wednesday, September 27, 2017
Songs Heard on the Radio # 227 62 Miles From Space
Always happy with nice, new Stereolab sounds late at night!
Things Found on My Local's Jukebox # 247 Flamin' Groovies
Very glad to see Flamin' Groovies at long last on the jukebox at Rosie's. The mighty Teenage Head album too. Here's the title track.
Songs About People # 473 Cato the Elder
Song from an Of Montreal album from 2007. Does he mean Cato the Elder? You'd have to assume so judging by the lyric.
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