When we lost Trish Keenan in 2011, we lost one of indie music ‘s most beloved singers. Her hushed, wide -eyed voice radiated a calm that felt disconcertingly eerie. Broadcast’s retro-futurism both soothed and disturbed in equal measure. This compilation of 36 tracks, from ‘The Song Before The Song Comes Out’ to ‘Spirit House’ showsContinue reading “Album Review: Broadcast – Spell Blanket -Collected Demos 2006-2009”
Author Archives: loreleiirvine
Album Review: Mammoth Penguins -Here
You just can’t keep a good indie trio down. Cambridge scamps Mammoth Penguins ‘ new album fizzles with effervescent energy. Emma Kupa, Tom Barden and Mark Boxall have returned with music that is irresistible, straight out of the traps, racing forward and never looking back. Their trademark grungy indie, and Kupa’s sweet, youthful voice, hasContinue reading “Album Review: Mammoth Penguins -Here”
Running Away With The Circus
The treatment of animals aside (thank goodness that’s dwindling now) I like the aesthetic, artistry and spectacle of the Victorian circus. The 19th century saw the rise of family circuses in Europe, the UK and America, with traditional acts such as horse acts, trapeze, jugglers, clowns and tumblers taking centre stage. There have been countlessContinue reading “Running Away With The Circus”
Overlooked Classics: Hole- Pretty On The Inside
You love Nevermind. I love Nevermind. We all do. But let’s not overlook Hole’s ferocious debut studio album from 1991, Pretty On The Inside. The kinder whore aesthetic, as it had been unfortunately termed, suited the sound: ripped lace, torn tights and smudged makeup. The Slits, as far as I’m concerned, invented the look. CourtneyContinue reading “Overlooked Classics: Hole- Pretty On The Inside”
Bill Bailey’s Kraftwerk Tribute
Since it’s the weekend,let’s get silly. Bill Bailey is one of my favourite ever comedians, a musical legend in his own right, and his tribute to Kraftwerk, one of his favourite bands of all time, takes a well known kids’ song out of context, and into his typically absurdist territory. “That’s what it’s all about”Continue reading “Bill Bailey’s Kraftwerk Tribute”
Why Bella Baxter Is More Than “Furious Jumping”
It’s been out on general release for a couple of months now, but the controversy surrounding Yorgos Lanthimos’ adaptation of Alasdair Gray ‘s Poor Things shows little sign of abating. It seems many people have missed the point. The preoccupation with the sex (or “furious jumping” as Emma Stone’s lead character Bella Baxter calls it)Continue reading “Why Bella Baxter Is More Than “Furious Jumping””
Album Review: Gossip- Real Power
Gossip ‘s return was announced with little fanfare, as the best surprises always are. But, while they’re always great to see live, this new studio album is something of a disappointment. Rick Rubin is on board as producer, which ironically may be the problem. It often sounds too glossy, as though sonically airbrushed. The moreContinue reading “Album Review: Gossip- Real Power”
Bad Cover Versions: Sleaford Mods- West End Girls
Not so much Pet Sho Boys as Chip Shop Boys, Sleaford Mods have done the inevitable – a cover of West End Girls. I say cover, it’s like karaoke. All the beauty and subtlety of the original has been bludgeoned by the lads, with this completely one note version. There’s just a sense of “whyContinue reading “Bad Cover Versions: Sleaford Mods- West End Girls”
From The Skinny Archive… Matthew Bourne ‘s Swan Lake In 3D
★★★★★ Review by Missy Lorelei | 27 Jun 2012 This ravishing production from Sadler’s Wells in London is at once contemporary and utterly timeless. Bourne’s re-telling of the classic ballet has more than a slight Freudian overtone to the narrative; the adult Prince (touchingly portrayed by Dominic North) has mother issues; is seduced by aContinue reading “From The Skinny Archive… Matthew Bourne ‘s Swan Lake In 3D”
Overlooked Classics: Julian Cope- World Shut Your Mouth
This is the album, not the song. That can be found, of course, on Saint Julian. World Shut Your Mouth marked Julian Cole’s transition from Teardrop Explodes pin -up,to eccentric solo artist. And there are a couple of would -be TE tracks on here (Pussyface’ and ‘Metranil Vavin’) but in the main, it’s Cope flyingContinue reading “Overlooked Classics: Julian Cope- World Shut Your Mouth”
Hit The North 