loreleiirvine

Film Review: Love, Lizzo

Until the recent allegations against her, I had a lot of admiration for Lizzo. Born Melissa Jefferson in Detroit, she went from niche hip hop artist to global superstar in a decade: not bad for a big, Black woman who sings, raps, twerks and is a classically trained flautist with her own clothing brand andContinue reading “Film Review: Love, Lizzo”

Lost In Music: JSBX- Talk About The Blues

It’s not every day that Hollywood royalty plays your band in a music video,but that’s exactly what happened for Jon Spencer Bues Explosion in 1998 when Evan Bernard directed this little film. Winona Ryder, Giovanni Ribisi and John C Reilly portray the power trio. ‘Talk About The Blues’ is lifted from the studio album,’Acme’. SpencerContinue reading “Lost In Music: JSBX- Talk About The Blues”

Favourite Cover Versions: Iggy Pop and Jarvis Cocker – Red Right Hand

Nick Cave has often said it’s not his favourite self-penned song, and I agree: it’s kinda hokum, with its Hammer Horror organ and slightly cheesy delivery. So, Iggy Pop and Jarvis Cocker (who better?!?!??) brought out this collaboration and I love it, it sounds dirtier and tougher than the original slightly coy version from NickContinue reading “Favourite Cover Versions: Iggy Pop and Jarvis Cocker – Red Right Hand”

Album Review: Small Pond- Emerging Vol 3

The small but mighty indie label Small Pond, based in Brighton, shows that alternative !music is very much thriving. This new compilation has a wide diversity of genres. There’s bright, anthemic indie pop from MaxwellTheBand with piledriving opener, ‘Bic Lighter’, Currls provide soulful /emo inspired indie with ‘April Fool’. Peach Season are another musical uContinue reading “Album Review: Small Pond- Emerging Vol 3”

Five Times Top Of The Pops Was Worth Watching

I’m positively fossil aged, but back in the day, we had these nebulous concepts called “the charts”. This was when record companies received notification of which musical artists were selling the most singles. The Top 40 was thus reflected on a terminally naff TV show on the BBC, usually with teenagers grinning dementedly, dancing inContinue reading “Five Times Top Of The Pops Was Worth Watching”

New Release: Soho Rezanejad, Agnese Menguzzato and Simone Antonioni- Exit Blue Klein

This is simply beautiful. Electronic composer Soho Rezanejad has teamed up with musicians Agnese Menguzzato and Simone Antonioni for this collaboration, Exit Blue Klein. As she title suggests, it’s alluding to the controversial painter Yves Klein, and his predilection for the colour blue in his work. An ethereal, reverby piece using guitar, cello and vocals,Continue reading “New Release: Soho Rezanejad, Agnese Menguzzato and Simone Antonioni- Exit Blue Klein”

LCD Soundsystem Meets Leigh Bowery…

Times are hard right now. Weather’s horrible, war rages across the globe, civil rights are being eroded, climate change becomes increasingly apparent on a daily basis. Our leaders aren’t helping, putting profit before people. Democracy is important, but so too, is resistance to the forces of oppression. At times like this, it’s hard not toContinue reading “LCD Soundsystem Meets Leigh Bowery…”

Lost In Music: The Cramps- Smell Of Female (Live At The Peppermint Lounge)

Feral, camp and outrageous, The Cramps‘ live album from 1983, was apparently tweaked a little (seemingly the audience screams were from a ‘bigger’ band) but still sounds fresh and vital. It’s definitely more playful than menacing. The line-up is Interior, Rorschach, Kid Congo Powers and Nick Knox. Classic line-up as far as I’m concerned. ‘YouContinue reading “Lost In Music: The Cramps- Smell Of Female (Live At The Peppermint Lounge)”

Overlooked Classics: Cat’s Eyes

Here’s something I think about a lot: female and male call and response always sounds sexy in music. Whether it’s Nancy and Lee, Marvin and Tammi, or MBV’s Kevin and Bilinda, there’s something that suggests simmering intimacy and eroticism. So it is with the debut eponymous album from 2011, Cat’s Eyes. Rachel Zeffira and FarisContinue reading “Overlooked Classics: Cat’s Eyes”

Gossip Are Back!!!

The inimitable queer indie pop trio Gossip have returned after an eleven year hiatus. Their forthcoming album, Real Power, out next Spring, sees them team up again with legendary producer Rick Rubin. Lead single ‘Crazy Again ‘ is a sweet soul electro pop tune, with Beth Ditto singing in her highest, softest voice, but thereContinue reading “Gossip Are Back!!!”