Nobody saw this coming. The fourth album, Black Rainbows by Corinne Bailey Rae, is a fusion of furious riot grrrl inspired fury, Afrojazz and deep soul, a huge U turn from the singer-songwriter who once made nice, inoffensive Radio 2 jazz pop like Put Your Records On and Like A Star. . Erasure is furious,Continue reading “Corinne Bailey Rae’s Musical Reinvention”
Category Archives: Album
Lost In Music: Siouxsie and the Banshees- Juju
I don’t think I’ve really written much about classic Siouxsie and the Banshees albums before, so thought it was time to rectify that. Juju is one of my favourites from my teens. I came to It late, probably the late eighties, as it had already been released in 1981, and I was too young toContinue reading “Lost In Music: Siouxsie and the Banshees- Juju”
Album Review: The Drums- Jonny
One of the most surprising albums of the year, Jonny by The Drums, is striking for many reasons. The album cover shows singer and main member Jonny Pierce crouched down, naked and seemingly praying in his parents’ house. The album is similarly raw, intimate and honest. Gone is the easy -breeziness of previous work, whichContinue reading “Album Review: The Drums- Jonny”
Album Review: Mary Lattimore- Goodbye,Hotel Arkada
Don’t let the title fool you – the fifth studio album from LA harpist Mary Lattimore isn’t a hippy-dippy concept album. Rather, it invites adjectives like “ethereal” and “otherworldly” . Very much a collaborative project, Lattimore has again created music that exists in liminal spaces, dense but delicate, and powerful even when calm. The blurringContinue reading “Album Review: Mary Lattimore- Goodbye,Hotel Arkada”
Overlooked Classics: The Kills- Keep On Your Mean Side (2003)
Alison Mosshart and Jamie Hince, aka The Kills, arrived at a strange time for grunge/blues rock like lizards wriggling in a tin.. Indie sleaze, or whatever the tastemakers deemed it that week, was becoming passe, and genres were starting to blur, so a duo who came on like Royal Trux playing Beefheart were of courseContinue reading “Overlooked Classics: The Kills- Keep On Your Mean Side (2003)”
The Future’s Here Today: Screensaver
There are few things finer in life than hearing about a new release from Upset The Rhythm. The Australian rascals called Screensaver are described as “synth punks” and make energetic, fizzy music that throws you around and bites you like a chew toy. Decent Shapes, the forthcoming album, is released on October 20th, so that’sContinue reading “The Future’s Here Today: Screensaver”
Just Step Sideways: Pom Poko- Birthday
I considered this for “Overlooked Classics”, but then thought better of it. It’s not perfect – the title track isn’t great – but holy shit,otherwise… what a debut from the Norwegian quartet who Dstudied jazz composition at music school. It’s fierce, quirky and beautiful. Like a mash -up of Lykke Li and Battles, the mathContinue reading “Just Step Sideways: Pom Poko- Birthday”
Lost In Music: The Smiths- Paint A Vulgar Picture
Since Sinead O’Connor sadly passed away last week, I’ve been thinking about her a lot, as so many of us have. This strong but fragile, beautiful and tough woman, so troubled with so much shit and abuse from her childhood, casting a long shadow. Gifted people are often the most troubled – a cliche becauseContinue reading “Lost In Music: The Smiths- Paint A Vulgar Picture”
Lost In Music: The Cramps- Off The Bone
Produced alongside The Box Tops and Big Star’s singer Alex Chilton, Off The Bone is a 1983 compilation of songs by The Cramps. Well, okay, it’s mostly cover versions, but the band make them very much their own. From a pounding take on Sam Phillips’ Domino, to the cartoonish libido running feral on Charlie FeathersContinue reading “Lost In Music: The Cramps- Off The Bone”
Mercury Prize 2023
What does everyone reckon to this year’s Mercury Prize nominations then? I’m pleased at the diversity this year, as I like a wide range of music. It’d be excellent to see Shygirl win for Nymph , as she bends beats into interesting shapes, and Sega Bodega are superb producers.Lankum are great, but I can’t imagineContinue reading “Mercury Prize 2023”
Hit The North 