I watched Girl, Interrupted for about the fifth time the other evening, having seen Leah Shelton’s brilliant show Batshit. (My review of it is up on Fest magazine). I was wondering if it still held up, having not watched for a while. It’s good, if flawed : James Mangold directs brilliantly, but the narration andContinue reading “We Need To Talk About Lisa”
Category Archives: Lorna Irvine
Fringe Fatigue
The Edinburgh Fringe Festival is a cruel mistress. It’s a special kind of hell if you’re tired or disabled, as I discovered working there the other day. I knew it would be insanely crowded, but take a wrong turn and it’s hard to navigate. Steps, students and tourists who, lost, stop dead in front ofContinue reading “Fringe Fatigue”
Lost In Music: Cocteau Twins – Treasure
Elizabeth Fraser and Robin Guthrie may have said to the British music press, “Treasure was such an abortion. I hated it”, but the 1984 classic is still one of the band’s best-selling, best-loved studio albums. Originally, this, their third studio album, was to be produced by Brian Eno, but the band’s Robin Guthrie took thatContinue reading “Lost In Music: Cocteau Twins – Treasure”
Album Review: Marcel Wave- Something Looming
This is a hell of a debut. Featuring members of Sauna Youth and CoId Pumas, Marcel Wave are a promising lot. Singer Maike Hale- Jones delivers witty, gobby vignettes on the state of Britain, flanked by Oliver Fisher and his bruising guitar, and organ from Lindsay Corstorphine. It’s in the grand tradition of UK post-punkContinue reading “Album Review: Marcel Wave- Something Looming”
Another Sequel..
That Nobody Asked For… Like a cup of warm vomit books by Richard Madeley, or that time that U2 gave away a free album to hapless *insert branded device here* owners , a sequel to Beetlejuice is finally upon us, apparently. Yay. Hold me back. O yes, it would appear that Tim Burton is releasingContinue reading “Another Sequel..”
Overlooked Classics: Captain Beefheart And His Magic Band-Safe As Milk
Running the gamut of genres- from Delta blues to experimental psych- the magnificent debut album from Captain Beefheart and His Magic Band is all about the inimitable singer songwriter and musical fruitloop, aka Don Van Vliet, finding his feet after an attempt at popularity with the swampy hit, the cover of Bo Diddley’s Diddy WahContinue reading “Overlooked Classics: Captain Beefheart And His Magic Band-Safe As Milk”
Album Review: Indoor Pets- Pathetic Apathetic
Grunge influences and 90s alt rock nods are still around in contemporary music. Indoor Pets definitely channel the energy of Nirvana, Pixies and Jane’s Addiction, while retaining their own 2020s sound. It’s so well executed that it feels like a great big shot of adrenaline. ‘London’ and the title track are fuzzy, pile-driving songs asContinue reading “Album Review: Indoor Pets- Pathetic Apathetic”
Congratulations Switzerland!
Amid a political storm (Palestinian supporters were vocal in their protests outside the venue) and controversy (Netherlands artist Joost Klein was disqualified after allegedly “inappropriate behaviour” towards a camerawoman) Nemo, Switzerland ‘s entry, won with a great song and heartfelt, energetic performance. The Code, which tackles Nemo’s non -binary identity, won public and cross-continental votesContinue reading “Congratulations Switzerland!”
Steve Albini Was A Contrarian
Goodbye Steve Albini, you sonic wizard. The obituaries have rightly praised the music legend as a brilliant producer and musician. What I found most fascinating though, were his many contradictions. He wrote offensive lyrics and named his band Rapeman after the manga comic, but championed many female feminist artists. His music was pure punk; butContinue reading “Steve Albini Was A Contrarian”
Croatia For The Win!
Speaking of the Eurovision, I was sad to see Olly Alexander, the UK entry, get a kicking after the first semi-final (yes, there are two now, to prolong the agony) seemingly because of his “raunchy routine” and “wobbly vocals”. Personally, I don’t think a Trainspotting style toilet cubicle for a set helped matters much. TheContinue reading “Croatia For The Win!”
Hit The North 