It’s nice that there are young bands who still have a lot to say. Feminist punk band Problem Patterns release their debut album Blouse Club today, and it’s politically engaged without ever losing its sense of humour or effervescent fizz. ‘Advertising Services’ takes on the ubiquity and inescapable nature of advertising and corporate sponsorship… Where’sContinue reading “Album Review: Problem Patterns- Blouse Club”
Category Archives: Lorna Irvine
Vintage Films: Cat People
For Samhain, forget Freddy, Jason or The Human Centipede. I’m going vintage all the way. Jacques Tourneur’s 1942 classic for RKO, Cat People, is still a stylish, strange little gem. Irena Dubrovna (Simone Simon) is a Serbian illustrator who believes she’s descended from panthers, as she turns into a cat when she’s sexually aroused. ThisContinue reading “Vintage Films: Cat People”
Album Review: Hilary Woods- Acts Of Light
Irish artist and composer Hilary Woods makes uncompromising, experimental music. This new album is beautiful and challenging, entrenched in past, present and future worlds. From drones to elegiac strings, field recordings and choral sections it’s restless and stately. The film accompanying ‘When The Bough Has Broken’ is comprised of old reels depicting life in DublinContinue reading “Album Review: Hilary Woods- Acts Of Light”
Album Review: Mint Field-Aprender a Ser
The new album from Mexican duo Mint Field , is evocative of 4AD big hitters like Cocteau Twins and His Name Is Alive, but with their own unique spin on the template. It’s gauzy, dreamlike and a little disconcerting, as the best Dream pop always is. Estrella del Sol’s vocals caress, while remaining unsettling. SheContinue reading “Album Review: Mint Field-Aprender a Ser”
Favourite Cover Versions: The Fall – There’s A Ghost In My My House
I was just a young ‘un when this came out, but it sealed my life-long love of The Fall. The original, by R Dean Taylor, is an undisputed Northern Soul classic, perfect for those headspinning routines in Wigan on speed at 2 am (such is my understanding of the scene). The Fall had even referencedContinue reading “Favourite Cover Versions: The Fall – There’s A Ghost In My My House”
TV Review: The Lost Surrealist- Leonora Carrington
Leonora Carrington never got her dues. While Salvador Dali, Andre Breton and others are widely recognised as the Surrealist masters, the women are often sidelined, reduced to mere muses. This 2017 documentary from BBC 4 directed and narrated by Teresa Griffiths, focuses on this oversight, with a haunting and insightful study of the artist andContinue reading “TV Review: The Lost Surrealist- Leonora Carrington”
Overlooked Classics: Deerhoof- The Magic
You never know what you’ll be served by the mighty Deerhoof – will it be the melancholic strangeness of Milk Man, or the effervescent avant pop of Vs Evil? With The Magic, it’s both, and more. It’s widescreen Deerhoof, but still with that experimental side. It’s Deerhoof at angles, which is to be expected. ThisContinue reading “Overlooked Classics: Deerhoof- The Magic”
Everybody Loves A Double Act: The Trip
We all have our favourite comedy double acts: Vic and Bob, French and Saunders, Laurel and Hardy, Trump and Pence..The list goes on. But one I return to time and time again is Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon in Michael Winterbottom ‘s The Trip. It’s perfect autumnal fare: the pair play exaggerated versions of themselves,Continue reading “Everybody Loves A Double Act: The Trip”
Reframing Elliott Smith
This weekend marks twenty years since we lost the wonderful singer-songwriter Elliott Smith. Of course, it’s horrible to lose someone so young and gifted. But what really grinds my gears is the clickbaity use of “tragic”. We all do it, we’re none of us immune to doom scrolling. It’s just… Amy, Billie, Sinead, Janis, Richey,Continue reading “Reframing Elliott Smith”
Demis in a Kaftan
We really need to make the kaftan *the* fashion item for 2024 spring/summer collection. Late Greek crooner Demis Roussos made the kaftan popular in the seventies, because he was a big fella, bless him. I like it: bold patterns, voluminous, teamed with big patent boots. It’s maximalist chic. Demis in a kaftan, I know, IContinue reading “Demis in a Kaftan”
Hit The North 