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”
Category Archives: Lorna Irvine
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”
Film Review: It’s A Rockabilly World
… Except it’s not,not really. This Brent Huff documentary from 2016 looks great on paper, purporting to look at the rockabilly subculture in all its sassy glory. Instead, it focuses on the Viva Las Vegas convention, with lots of hipster types with sleeve tattoos, blue hair and brothel creepers. It’s colourful enough, and everyone looksContinue reading “Film Review: It’s A Rockabilly World”
New Release: Idles- Dancer
Apart from their track about degrees, reggae and jobs (Well Done) the appeal of Idles somewhat passed me by. I always felt they ripped off The Ruts a bit. But this new single has a bit of a groove and swagger, and you have to like a video that pastiches the silly, macho strut ofContinue reading “New Release: Idles- Dancer”
Album Review: Women In Revolt!Underground Rebellion in British Music 1977-1985
This brilliant compilation album, released to accompany the Tate Britain exhibition Women In Revolt! has a couple of bona fide UK punk classics in The Slits’ Typical Girls and X Ray Spex’ Identity, but there are also some gems from more obscure artists like Ludus , Poison Girls, Mo-dettes and The Gymslips, all of whomContinue reading “Album Review: Women In Revolt!Underground Rebellion in British Music 1977-1985”
Corinne Bailey Rae’s Musical Reinvention
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”
Overlooked Classics: Hail The New Puritan (1987)
“Michael! Michael! “ I’m trying not to get too nostalgic here, as any nostalgia suggests there’s nothing worth dipping into in contemporary culture, but Charles Atlas’ fictionalised account of Michael Clark was like a firework going off in my soul. Something just sparked within me. Epiphany is an understatement. This was something I wanted inContinue reading “Overlooked Classics: Hail The New Puritan (1987)”
Nadine Shah Returns!
The ever wonderful Nadine Shah is back, with a typically provocative song title. Topless Mother is out now, and she’s doing what she does best – music that’s both brilliant indie pop with a fierce bite, and a bit of soul. She’s always one to play with genre. Never one to rest on her laurelsContinue reading “Nadine Shah Returns!”
Put Blood In The Music: Sonic Youth and John Zorn
This film, directed by Charles Atlas for The South Bank Show in 1989, was what made me fall in love with SY, and admire Zorn. Using a fanzine type approach to his montage – talking heads floating in front of New York street scenes, it’s a typically playful approach from Atlas (more of whom, later).Continue reading “Put Blood In The Music: Sonic Youth and John Zorn”
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”
Hit The North 