Lost In Music: The Fall- Edinburgh Man

It’s that time of the year, when the Edinburgh Festivals engulf the whole city like a tidal wave of culture, so this seems like the ideal anthem. As I’ve heard over the years, Mark E Smith was a fan of the gorgeous architecture, but mostly the drinking establishments, of the fair city. I know aContinue reading “Lost In Music: The Fall- Edinburgh Man”

New Release: The Kills- LA Hex

The Kills are back. Alison Mossheart and Jamie Hince ‘s new single, L A Hex , out now through Domino, is more low-key than before, with a little gospel backing, and I’m really liking it. It’s still unmistakably The Kills, with the trademark sense of sex, murkiness and danger, just more subdued. It follows previousContinue reading “New Release: The Kills- LA Hex”

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”

Lost In Music: Sinead O’Connor – Troy

It was a ‘meh’ kind of summer in rural Scotland – the kind of sticky oppressive day of boredom and heat that induced ennui in anyone, let alone adolescents in a drab town. I was sitting in my cousin’s living room with her. She’s brilliant,no-nonsense and funny, the closest to a sister I’ve had. WeContinue reading “Lost In Music: Sinead O’Connor – Troy”

Film Review: Meet Me In The Bathroom

Of course, the title’s a drugs reference as well as a song, but this vivid and compelling film by Will Lovelace and Dylan Southern, based on Lizzy Goodman’s book, focuses on the dizzying rise of early 2000s bands The Strokes, Yeah Yeah Yeahs Interpol, and many others, with rare footage of wild early club gigsContinue reading “Film Review: Meet Me In The Bathroom”

Thurston Last And Always

In a shock career U- turn, Thursday Moore is forming a Sisters Of Mercy tribute, Thurston Last And Always. This departure comes as a startling move so late in the legendary NY guitarist ‘s career. Swapping his shredding for a drum machine, a la Doktor Avalanche, Moore’s foray into goth rock has been derided byContinue reading “Thurston Last And Always”

Worst. Music. Documentary. Ever.

What a howler music documentary Madonna: The Name Of The Game, from 1993, is. Presented by Troy McClure alike (albeit with Ned Flanders’ stylist) Mark Bego, it’s got all the insight of a tabloid article, and the production values of an Alan Partridge corporate video. And nothing says Madonna like an ABBA hit for aContinue reading “Worst. Music. Documentary. Ever.”

Prince- The Lost Tapes

New footage has been unearthed on YouTube of late legend Prince’s producer DJ Wackjob with a recently discovered vault of lost tapes from the Minneapolis icon. Amongst the tapes is a rare gem , Wackjob has dubbed “The Floppy Dicks’ a double album ‘s worth of songs with intriguing titles such as ‘Sorry Babe, ThisContinue reading “Prince- The Lost Tapes”