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”
Category Archives: Music
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”
Album Review: Candy Claws- Ceres & Calypso In The Deep Time
Shoegazing as a primary influence is having a late blooming revival of late- witness Chemical Brothers and their comeback single with Halo Maude, ‘Live Again’, which feels woozy and spiky. So it makes sense that this gorgeous, elusive record is being reissued again as it turns a decade old. The Colorado trio Candy Claws –Continue reading “Album Review: Candy Claws- Ceres & Calypso In The Deep Time”
Jane Birkin’s Legacy
Jane Birkin ‘s death was announced a couple of days ago. It’s obviously really sad, as it is when anyone passes away, especially one who impacted upon popular culture in a myriad of ways. Every column and obituary piece upon her passing has defined her as “a style icon”. That’s fine, but she was aContinue reading “Jane Birkin’s Legacy”
Overlooked Classics: Pulp- This Is Hardcore
Perhaps “overlooked” is a stretch- it was a huge critical and commercial success – but I reckon that Pulp’s sixth album is often forgotten in lieu of previous album ‘Different Class’. I prefer ‘This Is Hardcore’. Released in 1998, it wasn’t an album fans expected to hear. A sombre affair, it was the sound ofContinue reading “Overlooked Classics: Pulp- This Is Hardcore”
We’re Not The Mighty Fall…
In the brilliant Fall documentary, The Wonderful And Frightening World of Mark E Smith, the famous curmudgeon grumbled, ” There are all these bands saying,’We’re influenced by The Fall” .Fook off. That just means you’ve run out of fookin’ ideas. ” As ever, the wordsmith had a point. Many bands tried to emulate his stream-of-consciosnessContinue reading “We’re Not The Mighty Fall…”
Album Review: PJ Harvey – I Inside The Old Year Dying
There are many Polly Jean Harveys, all shedding skins, one by one. While an introspective album using her poems as songwriting templates was never going to be a sonic battering ram as so much of her previous work, there are still good things to be unearthed. This is her tenth studio album and is producedContinue reading “Album Review: PJ Harvey – I Inside The Old Year Dying”
Hit The North 