Stroking that rare sweet spot between art and pop, Japan eschewed easy or definitive classification. Of course, they were always inextricably linked to Japanese artist Yellow Magic Orchestra and in particular Riuyichi Sakamoto, who wrote the final track here- ‘Taking Islands In Africa ‘ – but there are classical influencers in the won ton soupContinue reading “Overlooked Classic: Japan – Gentlemen Take Polaroids”
Tag Archives: Classic albums
Anatomy Of A Classic: Strawberry Switchblade
Everyone adored their hit single, ‘Since Yesterday’, but Strawberry Switchblade’s eponymous album had many more beautiful songs. In their aesthetic and musical DNA lies a plethora of influences. Sixties icons Brigitte Bardot and The Shangri-Las. Their look is the first obvious jumping -off point. There’s a strong goth look in the Siouxsie-esque make-up and corsets,Continue reading “Anatomy Of A Classic: Strawberry Switchblade”
Film Review: The Rolling Stones:Stones In Exile
Talk about first world problems. This insightful documentary from Stephen Kijak follows the (in)famous moment in rock history when The Stones were living as tax exiles in France in 1972, recording the classic, frankly brilliant ‘Exile On Main Street’ . Baked…and then there’s BAKED. Keef, chilling in the sun. In their fabulous interior at VilleContinue reading “Film Review: The Rolling Stones:Stones In Exile”
Anatomy of A Classic: Siouxsie and The Banshees- Peepshow
The apotheosis of everything they’d done up to that point, Siouxsie and The Banshees’ ninth album ‘Peepshow’ released in 1988, was arguably the best of their work, next to ‘JuJu’. Influenced by the flickering expressionist shadows of early German cinema, the Weimar Republic and torch songs, the album saw Siouxsie take off her signature CleopatraContinue reading “Anatomy of A Classic: Siouxsie and The Banshees- Peepshow”
Five Perfect Pavement Songs
I woke up with Spit On A Stranger this morning as an earworm and it’s both caustic and beautiful, so here’s that very song along with four other beauties. Don’t say I’m not good to you.
Lost In Music: Pulp- Mile End
As Trainspotting turned 30 this year, I choose Pulp. This is Jarvis at his bleakest and most acerbic, This Is Hardcore aside. This deceptively rinky dinky sounding song appeared at the end of the soundtrack, taking in lyrics about poverty, terrible housing, paedophiles and casual violence. “I guess you have to go right down/ BeforeContinue reading “Lost In Music: Pulp- Mile End”
Lost In Music: These New Puritans- Inside The Rose
I was wrong about this album at the time- I only gave it four stars when I reviewed it in The Wee Review. It’s a five star album. It’s a masterpiece, start to finish.George and Jack, I was wrong. From the Reichian percussion of opening track ‘Infinity Vibraphones’ to the languid eroticism of the titleContinue reading “Lost In Music: These New Puritans- Inside The Rose”
Overlooked Classic : Bat For Lashes- Two Suns (2009)
For me, Natasha Khan is a much overlooked singer songwriter. Bat For Lashes- her main musical project – are in that lovely sweet spot between classic songwriter and more experimental musician. I was thinking lately how she never quite gets her dues. It’s possible that she’s too strange for the Dua Lipa crowd, yet tooContinue reading “Overlooked Classic : Bat For Lashes- Two Suns (2009)”
Archive Review: Aldous Harding -Designer
Aldous HardingDesigner New Zealand singer-songwriter’s third album is sublime New Zealand-based Hannah Harding – who records as Aldous Harding – kicks down the doors of perception, like her druggy writer namesake. In her case, though, it’s the limitations of folk music that she skews. This, her third album, finds her on haunting and beautiful form. PJ Harvey memberContinue reading “Archive Review: Aldous Harding -Designer”
Just Step Sideways: Dean Friedman – “Well,Well”, Said the Rocking Chair
Billy Joel , Billy Schmoel. New Jersey legend Dean Friedman is where it’s at, kids. Too funky to be a crooner, too silly to be MOR, he occupied a strange position in the rock music galaxy in the seventies. Some of his music was confessional singer -songwriter, a la Elton John; some was like aContinue reading “Just Step Sideways: Dean Friedman – “Well,Well”, Said the Rocking Chair”
