Elizabeth Fraser and Robin Guthrie may have said to the British music press, “Treasure was such an abortion. I hated it”, but the 1984 classic is still one of the band’s best-selling, best-loved studio albums. Originally, this, their third studio album, was to be produced by Brian Eno, but the band’s Robin Guthrie took thatContinue reading “Lost In Music: Cocteau Twins – Treasure”
Tag Archives: Goth
Another Sequel..
That Nobody Asked For… Like a cup of warm vomit books by Richard Madeley, or that time that U2 gave away a free album to hapless *insert branded device here* owners , a sequel to Beetlejuice is finally upon us, apparently. Yay. Hold me back. O yes, it would appear that Tim Burton is releasingContinue reading “Another Sequel..”
Overlooked Classics: The Damned- Strawberries
Who said goths don’t have a sense of humour? Strawberries, The Damned‘s fifth studio album, is a fun ride.Drawing upon sixties psychedelia, as with Generals, Dozen Girls and Stranger On The Town, it’s got some gleefully silly lyrics, due in no small part to trickster Capture Sensible and his playful subversion. Indeed, Don’t Bother Me andContinue reading “Overlooked Classics: The Damned- Strawberries”
Lost In Music: The Cramps- Smell Of Female (Live At The Peppermint Lounge)
Feral, camp and outrageous, The Cramps‘ live album from 1983, was apparently tweaked a little (seemingly the audience screams were from a ‘bigger’ band) but still sounds fresh and vital. It’s definitely more playful than menacing. The line-up is Interior, Rorschach, Kid Congo Powers and Nick Knox. Classic line-up as far as I’m concerned. ‘YouContinue reading “Lost In Music: The Cramps- Smell Of Female (Live At The Peppermint Lounge)”
Overlooked Classics: Cat’s Eyes
Here’s something I think about a lot: female and male call and response always sounds sexy in music. Whether it’s Nancy and Lee, Marvin and Tammi, or MBV’s Kevin and Bilinda, there’s something that suggests simmering intimacy and eroticism. So it is with the debut eponymous album from 2011, Cat’s Eyes. Rachel Zeffira and FarisContinue reading “Overlooked Classics: Cat’s Eyes”
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”
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”
Album Review: Lana Del Rabies- Strega Beata
A stately, cinematic slab of music, Lana Del Rabies ‘ new album, her third, lies somewhere between the early brutality of Swans and the eerie, gothic neo-classical experimentation of Dead Can Dance. It’s absolutely heady, erotic and hypnotic. Sometimes, it’s a thunderstorm, sometimes a soft caress. Tracks like ‘Mother ‘ and ‘Master’ feel like miniContinue reading “Album Review: Lana Del Rabies- Strega Beata”
Garlands Is 40
More people seem familiar with later work from Cocteau Twins but their debut album Garlands is still beautiful. Having just turned forty, I thought this record was worth a reappraisal. Featuring the original lineup of Liz Fraser, Robin Guthrie and Will Heggie, the original sound was dark, dense and as tight as a boa constrictor.Continue reading “Garlands Is 40”
I Blame Robert Smith…
At fourteen, I was a bona fide Goth. Black of eyeliner, crimped of hair, and with a tendency towards a shyness and melancholy. Small-town life in rural Perthshire just wasn’t cutting it for me. I wanted to see bands, dance and theatre, but there was nothing within the vicinity and we were a working classContinue reading “I Blame Robert Smith…”
Hit The North 