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: Indie
Album Review: Marcel Wave- Something Looming
This is a hell of a debut. Featuring members of Sauna Youth and CoId Pumas, Marcel Wave are a promising lot. Singer Maike Hale- Jones delivers witty, gobby vignettes on the state of Britain, flanked by Oliver Fisher and his bruising guitar, and organ from Lindsay Corstorphine. It’s in the grand tradition of UK post-punkContinue reading “Album Review: Marcel Wave- Something Looming”
Overlooked Classics: Marc Almond With The Willing Sinners- Mother Fist
Much more than just beautifully crafted filth, Marc Almond’s third studio album from April 1987, created with backing band The Willing Sinners, is a doozie. Taking inspiration from Jean Genet, Judy Garland and the Weimar republic, Almond ‘s musical palette was ever widening, full of left turns and his trademark bon mots- he’s always hadContinue reading “Overlooked Classics: Marc Almond With The Willing Sinners- Mother Fist”
Album Review: Indoor Pets- Pathetic Apathetic
Grunge influences and 90s alt rock nods are still around in contemporary music. Indoor Pets definitely channel the energy of Nirvana, Pixies and Jane’s Addiction, while retaining their own 2020s sound. It’s so well executed that it feels like a great big shot of adrenaline. ‘London’ and the title track are fuzzy, pile-driving songs asContinue reading “Album Review: Indoor Pets- Pathetic Apathetic”
Steve Albini Was A Contrarian
Goodbye Steve Albini, you sonic wizard. The obituaries have rightly praised the music legend as a brilliant producer and musician. What I found most fascinating though, were his many contradictions. He wrote offensive lyrics and named his band Rapeman after the manga comic, but championed many female feminist artists. His music was pure punk; butContinue reading “Steve Albini Was A Contrarian”
The Power of the Sad Banger
As Sophie Ellis-Bextor once observed, “It’s murder on the dancefloor”. But it’s sometimes fun to wallow in a little drama. This is where the sad banger comes in. It’s an anthem for the dumped, the disillusioned, or simply the thwarted romantic. Abba probably started it, these Eurovision winners with their Scandinavian melancholy in the verses,Continue reading “The Power of the Sad Banger”
Album Review: Mammoth Penguins -Here
You just can’t keep a good indie trio down. Cambridge scamps Mammoth Penguins ‘ new album fizzles with effervescent energy. Emma Kupa, Tom Barden and Mark Boxall have returned with music that is irresistible, straight out of the traps, racing forward and never looking back. Their trademark grungy indie, and Kupa’s sweet, youthful voice, hasContinue reading “Album Review: Mammoth Penguins -Here”
Album Review: Adult Jazz- So Sorry So Slow
This album is heady, intoxicating and heavy. It takes a while to settle into certain rhythms, before turning, at times almost imperceptibly, into different genres, moods and textures. Once you allow yourself to let it just embrace you though, it pays dividends. Post-rock, fused with avant pop, it’s elusive but gorgeous. With Harry Burgess’ sweet,Continue reading “Album Review: Adult Jazz- So Sorry So Slow”
Mute Reissue These Immortal Souls
The blurb: THESE IMMORTAL SOULS ANNOUNCE LONG AWAITED REMASTERED REISSUES OF THEIR TWO STUDIO ALBUMS PLUS A BRAND NEW COLLECTION OF NEWLY DISCOVERED LIVE RECORDINGS & RARITIES GET LOST (DON’T LIE!), I’M NEVER GONNA DIE AGAIN & EXTRA – OUT 12 APRIL 2024 ON MUTE LISTEN TO AN UNRELEASED COVER OF ALICE COOPER’S ‘LUNEY TUNE’ A long-awaited remastered reissue of These ImmortalContinue reading “Mute Reissue These Immortal Souls”
Overlooked Classics: Ultra Vivid Scene’s eponymous debut
Le swoon! This album is still incredible, all these years later. The debut album, Ultra Vivid Scene, by the band with the same name, is often forgotten about in the usual indie legends slots. Not here,though. Forgive my little foray into self- indulgence, it’s my birthday tomorrow. It was 1988, and I was experiencing myContinue reading “Overlooked Classics: Ultra Vivid Scene’s eponymous debut”
Hit The North 