The Fall were starting to implode. Martin and Karl were out, replaced by the Scanlon brothers, Craig and Steve, pals of Marc Riley. It’s this line-up that’s the secret to their brilliant, often overlooked second album, Dragnet. Dragnet is excellent, a brooding, murky record, albeit with MES’ typically esoteric lyricism. He had already proved whatContinue reading “Overlooked Classics: The Fall- Dragnet (1979)”
Tag Archives: Indie
Album Review: Anna Secret Poet- Shoutin’ Into The Void
“You can learn a lot from dead things “, Anna Secret Poet sings in ‘Dead Things’, “including how to live”. This is a very Anna line: seemingly throwaway, but really profound. The canny Scots singer-songwriter, drag performer and weaver of pithy tales returns with an album that meditates on the darkest corners of our psyche,Continue reading “Album Review: Anna Secret Poet- Shoutin’ Into The Void”
The Future’s Here Today: Shake Chain
Signed to our pals at Upset The Rhythm (always a sign of quality) Shake Chain have an imminent new release forthcoming with debut album Snake Chain. Featuring the genuinely unhinged vocals of Katie Mahony, they’re an uncompromising, bloody slice of post -punk. Whereas other bands believe themselves to be alternative, this band are truly uniqueContinue reading “The Future’s Here Today: Shake Chain”
Album Review: Speedy Wunderground Vol 5
The legendary label is nearly a decade young, believe it or not. Dan Carey, Alexis Smith and Pierre Hall’s baby just keeps going from strength to strength, as evinced by their latest compilation. From Lazarus Kane’s opener Narcissus, a kind of hyper- caffeinated Talking Heads meets Hot Chip groove, through to The Lounge Society’s broodyContinue reading “Album Review: Speedy Wunderground Vol 5”
This Nation’s Saving Grace: The First Time The Fall Flirted With Pop
There’s something wonderfully opaque about The Fall’s This Nation’s Saving Grace. No change there, you might say, but I’ve got a theory about this. Their eighth album is a strange one, but it’s incredible. It seems like the more commercial they tried to sound, the more the twinkling keyboards and big fat riffs drew attentionContinue reading “This Nation’s Saving Grace: The First Time The Fall Flirted With Pop”
Album Review: Savage Mansion- Golden Mountain, Here I Come
Cheeky indie cherub Craig Angus, lead singer and guitarist for Savage Mansion has really stepped up a gear with this, the third album Golden Mountain, Here I Come. Now a quintet, Angus and the rest of the band have the bit between their teeth. Angus, keyboard player Beth Chalmers, guitarist Andrew McPherson, bassist Jamie DubberContinue reading “Album Review: Savage Mansion- Golden Mountain, Here I Come”
My Valentine’s Day Playlist
What a load of shit. Mass marketing at its finest, right? If you love someone, make them feel special ALL the time, sans rose petals, chocolates or a fancy, overpriced dinner. St Valentine is like the Easter bunny to a lot of people, or the concept of Christian religion: a nebulous, fuzzy set of ill-conceivedContinue reading “My Valentine’s Day Playlist”
Slang King
It’s been four years since Mark Edward Smith passed away and I can’t think of many curmudgeons who inspired so many bands and people, despite being such a divisive figure (Moz, maybe). My favourite lyrics by Smith can also be found in some of my favourite Fall songs. He’s particularly scathing when it comes toContinue reading “Slang King”
Overlooked Classics: That Dog (1993)
That Dog’s debut eponymous album is just the epitome of perfection to me. The combination of indie pop and strange classical and jazz elements is still quite unlike anything I’ve heard. The band are perhaps like a less brutal Miranda Sex Garden, or softer Slits or Raincoats. Songs- and harmonies- don’t quite go where theyContinue reading “Overlooked Classics: That Dog (1993)”
Hit The North 