Where would we be without them, the Prefab Four? Just four cheeky lads from Rutland who changed our culture, they were ” of no fixed hairstyle”, but full of ambition and creativity., but far more importantly, “their trousers”… Funny too, how their music and image changed, following “the pleasant effects of tea”… “I’d like toContinue reading “Lost In Music: The Rutles”
Tag Archives: Lorna Irvine
Lost In Music: Screaming Lord Sutch- Jack The Ripper
Here’s a ghoulish garage rock classic to make you shake yr bones. Ivy and Lux were fans, so was Nick Cave and Jack White, and The Horrors have included it in their club nights,so you know it’s a winner. David Edward Sutch aka Screaming Lord Sutch, was doing the shock rock thing long before AliceContinue reading “Lost In Music: Screaming Lord Sutch- Jack The Ripper”
Album Review: Problem Patterns- Blouse Club
It’s nice that there are young bands who still have a lot to say. Feminist punk band Problem Patterns release their debut album Blouse Club today, and it’s politically engaged without ever losing its sense of humour or effervescent fizz. ‘Advertising Services’ takes on the ubiquity and inescapable nature of advertising and corporate sponsorship… Where’sContinue reading “Album Review: Problem Patterns- Blouse Club”
Vintage Films: Cat People
For Samhain, forget Freddy, Jason or The Human Centipede. I’m going vintage all the way. Jacques Tourneur’s 1942 classic for RKO, Cat People, is still a stylish, strange little gem. Irena Dubrovna (Simone Simon) is a Serbian illustrator who believes she’s descended from panthers, as she turns into a cat when she’s sexually aroused. ThisContinue reading “Vintage Films: Cat People”
Album Review: Hilary Woods- Acts Of Light
Irish artist and composer Hilary Woods makes uncompromising, experimental music. This new album is beautiful and challenging, entrenched in past, present and future worlds. From drones to elegiac strings, field recordings and choral sections it’s restless and stately. The film accompanying ‘When The Bough Has Broken’ is comprised of old reels depicting life in DublinContinue reading “Album Review: Hilary Woods- Acts Of Light”
Album Review: Mint Field-Aprender a Ser
The new album from Mexican duo Mint Field , is evocative of 4AD big hitters like Cocteau Twins and His Name Is Alive, but with their own unique spin on the template. It’s gauzy, dreamlike and a little disconcerting, as the best Dream pop always is. Estrella del Sol’s vocals caress, while remaining unsettling. SheContinue reading “Album Review: Mint Field-Aprender a Ser”
Favourite Cover Versions: The Fall – There’s A Ghost In My My House
I was just a young ‘un when this came out, but it sealed my life-long love of The Fall. The original, by R Dean Taylor, is an undisputed Northern Soul classic, perfect for those headspinning routines in Wigan on speed at 2 am (such is my understanding of the scene). The Fall had even referencedContinue reading “Favourite Cover Versions: The Fall – There’s A Ghost In My My House”
TV Review: The Lost Surrealist- Leonora Carrington
Leonora Carrington never got her dues. While Salvador Dali, Andre Breton and others are widely recognised as the Surrealist masters, the women are often sidelined, reduced to mere muses. This 2017 documentary from BBC 4 directed and narrated by Teresa Griffiths, focuses on this oversight, with a haunting and insightful study of the artist andContinue reading “TV Review: The Lost Surrealist- Leonora Carrington”
Overlooked Classics: Deerhoof- The Magic
You never know what you’ll be served by the mighty Deerhoof – will it be the melancholic strangeness of Milk Man, or the effervescent avant pop of Vs Evil? With The Magic, it’s both, and more. It’s widescreen Deerhoof, but still with that experimental side. It’s Deerhoof at angles, which is to be expected. ThisContinue reading “Overlooked Classics: Deerhoof- The Magic”
Reframing Elliott Smith
This weekend marks twenty years since we lost the wonderful singer-songwriter Elliott Smith. Of course, it’s horrible to lose someone so young and gifted. But what really grinds my gears is the clickbaity use of “tragic”. We all do it, we’re none of us immune to doom scrolling. It’s just… Amy, Billie, Sinead, Janis, Richey,Continue reading “Reframing Elliott Smith”
Hit The North 