Despite my indie/ goth pretensions, I’ve got such a soft spot for the kind of cartoon bubblegum pop of the mid- eighties. Destroy All Monsters were one such band. This was an earworm when I woke up today. Not to be confused with the legendary Detroit punk band fronted by statuesque beauty and visual artistContinue reading “Should’ve Been A Hit: Destroy All Monsters- Stranger Than Fiction”
Tag Archives: Music
Five Of The Best: Tirzah
There aren’t many artists around right now like the mighty Essex -born artist Tirzah. Her music is beautiful, with her soulful vocals wrapped around murky bedroom pop. She’s engaged yet laconic, accessible but enigmatic, hot and also chilled. These paradoxes are what make her so fascinating. Her collaborators speak to her exquisite taste too. She’sContinue reading “Five Of The Best: Tirzah”
Overlooked Classic: Fantomas- The Director’s Cut
Imagine your favourite film scores, chopped up and put into a blender. That’s basically the ethos of the brilliant second Fantomas album The Director’s Cut from 2001. It’s a millennium mashup like no other. Essentially a bonkers supergroup, comprising Faith No More’s Mike Patton, Buzz Osbourne from The Melvins, Slayer’s Dave Lombardo and Trevor DunnContinue reading “Overlooked Classic: Fantomas- The Director’s Cut”
Five Of The Best… Michael Jackson
With the recent TV documentary, Michael Jackson: An American Tragedy and the apparent hagiography Michael dividing people, I’ve been thinking a lot about the late singer, dancer and all-round eccentric and somewhat broken man. We’ll never know the truth, will we? And while that’s undoubtedly tainted Michael in many ways forever, he still left behindContinue reading “Five Of The Best… Michael Jackson”
Mediaeval Baebes Are 30 Today!
Blessed be to my witchy sisters, the wonderful Mediaeval Baebes who turn thirty today. In celebration of this milestone, founding member Katharine Blake performed today on Boudicca’s Mound in Hampstead Heath. They’ve also just announced a Wynter Tour across England. Head to: http://www.mediaevalbaebes.com
Film Review: Liza Minnelli-The Last Heiress of Hollywood
Lucie Caries’ film about Hollywood icon Liza Minnelli is candid and moving, precisely because her subject isn’t afraid to speak openly and honestly about her tragedies as well as triumphant moments.So there’s battles with drugs and drink; unsuitable romances, Bob Fosse, Studio 54, Andy Warhol , Michael Jackson, AIDS activism, and a Pet Shop BoysContinue reading “Film Review: Liza Minnelli-The Last Heiress of Hollywood”
Album Review: Guttersnipe- Extinction Burst!
Who better to reflect the massive divisions in the UK than mighty noise duo Guttersnipe? Scything guitar, knock down drums, screaming synth combine in a hellish void-bound maelstrom. They redefine noise, immolate you in their sound, grip you and squeeze. It’s tantrum music, music that squeals its opposition until it no longer can.’Alive On TuesdayContinue reading “Album Review: Guttersnipe- Extinction Burst!”
Great Style Never Fades
Some looks are timeless. Here are a few icons providing that some ideas are classic-from really simple, to flamboyant. Top: Prince in his ruffled regal pomp. A still from the film ‘Purple Rain’ in 1984. This was the soundtrack and film that made him a global superstar. Below: this picture features the wonderful Debbie HarryContinue reading “Great Style Never Fades”
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”
Liberace Was “Feelin’ Groovy”
Flamboyant pianist Liberace was the epitome of Las Vegas: camp, flamboyant and always the most fabulous in the room. He was never subtle, or understated. But this clip is completely next level. Sometimes, mainstream culture, in a completely misguided way, attempts to capture the youth oriented zeitgeist, and in the mid -sixties, that’s exactly whatContinue reading “Liberace Was “Feelin’ Groovy””
Hit The North 