Oh, dear. This live album from David Bowie’s Isolar tour from 1978 suffers from all the problems bootlegs- official or not- often have, namely, dodgy sound, audience chatter and a general sense of immense disappointment at the quality. There’s even a sense of Bowie and the band going through the motions- witness a knackered soundingContinue reading “Album Review: Bowie Vienna ’78”
Tag Archives: Music
Music As Vitamin D
When the morning sun hurts too much after bouts of menopausal insomnia, and it’s hard to crawl out of bed, there’s one tune that will give me that much-needed shot of vitamin D. It’s got a bounce like Tigger, but scratches with its sharp talons. It’s from the era of Britpop but was deemed “shoegazing”.Continue reading “Music As Vitamin D”
Film Review: A Complete Unknown
Another year, another music biopic about a problematic genius. James Mangold has of course got previous with Walk The Line. A Complete Unknown isn’t much of a departure from the Johnny Cash film, as it’s also a good character study. Here, the truculent rebel is one Bob Dylan, right at the start of his career.Continue reading “Film Review: A Complete Unknown”
Album Review: LA Witch- DOGGOD
Los Angeles trio LA Witch have been casting sonic spells since their debut album, which came out eight years ago.. Since then, their reputation as a formidable live act has endured. Their doomy, punkish music is as tender as a bruise. This “don’t mess” badass swagger sees them frequently getting a comparison to fellow SuicideContinue reading “Album Review: LA Witch- DOGGOD”
Film Review: The Public Image Is Rotten (2017)
Director Tarrbert Fiiller’s documentary on Public Image Ltd. is downbeat, insightful and strangely touching, poking at the open wounds involved when working alongside the inimitable John Lydon. With rare access to interviews with the imp himself, plus ex-band members like Keith Levene, Allan Dias and Martin Atkins, it’s more intimate and candid than your average,Continue reading “Film Review: The Public Image Is Rotten (2017)”
Album Review: SPELLING- Portrait Of My Heart
How you perceive this album will very much depend on your liking for eighties nostalgia. Still only in her thirties, Californian artist Chrystia ‘Tia’ Cabral mines the era, despite not having grown up then. Cabral has an incredible, beautifully soulful voice,and the production quality is undoubtedly high. However, tracks like ‘Alibi’ feel like the worstContinue reading “Album Review: SPELLING- Portrait Of My Heart”
So Long, Marianne
Marianne Faithfull has passed away, aged 78. She had long battled various health conditions, and was a battler right up until the end. They broke the mould when they made Marianne, a member of the Austrian aristocracy whose career was as complex as she was. Few singers can boast both a career in their teensContinue reading “So Long, Marianne”
Film Review: Since Yesterday- The Untold Story of Scotland’s Girl Bands
Carla J Easton and Blair Young’s film focuses on the best girl bands from Scotland, asking why they’re lesser known than their male counterparts, and why this is still happening in today’s music industry. Easton herself, ex- Teen Canteen and now a solo artist, narrates the film. It’s a heartfelt look at more obscure artistsContinue reading “Film Review: Since Yesterday- The Untold Story of Scotland’s Girl Bands”
Overlooked Classics: Sound Of Metal
Is this too recent to be considered a cult classic? I don’t think so. Not enough people have seen this masterpiece from director and co-writer Darius Marder, it would seem. But everyone should, it’s nothing short of exceptional, a beautifully crafted story of love and survival. British actor Riz Ahmed portrays Ruben, a battering ramContinue reading “Overlooked Classics: Sound Of Metal”
Album Review: Anna B Savage -You & I Are Earth
A new Anna B Savage album is always something worth investing time in. Her voice is so disarmingly beautiful that everything else melts away. This is not background music. It’s intimate and raw, and you lean in to listen, as though she’s sharing precious secrets with you alone. This time, Savage is, as with BjorkContinue reading “Album Review: Anna B Savage -You & I Are Earth”
Hit The North 