withnail should've shot marwood...

You coming?

2006-12-04T19:44:00.000-05:00

it's dead in here... if I were you I'd head over to

Nonsense, this is far superior to meths... for some action... see you there...

hey you guys...

2006-10-18T07:00:00.000-04:00

The Fratellis. A band named after the villains in The Goonies. You don't need any more than that, do you?
You do? Okay then. If you insist.

If you like your Scottish indie-rock with more than a pinch of 70's glam rock then you've come to the right place. Welcome. Grab yourself a drink. Tennants Super Strength? Are you sure? If you insist. Yeah, the dancefloor is a bit crowded. That's because they're playing "Henrietta" and it sounds like a pub singalong has just crashed into a 70's cartoon theme tune. Oh, and it's fucking great. Don't worry though, they'll play "Whistle For The Choir" and it'll give you a moment of quiet reflection before "Got Ma Nuts From A Hippy" blows your head off again.

If you're looking for the answers to life as we know it then put that can down, step outside and ask the taxi driver to take you to where there are only "Five Leaves Left". However, if you want to hear dirty rock songs that sound like they came from Bugsy Malone, if Bugsy Malone was drunk and high singing about "Vince The Loveable Stoner" then get another round in and enjoy the rest of your night.

Henrietta

first impressions of albert hammond jr

2006-10-17T07:00:00.000-04:00

Whatever happened to The Strokes? Are they dead yet? Well if history is to be believed then maybe so.
Albert Hammond Jr. has just released his solo album "Yours To Keep" and maybe this is his way of hammering a soft and melodic nail into the coffin of said band.
Admittedly I was as skeptical as a very skeptical person upon receiving this record and feared that it would be self-indulgent nonsense (yes, I own "First Impressions of Earth"). However, to say that I was as pleasantly surprised as a person who had just been surprised in a pleasant fashion would be an understatement.
Yes, it is lo-fi (do solo album making guitarists make anything other than lo-fi? I'm looking at you Mr. Coxon) and as a result it is warm, fuzzy, gentle and brimming with sincerity. Even the slightly Strokes-esque tracks have a friendlier personality than if they'd been recorded by a rich and hungover hipster through a muffler, in cupboard, on the corner of 42nd and 9th in Manhattan. Maybe it's because you can hear the words?
Hammond's lightness of touch comes as a surprise after his bands last few records. Although it is no secret that he made this after his songs were rejected by Casablancas and co. it is easy to see how these folk-infused numbers don't fit into that image.
Of course he is not reinventing the wheel on this record but songs such as "Back To The 101" and "Call An Ambulance" are just great to put on first thing in the morning when you've got time to ease yourself into the day. We all need albums like that and this is currently my first stop on a cold autumn morning. I recommend you stop there too.

Blue Skies

the difference between me and you is that i'm not on fire...

2006-10-16T14:29:00.000-04:00

Things are gonna be a little different.

Instead of giving you little snapshots of why you should be listening to the music from each post I will try and give you a little more to go on than "it's good" etc. It means that there may be a little more reading involved but it should give a better overall picture.

Things should also get a little more varied.

he's... alive...

2006-10-16T10:14:00.000-04:00

"Clear... guh-guh... clear... guh-guh... clear... guh-guh..."
"There's something there... he's alive!"

"Thanks doc, I feel much better now. I think I'll have a cup of tea (today) and then go and post some music and stuff (tomorrow)!"

goodbye marwood and i...

2006-10-03T07:00:00.000-04:00

I have returned! Or have I? I am currently debating whether to continue this blogging thing. Do I have the time anymore? More importantly, do I have the inclination to preach to the few? Can I be bothered? The answer to all three questions is "probably not". So there we have it. Rather than go out with a bang it'll probably be a whisper. Sort of like the opposite of Cobain and his Neil Young quoting sentiments.

Whilst I decide how to officially but a bullet in this here blog, I have something very special indeed.

For any Nick Drake freaks out there then you'll have heard that Warlock Music produced some sessions with other artists to highlight Drake's songwriting talent. One of these artists was Elton John (or Reg Dwight as he was then). I have 3 of the 4 tracks (I am missing Saturday Sun)... whatever you think and say about the strangeangrydiva that is the modern day Elton... "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" is a fantastic album and these versions, whilst not touching Drake's, are an interesting listen...

Day Is Done

Time Has Told Me

Way To Blue

marwood will be out of the office until october 1

2006-09-13T07:46:00.000-04:00

This may be my last post for a few days (make that weeks!) as I prepare to go to South Africa (hopefully!). Although if anything catches my eye, and I get enough time, then I'll post before I leave.

Rest assured that I will be back and stronger than ever and maybe even with a "guest blogger" by the 2nd week of October... stay tuned... and in the words of Arnold Schwarzenegger...

"I'm just going out for a pack of cigarettes"

the doctor prescribes (iLiKETRAiNS vs. sure juror)

2006-09-08T07:19:00.000-04:00

Obsessed doesn't even come close... I love iLiKETRAiNS... so by request here is there mini-album "Progress, Reform", single "Before The Curtains Close" and 2004 demo song, and current favourite, "Oh, The Humanity". How's that for an action-packed post?

Oh, I know you've got this stuff for free, but please go and buy their releases... otherwise this kind of quality will dry up and you'll be left with other blog starlets like Sure Juror (thank you brooklynvegan, you ain't no picasso etc. thanks alot... by the way... brooklynvegan [which I like sometimes] gets a fucking radio show and this is what they promote... come on... there is no competition... you should listen to it, though, just to decide for yourself)...

Progress, Reform

Terra Nova

No Military Parade

A Rook House For Bobby

Citizen

The Accident

Stainless Steel

The Beeching Report

Before The Curtains Close

Before The Curtains Close (part I)

Before The Curtains Close (part II)

2004 Demo

Oh, The Humanity

People that know me know that I'm nothing if not incredibly idle. So the fact that I've uploaded all of this means that I believe (and if I had any real way of forcing you then I would) that you should be listening to this right now... if you're still reading this you're wasting too much time... you should be on rapidshare downloading it and feeling dizzy at the thought of this much quality music entering your life all at once (or is that just me?)... trust me, I'm a doctor...

who said you can't kick hard drugs (are you paying attention doherty)?

2006-09-07T07:26:00.000-04:00

Not quite new but good nonetheless. This is from legendary Liverpool band Shack (any band that backed Arthur Lee for a bit has got to be good, yes?). It's a song from their last album "The Corner Of Miles And Gil" and it is pretty good indeed. Many, semi-informed, people will tell you that they won't top "HMS Fable"... those people are wrong and I advise that you point out their floored opinions upon next meeting them. This is "Tie Me Down". This is good.

Tie Me Down

Tomorrow's post, by request, will be the iLiKETRAiNS mini-album "Progress, Reform". Again, I don't really like posting a full record, but this can be difficult to get and I'm sure you'll buy it and support this band. They should be able to make records for years to come (obsessed doesn't even come close!).

...wood for trees, man

2006-09-06T07:00:00.000-04:00

The Voice Of The Seven Woods is essentially this guy, Rick Tomlinson (no, not the fat one from "The Royle Family"). If you like your folk with just a touch of pyschedelia then this is for you. Trouble is this is the only full track that I can (currently) get my hands on. I've heard a bit of another tune and he's on Andy Votel's Twisted Nerve label (which is now only releasing vinyl and 7" I believe) so it's all promising.

Anybody wanna help me find some tracks? I'll pay a handsome reward (I promise!)...

An Hour Before Dawn

changing of the guards?

2006-09-05T13:04:00.000-04:00

The Hokum Clones, like so many before and after, aren't around anymore (this isn't news, by the way). It is a shame. Alas, time passes and people and things move on. Which leads me to these questions... Is there a Judgment Day approaching? And who has possession over it?

Well, the Clones certainly have possession over this fairly excellent cover...

If I Had Possession Over Judgment Day

~~EDIT: Rapidshare is being difficult... I'll upload it again later...~~

DONE.

stingrays do not ♥ steve irwin

2006-09-04T07:29:00.000-04:00

Australian environmentalist and madman Steve Irwin has been killed at the hands (or tail) of a particularly nasty Stingray. Irwin was filming an underwater documentary when the Stingray barbed his chest. At this stage it is unknown if it was just a freak accident, as attacks on humans are rare, or whether Irwin was closely interacting with his killer.

Read more here

This is fairly sad, isn't it... but is it really a shock (no pun intended)?

i like iLiKETRAiNS

2006-09-04T07:27:00.000-04:00

I mentioned this band a little while ago and said that they were pretty decent. A positive appraisal even if it was a little-understated (which goes against the usual superlative-laden accounts of various bands and albums). However, after receiving a few more tunes and spending a little more time with the British Rail jacketed bunch I am a convert... great music for when it's raining outside (like it did for all of yesterday)... this stuff is very good indeed and gets better with every listen...

Go To Sleep

Day Off Work (Taking The Day)

P.S. If you need anymore tunes then post a comment and I'll upload some more.

i ♥ banksy

2006-09-04T07:25:00.000-04:00

So trendy that even Chris Morris parodies him in the booklet that comes with the "Nathan Barely" DVD... but that doesn't stop Banksy being thought-provoking, good, subversive and entertaining... I'm sure Paris Hilton thinks so (it's nice to see him branching out)

i'm so happy cos today i found some tunes

2006-09-01T07:09:00.000-04:00

Music, music, music... we have new(ish) music!

The Polyphonic Spree release their "Wait" EP on September 5th and I, for one, am looking forward to it. I make no secret of the fact that I like this band (the robes are just a bonus) and all who sail in her (just wait til you here Spree member Annie Clark's St. Vincent record [listen to "Paris Is Burning" on their myspace site]).

Here is their cover of Nirvana's "Lithium"... I believe it is the unmastered version but it's still a belter!!

I like it I'm not gonna crack

help me obi-wan kenobi you're my only hope

2006-08-29T07:20:00.000-04:00

As I said yesterday it is tough to find exciting sounds and stuff right now... so here's something else that's old... but this is just some great dialogue (and the only time you can say that about a
Lucas movie)... my favourite scene ever...

You Can't Win Darth

dj bob hoskins going mental in a dustbin

2006-08-28T06:37:00.000-04:00

Is there any truly exciting new music out there? Well, is there? If there is then I can't find much of it. The best thing that I've heard recently is the band iLiKETRAiNS and if you like Sigur Ros and music of that ilk then, sonically, it's not all that new. I read blogs and hear of Beirut and Tapes 'n Tapes and whilst they're alright they're not GREAT!

As a result I am in a heavy Chris Morris watching phase. Triggered by finally getting to see Nathan Barley. I have posted Morris before but this video is a quick career recap and his effects on the British media.

I will post some good music as soon as I find it and hopefully regular updates will return.

like terrorists on a day of rest...

2006-08-23T09:59:00.000-04:00

I don't much like posting full albums because I only wish to tempt you little children into my house of music and then lead you off to the shops to purchase the albums for yourself. However, since I haven't posted much lately I will make an exception and post this... the new Kasabian album in full... I haven't listened to it yet but, rest assured, when I do I will darn well blog about it... enjoy (I hope!)...

Download "Empire" here

football, soccer, futball

2006-08-22T07:58:00.000-04:00

Just a quick one today in the form of a series of updates:

The English Premier League (EPL) kicked off this past weekend with Newcastle taking all three points against Wigan... if anyone can point me in the internet-based direction of the goals then I would greatly appreciate it

New York won the first Homeless USA Cup and the US National Team was announced... for updates go here

Newcastle will complete the signing of 21/28 year-old Nigerian striker Obafemi Martins from Inter for $20.5 million within the next few days (hopefully)

I'll be back tomorrow (or Wednesday) with some music, videos and possibly some leaks...

away days

2006-08-14T07:07:00.000-04:00

I'm away this week so I'll leave you with a mix CD that I cobbled together. You can't take each song individually because I was too lazy to upload them all, instead they're all in a nice .RAR file. Listen.

1. Hello Sunshine - Super Furry Animals
2. Has It Come To This - The Streets
3. Little Bitch - The Specials
4. Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood - The Animals
5. Hell Is Round The Corner - Tricky
6. Poison - The Prodigy
7. Blue Monday - New Order
8. The Reverse Midas Touch - Alfie
9. Parasite - Nick Drake
10. The Shepard - PG Six
11. The Beast And Dragon, Adored - Spoon
12. Fell In Love With A Girl (acoustic) - The White Stripes
13. Lawyers, Guns and Money - Warren Zevon
14. Fade Away (Warchild version) - Oasis

marwood is out of the office and will return Monday 21st August

nowt

2006-08-11T09:28:00.000-04:00

You may want to look at another page because there's nothing here today. Sorry! Be back Monday. Have a good weekend.

cor blimey mrs. jones...

2006-08-10T07:07:00.000-04:00

I love the Small Faces and, if you don't, you should probably consider starting a love-affair with them. I dare you to resist Steve Marriott's voice... go on...

Anyway, convention would have it that I post a Small Faces song, yes? Well... er... I'm not going to do that! Instead, here are a few other people who love the Small Faces too (Messrs Gallagher, Weller and Gem) covering "Here Comes The Nice".

If you like the video here's the mp3.

Listen to this and then go to amazon.com so you can buy and hear the original

faux Russian lesbo-pop meet rude boys...

2006-08-09T07:16:00.000-04:00

There are few things in this world that I like more than faux Russian lesbo-pop and skinny English kids in button-down shirts playing Specials-and-Weller influenced guitar tunes.

If only there was a way of fusing those two things together?

Well Color Me Badd I can die a happy man now because here it is. The Ordinary Boys performing the t.A.T.u song "All The Things She Said"...

those girls aren't really lesbians they were just pretending to sell records

unlucky tuesday

2006-08-08T10:37:00.000-04:00

I ain't got nothing today... so here's a clip from "Lucky Louis"... it's on HBO and it's good. Simple.

pay close attention...

2006-08-07T10:29:00.000-04:00

Some completely random and unrelated things today.

Firstly, Arthur Lee died on August 3rd. Lee and his band Love are responsible for one of the most sonically pleasing and lyrically dark albums ever made. If you don't own "Forever Changes" stop reading right now and go and buy it. Don't buy it on iTunes either, this is one that you must own in its entirety... not just the digital code. I'll post some Love stuff this week so stay tuned.

Wherever you are, do what you can to help this organisation www.streetsoccer.org. Or any other one. Go on.

Finally, as "Empire" has grown on me considerably (Stereogum and the like can fuck themselves with their indier-than-thou appraisal of the track) I'm on a Kasabian kick. This is from the BBC Radio 1 Live Lounge. It is old. It is fun. Tonight Matthew, Kasabian are The Prodigy.

Out of Space

all your power

2006-08-04T07:35:00.000-04:00

So yesterday I posted something new-ish that is exciting, so today I'll post something older... well from an older band anyway.

This is a slow and sombre version of the Flaming Lips' "Yeah Yeah Yeah Song" from their "At War With The Mystics" album. I love the Flaming Lips... especially as I'm in a playthesparkthatbledeveryday phase... and I love the noise that they make and how strange and beautiful it all is but... when you hear their songs presented like this (acoustic guitar, voice) it is very easy to think "does anyone write a more beautiful, magical, logical, and poignant a song as Coyne and co.?"... I think not.

Yeah Yeah Yeah Song (sad version)

the same thing we do every night, pinky...

2006-08-03T21:00:00.000-04:00

I've made a fair few posts about Jamie T but seeing that my hero is "The Brain" (of "Pinky and The Brain" fame) stopping before domination is mine (or Jamie's) is not on the agenda!

To be honest, I could post video after video of this boy because he is that good. Here's one in the "classic" style... just him and an acoustic bass... because he's now touring with a full band (from what I've seen it sounds good though).

"If You've Got The Money"

His debut album should be out this year and I can't wait. Even though, right now, there are loads of new bands, there isn't much that is truly exciting. Obviously every mp3 blog will disagree, but it is true. There is some decent stuff about but Jamie T is producing the most exciting stuff for miles around. Don't believe me? Listen to "Back In The Game" and "Sheila".

If anyone wants any mp3's, leave a message and I'll point you in the direction of loads of them.

car parks can be beautiful too...

2006-08-02T10:46:00.000-04:00

If all car parks were filled with such beauty and were as surreal as this wouldn't parking (and driving!) be so much better? Hey, I might even be able to parallel park if that was the case?

and where's the blood?

2006-08-01T11:34:00.001-04:00

Here's the new Thom Yorke video for "Harrowdown Hill".

Brilliant song.

Good visuals.

Nice.

god willing...

2006-08-01T07:07:00.000-04:00

Where I live the temperature is going to feel like 114° C today... insanity... I'm posting this early before I start crying at how hot it is... so... here are 2 completely unrelated tunes... the 1st one, "Dead Leaves On The Dirty Ground" is obviously a White Stripes cover. This one courtesy of The Cardigans' Nina Persson via her new movie Om Gud Vill. Decent if unspectacular.

The 2nd one is the new studio version of the Arctic Monkeys "Leave Before The Lights Come On"... does anyone think that they need a huge break? This one sounds tired and forced to me. I mean, it's alright, but not very strong... take a holiday, man...

Dead Leaves On The Dirty Ground

Leave Before The Lights Come On

If I find anything better than this today then I'll post it too... oh... and I know you know but... Mel Gibson is a drunk prick...

wake up cos i don't wanna fight with you no more...

2006-07-31T10:36:00.000-04:00

So Kasabian have recently returned and are currently topping the NME chart... this is the title track from their new album "Empire" and whilst it is decent enough and it contains the bobbing and weaving that you'd come to expect it lacks that bombastic punch combination that have been their trademark... still looking forward to the album though... I'll give you the B-side aswell. Whilst "Black Whistler" is not a single it's probably a better tune and I definitely like it alot... although that may have something to do with the mood etc. that I'm in right now...

Empire

Black Whistler

EDIT: 2nd link fixed

EDIT: After the myriad of mistakes in the post... it won't happen again (promise!)... I have listened to "Empire" constantly and it is a grower... I think I just wanted something more akin to "Club Foot"...

blogging, dogging, jogging...

2006-07-28T07:03:00.000-04:00

So I'm slowly starting to get back into this blogging thing (not to be confused with Stan Collymore's pastime of "dogging")... an old reference but what did you expect, a joke about "jogging"?

...so to end the week (although maybe I'll post over the weekend to keep momentum and all that!) here's a fairly new Stephen Fretwell song "Darling Don't"... it was shown on Irish TV a few months back but as I can't get it out of my head I thought I'd post it... hey, I may even convert it to mp3 if anyone wants it... enjoy and have a nice weekend...

dane cook steals jokes and i steal posts...

2006-07-27T08:16:00.000-04:00

I don't know how many of you are familiar with either Dane Cook or Louis CK so this may or may not be interesting.

Dane Cook is probably the biggest comedian in America right now (that is in no way an endorsement of talent) and Louis CK's brilliant HBO sitcom, "Lucky Louis" is running right now. Now, Cook can be pretty funny but there was always something about him that made him appear to be a little untrustworthy... his stuff just doesn't seem truthful in the way that Bill Hicks or any other really good (or in that case, great!) comedian does... anyway, this mp3 is a mix of 3 jokes from Louis CK's stand-up set from 2001 and from Cook's in 2003... is Dane Cook a thief? Probably.

Dane Cook Steals Jokes

P.S. This was brought to my attention by www.redban.com... the irony of me telling you about a thief whilst stealing the story from another site is not lost on me, don't worry...

i'm the decider and i decide what is best...

2006-07-26T09:22:00.000-04:00

I'm a little behind on this... but I've been away... and this won't get much radio play so you may miss it... years ago Jarvis Cocker was in a band called Pulp... they were really popular in the mid 90's and everyone loved them... I didn't really... then they released "This Is Hardcore" and their popularity waned... I actually liked this album more than any of their others... anyway... Cocker is returning and this is the first taste of things to come...

... this may have the most apt chorus of any song ever...

Cunts Are Still running The World

bye bye colnbrook, west hampstead, willesden green, the quayside, cullercoats, monkseaton and tynemouth...

2006-07-25T15:43:00.000-04:00

Hello... oh yes thanks... and yourself... good, good... oh, don't mind if I do... thanks... ahh that's better... oh yes, very good... this should do just the trick...

It's been a fair while since anything of note was posted on this here blog, and oh so many things are different... I shan't bore you with the details of why no posts... instead... I'll get stuck into some of the things I've been hearing since we last met...

Some old, some new...

Jamie T "Do You Have The Time?"... I was meant to see the boy when I was in London a few weeks ago... alas... I fucked up... now I'll have to scramble for tickets with everyone else when he becomes HUGE... which he will...

Razorlight "In The Morning"... fantastically addictive single from their new album (which I haven't heard yet!)... my prediction is that whilst not quite becoming the global phenomenon that Borrell wants, they'll become sort of a Supergrass-type band... consistently making quality records for years to come...

XTC "Dear God"... for moments of quiet reflection or raging anger... take your pick...

Syd Barrett "Gigalo Aunt"... listened to this, and the rest of "Barrett", constantly on the tube in London... then he died... topical...

The Kooks "She Moves In Her Own Way"... huge poptastic single from these young'ens... so dirty and sugary it might just rot your teeth away if you listen more than once... however, everyone needs a big fucking summer song... this pick was inspired by some pretty fucking inspiring people...

Right... hopefully, I'll get back into the swing of this blogging thing...

...you can't win, Darth...

2006-07-23T14:50:00.000-04:00

I haven't forgotten about this, or died, or quit, or died, or retired etc.

I will hopefully have a new post up by the weekend and I'll try and pack it with cool new stuff... just keep your fingers crossed that comcast get their act together and set up my new internet connection... be patient boys and girls...

... last time we met I was but the learner. Now, I am the master...

it's far from baltic up here

2006-07-03T11:44:00.000-04:00

No posts for weeks and that ain't gonna change for about another week or so while I continue to get up to all kinds of fun stuff whilst on holiday... but keep checking cos there'll be some good stuff in a few weeks time... keep on keeping on...

i'm down with the wrongest thing in town

2006-06-16T08:46:00.000-04:00

As I'll be living in a cold world for the next few days (until I go on my holidays!) I thought I'd post this... it came out last year in England and was released in the US on May 9th as part of the "Human Body" EP... the band are Electric Soft Parade... and I think they're very good... chugging, and bouncy, and poppy, and hugely enjoyable...

Cold World

They are returning with a new album, their 3rd, in the Autumn... in the meantime check out 2002's "Holes In The Wall" and 2003's "The American Adventure"... trust me... you'll enjoy both of these albums...

george bush hates blind people

2006-06-15T09:36:00.000-04:00

This is a clip from Wednesday's White House press conference. The only thing you need to know about this clip is that the reporter asking the question, Peter Wallstein, is legally blind...

... let "The Decider" do his work...

FreeUniversalCreativeKharma

2006-06-15T07:00:00.000-04:00

I appear to be alone in this but I actually enjoy Patrick Mimran's billboards on W24th, 25th and 26th Streets in Chelsea.

Every Friday for about the last 6 months I've tried to remember his name in an effort to find out more about him... I always get sidetracked by the football match that I am always about to play in and... it's Friday night...

However, this week I remembered... Mimran is a French artist who works with paint, music, photography and whatever else he can get his hands on... I haven't seen much, and I know that these billboards fuck alot of people off, but hey it's decent... and I love anything that uses "advertising space" to advertise anything other than a product (although I know it could be argued that he is, in fact, advertising himself... I prefer in my wishy-washy liberal utopian world to think of him as "advertising ideas"!)

The billboards, especially the recent ones (of which I don't have pictures) focus on the art world, the gallery scene and the perceptions of both... I like.

johnny

2006-06-14T09:36:00.000-04:00

A few months ago I was "challenged" to see if I could get this... it is an album of remixes from the 1997 Sigur Rós record "Von" called "Von Brigði (recycle bin)"... and was only ever released in Iceland.

The album includes one song by Sigur Rós themselves, "leit af lífi", which was intended for "Von" but wasn't mixed in time.

So the "high quality" posts continue... at least I think they do... don't say that I don't give you nowt...

syndir guðs (recycled by biogen)

syndir guðs (recycled by múm)

leit af lífi (recycled by plasmic)

myrkur (recycled by ilo)

myrkur (recycled by dirty-bix)

180 sekúndur fyrir sólarupprás (recycled by curver)

hún jörð (recycled by hassbræður)

leit af lífi (recycled by thor)

von (recycled by gus gus)

leit af lífi (recycled by sigur rós)

1966

2006-06-09T11:09:00.000-04:00

It begins... oh yes...

To celebrate 1 month of the best football around, and because it's very good indeed, here is the new Thom Yorke album. The sadness of the album should nicely offset the joy of the World Cup...

and it rained all night

harrowdown hill

cymbal rush

Remember... be good and buy it when it is released... promise? Okay. Good. Now go and enjoy the scary man's music like good little boys and girls...

if you've already downloaded holler, wild rose! then download this (thom yorke's solo album has leaked!)...

2006-06-08T15:44:00.000-04:00

"Only things of the highest quality" is what I said and I was not lying... I procured the new Thom Yorke solo album "The Eraser" today and after giving it a few listens I fear it's as good as I thought and hoped it would be (rhythmic, lyrically opaque, although with less of Jonny's musical flourishes)... I'll try and post a full review and maybe a few more tracks tomorrow when I've devoted enough time to it... here is the 1st track... brilliant...

the eraser

... while you're waiting why don't you check out The Guardian's World Cup Fantasy Football Game? ... and if you wish to join a "friends league" and I haven't already invited you, leave a message and I'll give you the link...

holler, a new post!

2006-06-05T07:00:00.000-04:00

As you may have noticed posting has been sporadic, at best, as of late. Unfortunately, this will continue for a month or so as the avenues of life, work, summer holibobs and the World Cup continue to twist and turn. I will endeavour to post as much as I possibly can (Funk-Cracker I may need your machine-related assistance?).

Anyway, to offset this semi-regular posting I will turn the filter up and only post things of the highest quality (I promise!).

To kick things off we have a band you may not have heard of; they are "Holler, Wild Rose!" and are currently finishing recording their debut album. This song, whilst not my absolute favourite by them (just you wait for "Captive Train"!) is featured on a new compilation called "Other Songs and Dances Vol.1" which I would recommend picking up... this is good if you're in an especially Funk-Crackery inspired mood (d'yer know what I mean?)...

Victory Shine

P.S. If anyone can tell me who the lead singer reminds me of then I'll give you a prize or something...

things i know about the funk-cracker

2006-05-29T06:00:00.000-04:00

In the last week there have been one or two posts referencing the most mythical of all characters, the blogger named The Funk-Cracker. Well, even though this should be my last post on the subject (as I fear that it has already gotten out-of-hand), let me fill you all in on where this individual came from.

I first met Mr. Funk-Cracker many years ago when he was introduced to me by another friend. It was apparent from the way he stood and the piss stains on his trousers that this individual was a little unusual to say the least. However, on that fateful day the thing that was even more shocking than the urine stains were the first words out of his mouth... "Has anybody seen the movie Flashdance?... it's superfantastiche!" he then proceeded to clap and whoop in a manner that led me to believe he was choking and/or gagging.

Why I allowed this person to continue talking to me is a question I still ponder today. However, if the introduction wasn't odd enough, as the years passed the behaviour got more and more bizarre. Whether it be giving foot massages to dinner ladies, writing science-fiction based poetry, or stealing from the blind the incidents were always either rank and/or tragic. However, throughout this his judgment of myself became all the more harsh. Maybe because I refused to enter his world of depravity and decay.

I doubt I will ever know the answer. I doubt he even knows the answer.

To ensure the brief portrait of this scallywag is complete I will leave you with this. I have known the Funk-Cracker for over 10 years... yet the only girl I have EVER seen him with was known only, and for very good reason, as

The Predator.

Over and Out.

noir comme mon ame

2006-05-26T06:00:00.000-04:00

Final post of the week and I'm sure this will upset at least one semi-regular reader of this blog (I'm looking at you, Bez)... anyway... it was Bob Dylan's birthday on Wednesday and Paul Weller's birthday yesterday so, hey, why not combine those two events in one post?

Since I don't know of any occasions when Dylan has covered Weller I will leave you with the opposite... I know you've all heard a million Dylan cover versions but this is it actually good... why else would it be here...

I Shall Be Released

snarling wolfishness

2006-05-25T12:35:00.000-04:00

I always attempt to keep this blog informative and/or entertaining and/or amusing for the masses!

However, it is, at times, littered with references for certain individuals...

...this is one of those times...

... for my oh-so-quiet blogger friend The Funk-Cracker ... is this what you mean?

this note's for you

2006-05-25T10:21:00.000-04:00

Whichever way you look at it Neil Young is great... this track is from his latest album "Living With War" and can't recommend it highly enough.

Why does it appear that nobody from my generation is singing songs like this? Is everyone too busy buying diamonds or listening to fucking Gnarls Barkley?

I imagine that this is what Lennon meant when he said he wanted to record songs that were like newspapers... Lyrically brilliant...

Lookin' For A Leader

P.S. Is Bright Eyes not meant to be doing stuff like this? I know he did "When The President Talks To God" which was pretty decent... but as "the voice of his generation" is that output not a little lacking? Or maybe I'm out of touch and nobody gives a fuck?

... Okay... it's just me then...

inner meet me, oh you can't decide

2006-05-24T06:00:00.000-04:00

I have a confession to make... I recently stated to some friends and acquaintances, both in person and via email, that I thought the new King Biscuit Time album "Black Gold" was disappointing.

Yes I did.

However, after listening to the album on Friday night whilst surrounded by the very essence that is the Funk-Cracker I heard this song and the whole album clicked into place. Buy it.

I was wrong. I was very wrong.

To the people that witnessed this shockingly premature analysis... I am sorry... forgive me for such an error of judgment... I know I shouldn't have doubted Mason's ability (even if he is crazy!)...

Impossible Ride

P.S. Steve Mason is apparently doing alright again now and the KBT tour will be rescheduled...

to say something clever is crucial

2006-05-23T11:47:00.000-04:00

Reverend and the Makers... I think the guy, The Reverend aka Reverend John Rarsclart aka Jon McClure, is a big influence on the Arctic Monkeys... as a result they've toured with them and all that stuff... however, this is good in its own right...the track comes from their "10 Songs" demo and I must say it's pretty decent...

Heavyweight Champion of the World

Get on it before the bandwagon leaves town...

nano's gonna get boted

2006-05-22T06:15:00.000-04:00

The nanobots have been working again, scurrying about throughout t'internet, to add to the slew of Radiohead tracks from the other day... so here are two more... I think they are opening with "Videotape" at the moment (although I could be wrong!)...

Nude

Videotape

every brother is a star, every sister is a star

2006-05-19T06:59:00.000-04:00

Primal Scream have returned... and have they returned! Their new album "Riot City Blues" harks back to their "Give Out But Don't Give Up" days... I will say that upon hearing this fact, and their first single "Country Girl", I was a bit worried... however...

HAVE NO FEAR.

The album is really fucking good... yes it's fairly straight up bluesy rock 'n' roll... but, unlike their previous foray into this genre, it totally works (no "funk" jams you see)...

Here's my favourite track so far (although "We're Gonna Boogie" is high on the list)

Little Death

nano-midgetry

2006-05-18T07:00:00.000-04:00

May doesn't appear to agree with me or this blog... sporadic posts and false promises... my apologies...

So "Radiohead Week" didn't quite get off the ground, did it?

Well, let me tell you what I was doing whilst I was meant to be posting Radiohead tracks... I gathered together a band of super nano-midgets, armed them with lists and satchels and told them to dig around in the interweb and bring me some live versions of all of the new Radiohead songs so we can all decide which is the best one... and guess what? I think the little blighters did just that... so here they are... in one place so you don't have to hunt...

Arpeggi

Go Slowly

Bangers N' Mash

4 Minute Warning

Open Pick

15 Step

Spooks

Bodysnatchers

House of Cards

I sort of wish that I could just wait for the album, as the quality of these isn't great (you get the idea though), but I'm an impatient fucker, so what the hey?
My two penneth... I can't wait to here "15 Step" on record cos it sounds fucking MEGA!

something for the rag-and-bone man

2006-05-15T07:01:00.000-04:00

Maybe we'll call this "Radiohead Week" and have some cool mp3-related content every day?

Yes/No?

Why?

Because they're playing new material all over the place (more of that later) and because Thom Yorke is gonna release a solo album, The Eraser, on July 11!

To get things kicked off, here's an acoustic version of Street Spirit

stand up if you love shearer

2006-05-12T15:48:00.000-04:00

Alan Shearer finished his playing career yesterday by scoring a last minute penalty against Celtic to win his testimonial game 3-2 for Newcastle United.

I've said it before and I will continue to say it... he is a fucking LEGEND!

Ill-informed people will say "surely he must regret not signing for ManU cos he didn't win anything at Newcastle" and I will say "you don't know what you're talking about... every Geordie kid dreams of playing number 9 for Newcastle, not becoming a professional footballer, playing number 9 for Newcastle... Shearer himself said that he lived the dream"... inevitably this will lead to some look of confusion spreading across their faces as this concept of playing for your hometown club being more important than money etc. is alien to them...

Shearer loves Newcastle. Newcastle loves Shearer. The video says it all...

intercoco pops

2006-05-09T07:00:00.000-04:00

So it turned out fine in the end, didn't it? The Premier League season is finally over and Newcastle, after a Souness induced nightmare start to the season, finished a very respectable 7th place. This Roeder-managed turnaround now means that qualification for next seasons UEFA Cup via the Intertoto Cup will start on July 15.

It's better than nowt.

That should halt the rumoured release-clause in Michael Owen's contract and stop him fucking off to greener pastures. Instead he can show the Gallowgate the kind of goalscoring ability that $31 million is meant to buy!

... hopefully...

the big fish eat the little ones

2006-05-08T07:00:00.000-04:00

I'm back! Just one more essay and one more exam and I'm done for the summer. Fuck yeah!

Anyway, here's something that you may or may not have heard for yer Monday morning... it is also to commiserate over the fact that I didn't get Radiohead tickets for their Philadelphia show and they're now on eBay for $300... anybody wanna help me out?

Radiohead - Cinnamon Girl

... I'll get tickets if it's the last thing I do...

get miles away, get miles away

2006-05-06T06:00:00.000-04:00

Normal service will resume on Monday. Sorry. I fucking hate exams and work and blah blah blah...

Play nice.

By the way...McClaren as England manager... remember way back when? Could see this coming a mile off...

lion of gosforth

2006-05-02T08:42:00.000-04:00

Updates will probably be sporadic due to finals etc... so here's a picture of Aln Shearer scoring his final goal for Newcastle in their 4-1 demolition of arch-rivals Sunderland from a few weeks ago. I meant to post a few other things in tribute but it sort of got away from me... anyway, his playing career is now over... apart from kicking off his testimonial in a weeks time.

Legend. Legend. Legend.

in order to avoid becoming a "prison bitch"

2006-04-27T07:01:00.000-04:00

It is about to be passed into law in Britain that you must love Gnarls Barkley... so... whilst I don't quite love them, this is my attempt to fool the authorities into thinking that I do in order to avoid a possible jail sentence and the ensuing "rough, yet loving" relationship that would inevitably follow...

This is from their St. Elsewhere album and whilst it's not the best thing on there (although the album is far from great, it is decent. Were you expecting anything more from Danger Mouse and Cee-Lo?) it is the only Violent Femmes cover... and whilst I'm not really a fan of that band either I do like this song...

Gone Daddy Gone

fuck for fuck's sake

2006-04-26T06:00:00.000-04:00

Fuck this, this and this... it's turning into one of those weeks... here's a cheerful little tune to lighten the mood...

Black Eyed Dog by Nick Drake

verbwhores

2006-04-25T07:00:00.000-04:00

I watched "American Dreamz" over the weekend... for a PG-13 movie starring Hugh Grant it wasn't actually too bad... it did make me think of that insanely-good-satirist-or-just-downright-insane... Chris Morris.

Here is a video from his "bushwhacked" series... slightly tamer for TV so I'll post an mp3 of the good stuff too...

Bushwhacked (original)

...for those who don't know Chris Morris... check out the BBC series "The Day Today" or Channel 4's "Brasseye" and "Jam"... they are brilliant... alternatively check out youtube.com for some other clips...

the banana: an atheist's nightmare

2006-04-24T09:03:00.000-04:00

I had to post this cos it's brilliant... if any of you were having any doubts about the existence of God... well... here is resounding proof that He exists... I expect to see you all in church this Sunday...

banana's are fun to prove things with

i am kloot and so is my wife

2006-04-24T07:00:00.000-04:00

In honour of the fact that a storm has recently freed me from the tyranny of nonsense that constitutes my job and the fact that I've just discovered this on, yes, you've guessed it, youtube.com and because this band is fucking MEGA... here is a live video of "Storm Warning" by I Am Kloot...

...brilliant...

i love amazon.com

2006-04-20T06:00:00.000-04:00

Amazon.com is brilliant! Just when I thought my procrastination was going to get the better of me and I was to be severely punished... t'internet comes through!

I have had about 2 months to read "The Great Fire Of London: In That Apocalyptic Year, 1666" and write a paper on it. It is due on Friday. I went to Barnes & Noble yesterday to buy the book and, after searching every store they have within a 30 mile radius, I drew a blank. The book is out of print.

So it appeared that I was fucked... I drove home to check to see if I could get some special delivery copy from amazon and would-you-believe-it but they had it in e-book format and it was delivered to my desktop within minutes! Praise be! I didn't even know e-books existed...

Basically... no real post today so I would recommend going and buying something from amazon... hopefully back tomorrow...

filthyfuckingcokewhore

2006-04-19T07:00:00.000-04:00

Jack White's Coca-Cola advert... another one off the list... oh well, the last White Stripes album was shite anyway...

the passion of the manc

2006-04-18T07:00:00.000-04:00

According to Black Grape "... Jesus was a black man" although it was also claimed that he was "Batman" before they realised "...no, no, no that was Bruce Wayne". Whatever the truth is... if he was a geezer in Manchester in 2006, conducting the last supper from a burger van, and a fan of musical theatre, then maybe he would've acted like this...

... the clip is from BBC3's presentation of "Manchester's Passion"... a modern re-telling of the crucifixion story using songs from Manchester's rich musical heritage... oh yes...

fucking t'internet

2006-04-17T09:40:00.000-04:00

Aaarrgghhh... the post I wanted to do won't fucking work... so here is something else... it fits with my sick obsession with cover versions but I'll leave it to you to decide how good this is... the Yeah Yeah Yeah's do Bjork's Hyperballad... I know, I know...

Hyperballad

100 n.o. (yet)

2006-04-14T15:56:00.000-04:00

100 posts... I didn't think I'd get this far... maybe it's time to bow out?

Anyway, for Ms. Hostile, here is Juana Molina (who actually sounds pretty ace)... don't know much about her... but I'm sure you'll all enjoy it... at the very least someone with a "cat o'nine tails" will...

Tres Cosas

i felt your cruelty

2006-04-14T07:00:00.000-04:00

After repeated listening, Gomez's "How We Operate" is faring quite well... I'm gradually falling in love with it and am starting to think that it may be full of classic Gomez tunes... so to finish the week here is the song that I simply can't get enough of right now...

Charley Patton Songs

... have a good weekend... should be lots of fun stuff around next week...

better walk on by, better walk on through

2006-04-13T07:00:00.000-04:00

I "acquired" the new Gomez album a few days ago, "How We Operate", and it's pretty good... I think, as has been the pattern of late, Ian Ball's songs are the strongest whilst some of the others are a little dull... oh well... I still dig Gomez and I think I always will (I have just had a heavy "Army Dub" listening phase!)... anyway, fans of a band-from-Manchester-who-used-to-specialise-in-dance-music-but-now-specialise-in-greatness may find the next track a little familiar...

Hamoa Beach

... I actually don't think Gomez even attempt to hide the influence...

in bed in sleep heaven, alone cos my girl leaves at 7

2006-04-12T07:00:00.000-04:00

The Raconteurs (or is that The Saboteurs?) album, "Broken Boy Soldiers", is exactly what you'd expect... enjoyable and decent without being Benson's or White's best songs... then again, I don't even think that the last White Stripes album were Jack's best songs (or at least I hope they weren't - how the mighty have fallen?)... so here are a couple of my favourites (after a few listens)... I would post the whole album but that would be wrong...

Level

Yellow Sun

you can't live and never love and never give

2006-04-11T07:01:00.000-04:00

Here's another track from Stephen Fretwell... not a new one... but rather one that is a little more difficult to find (thank you to Jennifer for this)... I think it's one of his best...

Something's Got To Give

watching all the people die

2006-04-10T07:00:00.000-04:00

Fow Fow Fow Banksy... the boy is at it again... this time with an old fashioned red telephone box beaten to a bloody pulp... whilst I think it's good I'll stop short of using BT's description of it "... a stunning visual comment on BT's transformation from an old-fashioned telecommunications company into a modern communications services provider"... fucking nonsense!

... if anyone gets the relevance of the title, post it in the comments and I'll send you a prize (although I'll have to decide what it'll be... perhaps an Easter egg to commemorate the death and resurrection of The Christ?)...

a house is not a home

2006-04-07T06:15:00.000-04:00

The last post of the week and another "Bez" themed one for those in the know... and if you're not in the know well it doesn't matter cos it's a cracking little song anyway... from the criminally under-rated album "Us and Us Only" by The Charlatans...

I Don't Care Where You Live

... listen...

P.S. Has Burgess written better lyrics than this?

old fuddy duddy

2006-04-07T06:05:00.000-04:00

I don't usually vent spleen but...

... why are some people such pricks?
And why do those people have to either employ you or live in the same house as you?
Why can't they just fuck off?
Why are they invariably ginger?
Why do they have undergraduate degrees in stretching or some other such nonsense yet walk around with an air of superiority?
Why is grass green?
Is it really green?
Or did we just invent that?
Why am I asking you?

Apologies.

Real post to follow.

don't go down to doledrums

2006-04-06T07:00:00.000-04:00

Gil Scott-Heron. Legend. Legend. Legend. This is currently my favourite track (changing daily I might add) from the amazing "Pieces Of A Man" album...

Lady Day and John Coltrane

I post some dodgy stuff on here but I can't recommend this highly enough... if you've never heard it before (I'm sure you have) listen, buy, enjoy... fucking B.R.I.L.L.I.A.N.T.

... more soon...

bez

2006-04-05T14:58:00.000-04:00

Like sunlight through the trees, a cold drink of water on a hot day or waking up with nothing to do... some things are just fucking good... this is one of them... Terry Callier singing on a new Massive Attack tune...

Live With Me

zzzZZZzzz

2006-04-05T07:01:00.000-04:00

I ain't got nothing guvnor, honest.

Only nightmares. Lots and lots of nightmares. Here's a picture of Iceland. Looks nice, doesn't it? Aah. Maybe one day.

I'll post something soon. I said Gil Scott-Heron, didn't I?

fackin' munkeys

2006-04-03T09:47:00.000-04:00

Right, this is the last Arctic Monkeys post for a while... I promise... anyway, here's another radio rip from the "Who The Fuck Are Arctic Monkeys" EP... this time it's "Despair In The Departure Lounge"...

... some Gil Scott-Heron and the like on the way soon...

bring on the backlash

2006-03-30T08:00:00.000-05:00

For the impatient ones... here's the title track, and what appears to be the stand-out new song, from the "Who The Fuck Are Arctic Monkeys" EP. The others are decent ("Cigarette Smoker Fiona" is predictably "Cigarette Smoke" from the demos only with new lyrics) but this bodes well for future releases... anyway... I thought this would just be a throwaway instrumental or something but I was wrong... it is fucking ACE! And the lyrics are as good as any they've done.

This version is a high quality rip from Zane Lowe's excellent Radio 1 show... Enjoy...

Who The Fuck Are Arctic Monkeys

what time's the bus come?

2006-03-29T07:01:00.000-05:00

"Who The Fuck Are Arctic Monkeys" is the new EP from the aforementioned band and will be released on 24 April. The tracklisting is:

1. A View From The Afternoon
2. Cigarette Smoker Fiona
3. Despair In The Departure Lounge
4. No Buses
5. Who The Fuck Are Arctic Monkeys

But for those of you who can't wait for some fresh meat... here's a great live version (from NPR) of another newie... "Leaving Before The Lights Come On"

... and if you really can't wait then I might have a little treat for you a little later on...

nowt else deeing...

2006-03-28T11:31:00.000-05:00

I don't much like the Rolling Stones... although they have written a couple of tunes... and I sort of quite like The Concretes... however, I really like this version of "Miss You"... it certainly errs on the Cat-Power-does-Satisfaction side of things but that is a good, good thing...

... if you like the sound of The Concretes check out the Greenspace link at the side of the page... some of their stuff reminds me of it...

they're creepy and they're kooky

2006-03-27T08:02:00.000-05:00

New music for your Monday morning. This time courtesy of Gomez who will release their 7th album "How We Operate" on May 2nd. Here is a live version of the title track and, whilst I'm not floored by it, it is good and I have a feeling it's a "grower" (in the non-Sheiling sense of the word!)... get on it...

How We Operate (live @ kexp)

...

2006-03-24T08:00:00.000-05:00

I watched the distinctly Barry Average Radiohead documentary "Meeting People Is Easy" the other day and it reminded me of this song by Drugstore (with Thom Yorke)...

...and in today's climate...

...no words needed...

El President

get yer skins together

2006-03-23T08:00:00.000-05:00

I mentioned The Stairs a couple of days ago... so I thought I'd post a song cos they're fucking great and their album "Mexican R'n'B" is excellent! This is also a tribute to The Funk-Cracker and his newest creation...

Weed Bus

it's a good thing time is up, i don't wanna talk to you anymore.

2006-03-22T08:00:00.000-05:00

As The Sopranos has returned to our screens and because the opening episodes have been brilliant (particularly the last one) here is the song that closed episode 2. I will refrain from discussing how excellently this song was used... just enjoy... it's good on its own (especially if you're having one of those days)...

When It's Cold I'd Like To Die

we might just break can you see us crying?

2006-03-21T08:05:00.000-05:00

I'm a bit pushed for time and I've got some good mp3's to throw your way a little later on so I thought I'd throw this one in. I finally got to see that Munch exhibition at MoMA and it was brilliant! If anyone gets a chance to go... take it... I can't recommend it enough (I think I'll get to it a few more times)... anyway, don't rely on my opinion... if any of the above pictures take your fancy then you'll love it... and if not... then you probably won't like it so stay at home or go somewhere else or something...

jones(jones)

2006-03-20T08:05:00.000-05:00

Edgar 'Jones' Jones used to be in legendary Liverpool band The Stairs. They made jazzy-psychedelic-smoke til you sleep-music. Edgar 'Jones' Jones released "Soothing Music For Stray Cats" in 2005. It is an album filled with jazzy-psychedelic-smoke til you sleep-music. I love it and you will too (if you can find it that is!). Try this...

Oh Man That's Some Shit

the 136 word story of the libertines

2006-03-17T08:05:00.000-05:00

Back when Pete Doherty and Carl Barat were talking and Pete was only using crack, smack etc. on a semi-regular basis they recorded some demos. They used a drum machine. Some of them sounded good, some a bit dodgy. They tidied them up with the help of Mick Jones of The Clash (even though Bernard Butler had produced their best work) and released them as part of their "Up The Bracket" debut album. It was good. They then went on to become the darlings of the British music scene, Pete dated (is dating!) a supermodel and plunged into petty crime, deep drug-addiction and sometimes inspired tune-writing and Carl formed "Dirty Pretty Things", a Libertines tribute band... they all lived, and died, happily/sadly ever after... here are those aforementioned demos which started the whole shebang off!

Time For Heroes (demo)

I Get Along (demo)

Horrorshow (demo)

Boys In The Band (demo)

the kings of aciiiiiiiid house

2006-03-16T08:00:00.000-05:00

If you looked up "Acid House Kings" in a dictionary that carried and defined that particular term then you would certainly not get these 4 Swedes. However, if you were to read a blog with title "the kings of aciiiiiiiid house" then you would get these 4 Swedes and their lovelybouncydisco-y song "Tonight Is Forever"... guaranteed to brighten up a depressing Thursday morning/afternoon...

not in the same way

2006-03-14T11:24:00.000-05:00

OK so here's a link to the Arctic Monkeys videos from SNL (there's also some other decent ones on there)... not quite youtube.com but they're there...

you probably couldn't see the videos cos they were removed by youtube.com but you were staring straight at them

2006-03-13T21:43:00.000-05:00

My apologies... It appears as though the Arctic Monkeys' SNL performance has been removed from youtube.com... oh well, I'm on it and as soon as I can find them again, I'll upload...

that man just yawned

2006-03-13T08:15:00.000-05:00

Alex Turner usually looks fairly disaffected whilst singing but he looks downright bored during this... do you blame him? He is on SNL... anyway, it still doesn't stop the song being brilliant, the album being fantastic and the band being pretty fucking great! We've all heard these songs a million times by now but what the fuck...

i bet you look good on snl

2006-03-13T08:00:00.000-05:00

I've been so good... only 2 Arctic Monkeys referencing post so far... well... that's about to change... with their weekend appearance on Saturday Night Live the hype has reached fever pitch... so here's "I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor"...

tramampoline! trambopoline!

2006-03-10T08:00:00.000-05:00

Am I the last to see this? It's an advert created by British satellite broadcaster BSkyB to highlight the fact that they show new Simpsons episodes. However, it has been released online is everywhere right now... so it may aswell be here too! I fucking hate adverts but this is pretty decent.

his blues

2006-03-09T08:00:00.000-05:00

Here's a track from Ali Farka Toure's album "Radio Mali". I think it won a Grammy, although whether it did or didn't really is of no importance... does anyone actually care about awards? Really? Unless you're a 12-year-old girl (and even "Smash Hits" is a goner!) or work for "In Touch" magazine... anyway...

Amadinin

If anyone wants any more... just leave a message... I've got a lot to give...

legend

2006-03-08T08:00:00.000-05:00

Legendary African Bluesman Ali Farka Toure died yesterday (7th March), aged 60, after a long battle with illness. He is survived by his wife, 11 children and his AMAZING music.

His music shared many similarities with the Mississippi Delta-Blues but Toure always maintained that he just knew traditional Malian music which informed the roots of the American blues. Wherever it came from, it was fucking brilliant. Incredible. I simply don't have the vocabulary to express how good he is. If you have any interest in the blues, any at all, then he is a must-listen-to.

I will post some stuff as soon as I get a chance... please be patient... it is worth the wait... in the meantime here's the BBC's coverage of the story

it's not like in my day

2006-03-07T08:01:00.000-05:00

Kids today, eh? What are they like? SWEEPING GENERALISATION ALERT! Well, if they're American, they're spoilt little brats getting fat eating fast food and playing video games! If they're British they're little wasters getting drunk and smashing things up!

But... what if they're Danish, I hear you ask?

Well, if you mean the 16 and 17 year old kids in Danish band Epicentre, they're making some of the most beautiful music known to man! Yes, you can tell their influences but if this is the jumping-off point for this band then I, for one, want to see where they go... fucking excellent...

aksked forotet

marionetten i danse...

memoir rejs

this will never happen again (i promise)

2006-03-07T08:00:00.000-05:00

I am by no means a Jack Johnson fan (i am actually feeling a little sick whilst writing this) but this cover of the White Stripes' "My Doorbell", from Jo Whiley's Live Lounge on BBC Radio 1, is interesting. Remember, I'm a total cover-version slag...

My Doorbell

P.S. I couldn't bring myself to post a picture of Mr. Johnson so here's two other things that are infinitely more appealing... The Scream because I'm finally gonna see that Munch exhibition and Keira Knightley because... well... it's Kiera Knightley ...