about these blogs
sign up
Music
Another landmark bites the dust...
The smelliest loos, the stickiest floor and arguably one of the worst bars to get served at, but after 11,364 nights of musical mayhem, the Astoria in London's Charing Cross Road has finally played its last gig. I've seen some great gigs there down the years, as well as some dodgy one's, but one of my favourites was The Cramps in '98, one of the coolest bands on the planet in one of the best music venues in the world. Thanks for the memories...
the greatest entrance ever...
To the thumping hardcore tune of DJ Zany's 'Be On Your Way' - the midnight hour cometh, darkness descends, Ladies and Gentleman, i give you the 2009 BDO World Darts Champion - Ted "The Count" Hankey !!
end of year lists
well, i figured i'd leave it till the last day to post my favourite music of the year - & there was loads to choose from. 'till next year!
ALBUMS
1. The Night Marchers – See You In Magic
I loved that a review described one song as being a cross between Status Quo & The Byrds! For the most part tho this just rocked - & relentlessly. This debut from John Reiss’ new band was killer & they were ridiculously good live.
Lots of noise, but really good pop songs too. Some great live shows this year – the aftershow at Vinyl bar was particularly good.
Has a sloppy Modern Lovers feel & dumb jokey lyrics throughout but this is a damn good record & has some of the catchiest songs you’ll hear.
Microcastle is just great song after great song. & not too shoegazey for me, made me think of The Shins at times.
The Nuggets boxset as played by Mexican gangsters.
6. Jay Reatard – Matador Singles 08
A precursor to his proper solo album for Matador due next year, this was a great collection of songs. Not as good as the 06/07 collection that also came out this year, or his debut ‘Blood Visions’. Still if this was the first you’d heard of him (as it was for many) you’d be mighty impressed.
7. Gentleman Jesse – Introducing Gentleman Jesse & His Men
Carbonas bass player takes the lead and comes up with a late 70’s style powerpop album (The Nerves/The Jam etc). Sadly this didn’t include the great single ‘I Don’t Wanna Know’ which may well be the best thing he’s done.
8. The Explorers Club – Freedom Wind
The best Beach Boys outtakes album you could wish for.
All the best bits of classic rock, alt country & powerpop crammed into one record & played by a band of Jeff Lynnes.
10. Grand Archives – Grand Archives
Killed the Fleet Foxes album for me, but no one else seemingly.
SINGLES
Had the album from which this is taken had arrived as planned this year, it would almost certainly have been a contender for the top of my chart. As it’s now due Jan 09, i have something to look forward to.
2. Hex Dispensers – Lose My Cool
Equal parts Cheap Trick and The Misfits; their debut album snuck out at the end of last year & has been one of the most played this year. This 2008 ep was great & the title track is possibly my most played track of the year.
3. Hunx – You Don’t Like Rock & Roll
Glam rock glitter drums, early Ramones, very camp vocals & a scratch & sniff sleeve. The ‘Good Kisser’ single was great too.
4. Box Elders – Hole In My Head
Makes me think of Redd Kross playing The Hollies, probably helps there are brothers in the band too. A really cool melodic song which sounds timeless to me.
Violens - VTheir list of influences begins with The Zombies & Nazz which is good enough. Kinda sounds like ‘Dear 23’ era Posies to me too. Looking forward to more in the new year.
god i feel old...
Can it really be the 30th anniversary of 2 Tone records in 2009? What a great year, i'm so lucky to think looking back now that i was a part of all that. Tonic suits, Sta-prest, loafers, pork pie hats, Fred Perry, Harrington jackets, The Specials, Madness, The Beat, Bodysnatchers and The Selecter featuring the delectable Pauline Black. There's never been or probably never will be such a short-lived movement in music and culture like it. Like i said, i'm so glad i was part of it..
my three favourite singles of the year...
it's been a good year for pop, so here they are in reverse order : 3rd - Ting Tings - That's Not My Name 2nd - Jordin Sparks and Chris Brown - No Air and 1st - Estelle and Kanye West - American Boy
in joint 1st place...
My TWO favourite albums of the year are now No Age - Nouns and newly joined by Eagles of Death Metal - Heart On both are too cool and there's nothing to choose between them.
what we do is secret
I finally got to see 'What We Do Is Secret' yesterday - the film about the LA punk band The Germs. It was weird seeing actors playing the band members & other characters who are still around. Fortunately I wasn't familiar with Shane West (of ER) and most likely enjoyed his portrayal of Darby Crash more for it.
Whilst not a great movie, it was still enjoyable and well worth seeing if you like punk bands of the late seventies. The fact that there is a film about the band is great in itself. The music was well done and even though I knew how the story ends, I still found it pretty gripping. Well worth checking out when the dvd comes early next year.
covered in food but it's alright
Reading Jonny's picks of the year post reminded me that i've yet to settle on mine. Whilst there's been loads of good music i'm finding hard to pick out a clear winner. Far easier, but only just, to choose from one of the great singles to have been released. Currently in the lead would be one of the 2 Hunx sevens, 'Good Kisser' probably just edging 'You Don't Like Rock & Roll' for top spot. Both remind me of the first time i heard 'Leave Home' or 'Rocket To Russia'. The formula seems to be Glitter Band drums, girl group backing vocals & ultra camp singing (Paul thought it was a girl singing when i was playing this the other day). Anyway, i'm looking forward to an album arriving in the new year.
Larkin around last night...
Had the pleasure of attending a cracking showcase last night from Sky Larkin, a new three-piece indie outfit from Leeds at London's quaintly intimate 12 Bar Club in Denmark Street. Katie (vocals, guitar, Korg), Doug (bass) and Nestor (a real pocket dynamo on drums) make up the group. They're signed to the excellent Wichita label and their debut The Golden Spike is out in January. They have a terrific energy and their sound is like a real throw back to good old fashioned indie guitar thrash from the late 80s / early 90s, nice and loud with shimmering guitars and Katie's very distinct vocals rising above the din. Think Harriet from The Sundays but louder and more in-yer-face. Current comparisons for me would be Duke Spirit, certainly on the vocal front. I can't wait to see them again soon, only next time i hope for their sake the stage is bigger than a snooker table! No offence intended to the 12 Bar!
My favourite releases of the year...
A lot of best of the year charts are starting to appear in magazines and on the net at the moment, so i thought I'd post mine. When thinking this over i realised this has actually been a great year for releases of both CDs and DVDs, and both lists could easily have been twice or three times as long! I've agonised over this in my head for ages, so here goes, starting with my favourite DVD releases this year...
A fond farewell to 'Mama Afrika'
I have spent the past couple of days reflecting on the extraordinary life of 'Mama Afrika', after Miriam Makeba sadly passed away over the weekend in Italy. She gave a voice to millions in South Africa, men and women alike, and bravely stood against Apartheid, resulting in her exile.
She was a great example of an artist who explored the African roots of other musical forms, and often fused jazz and soul, with traditional south African rhythms and melodies. She will be sadly missed by World music enthusiast and musicians alike, and was a great inspiration for a younger generation.
If you haven't had the chance to hear her music, or want a quick walk down memory lane then have a quick listen to one of my favourites Malaika ....
Recent Comments