RELEASES: 2007 - The first quarter gone
I had the bright idea of rounding-up some of the releases from the first three months of 2007 for two reasons...
1) It gets me off the hook slightly for not reviewing them when they come out, and
2) It should make the end of year trawl a bit less painless (and a bit quicker too!)
I haven't heard everything that has been released, and real highlights like the new ones from Cornelius and the Clientele are just around the corner, but there's still plenty to write about.
PART 1: Initial disappointments and some old faves...
Deerhoof 'Friend Opportunity'
I use the word disappointment cautiously, as none of the albums in this section are bad, maybe I just exected a bit more, or something else. Deerhoof are only in here because 'Friend Opportunity' isn't as impressive as 'The Runners Four' or 'Apple O', and it still has more ideas and imagination than 99% of the music being released today. Lots of inventive arrangements as usual, '+81' has a stunning brass and marching band intro, elsewhere they hint at the skewered rock of the Magic Band. The down tempo introspective material works well too, 'Whither the Invisible' and 'The Galaxist' are definite highlights. However my initial reservations about the annoying 'Kidz are so Small' and the overlong 'Look Away' haven't shifted, but overall if you are into spiky psychedelic stuff this is still worth a listen.
The Shins 'Wincing the Night Away'
On the first few plays this struck me as very dull indeed, but somehow it stayed on my iPod and popping up on shuffle. Songs like 'Sea Legs' just end to creep into your brain and stay there. This is a more sedate (grown-up?) Shins album, it reminds me more of bands like the Chills circa 'Submarine Bells' than the usual Pavement comparisons.
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah 'Some Loud Thunder'
I know a lot of people cannot stand this guy's voice but I'm actually a fan of this lot and their debut album still gets listened to regularly around here. 'Some Loud Thunder' has had a very mixed reception and for me the main problem with it is the production (by Dave Fridmann of Mercury Rev/ Flaming Lips and a lot of other people). In one respect this is successful in that it has blended the vocals better within the band so they don't great, but does he really have to overload the mix so much. The drums in particular ruin this for me in a couple of places 'Emily Jean Stock' in particular). While I like some things Fridmann has produced this is right there with Low's last album in that I would love to hear it re-recorded or maybe even have a listen to the demos. Some of the songs aren't bad although I don't think they are as strong as the debut. Again if you give them a chance they will creep up on you. 'Underwater' is probably my fave with its hints of Spector and 60s pop.
Arcade Fire 'Neon Bible'
I haven't listened to this very much so I'll keep this brief and return to it later in the year, because whether you like them or not this will be in the end of year polls. I would love to see these guys live but I haven't had the pleasure yet so I'm not familiar with the pre-album versions of these songs. This is a disappointment after 'Funeral' although I will give it more time. To my ears at least there is a heavier Springsteen influence here ('Windowsill', 'Antichrist Television Blues', 'Intervention') and some of it reminds me of ELO. I would have difficulty comparing 'Funeral' to anyone, even after 2 years of listening to it. Still 'Black Wave/ Bad Vibrations' and 'The Well and the Lighthouse' do it for me and I still hold out hope for a live encounter sometime this year.
GIG REPORT: Radial Nerve/ The Barry Peak and Niall Harden Rock Show/ Ruby Colley, Belfast Limelight, 25th March 2007
Actually this isn't really a gig report as I find it hard to write reviews of people I know and also, I think the review over at BBC's ATL site sums it up well. I'm pretty much in agreement with a lot of that and there are some nice pictures over there too.
I would add that Jonny Ashe from Tracer AMC added a new dimension to some of Barry's material and, although it was great to hear 'Shady' again, it was 'Torgas Valley Blue' that stole the show for me.
Radial Nerve (aka Kidd Dynamo) also reminded us how great 'I Am A Landslide' was (is), and his final song 'Consequences' made great use of delays and loops. It'd be interesting to see if he can carry a whole set like that sometime.
Actually this isn't really a gig report as I find it hard to write reviews of people I know and also, I think the review over at BBC's ATL site sums it up well. I'm pretty much in agreement with a lot of that and there are some nice pictures over there too.
I would add that Jonny Ashe from Tracer AMC added a new dimension to some of Barry's material and, although it was great to hear 'Shady' again, it was 'Torgas Valley Blue' that stole the show for me.
Radial Nerve (aka Kidd Dynamo) also reminded us how great 'I Am A Landslide' was (is), and his final song 'Consequences' made great use of delays and loops. It'd be interesting to see if he can carry a whole set like that sometime.
ATP vs the Fans
Amazingly, Slint were added to the bill yesterday, an announcement I'm kinda thrilled about because it's another big name to add to the rest, but I'm also kinda miffed because it makes the Slint-curated ATP in 2005 seem a bit less special (my review here). It was originally mooted as a one-off but I ended up seeing them twice that week (Camber Sands and Dublin) and now here they come again! Once difference is that last time they were the only truly outstanding act amongst a half-full line-up, this time there are a lot of great bands.
There will of course be inevitable clashes, the running order below has been leaked to a few places this week, I should stress that it is unofficial.....
Friday 18th May
Echo and the Bunnymen
Mogwai
Grizzly Bear
Death Vessel
Micah P.Hinson
Yo La Tengo
Alexander Tucker
Youth Movies
Sat 19th May
Wilco
Patti Smith
Les Savy Fav
Go Team
Battles
Shellac
Sun 20th May
Built to Spill
Explosions In The Sky
Modest Mouse
Band of Horses
Isis
Brightblack Morning Light
Capricorns
Amazingly, Slint were added to the bill yesterday, an announcement I'm kinda thrilled about because it's another big name to add to the rest, but I'm also kinda miffed because it makes the Slint-curated ATP in 2005 seem a bit less special (my review here). It was originally mooted as a one-off but I ended up seeing them twice that week (Camber Sands and Dublin) and now here they come again! Once difference is that last time they were the only truly outstanding act amongst a half-full line-up, this time there are a lot of great bands.
There will of course be inevitable clashes, the running order below has been leaked to a few places this week, I should stress that it is unofficial.....
Friday 18th May
Echo and the Bunnymen
Mogwai
Grizzly Bear
Death Vessel
Micah P.Hinson
Yo La Tengo
Alexander Tucker
Youth Movies
Sat 19th May
Wilco
Patti Smith
Les Savy Fav
Go Team
Battles
Shellac
Sun 20th May
Built to Spill
Explosions In The Sky
Modest Mouse
Band of Horses
Isis
Brightblack Morning Light
Capricorns
Shellac album due
'Excellent Italian Greyhound' is due in June, report Drowned in Sound. I see 'The End of Radio' is on it, their Peel tribute which they completely floored me with at the first Keeping it Peel night at Maida Vale in 2004. Looking forward to seeing them for the first time in ages at ATP vs the Fans in May. Yay!
'Excellent Italian Greyhound' is due in June, report Drowned in Sound. I see 'The End of Radio' is on it, their Peel tribute which they completely floored me with at the first Keeping it Peel night at Maida Vale in 2004. Looking forward to seeing them for the first time in ages at ATP vs the Fans in May. Yay!
Belfast Film Festival next week
A pleasantly eclectic line-up of movies and events - full details on their website. Some musical highlights which caught my eye are screenings of films featuring the Monks, Pixies, Scott Walker (recent footage too!), Arthur Lee and Love.
There also several club nights and appearances by the Real Tuesday Weld (apologies as there is no detail for this on the official site) and Holly Golightly.
Sadly it's impossible for me to get to see everything I want, but I will endeavour to get to some of these.
A pleasantly eclectic line-up of movies and events - full details on their website. Some musical highlights which caught my eye are screenings of films featuring the Monks, Pixies, Scott Walker (recent footage too!), Arthur Lee and Love.
There also several club nights and appearances by the Real Tuesday Weld (apologies as there is no detail for this on the official site) and Holly Golightly.
Sadly it's impossible for me to get to see everything I want, but I will endeavour to get to some of these.
Some gigs to check out... Things are getting lively
First up is Tracer AMC and co tomorrow night at the Limelight, just like it says on the lovely poster here...
then it's Howling Bells at the same venue the following night (£8.50 and it's an early show, doors 7.30pm).
On Sunday night it's the return of not only Barry Peak (Backwater, Torgas Valley Reds) but also Colin Campbell (Kidd Dynamo), and I'll actually get a chance to see Ruby Colley in full this time. Again the poster explains it all!
Two gigs in Belfast in the next few months to look out for....
Low at the Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival on May 10th and Ted Leo, venue tbc, June 29th.
First up is Tracer AMC and co tomorrow night at the Limelight, just like it says on the lovely poster here...
then it's Howling Bells at the same venue the following night (£8.50 and it's an early show, doors 7.30pm).
On Sunday night it's the return of not only Barry Peak (Backwater, Torgas Valley Reds) but also Colin Campbell (Kidd Dynamo), and I'll actually get a chance to see Ruby Colley in full this time. Again the poster explains it all!
Two gigs in Belfast in the next few months to look out for....
Low at the Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival on May 10th and Ted Leo, venue tbc, June 29th.
"Take a look around you. Try and get an apartment here"
I've just watched the documentary Once Upon a Time in New York on BBC4 and I found it fitting that they gave the last word to Patti Smith, who showed up outside the last night of CBGBs unannounced and largely ignored. The film examined how the rundown NYC of the 70s gave birth to punk, disco and hip-hop and ended with the news that crazy real estate prices had forced CBGBs to close and sell to the developers.
The same thing is happening in London as some of its more historical venues face redevelopment (Hammersmith Palais, the Astoria and the Garage).
I live in Belfast now, a city which has failed to preserve landmarks and buildings like CS Lewis's house, has allowed the pub which housed the poet's circle of the 1960s (Heaney, Longley, Muldoon) to be turned into a gastro-pub, and actively stifles flyposting and grafitti. In short, we appear like a cultural wasteland compared to NYC so I'm shocked that they have allowed a potential cultural museum disappear.
Who am I to moan though? I live in an 'urban regeneration area' which has regenerated so fast that I would now be unable to afford to buy here. Such is the unreal world or real estate.
I've just watched the documentary Once Upon a Time in New York on BBC4 and I found it fitting that they gave the last word to Patti Smith, who showed up outside the last night of CBGBs unannounced and largely ignored. The film examined how the rundown NYC of the 70s gave birth to punk, disco and hip-hop and ended with the news that crazy real estate prices had forced CBGBs to close and sell to the developers.
The same thing is happening in London as some of its more historical venues face redevelopment (Hammersmith Palais, the Astoria and the Garage).
I live in Belfast now, a city which has failed to preserve landmarks and buildings like CS Lewis's house, has allowed the pub which housed the poet's circle of the 1960s (Heaney, Longley, Muldoon) to be turned into a gastro-pub, and actively stifles flyposting and grafitti. In short, we appear like a cultural wasteland compared to NYC so I'm shocked that they have allowed a potential cultural museum disappear.
Who am I to moan though? I live in an 'urban regeneration area' which has regenerated so fast that I would now be unable to afford to buy here. Such is the unreal world or real estate.
Podcast vol 03: Politics Music Mix
As it is polling day in Northern Ireland I have put together a podcast of tentatively political music. Yes, I'll agree it's not the most inspiring title, particularly if you already have election fatigue. It's not about local politics though, rather it's a selection of my favourite (slightly) political or protest songs.
Tracklisting:-
•Blaise Bailey Finnegan III (excerpt) - Godspeed You! Black Emperor [Slow Riot For New Zero Kanada EP]
How to disrespect authority in style.
•Black Steel - Tricky [Maxinquaye]
A cover of the Public Enemy tune, a tale of a black man who organises a prison riot to protest against the draft notice.
•By the Time I Get to Arizona - Public Enemy [Apocalypse '91: The Enemy Strikes Back]
Enraged by Arizona's decision not to hold a holiday in honour of Martin Luther King.
•Night Of The Hunter - Piano Magic [Disaffected]
Piano Magic not sounding like themselves at all on this, but it's still a good anti-bloodsports song.
•At Home He's A Tourist -Gang Of Four [Entertainment]
I couldn't have a political mix without Gang of Four really could I?
•Who Makes The Nazis? - The Fall [The Complete Peel Sessions 1978 - 2004]
"Longhorn, longhorn breed". This song always puzzles me, this is the Peel session version which is maybe even stranger than the album version.
•Reuters - Wire [Pink Flag]
1977, but it could have been written yesterday.
•All these Governors - The Evens [The Evens]
The lyrics remind me of our legistlative assembly, sadly.
•Unfair - Pavement [Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain]
Not 100% political but a tale of Northern California vs Southern California, I think.
•Women Of The World - Jim O'Rourke [Eureka]
A simple message beautifully done.
•Harrowdown Hill - Thom Yorke [The Eraser]
Thom's reaction to the suspicious death of weapons investigator David Kelly.
•Shipbuilding - Robert Wyatt
Written by Elvis Costello at the time of the Falklands War, this is a very heartfelt rendition from Robert Wyatt.
•War - Bob Marley [Rastaman Vibration]
The words aren't Bob's, but are instead the text of the address to the UN by Hailie Selassie, emperor of Ethiopia. Wise man.
•Northern Industrial Town - Billy Bragg [William Bloke]
The only song in the list about Belfast, written just after the 1994 ceasefires.
The player is here
or go to slowthrills.podbean.com to download.
As it is polling day in Northern Ireland I have put together a podcast of tentatively political music. Yes, I'll agree it's not the most inspiring title, particularly if you already have election fatigue. It's not about local politics though, rather it's a selection of my favourite (slightly) political or protest songs.
Tracklisting:-
•Blaise Bailey Finnegan III (excerpt) - Godspeed You! Black Emperor [Slow Riot For New Zero Kanada EP]
How to disrespect authority in style.
•Black Steel - Tricky [Maxinquaye]
A cover of the Public Enemy tune, a tale of a black man who organises a prison riot to protest against the draft notice.
•By the Time I Get to Arizona - Public Enemy [Apocalypse '91: The Enemy Strikes Back]
Enraged by Arizona's decision not to hold a holiday in honour of Martin Luther King.
•Night Of The Hunter - Piano Magic [Disaffected]
Piano Magic not sounding like themselves at all on this, but it's still a good anti-bloodsports song.
•At Home He's A Tourist -Gang Of Four [Entertainment]
I couldn't have a political mix without Gang of Four really could I?
•Who Makes The Nazis? - The Fall [The Complete Peel Sessions 1978 - 2004]
"Longhorn, longhorn breed". This song always puzzles me, this is the Peel session version which is maybe even stranger than the album version.
•Reuters - Wire [Pink Flag]
1977, but it could have been written yesterday.
•All these Governors - The Evens [The Evens]
The lyrics remind me of our legistlative assembly, sadly.
•Unfair - Pavement [Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain]
Not 100% political but a tale of Northern California vs Southern California, I think.
•Women Of The World - Jim O'Rourke [Eureka]
A simple message beautifully done.
•Harrowdown Hill - Thom Yorke [The Eraser]
Thom's reaction to the suspicious death of weapons investigator David Kelly.
•Shipbuilding - Robert Wyatt
Written by Elvis Costello at the time of the Falklands War, this is a very heartfelt rendition from Robert Wyatt.
•War - Bob Marley [Rastaman Vibration]
The words aren't Bob's, but are instead the text of the address to the UN by Hailie Selassie, emperor of Ethiopia. Wise man.
•Northern Industrial Town - Billy Bragg [William Bloke]
The only song in the list about Belfast, written just after the 1994 ceasefires.
The player is here
or go to slowthrills.podbean.com to download.
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