Currently Spinning

Oasis - Defnately Maybe 10 year DVD

An afternoon with Oasis for me. I've been a fan from the outset but was a little slow in buying this one. It arrived this morning. How the hell can CDwow.com send this genuine item to my front door all the way from Hong Kong in only 3 days and still beat every single one of my local record/DVD stores by a straight £3 , and that doesn't include the extra cost it would be for petrol, car parking and bridge tolls if i collected from them same local shops.... I digress.

I've not played the album for a while and so thought i'd buy it not only to complete my collection of pretty much stock items, but have another listen. I love all of the music on this album and really do think that it is a modern classic that everyone who loves rock music should own. It is also really good to see some of the light hearted stories and anecdotes behind the songs from loads of closely related people. Even the un-dynamic Oasis 'wall of sound' production gets a mention by the producer. At just £9.99 for the 2 disc special edition i got a sense of Value for money. All of the original songs, plus the first ever 'official' PCM stereo version of Sad Song on a british Album release ( I've had the Vinyl one for years and am aware of the Jap single). Plus you get live versions and demo versions of most of the songs- the TOTP ones not looking too live though .


Rock 'n' Roll stars, talking about self belief and living the dream.. Rock on....

 

Yoshimi battles the pink robots - Flaming Lips. Now I got this cheap and a long time after it appeared - but I just don't get why people raved about it. Can someone explain what I'm missing here ?

 

The Flaming Lips' previous record, The Soft Bulletin, is the one to hear IMO.

The Nightingales, Hysterics. Finally tracked down a good condition replacement for my extremely knackered copy, what a great album. Probably the only good thing that ever came out of Birmingham.

-- Ian

 

:yikes: Don't let Joel catch you posting that mate, you licence to the Esoteric club will be revoked for using 'common music'

Today's selction of choice morsals

Company of Snakes 'There they go again'
Suzanne Vega 'Retrospective'
Deep purple 'Live in London' Jap import 2cd stunning, up there with MIJ.
SRV 'Texas Flood'
Meatloaf LIve at Wembley 87' (yep I was there )

 

The Fiery Furnaces' Blueberry Boat. Because it's there.

 

What do you think of it Ron?

-- Ian

 

Seconded

 

I wish I knew.

The first couple of listens left me mostly cold, but I now find myself warming to it. It's such a dense record, musically and lyrically. Dare I say 'Pynchonesque'?

Whatever, it's a good one to work to. Doesn't need changing for an hour and a quarter, and the sheer proliferation of ideas keeps the mind active even at this late hour.

Birdie Brain is bubbling and burbling away as I write, and it sounds rather wonderful.

 

Dense is about right. Lots going on, probably too much at times, but always interesting. One of my favourite records of the year.

-- Ian

 

Morrissey, You are the quarry.

Poor love, still hated for being successful.

An infuriating record. Some appalling filler, a flat and featureless production, and yet a few of the songs are among the best of his solo career. Once a contrary bugger, always a, etc, etc.

 

Been digging out a few random singles, eps, and compilations.

So far today....

Laika "Breather" - I've no idea why I've not got much MOre of their stuff!

Hardbody "On your own" - Think these were supporting someone (not sure who) and I piked this up following. Female fronted indie with a bit more balls than many.

Gus Gus "Believe" - Another whom I should have MOre stuff by. I've got a few odds and ends, and ti's MOstly very good.

Lionrock "Straight at yer head" - A Justin Robertson project. There's an excellent remix of "Packet of Peace" by Jeff Mills on there, aswell as a Chemical Brothers take on it too.

And currently a Loosegroove label sampler "Volume 1".

The label was formed partly by Stone Gossard (Pearl Jam guitarist). Only a couple of tunes into it after not having heard it for quite a while.

Features tracks from Devilhead, Critters Buggin', Weapon of Choice, Prose and concepts, Malfunkshun, and Brad.

 

the latest cd through the letterbox of mail-order -

Television, Marquee Moon.

Amazon is showing a couple of other interesting Television albums from the same period I should perhaps explore.

They remind me of Paul Weller, which is not fair as the album was recorded in 1977, so really my comparison is back to front.

 

From what I remember (and I probably haven't listened to MM for abt 20 yrs ) I'd have thought it was a bit more "plinky" than Weller. I may have to reinvestigate !


The weekend for me:

The Essential Bruce Springsteen

Joss Stone - Mind Over Soul. Not entirely convinced yet I must confess. Vocals are up to the standard one would expect but at the moment I don't think the songs are as strong but it's growing. The sign of a good album?

Eloy - Eloy/Colours. Another one of a raft of nostalgia purchases. A pairing of the first album from Eloy (a German 70's/ 80's progressive oufit who might still be going) with a later 70's offering - Colours. Eloy sounds a bit dated but I did buy the CD for the other album. Colours, whilst still probably very much of it's time - unmistakeable Floyd influence but rather fuller guitars, is a fine listen, great songs with that distinctive Eloy sound. Well worth a listen.

Kelis- Kaleidoscope

 

Company of snakes-Burst the Bubble
Bernie Marsden-Green & Blue
Deep Purple -Bannana's
U2-Hattle & Hum

 

Bootsy Collins - the one giveth, the count taketh away
Third Rail East - Space Age Blues (with Bill Laswell, Bernie Worrell and Zigaboo Modeliste!)
Sonny Sharrock - Live (brilliant version of Dick Dogs)

 

Prong - 'Cleansing'
Freax - 'Freax'

 

Johny Cash - American IV: The Man Comes Around

1. The Man Comes Around
2. Hurt
3. Give My Love To Rose
4. Bridge Over Troubled Water
5. I Hung My Head
6. First Time Ever I Saw Your Face
7. Personal Jesus
8. In My Life
9. Sam Hall
10. Danny Boy
11. Desperado
12. I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry
13. Tear Stained Letter
14. Streets Of Laredo
15. We'll Meet Again
16. Big Iron (UK Bonus Track)
17. Hurt (UK Bonus Video)

Stunning

 

Indeed ... except lets be honest about it ... Bridge Over Troubled Waters and Danny Boy ... which I thought were a tad cheesesome for my tastes.

The first American Recording record is easily the best of the four I'd say - most consistently excellent leastways.

Anyone he heard the Unearthed boxset - some awesome stuff on that.

 

Anyone know where Jonny Cash covering Nick Caves 'Mercy Seat' can be found? Great song and Jonnys version is a nice alternative to the great original.

No doubt someone will tell me its not a Nick Cave original as I haven't got the sleeve notes to hand.

 

American III: Solitary Man