Beady Eye - is this what we wanted post Oasis?

2011 will bring with it a host of new bands, good and bad, but non of them will have the fanfare that surrounds Beady Eye - Liam Gallagher's new band.
NME have today shown the world premier of the bands new single "Four Letter Word". The fanfare started early with a week long countdown in the form of a dramatic doomsday like clock ticking down the hours until it was screened. Daily updates on the site reminded everyone that Boxing day was "The Day!"
Really exciting stuff - and I'm sure it has been for the millions of Oasis fans around the world.
The harsh reality for these fans, including myself, is that all the build up and fanfare will mean fuck all if the music is toilet.
Liam Gallagher can claim the album is as good as "Definitely Maybe" all he likes, we have heard that one before from him and then he released Heathen Chemistry.

First things first, that name is a shocker. Oasis was hardly the greatest name for a band, but at least it grabbed your attention. Short, sweet, simple, easy to chant at gigs. Oasis fits.
Beady Eye is just stupid.
When you are discussing a bands music and you mention the bands name, the reaction you get shouldn't be one of confusion. A bands name should be simple enough to grasp, whether its something short like Oasis or something long and ridiculous like Neds Atomic Dustbin, people shouldn't have to spend time trying to figure out the name. Every time Ive mentioned the band to someone, this is how the conversation has gone;

Me - Heard Liam Gallagher's new band?
Person 1 - No. You mean Oasis?
Me - No, beady Eye
Person 1 - What?
Me - Beady Eye
Person 1 - Whats that?
Me - The name of Liam Gallaghers new band
Person - B D I?
Me - Yeah, Beady Eye
Person 1 - Whats that stand for then?
Me - What does it stand for?
Person 1 - Yeah, what does B D I stand for?
Me - It doesn't stand for anything. They're just called Beady Eye, as in 2 words, "beady" and then that's followed by the word "eye"
Person 1 - Oh right, I thought you meant B D I
Me - Na, its Beady Eye
Person 1 - That's fuckin' stupid

Secondly, the band is basically Oasis without Noel Gallagher.
Gem Archer and Andy Bell remain and the last in the long list of Oasis drummers, Chris Sharrock, remains in the hot seat behind the kit. Obviously Liam continues his role as front man.
Now this is fine, Liam is still a fantastic front man even if his voice has started to grate as the years have gone on.
Gem and Andy are both talented musicians, both capable of writing a good tune and Chris Sharrock is a more than capable drummer having performed with The La's.........and Robbie Williams.
On paper, it looks fine. However, the knives were out early after the band released there first song for free over the Internet. "Bring the Light" was met with less than positive feedback from critics and fans and it was left to ex Creation Records boss Alan Mcgee to defend the band;
"I was on the Internet this morning, everybody's judging the band on one tune," he told NME. "How can you do that? Let's hear the album. It's a fucking free download. It's too early to fucking say. Think of the talent in that band: Gem [Archer], [Chris] Sharrock, Liam Gallagher, the best front man there's ever fucking been! And Andy Bell, one of the best guitarists up there with [Jimmy] Page. How can that be a bad band?" (Thanks NME)


Hes got a point to some degree, but what people will see above anything else is the name missing from the list, and that's Noel Gallagher.
Noel was the leader of Oasis. He was "The Chief". Without his songs Oasis wouldn't of even existed. And that's what it comes down to. The Music.
It was the music that elevated Oasis above the other indie bands at the time. Songs like Live Forever, Slide Away, Dont Look Back In Anger and Champagne Supernova defined an era in British music that can never be taken away from the band, or Noel.
Its the music that matters and if its not there, the fame, praise, hype etc will soon turn into negative hatred that becomes a tough thing to shake off. Just ask Johnny Borrell and Razorloght.

What Alan Mcgee also fails to mention is his own opinion on the song. Hes entitled not to give his opinion especially if hes not asked, but it would of been nice to hear what he thought. I have a feeling his opinion on the song is quite similar to the rest of us which was one of utter ennui.

Another 2 songs on and I'm still not convinced by Beady Eye, "Sons Of The Stage" is a cover which plods along and does nothing more, and "Four Letter Word" is really nothing special although I wouldn't say it was a bad song........its just not anything other than average.
The band still look the part and can still pull a crowd - tickets for there upcoming gigs sold out in less than an hour.
The album artwork is brilliantly retro, as is the font used for the bands name.
The sound of the songs is a slight step away from the Oasis sound which will come as a relief to most and there is no doubt the band will initially do well - the name Gallagher still carries plenty of weight.
However, its probably the eldest Gallagher's musical output that will hold up the longer time goes on and hopefully the new year will be the year we get to hear the real post Oasis album we all want - an acid soaked krautrock influenced Noel solo album - or is that just me?!



Beady Eyes album is due out in February but will no doubt make its way online before then, and I'm going to reserve full judgement until I hear the whole thing, but the warning signs are flashing and I'm not expecting much more than what I have already heard. But I just hope that Liam and co are ready for the backlash that usually follows the hype. Its the English way, and I'm sure they are.

But I guess my major gripe with Beady Eye right now is probably the same feeling many of the Oasis "haters" have had over the years. And that is the feeling of unjust hype, praise and airplay they have received when they are yet to produce a song worthy of it.

Over the years I constantly stuck up for Oasis whenever there musical output was questioned. I would argue that besides 2 average/poor albums, the rest of there work was of a high quality and you couldn't argue with them as a live act.
In my opinion Oasis were unfairly criticised because of the image they carried with them and there songs that wernt on the first 2 albums were usually overlooked.
Oasis made money, they were forever on magazine covers and in the papers and sold out stadiums not just in England, but all over the world.
However, I can now see why people hated Oasis. They did, for the most part, stick to there own sound. Noel Gallagher once compared his band to the likes of U2 and The Rolling Stones in that they made "Oasis music" and people either liked it or hated it. And I guess hes right - they had become big enough for this to be the case and therefor I think the hype and praise that always surrounded them and annoyed the haters so much could be justified.
The same cant be said about Beady Eye and they have to earn the same respect i would give Oasis - on first listen they've got there work cut out.

I'm going to leave it there with a song that wont receive any hype in the media and probably wont even get an official release as the band "Lovedust" are still unsigned.
I wanted to post this because its a song that generates more emotion and feeling than anything Ive heard from Beady Eye who are in essence, a stripped down version of one of my favourite bands. A band who should be able to drum up something within side me but who are unfortunatly getting an easy ride and not delivering the goods.
When it does go tits up for Beady Eye, which it more than likely will, I will be first in line at the bookies to place my bet for Beady Eye to feature on the X-factor. Mark my words, with a name like that and the songs ive heard so far, what has Liam got to lose?

WOULDNT YOU KNOW IT, ITS A BEST ALBUMS OF THE YEAR LIST!

Evening. Or morning/afternnon. How are you?
Good good.
I started writing this last night at about 330am. I couldnt sleep.
What I started to do, to try and help my body realise that 330am is actually as good a time as any to get some kip, is scroll through the many different types of list that have been recently published.
Oviously its that time of year again when lists are at the forefront of every major publication, and they usually end in "..of 2010" or whatever year it happens to be.This can range from "The Best albums of 2010" all the way to "The best ...erm....movies of 2010".
There are probably lists out there for the "best gardening product of 2010", and many others like it, but I have no desire to find out.
So lets stick with the music.

I bet your thinking to yourself, " Oh its such a wonderful time of year when we can read til our hearts content, lists produced by the literate world, reminding us of what a shit year its been for most things we are supposed to enjoy, ready to argue over with our loved ones whilst feasting on stuffed poultry and lies...strawberry lies! And then wash it all down with hollow promises to yourself ready for the new year."
Thats a bit cynical really, why would you think like that?! Stop being a dour bastard and embrace these lists that force there opinion on what they consider to be the best of whatever they are covering - even if you don't agree with the list at all and its missed out your favourite...whatever.
Its all relative anyway, who cares if Q Magazine have Take That's album "progress" in there top 20 of 2010. Its only there opinion. I mean, I only used to buy the magazine every month and take every word that was printed in it to be gospel. Who cares if they've included the biggest "BOY BAND" in Britain in there BEST albums of the year. Its fine. Honestly.
Robbie Williams is back in the band you know...
Its fine, it doesn't matter. Seriously. I'm not bothered.

Q Magazine aren't the only ones to do a list obviously, NME, Pitchfork etc have all contributed there own lists and they all make for some interesting reading.
Now I mentioned before that most of these lists remind you of how shit the year has been...not really the case with 2010.
Ive got a friend who will no doubt say that 2010 has been a shit year for music, and maybe 4-5 years ago I would of agreed with him. However, as Ive mentioned in previous posts and using my genius "music process" I tend to look a bit harder into these things nowadays.
You see, right now is a strange time for music. Its become easier than ever to find music your interested in and actually get to hear it - usually for free. At the same time, shows like X-Factor and the now MASSIVE celebrity culture thing where you no longer have to possess talent to be a celeb, has muddied the waters. I get the impression that these days, most people are quite content with things the way they are - blocking out the white noise of the xfactor (I like how "xfactor" can now be used as an umbrella term in which everything that's shit falls under - at least that's how its being used here) and letting in the odd 2-3 bands that break through into the light of day to stand along side Simon Cowell at the forefront of modern music (Arcade Fire, Vampire Weekend...........Kings Of Leon - it only took them 3 good albums before people realised they were great, then they went limp. But whatever....you see my point). Its sad, but true.
Scratch below the surface though, just a bit, and there is great music being made, and this year is no exception. There have been some brilliant releases this year, even if my mate wont agree.
Now everyone is entitled to there opinions, and like Ive said these lists are all relative so should be taken with a pinch of salt. you might think the choices of mine below are a load of shite and Come Around Sundown was without question the best album of 2010 - you would be wrong but your entitled to your opinion. Like I am.
So without further a do, here are my favourite albums of 2010, in no order.
 Starting with.............

Arcade Fire - Suburbs

An obvious choice really but "Suburbs", the bands 3rd album, is fucking great.
Usually when a band releases 2 critically and commercially successful albums, there 3rd album is when the backlash begins. This doesn't seem to be the case with Arcade Fire who remain obscure enough to please the geeks, but accessible enough (and ultimately, have the tunes) to keep everyone else happy.
Suburbs is an altogether more "chilled out" album to the previous 2, that flows so well, mixing the best of what came before it with the new and creating an album that although boasts 16 songs never sounds dull.
You will be hard pressed to find the need to press the skip button while listening to this (except "month of may", which for me was ruined by an ITV commercial that ran for months. You bunch of cunts ITV).


The Strange Boys - Be Brave

These lads are from Texas - It might be a fucked up state for many many reasons, but Jesus Christ it produces some brilliant bands.
Influenced by the likes of Dylan, Velvet Underground, Love and no doubt many more 60's bands/artists, they produce a familiar yet engaging acoustic rock/folk sound.
The album starts off like a shotgun with songs like "I See" & "Be Brave" but does slowly calm down as the album progresses.
That's not to say the album gets worse as it goes on, tracks like "All You Can Hide Inside" are lovely acoustic ballads and Ryan Sambols vocals really add something to every track on here. See my post "Do you have to be able to sing to be a singer".


Clinic - Bubblegum

The garage rock that's featured on every Clinic release up to this point has nearly all but gone (well not completely, but compared to there other records, this is a far more chilled affair) and in its place is 60's lounge pop, jazz infused, scouse melancholy and a hint of madness.
This is probably Clinics most accessible album to date, they have changed direction and it works really really well. I feel this was a natural progression for them. Unlike the Coral, Liverpool's other standout band over the last 5-10 years, they have avoided the trap of sounding forced. Whilst the Corals change to the laid back 60's sound feels slightly forced, and on the whole quite samey and dull leaving you yearning for there earlier chaotic sound of the debut and "Invisible Invasion", Clinic remain sounding fresh and full of ideas.


The Black Angels - Phosphene Dream

BBC online are quoted as saying "Rock album of the year, if anyone's counting" and its hard to disagree with them. However, I do have my own issues with the record. Being such a fan of there first 2 I find it difficult not to pick holes in there work, and for me I think producer Dave Sardy really pulled in the reigns on this album. There is no 9 minute freak out track on her (in fact everything clocks in under 5 mins which came as a disappointment for me personally), but such is the explosiveness of each track on here you cant really knock him for doing that. You could say the band were searching for some more commercial success - cut the tracks down, hire a well known producer and include an out and out pop song called Telephone. They have done all this which is great and will help them pick up a few new fans on the way but just look at the fuckin artwork, they're called THE BLACK ANGELS, they still sound like the soundtrack to the best war film that hasn't been made yet and they will blow your fuckin head off.
The Black Angels are "The No Country For Old Men" of the music world (without the acclaim) - dark, haunting, vast rock n roll from the desert.



Moon Duo - Escape

 A side project of Wodden Shjips "singer" Erik Johnson, this is 30 mins of Krautrock psychedelia in 4 songs.
I don't know if you like krautrock, but you should do because its one of the most exciting genres of music out there. Everyone loves a persistent groove don't they? Everyone loves a pounding drum beat that wont quit on you much like a banged up Volvo. It keeps going and going and you grow to love it.
Then layer on top a ton of fuzz and feedback, hypnotic guitar solos and spaced out vocals and what have you got? Easily the best album of the year that has less than 5 songs on it.
Embrace to groove you fuckers, its a trip.



Thee Oh Sees - Warm Slime

I'm new to this lot - fuck me Ive been missing out. We all have.
You know when you stumble across a band who you think are brand new but they actually have a healthy back catalogue to sink your teeth into? Well two things come to mind.
1- your made up there is more from this band to listen to. You enjoyed them so much on first listen your happy there is further listening ahead.
2- your gutted you wernt aware of them from the get go.
That's exactly how I felt when I heard "Warm Slime" for the first time (got to be the best name for an album this year, surly?).
After a week with the album I went back to the words Nick Neyland wrote for his review for Drowned In Sound. "Occasionally a band will rend open a prodigious black hole, an all-consuming void that sucks in their sound and spits it out with such righteous fury that it’s in danger of making the rest of their music redundant." 
When I first read that, I read it as "its in danger of making other music redundant". I swear I'm dyslexic. But I wish that's what it had said because that's how I feel.
Then I listened to the album again.



The War On Drugs - Future Weather

This album is a great example of doing a bit of research into a band before listening to there music. Now I've known about this lot for a few years and loved there first release "wagonwheel blues" so when I saw they had a new record out I was made up. As with most albums, I did some reading on it and found out that although they hadn't split up, band members had been absent from recording due to other commitments which is all explained in this review.
By finding out the back story, the songs on here really shine. Its quite a sad record with a melancholy running throughout but with there Springsteen influences coming through on certain tracks there is always that ray of hope shining through.


Tame Impala - Innerspeaker

An ozzy 3 piece sounds worrying. Jet anyone? They were a 3 piece wernt they? Even if they wernt, they were still pretty lame anyway. Thankfully, Tame Impala do our in bread cousins down under a favour by releasing this mosaic of sounds that come together to form one of the most interesting albums of the year.
I fuckin hate that, "interesting music". It sounds so pretentious - but I guess that's the best way to describe this band. My brother said that they sounded "quite busy" after his first listen which I guess is fair, there is allot going on in all of these tracks which is why the album craves repeated listens. And it is "an album". It sounds best on its own, played in full. The surprises it offers after each listen is staggering. Although the songs wander around, offering the listener something new, they don't stray to far and often come back to that original hook you heard on first listen. Its a real gem.



BRMC - Beat The Devils Tattoo

Hindsight is a vertue, and used against BRMCS previous 2 offerings "The Effects Of 333" and "Baby 81" we can say, without any hesitation that they were a band on the slide. Thankfully, by going back to the well (they recorded this in the same studio they recorded there 3rd album Howl - still to this day one of my favourite albums not just this decade, but ever) they have produced an album so full of passion and soul that you could mistake it for there debut.
The clumpy plod that plagued there last album has gone and the dirt between BRMC's finger nails is back, and theyre wearing it proud.
I wasnt going to include this in my list but Ive gone back and listened to it again and its to damn enjoyable not to include.




Deerhunter - Halcyon Digest

This is a difficult album to pin down, and that comes down to the fact its 11 songs basically go where they want, in whatever direction or sound they choose, happily soaring to the sound of its own beat only to be followed up by something just as rebelious and free but an althogether different monster.
And yet listeneing to the album as a whole is such a painless joy, such a pleasure, you wonder how Deerhunter have created something so striking, so "ear catching" (you like that?!) and so assured of itself whilst also achieving a charming sense of effortlessness.
So yeah, great album is what Im trying to say.






So I recon thats a good point to end on, Ive just realised Ive listed 10 albums. Top 10, makes sense.
I have missed a few out, Kanye Wests new one is meant to be superb but i havent got round to listening to that yet and there are a few titles I feel bad leaving out.
Harlem - Hippies is a great album, as is the all female 4 piece "Warpaints" debut "The Fool".
One of my favourite bands in recent years The Black Keys released and album this year entitled "Brothers" and it was met with critical, and for the first time, commercial success. I did consider including it in my list but when push came to shove I realised an album which contains a song that sounds suspiciously like the Scissor Sisters, can never make it onto a list I create.
The BJM released an album, and its fucking mental.
Hardly a masterpiece but im just happy theyre still making music. Its called "who killed sgt pepper" for fucks sake! Amazing

There were probably more, in fact theres loads more out there I've either not heard, missed out, skipped over or tossed aside but thats the great thing about these lists. Come the end of the year, if you dont fancy turkey and sprouts you can always skim through one of these lists and try something new thats passed you by.

Let me know what albums you have enjoyed this year and then we can all get together and collectively masturbate to them. Or just listen to them.
Ive had a few beers.

RIP Captain Beefheart

Reading about music - my "musical process"

I hope you liked the playlist and the songs I posted yesterday. "The Action-Brain" got some serious love when I played it in the pub last weekend. Amazingly its a demo that never saw the light of day in the 60's because there record label rejected it along with the other songs the band had recorded at the time. Thankfully all those songs/demos have since been made into this quality album. Crazy.
Regarding Wednesdays playlist I hope the little bits of info about each song/artist added something to your listening experience (that is if you bothered listening - plenty of distractions out there to prevent you from listening to some music, like, erm, Top Gear? That's always on)
I know they were hardly owe inspiring nuggets of info you will hold dear to your heart forever more, but I hope they helped you either appreciate or take more interest in the music you were listening to.
What I have found over the years is that by doing a little bit of research around the artist you intend on listening to can sometimes help improve your listening experience.
What began as simply reading users comments on Amazon has developed into a sort of obsession. Now when i hear something new, be it a new underground band or an obscure rarity from 40 years ago, I have to look them up online and do some reading.
What I find is that by getting a better understanding of the artist means I can appreciate there music more because I have a basic idea of where its come from.

Now Im not talking about reviews here. Reviews are something entirely different. A review is only 1 persons opinion on that particular record. You might find out some basic info about the band/artist (where theyre from, previous records etc) and there should be some insight into what the music sounds like - although believe it or not this isnt always the case! You can sometimes find a bucket load of info from a review written in hindsight, i.e - a review written 10,20, 30 years after the record was actually released, but usually I find wikipedia a good starting place and then the bands website/forum/blog which can then lead you onto more obscure sites practically bursting at the seems with info.

About......maybe 3 years ago(?) I was told to look up The Brian Jonestown Massacre. A psychedelic band from west coast America who had started out in the early 90's and who were still very much active.
Without having any other info about the band I listened to the album "Thank God For Mental Illness".

Now with an album name like that (to go with the bands name!) I was instantly intrigued. After listening to the album I instantly went on the search for more of there music and, to cut a loooooong story short, what i found out was not only a truly amazing story about a massively dysfunctional band that somehow still manages to produce solid albums, but also an ocean full of quality quality music that I may not ever of found had i not dug a little deeper. I could of just thought to myself "thats a good album" and left it at that. Im so glad I didnt.
You see, after doing a bit of research I was able to decide what album of theres to listen to next (at the time i think they had 10 albums? Something like that), I found out about the dynamics of the band, the fact that over the years there had been over 40 different members, that they had created there very own scene on the west coast, they had supported Oasis (my fave band at the time) in the early 90's and that one of there ex members had gone on to form the band BRMC - another one of my fave bands, but particularly at that time.
I now knew several bits of info about the band that really enhanced my listening pleasure. I could see, or should i say hear, where the origins of BRMC started and I could hear the madness in some of Anton Newcombes (singer/songwriter) songs because I knew more about him as a person and just how much of a crazy motherfucker this dude actually was.

Because of the BJM and by researching them in my own time (I say my own time but what I actually mean is my old employers time, because this is all i did for the last 3 years I was there - read up on and listen to obscure tunes i wouldn't of had the time to discover in my actual "own time") I was able to find out about a whole host of music I wasn't aware of. The BJM lead me onto The Warlocks which in turn lead me to Dead Meadow. Dead Meadow to Wooden Shjips, Wooden Shjips to The Black Angels and so on....the list is a long one and its still being added to because there is so much out there and its all linked, you just have to find it.
Anyway, I'm getting slightly ahead of myself here.
I think we have established that by researching a band can lead you onto other bands, I mean amazon does that automatically for you anyway so I dont know where I was going with that.
But going back to my other point, what I did with those other bands before listening to them properly was doing a bit of back reading into them to get a better understanding of there music and its something I have continued to do to this day.

On my playlist from Wednesday I included a Skip Spence song.
Now if you have listened to it then good on you. If you haven't then before you do have a quick read of this brief history about the bloke, then listen to the song and hopefully if your anything like me you will enjoy it far more. In fact even if you have listened to it, still do this exercise because you might hear something differently in the song with this info to hand.

Alexander "skip" Spence was a multi instrumentalist who founded the 60's band "Moby Grape". He also featured on Jefferson Airplanes debut album as there drummer.
He was very talented and apparently a lovely bloke. However, he like many people had his problems with drugs. I say problems when what I mean is he was proper fucked up by drugs, namely LSD. Back then people wernt aware of the dangers surrounding drugs, and that included ciggys and alcohol - people just didnt know.
Whilst recording there second album, Skip was extremely high on LSD and according to band mate Peter Lewis "thought he was the anti christ". In between recording sessions Skip proceeded to chop down his band mates hotel doors with a fire axe. He was trying to save them from themselves.
He had basically lost the plot.
He was sectioned for 6 months and diagnosed with schizophrenia.
During his time in hospital he wrote the album "Oar". All the songs were stored in his head and on the day of his release he, by all accounts, drove a motorcycle still wearing his hospital gown all the way to Nashville to record his album.

Thats a very quick look at this guys legacy, I could go on but the story gets so depressing im going to leave it up to you to do any further reading. But now listen to "Dianna" or the song below and tell me it doesnt touch you (not like that) on a different level.


So, now you know this bloke wasnt very well when he recorded these songs, knowing that he had been through a mental breakdown and had probably seen things in his head we darent even dream about, his music sounds so much more....erm, tender? Is that the right word? I suppose vulnerable is a better word to use here.
I dont know if that works for you but like I said earlier, its something I tend to do with everything new I begin to listen to and its helped me not only build up a far more eclectic record collection but a better appreciation of where music comes from. Why does he sound like that? What is this persons influence? What do these songs mean? What state of mind was this person in when they recorded this?

It can work in the opposite way, you could find out something about a band that doesnt quite sit comfortably with you that can ruin your listening experience. That has happened to me quite recently and its a pain in the arse let me tell you! I will go into detail if anyone wants me to but right now I cant be bothered.
What do you think then? Does knowing info about bands/artists before you listen to there music do you any favours? Does it help or hinder your listening experience? Are you interested in just there musical output or do you like to know the whole story - warts and all?

Before I go, here is the trailer to the film that basically changed my outlook on music. Without this film and the BJM I would still just be spinning my old Oasis cd's until they fell apart rather than actively looking for something new.
Anton Newcombe once said that DiG! was "at best a series of punch-ups and mishaps taken out of context, and at worst bold faced lies and misrepresentation of fact."
He may not like it, but for me this movie made me enjoy his music even more and even made me look into the Dandy Warhols (first and second albums are actually REALLY good). It also made me realise that I was on the right track and that my "musical process" was working for me. Happy days.

Bill Hicks- Play From Your Heart

Most of Bill Hicks comedy, although nearly 20 years old (he died in 1994), is still so relevent today.
Replace "New Kids On The Block" with almost anything in the charts today, and you will see my point.

The Action - Brain (album-rolled gold)

HAPPY THURSDAY MOTHERFUCKERS

Its a Wednesday

So its been a strange week....
I wont go into the details, but for more than one reason and on several occasions ive been sent white over the last 7 days. Its been odd. So much so that the most recent fuck up just seems like natural progression and nothing out of the ordinary at all (I fell over the other night and unfortunatly for me I didnt land on my bed, instead my head went through the wall). Since then - I would say that this happened at about 4am tuesday morning - Ive had some time to take in this last weeks events and mull over them.
I also had to go into work yesterday which disturbed my thought process quite a bit, aswell as the lump the size of a fuckin orange on my bonce. that would be enough to disturb anyones train of thought.
Thats my excuse for today, ive got mild concussion so if this comes off as rambling shite you know why.
Anyway, what my point was going to be is during the past week ive obviously been listening to music. Im always aware of that types of music im listening to, im always conscious of what mood the music is putting me in, or what I should say is im aware of how im feeling when I choose what to listen to. Basically if im listening to the rolling stones, im more than likely drunk or in the mood for getting drunk! Whereas if I was listening to Mazzy Star chances are im in the mood for quiet reflection -  or a wank over Hope Sandoval. What?



There have been several occasions when ive been in a certain mood and the music thats on hasnt grabbed me in the way I think it should. This happens alot when im out and about in town. Its not often a DJ will play songs I want to hear, one of the reasons I prefer going to gigs these days rather than going a night in a club.
Its especially annoying when your at a house party and the person in charge of the ipod machine is destroying procedings by either playing the same 3 bands on repeat, usually a mix of Oasis, The Stereophonics and whoevers been on the front cover of NME that week. This is especially true if the host is a bloke.
If the ipod hog is a girl (or mark stevenson) then what you usually get is 30 second snippets of every song thats on the machine before it being interrupted by screams of "oh my gawd! i farkin laaaaaaaaarve this song" and then the next 30 seconds is put on.

It really fucks me off.


Music, in many ways is like a drug. It makes you feel different, it can change your perspective on things, It enhances your mood etc etc etc...
And therefor shouldnt be abused the way it can be like i mention above! You wouldnt snort a line of coke then go, "I dont want coke anymore, I want some speed". Only before your speed kicks in you fancy some heroin, "I want heroin now, give me some fuckin heroin. Oh my gaaaaaaaaawd I fuckin love heroin! OH MY GAWD BUT NOT AS MUCH AS KET! I WANT KET NOW!"
Maybe you do know someone like that, I dunno. Im not judging. But if it was me, I would like to feel the effects of one before moving onto the other!
If you have been in a melancholic mood, chances are your going to listen to some pretty mellow, dare I say it, gloomy music. Your probably not going to start off with Leonard Cohen and then follow it up with something like this. I hope you would never do that anyway. Doesnt matter what mood your in, shit is shit at the end of the day.
 Anyway, do you see my point. Its in there somewhere. Its probably more of a blunt end.

That being said, I havent been to a house party this week and the times I have been out in town has been with the soul purpose to get completely and utterly spannered with no intention of listening to whats being played through the speakers. Its been when ive got home and slipped on the 'ol ipod that ive listened to tunes this week. Just me listening, so no need to worry about how it might go down with other people!
And predictably ive been listening to some pretty mellow tunes this week!


And thats been the whole point of this post - to basically justify what Ive been listening to over the last week and how and why i came about listening to those particular songs (which if Ive done it properly should be available for you to listen to on here).
What I will also do is post the artists name and the song title with a bit of info about them so if you hear something you like you know where to look. That will also bring me on nicely to what im going to talk about next, but before then I need to ice my head and figure out how to fix the hole before mother hubbard sees it. Moving back in with your parents is hard enough as it is, I havent made things any easier by smashing the gaff up.
But you dont need to worry about that, listen to my amazzing playlist.

1-RED KRAYOLA - When She Went Swimming             Hypnotic, accoustic, accordian driven lovelyness. Sticks to its guns more so than most red Krayola outputs making it more accesable. More on this band later
2-MC5 - Let Me Try           A quiet ballad from a band famed for its raw, punk energy. So as you can probably tell, i wasnt in the mood for party fun when i was listening to these! Its a lovely song anyway.
3-GALAXIE 500 - Victory Garden             This grbbed me instantly when I first heard it. So simple but just works for me. Anyone who read one of the previous posts about these lot should of already heard this, if not, you can hear it now.
4-FAUST - Jennifer (alt version)           Ive included the alternate version of this song, cos I prefer it. The origional is slightly longer and has a different melody for the "chorus" if thats what it can be called. Krautrock is so fucking good and these guys basically founded it by writing a song called, "krautrock". Easy. Anyway this has been at the centre of everything ive been listening to recently. I can get lost in it.
5-CLINIC - Milk & Honey            One of my fave songs from there latest album "Bubblegum". Love there new direction, 60's psychodelic pop in 2010. Ace.
6-BARDO POND - The Stars Behind            New bardo pond tune. 13 min epic of swirling feedback, haunting vocals, an almost radiohead esc guitar riff that could be a xylophone and another jewl in the crown of modern psychodelic music. They have been going for nearly 20 years this lot and on this evidence theyre better than ever.
7-SKIP SPENCE - Diana            Ok, things are getting a bit dark and if your like so many other people I know then you might describe this as "music to slit your wrists to". What i hear tho is some brilliant guitar playing, a bloke seriously struggling with life (drugs are bad, mmm k?) but managing to lay down some stunning tunes. The back story to this album (Oar) really adds to the songs and I will no doubt discuss it at some point.
8-THE WARLOCKS - So Paranoid              What did I say about drugs being bad?! I get the impression Bobby hesker from the warlocks has had his fair share. This song, although its about being in quite a fragile state of mind is actually quite uplifting helped my a simple but melodic riff that builds and builds throughout the song. Its great.

My next playlist will be a bit more uplifting, i promise. Links for the songs are below. If anyone can tell me how to embed them or make a podcast that would be apreciated cos nothing I try has worked.

http://www.box.net/shared/t8sj5xeh70
http://www.box.net/shared/vrb62etbvs
http://www.box.net/shared/v3um3isrln
http://www.box.net/shared/ag0yjmkshs
http://www.box.net/shared/ek5sonyzg5
http://www.box.net/shared/sjsuv59ft7
http://www.box.net/shared/tpd2re48q7
http://www.box.net/shared/9y5tdckzp2

entire playlist here (maybe, its a lottery this game)
http://www.box.net/shared/p8uugf0hqa

Do you have to be able to sing to be a singer?

Following on from what I was saying yesterday - not the comparison between writing blind and going the toilet - but the criticism given to the band Galaxie 500 about there vocals.
I think I made it clear in my last post that I don't hold that same scrutiny towards there vocal work, in fact i would probably declare myself a fan of Dean Warehams whiny drone. Its far from perfect but it works within the context of the songs.
You see, for me I'm not looking for a pitch perfect performance from a singer. There just has to be something there that I can take from it, whether that's the emotion I can hear in the voice, or maybe they have a very particular sound to there voice that resonates with me.
Singer is probably the wrong word to use here, what i probably mean is front man/woman. There are times, like here, when its probably for the best for every ones sake that you sound like an actual "singer", someone who can hit the notes and sing in key. In fact, when you look like a character out of DOUG dressed up in C&A hand me down shirt from your second cousin whilst singing (along with about 8 other mongs) a Tina Turner song in front of 50,000 football fans, its going to be pretty fucking important that you can sing. At least the dance moves are savvy (2.20min).
But when it comes an actual "artist" performing one of there own songs, the quality of there singing isn't the first thing I look for.

Here is an example of what I mean - Syd Barretts "It Is Obvious" from his second album "Barrett".
I don't think he would win over the judges on Xfactor with that performance.
"ooooh, you seemed to choke up a bit through that performance pet....never mind". Good 'ol Chezza. Could you tell thats what judge I was being? Was it the "pet" that gave it away?
Im only guessing Cheryl and co wouldn't like the song/performance but I recon im probably right. They're not looking for anything other than a "star" who will be able to sing the national anthem occasionally and who sounds good in the recording studio.
What we get from Barrett is a frazzled, child like performance that matches the songs playful yet slightly dark nature. Every crack in his voice, every slightly off key line of strange lyric fits so perfectly within in the song it manages to work on a much higher level. If this song had been sung perfectly in tune with extra tweaking in the production room then the soul would be stripped from it.

Neil Young is another great example of someone who doesnt really have what people would call a singing voice, but he means it. And thats more important to me than anything else.
Hes obviously got the tunes to back him up - I guess that helps.

Bob Dylan - Its All Over Now Baby Blue. Dylan is another prime example of someone who you could argue cant sing. And as the years have gone on there is no denying his voice has become more and more of a struggle to accept. The Dylan of the 60's sounds far removed from the Dylan voice we have now which is a gravely, rough sounding moan that threatens to strangle allot of his new songs. However,with the voice comes the passion (and obviously the lyrics) that Dylan possess.
I think it was Dylan who once said that as long as you sing with passion and soul then you can sing. Its where it comes from within you that matters.
And I guess thats my point. If it matters to you, if what your singing about is something that really means something to you and you "feel" it then you dont need to have the perfect voice (besides, pro tools can sort all that now). Believe in it and it will sound far better than you might think.
Then again, if everyone thought like that we would have far more dutch idol contestants running about so maybe scrap everything ive just said.
But before you do.....can these lot actually "sing"?

Ian Brown - lead singer of the Stone Roses and now solo artists with 6 solo albums to his name
Ozzy Osbourne - lead singer of Black Sabbath whose carer has spanned 40 years. Sold over 100 million records worldwide.
Jimi Hendrix - Overall rock'n;roll god whose voice often comes under scrutiny for its lack of range....or whatever.

The answer is probably no. But it works, and they mean it, and thats all that matters.

Galaxy 500 and the rest...

So I still dont really know what im blogging about. At present I am trying to learn how to use Adobe photoshop/Prem Pro/a few other programmes I havent got my head around, and its proving to be a difficult process.
It shouldnt be.
It should be straight forward and I should be able to pick it up quite quickly. The problem is my laptop has certain floors that prevent me from working at my desired pace. The main problema being its slow, old and shit. Its got a severe case of the "G-Nev".
Its so slow that as I type this I cant actually see what Im typing, it takes about 2 mins for the screen to catch up with my fingers. So I could do this................

rengjoerignioerhjgiuoerhiuiuoerhfurehwohiofsjlkjfioerwjfioj4eiojfirwhjfiojdwiojiodfjvioferio

....And  in about 2 mins or so, I will see this pop up. Its not a writing technique often used by writers or journalists but its my technique and im proud to of stumbled accross it. Its kind of like going to the toilet in the knowledge there is only 1 sheet of toilet paper left. You go anyway and hope that when your done you wont need to tidy up to much. The beauty of it is I can write things like this, comparing writing a blog to goin for a dump with not enough toilet paper, and because I cant see what ive written it wont get deleted. I will go back and read this before i post and probably think "why did I write that? oh, I know, I couldnt see what I was writing".
Jesus Christ, utter drivel. You still with me? ok.
Its been a slow day, as you can probably tell.

Anyway, because I am still waiting for Prem pro to load a 20 second video (its taken half an hour so far, i think its given up. Pathetic.) I thought I would write a few lines about a band ive been listening to recently.
Ive already posted a music video or 2, and also quoted a certain mr Newcombe at the start of this blog (the name of the blog is also an Anton quote. I dont think there is anything actually origional on here so far, all just robbed from his mind. What can I say, im scouse.)
So I guess there is already a music theme to this which i'll stick with for now.
Back to this band I was going to talk about....actually before i go on let me just say that if you are reading this and your thinking to yourself, "erm, who is Anton? and who is Mr Newcombe? and....what the fuck is this messy piece of offal im reading?" just bare with me, I only got a C in English. But I did get a B in art...soooooooo. Oh, and Anton Newcombe is this guy.
Theres my message! waste of time.
 Right, band. Galaxy 500. Ive been listening to them quite alot recently. 
Its actually spelt Galaxie 500. My mistake. Wikipedia says that galaxie 500 were an American band that formed in '87 amd split in '91 after releasing 3 albums.
This is all true. Well done wikipedia you clever bastard.
Now I used to think that the 1980's were a disgrace when it came to music. All I used to think was bad hair, bad power ballads, fuckin.....Phil Collins......and...........shit.
Oh how naive of me.
Of course the 80's was full of all that, and then some, but benneath the surface there is some truly amazzing music.You just have to find it. It is there. Like god......oh no wait.


Galazie 500 are probably best described as "dreamy pop mixed with psychodelic shoegaze sprinkled with, erm, drugs". All my own words. I will be writing for NME in no time.
The sound that the band produces is quite dense when you consider theyre just a 3 piece (1 quitar, 1 bass, drums). I guess this was a deliberate ploy when producing the album because from watching a few videos of them live on youtube, they sound far more thinned out when performing live. Thats not to say loads of work has been done in the studio - that would be doing the band a diservice. Its not like they had pro tools or anything back then. Im not comparing Galazie 500 to Girls Aloud.
What I actually like most about Galaxie 500 is they sound like a band you could imagine playing in. The simple lay out of the guitar/bass/drums gives them a garage band feel.
When i listen to songs like "ceremony" I can imagine playing that live. When Dean Wareham sings "forrrrrrrrrrrrrrrreeeeeeeeeeeeevvvveeeeeeeeeeeer" I beleive that its me singing. Thats me on the stage grooving to this. I recon Dean would be the first to admit his vocals arent exactly pitch perfect, but its that slightly off beat, out of tune singing that gives galaxie there sound. Set against the backdrop of glistening feedback and spine tingling melody, his voice actually soars. Think the Stone Roses - Ian Brown basically cant sing but on songs like Waterfall and I Wanna Be Adored your not thinking "hmmm, hes not hit that high F has he, the fuckin fake".
Apparantly the American press sighted the vocals as a weakness in the band and they were written off. You have to wonder sometimes. An underground band that records "dreamy pop mixed with psychodelic shoegaze sprinkled with, erm, drugs" is hardly going to appeal to everyone, so why write about them and focus on what you consider a weakness.
Kylie Minogue, for the record, aint got a brilliant voice has she. She didnt back then and she doesnt now but when do you hear anyone say that about her? Please tell me, I would like to read it, but usually people write about her image, the production of the songs, if there are hits on the album......whatever. Her vocals and overall musical talent arent scrutinised over the same way they are with particular bands.
What im trying to say is that basically, that was a dick move by the American press.


I think the UK press were a bit kinder to Galaxie, but not kind enough to ever gain the band any real acclaim and they have remained somewhat of a hidden gem.
Go here - listen to Ceremony.
Then listen to the album in full.
You might like it iiiiiiiiiiif (and heres where i do my own amazon thing) you like Spacemen 3, My Bloody valentine, early Verve, Velvet Underground.
I think this band have had quite a big influence on current west coast american bands such as BJM and The Warlocks. You can really here it in songs like Stone Hearts.
So even though the press didnt like them, even if they didnt own there own set of drums and basically winged it they still made there mark. And thats more inspirational than listening to this.
Fuckin singing.

Right, Prem Pro might work now. Time to make my mark.

Interviewer: Is it important for you to be understood?
Anton Newcombe: That would depend on the context of your question. If I was speaking to a doctor, for instance, and describing a medical condition, I would surely want to be understood. On the other hand, if I was creating a secret code, depending on the situation, then I would hope that certain people would not understand anything.

My computer wont run the programmes I have recently installed. This basically means I cant do any work. And when I say work, I mean work I am choosing to do - not the work I will be going to in a few hours which is more of a necessity rather than a choice.

Its still snowing.

There's A War Going On Bobby Jameson 1965