HAPPY TIMES

At times like this with so much death and destruction in the world you really need some happy music. Well halfway there....

HAPPY SONG

The Aliens

Astronomy for Dogs [buy]

PRETTY PEOPLE

Low

Drums and Guns [buy]

EASTER MONDAY RELEASES

Long forgotten what religious significance today has - but side-stepping that question, lots of new releases out today including Bill Callaghan and Bright Eyes

DAY
Bill Callaghan
Woke on a Whaleheart [buy]

MAKE A PLAN TO LOVE ME
Bright Eyes
Cassadaga [buy]

A MONTH OF SUNDAYS - John Bramwell Solo

Photo: Karen McBride

From IAK email list:

I Am Kloot's singer/songwriter John Bramwell will be performing solo for 'A Month of Sundays' in Manchester starting on the 15th April with gigs:

Sun 15 April - The Ladybarn (map) 0161 2493712
Sun 22 April - Big Hands (map) 0161 2727779
Sun 29 April - The Ladybarn (map) 0161 2493712
Sun 6 May - Big Hands (map) 0161 2727779
(Tickets £10 available from the venues and from the Temple of Convenience bar- each venue open from 12 noon, support on at 1.20pm, John on stage at 2pm).

And then the John Bramwell solo gigs continue on:
Fri 11 May - Town & Country, Magherafelt, N. Ireland
Sat 12 May - The Dungloe Bar, Derry, N. Ireland
Sun 13 May - The Empire, Belfast, N. Ireland
Fri 18 May - The Knights , Middlesborough
Thu 23 August- Barracuda Club, Newquay

FEAR OF FALLING

Natural History [buy]

PROOF

I Am Kloot [buy]

MISTY'S BIG ADVENTURE @ JABEZ CLEGG 3 APRIL 2007

The Black Hole

Misty's Big Adventure

How Did You Get Inside My Mind?

Fighting For My Life

I Can't Bring The Time Back

Evil

Circles, Squares and I Blame The Parents

Everything's Odd

A Serious Thing

The Kids Are Radioactive

Crumpled Guy?

We Do Do We? We Do!

Elevator Escalator Stairs

Two Brains

She Fills The Spaces

A Dog Like You

Homemade War

Hometaping's Music

I'm Waiting For You

I Have Sat By Your Window Since 1964

Sharp Guys Were Ties

Fashion Parade

The Long Conveyor Belt

---- encores ----

Never Stops Never Rests Never Sleeps

Smothered in Love

Cool With a Capital 'C'

The Tapeworm of Love

The Wising Up Song

Hey Man

ADDED TO THE ARCHIVE: EMPIRE BUILDERS

Spent some time looking for this after hearing some samples on the mighty Shoeshine label website. On first couple of listens worth the search.

Some great 'country-or-is-it-alt-country' tunes including political songs such as 'Rebel Flag in Germany', 'New-Fashioned Imperialist' and 'American Question' below. Great thing about being an outsider/independent/non-major label artist like Jason Ringenberg is you can be this outspoken and not risk any Dixie Chicks-style backlash. Two tracks to sample:

AMERICAN QUESTION

LINK WRAY

Jason Ringenberg

Empire Builders 2004 [buy]

AU REVOIR JULEE

Intrigued by the David Lynch recommendation, been listening to the new Au Revoir Simone album . All very pleasant and peaceful but don't think it is destined for a permanent place in the archive.

But the similarity between their music, particularly the opening track, and Julee Cruise's songs from Floating in the Night and for Twin Peaks is striking. And Mr Lynch's recommendation makes sense. The important question this brings to mind is: where is the new Julee Cruise record?

THE LUCKY ONE

Au Revoir Simone

The Bird of Music [buy]

FALLING

Julee Cruise

Floating In The Night [buy]

FOLLYCAST #5: LONDON SONGS

The Big Smoke is the subject of the fifth Follycast: London Songs.

Having spent nearly ten years in London, I have plenty of fond memories of the capital. But it's definitely a love-it-or-hate-it experience. And as of last year it is now the most expensive city in the world (according to this report).

So 30 odd minutes celebrating or condemning London Town.

Follycast #5: London Songs

Tracklisting:
Lord Kitchener - London Is The Place For Me
(The Real) Tuesday Weld - Bathtime in Clerkenwell
Noonday Underground - London
The Smiths - London
Animals That Swim - London Bridge
Calexico - The Guns Of Brixton
Prozak for Lovers - London Calling
Sparklehorse - London
The Crabapples - London Belongs To Me (Part 2)
The Clash - London's Burning
The Pogues - London You're A Lady
The Kinks - Waterloo Sunset

And here is William Blake's poem from 'Songs of Innocence and Experience' as arranged by Sparklehorse:

I wander through each chartered street,
Near where the chartered Thames does flow,
And mark in every face I meet,
Marks of weakness, marks of woe.

In every cry of every man,
In every infant's cry of fear,
In every voice, in every ban,
The mind-forged manacles I hear:

How the chimney-sweeper's cry
Every blackening church appals,
And the hapless soldier's sigh
Runs in down palace-walls.

But most, through midnight streets I hear
How the youthful harlot's curse
Blasts the new-born infant's tear,
And blights with plagues the marriage-hearse

THIS TIME YESTERDAY....

Photo: Nathan Seabrook

...James Yorkston was getting ready to play Night and Day in Manchester. Sadly missed him this time. Shouldn't really be archiving all the times I have NOT seen someone but any excuse to post some great music.

THIS TIME TOMORROW

James Yorkston & The Athletes

Just Beyond The River [buy]

STEADY AS SHE GOES

James Yorkston

The Year of The Leopard [buy]

BRAKES @ MANCHESTER ACADEMY 3

Well did the set get to go over sixty minutes? Jury's still out on that one. Here's the set-list:


All Nite Disco Party
Hi How Are You
Margaherita
Hold Me In The River
If I Should Die Tonight
Pick Up The Phone
I Can't Stand To Stand Beside You
Cheney x 2
The Beatific Visions
We Saw Jerry's Daughter
Heard About Your Band
On Your Side
Cease & Desist
Porcupine or Pineapple?
What's In It For Me?
Spring Chicken
NY Pie
The Most Fun
Ring A Ding Ding
Comma Comma Comma Full Stop
- encores -
No Return
Jackson
Huevos Rancheros

Fun as ever but felt it lacked a bit of (audience?) spark and a bit of volume. Highlight was 'What's In It For Me' which I thought was stand-out track of the night - felt all four were really getting into it, loads of energy behind it. Another highlight was the cover of Camper Van Beethoven's 'We Saw Jenny's Daughter'. Can't really go wrong with this if you stay faithful to it and they did. Matt the merchandise guy joined the band for 'The Most Fun'. They claimed 'No Return' was first time ever live? And Alex the drummer wore a Proclaimers T-shirt.

But more importantly, we came home with The Pineapple thrown by Tom the guitarist into the audience!

Need MUCH more practise with the new camera-phone.

HOLD ME IN THE RIVER
Brakes
The Beatific Visions [buy]


WE SAW JENNY'S DAUGHTER
Camper Van Beethoven
Camper Van Beethoven [buy]


Second time I've seen Absentee now. And it doesn't get better. They aim for cool-and-laid-back, playing indie-country-rock but just strike me as bland and unoriginal. Bobby Cook on the other hand showed huge promise. Only caught the last two songs but distinctly Postcard Records c.1980 in sound (jangle) and look (floppy fringed singer and checked shirts all round). Nothing on sale at merchandise stall - but must find out more. Any info gratefully received.

MALCOLM MIDDLETON IN-STORE

Malcolm Middleton played Fopp in Manchester this lunchtime. Appeared a bit uncomfortable at whole idea of 'promotional in-store tour' but played a great 25 minute acoustic set.

We're Going to Die
A Brighter Beat
Fuck It, I Love New
Total Belief
Loneliness Shines
Stay Close Sit Tight
The Devil & The Angel

'Loneliness Shines' was a request (skipping over the request for 'Cold Winter'). 'Total Belief' is a new song "which will probably be on the next album". It was jaw-droppingly brilliant and should be rush released as a single now I say.

Malcolm (again uncomfortably) signed some stuff.


And I got a freebie balloon to take home too.


Tour dates here. Malcolm and band play Manchester's Life Cafe on 22 March. Tickets here.

ADDED TO THE ARCHIVE: SPANKY WILSON

You know how it is. For a work meeting, you pop out for coffee. And then someone suggests a record shop that happens to serve coffee. You concentrate very hard during the meeting but can't help wondering what that song is they are playing. After the meeting you ask - purely out of curiosity of course - who it was. Next the person behind the counter is showing you the cover. And before you know it you are shelling out on a new CD - all as part of work.

The shop was Vox Pop Music; the coffee was by Love Saves The Day; the artist was Spanky Wilson & the Quantic Soul Orchestra

DON'T JOKE WITH A HUNGRY MAN PT.2
Spanky Wilson & The Quantic Soul Orchestra
I'm Thankful 2006 [buy]
Tru Thoughts Recordings

ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS A GIN SLING

Due to a horrendous scheduling error, I am not attending the Half Man Half Biscuit gig at Manchester Academy tonight; instead it is "cocktail night".

Sorry Nigel & Co - will see you soon. Am there is spirit, whilst involved with sluicing my innards with spirits. Salut!

TEQUILA!

The Champs

Rhythm Riot [buy]

BOB WILSON ANCHORMAN

Half Man Half Biscuit

Editor's Recommendation [buy] or [buy]

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY?

Photo by Supercapacity

Rather hastily assembled (just like those last-minute presents and cards?) is the fourth Follycast: Love Comes in Spurts.

34 minutes of 'love' songs - but with reduced sugary-sweetness and a little more bile and pessimism. Oh and some explicit language.

Features Wanda Jackson, Bongwater, The Blenders, Richard Hell, The Bastard Fairies, Shocking Blue and The Associates amongst others. Tracklisting in comments.

Follycast #4: Love Comes in Spurts

And if you want more have a listen to Mr Fab's 2005 Happy VD Mix here

FOUR LADS FROM LIVERPOOL WHO SHOOK THE WORLD

Well who shook Manchester Academy 3 anyway. Exceptionally good gig from Clinic tonight. Only about a hour in length but to the point and with lots of bite.

Some unfamiliar (to me) songs ("Fortune Teller" was a highlight), some classics and lots of material from Visitations. Only disappointment was no "Distortions".

But how do they create that extraordinary sound with only four of them? Other than one extra guitar at times, mellodeon and some harmonica they stuck with same four instruments all night.



The One That Got Away:

DISTORTIONS

from Internal Wrangler [buy]

TUSK

Live in Toronto 5 November 2004

from Visitations [buy]

THE DECEMBERISTS @ MANCHESTER ACADEMY 2

Tonight's gig was their third time in Manchester; my first time seeing them. And it was great.

I expected them to be bookish and serious but quite the opposite. Colin Meloy was clearly the front person without being egotistical, clearly enjoyed 'performing' but was never hammy; the band were accomplished but not dull; and although they never 'rocked out' they played with energy and genuine passion. One of those gigs were you feel you know a band better for having seem them live.

Set List:
Crane Wife 3
The Island
Billy Liar
We Both Go Down Together
Engine Driver
Yankee Bayonet
Shankill Butchers
Odalisque
O Valencia
Sixteen Military Wives
Sons & Daughters
- encores -
Eli The Barrow Boy
Please Please Please Let Me Get What I Want
The Culling of The Fold

ELI THE BARROW BOY
The Decemberists
Picaresque
[buy] [website]

Hmmm....must get a better camera-phone.

FOLLYCAST #3: PSYCHEDELICTRONICA

FOLLYCAST #3: PSYCHEDELICTRONICA (Hippy Skippy Moon Stomps)

A collection of the classic and the curious stetching from 60s psychedelic and garage gems to recent mash-ups from Go Home Productions with snippets of Tom Donahue. Features Johnny James & The King Casuals, Teddy & His Patches, France Gall, Roky Erickson and The West Coast Pop Art Experimental Band amongst others. Tracklisting in comments.

Download here

BONNIE NEW STUFF

Saw Bonnie "Prince" Billy last night at the Bridgewater Hall in Manchester. Enjoyable experience but strangely unmoved to write anything about it. The size and style of venue (2000+ seater formal concert hall) just didn't feel right for the music. Impressive facial hair though. And some great wide-eyed staring.

[Here's somebody else's thoughts on last night]

So instead some stuff out now or next in couple of months:

NERVE ENDINGS
Kristin Hersh
Learn To Sing Like A Star
4AD [buy album]

CON CARINO
Gruff Rhys
Candylion
Rough Trade [buy album]

FUCK IT I LOVE YOU
Malcolm Middleton
A Brighter Beat
Full Time Hobby [pre-order album]

GIRLS MAKE ME SICK
Butcher Boy
Profit In Your Poetry
How Does It Feel To Be Loved? [pre-order album]

BLACK MIRROR
Arcade Fire
Neon Bible
Universal [pre-order album]

The Archivist

JANUARY: CURRENT FAVOURITES

Three songs that all came out last year to shake off some of the January blues:

Swan Lake All Fires

Came across this on the Best of 2006 Collective Podcast and swiftly tracked down the album. Highly recommended.

From the album Beast Moans Buy: [Amazon UK]

Johnny Boy You Are The Generation That Bought More Shoes And You Get What You Deserve

Hands-down out-right winner for title of the year. And the song is quite special too. Phil Spector eat your heart out.

From the album "Johnny Buy" Buy: [Amazon UK]





Boat Holding All The Globes

Can't remember where I came across this song but wow! Good things come out of basements...

From the album "Songs That You Might Not Like Buy": [Amazon UK]

The Archivist

FOLLYCAST #2: JESUS SONGS

Well made it to a second Follycast. 30 minutes of songs from The Broken Family Band, The Velvet Underground, James Yorkston and others - timely without being festive. Have a safe holiday whatever faith you have, if any. Tracklisting in comments.



Follycast #2: Jesus Songs

The Archivist

2006: TOP TEN ALBUMS

Well everyone else is doing it so let's join in. With some mp3s for evaluation purposes.

Firstly honourable mentions to Yo La Tengo, Camera Obscura, Willard Grant Conspiracy, The Mountain Goats, Beirut, James Yorkston and Darren Hayman.

And for the first time I've tried to put my Top Ten in (reverse) order:

10. Keith John Adams 'Pip' [buy]

Listen: 'Inconsequential Thought'

9. Isobel Campbell & Mark Lanegan ' Ballad of the Broken Seas' [buy]

8. Stuart A Staples ' Leaving Songs' [buy]

7. Current 93 'Black Ships in the Sky' [buy]

The texts for this album were started following an intense dream I had that Black Ships had entered our skys in preparation for the arising of the final Cæsar and for the Second Coming of Christ. In subsequent dreams I saw geometric faces , colours, words and shapes falling into my head. They appeared as a multitude of images; they were dreamlike yet vital, manifesting as processions of characters and scenesand dialogues that shifted between being utterly lacking in conventional perspectiveto that of being hyper-dimensional. I commenced writing furiously, and the words of Black Ships Ate The Sky are the recording of this period in my life.

Listen: 'Black Ships Ate The Sky'

6. Cat Power 'The Greatest' [buy]

Listen: 'Could We'

5. Neil Diamond '12 Songs' [buy]

Listen: 'Hell Yeah'

4. Clinic ' Visitations' [buy]

Listen: 'Family' and 'Tusk'

3. Pere Ubu ' Why I Hate Women' [buy]

2. Howe Gelb 'Sno Angel Like You' [buy]

Listen: 'Paradise Here Abouts' and 'Howlin' A Gale'

1. The Broken Family Band 'Balls' [buy]

Listen: 'I See How You Are' and 'Diamonds in the Mine'

The Archivist