Wednesday 30 November 2011

Help - Various Artists

I don't know if I'm allowed to include compilation albums in this project...... Well it's my project so I guess I can do what the bally ever I like!
This album always reminds me of Whitby. Huh? I hear you ask. Well we were having one of our regular Friday's off - we used to take the day off from LCC and head up to my parents, stopping off somewhere en route, before arriving on Teesside. We would then head off for a few pints and some food in the Fox Covert. It was a lovely way to end the week. Lovely that was, until it was taken over by the owner of a pole dancing club......
Anyway, on this particular occasion, we had headed over to the east coast town of Whitby where I bought the album in Woolworths. Don't ask me how I remember this stuff!
As compilation albums go, this one is a cut above. It was all recorded on one day, mixed the following and then in the shops by the following Saturday. Pretty impressive. Contributing artists range from Radiohead to Paul McCartney, Johnny Depp to Manic Steet Preachers. Not that you would know it from the CD - it was recorded so quickly that the track listing was not confirmed in time to make it into the CD sleeve.
I've listened to it a couple of times today and it really does hold together. Quite a feat, all for charity.... And Whitby was never far from my mind.

Tuesday 29 November 2011

Dummy - Portishead

I think that those in the know classify this album as Trip-Hop. Whatever.
It is, though, an super cool and laid back record but definitely an acquired taste. It is almost too cool for its own good. I bought this album shortly after its release on the strength of the lead singles 'Numb' and 'Sour Times'. Although these are representative of the album, a whole 45min of slow paced, drum heavy and ambient music does wear a little thin. That said, taken in short doses the songs are original enough to maintain interest.
The album is often cited in top lists from the 1990s and quoted as being one of the best British albums. I can't quite see that but popular music is a broad church. In its defence it did win the Mercury Prize in 1995. If that is indeed a defence!
If you are tempted to give it a listen, then do so in short bursts and I'm sure you will find it an engaging and original recording. If you must listen to it in one sitting, be patient and have some vibrant pop music ready to pick you up afterwards!

Monday 28 November 2011

Captain Swing - Michelle Shocked

This was one of those albums that I played to death when it was released and then have not touched since. (Actually I did hear it at one of SD's friends house about ten years ago but I had drunk too much red wine so it doesn't count!)
Anyway I was intrigued to see how it would fare nearly twenty years later and....... not too bad actually. Not as good as I remember it but still a fun listen. The album wanders all over stylistically from blues to jazz to swing but is better for it. None of the tracks are as good as 'Anchorage' but that would be a tall order indeed.
We've seen Michelle live - at The Irish Centre in Leeds many years ago. I seem to remember that it was a good night out...but then nights in The Irish Centre usually were!

Sunday 27 November 2011

Wild Wood - Paul Weller

I'd forgotten just what a brilliant album this was! Yes I knew it was very good but the brilliance had become somewhat dulled in my memory. Each sing just fits - from the opening riff of 'Sunflower' to the whimsical 'Moon On Your Pyjamas'. It is definitely a summer album bur that is no bad thing. To listen to it in the depths if November it brings forth memories of summer camping trips and long light evenings.
I was too young to appreciate 'The Jam' and when 'The Style Council' cane along I was in serious mode and, quit frankly, they were a little lightweight so they were duly ignored. I would've been destined to ignore Paul Weller's solo output as well but thankfully I heard the track 'Wild Wood'. I had heard and liked a few tracks off his debut solo album but 'Wild Wood' was in a totally different league - a classic acoustic guitar riff leading the way and a laid back, summery vocal. There's that summer theme again!
The album will always remind me of buying our first house in Headingley as it was played a lot around that time.
It reminds me of our first neighbours as faint bars and rhythms of the album could be heard from the adjoining room.
It reminds me of visiting friends in Hull, prior to seeing him live at the ice rink and DC burning pizzas because he had 'decided' to grill them. Tsscchh!
It reminds me of being at the Pheonix Festival in 1993 and witnessing him playing like his life depended upon it. He was truly on fire that evening.
Finally it reminds me of driving up to the Lake District where we would meet up with the lads from Hartlepool for a camping weekend - it was 1994 and the album was on regular rotation on the car stereo during that summer.
(It never ceases to amaze me how music can instantly transport you to places long since forgotten).
I am really pleased I chose this album today.





Friday 25 November 2011

Equinoxe - Jean-Michel Jarre

In the cannon of popular music you can't get any less rock 'n roll than Jean-Michel Jarre, yet his popularity is so massive that he has sold over 80m albums. And not all of them in France. I have been a long time fan of electronic music as it combines two of my passions; technology and music, and Jarre was the front runner in this field. My Dad had the 'Oxygene' LP and it would occasionally be heard around the house, but it was not until 'Rendezvous' was released in 1986 that I started to really take notice. This was them compounded we went on holiday to France. Not that we saw him or anything but the shops were full of his records. Even the supermarkets, which was unusual at the time, sold his albums.
I eventually bought a keyboard and the opening to this album was the first (and last!) piece of music I learnt to play. It is such a beautiful phrase and reminds me of the first drops of rain - the prelude to a storm perhaps. Maybe this was intentional on his part but take a listen and you'll see what I mean.
Although 'Oxygene' is probably his most well known this is a more rounded suite of music and a relaxing way to start the weekend.

Southside - Texas

[Saturday 26 Nov 2011] As soon as I saw 'I Don't Want A Lover' on The Chart Show early in 1989 I knew that it ticked all the right boxes; guitar driven, blues tinged, pop hooks.... and a female singer. Now that was unusual. In fact I am struggling to recall any other young rock band at that time that was fronted by a woman. (I'm sure there are plenty but it's the end of a long week and it's early in the morning so please forgive me).
The album followed in March of that year and received heavy rotation, in radio parlance, on the car stereo. I think most of us loved the album, although KC did comment once, whilst driving around the country lanes that surrounded Hartlepool, that it was good except the drums were rubbish. I hadn't heard such a load of cods wallop in all my years. The album was perfect.
Prior to the album coming out, Texas did a small UK tour and played The Riverside in Newcastle. Of course we all hurriedly bought tickets (without any thought to transport as usual) and our very accommodating parents agreed to drop us off and pick us up again. With this being our first gig, we had no idea when it would finish do agreed to be collected from Central Station at 11:00 pm. Oops. Mistake number 1. The concert did not finish until nearer midnight but as we were enjoying it so much we did not even think about leaving early. Mistake number 2. When we eventually did leave, clutching out merchandised T-Shirts, we decided to take the Metro which would carry us swiftly to our rendezvous. Mistake 3. It was shut. We eventually arrived well after midnight to be greeted by a less than happy parent. It was outrageous behaviour but at least the gig was good!
Texas or course went on to bigger things but this album will remain a favourite due to the memorable events that surrounded it. I've enjoyed my revisit to Southside but twenty two years too late, I have to agree with KC - the drums are rubbish!

Thursday 24 November 2011

Solitude Standing - Suzanne Vega

Making a lie of the difficult second album syndrome, 'Solitude Standing' is arguably Suzanne Vega's best album. It certainly was her most commercially successful, but experience tells us that this is not always a good thing!
Probably the most well known song on the album is 'Luka', which I had bought on cassette single. Remember them? What a bad idea. It is though a great song and an unlikely topic for a hit single. About a year ago I was reading some reviews of her live concerts and one fan actually posted this, "It was a fabulous concert and Suzanne even played 'Luka', such a beautiful song and it could've been named after me as I am also called 'Luka'". Mmmm I can't help but think she missed the meaning of the song.
We have seen Suzanne Vega on a couple of occasions and each time they have fabulous intimate affairs, especially the concert at Leeds City Varieties in 2000.

Wednesday 23 November 2011

Tunnel Of Love - Bruce Springsteen

I really dislike Prefab Sprout. On the face of it this may seem like an odd opening statement in a blog about Bruce Springsteen but I can explain. Honest!
I became a Springsteen fan around the time of 'Born In The USA' and as usual this was a serious business. Here was an artist who recorded straightforward honest music that related to everyday people and the live they were trying to lead.
The, seemingly without provocation (or at least I thought so at the time) Prefab Sprout released 'Cars And Girls' and in it took several swipes at Springsteen and his (in their eyes at least) naive views of the world. Well, as you can imagine, I was outraged and decided, on the strength of that one song, I would boycott their music for ever. I can't say I have missed out on much!
The Sprout can't have heard this album as it is very reflective, dealing with themes of separation, loss, love and..... well maybe a car or two. I must say it came as a bit of a surprise - the tone was stripped back; acoustic guitars and muted drums were the order of the day with a country feel to the whole album. And it's fantastic because of it. The timeless sound of the music means that it has not dated one bit, unlike its predecessor.
Finally, I am lucky to have a picture disc CD of this album - I got it as a gift for Christmas that year. A gift that keeps on giving as it has not been far from the CD player ever since.

Tuesday 22 November 2011

OK Computer - Radiohead

In 1997 Radiohead, in releasing this album, proved that concept albums were still a relevant form of recording. Sort of. The band have repeatedly refuted this claim but there is a definite theme running through the album; consumerism, alienation, globalisation, networking and transport - modern life in fact.
For those able to stomach nearly an hour of such themes, the album is a magnificent tour de force and it's inclusion in lists of all time greatest albums is no surprise.
Personally, it will always remind me of my first construction site posting. During the summer of 1997 I was transferred from the office to a site based team in Leeds City Centre. Boy did I kick up a fuss because I did not want to go. Why should I leave the comfort of an office to work on site? So I was virtually forced against my will. This album accompanied my on my daily commute; a walk to Burley Park station, train into the city centre and then a walk to the site offices. The sun always shined. And I soon began to love my life on site and never, whilst at LC at least, never went back to an office.
Radiohead would follow up this critically acclaimed album by.... well not bothering really. Kid A, released three years later, was the sound of a once great band disappearing up their own sense of self importance. I've not heard that album in a while so maybe I will give it an airing as part of this project..... If I have plenty of patience and coffee it might just be possible!


Monday 21 November 2011

The Harrow & The Harvest - Gillian Welch

.......well it had to be didn't it? We're just on our way back from seeing Gillian Welch & David Rawlings in Glasgow and I am still beaming from ear to ear. It was simply a stunning concert - 'simply' because there were just the two performers, two guitars and a banjo. SD was right when she said the vocal performance reminded her of Simon & Garfunkel - the richness of the music that they created belied the fact that there were only two of them.
Upon waking this morning I just had to hear some of the songs again. This album, like the others before it, showcases their immense talents. This album though has a more beautiful melancholy than the others. Their voices sound absolutely amazing in harmony with subtle guitar fills from David Rawlings. Anyone who is unconvinced should take a listen to 'The Way It Goes' or 'Silver Dagger'.
If there is anything to feel sorry for today, it is that it has taken me so long to see them perform live. Even when this tour was announced I prevaricated as there wasn't a date that fitted in perfectly with my schedule. Didn't they know how busy I was?
I don't know why I dithered as I have been a fan ever since hearing 'My Morphine' on a recording that my Dad was given by a colleague. Well better late than never and I certainly won't be so reticent when they return to the UK. In the meantime I'll have to be content with their recorded output and a couple of live bootlegs that have 'appeared' in my collection. Right that's the end of the gushing, I'm off to listen to the album just one more time before I end my journey. Catch you on further down the trail.......

Sunday 20 November 2011

Kelvingrove Baby - The Bathers

You could be forgiven, based up the title of this album, that this was Glasgow's answer to U2's Berlin recorded album.
It couldn't, however, be anymore different. Instead of hard edged industrial sounds this album is warmer, smoother - soothing.
We're currently travelling by (late running) train up to Glasgow to see Gillian Welch in concert so it seemed apt that I listen to this album today. It turned out to be a perfect choice. Looking out of the window at the crisp but cold morning, this album is the aural equivalent of wrapping yourself in a blanket, or plunging into a warm bath. Either comparison will suffice.
I would like to think that the warmth this album gives off will last me through the rest of the day, and looking out over the north sea as the low winter sun shimmers on the still water it might just do that. Who knows what the weather will hold for us today. Sun, rain or something in between?
Ah well - for the time being at least I can kick back and lose myself..... Glasgow is a while off yet.

Saturday 19 November 2011

Once Upon A Time - Simple Minds

When we were growing up music was a very serious business. Very serious indeed. It wasn't life and death - it was much more important than that.
We all had our favourite bands and we discussed endlessly their relative merits. The problem was that, unlike football, there was no way of measuring one against the other. Very unsatisfying. It stayed that way until a scoring system was created. I can't recall who it was, PW or KC being the most likely culprits, but a scoring system was devised where bands were pitted against each other - a face-off if you like. Everything was compared and scored; best album, best single, best album artwork, best singer..... you get the idea. Eventually after pouring over the stats a definite winner was declared. Obviously there was a massive margin for error (or fiddling) but it entertained us for hours on end.
So it eventually came time to measure the two heavyweights of stadium rock. The stage was set for a final showdown between U2 and Simple Minds! Tension filled the air as it had often been argued that one was better than the other. Fights had very nearly broke out and friendships ruined. Sure U2 had some mildly entertaining hits but the ace up the sleeve in the Simple Minds camp was 'Once Upon A Time'. A bombastic, hit laden album designed for arenas and vastly superior to any of U2's output - it all but guaranteed a win. Not a single duff track and thumping head splitting production racked up the points. U2 were destined to lose out big time and lose they did. Simple Minds were going to dominate for years to come......
.....then U2 released 'The Joshua Tree' and it was game over.
I still argue, with myself mainly, that Simple Minds had the far superior earlier catalogue, peaking with this ace album. Come to think of it, U2 haven't faired so well recently - I think it's time for another face-off........

Friday 18 November 2011

Young Forever - Aberfeldy

Are Aberfeldy the Scottish Beautiful South? Quirky, slightly melancholic lyrics - Check. Pop Hooks - Check. Male/Female harmonies - Check. Dodgy album artwork - Check
This album was recorded around a single mic with no overdubs. Given the relative complexity of the arrangements this is nothing short of amazing. Not sure the Beautiful South could've done that.
Whatever they are, this debut album from the Edinburgh band is different enough to stand out from the crowd. Quite laid back, mellow and melodic - the perfect way to start a weekend in Scotland. Still not sure about that artwork though. What were they thinking - take a look for yourself below!


Thursday 17 November 2011

Supergrass - Supergrass

"This is ageless pop music" said Q Magazine, at least they did according to the sticker in the front of the CD - and having listened to it again I can't fault their statement.
Supergrass must be one of the most overlooked British bands and it is a real shame that they have called it a day. The music they made is chock full of pop hooks, melodies and wonderful British eccentricity - bicycle pumps feature somewhere on this album.
We managed to see the band for free when they played the Stockton-on-Tees Riverside festival in 2009. Unfortunately, as we had elected to travel by train, we had to leave during the encore. It was though a wonderful experience to be able to view 'Pumping On My Stereo' whilst standing on a bridge over the River Tees.
I can't help but feel that we are losing bands like Supergrass and replacing them with identikit boy/girl groups churning out bland hit after bland hit...... or maybe I'm just getting old!

Wednesday 16 November 2011

Kick - INXS

As the nights drew in, or in times of inclement weather, we used to congregate in each others houses and one of the favourite haunts was the attic of PW's house. Tucked away at the top of the house, it was far away from the domain of adults and we could make as much noise, within reason, as we liked. What made it even cooler was that the ladder into the roof space was accessed from one of PW's wardrobes. Flippin' brilliant or what! A bit like the bat cave might've been if Bruce Wayne had been brought up on a council estate in Hartlepool rather than a multi-millionaire's mansion.
Anyway I am digressing. So we used to congregate there and play snooker, read books, shoot the breeze and listen to records. This album, and others from INXS were in almost constant rotation, occasionally interspersed with Bon Jovi's 'Slippery When Wet' and Big Country. It was a great place to hang out and PW was a willing host, or at least he was until someone defaced one of his 'Oor Wullie' books. After several laps around the snooker table, being chased by PW brandishing a snooker cue, the perpetrator disappeared down the ladder and out of the house. I am not sure to this day whether the lifetime ban has been lifted but I can confirm that they are on speaking terms!
Although I am not a huge INXS fan, this album contains their classic hits. Definitely pop in nature, this record contains probably their best tracks and certainly their biggest hits. PW used to argue that the earlier INXS albums were better but I think that was him being contrary. If he stopped brandishing the snooker cue long enough he might see that he was wrong!

Tuesday 15 November 2011

Brothers In Arms - Dire Straits

In 1985 my Dad, who was always keen to have the latest gadget, came home with some new black boxes. It was a Trio hi-fi (who would later become known by their real name Kenwood) and within the boxes there was this new bit of kit called a CD player. I remember seeing this on Tomorrow's World a couple of years previously but now we had one in the house. Cool!
Inextricably linked to this purchase was 'Brothers In Arms'. A truly digital album whose rim hits sound so thin and precise that they could almost be used to cut diamond. And no matter how loud it was turned up there was no audible hiss (well nearly!). But for all of the technological trickery, there are two memories of mine that are linked to this album.
The first is of me lying in the floor in front of the gas fire at my Nana's one Sunday afternoon listening to the album on my Walkman and marvelling at the guitar part in 'Ride Across The River' - deciding there and then that I wanted to learn how to play the guitar.
The second is of a home movie of my friends miming to 'Money For Nothing'. It was probably the finest line up in rock history - Dave on the drums (foot stool), Shaun singing (hair brush) and Yosa playing the iconic guitar part (bed pan). It was quite a sight and if any of them upset me it's going straight on YouTube!
Of all my albums this is one of those that has influenced me a great deal; igniting my love of the guitar, giving me a greater appreciation of strong lyrics in songwriting and establishing my fondness for albums over individual songs.

Monday 14 November 2011

L.A. Woman - The Doors

It started with a movie. In 1991 a bunch of us went to Middlesbrough to see the new Oliver Stone film, 'The Doors'. To say I loved it was an understatement and I immediately set about collecting anything that was 'Doors' related; Books, CDs, videos, posters and T Shirts. You name it.
I was actually already aware of 'The Doors' through our Thursday trips to the Gemini but the movie tipped me over the edge!
The obsession reached a peak when in 1992, during an Inter-rail trip, Rid and I insisted that we visit Paris so we could 'meet' Jim - well his grave anyway. Arriving at his grave was a strange experience - the place was packed! A whole range of people were at his side; dopers, slackers, punks, hippies and 'regular' types. (I apologise for the dated stereotypical labelling but it was the only way I can describe the scene). There was an air of deference - or there was until JG read his head stone and blurted 'Douglas? His middle name is Douglas?' and started laughing. Needless to say, we made a quick exit.
Although all of their albums are worth a listen, this is by far the most approachable. It's a very bluesy affair and less prone to psychedelic doodling; 'Love Her Madly' and 'Riders On The Storm' being the most well known tracks here.
As for the movie that started me off? Well it is rubbish isn't it? Mostly fictional but since when did that get in the way of a good story?

Sunday 13 November 2011

Bryter Layter - Nick Drake

If say, for example, you were up until 1:30am chatting, drinking and eating and did not sleep well at all, then this would be the perfect album to play the following afternoon.
Not that I would do any of those things of course, but if I did......

Saturday 12 November 2011

Tracy Chapman - Tracy Chapman

11 June 1988 and a twenty five year-old woman walked out onto a stage in front of 60,000 people with just a guitar and her voice. Without any ceremony she launched into three songs and the crowd went silent. In that moment, Tracy Chapman demonstrated the power that a can be wielded by a guitar and a voice and in doing so went from an obscure singer-songwriter to a household name. It is a moment that I will never forget.
PW and I had decided long before this date that we wanted to attend the Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday Party Concert at Wembley - not due to any political reasons but because our beloved Dire Straits were topping the bill. As usual our very accommodating parents bought the tickets and dropped us at the bus station where a coach would take us down to London. It was our first 'proper' gig and what an event it was. Looking back, we were so fortunate to have seen such a wide range of performers including Simple Minds, Sting, Peter Gabriel, Midge Ure, Al Green, Bryan Adams, Whoopi Goldberg, UB40. Eurythmics, Bee Gees, Fry and Laurie, Eric Clapton, Johnny Marr, Dire Straits and Salt-N-Pepa. Ok maybe not so much that last act! It was though a roster of the big acts from the 1980s.
But surprisingly, what I remember from that day is not the big-names and headline performers but how this unknown singer-songwriter stood up and sang her songs; even doing a second set to save the organisers' embarrassment when Steve Wonder refused to play as a hard disc containing his backing tracks had gone missing.

Friday 11 November 2011

Wish You Were Here - Pink Floyd

There are two rules in our household, when it comes to music anyway; 1/. No 70s disco music (Me) and 2/. No Nirvana or Pink Floyd (Her). On the face of it this might seem a little unfair. A bit lopsided perhaps - how on earth can you ban all Pink Floyd records when there isn't a single decent disco track! The rule is well observed though and the fact that it has taken me a month to play a Pink Floyd album is testament to that.
I did get to see Pink Floyd once, albeit in their post Roger Waters phase, in Earls Court in London. Just getting to the event was nearly as memorable as the concert itself, but I'll save that for another blog.
'Wish You Were Here' is probably one of the finest rock albums ever recorded - and contains perhaps the closest a white, middle class rock band has ever come to a boogie. Quite apt considering it was released in 1975. Don't believe me? Check out the passage between 7:00min and 9:00 min on 'Shine On You Crazy Diamond (Part Two)'. It also contains the finest Pink Floyd song in the title track.
Blimey, I can hear footsteps coming up the garden path - better get the Floyd out of the CD player and back on the shelf or I'll have to suffer a night of disco!

Thursday 10 November 2011

Martika - Martika

After a nearly a month of blogs, I feel comfortable enough to let you into a secret. In short, I think it's time to let one of the skeletons out of my closet. It's getting rather full in there so it's probably good for me. I'm really embarrassed just typing these words, but I think you should know that, for a very brief time in 1989, I had a thing for Martika. Phew! There it is! It's out at last. Actually I feel much better already.
So how did this strange situation come to be? I would like to say that I was being post ironic but I think it had more to do with hormones, although at 18 I should've known better. Or perhaps it was a reaction to one of my friends liking Tiffany? What ever the reason, I was extremely protective of Martika, the album and the songwriting craft within it. Anyone who dared criticise it was in for a really harsh telling off.
Listening to it again....... well it's rubbish!. Really rubbish. About a minute into the first song 'If You're Tarzan, I'm Jane' I wanted to stuff the sofa cushions into my ears. The naff title should've been enough to warn me. But I'd started this catharsis so I had to finish the task. A bit like Hercules. Maybe. But with less bloodshed and more swearing. Actually if this were one of his labours I think he would've thrown the towel in by the time side two started.
The only slight saving grace is that there is a cover of the Carol King classic 'I Feel The Earth Move' but this is so drenched in electronic hand claps and synths it loses whatever semblance of emotion it had.
By the end of the album I was well an truly depressed - I'm sure that this was not the intention for listeners but after 40 minutes of upbeat, paper thin pop I found myself desperate to play a Leonard Cohen CD.
It's one skeleton that I am more than happy to let go - the further away the better. Next time I decide to delve into my closet please stop me. Right, now where is that Bruce Willis CD?............

Wednesday 9 November 2011

Some Friendly - The Charlatans

In some ways I feel like I have grown up with The Charlatans providing the backing track. For example, I vividly remember 'Some Friendly' being released at the very start of my second year at Teesside Poly (as it was then!). It was vitally important that on the first day of that year that I go into town to buy the album - at the first available opportunity as you weren't a true fan if you didn't. It was also equally important to me that everyone on the course knew that I had bought it. So during the course of that day, I kept taking it out of my bag, removing the sleeve and studiously reading it, probably adding some knowing nods every now and again. I think they got the message... whatever the message was!
I have managed to see them live several times, from Middlesbrough Town Hall in 1990 to the Manchester Evening News Arena in 2001. That show was particularly memorable as Johnny Marr joined the band for a song or two.
'Some Friendly' is never going to be a classic album - it has too many below par tracks for that. What it is, however, is the debut album from a classic british band. A band that have endured music fashion changes, arrest for armed robbery, car crashes and illness. They are one of the few bands that managed to escape the 'baggy' era with their credibility intact. Even the Stone Roses didn't manage that, imploding several years later.
Eleven or so albums into their career they are still producing dazzling music and I hope they continue to add the soundtrack for me for years to come.

Tuesday 8 November 2011

University - Throwing Muses

The Indie scene, especially in the late 1980s, had several tiers of 'alternatism'. Firstly there were the more mainstream independent acts, such as Depeche Mode and R.E.M. Beneath these bands there were several other levels of alternative music. If I am being honest, I preferred the mainstream indie music - stuff with obvious melodies and relatively obvious lyrics. Then there were bands like The Pixies and Throwing Muses. Noisy, brash and impenetrable. I was desperate to like these type of bands but try as I might I just could not get my head around it. I was convinced that those who professed to like this stuff only did so to try and appear different to everyone else. In one last desperate attempt I rented a CD of 'Hunkpapa' from Alpha Video in Hartlepool. It did after all have a catchy single 'Dizzy' on it so maybe the rest of the album would be like that.....
I was wrong - 'Dizzy' was not characteristic of the album (and the band have even since disowned it!).
I put it down to another failed attempt and went back to what I knew best.
It would've remained that way but then I started work at CYC in 2002 and discovered that one of my new colleagues had similar taste in music to myself..... and loved the Throwing Muses.
His enthusiasm was infectious and persuaded me to give them another go. I bought a copy 'Hunkpapa' and apprehensively gave it a listen. At first it was business as usual - noisy guitars, impenetrable lyrics and feedback. Then, out of the cacophony, melodies started to emerge. Slowly I became attuned to the music and it all started to make sense. And thankfully still does! I've not listened to 'University' for a good few years but it still sounds as fresh as it did when I first heard it. Cheers JW!

Monday 7 November 2011

Pills n Thrills and Bellyaches - Happy Mondays

I mentioned a few blogs ago that 'Madchester' was all the rage in Hartlepool, or at least it was in our group of mates. Everyone had their favourite bands, some which have stood the test of time and others that haven't. Of the true Manchester bands, it was the Happy Mondays that I preferred. Perhaps it was the fact that the shambolic guitar playing was easier for me to imitate or perhaps it was the rambling and sometimes insightful lyrics of Shaun Ryder. Not sure.
Anyway I remember the palpable excitement when 'Step On' was released as a few of us went down to a little independent music shop on Thornton Street (I think) to buy our copy.
The single, and album that followed, was a departure for the Mondays as the tracks had been essentially remixed for the album by the then producer of choice Paul Okenfold. For followers of music fashion it was a great album released at the height of the 'baggy' scene.
Listening to it over twenty years later it has lost none of its appeal and it was great bouncing down the street, on a cold and dark November morning, listening to 'Kinky Afro', 'God's Cop' and 'Step On'. Twisting My Melon Man!

Sunday 6 November 2011

Central Reservation - Beth Orton

This is another one to 'blame' on my Dad. Many years ago I compiled a Mini Disc of tracks from Uncut and Mojo CDs that came with his magazines. It was quite an eclectic mix wandering from Americana to Pop and every shade in between. Nestled between Townes Van Zandt and Mary Coughlan was 'Couldn't Cause Me Harm' by Beth Orton.
That track turned out to be a really good trailer for the rest of the album. Laid-back electronic tinged melancholic folk pop songs with contributions from Dr John, Ben Watt and Ben Harper.
It is criminal that she has not received the commercial success like those that followed her - refusing several offers to raise her public profile on ethical grounds no doubt played a part in this. In our X-Factor 'inspired' music era where fame is the ultimate goal this must seem like an strange stance to have taken. Calvin Klein's loss is my gain as this is the perfect album for a Sunday afternoon chill-out; mug of tea in hand, after walking along Saltburn beach.

Saturday 5 November 2011

Aw Cmon / No You Cmon - Lambchop

I'm confused. I agree that it doesn't take much, but is this two separate albums or a single double album? They are packaged together, have very similar artwork and we're recorded at the same time. For the purpose of this exercise I have decided that it is a single double album(s). Or something like that.
This is one of those CDs that I bought upon release, listened to it once, enjoyed and then put back on the shelf and never listened to again.
So it was good to finally listen to it again. This album(s) has a very relaxed feel to it with instrumentals interspersed amongst the vocal tracks, Kurt Wagners's voice being gravelly yet warm. The level of musicianship on this record is absolutely astounding - the style of songs ranging from gentle lounge music to punk pop via country ballads.
I really enjoyed listening to this album again, like I did seven years ago. It is back on my shelf again but I hope it won't be so long before it gets another airing.

Friday 4 November 2011

Rumours - Fleetwood Mac

Being 16 and liking Fleetwood Mac was definitely not cool. Not in the slightest. But when was the music you liked supposed to be a gauge of how cool you are? Oh, when you are a teenager of course!
But like Fleetwood Mac I certainly did. And I was not alone as a few of my friends also admitted to having a soft spot for the Californian/British soft rockers (PW - I'm looking at you!) 'Tango In The Night' was the album that did the damage with its numerous radio friendly hits and MTV friendly videos. Damn you! After playing that album to death I started my usual trawl through their back catalogue and eventually happened upon 'Rumours'.
Hearing 'Rumours' for the first time was a revelation - I had heard so many of the songs before but had not realised it. It even contained the BBC Grand Prix theme tune. Who knew? Putting the image issues aside for a moment, the album is a true classic with the main songwriters delivering some of the best rock sings committed to tape. The singles aside, the beautiful 'Songbird' and 'Gold Dust Woman' are stand out tracks - quite a feat when the writing is of such high quality.
Despite my diversion into indie music I have maintained a soft spot for Fleetwood Mac and in particular this album. Just don't tell anyone!

Thursday 3 November 2011

Autoamerican - Blondie

Being only seven years old when Blondie were turning out the hits, their career was well underway by the time I was buying music. Sure I was aware of them - I used to record the Top 40 onto cassette every week so Blondie were a regular feature in my early compilation tapes - but it was much later when I started buying their back catalogue.
I suppose the most obvious choice for my first Blondie album in this blog would've been 'Parallel Lines', their 1978 classic. But this is a much more interesting mix of tracks. Everything is in here, from the experimental opener 'Europa', the reggae tinged 'The Tide Is High', the jazz styling of 'Here's Looking At You' and (arguably) the first rap in a pop sing ever recorded in 'Rapture'.
Whilst this might make for an incoherent listen, the individual tracks are so well written that this does not seem to matter.

Tuesday 1 November 2011

Laid - James

This album will always, in my mind at least, be linked with my move from Hartlepool to Leeds. The fact that it was released the very same day I started my new job with Leeds City Council obviously had a huge bearing in this, but also because it was a constant companion during the first few months in my new home.
Even buying the album was eventful. It got to lunchtime on my first day and I set off to the shops to buy a scale rule and the James album. After some searching I got the scale rule and then quickly went to get the album. Then it dawned on me that I didn't have a clue where I or my new office was. The only landmark I knew was the Corn Exchange so I set off to find that. After a bit of searching, and talking to the friendly locals, I got to the steps of the iconic building. At least from here I knew where my office was - on the opposite side of town. Trudging back up the hill I arrived in work just in time.
This album is one of James' masterpieces. Emerging from the ashes of the 'Madchester' scene this album was a cool and calm oasis amongst the beginnings of Brit Pop.
'Sometimes (Lester Piggott) is my favourite track on the album - my overriding memory of tis track is that it was playing whilst I was helping my partner move out of her shared house and into my rented apartment. It was absolutely pouring with rain and we both sat on her bedroom window ledge and watched the storm pass over; cardboard boxes piled high around us. Another new beginning and a special track on a special album.

Bandwagonesque - Teenage Fanclub

A few blogs ago I mentioned that how to get to gigs was one of the last considerations. Whilst this was understandable when we did not have access to a car, the situation did not improve much once we did. We still seemed to find ways to make it as convoluted as possible. One such example was when Neil and I decided to go and see the Teenage Fanclub at Leeds Uni in 1992. Being from Hartlepool, that in itself would seem like a tall order but when you add in the fact that I was, at the time, living in Hull it made even less sense. But we were going and that was that.
So, after work one evening, Neil travelled from Hartlepool to Hull (which is not on the way to anywhere) and after picking me up we set off across the M62 towards Leeds. Time was tight. Very tight. So tight in fact that we got to the Leeds University buildings just before 9pm.... and then there was the problem of finding a parking space. Not being familiar with Leeds at all we ditched the car on the first piece of grass we could find and rushed into the University buildings. It was a storming gig and we were pleasantly surprised to find that the car had not been clamped or towed away. We had inadvertently dumped the car in the middle of the junction at Woodhouse Lane! An so, at around 11:30pm Neil made the return journey to Hartlepool, via Hull of course. It was a heroic effort on his part.
This album marks something of a watershed for the Fannies as it was critically acclaimed and for a brief moment it looked as if they were destined for huge commercial success. It was not to be but the album has all the right ingredients; glorious harmonies, melodies and distorted guitars. Perhaps Travis, who appeared on the scene a few years later, stole their thunder with a very similar sound. Nevertheless, this album is one of the classic indie albums and demonstrates that pop music was not confined to electronics, samples or dance beats.