Posts
I've not being doing a whole load of reviewing lately, due to being in a bit of a grump, but a couple of things have been uploaded of late.
Borderville - Short Sharp Shock http://www.musosguide.com/?p=2826
Love Is All - A Hundred Things Keep Me Up At Night http://www.musosguide.com/?p=2401 (First one on the page. I wrote this ages ago and didn't think it would get published but I'm quite pleased with it).
Excellently, the guy from Borderville found the review and contacted me to say thanks, ask if they could use it, and if I would like to review the album when it came out. This pleased me muchly, as he said I got what the band were all about, and I feel like I'm doing something good for Oxford music, albeit from afar.
In other news I am going to alternative music festival ATP, which has an excellent line-up (here). I also get 5 choice for another band to play, and I am fretting about not wasting my votes.
Aah, ATP is best fesitval. There's nothing quite like seeing an experimental noise band in a bingo hall at a holiday camp.
Friday, 13 March 2009
Monday, 9 March 2009
Another Recent Purchases!
I felt I had not bought enough CDs recently so I splurged out (stop laughing at the back) over the last few days, buying of 5 CDs for a shade under £30. Not too shabby, eh?
From Fopp on Friday
Various Artists - Dark Was The Night. AIDS-charity benefit compilation, starring pretty much all the brightest stars of North American Indie. Has some exclusive new tracks from Arcade Fire, Decemberists etc. and also features that David Byrne/Dirty Projectors collaboration I was honking on about earlier.
The Fall - I Am Kurious, Oranj. My 10th Fall studio album. Not a classic of theirs, but it was only a £5, and I am weak. Still seems a decent enough album - like the vaguely ska title track, the muscular "Wrong Place, Right Time", and the springy "Cab It Up!".
Melvins - Stag. I'm a big fan of Melvins, and this is the third of their albums on Atlantic Records (after Houdini and Stoner Witch). Again, not one of their best but has some excellent riffing all the same.
From Oxfam Music, Today.
Sonic Youth - Sonic Nurse. My 10th Sonic Youth album, no less. It's a pretty good one, with long and jam-y songs (which I can get behind).
Stereolab - Margerine Eclipse. Almost certainly won't be as good as the magnificent "Emperor Tomato Ketchup", but seems decent enough all the same. Wanted to own something by them, and it's all for charity, right?
I suspect the number of people who read this will be less than the total number of CDs I bought. Prove me wrong.
From Fopp on Friday
Various Artists - Dark Was The Night. AIDS-charity benefit compilation, starring pretty much all the brightest stars of North American Indie. Has some exclusive new tracks from Arcade Fire, Decemberists etc. and also features that David Byrne/Dirty Projectors collaboration I was honking on about earlier.
The Fall - I Am Kurious, Oranj. My 10th Fall studio album. Not a classic of theirs, but it was only a £5, and I am weak. Still seems a decent enough album - like the vaguely ska title track, the muscular "Wrong Place, Right Time", and the springy "Cab It Up!".
Melvins - Stag. I'm a big fan of Melvins, and this is the third of their albums on Atlantic Records (after Houdini and Stoner Witch). Again, not one of their best but has some excellent riffing all the same.
From Oxfam Music, Today.
Sonic Youth - Sonic Nurse. My 10th Sonic Youth album, no less. It's a pretty good one, with long and jam-y songs (which I can get behind).
Stereolab - Margerine Eclipse. Almost certainly won't be as good as the magnificent "Emperor Tomato Ketchup", but seems decent enough all the same. Wanted to own something by them, and it's all for charity, right?
I suspect the number of people who read this will be less than the total number of CDs I bought. Prove me wrong.
Saturday, 7 March 2009
New Band Smell
Soooo I had my second practice/jam thing with the guy from Reading last night (Thursday).
All in all, I'd say it went very well. We were mainly working on two particular songs that he had sent me and by the end we'd got both of them pretty much worked out, and I think I came up with some pretty good ideas. He even said that I sounded more confident this time and seemed genuinely pleased with what I was playing. Best of all, it was actually fun playing, and I got to that excellent point where you feel the music, rather than consciously think about it.
On the way back to Reading station he told me that he had met about 10-15 potential bassists, but had only jammed with 3 people (myself included). He said (and I appreciated his honesty) that we were all good bassists and nice people, and that he genuinely had no idea who he would pick for the band. He did promise we'd have another practice at some point, though.
In a way I wouldn't mind too much if I don't get picked. To know that I was one of the most promising people he'd met is very pleasing, and the whole thing has been pretty confidence-boosting. I'd also feel reasonably content that I could get a pretty good project of my own going. Having said that, I think I would definitely enjoy being in the band a lot. We shall see.
All in all, I'd say it went very well. We were mainly working on two particular songs that he had sent me and by the end we'd got both of them pretty much worked out, and I think I came up with some pretty good ideas. He even said that I sounded more confident this time and seemed genuinely pleased with what I was playing. Best of all, it was actually fun playing, and I got to that excellent point where you feel the music, rather than consciously think about it.
On the way back to Reading station he told me that he had met about 10-15 potential bassists, but had only jammed with 3 people (myself included). He said (and I appreciated his honesty) that we were all good bassists and nice people, and that he genuinely had no idea who he would pick for the band. He did promise we'd have another practice at some point, though.
In a way I wouldn't mind too much if I don't get picked. To know that I was one of the most promising people he'd met is very pleasing, and the whole thing has been pretty confidence-boosting. I'd also feel reasonably content that I could get a pretty good project of my own going. Having said that, I think I would definitely enjoy being in the band a lot. We shall see.
Thursday, 5 March 2009
Business As Usual
Oh wow, that last post was my 50th one. Hooray?
In other news, I have another band practice tonight. I say "band practice", it'll just be me jamming with the lead singer/guitarist again. But, I'm feeling more positive about this one, and I'm determined to throw myself into it more. It doesn't hurt that I seem to be drowning in band-joining opportunities and so should be able to play music a few times a week. I'm also, hopefully for real this time, going to try and practise every day, and actually structure the practising usefully. I do want to get my guitar skillz back to the days when I was playing nothing but Metallica songs (and hopefully a fair bit better than that, too).
Also, have another glut of reviews:
...And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead - The Century of Self http://www.musosguide.com/?p=2842
Magik Markers - Balf Quarry http://www.musosguide.com/?p=2974
Mi Ami - Watersports http://www.audioscribbler.co.uk/reviews/8902
In other news, I have another band practice tonight. I say "band practice", it'll just be me jamming with the lead singer/guitarist again. But, I'm feeling more positive about this one, and I'm determined to throw myself into it more. It doesn't hurt that I seem to be drowning in band-joining opportunities and so should be able to play music a few times a week. I'm also, hopefully for real this time, going to try and practise every day, and actually structure the practising usefully. I do want to get my guitar skillz back to the days when I was playing nothing but Metallica songs (and hopefully a fair bit better than that, too).
Also, have another glut of reviews:
...And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead - The Century of Self http://www.musosguide.com/?p=2842
Magik Markers - Balf Quarry http://www.musosguide.com/?p=2974
Mi Ami - Watersports http://www.audioscribbler.co.uk/reviews/8902
Wednesday, 4 March 2009
Run Run Run
In other news, I have started going to the gym, so I can feel virtuous. Well done me, etc.
More interestingly, I have been asked to make a Mix CD to put on while everyone works out, as an alternative to all the terrible trance they have on usually. Now, while I love making Mix CDs, I may need some help with this one, as there are a number of restrictions. Firstly, it has to have a good beat (obviously). Secondly, it has to err very much on the side of accessible. Thirdly, and I really cannot stress this enough, the songs have to be good. I can be a bit of an opinionated prick at times, but I will try not to send too much opinionated prickery your way when you suggest things.
I've only got a couple of ideas so far ("Tiny Sticks" by ESG and "Why Are People Grudgeful?" by The Fall), but apart from those, and a vague temptation to stick some Slayer in, I'm struggling. So people of the internet, I need YOU! Help me get fitter and stronger* whilst also listening to good songs.
*Ooh Daft Punk might be a good idea.
More interestingly, I have been asked to make a Mix CD to put on while everyone works out, as an alternative to all the terrible trance they have on usually. Now, while I love making Mix CDs, I may need some help with this one, as there are a number of restrictions. Firstly, it has to have a good beat (obviously). Secondly, it has to err very much on the side of accessible. Thirdly, and I really cannot stress this enough, the songs have to be good. I can be a bit of an opinionated prick at times, but I will try not to send too much opinionated prickery your way when you suggest things.
I've only got a couple of ideas so far ("Tiny Sticks" by ESG and "Why Are People Grudgeful?" by The Fall), but apart from those, and a vague temptation to stick some Slayer in, I'm struggling. So people of the internet, I need YOU! Help me get fitter and stronger* whilst also listening to good songs.
*Ooh Daft Punk might be a good idea.
Tuesday, 3 March 2009
My newest favourite band
Is Cardiacs (not "The Cardiacs", I'd like to make that very clear), who are often described as "prog-punk", even though that's clearly stupid, and who have been headed since 1976 by singer/all round talent Tim Smith.
Now the guy who introduced me to them said they were the type of band one could get obsessed over, and I can definitely feel the first tugs of obsession, so I am going to try to infect someone else with Cardiacs-love. Now, have some videos.
"Dog-Like Sparky" off the album Sing To God. Something fairly accessible and catchy to start you off. And, at the opposite end of the spectrum, an amazing rehearsal of the song "Gibber and Twitch", as heard on The Special Garage Concerts, Vol I. Prog-nuttery ahoy!
Don't say I didn't warn you. Obsession awaits.
Now the guy who introduced me to them said they were the type of band one could get obsessed over, and I can definitely feel the first tugs of obsession, so I am going to try to infect someone else with Cardiacs-love. Now, have some videos.
"Dog-Like Sparky" off the album Sing To God. Something fairly accessible and catchy to start you off. And, at the opposite end of the spectrum, an amazing rehearsal of the song "Gibber and Twitch", as heard on The Special Garage Concerts, Vol I. Prog-nuttery ahoy!
Don't say I didn't warn you. Obsession awaits.
Sunday, 1 March 2009
Update Live From Oxford Town
Myself and Seb have spent a good few hours this evening messing around on instruments. I did a wacky keyboard solo over an excellent mutant disco bassline he made up. Then followed rather a lot of silly jazz.
Suffice to say I feel much btter about my musical abilities now. Hurrah!
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