Highest Praise / July 13 2008
This, from a certain Mr Nelson Galaxy, is probably the single item of criticism that Electric Baby Grand has thus far received of which I am the most proud:
‘If you do not already own this album I suggest you get a copy right now, it will be the best decision you have ever made. Singer/songwriter [...]
Even Higher Praise / July 10 2008
I can’t resist replicating part of a review of My Type, the Enormous single that was originally released on Beatific Records, as it appeared in Melody Maker.
When you consider my fondness of the two women mentioned you will perhaps appreciate why.
‘Like being locked in a lingerie store with Anna Friel and Catherine Deneuve.’
Wayhey!
Mercury Rave / September 5 2007
I just don’t get the Klaxons (or is it Klaxons), the south London band that last night won the Nationwide Mercury Music Prize for their album Myths of the Near Future.
I have never understood the ‘new rave’ tag that has been used to describe them. Never having been a fan of rave music originally, perhaps [...]
Wonderful Wembley Warming Warning / July 8 2007
Although I was left feeling disappointed by Spinal Tap – I think they had a few technical difficulties, I really enjoyed Madonna’s energetic performance at the Live Earth concert in London.
I was impressed even further when she was joined on stage by that strange Romany fellow with his electric fiddle. The wonderful faces of mock-incredulity [...]
Black Holes and Poisonous Musings / May 3 2007
How sad I was (hehe) to learn today that puffed up, miserable progressive rock band Muse have cancelled dates on their US tour with My Chemical Romance after members of the bands and their crews were struck with food poisoning.
Apparently, some of them became ‘violently ill’ after a gig in Virginia on Sunday (it wasn’t [...]
Nurse - The Screens! / March 18 2007
It’s easy to criticise the Eurovision Song Contest and the songs that the entrants sing; but spare a thought for all the poor songwriters on Tin Pan Alley, banging away in dusty closets, damp backrooms and frosty booths.
I think we would all agree that, as a whole, the work they produce for the contest isn’t always of [...]
Neighbours / March 13 2007
This morning, Audrey and I are spying, through our net curtains, on the new tenants who are moving into Bernard’s old flat. (Bernard was the idiosyncratic old man who we used to occasionally meet in the street and who died recently - unexpectedly and completely alone.)
Unfortunately, they have a boom-box playing loudly in the uncarpeted [...]
In Quintessence / March 10 2007
Hooray! Squeeze, one of my favourite bands of all time, are reforming for a series of gigs. Hooray!
That’s made my day, that has. (I’m sat here pecking at my keyboard with an Enormous hard-on and wearing a big satisfied grin – nothing else.)
It is no secret how much I admire the songs of Difford and [...]
Monkey Magic / February 15 2007
Congratulations to the Arctic Monkeys who scooped two awards – best British band and best British album – at the BRITs in London last night.
I don’t really like their music, it’s a little pedestrian and unsophisticated for my tastes, but anything to do with our simian cousins is fine by me.
Monkeys, I just flippin’ love [...]
Don’t Dream It’s Over / January 25 2007
I was so happy to hear that Crowded House are to reform for a world tour. As anyone who knows me will be aware, I am a big fan. I can’t wait to see them, although drummer Paul Hestor, who committed suicide in 2005 after battling depression, will be sadly missed.
It seems to be Reformation [...]
