What does it sound like?: It's hard to explain it. I am a huge fan of Omar Rodriguez-Lopez, who is a kind of conceptual artist with a landscape of 100+ albums under various … [Read More...] about The Mars Volta: Lucro sucio; Los ojos del vacio 
The Afterword
Musings on the byways of popular culture
Nights In
ABWH – An Evening of Yes Music Plus
What does it sound like?: When Anderson, Bruford, Wakeman and Howe got together in the late 80's it seemed like a Yes fans dream - a recreation of the classic line up, albeit … [Read More...] about ABWH – An Evening of Yes Music Plus
Anthony Phillips – Sail The World
What does it sound like?: For the uninitiated, Anthony Phillips was the original guitarist in Genesis, departing after 1970's Trespass album having decided it wasn't the life for … [Read More...] about Anthony Phillips – Sail The World
Those Damn Crows – God Shaped Hole
What does it sound like?: Hailing from Bridgend, this is TDC’s fourth release in a career that goes all the way back to 2014. The band are already a regular fixture at UK rock … [Read More...] about Those Damn Crows – God Shaped Hole
Nights Out
Beth Gibbons
Venue: Massey Hall, Toronto Date: 06/04/2025 I saw her on her first solo-ish tour with Rustin Man more than 20 years ago, supporting the magnificent Out of Season album. Was one … [Read More...] about Beth Gibbons
Colin Meloy Solo
Venue: Union Chapel, London Date: 01/04/2025 I was looking forward to this one. Sightings of The Decemberists have been rare in these parts for many years (bar a one off glorious … [Read More...] about Colin Meloy Solo
Sigur Ros with The Resound Collective
Venue: Esplanade Theatre, Singapore Date: 26/02/2025 Always a favourite artist, the Asia leg of the Sigur Ros orchestral tour rolled into town at the end of February for two … [Read More...] about Sigur Ros with The Resound Collective
Fish
Venue: Newcastle City Hall Date: 06/03/2025 So here I am once more in the playground of the broken hearts to listen one last time to the musical diary entries penned by Derek … [Read More...] about Fish
Features
Five days with Peat – an Islay visit
moseleymoles on Visiting Islay, home of nine whisky distilleries
I know that whisky and in particular single malts are a frequent topic of discussion here, so I thought some reflections on a five-day stay on Islay earlier this week might interest a few. Various discussions and a life celebration led me and Ms Moles to book an air b and b just outside Port Ellen for a short stay earlier this week.
One of the attractions of Islay is that you get nine – nine! – top-notch distilleries within less than an hour of each other. Four (Laphroig, Lagavulin, Ardbeg and the recently-opened Port Ellen distillery, are within hiking distance of Port Ellen. Ardnahoe, Bowmore, Bruichladdich, Bunnahabhain, Caol Illa and Kichoman complete the set. We booked three distillery tours in advance, the Calmac Ferry from Kennacraig to Port Ellen and off we went in the car.
Our accommodation was a mile outside Port Ellen, so at the last minute we added two days of e-bike hire. This proved to be a godsend. Mrs Moles has less appetite for the lengthy hike than I do, but was very happy e-biking around the island.
Our first booked tour was Laphroig, the » Continue Reading.
Films
Wallace & Gromit – Vengeance Most Fowl
Year: 2024 Director: Nick Park We watched this on yer ‘flix a couple of nights ago. It was a shared family experience of the kind that happens very rarely these days. The … [Read More...] about Wallace & Gromit – Vengeance Most Fowl
Daisies
Year: 1966 Director: Vera Chytilova There are good films that are good, good films that are hard work, and a very small subset of good films that are profoundly irritating. While … [Read More...] about Daisies
Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans
Year: 1927 Director: FW Murnau This is the 11th best film ever made, according to the 2022 Sight and Sound poll, and the latest in my sporadic walk through the lesser known … [Read More...] about Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans
Blitz
Year: 2024 Director: Steve McQueen Oh dear. “A masterpiece” gushed, apparently, The Independent, leaving me to wonder within what context. Possibly of hype? It is possible it … [Read More...] about Blitz
Reads
On Track – The Pretenders 1978-1990 / Anthony Phillips 1977-1990 / Iggy & The Stooges
Author:Richard Butterworth, Alan Draper, Robert Day-Webb I'm still very fond of The Pretenders, especially the first five albums which is the era covered by this very readable … [Read More...] about On Track – The Pretenders 1978-1990 / Anthony Phillips 1977-1990 / Iggy & The Stooges
Marble Hall Murders
Author:Anthony Horowitz This is the third in the series of murder mystery novels featuring Susan Ryeland and Atticus Pund. Although it works as a standalone work in its own right, … [Read More...] about Marble Hall Murders
The Other People
Author:C B Everett An intriguing novel from an author new to me. There are shades of Agatha Christie's And Then There Were None mixed with hints of The Seven Deaths of Evelyn … [Read More...] about The Other People
All The Young Punks – A People’s History Of The Clash / Solid Bond In Your Heart – A People’s History Of The Jam
Author:All The Young Punks – Iain Key / Solid Bond In Your Heart – Malcolm Wyatt Two books based around memories, thoughts, and anecdotes of 2 bands from the same time period, and … [Read More...] about All The Young Punks – A People’s History Of The Clash / Solid Bond In Your Heart – A People’s History Of The Jam
Noticeboard
A small favour- gratitude
Hey everybody, I have a small favour to ask. Mrs. Paws is currently at the end of two years studies at the university of please yourself, California and is carrying out a bit of … [Read More...] about A small favour- gratitude
Nine days into 30, Dick Gaughan crowdfunder nears $100,000
01/04/2025 Vulpes Vulpes berated me privately about not promoting the Dick Gaughan box set aggressively enough here... Trust me, I've been busy throwing track down in front of … [Read More...] about Nine days into 30, Dick Gaughan crowdfunder nears $100,000
Horslips at the BBC
30/05/2025 Few bands have left as distinct a mark on the musical landscape as Horslips. Emerging in the early 1970s, they more or less created ‘Celtic Rock’, drawing from Irish … [Read More...] about Horslips at the BBC
200 Shows!
06/03/2025 Who'd have thunk it, eh?!? This evening, live at five UK time, will see the 200th show of Songs From Under The Floorboards. "I have to confess, I'm proud as hell of … [Read More...] about 200 Shows!
Dick Gaughan 1969-83 box set via crowdfunder two weeks away
19/03/2025 Dick Gaughan – R/evolution: 1969–83 Advance notice of Kickstarter campaign (due in mid-March) Music biographer Colin Harper is launching a Kickstarter campaign in … [Read More...] about Dick Gaughan 1969-83 box set via crowdfunder two weeks away
‘The calm beyond the storm’ by The Eisenhowers
21/02/2025 Available from an internet near you from Friday 21st February, ‘The calm beyond the storm’ is a single lifted from the recent ‘Infodemic’ album. A spokesperson for … [Read More...] about ‘The calm beyond the storm’ by The Eisenhowers
