The Afterword

Musings on the byways of popular culture

Menu

Navigation

12 Bowie albums in 12 months: Lodger

by 42 Comments

Dave Amitri on Lodger

Believe it or not I’m at month 11, the penultimate look into 12 David Bowie albums having never heard one before. I’ve arrived at Lodger the third of the much vaunted “Berlin Trilogy “ despite there being a whole two years between “Heroes” and Lodger. ( Did Bowie run for cover during punk?) . There’s Bowie prostrate on the ground on the cover like an extra from Silent Witness and just one track I recognise. Can it follow the recent high watermark of the real trilogy (regardless of where they were made) of Station To Station, Low and Heroes? Does Lodger make it a foursome? Well no it doesn’t it’s very different. Gone are the ambient, electronic sweeps of sound and glory replaced by an edgy, angular post punk sound right in the middle of the post punk era. This is not Bowie looking to the future or the past, this is Bowie slap bang in the middle of where it’s at. The first listen brought many familiar sounds from the era popping round my brain. So, much like my reimagining of Aladdin Sane as a 1973 episode of Top of the Pops this review will » Continue Reading.

Abba: Voyage

by 78 Comments

What does it sound like?:

The anticipation surrounding the release of a new ABBA album has been building seemingly for ever. One of the most popular bands of the 70’s and early 80’s divide opinion like few others. Daytime radio listeners love ABBA, the schedulers of stations like Magic have been playing their back catalogue on a loop since the release of the two new songs and news of the upcoming virtual tour. Among serious music lovers the tension is palpable. Some see them as the greatest song writers and performers of popular music others deride them as lightweight, unlistenable and the worst example of music for civilians with no critical or artistic merit. The new album “Voyage” will not be settling the argument any time soon. In fact I feel if anything the debate will rage among the musos while the mainstream radio stations and their listeners will lap up the new while revelling in the nostalgia. This is what I think….

ABBA have made some of the greatest pop songs ever but a great album? Like my new bestie David Bowie everyone loves the hits, maybe not so many could name a favourite non single album track. » Continue Reading.

12 Bowie albums in 12 months: Heroes

by 108 Comments

Dave Amitri on Heroes

Arriving at month 10 I really feel like I’m in a peak Bowie phase. His delve into experimental electronica is proving to be my favourite period. I’ve heard much about the Berlin Trilogy and while geographically it may be a Trilogy, musically I’m getting the sense that it really started with “Station To Station” which would make it a quadrilogy? The Associates theme looms large and as they are one of the most important bands of my life this 12 month project has really come to life and “Heroes” hasn’t let me down. Just to shake things up a bit there’ll be no references to other bands that I hear in this music. I’ll try and keep to a pure review format because I think I’ve exhausted those references and I want to avoid too much repetition. I’ve done a bit of reading as always and my favourite line so far is this…

 

The album was recorded sporadically from July to August 1977. The majority of the tracks were composed on the spot in the studio, the lyrics not being written until Bowie stood in front of the microphone

It’s impressive if true » Continue Reading.

Taking The Wrong Path

by 24 Comments

I learned via Twitter this week that “Rattlesnakes” the classic debut album by Lloyd Cole and The Commotions was released 37 years ago this week. It prompted me to listen again and as my head continues to clear I was transported back to the time I was 18 / 19 and a sliding doors moment. I tweeted this…

So I listened to Rattlesnakes today and it is perfect. I wish it’s intelligence, beauty and references had set me on a different path in 1984. I listened but I didn’t really hear when I was 18. As a 56 year old I can fully appreciate it’s brilliance

Apologies to those who aren’t fond of personal posts but I find sharing these memories very therapeutic….

I’ve shared the story before of the cool kid at college who stole my first girlfriend after selling me his collection of pre “Party Fears Two” Associates singles. We were part of a group with similar tastes and all got on. The “girlfriend” had a friend. I’ll call her Louise as that was her name. We got on really well mostly through a shared love of Echo and The Bunnymen. She encouraged me to my » Continue Reading.

Nuance

by 58 Comments

nuance

/ˈnjuːɑːns/

noun

a subtle difference in or shade of meaning, expression, or sound.

We’re not allowed nuance any more are we? It’s all got so polarised, so tribal you either take a side or don’t get involved. What if you believe in a general point of view but from experience you know that some of what “the other side is saying has some validity? It’s always been so in sport, especially football. No Man City fan will express any other view than “Ronaldo is shit”. Clearly wrong but no City fan could say publicly just what an exceptional talent he is. It’s something I’ve never understood.

This attitude has crept into every topic of conversation. Trans, race, the police, immigration, Brexit, politics, cyclists, drivers, music, everything and anything you must take a side. No nuance allowed, tolerated nor required.

I once got into a bit of a Twitter spat with Jeremy Vine over his cycling campaign. His enthusiasm is endless, his campaign absolutely worthwhile but he shuts down any opposite view so I called him out on it. Couldn’t he use his profile to try and dampen the fire rather than fuelling it? Absolutely not. All » Continue Reading.

12 Bowie Albums in 12 Months: Low

by 68 Comments

Dave Amitri on Low

Month 9 of 12 Bowie Albums in 12 Months. Bloody hell, how did that happen? Three quarters of the way through this dive into Bowie having never listened to one of his albums before. After the high of “Station To Station” the next album “Low” had something to live up to. I try to limit my research as I want to come to these albums as fresh as possible. Coming to this knowing he was off the drugs living in Berlin and experimenting musically was encouraging yet slightly worrying at the same time. What would clean arty Bowie cone up with? Let’s see, or hear, whatever…..

It starts with “Speed Of Life” an instrumental, not the last as I would discover later but with all the build up it’s a pretty basic straight up rock n roll number that does include some Human League style keyboards. I found myself making up lyrics that Mick Jagger might have sung as it reminded me of 80’s Rolling Stones in the style of “Under Cover Of The Night”.

“You done me young you won’t do that twice cos,

I’m moving on at the speed of life.

I won’t » Continue Reading.

Don’t Shut Me Down

by 29 Comments

I am so excited. For days I’ve been hoping ABBA have done the folliw up to “The Day Before You Came” in amongst the new music. All the time it was right there in “Don’t Shut Me Down”. It really is. 40 years later she’s back waiting to see him in the apartment. It’s all in the lyrics below. Wheres she been, what’s she been up to, do the police know? I’ve got my theories and I know you won’t let me down with yours. I can already imagine the Blancmange version. It’s a great song too, my favourite of the 2 new ones… SO excited…

A while Ago I Heard The Sound Of Children’s Laughter Now It’s Quiet, So I Guess They Left The Park This Wooden Bench Is Getting Harder By The Hour The Sun Is Going Down, It’s Getting Dark

I Realise I’m Cold The Rain Begins To Pour As I Watch The Windows On The Second Floor The Lights Are On, It’s Time To Go It’s Time At Last To Let Him Know

I Believe It Would Be Fair To Say You Look Bewildered And You Wonder Why I’m Here Today And So You Should, I » Continue Reading.

The Lotus Eaters or Sing If You’re Glad To Be Fey

by 17 Comments

Dave Amitri on The Lotus Eaters

Fey

adjective

mysterious and strange, or trying to appear like this

giving an impression of vague unworldliness or mystery.

“a rather fey romantic novelist”

My love of fey 80’s synth pop duos is well documented. It’s a strong genre in my musical world from China Crisis to The Associates and Blancmange it’s music that I love. So when I saw a vinyl copy of “No Sense of Sin”, The Lotus Eaters 1984 album that contains the magical “The First Picture of You” at the local car boot sale I decided to invest a pound and take it home. Singer and co writer Peter Coyle stares dreamily from the cover. No sign of keyboard playing co writer Jeremy “Jem” Kelly though. I played it once and it sort of drifted past me. A second play and it began to seep in until now when I’m wondering if I’ve found a lost gem. On top of that using the power of Google and wondering if there was a story behind The Lotus Eaters I wasn’t left disappointed, more on that later. This is no Thompson Twins style reappraisal, I’m not quite sure what it is but I hope » Continue Reading.

12 Bowie albums in 12 months: Station To Station

by 81 Comments

Dave Amitri on Station to Station

When I started this Odyssey, this deep dive back into Bowie’s back catalogue, 12 albums that I’d never heard before at the back of my mind was the hope that somewhere I find some inspiration. Not for me you understand but for one of my musical heroes Billy Mackenzie. I’ve mentioned this often enough so apologies but for those who aren’t aware.. From what I’ve read about Billy and the Associates they were very much inspired by Bowie but so far I’d only found scraps. I was left disappointed and disillusioned by “Young Americans” a lovely mid-80’s yuppie coffee table style album. It’s ok, jazzy and smooth but it would sit comfortably alongside Sade’s “Diamond Life” or The Style Council’s “Cafe Bleu”, not exactly what I was looking for. I must admit I was left a little flat almost to the point of giving up hope but thanks to some words of encouragement on this website I decided to carry on and give “Station to Station” a go. I’m so glad I did. I’m delighted to say it was a worthwhile experience. Finally, perhaps, (no pun intended), perhaps I have found the spark that » Continue Reading.

The Hundred: Oval Invincibles Vs Trent Rockets

by 41 Comments

Venue:

The Oval

Date: 08/08/2021

I love cricket, all forms. Have done for as long as I can remember. So when the new Hundred tournament came along and I’d read all the naysayers and all the spin and all the hype I decided despite some reservations to book some tickets for last nights game. The Oval Invincibles vs The Trent Rockets two franchises that didn’t exist a few months ago but featuring Jason Roy and Alex Hales respectively two of England’s most thrilling batters. Let’s try out this new version of my favourite sport designed to bring in a new crowd, get kids involved and promote the women’s game. All noble concepts. This is not the place to dissect all the noise surrounding The Hundred so on to the day itself…..

It rained, of course it rained. The women’s game was due to start at 3 pm. It didn’t start at all. My son and I decided we would travel into to London for 6pm in the hope that the rain held off long enough for some play in the men’s game. This is also not the place to discuss why the women’s game was cancelled to allow the » Continue Reading.

The Blow Monkeys: Limping For A Generation

by 5 Comments

What does it sound like?:

I’ve never hidden my love of The Blow Monkeys. Why would I? They are a fantastic band with a wonderful back catalogue. Until recently I’d only focused on everything post “Animal Magic” not realising there was an album pre “Animal Magic”. My joy in discovering “new” Blow Monkeys is only matched by the joy of how bloody great the album is. “Limping For A Generation” is an edgier album all-round. It’s a Post Punk / Jazz Punk affair still full of all those familiar Blow Monkeys traits. Dr Robert’s uniquely brilliant vocals, stunning sax and exquisite musicality. Songs like “He’s Shedding Skin” with its Pearl and Dean ending. “Fat Cat Belusha” the theme to a Hannah Barbera cartoon from the 60’s that you never saw. “The Man From Russia” a lost Bond theme all fantastic uplifting songs. “Wildflower” is gorgeous lament with hints of Lloyd Coles “Forest Fire”. As you can tell I think it’s rather good. What I wasn’t expecting to find from a Blow Monkeys album from 1984 was a link to The Smiths 1986 album “The Queen Is Dead”. If Morrissey didn’t base the title track almost entirely on “Go Public” » Continue Reading.

Mental Health in Elite Sport: It’s time to talk…

by 6 Comments

When I wrote my Dave Amitri, Del Amitri and Me piece I mentioned the frog in a pan of boiling water analogy that someone once used to describe my situation. When your stress builds up boiling around you but you carry on unaware until it all boils over usually in a very messy spillage. It feels that Naomi Osaka, Simone Biles, Ben Stokes and perhaps now Dina Asher-Smith have felt the signs and have got out before the messy spillage. I wish them all well. It makes you wonder how many have suffered in silence over the years. I always recommend the Marcus Trescothick autobiography. It’s a frighteningly honest account of his breakdown. Being an elite sportsman on top of travelling, training and playing in bubbles is clearly taking its toll.

I hope thar it sends out a message that it’s ok to feel that way and even more ok to admit it. Society has a long way to go to properly support those who suffer. Business and employers need to get their act together to recognise the signs and help. Elite sportsmen and women can afford to walk away financially. I was incredibly fortunate with my boss at the » Continue Reading.

Gary Crowley’s Lost 80s Vol 2

by 18 Comments

What does it sound like?:

After finishing the “Young Americans” review I mentioned how I needed something new to listen to. I needed snapping from my melancholy. The very next day my pre ordered copy of this 4 CD collection dropped through my letterbox. It’s an absolute joy. A summery, cool, 80’s mix put together by DJ Gary Crowley.

I “rediscovered” Crowley a couple of years through his Saturday evening show on Radio London and his Tweeted request for songs for his show. He’s an engaging, entertaining host who plays a fabulous mix of old and new. His appearance on “Word In Your Attic” recently was excellent. He’s a genuine music fan and has retained a passion for the music he loves.

He’s put together his second collection of less familiar 80’s tunes. Carefully selected and beautifully packaged these songs took me back and put me in mind of people and places I knew. I tweeted these little vignettes for each disc which have been well recieved. I’ve transcribed them here in the form of a review. Not necessarily reviewing the music but the memories the sounds from each disc brings.

Disc 1 “A Beat Confection”

» Continue Reading.

12 Bowie Albums in 12 Months: Young Americans

by 64 Comments

Dave Amitri on Young Americans

I’ve been looking forward to this album since I started this project back in January. I’ve often heard how it was Billy Mackenzie’s favourite Bowie album so I thought this would be full of nods to the weird and wonderful world of The Associates. I asked on “The Affectionate Bunch” The Associates Facebook fan page for opinions and hoped that Alan Rankine may share a story or two. In the end an old friend of Billy’s answered…

“I don’t know if it was a favourite but I know he took my newly bought Young Americans in King Buyers in Dundee and traded me 2 Sensational Alex Harvey Band LP’s”

Which proves something I suppose. Nothing from Alan unfortunately.  I tried really hard to find something that linked the album to Billy or The Associates. Maybe one song I’ll cover later hinted at some vocal stylisation I recognised but not much more. What I did hear was a sax heavy, smooth, jazzy album that brought to mind artists from the early / mid eighties being so heavily reliant on female backing singers and a saxophonist . On to the album….

The title track is ubiquitous » Continue Reading.

“There’s a parakeet stuck in the bird feeder…”

by 29 Comments

Is not a sentence I expected to use but this evening I did. I left home this morning with the feeder full of nuts. The local birds love my nuts. I can only imagine that in the feeding frenzy that took place while I was a work the lid was removed (I blame the magpies). A greedy parakeet must have spotted the last nut and dived in headfirst after it. There he stayed until my evening mooch around the garden. On discovery I yelled “there’s a parakeet stuck in the bird feeder”. It fitted perfectly,. It was blinking at me through the mesh as if to say. “A bit embarrassing but I seem to be stuck in your bird feeder. If you could lend hand old bean”. So I took a pair of secateurs and gently cut the wire away until it freed itself with a squawk and a shake. A couple of flaps and it was off to explain to it’s mates. The moral of the story is don’t use a lidless feeder for your nuts chaps or you may trap an unsuspecting bird.

12 Bowie albums in 12 months: Diamond Dogs

by 108 Comments

Dave Amitri on Diamond Dogs

Month 6 of 12 Bowie albums in 12 months and it’s “Diamond Dogs”

“And in the death As the last few corpses lay rotting on the slimy Thoroughfare The shutters lifted in inches in Temperance Building High on Poacher’s Hill And red, mutant eyes gaze down on Hunger City No more big wheels

Fleas the size of rats sucked on rats the size of cats And ten thousand peoploids split into small tribes Coverting the highest of the sterile skyscrapers Like packs of dogs assaulting the glass fronts of Love-Me Avenue Ripping and rewrapping mink and shiny silver fox, now legwarmers Family badge of sapphire and cracked emerald Any day now The Year of the Diamond Dogs

This ain’t Rock’n’Roll This is Genocide”

And so it begins with “Future Legend”. My ears prick, my pulse quickens, here we go. This is the time where Bowie becomes more than fancy clothes, cover versions and rehashed rock ‘n’ roll. The crazy motherfucker is going to take me on a wild ride here. Hang on to your hat Dave…… Except, the next song “Diamond Dogs” is just another Rolling Stones sound alike. I didn’t imagine when watching Bowie » Continue Reading.

Fatal Mistakes

by 16 Comments

Dave Amitri on Fatal Mistakes

“How do I feel about “Fatal Mistakes”? I’m really not sure. If Currie and Co really do have insight into my soul then the album will be wiser, a bit battered round the edges but with a new purpose and real joy at what the future might bring. If it is expect a review soon. If it’s not, if it’s more of the same I might not listen more than once.”

Well that’s what I wrote at the end of my brain dump of all things Del Amitri recently. The fact I’m here now writing this is proof that the album is more the former than the latter. It is as always scattered with Currie couplets that cut straight through to the bone mixed with melodies and harmonies able to make your heart sing. It’s a constant fight between light and dark but overall an experience I’d rather go through than not. As I’ve explained at length Del Amitri have moved beyond a mere musical experience to something far deeper “Fatal Mistakes” is a worthy addition. So on with the review…

The first three tracks on the album seem to report on the processes » Continue Reading.

Keir Starmer: A Postcard Boy

by 63 Comments

I only caught ten minutes of the Piers Morgan interview the other night. He seemed like a completely different person to the politician we see on the news. Eloquent, charming and more importantly relaxed. They released some fascinating photos from his student days in 1982. He’s there looking like a Stuart Adamson / Edwyn Collins hybrid. Turns out he was a huge fan of the Postcard scene. This Guardian article wonders if releasing this human side of Starmer is the way to chip away at the “human” appeal of Johnson. I just thought it turns out Kier could be one of us. Could it be a game changer?

https://amp.theguardian.com/politics/2021/jun/02/could-keir-starmer-student-picture-win-votes?__twitter_impression=true

Fatal Mistakes: Del Amitri, Dave Amitri and Me

by 42 Comments

On May 28th 2021 Del Amitri release their first album for 18 years “Fatal Mistakes”. It will also be almost 32 years  since I first heard “Nothing Ever Happens”. All the talk of the new music has sent me on a journey back to the years before, during and after the time that the band went beyond being purveyors of pleasant songs about life, love, regret and sadness with a country feel and gorgeous sideburns to become the very essence of my existence. “Bloody hell Dave, a bit dramatic that”. Maybe, but to celebrate… probably the wrong word, to recognise the release of “Fatal Mistakes” I need the catharsis of sharing why they seeped so far into my soul that they took me over like a some parasitic denim clad alien bit by bit until I became defined by them. Even now, 18 years since they released a record.

1989 was a huge year for me. It was the year my life went from carefree lad about town to co habiting with my future wife and her young son. It all happened so quickly. Met her in March, living with her by July and life completely changed. I’m sure I’d » Continue Reading.

12 Bowie Albums in 12 Months: Pin Ups

by 85 Comments

Dave Amitri on Pin Ups

Month five of 12 Bowie albums in 12 months brings me to “Pin Ups”. Another striking piece of cover art featuring Bowie and Twiggy looking like a couple of mime artists fresh from Covent Garden their faces frozen in a mixture of melancholy and terror. It puts me in mind of an old Word Blog collection of photos depicting “Pop Stars Breaking Wind”. Twiggy is clearly the guilty guffer here and Bowie the horrified guffee. Anyway, enough of that, on to the album….

A collection of covers from various bands from the 60’s and 70’s. I knew of some of the originals others were completely new to me. When writing the other pieces in this project I’ve been able to rely heavily on influence and connections I’ve heard through Bowies music whether it was Bowie being the influencer or being influenced, guffer or guffee….. This collection of songs makes that really tough because they are all covers and for the first time all pretty much of the same style. The over riding feeling I got on the first few listens was that the style here was “Pub Rock”. Three years before the “Pub Rock” scene » Continue Reading.

Toppermost

by 38 Comments

I hope this is ok to share here. A couple of months ago via Twitter I was asked if I would like to contribute a piece for this website on The Associates. The premise is that you choose 10 “Toppermost” songs from your favourite artist and write an article to accompany these choices. I had the bulk of it already done from bits I’d done here. I’ve subsequently also rehashed the Thompson Twins thing I wrote here and am currently doing one on Tears For Fears which is great fun. The chap who runs it is a retired publisher who wanted something to do to fill his time you can find him on Twitter @AgeingRaver His site currently has 954 posts from 126 contributors a really wide range of artists top tens. Anyway I thought some of you might like to read some of the pieces from Roy Orbison, to Hot Chip and Neil Young. Nothing there on Fray Bentos Pies, Jaffa Cakes or Boris Johnson….

https://www.toppermost.co.uk/

Cambodia

by 34 Comments

I hope this isn’t too soon after our recent deep dive into The Day Before You Came but circumstances presented this to me and here we are. On a visit to a local car boot recently I came across a chap who does house clearances with a pile of early 80’s singles he was selling. We ended up agreeing on a tenner for well over a hundred singles. In among the rubbish were some real gems. One of which was “Cambodia” by Kim Wilde. Now I believe Kim Wilde to be the nicest lady in pop, she was a definite 80’s crush and a damn fine singer of pop songs. “Cambodia” was written by her brother Ricky and was a really brave single release for the young Kim. Her fourth single it was a complete change from the previous three pop hits. It’s another song full of ambiguity, gaps in the narrative and opportunity to use your imagination when wondering what happened to “he”. Now because my knowledge of the US bombing of Cambodia in the 70’s is limited in the extreme I’ve done some research. “Research Dave? You, really?” yes research. It makes for quite horrific reading. A huge » Continue Reading.