Obituary
League Champion with Manchester City & Derby, later became Manchester City Chairman.
Musings on the byways of popular culture
Obituary
League Champion with Manchester City & Derby, later became Manchester City Chairman.
and this particular shop has given guidelines for those forbidden guitar noodlings. Stairway To Heaven (complete with many many bum notes) should also be on the list.
Anything missing?
(nicked from The Afterwords alternative media outlet on that Facebook)
What does it sound like?:
Is this the greatest Rock Album of All Time? Well, it’s definitely up there. Starting with “Baba O’Riley”, ending on “Won’t Get Fooled Again”. And the stuff in between is not too shabby either. But it wasn’t supposed to be that way. Following incessant touring of Tommy, The Who returned to the studio. The time in the studio produced “The Seeker” single, but it was Live At Leeds album that gave them new energy and moved them further away from Tommy (even though the bulk of the set was Tommy). Back in the studio, 4 more tracks were recorded for an EP, but never released, and the band started work on a new Pete Townshend concept idea. The basic plot came from an interview Townshend gave to Disc and Music Echo in late 1970: Lifehouse is set in the near future in a society in which music is banned and most of the population live indoors in government-controlled “experience suits”. A rebel, Bobby, broadcasts rock music into the suits, allowing people to remove them and become more enlightened. Townshend worked alone constructing demos of the songs to present to the band. However, as the » Continue Reading.
Obituary
The man responsible for the Sex Pistols artwork
Obituary
The first £1million footballer, and the first to be transferred twice for £1million when Cloughie lost patience with him and his injuries and flogged him to Manchester City in 1981. 5 years in Italy and then signed for Rangers – he might have been slower than his peak, but was still the most gifted player on the pitch most of the time. Never did complete my 1980 Panini Book as my friend refused to swap the Trevor Francis sticker for Mick Mills, Phil Neal, and the Everton badge Also, the only footballer to get a mention in a sitcom theme tune (some mush in Shepherds Bush was flogging Trevor Francis tracksuits)
Obituary
Leeds, Manchester United and Scotland defender. Was briefly the most expensive transfer between British clubs – February 1978, Leeds to Manchester United for £500,000. Scored in the 86th minute of the 1979 FA Cup Final, setting up “the 5 minute final” (a particularly dull game but for those last 5 minutes)
Obituary
Late of The Saints, The Damned, and Tank. Joined The Saints in time for second single “This Perfect Day”. Stayed for a year and 2 albums before they disbanded. Joined the reformed Damned and mad a huge contribution to Machine Gun Etiquette, and then was fired after a massive falling out with Rat Scabies. Formed Tank (who wanted to be Motorhead, but weren’t). Little success and more “personal differences” led to Tank splitting. (the biggest they got was a track on the Castle Communications album Metal Killers Kollection) What is Algy’s legacy? the massive rumbling bass on Machine Gun Etiquette (particularly Love Song), and this cover version:
New album – The Ballad Of Darren – to be released late July.
A rubbish review based on one listen: chugs along nicely, and sounds like Blur (is it any wonder I failed to get a writers job for Mojo…)
New music from PiL, and new album – End Of World – coming in August
Like most people her (I’m sure) I have multiple copies of many albums, usually as a result of upgrading vinyl to CD (and in some cases back to vinyl again). On the recent Record Store Day thread, after seeing the Carter USM 30 Something picture disc, I mused to myself whether 4 copies of the album was enough (Vinyl, Picture Disc, Cassette, and CD). I convinced myself not to buy the RSD issue, but have now gone out and just bought the new Box Set (including a 2023 remaster of the album, a second disc of B-Sides and Live tracks, a BBC In Concert recording from Kilburn in 1991, and the In Bed With Carter DVD). It’s a nice thing to have, but do I need it? Yes! But Carter USM are not the only multiple-multiple ownership – I have 13 copies of Never Mind The Bollocks. And when the next round of RSD issues and/or the next anniversary comes about, that number will doubtless rise to 14. No-one needs duplicate copies of the same album, but I’m sure I’m not the only one hoarding this stuff … or am I?
What does it sound like?:
Which is better – Gabriel-era or Collins-era?
Well here’s your chance to compare (granted the Gabriel fronted version only accounts for about 20% of this set). Drawn from BBC Broadcasts between 1970 and 1998, this 5 CD set spans their career covering all incarnations (including Ray Wilson era represented by 2 tracks). It may not settle the argument of PG, PC or RW, but shows a band growing in confidence in a live setting, moving from Radio Studios and theatres to headlining outdoor festivals and stadiums.
The set is curated by Tony Banks and available in 2 formats – the 5 CD set offers 53 tracks whilst the 3 LP set contains only 24. The first CD covers the Peter Gabriel era (maybe not with all the obvious track choices, but from sessions for John Peel/Nightride, and a couple more from In Concert broadcasts. This may be a purely personal note, but sadly, no recording of Supper’s Ready is available (and I can see no record of it being recorded for John Peel, or any other BBC session or broadcast). CD2 catches highlights from Knebworth 78 (A Midsummer Night’s Dream – other bands on » Continue Reading.
What does it sound like?:
In 1976 Thin Lizzy’s quest to break America stalled as they flew home exhausted (and in Phil Lynott’s case laid low with hepatitis). From his sick bed he mapped out the songs that would form the second album of 1976 – Johnny The Fox (released in October, just 7 months after Jailbreak). When the supporting tour hit Hammersmith Odeon in November, the Maison Rouge Mobile Studio was parked out front to capture the 2 shows for posterity, archive, and potential use to push Lizzy in America. The US Tour in December was cancelled when, on the night before, Brian Robertson injured his hand in a brawl at the Speakeasy Club. Robertson was replaced for the revised US Tour in January by Gary Moore, but part way through the recording of the next album – Bad Reputation – he was re-instated. Bad Reputation was produced by Tony Visconti, and when considering their next album Thin Lizzy sought his services again. Visconti’s time was limited as he was due to start work with David Bowie. As time was limited, it was suggested a Live album would be the solution, and the tapes from Hammersmith 1976, and » Continue Reading.
Obituary
Even if you know nothing about Football, chances are you’ll know Pele. A fine player and a true gentleman
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/42751517
On the morning of 21st December 2002, Joe Strummer took his dog for a walk and then returned home for a Saturday snooze. At some point during his sleep – as a result of an un-diagnosed congenital heart defect, he suffered a fatal heart attack . Joe Strummer was 50.
You lit a flame in my heart And it is burning still And every time I hear you shout It still gives me a thrill I can see you up there With your right leg pumping Goodbye inspiration Voice of a generation Goodbye Inspiration I won’t be playing Strummerville again You wore your heart on your sleeve With honesty and pride You gave me hope, made me believe That what I did was right You brought out a passion That had long been missing Yeah you brought out a passion That you never stopped giving
from Strummerville by Stiff Little Fingers
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e3E3AwdN1LU&ab_channel=JoeStrummerOfficial
Never Mind The Bollocks was released, went to Number 1 for a couple of weeks (even though many shops refused to stock an album with a rude word in it). It may have been re-configured, remastered, re-issued more times than a collector can keep up with (I have 13 copies in various formats), but it remains one of the greatest Rock albums of all time.
The Wombles destroy Master Tapes, so no 50th Anniversary Dolby Atmos Remix of The Wombling Song then … apparently Chris Spedding was lined up to re-record Wellington’s guitar solo
What does it sound like?:
And there’s me thinking Michael Head has got this years Album Of The Year sewn up, and then this one comes along to make me go “Hmm?”
This is Suede’s ninth album, and their fourth since 2010s reformation. And is probably the best of those 4 (although 2018s dystopian-epic ‘The Blue Hour’ runs it close)
They have successfully pulled off a re-invention of sorts with each release, and there is a slight feeling of going full-circle with this album. The songs are tight, the band tighter, and Brett’s histrionic vocals on top form.
Some write-ups have referred to this release as “their Punk album” – well, maybe Punk in attitude and exuberance, but not in songcraft and presentation.
Opener “She Still Leads Me On” – Brett Anderson’s song to his departed Mother – opens the album, sets out the stall, conjures reminders of the debut, and all-in-all is a copper bottom Suede classic (a trick repeated with “15 Again”, and very probably a couple of others here too).
In old money, Side 1 is a superb listen, and closes with “Drive Myself Home” which has the melancholic feeling of an album closer proper – » Continue Reading.
that Jethro Tull released the album that would win them a Grammy for Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance Vocal or Instrumental
The scourge of Fuckwits is not limited to The Afterword – oh no, there are many others experiencing the same annoyance. Only one though – The Humdrum Express – has set it to music. New album due at the end of this week. Hoping for more gentle skewering of those supposedly petty annoyances of modern life.
What does it sound like?:
His third solo album, and with enough traction to further bury/forget the mis-step underwhelm of Beady Eye, which could’ve consigned Liam to post-Oasis tryer. But 2 previous solo albums, and now this one restores the reputation, and continues to push Gallagher The Younger in front of his elder brother. ‘C’Mon You Know’ may not be breaking new experimental ground, but is just different enough from previous offerings to stand on it’s own.
The listening diet here must’ve included to The Beatles ‘Revolver’ with a side order of ‘Let It Bleed’ era Stones-y – there are echoes of both throughout (although I must state not exclusively).
Sometimes it might be a bit “Liam by numbers” like he’s toeing the record company line or career advisor to break the US (and anywhere else). And a Dave Grohl co-write can’t do any harm pulling in new fans from the Foo Fighters fanbase (or indeed the US where very British acts often fall – Slade, Elvis Costello & The Attractions, The Jam, Blur, Oasis)
Album opener “More Power” has a choir intro that is just a bit too close to ‘You Can’t Always Get What You Want”, » Continue Reading.
What does it sound like?:
1997s ‘Ladies & Gentleman … We Are Floating In Space’ was, and always will be Spiritualized’s masterwork. But 2018s ‘And Nothing Hurt’ came very close to usurping it, and this release maintains that knocking on the door.
There is an argument that ‘And Nothing Hurt’ could’ve been a double album with the wealth of material Jason Pierce had at his disposal. In the end it was a single album, and many of the disregarded demos form the basis of this album – and it shows, there is a nice continuum from the last album, but this is not a collection of tarted up left overs. Each track is a mini-epic, mini-masterpiece with a range of styles popping in and out – Stones, Stooges, Jazz, Country, Psychedelia, even a passing early solo John Lennon-ish moment (or at least that’s what I heard), plus the best song Bobby Gillespie never wrote (and will no doubt be miffed that Jason Pierce beat him to it). But this album is not about the sounds or the influences, it’s about how they’re corralled and personalized to create a unique whole that is undoubtedly Spiritualized. And it also has that » Continue Reading.
What does it sound like?:
“The most hotly anticipated album of the year” may be an over used cliche, but in the case of Wet Leg after the singles “Chaise Longue”, “Wet Dream”, “Too Late Now”, “Oh No” and “Angelica” it’s a cliche that fits. And now it’s here – was it worth the anticipative waiting?
On first listen, the album comes over as a bit insubstantial – nice enough, but nowt to really rave about. And then listen again and more is revealed. The intricacy of the instrumentation, to joy and exuberance of the songs, the underlying enjoyment and fun, the way the voices work together, the wit and story in the lyrics (and a bit of near filth and some naughty words).
It’s one of those “play and lose yourself in the world for 40 minutes” jobs.
Seamlessly mixing 80s pop, high energy dance, post-punk, dreamy pop, and anything else that happens to fit, this is a collection of songs written and performed for fun – and the enjoyment is there for all to hear. What comes out is proof that “Chaise Longue” – which continues to dig itself into my head on each hearing and refuse » Continue Reading.
Keep it going for another 12 months, swap to Uncut, or stop being a dinosaur as print magazines are an anachronism
Hmm … swap to Uncut? The most obvious direct competitor. Plenty of other mags, but not perhaps wit the same breadth as Mojo and Uncut. Last time I regularly bought Uncut it all went a bit “Americana is the only thing worth talking about” and Wilco appeared in every issue. But Mojo is endlessly treading the same ground and no longer feels vibrant, vital, or even interested half the time.
Why? So it can compete with Netflix and Amazon, which is not really the point of Channel 4. Maybe it’s to stop them asking awkward questions to the government
Is there anything that can be done? Well, it seems the first step in these cases is to sign a petition
What does it sound like?:
This is the third Mattiel album, and the first where Mattiel Brown and Jonah Swiller have directly collaborated face-to-face in building a collection of 11 songs. And that collaboration has added more diversity and experimentation into the mix, where before they were perhaps aiming for a template or soundscape or atomosphere. And it is the diversity of influence and delivery that wins for this record. At times introspective, the next moment is joyous and bristling with a euphoric pop-ish sheen.
Retro garage sound takes (slight) a back seat in favour of broader styles including Country and Spaghetti Western moments – both of which showcase Mattiel’s vocal abilities. Too simplistic perhaps – there are many influences going on in here, and not always easy to divine. But combined together it just seems to weave into a very fine whole.
What does it all *mean*?
“Jeff Golblum” stomps along like a Glam Infused Indie Rocker, “On The Run” drips with Country, and “Lighthouse” is infectious euphoric pop with a massive hook of a chorus – and that’s just the first three tracks. Admittedly not everything works – “Wheels Fall Off” sounds like the wheels might be » Continue Reading.