Humble Pie

I remain utterly convinced that nobody's reading this and yet I carry on. Another quick mention for Misty's Big Adventure - both of their albums are now on virtually constant rotation and I refuse to believe that there is anything to dislike about them.

I'm about to swallow huge lumps of humble pie. When Arcade Fire first appeared on import in my local music emporium I was curious enough to listen to a couple of tracks but they really didn't do anything for me. I tried again when the hype started building in the UK, but still something wasn't right. However, I'm beginning to suspect that they have suffered from hype disease. My inital listen - to one or two songs - was indecisive and then subsequent hype sent me scuttling in the other direction. Since the album has been reduced and also widely lauded by people whose opinions I actually respect, I've found myself finding it increasingly tough to hold out. So, a copy of 'Funeral' is on its way in the post right now. I'll comment on this re-evaluation as and when it happens.
This raises the interesting question (well, to me) of how much hype actually affects the way we approach music. I remember, during the nineties, loving the nature of hype in the NME. Witty, extravagant and frequently way off the mark, it caused some great purchases. These days, hype seems so much more direct, and yet I imagine that's more down to the cynicism of getting older and outgrowing the hype-loving publications. That said, I steered well clear of Bloc Party for a while thanks to the NME, not to mention Ryan Adams' hero-worship from Uncut. It turned out both have much to recommend them, but for some time I was put off in a way that isn't hugely helpful to someone obsessed with music. Perhaps, this time I'll learn my lesson and avoid psychological snobbery.

Can't see it happening, mind.

R.E.M.embering something special

Elsewhere on the interweb a debate is raging about R.E.M.'s finest offering to date and 'Murmer' and 'Automatic For The People' are having their usual high showings. However, for me, it's got to be 'New Adventures In Hi-Fi', a record that became widely regarded as sub-standard for reasons I've never quite worked out. Sure, it goes on for a while. But, as that while contains some bloody marvellous music, what's there to worry about? If it was a James Blunt album that went on for 70 minutes then there's no defence, but when R.E.M. are cutting loose and doing an album for musos the world over, I say let them get on with it. That said, a James Blunt album of only 1 minute is still 60 seconds too long.
Why 'New Adventures'? If your life has thus far never been peppered with the joy of 'Electrolite', the closing track on the album, you have truly been missing out. Understated, marvellously construced and culminating in a desolate, beguiling refrain of 'I'm not scared, I'm outta here', it is as close to perfect as any song I can think of.
There's plentry more where that came from too. 'New Test Leper', 'The Wake Up Bomb' and 'E-Bow The Letter' are all captivating pieces that do their own things, while 'Be Mine' has a wailing chorus that is muffled and yet utterly stunning. And that's what key to this album - much of it shouldn't work, but it does.
On a side note - if you have the required kit, track down a copy of the DVD-Audio that has it in 5.1 - well worth a listen. That said, 'Up' sounds the best in that format should you care!

***

A friend made an observation today that the lead singer of the Arctic Monkeys is only a couple of steps away from being George Formby. Try singing 'I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor' in the same voice as 'When I'm Cleaning Windows' and you'll see what I mean. You'll never hear that record the same way again.

Musings

The debut album from Misty's Big Adventure arrived today. Having fallen head-over-heels with their second, 'The Black Hole', I had high hopes. I played it twice, back to back, and it appears to be of a similar vintage. This band are utterly joyous and I cannot praise them too highly. There is a tongue-in-cheek nature to some of the lyrics that stay the right side of being annoying and the music is stunning. So unbelievably quirky that I genuinely don't think I can do them justice with mere words. Both CDs can be had for not too many of your British quids via the internet.

I listened to the recent Richard Hawley effort, 'Coles Corner' again last night, just prior to turning in. It really is as beautiful as them there taste-makers suggest. He's got one of those delightful voices that sound just like he's been preserved since the 1950s. The songwriting's spot on too. I've enjoyed his stuff in the past and had somehow done a disservice to 'Coles Corner'. I've still been playing it, don't get me wrong, but I was under the impression he'd always been this good. Not so. I dug out 'Lowedges' the other day, and while it's still a mighty fine record, the near-perfection of his latest effort is not there. It's been out a few months now, so no doubt some bargain buckets music emporium will have it at £7 or less soon.

Having said that, I wish to remind everybody to support their local independent record store. If we're not careful, soon we'll all be left with HMV, Borders and Music Zone to sell us the same 50 CDs and inflated prices. No chance of happening upon Misty's Big Adventure in the racks then.

New Year part 2 - 2006

Following on from the orgiastic delights of 2005, 2006 is already shaping up to have more than its fair share of decent records. The afore-mentioned, Lost Revue have their mini-album, 'Orphans And Vandals' officially released at the end of this month and has an energy and youthful spirit that is deserving of much acclaim. (See the entry on this blog from November for more details.)

Beth Orton's back in February with a tour and a new record entitled, 'The Comfort Of Strangers'. It's a great album and there is much to enjoy for old fans and new listeners alike. Apparently it was recorded in a couple of weeks and thus there is less of the polished production of old. It's far more rootsy and folksy and absolutely compulsive listening.

Rilo Kiley's lead singer, Jenny Lewis, has an album, 'Rabbit Fur Coat', out on Jan 23rd which picks up from the folksier moments of last year's 'More Adventurous'. Ertswhile music publications have already started sniffing about it not being as good as her 'day job' but I'd like to quickly point out that they're talking not inconsiderable amounts of bollocks on this occasion. It's a great record that benefits from Lewis having the freedom to do what she wants. So often when lead singers from acclaimed bands have a stab at solo work things go rapidly down the toilet (Ashcroft, McCulloch and er, Ashcroft), but this is a model of restraint and a very high watermark. Delightful.

Belle and Sebastian are back too, with 'The Life Pursuit'. It's got the jingle-janglies that pervaded the previous, Trevor Horn produced, album along with a whole other bundle of sounds from electronic pop to glam rock. A little more relaxed than the remarkably polished, 'Dear Catastrophe Waitress', this one careers around with a whimsical charm that keeps the pace up right to the album's conclusion. You'll not go far wrong if you pick this one up.

Obviously, there'll be loads of fabulous music coming out in the next few months that I know naff all about right now. Assuming I remember, I might even pop back here and write about what I find.

Just wish to conclude this with a quick mention for an utterly fabulous record from last year that I've only recently managed to get hold of. 'The Black Hole' by Misty's Big Adventure is a true joy - a clattering meeting of twee-indie, jazz, pop and music-hall and a few other hard-to-describe ingredients. There are Magnetic Fieldsy elements to the vocals and a darkly comic tone to the lyrics. Hard to think how anyone could not like it. Keep an eye out for it on your next tussle with the music racks.

New Year part 1 - Last Year

Well, it comes as no surprise to me that this hasn't been the most frequently updated blog that you can find. Should anyone be reading this - it appears at least one person has - then I'll do my best to update more frequently.

For me at least, 2005 was an absolutely cracking year for music. Elsewhere on the internet where I waste far too much time I contributed to a list of Year-end Top 10 lists and for the sake of, well, space-filling I'll reproduce the list here.

10. Duke Special - Adventures In Gramophone
A great little indie record that has some excellent nods to music hall and is sufficiently different from the whining-young-man formula.

9. Damien Jurado - On My Way To Absence
A bit of a surprise this one. It came about partly through my increasing love affair with Secretly Canadian records and a review sticker by one of the staff in my local music emporium. Fragile without being too flimsy and with some deft little musical tricks, the closing minute of 'Big Decision' is one of my musical moments of the year.

8. Fiona Apple - Extraordinary Machine
This one is shaping up to become a firm favourite so I've pushed something else out of the ten to make way for it. Instantly captures your attention and a decent progression from the first two albums.

7. Pernice Brothers - Discover A Lovlier You
If nothing else, the song 'Saddest Quo' puts this record in the top ten. If you like Teenage Fanclub and don't have this yet then you can add it to your list. Wonderful harmonies and decent songwriting.

6. Richard Swift - The Novelist / Walking Without Effort
Comprising some bits that were released in the past, but balls to that, this one was another slight surprise. His voice is slightly ragged, and lived in combined with some Wainwright-esque flourishes on the musical side of things.

5. Teddy Thompson - Separate Ways
A soulful, Sexsmith-esque vocal with very sharp indie songwriting. A fairly full production that is bolstered with Wainwrights dropping it at various points. It certainly shits all over Sexsmith's record with Don Kerr. Great stuff.

4. Supergrass - Road To Rouen
Still delivering the goods. Another fantastic record.

3. Elbow - Leaders Of The Free World
I always thought there was a tiny bit missing from previous Elbow records, which I really liked but never loved. Not sure what it was but they've found it with this one. Really strong songwriting throughout and on 'Great Expectations' some of the most endearing lyrics I've heard in yonks.

2. Magnolia Electric Co - What Comes After The Blues
Gruff, laid-back and picking up from where Songs:Ohia left off, this album was a delight. I wasn't too bothered at first, but after picking it up second hand soon after its release it's become a firm favourite. Could well have been my number one had this bloke not had a new one out...

1. Josh Rouse - Nashville
This has overtaken '1972' as my favourite Rouse record now, after many, many plays. It's still a sheer delight and 'Sad Eyes' will be on compilations I make for as long as I have my sanity.