Goo Goo

So, that new Spoon album's a bit good, isn't it? I have to confess that this was one of my 'not heard a note of this, or indeed anything they've ever done' purchases. The splendid people over at a music messageboard I frequent have been raving about it, and I finally decided to pick it up earlier this week. Sadly, my local indie didn't have it in stock, but it did give me a chance to make a long-distance purchase from my old stomping ground, Spillers in Cardiff. Anyway, this record is much more accessible and feel-good than I was expecting.
That old saying, 'you can't judge a book by its cover' also applies to records. My first experience of Spoon was their 'Gimme Fiction' album, of which all I know is the cover. That cover made me think it wasn't for me, and, because I'm an idiot, I didn't pursue it any further, despite critical approval. I'm actually now quite surprised by how I managed to find out nothing about the band's music between then and me finally acquiring 'Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga' this week. It confirms for me, once again, that it's impossible to ever feel like you're on top of 'new music' as an entity, and also that I can be a picky and stubborn fucker when I want to be. Anyway, I'm enlightened now, and I'm very glad to be. Worth grabbing it while it has a bonus disc very neatly tucked into the back of the digipak sleeve.
In other news... I watched 'Damon and Jamie's Excellent Adventure' thanks to the quite marvellous www.blurcast.tv that I believe I've waffled on about in the past. It's the story of how Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett put together 'Monkey - Journey To The West' a truly unique opera. It's a genuinely engaging piece of telly, and worthy of note because of the Albarn musical sketches that are littered throughout. Watching Damon make up a vocal melody on the spot is astonishing, and it sent me back to the track on the 'Help: A Day In The Life' album that he submitted as Gorillaz, entitled 'Hong Kong.' If you've not had the pleasure yet, head over to the War Child music page at 7 Digital and spend the best quid you'll part with all weekend.

It was Kevin Greening's last record on Radio 1

A strange day today. Not only have I had it made clearer than ever before the need to save the independent record shops from almost certain doom but I've also experienced the potential upside of the iTunes store.
Actually made a special journey to Sheffield today to visit Record Collector, a revered indie store at the heart of the city's music scene. From my personal perspective it was, well, alright, but as a shop it was a marvel. If I hadn't bought so many bloody records then I'd have been thrilled by the incredibly good pricing, but as it was I kept finding myself saying 'Bollocks' before thinking 'Well, I've had it for a while now, and got good use out of it.' Who am I fooling? Sadly the vinyl section was closed to due to 'long-term illness' which is no doubt more sad for the person involved, rather than people who just want some cheap LPs. Still, it's a great little shop and it serves a clear purpose to an obvious audience. Not quite as spiffing as my beloved Reveal Records but then what is. I'm not sure I can ever move so that I'm not near enough for regular visits. Ever.
Then, upon returning, I had a gift voucher for iTunes so I thought I'd round up a few 'iTunes exclusive' thingies I was going to pick up recently. Then, figuring that I wasn't going to do anything else with the credit, started tiddling around searching for certain names to see what they've been involved in. It's been rather interesting listening. For example, I've never heard Damon Albarn's cover of 'We Have A Technical' with Matt Sharp before and it's, well, not brilliant, but interesting. That's the key word here, folks. Similarly, Damon, Graham Coxon, Thurston Moore and Voafose's collaboration, '101% / Threpton' from the bafflingly titled, 'Fabulous Shit' was, you guessed it, interesting. None of these tracks are going to make future compilations, but they're nice to have. Also picked up the Super Furries' 'The Proper Ornaments' from 'The Free Design : The Now Sound Redesigned.' No idea what it's 'supposed' to be, but it's bloody good. I have to confess to downloading 'Where I Find My Heaven' by the Gigolo Aunts too, but we don't need to dwell upon that.
Anyway, who knew that iTunes could be a satisfying experience? Even with things as ace as the 'Live at SoHo EP' for 'The Good, The Bad & The Queen' record, I still resent paying for digital files, rather than a physical item. Downloads don't mean an awful lot to me. I'm far, far less likely to play something on a CD-R than a proper CD, and furthermore, if I like a record, I want a proper copy on the shelf. But, having said that, I did quite enjoy the hour spent pootling round the iTunes store. Frigid Vinegar's 'Dogmonaut 2000' brought back some bizarre memories, and I think I'll download Bowie's 'Baal EP' in a moment, to supplement my prized 7" copy.
That said, and this is where the big lesson came whilst browsing not only Record Collector in Sheffield, but also the charmingly traditional Hudsons in Chesterfield, the thought of this being the only way we do things in the future is horrifying. It's a nice little toy. A digital jukebox, but you get to keep the songs you choose in a little file. It's not, however, wholesome, aesthetically pleasing or materialistic to suit me.