Been neglecting these of late – partly because I’ve been working more Sundays recently (I have a South Coast Beano in December to pay for), partly because when I am in of a Sunday, I’m listening to too much stuff to bother listening to it; but mostly because these things are for one reason or another an absolute sod to format. Then again, it’s probably just a case of getting more practice in.
So anyway, loads more new stuff from old favourites and new acquaintances alike at the mo which is always a good thing, although all these new records are getting in the way of the main reason why I started this blog which was to remind myself of why certain albums and artists left such indelible impressions at such memorable times so that I could put things in a certain order and remind myself why certain times (and their respective soundtracks) were all important for whatever reasons. I guess then that it’s been more of a purging exercise that I thought it would be, and the wealth of new artists and albums in the short while this has been running so far is as good an indication as any that looking back is in part fun and tortuous and serves an important purpose in both respects, but looking at the now and ahead has its own rewards also.
Or something, anyway. I’m having fun, and that’s the main thing.
"Closer" song giveaway
Jeff Klein – Closer
In this age of instant info and being aware of exactly what anyone’s doing at any given time and usually well in advance of anything actually happening, it’s a genuine surprise when something like this happens – Jeff Klein announces that he is giving a song away, and there it is. A short and cheery 70s-sounding rock affair which builds from a simple start to include swirling strings to give this an almost ELO-type feel at times, which is no bad thing at all. Jeff’s current output – both solo and with My Jerusalem – sounds like it’s coming from someone who is really enjoying himself right now (or at least making light of what life’s serving up), and the music he’s putting out reflects this. A truly nice surprise, available to download gratis here.
From their upcoming album, available early 2011
Twilight Singers with Ani DiFranco – Blackbird and the Fox
Another freebie, another great surprise. It seems ages ago that Powder Burns was released, and now we are treated to this first glimpse at what’s in sore for us in early 2011. From the very start, this gets the soul moving, Greg Dulli’s duet with Ani DiFranco perfectly pitched and elegantly arranged. This is classic Twilight Singers at their very best, a darkly-magical beauty that nobody else does as well as Greg and whoever he chooses to work with.
There’s no doubt that The Gutter Twins was a brilliant and exciting collaboration, and I for one (and presumably everyone else who has given him such a warm welcome over the years) am absolutely gutted that Greg’s current acoustic tour is taking in absolutely no UK dates, but this song makes up for the time spent away from his day job by re-establishing the Twilight Singers’ mood and songcraft so well. Available for free download here.
From the E&TC Bonus Tracks
Erland and the Carnival – Honeytrap Killer
From a collection of B-sides and other associated doings, this is just as essential as anything this band has put out on their debut album this year (and the follow-up is dine and dusted already!). This is more of the same from one of my favourite bands of 2010, slightly off-kilter folk stylings given a modern twist via some rather Meek-y pop oddness. If only they’d been given the job of soundtracking it, the remake of The Wicker Man might not have been so bad – OK, it’d still be a bloody awful film, but it’d sound a lot better.
Available online-only, from iTunes, Amazon or from the label here.
From their self-titled EP
Tame Impala – 41 Mosquitoes Flying in Formation
From their debut EP, this was chosen as much for its brilliant title just as much as for the tune itself. Australian psych-rockers hit the target with a song that riffs Cream, Pink Floyd and Lennon in various combinations depending on which part of the song happens to be playing. Their debut LP should be winging its way to me as I type (well, probably sitting on a table somewhere as it’s Sunday) and look forward to giving that a listen at the earliest opportunity.
From "Folk Against Fascism Vol.1"
Chris Wood – Spitfires
A wholly interesting album, this – a rather nasty far-right wing political party started raising funds by selling albums through their website, with folk in particular being represented as part of their tactics in general of using this country’s traditions for their own ends. Presumably, the various collections of old stories and traditions that are part of British folk music would strike a chord within the ignorant hearts of the party’s customer base; and indeed it would take an astounding leap of ignorance for anyone purchasing Billy Bragg CDs to further a fascist cause. Unsurprisingly, the artists whose work featured there were horrified enough to get together and release this 2-disc set that puts themselves and, in the curator’s own words, “we will not take this sitting down with a finger in our ear”.
I will be honest here and admit that, although I am fond of modern takes on folk traditions, I am no huge fan of traditional folk music – I much prefer it when someone does something mad with the old rules, which I suppose is how a lot of these old tunes and tales survived the centuries in the first place. That said, I am very fond of this particular song as it doesn’t come across as too old (indeed, it evokes some of Roger Waters’ wartime reminiscences from The Wall and beyond), and puts this genre exactly where it should be – being in love with Britain, its traditions and its history, but away from the chest-thumping hatred that is all-too-often pedalled nowadays. A genuinely stirring song, and for all the right reasons.
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