Friday, February 27, 2009
This Is A Low
And into the sea goes pretty England and me...
It's a lovely sight to see Damon and Graham back on stage together at the NME Awards, on the same day that Blur are more or less confirmed as headliners for Glastonbury. Pleased to hear that Doves are due to play too. And I know that Ben at Silent Words Speak Loudest will join me in crossing fingers that Michael Eavis picks up the phone and takes up Sonic Youth on their offer to play. (To be honest, I could sit here all night and write a Glasto wishlist, but we'll save that for another day...)
Staying in the NME theme, the Awards Show at Brixton on Saturday was the best I've seen over the years. Florence and the Machine, White Lies, Friendly Fires and Glasvegas put on a stunning show. I remarked halfway through that it was like a noughties version of Kate Bush, Joy Division, Haircut 100 and the Jesus and Mary Chain. Except different and, in many ways, better.
Much like my current love for The Pains Of Being Pure Of Heart, who sound like every indie band in Britain circa 1988. Whether this is a good or bad thing depends on where you stand, dear reader, but for me it's the most wonderful little record that is available for the 1988 price of only £7 on vinyl from Amazon. Can they play Glasto too please Michael?
And another firm live recommendation is the breathtaking Fleet Foxes. The last time I was at the Roundhouse, I'd had my face blown off my skull by My Bloody Valentine. This time round, lead singer Robin begun their encore by unplugging his guitar, stepping away from the microphone and singing completely unamplified. It was a beautiful moment, as the crowd hushed itself silent. It's hard to think of a greater contrast than that between the blitzkreig barrage of MBV and such fragile and warm soulfullness from Fleet Foxes. But both were simply superb, and genuinely emotionally moving.
1. The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart - Stay Alive (and, to be honest, the rest of the album too)
2. The Joy Formidable - The Greatest Light Is The Greatest Shade.
3. Rolo Tomassi - Everything Went Grey
4. The Sonics - Have Love Will Travel
5. Bat For Lashes - Daniel
6. Royksopp - Happy Up Here
7. Calvin Harris - I'm Not Alone (A genuinely pleasant surprise, this)
8. My Chemical Romance - Desolation Row
9. Wolfman & Pete Doherty - This Is For Lovers (we'll give him this one)
10. Fleet Foxes - Blue Ridge Mountains
And with me at Fleet Foxes was my new girlfriend, who is just unbelievably lovely and wonderful. Appropriately enough, she got me a copy of Parklife on vinyl for my birthday. Definitely a keeper...
It's a lovely sight to see Damon and Graham back on stage together at the NME Awards, on the same day that Blur are more or less confirmed as headliners for Glastonbury. Pleased to hear that Doves are due to play too. And I know that Ben at Silent Words Speak Loudest will join me in crossing fingers that Michael Eavis picks up the phone and takes up Sonic Youth on their offer to play. (To be honest, I could sit here all night and write a Glasto wishlist, but we'll save that for another day...)
Staying in the NME theme, the Awards Show at Brixton on Saturday was the best I've seen over the years. Florence and the Machine, White Lies, Friendly Fires and Glasvegas put on a stunning show. I remarked halfway through that it was like a noughties version of Kate Bush, Joy Division, Haircut 100 and the Jesus and Mary Chain. Except different and, in many ways, better.
Much like my current love for The Pains Of Being Pure Of Heart, who sound like every indie band in Britain circa 1988. Whether this is a good or bad thing depends on where you stand, dear reader, but for me it's the most wonderful little record that is available for the 1988 price of only £7 on vinyl from Amazon. Can they play Glasto too please Michael?
And another firm live recommendation is the breathtaking Fleet Foxes. The last time I was at the Roundhouse, I'd had my face blown off my skull by My Bloody Valentine. This time round, lead singer Robin begun their encore by unplugging his guitar, stepping away from the microphone and singing completely unamplified. It was a beautiful moment, as the crowd hushed itself silent. It's hard to think of a greater contrast than that between the blitzkreig barrage of MBV and such fragile and warm soulfullness from Fleet Foxes. But both were simply superb, and genuinely emotionally moving.
1. The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart - Stay Alive (and, to be honest, the rest of the album too)
2. The Joy Formidable - The Greatest Light Is The Greatest Shade.
3. Rolo Tomassi - Everything Went Grey
4. The Sonics - Have Love Will Travel
5. Bat For Lashes - Daniel
6. Royksopp - Happy Up Here
7. Calvin Harris - I'm Not Alone (A genuinely pleasant surprise, this)
8. My Chemical Romance - Desolation Row
9. Wolfman & Pete Doherty - This Is For Lovers (we'll give him this one)
10. Fleet Foxes - Blue Ridge Mountains
And with me at Fleet Foxes was my new girlfriend, who is just unbelievably lovely and wonderful. Appropriately enough, she got me a copy of Parklife on vinyl for my birthday. Definitely a keeper...
Labels: blur, festivals, gigs, girls, music, top 10's
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
5 Years
And so, Delrico Bandito turns five years old.
The predictable thing to say would be that it doesn't feel like its been five years. But it really really doesn't!
On a similar theme, I've been working in the same building for seven years now. Which I automatically compare to my seven years at the same secondary school. And that time felt so much longer. Although, it must be said, I enjoy working for a living infinitely more than I endured going to school every day. I still have dreams that I'm back there, and have some imminent homework or exam deadline looming over me. Then I wake up, and grin, because I never have to go to school again...
I apologise that I've been a bit lax updating this lovely blog. The winter months are often somewhat lean around here! But life is really good at the moment, so I'm busy living it rather than recording it. I hope you're doing good too.
Thanks for reading, as ever. Delrico Bandito loves you!
The predictable thing to say would be that it doesn't feel like its been five years. But it really really doesn't!
On a similar theme, I've been working in the same building for seven years now. Which I automatically compare to my seven years at the same secondary school. And that time felt so much longer. Although, it must be said, I enjoy working for a living infinitely more than I endured going to school every day. I still have dreams that I'm back there, and have some imminent homework or exam deadline looming over me. Then I wake up, and grin, because I never have to go to school again...
I apologise that I've been a bit lax updating this lovely blog. The winter months are often somewhat lean around here! But life is really good at the moment, so I'm busy living it rather than recording it. I hope you're doing good too.
Thanks for reading, as ever. Delrico Bandito loves you!
Friday, February 06, 2009
I Only Want To Be With You
I like this a lot. Obviously a little out of date as I've only just discovered it, but still fantastic. (If you're wondering where the boys are, they're here). Original from Mimi-Na, along with loads of other amazing fan art that makes me wish I could draw...
How long til the next Doctor Who special??
Thursday, February 05, 2009
Life In A Glasshouse
I don't get the whole Twitter thing. I mean, I know how it works, and what people use it for. I just don't really understand why. Why would you want to tell people what you're doing the whole time? I mean, why would anyone read it? Who actually cares?
And then I remember I've been writing this stupid blog for nearly five years and keep my mouth shut...
1. Lily Allen - Straight To Hell
2. The Damned - New Rose
3. Air France - No Excuses
4. Sonic Youth - Teen Age Riot
5. Sugababes - Run For Cover
6. Death Cab For Cutie - Tiny Vessels
7. M83 - Dead Beauties Can Die
8. Hot Chip & Peter Gabriel - Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa
9. Spearmint - Sweeping The Nation
10. Dobie Gray - Out On The Floor
...I stand and wonder how long it'll be before I too get hooked, as I close my eyes to the sound of pebbles shattering window panes all about me.
And then I remember I've been writing this stupid blog for nearly five years and keep my mouth shut...
1. Lily Allen - Straight To Hell
2. The Damned - New Rose
3. Air France - No Excuses
4. Sonic Youth - Teen Age Riot
5. Sugababes - Run For Cover
6. Death Cab For Cutie - Tiny Vessels
7. M83 - Dead Beauties Can Die
8. Hot Chip & Peter Gabriel - Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa
9. Spearmint - Sweeping The Nation
10. Dobie Gray - Out On The Floor
...I stand and wonder how long it'll be before I too get hooked, as I close my eyes to the sound of pebbles shattering window panes all about me.
Monday, February 02, 2009
Velvet Snow
Chinese New Year in the snow.
Some things are just oh-so right. Waking up the next day to a landscape shrouded in the purity of fresh snow. A capital city united and oddly rejuvinated. Watching a baby girl playing with her mum in Fitzroy Square in her first ever snow put a smile on my face for the rest of the day.
