Those Dancing Days – In Our Space Hero Suits October 6th, 2008 4.2/6.0 On paper, this debut offering from Those Dancing Days should be marvellous. Their live shows have proven to be absolutely electrifying – anyone who has seen the band on their hitherto limited UK appearances will testify. Shaun Keaveny was amongst those who [...]
Festival Coverage
Concrete and Glass Festival 2008 Clockwatch: Friday, October 3rd
17:30: What better way to precede a night of music and merry-making than a day learning how to be assertive? It would seem, according to the foolproof psychometric test that I am in equal parts passive and assertive. I leave to ponder that fascinating conundrum, and head straight for Brick Lane’s 93 Feet East. 20:15: [...]
Festival Coverage
Concrete and Glass 2008 Clockwatch: Thursday, October 2nd
17:30: Right. Pens down, computer off, Inbox ignored; it’s time to take in the wonderful sights and sounds of London’s self-consciously trendy Shoreditch. Having been put through my paces with a day of ‘presentation skills’ and the somewhat confusing and non-specific ‘personal effectiveness’, London’s answer to SXSW and Great Escape is just what I need [...]
Live Reviews
Face/Off
Shred Yr Face Tour presents Los Campesinos! with No Age and Times New Viking Liverpool Carling Academy 2 Wednesday 15th October The whole ethic of the Shred Yr (Fucking) Face Tour seems to be having a great time, be it the bands having sandwich-related fun across the UK (see the accompanying videos on the Shred [...]
Album Reviews
Holy Night
David Holmes – The Holy Pictures (Mercury Records) September 8th, 2008 4.2/6.0 I have no prior knowledge of the work of Northern Irish DJ/composer David Holmes, so what better place to start than with his 4th solo album and biographical creation, The Holy Pictures. Quite why I have never heard of David Holmes is puzzling. [...]
Album Reviews
The Story of O
Tilly and the Wall – o (Moshi Moshi Records) October 13th, 2008 4.0/6.0 Ever since a spell-binding show at 2006’s Bestival, I’ve not been able to get enough of Tilly and the Wall. I remember standing on tiptoe in the JD Set tent eager to glimpse the rumoured tap-dancing through the swelling crowd, and on [...]
Music: Reviews
Daniel Land And The Modern Painters – Within The Boundaries/Benjamin’s Room
Daniel Land And The Modern Painters – Within The Boundaries/Benjamin’s Room (Sonic Cathedral) October 27th, 2008 5.5/6.0 Slowdive. No two ways of looking at it. Daniel Land et al. remind me of Slowdive. This is unapologetic shoegaze. It’s epic and brilliant.
Album Reviews
Wonderful Electric
Various Artists – Dreams Come True: Classic First Wave Electro 1982-87 (Domino) October 20th 2008 4.5/6.0 For Mancunians, living in the shadow of the long since defunct yacht showroom on Whitworth Street West that was once known as The Haçienda, it is all too easy to assume that the 1987 acid house explosion was dance [...]
Music: Reviews
Stone Gods – Don’t Drink The Water
Stone Gods – Don’t Drink The Water October 27th, 2008 4.0/6.0 A whole press release and not a mention that Stone Gods are in fact the remnants of The Darkness (well, half of them). But on listening to Don’t Drink The Water, it’s not surprising that this glaring omission has been made, for this is [...]
Music: Reviews
Robert Wyatt and Bertrand Burgalat – This Summer Night
Robert Wyatt and Bertrand Burgalat – This Summer Night (Domino Records) October 20th, 2008 4.0/6.0 With an extensive introduction, constant jangly guitar and a few synth interludes, it’s perfect Radio Two drivetime. But as soon as the vocals enter, you know it’s him, unmistakeably Robert Wyatt. The lyrics might not be as off the wall [...]