tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-42394649900891351022024-03-13T14:30:39.411+00:00I was uncool before it was cool to be uncoolThe Manchester Music Scene, and other irritationsPaul Loughreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11056984631052059876noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4239464990089135102.post-24925040626610201652011-05-23T20:07:00.022+01:002011-05-24T12:54:48.289+01:00My Ultimate Bob Dylan Mix Tape. Not Playlist. MIX TAPE!In honour of his Bobness' 70th birthday today (or yesterday, if you're on whichever side of the planet where it's now already tomorrow), and inspired by a quick Twitter exchange with an old buddy of mine, I decided to put together a mix tape. On an actual tape.<div><br /></div><div>So I went over to my CD shelf and started selecting, a task made more difficult by my not having much space to keep all my CDs out. Luckily most of my Dylan albums are on the shelf. Some are in boxes in the big scary cupboard, along with my remaining unused supply of blank tape. But I persevered and picked out my choices for a definitive Bob Dylan mix tape.</div><div><br /></div><div>I used to make tapes all the time, as my old car had a cassette player. But this will probably be my first in about 7 years. I'm mostly digital nowadays, with my iPod and whatnot. I've sadly fallen victim to my own need for convenience.</div><div><br /></div><div>I miss the making and exchanging of mix tapes. It's so easy nowadays to casually drag a load of MP3 files into a list at the side of your library. I wish I had the time and energy to do my baby playlists as mix tapes. To actually have to think carefully about the musical goodness that had to inhabit two sides of 45 minutes was, despite the fact that you're effectively pirating music, an art in itself.</div><div><br /></div><div>It was easy for me to select the songs. The tape kind of made itself in a way. These are the Dylan songs that speak to me the most, for one reason or another.</div><div><br /></div><div>So, if anyone still gives a monkeys about this sort of thing, here it is:</div><div><br /></div><div>Side One:</div><div><br /></div><div><div>From A Buick 6</div><div>Shooting Star</div><div>Going Going Gone</div><div>Sugar Baby</div><div>Señor (Tales Of Yankee Power)</div><div>Most Of The Time</div><div>I And I</div><div>Mississippi</div><div>Love Sick</div><div><br /></div><div><div>Side Two:</div></div><div><br /></div><div>Simple Twist Of Fate</div><div>Moonshiner</div><div>Dark Eyes</div><div>Heart Of Mine</div><div>Cat's In The Well</div><div>One Too Many Mornings</div><div>Diamond Joe</div><div>Ain't Talkin'</div><div>Series Of Dreams</div></div><div><br /></div><div>Happy birthday Bob!</div><div><br /></div><div>So that's my Ultimate Bob Dylan Mix Tape. Anyone out there wanna do a mix tape swap? Your fave Dylan for mine?</div>Paul Loughreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11056984631052059876noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4239464990089135102.post-28203967238213853492011-05-10T13:11:00.007+01:002011-05-10T18:47:08.303+01:00Baby Playlist #4<div>'Goodnight, to every little hour that you sleep tite...'</div><div><br /></div>Mrs L's tummy has been hosting a little party over the last couple of weeks. Little L has reached the point where he is exploring the use of his hands, and he's letting his mummy know about it! He's really reacting to sound now too. So much so that I think he's a Bob Dylan fan.<div><br /></div><div>Last night I felt him move for the very first time! It was amazing, one of the best things I've ever experienced. It was just a ripple on her tummy, but enough to let us know he's there!<div><br /></div><div>I'm also trying to imagine what he'll look like, whether he'll be more like me or his mum, and who he'll take after personality wise. Not long till we find out...</div><div><br /></div><div>We've noticed that Smashing Pumpkins are getting played a lot at the moment. Their quieter moments are so richly textured and soothing, they just seem perfect for this exercise.</div><div><br /></div><div>Here's his latest playlist. I'm also now thinking of full albums that would be suitable for him to listen to...</div></div><div><br /></div><div><div>Marie Floating Over The Backyard - Eels</div><div><br /></div><div>Falling Down - Oasis</div><div><br /></div><div>Wonderwall - Ryan Adams</div><div><br /></div><div>Every Grain Of Sand - Bob Dylan</div><div><br /></div><div>Secret Garden - Bruce Springsteen</div><div><br /></div><div>Feather In Your Cap - Beck</div><div><br /></div><div>The Shock Of The Lightning - Oasis</div><div><br /></div><div>The Way - Neil Young*</div><div><br /></div><div>Blues Run the Game - Counting Crows</div><div><br /></div><div>Mr. Jones - Counting Crows</div><div><br /></div><div>Yalla, Yalla - Joe Strummer & The Mescaleros</div><div><br /></div><div>Rhinoceros - Smashing Pumpkins</div><div><br /></div><div>The X-Files Theme - Mark Snow</div><div><br /></div><div>End Of Line - Daft Punk</div><div><br /></div><div>Angel Dance - Robert Plant</div><div><br /></div><div>69 Police - David Holmes</div><div><br /></div><div>Farewell And Goodnight - Smashing Pumpkins</div></div><div><br /></div><div>--</div><div><br /></div><div>* This is the song that was playing when I felt him move!</div><div><br /></div><div><i>Follow me on <a href="http://twitter.com/paulloughrey">twitter</a></i></div>Paul Loughreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11056984631052059876noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4239464990089135102.post-63428600567141786552011-04-26T12:51:00.006+01:002011-04-27T19:44:23.054+01:00Blue Away In BlackburnOn Monday night I was in attendance at Ewood Park, with my 6 months' pregnant wife, my sister in law, her husband and the nephew for the City game. I went in to this week still on a high after City making the cup final - I don't have a very wide frame of reference, so let me enjoy my moment.<div><br /></div><div>The only drawback was that we were sat with the Blackburn fans. So I had to keep my colours neutral, my head down and my mouth shut! I managed to just about keep it together, Mrs L was the one who nearly blew our cover!</div><div><br /></div><div>For the opening 20 minutes we battered them, looking very confident and doing some lovely passing football. Then once Blackburn got back into it, the game became very even, they just couldn't get an opening up front. David Silva was very impressive throughout, after a slow start to the season he's settled in very nicely now. If I wasn't allowed to choose Carlos Tevez, I would probably pick Silva for player of the season.</div><div><br /></div><div>The only let down, for me and probably most other City fans, continues to be Mario Balotelli. Sure De Jong continues to maraud around the midfield like a pitbull, but he's just passionate, he's not an idiot. Generally we are a relatively clean team. Balotelli just needs to grow up and get on with his football.</div><div><br /></div><div>When Edin Dzeko scored on 75 minutes, from where I was sat the Poznan looked incredible. Even a helium-voiced Blackburn fan behind me remarked on how impressive it looked. Sadly the atmosphere of the home side completely sank after that and they couldn't get back into it.</div><div><br /></div><div>So an away win. Very happy with that. </div><div><br /></div><div>So, typical City, we've still got a nail-biting finish to the season, but with a cup final to look forward to - the first one since I was in my mummy's tummy! Hopefully we'll be able to keep Spurs at bay in the league and pinch 4th place. And that would make the best season in my lifetime.</div><div><br /></div><div>On our way out there was a gathering of Blackburn fans by the Jack Walker statue, chanting 'Kean out' and when we were passing by in the car the police were breaking up a bit of trouble. It's a shame to see that kind of thing happen.</div><div><br /></div><div>As a City fan though, I sympathise with the plight of Blackburn. It wasn't too long ago that we were caught in relegation scraps at the bottom end of the table. But now it seems like a lot longer.</div>Paul Loughreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11056984631052059876noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4239464990089135102.post-51348318883212823602011-04-11T18:58:00.013+01:002011-04-11T20:07:19.948+01:00He's 'So' 'Rock & Roll'...<div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">I figured out quite early on in my adult life that drugs and alcohol weren't really my thing. At parties, you would be more likely to see me in a corner somewhere with a bag of sweets and a bottle of Dr Pepper than passed out in the bathroom with a rusty syringe sticking out of my arm with my face caked in a mixture of vomit and brick dust. Same with gigs. As a musician, I think it's disrespectful to the people who've paid money to see you for you to stumble on stage fucked off your tits. Even going to gigs as a punter, I'd like to be able to savour and actually remember the experience of seeing a band play some tunes.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">There are some personal reasons for my decision not to partake that I won't be going into, but the main thing is that I always considered the music to be enough for me. If people feel like they can't have a good time till they're three sheets to the wind and/or gangsta tripping, then that worries me, quite frankly.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">'Well, you're really fucking rock & roll aren't you?' - I can tell exactly what's on your mind grapes after reading the above. But I think that's my point - when exactly did it become 'rock & roll' to get busted for drug possession, or for fighting, or for being Pete Doherty, or to be forcibly escorted from a licensed premises because you've urinated somewhere you shouldn't have, or because you're Pete Doherty?</div><div><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-09dw9ACxJbc/TaNPJWQaPyI/AAAAAAAAAJA/35lPbskoOJg/s1600/peterdrunk_81744.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 350px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-09dw9ACxJbc/TaNPJWQaPyI/AAAAAAAAAJA/35lPbskoOJg/s400/peterdrunk_81744.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594402184136113954" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The face of Rock & Roll: looking good, Pete!</div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-09dw9ACxJbc/TaNPJWQaPyI/AAAAAAAAAJA/35lPbskoOJg/s1600/peterdrunk_81744.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Surely the only behaviour that can really be considered 'rock & roll' is to play a kick ass show, and live long enough to play the next one? And I can do that, and have plenty of fun along the way just fine, without any chemical assistance thank you.</div></div>Paul Loughreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11056984631052059876noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4239464990089135102.post-90727599788367555422011-04-04T18:28:00.009+01:002011-04-04T22:22:33.175+01:00Baby Playlist #3<div>'Hold her, and keep him strong, while I'm away from here...'</div><div><br /></div><div>So it's week 21. Our little bundle of awesome is coming along nicely.</div><div><br /></div><div>We've decided on his name too. I'd say we're about 98% certain. Hopefully, when he arrives, he'll suit it!</div><div><br /></div><div>Here are the songs we've been playing to him recently:</div><div><br /></div><div>Landslide - Fleetwood Mac</div><div><br /></div><div>Little Ghost - The White Stripes</div><div><br /></div><div>Heart Songs - Weezer</div><div><br /></div><div>Learning To Fly - Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers</div><div><br /></div><div>Untitled - R.E.M.</div><div><br /></div><div>The Beat Goes On - Beady Eye</div><div><br /></div><div>Take Care - Beach House</div><div><br /></div><div>Shooting Star - Bob Dylan</div><div><br /></div><div>My Hero - Foo Fighters</div><div><br /></div><div>Proof - I Am Kloot</div><div><br /></div><div>From The Morning - Nick Drake</div><div><br /></div><div>Oh My Heart - R.E.M.</div><div><br /></div><div>Forever - The Charlatans</div><div><br /></div><div>We Have All The Time In The World - Louis Armstrong</div><div><br /></div><div>Forever Young - Bob Dylan</div><div><br /></div><div>Didn't Leave Nobody But The Baby<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>- Emmylou Harris, Alison Krauss & Gillian Welch</div><div><br /></div><div>White Winter Hymnal - Fleet Foxes</div><div><br /></div><div>Race For The Prize - Flaming Lips</div>Paul Loughreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11056984631052059876noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4239464990089135102.post-44851970965898367072011-04-03T00:42:00.000+01:002011-04-03T01:46:38.573+01:00Another Review: R.E.M. - 'Collapse Into Now'<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fwmAVGngMaY/TZfCVQv7I8I/AAAAAAAAAI4/HOFBBifinUs/s1600/FileR.E.M.%2B-%2BCollapse%2Binto%2BNow.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fwmAVGngMaY/TZfCVQv7I8I/AAAAAAAAAI4/HOFBBifinUs/s400/FileR.E.M.%2B-%2BCollapse%2Binto%2BNow.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591151132932776898" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>There seems to be a common template when reviewing an R.E.M. album these days - 'something something Bill Berry something 'Green' something something it's not 'Document' something.'</div><div><br /></div><div>In this month's Q magazine, this album gets a bit of a trashing. It got 2 stars, which is a total, total nonsense. I'll bet you a shiny penny that the reviewer has a beard.</div><div><br /></div><div>What you need to know is that those reviews, and indeed this one, are, ultimately, worthless. The only thing that matters is the music. At least I'll try to review it without looking at Big Bird's Big Book of Big Words.</div><div><br /></div><div>I'm a massive R.E.M. fan, have been for most of my life, but I'm not blind to their failings. Of which this ISN'T one of them.</div><div><br /></div>In my OPINION, I think it's the best thing they've done for years. It's easily the best of their post-Berry releases, after a run of disappointing (but not completely void of merit) recent albums. <div><br /></div><div>One of the things I like about this album is Mike Mills' backing vocals, which are featured prominently. I've always liked the way his and Michael Stipe's voices play off each other. There's an impressive list of guests too, including Eddie Vedder, Peaches, Patti Smith and Lenny Kaye.</div><div><br /></div><div>Personal highlights for me include 'Mine Smell Like Honey', 'Oh My Heart', 'Me, Marlon Brando, Marlon Brando And I' and 'Discoverer'. There's a nice variety, which has been lacking recently. They've struck the balance quite nicely between big breathtaking rockers and slower acoustic numbers.</div><div><br /></div><div>What's great to hear now though is that it sounds like a band that have rediscovered their purpose, that they're no longer just doing it because they don't know what else to do. There's still beauty and greatness in 'Reveal' and 'Around The Sun' and 'Accelerate' if you look for it, but here you don't have to. It's apparent from the moment you push play. In my opinion.</div><div><div><br /></div><div>Actual, correct star rating: 4.5/5</div></div>Paul Loughreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11056984631052059876noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4239464990089135102.post-85922720862143384442011-03-28T17:32:00.001+01:002011-03-28T19:40:07.984+01:00A Review: Beady Eye - 'Different Gear, Still Speeding'Yeah, I know, shut up. It's been out for a month. But I like an album to sit with me for a little bit before I pass judgement. That's how I roll.<div><br /></div><div>I've never got the whole 'Oasis sound like the Beatles' rhetoric. Usually the person saying that, in my experience, is a massive bell end. Of course they fucking don't sound like the Beatles. Borrowed a sneaky couplet, chord change or guitar sound, yes, but no more than you or I. I always found such remarks to be patronising, both to the band and the listener/reader.</div><div><br /></div><div>Having said that, I groaned, quite audibly, when I first heard Beady Eye's 'The Roller'. I was worried. The 'Instant Karma'-ness of the song could not be ignored. But when the album came out, I gave it a chance...</div><div><br /></div><div>It's good, actually. Not life changingly great, but it's good. It's a lot better than I was expecting it to be. There's some really interesting sounds going on here. I like the retro rock & roll piano on 'Bring The Light', the driving rhythm on the ironically Dylanesque 'Beatles and Stones', and the Eastern sounding 'Millionaire'. 'The Roller' has even grown on me.</div><div><br /></div><div>As an Oasis fan, I can say that it's the album they needed to make. Sure it wears a lot of the usual influences on its sleeve, but so what. It's four fifths of a band that ended rather abruptly. It's just as enjoyable to listen to as latter day Oasis, if slightly less memorable.</div><div><br /></div><div>A lot of people are now eagerly awaiting brother Noel's next move. As am I.</div><div><br /></div><div>3.5/5</div>Paul Loughreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11056984631052059876noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4239464990089135102.post-63511922894011797972011-03-23T18:10:00.001+00:002011-04-04T22:22:50.852+01:00Baby Playlist #2<div>'You're my son and you're gonna shine...'</div><div><br /></div>So we're another week on. The place is getting gradually taken over by baby products. I think we now have enough Huggies wipes to last Baby L till he's 17!<div><br /></div><div>Here's some selected highlights from the list of tunes we've been playing to our little baby bump over the last few nights:</div><div><br /></div><div><div>Feeling A Moment - Feeder</div><div><br /></div><div>Mellon Collie And The Infinite Sadness - Smashing Pumpkins</div><div><br /></div><div>On My Way Back Home - Band Of Horses</div><div><br /></div><div>Obscured - Smashing Pumpkins</div><div><br /></div><div>Why Walk When You Can Run - Paul Weller</div><div><br /></div><div>Heartbeats - José González</div><div><br /></div><div>Let There Be Love - Oasis</div><div><br /></div><div>Every Grain Of Sand - Bob Dylan</div><div><br /></div><div>Born On A Different Cloud - Oasis</div><div><br /></div><div>Persephone - Kula Shaker</div><div><br /></div><div>Weather To Fly - Elbow</div><div><br /></div><div>Little Wing - Jimi Hendrix</div><div><br /></div><div>Here At The Right Time - Josh Ritter</div><div><br /></div><div>Perfect Circle<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span> - R.E.M.</div></div>Paul Loughreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11056984631052059876noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4239464990089135102.post-71881580641379995432011-03-17T20:04:00.001+00:002011-04-04T22:23:06.279+01:00Baby Playlist #1'Operating, generating, new life, new life...'<div><br /></div><div>Exciting times. My wife Lisa and I are expecting our first child in August. We had our 2nd scan on Tuesday and everything is fine with baby. We also now know that it's a boy!</div><div><br /></div><div>We're reaching the stage now where baby is able to hear, so I've begun to select some tunes for baby to listen to. I've tried to go for songs that not only mean something to either me or Mrs L, but make for interesting pieces of music with sounds that baby can hopefully engage with.</div><div><br /></div><div>There are two intended outcomes:</div><div><br /></div><div>1) When baby comes out and is having a rough time of it ie. wailing in the middle of the night, some familiar sounds might help to soothe him</div><div><br /></div><div>2) He will hit the ground running in terms of good music taste!</div><div><br /></div><div>Lisa has begun to experience the 'flutters' that will soon become kicks! She says it feels 'like a bouncy ball' bouncing around her tummy! She experienced a couple of these sensations while we were playing these songs to him.</div><div><br /></div><div>So here are the songs that we played to baby in our inaugural music session last night:</div><div><br /></div><div><div>Good Vibrations - The Beach Boys</div><div><br /></div><div>I Get Around<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>- The Beach Boys</div><div><br /></div><div>Live Forever<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>- Oasis</div><div><br /></div><div>Series Of Dreams<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>- Bob Dylan</div><div><br /></div><div>Detlef Schrempf - Band Of Horses*</div><div><br /></div><div>When You Dream - Barenaked Ladies</div><div><br /></div><div>Birdhouse In Your Soul - They Might Be Giants</div><div><br /></div><div>New Life - Depeche Mode*</div><div><br /></div><div>Station Approach<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span> - Elbow</div></div><div><br /></div><div>* - Indicates movement felt in Mrs L's tummy!</div>Paul Loughreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11056984631052059876noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4239464990089135102.post-80385830462928739502011-03-13T22:39:00.000+00:002011-03-13T15:40:01.412+00:00A Spooky Discovery<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--7jUaOthw8g/TXlXSrU7mMI/AAAAAAAAAIo/UC8h0uPA6Mk/s1600/100_1676.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--7jUaOthw8g/TXlXSrU7mMI/AAAAAAAAAIo/UC8h0uPA6Mk/s400/100_1676.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582589191482218690" /></a><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>I had a little bit of a surprise last Saturday morning, as Mrs L and I were walking to the bus stop, around the corner from our flat. I happened to glance to my left as we were walking past a gate, having never been curious about it before, and happened to see a few stone steps leading up to a couple of gravestones sticking up from the ground. For the first time in the five years we've been living in Eccles, I saw this graveyard that neither of us had ever noticed before!<div><div><br /></div><div>I must have walked and driven past it literally a thousand times and never noticed it before. I can only guess that it must have been the yard of a now long gone church, possibly on the site the old folk's flats now occupy immediately next to the yard. A google search doesn't seem to turn up any info.</div><div><br /></div><div>I've always been fascinated with graveyards, for as long as I can remember. Sadly the gate was padlocked and we couldn't have a nosy around.</div></div><div><br /></div><div>So the moral of this little tale is, when you have time, and when it's safe to do so, take some time to have a REALLY good look round your neighbourhood. And chat to your neighbours too. Even if you've lived in the same area for even longer than we have lived in ours, you may be surprised (or shocked) at what you may discover!</div>Paul Loughreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11056984631052059876noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4239464990089135102.post-69265210376163813762011-03-03T23:20:00.001+00:002011-04-09T12:16:00.970+01:00Better Late Than Never: My Albums of 2010Yeah, I know, it's a bit late. But I feel like I can now reveal my top 10 list with a bit more clarity and less prejudice than if I had done it in the middle of December.<div><br /></div><div>I'm not trying to earn any cool points here - I don't need approval from any chin-stroking hipster wankers.</div><div><br /></div><div>Simply put, it's a list of the ten albums that I have enjoyed the most, and continue to enjoy, from last year:</div><div><div><br /></div><div>1. Band Of Horses - Infinite Arms</div><div>The band I try to get all my friends to like. Luxurious and panoramic.</div><div>Fave track: On My Way Back Home</div><div><br /></div><div>2. Josh Ritter - So Runs The World Away</div><div>If I were ever to use the word 'genius' in a non-ironic sense, I would use it to describe the music of Josh Ritter.</div><div>Fave track: Folk Bloodbath</div><div><br /></div><div>3.Paul Weller - Wake Up The Nation</div><div>The man's got more guts, passion and originality than most people half his age. Astonishing.</div><div>Fave track: Find The Torch / Burn The Plans</div><div><br /></div><div>4. The Gaslight Anthem - American Slang</div><div>Urgent, anthemic, thrilling.</div><div>Fave track: The Diamond Church Street Choir</div><div><br /></div><div>5. Best Coast - Crazy For You</div><div>Takes me to a place that's warmer than Manchester. There are so many shitty sleeves out there, but this one is a work of art.</div><div>Fave track: Each And Every Day</div><div><br /></div><div>6. Scissor Sisters - Night Work</div><div>I LOVE Scissor Sisters. Fuck all you indie cunts.</div><div>Fave track: Invisible Light</div><div><br /></div><div>7. Eels - Tomorrow Morning</div><div>Less direct, more synthesised, but as always, still honest and beautiful.</div><div>Fave track: Oh So Lovely</div><div><br /></div><div>8. I Am Kloot - Sky At Night</div><div>In a word, gorgeous.</div><div>Fave track: Proof</div><div><br /></div><div>9. Teenage Fanclub - Shadows</div><div>If you don't know this band, I feel sorry for you.</div><div>Fave track: Baby Lee</div><div><br /></div><div>10. Edwyn Collins - Losing Sleep</div><div>An inspirational story, and an inspirational man. Welcome back Edwyn Collins.</div><div>Fave track: I Still Believe In You</div><div><br /></div><div>Honourable mentions must also go to:</div><div><br /></div><div>Neil Young - Le Noise</div><div>Weezer - Hurley</div><div>Manic Street Preachers - Postcards From A Young Man</div></div><div>Robert Plant - Band of Joy</div><div>Daft Punk - Tron: Legacy Original Soundtrack</div><div>Cee Lo Green - The Ladykiller</div><div><br /></div><div>PS. If anyone's wondering, I like to pretend Arcade Fire stopped making music after Funeral.</div>Paul Loughreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11056984631052059876noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4239464990089135102.post-32995031850777355312010-09-01T13:31:00.000+01:002011-03-23T13:06:01.665+00:00Wishing I lived on the Coast<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XSdZNCNWhrs/TH5IsTMBTiI/AAAAAAAAAHw/rxYFQNxmUNQ/s1600/bestcoast.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 319px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XSdZNCNWhrs/TH5IsTMBTiI/AAAAAAAAAHw/rxYFQNxmUNQ/s320/bestcoast.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511922919850200610" /></a><div><br /></div>It was Albert Schweitzer who said 'There are two means of refuge from the miseries of life: music and cats". And he's right. As the owner of 2 cats I can vouch for that. But when the two things combine (sadly not very often), the results can frequently be awesome. This can, I'm happy to report, be said about <a href="http://twitter.com/bestycoastyy">Best Coast</a>'s album. Just look at the cover, for starters! That alone makes me want to buy this on vinyl.<div><br /></div><div>These days I'm naturally suspicious of anything generating hype, but this is a lovely album. I fell in love with it pretty much on the first listen, which doesn't happen often. Perfect lazy summery tunes, sounding like 'Wall of Sound' in a garage. If I was a stoner or a drinker, I would drink and get stoned whilst listening to this.</div><div><br /></div><div>Snacks the cat is also getting in on the act with his own <a href="http://twitter.com/Snacksthecat">twitter</a>. Follow him!</div>Paul Loughreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11056984631052059876noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4239464990089135102.post-25068436858020626922010-06-11T05:40:00.000+01:002010-06-11T13:45:05.320+01:00Dylan In The 80s - Revisited<div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XSdZNCNWhrs/TBE1YDKPMFI/AAAAAAAAAHQ/IppnvEuD8BY/s1600/Oh-Mercy.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 311px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481220908767981650" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XSdZNCNWhrs/TBE1YDKPMFI/AAAAAAAAAHQ/IppnvEuD8BY/s320/Oh-Mercy.jpg" /></a><br />I've been listening to and re-appraising much of Bob Dylan's 80s output recently.<br /><br />Whilst I'm fascinated by a lot of songs featuring religious imagery, I don't have the stomach for evangelical posturing, no matter who's preaching. So I find parts of 1979's Slow Train Coming hard to take, the first of his so-called trilogy of 'born again' albums, which in turn pretty much informed my decision to not touch Saved, the album he opened the new decade with.<br /><br />Shot of Love holds a certain fascination for me, because it was released the year I was born (1981). And though it is considered his last hard line Christian album before moving on to more secular topics, only Property of Jesus unsettles my agnostic ears. It also contains a few sparks of genius, particularly The Groom's Still Waiting At The Altar, and Every Grain Of Sand, which, whilst still being a little bit churchy, still has the power to resonate within the heathen.<br /><br />I got Infidels, from 1983, a number of years ago, but didn't really begin to appreciate it until recently. 'I And I' is one song I keep coming back to. I appreciate a good rant as much as anyone, especially when it contains such lyrical gems as 'Someone else is speaking with my mouth but I'm listening only to my heart/I've made shoes for everyone, even you, but I still go barefoot.' Wow. The reggae stylings that gently permeate the album make for a welcome departure and a rewarding listening experience.<br /><br />I've always enjoyed Oh Mercy, it's probably my favourite Dylan album after Highway 61 Revisited. He ended the decade on a high, that's for certain. Most of the Time is just as moving and as bittersweet as anything on Blood on the Tracks, and, I'd like to imagine that he is singing one final kiss off to the very same woman who inspired that landmark album, his ex wife Sara. Many Dylanologists seem to agree on that point. It's also the album from his much maligned decade that was the most critically acclaimed, and seems to sound the most fresh. I love Daniel Lanois' somehow 'swampy' but minimal production. Shooting Star also deserves a special mention, a gentle romantic lament and a great album closer. Although the song seems to be about a separation, the very first line makes me think of my wife, it makes me smile.<br /><br />The biggest surprise to me was 1985's Empire Burlesque, which despite some very dated production and a terrible front cover, contains some great moments. Dark Eyes sticks out like a sore thumb here, mercifully free of drum machines and synths. Tight Connection To My Heart is frequently commented upon as a stand out moment, Emotionally Yours in my opinion also deserves a look in.</div><br /><div> </div><br /><div>Real Live, recorded on his 1984 stadium tour of the UK and Ireland, seems to be universally derided, hated even by its maker (it wasn't even available on CD until recently). It does however contain a fascinating rendition of Tangled Up In Blue, with whole sections of the lyric completely rewritten. And it has some fine guitar playing, with Dylan trading bluesy licks with Mick Taylor and Carlos Santana. Whilst Hard Rain is still comfortably his best live album, I don't think Real Live is as flawed as others may suggest.<br /><br />There are other hidden delights from that decade, many of which have now surfaced, first on Biograph, and then the Bootleg Series. Of my top five favourite Dylan songs, two of them, Series Of Dreams and Blind Willie McTell (left off Oh Mercy and Infidels, respectively) would have never appeared on an official release. Blind Willie McTell single-handedly puts to bed any snotty opinions about Dylan's vocal limitations, the power and control of his voice on display, along with sublime imagery in the lyrics, and spooky minimal instrumentation, all come together to create something truly astonishing. Similarly, Series Of Dreams, with its shimmering guitars, galloping drums and shopping list style retelling of dream sequences, leaves me awestruck every time I hear it.<br /><br />I've never heard Knocked Out Loaded or Down In The Groove, apart from having Brownsville Girl and Silvio (both fine songs, each from a terrible album, seems to be the consensus) on compilations. I do wonder if either of those albums has a hidden surprise or two. I'll look into it.</div><br /><div> </div><br /><div>Basically, in conclusion, some of the man's music from this period is creatively flawed, ill advised and over produced (not to mention the awful suit that he's wearing on the Empire Burlesque sleeve!), but all too often his entire decade is unfairly written off by self appointed judges. I encourage you to dig through the dirt to get to the gold. You may find something that gets to you, as I found a few things that got to me.</div>Paul Loughreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11056984631052059876noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4239464990089135102.post-9073654816937870552010-06-08T13:32:00.000+01:002010-06-08T13:34:30.962+01:00Stick it where the sun don't shineApple have just launched their new iPhone. I could not care less. If they can't make a pair of headphones that last longer than five minutes before disintegrating, I'm not interested in anything else they have to sell.<br /><br />That is all.Paul Loughreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11056984631052059876noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4239464990089135102.post-68691586381728329552010-05-29T23:28:00.002+01:002011-04-04T22:25:52.568+01:00Band of Horses = Band of AwesomeI heart Band of Horses. Thanks mostly to my friend Carolina, I was introduced to their second album 'Cease to Begin' a couple of years ago (I missed out on its predecessor, I was a little slow to catch on). It's awesome. Singer Ben Bridwell reminds me of Neil Young but without the out of tune bits, and there are some beautiful guitar sounds ranging from wide and epic to intimate and cosy, accompanied by simple yet effective, and often moving, lyrics, beautifully delivered. The playful country stomp of 'The General Specific' perfectly compliments the rocky 'Ode to LRC'. It's a perfect album that leaves the listener wanting more, it never outstays its welcome. I love it. You know how you have a band that you want all your friends to listen to? Well for me, Band of Horses are THAT band.<br /><br />I've been listening to their new album, 'Infinite Arms', and it's a belter. The production is grander, but without making its predecessor feel inferior. Opening song 'Factory' is a string drenched tale of life on the road, and looking forward to coming home. The rest of the album is full of great moments, with a classic West Coast feel to it. Go get it. And the first two albums as well. I guarantee that if you have any taste at all, you won't be disappointed.Paul Loughreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11056984631052059876noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4239464990089135102.post-83690896795411129882010-05-25T12:25:00.000+01:002010-05-25T13:14:53.222+01:00Democracy at work... kind of...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XSdZNCNWhrs/S_u0ZrjM1nI/AAAAAAAAAHI/-gMHBjwLf8c/s1600/sandbox_ballot.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 246px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XSdZNCNWhrs/S_u0ZrjM1nI/AAAAAAAAAHI/-gMHBjwLf8c/s320/sandbox_ballot.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475168125279065714" /></a><br /><br />I wonder how many other bands out there decide on their set lists this way?<br /><br />What do you do when you have more songs than you can actually play at your next gig?<br /><br />It all started after Lennie informed us that she would rather not play Find Me, despite the reaction it got at our last gig. Probably something to do with the fact that we had never played it, during my tenure as guitarist, until the Wednesday before the gig. I then proceeded to nearly make Andy cry when I piped up that I don't want to do Six, which needs a rest in my opinion, before I go and revamp my guitar part for it. Lennie then said, with a very excited look on her face: 'Let's do a ballad!' My first though was 'I'm not sure how a Celine Dion cover is going to fix this difference of opinion, and there's not enough time to work on it be fore the gig...' but it turns out she actually said, and meant, 'ballot.' (Occupational hazard: when you've been playing in bands for as long as I have, your hearing starts to go a bit silly).<br /><br />So, with paper in hand, we all wrote down our choices. None of us are really sure why we did it this way, as a show of hands would have sufficed, maybe we were all caught up in the spirit of the general election - which by the way, was the first time I ever voted. My dad thinks I'm a disgrace.<br /><br />Will took the longest to finish, and immediately doubted at least one of his choices. We were all expecting a curveball from Andy. So we folded our papers and put them in the spare mug, taking it in turns to pull the answers out.<br /><br />We knew there were a few safe seats, Shades of Grey, because it's the single and we still have to shift it, plus we all still like it. Piccadilly & I, because we've just recorded it, our record label loves it, and everyone who's previously heard us play it has loved it too, and it was missed at our most recent gig. A Million Marlborough Lights, because it's our traditional opening number. All three songs got unanimous votes. Out of Rage and Find Me each got one vote, so they're out. Mother Knows Best and Fields got three votes each, so they're in. So it came down to a split decision over Six and Thin Ice. I had earlier suggested that Lennie should get the casting vote in the event of a tie, due to them being her songs. But she was undecided, so it would have to go down to either a coin toss, a rock paper scissors match, or, what Andy ended up doing, which was screw up two pieces of paper and pick one. We ended up going with a fourth choice in the end, which was the 'Butler Swing-o-meter', an imaginary spinning arrow which followed Andy's finger. So Thin Ice made it in. Everyone seems reasonably happy with the result.<br /><br />Now we just have to decide on the running order.<br /><br />Six days till gig time...Paul Loughreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11056984631052059876noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4239464990089135102.post-67851926393298257692010-05-02T01:04:00.000+01:002010-05-02T01:59:17.354+01:00The trouble with opinions presented as factSpin magazine over the pond has recently published a list of <a href="http://www.spin.com/spin25/125-best-albums-past-25-years">'the 125 most influential albums of the last 25 years'</a>, with U2's mega epic 'Achtung Baby' at number 1. Apparently the list was compiled by their editors. Whilst there are some very good albums on the list, presenting a few hacks' opinions as some kind of definitive statement on the state of modern music is a little pointless, borderline counterproductive, and potentially harmful.<br /><br />On a personal level, I love 'Achtung Baby' - it's probably my favourite U2 album. But I have a problem with these kind of lists, whether voted for by the public or by the self appointed taste makers who write for the music press. There's no point. And how can it be possible to conclusively prove what is the best, or most influential, album on a purely objective basis? It can't be done. Every music review ever written has been written from a subjective viewpoint, basically it boils down to whether or not the reviewer likes it, and therefore whether or not he or she wants you to like it. A well written review can be a very useful guide to help inform your decision to investigate an artist further, but should never be held up as a beacon, and must never be a substitute for your own eyes and ears.<br /><br />Over the course of my life, I've been influenced by a few of the usual 'influential' albums, but if I see 'OK Computer' anywhere near the top of any of these lists again, then I won't be legally responsible for what happens afterwards! That's what makes me a beautiful, individual, potentially insane human being.<br /><br />If you know your own mind, you won't like being told what you should have been listening to all your life. I know I don't.<br /><br />Opinions are like arseholes. Everybody's got one, and most of 'em stink.Paul Loughreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11056984631052059876noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4239464990089135102.post-33445471383135931912010-03-22T13:28:00.000+00:002011-03-04T01:19:12.613+00:00Denying MadchesterI came across this <a href="http://fuc51.blogspot.com/">blog</a> recently which has been causing a bit of a stir in Manc-land, have a look, it's a very entertaining read for anyone who enjoys blasphemy as much as I do.<br /><br />I'm honestly getting sick of all this Madchester revival nonsense too. It's like a bad circus that will never leave town. I'm glad that there's other people out there who feel the same way.<br /><br /><div>I'm too young to remember any of the Madchester stuff when it actually happened. I was a child. And even when I was getting into music properly a couple of years later, the majority of the sounds that captured my attention came from further away. The whole hacienda thing was alien to me, the Madchester scene has never meant anything to me other than act as the soundtrack to some mis-spent student nights in 5th Avenue. I never liked New Order/Joy Division and I hated the Happy Mondays. I have both Stone Roses albums, but have listened to neither for years (I always preferred the 2nd one anyway). I think it's disingenuous to hark on about a supposed 'golden age' of Manchester music, scenes evolve, they're changing constantly. It's just that, for some reason, whenever a new local band comes through the ranks and begins to court national press, there are always comparisons, no matter how undeserved they may be, to one of said above bands.<br /><br />Some people just need to learn to let go, man...</div>Paul Loughreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11056984631052059876noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4239464990089135102.post-13480026902079039322010-02-09T23:51:00.000+00:002010-02-10T00:29:33.862+00:00You're all above the SurfaceSo the Surface Unsigned Festival is about to roll into town again. Their unsavoury business practices and litigious trigger finger have been well documented elsewhere on the web - just work your google on your internet machine and you'll see what I mean. What I will say to anyone considering getting involved with this, or any other 'pay to play' gig scenario (where you are required to either buy a minimum number of tickets upfront, or guarantee a minimum number of punters, on pain of making up the shortfall yourselves) is, in a word, avoid.<br /><br />It's a fact of life that creative people are often bad at marketing themselves. Two different skill sets you see. In a nutshell, it's not a musician's job to promote gigs and sell tickets. Doesn't matter if you're in an unsigned band or Kasabian, the same template applies. A musician's job is to bring the tunes, not a minimum 50 mates. There are plenty of other things for the gigging muso to worry about, and if the only people you play to time and time again are the same group of your friends and family, you've got little to no chance of actually acheiving any exposure. Obviously a group of friendly faces can help boost your confidence come showtime, but at the end of the day, why should you do someone else's work for them as well as your own?<br /><br />I don't really want to get into naming and shaming (if pushed I will, privately, though) practicers of such an abhorrent philosophy, anyone who's been around the scene long enough will know who they are anyway.<br /><br />I will however, make a note of the people who care enough about making their event a success to actually promote said event rather than screw bands for easy cash. One such beacon of hope is Tony Thornborough of Helmets4Men. Our recent gig at Islington Mill was an absolute stonker, with great bands and a great crowd who paid a reasonable price and weren't solely consisting of mates of ours or the other bands. We took a fair few with us, but gained a few fans on the night too. So Tony, we salute you! More like this, please. You can read a review of the gig <a href="http://www.salfordmusic.com/night_out_at_the_mill.htm">here</a>.Paul Loughreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11056984631052059876noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4239464990089135102.post-7725666602618021522010-02-07T14:32:00.000+00:002010-02-07T14:46:11.192+00:00New blog!This is a brand new blog. I've tried to blog before, but couldn't be bothered keeping it up. So I deleted the old one and resolved with myself to do it with a bit more frequency.<br /><br />I wanted to call it 'Freedom in Exile', (without quite remembering where I've heard it before) on account of me being a Mancunian living in Salford, a quick google search revealed that it is, in fact, the title of the Dalai Lama's autobiography. Great start, trading off the leader of one of the biggest political struggles of recent times. So I decided at that point to go for something else, even if it is slightly less catchy.Paul Loughreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11056984631052059876noreply@blogger.com0