Half Term Report 09 pt2

As I said previously even though gigs have been fewer this year cd purchases have held up. Here's a list of my fave albums so far this year done alphabetically.



Airborne Toxic event. S/T - An album that lives up to the hype.



Coathangers. Scramble - Love this quirky little record at times reminiscent of early 52's with dual female vocal.



The Dead Weather. Horehound - Jack White and Alison Mosharts' collaboration says it all.



Decemberists. The Hazards of Love. - Another superb set from Colin Moloy they just don't make a bad record.



Dials. S/T - A great slice of psych country rock



Julie Dorian. I can wonder what you did with your day - Canadian singer songwriter, a quirky folky piece



PJ Harvey & John Parish. A woman a man walked by - Anything Polly does is fine by me.



The Horrors. Primary Colours - Ok ok, I hold my hands up here, I was very dismissive of this lot at first I thought they were a marketing joke. My cynical nature has been dented by what is a very fine second album. I admit now I like this bunch.



The Low Anthem. Oh my God Charlie Darwin. This years Fleet Foxes?? probably not but it is a very good album



Conner Oberst and The Mystic Valley Band. Outer South - I love this probably my fave record of the year sounds like Dylan has taken happy pills.



Pains of being pure at heart. S/T - Slightly twee pop rock but I still love it



School of Seven Bells. Alpinisms - One band I did get to see earlier in the year a dense sonic sound with dreamy vocal, it works.



Silversun Pickups. Swoon - Here's a rarity a band follows a very good debut with a second that is imo a better more accomplished album good on 'em.



Sonic Youth. The Eternal - This is a real return to form even though Rather Ripped was a fine record this just sounds much fresher amazing to think they've been doing it for 30 years thereabouts.



Super Furry Animals. Dark Days/Light Years - Why the Furrys are so overlooked is astonishing, ok last album was not totally up to standard but again a great return to form here.


So there you go I've probably missed some stuff I haven't paid enough attention to and I sure there will be plenty to yelp about during the second half of the year.

Half Term Report 09

Well a six month hiatus, still hate that word, a brief update of the year so far.

Firstly a huge boot in the groin for not keeping the blog up to date, ouch!!
There have been reasons of course which have influenced this. Firstly I now dedicate a lot of my time to a special lady I have in my life and travelling back and forth to the Isle of Man has taken up time and money.
Secondly the 'R' word my income has suffered greatly therefor instead of 3/4 gigs a month it's more like 1. Though CD purchases have held up well.
Thirdly a project of completely renovating the flat was undertaken mainly prompted and aided by Karen. Moving all those records and CD's was a mare. The result is a much better living space though.

So to the gigs I have attended. I'm not going to blog all but the highlight was and probably will always be Kristin in Lancaster, here's how.

I didn't have a ticket for this gig as it sold out very quick. I appealed on the fan site and a girl from Liverpool offered assistance. My plan was to shoot up to York for the Friday night show across to Lancaster then get the Ferry to the IOM at 02:15 the Sun morning. Got to the York gig in good time and good to see a load of familiar faces there. Great to see these guys still doing the 'circuit'. K was on good form too, well I wouldn't say anything other would I, but she was. Bought a signed CD and T shirt too Yay!
On to Lancaster. Plan was to get there get a call from my contact, sorted. It got to 30 mins to doors I was in the lovely old cellar bar opposite the venue, no call and then my phone went dead, shit now def no ticket. I thought well all I can do is go to the venue and see if I can get in some how. This is where the best thing in the world happened. I looked up from my forlorn bar stool and there was Billy (O'Connell, K husband) stood at the bar and three feet behind was K. Jeez! with a few glasses of wine inside I went over and introduced my self as a long time fan. I sat and had a drink with K & B. I explained my ticket contact had failed. 'No problem' said Billy 'your our guest'. The rest is history.


I have to say I don't have much in life but I have a lot of great memories, have seen many great places and have been very lucky with my experiences, there will be more to come I'm sure.


Thank you Kristin and Billy for being the people I believed and hoped you were a case of meeting an idol who doesn't let you down.


On to other shows that have impresses, School of Seven Bells at the N&D were very good and great to catch a full set from Brooklyn and Ruth of Rue Royale. How they are not huge is beyond belief such good rhythmic timing and vocal harmony, superb.

K - Lancaster

Sky Larkin - N & D

Rue Royale - Liverpool.

Some great news on the horizon the Veg club are playing Manchester on the 3rd of August, they haven't played for about 18 months, Looking forward to catching up with Lou, Em's and Adem. Lazy gits I was only inactive for 6.

Next up I'll post my fave albums so far.