By tom | December 10, 2004
Another of the randomly selected “music to move apartments” to. A little John Mayerish, which (in my book) is a heinous crime. addthis_url = ‘http%3A%2F%2Fwww.writing.adancingstar.com%2F2004%2Fmatt-nathansons-beneath-these-fireworks%2F’; addthis_title = ‘Matt+Nathanson%26%238217%3Bs+%3Cem%3EBeneath+these+fireworks%3C%2Fem%3E’; addthis_pub = ”;
By tom | December 10, 2004
High time for hi-jinks. On the move again and what better than to pack one’s worthless worldly belongings with AC Newman playing in the background. This is one of four randomly selected never-heard-of-them CDs that I treat myself to every month and this batch looks – sounds? – good, too. (10-xii-04) addthis_url = ‘http%3A%2F%2Fwww.writing.adancingstar.com%2F2004%2Fthe-slow-wonder-by-ac-newman%2F’; addthis_title [...]
By tom | November 21, 2004
Buffalo Tom’s Besides. Boston’s favourites have been around longer than you care to remember, and this is an excellent anti-retrospective: full of non A-sides, obscure covers and hard to find releases. The Kill Bill soundtracks – unexpectedly evocative. “Grace”, by Jeff Buckley. Music to wonder to. If you haven’t heard this, I’ll gladly give you [...]
By tom | October 20, 2004
Music never saved anyone There are few bands you are lucky enough to grow up with, bands which evolve and create a tempo, an aural sense apace with yourself. Unfortunately, The Replacements came a decade too early; I started when they ended, in 1991. Just as well, since the 80s would not have kind to [...]
By tom | October 16, 2004
This Guided by Voices bootleg captures the band on one of their earliest tours (in 1994), breaking the mold on stage at Stache’s in Colombus, OH. Has it been ten years? How cool is Tom Verlaine? The ex-Television man’s “critical acclaimed” Flash Light is tough, quite unlike Kobe beef. addthis_url = ‘http%3A%2F%2Fwww.writing.adancingstar.com%2F2004%2Fcrying-your-knife-away%2F’; addthis_title = ‘%26%238220%3BCrying+your+knife+away%26%238221%3B’; [...]
By tom | October 10, 2004
A mix of Americana funk, twisted pop, guitars, wit and spunk packed in a 90s sound served in the 80s. Who the hell are The Young Fresh Fellows? Also, the least known of Teenage Fanclub’s releases, “Bandwagonesque” finds the band amid swirling guitars and floating voices. Halfway decent. Released in 1997, “Time out of mind” [...]
Some oft-listened to vinyl and discs: … in completely random order, of course. Led Zeppelin, “Physical Graffiti” (it was this or “Houses of the Holy”) Big Star, “3rd/Sister Lovers” and “Radio City” Jeff Buckley, “Grace” Miles Davis, “Sketches of Spain” and “Miles Ahead” (a controversial choice) Barbirolli’s take on Mahler’s 5th (uplifting) Mahler’s 2nd (pardon [...]
Nick Hornby’s 31 Songs, another lovely read. My friend Nick, as I like to call him, is one of the few writers able to sound less narcissistic the more introspective and autobiographical he ventures. The great thing about stories is that they are meant for re-telling, woven anew on each occasion. Much like life really, [...]
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By tom | September 7, 2002
Have just returned from the States; it was quite an adventure. The stay was made all the more enjoyable and productive by the company and hospitality of Yudson and Darnell, both of whom helped to focus and simplify! In the hierarchy of musical talent, standards are set by increasing amplifier size. Opened by an unbilled [...]
Three nights back-to-back-to-back in New York city with Paul Westerberg: the former perennial under-achiever sheds his skin and delivers; “Mono” stands equal alongside the “Stereo” CD. addthis_url = ‘http%3A%2F%2Fwww.writing.adancingstar.com%2F2002%2Fnew-york%2F’; addthis_title = ‘New+York’; addthis_pub = ”;
