Last post: RIP Mark Bell
News is breaking this afternoon of the death of the piioneering electronic musician Mark Bell. As LFO he recorded some of the most important tracks of the incipient rave era. He went on to become a leading producer, working several times with Bjork, while continuing to develop his own uncompromising musical style which was always ahead of its time. Rest in peace.
Monday music (taking the mick a bit edition)
Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds - In The Heat Of The Moment
With a chorus that sounds like the background to Flappy Birds, for a minute you’d think Noelly G had gone all 2014. But then there’s some church bells and an Oasis melody and some lyrics about wanting stuff when the thunder and lightning comes and all is right (ie the same) with the world.
Monday music (taking the mick a bit edition)
Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds - In The Heat Of The Moment
With a chorus that sounds like the background to Flappy Birds, for a minute you’d think Noelly G had gone all 2014. But then there’s some church bells and an Oasis melody and some lyrics about wanting stuff when the thunder and lightning comes and all is right (ie the same) with the world.
Andy C (& Flora) - Heartbeat Loud
Now THIS is 2014! Drum n bass so fast it can only be understood either on drugs or in space craft capable of breaking the light speed barrier (we all know which of those is more readily accessible kids eh?) and some generic club vocals about “destiny creeping up on your shoulder”. Which is actually pretty Noel when you think about it. Also comes with nice video of horse.
Marina and the Diamonds - Froot
With a vocal that sounds like a Russian emigre filling the vacant hours while hubby is off flogging his village’s mineral rights and a beat like a Euro discoball’s waking nightmare this is the best of this bunch by a mile. Like Boney M reanimated by the Chief Financial Officer of MySpace.
What Jennifer Lawrence had to say about Larry David, and vice versa
Jennifer Lawrence has not only come out fighting against the hairy-palmed masturbators by declaring the leaking of her private photos to be a ‘sex crime’ in an interview with Vanity Fair, she’s also confess to a crush on Larry David. The Curb Your Enthusiasm misanthrope has, in return, riffed on the theme in an interview at this weekend’s New Yorker festival in, you know, New York.
We present the brief highlights here:
Jennifer on Larry: “I’m in love with him, and I have been for a really long time.”
Larry on Jennifer: “Smart kid. It’s a shame that I’m about 40 years older than she is.”
Jennifer on Larry: “I worship Woody Allen, but I don’t feel it below the belt the way I do for Larry David.”
Larry on Jennifer: “Maybe she’s referring to her knees. I don’t think I could do it. On one hand it’s very flattering and on another hand, it’s kind of a shame - in terms of timing. I’d have fun watching the reality show of it though.”
Wu Tang Clan to release album, make ‘Bugs Bunny money’
After months of stories of feuds, interactions with Cher, and a speaker called Boombot Rex, the Wu-Tang Clan have confirmed the release of their 20th anniversary album, A Better Tomorrow.
It will be released on December 1 and prompted a really dull quote from the band which, fortunately, has a gem from Ghostface hidden within
Wu-Tang Clan said: “Wu-Tang Clan is excited to join the Warner family of esteemed artists. After 20 years in the business with different label outlets, we are delighted to be amongst a team of industry professionals who understand our unique artistry and will help spread it to the masses unadulterated. RZA and his brother Divine CEO of Wu-Tang felt synergy with executive/producer Rob Cavallo and Cameron Strang, and decided Warner Bros. would be a suitable home for their brand and band, and a great place to carry on the Wu-Tang saga. In the words of Ghostface, when it comes to being signed to Warner Bros., ‘we’re getting Bugs Bunny money.’”
Something noticed in the comments
I was just reading this review of Simon Amstell’s new comedy show. I was doing this partly for the purposes of this blog, but also because I don’t like Amstell much and was hoping for some succour in the form of a barbed remark or a joke that looks bad in transcription.
There wasn’t much to be found, sadly, but in the comments someone suggested that any fan of Amstell should watch him be interviewed by TIm Key for a DVD extra. Now I like Key, I like Key a lot. So I watched the video, now up on YouTube. It’s very funny* so I’ve reposted it here.
*Almost entirely because of Key
New Music Monday (lunchtime)
Etta Bond - King to Be
A piece of romantic street-pop that sounds tougher than its sentiments thanks to some punchy production and Bond’s unapologetically London-ite delivery. It’s pretty good mate.
Merchandise - Telephone
A band of former punks have sold out to make 80s tinged indie pop. Thing is, they do it pretty well.
Rosie Lowe- Water Came Down (Pional mix)
This is hipster RnB. But rather than doing its best to throw off its listeners with a determination to be all glitchy, it’s simple and nostalgic for a simpler (En Vogue, SWV) era
What would you daub on a Banksy mural?
Sad news reaches the Guide Daily open plan commune, that somebody’s painted a penis on a new Banksy mural
You can see said penis here:
To me this all appears in keeping with the spirit of the master street artist/multi-millionaire. But it does beg the question of whether there are better ways to enhance one of his murals. If you have any thoughts do share, and i’ll repost the best.
This week’s annotated charts
If you wanna read a news story about the charts, go away. If you just wanna gawp at my amazing skills in ‘Photoshop brush tool’, then go right here...
A little demo from Jessie Ware
Really, it’s late night music (“play it late and go kiss someone” reads Ware’s note on Soundcloud), but this seems a better way to kick off the blog than most. It didn’t make Ware’s new album Tough Love, but it’s still pretty seductive.
