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BEST ALBUMS OF 2025

Tue, 30 Dec 2025 22:21:45 GMT

Another year of new releases has come to pass already, some cracking albums to cherish this year and from here on in.

Pulp - More
Did we ever dare to wish we could actually get More from Pulp? Well this year signalled an end to the prophesisng and hearsay. Pulp delivered. A mere 24 years ago or so since their previous album We Love Life from 2001. A testimony to the band is that its like they've never really been away. Arriving with a tip of a well worn bucket hat through the shamanic mist of Spike Island and fading out beautifully to the last track A Sunset. It is both a poignant metaphor as to the question of More itself and why consumerism can overwhelm our sense of ourselves in the process. A realisation as to where it started to happen and where we all share mutual needs that ageing cannot save us from in the end. Is there 'More'; yes indeed, in bucket loads and lets thank Pulp for that.

Viagra Boys - Viagr Aboys

Stockholm is truly blessed to have in it's arsenal a band of such power and grace to share with the world. After the success of their previous album Cave World opened a portal to widespread critical acclaim, then Viagr Aboys pushed the door a little further into the open minds of the uninitiated, receptive and unblinkered. Awash with everything we've come to expect from a band that wear their tattoos proudly beneath their sleeves, bombastic and ugly, frightening and wistful with an energy that refuses to be extinguished.

Sam fender - People Watching
A year where Sam Fender hit the stadiums in overwhelming fashion, even winning The Mercury Music Prize in the process whilst becoming one of the years biggest selling artists with People Watching. To do this whilst staying true to the backstreets of the North East and celebrating the roots which gave him the inspiration is something quite remarkable in itself.

The Farm - Let The Music Take Control
Great to have them back, like long lost mates who have mutual fond memories to share, older, wiser with a survival instinct that's stood them steadfast and grounded. The record beams with The Farms positivity, which they unashamedly always wore on their baggy sleeves back in their heyday. It's a credit to their dedication in the unity and power of music to heal that transcends the years since we last heard The Farm. Their previous studio album was 1994's Hullabaloo. 31 years or so ago! Lots of life has been lived in anyone's life in that length of time, so to come back with an album of strong danceable grooves, well crafted indie sensibilities with strong melodies and an exuberance beyond their years is a resounding pleasure. Like that bunch of lads you could always rely upon for a kickabout at the end of the street; The Farm were never the critics faves or heralded as geniuses in the music press. Deemed too commercial, too polished for some, however they do exactly what it says on the tin; Let The Music Take Control, couldn't agree more.

Half Man Half Biscuit - All Asimov And No Fresh Air
To say that Half Man Half Biscuit continue to get better and better with each album released is to do their back catalogue over the last 40 odd years or so an injustice. Once again they continue to serve up a myriad of twisted tales and songsmithing that sets the bar higher. If you think they're just taking the piss for example then listen to the poignant track Falmouth Electrics with its majestic acoustic refrain and say it isn't the best thing they've ever done again. Listen to the brazen Record Store Day and bop along with agreeable abandon. Track after track beats the last or the first; Rawlplugs Of Yesteryear a track that just keeps on giving and keeping everything hanging. So to say All Asimov And No Fresh Air is their best yet would be disrespectful of their back catalogue, but somehow just to be grateful a band like Half Man Half Biscuit exists at all and still does, is something to celebrate in itself.

Federation Of The Disco Pimp - Gratuitous
Often cited as Edinburgh's finest exponents of jazz fuelled soul funk. After a 5 year hiatus the band are back with a record that deserves some high recognition and appreciation. It blends everything into a deep groove that not only gives the band a chance to tip their hat to the history of jazz itself but delve deeper whilst forging their own formula of future funk with foundations of Big Band and Swing and a melting pot of Be-bop and psychedelic soul for good measure. Federation of the Disco Pimp are at it again and whatever you wanna call it, if your fan of the greats, Quincy Jones or Herbie Hancock, Marvin Gaye or James Brown for example, it deserves you unbridled attention.

A utomatic - Is It Now?
It certainly is for Automatic! An addictive blend of electronic funk indie rock that at times is so hypnotically cool it's a pleasure to put a long overcoat coat on in its post punkish company. The reference points are there but they're used in such a way as to be at once nostalgic but refreshingly Now? Is it Now? If your a fan of primitive synth, low slung basslines, trip hop beats and deadpan female vocals then this should tick the boxes, unashamedly so, refreshingly self deprecating and with an overriding sense at being able to laugh at oneself whilst being committed in a world of self obsession. Is It Now? Yes.

Olivia Dean - The Art Of Loving
Never since the heady days of Amy Winehouse, Nelly Furtado or Corine Bailey Rae have popular records made you feel as feel good as this. A definite soulful ray of sunshine that puts its timelessness in a bottle to soothe everyone in whatever age and feel like they've bathed in its excelsior of magic mood changing melodies. Why is it so damn popular and addictive, no need to question it really, it just is and will be ever so.

Mylittlebrother - Throwing Darts At Maps
Since 2012 proud Cumbrians Mylittlebrother have been carving their own niche in the landscape of The Lake District. Playing in mountain bothies, village halls and many a local pub. Over the years they've continued an ascent pulling in a growing number of followers, selling out larger venues including an assortment of festivals including the world renowned Kendal Calling. After umpteen well received Eps and two previous albums, Throwing Darts At Maps is their first album on vinyl and their best work to date. If you've an inkling for pure, honest well crafted songs with emotional depth and resonance and an ear for a myriad of reference points. Every band would probably admit that of course they would like to sell loads of records and travel the world on tour, however it takes a lot for a band just to feel at home wherever that might be, after all every band was local once and Mylittlebrother have worn out the T-shirts and are now entirely comfortable in their own skin. The title track itself Throwing Darts At Maps kind of sums it up perfectly and brings a cohesive compulsion to the record which just makes you want to start it all over again as soon as its finished “We’re sitting in a layby with chips upon our knees. Don’t give me California, just give me days like these.” Amen to that!

University - MCCARTNEY IT'LL BE OK
An album refreshingly holding a flame for full on electric guitar sonics and underground psychedelic avantgardism. At once sounding like a Beefheart/Galaxie 500 hybrid that's been twisted through a telescopic overdrive at once melodic, heavy and unexpected. University continue to surprise just when you think you've got a handle on their sound. Listening to History Of Iron Maiden (Part 1) for example is an unhinged revelation sounding like a band being reborn out of the primordial swamp, just when the sight of the outside world comes into view the realisation of breathing kicks in and the track turns on its head in all the right primeval ways. Unsyncopated, disturbing and one hell of a refreshing listen when nothing else quite hits the mark.

Wolf alice - The Clearing
Wolf Alice take a daring left turn and stay true to the power of their creative instinct. An album of lows and highs literally, sonically and at times meditatively, drawing the listener inward with soothing meditations then using propulsive power to rock them sideways and Bloom Baby Bloom being a prime example, one of the standout live performances of the year to boot and a mighty fine crowd busting anthem, full of menace and sexual tension. Coming of an age, wherever they go next is anyone's guess which makes Wolf Alice so engaging and always poised for future greatness.

Van Morrison - Remembering Now
One of his recent best and to say he celebrated his 80th Birthday is unquestionably a testament to keeping in the zone, the flame burning as bright as ever. After a belter of a live album the previous year "In Orangefield" Van 'The Man' continues his prolific workload and sets the bar high. It is an absolute wonder in itself that Remembering Now could sit quite happily anywhere in his 55 year or so discography and not feel out of place at all at anytime or anyplace. If you need a reference point maybe place it between Avalon Sunset and Enlightenment. It is also a huge comfort to know that you can't quite put your finger on why Van Morrison is still up there with the best from the 60's Dylan, Young and Mitchell for example but for certain the well of inspiration and mystery runs forever deep. Just listen to When The Rains Came a true reflection on when the body as a vessel for the soul is growing old but the spirit inside is still bursting with a joy to behold. A theme throughout the album and a career you might say, always contemplating something to treasure always rightly out of reach, on this evidence his inner voice is sounding as good as ever

The New Eves - The New Eve Is Rising
Once heard never forgotten, raw earthly voices plugging into something unbridled and primitive. Punkish folk drones to swirl with pure abandon nestle with peaceful hypnotic refrains always with nature at its beating core. At times like on the superb album closer Volcano its like listening to an ancient version of The Velvet Underground combined with The Slits by way of the Wickerman. Mesmerising, tuning into our own humanity via Mother earth. A powerful breath of fresh air.

Richard Dawson - End Of The Middle
The closest thing in modern times to the primitive romanticism of the elegant works of Robert Wyatt, high praise indeed. Throw in a liittle bit of the great Euros Childs and Sweet Baboo and you have an intoxicating brew of homespun folk that reveals its domestic bliss through countless hypnotic washing lines and the edge of some sort of magical crayola drawn landscape with a fuzzy felt backdrop. Some suburban forgotten family of animated north eastern allotments. Little nuggets and plots at the end of victorian terraces admist a once smokier world. It just is and was, End Of The Middle draws you in and offers no explanations as to where it started or where it will end, it's organic beauty stays with you. Conjuring up the humdrum and celebrating its right to exist and a noble right to dream in an overburdened and materialistic society. Long may Richard Dawson continue to do everything he does.

Stereolab - Instant Holograms On Metal Film
Since 1992's superb debut Peng! Stereolab have been crafting their own idiosyncratic beats, off kilter grooves and cooler than chilled vocals. 33 or so years providing wonderment, wonderful to have a new record a mere 15 years ago since their previous one Not Music. Everything we've come to expect from Stereolab is here in groovier than thou abundance. Like in one of its most addictive tracks Melodie Is A Wound, once it gets under your skin as soon as its propulsive guitar riff sets the scene its like you should be driving along to the beat on the french riveria and soaking up the soundtrack to your sonic journey. Its this juxtaposition of not having a clue about what the songs are all about but where the feel takes you always transcends the understanding. If You Remember I Forgot How To Dream Pt.1 and then Pt.2s hypnotic curves allow you to wallow in your own wanderings of the mind. The album as a whole itself always gives you the time and space to do this magnificently as Stereolab do so well. Taking some time out for yourself with Instant Holograms On Metal Film will pay a multitude of dividends, making your own movie in the process.

Best Albums Of The Year 2024

Tue, 24 Dec 2024 22:06:26 GMT

Another year of new releases has come to pass already, some cracking albums to cherish this year and from here on in.

Laura Marling - Patterns In Repeat
An album of simple, warm and beautiful recordings is a rare thing these days. Recorded after the birth of her daughter. Laura Marling's sweet song cycle brings thoughts of nursery rhymes of yore, having time to spare to stare at walls, through windows between sleeps and feedings with feelings of being lost to the outside world for a while. Patterns In Repeat manages to capture these moments of tranquility with a newborn whilst also questioning change and embracing the chaos. Take some time out to heal yourself with this intimate portrait, an album to find some hope in reflection before and after the security of a mother's womb.

The Cure - Songs Of A Lost World
Just when you thought one of your favourite bands were no more, after nigh on 16 years they announce a new album. The losses we all experience as we grow older are here explored in a cinematic glory and breathtaking bleakness that uplift the spirit, serving as a reminder of how utterly timeless The Cure are. Symphonic in scope, working tremendously well at this time of year, take it on a long drive in winter where the multi layered wonderment reveals itself with teardrops turning into snow, a lasting testament to the endurance of The Cure. May the road continue as long as Robert Smith finds the will, the way and the inspiration to do so.

English Teacher - This Could Be Texas
A standout appearance on Later performing their single The World's Biggest Paving Slab introduced many of us to an exciting bold band to reinvigorate the senses. Like an intoxicating mixture of Field Music's rhythm and dexterity, the stance of Patti Smith's attitude, with the intricacies of early Genesis. There are always so many young bands out there at any moment in time, however one in particular always shines at the right moment, English Teacher have what it takes to stand out in the picture right now. Rolling, pastoral, syncopated, and elaborate; missguided comparisons abound of course with Dry Cleaning and Wet Leg at times but all they share really is an invigorated energy and why not indeed, there is space out there. Call it indie prog, post punk art rock, call it what you will; a fresh, enjoyable and fascinating debut that becomes an addictive second nature on repeated visits.

Kim Gordon - The Collective
Distorted, soothing, jagged and at times explosive monologues filtered through the darkest of sunglasses. A case in point is the glorious pounding of I'm a Man, like an ode to Mannish Boy by Muddy Waters via an industrial melting pot of some twisted 21st century altered state of beaten up fictionalised blues. A futuristic landscape dripping with menace, conjuring up rain soaked scenes from Blade Runner, nothing is what it seems. Kim Gordon continually pulls it all through the eye of a needle and continues to sew up a dangerous, engaging and oversized t-shirt, ripping it to shreds again in the process. Intense, unnerving but utterly captivating.

Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds - Wild God
"Amazed to be back in the water; Back in the water again" Nick Cave sings heartbreakingly on the track Frogs, like a testament to everything on the cusp of the afterlife, a metaphor for joining the collective love of heaven. An album that faces death and love in equal measure and finds solace in the continuation to deliver on many levels. Getting deeper inside your head with repeated listens, thank Wild God for that. Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds have risen magnificently once again with an altogether personal sermon celebrating the power of healing.

Primal scream - Come Ahead
A heavyweight double album in the classic sense of the word. Expansive eclecticism, worthy of repeated listens, can funk it with the best of em, can soul it with the soulful and folk it up again and again into hypnotic ancient grooves and musings on ancestral plains. Its like an amalgamation of everything that's great about their previous work. As Primal Scream often celebrated living in a higher realm now its very much of the earth under your feet, the people on the streets, the connections which run deep, a reality through experience and all the more worthy of its length and cinematic breadth. Often finding the groove deeper than the surface suggests. If you'd thought Primal Scream were no more, then think again, it feels like they've found their mojo battered and bruised but raring to explore a wiser, stronger and inspired future. A tour not to be missed next year.

Bill Ryder-Jones - Iechyd Da
Reinvigorating the Merseyside magic once again, where misty eyed lullabies and ancient mariners meet. Bill Ryder-Jones seeks the wisdom in his own idiosyncratic self depreciating style, wherever he finds himself in the world at the time. A natural songwriter who doesn't need to shout it from the rooftops but rather whisper it from the cobble streets where he pulls you in closer to his dreamlike world where golden dreams of loves lost and regained are set against a sunset of sorrowful strings. One of the many standout songs, 'We Don't Need Them' starts in lo-fi excellence and bursts into full on orchestrated choir, lush arrangements which take the breath away and wouldn't be out of place on a great Spiritualized, Flaming Lips or John Lennon album, melodic wonder, close to the bone heartbreak. An album to soak yourself in and immerse yourself again and again. It's time to raise a glass and celebrate the fact that songwriters like Bill Ryder-Jones still exist. Iechyd Da - Good health, cheers indeed.

Beth Gibbons - Lives Outgrown
With the exquisite drums of Lee Harris formerly of Talk Talk and Beth Gibbons sonorous song writing and intricate vocal weave, it's no mere coincidence that Lives Outgrown has drawn comparisons with Talk Talk's best work. Having worked with both Paul Webb (Rustin Man) previously and now Lee Harris both former Talk Talk members. If any comparisons to the exquisite sentiment of Colour Of Spring or Spirit Of Eden were to be mentioned in the same breath it would be a huge compliment to Beth Gibbons which would surely gain Mark Hollis's approval. There is no doubt then that Lives Outgrown touches on the same themes of mortality, change and the way life slowly unfolds to reveal itself, as in life so in music. Listen on Burden of Life how suddenly you think your listening to some strange 21st century hybrid of Bang Bang from a higher register Nancy Sinatra morphing into the Jimmy Webb song MacArthur Park combined with fluid vocal jazz refrains, as if a leaf was torn out of the book of Miles improvising with Coltrane; so is the sheer timeless quality of what her vocal delivery contains. Just one of the many moments that deserve repeated plays on an album of emotional resonance and depth, sumptuous dischordant string arrangements with melodies half remembered, reference points of contact suspended in time, Nick Drake, Lee Hazlewood, Anne Briggs, Scott Walker, Kate Bush, Karen Dalton come to mind, indicators of what once was so and is, in essence, Beth Gibbons captivating her audience with one of this years essential listens.

Yard Act - Where's My Utopia?
After the post punk refreshing relief of their impressive poetic debut, the band return with more belting wordly tales of yore infused amongst a backdrop of hip-hop beats, samples and mighty modernistic afflictions. An immersive experience where your not quite sure where the album will take you next. From the poptastic witt of We Make Hits through to the extensive dead pan monologue of Blackpool Illuminations the band have their northern tongue firmly rooted in their cheek and have created a delightfully brave second album which at times records the woes of finding yourself in the myriad of what you might call success after so long being without much recognition as such, with a perfectly apt title, Where's My Utopia? An album which slowly reveals it's hidden depths after each listen and will have you chuckling in your chips whilst contemplating the meaning of life in equal measure.

The Smile - Wall Of Eyes
The Smile goes on, their 2024 album Wall Of Eyes draws the listener ever closer to the source, more inward looking in than their debut album on first listen, a surprise in waiting. When it gets you it gets you deep and 6 months down the line on revisiting it you realise in time it might be considered their masterpiece. An integral part of the sonic experience is the remarkable London Contemporary Orchestra who create an almost 'dark matter' to proceedings, giving something for The Smiles experimental explorations to cling to and vice versa, one seemingly giving life to the other. A sense of The Smile being comfortable in its own skin, "I'm changing down the gears, I'm slamming on the brakes...." sings Thom Yorke on the hypnotic Bending Hectic, an ode to travelling at your own speed, long may The Smile continue their beautiful journey of inspiring acceptance and share it with us all.

The Lovely Eggs - Eggsistentialism
Holly and David consistently crack the DIY ethos and go beyond to deliver a reality which every band worth their salt should seriously take inspiration from.
"When you tell the crowd you're broken, and they clap for more" sings Holly on I am Gaia, at once heartbreaking and twice as beautiful to reference mother earth's struggles with humanity whilst bringing it home. One of the most hauntingly beautiful tracks they've done and a great way to end an album full of Lovely Egg continuations, afflictions, tales of woe, the humdrum, the humour and a refreshing take on living in the 21st century, everything in fact you'd come to respect and love about them. Fuzzed up, lo-fried, in yer face from on high, a myriad of psychedelic punk vibes.The Lovely Eggs continue to survive with aplomb.

Idles - Tangk
Arriving in the bleakest throes of February, Idles pulled out the love and slowly revealed a smouldering, multi layered two fingered peace sign to the inner turmoil without relinquishing their power. From the 'God moving across the face of the waters' motif beginning with Idea 01 it signals another fresh outlook to draw the listener ever closer to the speaker. It doesn't let up with twists and turns aplenty, another chapter in Idles revitalised energy is proof that they're in it with experimental ears and explorers eyes. As the final track 'Monolith' fades a haunting jazz refrain concludes Idles are eclectic as ever and maybe even after their previous album Crawler suggested, an almost darker but resolute world; Tangk proves Idles have nothing to prove and the next phase has already begun.

Broadcast - 'Spell Blanket'
A fascinating insight into Broadcast's creative processing. Broadcast - Spell Blanket - destined to become an underground lo-fi classic. The recordings lay the groundwork for what would have been Broadcast’s fifth album, offering a window into Trish and James’ creative process during the post-Tender Buttons period from 2006-2009. 'I Am The Bridge' and 'Spirit House' the last two tracks on side D bring together a heart-breaking poignancy to the whole vision which just gets better and better with each listen, from start to finish, a pleasure.

Richard Thompson - Ship To Shore
It's high tide once again in Richard Thompson's songwriting world where the seas remain saltier than ever, cast adift on angular riffs, so triumphant in defeat and so eloquent on the darker side of the street. Carving out a niche which only Richard Thompson himself can reach, a joyous, barbed relief, a nod, a distant cousin to the glorious Anmesia and Rumor and Sigh with a sea shanty twist and a fine port side mix. A more than welcome and timely return from one of Britain's finest.

Albums of the year 2023

Sun, 31 Dec 2023 11:55:44 GMT

Albums of the year

1. King Creosote - I DES
Kenny Anderson returns magnificently with I DES, something to a point to remind us all from whence he came all those years ago with seemingly hundreds or so songs to his name self released and otherwise and an experience beyond his years. I DES is full of heart breaking songs reflecting on a world moving much too fast and goodness knows where as he himself observes it all like a statue battered with the ravages of time his weary voice sounding as youthful as ever amidst a collective framework of haunting personal observations. I DES will rank highly in King Creosote's discography which is mighty high praise indeed.

2. Belbury Poly - The Path
Never far from the turntable upon its release, a travelogue of deep speech woven and orchestrated by syncopated beats in a wonderfully Belbury Poly way. Ghost Box co founder Jim Jupp is joined here by a full band to further expand his funky, jazz and electronica vision, as refreshing as a stroll through the soundtracks of lesser travelled paths.

3. Lanterns On The Lake - Versions Of Us
Highly recommend medication for anyone feeling overburdened with modern living. Hazel Wilde's haunting voice breaks in and out of the woven fabric of chiming guitars at times shimmering like an strange earthy hybrid of The Cocteau Twins mixed with Galaxie 500. Lanterns On The Lake continue to plough their own remarkable furrow, their blades shining brightly as ever.

4. Baxter Dury - I Thought I Was Better Than You
Amidst the coolest of the coolest of beats Baxter Dury continues to surprise upon every release. Heart on the sleeve this time with a growing perspective on growing up, growing older, family and the will to carry on. An intoxicating mixture of laid bare emotional tonics which frequently give insight into his father Ian Dury and the relationship therein. A travelogue of poetic intensity that has the power to cleanse on each listen.

5. Peter Gabriel - i/o
Only 21 years or so since his previous album Peter Gabriel once again shows that creative longevity is only as relevant to those who make it happen in the now. As successful as some of his most accessible work but no less mysterious.

6. PJ Harvey - I Inside The Old Year Dying
A poetic justification of the passing of time ancient and otherwise. PJ Harvey returns with an album itself inspired by her epic poem 'Orlam' published in 2022. I Inside The Old Year Dying finds its roots deep within the Dorset countryside. Sparse, riveting and crackling with PJ Harvey's rawness and otherworldly spirit.

7. Sleaford Mods - UK Grim
Speaking in truth and sidestepping expectation. The Sleaford's organic danceability is still very much here amidst a world of abrasion and in your face reality. Like keeping the bullshit detector well and truly powered up to 11 in the overburdened sewage farms where decisions are impacting the vastly widening social divide. Freedom of speech is very much alive and worth celebrating in itself.

8. Gaz Coombes - Turn The Car Around
Arriving in January, Turn The Car Around refreshed the spirit after the excess of the festive period. Intricate story telling songs that weave their magic time and time again. The Supergrass frontman continues to go from strength to strength and survive on his own terms. His best album yet, intriguing, captivating with an overriding feeling as though it's a record Gaz Coombes has been wanting to make for a good while, the time has paid dividends marvellously.

9. The Coral - Sea Of Mirrors and Holy Joe's Coral Island Medicine Show
Following on from their hugely successful Coral Island album in 2021 The Coral released 2 albums simultaneously this year both of which are equally deserved of attention. One a continuation of the spoken word dreamscape of their previous album Coral Island's psychedelic soundscape. The other a kaleidoscope of seasonal delight with a more than a tip of the the hat to spaghetti westerns of yore with more emphasis on the song craft we've all come to expect from their ever increasing songbook which in The Coral's vast canyon of work can both sit for now proudly and respectively in excellence.

10. Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs - Land Of Sleeper
They've done it again, living proof if it were needed that fuzz buckets of knarled metal heaviness aren't just for the swamps of America's beaten up garages but exist here in the brazen outer reaches of Newcastle's very own sweaty grime fuelled back streets. At time like twisted nightmares from the dark underbelly of Motorheadisms and Black Sabbathisms. The band continue carving out their own mythology. It's grim up North and what a pleasure that is. These pigs are definitely not for blankets!

11. Beirut - Hadsel
Zach Condon here immerses himself in Hadsel a remote Norwegian Island also using the free to use local church organ which in turn inspires his melancholic musings of isolation, memory and healing. Weaving a magic throughout many songs on the album with multi layered voices, often creating their own landscape around the songs themselves; minimal, intimate with signature Beirut forlorn trumpet passages the album is a cohesive whole which bears heartfelt fruit with open arms.

12. Paul Simon - Seven Psalms
Paul Simon returns after many thought after giving up touring that no more albums would come. This one as he himself explained started when the words Seven Psalms kept recurring in a dream, it's an acknowledgment to his own mortality. A quiet, intimate self portrait of death may not fill everyone with excitement or glee but it is quintessentially a Paul Simon record of old, a guitar, a voice and a song and there's absolute beauty to it's purity. Seven Psalms, proof that at 81 years, timelessness is still to be celebrated. Amen indeed.

13. Yussef Dayes - Black Classical Music
14. Blur - The Ballad Of Darren
15. BC Camplight - The Last Rotation Of Earth
16. Vanishing Twin - Afternoon X
17. Sufjan Stevens - Javelin
18. The Kills - God Games
19. Julie Byrne - The Greater Wings
20. Slowdive - Everything Is Alive
21. Lana Del Rey - Did You Know That There's a Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd
22. Brian Jonestown Massacre - The Future Is Your Past
23. Young Fathers - Heavy Heavy
24. Yo La Tengo - This Stupid World

Hardwicke Circus - Fly The Flag Released 9th June 2023 - Album Review

Fri, 13 Oct 2023 21:30:59 GMT

In an age of the instant clamour for fame, the flame of old school rock and roll as we know it is being patiently and intently rekindled.

"The Smell of Biscuits, on the long way home, Brunton Park, chanting up the Blues!" Well travelled but with firm roots in their hometown with bundles of references to Carlisle, from Mcvities to Carlisle Utd..... 2 years on from their well received debut album The Borderland, Hardwicke Circus are stepping it up with their new album Fly The Flag. The time in between has been, to say the least, full on, topping off a gig at at the feet of Neil Young and Bob Dylan's Hyde Park concert with a Glastonbury recommendation from Paul McCartney himself and a non stop touring schedule which would make The Commitments seem like slackers!

These guys still relentlessly take the hard road to the stage, continuously honing their craft live up and down the country including many of the nation's prisons where a stonkin' live album was recorded and released. Refreshing to hear a modern band who know their music history and continue to respect their own heritage moving forward, illustrated with tracks such as ' Night Train To London' which is screaming out to be released as a 7" single! A lovely bit of ska, on the tracks from Carlisle to London Town. A tip of the hat to 'The Nutty Boys' - Night Boat To Cairo, Madness themselves would be mightily proud of such an honourable homage. 'Bang My Head' with Tom Foster's idiosyncratic lead vocal, intertwining naturally with lead Jonny and bassist Joe, brings to mind hints of what The Band did so well, carving out an irrefutable furrow of majesty, keeping everyone guessing with changing lead vocals between Levon Helm, Richard Manuel and Rick Danko and arriving back immersed in harmony. Hardwicke Circus are living proof that the old school is the best school to lay the foundations of a long career. 'Our Town'....their feet firmly steeped in Carlisle, Jonny Foster himself explains that "he is often asked why Hardwicke Circus don't move to London as many other bands do 'to get noticed', he adamantly restrains from this and explains that he is so proud of coming from Carlisle, they refuse doggedly to follow the 'in crowd' and are focussed on making it on the bands own terms! Just as The Arctic Monkeys and Sam Fender did before them, keeping it real, keeping their hometown firmly on their sleeves."

Fly The Flag is a bold sax infused record with a collection of songs with at times Motown infused bass and beats weaving a rich tapestry of influences, channelling some of the spirit of Dexy's, The Band, Madness, Housemartins, Boomtown Rats, Billy Bragg, Van Morrison, Specials, Springsteen, Waterboys, Strummer, Stones and Dylan they also manage to infuse a heavy dose of classic eighties pop and pub rock of the late 70s with an ear for popular r and b music of the 60s into a cohesive whole which stands proudly out from the crowd. Eclectic as always, throw in such luminaries as Snake Davies and Earl Slick into the mix and your onto a winning formula. With principle songwriting craft from frontman Jonny Foster alongside his drumming brother Tom, Joe Hurst on bass, Lewis Bewley-Taylor on keys and Jack Pearce on sax. A formidable 5 piece and one to definitely keep your eyes peeled for and your ears open.

Hardwicke finish the album off splendidly with the 1952 Roscoe Gordon classic 'No More Doggin' covered later by John Lee Hooker no less. The guys speed it up in raucous fashion and have a wail of a time with Earl Slick cutting a slice with a mean guitar solo. Jools Holland's Big Band themselves would be mightily proud of such a raucous cover!

A timely reminder then from the band themselves to bare witness to what came before, Hardwicke Circus never try to cover up their influences, they proudly show them in all their glory and revel in turning the next generation onto music that needs preserving, celebrated and never forgotten. Fly The Flag is a smorgasbord of those delights that keep on giving and taking the time to really listen in a world of quick fixes pays dividends.

Albums of 2022

Sat, 31 Dec 2022 18:34:26 GMT

Albums of 2022

1. The Smile - A Light For Attracting Attention
An album to get deeply lost in but feel reassuringly at home. Is it the new Radiohead album you wanted?, well no, is it as good as the best of Radiohead albums?, well yes and for any fan it surely should be up there, which is high praise indeed. A collaboration between Jonny Greenwood, Tom Skinner (Sons Of Kemet), Thom Yorke and Radiohead stalwart producer engineer extraordinaire Nigel Godrich. 'The Same' kicks off with Thom Yorkes forlorn trademark vocal, emotive correspondence continues unabated with frequent sonic onslaughts pleasing to the ear but never overloaded. Jonny's guitar woven intrinsically with entangled electronica and off kilter wonderment. "Grab it in with both hands
What you know is right" sings Yorke on the albums emotional opener 'The Same' it sets the majestic tone we've become accustomed to throughout the years and thank goodness for that.

2. WEYES BLOOD - And In The Darkness, Hearts Aglow
An album so much of it's time yet strangely out of it, the opening track knocks you for six and leaves you wanting to wallow in it's pure beauty to share it and enable it to heal the hardest of hearts. (Walt Disney eat your hearts out! ) Your rooting for her from the outset " … Living in the wake of overwhelming changes, We've all become strangers, Even to ourselves" she sings heartbreakingly, one the best post pandemic lines sung with feeling in these turbulent times for sure. Karen Carpenter esq vocalisations, Van Dyke Parks ish lush arrangements and Brian Wilsons vision, a timelessness that speaks for generations and the moments keep coming; An album for anyone and 'everybody' who has ever felt disillusioned with the current human predicament; Love and hope with guts to carry you into the beyond and back again!

3. Yard Act - The Overload
"The overload of discontent....." The album kickstarted January 2022 in glorious abandon, sweeping away the over excess of everything. It kept its northern licence for archaic poetry firmly in its cheek, crafting an independence through years on the outskirts of favour. An album that gains more power the more you listen and ends with one of the best delivered lines of the year; "It's not like there's gonna be nothing, is it?

4. Spiritualized - Everything Was Beautiful
Spiritualized return once again in fine form, evoking the spirit of his magnum opus 1994 Ladies and Gentleman we are floating in space album at times superbly. As on his previous companion piece of an album 'And Nothing Hurt'. J. Spaceman continues to build his signature crescendos with emotional sound collages that leave you wanting more. Everyone already familiar with Spiritualized work will revel in its glorious comfort and give praise that it even exists at all. Longevity amidst adversity with aplomb.

5. MAKAYA MCCRAVEN - In These Times
After reworking Gill Scott-Heron's We're New Here in fine style in 2020, and then 2021s Deciphering The Message the ever present hardworking jazz drummer, producer now gives his attention to a project seven or so years in the making. The result is worthy of the time, with his idiosyncratic beats finding wonder from the ways of old into forms of his own expressive feel.
A subtle exploration of the organic that McCraven has developed impressively over the previous few years. His compositions feel like they've been around for an eternity and still manage to fuse new ground with now the already classic McCraven sound and beats. This is the record he always wanted to make and it impressively shows.

6. Wet Leg - Wet Leg
If it's not fun, don't do it! The band hit the ground running last year with 2 breakthrough tracks/videos 'Chaise Longue' and 'Wet Dream' both of which resulted in career building foundation blocks for the inevitable anticipated album that came along in 2022. Their overwhelming playfullness hides a deceptive dark undercurrent that creates twists and turns through out a highly enjoyable debut. "Is your muffin buttered...."

7. Kelly Lee Owen's- LP. 8
Kelly Lee Owen's continues to experiment and mould sound layers into ambient excursions and techno transmissions which with open ears explore the inner sanctum of tranquillity. Hypnotic vocalisations blend seamlessly with almost an elusive electronic soundscape which at times creates such Vangelis via Bjork's Vespertine imagery that the album captures those special moments of natural contemplation which words alone cannot do justice, the feeling is all encompassing.

8. Ural Thomas and the Pain - Dancing Dimensions
Ural Thomas continues to craft the coolest of grooves into uplifting wisdom. Having been a professional singer since the 1950's sharing the air with such luminaries as James Brown, Etta James, Otis Redding and more, the pedigree would be the envy of most. The album could of been released anytime in the last 50 years or so and that's credit to master players who have been around and instinctively know where it's at. It's just as natural as the happiness flowing as a result.

9. WORKING MEN'S CLUB - FEAR FEAR
Dark Numanesq synth combine with a danceable techno twists to ....Acid house reflections amidst a utopian post punk industrial wishlist. Working men's club continue to not give a hoot what any one else is doing and forever seek something all very much their own.

10. Cate Le Bon - Pompeii
Tom Waitsien off kilter clonk, deconstructed songs mixed with Nico esq atmosphere, minimal approaches with subtle darkness make for a surprisingly uplifting listen. Cate Le Bon continues to tread the path less walked and manages to find the best view.

11. Jessie Buckley and Bernard Butler - For All Our Days That Tear The Heart
A mournful often heart breaking descent into the glorious collaboration between two hugely talented individuals. At times on 'For all our days that tear the heart' there's a strangely unnerving atmosphere of Neil Youngs Dead Man with Laura Marlings most haunting work. A combination made in heaven you might say permeate throughout the record, Butler's delicate acoustic stylings and songcraft bring out the best in Buckley's untainted voice, it's illuminating and thought provoking depth is resolute and full of the emotional shifts, like a great original soundtrack to a beautiful unmade film.

12. Osees - A Foul Form
Never one to pin down, John Dywer drops another h or two from the name and reignites the touch paper via a smorgasbord of quickfire odes, think chunks of Steve Albini produced Pixies Surfa Rosa on speed via Mitch Mitchell like percussive ferocity in all the right places, sweeping away the broken pretenders into a shattered, quivering heap.

13. Katy J Pearson - Sound Of The Morning
14. Tears For Fears - The Tipping Point
15. Michael Head & The Red Elastic Band - Dear Scott
16. Bjork - Fossora
17. Fontaines D.C. - Skinty Fia
18. Just Mustard - Heart Under
19. Kendrick Lamar - Mr. Morale And The Big Steppers
20. Arctic Monkeys - The Car
21. Sea Power - Everything Was Forever
22. Viagra Boys - Cave World
23. House Of Love - A State Of Grace
24. King Gizzard And The Lizard Wizard - Ice, Death, Planets, Lungs, Mushrooms And Lava

2021 - A great year for fresh vinyl with new albums coming from -

Wed, 29 Dec 2021 21:07:16 GMT

Mogwai - As the Love Continues/LUMP - Animal/ Parquet Courts - Sympathy For Life/ The Lucid Dream - The Deep End/ Trees Speak - Vertigo of Flaws/Teenage Fanclub - Endless Arcade/Public Service Broadcasting - Bright Magic/Hardwicke Circus - The Borderland/Joy Crookes - Skin/The Stranglers - Dark Matters/The Heartwood Institute - Witchcraft Murders/Saint Etienne - I've Been Trying to Tell You/ The Coral - Coral Island/ Snapped Ankles - Forest Of Your Problems/ Clinic - Fantasy Island/The New Obsolescents - Announcing/Jane Weaver - Flock/Idles - Crawler/Yan Tiersen - Kerber/The Murlocs - Bittersweet Demons/Sam Fender - Seventeen Going Under/Arab Strap - As Days Get Dark/Squid - Bright Green Field/Emma-Jean Thackray - Yellow/The Lathums - How Beautiful Life Can Be/Chubby And The Gang - The Mutt's Nuts/Low - Hey What/Makaya McCraven - Deciphering The Message/The Liminanas - The World We Knew

1. Floating Points, Pharaoh Sanders and the London Symphony Orchestra - Promises

An album that stands as one of the best of this year and will, given time, be viewed as one of the most important albums of any year in recent times. Time less in it's entirety, a modern masterpiece that sits comfortably alongside the great canyon of works by Davis, Coltrane, Coleman, Mingus, Sun Ra, Monk, Evans et al. Truly magical, it's 5 year conception and collaboration serves as a great and noble achievement in a world of rushed missed opportunities. It's not often a successful record stands on its own without the need for vast promotional backup, it transcends the 'music industry'. An album you give time to, gives in return, just as Davis's Kind Of Blue or Gorecki's Symphony of Sorrowful Songs do.
A reminder to us all, here and now, to never forget to find space to slow down, reflect and wonder. This universal message seems to run deep within the simple motifs and melodious breath. A record that in today's world of quick fixes and disposable nature on first listen may even be considered shocking in it's simplicity and slow, methodical build up. Be rest assured however listen again in a different moment and then again, it will become a presence in your life and indeed be revelatory in it's vision, breadth and wisdom.

2. Lost Girls - Menneskekollektivet
The discovery of 2021, a kaleidoscope of spiritual tranquillity amidst the grandeur of underground Nordic beats that go deep into the self as it outpours its emotions onto whatever imaginary dancefloor it feels to be right. Justifiably of Earth and Heaven.

3. Beachy Head - Beachy Head
An album that grasps your heart from the outset with 'Warning Bell' and continues to lift and fall, with it's harmonious intricacies giving you an emotional punch, similar to an edgier Fleet Foxes or Midlake, mixed with the left field fragility of Flaming Lips a touch of R.E.M. overlain with Numanesque stretched out synth and crunching walls of guitar. An altogether excellent so called 'Shoegaze' album which never quite does it justice. Lovingly layered, expansive, honest and never far away, no matter how close to the edge.

4. Madlib & Four Tet - Sound Ancestors
An amalgamation of Madlib's creativity woven together with Keiran Hebden's usual fluidity and aplomb to create an album as soulfully intricate as a whole that it flows and spins joyfully, with total justification for this magical collaboration.

5. GONG GONG GONG III - Phantom Rhythm Remixed
The already underground classic 2019 debut album is remixed and forwarded by a who's who of Beijing connected producers into a heavy smorgasbord of veluvium neon nights. Hypnotic dancefloor avant garde tub thumping psych underground breakout! At times like listening to a more rounded post-punk off kilter 21st Century Trout Mask Replica. Totally on it; if you haven't checked out Gong Gong Gong III it's certainly whatever the time you think it is to do so!

6. Sleaford Mods - Spare Ribs
Released early 2021 and still happiness reigns whenever Spare Ribs is spun. A joyous record for torrid times, full of life affirming rhythm mixed with inescapable wit and wisdom. Get on yer dancing shimmy and nod thy head in bliss!

7. Amyl and The Sniffers - Comfort To Me
A refreshing twist in the tale of Amy and The Sniffers to date. After the juggernaut bombasity of their bloody brilliant bold debut of 2019, now comes a more reflective outpouring of in your face meditation, a kibosh of raw power and energy to reflect away suburbia.

8. Vanishing Twin - Ookki Gekkou
From it's funky beginnings the album hits you with an insatiable groove that proves to be like a soundtrack to the classiest underground movie happening before your very eyes and ears. It breaks you in two, in the perfect chilled out way possible and defies genre with it's layered cathedral like harmony, haunting electronica and beats, this side of the heavy velvet curtain.

9. Damon Albarn - The Nearer The Fountain, More Pure the Stream Flows
Poignant and deeply emotional from the first quietly plaintive refrain, an echo for lost loved ones or folk who have lost themselves, the Icelandic landscape runs deep with healing on one of Damon Albarn's most complete and personal works of his career to date.

10. Dry Cleaning - Long Leg
From the initial earworm singles 'Scratchcard Lanyard' and 'Strong Feelings' most people realised they'd just heard something instantly special, fresh and equally irresistible. The album felt like an extension of that energy and went with it around the block and back again revealing little idiosyncrasies at every turn.

11. Neil Young and Crazy Horse - Barn
Reassuringly still there! If you think your in for an easy ride, then listen on, a slow burner in the best sense of the word, at times with the note's from Neil's old Gibson drifting off into the Barn rafters to the vast sky outside, mingling comfortably with those majestic lead guitar moments only Young with Crazy Horse can provide. A welcome new album, a Barn certainly to lose yourself in and to be lived in a while, to reveal it's full wonder.

12. Mdou Moctar - Afrique Victime
If you were ever in need to refresh your musical pallet this year then this was the go to album to revel in. Fluid African guitar breaking into yet more heavier grooves with hypnotic vocals forming an intertwined purity that repays repeated listening, bringing to mind such luminaries as the legendary Ali Farka Toure; but then just when you think you've grasped it, it surprises you again and takes you to altogether different freak out zone you think you've been to before but was always just out of reach. An album that just keeps giving.

The Lucid Dream - The Deep End

Wed, 28 Apr 2021 20:40:05 GMT

The thing about a Lucid Dream gig is that you come away from it with an inability to stop nodding your head for a week afterwards! It's a much appreciated side effect as their widening fan base knows only too well.
The Lucid's new release is no exception, as an insatiable groove keeps hitting the mark throughout.

Coalescence kicks off the album superbly with The Lucid Dream trademark of deep sliding bass lines gathering momentum in a compelling mix of pounding beats and synth. The track has already aired live at a legendary Hebdon Bridge gig before the global pandemic as the band were still touring their last album, Actualisation in 2019. At 10 minutes 48 seconds the track is almost too short as it transports the listener into a realm of a primeval trance. Gig goers in the know still talk enthusiastically about it and unanimously agree they did not want the track to end, absolutely no doubt, a future crowd pleaser.
CHI-03 holds an almost tribal liberation within it's full throttle sampling, freeflowing and intense with an intoxicating mix of powerful chants to the fore, very much a dance for these times, a tip of the cap to late 1980's early 90's acid house and very much bang on, right now.
Leave Me In The Dark pulsates with the beat, with great tearaway vocals speeding through, gaining considerable momentum with peaks and breaks with low slung bass persistently keeping it together with chilled out dub shining in the second half, leaving the fade out with discordant passages of electric guitar bringing such luminaries as The Pop Group to mind.

The second side kicks off with Fight To Survive with it's bombastic Beastie Boys drum sound immediately grabbing you within a mix of New Order compulsion and Primal Scream languidity. The next track Sunrise delivers its beats with a sense of immediacy to continue the dance through into the morning light. Like an open air all nighter when the ravers become aware of their surroundings as the dawn breaks and then suddenly, a realisation of the whole collective experience lifting everyone upward into a higher state of consciousness.
High and Wild perfectly encapsulates this mind bomb awakening, as it were, just as maybe a hint of birdsong is heard as the beats ease among the trees. The song breezes in with some aplomb, soothing the senses with a 12 string acoustic and wistful dreamlike vocals, with a tangled web of sounds springing to mind, from Love to Spiritualised and back again through a haze of The La's, The Byrds, The Jesus And Mary Chain and even Led Zeppelin, but altogether very much The Lucid Dream. Harking back to earlier incarnations, dreams and memory whilst hailing a new beginning. Carving out yet another vast opus which could well prove to be The Lucid's masterstroke going forward.

The Deep End sits perfectly in the bands impressively growing discography. A perfect companion piece to their previous album Actualisation and yet another mysterious leap forward, who knows where this might lead the band next, wherever it is, be sure it will bold, impressive, surprising, brave and reassuringly true to themselves as The Lucid Dream continue to set their own intuitive course in a rising sea of creativity.

As the second side finishes it leaves you feeling like you've been waiting for an album to take you back into the fields along motorway verges and long forgotten back roads into the pulsating rhythms of a festival rave up like a luminous road trip documenting the highs and lows of life itself whilst celebrating the existence of the journey above all. When we all come down it leaves us wanting more and what better recommendation is there than that.
An album of beginnings and endings that swirl in a misty haze, lose yourself, turn the record over and dive back into The Deep End once again.
Time to book those tickets!

The Lucid Dream - The Deep End (Released 30th April 2021)

Tracklist: 1) Coalescence 2) CHI-03 3) Leave Me In The Dark 4) Fight To Survive 5) Sunrise 6) High And Wild

UPCOMING TOUR DATES 2021 (Check for confirmation first, subject to change!)

OCT 15 FRI
Hebden Bridge, Trades Club

OCT 16 SAT
Carlisle, The Brickyard

OCT 29 FRI
Glasgow, Stereo

OCT 30 SAT

Manchester, YES

The rewards remain timeless: every home should have one....

vinylcafecarlisle@gmail.com (James Brown) — Sun, 11 Apr 2021 16:05:00 GMT

Kate Bush - Hounds Of Love

I'm sure that if anyone of a certain age were to be asked what there immediate thoughts on Kate Bush were, the majority would remember Wuthering Heights... "Bad dreams in the night,
They told me I was going to lose the fight,
Leave behind my wuthering, wuthering, Wuthering Heights
Heathcliff, it's me, I'm Cathy
I've come home, I'm so cold
Let me in your window"

It would be an image of Kate twirling around on Top Of The Pops most probably. With mime like hand movements, wild dancing, hypnotic eyes, irresistible to some at the time but even at that young age, we as a family sat down to watch the latest edition, eye brows were raised and on first hearing, it was as shocking as the Sex Pistols were only a year or so earlier to living room families. It was the rebellious nature of this particular time period that just hit upon the another generation of something 'the kids' could latch onto. Same thing happens again and again, from Rock n Roll to Rap. So here I am crossed legged on a rug mesmerised by the tele itself, singing along to hits like Abba's Take A Chance On Me, Mull Of Kintyre by Wings and Lovely Day by Bill Withers to then be confronted by something of a wild witch like figure with a high pitched voice singing about moorland.

It's like an imperfect moment in time when the stars align and not making perfect sense at that young age it transpires to be loved and remembered wholeheartedly.

It wasn't until about 7 years later that I bought The Kick Inside, was it out of nostalgia, maybe a brief young half remembered crush. Or a rush of blood to the head when the monumental Hounds Of Love was everywhere. Whatever it was it was it was worth the outlay and set me on yet another journey of wonder and joy.

So how to choose just one, The Kick Inside or Hounds Of Love, both worthy, both contenders, almost like memories of first love, or a favourite holiday destination and let us be sure of this, every home surely should have at least one or the other.

Since the Hounds of Love album was the first Kate Bush album I played it just gets the nod at this particular moment in time, although it could easily change back to The Kick Inside tomorrow, or Aerial, or The Sensual World or...anyway you get the idea.

The track Cloudbusting was the first track I remember having a major impact on me from the album. Again it was Top Of The Pops when the now famous video with the great actor Donald Sutherland appearing in it. Hearing its heavy pulsating string refrain repeating with Kate's ethereal, gripping voice singing "I still dream of Orgonon, I wake up crying.." somehow drew me in to the whole world of Kate Bush once again. It's a great reminder particularly in this day and age of 21st century 'want it now culture', that the term popular music or pop, or in fact any genre, could become widely popular and make a huge impact intuitively and intellectually upon different generations and still be both hugely entertaining whilst still displaying high artistic merit and quality.

Hounds Of Love, an album of two distinct sides if there ever was one, with side one holding big bold songs and standout singles and side two, the majestic dream sequence of The Ninth Wave concept.

"Running Up That Hill (A Deal with God)" begins the album in exuberant style, and was chosen for the lead off single to the album as Wuthering heights was on her debut. It's even comparable as both make a bold statement of Kate Bush's inner strength, especially as both were opposed by the record company executives at the time. They wanted James and the Cold Gun and Cloudbusting as the lead off singles respectively, however Kate Bush's insistence reaped dividends as both Wuthering Heights and Running Up That Hill remain two of her most commercially successful songs.

In many ways the album has many similarities to The Kick Inside as both were 'beginnings' as such. Hounds of Love coming after a transitional period and the not so well received albums Lionheart, Never For Ever and The Dreaming. It was well documented that Kate Bush retreated into her own world for a while and discovered the 'Fairlight' CMI (short for Computer Musical Instrument) a digital synthesizer, sampler, and digital audio workstation which rejuvenated her songwriting whilst feeling more comfortable in her new custom built home studio. Experimenting with her voice through the fairlight started on The Dreaming album but bore real fruition with Hounds Of Love as she became more studio savvy and inspired. From initial demo takes of songs onto multi layered, experimental sound collages and programming, all of which taking nigh on a year to complete.

With the track Hounds of Love itself who can forget the opening voice exclaiming... "its in the trees, its coming" .. sampled from the British 1957 horror film Night of the Demon and so begins another song displaying a filmatic quality on a visionary scale. Showing how important film was to Kate Bush as well as inspiration from literature, art and dance as always. This wide screened wonder continues as the first side runs along with rhythmic acceleration as The Big Sky reveals it's panoramic nature and connects its daydreaming song connection with Cloudbusting admirably. Mother Stands For Comfort interrupts the insatiable galloping nature inbetween, with its drama and a welcome slowing down. Its poignancy eluding to what was coming on the second side with The Ninth Wave sequence, sound effects to the fore, almost like a pre-birth sequence, like the warmth of a nest before the insecurities set in.

The Ninth Wave sequence is probably one of the greatest concept album sequences in the history of the pop rock world since the second side of The Beatles - Abbey Road or Pink Floyd's - The Dark Side Of The Moon. I was quite obsessed with listening to this on headphones in the depths of night when I couldn't sleep, sometimes being quite shaken by the haunting vocals, sound collages and remember once actually having to switch it off as the nightmare sequence got just a wee bit heavy with the monster like refrain of Waking The Witch exclaiming - "You Won't Bleed" intertwined with Kate singing "Red, Red Roses" , seems laughable now when I think back but I guess I must of been feeling particularly fragile, possibly with a mixture of sleep deprivation and teenage inebriation.
It's such an incredibly vivid experience which stays with you if you allow yourself to be fully immersed in its deep waters and let it sweep you away.

It's in these relentless haunted nature and nurture like tales, mixed with deep rooted Celtic folklore that perhaps is the foundation that captivates Kate Bush's inspiration throughout the album. A mystical novel as such with a music pallet awash with layers of colour dripping with emotional power.

As the album closes majestically with the uplifting woven reels of the Jig Of Life, into the otherworldly Hello Earth and the final Morning Fog, it's like waking from one of those dreams as the darkness disappears slowly to reveal the light as we long to sleep just to experience it all over again, realising that in fact, we were awake all along.

As most of us have sleepless nights amidst the Global Pandemic and admit to the strangeness of Covid 19 dreams with a 'third wave' of the virus sweeping much of the rest of the world, then it seems entirely apt that we take some much needed comfort from Kate Bush's The Ninth Wave, and hope to God that we don't actually get one! Listen to it with headphones when you can't sleep in the early hours and sleep deeply, peacefully And Dream Of Sheep.

"I'd tune into some friendly voices
Talking 'bout stupid things
I can't be left to my imagination
Let me be weak, let me sleep and dream of sheep".
Kate Bush - And Dream Of Sheep

Side 1 - Hounds Of Love
1. Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God)
2. Hounds Of Love
3. The Big Sky
4. Mother Stands For Comfort
5. Cloudbusting

Side 2 - The Ninth Wave
6. And Dream Of Sheep
7. Under Ice
8. Waking The Witch
9. Watching You Without Me
10. Jig Of Life
11. Hello Earth
12. The Morning Fog

The rewards remain timeless: challenging at times for challenging times....

Sun, 21 Mar 2021 13:24:57 GMT

Captain Beefheart and his Magic Band - Safe As Milk

As is often the case, most people can remember where they were when they first heard a record which made a great impact upon them. I'll always associate this album with the smell of a soldering iron.
I listened to the album almost consistently for days as I experimented with my first small box amp for my first electric guitar. It had started to wobble a bit, so I opened it up and started soldering bits and pieces together which I thought had come loose. It was a strange experience being in a little outhouse which housed the washing machine and where my Mam always did the ironing.
The room filled with plumes of soldering smoke on this occasion as I diligently put my nutty professor hat on.
I can still always smell this album even now, as well as hear it!
I first bought it on one of those 'Castle Communications' doubles which housed the album 'Mirror Man' on the reverse side of the cassette. It's a strange coincidence that I'd only just watched the absolute classic 'Paris, Texas' film a couple of weeks before and actually bought the soundtrack along with Safe As Milk not realising until many months later that Ry Cooder himself had been such an influence in the Magic Band itself in 1966/67 and was in fact cajoled into joining by Don Van Vliet aka Captain Beefheart to formulate and be a musical director for the debut album. Ry Cooder was already playing with Taj Mahal in the Rising Sons at the time of recruitment.

From the very first track Sure 'nuff 'n Yes I Do, frizzing slide guitar from Ry Cooder propels the track into a frenetic incessant blues riff and rhythm with Beefheart's vocal sounding as though he'd just come gurgling up for air from a muddy burbling swamp.
A clarion call, an amalgamation of the older times of juke joints, dustbowls and Mississippi voodoo with avant garde 60's counterculture and dropout psychedelia. As his Magic Band were thus aptly named Magic, thus it be so.
I remember the first 3 tracks captivating me and exciting me as easy as the wind blows as I was already well accustomed to hearing acoustic and electric blues, jazz, r and b and 60's psychedelia. The 4th track however 'Dropout Boogie' gave me an inkling that something altogether different was going on, with Beefheart's vocal getting more deeper, more off kilter, more sonorous by the minute and the so called 'dropout boogie' instrumental breaks which took me by surprise with it's cool marimba playing along with overblown distorted guitar playing the riff alongside, hypnotic and bewildering in equal measure, this in my mind was the start of my good 'Captain' adventure proper, which has stood me in good stead from then on in; either that or the soldering iron smoke was beginning to take effect as swirls of the stuff escaped in waves out of the gaps around the old cobwebbed window frame.

It seems just a stones throw away from when I first left school and started a college course with a new group of mates, 3 of us out of 5 often talked about music and the student union college jukebox contained a selection of old and new, such as Simple Minds, The Beatles, The Jam, The Stranglers, Pink Floyd, The Jesus and Mary Chain, Blondie, Jackie Wilson, The Smiths, The Clash, The Who, The Bangles, The Fall, The Housemartins, The Psychedelic Furs, Ben E King, Squeeze, The Beastie Boys, U2, Peter Gabriel and Kate Bush, The Cure, etc.. and was often heard pumping out tracks such as Promised You A Miracle, Strawberry Fields Forever, Start, Golden Brown, Another Brick In The Wall, April Skies, Heart Of Glass, I Get The Sweetest Feeling, Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now, Should I Stay Or Should I Go, Kid, Pinball Wizard, Walk Like an Egyptian, There's A Ghost In My House, Happy Hour, Pretty In Pink, Stand By Me, Cool For Cats, Fight For Your Right, Sunday Bloody Sunday, Don't Give Up, Why Can't I Be You respectively...all of these I remember were popular college anthems and regularly got extended air time on the juke box mix at the time, more often than not, over a consistent murmuring hum of hormonal teenagers. However the week after my Beefheart initiation, with Safe As Milk my new favourite record, I happened to mention I was really into this band called Captain Beefheart and his Magic Band. The reaction was borderline piss take. Captain who? Beef fart?? What the hell is that?? For a few weeks after whenever the time struck a chord with music downtime conversations from classes they now often finished with a lighthearted 'beef fart' exclamation upon my leaving! This attitude at that tender self conscious age got to me slightly, especially that none of them seemed to take me up on the challenge of even borrowing my tape to actually hear it. This was well before Google I might add! At the age of 16 what it did was make me even more resolute on my Captain Beefheart mission. Over the next month or so I bought Clear Spot, The Spotlight Kid and then Trout Mask Replica just to absolutely piss them all off even more, even if it was only in my own head and none of them were even aware of my personal call to arms!! I never mentioned 'Beef fart' again after that and decided it was their loss and my gain.
To quote the good captain himself,
"I’d never just want to do what everybody else did. I’d be contributing to the sameness of everything.”
Captain Beefheart

Electricity was the track on the album that apparently when the bands then record label boss of A&M in 1966 heard it he dropped the band off the label altogether, describing it as far too downbeat and too negative. Subsequently a change of label then to Buddah under the guidance of Bob Krasnow and Safe As Milk eventually got its release in 1967 with many famous musicians heralding it, including John Lennon, who said it was his favourite album of 1967. ( Being a Beatles fan and after reading this, I decided to check the album out for myself, forever thanks John!)

Electricity, another mighty stand out track then amidst it's own overdriven theremin haze. Its squirming powerful mirk sees the light as Beefheart sings or even performs an exorcism, producing a vocal from somewhere deeper than night, the bones of the great Howlin' Wolf himself might still easily shiver to.
"Singin' through you to me
Thunderbolts caught easily
Shouts the truth peacefully
Electricity......"

The album seems to quicken pace as Yellow Brick Road with its syncopated rhythm catapults the momentum of the album after the opening spoken studio statement knocks the listener off kilter once again.
"The following tone is a reference tone,
Recorded at our operating level"

Always an early favourite track of mine from the album, it seemed to encompass just what Beefheart was about, something you just can't put your finger on; classic 60's garage psych rock, whimsical psychedelia, avant garde meandering, explosive raw vocals, seemingly 'off the cuff' lyrics, spaced out whilst having its feet firmly planted in earthly blues and soul all with a twisted backdrop of haunted nursery rhymes and half forgotten dreams. A journey into itself, always turning a corner to another surprise, chopping up the rhythm and regaling in Beefheart's persona changeling vocal.
"Keeping on walkin' n don't look back" to the next shift...
"Around the corner the wind blew back... ." and onwards it goes...
This could more or less be a reflection on the album as a whole. At times pulling you in to safety then pushing you over the edge, again and again. Never letting the listener rest on their laurels and it's all the better for that.

If someone were to listen to one track in isolation like the plaintive soul driven James Brown 'esq' ballad of I'm Glad for example followed by the previously mentioned mammoth of Electricity, they might struggle to comprehend they are tracks from the same album.

To call the album a smorgasbord of delights might not easily rest with the sum of all its influences. But if someone were to check out the original Grown So Ugly by Robert Pete Williams released in 1961 they could harness the history of the blues going way back to Blind Lemon Jefferson, then all the way forward to The Black Keys and The White Stripes. Some true nuggets of the marvelous underground rumblings of punk can be heard in the album that can also be heard materialising in elements of The Stooges, Television years later with The Fall, Public Image Limited and The Pop Group to name but a mere few.

Safe as Milk is rightly so considered to be one of Captain Beefheart's more accessible albums, along with the superb Clear Spot and The Spotlight Kid in comparison to the seminal Trout Mask Replica for example. However this accessibility doesn't dampen the downright essential nature of it all. Once you've started on the journey with Captain Beefheart and his Magic Band then likely you'll be there for the long run and Safe as Milk is as good a place to start preparing for it as any.

The rewards remain timeless: every home should have one....

Thu, 11 Mar 2021 16:27:14 GMT

The La's - The La's

1988 to 1990, these were without doubt a great couple of years for music when I was a teenager. It seemed I was at the right age in the right time frame when everything seemed fresh and vital. The listening pleasure was fast and furious, soaking music up like a sponge, as albums old and new hankered for space in my shelves. It was almost like the records themselves were alive in my head continually vying for attention, there often didn't seem enough hours in the day and listening sessions would go well into the early hours.
The year 1990, for instance, among some of the new albums I still remember vividly were The Pixies - Bossanova, World Party - Goodbye Jumbo, Pale Saints - The Comfort Of Madness, Happy Mondays - Pills 'n' Thrills and Bellyaches, Mazzy Star - She Hangs Brightly, Sonic Youth - Goo, The Shaman - En-Tact, Ride - Nowhere, Inspiral Carpets - Life, Cocteau Twins - Heaven or Las Vegas, Neil Young & Crazy Horse - Ragged Glory, Dee-Lite - World Clique, Galaxie 500 - This is Our Music, The House of Love - The House Of Love. However one album released in that year seemed to particularly carve out a deeper vein in my subconscious and has remained ever since, The La's self titled debut.

My first acquaintance with The La's was on a television program called The Chart Show, I think it was, on a Saturday morning repeat showing, (before Saint & Greavsie's inaugural lunchtime football show which afterwards signaled it was time to wake up, get ready and go 'down the town') I heard it first over a family conversation in the living room, it made me instantly shut the hell up and pay attention, turning toward the screen to a music video of alleyways and some primeval grit which stood out from the rest. It was 'There She Goes' before it had become the global commercial radio friendly smash which we hear today everywhere from Bangladesh to Birkenhead. It alerted me then that something was afoot and it was soon to kick ass.

We all know 'There She Goes' is one of those instant classics, played many times everyday around the world, you may have recently heard it in the car radio recently or whilst flicking through stations whilst working from home during Lockdown. However when's the last time you really listened to it in isolation properly. Letting the power of its simple genius (ala akin to The Beatles finest moments) to once again be blown away and absorb it deep under your skin. It's a total credit to the song that it never becomes tiresome no matter how many times its heard or repeated on the radio.

The album at a mere 35 minutes and 14 seconds in length, The La's irresistible nuggets don't outstay their welcome and say everything there is to say concisely and emotively. Son of A Gun at 1.55, Feelin at 1.45 in fact Timeless Melody itself only exceeds 3 minutes in length by one second! These are songs of necessity that have the feeling of just having to be sung naturally for the sake of the songwriter himself. Each Song has a way of revving you up for the magnificent closure of Looking Glass, at nearly 8 mins it draws you into a meditative and soothing state of mind, healing over the course of its simple refrains, classic homespun psychedelia at its finest. weaving a spell, it seems like its referencing the album as a whole and what has come to pass. I wasn't fortunate enough to catch the band live but I like to think the song was a great crowd pleasing final to any gig and would extend its 8 mins to however long felt right on that particular night.

"Tell me where I'm going...

Tell me where I'm bound...

Turn the pages over

Turn the world around"

(Looking Glass by The La's)

Imagine if you will a 22 year old Lee Mavers writing this song on his 22nd Birthday, sitting in his own space working out the chords but being in a moment of complete unawareness of his surroundings but at the same time being blissfully 'in the moment'. It's this charming innocence and honesty that partly elevates this and the whole album up a notch and provided a benchmark of an album that continues to enhance the legacy of what had come 'way before ' with Buddy Holly, Eddie Cochran and 'Merseybeat' and 'a bit before' with The Smiths, Echo and the Bunnymen, Jesus and Mary Chain and The Teardrop Explodes and elevate 'guitar bands' into the mainstream ' going forward' with the likes of Oasis and 'continuing' its deep rooted influences through to the songs of Michael Head and The Coral among many more today.

The album was critically acclaimed and still continues to outsell many albums released from the same era. Hard to comprehend then for many, especially in these times of constant self promotion, that a band could dismiss their very own album. As Lee Mavers explained to Stuart Maconie of the NME at the time of it's release. “I hate it, it's the worst. A pile of shit. There is not one good thing I can find to say about it. I’d say don’t buy it.” However, most of us did; afterall it was the production and overall sound of the record that the band felt aggrieved with, not the songs themselves. This is not as uncommon as we might think however; most famously on the occasion of Paul McCartney himself once giving public grievance to the production of The Long and Winding Road on Let It Be for example. It wasn't the song itself only the drafting in of Phil Spector by John Lennon to produce the track without his input and approval. Again, it was only the production of The La's album that the band felt did not stay true to their creative vision. It's certainly strange to think that 'The Long and Winding Road' ITSELF COULD BE A METAPHOR FOR EVERY SONGWRITER WHO NEVER QUITE CAPTURES THE SOUND IN THEIR HEAD ONTO THE RECORD. SO THE STORY GOES THAT LEE MAVERS HAS RE-RECORDED THE SONGS MANY TIMES OVER AND IS STILL SEARCHING FOR THAT ELUSIVE SOUND. To aptly quote Macca himself then....“I was a bit flipped out and tripped out at that time. It’s a sad song because it’s all about the unattainable; the door you never quite reach. This is the road that you never get to the end of .” (Paul McCartney talking about The Long and Winding Road)

The La's seemingly achieved what every young indie band supposedly wants which is to be recognised for their music, maybe become major artists, 'without the piss or otherwise', becoming popular, making a living whilst keeping their integrity but at the same time being cool and distant ?? Creating something timeless which is remembered and enjoyed fondly forever. Immortality guaranteed as it were. To say the band achieved this with one great album would be in some way only one half of the story, as their growth took seed in the grimy clubs of North West England along seafronts and in murky recording studios as early as 1983, Lee Mavers joined in 1984 as rhythm guitarist and gradually became the principal songwriter setting an early foothold and gaining almost legendary local status before their first single release with a song called Way Out in 1987. It's no surprise then that the people in the know who had followed the band early on, eagerly waited for their debut album. It eventually arrived in 1990 of course and remains the only official album by The La's, although myths and legends still abound and surround long talked about demo's and the songs that were ready for the 'next album'. Or indeed will be.

The album for me above all encapsulates the presence of a mysterious magical quality, only found in certain songs, albums and creative moments when everything just seems to be. More than 30 years ago now as I write it seems utterly telling that the years that have passed in the meantime haven't dulled the bristling energy of these songs. "The eyes are the windows to the soul", so the famous saying goes, well from the hypnotic front cover inward, it's still a true delight.

It's easy to say that you can obviously trace the lineage of The La's back to The Beatles, the best of the 60's and beyond and indeed before; but in doing so maybe miss the stand alone uniqueness of the album as a whole. If you listen intently and without haste you may be able to sense the attic dust, the years of peeling wallpaper, the magic of kicking a beaten up football in a back alley, first loves and family squabbles. Under the surface of the waves, distant sea shanties from days of yore through the harbour side inns and salty clay pipe smoke. An 'Alice In Wonderland' tumble through skies of pure blue and dark hidden corners of teenage angst. All of these and more, wherever the songs happen to take you at whatever moment in time you happen to be in at the time.

The La's - The La's; here's to everyone who has the heart just to embrace it and really feel it. It's maybe not everyone's cup of tea but then not every home has a teapot.
Oh yeah and don't forget the apostrophe!

The rewards remain timeless: challenging at times for challenging times....

Tue, 23 Feb 2021 12:47:55 GMT

John Coltrane - Ascension

To quote Albert Ayler; "John was like a visitor to this planet. He came in peace and he left in peace; but during his time here, he kept trying to reach new levels of awareness, of peace, of spirituality. That's why I regard the music he played as spiritual music - John's way of getting closer and closer to the Creator."

Ascension soon grabs you with an almost shocking kaleidoscope of noise. A jumbled up rush hour city before or after lockdown, an intensely hurried compulsive brain going into overdrive, phrase upon phrase, note upon note; it's not unknown for the casual listener to be frightened, upset, disgusted even by what presents itself as music. It could be on a par with the premier performance of Stravinsky's Rite Of Spring in 1913, where most of the Parisian crowd lost patience completely, walked out and caused an uproar, a riot even, as history books tell it.

When I first bought it, well, let me just say it was my first introduction to a colossal seismic shift in my appreciation of jazz. An introduction to an awakening of so called 'free-jazz'. I had total respect for Coltrane's music already, having previously digested his album A Love Supreme, Blue Train and his earlier work with Miles Davis. I remember first hearing the masterpiece A Love Supreme and being taken aback by the vocal coming in on the title refrain. What 'A Love Supreme' did of course was introduce me to a colossal presence, a once heard never forgotten piece of music. It changed my appreciation of jazz forever and set me in good stead for the further exploration of the music including Ornette Coleman, Sun Ra, Pharaoh Sanders, Albert Ayler and Alice Coltrane herself, still all waiting to be heard at that point. What it didn't prepare me for was Ascension.
Once I remember playing it rather too loudly in my bedroom and hearing a voice saying exasperatingly, "what on earth is that?!", I replied jokingly, "it's not of this earth!" I still feel blessed that my parents did this with good humour and a willingness to listen.

It was like an exploration of an unknown wilderness, a first visit to a capital city, the first time you fall over and smash your head against the floor, a waking nightmare, a step back from the world and a giant leap into it, a visionary to learn from and continue to investigate further.

Within these walls of chaos comes shining glimpses of purity and with continued listening, reveal moments of magical elevation which might not have been heard previously. Some famous Coltrane associates ingeniously settle back into the thematic groove, dismantling it and disconnecting, giving space and and some air within its avant-garde explorations, among them Elvin Jones, Art Davis, McCoy Tyner and Freddie Hubbard.

Sometimes it's like being drawn into a freeform after hours jam session at the famous Birdland club with every player given free reign at express themselves at the same time, getting higher and higher but then always coming back to regain consciousness after the breath itself is no longer in the room.

Ascension then, is to some, a slightly annoying neighbour to the more famous A Love Supreme album released later in the same year. To others it's a close companion and represents another spiritual dimension to our busy and chaotic lives. Above all Ascension was and still is, ahead of it's time, in fact you can almost say it transcends time.

(Edition 1 of Ascension was released in 1965; and later, after the album was already officially released, Coltrane listened back to the first takes of Ascension in the studio and asked if the record could be changed and cut again using a different recording take, now known as Edition 2, this was released in 1966 with a slightly different feel.)

Coltrane's philosophy was now growing immensely, learning and gaining a truth in ones own spiritual path. This can be heard in multitudes from here on in and with the help of Alice Coltrane, both forging an influence and a higher consciousness that is still absorbed by many today.

If you haven't yet heard Ascension then I would advise anyone to play it with open ears and an even more open mind. If at first it seems too much then feel free to stop it, but then try it again later. If the second time it still creates tension then why not play Blue Train to maybe calm the nerves, followed by the masterpiece of A Love Supreme. Then once again now being in the groove, play it again and allow the album to run its course. If by the end and you've got the time then play it again, now you'll be accustomed to the rise and fall of mayhem, the subtle changes which announce the regaining of sanity. You'll maybe pick out a line of notes from one individual player that once heard will remain a key point in acknowledging of the records creative power and 'ascension' to a higher purity of presence. Now place the album in pride of place among Coltrane's work and know it's there when you need it to awaken the appreciation of a challenging creative force of nature. Another gift from John Coltrane to try and understand ourselves amidst the chaos of the world.

There are moments in each of his later albums where you can vividly sense that he was almost aware of his mortality and soon his life in this form would be taking it's last breath. Coltrane passed away at only 40 years of age in 1967.

“There is never any end,” Coltrane wrote in the 1965 liner notes for Ascension. “There are always new sounds to imagine: new feelings to get at. And always, there is a need to keep purifying these feelings and sounds so that we can really see what we’ve discovered in its pure state. So that we can see more clearly what we are. In that way, we can give to those who listen, the essence–the best of what we are. But to do that at each stage, we have to keep on cleaning the mirror.”

The rewards remain timeless: every home should have one....

Wed, 10 Feb 2021 19:28:02 GMT

Carole King - Tapestry

"Long ago, I reached for you and there you stood,
Holding you again could only do me good
How I wish I could
But you're so far away"
'So Far Away' - Carole King

If there was ever an album so full of yearning and trying to reach something just beyond reach, then Tapestry would be there or thereabouts.
I first remember hearing the song 'So Far Away' when I was a kid, on the radio in late summer after being back at school for a week after a long 6 week summer holiday. It held me captivated and still does today, like a strange moment of deja-vu every time I heard it from then on and even now today.
Carole Kings voice, almost straining, touches an emotional wave, when she sings, "If I could only work this life out my way". Often classed as a classic break up song but certainly packing an emotional punch way above its weight, it often works on so many levels. Like staring out the window at school, wishing I was back home, school report reads, "often prone to daydreaming"...well that just suited me fine.

I'd already heard the Aretha Franklin version of Natural Woman, and the James Taylor version of You've Got A Friend. The Shirelles version of Will You Love Me Tommorrow. All radio friendly classics. What I didn't know at the time was that Carole King was the songwriter of those and many more earlier songs I heard growing up including, 'Up On The Roof' by The Drifters to 'Pleasant Valley Sunday' by The Monkeys.

Tapestry in a way is like finding the source, the creative spark as it were, being a mixture of songs some previously recorded by other artists as mentioned earlier. Sometimes it feels as though the curtains are being drawn back revealing a great songwriter playing the piano as the performers out at the front of the stage interpret her songs in the limelight. Well now was the time to shine; upon its release Tapestry revealed the songwriter in a glorious light to the wider world and was acknowledged as the arrival of a major solo recording artist.

"I never felt confident enough to perform my own songs", Carole King recited in interviews about her early career, even after working as a songwriter in the famous Brill building with in particular Gerry Goffin. If you listen closely you can still hear the nervousness and a vulnerability as she sings, which add to her performances on Tapestry. Admittedly a shy person who veered away from public performance, who took some coaxing from in particular James Taylor and her producer Lou Adler to be in the limelight herself and become a solo artist. This was alluded to in the title of her debut solo album, entitled 'Writer' released the previous year. However it wasn't until Tapestry that everything seemed to come together and such is the continued success and love for the album that it continues to be a career highlight.

It's a great gift and a credit to her natural song writing skills on the album that many of the songs can still be imagined being performed by other artists, even though Carole King herself performs them with so much emotion and feeling. Listening now again to the gospel feel of 'Way Over Yonder', with its slow expressive space for improvising vocalisations further would suit many a powerful soul...Ruby Turner, Etta James, Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, Janis Joplin spring to mind.

"Way over yonder
Is a place that I know
Where I can find shelter
From a hunger and cold"

Another now classic song, 'It's Too Late', was of course covered by many at the time, including The Supremes. One of the key things about Carole King's songs is that they have such depth to give freedom of expression to further interpretations by others. This explains how successful a songwriter she was previously with Gerry Goffin in her Brill Building days which was such a solid foundation to blossom and flourish in her own right which came to a beautiful fruition on Tapestry.

The album itself seems to encapsulate much of that particular moment in the early seventies singer/songwriter era but with resolute timelessness, becoming such a huge influence on so so many; on the song 'Home Again', who can fail to imagine hearing the warm, sweet vocals of Norah Jones for example. Tori Amos, Judie Sill, Kate Bush, Regina Spektor, Fiona Apple, Alicia Keys... the list goes ever on of the artists who've been illuminated by the work of Carole King. In fact I can imagine that it almost was a key factor in many of these incredible artists learning piano and starting to write songs for themselves in the first place. What more of a recommendation can you give than that.

Tapestry holds a key to unlock a world that cries out to those who may feel alone or lonely to remember the love inside themselves.
"Your as beautiful as you feel" sings Carole King on the song 'Beautiful'.
A reminder then; and in this day and age, more so than ever; that beauty itself is much more powerful within.

The rewards remain timeless: Challenging at times for challenging times....

Thu, 04 Feb 2021 13:28:38 GMT

Tom Waits - Swordfishtrombones

Q: How do you feel about yourself as a vocalist?
A: At best, I'm a barking dog, but I think my voice is well suited to my material.
Q: Have you taken steps to protect your voice?
A: Protect it from what? vandals?

So began a reluctant and somewhat awkward round of interviews in the year Swordfishtrombones was released. The sharp wit and downbeat humour of this one was published in the NME in 1983.

Swordfishtrombones was the very first Tom Waits album I actually bought after accidentally seeing a late night showing of his movie 'Big Time' when it first aired on television. It intrigued, bewildered and hypnotised in equal measure, the magic stayed with me. It drew me into a strange new musical world and thus had me trying to find books in the local library which gave mention of anything about this illuminating character called Tom Waits. It spurred me on to save up a little money; a few months later, I took a chance and splashed out on the album Swordfishtrombones. Mainly because it had '16 Shells From A Thirty-Ought-Six' on it which I remember particularly well from the Big Time movie. Every album there after was bought at intervals going forward and back from what seemed like a pivotal point from which to explore Tom Waits discography.

Only hinted at in Waits previous albums, Kathleen Brennan finally brought out the mighty 'Beefheartisms' in Swordfishtrombones and together they forged another foundation stone to the expressive continuation of work ever since. Waits credited Brennan with introducing him to much new music, most notably the work of Captain Beefheart, a key influence on the direction in which he wanted to take his music. He later noted that "once you've heard Beefheart it's hard to wash him out of your clothes. It stains, like coffee or blood."

Always a great songwriter in the traditional sense of the word, Tom Waits dissects and twists these wonderful songs into a bold move which shocked as many as it surprised in 1983. Just as Beefheart seemed to channel Howlin Wolf at times, Waits soaked them both up with aplomb along with the already great 'Satchmo' of course and digested them to inspire him further on down the line.
Sorrowful, forgiving, harrowing, gentle, haunting, humorous and gripping, Swordfishtrombones could be looked on as an opening chapter to a new book by an author wishing to step out of the overburdened shadow of being pigeonholed into the drunken bohemian, tortured, late night piano troubadour. Now with the cigarette and whiskey chaser romanticism channeled into a furious uplift where once the tears might be soaking the keys, now the piano lid itself could be seen as a tool to slam the rhythm down, lighting a fuse to illuminate the rest of his career.

From the twisted opener Underground I can almost imagine Tom Waits digging himself out of a grave, having been buried alive, clawing at the blood stained roots as he comes up for air. The track is like a bold statement of intent which cries out further with the now classic Shore Leave. Untoward beats now nestle with off kilter marimba that keeps tingling the groove into a story telling tale of salt washed harbours and rust soaked rain. Dave The Butcher now gleams with murderous intent as a trio of almost shocking tracks gives way to one of Waits most pure love songs in Johnsburg, Illinois; an ode to his now wife Kathleen Brennan who came from there. A timely reminder of the majestic songcraft we knew from his debut album Closing time through to Heartattack and Vine.
Themes of loss, abandon and heartache are dominant throughout with loosely connected tales sometimes surrounding war and its after effects. The track Swordfishtrombone itself, the poignant Soldiers Things, Shore Leave and the haunting Rainbirds unanswered instrumental prayer.

A concise but wide reaching album which seemed to spawn individual songs which were starting points for entire further albums; including the infamous Frank in Frank's Wild Years, in more than just it's title. Shore Leave links with Singapore and weaves it's way into the outstanding Rain Dogs album next time around. Waits albums have always been full of nursery rhymes and frightening lines, always delighting in throwing a spanner in the works, or even in the instrumentation! Often under the influence of Harry Partch, a composer who created his own instruments out of everyday materials. So often Tom Waits and Kathleen Brennan never let us rest on our laurels and love to tinker with the sounds we think we already know in our heads.

Each album that followed Swordfishtrombones owes alot to it's daring ambition and eclecticism.
Challenging at times for challenging times and certainly none the worse for a dose of "I'm gonna whittle you into kindlin'" from '16 Shells From a Thirty-Ought Six'; what a great phrase, and just the spine tingling way it's delivered; it always stays with me and needless to say Swordfishtrombones is always a pleasure to revisit.

The rewards remain timeless: Every home should have one....

Wed, 27 Jan 2021 14:35:12 GMT

Marvin Gaye - What's Going On

"Mother, Mother
There's too many of you crying
Brother, brother, brother
There's far too many of you dying
You know we've got to find a way
To bring some lovin' here today, yeah"
'What's Going On' Marvin Gaye

From the first few lines you instinctively know your in the presence of something special. Pulling you into a higher world which at 35.38 minutes never out stays its welcome and embraces you from start to finish. In these times of a global pandemic, it's incredible how so many moments on the album can relate to these times were living in now. Just listen to the lines on What's Happening Brother; "War is hell, when will it end?
When will people start gettin' together again?
Are things really gettin' better, like the newspaper said?" and tell me it doesn't bring a reflective sigh or bring a tear in the eye in relation to Covid 19.

A timely reminder that there are people, many of them no longer with us in person but who still exist strongly in spirit, who have a massive impact upon all of us and the world around us. Environmentally, a positive consciousness for society, an elevation to something for the greater good than we see before us. What's Going On is a testament to this and will continue to influence each generation who have the heart to really feel it.

If anyone has 35.38 minutes to spare then why not play What's Going On in its entirety. Time just flies over as it weaves its motifs and symphonic layers into a glorious redemptive whole; and then of course, playing it all over again; well, what's 1 hour and 26 minutes in one day anyway; It may now be a friend for life, a soul mate to help you through troubled times, a guiding light in the darkness to carry you through. Such is the powerful deep connection you get from What's Going On.

When you hear the track 'Wholy Holy' for instance, Marvin Gaye's voice, pure like fluid gold, just letting it flow with an almost improvised feel and phrasing on its crafted heartfelt course, it gets you right there in an emotional embrace that you don't wanna let go. What you've been through on the album so far you just know now, must be nearing the end and you've travelled there with the vision of Marvin leaving you feeling like you've been witness to a fleeting glimpse of heaven and once there, never forgotten.

God help us, if there was ever an album to make space for in all our lives and to heal us from the inside out then What's Going On would be it.

The rewards remain timeless: Challenging at times for challenging times....

Mon, 25 Jan 2021 16:28:02 GMT

Leonard Cohen - Songs Of Love and Hate

In these depressing times what better way to lift the spirits than with some classic Leonard Cohen. Songs Of Love and Hate released in 1971. Such moments of simple beauty, challenging at times for challenging times. So many moving moments to occupy the mind, for instance, Famous Blue Raincoat;
"I hear that you're building your little house deep in the desert,
You're living for nothing now, I hope you're keeping some kind of record.

Yes, and Jane came by with a lock of your hair...."

It gets me somehow everytime and takes me to some far off distant place without destination, without form. It's the pure magic of it which when it lifts the shadows and reveals itself, I intuitively know it's best left unexplained and always to remain so.

Close out the noise from the world for a while and immerse yourself without distraction, in darkness if you must. Really listen, trust in your senses and let yourself go, don't be afraid, take it easy and take it slow.
The rewards remain timeless.

24 Great Albums of 2020.....

Tue, 22 Dec 2020 08:01:28 GMT

Emotional to look back upon whilst listening to some of the great albums released during this year of all years! So hard to narrow it down to just 24....

Julianna Barwick - Healing Is a Miracle
Layered harmonious vocalisations, realised intrinsically and improvised out of the either. With its dreamlike fragments and haunting woven electronica, an album of wonder and power to consistently surprise from start to finish. A voyage of discovery which fans of Sigur Rós should soak up like the healing power of honey.
Idles - Ultra Mono
Does exactly what it shouldn't on the tin and then some! Following spritely in the footsteps of Brutalism and Joy as an act of Resistance. Idles deliver again carving out their own space in what is set to be a very interesting 2021. Roll on the mosh pit. Socially distanced of course!
Laura Marling - Song For Our Daughter
A mercurial modern day classic that is as timeless as it is ageless. An album that pulls you in time after time and each time, after resting a while, keeps on giving.
Doves - The Universal Want
10 years on or thereabouts since the magnificent Kingdom of Rust album. A welcome return from Doves. Not as immediate perhaps as it's predecessor but not a bad thing for that. Repeated listens reveal it's depth and wider horizons, pure Doves, class as always.
Various: Blue Note Re:imagined
Truly inspirational dovetailed joints of classic Blue Note past and present. Giving full respect to the many leaves out of Blue Notes legendary book of Jazz greats, fragmented grooves out of the cool blue into horizons new. Long may it continue.
Bob Dylan - Rough and Rowdy Ways
Bob is back!
Hugh Masakela and Tony Allen - Rejoice
As sublime as the meeting of great minds in Allen and Masakela.
Brigid Dawson & the Mothers Network - Ballet of Apes
With a tip of the hat to layered 60's sounds of yore, with a songwriter of immense power and resonance. Swathed and awash with psychedelic overtones and a melodic insistance but always close to the edge.
Khruangbin - Mordechai
Khruangbin continue to create insatiable grooves that consistently have the power to heal. take a chill pill and kick off those redundant shoes, Khruangbin know the score when it comes to keeping cool amidst the chaos.
Andy Bell - The View From Halfway Down
A tripped out lesson in longevity. Keep it real for yourself and Andy Bell proves it just so. An album layed down as a refreshing foundation on which many more will hopefully follow. Impressive Byrdsian/Roses opener Love Comes In Waves to the last strains of electronica on Heat Haze on Weyland Road. Just sit back and let the album wash over you. A perfect antidote to these difficult times.
Gil Scott-Heron - We're New Here Again - A Reimagining By Makaya McCraven
Another re-working and celebration of Scott-Heron's unfinished last album I'm New Here, this time by the intuitive Chicago drummer and producer McCraven. An album that continues working on so many different levels reminding us faithfully how huge Scott-Herons talent and influence continues to be. This is how an album should be re-appreciated and reimagined.
Trees Speak - Shadow Forms
Doesn't seem that long ago since we've caught our breath with their previously majestic OHMS, one of the discoveries of 2019. This years Shadow Forms continues to raise us higher into the branches and keep us nodding our heads in approval to classic twisted krautrock beats, electronic off kilter soundscapes and more depth than you could shake a stick at. Trees Speak are continuing to deliver a haunting beacon of light in a darkening forest.
Go Go Penguin - Go Go Penguin
A testament to their confidence in their own self belief and outstanding ability to carve out record after record with such a high standard of innovation combined with fluid imagination. Continuing not to be pigeon holed into jazz, classical, trip hop, dance, electronica but absorbing the best of it to create their own beautiful works beyond.
Bill Fay - Countless Branches
Coming just before the Global Pandemic kicked in, a release from Bill Fay proved how such fragile beauty can retain itself even in the strongest of ill winds. The ageing legend giving emotional presence to the passing of time majestically.
Cornershop - England is a Garden
Everyone should have a Cornershop in their lives. Nice to welcome back Cornershop after what seemed like too long a time. Like a pure breath of fresh air after the storm subsides. An album that just keeps on giving in multitudes to heighten the vibration in troubled times.
Lightning Orchestra - Source And Deliver
As full of jazz blues and funk as anything this year. Lose yourself in a distant galaxy of the groove. Pure Joy. Sourced from some of the best influences out there and rightly so, more than delivered.
Nick Cave - Idiot Prayer
Alone, a master craftsman, who instinctively knows what to leave out. A telling of tales so telling in a year of keeping distant but so very much up close and personal.
Nadine Shah - Kitchen Sink
Intensly woven sounds knitted together like a long metaphysical dressing gown to dance wildly to when you just don't want to open the curtains. Fans of Jesca Hoop and The Creatures will enjoy it's wide eyed introspective rhythm.
bdrrm - Bedroom
A debut album that's as surprising in 2020 as it is timeless. Seemed to grow out of nowhere and continues to spread its Ride, Galaxie 500 and Pale Saints guitar mulititudes into it's often sombre, dark and elongated isolation. The album climbs it's comparison mountains with aplomb and looks out on a wider, broader horizon. A band to watch in 2021 and onwards!
Shirley Collins - Heart's Ease
A refreshing beacon, a classic album already amidst so much history. A pure voice that is as young as it is old.
Completely grounded in the folk tradition with so many layers of wisdom leaving space to fly into realms of often meditative, simple psychedelic wonderment. Escape into it.
Jehnny Beth - To Live Is To Love
A powerful statement of intent from Jehnny Beth. Twists and turns by the bucketful, raw power mixed with such tender beauty with all of it's fault lines baring witness to eruption after eruption.
Brigid Mae Power - Head above the Water
Brigid Mae Power continues to grow from strength to strength since her outstanding 2016 debut album. Once again to immerse yourself in Power's ethereal voice is to feel the beauty of healing, once you let go and allow it to carry you to secret waterfalls and majestic contemplation, the world seems better. Head above the Water, just like wild swimming and the continuing after glow, nature does as it does.
Fontaines D.C. - A Hero's Death
The Fontaines D.C. deliver barely a year after the success of their debut Dogrel. No matter how far they travel, Dublin's rain washed cobbles once again continue to cleanse the poetic pallet, with tales of anger and woe, observations of a collective anxiety and living in the 21st century.
Bill Callahan - Gold Record
A sparser more spontaneous although elegant in it's deconstruction, a worldly wise Bill Callahan album that would sit nicely in his Smog catalogue and it's none the worse for that. Continuations and observations of growing into comfortable shoes with tales of the simple complexity of day to day family life with wonder and sharp wit. A nod and a wink to the Gold Records of yore, oh how we wait for more.

Essential and Non-Essential......

vinylcafecarlisle@gmail.com (James Brown) — Wed, 11 Nov 2020 16:20:11 GMT

I'm sure many of us would agree that music is totally essential....

Essential and Non-essential; I'm sure many of us would agree that music is totally essential. It literally elevates us to another level, what makes us human, what transcends the mundane and takes us to a higher realm of consciousness. Opening our hearts and minds to the possibility of a deeper connection whilst disconnecting from everything that doesn't make us happy, the hope that life will be better.

While we all understand the need for everyone to remain safe and to protect what we have, what is actually classed as essential and non-essential is certainly in the mind of each individual. Keep your mind and body safe everyone!

#MyAlbumEscape = Captain Beefheart and his Magic Band - 'Trout Mask Replica'

vinylcafecarlisle@gmail.com (James Brown) — Tue, 06 Oct 2020 19:04:19 GMT

Captain Beefheart and his Magic Band – ‘Trout Mask Replica’, when nothing else seems to hit the mark…a kaleidoscope of blues, jazz, psychedelia and the avant garde. At once disjointed, off beat and out of kilter whilst being thoroughly all together in it's own art. From start to finish, an album to immerse yourself repeatedly in, to cleanse your musical pallet and go forthright on your journey. If an album was be put forward to sum up the feeling of dropping off the radar during lockdown, being together whilst staying fart apart. Then TMR would be somewhere up there wit the best of 'em! Whatever album your escaping with, celebrate its existence in your own time, share yours #MyAlbumEscape @futureisvinyl @AlbumDayUK

"My smile is stuck
I cannot go back 't' yer Frownland
My Spirit's made up of the Ocean
And the Sky 'n the Sun 'n the Moon
'n all my eye can see
I cannot go back to yer land of gloom"

(Frownland from TRout Mask RepliCa by Captain Beefheart and his Magic Band)

50 years ago today 18th September 1970 aged 27, Jimi Hendrix died...but still as alive as ever!

vinylcafecarlisle@gmail.com (James Brown) — Fri, 18 Sep 2020 19:43:30 GMT

"....I'm the one that's got to die, When it's time for me to die, So let me live my life the way I want to, yeah, Sing on brother..." The Jimi Hendrix Experience 'If 6 was 9' from Axis Bold As Love. Jimi Hendrix died 18th Sept. 1970 aged 27. 50 years ago and still as alive as ever!

EVERYONE COPES DIFFERENTLY.....

vinylcafecarlisle@gmail.com (James Brown) — Fri, 18 Sep 2020 10:33:06 GMT

I'm sure many of us can relate to feeling like this during these uncertain times. To quote Julian Cope: “I had to release Fried to prove I was still a functioning human being”. However your 'Coping' at the moment, Cope as best as you can ��

'Shall I tell you about my life. They say I'm a man of the world' Peter Green R.I.P.

Sat, 25 Jul 2020 19:52:58 GMT

BB King once said "Peter Green has more talent in his little finger than I have in my entire body" and "He was the only one that gave me the cold sweats". The highest of praise from one of the masters of the Blues.

One single note can sometimes capture a whole host of emotion and raise the hairs on the back of your neck, once heard, the energy and power created stays with you for a lifetime. At once haunting, melancholic, pure and graceful in its attack. Just listen to tracks like 'The Supernatural' with John Mayall's Bluesbreakers on the album 'A Hard Road' or 'A Fool No More' from Peter Green's own solo album In The Skies. Tracks like 'The Answer' from Peter Bardens album of the same name from 1970 with the unmistakable presence of solo guitar from Peter Green bursting out of the track.

Any of the exquisite guitar interplay with Danny Kirwan and Jeremy Spencer in Fleetwood Mac, particularly from the live Boston Tea Party sequence of gigs. Incredible and memorable. Listening to 'Jumping at Shadows' now is incredibly moving and reminds me of the endless hours I spent learning the guitar and trying to emulate and capture a tiny bit of the essence of what I was hearing. An absolute hero to many, a great teacher and a true inspiration to all who followed in his wake.

'Now, when I talk to God, I knew He understands
He said "Stick by my me and I'll be your guiding hand'

Peter Green. R.I.P.

The Times they are a changin'....

Fri, 17 Jul 2020 10:22:12 GMT

The times they are a changin'....Bob on Bob!

Show us your masks, if you feel comfortable..

vinylcafecarlisle@gmail.com (James Brown) — Thu, 09 Jul 2020 08:45:01 GMT

It's been emotional. Please feel free to show us your masks if you feel comfortable. Many Thanks for all of your good vibes during the first week or so of re-opening, a real reminder of how long it's been since the start of lockdown. This mask thing is catching on! ��'My smile is stuckI cannot go back t' yer FrownlandMy spirit's made up of the oceanAnd the sky 'n the sun 'n the moon'n all my eye can seeI cannot go back to yer land of gloom''Frownland' from Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band - Trout Mask Replica.

Ennio Morricone R.I.P.

Mon, 06 Jul 2020 09:09:32 GMT

During 'Once Upon A Time In The West' Sergio Leone played Ennio Morricone's music during the shoot itself in order to inspire his cast. Where would our much loved movies be without a soundtrack, where would we be without the music of Ennio Morricone. R.I.P.

Abnormal service resumes! 23/6/2020

vinylcafecarlisle@gmail.com (James Brown) — Tue, 23 Jun 2020 14:31:06 GMT

Abnormal service resumes! 11am - 3pm Tues to Sat. Card Payments only, only 3 people in the shop at any one time. Cafe and Toilets still closed. Covid 19 Safe distancing measures and sanitising. 'Trout Mask Replica' in place. Please be patient and considerate to others. We don't want a second wave! Take Care ✌❤ ��

Badly Drawn Boy - 'Banana Skin Shoes'

vinylcafecarlisle@gmail.com (James Brown) — Mon, 01 Jun 2020 17:58:08 GMT

Enjoying perfectly chilled evening feel goodness from the welcome return of Badly Drawn Boy. Honesty, integrity and reflection, a true natural songwriters songwriter. #badlydrawnboy New Album 'Banana Skin Shoes'. Like opening a window to a cool summer breeze that freshens the spirit in times of claustrophobic need.

Like what you like....#mind #mentalhealthawarenessweek

Tue, 19 May 2020 11:44:51 GMT

A timely reminder for all our own well being, more than ever in these times. Don't give a shit if other people don't like it, if you like it and it makes you feel good, then that's all that matters. Music divides opinion like no other, THAT'S WHAT UNITES US. Like what you like. #mind #mentalhealthawarenessweek What music are you liking today?

James of the Vinyl Cafe shares his ’10 Albums to Discover/Revisit’.

vinylcafecarlisle@gmail.com (James Brown) — Thu, 14 May 2020 20:44:14 GMT

Many Thanks to CLUNKONLINE for asking https://clunkonline.co.uk/james-of-the-vinyl-cafe-shares-his-10-albums-to-discover-revisit/

Only 10 I say! Oh well, there’s been many many re-discoveries, discoveries and re-visits to albums nestled in the dark corners of Vinyl Café Carlisle and at home during Lockdown but here are ten to be going on with that seemed to have been spinning a great deal in the meantime….

Lump – ‘Lump’, once you take a beautiful slice, the ethereal vocals of Laura Marling never leave you, here accompanied by the ingenuity of Tunng’s Mike Lindsay’s woven electronica, spins a mercurial collaboration.
Wilco – ‘Summerteeth’, a great band branching inward to find solace in songwriter Jeff Tweedy’s pain at the time. Killer tracks out of many include, ‘Shot in the arm’, ‘Via Chicago’, ‘She’s a jar’. Classic American songwriting at it’s best especially when the walls are closing in.
Manfred Manns Earth Band – ‘Messin’, as heavy as ‘Purple’ and ‘Sabbath’ at times, but mixing it up totally with progressive ease to parallel early Genesis, a call to arms on the state of things in the world from 1973 still more than relevant today.
Aphex Twin – ‘I Care Because You Do’, always reminds me of what can be achieved on your own in your own space when the outside world is distant. Seems to be out there in its own strangely remote, yet captivating place.
The Lucid Dream – ‘Actualisation’, a hypnotic call to arms, like an abandoned once industrial landscape, a lullaby to ease the worry when the world has gone to sleep. An Ideal wake up call in these uncertain isolating times.
Captain Beefheart and his Magic Band – ‘Trout Mask Replica’, when nothing else seems to hit the mark…a kaleidoscope of blues, jazz, psychedelia, avant garde, disjointed and spaced out. Immerse yourself and feel refreshed!
Henryk Górecki ‘Symphony No.3 Op.36’ – Beth Gibbons , Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra , Krzysztof Penderecki . A true magnum opus to emotionally lose yourself in a higher realm. It’s good to cry sometimes.
The Beat – ‘I just can’t stop it’, just as immediate and refreshing as it was on release in 1980, the parts that are left by others who just don’t get it. A great pick me up and as powerful as you want it to be at any given time.
The Stranglers – ‘IV’ (Rattus Norvegicus), just listen to ‘London Lady’ and fail not to be moved to excitement when Cornwall lays into ‘Plastic’s real when you’re real sick’, still ahead of the game on many levels. A real clouter of an album that never fails to stir, leave it for a while and let it rear its beautiful ugliness once again.
Broadcast – ‘The Noise Made By People’, ‘When there’s nothing left to fear’ the magical Trish Keenan sings on the crowd pleaser track ‘Come On Let’s Go’. Angelic cool weaved around experimental chill out. At once tragic but hugely uplifting. A mystifying backdrop to an altogether higher place to rest easy in .

Little Richard R.I.P.

vinylcafecarlisle@gmail.com (James Brown) — Sat, 09 May 2020 18:22:26 GMT

One of the founder members of Rock 'n Roll, without whom Hendrix, Beatles, Stones, Dylan and Prince to name but 5 would of, who knows, maybe not have even existed at all?

One of the founder members of Rock 'n Roll, without whom Hendrix, Beatles, Stones, Dylan and Prince to name but 5 would of, who knows, maybe not have even existed at all? Little Richard R.I.P.

Order Of Play For Today @ Vinyl Café Carlisle

vinylcafecarlisle@gmail.com (James Brown) — Thu, 07 May 2020 19:47:13 GMT

'The Sound Of Transmission'...

These lyrics seem so relevant this week from 2 timeless albums featured here..'Is in the air for you and me....tune into the melody'.
'Now I find from week to week the sentence sticking fast, Turn the corner, rub my eyes and hope the world will last'.
Now playing...'Radioland' from the wonderful Radio-Activity album, by of course Kraftwerk.

Backwards and forwards....The Stone Roses

vinylcafecarlisle@gmail.com (James Brown) — Sat, 02 May 2020 21:43:21 GMT

The Stone Roses cassette tape.....'Don't Stop'...isn't it funny how..

Backwards and forwards...The end of a decade signalled a seismic change for the better in the world of music with the release of The Stone Roses debut album. The first tape I bought played entirely backwards apart from the backwards loop track 'Dont Stop' which played forwards in this instance, I then sadly took it back to the 'Our Price' shop explaining it had been spooled backwards and looking surprised they exchanged it for another. I vividly remember it all still sounded so good even backwards, I just knew though I still wanted to hear the album as it was intended to be heard, just so wish I could of afforded to keep that one and buy another forwards, but hey hindsight eh. Funny how 'Don't Stop' is always one of my favourite tracks! �� wonder what became of that tape?

A different kind of isolation...

vinylcafecarlisle@gmail.com (James Brown) — Sun, 26 Apr 2020 15:49:05 GMT

when clearing out the garage ends up like this....

When clearing out the garage ends up like this...

Came across an old box with my first Walkman from the 80's, fired it up with some of the my first pre-recorded tapes and bingo! Transported back instantly to a different kind of isolation. The kind where you crave your own company to get every ounce of pleasure from music. An undisturbed portal to another dimension of peace, love and harmony far away from the hubub. A secluded haven of solace to seek refuge, hope and inspiration.

#bbc6music #rsdfillthegap @recordstoreday2020 'Lockdown' @vinylcafecarlisle

Thu, 16 Apr 2020 14:58:11 GMT

Nice to hear us getting a shout out on the waves! https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m000h7r6 with thanks to Dave from clunkonline and BBC6music Lauren Laverne #bbc6music #rsdfillthegap https://clunkonline.co.uk/ https://recordstoreday.co.uk/news/posts/2020/rsdfillthegap-launched-to-celebrate-the-original-record-store-day-date/https://www.futureisvinyl.co.uk

'I care because you do'...…..

vinylcafecarlisle@gmail.com (James Brown) — Tue, 14 Apr 2020 17:58:57 GMT

'I care because you do' to quote Aphex Twin. A sincere thankyou to all of you who continue to order online. Your support during these times is invaluable.

Half a century now without The Beatles...….The Beatles will always be.....

Fri, 10 Apr 2020 15:08:58 GMT

Half a century now without The Beatles.10th April 1970, officially this time! Paul announced he was leaving The Beatles... "personal differences, business differences, musical differences, but most of all because I have a better time with my family." Interesting to note the release schedule of each solo album during 1970 and of course Let It Be itself. 'When I find myself in times of trouble...' The Beatles will always be.

A butterfly lands on our record browsers...……During Covid-19 Lockdown.

vinylcafecarlisle@gmail.com (James Brown) — Mon, 06 Apr 2020 12:10:14 GMT

A butterfly lands on our record browsers, out of nowhere, a small glimmer of hope to cherish in these dark times. A reminder that it's often the little things. Beautiful.

First ever Saturday closed in the last 4 years. Understandably so.....

vinylcafecarlisle@gmail.com (James Brown) — Sun, 29 Mar 2020 11:50:13 GMT

Us and many others probably feeling it today above all days....

First ever Saturday closed in the last 4 years. Understandably so. Us and many others probably feeling it today above all days. It's such a strange surreal experience behind closed doors. So we've started talking/serving our shop mannequins to feel normal again! ��
Debra, Cecilia and Kathy.
We didn't get much out of them. But hey it was good crack as always!

If you absolutely need to go out, remember to stay spaced out! 🙂

vinylcafecarlisle@gmail.com (James Brown) — Thu, 26 Mar 2020 13:39:25 GMT

It's A Journey.....

vinylcafecarlisle@gmail.com (James Brown) — Mon, 23 Mar 2020 19:31:05 GMT

From Monday.......

From Monday we will be closing our physical shop until further notice following the recent government guidelines concerning coronavirus. We'll both still be behind closed doors working away with online sales and getting those long awaiting jobs done. We will still be online and will continue to update our online presence https://www.discogs.com/seller/FUTUREISVINYL/profile
https://www.futureisvinyl.co.uk/shop-vinyl/
Nick Drake - 'Road' from the classic album Pink Moon, "I can take the road that'll see me through", whichever road your taking to see you through, take care and we'll see you on the next part of the journey. ❤
@ Vinyl Cafe Carlisle

Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes...

vinylcafecarlisle@gmail.com (James Brown) — Mon, 23 Mar 2020 19:27:14 GMT

Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes...
Cafe will be closed Saturday until further notice as the government has instructed due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Vinyl will still be open for records whilst making sure we follow government guidelines concerning health and safety.
Seating Areas closed. Takeaway drinks only. Let's all get through this together safely. The only thing guaranteed is change. ❤

Love - 'Forever Changes'

vinylcafecarlisle@gmail.com (James Brown) — Thu, 19 Mar 2020 14:47:38 GMT

Comfortably timeless!! Whatever music is getting you through.....

Each day many things are changing....Whatever music is getting you through at the moment, wherever you are, take care, keep strong and keep listening. Love - Forever Changes, comfortably timeless!!

CORNERSHOP - 'England is a Garden'

vinylcafecarlisle@gmail.com (James Brown) — Thu, 05 Mar 2020 14:03:36 GMT

Everyone should have a Cornershop in their lives..........

Everyone should have a Cornershop in their lives. Nice to welcome back Cornershop after what seems like too long a time. Like a pure breath of fresh air after the storm subsides.
Excellent new album out friday! ...'England is a Garden'. Playing in store now @ Vinyl Cafe Carlisle https://www.cornershop.com

Inside Electronic Sound Issue 62 https://electronicsound.co.uk

vinylcafecarlisle@gmail.com (James Brown) — Tue, 18 Feb 2020 21:37:42 GMT

A huge honour to be included amongst the pages of undoubtedly one of the greatest music magazines on the market at this time or any other! In stock now Electronic Sound Issue 62
https://electronicsound.co.uk

The Beatles Abbey Road reaches 50!

Thu, 26 Sep 2019 09:47:35 GMT

We can only dream.....Abbey Street Carlisle changes to Abbey Road!

We can only dream...50 years agò on this day 26th September this classic album was released. Today Abbey Street in Carlisle changes its name for one day only to Abbey Road in honour of this iconic album...and why not indeed! ��

Jonathan Sharp - 'Divided Time' now playing in store......

Tue, 02 Jul 2019 07:49:42 GMT

There are moments.....

There are moments in time that can transport you to another dimension, a routine Monday was nicely interupted when Jonathan Sharp of the Heartwood Institute brought in his brand new album 'Divided Time' on vinyl into the shop. On playing, it perfectly captures an emotional snapshot beautifully within the grooves...hence it was no longer Monday yesterday, it seemed to be a wistful Sunday in a long ago park or a mistfull of memory on a quite late summer beach. A powerful, immersive journey of a record, drawing you ever deeper into a world of reflection and wonder, a safe haven, much needed in these hurried commercial times.
Jonathan Sharp - 'Divided Time' available on frozen lake white vinyl @futureisvinyl from Friday.
https://jonathansharp-cis.bandcamp.com

#nationalcreamteaday...The Jam or Cream?

vinylcafecarlisle@gmail.com (James Brown) — Fri, 28 Jun 2019 08:52:08 GMT

Seen as it's #nationalcreamteaday today! Why not indulge, as ever..The Jam or Cream first?��

A tip of the hat to Jack!

vinylcafecarlisle@gmail.com (James Brown) — Tue, 25 Jun 2019 14:01:38 GMT

A tip of the hat to Jack White, have a free Flat 'Jack' White coffee when you purchase The Raconteurs new album 'Help Us Stranger'. Our Listening Mood of the week! @futureisvinyl #theraconteurs

SETTING THE TABLE......

Thu, 20 Jun 2019 16:54:11 GMT

Getting the table set for some tasty new vinyl for tmoz. Get stuck in! @futureisvinyl (21st June 2019)

SMASHING BIT OF SHELLAC!

Mon, 17 Jun 2019 11:43:48 GMT

Smashing bit of classic Shellac for the start of the week! Shellac - 'The End Of Radio' 2LP in stock @futureisvinyl

TO HAVE AND TO HOLD.....

vinylcafecarlisle@gmail.com (James Brown) — Mon, 27 May 2019 10:26:18 GMT

To have and to hold, seconds out, fresh in and ready to go.
The experience of flicking through vinyl records never grows old!

Always a pleasure......

vinylcafecarlisle@gmail.com (James Brown) — Wed, 06 Mar 2019 12:14:28 GMT

A testament to the longevity of vinyl!!

Always a pleasure to clean and test play some classic rare 1st presses. Even better when they've been well cared for and loved for the last 40 to 50 years. In stock, sounding superb and a testament to the longevity of vinyl!

Weather Report

vinylcafecarlisle@gmail.com (James Brown) — Tue, 29 Jan 2019 10:57:29 GMT

Further outbreaks of jazz breaking into prolonged funk infused....

Weather Report...Further outbreaks of jazz breaking into prolonged funk infused with a mix of scattered electronics, improvising into heavy bass lines in some places, mostly on higher ground. Staying very very cool with widespread musicianship of the highest order.

SOUNDING MINT!

vinylcafecarlisle@gmail.com (James Brown) — Sat, 26 Jan 2019 14:19:43 GMT

The Perfect Accompaniment...

Sounding 'mint', well loved arrivals cleaned and test played, waiting for a turntable near you, loose leaf peppermint tea tasting delicious! The Perfect accompaniment.

'Blue Monday' Medication...

vinylcafecarlisle@gmail.com (James Brown) — Mon, 21 Jan 2019 11:01:20 GMT

Get over 'Blue Monday' with a heavy dose of the blues..2 albums every 4 hours..until Tuesday. Blues is a healer!

Vinyl Refreshments.....

vinylcafecarlisle@gmail.com (James Brown) — Mon, 21 Jan 2019 10:56:45 GMT

Refreshments just arrived, amongst them some superb releases from one of our favourite labels - Light In The Attic, absolute quality, care and attention, due respect as always. https://lightintheattic.net/

2018 FAVOURITE ALBUMS OF THE YEAR

vinylcafecarlisle@gmail.com (James Brown) — Mon, 31 Dec 2018 17:14:51 GMT

ALL SPINNING REVOLUTIONS OVER THE PAST YEAR.....

A marvelous year in music, with gratitude and appreciation to so many artists, visionaries and pioneers whose craft and dedication fill this years grooves splendidly! All spinning revolutions during the past year. All The Best and a Happy New Year!

It's Vinyly Christmas Day...

vinylcafecarlisle@gmail.com (James Brown) — Tue, 25 Dec 2018 21:56:53 GMT

....so let's get those turntables set!

It's Vinyly Christmas Day..so lets get those turntables set!
Wishing a very Merry Xmas to music lovers everywhere...whether your in the groove or totally out of it...have a good one!

THE LUCID DREAM - 'ACTUALISATION'

vinylcafecarlisle@gmail.com (James Brown) — Thu, 18 Oct 2018 21:57:58 GMT

NEW ALBUM REVIEW - 19TH OCTOBER 2018

QUESTION = HOW COULD A BAND FOLLOW THE HUGE SUCCESS OF THEIR PREVIOUS ALBUM ‘COMPULSION SONGS’? ANSWER = FIND FRESH INSPIRATION AND FLOW WITH IT, WITHOUT FEAR. WITHOUT DOUBT ONE OF THE ALBUMS OF THE YEAR.

THE DEPTH OF GROOVE IS SUCH IT SUPREMELY MANAGES TO TRANSCEND IMMEDIATE ‘PSYCHCASTING’ AND ‘ACID DOUBT SITTERS’ AFTER SX1000 STAND ALONE 12” FORERUNNER LEFT MANY FOLLOWERS A LITTLE RUFFLED UNDER THE ‘WHAT NO GUITAR?’ COLLAR AT THE TIME. EVEN THESE SUGGESTIONS SEEM NOW MIGHTILY IRRELEVANT AND SOMEWHAT SHALLOW IN THE FACE OF THE ENTIRETY OF THE ECLECTICISM ON OFFER; INCLUDING GUITARS!

FROM THE MAGNUM OPUS OPENER ‘ALONE IN FEAR’, IT SOON BECOMES CLEAR THAT THE DOORS ARE BEING BLOWN OFF TO A WIDER UNIVERSE…..BRINGING ELEMENTS OF ‘THE GROOVE’ INTO A FUTURE OF CHANGE AND ELEMENTAL RHYTHM SO PRIMEVAL, IT’S HEAVY POWER CASTS A GIANT SPELL. ‘ZENITH PARTS 1 AND 2’ CONTINUE WITH A CALL TO ARMS RESOLUTELY, IMPRESSIVELY ONWARD. EACH TRACK CARVING IT’S OWN HYPNOTIC PULSE TILL THE LAST STRAINS OF ‘NO SUNLIGHT DUB’ LEAVE YOU STILL NODDING APPRECIATIVELY UNTIL YOU CAN’T RESIST REACHING FOR THE TURNTABLE TO QUENCH YOUR THIRST AND REINVIGORATE THE GROOVE AGAIN.

TO DESCRIBE THE ALBUM AS ; CHICAGO INFLUENCED ACID HOUSE WINDOWS, DRENCHED IN ROSES TINTED GLASS, VANISHING INTO A MASSIVE HAZE, SCORCHED WITH PUNK AND THE BREADTH OF DUB, ALL WOVEN WITH THE HEAVIEST OF BREATHTAKING BASS LINES; ALTHOUGH THESE THOUGHTS ARE RELEVANT TO THE LISTENER; IT'S ACTUALLY LIKE TRYING TO CATCH A BUTTERFLY IN A HURRICANE.

THE KEY REALLY IS FLYING IN THE FACE OF BEING PIGEONHOLED INTO ANYTHING OTHER THAN THEMSELVES.

ACTUALISATION = FURTHER PROOF THAT THE LUCID DREAM CONTINUE TO BE SOUND PIONEERS OF THE HIGHEST ORDER FORGING A REPUTABLE ROAD THAT FEW ARE BRAVE ENOUGH OR CAPABLE OF FOLLOWING.

Album Review – James Brown @ www.futureisvinyl.co.uk

It's been quite a trip!

vinylcafecarlisle@gmail.com (James Brown) — Wed, 23 May 2018 09:54:43 GMT

From reading Issue 1 to 'Store of the Month' issue 295.....

It's been quite a trip! Being an appreciative reader of MOJO magazine from the first issue way back when it hit the shelves on October 15th 1993. To now, almost 25 years later being featured as 'Store Of The Month' within the pages of its June issue. To think just how many people might have been inspired to check out something new over the years they otherwise may not have heard, connecting people with a shared passion for music.

RECORD STORE DAY 2018

vinylcafecarlisle@gmail.com (James Brown) — Tue, 24 Apr 2018 14:07:18 GMT

Music Connects, a universal language. From early risers to rising stars!

Record Store Day 2018. The start of the cue! A big THANK YOU goes out to all of our customers, the early risers who waited patiently, all who contributed and supported us, the artists who provided outstanding sessions in the afternoon, all of our staff and friends and family who gave help, encouragement and best wishes in times of need! Without you all it would not of been possible, the continued support was genuinely heartfelt. A cracking day overall, marvelous! Cheers everyone!

RSD 2018 live-in-store Saturday 21st April

vinylcafecarlisle@gmail.com (James Brown) — Thu, 12 Apr 2018 18:47:40 GMT

From 'Spaceman Dreams' to 'Dark was the night, Cold was the ground'........

Eclectic as the selection of music on offer! From 'Spaceman Dreams' to 'Dark was the night, Cold was the ground'.
Kicking the RSD celebrations off with the supersonic sound of SUGARSPUN who's new single 'Spaceman Dreams' connects powerfully to all of us who ever stared up to the stars in awe; to the outermost inner space of THE HEARTWOOD INSTITUTE's haunting soundscapes revolving through endless time into earthly wonder; to LAURA JONES ethereal voice and songwriting from the rooftops into the magic of the night sky casting an eye to dawn horizons cloaked in the mist of freshly formed dew; to the powerful earthly wonder of CHRIS JAMES playing the primeval tones of ageless blues which resonate with past masters and strike a chord into the future. All of this ties together well with the timely release of 'The Golden Voyager' record on vinyl, the original of which still spins its way into the infinite wonder of the universe.

THE LUCID DREAM - SX1000

vinylcafecarlisle@gmail.com (James Brown) — Fri, 06 Apr 2018 11:01:30 GMT

TO STAND STILL IS TO STOP DANCING.........

A band at once sticking to their principles whilst never resting on their laurels, providing sound evidence of pushing the threshold into new fields of creative inspiration without fear. With a significant change of soundcraft...some might say a new direction..on first listen some might lose sight of the journey itself...well on this evidence The Lucid Dream are ripping up the road signs, throwing away the sat navs and following their very own wider horizons of relentless sound searching....to stand still is to stop dancing...and this band are fuelling the dance!
THE LUCID DREAM - 'SX1000' 12" Ltd. SINGLE SIDED Vinyl now in stock at £6.50.
https://www.facebook.com/theluciddream/

Record Store Days

vinylcafecarlisle@gmail.com (James Brown) — Sat, 24 Mar 2018 15:51:18 GMT

How Record Store Day might have looked before RSD?

How 'Record Store Day' might have looked before Record Store Day was invented. I wonder over the course of the last 60 years or so what records may have been released for the day? A timeless reminder of the wealth of quality music still as relevant today as ever no matter what time frame you happen to be in at the moment. Of course everyday is actually Record Store Day and for the last 11 years the third Saturday in April is a celebration of this fact. Check out this years special releases https://recordstoreday.co.uk

Welcome to the 1st Meteorological Day of Spring 2018!

vinylcafecarlisle@gmail.com (James Brown) — Thu, 01 Mar 2018 11:18:07 GMT

Really doesn't seem logical at all somehow!!

Really not logical at all!

Canned Heat - 'Boogie With...'

vinylcafecarlisle@gmail.com (James Brown) — Wed, 17 Jan 2018 09:38:01 GMT

A bit of Canned Heat wouldn't go amiss in this freezing weather!

A bit of Canned Heat wouldn't go amiss in this freezing weather I'm sure! In The Bag from 50 years ago..'Boogie With Canned Heat' was released this month in 1968 and continues to provide a whole load of 'hookerisms' via long forgotten juke joints and desolate ramshackle roads creating a reference point for the discovery of something older through the re-discovery of the blues for each generation that has the will to take the journey. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-kEaafcMH3o

Please Remember - Slade is not just for xmas

vinylcafecarlisle@gmail.com (James Brown) — Mon, 18 Dec 2017 09:24:49 GMT

'Slade Alive' It's In The Bag!

PLEASE REMEMBER - 'SLADE' IS NOT JUST FOR CHRISTMAS!! Who would of thought it at this time of year and not a mention of the festive word! Just boogie on down with this wonderful live album from 1972, 'Slade Alive'...a joyous lively recording capturing the electric spirit of Slade and the amazing rapport with the crowd, who, needless to say were totally with it! It's in the the Bag! Glorious! Here's The link..check it out https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=8&v=3KsVoYgP2go

What's in the Bag @ Vinyl Cafe

vinylcafecarlisle@gmail.com (James Brown) — Mon, 06 Nov 2017 15:47:05 GMT

The Bevis Frond - 'Triptych'

'What's in the bag' @ Vinyl Cafe at the moment - The Bevis Frond - 'Triptych' released 1988. 2LP reissue on white vinyl 2017.
Nick Salomans resolutely Do-It-Yourself determination to follow his own instinctive path pays dividends on The Bevis Fronds official third album from 1988. An absolute labyrinth of an album to lose yourself in..from acid drenched guitarscapes intertwined with songs that wouldn't be out of place on a Big Star album via a trip around the '3rd Stone From The Sun' from Hendrix. Fans of early REM, Sonic Youth to The Brian Jonestown Massacre will also appreciate the sonic reference points the album encapsulates while being an entity very much of it's own space.
Recorded on a Tascam Porta One in 1988....Class!
Certainly worth taking the trip to spiral into a realm of eclecticity.

The Dials - 'That Was The Future'

vinylcafecarlisle@gmail.com (James Brown) — Mon, 09 Oct 2017 15:27:04 GMT

The Dials new album -'That Was The Future'; released 13th October 2017: Vinyl - £19.99, CD - £9.99.

Starting appropriately with - The Dials new album 'That Was The Future'; (and this is 'futureisvinyl' and what will be a regular reviewing of recorded music currently being enjoyed on the turntable at Vinyl Cafe, Carlisle.)
THE DIALS - 'THAT WAS THE FUTURE'.
At times like being immersed into swirling fog on the outskirts of the set of 'The Elephant Man' , an assortment of choice influence from a period long ago and not many moons away from the 60s but still resolutely fresh into the rising sun of psychedelia through to tomorrow and beyond.
Morphed into a shape shifting wonderment of escapism that's desperately needed in these overburdened non-descript times. Bringing about the feel of long forgotten soundtracks on the edge of Syd Barrets consciousness....a modern mystical foray into the realms of everything that's good about the future.
(review from James Brown, futureisvinyl @ Vinyl Cafe)

Welcome to www.futureisvinyl.co.uk

vinylcafecarlisle@gmail.com (James Brown) — Thu, 05 Oct 2017 10:05:32 GMT

The online presence of Vinyl Cafe, Carlisle. Cumbria. UK.

At last! We have an online presence for our Independent Record Store, Cafe and Creative Hub - Vinyl Cafe, we have been continuing to trade from a real on street store in the beautiful historic city of Carlisle since July 2016, not bad for a business without a website for over a year in these 'modern' times!! A sincere thank you to all of you for your continued support of our on street shop, it's been amazing to meet so many wonderful people who share a passion for music - the universal language that keeps on spinning!