You remember where you were when you heard about Princess Diana’s unfortunate demise. Or, where you were as tragedy unfolded on 9/11. Or, if you’re a certain age, where you were when you heard that JFK had been shot. For me, I add another to the list: I remember where I was when The Stone […]
Author: James Poole
Strap yourself in for this. Here’s your new favourite track, by your new favourite band. When a band comes out of nowhere with a tune of this calibre, it makes you realise that there was a void in the musical landscape. I’m talking about perfect, infectious pop – completely nailed with polish and a swagger […]
I’ll just come out and say it: I hope PJ Harvey wins the 2011 Mercury Prize. Yes, even though she’s up against Elbow, and even though I’ve already waxed lyrical about my huge admiration for fellow nominees Anna Calvi and Everything Everything, I hope Polly walks away with the award. (And, yes, I can’t help […]
My daily commute takes me from Manhattan out to deepest, darkest New Jersey, taking in the industrial wasteland bordering Newark airport, before finally landing in the greenery of ‘The Garden State’. The journey takes me through East Orange. And so, as I sat in my car last week, surrounded by SUVs, pick-up trucks, and knackered […]
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Nickolas Ashford.
You’re All I Need To Get By Ain’t Nothing Like The Real Thing The Onion Song Bourgie, Bourgie Reach Out And Touch (Somebody’s Hand) Street Corner California Soul I’m Every Woman Ain’t No Mountain High Enough Nickolas Ashford: he made the world a better place.
When I fall for a band, I sometimes fall hard. A case in point: Warpaint. I’ve mentioned them to a few people recently – and their name receives a nod of recognition. I hear good words of their live reputation, and a general acceptance that ‘The Fool’ is a fine album. For me, it’s an […]
I’ve got a difficult relationship with Coldplay. Actually, let me correct that: I was clear on Coldplay, then it became difficult, but now it’s gone back to being crystal clear. The turn of events is as follows: First album: brilliant. Properly brilliant. Second album: ‘iffy’. Difficult relationship begins and continues in a straight line through […]
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Thomas Dolby
I don’t know when it happened. People started to play 80s music – in a deeply un-ironic way. A case in point: Roxy Music. I am serious here – I can barely move in the shops of NYC without hearing the strains of Brian Ferry. I’m not saying that this is a bad thing at […]
Call it blues, delivered with an operatic sneer. Sounding like the nasty sister of Bat For Lashes – the one who grew up listening to dirty rock, as opposed to Kate Bush – Anna Calvi demands your attention. Take one part Florence Welch (the voice bit), one part Patti Smith (the attitude) and one part […]
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Latitude 2011
Let’s get the headliners out of the way. The National: singularly uninspiring. Like seeing a Joy Division covers band try to nail an Interpol set. Paolo Nutini: I couldn’t tell you, as I wouldn’t have been seen dead near to any stage with him on it. Suede: totally bobbins. I never liked them, and it […]
Lamb are back. This can only be good news. ‘Trans Fatty Acid’, ‘What Sound’ and ‘Gabriel’ would be enough to justify high expectations surrounding the return of one of Manchester’s finest. But, to put beyond doubt the notion that Lamb are ‘an important band’, I give you ‘Gorecki’. Lamb are creators of much more than […]
OK, I’m from Stoke. It’s not exactly a city known for solid summer weather. Compound that with the fact that I am probably one of the whitest people around, and it’s perhaps surprising that I am such a fan of ‘The Summer’. Turn the temperature up, even throw in some humidity, and I am generally […]