New music
CD: Paul Buchanan - Mid AirThursday, 17 May 2012
In the eight years since the fourth – and very possibly last - Blue Nile album, High, Paul Buchanan has seen his band disintegrate and a close friend die. Little wonder, then, that his solo debut is a reflective record. The most cinematic of bands,... Read more... |
Interview: 10 Questions for Spoek MathamboWednesday, 16 May 2012
Spoek Mathambo is one the year's brightest new hopes. From Johannesburg but based in Sweden, Spoek (real name Nthato Mokgata) plays with genres like few others. He makes radical, sometimes disjointed music, some of which - like his new single “Let... Read more... |
CD: Squarepusher - UfabulumTuesday, 15 May 2012
In an on-point attempt to shake things up a bit, Artsdesk writer Joe Muggs suggested the new Squarepusher album should be reviewed by someone other than an old raver. There were, unfortunately, no takers so you’re stuck with me… an old raver. Then... Read more... |
24 hours to cast your vote for Scottish Album of the YearMonday, 14 May 2012The hunt is on to find the Scottish Album of the Year, with the 20 longlisted albums for the SAY Award now open to public vote for 24 hours ahead of the shortlist being published on Thursday.You can vote via the SAY Awards website or the awards... Read more... |
George Harrison: Something in the VaultsMonday, 14 May 2012
My, what strange and wondrous treasures await the record producer given exclusive access to the private vaults of a Beatle. He will, for instance, find entire radio programmes preserved on multi-track tape, and recordings of F1 cars roaring past at... Read more... |
CD: Saint Etienne – Words and Music by Saint EtienneMonday, 14 May 2012
If you are old enough to recall the heady excitement of running out of breath as you hurtled to the record store to buy a single on the day of release Words and Music by Saint Etienne will strike an instant chord. This deliciously melancholic... Read more... |
Reissue CDs Weekly: My Bloody Valentine, Loose Tubes, Fela KutiSunday, 13 May 2012
My Bloody Valentine: Isn’t Anything, Loveless, EPs 1988-1991Kieron TylerEach of these three CDs is essential. My Bloody Valentine’s 1988 Isn’t Anything and 1991’s Loveless were era-defining albums that time has done nothing to tarnish. The EPs they... Read more... |
CD: Willie Nelson - HeroesSunday, 13 May 2012
In one productive week in the early Sixties, Willie Nelson wrote "Crazy", "Night Life" and "Funny How Time Slips Away”. In Heroes the original Outlaw has submitted three new songs, but also loyally budged up to make room for his composing son Lukas... Read more... |
CD: Garbage - Not Your Kind of PeopleSaturday, 12 May 2012
As a teenager in the 1990s, there were two female-fronted bands that occupied my heart and my attention. Although I’d never have called Garbage my favourites, thanks to flame-haired Scottish frontwoman Shirley Manson it was fair to say that I felt... Read more... |
Unsigned acts announced for T in the Park festivalFriday, 11 May 2012The 16 unsigned acts who have been given the chance to perform at Scotland's largest festival, T in the Park, have been announced.The T-Break Stage, which has been running since 1996, launched the careers of acts including Paolo Nutini, Biffy Clyro... Read more... |
10cc, Royal Albert HallFriday, 11 May 2012
Some things just don’t need saying. “If you know the chorus to this one, please join in” comes the invitation from the stage just before “Dreadlock Holiday”. On the final date of 10cc’s 40th anniversary tour it was unlikely that anyone at the Royal... Read more... |
theartsdesk in Denmark: SPOT Festival 2012, AarhusFriday, 11 May 2012
For a Brit navigating Denmark’s annual showcase of home-grown music, it’s impossible to eradicate thoughts of the Danish TV seen in the UK recently. Obviously, detecting Borgen-style intrigue while wandering around is unfeasible. But something else... Read more... |
