Caught out there – The Levellers
Second in the series, and this may cause a stir. I’ve not hugged any trees. I’ve not protested against a by-pass (despite my career choice). I don’t smell (well, not yet but my stance against Daniel Powter may change that).
The Levellers don’t really split opinions because no-one likes them. At least, not now. But we did. If you were 16 when Levelling the Land was released, then hearing the words “there’s only one way of life and that’s your own” may have had a teeny bit of meaning to you. You are a grown up after all and no-one should be telling you what to do. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XScq7NLRnYU
Coming from Cambridge, with the Folk Festival and all, the Levellers probably have a natural home so school friends and i can be excused. But now, can i look back with pride? Well, no. The fiddle sounds wrong on so many levels.
And they’re not misunderstood. People understand them perfectly well and still shout explitives.
But you can’t keep shaggy dogs down and a few years back they cleaned up their media image and hit us with a more slick production with what on the surface is a happy song http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=36gW-IPV0aA&feature=related
Lets be honest though, their reputation cannot be altered, so back to the nostalgia approach – for those who indulged in Levelling the Land, it’s time to cringe:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HyXN8G–MPM&feature=related
So the verdict is that you really can’t take pride here, keep this lot at the back of your CD collection and give the dust a home.
Not that that’ll stop them. They’ve got a new album…
http://www.myspace.com/levellers
Guilt trippers:
All the Cambridge lads – no you can’t blame the cider/Mad Dog 20 20/cans of lager in the car park before Feet First.
Innocent guv
Matt Christie – Last time I went to Newcastle, glam rock was still the sound/look to have – I can’t imagine Brighton-based fake Irish folk cut the mustard
Donald – Sympathy for the cause, or all a bit unecessary and inappropriate? I’m plumping for the latter
Anna sis – cos you’re far too cool for this
Trot on
Running. You either do or you don’t.
The gym. Most people have tried and now don’t, but you’ll break again after Christmas.
Why, in all gyms, without exception, is the music relentless techno techno techno? I know it takes a certain breed to be gym bunny/muscle moron, but why should the rest of us have to endure such an evil workout for the ears when we’re already punishing other parts?
There are two ways to deal with this – bring your ipod or plug into the TV channels (yes, I know you simply can’t miss Richard and Judy and that to put it on at home would risk the ridicule of your flatmates/significant other/cat. Don’t worry, know one else in the gym cares, and they’re probably thinking how sweaty you look).
Although i’m not one to miss a book club moment, it’s the ipod for me, but it gets in the way, all those headphone wires. Why can’t we have an indie gym?
‘But you can’t run to guitar music’ I hear you cry…Ha! yes, you can, and you’ll damn well get out and pound the streets until you agree with me.
You have to choose wisely, admittedly, but if you get it on the money then you too can enter a race with excitement. Time to lose the fear of the crowd (they may shout “keep going, you can do it”, but really they’re thinking “wouldn’t do that if I were you, not with that body” – it’s puppy fat you judgemental bastards).
But where to start? Well, this one’s for everyone no matter how fast or slow you want to go. Step up Mr P. Doherty and pals the Little ‘Ans
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QLkTCkwpgY8
Of all the people eh – if nothing else motivates you to keep going, just think, you could follow his example instead
But what if you want to up the pace, get those legs pumping. Techno techno techno? Don’t you dare! Instead, may I introduce a rather odd looking quartet and one of their more popular tunes. Queens of the Stone Age:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lliA2Av8dd8
Enough aggression to bring out the intensity of a lung-burster, and a Dave Grohl-inspired beat to drive you to the finishing line. Too heavy? Then try Sunderland’s finest (Mr Keane excepted), the Futureheads. Hugely under-rated pop talent, but with this gem on repeat you can finally make that pesky Duracell Bunny eat your dust. Take that you smug furry freak.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9PYgCN2kIsg
But there is one very surprising song that stopped me collapsing at about the 5k mark on Sunday as i tore round Hyde Park (BUPA people, where oh where was the water at this stage? The Serpantine was mocking me ‘you want me but you can’t have me…’). Oh Kate Nash, you came good once again. One of the treats of Leicester Summer Sundae, I also saw Ms Nash in Surrey – a great birthday pressie from workmates but the crowd, they just didn’t appreciate you. But I do, and it was as if you were my personal saviour, whispering ignore the pain, keep going…thank you Nash, and yes, you can eat all the lemons you like
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=orACIBjHuI4
Recommended for
Brendan – I can imagine you ranting in the gym at yet another techno tune, or a bad book choice by R & J. Try this instead!
Kris – You’ve had it too good for too long – a 5 minute walk to work since you were 18. You have a lot of catching up to do boy!
Claire – In case you come out of running retirement
Steer clear
Loren – I can’t see you being motivated by anything other than Republica, and anyway can’t have you running faster than me.
Caught out there – The Darkness
First in a new series…bands that I liked at the time but looking back, what the hell was i thinking. And I know I’m not alone…
Yes, the Darkness, faux shag rockers from East Anglia. Rockers don’t come from East Anglia. Cambridge hosts the most world’s most famous folk festival, please leave us and our webbed feet alone thank you.
But, as if caught up in some guilt-led excitement, i was the music equivalent of a girl just out of convent school, breaking all the catholic rules…i confess, i spent a whole day at the Darkness video shoot.
It’s easy to look back and sneer, but their gig at The Garage was genuinely exciting, Justin led around the crowd on the shoulders of his Roadie, proper power chords and harmonies on the lead guitar. Wonderful…see there I go again!!
Ok, lets be honest, it was fun while it lasted. But lets not play them in public again. Except at Christmas, because in one song, they found their purpose. Don’t let the Bells End just yet.
Guilt-trippers
Andy Brown and Carolyn – it’s all your fault
Kris – Blame your dad and his stadium rock heritage
James R and Bev – I’m sure you were on the ride with me
Matt Christie – I bet you were in a tribute band
Claire - Anything this cheesy has your prints all over
Innocent guv
Russ S – Wouldn’t even bat an eyelid
Paul – Nothing better than the real thing, so doubt you went near them
Mash secret rocker – Please say you didn’t!
Hypewatch – MGMT
MGMT
“For all its musical philandering, unbridled excess and shrouds of irony, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a record with more musical depth and warmth all year than this one.” NME 8/10
Irony in music and ridiculous clothes are not going to get my music juices flowing. In fact, these types need a proper clean up and perhaps a word from whathisname, Gok? (see pic at http://www.nme.com/reviews/mgmt/9519)
A snippet of Electric Feel and I’m whisked off to one of those hideous clubs, y’know, in places like Birmingham where you step in at the tender age of 29 to hear 70’s funk and you realise you’re still the kid on the dancefloor about to be chatted up by a 45 year old with a blonde wig. This is one the wedding DJ’s will be playing in 10 years…
But halt! ‘Time to Pretend’, now that’s a proper, prick up your ears tune that will be bounding round your head for a while.
And there’s enough buried deep within songs like Weekend Wars and The Youth to forget for a moment that they have oversized sunglasses and silly high voices. Hmmm, i think i agree with NME. Oh dear.
Verdict – Go on then, if you must.
Recommended for
Claire – you too like big sunglasses
Vicki W – It’ll bridge the gap between your indie cool and James’ cheese!
Si – Somehow, i think they’d be worth seeing live
Steer clear
Kris – It’s just too wierd
Andy Brown – or possibly not, i just can’t tell with you. You might like their alleged ironic side
