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
Camp rock
Welcome to a new genre, Camp rock. Dedicated to the most recent album by Of Montreal.
I’m not talking tents and guitars, this is all about dragging the likes of Scissor Sisters away from the glamour, putting them through a Rapture-like shredder and piecing together again to form music with attitude that still makes you want to dance in a faintly camp way. All moves and flailing arms.
Of Montreal are going to be the highlight of this year’s Leicester Summer Sundae, if my addiction to the album is anything to go by.
You can listen to the whole wonderful creation here:
http://www.ofmontreal.net/flashsite/index.html
To really experience what i mean, try Suffer for Fashion uninhibited in the privacy of your bedroom, or the unnecessarily named Heimdalsgate like a Promethean Curse (come on guys, that’s just pretentious).
However, the real gem of the piece is Gronlandic Edit (again, lets just have a name that makes sense). Mika, this is how to use falsetto, and the harmonies work here, as if in homage to Brian Wils… damn it.
Recommended for
Carolyn – Can you have the DJ play them at your wedding just to see how people dance to them?
Nick – I’ve seen you dance
Carina – It has something of a Sheffield feel about it, can’t quite explain. Steely edge to dance music!?
Russ S – It’s experimental enough for people not to be that interested, so get your teeth into them quick!
Beth and Beccy S – Because I will be dragging you both to see them at LSS!
Steer clear
Matt Christie – Doesn’t suit your Jagger-esque style
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!
