Dan Smith – Alchemy (M17)
Oh God, I do want Alchemy right out of you, Dan Smith! But where is it? Why are you defending yourself? Ack, what frustration.
Smith paddles in similar pools to those of Kate Nash and the lamentable Luke Leighfield, albeit with a degree more nous and skill than either of those. Alchemy [...]
The Rapscallions – Suck EP
“Wiiiiva lil’ bit… wiiiiva lil’ bit…” etc etc. Genius. The Rapscallions bring to mind that most outrageous and far-reaching beat combo The Libertines, but possess little of their wit. Which wasn’t much anyway. Seriously though, Daniel F. Churchill and Reece McLaughlin’s duelling vocals share with Doherty and Barat an admirable [...]
Enablers – Tundra (Exile On Mainstream)
In a manner befitting the most stately and stubborn of rock ensembles, Tundra refuses to be anything more than the sum of its parts. This is hardly a criticism, for Enablers elements are strong enough on their own. Thoroughly depressing monologues are told in gruff tones amongst gentle, trebly, clean [...]
At the risk of turning PM into a Hayman-only devotion zone fixed with Hefner curtains and pictures of his dogs everywhere while we mark homework that doesn’t exist for children that may or may not have crushes on us in the glow of Teen Wolf coming from the TV, here are some pictures of last [...]
This week, PM catches up with Kip from The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart. See what we thought of their debut record here (it’s aces, anyhow), then see what Kip & co. have been up to…
In a word, how’s your week?
Fun!
What did you get up to last night and how was it?
Peggy and I [...]
The Silver Jews have officially split up, according to statements on the band’s bulletin board. David Berman looks like he might move into screenwriting, so all is not lost.
PM was very lucky to have seen them twice in their relatively short performing career, both at festivals playing excellent sets. The thrill of hearing Smith & [...]
In another new series for PM, we find out just what the stars are up to THIS WEEK. It’s called “How’s Your Week?” Good, eh? This week, we kick off with Darren Hayman, who’s album Pram Town is excellent and reviewed.
In a word, how’s your week?
It’s ok, slightly better than average I would say.
What did [...]
Good old Britain. Well Bloody Done. In bold are PM’s predictions for the most notable awards. Estelle should probably win everything, but life’s not fair. Go to the Brits site for the full list of mangy ineptitude.
British Male Solo Artist: Ian Brown, James Morrison, Paul Weller, Mike Skinner, Will Young
British Female: Adele (if anything, it’ll [...]
Time for part two of this bloody excellent stuff. Read part one here if you’ve been a TWAT and missed it.
Musically, much of Ouliposaliva deals in repetitive drones and simple chord progressions over which the other instruments provide melodic focus. How much input did the other musicians have on their own parts? Was it meticulously [...]
Mickaël Mottet is the brains behind one of 2008’s most bizarre yet accomplished albums. Angil + The Hiddentracks opus Ouliposaliva is centred on one musical and lyrical restriction (no Es – that means in the notes and the words), but without having that conceit govern the whole record. It’s a scintillating mix of lyrical dexterity [...]
