The Optimist

As previously mentioned, I was DJing at the university on Saturday night. Unfortunately it all got a bit messy and the DJs on before me were a seriously hard act to follow, so i failed to play most of what I'd intended to and instead mostly stuck to the hits. I don't think the alcohol aided matters at all, as I couldn't make the record players work and I'm now down a copy of Nevermind by Nirvana. Still, it won't be the last record I lose and I'm sure I can pick up another copy for a few pounds somewhere.

As the night ended and it became apparant that those remaining weren't going to leave no matter what i played so I thought I'd stick on a curveball. I'd been intending to play a dance remix of the Magnetic Fields as I'd mentioned it to my friend Sean previously, however as mentioned, my lack of co-ordination stopped me from working the record decks so I stuck on a CD of the superior original version. I say superior, but in the club environment it didn't really work and sounded very muffled and distorted (again, probably my drunken fault). Still, no-one cared by that point and those that knew it seemed particularly pleased by my choice. Bizarrely it didn't make one single person leave the dancefloor.

Here is what might have been:

The Magnetic Fields- I Thought You Were My Boyfriend (Rob Rives Extended Mix) vinyl rip

Topical News Blogging.

Yes, the big news today was I was sent out of work at lunchtime to buy some 'Roman themed wrapping paper', which I was pretty sure didn't exist before I trawled the town centre, and am now most certain it doesn't.

Hence a track by the Holy Roman Empire. I don't know much about them, apart from they come (or came) from Oxford and that this is a splendidly naive piece of pop, which reminds me of a slightly weedier Pulp (Especially the enthusiastic ad lib of 'go on' about 3 mins in). I spent many years having no idea who the topic of the song was, so if you don't know I suggest you don't bother finding out as it's far more charming if you just assume it's just another random girl the singer once met. Just don't go reading any papers tomorrow.

The Holy Roman Empire- Benazhir Bhutto

but if you're curious for a history lesson, click here. not that it sheds much light on song.

Recapper

It would seem it's remarkably easy to let time slip through my fingers when it comes to this blog. My regular updates have lapsed somewhat already, but i've got a few good songs to post today to make up for it.


As previously mentioned I had a great weekend a month or so ago at the End of the Road festival. One of the highlights was Jeffrey Lewis who was playing songs from his new album of Crass covers. In fairness it wasn't up to the standard of a typical Jeff Lewis show as he'd completely dispensed with his trademark comic book illustrations for the songs, but it's always nice to have some new music from one of my favourite artists, especially when it seems to be a concerted artistic and political statement, and you can't blame a man for trying something new can you?


Due to the post strikes the album only got to me yesterday but I've had a couple of listens and I'm particularly enjoying this track. I can kind of identify with the sentiment. Maybe I should go check out some Crass albums?



Jeffrey Lewis- Big A, Little A



Also at End of the Road I accidently caught the end of a set by Monkey Swallows the Universe, and although I only managed to see a couple of songs they were charming enough for me to make a mental note to buy their album. Again, now that the strike has calmed down and the album's turned up there's an immediate clear highlight on there in Matterhoney, which is the kind of immediate poppy indie song i could have done with whilst i was spending all those weeks waiting for summer to happen.



Monkey Swallows The Universe- Matterhoney



I'm off to Swn in a couple of weeks time where I'll get to see them again, alongside a whole bunch of other bands, most of which I haven't heard of. Should be a good weekend!


And speaking of good weekends, if you're about Colchester this weekend (and let's face it, who wouldn't want to be hanging out in such a happening town?) you might want to come to this:

Fall Apart.

Apologies for yesterday's brief entry. It was more a favour for a friend than any kind of substantial act (as you no doubt noticed.) That's not to say you shouldn't listen to it. It's a song that first came to my attention on a CD a friend made for me, which happened to be the first time I heard Rebellion (Lies) by the Arcade Fire. The blow track was my favourite.

Moving on to today's subject, the other weekend I went to the End of the Road festival down near Salisbury, which i would heartilly recommend to everyone for when it comes around next year. It's certainly the best festival I've attended outside of Glastonbury and ATP and I didn't see a bad act all weekend.

One of my highlights was watching an absolutely enthralling performance by David Thomas Broughton who pasted together a outwardly shambolic set with his guitar, some loop pedals and all sorts of clattering paraphernalia. What on the surface seemed to be melancholic folk songs were punctuated with laugh out loud moments and i literally sat with my mouth open as an incredibly detailed and meticulous performance somehow appeared from the ramshackle bumbling that appeared to be happening on stage.

His record arrived in the post today, and ineveitably it doesn't quite capture the live experience, and I'm not entirely sure how it will sit with you if you haven't witnessed him on stage, but it's still a beautiful and somewhat haunting album.

I'm still waiting for his other album to be delivered so I might post something else in the future, but I'd recommend giving this a listen.

David Thomas Broughton- Ain't Got No Sole

Having just done a quick google to get my facts straight I've also noticed he released a collaberative record with 7 Herz yesterday. You can order it here should you be so inclined

Low on Words.

The Blow- The Sky Opened Wide Like the Tide