The Sad Death of a Lioness

I don’t know about the rest of you, but is your wife/husband/affectionate other one of those people who doesn’t open their Christmas presents until the Christmas period has well and truly passed? Mine is! It’s not a bad thing like, but it ‘niggles’ me

Anyway, the Christmas present in question (that I bought her) is the Amy Winehouse album she, sorry, her record company hurriedly released on news of her premature and tragic death.

The album is entitled ‘Lioness – Hidden Gems’ and, as I always do in these cases, have a few issues with the title and indeed the content

Firstly, these are not ‘hidden gems’ – they are simply shoddy out-takes that have been given to some hot shot producer to try and ‘polish up’ (a bit like when you watch 24 and Jack Bauer is trying to recover data from a lap top that been blew up). There are also a load of re-takes of old songs that appeared on Back to Black (most people call them demos), which kind of pisses me off as the words money for old rope spring to mind!

I remember watching No Cure for Cancer years ago by Bill Hicks … sorry … Denis Leary. In the routine he does a sketch about Elvis dying on the bog and comes up with the idea of shooting Elvis dead in 1959 when he was young, good looking and, most of all, talented so people can remember him that way! Instead, they wheel him out every week fat, bloated and high on drink and drugs onto a stage in Las Vegas making a tit out of himself!

When I think of that sketch I think of this latest album released by Winehouse’s record company when I listen to some of the songs! You can also see that it won’t be the first of these out-take albums courtesy of Winehouse’s record company in a way similar to Elvis! A ‘new Elvis’ you could say. Personally I think that’s pretty sad and a blemish to a singing legacy that was, in my opinion, truly inspirational

But, once again, money talks and bullshit walks! Death sells! Famous dead people sell! I know I previously wrote about this at the time, but look at the death of Michael Jackson! Within a week of his death he had numerous albums at number one on both sides of the Atlantic with a film in the pipe line (a demo film, I suppose you could say due to the quality of it). Ring any bells?

I personally see these actions as extremely ghoulish and very creepy especially if you are close friends and relatives of Winehouse (who have probably gained financially no doubt)

So, to be blunt, who wants to listen to a bunch out-takes and demos from a young girl who was off her head on drink and drugs? Not me that’s for sure! Sadly, my wife does. But that’s her choice I suppose

Then again, when is Adele’s new album out?

Mol

Album of the Year 2011

Through a Crooked Sunset by Rich Robinson

I love Rich Robinson; he’s such a wonderfully simple, down-to-earth Rock Star! In fact, he probably doesn’t put Rock Star down when filling out a form for something; he probably puts Farmer or Dad as his occupation

Another thing I love about Rich is his singing voice. Like his Brother Chris its plain to hear there’s no way on earth he has the greatest singing voice, and he clearly knows this! It could actually be best described as a voice only his mother could love! That, I greatly admire in any singer in a world of perfect and manufactured pop stars who scorn upon us mere ‘below par’ singers for not being in tune (especially one like myself – although my band members wouldn’t admit it due to the amount of love and utter respect the hold for me) Haha

So, to the album – it was hardly what I was expecting from such a seasoned Stoner like Rich and nothing like his previous brilliant offering Paper From 2005. That was a very serious guitar album. Through a Crowded Sunset though is very much a more experimental album that branches further away from his guitar blues-based roots into the realms of folk-based rock and roll. I thought I’d pick a few tunes out:

“Hey Fear” is an example of this. The song starts with a lovely acoustic intro with Rich’s voice gently entering the fray followed by a background string section not too similar to The Stones’ Moonlight Mile.

“All Along the Way” is another similar song to “Hey Fear” with a strong country feel to it, almost Neil Young like in its style. It’s when listening to this track you realise how such a good lyricist Rich really is.

“Fire Around” is almost Shadows like in its intro (yes, I did mean Hank Marvin and the boys) then bursts into a kick ass hillbilly rock out! Excellent guitar work on this one showing Rich isn’t just a tender hippy, but can kick off the shackles and play with the roughest when he feels like it

So there you have it. Give it a listen as it’s a brilliant album ideal for spending a night in with your missus with a few glasses of wine with a few candles on

Chill, peace and skin up!

Have a good new year

Mol

Careful What You Wish For

Isn’t it strange how things you EXPECTED to happen really do happen!

This week saw our illustrious leaders finally reveal their true allegiance towards the banking sector and Europe and, more importantly (ahem) see the X Factor Winner show their true colours

In case you didn’t know, the most famous talent show on the PLANET was won by a bunch of teenage rats called Little Mix (and no, they’re not a bunch of Irish Midgets) And, in case you didn’t know, this merry bunch of future contestants of ’16 and Pregnant’ were put together by none other than the Prince of Darkness himself – Cowell. Isn’t that a surprise?

The final of this year’s X Factor also coincided with a rather superb programme from the brilliant Charlie Brooker on Channel 4 called Fifteen Million Merits, part of the Black Mirror series. The programme was a satirical look at the future of reality TV with a sinister twist at the end (basically - everyone has a price). A superb piece of programming timing and a master stroke by Channel 4 and the perfect swipe at the failing aspirations on reality talent TV programmes

So, where does this leave the producers and so called fans of X Factor and where their die-hard loyalty lies after this obvious bout of ‘match fixing’ that would put Vladimir Putin and his merry gang of Russian Mafia bosses to shame?

Well, the truth is, exactly the same place they have always been – in the sand and in the gutter denying all knowledge that the majority of public opinion thinks its utter fucking wank!

Everyone knows my utter distain, dislike and utter disgust at the way X Factor is produced, distributed and talked about within this pathetic celebrity obsessed country/society and it will probably take my last whim and dying breath before the entire nation realises it and understands it!

But, with some public support and, above all, some publicity, we can prove to the people who watch this crap that it is nothing short of fixed, over-hyped utter shit (and I haven’t even got on to the subject of the singers yet!!!)

So, everyone, do me a favour and watch Black Mirror on Catch-Up TV and tell your friends and most of all the blerts who sit with you in work who think X Factor is sooooooo good and have a look at their faces the next day

Thats is, if they understood what it was about!

Mol

The Drugs Do Work, But We Just Don’t Know It

It’s not often your beloved author gets a bee in his bonnet, but there’s an old saying in music “the best songs were written by people on drugs”.

In many cases, this statement is true (except for the odd few during the mid-nineties and mid-eighties, of course)

I’ve just been reading an article about criticism dished out to some Spastic X Factor singer who sang a cover of ‘Under the Bridge’ by Red Hot Chilli Peppers’. The criticism came as a result of the lyric contents of the song (It’s about Heroin use/abuse in a run down area of Los Angeles in case you were wondering) being sung on a family show. Truly shocking behaviour I’m sure you’ll agree (and I’m not talking about the singing). Then again, there are all types of abuse in society that are classed as unacceptable, but that’s another matter!

So, exactly who do these people come ‘under fire’ from? And, more importantly why?

The article I read was basically about singers and bands covering songs that are rather obscurely about drug use unbeknown to the covering artists. Take ‘There She Goes’ by The La’s for instance. You’d think it was a love song, but, I won’t bore you with the full story here, but its not! Take a few minutes to read into what it’s really about if you want

Another point to this whole Daily Mail inspired ‘outrage’ stems from a quote from Anthony Keidis from the RHCP when he was asked about All Saints doing a cover of ‘Under the Bridge’. His reply was “these people don’t know what their singing about”. And the truth is, he’s right

Once again, X Factor ‘contestants’ (and probably most of the ‘judges’) like their puppets to do covers of certain songs because “they sound nice” or “they appeal to the pop song buying public” (who they rely on to boost their bank balances).

It’s only when arseholes like the people who write for the Daily Moan and other Tory-based broadsheets get hold of the story that the penny finally drops with these ignorant idiots who would never go within a million miles of Heroin! And that is the real cut of my jib!

A lot of people who comment and complain on drug misuse and abuse within song lyrics are usually the type of boffins who have never been anywhere near (or ever will be) the stuff. Their standard of living will never even come close to situations the musicians who wrote the lyrics in question have lived in.

In a nut shell, there a hell of a difference with what these two types of people do with silver spoons! One is used to take drugs, and I’m sure you can guess where the other was brought up?

Finally I’d just like to talk about the whole publicity debacle surrounding this rather laughable story. There’s absolutely no doubt in the world that anyone involved in the rather seedy and murky world of pop music crave the attention from the press. Their relationship has been hand in glove since records (no pun) began. So I’d suggest the people who use the media as a tool to enhance their career to pay it a little respect as it does have the tendency to turn violently around and bite you on the arse!

Then again, there’s also another famous saying in music “any publicity is good publicity”

The way things are with X Factor at the moment, they need all the publicity they can get!

Mol

Pearl Jam - A Rare Breed

Every now and then a band comes along that are truly inspiring and make a real difference

The other night I was watching the superb film about the twentieth anniversary of Pearl Jam forming and watching the whole film made me realise what an amazing band of people they were

Now, I know the film I watched was obviously about a band who were at their peak fifteen to twenty years ago, but I realised this is/was a band of principles and standards who slowly got on with their music while bands like Nirvana and Soundgarden took most of the plaudits and accolades from the so called Grunge scene formed around Seattle. I felt I had to do some sort of ‘tribute’ to them

I remember reading a review years ago about Pearl Jam when the reviewer reported that Eddie Vedder (the band’s singer) sounded like a man who was about to throw himself off a cliff! I thought this was a brilliant description so went to the nearest record shop and bout “10” (not the film with Dudley Moore and Bo Derek)

Listening to the album for the first time absolutely blew my head off! I remember listening to the pure aggression of Vedder’s voice and stunning prominence of the duel lead guitars. But realising that the album (of course a debut for an up and coming band at the time) was not over-produced! Sometimes that can mean the best sound a band of the means can produce (think Led Zep 1 and Never Mind the Bollocks for a two examples)

Of course it wasn’t just the songs that made Pearl Jam an instantly stunning band, you got the feeling they were truly on the side of the kids who went to see them and bought their records. This is prominent in their action against Ticketmaster.

At the time (and for most of today’s gig going public) people had to buy tickets for gigs from organisations like Ticketmaster. This, of course includes a barrage of un-necessary and un-wanted booking fees that generally resulted in people having to pay $30 in the USA to see bands play live. Pearl Jam decided to select venues to play in that didn’t rely on them and their management and Ticketmaster getting into bed together.

All of this I greatly applaud! Can you imagine any of the spastics from X Factor such as Alexander Burke or them four Super Queggs in Take Splatt refusing to play a concert these days due to extortionate ticket pricing? Er, I don’t think so. Chances are they’d be in serious breach of their contract (and sponsorship) and be banished to play in Butlins (then again, that’s where most of them end up anyway)

My final point comes courtesy of a mate who has genuinely superb taste in music (apart from some stuff he claims he used during his DJ years) who is also a fan of Pearl Jam. His words really do describe them to a tee – “one of the most criminally under-rated bands of all time”. Having lived in the shadow of the afore mentioned Nirvana and Soundgarden it was a bang on the money description that I have quite a few opinions on

I think I’ve done a previous Blog about bands in the mainstream who actually deserve to be there and bands who aren’t who do (if that makes sense).

Now, most bands think plaudits and accolades aren’t for them. Some of them actually shun them and refuse to attend and others such as Chumbawumba and Jarvis Cocker decide to vent their spleens in different ways that we won’t go into here.

Now i’m not talking about all the pomp and ceremony that usually go with award ceremonies as personally, in the highly unlikely scenario of being in a successful band, and i were nominated for some sort of award, I would also shun them as they are simply a load of bollocks. Pearl jam felt the same here!

But what really does disappoint me is the artistic credit some bands don’t receive compared to the tripe that is banded about these days and labelled as ‘influential’

There have been many many bands over the course of music history who have not received such accolade and praise where it is undoubtedly due, Pearl Jam are one of them bands

Their influence will have a much longer affect

Mol

Its Got To Be Perfect

Has anyone else noticed the world of music, like most things in life these days, has become too nice? Too perfect? Too well presented?

The other day I was listening to The Faces ‘A Nods as Good as a Wink (to a Blind Horse) and the album, as well as being an utterly stunning album of its time, I noticed it is also cluttered with ‘mistakes’ (or ‘extras’ as I like to call them)

If it’s not Rod Stewart’s “come on” being hollered in the background followed by the occasion cough (Rod’s addiction to ciggies at the time were probably responsible for them), or Ron Wood’s sometimes flimsy ‘coats’ (that’s what we used to say when someone messed up – usually Mart or Ben) on the guitar that makes it that more enjoyable to the ear

The Stones and The Beatles were also known for adding ‘extras’ to their albums. The Beatles used to have loads of them, The White Album being one particular album and if you listen to Exile on Main Street it has loads of ‘extras’. Also, if you get a chance, listen to Dead Flowers off Sticky Fingers and listen out for a phone ringing just at in the middle of the third chorus.

Now, if you compare this to the nice, shiny, gleaming, perfect world of today’s ‘musicians’ coming straight from the conveyer belt of Simon Cowell’s house, the difference is amazing with not a single mistake in sight!

This is mainly down to the restraints on musicians these days guaranteeing a nice lovely mistake free album that makes a commercial success and guarantees advertisement and investment from massive corporations like Pepsi, Sony, McDonalds and Sayers. A far cry from the dark days of corporate-free Sixties and Seventies when musicians released albums followed up by a tour when image wasn’t everything and the likes of hard living, drinking and taking drugs were pretty much the norm!

And that’s what everything is all about in music these days – image!

If you don’t have nice shining teeth that don’t look like a Witch Doctor’s Necklace or you have a face that takes eighteen hours in make up to cover even the slightest little zitt – the chances are you will not being making it in today’s music industry. If you don’t believe me, just take a look at the transformation that Susan Boyle undertook after she won Britain’s (Not) Got Talent!

One other thing missing these days is I get the feeling that when you listen to the likes of The Faces, The Stones and The Beatles, etc, etc, they were genuinely enjoying themselves instead of having to work in some sort of factory conditions (like X Factor) constantly churning out new ways to re-invent old songs and (rarely) writing original shit! The culture of “they’re song was raggedy and messy, ours is sooooooooomuch nicer” – gimme a break!!

So, as I think the world of music has gone completely mad and obsessed with quantity, greed and, of course, image, I thought I’d finish with a line from Pink Floyd’s ‘Have a Cigar’ (a tongue-in-cheek cynical look at the Music Business) ….

You gotta get an another album out, you owe it to the people, we’re so happy we can hardly count!

Perfect for today’s music lovers i think!

Mol

The Axe of The X And the Fall of The West

Isn’t it amazing how the shit always sinks to the bottom? Strange world isn’t it?

This week we’ve seen the return of The Stone Roses, the hilarious demise of Take Splatt courtesy of Robbie Williams doing yet another runner from his bum chums and Noel Gallagher at the top of the album pile.

All of the above I can take or leave to be honest as Take Splatt are nothing short of an over-camp cabaret act hell bent on creating an entire arena full of damp crotches (male and female underwear applies by the way), Noel Gallagher has always been good for a quick, witty quote, but in my opinion has always had something ‘of the night’ about him (maybe he is a grumpy arld git after all) and The Stones Roses I could take or leave so I wasn’t really jumping through hoops about there inevitable (cash inspired) reunion.

By the way, if you’ve just bought a ticket for six million pounds to see them play when they eventually embark on their rather ambitious World Tour, have a look on YouTube at some of their liver performances. The words terrible, out of key and out of time spring to mind! But, maybe it is a victory for Indie Music so the best of luck to the Mancs on that one!

But, (and it’s a real massive BUT) most pleasing to myself had to be the rather splendid news about the death of Westlife (sadly not violent) and, most funny of all, X Factor slipping into obscurity and (hopefully) off country’s psyche for good!

First off, I’d like to mention the picture at the top of this blog. YES! It is a poster I put up over my desk in word! An NO! It hasn’t worked!

But, the most significant result about Westlife and X Factor decaying into the bowels of history is that people are maybe becoming pretty sick of people singing cover versions which, basically, is what the two of these entities have lived off for the last decade and a bit!

Another (far fetched) theory I have with regards people turning off from X Factor to turn over to watch a bag of shit period drama such as Downton Abbey is that there has been a lot of tension simmering in this country since our beloved gang of merry millionaires ceased control of the country last year. You only have to look at last years ……..

But, I’m afraid it’s not all good news! A few months back when X Factor started up with the ferocious Gary Barlow, the ever increasing camp Louis Walsh and two other birds I’ve never heard of in my like, I commented to Mrs Mol that if (even when) their ratings goes down, Cowell will be immediately on the blower to Ms Cheryl (“ah luv ye”) Cole-Tweedy to boost the ratings! And, there is even the chance the Prince of Darkness Cowell will make an appearance himself! In a sense, I think it’s very clever if that is what he resorts to as one thing it’ll guarantee is that it’ll boost his TV ratings

Then again, you really can’t polish a turd can ye?

Mol