SOUNDTRACK: THERAPY?-Never Apologise Never Explain (2004).
This album is the prior release to One Cure Fits All. It’s not true that Therapy? works on a harsh release/melodic release kind of schedule, although judging by these two discs it sure seems that way. Never Apologise begins with a blistering, noisy “Rise Up.” The really notable difference with this disc and other Therapy? releases is the amount of noise in the track. One of Therapy?’s most notable sounds has been a guitar that is so clean it sounds almost unreal.
This disc is far more sludgy (and seems even more angry), witness: “Die Like a Motherfucker.”
The whole disc is fairly short (under 40 minutes), very fast, and in relative Therapy? terms, lyrically not very interesting. Consider this a solid rawk album. And, again, one that is not available in the States.
[READ: April 29, 2010] Metrophilias
Brendan Connell’s new book is a short story collection. And the short stories are indeed very short. The longest one is 4 pages; most are 2. There are 36 stories in all and each is named after a city.
I love the title of the book. Metrophilias. Technically, what? City love? Love in a major city? [Of course the prefix metro- means “mother” so I guess the title is literally motherlove, but that’s not how it’s intended]. And so each short story shows a snapshot of an individual in love in that city.
Each city is represented by at least a small nod that locates it, whether it is a street name or a building, or as in many cases, by an entire culture coming to the fore. As such, some cities are far more identifiable as cities, and yet the content of the stories is so individualized that the city itself is (in many cases) irrelevant. Of course, some of them could only be set where they are. But before I get too obsessed with that aspect of the stories, I should move on to the people on the stories. (more…)
SOUNDTRACK: ARCTIC MONKEYS-Favourite Worst Nightmare (2007).
I really enjoyed the first Arctic Monkeys CD a lot. Despite the hype from England, or perhaps because of the hype from England, I sought out the first record and really dug the aggressive musical style, the funny lyrics and delivery and the great basslines (which, especially in the last song, reminded me of The Jam somehow). They were part of a group of “garage-y” bands at the time like The Vines, The Hives, The Strokes, and I guess even The White Stripes were lumped in there too. I enjoyed most of these bands’ debuts, but didn’t bother with the follow ups.
SOUNDTRACK: DEFTONES-Saturday Night Wrist (2006).
This is the latest Deftones release. It is a bit more atmospheric overall than the other ones. The dynamics of the record are still there, but aside from one of the more thrashier songs, they don’t seem to be as heavy, overall. Nothing wrong with that, in fact, it really showcases a catchier side to the band. It’s fun to see how well the heavier aspects can become accessible. Overall, I think the album is great, with each song having a great hook. It took a few listens for me to really get into it, but I’m now hooked.
SOUNDTRACK: RICHARD THOMPSON-Across a Crowded Room (1985), Daring Adventures (1986) & Rumor and Sigh (1988).
Across a Crowded Room. The only flaw I found with this one was that the backing singers and instrument choices really tend to date this record in the 80s. Some of the songs get a little bogged down, especially when compared to the raw live versions. That said, this disc has five songs that I think are amazing, and that’s just scanning the title list. “When the Spell is Broken” and “She Twists the Knife Again” just show the amazing range of styles that RT can pull off, from beautiful heartbreak to bitter rage. Stunning.
Daring Adventures. 
Rumor and Sigh. Wow. This is a high point. “Read About Love,” “I Feel So Good” (one of the greatest balls out rockers that no one knows about!), “I Misunderstood” (oh, emotional heart wringing right after the rocker!). And, here’s what I’m talking about regarding the timelessness of RT, “1952 Vincent Black Lightning” (such a great, tender song about thugs) came out in 1991!? at the same time as “I Feel So Good?” That song simply has classic written all over it, and here it is barely 15 years old (and hey if that’s a long time to you you must not be over 30 yet). And “God Loves a Drunk,” such a sad mournful song that I first heard in a great cover by Mary Coughlan. And this is an aspect not really talked about yet…the number of songs he’s written that others have covered and–proving how great a songwriter he is–how others can makes them sound equally good. Must…stop…gushing. Since you’re here, go check out Richard’s 
I Just Read About That... 