NEW YORK CITY DIARY - APRIL 2000

Found these diary notes from our trip to NYC in April 2000 for our 10th anniversary.

Wednesday 26th April

Pam: Well we're here and it's fantastic. After a hair raising trip from the airport we hit the traffic in Manhattan, it all seemed so familiar, horns blaring, smoke rising from under the roads, Cops, just like you see in the films. Finally reached the Milford Plaza and took up residence on the top floor, floor 28! Nice room, fantastic view. Showered and changed and out on the town. Hit the empire State first, my stomach was churning on the way up in the lift up to floor 80, 10 floors at a time, then into another lift for the final 6, then out onto the viewing gallery 'No Problem' what a feeling! After that we went shopping in Gap and Macys then went for food at Vava Pancho just off Times Square. enjoyed a couple of beers and sizzling fajitas by which time jet lag was setting in so we set off back to the room, lied in bed looking out of the window at the now illuminated Empire State. Wow!

Andrew: Forgot to mention wandering up Broadway with a grande espresso and a hot chocolate to go! Also compared to the West Coast I would say everyone is friendlier here, especially in the shops. The other thing you notice when you are in the USA is that how multi racial society is and how everyone is on the same level socially. We have big plans for tomorrow so it will be interesting to see if we can get it all done.

Thursday 27th April

Andrew: Both of us are up at 05:30am after a fantastic 8 hours sleep. Planning to set out at 07:00am and go to the Stage Deli on 7th Avenue....... Excellent breakfast, absolutely stuffed. Went downtown on the bus to Battery Park. Walked up to South Sea Port, so early that all the fishermen were still offloading their stocks. Went for a coffee in the financial district and then back to Pier 17 for shopping. Later went on the Staten Island ferry, saw some great views of Lady Liberty and the Manhattan skyline. then went over to the World Trade Centre to the top of the world observatory, 107 floors up , 58 seconds in the lift, staggering views. After went back to the hotel to offload bags and have a nap before heading down to the Village tonight. Had to arrange to have the heating turned off because the room is boiling!

Pam: Got in a taxi at 20:00pm armed with a list of pubs to visit in Greenwich Village, first stop the White Horse Tavern. great atmosphere very much like being at home. Sampled a few Black Stars and Coors Light and potato skins. Next on the list a walk through the Village (what a great place) to Chumleys, how we found it I don't know but Andrew had done his homework and knew we looking for a brown door, no sign, inside it was buzzing, we sampled Golden Lab Homebrew and Honey Brown lager, a couple of drinks later off to Barrow Street Ale house, heaving again, like an ale house in decor, got comfy at the bar, sampled many beers and gin and tonics, had a laugh with a great guy from Texas (James). 00:30pm time to head back in a NYC taxi. Great night!

Friday 28th April

Andrew: Happy Anniversary!! Room still boiling, rang up to get the heating turned off again. Several tasks today, number one is to try and get a reservation at a restaurant / nightclub called Iguana. Not sure if we will get in or not so we'll see. After that we are going to Bloomingdale's and up fifth avenue for shopping......

Pam: Shoppers paradise! If you're into pushing and shoving. not that bad really but very busy especially in Swartchz toy shop and H&M clothes. Trump Tower is an amazing building and Nike town was great, did loads of shopping in there. Not many other shops in there except a very expensive ladies shop. I could have gone mad in but just bought 1 thing! Onto Bloomingdale's for lunch, delicious, men's dept great, women's dept clothes overload!! Had to leave . Went to Gap instead. All shopped out we went to Roxy diner for some light refreshments then back to room for a rest and to get ready for the night. 20:30pm jumped in a taxi to Iguana had the most delicious and expensive meal to date (real Mexican food in a real Mexican restaurant). Planned on dancing the night away but too full and tired to carry it out. Nipped into Kinko's before heading back to send an email to Shaun and Co.

Saturday 29th April

Pam: Lazy morning lie in, awake at 08:30am feeling refreshed and ready for another slice of big apple. the plan is Central Park this morning as the sun is shining.

Andrew: Asked the taxi driver for the Dakota building but he didn't know where it was, so jumped out at the museum on Central Park west and walked for ages, realised we were about 20 blocks to far up! Sat down and had a coffee and bagel and set off again. Finally found the Dakota and John Lennon's memorial (Strawberry Fields). Set off into the park over Bow Bridge, through the ramble up to the Great Lawn. Cannot believe the amount of wildlife in this place, squirrels and birds everywhere, it is so relaxing and peaceful. Exited the park at the Guggenheim museum and the walked all the way (2-3 miles) down Madison Avenue. It is so posh, its unbelievable, you pass people absolutely dripping with money. Looked in some estate agents where the average price for apartments seem to be $6,500,000! Pam's feet were hurting, so went back to Nike Town and bought her some trainers and rang Dave / Angie / Robert / Sophie. Really missing the kids now., but Dave and Angie are doing a wonderful job of looking after them, so it doesn't seem too bad. Went to McAnn's Irish Bar on Madison and 5th Avenue and had a pub meal then went back into the park. It's getting really hot now so sat by the lake and had an ice cream. Pam decided she wanted to get some last minute things, so jumped in a cab to Macys. After shopping went back to the room and got changed before heading down to Little Italy and Chinatown. It is packed down here, walked up Mulberry street checking out the Italian area then walked about 20 yards and was in the middle of Chinatown and the only westerners there! The shops are unbelievable, the fish in the fish shops are all alive, they just take them out and wrap them in newspaper. Whole ducks are cooked (with the heads on) and hanging in the windows. Talked Pam into having an authentic Chinese meal, so walked in and looked over the menu (pigs blood soup, fish head stew). Ended up ordering Spicy Beef Fun Top and Pork and noodles won ton. We eat what we could but it certainly wasn't what we were used to! Set off to walk over to a bar in the East Village. Big Mistake.... It was getting dark and we were in a really rough neighbourhood, not many people around, no cabs, derelict buildings. Got to the nearest cross street and flagged a cab and went to D.B.A bar. Had a couple of beers, then went up to a bar in Times Square. Got chatting to a couple from Oklahoma. Went out to take some pictures, so bright at 23:00pm that the flash didn't go off. Went to a deli and got a pizza and some beers to have in the room.

Sunday 30th April
Andrew: woke feeling a little queasy, realised my plan for an authentic Chinese was probably not the best. No real plans today, feel as though we have covered most areas, may go back to the village... we'll see when Pam wakes. Decided to have some breakfast in the room, pack and then go over to Grand Central station. Another place that we have seen on TV many times. Afterwards stumbled upon Brynat Park, had a delicious light meal and then sat in the sun in the park. Wandered back to the hotel to meet up with our driver to take us back to JFK.

NEIL YOUNG - TRUNK SHOW

This incredible film is taken from Neil Young's USA tour in 2007, filmed on the 9th & 10th December at the Tower Theatre, Upper Darby, Pennsylvania. I caught Neil four times in 2008 on the various visits to Europe and rate these shows as amongst the best I've seen.

The film doesn't stick with the original set lists and jumps around from acoustic to electric, interspersed with back stage footage. Once again the movie is wonderfully filmed by Jonathan Demme. It features an amazing track listing of some famous neil songs and some incredibly rare tracks, which were played for the first time in many years on this tour. Standouts being Kansas / Mexico and The Sultan. To my eternal shame I left the Manchester show in 2008 to drive back over the M62 and missed Neil's 3rd encores of Tonights The Night and The Sultan. Fortunately the later is captured on this film.

It's really sad to watch this film with the knowledge that Ben Keith has now passed away, a huge void in Neil's life. Though he really seemed to be enjoying these shows and some lovely backstage cameo's too.

I have no idea whether this will ever get an offical release, hopefully one day, though Neil may hold it back for the Archives way down the road.

Tracklisting:
Sad Movies
Harvest
Cinnamon Girl
Oh Lonesome Me
Kansas
Mexico
Spirit Road
No Hidden Path
Ambulance Blues
Mellow My Mind
The Believer
Like A Hurriance
Cowgirl In The Sand
The Sultan

CHRIS MILLS: HEAVY YEARS 2000 - 2010

I only spotted this had been released the other week, which says something about how much publicity a new Chris Mills album gets. A crying shame because he is one of the most original, talented singer songwriters around.

I guess this release is intended to introduce Chris to a new audience, however I can't help but feel they've missed a trick by not including anything off the first two releases (Nobody's Favourite, Every Night Fight For Your Life) or from the superb 2003 Tell It Like It Isn't covers EP. Still it's a good introduction to an artist who defies description. This set covers Americana, Folk, Power Pop, Rock, you name it, it's in there somewhere. You go from acoustic songs, to full live band with brass, orchestra, strings, the lot.

I have been fortunate to catch Chris live twice over the years, I've even got a home made bootleg of the New Roscoe, Leeds back in February 2001, and I can vouch for what a great live performer Chris is, both solo and with a band. He's over in the UK for some shows in September, alas nothing in Leeds, so I guess I'll be going to the Sheffield show on the 12th September.

The tracklisting features songs from his four albums released across the last decade with the addition of two new excellent songs. Given that we've not had anything new in three years, it's great to hear Chris on form on these two songs. He is apparently working on new material, hopefully for release later in the year.

If you've got nothing by Chris Mills, get this, you won't regret it.

Tracklisting:

1. All Out Days and Nights [New]

2. Atom Smashers [4]

3. A Farewell To Arms [3]

4. Such A Beautiful Thing [4]

5. Sleeptalkin' [2]

6. You Are My Favourite Song [3]

7. Diamond [2]

8. All You Ever Do [1]

9. Suicide Note [2]

10. Nightmare at 20,000 feet [4]

11. Heavy Years [New]

12. Watch Chain [1]

13. Escape From New York [3]

14. Signal / Noise [1]

Key:

[1] Kiss It Goodbye - 2000

[2] The Silver Line - 2002

[3] The Wall to Wall Sessions - 2005

[4] Living In The Aftermath - 2008

UK Tour:

07.09.11 - Labour Club, Northampton

09.09.11 - The Briton's Protection, Manchester

10.09.11 - The Chattery, Swansea

11.09.11 - The Maze, Nottingham

12.09.11 - The Greystones, Sheffield

14.09.11 - 12 Bar Club, London

16.09.11 - ACE Space, Newbury

THE BOXER REBELLION - LIVE IN TENNESSEE

I've been looking forward to this release all week, The Boxer Rebellion - Live In Tennessee from last years USA tour on the 12th October at the Clayton Centre for the Performing Arts in Maryville. Me and Digger caught this show in Leeds at the Cockpit and TBR were simply magnificent. This album is only available in digital download from the bands website. It features the full show (16 tracks) with songs from all three albums. An absolute steal for £7.99 (wav) or £5.99 (mp3).

Real uplifting life affirming stuff, capturing TBR at their very best. I spoke to Todd Howe (guitarist) after the Leeds show to ask how he achieves that chiming guitar sound, turns out he has 2 sometimes 3 delay pedals running to layer the guitar sounds. Check out Semi-Automatic for an example of this. The other key to TBR's live sound is Nathan Nicholson's superb vocals. A really great live album.

Still wish they would stick this out on vinyl or even CD, I really can't get my head around a download only release. Guess I am a Luddite.

Track listing:

1. These Walls Are Thin

2. Evacuate

3. Semi-Automatic

4. We Have This Place Surrounded

5. Flashing Red Light Means Go

6. Step Out Of The Car

7. Spitting Fire

8. Misplaced

9. Soviets

10. Cowboys & Engines

11. If You Run

12. The Runner

13. Forces

14. Silent Movie

15. The Gospel Of Goro Adachi

16. Watermelon

PUDSEY 10K

When I started running a few weeks back, my goal was to complete the Pudsey 10k in under one hour. Given that this race is widely advertised as the toughest 10k in the north (it features six hills, two of which are killers), this was no easy task.

Well on a hot day I managed to get round in 57 minutes and 36 seconds. Mission accomplished!

My next running goal is the Guy Fawkes 10 mile race in November, with several other races in the meantime (Idle 10k, Horsforth 10k, Park Run's, Leeds Country Way relay).

MCNABB TO RECORD AND TOUR WITH CRAZY HORSE

I don't know where the cash has come from but Ian McNabb has got his wish again and is going to record a new album with Crazy Horse (sans Poncho) in San Francisco next Jan / Feb to be followed by a UK and possibly European tour.

This is fantastic news, the last tour back in June 1994 following the Head Like A Rock album were superb and Crazy Horse were on top form. I guess they've got sick of waiting for a call from Neil to tour, which now looks like it will never happen.

I'm really pleased for Ian as this will put him back in the spotlight again, which is fully deserved. If anything his last album, Great Things, was a return to form, with him wilfully going his own way to stunning effect.

Lets hope nothing happens to scupper the plans, who knows Neil might get jealous and make a right turn when he hears the news.

Blogging

[Spot the difference]

I've been a bit lazy on the blogging front over the last few months, but put that down to being busy trying to lose some weight, the time I was usually spending in front of the computer have been replaced with rowing and running.

Since February I've completed 400,000 metres on my Concept2 rowing machine, which helped me lose 20 pounds in weight. Subsequent to that I joined Pudsey Pacers Running Club about eight weeks ago. My brother Digger has been running with them for years. For someone with a self confessed loathing of running, I've really surprised myself and actually look forward to running with the club on a Tuesday and Thursday. I've now completed a few races (which you can see a log of here) and have lost another 18 pounds. I'm now weighing less than any time in my adult life and feel great.

In terms of weight loss the vast majority of it has been due to exercise, however I have changed my eating habits. I am eating smaller portions at every meal, have cut out snacking and take a salad to work for lunch. If anything cutting back on bread has probably been the biggest change I have made.

So 2011 has been the year when I got fit, it's actually probably some form of mid life crisis :-)

... in a good way!

EELS - ACADEMY, LEEDS, 12TH JULY 2011

Eels have been one of my favourite bands for years, way back to the first time I heard Novocaine For the Soul in 1996. I saw them on that 1st UK tour at Nottingham Rock City and it's always been a favourite gig. I've since seen them a few more times, probably most memorably supporting The Who at Harewood House in Leeds on a great bill with The Zutons and The Flaming Lips. Last year I saw Eels play a great gig to a subdued crowd in Manchester. However, this now goes to the top of the list as the best gig I've seen by Eels.

In 100 minutes they blasted through 26 songs, probably none more than 4 minutes long and produced a stunning rock show. Pulling tracks from throughout the Eels career (I've got 17 albums on the shelf!) they played pretty much all my favourite tracks. For a change E really seemed to be enjoying himself and backed by a six piece band of top class musicians the show never lost momentum. Some really funny banter with the crowd, especially on the band introduction section showed that E can connect with his audience and is a great front man.

Gig of the year so far.

Set list.

[Intro] La Marseillaise

That's Not Really Funny

Flyswatter

Saturday Morning

Somebody's Watching You

Grace Kelly Blues

Packing Blankets

Prizefighter

My Beloved Monster

Fresh Feeling

That's Not Her Way

Tremendous Dynamite

Love Of The Loveless

I Like The Way This Is Going

This Is Where It Gets Good

That Look You Give That Guy

Hot Fun In The Summertime

[Band Introduction]

Talkin' Bout Knuckles

Novocaine For The Soul

Souljacker part I

I Like Birds

Beginner's Luck

Losing Streak

[Encore 1]

It's a Motherfucker

P.S. You Rock My World

[Encore 2]

Fresh Blood

Looking Up

THE HORRORS - SKYING

I bought this album after seeing a couple of tracks from The Horrors on the Glastonbury coverage, what really struck me was lead singer Faris Badwans brooding vocal and how much they reminded me of early Psychedelic Furs or maybe even Talk Talk. The track that really hooked me was Moving Further Away which is a long mesmeric song which breaks down midway with crunching guitar then starts up again.

Apparently The Horrors featured as the house band on an old episode of The Mighty Boosh, they're an odd looking bunch, judging by the Glasto coverage, so can see how they would fit into the Boosh's world.

Overall this is an excellent album, I've had it on rotation for a couple of days now and it's still delivering new hooks. What I like about the overall sound is the mixture of heavily effected rock guitar mixed with big synth riffs. Stand out tracks for me are Moving Further Away, Still Life and Monica Gems. The Horrors are playing the Cockpit in Leeds in November, I'll definitely be there.

2 NEW PEDALS

I've added a couple of pedals to my board. First off the Boss DD-20 has gone and been replaced by the T-Rex Reptile. Secondly I've added a T-Rex Mudhoney, which provides another overdrive option.

Loving both pedals, the Mudhoney provides a much more compressed overdrive/gain than I've had before. I've had a few gain pedals over the years, but none with such a compressed tone as this one. I expect I'll use this for more sludgy/fuzz type tones. The Reptile is the best Delay I've owned. I was bored with the DD-20, decent pedal, I just didn't use half the features, just tended to leave it on 330ms on the analogue setting. Made sense to get rid and replace it with an analogue pedal. Well happy so far.

Delays I've owned: Boss DD-6, Boss DD-2, Boss DD-20

Overdrive pedals I've owned: Durham Electronics Crazy Horse, Marshall Shredmaster, Proco Rat, Modded Proco Rat, Boss OD-20 Drive Zone (awful pedal - what was I thinking?).

Which show how much of a pedal fanatic I am. Currently looking for one more pedal to fill that gap next to the MXR Phase 90. Not sure yet what I want.

A WEEK OF GIGS

Well that was some week, seen four bands and have to say I was impressed with them all. First off, last Sunday went down to Nottingham to see Dead Confederate and The Whigs at Bodega's Social Club. I've wanted to see Dead Confederate for quite a while and missed them on their last UK tour. They were excellent and are even better live than on record. Support band The Whigs are also great and I picked up their CD which has been getting a lot of plays.

On Thursday I saw Californian band Or, The Whale at an empty New Roscoe in Leeds. The bands gave a great performance, there four part harmonies went down a storm with the hand full of people who made the effort to turn up. Had a chat with them afterwards and they're great people. Definitely a band I'll go and see again.

On Friday went to a sold out Cockpit to see The Boxer Rebellion who were outstanding. There's a real buzz around this band and I reckon they'll make it big this year. Judging by the crowds response they've already done so in Leeds. An excellent gig.

SOME NEW ALBUMS I'VE BOUGHT

1. PJ Harvey - Let England Shake

As different as any PJ Harvey release is going to be, you really never know what you are going to get. This is a strong set of songs with a war theme throughout, don't let that put you off, there are some great tunes on this album.

2. The Greenhornes - "****"

60's pop with crunchy guitar from the bass guy from the Dead Weather and the Raconteurs. Great stuff.

3. Arbouretum - The Gathering

Fuzz ridden Americana, touches of Rust Never Sleeps side 1. Going to have to try and catch these guys in Manchester in a couple of weeks.

4. The Twilight Singers - Dynamite Steps

Greg Dulli by numbers. That ain't a bad thing as I love his stuff, though nothing new here, just more dark pop from the ex Afghan Whigs main man.

5. The Whigs - In The Dark

I saw these guys supporting Dead Confederate on Sunday and was really impressed with them live. The album is a bit of a let down and doesn't come close to capturing their awesome live sounds. Still some good tracks and hopefully a sign of better things to come.

MOGWAI - 02 ACADEMY, LEEDS 20/02/11

"Come on! Rip it up! I want to bleed from my eyes and my ears", comes the shout from a punter stage right, much to the amusement of Stuart Braithwaite of Mogwai, before piling into a superb three song encore at the 02 Academy in Leeds. The rapt, silent, reverential audience (rare for a gig at this venue) gave Mogwai the platform to deliver a stellar set, heavily featuring songs from the new album; Hardcore Will Never Die, But You Will. Ably supported by Luke Southerland on the violin / guitar and vocals.

For me the key moment of the gig was in You're Lionel Richie, where you could literally hear a pin drop, prior to the devastating volume unleashed at mid point in the song. I wore ear plugs for this gig, and even with them in use, the sheer volume unleashed was beyond belief. The bass especially had my entire body shaking from the third row.

This was only the second time I've seen Mogwai (though I *think* I saw them at a festival in either 1997 or 1998), the previous time being as a support act to the Manic Street Preachers way back in 1998 at Bridlington Spa Pavilion. Quite honestly I am gutted I've not made the effort over the years, because this was a sublime show. Hardcore is a great album, one that I'm loving more each time I play it, the final encore Mexican Grand Prix, is a real stand out for me.

One other amusing moment came after the bleeding ears/eyes comment, when a wee Scottish lass shouted out "play Friend Of The Night", to which Stuart responded; "we did that one 30 minutes ago, must have been a very subtle version". Staurt wore his retro Celtic shirt throughout the gig, and Digger commented to me afterwards what the gig would have been like if Celtic had lost the Glasgow derby, well they didn't and we proffered with a belting Mogwai performance, bring the noise indeed.

Rating 9/10 (would have got a 10 if they had played Like Herod).

Set list: White Noise / I'm Jim Morrison, I'm Dead / Death Rays / How To Be A Werewolf / Letters To The Metro / Cody / Christmas Steps / Friend Of The Night / Rano Pano / You're Lionel Richie / 2 Rights Make 1 Wrong / Bat Cat // Auto Rock / Hunted By A Freak / Mexican Grand Prix

RADIOHEAD - THE KING OF LIMBS

Radiohead decided in the end to release the new album a day early, so I've listened to this approximately 10 times now. First off I need to point out that I am a huge Radiohead fan, so I was never going to hate the new album, I'm also hardly the most unbiased of reviewers, with that in mind here's my view.

This release fits into the Kid A/Amnesiac/Hail To Thief suite of Radiohead albums, The Bends 2 it is not. There are virtually no real drums, no 3 guitar traditional rock songs and probably little to like if you gave up on Radiohead after OK Computer.

That said there are some absolute classic Radiohead moments on this album . Codex is one of the most beautiful songs I have heard in years. The song is built on minor piano chords, with discordant brass floating over the top, with Thom Yorke singing:

Slight of hand / Jump off the end

Into a clear lake / No one around

Just dragonflies / flying to the side

No one gets hurt / You've done nothing wrong

Slide your hand / Jump off the end

The water's clear / And innocent

The water's clear / And innocent

Simply one of Radiohead's greatest songs, bar none.

Throughout the album there are weird things going on, white noise, bird call, distorted drums, odd time syncs, multi layered affected vocals, typical of post OK Computer Radiohead. Other tracks of note are Lotus Flower (the single) which has a great video of Thom Yorke doing his weird little dances. Final track Separator is also pretty special, great shuffling drums, multi-layered vocals, massive reverb, beautiful guitar arpeggio's from Johnny (through several delay pedals by the sound of it) and Thom singing dreamily "Wake me up, wake me up" and "If you think this is over, you're wrong". Could that last lyric and the song title be a pointer to a swift follow up album?

The album flies by in 38 minutes and leaves quite an impression, for some reason I can't stop thinking about the films Vanilla Sky and Inception when I am listening to the album. There is so much depth and so much going on, that I keep finding new stuff on each successive listen.

So all in all , no great leap forward, just Radiohead doing exactly what they want, on their own terms and not pandering to anyone, least of all the fans. I love them for that.

DRIVE-BY TRUCKERS - GO GO BOOTS

Here's another Drive-By Truckers release (11th in total), the companion to 'The Big To-Do', which was recorded at the same time in 2009. Whilst 'The Big To-Do' was full of crunchy rock anthems, 'Go Go Boots' is way more soulful and features slower ballads from the three main songwriters, Hood, Cooley and Tucker. There's also two Eddie Hilton covers thrown in for good measure and overall this album keeps up the career high quality from DBT over the last year or so.

The album has several beautiful Cooley country tunes, with a couple of Patterson Hood R&B murder ballads thrown in (as he likes to call them). Shona Tuckers two songs are the equal of anything she's recorded with DBT to date. Several of the songs have been around for many years and only finally finding a home on this album, case in point being Pulaski, which Mike Cooley wrote many years ago.

The Wes Freed cover art is absolutely spot on and nails the feel of the album. In addition you can track down a six track live EP called 'Sometimes Late A Night', which is being given away free with orders from Rough Trade in the UK. This EP features a cover of the late, great Vic Chestnutt song 'When I Ran Off and Left Her', plus five DBT songs live. Well worth tracking down, not least for the brilliant Wes Freed cover art (which is now framed and on my wall).

DBT return to the UK in May for a long awaited Leeds gig debut. Should be a blast.

UPDATE 17/02/11 - I'm on my 10th play since this dropped through the post yesterday. This album is quite simply superb. So many fantastic songs, Go Go Boots and The Fireplace Poker especially are stand outs.

RADIOHEAD - THE KING OF LIMBS

Completely out of the blue, comes the announcement of a new Radiohead album this Saturday.

I've gone for the Newspaper format, which I can't really get my head around the meaning of. Either way, £30 for two 10" records, one CD, a MP3 download and loads of artwork, plus shipping seems pretty reasonable to me. The MP3 is available for download this Saturday, with the full package being released in May. Review to follow when I've heard it at the weekend, rumours are it's a return to classic, epic, pre Kid A Radiohead.

Update: Apologies for getting the title wrong in the original post!

DUKE SPIRIT - BRUDENELL SOCIAL CLUB, LEEDS 10/02/11

It's unusual for me to buy tickets for a gig, when I've only heard one track by the band. However, that is exactly what I did after hearing the Duke Spirit's new song 'Everybody's Under Your Spell', off the Kusama EP. What a superb track, it really got me hooked and has been on a favourite tracks playlist on my iPod for several weeks.

Support band were Tape The Radio who were actually really good, they had a bit of an early Editors vibe going, though with a more punky edge. Impressive stuff, the new single 'Heartache and Fear' is available as a free download here. Check them out.

Duke Spirit are fronted Liela Moss, who is an excellent front man (you know what I mean), in the style of Shirley Manson (from Garbage) or maybe Siouxsie Sioux. Her voice has excellent range, though as Pammy pointed out, there was no chance of making out the lyrics. Duke Spirit kick up a hell of a rock din, through two lead guitars wailing away and a huge rock beat coming from the drums. The show maintained momentum, with the majority of the 12 tracks being up tempo rock songs, with just a couple of slower ballads thrown in. Liela mentioned that several songs were new, which judging by the (packed) crowds response, bode well for some chart success in the future.

I picked up a signed copy of the last LP, Nepute for a tenner on the merchandise stall, which topped off a great gig. I've listened to this a couple of times now and it's pretty good, let down a bit by a low key production. None of the songs match the magnificent 'Everybody's Under Your Spell', but they are clearly developing as a band, so I can forgive them that.

If you are going to do one thing today, I urge you to go on iTunes and download 'Everybody's Under Your Spell', 0.79p well spent.

MOGWAI - HARDCORE WILL NEVER DIE, BUT YOU WILL

Mogwai's 7th album, though I've got 13 CD's sat on my shelf, including, compilation's, EP's, soundtracks and live albums. This for me is probably up there in the top 3 of Mogwai releases (with Young Team and Rock Action). This is an epic set of songs, which covers all bases of the Mogwai sound, which has developed since Young Team way back in 1997. I picked up the deluxe book version with the extra CD of the 23 minute 'Music For A Forgotten Future (The Singing Mountain)', which was recorded for an art installation by Douglas Gordon and Olaf Nicolai. Douglas Gordon had previously worked with Mogwai on the Zinedine Zidane movie 'Zidane - A 21st Century Portrait' which was released in 2006.

The ten tracks on this album really are quite diverse, covering the Mogwai quiet-loud template on several songs, to a more up tempo, even chart friendly, offerings on songs like Mexican Grand Prix. Synth drums feature quite heavily throughout, as do synthesized vocal effects using vocoders. The album has huge scope, for a band portrayed by some as having been repeating the same trick for 14 years. For me, Mogwai grow with each release, on Hardcore using violin, piano, slide guitar to great effect. I love hearing deeply buried melodies way down in the mix, which jump out like buried treasure when you find them. The bizarro song titles continue, rumours persist these are randomly generated by an Internet word engine.

On final track You're Lionel Richie, four minutes into the song, which has been building from the start there is a short lull, before effects pedals, drums, bass are all engaged, with volume set to 11 and the fun continues to the songs end 5 minutes later.

I'm finally getting to see Mogwai for the second time (the first time was supporting the Manic Street Preachers at Bridlington Spa Pavillion, way back in 1998) at the 02 in Leeds next Sunday. I've already got my ear plugs packed and ready, for what will should be a great show.

THE BOXER REBELLION - THE COLD STILL

I love Saturday's when a new CD drops through the post, today I received the new Boxer Rebellion album, The Cold Still. Even better I got the deluxe 'book' version from HMV with the bonus four track CD. A very nicely put together package, please don't give me a hard time, I still actually buy product, rather than the bland iTunes versions of new releases.

So what to make of TBR? They've been around since 2001 and have the tag of the 'unluckiest band in music', due to serious illness, being dropped by their label, etc, etc. Well I've been a fan since Watermelon came out in 2003, I've got a signed, limited copy (#68 out of 100 no less). TBR write great, brooding songs, with chiming delay ridden lead guitar and Nathan Nicholson's (birthplace Maryville, Tennessee) soaring voice layered over the top. TBR have released three albums, Exits in 2005 and the superb Union in 2009. Union, which initially only had a digital release, hit #4 on the UK top 100 and #2 on the Alternative chart. Union went on to be voted the best Alternative release of 2009 by iTunes editors. Couldn't agree more, it is an outstanding album. TBR went on to feature heavily in the 2010 Drew Barrymore film, Going The Distance with two tracks off Union featured and a new song, If You Run, which plays over the key final scenes of the film.

I'm pleased to say that The Cold Still carries on in the same vein, with maybe a denser sound than on previous releases. Top producer Ethan Johns was brought in for this album, which shows the amount of backing that TBR are now getting. Immediate stand out tracks for me are Step Out Of The Care, Caught By The Light and The Runner. Though Both Sides Are Even, is probably the track to download, to get the quintessential TBR sound. Awesome song. The Cold Still has much more depth than previous TBR releases with organ and other instrumentation prominent on several songs.

I've seen TBR live once before in Leeds on the Union tour and they were excellent, with a huge rock sounds. Hopefully the Leeds show on the 4th March will be equally as good. My tip is that 2011 is the year that TBR really break through, they've got a Letterman appearance looming in the States and it finally looks as though their luck has changed.

PHOSPHORESCENT - HERE'S TO TAKING IT EASY

Yeah I know I'm way behind the times on this one, but my only excuse is there's just too many excellent releases coming out and it's bloody expensive trying to keep up! I picked up tickets for the Phosphorescent gig at the Brudenell Social Club in Leeds in June and spotted this on Amazon for £5.99 with free postage. Bargain.

This was another 2010 release that finished near the top of most of the end of year charts. I'd only heard one track from a freebie CD with Mojo, but blimey what a superb album. Laid back, effortless, sublime, Americana, in other words right up my street. It's definitely got a real 70's Topanga Canyon Neil Young feel to the whole album which also ticks the right boxes.

It's a strong set of songs which builds throughout and has quite a strong emotional feel to the whole album. It kicks off in jaunty style with It's Hard To Be Humble (When You're From Alabama) and keeps up the quality right through to the final cut Los Angeles, which is a real standout with beautiful pedal steel flying over the top of an ever building production.

I guess in places it also reminds me of Bonnie Prince Billy / Palace Brothers, which is no bad thing. All in all a top album and is pointing to the gig in June being a highlight of 2011.