To love but never to be in Love

I'd received an email earlier today asking if I could re-post 'Geek Love' the 1992 Festive Fifty no.1, and I thought, why not post the entire EP? Especially seeing as the Evesham four-piece's back catalogue seems to be unavailable.

This track is utterly sublime, and if you have never heard it before, I hope you like it. There are one or two crackles in the vinyl, but I think the sound quality is pretty good on the whole.

I will also soon post the remixes sent to me by my reader Max, when I have converted them into mp3s. Thanks for them, Max, never seen them anywhere else!

Speaking of posting unavailable stuff, I will be putting up a couple of albums by artists which I think are great but are unavailable in the UK on any format. Watch this space...


Bang Bang Machine -'Geek Love.' mp3

Bang Bang Machine -'Flower Horse.' mp3

Bang Bang Machine -'The Fuck Machine.' mp3


An unofficial Bang Bang Machine website

Album Review: The Lodger

Lodger -'Life Is Sweet.' (Bad Sneakers Records)

The second album sees the three piece turn in a gorgeous, just-right -for summer set. I'd be willing to bet these guys treasure their copies of the NME c81 and NMEC86 as much as I do, but that shouldn't make it sound as if they are purely indie-retro. There's a freshness here just right for sunny days (and hell we've even got them here in Scotland right now!). This evokes reasons of what proper indie is, and the Leeds three piece have delivered an excellent sophomore set.

Whilst it's a reasonable comment that this album does not re-write the rule book -and do we really realise those records are here when we do, or only in, uh,retrospect, it works well as an album, rather than just as a collection of songs strewen together. The only track which lets the album down in 'Honey' which feels a little dull, rather than being as lovely as it its name might suggest. Granted a title like first single 'The Good Old Days' might sound like Daily Mail-esque whinging, but put your ears to this album, and give it a listen.

***1/2

The Lodger -'The Good Old Days.' mp3

The Lodger mySpace

New Sigur Ros

A bit in your face? Yup, everyone's favourite Icelandic band since the Sugarcubes and a band who have their own slant on ethereal return with a new track and a new album entitled með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust. According to their website this translates as With A Buzz In Our Ears We Play Endlessly. I think the title reminds me of Liars

The track, available for free, is called 'Gobbledigook.' Unkind folks might point out the irony of Sigur Ros' first title to be comprehensible to many being called Gobbledigook, but given that very few 17 Seconds readers have so far demonstarted an ability to speak Icelandic, maybe they should keep quiet. It's not particularly ethereal by their standards, and sounds like there's a bit of thigh-slapping going on, but if I'm being honest, I'd always want to hear the latest thing from Sigur Ros. They are that good.

See what you think...

Sigur Ros -'Gobbledigook.' mp3

Check their website for the rather erotic video (if you're over 18, obviously) and for more news etc..
Websites include www.sigur-ros.co.uk and www.sigurros.com

here for more Sigur Ros mp3s

Album Review: Wedding Present

Wedding Present -'El Vey.' (Scopitones)

Inevitable about to be over-reported bit of information 1: This album was produced (or no doubt 'recorded') by the legendary Steve Albini, who was responsible for the Weddoes career highpoint Seamonsters back in 1991.

Inevitable about to be over-reported bit of information 2: David Gedge has moved to West Hollywood.

So, now into his forties and making the second Wedding present album since he resurrected the band in 2004, after a seven year rest, what does the new Wedding Present album sound like?

To these ears, dark and atmospheric. I can't play the drums, but Albini has soaked up the drums and they make the atmosphere on this record absolutely wonderfully. It's still unmistakeably Wedding Present; like The Fall, who were also stalwarts of the late John Peel's show : always the same, always different.

Living in West Hollywood seems to have impacted on Gedge's songwriting too. Not that this is a re-write of Rumours, Pet Sounds or (God forbid) Hotel California, but it's noticeable. A few years back, many Morrissey fans, including this humble blogger, expressed surprise that Morrissey was living in L.A. It seems even odder that David gedge has moved there; the man sings and writes in such an English way. Not in an annoying little Englander kind of way, or a nostalgic for Arcadia of Pete Doherty or Ray Davies, but English none the less. There's a sort of David Lynch sheen to the lyrics with the darkness that's within. Gedge forever seemd to be not getting the girl; now it's not someone he's been abandoned by to go travelling or feels he can;t trust, as on 'The trouble With men' he tells of developing a crush on a woman who's the dinner date of the man at the next table; who he wouldn't mind being his girlfriend even though he's married.

What hits the mark for me about this album is that not only is it another great addition to the Wedding Present/Cinerama cannon, but it's Gedge and co. continuing to evolve as they progress into their third decade of making music. Last year he toured their debut George Best, marking twenty years since its' release. This year, it's a new album, an evolved sound, and one of the tracks of the year in 'The Trouble With Men,' a Weddoes song I think I'm going to love as much as 'My Favourite Dress' 'Montreal' or 'Sticky.'


****

The Wedding Present -'The Trouble With Men.' mp3

The Wedding Present -'Boo Boo.' mp3

The Wedding Present website/The Wedding Present myspace

Presenting...Escape Act..and Tom McShane

Escape Act are a hot new act from Northern Ireland. They are set to release their new single 'God Says' as a split single with fellow Northern Ireland act Tom McShane on June 23. Lat year they released an EP called Hot Air, and then went to the legendary Chem 19 studios (the legendary Chemikal Underground studios) to work with Andy Millar, who has worked with Fratellis and Sons & Daughters. This is a quality indie-rock tune for the summer. Get this on your stereo now (and obviously, go and buy the single when it comes out).

Escape Act -'God Says.' mp3

Escape Act -'Green.' mp3 (live, acoustic)

Here is the video as well:


Escape act website/ Escape Act myspace



Meanwhile, fellow Northern Irelander Tom McShane has the other side of the single with a fantastic song called 'Fighter.' In the press release it's described as 'the story of a man on the run from his ghosts and his own shadows.' It's a quality song, and I love the whole concept of split 7"s - there is little more 'indie' in the true, old sense of the word.

Tom McShane -'Fighter.' mp3

And here are a couple of bonus mp3s for Tom McShane as well:

Tom McShane -'That's All There Is (Nina Nastasia cover).' mp3

Tom McShane -'Promise me.' mp3

Tom McShane website / Tom McShane mySpace

And as always, let me know what you think...

Album Review: Mogwai

Mogwai - 'Mogwai Young Team (re-issue).' (Chemikal Underground)

I had a dream the other night. No, this is true: I was talking to some of the younger students I teach and they were raving about Mogwai. It was a dream: I know, because I woke up then, and realised that a: it was absurd that kids who were born after Kurt Cobain died would know who Mogwai are, even here in Scotland, and b) I was dead excited about the tenth anniversary re-issue of this album.

I can't remember the first time I heard about Mogwai, but I remember that there were two things that clinched me having to buy the original issue of this album (obviously, on vinyl) in 1998. I'd heard them on a free CD with NME, and been blown away by a track called 'Ex-Cowboy' which would appear on the following year's Come On Die Young LP, and knew I had to get the album. Secondly, Andy Cairns from Therapy? had said that his definition of heaven was scuba diving listening to this album and Sonic Youth's Daydream Nation LP on waterproof headphones. Did such things exist? And who were this scottish band?

Well, there's been many wonderful Mogwai moments since then. The twenty minute long workout? epic? post-epic song that is 'My Father My King.' That gorgeous collaboration with the Super Furry Animals' Gruff Rhys 'Dial:Revenge' on the Rock Music LP. the thrill of seeing them get a top 40 single...and of course, finally getting to see them live in 2003 at Edinburgh's Queen's Hall. When they played 'Like Herod' at ...that moment, I thought I'd lose my hearing.

But you know, I'd rather lose my hearing and say it was down to 'Like Herod' than say 'My Heart Will Go On' or 'Money For Nothing.' And it's one of the standout tracks on this album. It was just so...other. I wasn't aware of the concept of post-rock then, but the songs on this album blew me away. I was just discovering label-mates Arab Strap at the same time, and was pleased to see Aidan Moffat was on the record too. What was with those titles? New Order's titles seemed random, but these titles were something else again. The record was instrumental, and yet there were voices, but where did this fit in?

So many surprises within the album. The opening 'Yes! I Am A Long Way From Home' the aforementioned '...Herod.' And then the finale on side 4 of the vinyl: 'Mogwai Fear Satan.' Just three notes or so it seems, but it takes the whole concept of repetition beyond anything that even The Fall had done with it. Is it like film music, music to lose yourself/find yourself in (this is not about polar opposites, indeed I think they are increasingly one and the same thing) or a manifesto?

And now, the album comes re-mastered (apparently the older version was difficult to hear in places), with bonus tracks. It's beautifully packaged, especially if you get the vinyl, and includes unreleased, live and rare as anything tracks. Their cover of 'Honey' by Spaceman 3 is gorgeous, though the only thing that let's the second disc down is what seems like a sloppy version of 'Summer (Priority Version).'

But, small quibbles. Is this the best album Mogwai have ever made? I'm not sure that I have a favourite, but I've fallen head over heels for this again.

And if I ever get to scuba dive, then I'm taking this, Daydream Nation and Therapy?'s Troublegum on underwater headphones. It would only be polite.

Mogwai website/Mogwai myspace

Mogwai -'Yes! I Am A Long Way From Home.' mp3

Album Review: Nozzle

Nozzle -'Empires' (Flowermountain Records)

The third album for Dave Blomberg sees this three-piece on fine form. Ten songs and forty minutes long, the album is solid and a joy to listen to. while many bands still persist in trying to fit as many songs onto the CD as will fit, often at the expense of any quality control, Nozzle show how it should be done.

The guitar-playing of Dave Blomberg is a particular joy. At the risk of sounding like some pre-punk hi-fi enthusiast (I am neither); for the real subtleties that make up this album make sure you give it a listen on headphones. Lyrically it's strong too. Blomberg played with New Model Army for a long time, and fans of that band will find much to enjoy here. His voice bears no relation to Justin Sullivan's, and it should be made clear that Nozzle do very much plough their own furrow. Their roots are in the DIY ethic and they have kept to that.

When so many rock bands become lost in over-production, over-instrumentation and sometimes just in being over the top, it's great to report that here is a band who do not feel the need to go down that route. There's heartfelt sincerity here, without ever becoming painfully earnest. Highlights of this album would include the title track, 'Complicated' and also the closer 'The End' the final chord of which lingers, like a pleasant audio after taste.

****

Nozzle -'Complicated.' mp3

Nozzle website/Nozzle MySpace

Album Review: Dom Deluca

Dom Deluca -'Birds Of worry.' (Independent)

Canadian Dom Deluca's first album is a joy from start to finish. A twelve song collection of self-penned songs, I've enjoyed the several listens I have had of this album.

If less is more, then the sheer simplicity of much of this album makes for something of pretty high stauture. Often just himself and an acoustic guitar, this is a quietly very effective listen. Driving around town in a mood that could be described as very black, the lightness of touch of the musicianship, the songs and his voice, couldn't fail to lift my spirits. He clearly wrotes from the heart, and his affection for Toronto and Canada comes through on this album, without any petty nationalistic concerns, which is particularly admirable.

The album doesn't re-wrote the rock hand book, and I'm even less sure what 'folk' means with every year that passes. As Morrissey once sang 'and I thought that if you had an acoustic guitar/that it meant that you were/a protest singer.' Dom Deluca is not a protest singer, I don't want to pigeonhole him, other than to say: File under damn fine singer-songwriter.

****

Dom Deluca -'Birds of Worry.' mp3

Dom Deluca -'Toronto.' mp3

Presenting...Lousy Robot

Yet another band who have been sitting in my inbox for quite a while. Apparently their second album Smile Like You Are Somewhere Else came out in 2006, but these tracks are still pretty amazing.

The band hail from Albuqueque, and to these ears sound like a post-punk version of Husker Du and early REM (yes, I know both these bands were post punk) and have a certain amount of catchiness. They're very American, and sound very cool. They also sound like the ideal soundtrack to warm afternoons at festivals. We here in Scotland can but hope...

Apologies it's taken me a while to feature you guys, but i hope the 17 Seconds readers will like what they hear.

Lousy Robot -'Welome To My weird Awakening.' mp3

Lousy Robot -'It's Getting To Me.' mp3

Album Review: The Dawn Chorus

The Dawn Chorus -'The Big Adventure.' (Jellymaid Music)

Sigh. I feel a little bad about what I'm about to write, but I feel it's best to be honest.

I was really looking forward to hearing this album. I think 'The Hope Will Kill Us' is a great track and it's been on a best of 2008 playlist on my iPod for several months. However, several plays of the album later, and I'm forced to conceed that I feel this album is rather uneven, particularly in the first part. It reminds me of the Electric Soft Parade, a band from the early part of the decade, who promised much but ultimately delivered little.

Having been sent this album because I requested it, I feel bad that I'm not focusing enough on the positives of it. I like the trumpet playing, and I feel the album picks up about track six of twelve. But the two openers 'The Big Adventure Part 1' and, uh 'The Big Adventure Part 2' seem to mislay the pace a bit. Yes, of course albums should be rich and diverse tapestries. But somehow despite some very good songs, it doesn't seem to hang together to these ears.

I know, this is the product of a lot of people's work and that blood, sweat and tears will have gone into this. I still haven't forgotten how much I liked -and still like - 'The Hope Will Kill Us.' So, sorry guys, close but no cigar. THe album doesn't cut it for me. But I hope i get to hear your second album, and I hope that I 'get' it better.

**1/2

The Dawn Chorus -'The Hope Will Kill Us.' mp3

Presenting...Eugene Francis Jr

The man above is one Eugene Francis Jr, who has just released his debut album The Golden Beatle in the UK. He's touring England (surely he couldn't have forgotten those of us in the Celtic fringe!) and for those of you lucky enough to be able to go and see him, on the evidence of this track alone, it might well be worth checking him out.

Eugene Francis Jr -'Beginners.' mp3

Jun 20 2008 21:00
ESQUIRES Bedford, South

Jun 21 2008 21:00
Forum Tunbridge Wells

Jun 22 2008 21:00
Rescue Room Nottingham

Jun 23 2008 21:00
10 Feet Tall Cardiff

Jun 24 2008 21:00
Fibbers York

Jun 25 2008 21:00
Bar Academy Oxford

Jun 26 2008 21:00
Club 85 Hertfordshire

Jun 27 2008 21:00
Bar Academy London

Jun 28 2008 21:00
Cockpit III Leeds

Feedback, as ever, is always welcome...

It's a lovely spring here in Scotland, and so it's time to make cliches while the sun shines.

What better than this, while even my hayfever hasn't yet kicked in to annoy me?

Rockers Delight -'Walking On Sunshine (Extended 12").' mp3

Garage Rock 'n' Roll revisited

Back in 2002, as NME readers wore badges proclaiming that they were 'heroes of the new rock revolution' it briefly seemed that a garage rock revivial was going to change the world. Franz Ferdinand were still fermenting their plans, The Futureheads were a hip secret, and the tabloids had yet to wake up to Pete Doherty.

These three tracks are great ones, and deservedly made the Festive Fifty of that year. I'm not sure that subsequent records matched up to these; the Datsuns got caught up in making sub-Led Zeppelin tributes, the Von Bondies became more famous for a spat with the White Stripes' Jack White and EMB-LD just went off.

So, no, I don't know what they're up to, but these tracks are still capable of putting a smile on my face.

Von Bondies - 'It Came From Japan.' mp3 (2002 Festive Fifty no.30=)

The Datsuns - 'In Love.' mp3 (2002 Festive Fifty no.21)

Eighties Matchbox B-Line Disaster -'Celebrate your Mother.' mp3 (2002 Festive Fifty no.46)

Shameful Confession #2

For anyone who doesn't understand how some bands go unheard, never mind the issues of mainstream and media saturation...it was so much harder before the internet.

Thus, while yesterday I 'fessed up to the fact that I hadn't got dance music for many years, today it is time to admit that Spacemen 3, those masters of Gospel-drone-psychedelia (or whatever) were a band I hadn't heard 'til pretty recently.

Sure, I knew the name, I have quite a bit of Spiritualized's stuff, and kept meaning to. But it didn't happen until...uh, last week I could finally say I had heard more than one or two tracks. Jason Pierce (now of Spiritualized) and Sonic Boom clearly paved the way for some amazing stuff, as well as being damn important themselves.

So, in order that you don't make the same mistake, here are two excellent tracks:

Spacemen 3 -'Lord Can You Hear Me.' mp3

Spacemen 3 -'Hypnotised.' mp3

There is a really great fan site here

Why was I so obstinate about dance music?

The older I get, the more I'm proud that I have stuck true to many of the values I held in my teens (thirty one and counting, since you ask). I'm still veggie, would rather buy vinyl than CD, am still left-wing, and proud that I teach in a comprehensive not a private school.

So why the heck was I so damn conservative about dance music for so many years? Why was I so rockist?

The reality is that dance music, rather like indie, is such a broad church that the label increasingly means less and less with every year that passes.

As time went by, acts like Portishead, Massive Attack (who were responsible for my favourite song of the last twenty years 'Unfinished Sympathy'), Leftfield, Orbital, the Orb, Daft Punk, The Chemical Brothers...and many others told me not to be so foolish. And when I discovered the DFA label, it bought a new understanding to me, finally enabling me to understand that ghettoisation was not necessary.

And finally, I have been led, my interest piqued by the famous Simon Reynolds, to check out Joey Beltram. These two tracks are regarded as classics. Nearly twenty years after they came out, I think I finally understand why.

Joey Beltram - 'Energy Flash.' mp3

Joey Beltram - 'Mentasm.' mp3

Joey Beltram's MySpace

Presenting...Nozzle

Nozzle is the band led by Dave Blomberg, some time guitarist with New Model Army. On this track, 'Complicated' they remind me of that strand of rock that never seemed to quite have a name per se, and got lumped in with goth in the eighties. It's not jangly, it's simple without being folky, and epic without being overblown. Good, melodic rock.

Oh Sod the labels, this is a great track, and one I think you should hear. For fans of the aforementioned Army, The Church, The Mission, and the Levellers. It stands on it's own, and I can't wait to hear more.

Whet your appetite here:

Nozzle -'Complicated.' mp3

Nozzle's website/Myspace

Presenting...Rose Kemp

What would you expect Rose kemp to sound like, if I told you that she was the daughter of Maddy Prior and Rick Kemp from Steeleye Span, the legendary British folk band? Well, once you would have been right, and she did once make an album of accapella folk singing with her mother. But she's signed to One Little Indian, and kicking a serious amount of behind.

One Little Indian, bless their hearts, tipped me off about her...and on the evidence of this track, I'm glad they did. One for those who like their rock loud, angry and sounding intelligent, without self-indulgent.

Give this track a listen. And as ever, let me know what you think!

Rose Kemp -'Nanny's World.' mp3

Rose Kemp's MySpace

The 500th post

The Cure in 1980, circa Seventeen Seconds, their sophomore album which gave this blog its' name.

Well, here we are, twenty-two months later, the five hundreth post.

Quite a few interviews done (and several still to be written up), a lot of music reviewed, a bit of ranting, and some nice words in the Guardian. It's been a labour of love at times, but I'm grateful to the support I've had from readers, friends and family (not that these are necessarily mutually exclusive), and particularly the wonderful Mrs. 17 Seconds. She has waited patiently whilst I grappled with technology, for that five minute post that has turned into an hour, shared the frustration, and been as supportive as anyone could wish. When we met the Vinyl Villain in Glasgow a couple of months back, he quipped: 'So what's it like being married to an obsessive, then?' to which she replied: 'Well, everyone's obssessive about something, aren't they?.' When I started this blog, we had yet to get cats...or even get married. Life, eh?

Some of my friends have asked if the blog's raison d'etre is to publicise new scottish music. This is only part of it, but it's definitely a part of it:

Bricolage -'Our Fire's Electric.' mp3

I've also enjoyed posting weird and wonderful, well-known and painfully obscure covers, and this is probably unlikely to stop. Hell, I've heard a lot of stuff since I started this. But it's also enabled me to focus on stuff I loved before, too:

The Slits -'I Heard I Through The Grapevine.' mp3

This seems to be the most-downloaded track from the blog:

Primal Scream - 'Velocity Girl.' mp3

Many thanks is due to fellow bloggers who have put in links to this site, mentioned me, left feedback and got me in the position that I seem to get several people reading this blog per day. Whilst I would love this to increase, it's nice to know that just because only a handful of people leave responses, people are still reading it. There's too many people to thank, but heck, you know who are you, and may you have a nice glow inside for the rest of the weekend.

Should I focus on just one type of music? Well, no, my record collection doesn't and I don't see why the blog should. I'm actually rather proud that the blog has featured stuff including classical, jazz, hip-hop, disco, death metal...oh, and a fair bit of scottish indie, too. I've done a lot of posts relating to stuff that John Peel championed, and by way of very humble tribute, I've tried to keep alive in my own small way a highlighting of new music, and unsigned acts. But I despise snobbery, and I don't see why I shouldn't mention bands that are established and successful.

Anyway, enough of my ramblings. I've posted this before, but as it's the song that gave this blog its' name, it's only fitting I should post it again. It's lasted longer than the club night I ran of the same name.

The Cure -'Seventeen Seconds.' mp3

Album Review: Times New Viking

Times New Viking – 'Rip It Off.' (Matador)

Calling Times New Viking noisy is rather like saying bands on Sarah records are twee or that thrash metal bands are too loud and too damn fast. It suggests an aesthetic equivalent of not being able to see the wood for the trees, to coin a cliché.

Because Rip It Off is a very noisy album. Quite honestly, I haven't got a clue what they're going on about on a lot of the tracks. But you know what? It doesn't matter. Not. One. Iota. Over the course of sixteen tracks in about thirty minutes (you DID read that right) this is a sheer joy to listen to from start to finish.

The press release mentions Robert Pollard, Stephen Malkmus and Richard Hell. To me, it reminds me of Yo La Tengo jamming with early Sonic Youth playing the Moldy Peaches LP. And like that Moldy Peaches LP, will some of the songs might appear like little sketches, they do seem fully formed (unlike the way, say many Hip-Hop albums seem to be making up the space with skits or Damon Albarn's rather half-baked Democrazy LP.

I've played this album several times since it arrived. I know that some folks won't get it. But it's here, taking no prisoners and having an excellent time of itself.

Why pussyfoot around? Get stuck in!

****
Rip It Off is out now on Matador

Times New Viking -'Drop Out.' mp3

Yup...

still here. been off school for two days fighting the 'flu and trying to write reports. There are only so many variations on 'Your child is doing fine' i can come up with' and only so many polite ways I can rephrase 'your child brings out right-wing tendencies I didn't know I had...they are most likely to end up in jail.'

...I haven't abandoned the music either, but check out any of the ones in the right hand link. Don't forget me, there will be more music soon. Especially with the 500th post imminent!

Do yourself a favour, though. Get Santogold's album. It is amazing.

Love and hugs,

Ed Seconds XX