Underwater, Trains, Leaf-Blowers

I really should attempt to update this more, because I'm sure I've got something to say about something, perhaps maybe. I will continue to mention music things, and various thoughts about stuff and nonsense. Maybe I'll mention real news in the real world. Perhaps I will just link to good things I have found on the internet. Most likely I'll not write again until several weeks later when I remember I have this blog.

In the meantime, I would recommend Portishead and Kraftwerk, and also old albums by Blur. Portishead haven't released any albums for several years now, but I hear they're playing Coachella in the U.S. this year, so perhaps we'll see more of them. The video below was directed by the genius that is Chris Cunningham, purveyor of many a visual treat and/or horror.

Portishead - 'Only You' from 'Portishead':


Kraftwerk are in part repetitive, but being robots, that's probably to be expected. They do have one of the most awesome riffs ever sampled in 'Trans-Europe Express', most famously used by Afrika Bambaata on 'Planet Rock'.

Kraftwerk - 'Trans-Europe Express' from 'Trans-Europe Express':


As for Blur, I'm quite behind in getting their back catalogue, but I hope to get more soon, as it looks very good, from sampling it on YouTube. I like the video to this one off their last album:

Blur - 'Good Song' from 'Think Tank':


I will write again next week, when I might have something to write about.

[anticipates]

Goodbye 2006

It wasn't too bad actually. University-ing all year, going to some gigs which were good, but at the same time getting very tired. Almost losing a tooth, and then my eyes swelled up and I needed surgery. Messy.

Christmas was good, I now have a digital radio with which I can listen to such stations as Xfm, Virgin Xtreme (which isn't particularly extreme, or much beyond being a generic indie/rock channel) and Panjabi Radio, where I can't understand the difference between a prank call, a request phone-in and an interview. Good for an alternative listen though.

I was also given Nicholas Nickleby, yet another example of why Dickens is a good writer. And a couple of albums - Empire (Kasabian), Black Holes & Revelations (Muse), and The Warning (Hot Chip). I would recommend both the Muse and Hot Chip, particularly the latter, if not simply for Over and Over.

Which brings us to the end of another year, and another unread blog post. [joys]

Monkeys and Aphex Twin

The marvellous and confusing flurry of musicalish noises that issues forth from Mr Richard D. James is often confusing. Occaisonally he makes something quite listenable, and his most famous tune of this nature is 1997's Windowlicker. Unnerving video by Chris Cunningham here.

A combination of that tune and a very creepy bicycle safety film from the 60s gives this.

Share and enjoy. And fear...