This Is Why - Paramore

Spankingly brand new single and video from Paramore...and I think quite a few of us can probably relate to the lyrics right now. It's a little heavier than some of their more recent material, but then again we're living in heavier times. After all in the 5 years since their last album we've endured Covid, lockdowns, an energy crisis and now the stirrings of a global recession coupled with WW3. Oh deep joy. Anyway, the track's ace, so every cloud and all that jazz.   

The Lunatics Have Taken Over The Asylum - Sex Patels

This seems a pretty appropriate track for today. Irrespective of political party, nationality, religion, gender etc etc the whole world appears to have gone quite bonkers. Ah well, I'm sure it'll all come out in the wash. 

Great Lost Albums Of Our Time - Handcream For A Generation by Cornershop

 

Picked up another copy of Cornershop's classic album Handcream For A Generation (I already have a few...ahem) from Brighton last week and noticed that this year's its 20th anniversary! Good grief. I have no idea why this album wasn't number one all over the planet but then again much of what happens in this world makes zero sense to me. A glorious mash up of funk, disco, indie, ska...you name it...it's ripe for (re)discovery for anyone with ears. I mean...how good is this?! 

And this...

Trust me, you need this album in your life. 

Altered Images / Vanity Fairy @ Concorde 2, Brighton - Tuesday September 13th 2022

I may go to a miniscule number of gigs these days (blame the shocking lack of public transport down here in sunny Devon) but it’s all about the quality not the quantity and tonight's gig, all the way across the south coast in Brighton, was a blinder. Kicking off with the wittily named Vanity Fairy (see what she did there?) we were treated to a brilliantly bonkers set fusing the vocal gymnastics of early Kate Bush with a super cool electro disc beat. Bonus points for the recycled promo material made from playing cards featuring either cats or...er...naked men in various states of 'excitement' too.

Altered Images have been on my and Mrs Baron’s live wish list for a looooooooooooooooong time so as this gig coincided with her 21^st (ahem) birthday it was too good an opportunity to miss. Bouncing onstage like the past 40 years never happened Clare Grogan and the band delivered the perfect mix of old and new tracks (from this year’s awesome Mascara Streakz) with enough energy to power most of Western Europe (which could come in handy right now eh?). All the hits were performed to perfection from the decidedly anti-pop classic Dead Pop Stars through to the chiming sunshine pro-pop of I Could Be Happy and a personal favourite of mine, Don’t Talk To Me About Love. We also got some fine deeper cuts too including Insects (from first album Happy Birthday) which wouldn’t have sounded out of place on a Siouxsie and the Banshees album (perhaps unsurprising given that Steve Severin had a hand in the production of the original). What really impressed though were the new songs, released a mere 39 years after Altered Images’ last album. Let’s be honest now, Kylie would give her gold hot pants for title track Mascara Streakz, a sultry and sublime slice of techno dusted dance or the anthemic Glitter Ball. 

There was a surprisingly emotional moment too during another newbie Your Life Is Mine, a touching 'I've got your back for the rest of my life' love letter from Clare to her daughter. She predicted that she wouldn’t make it through the song without shedding a tear or two and she was right bless ‘er. I suspect she wasn't the only one. 

After leaving the stage to thoroughly well-deserved rapturous applause the band returned for a rousing rendition of Happy Birthday that Clare very kindly dedicated to Mrs Baron. No idea who asked her to do that…  

Releasing a new album after such a long gap’s never an easy trick to pull off and even though this version of Altered Images have seemingly been playing together for a while tonight’s gig could have been a bit of a resting on past glories affair, but nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, as another highlight of the new album puts it, the whole evening was a truly ‘Beautiful Thing’.

Queen Elizabeth II RIP

I chose Jeff Buckley's album Grace to listen to in the bath last night knowing that the passing of Queen Elizabeth II could come at any moment...and it did...shortly after this track played. Whatever you think of the monarchy carrying out royal duties for over 70 years right up to hours before your death is pretty bloody remarkable and, personally, I reckon the country and world's a poorer place without her. What's striking from the people showing up at Buckingham Palace is the range of ages, cultures, faiths and any other differentiations that you care to mention. Apparently even Putin sent a tribute. It's hard to imagine any other person on the planet whose passing will receive as much coverage as the Queen's or to envisage a future monarch (or any head of state for that matter) that will ever see (and, arguably, initiate) as many changes as she did. In the immortal words of Paddington Bear, "Thank you...for everything". 

Narrow Ocean – The Standing Waves

 

You’d have to be living under a rock not to notice that we’re living in troubled times (that’s if you can afford the rent that is…have you seen how expensive rocks are these days?) and it’s against this backdrop that Devon based The Standing Waves release their second album, Narrow Ocean. 

As fine a collection of country folk tinged tunes you’re ever likely to hear either side of the River Exe it’s a much needed salve for the soul, from the powerfully poignant Cindy through to the hoedown of Wildfire and the gentler waltz of Luck & Money (two things we could all do with a little of right now eh?). 

With heartbreakingly beautiful harmonies from vocalists Will and Deborah, arrangements and playing from a collective of artists clearly at the top of their game and recorded in the intriguingly named Valvetastic Studio in Exeter it’s an album that’s somehow both timely and timeless.

Narrow Ocean is available to buy on CD or download from September 30^th and you can follow the band right here The Standing Waves | Facebook

Better Things - The Bouncing Souls

Picked up a stash of noughties US pop punk CDs for 50p each (yes, I know...if only energy bills were that cheap eh?) from the local car boot on Wednesday including The Gold Album from The Bouncing Souls and this track seems pretty appropriate for these troubled times. The country/world may well be going to hell in a handcart but at least we can go out pogoing!