Concocted by Serge Gainsbourg, the most exalted potentate of lust, this bizarre fantasy detailing a (the?) middle aged lothario’s affair with a teenager oozes priapic zeal, laced with a sense of humour that can only be described as goblinesque. Unusually for a concept album from this era the music has dated astonishingly well; produced...
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“I got some John Coltrane on the stereo, baby…” The first paisley underground act to get signed to a major label, Dream Syndicate were the eye catching facet of a movement that included the Long Ryders, Green on Red and the Rain Parade. Where many of these bands channeled the Byrds and the garage...
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A rare moment of staggering (sic) genius from the godfather of punk. Recorded after the Stooges broke up for the first time, the crunching tones of ’1969′ and ‘I Wanna Be Your Dog’ are here eschewed in favour of a more melodic, bluesey palette, strongly reminiscent of Keith Richards in Sticky Fingered pomp. ‘Lucky...
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Absolutely sublime recreation of late eighties indie pop. Peter Hook’s patented basslines, the Cocteau Twins gorgeous sheen, Johnny Marr’s cascading guitars, the Chameleon’s romantic melancholy, Felt’s sublime majesty. I’m transported back to the Panic Station, Dingwall’s monday nights…this is ecstatically brilliant and big thanks to Paul Ilechko for the tip!
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Take one part Vampire Weekend, one part Jonathan Richman and stir vigorously. Throw in a smidgen of Dick Dale and a respectful nod in the direction of the Cure and you might well think that you have a recipe for aural purgatory. For reasons I cannot fathom, this record fails to irritate, indeed it...
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An absolutely furious recording. Drumming of splendid brutality embellished with cascading guitars and vocal harmonies that surely originate from a demented barbershop in hell’s deepest circle. In truth this record adds a degree of sophistication to the lupine oevre and in so doing subtracts nothing from the gleefully deranged experience that listening to Wolf...
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The coolest band in rock, absolutely no question. Of all their impeccable albums, Countdown to Ecstasy, along with Gaucho is the one I return to most. In retrospect, the most staggering thing about Steely Dan was the fact that year on year they released album after album, each one building on the achievements of...
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