Monday's Long Song

 

In 1995 Sonic Youth released The Washing Machine, their probably last great studio album. It shows all I like about them. Not just because they’ve once again conjured up wondrous melodies out of thin air, only to destroy them towards the end in a sea of noise and feedback. What’s more, Thurston Moore is once again redefining the art of playing the electric guitar. For me, the best example of this is the final track on this album: an almost twenty-minute journey through harmony, tranquillity and expressive guitar noise. If you take the time to embark on this journey, you’ll realise what a monster of a track they’ve created.

Sonic Youth - The Diamond Sea

New Song On Sunday

 

A few weeks ago Boards Of Canada released their latest album Inferno after a hiatus of 13 years. BOC are the Scottish brothers Marcus Eoin and Michael Sandison who started their musical project almost 30 years ago when they started adding music to their own Super 8 videos. Ever since then, their music has oscillated between guitar tracks and tracks featuring only synthesizer sounds. Yet they always manage to create a distinctive, fluid sound. 

In doing so, they consistently rely on tried-and-tested elements: drawn-out melodies, fragmented rhythms, vocals that sound as though they’ve been taken from archive footage, mixed with a touch of gloom. This is an album that should be listened to in its entirety, as you’ll keep discovering new nuances in their music.

North Sixteen

 

Jo Bartlett, a British singer/songwriter released her latest album a couple of days ago. She's active in the music scene for more than 40 years, got critical acclaim but still isn't on the main radar. Her music could be described as indie-folk with occasional outings into electronica. The album is a collaboration with guitarist Neil Haydock. The result is ten laid-back tracks, based on acoustic instruments and accented by the occasional electric guitar.

Clap Your Hands

 

This musical journey through songs that feature handclapping takes us back to the 1970's. Do Anything You Wanna Do shot up the charts in 1977. Eddie and the Hod Rods were classified as a punk band because of their fast-paced guitar playing and their ‘do whatever you want’ attitude. In fact, they were one of the last successful pub rock bands, and their only connection to punk rock was that the Sex Pistols were their support act and smashed up their kit.

There’s no need to talk about Slade and their significance to glam rock.

There’s no doubt that Gary Glitter should be featured in this series as a representative of rock and roll. But I thought long and hard about whether I should give a convicted paedophile a platform. Ultimately, the song is not to blame for its criminal performer.

Chapter 3

 

Bedford Falls Players is a collective from DJ's and producers from the Berkshire and Buckinghamshire area. Founded by Mark Cooper, they have consistently released excellent tracks and remixes over the last few years. Their latest EP The Moon was released a few weeks ago. Hard beats, a thumping bass and occasional guitar riffs are reminiscent of a 1970s soundtrack set against the backdrop of endless motorways. 

Trade Secrets

 

Duncan Gray, the founder of the excellent tici taci label, has just released a new track that seems absolutely perfect for the summer. A gently captivating indie dancefloor track with a distinctive bass line that drives the track forward. Bleeps, sweeps and a twangy sound provide the necessary highlights in a very good track. 

Monday's Long Song

 

Just in time for the start of summer, another heatwave has hit southern Germany. Temperatures of around 30 degrees are drawing thousands to the outdoor swimming pools, and there is no sign of the heat letting up in the coming days. We are expecting temperatures to rise to just under 40 degrees Celsius on Thursday. This means that any physical exertion leaves you drenched in sweat, and a fan is the most frequently used household item. 

Musically speaking, I’ve also taken it down a notch in this heat and have been listening to Rhythm Collision again. The Ruts were at the forefront of British punk when they formed in 1978. With their political punk, infused with reggae elements and a flair for melody, national fame was guaranteed.  

After their singer, Malcolm Owen, sadly passed away following a heroin overdose, the band – now calling themselves Ruts DC – set out in search of a new sound. Alongside this, they played as Kevin Coyne’s backing band; he also lent them 1,000 pounds so they could record another album. Working with producer Mad Professor, they consistently pursued a dub reggae direction and, in 1982, released one of their best albums, which unfortunately failed to attract nearly enough buyers, leading the band to eventually split up shortly afterwards.  

Ruts DC Meet Mad Professor - Love And Fire