New Page - Most Played Tunes of 2010

I've added another page to the blog. Its a list of the most played tunes of 2010 from my itunes and there are loads of links about all the songs, including places to hear them.  Pretty self explanatory really.

 Most Played Tunes of 2010

Latest Purchase - The Dirtbombs

The Dirtbombs - Party Store (In The Red Recordings)

 

I got a call in the forenoon today that I struggled to understand in my morning fog, but I eventually grasped that Mono were calling me to tell me that this record that I had ordered had arrived.

I pretty much bolted out immediately to pick it up as I have been looking forward this set of guitar band covers of Detroit techno tunes. Featuring versions of Cybotron, Rhythim is Rhythim, Inner City, Aztec Mystic, DJ Assault, Carl Craig and A Number of Names, this would make a quality compilation just in terms of the source material.

There are a few immediate stand out tracks, particularly Sharevari and Jaguar, but I really like the sound of the whole thing and am already on to another playthrough.

I guess that there is a risk that this record could sound like a bit of a novelty, but that just isn't the case.  Some songs are more succesful than others, but I reckon that if you were a guitar music fan who didn't know or like the connection to Detroit techno then you'd still find something here.  The Dirtbombs have managed to make this sound like these songs are their own and yet they are still recognisable if you know the originals.

I'm looking forward to finding out how this is received by my mixture of friends some  of whom would like and know the originals, but maybe not the rock stuff and the boys who like the Dirtbombs, but not dance. I'm also pretty certain that this will be a fixture in my DJ bag.

First proper 2011 release for me as the others so far were out the end of last year and this is definitely the first that shows 2011 on the sleeve. I don't know why, but I always like to see this new number on records for a while.

 

Latest Purchase - The Dirtbombs

The Dirtbombs - Ultraglide In Black (In The Red Records)

I must confess that before a few weeks ago I had no idea who the Dirtbombs were until a casual conversation in work revealed to me that there was Detroit garage band whose next album was a set of covers of Detroit techno tunes. I've got to say that I was immediately interested. 

This album is much older and I was told about it when I stormed into Mono looking for the techno covers album. This is basically another set of cover versions, but mainly soul type stuff this time featuring songs by Stevie Wonder, Curtis Mayfield, George Clinton and Marvin Gaye among others.  Fuzz laden and live sounding, this really is exciting, hair raising gear which I can't get enough of.

I know I am prone to exaggeration and tend to get carried away, but I like this record so much and I am so excited by what I know of the coming album that I think I may be developing a new favourite band.

Latest Purchase - Sandwell District

Sandwell District - Feed Forward Test Session (Sandwell District)

 

I'm finally getting over my mid winter period where I feel like I ought to hibernating and I'm ready to do something other than massacre computer game sprites.

Part of this has meant that the search for special plastic has been rejuvenated, and this is the first fruits of this year that I've thought was worth talking about.

More of that sweet, minimal Sandwell sound over a pair of sides. The fact it's meant to be a live recording might account for how familiar parts of it sound. If this is Sandwell District live, I hope they play near me soon.

I can't pick a favourite between the sides and I am liking the single more each time I play it so I reckon it's safe to say this is a winner. 

This however brings me on to a bit of a rant. I am frankly raging that all of the copies of the Sandwell Feed Forward album that came out around the same time seem to have been bought up on pre-order by speculators who want to punt them on the internet at gouging multiples of the original price. Shame, because I reckon it could be something special. Maybe I'm just annoyed I didn't get one though.

New Page - Favourite Releases of 2010

I've been more lazy than usual lately and I've been deep in the xbox as well. I guess that Glasgow in mid-winter lends itself to that sort of action, especially when you throw in all the festive boozing.  I haven't really bought much recently and haven't really felt they merited posting about, but I reckon I'll get things going again soon. There are already a few things I'm planning to get and I seem to be shaking off some of the laziness. 

I think there is new Sandwell District stuff and my mate told me about an album of garage rock covers of Detroit techno that sounds amazing. Plus there are re-issues of German and African stuff and a world of expensive internet purchases to look forward to.

I've spent the last wee while going back and pretty systematically listening to all of the records I bought last year. I've made a list of my favourites and have created a new page dedicated to it. It's a bit arbitary as I excluded anything that wasn't a 'new' release last year. I even feel a bit like arguing with myself about some inclusions/exclusions, but then thats lists...

Favourite Releases Of 2010

I'm also planning to add my Top 50 most played tunes of the year, but that takes a bit of time to sort out in the fashion I plan.