What I am listening to these days.

Latest finds:


Hooverphonic - No More Sweet Music. Double disc of sweet music. First disc is titled More Sweet Music and second disc is No More Sweet Music featuring the same track as disc one but given a remake, not remixed. Hard to explain, but basically, the album could have beena single disc and they might have been unsure which mix was better. Outstanding tracks: No More Sweet Music, Dirty Lenses


Lamb: Remixed. Double disc of Lamb's remixes from their past. Some sound really dated, back when drum and bass sounded like, well, drum and bass. Worthy remixes include: What Sound (Lamb vs Cosmos Tom Middleton Deep Step Remix), Gabriel (Si Begg 5.1 Futures Remix), Transfattyacid (Kruder and Dorfmeister Remix)



Cocteau Twins: Lullabies To Violaine (Vol 1 - 2). Still trying to digest this release by the Cocteau Twins. Faye Wong was rather influenced by them in the 90s leading to some collaboration with exclusive tracks produced for Faye. Faye's 浮躁 sounds so much influenced by tracks so as Watchlar, Mud And Dark, Three-Swept. Memorable tracks are: Bluebeard, Violaine and Tranquil Eye.


Snow Patrol: Eyes Open. Latest album. Will take my time to nurse this album. First listen reveals gems like the duet with Martha Wainwright (Rufus' sister), Set The Fire To The Third Bar, Make This Go On Forever, Open Your Eyes, The Finish Line....shit....the album rocks man. Such an impossible task to up the ante on the previous album, Final Straw, but Snow Patrol has done it.


The Perishers: Let There Be Morning. Discovered accidentally on a Sunday. Last Sunday. While taking a rest in a shelter, this malay threesome (mum and two daughters) came to share the shelter. One of the daugther was listening to a portable stereo and switched from hard rock to a track which I cannot recognise by sounded great. I could only pick up the words, "..on a weekend..." and the next track I could pick up words like, "....and if I am coming down won't you be my solid ground." That was enough for me to find out who the tracks were by. There were Weekends and Sway. Another great track is the band's duet with Sarah Isaksson (singer in her own right vocal coach to the band as well), Pills. Had a long conversation with friend about meaning of the song. Brilliant stuff from Sweden. Ikea! Flat packed and so convenient!



Also I am starting to notice Terry Callier. After noticing his duet with Beth Orton (the absolutely gorgeous Dolphins) and he is featured on the latest single from Massive Attack, Live With Me. Amazing guy, legendary. American, but gaining the respect he deserves only in UK because of the revival started with Gilles Peterson and releases on his acid jazz label Talkin' Loud.