Nine Feet Underground

Every waking moment there’s some tune or other sinuously snaking between, through and round my thoughts, frequently bubbling to the surface like…well, like bubbles surfacing. Three songs have been chasing their tails through my neural pathways this week and they’ve now broken out and surfaced in this playlist…

Great news! Almost 5 years after their last compilation album Amorphous Androgynous have announced the fourth volume in their brain-mashing ‘A Monstrous Psychedelic Bubble (Exploding in Your Mind)’ series.  Subtitled ‘Wizards of Oz’ the latest volume’s name provides a clue to the contents – and no, before you suggest it, it has nothing to do with a similarly-titled film. Due for release on the 23 rd March ‘Wizards of Oz’, like its predecessors is a 2-CD continuous mix of cosmic space music but this time focused on music from Australia and New Zealand.  In part the Australian bias is probably in response to the success of bands like Tame Impala and Pond (both of which feature in the mix), though there are plenty of names new to these ears.  Let’s hope this compilation is as strong as the three volumes that preceded it! More details of the album can be found on the Future Sound of London site  here. In the meantime a couple of tracks have already a...

In order to keep up with the stream of new albums so far this year I recently listened to Natalie Prass and Napalm Death whilst carrying some “brain-largely-not-required” chores.  One thing I generally find difficult is multi-tasking where music is concerned. Very rapidly music gains my full attention and then spreads its tendrils to the pleasure and motor centres of my brain, but the chores were simple enough that the music remained to the fore and the jobs got done. Enough on the idiosyncrasies of my wiring… So, Natalie and the ‘Death – quite a contrast – and not just because Nat’s (hope she doesn’t mind the undeserved familiarity) album is her debut whilst the Nap’s album is their nth – how did they fare I hear you cry? Thanks to the glowing and unanimous praise heaped on ‘Natalie Prass’ – for example ‘a gem of a heartbreak album’ (Observer), 8/10 Uncut – it had to be worth a listen.  Sadly, it didn’t live up to my expectation based on the reviews: the musical s...

2014 has been a great year for music. The further evolution of new bands taking inspiration from one or other of the previous psychedelic eras has resulted in more thrilling music, though there is a fine line that divides inspiration and slavish copying. I much prefer music made by those who understand the heart of the music and create something new and exhilarating. Alongside the burgeoning psychedelic scene the parallel – yet overlapping – progressive scene continues to develop further, mixing up the musical origins of prog with ideas, energy and single-mindedness of punk, folk and metal. Look no further than the invigorating and invigorated sound of Gong on their latest album ‘I See You’ for evidence of the health of prog in 2014. Set the joy that the psych and prog scenes have delivered against some of the best new albums from developing individual talents like  St. Vincent and Tune-Yards and it becomes clear that music in 2014 (and on into 2015) is in a really he...

The 25th October 2014 marks a decade since John Peel died of heart attack, at the age of 65, whilst on a working holiday in Peru.  I first heard of his death on that day on my way back home from Leeds.  When I got off the train at Kings Cross I had to walk to the tube station via the street (there were building works going on) and on my way I passed some 'Metro' stands and the headline caught my eye, so I picked up a copy and read the bad news.  A lot of words have already been written this month about John, his legacy and what he meant to many of those who met and worked with him.   I didn't ever meet John though did see him near Broadcasting House one evening in the 1990's - just didn't have the bottle to say hello. Apart from having influenced and broadened my musical horizons for more than 30 years – from teenager to father of three – he also introduced to some of the artists and bands I still love today.  This post i...

Ai Caramba! You know that the stigma – in some “cool” music journalist circles at least – associated with the musical genre termed “progressive rock” has finally been exorcised when one of the icons of hip-hop/jazz cool can release – get this – a concept album, with a psychedelic art cover, intended to be listened to as a single piece of music (all 38-odd minutes of it) and it be lauded across a broad spectrum of the music press. I present to you ‘You’re Dead!’ by Los Angeles jazz/fusion electro-hip-hop maverick Flying Lotus (real name Steven Ellison). Make no mistake ‘You’re Dead!’ is as unashamedly prog an album as you are likely to find anywhere this year.   It may be a jazz/fusion hip-hop psych album but prog it most certainly is. Like all musical genres – and prog is an incredibly broad genre – the music stands or falls on its own. So the question is, is ‘You’re Dead!’ any good? For starters, that’s a question for you to answer – after all one man’s meat is anothe...

I’m always a little wary of bands that choose to name themselves after songs by bands with “cool” or “hip” critical credentials.  For that reason I’ve never taken the time to listen to bands like Death Cab for Cutie , Hunters and Collectors or Eric’s Trip to name but three: for the same reason I have ignored Spoon until now. Turns out this is a prejudice I must reconsider: Spoon ’s latest album ‘They Want My Soul’ is the sound of a band totally comfortable with their on song writing ability and willingness to experiment with their sound. The band, a five-piece, has a pretty traditional rock line-up - guitars, drums and keyboards – but on this album uses effects and treatments to get a more spacey sound that makes the fairly straightforward arrangements sound fresh. Highlights of the album include the title track ‘They Want Your Soul’, and ‘Do You’ and ‘Inside out’.   Take a listen to the title track on YouTube: Or alternatively the whole album o...

Music blog “The Quietus”   is rapidly establishing itself as the place to go for music writing with bite. These guys write with passion and don’t care who they upset but most of all they just love music. It doesn’t matter if the music in question is from last week, last year, the 60’s, the 70’s – whenever – if they like it, they say so and say why. You may not agree with what they write - prepare to have your preconceptions challenged - but in general it's a fun and bumpy ride. There have been articles praising Hawkwind’s towering live album  “Space Ritual” , the influence of the Motorik drumming style, 14 of the best independent label tracks   from 2014 and an interview with Ronika about her recent album “Selectadisc”   to name but four.   (I note with raised eyebrow an article today in praise of the re-released version of Jethro Tull’s “Passion Play” – who could have seen that coming? Never heard the album myself - must give it a listen) On...

I love unexpected or random sounds which contrast or oppose a song’s melody line or riff; sometimes these are deliberate, sometimes perhaps accidental.  One sound I particularly enjoy is the noise made when a guitar player’s finger rubs along the string as they change notes or chords, and that’s why I prefer the Peel Sessions recording of ‘Moon’ by Microdisney.  It’s from their 1984 album, with the ironic if not downright sarcastic title, ‘Everybody is Fantastic’ and is a beguiling but simple song built upon a plodding drum machine pattern and a meandering riff.  The Peel Session version opens with the sound of fingers and strings and randomly smatters the sound throughout the song.  It’s what brings me back to this song time and again. Here's the Peel Session version of 'Moon' on YouTube:

Welcome to part 2 of my 'Best of 2013'. The second and final part looks at reissues, favourite songs and, last but not least, compilations.  So, without further ado, the rest of the best of 2013... Reissues Hawkwind – Warrior on the Edge of Time :    Finally, after far too many years and all manner of mysteries regarding contractual disputes and personal wranglings, this album sees the light of day on an official CD release.  Esoteric must be commended for finally making this happen, and what a happening – a variety of packages including a triple disc with multiple mixes and extras and a vinyl box set.  It’s worth it for the intro to ‘Assault and Battery’ alone… Brainticket – Cottonwoodhill:     The album comes with a warning: “Only listen once a day to this disc. Your brain might be destroyed.”  There can be no higher recommendation for any piece of music. Captain Beefheart and His Magic Band – Trout Mask Replica :  ...