There have been a couple of stand-out recordings of Mahler’s ‘rogue’ Seventh in recent times – none more illuminating or hard to beat than Rattle’s Bavarian RSO account – but after Paavo Järvi’s brilliant rendering of the fledgling First Symphony with his Zurich orchestra I was more than ready for this. What I really like … [Read More]
I don’t think anyone would argue with the assertion that this is one of the great theatre scores of the last half century. That Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens actually auditioned for it – three or fours songs submitted for consideration on cassette tape – only makes the story even more extraordinary. I, of course, … [Read More]
Shostakovich’s two cello concertos plainly share the same musical DNA – but it’s almost as if the Second (which I am delighted to see becoming more and more core repertoire and a work of choice among leading cellists) has grown out of the First elaborating on the former’s concision but sharing that acute sense of … [Read More]
Berghain ROSALÍA, Björk & Yves Tumor Allegiance Consumer Culture I Don't Want A Job Sludge Mother Enemy Father Of Peace I Got Heaven Mannequin Pussy Incline Ho99o9 Money Game, Pt. 2 Ren Rabbit Run (Interpol Remix) IDLES Fabienk Angine de Poitrine L...
I do believe this is one of the best – perhaps even the best – account of Mahler’s precocious First Symphony that I’ve heard on disc since the celebrated Bernstein/Concertgebouw version. Paavo Järvi and his Zurich orchestra really do make it feel and sound brand new. Its daring colourations are relished, its youthful audacity writ … [Read More]
A whiplash Scapino, ducking and diving with impunity, sets the tone of this marvellous disc. As so often with John Wilson’s work it’s the precision, the clarity, and the keenest articulation that defines it. The level of virtuosity displayed by this band can be, and is here, absolutely jaw-dropping. Wilson has long admired the legendary … [Read More]
The track Coma / Smoke, from Hailaker’s 2019 self-titled album, has been on frequent rotation here since I discovered it a few weeks ago.On first listening I texted Lisa:There’s a lot to love about this song. It’s a journey. And it is: up and down and around, intense and sparse. I love it.
Let's turn the screws, you perverts bound to lose
The Butthole Surfers - Pandora’s Music Box Festival, De Doelen, Rotterdam, The Netherlands, October 12, 1985Hey now, as a Big Ears fest preview via the Transmissions podcast, you can listen in to my conversation with two living legends — Thurston Moore and Kramer! These two are performing, together and apart, during Big Ears, and they are about to release They Came Like Swallows, their very first collaboration out May 1 on Silver Current. It is a pretty awesome record, sounding at times like ...
Slowcore legends Low take on post-hardcore band Thursday Good morning! Today we’re taking a look at Low’s Things We Lost in the Fire (#16) and Thursday’s “Full Collapse” (#113) Note: As many of you saw, I recently wrote about a Best Record of 2001 challenge and noted that I’d be writing some of these up. […]
"Jessica" by The Allman Brothers Band Listen on Apple Music Your browser does not support the audio element. What's your favorite instrumental song? Jessica by the Allman Brothers Band is my fave, although a few more stand out in my memory, like Misirlou and Wipeout from the surf rock era, Tubular Bells from the early 70s and Chariots of Fire in the 80s. View Lou Plummer's Crucial Tracks profile
Released: 26th March 2026 “We were spellbound by her ability to highlight unique perspectives with her songwriting” – Maverick magazine “Duffy’s first-class writing shines through” – RnR magazine ‘Don’t Speak’ is the third single from the warmly-anticipated new album by London-based singer-songwriter, Little Lore aka Tricia Duffy. Inspired by the work of Tennessee Williams, the … Continue reading ‘Don’t Speak’ third single from Little Lore album inspired by Tennessee Williams →
Molti di questi dischi in realtà sono usciti a febbraio, ma come dicevo il mese scorso per me è stato monopolizzato dagli Hällas quindi un recuperone mischione era d'obbligo!
Welcome to the Thursday Pressing Concerns! It’s a very good one, featuring four records coming out tomorrow, March 27th: new LPs from True Green, Sluice, and Helicopter Leaves, plus a new EP from HEDGE. If you missed the other blog post this week, Monday’s (featuring Julianna Riolino, Swirls, Entrez Vous, and a Chicago lo-fi indieContinue reading "Pressing Concerns: True Green, Sluice, Helicopter Leaves, HEDGE"
https://www.theverge.com/streaming/900910/spotify-artist-profile-protection-ai-clones Something's actually happening; I hadn't expected that at all. Spotify is now offering artists the option to confirm their releases in a first version. This addresses the problem of AI-generated fake releases, which I've already written about here. A good thing. As a band member (and listener) who's concerned about exactly this kind of thing, I hope that Tidal and other streaming services will follow suit.
"I swear, I Really Wanted To Make A "Rap" Album But This Is Literally The Way The Wind Blew Me This Time" by André 3000 Listen on Apple Music Your browser does not support the audio element. What's your favorite instrumental song? I remember when this came out and it really reminded me that artist can do different things if they want to. I've loaded this one up and will listen to it as I go to sleep. View Mandaris's Crucial Tracks profile Listen to my Apple Music playlist
Each Thursday in the Disquiet Junto music community, a new compositional challenge is set before the group’s members, who then have five days to record and upload a track in response to the project instructions. Membership in the Junto is open: just join and participate. (A SoundCloud account is helpful but not required.) There’s no […]
Magical musical musings care of the marvellous John Matthews. I first became aware of the music of James McKeown when he released the “Telepathic Heights” album on Soul Jazz back in 2023. To my ears that record was akin to a dark British take on the classic German Kosmische sound I love so much and, […]
Sculptures, the third solo offering from Portland-based composer and multi-instrumentalist Derek Hunter Wilson, gathers, darkens, releases, and clears in intimate, elemental cycles. Framed as “an ode to the ancient and contested shorelines of the Pacific Northwest,” the album’s six pieces trace the quiet, uneven topography of grief after the passing of Wilson’s father. What first […]
A.H.P: Alltid Imot DegOut 21st March on Purity Through Fire Drab, pessimistic black metal lurches between torturous drone segments bolstered by little more than stumbling, slow rhythms into bursts of linear speed and open, humming guitar lines that retain a lackadaisical energy despite the blast-beat foundation. Raspy, mid-range vocals attempt to enhance the sense of... Continue Reading →
"Carry On" by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young Listen on Apple Music Your browser does not support the audio element. Share a song with some of your favorite vocal harmonies. Last year I would have picked a Simon & Garfunkel tune, but I'm mad at Paul Simon (ask me why). I don't think I could ever be angry at Neil Young or David Crosby, so I'm going with Carry On. The chorus harmony stack is one of their most powerful. It really shows how Neil Young's higher, thinner voice really changed the blend...
Today's Jam It's a ska day!
People of Brighton, mark your calendars: Saturday, April 4th. That’s when Salter Cane will be playing in The Hope And Ruin. It’s not just Salter Cane though. We’ll be joined by Skyscrapers from Lewes, and The Equatorial Group from Eastbourne. We’ve played with them before, and they’re superb! Tickets are available now. They’re £8 in advance. It’ll be £10 on the door. So please get your ticket in advance! Doors are at 7:30pm. Skyscrapers will be on stage at 8pm, The Equatorial group at 9pm...
Another Wednesday, another post of upcoming Boston-area shows on my radar along with new live shows announced within the past week. Essential escapism. Some stand-outs from the imminent shows: Eugene & company are back in town tonight as Gogol Bordello plays the Royale and brings along Puzzled Panther, Piebald are at Roadrunner tomorrow night, and […]
