Music Blog

gunky / April 12, 2009
Nope, first listen was tonight. That's what I was saying - it caught my attention and I liked the music (didn't listen much to the lyrics but it did seem simple). Which is either a good sign or a warning sign. I usually know what I like, but don't put too much weight on my liking the one song I've heard once. ttfn

inmemoryofjohnpeel / April 13, 2009
"I usually know what I like, but don't put too much weight on my liking the one song I've heard once." Gunky - fair enough - and here is what happens when reviewing 20-50-100 Cds a month, somehow, we all make quick decisions. I listen to JP because the bloke has class and discernment. Then I hope for listeners like your good self to chime in, the more so the more it works well. I look to promote good people and, should I not like their music, ask them about it and defer or explsin. Sometimes it changes dramatically, The more we talk the more we can direct creative people and admirers towards each other. TTFN

inmemoryofjohnpeel / April 12, 2009
Hi JP Bit late to start a chat (I preferred your later times, but no doubt your missus didn't), Shades of Echo & The Bunnymen in that Andrew Bird song, amazing how many bands seem to have been influenced by that even though E&TB didn't have that much great music, more a great sound. incidentally: Another Artist - Tony Bird is/was an extraordinary high-pitched white anti-apartheid artist (odd but unique and worth tracking down). Bill Callahan is always going to be interesting, *some+ of SMOG's work was excellent - I'd pick "Burning Kingdom" as the apex - a pint of which (from Bear Republic Brewing) is what I'm drinking right now. Vetiver, though, seem too lightweight and have unconvincing vocals to me. Excellent show as usual. Mira is one to watch.

Jeremy Petersen / April 12, 2009
Hi IMOJP, Another to add to your Echo-inspired list and out of the UK: Crocodiles. Heard 'em? Seem to have been getting some hype as of late. I'm a huge fan of Callahan, SMOG and otherwise, so I'm not a fair judge, but the new stuff is stunning. And always, of course, goes well with a pint. I'll defend Vetiver here: actually one of the best live sets I saw at SXSW was from Vetiver, and it was the singing that was particularly strong. Down-right Byrdsian harmonies in places. Don't write them off! And Mirah's new one is very inventive and outstanding, yes. We hope to get her in for a session soon.

gunky / April 12, 2009
I've only caught a little of tonight's show - tuned in just as Vetiver was starting. It caught my attention, peripherally, but I can see where IMOJP is coming from. Often the songs that I like immediately don't have staying power.

Jeremy Petersen / April 12, 2009
As I said above with the Vetiver.... And I tend to be the same way, Gunky, I'm always suspicious of stuff I love immediately because it often lacks staying power in the long run. Not always, but often. It might be, too, that listening with radio ears we tend to pick the catchier, peppier numbers from albums like Vetiver's. I've spent a lot of time with Tight Knit, and there are definitely some slower, longer numbers that are, neverthless, worthy of attention. I think that's gonna be a helluva bill Friday night with Richard Swift.

inmemoryofjohnpeel / April 12, 2009
Hmmm. well based on you and Gunky liking Vetiver I'll keep my ears open. My reaction time is sometimes very fast and too fast (tho after the millions of hours of music in my life I'm well placed to make quick surmises). With Vetiver I've had a persistent problem but just hearing the odd song - I need to give them a concerted listen. - you know one of my old band members defended stuff I disliked like 'Pet shop boys' while I did the same defending other stuff. Gunky do you have the album - or are you going by JP plays?

inmemoryofjohnpeel / April 12, 2009
And 'Crocodiles' - isn't that an Echo&TBM album name? You could go retro and add "Lounge Lizard" to your reptilian set...