I won't write one of those moany, cliched rants of "music nowadays is shit". Because saying something like that would not only be totally wrong, but also unfair and ignorant. Instead I just want to mourn the passing of true musical geniuses. Not to say that there no longer remains any musical geniuses. But... oh fuck it, I'll just get to the point.
Why are there no more Lou Reeds? No more David Bowies? No Jim Morrisons? As an obsessed music fan, I like to think that I am reasonably up-to-date with the art form. Which means that I'm fortunate to breathe the same air as some fantastic men and women, who release superb albums that can make a person's day, week, year, or life.
But times are hard. Everything is compared to something that once was, something that has been done before. Obviously people are influenced by others, that goes without saying. But I lust for that moment when something completely fresh, something revolutionary comes along and blows my mind.
I wasn't around in 1967 when "The Velvet Underground & Nico" came out, but even in the 21st Century, you can play it and still be in awe of the beautiful yet raw handful of tracks performed by the band. It was said that when the album came out, not many New Yorkers bought it. But the ones that did all formed bands. Its this kind of inspiration that music is missing today. Yes, a band may be brilliant. But gone are the days when a frontman is seen as a God, an almost otherworldly being, like Morrison was in the 60's (and I doubt that was just because of LSD!)
It sickens me to listen to the garbage in the charts for even a few seconds. I served someone the other day at work and as I put "NOW That's What I Call Music! 73" through the checkout I felt like smashing the CD over the thick cunt's skull. I wanted to summon a copy of "Diamond Dogs" from thin air and hand it to the customer, like a teacher handing over extra homework to an underperforming 10 year old after a good bollocking in the classroom.
This will likely be percieved as a pretentious argument. The truth, it probably is. But I know in my heart of hearts that this music means the world to me. Its real, its raw, its soulful.
As a student in the school of life I still have a lot to learn about music, and lots of other things for that matter. This is a pleasing thought, as I will never stop loving that feeling of discovering a new band/album/song, whether its from 50 years ago or a week ago.
I just swell with pride at the fact that my parents blessed me with some truely amazing musical education as I grew up. N-Dubz? Erm, nah, you're alright thanks mate...
Wednesday 29 July 2009
Modern life is rubbish...
Firstly, this weather is FUCKING SHIT.
Right, glad that's outta the way. See, anyone from the North of England will know full well that "summer" might as well be swapped for "absolute fucking wank", which is a term that is incredibly reflective of the kind of weather we're provided with yearly by Mother Nature, aka "Grumpy Slag". What does my tits in the most is the way that days out and gatherings are virtually unplannable if you're relying on the weather as a factor.
For example, me and some friends are going to go on a mini camping trip in August, with the likely destination being the Lake District, and I'm crossing my fingers and toes in hope for a few days of sunshine and warmth. But let's face it, its probably going to fucking piss down and drown the lot of us.
This is a very ranty post I know, but when I see the heavy rainfall I just remind myself that I'm English and even if this does happen in the Lakes, it'll still be a good do, as we're used to it and will still manage to salvage a good time from it regardless.
I've only just started to wake up as I had an early start this morning, having to wake at 7am for another euphoric shift at work. Thank God this Friday is payday, I can't wait to go on HMV.com and order Season 6 of 24, what an absolutely genius drama. Had me hooked from Season 1, the writing never seems to fall from the fantastic standard that the first series set. Jack Bauer (Kiefer Sutherland, who is also an executive producer of the show) is THE MAN.
Another thing for me to look forward to is days off over August, when camping will take place as well as a visit to friends in Manchester. It'll be good to stay over there for a few nights to check out some of their new digs, and to remind myself how fucking quality the place is, before I return there in September.
Been reading a great book recently, "The North Will Rise Again: Manchester Music City 1976-1996" by journalist John Robb, who I met for an interview a few months back. Its been hard to put down during the last couple of nights that I've been reading it, and I'm finding it incredibly interesting and educational. I might whack a quick review of it on this here blog when I've finished it.
And with that, I will continue my "chilling session"...
Right, glad that's outta the way. See, anyone from the North of England will know full well that "summer" might as well be swapped for "absolute fucking wank", which is a term that is incredibly reflective of the kind of weather we're provided with yearly by Mother Nature, aka "Grumpy Slag". What does my tits in the most is the way that days out and gatherings are virtually unplannable if you're relying on the weather as a factor.
For example, me and some friends are going to go on a mini camping trip in August, with the likely destination being the Lake District, and I'm crossing my fingers and toes in hope for a few days of sunshine and warmth. But let's face it, its probably going to fucking piss down and drown the lot of us.
This is a very ranty post I know, but when I see the heavy rainfall I just remind myself that I'm English and even if this does happen in the Lakes, it'll still be a good do, as we're used to it and will still manage to salvage a good time from it regardless.
I've only just started to wake up as I had an early start this morning, having to wake at 7am for another euphoric shift at work. Thank God this Friday is payday, I can't wait to go on HMV.com and order Season 6 of 24, what an absolutely genius drama. Had me hooked from Season 1, the writing never seems to fall from the fantastic standard that the first series set. Jack Bauer (Kiefer Sutherland, who is also an executive producer of the show) is THE MAN.
Another thing for me to look forward to is days off over August, when camping will take place as well as a visit to friends in Manchester. It'll be good to stay over there for a few nights to check out some of their new digs, and to remind myself how fucking quality the place is, before I return there in September.
Been reading a great book recently, "The North Will Rise Again: Manchester Music City 1976-1996" by journalist John Robb, who I met for an interview a few months back. Its been hard to put down during the last couple of nights that I've been reading it, and I'm finding it incredibly interesting and educational. I might whack a quick review of it on this here blog when I've finished it.
And with that, I will continue my "chilling session"...
Monday 27 July 2009
Day off...
Today will most likely be spent doing similar things to yesterday. Which basically means me, sat on my ass, dividing my time between YouTube, Facebook and my Xbox.
Current personal highlights of the World Wide Web include watching endless videos of The David Letterman Show and The Charlie Rose Show on YouTube, which I must say I am very content to do. These men have fantastic jobs, if I could be in their shoes in the future I'd be ecstatic.
I recommend the clip of Joaquin Pheonix on Letterman, a 9 minute interview that is unbearable to watch due to the pure awkwardness that surrounds it, until the end when it is heavily implied that it was all a total act between the two, merely Letterman joking and adding to the increasing mystery behind Pheonix's actor-turned-rapper move: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PBoGNBSLYRY ...
Being at home from University is great: my Mum's top cooking, seeing the family, getting to spend time with old friends, planning little excursions and the like. It also gives me a chance to earn pennies with Asda, my workplace whenever I'm at home for a period of time.
As much as I'm bored shitless of working there, some of the colleagues are interesting characters and there's always payday to look forward to. In current rough economic times, I should be thankful to have a job, as I must remember there are other 19 year olds not as fortunate as myself. Makes me sound like a fucking vicar or a teacher.
So today is my day off, and tomorrow isn't. After today there won't be another full day off for another 10 whole days. JOY. So I'm going to enjoy the peace and quiet while it lasts.
Roll on the two episodes of Corrie tonight...
Current personal highlights of the World Wide Web include watching endless videos of The David Letterman Show and The Charlie Rose Show on YouTube, which I must say I am very content to do. These men have fantastic jobs, if I could be in their shoes in the future I'd be ecstatic.
I recommend the clip of Joaquin Pheonix on Letterman, a 9 minute interview that is unbearable to watch due to the pure awkwardness that surrounds it, until the end when it is heavily implied that it was all a total act between the two, merely Letterman joking and adding to the increasing mystery behind Pheonix's actor-turned-rapper move: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PBoGNBSLYRY ...
Being at home from University is great: my Mum's top cooking, seeing the family, getting to spend time with old friends, planning little excursions and the like. It also gives me a chance to earn pennies with Asda, my workplace whenever I'm at home for a period of time.
As much as I'm bored shitless of working there, some of the colleagues are interesting characters and there's always payday to look forward to. In current rough economic times, I should be thankful to have a job, as I must remember there are other 19 year olds not as fortunate as myself. Makes me sound like a fucking vicar or a teacher.
So today is my day off, and tomorrow isn't. After today there won't be another full day off for another 10 whole days. JOY. So I'm going to enjoy the peace and quiet while it lasts.
Roll on the two episodes of Corrie tonight...
Sunday 26 July 2009
Music to my ears...
Spotify really is rather brilliant. Ever since downloading it months and months ago when I was told about it by my good mate Simon, its significantly improved my everyday life. The amount of times I've arrived back from a lecture, knackered, and pleasured/damaged my ears with two clicks of a mouse (much to my flatmates' delight/anger) is uncountable.
I felt pretty cool and helpful when I explained to my best friends all the lovely features of it, and as predicted, they downloaded it and instantly loved it. Now it seems that everyone is enjoying the benefits of an expansive, free library of music that they can fire up whenever they want.
The creator of this beautiful little program is very clever indeed. But for what reason was it made? Obviously for people like myself to indulge in their favourite music, but aside from that, what gain is there?
Some think that Spotify could be seen as a potential antidote to the poison that is illegal downloading (poison that I must say I have drank many times, naughty me). If people are given a free program to use to listen to all the music they can think of, surely illegal file sharing will stop? Well if that's the aim then it will fail for sure. Don't they realise everyone has an iPod?
Anyway, this isn't supposed to be a political debate about the ethics of Spotify, it is instead a little "I love you" to the revolutionary application.
The amount of people it must please is a wonderful thing. Your grandfather could listen to Sinatra and Elvis, your sister Girls Aloud and so on and so forth, all on the same program. From the Spice Girls to The Velvet Underground to Napalm Death, they're all there.
Now and again, and I mean very rarely, you will find yourself disappointed to find nothing when searching for a band/artist, but this really is a rarity.
If you live on Mars and haven't heard of Spotify, you need to pull your finger out your arse and get it, NOW. You really will be thankful when you do.
I felt pretty cool and helpful when I explained to my best friends all the lovely features of it, and as predicted, they downloaded it and instantly loved it. Now it seems that everyone is enjoying the benefits of an expansive, free library of music that they can fire up whenever they want.
The creator of this beautiful little program is very clever indeed. But for what reason was it made? Obviously for people like myself to indulge in their favourite music, but aside from that, what gain is there?
Some think that Spotify could be seen as a potential antidote to the poison that is illegal downloading (poison that I must say I have drank many times, naughty me). If people are given a free program to use to listen to all the music they can think of, surely illegal file sharing will stop? Well if that's the aim then it will fail for sure. Don't they realise everyone has an iPod?
Anyway, this isn't supposed to be a political debate about the ethics of Spotify, it is instead a little "I love you" to the revolutionary application.
The amount of people it must please is a wonderful thing. Your grandfather could listen to Sinatra and Elvis, your sister Girls Aloud and so on and so forth, all on the same program. From the Spice Girls to The Velvet Underground to Napalm Death, they're all there.
Now and again, and I mean very rarely, you will find yourself disappointed to find nothing when searching for a band/artist, but this really is a rarity.
If you live on Mars and haven't heard of Spotify, you need to pull your finger out your arse and get it, NOW. You really will be thankful when you do.
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