Month: April 2022

THE JAM Released Furious Debut Single ‘IN THE CITY’ 45 Years Ago Today

Posted on by JL

Top singles from the past

29 April 2022

Band: THE JAM (UK)
Paul Weller (vocals, guitar), Bruce Foxton (bass)
and Rick Buckler (drums)
Active: 1972-1982 / 6 LPs

Anniversary song: IN THE CITY
The debut single from their self-titled debut album.
It peaked at #40 on the UK singles chart.

The furious guitars, awesome bass lines, spot-on drums,
cutting pace, and the sneers of angry young man Paul Weller
put The Jam immediately in the punky pop/rock city
with many other crackers to follow.

Pump up the jam…

THE JAM: Story – Discography

ANIKA Covers PSYCHIC TV (Genesis P-Orridge)

Posted on by JL

29 April 2022

Last year German singer-songwriter ANIKA scored with her first album
in 11 years. CHANGE was one of the most fascinating 2021 LPs in my book.

New (to me, anyway) is that she’s a fan of the late great unconventional
Genesis P-Orridge and his band PSYCHIC TV. He was an experimental
artist who turned dance music upside down.

Anika picked GOD STAR one of his most famous crackersto cover.

“Genesis is a big inspiration, the humor and investigation element in their work. I remember going to a talk in NYC where G recommended that no-one finish art school. I like this concept. Perhaps it leaves things unfinished and room for the individual to grow shoots, continue on their own journey. Perhaps this is like music school or any creative school. I think G specifically thought the place was bull and that they could do it better on their own terms, which turned out great. They also told a story about an art school work, which involved a used tampon in the shell of a clock. It was called Period Piece. I like the humor in this piece and the deconstruction of social boundaries. They are for sure an inspiration, in how to do things your own way, carve out your own path and don’t worry too much about what other people are doing.”

Anika‘s magnetic take…

The original…

Anika’s North American/Canada Tour

ANIKA: Facebook – ‘Change’ album on Spotify

BLOC PARTY Released Good, But Not Good Enough LP ‘ALPHA GAMES’ Today

Posted on by JL

New longplayers

29 April 2022


(Press photo by Wunmi Onibudo)

Band: BLOC PARTY
Who: London post-punk force
from London led by Kele Okereke
Active: Since 1999 / 6 studio albums,

New album: ALPHA GAMES

Okereke: “Alpha Games was conceived on the road,
playing in front of amazing crowds on our last tour
and then brought to life with the fire and the frustrations
of 2020.”

NME says: ‘Alpha Games’ sees Bloc Party still championing
the ’00s scene that they came up in, but there’s not a hint of
nostalgia in sight. With a renewed vigour and the desire to
keep things moving, this sixth album could soundtrack
a new generation of indie discos.

Turn Up The Volume: Great singles (below) but for the rest,
this new record isn’t good enough and far from Bloc Party‘s
high standard. Too many songs going nowhere, not enough
tunes that stick. Next, please.

Singles: Traps / The Girls Are Fighting / Sex Magik

– TRAPS –

– THE GIRLS ARE FIGHTING –

– SEX MAGIK –


Full album…

BLOC PARTY: Facebook

Unos Dos Tres Catorce… WAKE UP!

Posted on by JL

Works faster than caffeine

Bono starts the song saying Unos Dos Tres Catorce
which means “1, 2, 3, 14” in Spanish.

Some believe that he referred to the Bible:
1st Testament, 2nd Book, 3rd Chapter, 14th verse.

“And God said unto Moses, I am that I am: and he said,
thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I am that
sent me unto you.”

Others say that he did it because it was the first single of
How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb, U2’s 14th LP.

As we know, Bono was/still is a preaching
rock ‘n’ roll star, so I go for the Bible quote.

Anyway Vertigo it’s a master blaster.

1, 2, 3, 14…

U2: Website – Instagram

Dream Pop Duo RICHES Capture Your Heart With New Single ‘THE FREQUENCY’

Posted on by JL

Daily electricity to load your batteries

28 April 2020

Band: RICHES
Who: International synth pop duo with Catherine McCandles (Young Galaxy)
and Wynn Holmes (choreographer). It is a multidisciplinary, intercontinental
collaboration of music, dance and performance. Songs are the first iteration
of the project, and take a narrative approach to themes concerning the
performance of creative rituals, identity, transgression and devotion.

New single: THE FREQUENCY
The duo’s third single composed with
Sweden’s Dan Lissvik (Studio/Atelje).

Riches: “The Frequency is about being swept up, being in love, longing and belonging,
soothing and alive. It is a calling on the ethereal to take on form, on music to bring
touch and connection over the frontiers of physical walls and distances.”

Turn Up The Volume‘s impressions,…

Starry-eyed, seductive, and spirited sensitivity.

Dream pop splendor in motion, with shiny synths, bouncy basslines,
laid-back drums, sensual vocals, and majestic orchestration. This winsome
humdinger will find its way to your yearning heart and your restless soul.

Magnificent score.

Enjoy here…


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Also on Spotify…

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RICHES: Facebook – Instagram

10 Facts About PINK FLOYD Masterpiece ‘THE DARK SIDE OF THE MOON’ – No 1 In The US This Day In 1973

Posted on by JL

Back in time

28 April 2022

Can’t get tired of listening to this imperishable, psychedelic and mind-boggling
magnum opus. It topped the US charts this day in 1973. Forty-nine years ago.

10 Dark Side Of The Moon facts

1. Dark Side has sold approximately 34 million copies worldwide.

2. The album is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records for being on the charts longer than any other album in history, namely 591 consecutive weeks or 11.4 years in Billboard top 200! A total of approx 14 whole years (741 weeks) in and back in top 200,
and a staggering 26 years in some Billboard chart or other.

3. The original title for the album was Eclipse (A Piece for Assorted Lunatics) as the group find out that prog rockers Medicine Head just had an LP out, named ‘Dark Side of the Moon’ in 1972 on DJ John Peel’s record label. Since the release was less not a commercial success, PF decided to go ahead with its plans.

4. Throughout the 1990s rumours persisted that the album was intended
to be played back while watching The Wizard of Oz.

4. The stoned laughter used in the background of Speak to Me and Brain Damage is from Peter Watts, a road manager for the Floyd pictured on the back of the Ummagumma LP.

5. The album was recorded at Abbey Road on then state of the art 16-track equipment.

6. Australian radio listeners voted the album the best album to have sex to in 1990.

7. Us and Them was originally written by Richard Wright in 1969 as an instrumental piano solo intended for use in Michelangelo Antonioni’s Zabriskie Point film which the band had been commissioned to score.

8.. The music and lyrics for the entire album were written during a seven week period in which the band were preparing for a tour in which they desperately wanted to premier new material.

9. The stoned laughter used in the background of Speak to Me and Brain Damage is from Peter Watts, a road manager for the Floyd pictured on the back of the Ummagumma LP.

10. The album was first performed live at the Dome in Brighton, England on the 20th of January 1972. Due to a tape malfunction, the concert only made it as far as ‘Money’ that evening.

Now on my stereo (of course)…

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PINK FLOYD: Facebook – All Albums

Singer Songwriter RYAN THOMAS SMELLE Has A Stylish Animated Single Out For Moody Ballad ‘EASIER SAID THAN DONE’

Posted on by JL

For your eyes (and your ears too)

28 April 2022

Artist: RYAN THOMAS SMELLE

Who: A singer/songwriter from the Niagara Region playing for
over 20 years now. His music crosses many genres and includes
acoustic, folk, pop, rock, country and adult contemporary.

Newest single: EASIER SAID THAN DONE

Smelle: “Every day we plan to get things done and there is always a list
of things we put off ‘til tomorrow. I penned this tune 20 plus years ago
and when I was picking songs for my new album In The Homestretch,
I dived into my back catalogue and revamped this tune.

Now having my own studio, I was able to record all the parts myself and
the bass line totally drives this song. There is a definite laid-back vibe to this
one and it seems to be the track that resonates with a lot of my listeners.”

TUTV: This is melancholia at its moody best. A gentle and tender ballad
that starts playing around in your head after only one spin. Don’t wait ’til
tomorrow, listen to this folky reflection now.

Everyone has vice or two like you
But we all know what we should do
Instead we stay the same not change
Is there really someone else to blame
I could get a move on or improve on myself
But there’s no way
I waking up to find me say
That today is not the day

Here’s the video clip. A stylish animated beauty…

RYAN THOMAS SMELLE: Spotify – Website

MOJO #343 Out Now

Posted on by JL

New MOJO issue is out now.

Frontman Liam Gallagher looks back on 50 years of mayhem in his first in-depth interview about his surprising new solo album and upcoming megashows, plus: math rock, scotch
eggs and Frankie Dettori’s arse.

Also this month: the Grateful Dead and friends remember their pivotal 1972; Pistols on
the box – Steve Jones and Danny Boyle reveal all; Magazine – post-rock’s unsung heroes;
Sting in the MOJO Interview. And: Labelle; Mighty Baby; Sharon Van Etten; Gil Scott-Heron; Elizabeth Fraser; Nick Cave; Neil Young; Arcade Fire; Ava Cherry; Taylor Hawkins.

You can buy a copy and let it send to your home. Info here .

Newest LIAM GALLAGHER single…