Earlier in the week Carl took to facebook to field questions, survive accolades and pleading to visit everyone's town to play. He posted a couple of pics and the link to his latest. It's much more "Libertine-esque" than his last album. Check it out:
www.soundcloud.com/carlbaratmusic/war-of-the-roses-demo
How do they remain so consistent? Few artists who have existed as many decades can say as much. Listen here and feel free to post your first impressions of the track.
Luv the fact he referenced “Diary of A Rock And Roll Star”! Billy, you’re aces. 🙂
Features video
Play it big. Play it loud. Just PLAY it!
Mountain Picnic Blues will be available in March (of course it’s going to be released in March along with every other cool album I’m looking forward to) and highlights all things related to their work on “Tellin’ Stories”. Fifteen years on I’m sure the band’s perspective dealing with the loss of Rob and realizing what a once-in-a-lifetime album they had created will make for a great retrospective. Beautiful album that’s worth a full listen now and then.
BTW, has anyone checked out Tim’s latest album?
I realize a good number of my music friends read The Guardian regularly and perhaps you already read this in-depth article by Tom Lamont posted over the weekend. It’s a great read and as we just had “Small Business Saturday” in the ‘States I thought it was especially appropriate. We often read about the stuggles artists have as well as streaming media outlets; and some come out better than others. The issues venues deal with aren’t written about nearly as often.
The author follows the people who make the Forum in Tunbridge Wells (located somewhere between London and Brighton from what I gather) tick as best it can given various circumstances. What’s amazing is we’re talking a night when Palma Violets were playing (heavily-tipped by NME) and the venue had been called one of the best small venues to catch bands. All the right ingredients one would think.
Anyway, below is a picture of the crew who love live music and here is the link to the story. If you’ve ever done something purely for the love of it, you should take the time to read it!
Photo by Katherine Rose of the Observer
Who knew Adam Ant was back to playing gigs? Last I heard he’d been in some disputes here and there. When I noticed a live review from The Telegraph I was pleasantly surprised today. It’s a pretty good review. I did a bit of digging and found out that just this spring Adam played some shows but once again had been sidelined. He was under psychiatric care for a period in May. He addressed his fans through his website at that time:
Ant fans – please send me postcards at the Chelsea & Westminster Hospital, Fulham Road. Please dont come down here as it may upset the staff who have been really pleasant. I am having a well earn rest at Her Majesty’s pleasure and am painting and continuing being an art student. I have a great view and am considering gigs later in the year.
x
And he has delivered with this latest gig. Good job, Adam. Hope we hear more from you. Footage from a Spring 2010 show can be found here.
I see where Charlies drummer, Jon Brookes, will be treated for a brain tumor. I missed the news that he had to be resuscitated shortly after kicking off their Philly show last week. Poor guy. What a shocker!
According to NME he’ll be undergoing treatment while the lads wrap up the short US tour. I feel for Brookes, his family and the band. I give the band a hard time, but it’s only because I love most of the music sooo much and want everything to be aces all the time. I know in real life that isn’t always possible. Jon’s my fav and I wish him the best of luck in beating this!
At the same time I’m waiting to hear how my own Dad’s tests will come out today. Send him some vibes if you can – it’s appreciated! It hasn’t been the best year in our household either.
In more uplifting news I see where Tim is working on a new solo album and it sounds intriguing. He’s working with folks from The Horrors and Klaxons among others. I hope it’s as fun as his first album!
Wow, it was a crazy weekend in the Twitterverse if you followed the Manchester supergroup, Freebass. While I was trying to catch up with friends and news Sunday I read where Mani had been tweeting nasty comments about fellow Freebass member, Peter Hook. And a press release or statement announced the breakup of the band.
This morning in the light of day I am gathering the statement came out before Mani’s retraction of statements such as:
“I’m fine, dunno about the vulture who is ravenously devouring the last morsels of putrid flesh from Wilson/Curtis bones.”
“3 things visible from space, great wall of china, peter hooks wallet stuffed with ian Curtis blood money, man citys empty trophy cabinet!”
What perplexes me now is which came first, the breakup or the tirades. I can see Mani being upset by a formal statement if he hadn’t had a say. But seeing as Hooky has rushed to accept Mani’s apology it really makes me think we’ve all been had. A sham. Planned to get some talk going to move the album a bit.
These are 3 tracks I’ve had on repeat this weekend.
Them:Youth with “Fever Rising”
A very promising single which is making me look forward to their album this fall.
*******
UNKLE Feat. Big In Japan with “The Answer (Baltimore)”
I really love UNKLE, but it’s a little hit and miss with me. That being said this track is exactly why I continue to stay on the mailing list and keep up on new releases. This is a great song!
*******
Robert Plant with “Angel Dance”
I wasn’t prepared to do anything more than give it a listen out of curiosity as I figured it would be too folky sounding. But it’s a great song that sticks with you. Gives a nice nod to his previous work on Raising Sand.
New Charlatans single, “Love is Ending”
Boy. Pretty dull if you ask me. I haven’t been a fan of the last few records and it’s getting more difficult to even give them a listen. Not quite as bad as my buddy who used to be a Smashing Pumpkins fan and now feels embarrassed to even preview a new track, but I will say these days it’s a chore.
Tim had said they explained to this album’s producer, Youth, they wanted a sound of a “European Winter.” Um, yeah. I’m not hearing too much difference from their signature sound. And then I made a mistake of reading a review touting the single is “packed with edgy riffs and a chorus you’ll be struggling not to sing along to.” Really?
And let’s talk about the video. What two things don’t go together? Maybe this song and a ballet dancer! At least separate the band and show exaggerated silhouettes while she dances in front to create an illusion. This looks shoddily thrown together.
Just not the same without Rob. 😦 THIS is how I want to remember the Charlies:
Resurrection Neon 