Easy Music for Difficult Ears

The Death to Easy Music...

2011-06-13T11:31:00.000+01:00

Easy Music for Difficult Ears has ceased to exist. For more muzakery bits and bobs, go to Something for the Weekend now!!

Elisabeth Sladen (R.I.P.; 1948-2011)

2011-04-20T14:26:00.000+01:00

There are various little moments that stick out from when I was a child. Accidentally smashing the front room television is one – my Dad was not best pleased; nearly getting hit by a car is another – my Mum chastised me for that one. I even remember my thrill as Sky broadcast the Transformers film at 6am one Christmas Day morning – neither parent displayed much pleasure at the early call. But

Something for the Weekend: "Voodoo" staring Tom Baker

2011-04-10T03:22:00.000+01:00

One year before he assumed the lead role in Doctor Who, Tom Baker was just another struggling actor, taking odd jobs just to make ends meat. The Liverpudlian had enjoyed a modicum of success following his portrayal of Rasputin in the 1971 Oscar Award winning Nicholas and Alexandra, yet within two years found himself reduced to bit parts and insignificant roles. For a time, Baker also took on

Something for the Weekend: Beastie Boys "Sabotage"

2011-04-02T16:03:00.000+01:00

Unbelievably, I still meet people that believe music stopped progressing following the death of Kurt Cobain in April 1994. Indeed, a short lull most certainly followed his death, but art will always progress in the face of death. Whether or not a piece of art becomes a commercial successful is not only irrelevant, but a moronic concept. Those that breed commercial art, seek solely to pursue

Something for the Weekend: Die Doraus und Die Marinas "Fred vom Jupiter"

2011-03-25T11:00:00.011Z

When Andreas Dorau penned "Fred vom Jupiter" as part of a school project, it is unlikely the seventeen-year-old realised that he had struck gold. Released in 1981, the electropop single was released by Dorau on the Ata-Tak label under the banner of Die Doraus und die Marinas. It would become a minor hit in Germany, Austria and the UK, where it was released by Mute Records. The song, which

Something for the Weekend: The Avalanches "Frontier Psychiatrist"

2011-03-19T17:44:00.000Z

Following successful support slots with the likes of Beck, Public Enemy and The Beastie Boys in the late-90's, Australian electronic group The Avalanches eventually released their début album at the start of the new century. The release, Since I Left You, was originally pencilled in for release in early 2000; however this release date was pushed back on a number of occasions, as the group

This is Why the World Will End Soon: Rebecca Black "Friday"

2011-03-13T17:13:00.000Z

Fucking hell... there are simply not enough expletives in the world to justify this fucking shit.

Something for the Weekend: The Ruts "Babylon's Burning"

2011-03-12T18:08:00.000Z

Rising to the fore during the second generation of punk, London group The Ruts became one of the few from that genre to truly reach a wider audience. The beginnings of the imposing foursome actually veered towards the burgeoning "Oi!" movement before musical leanings saw them drift into grounds defined by reggae and dub. Part of their sound was also guided by their association with numerous

Review: Kill! Kill! Death! Death! "Kill! Kill! Death! Death!"

2011-03-07T23:09:00.002Z

With the release of their self-titled debut LP on themselves, Dublin-based noise prosecutors Kill! Kill! Death! Death! have made a stand, by producing mindless, yet fun lo-fi garage punk. The ten-tracks shift through lo-fi a number of powder induced gears, although at times the incessant noise slips into dirge territory. It would have nicer had the drums sounded somewhat crisper - as it stands,

Something for the Weekend: Pram "The Owl Service"

2011-03-05T16:29:00.000Z

With percussion ricocheting amongst the speakers, Pram's sixth album, The Museum of Imaginary Animals presents itself as a curious entity. Although the songs within were still more cohesive than later efforts, the Birmingham group drifted away from their dream-pop leanings, offering up avant-garde pieces that brought Rosie Cuckson's eerie and distant vocals to the fore. Signifying that was The

(March 2011) Easy Music for Difficult Ears Spotify Playlist

2011-03-01T10:00:00.090Z

Swift dissipation, whilst flickering memories caress the dirt-tainted concrete – rain sodden under an ashen brazen sky. It isn’t just cold; it actually feels cold… and desolate… and desperate. These smoky lives wither and lie in wait – colourless and featureless thanks to the persuasion of modern life. Identikit people and every single one of them billowing with nonsense – is it any wonder

Oh Bugger, It's Enda

2011-02-28T20:24:00.002Z

"I am here toooo zuck yur bllooood......"

Something for the Weekend: Delta 5 "Anticipation"

2011-02-26T14:56:00.001Z

A key component of the late-70's new wave / post-punk era were Leeds five-piece, Delta 5. The band, which featured two basses opposing a sole guitar, only existed for two short years, yet rather than claiming any commercial success, Delta 5 are often on the receiving end of a vast array of influential nods. Basically they're a band to mention if you are bland enough to try and impress someone

Nicholas Courtney (R.I.P.)

2011-02-23T17:01:00.001Z

Seeming most like an age coming to an end, another passes from classic Doctor Who. Nicholas Courtney, who famously played Brigadier Lethbridge Stewart in the long running television show Doctor Who, has died at the age of 81. Courtney made the role his own with a gruff regular army appeal, which dovetailed into UNIT’s wide-eyed curiosity for extraterrestrial life and alien goings on. The

Something for the Weekend: The Divine Comedy "National Express"

2011-02-19T15:57:00.001Z

I have always found it difficult to believe that when The Divine Comedy released their biggest single to date, "National Express", it came from their sixth album, Fin de Siècle. Coming out just following the dawn of 1999, "National Express" proved to be something of a surprise success, especially considering its placing as the final single from the album. The often wry and bleak humour displayed

Something for the Weekend: The Chico Hamilton Quintet "Blue Sands (live at the 1958 Newport Jazz Festival)"

2011-02-05T08:00:00.006Z

Those that know me, should know that I have a great love of jazz; especially percussion driven works from the 1940's through to the late-60's. Its driving precision often held a sort of manic fluidity in check; like sheer madness surrounding a column of calm. As one of my favourite musicians of all time, Chico Hamilton was that calm. Hamilton was born in Los Angeles of 1921 and although his

Something for the Weekend: The Stranglers "Rok it to the Moon"

2011-01-30T08:41:00.000Z

Lambasted by some at the time for not being a "proper punk band" due to their pub-rock origins, the Stranglers are one of the last surviving bands from the first generation of punk. Although best known for the single "Golden Brown", taken from their sixth album La Folie, the earlier years of the Stranglers saw the grasp a far more aggressive approach.With this method of raw energy and

Gigs: Big Monster Love (Shebeen Chic, Dublin; Feb 4th)

2011-01-29T01:01:00.000Z

Big Monster Love will be releasing his new album, Game Over, at the Shebeen Chic in Dublin next Friday night (February 4th). Support comes from the sexual Moutpiece and Brian Kelly. There will also be a DJ set from the chaps within the Popical Island collective. Doors are 9pm and it's €5 in. If you do not go, it's quite possible that you may catch some sort of rabies-type virus!!

Something for the Weekend: Broadcast "Winter Now" / "Come on, Let's Go"

2011-01-14T19:59:00.002Z

Having being a fan for several years, I finally got to see Broadcast twice in the last couple years, just as they were doing the Focus Group material - just brilliant stuff. They had gotten to the stage where their set was split in two - the first half would be a short film, soundtracked live, followed by a set proper thereafter. Amidst all the obtuse gadgetry and ageing synths, James

Trish Keenan (R.I.P.)

2011-01-14T14:00:00.001Z

Broadcast's Trish Keenan passed away this morning following complications from pneumonia. I am completely stunned - simply do not know what to say. A statement from Warp Records can be found here.

Something for the Weekend: MC5 "Kick Out the Jams (live on Beat Club)"

2011-01-07T21:38:00.002Z

If ever the world needed a definition for "kick-arse rock 'n' roll", then here it is. Born in mid-60's Michigan, MC5 - along with the Velvet Underground and others - punctured a decade that was slowly descending into slow, soft rock hell. By fusing soul with an uncompromising blues ethic, MC5 beat the shit out of many listeners that happened to be sat within several feet of a large, loud

Something for the Weekend: Sultans of Ping F.C. "Where's Me Jumper"

2010-12-11T02:49:00.002Z

Formed in 1988 as a four-piece, Cork's Sultans of Ping mixed high energy punk-rock with pop sensibilities, knocking out some pleasantly stunning material in the process - the most successful of which was their second single, "Where's Me Jumper?" The somewhat comical track was quite simple really. A loud bash about losing one's jumper as a discotheque, would see the band welcomed by Epic Records

Gig: We Cut Corners, Sleep Thieves (The Mercantile, Dublin - Dec 22nd)

2010-12-04T00:40:00.002Z

People should probably go to this. If you don't, I'll be very cross - much like the Papa Bear in Goldilocks, only I have neither porridge nor a fanciful bed. Shocking really. Personally I blame the architects of modern society for the fact that I have simple toasted crustations for breakfast every morning... neatly layered with a modicum of butter, washed down by several mouthfuls of

Something for the Weekend: Cold in Berlin "Destruction"

2010-11-26T13:43:00.000Z

This week’s “Something for the Weekend” presents Cold in Berlin. The East-London based post-punk quartet make lovely noisy noise, not too distant from a stark and mashed version of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Siouxsie and the Banshees and ADULT and tonight at the dutifully grimy and delightful Old Blue Last on Old Street (London), they will be launching their debut album.The album, called Give Me Walls

Peter Christopherson (RIP)

2010-11-25T21:18:00.008Z

Last night, electronic music pioneer Peter 'Sleazy' Christopherson died in his sleep at his home in Bangkok, Thailand.The 55-year-old found notoriety, first with the industrial group Throbbing Gristle in 1970's and early '80's, before forming first, Psychic TV (with former Throbbing Gristle-lead, Genesis P Orridge) and later, Coil (with Jjohn Balance).Christopherson was also an influential visual

Something for the Weekend: Men Without Hats "The Safety Dance"

2010-11-20T19:39:00.001Z

When Canada's Men Without Hats surged forward in 1982 with their début long-player, Rhythm of Youth, it marked yet another step in the synthesised pop world, that also housed the likes of Duran Duran, the Human League, Ultravox and others. Founded by Ivan Doroschuk in the late-70's, the group revolved around Doroschuk, two of his brothers (Stefan and Colin) and electronics maestro Jeremie Arrobas

An Open Letter to Greg James and the BBC

2010-11-15T18:46:00.001Z

Hi Greg, I hope you don't mind, but there is something that drastically needs to be pointed out. It is the 15th of November. The 15th of November!! Please Greg, tell me why are Christmas songs being played on the 15th of November? A few moments ago, the super extra bonus tones of Mariah Carey bellowed outward and shattered a pained silence and something very tragic happened. People jigged.

Something for the Weekend: Del Shannon "Runaway"

2010-11-05T10:00:00.060Z

When Del Shannon and Max Crook penned in 1961, little did they realise that they had authored what would become a huge international hit. Indeed, what may have simply rock 'n' roll song was turned on its head by Shannon's pained vocals and his swift changes of pitch that wrapped the lyrics in emotion torment. Yet it is Crook's treatment of his Clavioline-based Musitron during the song's bridge

(November 2010) Easy Music for Difficult Ears Spotify Playlist

2010-11-05T01:03:00.001Z

Ireland. I look outside and it is cold, wet and desolate. Consumed in thought, mired in its own problems - like a drunk in the corner forcing in another sip at a time. November 2010 Playlist The Damned "New Rose" (Damned Damned Damned, 1977, Stiff Records) Buy it here Bow Wow Wow "C30 C60 C90 Go!!" (Girl Bites Dog, Your Digital Pet, 2006, EMI) Buy it here The Slits "Newtown" (Cut, 1979, Island

Gig: Ulterior, Rubicks (Electrowerkz, London - Nov 5th)

2010-11-02T01:51:00.011Z

This Friday, the Playground presents the launch of Ulterior's new single, "Sex War Sex Cars Sex" at Torrens Street's Electrowerkz venue near Angel in London. Also playing will be Mirrors, Rubicks, Lord Auch, The Gaa Gaa's, Neurotic Mass and Movement as well as several DJ sets from various chaps. To be honest, the only band I've know in that list are the rather wonderful Rubicks.Doors go from 7pm

Something for the Weekend: The Damned "New Rose"

2010-10-30T10:00:00.043+01:00

Seeing as how this is Halloween weekend, one can scarcely go wrong with the Damned. One of the original generation of punk bands to come out London in 1976, the Damned have the distinction of being the first UK punk band to release a single.Indeed, it took them only a few short months for them to launch "New Rose", whereas the Clash waited nine months to release "White Riot". Even the Sex

Delorentos "Sanctuary" Tour

2010-10-29T17:28:00.002+01:00

Delorentos have released their new single, Sanctuary, today and it will be accompanied by their biggest tour yet. The critically acclaimed four-piece will be performing at the all-ages Halloween Festival at O’Moore Park in Portlaoise today and will follow that up with dates in Limerick, Waterford, Carrick-on-Shannon, Cork, Tipperary, Galway, Westport and Derry in a tour that spreads over the next

Graham Crowden (R.I.P)

2010-10-26T20:09:00.000+01:00

The rather marvellous Graham Crowden passed away last week following a short illness. To many Doctor Who fans, the Scottish actor will be remembered as the evil Soldeed in the season 17 story, The Horns of Nimon, alongside the then Doctor, Tom Baker. However, Crowden is probably best known for playing the dementia-suffering Tom Ballard in another BBC series, Waiting for God with Stephanie Cole.

Something for the Weekend: The Slits "Typical Girls"

2010-10-23T19:12:00.000+01:00

Initially, this week's Something for the Weekend was to be "Runaway" by Del Shannon, but following the untimely death of the Slits front-woman Ari-Up on Wednesday night, Del Shannon can wait a fortnight. Starting out as a quartet in 1976, the band were one of the pioneers of dub-infused punk as demonstrated by songs such as "New town" and "Typical Girls" on their 1979 début LP, Cut.Produced by

Ari Up (R.I.P.)

2010-10-21T14:04:00.001+01:00

Earlier this morning, I heard that Slits front-woman, Ari Up died yesterday of cancer. She was 48. Considered one of the most influential women of the punk era, Ari formed the Slits in 1976, producing flamboyant and often striking dub-fused music that ingratiated itself with its punk surroundings. After the Slits broke up in 1981, Ari formed the New Age steppers before going solo- in 2005 she

Heartsrevolution album soon

2010-10-19T20:34:00.001+01:00

Although no date has been announced as of yet, electro-duo Heartsrevolution will be releasing their début album sometime soon. Their 2009 EP, Ultraviolence, was easily one of the best releases of the year and hopefully their long player will only add to that class. Also, I would quite like to see the HeartsChallenger ice-cream truck. A mega band indeed, I simply cannot wait. Heartsrevolution on

Gig: Adebisi Shank (Button Factory, Dublin; November 20th)

2010-10-16T18:00:00.001+01:00

This gig happens next month. It will be Adebisi Shank's last show for some time. They will be supported by the rather marvellous Not Squares - perhaps you should go to it.The poster was designed by photographer and artist Loreana Rushe. Now, isn't that nice?!

Something for the Weekend: A House "Endless Art"

2010-10-16T17:52:00.000+01:00

Formed in 1985, Irish band A House and after minor success in their home country with the singles "Call Me Blue", "I'll Always be Grateful" (1988) and "I Think I am Going Mad" (1990). When A House released their third album, I Am the Greatest, in 1991, the Dave Couse led band scored the first of only two UK top 50's with the classic single "Endless Art". Produced by Edwyn Collins, "Endless Art"

Something for the Weekend: New Order "Blue Monday"

2010-10-08T21:26:00.001+01:00

One of the most successful band's of the 1980's, New Order emerged from the shroud of Joy Division to produce some of the most dynamic and critically acclaimed music of the decade. From the sombre Movement, to the charming Power, Corruption and Lies and later works such as Brotherhood and Low-Life, the quartet grew to be the powerhouse band of the Hacienda nightclub and of course, Factory Records

(October 2010) Easy Music for Difficult Ears Spotify Playlist

2010-10-08T08:38:00.000+01:00

The mists, the mists, the mists of October... October 2010 (Spotify playlist) Ken Nordine "The Vidiot" (Word Jazz: The Complete 1950's Recordings, 2010 Chrome Dreams Music) Buy it here!! The Breeders "Cannonball" (Last Splash, 1993, 4AD Ltd) Buy it here!! Violators "Gangland" (Punk and Disorderly Deluxe Edition, 2009, Anarchy Music) Buy it here!! X-Ray Spex "Oh Bondage, Up Yours!!" (Germ Free

Something for the Weekend: Mungo Jerry "In the Summertime"

2010-10-02T12:55:00.002+01:00

The sun was out today on this rather nice October afternoon, so I thought I should visit a song that was supposed to be posted months ago. In 1970, British pop / blues / skiffle band Mungo Jerry released their début single, "In the Summertime" - a song celebrating the care free days of summer. Admittedly, while it is indeed a very good song (and one of the biggest sellers of all time), the

Speechmotion (Horse and Groom, Shoreditch – Sept 28th)

2010-09-28T14:18:00.000+01:00

Tonight, art and performance night Speechmotion makes its way back to the Horse & Groom in Shoreditch for its second season of events. Taking place on the final Tuesday of every month, Speechmotion mixes various forms of art, spoken word, theatre and film, cultivating a large troupe of artists with an interest in art that stems farther than a bar in a dingy pub echoing workmanlike rock ‘n’ roll.

Something for the Weekend: Sugababes "Freak Like Me"

2010-09-24T08:25:00.000+01:00

Long before they became a parody of modern pop, whereby one face/name/voice/personality is interchangeable with another, the Sugababes were easily one of the strongest groups in British pop - a fact borne out with their record as one of the most successful groups of the 21st Century.The trio were considered to be somewhat unsuccessful by London Records following their début album, One Touch (it

Something for the Weekend: The Breeders "Cannonball"

2010-09-18T19:12:00.004+01:00

Coming a little bit later than usual this week (one must sleep sometime), Something for the Weekend presents a video that has become a bit of a modern classic.With both the Pixies and Throwing Muses beginning a short term break in 1988 following an exhausting tour (both bands had been touring together throughout Europe for the Pixies album, Surfer Rosa), Kim Deal (Pixies) and Tanya Donelly formed

Something for the Weekend: Dandi Wind "Umbilical Noose"

2010-09-10T09:00:00.001+01:00

Before taking time out with her side-project Fan Death, Canadian artist Dandilion Wind Opaine was working with boyfriend Szam Findlay in their apocalyptic electro-punk band, Dandi Wind.With noises echoing the likes of Peaches, Sexy Sushi and Bjork (whenever she is somewhat accessible), the duo carved out a sonic boom that manages to be tame and beautiful, while at the same time punching you in

(September 2010) Easy Music for Difficult Ears Spotify Playlist

2010-09-04T10:00:00.001+01:00

As the ghosts of summer depart, the skyline paints itself a solemn grey - the cool winds of loss become ever more apparent. Not only through heat, but also by the withdrawl of warm colours - even the vibrancy of reds and yellows dull somewhat, leaving a void of life in its place.Autumn is indeed the struggle, but soon even those steeped in brown tinted age must soon move on. It doesn't mean I

Something for the Weekend: Broadcast and the Focus Group "Witch Cults"

2010-09-03T19:53:00.005+01:00

This week, Something for the Weekend visits with one of my favourite bands of all time... well, kind of. Broadcast and the Focus Group were a collaboration between the Birmingham dreampop two-piece, Broadcast, and graphic designer / musician Julian House.Released at the tail end of 2009 on Warp Records, Broadcast and the Focus Group Investigate Witch Cults of the Radio Age was a very well

Road Records Farewell Party (Button Factory, Dublin; Sept 10th)

2010-08-31T01:43:00.004+01:00

The recently closed Road Records will soon be holding its farewell party at Dublin's Button Factory. Originally pencilled in for late-August, the show has since been moved to Friday September 10th.Performing at this late night extravaganza will be the Redneck Manifesto along with Female Hercules, Legion Of Two, Patrick Kelleher and his Cold Dead Hands and Cian Nugent. The show will topped off

Something for the Weekend: David Byrne "Glass, Concrete & Stone (live)"

2010-08-27T22:16:00.003+01:00

Recorded in 2004 on the BBC's Jools Holland show, David Byrne put down a fantastic live version of "Glass, Concrete & Stone". Released earlier that year on his album Grown Backwards, the album delved into moments of symphonic and operatic beauty, while also staying true to some of Byrne's rock yearnings.Produced with Patrick Dillett, it was Byrne's best received album since Rei Momo at the tail

Review: She Sir "Yens"

2010-08-25T23:43:00.005+01:00

Floating the creamy goodness that is dreampop and shoegaze, Texas' She Sir arrive with aural tales steeped in airy percussion, polarised by schizophrenic sounding vocals. In quick succession, the songs on the four-track EP - led by the beautifully quaint "Ginger" - arrive and depart, but a clear dent is left upon its absence.On occasion folksy tendencies drift into being, but never quite

Something for the Weekend: The Pop Group "She is Beyond Good and Evil"

2010-08-20T20:48:00.004+01:00

Of all the band's to ever announce a reunion, the Pop Group are possibly the last name I ever expected to see on a billing any time soon; however a reunion of sorts is what is happening. Four dates - two in Italy and two in London - have been posted and these will be rare opportunities to Mark Stewart and his gaggle of post-punk / abstract jazz / dub / noise merchants in the flesh.The Pop Group

Eoghan MacAoidh (R.I.P)

2010-08-14T15:46:00.004+01:00

While not a fan of the Dublin's Liberty Kings as a band, I cannot help but feel for the young band following the news of the death of their guitarist Eoghan MacAoidh late on Wednesday night.The five-piece rock band were involved in an accident when their camper van was hit by a lorry on the M1 motorway near Leicester - the 24-year-old was killed instantly. The crash also left fellow guitarist

Something for the Weekend: Rubicks "Is This Love?"

2010-08-13T13:49:00.003+01:00

With the release of their new single on the horizon, electro-rock band Rubicks are moving steadily forward to the release of their second album, which is apparently coming fairly soon. The London foursome (not in a sssexy way, you understand) have been knocking out some quality material over the years - especially their highly regarded debut, In Miniature. Last year, they also released the

[Gig] Kap Bambino, Rubicks, etc (Koko, London; Sat Aug 14th)

2010-08-11T22:47:00.009+01:00

This Saturday at Koko in London, The Playground will be presenting an absolutely mammoth night of spazmatronic musings headed by Kavinsky, Kap Bambino and Autokratz. To be frankly honest, I've never heard of either Kavinsky or Autokratz - they might be good, they might not. Fuck knows.... or at least I will by 4am Sunday morning.Having had the pleasure of seeing Kap Bambino twice in the last

No More Dancing at the Ballroom

2010-08-10T20:14:00.003+01:00

Regulars of the Dublin live music scene will be in for a bit of a downer next month as the Ballroom of Romance plays out for the final time.The club, held religiously in the Lower Deck (bar the odd occasions where God was forsaken), will be holding its 100th event across two shows on September 17th and 18th after over eight years of constant gigology. Bringing the Ballroom to a close will be

Something for the Weekend: Kap Bambino "Dead Lazers"

2010-08-06T07:00:00.006+01:00

There are those that are often too lazy to do any research that will happily slate the likes of Kap Bambino, DAT Politics, Sexy Sushi and Dandi Wind (etc...) for throwing together copy and paste versions of Crystal Castles, but the truth is rarely so simple. Like genres everywhere, it is too easy to point out some generic artist and assume that all within its meagre artistic walls suffer their

(August 2010) Easy Music for Difficult Ears Spotify Playlist

2010-08-02T21:10:00.003+01:00

...and then suddenly it was August. The evening creep in ever closer clawing away the daylight and all the time, I'll sit in my bedroom, staring out the window soaking it all in; wallowing in the sober presence of an approaching autumn shadow.August 2010XTC "Science Fiction" (Fossil Fuel:The XTC Singles Collection 1977-1992, 2009 Virgin Records) Buy it hereBeat Happening "Gravedigging Blues" (

Something for the Weekend: Hoovers and Sledgehammers "Joyridin'"

2010-07-31T00:26:00.003+01:00

Hailing from Dublin, Hoovers and Sledgehammers were manic artists Earl Mustard and Igor Honey. For several years, the duo simply didn't give a shit and produced some of the best (and funniest) lo-fi music in the process; with several albums often consisting of around 15-20 songs, all recorded in one or two takes.A stand-out from their earlier days is the truly wonderful "Joyridin'" - a song

Gig: Mia Sparrow / Earl Mustard (Toner, Dublin; July 30th)

2010-07-29T20:02:00.001+01:00

Tomorrow night will see the wonderful Mia Sparrow and Earl Mustard play a free gig at Toner's on Baggot Street (Dublin).With songs crafted via wiry guitar hooks and lines, tangles amongst occasional blips and electronic cuts, Mia Sparrow have formulated a sound that is vaguely familiar, but not so much so that deja vu occurs. Sitting on the rims of electronic entangled guitar music, the

Road Records

2010-07-24T09:00:00.003+01:00

Later on today, Irish independent music store Road Records will close its doors for the final time. Citing growing debts and and other ongoing problems, they have decided, sadly, that it is time to stop. It cannot be easy running any business in such a fragile economy, especially when the industry in question is as fraught as the music industry.Road Records were the only shop in Dublin to pick

Something for the Weekend: Kate Bush "Running Up That Hill"

2010-07-22T21:44:00.004+01:00

In 1978, English singer-songwriter Kate Bush became the first woman to have a UK number 1 with song "Wuthering Heights", propelling the Kent native into the limelight - indeed the following year, Bush became the most photographed woman in Britain at the time. The end of the decade saw Bush perform the only tour of her entire career and in the time since has remained essentially a studio based

Something for the Weekend: Clor "Outlines"

2010-07-16T19:07:00.004+01:00

When the south London electro-pop band, Clor split-up in May 2006, the five-piece left behind a painfully small body of work - one album and four singles to be precise. Their self-titled album is one of my favourite albums of the last decade, but it is quite telling that rather than a horse through a further few years of pointless and less and less relevant releases (Kaiser Chiefs), they decided

Review: Bombay Bicycle Club "Flaws"

2010-07-15T22:23:00.004+01:00

Rather than the more active début of 2009, Bombay Bicycle Club's second long player, Flaws, takes a more subtle approach. Awash with folk touches, the London three-piece have created a body of work that seemingly swims in a river on a mid-summer’s day – how quaint. Creating such reflections on rippling water, this is an evening tide as opposed to one’s own stream, yet maintains an active

State Vs Out on a Limb

2010-07-14T00:07:00.004+01:00

The wonderful chaps from State Magazine have recently being running a spate of gigs, unhumourlessly titled "State Vs..." whereby they do stuff with eachother that means sound gets played, people go "yay", alcohol gets consumed and some chap called Peter gets taken away in an ambulance to have his stomach pumped (again). In order to facilitate such unholy debauchery, the Mercantile on Dame St has

Something for the Weekend: Kylie Minogue "Confide in Me"

2010-07-09T04:15:00.006+01:00

Generally when pop stars ditch their writing/production team, the world for the most part rolls their collective eyes, full in the knowledge that the ego has finally surpassed the talent - a recent case would be Robbie Williams, whose career floored when he began to write his own material. So, when youthful pop queen Kylie Minogue made a similar move in the early-90's, it was assumed that her

(July 2010) Easy Music for Difficult Ears Spotify Playlist

2010-07-03T02:54:00.005+01:00

It's July, it's very hot, sticky, sweaty and I am dieing of a cold; something not helped by the excessive humidity in this bloody city. Here's something that may (or may not) help people like me through these long summer months.July 2010 PlaylistDepeche Mode "Never Let me Down Again [Digitalism Remix]" (The Best of Depeche Mode, 2006 Venusnote Ltd / Mute Records) Buy it!Heartsrevolution "

Something for the Weekend: Fad Gadget "Collapsing New People"

2010-07-03T01:02:00.004+01:00

When Frank Tovey emerged at the very tail end of the 1970's, he found himself instantly fitting into the fledgling new wave and avant-garde electronic music scene. At a time when the likes of initial line-ups of Depeche Mode and the Human League were still crafting their own forms of difficult music, before sliding towards more commercially minded endeavours, Tovey - as Fad Gadget - continued to

Gig: Nouveaunoise (Academy 2, Dublin, July 2nd)

2010-06-30T04:25:00.005+01:00

This Friday, those enigmatic devils of organic electronica and lush breaks (if such a thing exists) Nouveaunoise, shall be releasing their début album to the masses. Titled Paraphrase Accolade, the duo will be playing shindigs from the long-player in an ultra-rare full live show - with musicians and stuff (probably)!!Like the voyeuristic notion of watching two Brighton based rent-boys getting in

The Return of Lakker

2010-06-27T03:01:00.006+01:00

It feels like a few years since I last came across anything from Lakker. The Dublin two-piece often displayed a wonderful knack for creating uneasy, yet delectable electronica with glitch tints. With explorations into side-projects and non-music endeavours called to a temporary halt, Lakker have returned to the fore with pale-coloured, sickly piece of music. If the new sample were a fish, its

Something for the Weekend: Republica "Ready to Go"

2010-06-25T03:00:00.000+01:00

When English band Republica released "Ready to Go" in 1996, it must be said that I had a huge thing for lead singer Saffron when all of 14-years-old. So it may be no surprise that I at the ripe old age of 28, the Nigerian born lady still tickles my inner groin in the same way that sweet tea tickles my noise and air box.The band really weren't around for very long and were for all intents and

The Sound of Music

2010-06-21T01:22:00.008+01:00

Not content to sit alone, the screeching sound was occasionally joined by similar frenzied sonic lines; all moving within eachother and testing the limits of their partners. As one line grew in both volume and pitch, a second would filter itself into the conversation, only waiting for the third to tempt oneself to the now notorious aural haze.For a time, the protagonists would stutter and

Something for the Weekend: Sometimes People are Just Nice!!

2010-06-18T20:40:00.003+01:00

So anyway, here's this viral video going around; however normally I'd avoid these somewhat, because they remind me too much of plagues started by marketing company's; often with the aim of rendering mindless people that inanimate objects can entice some sort of "experience". Thankfully, there are people out there that do not swim in shit, however this particular viral is just nice.The story goes

Remix: Le Galaxie "Beyond Transworld [Dirtburd Remix}"

2010-06-18T18:41:00.006+01:00

The rather tall Irish producer Sean Corcoran, has thrown together a rather delectable remix of "Beyond Transworld" by Le Galaxie.Named the 'Dirtburd Remix' - after what I am led to believe is some sort of wild fox - the song falls into the depths of octaves that only exist in a black hole on the right hand side of Kilkenny. So shockingly sweet is the remix, that it devises a whole new meaning

The Art of Irrelevance

2010-06-12T13:24:00.001+01:00

If you fancy a definition of irrelevant bullshit, then look no further than Mojo / the Mojo awards: “Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page was inducted into the Mojo Hall Of Fame at the Mojo magazine awards last night. Kasabian's single Fire was named song of the year.” Of course, it wouldn’t be a great British tradition unless Mani weighed in with his usual brand of enlightened garbage and

Something for the Weekend: Depeche Mode "Personal Jesus"

2010-06-11T19:27:00.007+01:00

Released on Mute Records in August 1989, "Personal Jesus" was Depeche Mode's last hurrah of the decade that made them and was at the time, it was also Warner Music's highest selling 12-inch single. Taken from their end of decade album, Violator, the heavy leaning guitar sound was quite a departure for the foursome best known for mixing it with keyboards and electronic instrumentation and it

Musical Fuck-Bullets

2010-06-08T00:12:00.005+01:00

"Whoever thought it was a good idea to mix 'Billy Jean' and 'Smells Like Teen Spirit' should be fucking castrated!People that do this are talentless cunts... Fuck you, you dick-cocks!"--------This actually came out ages ago, but this note had been sitting in my jacket pocket since last summer. This overlong piece of shit is - seriously - a wretched piece of fucking drivel.It sounds questionable

(June 2010) Easy Music for Difficult Ears Spotify Playlist

2010-06-04T20:56:00.009+01:00

Holy shit I'm tired. And by that I mean "here's another Spotify monthly playlist from the grandiose ears of self" or some other shite like that... There shall be mentaldom, animals fighting out to the death and probably boogieing while we're at it!!Hooray and stuff.... I'm off to make some nice tea.June 2010 PlaylistDandi Wind "Umbilical Noose" (Bait the Tapes, 2005 Bongo Beat Records) Buy

Something for the Weekend: Crystal Castles "Celestica"

2010-06-04T15:29:00.002+01:00