Wait until next year

June 17, 2013

Four Hundred

I could never motivate myself to write a diary. I’d start in January, a little late, never on the 1st. I might backdate a few entries. And then I’d stop after a week or so. Maybe because there was nothing interesting to write. Nothing interesting happens anyway, and even less happens in early January. Maybe it had yet to hardwire itself into my routine. What I wrote was dull, or self-absorbed, or embarrassing. Who would want to read it? Who would read it? Was I just going to leave my diary hanging around, or was I planning on there being some sort of posthumous release after a long and yet-to-be-decided career? Read the rest of this entry »

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June 14, 2013

The Future of Rock and Roll

I’m not entirely sure that I’m best placed to write about the future of rock and roll. I might seem qualified. I’ve listened to a hell of a lot of music in my time. I’ve read a lot about music too. I think I have a pretty good understanding of rock and roll history and what makes a great band. Yet I’m not really the right demographic anymore. Rock and roll is music for the young, right? Read the rest of this entry »

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June 11, 2013

The Worse Things Get, The Harder I Fight, The Harder I Fight, The More I Love You

“Man” is the first full song from Neko Case’s new, wonderfully titled album, “The Worse Things Get, The Harder I Fight, The Harder I Fight, The More I Love You” and it is excellent. You should listen to it, if you haven’t already. Read the rest of this entry »

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Video | June 11, 2013

Modernism Redux

A rather fun take on modernism from Will Self, broadcast earlier this year. I’d happily listen to a whole series of programmes arranged like this, different voices drifting in and out, new juxtapositions and comparisons made between decades, personalities, media. While the initial set-up is a little hokey, the execution of the idea is excellent. Well worth a listen. You can also download it here.

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June 10, 2013

The Emperor of California

I remember one Christmas watching several episodes of Ken Burns’ documentary series, The West. I didn’t really know much about the subject matter, bar the usual stuff you pick up in movies and comic books. I didn’t know anything about Ken Burns. In fact, it was probably several years before I realised that Ken Burns was behind the programme. And that was after picking up the book of the series and everything. I’m not that observant, I guess. But one thing I did pick up on and did remember, was the story of Joshua Norton, the self-proclaimed Emperor of the United States and Protector of Mexico.
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