Some records are defiantly underground. Others are absolutely mainstream. Then there's Goo by Sonic Youth. Though released on a major label (Geffen), it looks and sounds like the work of artists hellbent on confusing the listener. Sonic Youth always had the reputation of confounding expectations; they were serious about what they did but had a… Continue reading Goo by Sonic Youth
I can't quite imagine how Ottessa pitched this novel to her agent. The main character goes unnamed and the story follows her efforts to sleep for a full year. How? Through pills, pills, and more pills. She should have asked my brother. He can take up to twenty-five Valium and remain somewhat awake. We've even… Continue reading My Year of Rest and Relaxation by Ottessa Moshfegh
The Cramps should be easily dismissed due to their camp aesthetic, but then that would be dismissive of their punk ferocity, the skill and talent of their combined musicianship. Poison Ivy, still the baddest bitch on the block, also seems to me like one of the most underrated guitarists in the game. Guitarist? Also the… Continue reading Stay Sick by The Cramps
A problem I always felt people had with The Donnas was an all-pervading idea that they were somehow novelty, less serious than proper guitar bands. For me, they were a dream come true. They looked like brats. They made a racket. They wrote songs about drinking, partying, dating, and...Doin' Donuts. Less serious than 'proper' guitar… Continue reading Get Skintight by The Donnas
Some authors are so good that I'll literally drop whatever I'm doing to rush off to a bookshop so I can get their latest novel. However, it isn't always that easy, if only because not all bookshops stock the authors I stalk. One example is Arthur Nersesian. I love his fiction ardently. His writing style… Continue reading The Arthur Nersesian Fan Club
Your first gig is a rite of passage you never forget. For me, it was Babes In Toyland at King Tut's Wah Wah Hut. Except it wasn't, because this itineration was actually Kat Bjelland without her Nemesisters. But this was as close as I could get to one of my new favourite bands. Yes, I… Continue reading Living in the time of Angelica
I have a theory that your first Beck album is always your favourite. He’s a sonic shapeshifter whose music is always different, but always essentially ‘Beck’. To put it another way, his albums are different suits on the same body. Yet despite my theory about your first Beck album being the one you enjoy the… Continue reading Midnite Vultures by Beck
