This feels SO 1992 - which is what you would expect from an album released in… 1992. It’s that US slacker feel, that tries just a little too hard to put across the can’t be arsed attitude. They clearly can be arsed. The end product is half decent, sounding like the soundtrack for endless US lifestyle telly dramas. I’d forgotten about Hey Jealousy - a decent indie pop song. But overall, New Miserable Experience is one of the reasons why Britpop had to happen.

⭐ ⭐ ⭐

An album that straddles DUMB NY punk, and also opens up with ideas about Americana. Tom Petty ran with this a decade or so later.

⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

Clinical, yet still soulful. There’s also an element of irony in some of the cold-hearted approach. The Model remains a masterpiece. It’s one of those staple songs that you know inside out from your youth, yet never grow tired of hearing it. I really should dive deeper into Kraftwerk.

⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

I’ve finally cracked on the 1,001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die list. I’ve heard them all, I haven’t died. I win, right?

Ever since R introduced me to the list around three years ago, the morning routine has involved firing up the random generator for an album to listen to.

I’ve really enjoyed the exposure to music I wouldn’t normally explore, as well as having the exact same album as R. We could both leave a review, and then compare and contrast our tastes.

We long finished the list a couple of months ago. The dregs were then served up, aka listener recommendations. As R pointed out this morning, these are albums that individual users THINK you must listen to, but that is rarely the reality. Ikd-sj’s World’s End Fruit was the breaking point.

And so instead we’re exploring Colin Larkin’s list. It has many of the usual suspects, and reads a little like a Q magazine Best Albums Ever list. But I still think there are some obvious gaps in my musical listening, not to mention my CD shelves.

There’s some duplication with the 1,001 albums list. I’ll skip those. Plus also some of the absolute shite. Sorry, but I’m not starting off with Rob Zombie.

Listening to a new album at the start of every day has been in the most part, a positive experience. It’s broadened my taste, and emptied my wallet.

Just noise. Horrid noise.

⭐

I’m such a TART. Any excuse to get dressed up Jase. And so on Sunday evening, out went the shout of: To the Conga! For Wiv Music Mix! These Sunday monthly Sunday night sessions have been on my radar for sometime. But I’m usually working on Sunday evenings. A little rota tinkering around the edges, and I’ve found some space to enjoy some live music right on my doorstep.

And that’s the whole bloody point. The Congregational Church (stop sniggering) is less than two minutes over the road. Quality live music is scheduled each month, all for around £20. You’d struggle with that over at the Sunny Colch Arts Centre. Plus it’s a right bloody pain for us to get back from late at night.

Steve’s Music Mix - to give the event its correct name - is a broadly jazz based listing of artists playing in a live setting. The Sunday evening slot seems just perfect for live jazz. Elmer’s Jazz Collective rocked up at the Conga this month - an informal gathering of local musicians, put together by local jazz drummer, erm, Elmer.

The Conga actually looked great, and nothing like a Church. Even Song this most certainly wasn’t. The main space was blacked out, with plenty of stage lighting to add to the atmosphere. And blimey, it was bloody busy. I’m no good at head counts, but I’d wager possibly somewhere between 250 - 300 folk had turned out.

I made a beeline for the bar. Blood of Christ, etc. I settled on a bottle of red. Chin chin. We took up our seats, poured a glass of BOOZE and waited for the six piece to take to the stage. This is far better than Antiques Roadshow. Or even Sunday evening work.

The musicians were superb. The setlist was an exploration of some jazz standards, as well as a left field approach for finding inspiration. Solos featured heavily, allowing the trumpet, saxophone, keys, jazz guitar and double bass to showcase their individual skills. Elmer held it all together with his sticks.

This felt like a local approach to a professional performance. SHOUT OUT to the various local hands who were volunteering and helping out with the desk, front of house and bar etc.

I found myself head nodding as the evening - and the BOOZE - continued. The set became very funky in the second half. Two and a half hours later and the house lights came on. That was bloody brilliant. I’ve really missed live music. Now it’s back, and right on my doorstep. Nice.

Heavy Ozrics vibes. I love this kind of shit. It’s so easy to get lost in the music and allow it to take you where you want to be. I day dreamed half the morning away with the album on heavy rotation. I still haven’t a clue what it’s all about. I don’t think you’re suppose to know. It could easily have been recorded in 1995, 2005, 2015, even 2025.

⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

R.E.M. outtakes. Bland as fuck.

⭐ ⭐

Proof that there aren’t actually 1,001 albums you must listen to before you die.

⭐

Next!

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