hell.o
it doesn’t happen to often, but when it does, wow.
recently i have been trying to check out a fair chunk of hip hop sounding records and not really feeling anything.
after some thought i realised that a lot of this is probably due to our recent trek to the end of the road festival where i realised that actually i have been missing out on some crucial elements.
like songs, proper songs.
i very aware that part of this will be seasonal, as the days draw in, and the dark begins to outweigh the sunlight, my ears require something a little more fuzzy and warm, as opposed to banging beats and hard assed attitudes.
so, when an email arrived from the bella union record label i was intrigued as i know little about the label other than it was set up by ex-cocteau twins people robin guthrie and simon raymonde and seems to be on a roll currently, despite my complete ignorance for the music on the label.
in the way that these things work, a few days later a parcel arrived :
gang of losers – the dears
wolves – my latest novel
the trials of the van occupanther – midlake
the end of history– fionn regan
howling bells – howling bells
a quick dive in reveals that of the above, howling bells are going to be firm faves. their brand of girl fronted 4ad 90s styled alt.rock will get better with each spin, then there is the warm and harmony rich classic 70s softrock noises from midlake which will induce sessions of swooning and smiling, and the epic instrumental gorgeousness that is my latest novel (who played at end of the road and were playing while i monitored the kids running riot in the park).
being honest, i am not 100% sure about fionn regan, i have never really got into the singer-songwriter genre, but obviously the glowing reviews that are out there, indicates that while i may not have the capacity to appreciate the mans talent, he has definitely got something special going on, and nor am i overly keen on the dears and their rebranded, revised take on a very famous 80s guitar band from manchester, but hey, negatives cast firmly aside, i have to say that 3 out 5 is a damn fine hit rate in my current mood.
so, thank you, bella union, i salute you and your fine bands, and welcome the return of the song to the current playlist of ireallylovemusic
more detail : here
stay tuned.
mark e