Fresh Start

Kind of forgot about the blog in the last few months of 2014.
There was lots to be done in work and with CCFC so could not dedicate the time.
EOQ Support, new kit launch, getting merchandise to the shop for Christmas. etc etc
A huge elongated build up to the festive season, then you blink and it's gone.

Here are my brief list of resolutions for 2015.
1. I have vowed to read a book a month in 2015.
For January I have started this.

2. I'm going to climb Carrauntoohil.
3. I'm going to learn how to use the Nespresso machine at home.
4. I'm going to take the Kick Start 1 course.
5. I'm going to re-issue my 2010 book Reflections from the Shed in e-book format.

Have also taken my eye off the music ball over the last few months. Then I came upon this nugget from last year by my old friends We Are Scientists. It's beautiful.






I heard this on the radio last week and thought I never knew We Are Scientists had a new single out.
Turns out it wasn't them at all but a new bunch of lads called Circa Waves, this is called Fossils.
Sounds very like them though.

Is The Summer Really Over?

Well, it's been a long summer and things have been busy.
Kids were off (are still off), we went to the South of France.
Cork City FC still consumes a lot of time, labour of love.
But in between all this I grab a few minute to listen to some music.
Here's a little taste of my current playlist.


My old pal Morrissey released a new album while I was away.
World Peace Is None Of Your Business is pretty good with the usual cutting lyrics and beautiful melodies.
It's like the mid 90's all over again, here is Staircase at the University.






There are very few bands who I can actually say that I own all their albums.
This is true about The Drums and after being away for 2/3 years have a new single called Magic Mountain.





Interpol are another band whose every album I own and they also have a new tune out after being away for a while.
It's called All The Rage Back Home.
And is taken from their new album El Pintor out next month.



The next few I heard on the 6Music and liked them all, three in a row.
Teleman - Skeleton Dance



Check out this lovely tune from Childhood - You Could Be Different



I also visited the UCC library over the summer to see the Sir Henrys Exhibition, it brought back some memories.
UCC FM also did a fantastic set of shows on Sir Henrys hosted by Jim Morrish.
You can listen here.

Britpop Revival

Lately there's been a huge Britpop revival, it being the 20th Anniversary.

No more so that on my favourite Radio Station BBC 6Music.
Steve Lamacq played the final Top 30 last Friday, best radio in a long time.

Have a listen

That BBC 6music Britpop Top 40 in full:

1. Pulp - Common People
2. The Verve - Bittersweet Symphony
3. Oasis - Don't Look Back In Anger
4. Oasis - Wonderwall
5. Blur - Parklife
6. Suede - Animal Nitrate
7. Blur - Girls And Boys
8. The Bluetones - Slight Return
9. Pulp - Disco 2000
10. Ash - Girl From Mars
11. Radiohead - The Bends
12. Ocean Colour Scene - The Riverboat Song
13. Supergrass - Alright
14. Mansun - Wide Open Space
15. The Divine Comedy - Something For The Weekend
16. Longpigs - She Said
17. My Life Story - 12 reasons Why I Love Her
18. Shed 7 - Going For Gold
19. Suede - Trash
20. Manic Street Preachers - Everything Must Go
21. Paul Weller - The Changing Man
22. Sleeper - Inbetweener
23. Space - Female Of The Species
24. Elastica - Line Up
25. Dodgy - Staying Out For The Summer
26. Catatonia - Road Rage
27. Echobelly - Great Things
28. Gene - For The Dead
29. The Boo Radleys - Wake Up Boo
30. Lush - Ladykillers
31. Salad - Drink The Elixir
32. Cast - Fine Time
33. 60ft Dolls - Stay
34. Menswear - Daydreamer
35. Denim - Middle Of The Road
36. Northern Uproar - From A Window
37. The Supernaturals - Smile
38. Marion - Violent Men
39. Powder - Afrodisiac
40. Strangelove - The Greatest Show On Earth

What do you think?

My Top 5 Albums of 2013

Top 5 albums of 2013 In reverse order of course.
At Number 5, Mosquito by the Yeah Yeah Yeahs.
Here's the title track.





The Number 4 spot is occupied by Wavves and their album Afraid of Heights.
This track is called Sail to the Sun.





The Number 3 album for me was AM by the Arctic Monkeys, completely diverse for them but still fantastic.
This is track 3 and is called One For The Road.





For me this is their best album in a good few years, the Kings of Leon and Mechanical Bull at No 2.
This track is called Wait For Me.





For me the best album of 2013 was Swim Deep and their debut entitled Where the Heaven Are We?
Nothing better than a new band coming along with a breath of fresh air.
This track is called She Changes The Weather.

An seachtain seo, Tá mé ag éisteacht le.........

This is what I am listening to right now.

Chvrches are a Scottish synthpop band, this tune is called Tehther and I'm quite fond of it.
Their new album "The Bones of What you Believe" was released a few weeks ago.




This next tune is by a band called Phantogram and is called Mouthful of Diamonds.
US band in a similr vein to Chvrches, some lovely vocals with some catchy keyboards and guitars.



The next few I heard on the radio this week and liked them all, three in a row.
Felt Tip - Love or Pity



Big Deal - Swapping Spit



Cults - I can hardly make you mine.

Insulting A Nation.

Insulting a Nation

Nearing the Trap door

False hope, false floor

Too many years old

Bare pulse, heart cold

No guile or intrigue

No talent, no league?

Wesley to create

Traps job to frustrate

Players perplexed

Fans getting vexed

Labour limitations

Team mutation

Sergeant Bilko

or Plastic Pilko?

Poor Paul Green

It’s quite obscene

Crazy old man

Non football fan

Stubborn and aloof

Fond of a hoof

Road to nowhere

He doesn’t care

No loss in translation

Insulting a nation

“In Ireland, there is no league. In Sweden, there is league. In Austria, there is league. That is different.”

Is he just a stubborn old man or is he only doing this to annoy us. So long Trap.

Young People, New Albums.

Here is some fresh new talent with new albums in August.
and before you say I heard of them ages ago, remember, I am middle aged.

No, it's not that old Stranglers tune, it's Swim Deep, I'm very excited about this band.
Their new album "Where the Heaven are we?" was released last week.
The album can be streamed from here.



This next one is an 18 year old lad from London called Archie Marshall, recording under the moniker of King Krule.
For me he's a raw blend of Jamie T and Billy Bragg, he will also release an album this month called 6 Feet Beneath the Moon.



The last one is a 19 year old lad from LA called Earl Sweatshirt (not his real name).
This is called Chum and is from his album Doris to be released August 20th.