Category: Music

  • Top 100 albums of 2019

    Top 100 albums of 2019

    Independent record store Piccadilly Records published their end-of-year review, in which the staff plucked out a comprehensive top 100 albums of 2019.

    I’ve flicked through all 100 albums and selected one track from each release to make the Apple Music playlist: ๐ŸŽ™๏ธ Piccadilly Records: Top 100 Albums of 2019

    If you like what you hear and want a physical copy, why not purchase the vinyl release directly from Piccadilly Records’ website, no matter where you are in the world.

    In the meantime, happy listening.

  • So Cow

    So Cow

    Recently, I’ve been into a few punk bands; Cassels, Fontaines D.C., Idles, Jeff Rosenstock, PAWS and have been playing a lot of So Cow.

    As far as I’m aware, So Cow is pretty much a project from front-man Brian Kelly, joined with friends and foe alike on guitars, drums, and other instruments. And it sounds great.

    I discovered So Cow on Bandcamp a few years back and bought the album The Long Con on vinyl – which I immediately caught my eye because of the crudely drawn horse on the front of the artwork that did a sick. Or looks happy at discovering some sick. Funny stuff.

    The album artwork for the album The Long Con by the band So Cow. Pictured on the front is a black pen drawing of a horse that has vomited on the ground.

    I’m not sure whether I’m allowed to classify them as punk? I guess they are pretty punky. Or post-punky. I don’t understand music genres anymore.

    You should give them a listen. The album The Long Con is my favourite so far and you can stream and buy it on Bandcamp. There are a few physical vinyl copies left. It’s on Apple Music and Spotify too, no doubt.

    Let me know if you like it!

    Bye.

  • Florist

    Florist

    As I briefly mentioned in my previous Links of the week post, I was in the United States recently. More specifically, the Greater Seattle area.

    Quite often, when I go to the USA for work I forget to check the latest concert listings. But this time I did. And I am glad I did! Florist was playing at Fremont Abbey.

    As soon as I spotted the show was listed, I bought tickets. I loved listening to Florist ever since I discovered the music on Bandcamp back in 2014. Emily, the lead singer in this ensemble, has the cutest vibe as she rattles through sadcore tales of woe and happy moments in the darkness.

    Florist (band) playing Fremont Abbey in Seattle on 30 July 2019

    Her on-stage banter of “Is anyone here watching Star Trek: Discovery?” was met with pure silence as not one person in the audience would admit to such an interest. It was almost poetic.

    The tour marks the release of the album Emily Alone, which I bought from Emily herself at the show. It also seems a show in Norway is unlikely, so I am glad I made went whilst I was on the other side of the big blue.

    The music of Florist is available physically and digitally on Bandcamp, but also to stream on Apple Music and Spotify.

    The only photo that I took from the show was the one above and of the outfit that I wore (below) – because, yes, I am apparently that vain…

  • Instagram recommends

    Instagram recommends

    This week I decided to give Apple Music a shot. They have a 3-month trail and so I signed up to see how it compares to Spotify. I like it so far.

    Over on Instagram, I posted a story asking for music recommendations from my friends. Once the answers started rolling in, I pulled the recommendations into a playlist.

    For those that use Apple Music, here is that playlist.

    I’ll keep updating it as suggestions roll in. It could be a good place to discover your new favourite band. Either that, or to make harsh judgements over my friends’ music taste.

    Which music streaming service are you using? Do you love Spotify? Are you potty for Pandora? Have you bought into Bandcamp? Let me know in the comments.