Category: Manchester

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alt-rock alternative England flashback Manchester videos

Flashback :: Stone Roses

Check out The Stone Roses on [itunes link=”http://itunes.apple.com/us/music-video/fools-gold/id325818392?uo=4″ title=”Stone Roses on iTunes”]

The Stone Roses self-titled debut  album was released in the Spring of 1989 and although the track featured in the video above was not on it, there were quite a number other of notable tracks including, but not limited to, “I Wanna Be Adored” and “She Bangs the Drum.” Classics one and all. The album received critical acclaim and there are many today (including yours truly) who still consider it to be one the best British albums ever released.

Founding members Ian Brown and John Squire had finally broken through and had nothing but an open road ahead…that is until they  entered into a nasty dispute with their then record company, Silvertone Records.   Finally, after trip through the British courts, the band emerged victorious and began work on their second and final album. Second Coming was released in 1994 and it too had it’s share of memorable tracks…but none more so than “Love Spreads.” There are plenty of “Manchester purists” out there who would argue “Fools Gold” was band’s crowning achievment.  I, however, would respectfully disagree.

It’s somewhat surprising to think that The Stone Roses only released (2) albums before disbanding in 1996 for, you guessed it, artistic differences.  Even so, in the short time these cats were together they put out some seriously good music.  Have groovy Friday my friends…

– Drago

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alternative electro electronica England flashback Manchester

Flashback :: Joy Division

Check out Joy Division on [itunes link=”http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/love-will-tear-us-apart/id278672609?i=278672963&uo=4″ title=”Joy Division on iTunes”]

One of the originators of the “Manchester Sound”, Joy Division formed in 1976 with more of a punk sound but, overtime, as their sound evolved they truly set the stage for the post-punk movement in alternative music. While  “Love Will Tear Us Apart,” featured above, was their first major hit, it was somewhat overshadowed by the tragic suicide death of lead singer Ian Curtis at the tender age of 23 in May 1980.

It’s been forever and a day since I last heard this song and as hear it now again, many moons later, two (2) thoughts come immediately to mind…what a good band Joy Division was and, sadly, how great they could have been.  Either way, many thanks to DMitch for suggesting this track and this band for the Friday Flashback.  Dig it.

– Drago

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alt-rock alternative England featured artists Manchester new release Oceansize reviews rock Superball Music United Kingdom

A Letter To Oceansize…

artist: Oceansize | album: Self Preserved While The Bodies Float Up | genre: alternative, rock  label: Superball Music

Dear Oceansize:

I’ve known you and loved you for almost seven years, which makes this letter very difficult to write. Things have always been great between us. We met when you released your debut, Effloresce. It was one of the best, if not the best, albums of the year and, overnight, you became one of my favorite bands. Effloresce was a staggering blend of power and grace, sour and sweet, frenzy and calm. We spent day after day together and when you released a follow-up EP, Music for Nurses, it was like everything fell into place for us. You were awesome, you made me happy, you were unique and indispensable, we both knew it, and the road ahead for us was clear and sunny.
Albums two and three, Everyone Into Position and Frames, respectively, did nothing to dampen my enthusiasm. You broadened your sound to include more slower, deliberate songs (songs like “Music For A Nurse,” “The Frame” and “Savant” are three of your greatest) that emphasized atmosphere over thunder, yet still brought a steady, yet understated power. I kept listening and waiting for you to return to America after seeing you here in 2004.
Now you’ve issued album number four, Self Preserved While The Bodies Float Up. And that’s why I’m writing to you, today. You see, this is tough to say, I doubted you. I listened for two days on repeat and came away disappointed. Yes, I said disappointed. I wondered what happened to you, why things seemed so…not good. It was strange to see someone I thought I knew well come up so short. More out of shock than anything else, I kept listening.
Then, late last week, I had THE moment – suddenly, the new album clicked. When I realized its greatness, from the ferocity of “Build Us A Rocket Then…” and “It’s My Tail And I’ll Chase It If I Want To,” to the majesty of “Oscar Acceptance Speech” and “Pine,” I also realized I’d been wrong to judge you so quickly. Everything I’ve always loved about you is still there and there are new parts to you that I’m digging, too. And while it’s amazing to feel this way, it’s also a bit of a drag, because I should have known better than to think you’d lost it. You’ve always been ridiculously good, always. It took me a bit longer with the new one, but I ended up in the same place I always do with you – in awe and wishing mightily that you’d come back and tour the US.
Until then, know that I remain a dedicated fan. I hope you’ll forgive me. The new album is sick, sick, sick. Still friends?

– Thurdeen