Saturday 29 December 2012

2012..... 
ear to the ground

As we near the turning of the calender, it's time for me to offer up my lists.. as that's what folks tend to do around this time.
When people ask me what type of music I like or listen to, I tell them the type that goes in my ears. I couldn't possibly attempt to break it down any further than that. There's just so much out there to like. Having said that, I'm offering up ten albums released this year that changed my life. I can only say that this is quintessential listening for me, like food. But not all meals go down the right way. In each, memories are triggered, some good, some not so. It's the nourishment that's lasting.
In no particular order, I've enjoyed lashings of these, devouring at will...

Band of Skulls - Sweet Sour 
Alternative Rock offering from these young legends on the UK scene.

The 2 Bears - Be Strong
Electronic Chunky House from these 2 ubermaestros. The London sound.

Sharon Van Etten - Tramp
Folk music with a fresh and cutting edge. Sharons pinings and talent are hypnotic.

Breton - Other Peoples Problems
Electronic something-or-other. Young south London geniuses creating their very own A/V feast.

Alt-J - An Awesome Wave
Indie / Alternative.. call it what you will. Their sound is making waves around the world.

Chet Faker - Thinking in Textures
Electronic Soul. Downtempo beats and sweet lyrics from this Melbournian craftsman. 

Bloc Party - Four
Indie RocknRoll. The punchy fourth offering we thought we'd never get.

Japandroids - Celebration Rock
Full-Noise Rock from this duo out of Vancouver BC. Punching so far above their weight

Silversun Pickups - Neck Of The Woods
Indie-Rock gurus pull out another masterpiece. Terribly underated in my eyes.

Sinkane - Mars
Experimental. An eclectic record with some truly wonderful tracks. Music evolving. 

To produce a top ten track list is far more difficult. Leaving aside entirely a plethora of songs from the albums above, perhaps the likes of, and again in no particular order:

Dreary Town  by Nadine Shah 
spine tingling vocals by this yet to be released northern lass. 

Madness  by Muse 
what can I say.. probably single of the year!

A Love Like Infinity  by FU 
- taster off the debut ep due out early 2013, i can't wait.

Wraith  by Peace 
- debut album due in 2013, they will go large.

It's Too Late  by Wild Belle 
- debut album due early 2013, unpidgeonholeable, destined for greatness.

Youth in Trouble  by The Presets 
- another huge tune from the Aussie duo, underworldly.

Jasmine  by Jai Paul 
- a dusty ground-out lo-fi gem that strains ones very fibres. Right up there.

Chain of Fools  by Frank B 
- proper phat chicago treatment of Aretha by an Irish up-n-comer.

A&E (Random Acts)  by Clean Bandit 
- quirky stonker from the fringes that will fill the floor.

Lay it Down  by The Rubens 
- laidback indierock splendour out of Menangle, of all places.


These records will undoubtedly continue to move me in some way shape or form well into the future. I hope somewhere in there amongst these 20 artists, you might find something that moves you too. 
street art by ears&adnate

Saturday 22 December 2012

Seasons Greetings

At last, the working year is fini. I slept in my own bed for the first time in a month last night, and I can't tell you how wonderful that was. There's just nothing like it is there?
The result was a deeply enriched sleep and upon waking, a vaguely familiar arousal. Yes, I am home, this is my bed, I can do as I please.
Except that wasn't the case. I've a small mountain to climb in order to prepare myself for the festivities that this time of year offers up. And it all starts today with our annual orphans Xmas lunch-slash-boozeup-slash-pubcrawl-slash-houseparty. For those of us who never get to make it home proper. I've even bought some new threads for the event! Not pictured.
Before I started thinking of the days events though, and in my morning pre-arousal state, my mind wandered into the cyber-realm and to this space.. far too neglected of late, but through no fault of my own. I pondered the various places and spaces into which this message might reach, and I thought what better way to impart some very personal and heart-felt cheer than to offer up a slice of full frontal nudity, by way of greeting card.
So I sprang out of bed and knocked up a little something with you, my dear readers, in mind.


I've not to be back at work until January 2 and I've the house to myself.. so I promise to wrap the year up with some hopefully valuable entries, including the long (very long) overdue culmination of my role play adventure, choice cuts of the year, another plug or two and a choice butt to boot.
Most importantly I would sincerely like to wish everyone a safe and rather splendid festive season. Spare a thought for those less fortunate, and offer a warm and welcome hand wherever you can. Xbhp

Friday 7 December 2012


BHP weighs in on... Addiction.

So I’m addicted to lots of things. 
Like coffee. I’m a one a day man.. but it must be one a day. When I first arrive at work. Triple espresso. No sugar. No milk. No bullshit. Then it’s tea for the rest of the day. Green. Clean and soothing. 
I’m addicted to laughter and hilarity of any type. I’m drawn to it, like a moth to light, like a fly to poo. It drags me in like the death stars tractor beam. 
I’m addicted to the scent of Frangipani. The yellow and white ones. Not the pink. If I could inhale one scent all day every day for the rest of my years, I’d choose it. 
Most of all I’m an addict of music.. of the tune. What very little time I have to myself, outside of work, is spent in search of, or in the company of, or just basking in, that which comes out of instruments, preferably amplified and delivered through a fuck-off sound system (read: big). Sometimes I find a song that reverberates through me with such a purpose, a sublime grace and searing ease that I believe it to be made exclusively for me. And my addictive personality takes over. Here is one such song that I happened across recently. It is as yet unreleased.. although Soundcloud could well be considered a platform for release. I'd like to share it with you.
Listen if you will. It’s my choice cut #22
By a group of people, possibly a band, more a gathering out of London’s east end. (As far as I can tell). There’s more than enough in this track to nab me. Hook line and sinker. I will find them.. and see them live.

They are FU, or Former Utopia
The track is titled A Love Like Infinity’

Find it here.
https://soundcloud.com/search?q=a%20love%20like%20infinity