It is that time again…
Yes, it is that time again. Time to reflect on the year gone by as we approach the end of 2018.
In terms of music, I think you could say it was an up and down year.
On the plus side, the year that confirmed to me that while the charts are filled with artists who release/stream “tracks”, and in the last few days, HMV have announced they are in trouble again, the album is still hanging on in there and vinyl continues to make a revival. There have been some tremendous albums released in the past 12 months, several of which I have had the pleasure of reviewing here or for Louder Than War, but probably an equal number that I have loved but for one reason or the other, never got around to reviewing.
Goodbye and Rest in Peace
On the flip-side, 2018 continued to see the deaths of some of my musical heroes including the incomparable talent of Pete Shelley whose music and song-writing transcended the often-narrow-minded punk scene. In recent years, it has been sad to lose musical legends and icons (over-used words I know, but they are fitting for these two) such as Prince and Bowie. People so famous they only needed one name for people to recognise them, everybody knew at least one of their songs resulting in a great outpouring of grief.
However, in 2018, many people I know were impacted by the deaths of some possibly less famous names, but no less creative for it and far closer to home. As a result, the sense of loss seemed much greater.
There are four names who stand out for me, and for different reasons. These are Frightened Rabbit frontman, Scott Hutchison, the enigmatic Dale Barclay of The Amazing Snakeheads and And Yet it Comes, Dead Hope drummer (and member of numerous bands over the years) all-round good guy, Keith Martin and Garry Borland, feisty lead singer of Leith punks Heavy Drapes.
Two of them, I’d never met, the other two I knew personally. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not going to pretend that they were close life-long friends, but I knew them well enough to be entirely devastated by the news of their passing.
Scott Hutchison was one that I didn’t know personally, but I loved the music of Frightened Rabbit. The reason I, and I imagine many others, were so touched by Scott’s death was the realisation that it could have been any one of us. Scott’s battles with his mental health were well documented, including being the subject of many lyrics in Frightened Rabbit songs. No matter how badly you know someone is affected by their mental health, it was still a shock when it was reported that Scott had ultimately succumbed to the pain of his very being and could no longer deal with life. I know there are many who can no longer listen to his songs, especially Floating in the Forth which is too close to the bone as a result of his death. I can only hope he has now found peace.
I was also not personally acquainted with Dale Barclay who died at a tragically young age. I do however remember the first time I heard the Here it Comes Again by Amazing Snakeheads and thinking, wow, that is intense. The band was short-lived but left a legacy of great music in their album Amphetamine Ballads with Barclay adding to his output with And Yet it Moves in the last few years.
I once had a conversation about Amazing Snakeheads with Keith Martin. Originally from Ayrshire but latterly a Glasgow boy, he lived not far from me for a few years. We were initially nodding acquaintances, passing each other going to the local shops or going to catch a train/bus. One day I was wearing a Joe strummer t-shirt, Keith spoke to me and I imagine, like most people who spoke to him, we hit it off. Since that day, we would speak if we passed each other rather than just nod, and I got to know a bit more about his background, his belief system, morals and music tastes. Keith was a very principled individual and we saw eye to eye on many issues. I mentioned he had played in bands over the years having been in Big Gun and Butcher Boy to name a couple. It is his last recorded works that will stay with me as he and his band mates Andy and Scott recorded my favourite album of 2017 in Songs from the Second Floor. An album I still listen to often.
Finally, Garry Alexander Borland aka DeLiberate, lead singer and motor mouth for Leith based punks Heavy Drapes. Garry’s sudden death earlier in the year was a massive shock to all the fans of the band (not to mention his band mates and his family). The band were on the verge of something massive having worked hard at their art to write some huge tunes and filling huge rooms at Rebellion Festival, the word was spreading Scotland, the UK, Europe…the World was at their feet. Garry (along with Richie and Billy from the band had a go at the big time before with Baby’s Got a Gun playing with many great bands (Bowie, The Damned and the aforementioned Pete Shelley’s Buzzcocks to name a few) and making some trouble (tired of licking the monarchies ass). I won’t forget the last time I saw the band in the Bellfield Tavern playing a storming set, and the Godfathers show earlier in December was a fantastic, if emotional, night with Richie, Billy and Jerry from the band teaming up with Peter Coyne to play the last ever Heavy Drapes sets as a tribute to Garry. Unfortunately, Garry didn’t see the release of the band’s debut album “Crashing Like Stars”, the band finishing off the album and releasing it in honour of him. More on that later…
Rest in Peace to all of them.
Great year for music
On a happier note, 2018 saw the release of a plethora of tremendous albums and an abundance of great gigs across the country, it’s a shame that there is only a finite number a person can get to as I’d love to be able to support more bands on the live front.
I could have sat for hours trying to determine my one favourite album of 2018 was and having already submitted lists for Louder Than War magazine (before Crashing Like Stars was released) and website I immediately kicked myself afterwards for missing something. I don’t know if I can pick one solitary favourite out of so many.
There have been some unforgettable debuts, some masterpieces from established acts and some mind-blowing breakthrough releases from other acts.
My list follows – I’ve added links to reviews where applicable.
Bubbling Under
There are loads of albums that I loved but didn’t quite make it into my top 10. It doesn’t mean I don’t love them though.
Aiden Moffat and RM Hubbert – TWO brilliant albums – Here Lies the Body and Ghost Stories for Christmas
Amyl and the Sniffers – Big Attraction and Giddy Up
Band of Gold – Where’s the Magic?
Belly – Dove (Reviewed in Louder Than War print magazine Issue 15)
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club – Wrong Creatures
Curdle – Curdle
Dream Wife – Dream Wife
Dumb Poets – All the Ghosts
Eels – The Deconstruction
Gold Needles – Pearls
Ian Donaldson – From Stars We Came
Interrobang – Interrobang
Interrupters – Fight the Good Fight
Kristen Hersh – Possible Dust Clouds (Reviewed in Louder Than War print magazine Issue 18)
LICE – It All Worked Out Great
Malcolm Middleton – Bananas
The Molochs – Flowers in the Spring
New York Junk – 7 Train
Pepper Kings – Pepper Kings
Reef – Revelation (Reviewed in Louder Than War print magazine Issue 15)
Twistettes – A Strange Play
Vaccines – Combat Sports (Reviewed in Louder Than War print magazine Issue 15)
Voicex – Plus Plus
Number 10 – 6
10. Rats From a Sinking Ship – Fight the Future. Album number 3, and possibly their best yet. The album made me seek out Charlie Chaplin’s The Great Dictator after many years after sampling perhaps the best movie speech ever. The usual blend of social conscience, rap, rock and punk and a blistering attack on The S*n. What is not to like. Add to that a cracking album launch gig in Glasgow with great support from The Fuck-Ups among others
9. Buffalo Tom – Quiet and Peace.
(Reviewed in Louder Than War print magazine Issue 15) Warm ad welcoming, adding layers to familiar beguiling melodies. Possibly their best album since
8. Buzzbomb – 60 Miles of Bad Road. One of the earliest releases of the year has stood up to the competition flung at it over the rest of the year. Still a high-octane thrill ride with every listen
7. The Blinders – Columbia. They played a blinder with their debut album and I was fortunate enough to catch them as part of Glasgow’s Tenement Trail where their live show matched the intensity of the album.
6. IDLES – Joy as an Act of Resistance. 2018 was their breakthrough year. Debut Brutalism was well received and garnered them many plaudits. Their follow up album from this year is remarkable. They have mastered the blend of political statement, satire, standing up for the oppressed and stigmatised with an energy fuelled music style and an image that defies labelling. Some will say they are punk, others indie hipsters. I don’t care what anyone labels them as. I love them, and so do thousands of others judging by the fan base on their Facebook fans group The AF Gang, more than just a fans forum, one of the most supportive group of fans I’ve seen. And boy do they play a great live show.
My Top 5
I love all of these albums so it is hard to pick a number one (it’s the shape of things to come…)
So, here are my Top 5:
5. ILL – We are ILL. Debuts? Riot Grrl/agit-punk troupe ILL blew my mind with their debut We Are Ill, and I was gutted when they played Glasgow a few weeks ago and I couldn’t go. Every track was a gobsmacking surprise on first listen with unusual twists and turns, melodies and noises. Brings a smile to my face on every listen.
4. The Filthy Tongues – Back to Hell. Metcalfe and Co returned with their follow up to Jacob’s Ladder. An album of majestic dark glory and the middle album of a planned trilogy. Can’t wait for the follow up.
2= Reaction – Keep it Weird, Keep it Wired. Airdries Reaction have surpassed themselves with album number two. I thought Accelerator was nigh on unbeatable but they have managed it with this belter. Including one of my favourite tracks of the year in the Sonic Youthesque tale of Airdrie thug life in Saints of Tamla Hill.
2= Fur Dixon/WTFukushima – Return 2 Sender. I can’t gloss over how the return of a certain Fur Dixon has made me feel this year. Having first witnessed her performing with the Cramps on the Tube in 1986, I was smitten. For her to release a solo album this year as tremendous as Return 2 Sender (not forgetting the wonderful band she has to back her up) to getting the opportunity to interview her, review the album for LTW and then see her live and finally meet her has been amazing. Don’t be a stranger to Scotland Fur.
1. Heavy Drapes – Crashing Like Stars. I said earlier more about this later. An almost constant in my car since the album came out, this is definitely NOT a sympathy vote due to the circumstances of the album’s release. The band put in the hours honing these tracks and playing them live, perfecting their art and to have these songs finally released all together in one place was phenomenal. Not one duff track here, all loved live favourites – for me Maladjusted, Make Some Trouble, Into the Blue… och what am I saying – every single track live was amazing and the album is the perfect reminder of good times. I believe there were a couple of other tracks in the pipeline. Heaven knows what they would be like, but suffice to say, I’m sure they would have been anthemic
Make some Trouble, Make a Noise.
Live Gigs
Most of the best gigs I’ve seen this year have been mentioned above, Fur Dixon at the Opium Club, Filthy Tongues album launch, Rats From a Sinking Ship album launch, Heavy Drapes, The Godfathers, Reaction; IDLES at Glasgow Uni, Blinders Tenement Trail performance. You can’t beat a live gig.
Top gig though once again goes to Duncan Reid and the Big Heads, NEVER fail to disappoint. Fantastic songs, tight band, a sense of pure joy when performing which is infectious. Three years in a row. Here’s to everyone turning up early to witness them at Scotland Calling.
A final note – anyone that goes to gigs just in time to catch the headliner, make 2019 the year you try to support ALL the acts on the bill. This year if I didn’t turn up early for gigs, I would have missed the magnificence of Soeur supporting Demob Happy, the sonic joy of duo Run Into the Night supporting The Filthy Tongues and the glam punk rock that is PowderKeg first on the bill when I saw Duncan Reid and the Big Heads. Support live music.
Here is to a cracking 2019 for music.
(PS – I know I will publish this blog then realise I have missed so many from the list – sorry!)