The Soft Boys - Underwater Moonlight

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I have to write about this album as it is without doubt my favourite of all time!  It really helped me get through those grim days of the early 1980s.  The album is only intermittently available, so if it takes your fancy, buy it now!

 Mannequins by Lal Hitchcock adorn the front cover of most versions of this album.  

The original album was released on the short-lived Armageddon label and had 10 tracks.  I have owned 3 vinyl copies and 2 expanded CD editions of the album over the years, as well as 7" singles and the Ryko compilation.  Therefore I will not be buying another copy!  The current release is in a natty cardboard sleeve, but is only a single disc 10-track edition on the Yep Roc label.  Some websites are advertising it as a double CD but it is assuredly not.

I will be hanging onto my double CD 36-track edition on the Matador label, as this seems to be the definitive physical release of the album.  I have read of a few problems with the current issue, so I recommend seeking out the Matador release (which was titled "Underwater Moonlight...And How It Got There") or the earlier, less expanded Glass Fish or Ryko versions.

The status of the group and this album of theirs in particular has grown over the years, from a very small starting point.  The band has re-formed briefly a couple of times and must be seen if you ever get the chance.  That's a slim chance at the moment, though.

What's the music like?  Think of the jangling guitars of the Byrds, the Shadows, the beautiful harmonies of the Beach Boys, the pop psychedelia of the Beatles and Syd Barrett - all with a post-punk production by Pat Collier (ex-Vibrators).  The songs are glorious - the title track, "Queen Of Eyes", "Positive Vibrations", "Insanely Jealous" and the singles "I Wanna Destroy You" and "Kingdom Of Love".  I particularly love Robyn Hitchcock's lyrics to "Insanely Jealous" ("the kiss of skulls") and "I Got The Hots" ("said the curry to the corpse").

Robyn Hitchcok and Kimberley Rew really excel on the twin lead guitars and are ably supported by Matthew Seligman on bass and the amazing Morris Windsor on drums.  The vocal harmonies of Morris and Kimberley are a stunning backdrop to Robyn Hitchcock's dry and deadpan lead vocal.  There is even sitar on "Positive Vibrations" from guest contributor Andy King. 


Remarkably at Amazon's US site you can listen to samples of all 36 tracks from the earlier out of print Matador release here

I hope this isn't the last time we will see physical releases of excellent bonus material like "Where Are The Prawns?", "He's A Reptile" and "Only The Stones Remain".

A vinyl issue is available (and remarkably seems cheaper at some suppliers than the CD version).  I've always felt that the original vinyl copies captured the real beauty and timing of Morris Windsor's drumming rather better than any digital version.  Whichever version you buy, I guarantee you will not be disappointed because this really is a classic album.

Panic Room - Satellite (2 CDs)

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This is a terrific 5-star album by Welsh rockers Panic Room.  The songwriting is peerless, and in Anne-Marie Helder they have a true star fronting them.  Quite why they are languishing on an indie label like Firefly/Voiceprint rather than a major like Universal or Warners is beyond me.  There are so many tracks I love here - the epic title "Satellite", the moody "Dark Star", the folky "Sunshine" in particular.  There is also the bizarre and controversial "I Am A Cat".  This is a jokey song which I thought I was going to hate but which I really like.  It's very British and for some reason reminds me of Cockney Rebel circa "Mr Soft" (but don't let that put you off).  Anne-Marie informed us that the song was popular with kids and grandparents!  Certainly it was a sight to see her strutting the stage singing about "wild pussy"!  Even if you don't care for this track, the album is so good you still need to get it. You can listen to the songs at the band's website

Catch the band live and you won't fail to be impressed by how tight the playing is.  The next tour has been announced and the dates are on the picture above.

The album is beautifully produced.  Artwork by Amy Teslin-Davies is also impressive.

Standard CD versions are available from the usual outlets.  A double disc version with four extra gems (the "Little Satellite") is available at gigs and from the band's website .

This band really is quite a discovery.  Don't pass up the opportunity to see them.

Esben And The Witch - Violet Cries

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Here is a band that takes itself very seriously.  Named after a Brothers Grimm fairy tale, the band are often compared to the Banshees.  It's easy to see why as the vocals and doomy atmospheres are a lot like them.  They really need someone with the pop sensibilities of a Robert Smith to kick them onto greater things!  I saw the Banshees live very early on and I think this lot have more potential.

I recently had the pleasure of catching Esben And The Witch band live.  They are stunning, and if you get the chance, don't pass up on it.  They perform as a 3-piece with a solitary drum.  Pretentious as hell, but thoroughly entertaining.  You will have to check out YouTube to get a feel. Catch them while they are still a cult as they could become massive.

The album "Violet Cries" is very good, almost essential but maybe not as captivating as one of the gigs (or indeed the live bootlegs I have heard).  Stand out tracks are "Eumenides" and "Marching Song".  The sound is thinner than I would have liked and in marked contrast to the gothy sludge of their live shows.  The album comes as one of those ghastly digipacks where you can see the blobs of glue under the transparent disc tray.  Come on Matador, you can do better than this!  I have taken to keeping my copy of the CD in a jewel case with the sticker from the shrink wrap on.

As often these days, there was a deluxe edition with extra tracks.  I have missed out on this, as it has now sold out, but the main album is probably all you need at this stage.  Most of the album can be heard at the band's myspace site:
http://www.myspace.com/esbenandthewitch
A vinyl version of the album is also available from the band's website at:

http://www.esbenandthewitch.co.uk/

This is a band on the verge of greatness.

The Boxer Rebellion - The Cold Still

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I have to thank my friend Lore from Belgium for introducing me to this band.  There is something very ordinary, unpretentious and anonymous about the band, but they are also very good. They remind me of Keane, but without the naffness.  They also have real guitars...

"The Cold Still" is the band's third CD.  It comes in an attractive book-bound edition, with 10 tracks.  I was lucky enough to pick up the HMV exclusive edition with an extra CD EP of 4 tracks.  This edition has sold out online but if you are very quick you might find a copy of the 2CD edition at your local HMV store, if you have such a thing.

The vocal treatments on the album remind me of the Fleet Foxes.  The songs are catchy and well crafted. They are ideal radio material and could be huge. The band seem to be very business minded, perhaps due to to early record company problems.  Certainly, the whole package is very professionally presented.

Currently, the 10-track album is streaming via the Pop Up Player at the band's website: http://theboxerrebellion.com/home/ so you can hear what all the fuss is about.  There are links to promo videos and TV appearances on the site, too.  The video below is "Step Out Of The Car" - the first single from the album.

Lostboy! AKA Jim Kerr

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OK, next up we have something rather different - the first solo album by the frontman of Simple Minds, Jim Kerr.  I must admit I wasn't at all keen when this project kicked off.  The album starts with the first single, "Refugee".  At the time of writing there is a free mp3 of this track on Jim's site as part of the "Free Download Twin Pack - Welcome Gift" at: http://www.lostboyaka.com/found/index.php .  The other featured free mp3 is a very good cover of the Velvet Underground number "What Goes On" which is not on the album.  However, I've always felt that "Refugee" was a very weak track - in fact, I found it quite annoying!  I do know other people who love this track though... Perhaps because of this, I have only just got around to buying the album. I was surprised how good it is, although it does sound a lot like recent Simple Minds.  The producer also had a hand in the last couple of Simple Minds albums: "Black And White 050505" and "Graffiti Soul", which may account for this.

There are some very strong cuts on the album.  My favourites are "The Wait", "She Fell In Love With Silence" (a rather better single) and "Remember Asia".  Another track "Red Letter Day" reminds me of early solo John Foxx stuff, with its insistent synth hook.

There are several editions of this album.  I have the standard jewel-cased one, but there is also a collectors edition with three extra tracks, a version with a red vinyl 7" featuring "What Goes On", and an LP.  My advice would be to shop around as the prices do seem to vary wildly. The album is released via Edel.

I think this album promises greater things for the future.  Jim's site now has a third free mp3 - a completely new track "Kill or Cure" which is amazingly good.  It reminds me of Adamski/Seal collaboration "Killer".  With talk of a greater pool of co-writers and Simon Hayward's involvement, the next Lostboy album could be very special indeed.

Atlantean Kodex - The Golden Bough

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I thought it best to start this blog off with a real 5-star CD release.  My choice is "The Golden Bough" by Atlantean Kodex on the Cruz del Sur label.  The band play "regressive epic metal" and hail from Germany. They are completely new to me.

The album is not particularly easy to find but it is worth seeking out. Clearly inspired by Sir J G Frazer's book, this is a very strong collection.  The songs are mainly melodic epics.  There are some strong choruses though I wouldn't call this Top 30 stuff.  Titles such as "Temple Of Katholic Magick", "Disciples Of The Iron Crown" and "A Prophet In The Forest" should give you a clue as to the nature of the beast.  This is not hard to get into, and could easily appeal to old Led Zeppelin fans. You can listen to the music at this myspace page: "Pilgrim"

The band's website is at: http://www.atlanteankodex.de/

The CD comes beautifully presented, despite some patronising booklet notes.  I have had my copy of the book for about 35 years and can see that this album will give pleasure for many years to come as well.

The album cover is Böcklin’s "Die Toteninsel" ("The Isle Of The Dead") and is well known as the inspiration for Rachmaninov's tone poem.

 There is also a stunning looking double LP edition.  Get it while you can!