Liner Notes - Latitude CD Swap '08

So recently I took part in the Latitude forum CD Swap. You'll be pleased to know I received 3 excellent CDs this year, I hope mine found favour. Here are some “liner notes” for mine...

1) There She Goes, My Beautiful World – Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds.
No surprise to find Nick Cave popping up on any CD I put together – he's now got to the stage where I'm willing to part with my money for anything he does be it Bad Seeds, Grinderman, Films or Books. This is off the double album Lyre of Orpheus/Abattoir Blues which was my album of the year back when it cam out.

This is from his later performance:


2) Life in Jail - Islands
The second Islands album didn't grab me in the same way that the first did, but it's really grown on me. The little twists and turns that marked their debut out are less overt on “Arms Way” than “Return to the sea” but that may not be a bad thing.

This the “crunk section” (whatever that means) done live


3) Sipping on the Sweet Nectar – Jens Lekman
Great album, and an engaging performer live, surely there's room for him at Latitude 2009? I definitely want to see him again, in a show less blighted by sound problems...

Anyway here's the video...


4) After All – The Frank and Walters
One of the most underrated bands of the pre-britpop era, this is one of my favourite jukebox pics as the lunchtime crowd in the Morris will tell you (through gritted teeth perhaps!). Anyway I think they're still going, although perhaps with different haircuts?

TOTP '93:


5) Jaguar Pirates – Jaguar Love
From one of the oldest songs on the album to one of the newest, this is from the recently released debut album from Jaguar Love. I'm not entirely convinced by the album, but I really like the energy of this song.

Live at the 100 club,


6) If the News Makes You Sad, Don't Watch It – Broken Records
One of the best new bands of the festival circuit this year, I saw them twice at Great Escape and Latitude, and they were excellent both times. If there is any justice they will go on to big things.

Live at Belladrum:


7) The Mending of the Gown – Sunset Rubdown
Another of the highlights of Great Escape for me, this is great fun live. Definitely a band I would love to see again.

Live:


8) Rainy Night in Soho – The Pogues
Easily the oldest song on the album, this is where the melancholy-meets-hope ethos of the Pogues comes closest to perfection. They're one of my favourite bands and despite being a tad erratic live I'm deeply tempted to go and see them at Christmas in London (wonder which song they'll do???). One of my all time favourite festival memories was seeing them at the Fleadh a few years ago (2002 if memory serves); the best atmosphere for any band at any festival I've been to.If you're at a loose end, look for the rest of the youtube clips from the show below; it's easy to forget just how many great songs they did.

Live at the Town & Country Club:


9) Doin' The Boom Boom – Eli “Paperboy” Reed and the True Loves
One of the highlights of Latitude, there has been a glut of acts doing 60s style soul in the 00s... This lot do it better than any in my opinion. I seldom venture onto the dancefloor, so any band that can keep me there for as long as them deserve a special mention!

Here's them doing it live...


10) The Homeless and The Humingbirds – Alaska In Winter
One of my favourite albums of last year, this is such a good song to lay back and relax to after a bad day at work. recommended live if you get the chance...

The video:


11) I Want You Around – Gideon Conn
A new discovery at this year's Latitude, I caught his set after giving up on a very flat British Sea Power. Very laid back indie/hip-hop track, perfect for a summer festival (well I think so anyway).

Live:

(I love the way the cameraman is swaying to the music!)

12) Winter – The Dodos
This is from one of my favourite albums of the year so far, Visiter (their spelling, not mine). It's the drums that make it stand out from the crowd for me, love the insistent rhythm. If I had any say in the matter, they'd be headlining the Sunrise arena at Latitude next year...

The video:


13) Breaxxbaxx – Land of Talk
Saw these guys supporting Besnard Lakes at London Water Rats and they rocked. It's not easy for a support act to catch the ear, but they managed it. Apparently there's a new album coming in the autumn, this is from their debut, Applause, Cheer, Boo, Hiss



14) Take Me To The Riot - Stars
Another Canadian band, Stars are of my favourite live acts of the last 12 months (seen them twice). This song is something of a live favourite, and comes from their most recent album, In Our Bedroom After The War. Definitely worth buying the album, and seeing them next time they tour.

The Video:


15) Blue Plastic Bags – Malcolm Middleton
Another highlight of this year's Latitude, Malcolm Middleton has had an interesting year, what with all the news interest in his attempt at the Christmas No.1! This is from his most recent album, Sleight of Heart which didn't entirely convince me compared to it's predecessor. Live, however, this song was a lot stronger.
Couldn't find it on Youtube, sorry!

16) Walk in The Park – Oh No! Oh My!
I have to confess to knowing very little about these guys. I read about them somewhere on the interwebs (I forget where) and downloaded a couple of songs and that's as far as I got. I really must track down the album sometime.

Anyway here's them live.


17) The Dandy Cowboys - Soko
Another highlight from this year's Latitude, Soko's set was delightfully chaotic. The only French singer on the CD, this is from what I believe is her debut EP, “Soko not Sokute”.

Not sure what's going on here!


18) Chaviach – Derwyddon Dr Gonzo
Continuing with the Latitude 2008 theme, this band were an unexpected highlight of the Friday. Apparently this song is knocking Chavs which is probably something we can all relate to! Definitely hope they're invited back next year.

A brief taster...


19) I Wish I Was Someone Better – Blood Red Shoes
Another live highlight of 2008 when I saw them in London, this is probably my favourite song of theirs. It's a long time since I danced as energetically as at that gig!

Live:


20) Barney (...and me) – The Boo Radleys
From one of my all time favourite albums, Giant Steps, I just had to include this song. The Boo Radleys are massively underrated in my opinion, and this is just a brilliant, brilliant song. If any band of this era were to reform and play Latitude next year, it should be this lot... Anyway I'm planning a more in-depth post on Giant Steps at some point.

Couldn't find Barney (...and me) on youtube, but here's another from Giant Steps, Lazarus, at Glasto '94