Super_Collider - Head On

I first encountered Super_Collider on some late night TV programme in 1999 that showed the video for It Won't Be Long. I was immediately drawn in. I couldn't quite place my finger on what it was about the music, but I knew I had to hear more.

When I finally got round to buying the album, I listened to it in a state of confusion, not knowing quite what to make of the warped sounds. It sounded as though someone had taken the semi-improvised vocal tracks of some long lost soul singer and put it through a blender with an unhealthy dose of dirty funk and Autechre-esque dischordant rhythms.

I'm giving it another listen now and still can't quite get my head round it, but it is thoroughly absorbing.

I raise my glass to Christian Vogel and Jamie Lidell for making something so brave and utterly unique.

Expert Knob Twiddlers

This Mike (Paradinas) and Rich (are D James) album of playful 90s electronica is housed in one of my all time favourite record covers.

Beautiful. Elegaic. Heartbreaking.

The Race For Space

The new Public Service Broadcasting album.

A lovely dual sleeve (which way round will I have it?) and on heavyweight clear vinyl. It also includes a 12" booklet with text that provides a timeline and narrative for the music and ensures that PSB continue with their commitment to Inform, Educate and Entertain.

My Dad used to disapprove of me listening to so much music as a teenager - he felt that there were more highbrow ways of me spending my leisure time and said to me "you'll never learn anything from listening to music". He was wrong, and at the time I used OMD as a counter argument to his assertion (Joan of Arc, Enola Gay, Nikola Tesla, Genetic Engineering and Stanlow Oil Refinery are some of the things they introduced me to). Maybe I should send him a copy of this album...

As for the music, it's much more of a listening album and arguably holds together better than their debut (no doubt helped by the concept), but still very much what you'd expect and want for a PSB album. There's plenty of nice touches too - the choral work, the use of different drum kits for each nation and, best of all, their statement of intent in the liner notes:

" This record has been mastered quieter than most modern albums in order to preserve its dynamics. PSB do not like the loudness wars. Listening to it may therefore require judicious use of the volume knob."

The "American" front cover...

...and the "Soviet" front cover.

Just Checking in on my Ultravox Collection

More Noise Found Down The Back of Richard D James's Sofa

With the typically confusing title of "Computer Controlled Acoustic Instruments pt2" - was there ever an part 1? - Aphex Twin makes a slight return to follow on from 2014's Syro album.

Here we have a 13 track EP of "heavy grooves...interspersed with orphaned loops, pregnant drones and itchy, atmospheric piano breaks", which could be read partially as some stuff that he never got round to finishing. Still, there's some great pieces on here, made doubly appealing by the only detail printed on the disc's label: "33 or ...45". Whether it's there as a suggestion, instruction or Aphex perversity I don't know, but I've listened to it at both speeds and can't decide which is best.

Sixteen albums from 2014

In no particular order...

Aphex Twin - Syro

Not quite the outstanding album that many people would have you believe, but even a pretty good Aphex album will have more jaw dropping moments than many artist's entire career. Check out track 2 (or XMAS_EVET10 (thanaton3 mix) if you want to be picky and use song titles) as an example.

St Vincent - St Vincent
The critics favourite of the year it seems. And who am I to argue? 'tis good.

Manic Street Preachers - Futurology
I was a bit underwhelmed by Rewind The Film, but this is great - a Manics album that might appeal to non-Manics fans. Any album that might have the word "motorik" in its reviews is always worth checking out.

Goat - Commune
Like their debut album, but different.

Spoon - They Want My Soul
Loved by the critics, bought by a small handful of people.

Brian Eno & Karl Hyde -Someday World/High Life
A collaboration that spawned two great albums. The melody heavy Someday World was quickly followed up by the more experimental robo-afrobeat High Life. Both are worth checking out.

The War on Drugs - Lost In The Dream
Artists that came up in conversation whilist listening to this: The Waterboys, Bruce Springsteen, Dire Straits, The Cars, Don Henley, Arcade Fire, The Eagles, early 80s Rod Stewart, and A-Ha. A great album for playing spot the reference point.

Tweedy - Sukierae
In the absence of a new Wilco album, I guess 20 wonderful new songs by Jeff Tweedy and his son will have to do.

Jack White - Lazaretto
As long as it's the vinyl version, obviously.

Wildest Dreams - Wildest Dreams
DJ Harvey's latest exploration into west coast psych rock.

The Phantom Band - Strange Friend
I was supposed to go and see the Phantom Band at the Deaf Institute in June, but managed to write off my car on the way there whilst listening to this album.

Damon Albarn - Everyday Robots
Mr Tembo made me smile a lot. The best song about an elephant ever?

Todd Terje - It's Album Time
By far the best party album of 2014

Mogwai - Rave Tapes
More like "post rave comedown tapes".

Caribou - Our Love
Dan Snaith will always be Manitoba to me. Regardless of the name he's still churning out some great music.

Electric Youth - Innerworld
Lush, gorgeous dream pop.