Random Shuffle: 01/08/07

"The Blinding"– Babyshambles
From The Blinding

There was a period of time not so long ago, that I forsook nearly all new music for that which could be found in live concert bootleg form. It seemed to me, at that time, that it was a far far better thing to download a free concert than to pay $20 for something made in a studio. It not only made monetary sense, but I generally dig music that is performed live rather than what you find in a studio. Plus, if I really dug a band’s live performance, I could always go back and purchase their studio work. And if I don’t like them live, then all I’m out is the time it took to make the download, and I’ve got the extra twenty to spend on something else.

Recently, say the last year or so, I’ve found myself again interested in all the new music  I’ve missed out on. Turns out there is a lot of amazing studio work that completely missed my radar due to the bands either not having any available live material, or simply not being in my own trading circles.

Far from a musical pundit am I, but it seems to me that we’re under a sort of new British invasion. A large swath of the new music I’ve been digging comes from across the sea. There may be a more logical solution to this, mainly most of my recent musical buddies come from the UK and thus their own musical appreciation contains much of their own tuneage.

Whatever the case, I’ve recently become a fan of one Peter Doherty and his bands the Libertines and Babyshambles. His personal life leaves much to be desired, but the boy knows how to write a glorious rock jingle. This one has this bouncy, rocking beat that is so fantastic I even saw fit to include it on my wife’s annual Christmas mix-tape. And even though she says it sounds a little too much like “Foxy Lady,” I expect it will be getting repeat plays for months to come.

“Hurts So Good" – John Mellencamp
From American Fool

I live in Bloomington, Indiana which is ground zero for John Mellencamp. I can’t go an hour without hearing him on the radio. When he performs in the area it is a state-wide event. He’s essentially the patron saint around here and it has completely ruined him for me.

I’m sure there are similar folk in other places saying the same thing about their cities heroes. There have to be at least a few people in New Jersey who can’t stand Springsteen, and probably more than a handful of kids in Athens, Georgia who have had enough of REM. Hometown Heroes aren’t always welcome by everybody.

Article Author: Mat Brewster

Mat Brewster is a periodic ex-pat wondering if he'll ever find a home. You can find him musing on pop culture, and obsessing over concert bootlegs at The Midnight Cafe.

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