Nigel 
August 27th, 2009(This is an extra post because I feel like it.)
This week both Athlete and Arctic Monkeys released their new albums. I’m getting into Athlete because Graham (younger son) is a fan, and I have the previous Arctic Monkey’s albums. So I’ve just finished listening to both. Legally (on Napster). In the background while I work though. Yes I have just spent over two hours writing: nerdy or what. Here are my first impressions thoughts.
Athlete: Black Swan
Definitely worth a second listen. Relatively gentle music, but with many attractive touches. On first listening it feels a bit samey, but I wasn’t giving it my full attention (it’s on for a second time now, and sounding more varied). I’ll probably put it on my Amazon wish list – haven’t got any of their stuff yet.
Arctic Monkeys: Humbug
I’ve mixed feelings about their music, but it’s growing on me. Loved that one about looking good on the dance floor. Might do it in public one day. This feels like more of the same with some new bits, and one track that kinda sounds awfully derivative from one of their previous tracks but I’m probably wrong there. I’ll definitely be giving it at least a few more listens, and I’ll pay more attention next time.
Random thought on listening to new music
When the Rolling Stones album “Beggars’ Banquet” was issued I rushed out to buy it. I’d loved almost everything they’d done to that point. As I recall I was a fresher at Durham and short of cash. I got the vinyl LP back to my room in college and it was straight on the slightly crackly, mono record player. (Worked all the next summer to get a decent stereo system). I hated their album. I mean it was incomprehensible, repetitive, a total waste of money. That included classic tracks like ‘Sympathy for the Devil’.
But I’d just shelled out a whole pound for this useless bit of plastic, and I hadn’t at that time read Stuart Sutherland’s book ‘Irrationality’ (which hadn’t been written lol). I stuck with it. Actually I reasoned that this was the Stones, and they were incredible, so it must be a good album. The problem must actually be with me. I listened again. Still bad. And again. And again and again. Full marks for determination Nige. It wasn’t till the seventh listening that something clicked and now I think of it as one their most inspired albums. What I didn’t know was that it was far closer to the blues stuff they’d played before they were famous than most of their commercial stuff. A friend started introducing me to blues-related band Cream (who’d sadly already disbanded). The next year another friend introduced me to blues-based bandfs Led Zeppelin and Ainsley Dunbar. Understanding the blues properly still took many years, and I still can’t figure when to come in with the vocal if singing Crossroads with a live band, but it was worth it.
Moral: don’t give up too soon on music that sounds different and doesn’t immediatelt float your boat. The best stuff usually takes some work.
Ricky signing CD covers, hands and ties after free concert in Leeds day after first album released
Random thought on recording
I’m a big fan of the Kaiser Chiefs. And not just because they’re a Leeds band. But I wish they would spread out recording an album over a much longer period. Preferably at least six months. The last two albums have had some great material but somehow felt far too repetitive in style. The first album was seriously varied. And it sounded raw despite the polishing, which frankly is when they sound best. Pity you won’t read this Ricky you dozy git 
How about a live album? And don’t go back into the recordings dubbing over your mistakes like Paul McCartney does; the incredible pianist Richter didn’t – mind you he didn’t have the technology.
