Wild Frank

One band I never got at the time but, as of the past month or so, love are the Pixies. Can't believe I didn't get it at the time. Another one is the Replacements. In the 80s I was all about Prog whereas in the 90s it was Wilco/Jayhawks/Black Crowes and Grant lee Buffalo. Now, looking back, I've realised how great Pixies/Replacements were.

If there are any Grant Lee Buffalo fans kicking around they have a new live album out on their website, recorded on their 2012 tour. Its a great little reminder of how good this band were back in the day. I still have the Buffalondon Live EP somewhere which I used to love. My favourite Live Albums: Genesis: Seconds Out My Morning Jacket: Okonokos Neil Young: Time Fades Away and Arc-Weld Aerosmith: Live Bootleg (I know, I know....but it holds great memories for me) Bob Dylan: Hard Rain

New NMH tour dates announced. It also look like they will be visiting the UK some time later in the year which will be something to catch.

Album of the year so far for me. Consistantly good and the whole album works really well. I love 'Mermaids'. A great song and a great set of lyrics: "She was a catch, We were a match I was the match that would fire up her snatch" Fair enough. Would be pleasantly surprised if I heard a better album than this in 2013.

Listened to the album for a month or so and it is frustrating. My problem with it is one that every artist seems to be guilty of these days. Just because a CD can hold 70 mins of music doesn't mean you have to fill the time!!. I've have taken about six songs off this and works far better as an album. Its just too long and has too much filler on it. With a few notably exceptions most good albums don't exceed 45 mins (or two sides of vinyl).

Finally got 'round to listening to the new album and it is really good. Song for Zula is the highlight for me but everything this guy puts out is pretty top notch. Loved his performance on Fallon too.

Anyone heard anymore on the upcoming volume of the Bootleg Series. Rumours were that we would get both Volumes 10 and 11 this year. I think Volume 10 is focusing on the Self Portraight sessions whcih could be interesting. That is such a strage album but there are half a dozen good songs on there so it could be interesting re-visiting these sessions.

I saw the single off the album last night. A great track. Nile Rodgers on guitar and, I think, the chap from N.E.R.D on vocals.

Tyler's new album, The Impossible Truth, is a great album. Its out on Merge I think and has been gathering some very positive reviews. I'm still enjoying the latest Lambchop record. A really strong set of songs.

On the subject of Fleetwood Mac has anyone heard the new 4 track EP they released this week?

Lambchop: Nixon and Damaged John Coltrane: A Love Supreme Wilco: Yankee Hotel Foxtrot Tom Waits: Rain Dogs Mercury Rev: See You on the Other Side David Bowie: Scary Monsters and Super Creeps Van Morrison: Veedon Fleece Sparklehorse: Vivadixiesubmarinetransmissionplot Talk Talk: Colour of Spring and Spirit of Eden Charles Mingus: Mingus Ah Um Grant Lee Buffalo: Mighty Joe Moon The Black Crowes: Southern Harmony Massive Attack: Blue Lines and Queensryche: Operation Mindcrime!!

In this day and age it is staggering that he has kept this under wraps. I have a lot of time for Bowies 90's output like 'Black Tie', 'Outside' and 'Earthling'. Hopefully he can produce the goods this time. This could be something similar to Dylan's 'Time Out of Mind'; a comeback that addresses issues of age and death. Just speculating but Bowie's recent health scares might have inspired a new set of songs. Bottom line is whether the album is great or not is the chance to see him live again.

Wow. New Bowie track appeared this morning. New album also due. Classy. Remains silent for years and then out of nowhere...boom. Great tune. Proper legend.

He has a new record out in February. There is a track from it streaming now, via pitchfork. Pretty nice tune. I liked the Grinderman work as well as 'Dig Lazuarus Dig'. Looking forward to this in the new year. For those with more disposable income than myself there is the obligatory super deluxe edition of the new album to pre-order.

A 14 song set for Neil and Crazy Horse could still last about a week if the latest album an anything to go by. Expect full-on jams with endless feedback.