The Look Out Post: April 2008

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Ahh… April, Spring is finally in the air, the snow has melted and the nights get lighter. It’s my favourite time of the year. So, it’s probably apt that I get to write The Look Out Post for this month. And there’s some good stuff to look forward to as well…

Starting on a purely musical front, I’ve been enjoying the third album from Canadian’s Ladyhawk, Shots. They’re take on the dirtier, darker side of Indie-Americana has had me hooked. I’ve not heard an opening salvo of songs as good as this for along time. Sure, it tails off a bit, but it’s worth it for that momentous start. Also worth hearing is the sophomore effort from The Long Blondes. Couples sees the band embrace some more 80′s synth pop, trying to find Blondies elusive pop key. I’m not sure it works all the time, but it’s a brave change of direction from a band who did guitar-pop so well first time around.

However, this month does see the release of two essential albums for 2008; Frightened Rabbit and Tindersticks. Frightened Rabbit’s second follows hot on the heals of last years, very promising, debut. Bringing to mind early Idlewild with lyrics dealing with stuff a little more down to earth. It’s a robust record, the production tighter and more focused yet the songs have more space to breath, revolving around some serious riffs and wailing vocals. The Tindersticks record is a very different affair. A more laid back, gentler album that still focuses on the great vocals of Stuart Staples. It’s a beautiful record that sounds completely out of time.

Gig-wise it’s a quieter month. As Rich Thane and I gear up for ATP next month, I’ve only got the glories of The Long Blondes, Frank Turner and, hopefully, A Silver Mt Zion to look forward to.

However, some exciting news on that front is that Cambridge promoter Greenmind and us, The Line of Best Fit, are going to hook up to provide some shows in the bastion of Cambridge music, The Portland Arms. More info as and when we’ve got our diaries out, but keep your eyes peeled for flyers and adverts soon.

Away from music, reading is one of my major relaxing past times. Having read a mixture of autobiography and fiction recently, I’m going to embark on this hefty tome: “Redemption Song”: The Definitive Biography of Joe Strummer. Apparently it’s pretty exhaustive and covers everything. As I missed “Everything is Unwritten” in the cinema, this’ll have be the best next thing. I’m also hoping to get a copy of Neil Young’s “Shakey” too. After seeing him at Hammersmith last month, I seem to have become even more obsessed with the great man…

The other thing about April is the change in TV scheduling. As I wait, with baited breath, for the new series of Doctor Who (which starts on Saturday!!), Torchwood is coming to its conclusion. A funny ‘ole program, it’s never quite achieved the heights of it’s originator, and it’s never settled on what it wants to be. However, what has been excellent is the new series from the guy behind The Sopranos; Mad Men. Best thing I’ve seen on TV for years – it’s setting, of an Ad agency in 50′s New York, is perfectly realised and the story arc is still unfurling, never revealing too much and keeping me completely hooked.