Blog: 17 seconds

One of the biggest let-downs of the decade has got to be The Prodigy's Always Outnumbered, Never Outgunned LP. But on the strength of this free track they've released, hopefully they're back firing on all cylinders. I'm not going to say that this is the best thing they've ever done - but it's pretty much the best thing I've heard them do in over a decade. This is the title track from their new album, the tracklisting and more info can be found here . The Prodigy -'Invaders Must Die.' mp3 [...]

It's that time of year again. Amongst other things on this site will follow much by way of Christmas related stuff, including some anti-Christmas stuff. Just in case anyone is worried, as God is my witness, I promise not to post any painfully awful and/or obvious stuff. So there will be no Mud, Slade, Shakin' Stevens, Mariah Carey, Boney M etc.. If you want it, I'm sure you can find it elsewhere. Mogwai have done two (or three, depending on yur point of view) songs with Christmas in the title. 'Xmas Steps', all eleven and a [...]

Well, it has been a little while, so why not one of my Peel posts? By the way, before I get stuck into this, can people please go and vote over at Teenage Kicks so Steve can work out everyone's favourite Peel sessions. My list is likely to include The Cure, Frankie Goes To Hollywood, The Fall, Half Man Half Biscuit and the Breeders. Possibly... First up, I know very little about this song, but its' title sums it up quite well, I think: Robert Lloyd and the New Four [...]

Isn't YouTube fab ? This is a clip of Sandie Smith singing The Smiths song 'Jeane.' The Smiths and Sandie Shaw on a programme called 'Charlie's Bus' (don't remember it, but I would have been around eight at the time. Probably watching Saturday Morning Superstore or something). Also this link is Sandie Shaw & The Smiths doing Hand In Glove on Top Of the Pops in 1984. [embedding disabled by request, you'll just have to go to the link] Pretty cool, the [...]

The Smiths -'The Sound Of The Smiths' (Warners) Another year, another Smiths compilation? Well, of course, that does depend on which edition of this album you get. The selling point of this album, and surely the attraction to many of us is Disc 2, with many rarities (though still no 'Work Is A Four Letter Word'). Rather than dwelling on yet another Smiths compilation, let us focus on the music instead. For a band that were together for five years, with a recording career of four, The Smiths had a highly productive work-rate where the [...]

Soft Machine, above. For many years, I've been fairly opposed to the whole concept, never mind the music, of progressive rock. Many years ago, a friend's dad played me Pictures At An Exhibition by Emerson Lake and Palmer, and it put me right off. (And I do like classical music). Added to which, as someone who felt that punk was what had led to his beloved indie scene, it was a feeling that progressive rock's sole function was to be so damn hideous that punk had to happen. With the exception of Pink [...]

Haven't posted much here this week. It's been kinda busy, and isn't showing sign of letting up. How the heck did Tony Wilson manage to run a label and work in TV? No marking, I suppose. Anyway, some songs for a cold winter's day... Johnny Cash -'Hurt.' (No there's nothing wrong with me, just something in my eye...) afterword: Johnny Cash's wife June Carter Cash, seen here in the video, died shortly before him in 2003. Someone said that 'she'd gone to get the house ready for him.' I'm sure [...]

Guess who's back? Back again? Na na na na na...sorry, lost myself a bit there. Aberfeldy have just announced that they will play two very special dates this Christmas. They will headline at the ABC2 in Glasgow on December 22 and the next night at the Voodoo Rooms, Edinburgh on December 23. Their manager told me that tickets should be on sale from tomorrow, priced around £10. I have also been told that the test pressings for the new single 'Claire' on 7" should be ready next week. So if you live in [...]

OK, I know I have blogged about Pearl and the Puppets before, including when she was gigging as Katie Sutherland: Anyway, this morning I got another email requesting I post 'Because I Do' again. Very happy to oblige. It's a great song, still my favourite of hers and one I never tire of hearing. Sorry it's been a bit quiet round here of late,it's just been kinda busy... Katie Sutherland -'Because I Do.' mp3 Then go [...]

...and I don't even drink. This week's had so many ups and downs it's not even funny. There's always someone worse off than you, but with the death of the last surviving member of the Jimi Hendrix experience , there's one hell of a jam going on in heaven. Wonder who's joining in? Jimi Hendrix Experience -'All Along The Watchtower.' mp3

I'd had this in my inbox for blooming ages...and I'm kicking myself. This week with Aberfeldy's single 'Claire' getting play from NME Radio (did I mention this?!), I've heard this loads and can't get it out of my head. This has also been played on Iain Baker's show and it's bloody fabulous. Expect to see this in the 17 Seconds Festive Fifty at the end of the year. Mr. Beasley -'Right As Rain.' mp3 Now, it goes without saying, if you like the song GO AND BUY IT! [...]

Ry Cooder -'The UFO Has Landed -The Ry Cooder Anthology.' (Rhino) An excellent compilation that does exactly what it says on the tin! Right from the weird and wonderful artwork (Ry says that he was given the artwork years ago, and he would love to find out who from), to the rich and diverse music contained inside, this is a treat. I have to put my hand up here and say that I am not an authority on Ry Cooder 's music. According to legend, Bob Dylan once went to him at 3am to learn [...]

Hello folks. A somewhat disturbing story that I read on NME which can be read in a little more detail over at AllHipHop . The man in the picture at the top is called Trick Trick. Trick Trick is a collaborator of Eminem, and Trick Trick has some serious issues. The man is homophobic to his core. I am not going to reprint what he said here -with freedom of speech comes responsibility, and his views on homosexuality are just offensive, not just to those who define themselves as non-heterosexual but any right [...]

Escape Act -'Loosely Based On Fiction (Volte Face Records) Escape Act's debut LP Loosely Based On Fiction follows on from the June release of the rather fine 'God Says' single Having been impressed by that single the album does not disappoint either. Ten tracks long, and barely 35 minutes long, it comes in and does its' job extremely effectively. The Belfast trio recorded this album at the legendary Chem 19 studio in Glasgow with Andy Miller. Not that they needed any more Celtic magic, but the (Fratellis, Mogwai, Sons & Daughters) producer [...]

17 Seconds Records continues apace... Our second signing is the enigmatic Ex Lion Tamer, the project of the mysterious Tony T. There will be a download single to come in the new year, 'Neon Hearts' with hopefully a free download to come before then. G ive him a listen and see what you think! And go and make friends too , obviously...

Deerhunter -'Microcastle'/'Weird era Cont.' Deerhunter's third album is their first on 4AD. This is not so much a double album, rather than a 'bonus disc of brand new material [Weird Era Cont]...an album in its' own right. There are lots of great songs on this album, spread across the two discs. The problem is that it tends to be a little disorientating with the sheer arnge of stuff on here that it's a bit much to take in in one sitting. The album is a fitting one for 4AD to release, with its' overtones of [...]

According to this story , which was mentioned yesterday at NME , Orange Juice are reforming. Does anyone know anything about this? Couldn't find out anything at Edwyn's site, but it would be great . Be interesting to know which members would be rejoining. Edwyn obviously, but what about Malcolm, Zeke, James...? Orange Juice -'Blue Boy.' mp3

Meursault -'Pissing On Bonfires/Kissing With Tongues.' (Song By Toad Records) Wow . Not content with writing a fine blog and having some of the Scottish Capital's finest bands round for sessions, Song By Toad has set up a record label. And damn it, everyone's favourite reptilian blogger has done it again. Not content with releasing the rather good Nightjar EP, SBTR have released one of the year's finest albums. Damn you! Meursault have been plying their trade around the capital for a while now, and as their lineup has taken a while to [...]

• Meursault - A Few Kind Words
• Meursault - The Furnace (Alternate Version)

This Sunday marks Remembrance Sunday, in remebrance of Armistice Day 1918 'The eleventh hour on the eleventh day on the eleventh month.' We did it in school, like a lot of people. I remember doing it aged about eight, via watching a programme called How We Used To Live , a show that looked at a family in Yorkshire. A few years later, on a family holiday in France, we drove along passed the roads where the cemeteries are. Even as a twelve year old, it was quite sobering, and the picture at the top gives an [...]

One of those moments on the radio last week, courtesy of none other than Tom '2-4-6-8 Motorway' Robinson on his show on 6Music: 'Clip from the radio of Aberfeldy's single.'mp3 (Thank you, Dave!)