I’ve been on more familiar ground for the past month, not straying too far from the beaten path as work becomes more intense the closer summer approaches. That familiarity can keep you stable and lord knows music is good at harnessing your emotions in this day and age.
Anyway, I guess that’s me saying in a very wanky sort of way that there are no surprises in my playlist for March 2025:
Radiohead – In Rainbows
Run from it, hide from it, the Radiohead rabbit hole beckons all the same. And yes, I am one of those normies who say that In Rainbows is their favourite album, but do you blame me? I know Jigsaw Falling Into Place has become TikTok cannon fodder, but I still love that song to bits (full thoughts here: https://asideglance.com/2020/09/18/entry-4-jigsaw-falling-into-place-a-k-a-i-accidentally-started-to-like-radiohead/ ). 15 Step is an energetic but traditionally sinister opener, Videotape is a heartwrenching closer, and between them you have some of the band’s finest work like Bodysnatchers and Nude. Can never leave this album alone for too long.
Paul Weller – Heliocentric
Paul has gone on record saying he isn’t too fond of his 2000s output, and I think Heliocentric is a shining example of why. It’s an album that never truly gets going, the first two thirds of the album all coast along at the same mid-tempo pace, and by the time you reach a proper rocker in the form of There Is No Drinking, After You’re Dead, you’ve stopped giving a toss. The singles are fine though – He’s the Keeper is a good track and Sweet Pea, My Sweet Pea is, well, sweet, but that’s about where it ends for me. It’s all so frustratingly restrained. Far from the Modfather’s finest work.
Steven Wilson – The Raven That Refused to Sing (and Other Stories)
I must admit that I found this one through TikTok but it goes to show that once in a while, an algorithm can recommend stuff that isn’t a waste of thought. The title compelled me, the genres of prog rock and jazz fusion brought me in, and I had a good enough time with this album, with its swaying tales of televangelists and watchmakers. I may have to give it another go to fully appreciate it (I was drifting off after a long night of work) but you only get one chance to make a good first impression. This one succeeded.
The Beatles – Let it Be…Naked
I listened to Let It Be for the first time last year. Didn’t hate it, not a bad album. Shame most of the la’s thought differently, thanks to Phil Spector’s wall of sound, which is what led me to put it up against the Naked version that Paul helped put together in 2003. And honestly? I prefer the original. I think the grandiosity of Spector’s version is what made me enjoy the album in the first place. Songs like the title track and Get Back hold up fine without the window dressing, but others like I Me Mine don’t. I get that it was originally meant to be a back-to-basics album, but there is such a thing as too basic. Ain’t broke? Don’t fix it.
The Kinks – Face to Face
If you’re going to listen to the Beatles, you have to give the Kinks the time of day as well. This is another album I stuck on after a stressful day at the office, mainly because I knew it was the one that had Sunny Afternoon on it. Love that song. The rest of the album was excellent too, Party Line, Dandy and Holiday in Waikiki being particular highlights. And apparently, this is just when the Kinks really started getting good. I think Arthur might be a good shout for next month.
MOOON – III
And who said the 60s was dead? I came across this Dutch three-piece when I was looking up who was playing the Cluny in Newcastle, and they are right up my street; psychedelic rock with heavy influences from bands such as the Who and Small Faces? Shut up and take my money! A band so heavily trapped in a time warp could be argued as being unoriginal and playing to nostalgia but MOOON’s charm can easily win you over, if not in their music (available in mono for that authentic 60s touch!), then definitely in their music videos. See below:
The Molotovs – More More More
Speaking of bands who could be accused of drawing too heavily from their influences, the Mod-tinged Molotovs have been eagerly anticipated for ages now and they have finally released their debut single (and it’s this week’s number one on the vinyl charts, happy days!). The bitterness and noise of punk runs through this song’s veins and its anthemic stylings are surely going to turn heads as we inevitably approach the band’s first LP. It’s early days, but they are certainly promising.
Welly – Big in the Suburbs
But this debut LP has just arrived, and has snuck its way into this entry just in time. Welly are an up-and-coming indie band who have brought us an album that is caked in Britishness – The lyrics name dropping supermarkets, types of houses, and larger-than-life characters off the street.; the front cover and merchandise evoking iconography any average motorway hopper/DVLA employee will be familiar with; the vocals of what sounds like the love child of Damon Albarn and Ed Gamble, with his observant eye scanning over modern-day Britain in a manner similar to Parklife and Different Class. Britpop for the Terrible 20s. Just what the doctor ordered.
Oasis – Standing on the Shoulder of Giants
It turned 25 this year. It got re-released with nothing new whatsoever. I listened anyway. And I think some of my opinions have changed since I last spoke about this album during lockdown. Watch this space…
A-Side Glance 