I already posted about Second Still on this blog back in 2019:
I finally bought the vinyl version of that album (along with their second one, Violet Phase).
It's been years since I've heard any news about the band, and I'm not sure if they're still together or not. While waiting for updates, here is a rip of my vinyl copy.
HEAR: my rip FLAC24_96
On this record, the bnd shifted their sonic signature away from abrasive industrial noise toward a driving, hypnotic electronic groove that makes the tracklist much more accessible than theri earlier output (somebody prefer the early version of CV).
As with the previous drops, this vinyl has been ripped in FLAC 24-bit/96kHz.
HEAR= my rip FLAC 24_96
In my spare time, I've started ripping some of my vinyl records, and I'll be sharing a few of them here on the blog.
I don't have a set schedule or order; each choice will simply be inspired by whatever I'm feeling in the moment.
Fresh off attending Morrissey's concert in July, I decided to digitize 1986's The Queen is Dead . The files are quite large because I chose to rip them in FLAC 24-bit/ 96kHz.
Referencing my last post on the Morrissey concert: one cool detail while waiting for the set was the big-screen projection. Among a mix of '80s clips and '60s italian movies scenes, an NTERPOL track popped up; pretty much the only modern outlier on the playlist.
It reminded me how much I liked their sound, so I went through my digital collection to spin a bunch of their tracks again.
They toured Italy recently, but I missed the Bologna date. Since their new album drops in late August 2026, I decided to post something from their back catalog in the meantime.
I stopped following Morrissey in the late '80s, after his time with The
Smiths and his debut solo album, Viva Hate in 1988.
Recently, having the opportunity to see him live not far from home, I dusted
off and re-listened to my old vinyl records—The Queen Is Dead, Strangeways,
Here We Come, and Viva Hate—and checked out some of his more recent
work online. Fully prepared, I attended one of the two Italian events on his
tour ( Cernobbio on July 19th).
I must say, it was a truly beautiful evening, made even better by the
splendid setting of Villa Erba overlooking Lake Como and the perfect weather.
I had expected a nostalgic concert filled only with old Smiths songs, but
that wasn’t the case. Despite his age (which shows), Morrissey’s voice remains
as captivating and engaging as ever. The setlist alternated between classics
from The Smiths era and tracks from his latest solo albums. His backing band
was excellent, delivering a crystal-clear sound that complemented his vocals
perfectly. On stage, Morrissey was affable and empathetic with the audience,
which was diverse and multinational, though not particularly large.
I'm really glad I was there.
HERE: Encore of the concert
I was wrong!!! The live performances of their 2025 UK tour were followed in 2026 by new releases and a new 2026 tour (unfortunately, Italy is not on the list).
There are LPs and CDs (with different setlists), Bandcamp digital releases and also a lot of youtube videos of the live tour performances.
For those who (like me) cannot attend a concert of this tour, here is a list of links that can be used as an alternative.
BANDCAMP = cabaretvoltaire.bandcamp.com
YOUTUBE = Cabaret Voltaire live at Élysée Montmartre Paris 2026
Something about their sound caught my attention; perhaps some hints of familiar music (Talking Heads, Devo etc.). But it doesn't matter, it's enough to deepen their knowledge.
This is their first EP (2022) after some single in 2020 and 2021.
ENJOY: On the wrong side of history
The wall-sound of A Place to Bury Strangers cannot leave indifferent who, in the '80s, loved Jesus and Mary Chain and that sound.
On the Bandcamp page of the group, the album is very well summarized "This collection of B-sides, abandoned experiments, and forgotten fragments reveals the band at their most unfiltered-caught between breaktrough ideas and beautiful mistakes "
HEAR: Rare and Deadly
Neutrals are an American band from the San Francisco Bay Area. Theirs is a nostalgic post-punk or, depending on how you interpret it, can also be considered an interestind result of the new indie scene. This "New Town Dream" is their third release after the debut "Kebab Disco" in 2019 and the EP "Bus Stop Night" in 2022. The songs are short (less than 3 minutes), catchy and easy. Wheter you consider it a "revival" or an "innovative sound" i like it and I consider this a good release.
HERE:New Town Dream
Yes, I admit I've been listening to a little softer music than usual lately. New soul is currently my top genre, and it's a chance to rediscover otherwise underrated artists.
This is the case with Maxwell and this album in particular. Now was released in 2001, but a remastered version was released in 2021. This link is the 2021 version captured on Spotify.
With this end-of-year post, I wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Plum is an album from 2020 and probably my favourite of the several works they released.
HERE: Plum
It's still a joy to listen to today and doesn't show its age.
Enjoy! The Club Mix Hits
That's how I discovered Erykah's LP "Mama's Gun" (it will be the subject of Erykah's tour). It was a nice surprise for me. I'm a fan of acid jazz and trip hop, and here you can find a good interpretation of this musical genre, combined with a truly special voice that makes this work a masterpiece.
So I'm looking forward to attending one of the 2 concerts scheduled in Italy for next November!!!
HERE : Mama's Gun
HERE: Rejuvenation
I hadn't planned on attending the concert until I got a message from a friend saying, “I have an extra ticket for the Sparks concert.”
Since I had no other plans that evening, I happily accepted.
I wasn’t very familiar with the band, even though they’ve been around for quite a while. But in the end, it turned out to be a great night—and a unique chance to see them live.
VIDEO =youtube 8_7_2025
Today, while reading the reviews, I was amazed to discover the ages of the two brothers Russell 77 and Ron 80 years old. It was truly incredible to watch Russell move and jump around the stage nonstop for an hour and forty minutes, all while delivering vocals with a remarkably enviable voice.
You can find the full concert review on the Rolling Stone website here:
Yers ago they were in my favourite group list of "new californian sound" As I called. There were years where they disappeared but in the last period they come back with interesting new works.
Here a collection of old and recent songs I downloaded from the web. It is a pleasure to listen to some of the main soundtrack of the '90.
Here:SM essentials
Cymande was an important band from 1971 to 1974. Then, after a period of silence, Cymande tracks sound appears in the '90 in a lot of Hip-Hop sound sampling. (De La Soul)
Cymande reform again in 2010 and this is the last album "Renascence". New components of the band but a good quality sound with also some famous voice appearance (Jazzie B, Celeste).
HEAR :Renascence
Jojo Orme is voice and leader of this interesting group from London. A mix of sonorities coming from post-punk, psychedelic and other with different cultural influences, too.
Interesting to follow
HERE: Glutton For Punishment
At the moment my best listening of the first part of the year:
HERE Youtube link: The The on KEXP
