Minisnap

I, naturally, prefer not to seem too predictable. However, I think anyone who knows me could have seen Minisnap on Friday and known I would have loved them. This, of course, has nothing to do with me and everything to do with Minisnap. They're a great band. I just couldn't escape the notion that it was quintessential 'Chris Music'; dreamy pop with yearning vocals and punchy free guitars with a touch of fuzz. Kaye Woodward's vocals are delivered with a cool feminine passion which reminds me of Pam Berry, yet does copy or even really sound like her or anyone else. I guess that's an aspect that's common with a lot of the components of their music and why I felt such an instant connection to them. They remind me of so many bands I know and love, without necessarily sounding like them. It sounds cliche but they make these perfect pop songs seem impossibly easy, but then they've all been doing so for longer than I've been alive.

My friend Ben felt it essential I mention something regarding Kaye Woodward attractiveness. Though I can't exactly remember what it was he said, also I am concerned about effects of developing a 'hot indie babes' thread and would, of course, never dream of objectifying woman in such a way.

The Magnetic Fields gripe and Still Corners

Front row (okay third row) tickets for The Magnetic Fields show in July is naturally something to be very excited about. Although reading this guys response to an NY show is enough to make me nervous. Am I going to hate it for the same reason I dislike seeing movies at film festivals or find visits to the 'thea-tah' so annoying. In Auckland the "average TMF fan" didn't really exist, but I can imagine he/she (but mostly he) does exist in London and that I would find him/her very irritating. Or perhaps I exhibiting text book behavior of an average TMF fan right now. Looking through set lists from recent shows looks like they've gone for a pretty decent spread, not enough pre-69 Love Songs stuff but that's always going to be the case. 'Holiday' or 'Charm of the Highway Strip' Don't Look Back anyone? I think the most exciting thing is putting this date in my calendar and realising I'll be seeing Jonathan Richman and My Bloody Valentine between now and TMF show - should be a happy summer.

After plenty of EP listens I went and saw Still Corners last night when they opened for Phil Wilson. I was happy to see that went for a 'proper band' and didn't rely on any backing track. Predictably the soft subtlety of their recordings was replaced with more epic rockery which is fine, although the synthesizer was based around a distinct tone that is kind of dated at c1995 and made them sound a bit too much like Portishead for my liking. As for Phil Wilson, unfortunately I had to leave after The Pocketbooks but by all accounts he was great. Plus I've never really been a fan of The June Brides.

Still Corners

I really love the Still Corners' EP 'Remember Pepper', but am at a loss as to how I can describe it. Its most obvious comparison is Broadcast, but I have this idea that it's based around melody rather than rhythm. However, I don't really know if that's true or even what it really means so it's probably best I just leave it at it's warm, lovely and 'I love it'. I'm going to see them on Thursday playing with Phil Wilson and The Pocketbooks, so hopefully I'll have a better idea as to what they're about after seeing them live. I just hope they don't go for extensive backing tracks to try and get the exact soundscapes of the EP.

There is some (what I consider to be) proper snow today - it's pretty fun.