Baxter Dury - Happy Soup

Lyrically the album is littered with promiscuous gems his old man would be proud of. Lead track ‘Isobel’ dives straight into this world proclaiming “I think my mate slept with you when you were in Portugal”. Combine this with a mature sounding Jamie T guitar lick and it’s winner winner chicken dinner time folks.

Trellic is probably the most Blockheads-esque of all tracks on the album but the accompaniment of Madeline Hart on vocals gives the song its own sumptuous identity.

You would be forgiven for thinking that Graham Coxon co-wrote this album with Dury. It has all the hallmarks of his early Blur guitar parts. Catchy enough to pull it into mainstream consciousness but quirky enough to know your not being sold a Menswear.

Without question, the standout track is ‘Claire’. It has a tender fragile feel which gives the impression Dury is making a desperate plea to someone he cares for deeply. It is one of those great songs which is seemingly just a catchy pop song but scratch deeper and you will find something to cling to for a life time.

Anyone lucky enough to get tickets to Pulp at Brixton academy over the bank holiday get there early to see Baxter in full flow!

Male Bonding – Endless Now

All the way from America via the immense Sub Pop label is Male Bonding……..what?.........their from DALSTON!!!!!!!

That’s right folks, a trio from North London are releasing an album (their 3rd) on Sub Pop. Unsure as to how that happened, well so are TT but from the opening riff of ‘Tame The Sun’ its not hard to see why. Embodying Sonic Youth’s ‘Goo’ and Jesus and Mary Chain’s ‘Upside Down’ the album is an instant hit. I mean melody and distorted guitar sounds, what’s not to like?

Carrying and Seems to Notice have such sumptuous guitar licks it beggars belief that The Drums are even bothering with a 2nd album. the aid back nature of The Drums ‘I Wanna Go Surfing’ is made to look futile with MB’s emphasis on urgency and energy.

Since the emergence of Wavves the renaissance of music similar to Pavement, Sonic Youth and the Mary Chain is becoming more and more prominent. Christ, even Sebadoh are touring again! With a little luck Male Bonding look as though they are about to time their assault of the airwaves to perfection. Plus, with Howler’s debut release round the corner they are the perfect prelude.

PIP PIP!

Introdiction is the first solo effort from the Stanford-le-Hope’s Scroobious Pip and is brimming with his glorious dark and moody delivery. Moving away from his collaborator Dan Le Sac’s love of Electro into an out and out hip hop sound, Pip has managed to create sense of being an outsider fighting for attention.

The Thunderous drum roll into the 2nd verse will have anyone with pent up aggression ready to roar those around them. There is not too much change in style of Pip’s delivery here, which, it being top draw for two albums we are not unhappy about.

He continues his assault on rappers that say “ho” which he began in cult classic Thou Shalt Always Kill much to TT’s delight. We pray to the music gods that Pip casts himself into the public eye as no longer can we bare the tongues up Jay-Z and Kanye’s arseholes because of their production. They have nothing to say and say it far too loudly.

Long Live Pip!

Do You Remember The First Time

Hyde Park was the setting for Sheffield's finest triumphant return to London and not even the corporate muck which looms over the wireless festival like a floater in the toilet is going to spoil it.

With an impressive line-up on the various stages TT brings you the low-down on a monumental comeback.

Clock Opera

In many ways they are like Pulp. They show so much promise in their early days but will 'that hit' materialise. They manage to entice a big crowd from Metromony on the main stage churn out a litter of Friendly Fires indie electro numbers which are tinged with a darker edge. Thankfully their are no pompous scenes of Hawaiian dancers here.

The Horrors

Have they played to a bigger crowd than this? we're not so sure. Two things come to mind during their set. Firstly, they have to win the Mercury Award this year with Skying. Primary Colours was robbed in 2009 by the distinctly average Speech Debelle, and Farris' talent deserves the extra recognition and bigger exposure, which sadly, the mainstream will never give it in the current climate.

Secondly, standing in amongst 20thousand misfits and outsiders restores
TT's faith in mankind. More importantly it restores the faith that bigger and better days are in store for the Horrors of this world. In 1993 nobody thought these fans existed but then Pulp and Suede ruled the airwaves for their next few years.

Foals

What a set! 50minutes of jaw dropping indie played with a passion and drive rarely seen from bands who have already made it. Every second counted in the big top for them this afternoon, was like they still needed that first record deal. Miami is a simply stunning event. It is as if Pink Floyd lost their pomposity and donned a pair skinny jeans.

The intense heat of the big top tent is cooled with the stunning beauty of Spanish Sahara. probably the single of 2010 has this odd age group ranging crowd looking on in awe as the Oxford lads come close to upstaging Cocker's triumphant return.

Pulp

As a 12 year old in 1996 I took on a 356 paper round for the Thurrock Gazette. Armed with my brothers Daiwa Double Bass walkman and my Shine 3 compilation, I set about earning money. The purpose was very clear, I needed cd’s in my life!

Obsessed with Steve Lemacq’s Evening Session and the John Peel Show when I could get away with staying up that late, I had a list of albums I had to have. 2nd after What’s The Story was Pulp’s Different Class and owing to the fact my brother already had What’s The Story… I plumped for Cocker’s masterpiece. At the time it was sheer pop perfection that had me dancing round my bedroom. As a 27year old it is still this but lyrically everything resonates much more powerfully.

Pulp open with ‘Do You Remember The First Time?’ the memories of missing the odd house out on the paper round so I could get back in time for Neighbours came flooding back.

Nostalgia aside, Pulp are as good as anything on the live circuit today. Jarvis sparkles in conversation between songs and even inappropriately dedicates the hit ‘Babies’ to his mum.

Different Class album opener ‘Mis-Shapes stirs the crowd into a frenzy. Amidst the heartless job cuts and sickening blameless culture amongst the banks, thousands upon thousands here today connect with its sentiment more than 15years ago.

Sadly Mis-Shapes and Common People are the type of tracks which bands seem incapable of writing in this narcissistic leather jacket wearing era. Nevertheless, this should not overshadow what was one hell of a comeback. Meany people knock bands reforming, to them TT says do one. this was a special afternoon, a reminder of the little guy can win and he will win again.