Prattle

Fountains of Wayne - It must be summer
It must be summer, because I’m listening to Fountains of Wayne.

The Needles - Dianne
So much Bloximo Parky, but a very catchy song nevertheless.

James Dean Bradfield - Emigre
Second best song on his new solo album, and therefore the second best song he’s been involved in since “Masses against the classes”. The album’s largely drab, but I quite like the way he clearly feels free of the MSP shackles, and able to indulge himself in “Sha lala” type choruses.

Young Knives - She’s attracted to
They should probably remind me of the Fall or someone like that, but they remind me of Mclusky. As with some of their other songs, this one has some superb lyrics.

Muse - Invincible
Probably not the best track on the new album, but still pretty good. I chose it because I do like that guitar solo. He must spend a fair few quid on effects pedals. They’ve dropped their orchestral arrangements, but still sound ridiculous and (largely) brilliant. The album gets better with repeated listens, so give it a chance. Apologies for the slight click(s) in the sound.

Dears - You and I are a gang of losers
I wish they could translate their live performances into an equally energetic and emotional record, but they don’t quite manage it with the new album. Still, I’ve got a great deal of affection for them, and they’re always worth seeing live.

Joanna Newsom - Peach plum pear
Clearly as mad as a box of frogs, she makes a ridiculous noise. Included here because they played it in Reykjavik’s Kaffibarin the other weekend, and it went well with a pint of local lager.

Down the line
Quick excerpt from BBC Radio4’s excellent spoof phone-in show. Listened to most of the series while driving between Icelandic sites of interest.

TV on the radio - Wolf like me
Some are talking about TVOTR like they’re going to break through with this album. I don’t think it’s much less patchy than the last album, but I suppose they’ve rounded off some of the sharper edges. As you’ll hear from this song, they haven’t exactly overdone this sanitising.

Russian Futurists - Paul Simon
Goes on a bit, but I like the trumpetiness.

Jim Noir - Computer song
He’s made a very summery album which, not unlike Icarus, flies too close to the sun of twee. This song’s good, though.

Morgan - Miss Parker
Another album I can only listen to when the sun’s out, this song remains brilliant. If you disagree, you are an evil, deaf, chuntering dunderhead.