WILL OLDHAM – Joya (Domino Rcds)
This album is clearly one of the best in Will Oldham‘s substantial collection, with of course the famous ‘Viva Last Blue’. It is hard to keep track of the over-abundant discography under different identities: Palace, Bonnie Prince Billy… Released in 1997, it is the first album under his real name. It was hard to get a hold of at one point. It has now been reissued under the label Domino Records, with a new sleeve and under the name Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy! Don’t ask me why… Never mind! Let’s just go straight to the point, the music! Listen to ‘O Let It be’ on YouTube and buy ‘Joya’. Superb!
SLEAFORD MODS – Divide & Exit (Harbinger Sound)
Sleaford Mods is a British duo from Grantham. It’s a mix between Beasty Boys, Eminem and English hooligans! The production is Lo-Fi but the composition is inspired! The atmosphere is definitely more 77’s Punk than R’n’B on MTV. While Andrew Fearn slams on the samples with beer in hand, Jason Williamson delivers a rather raw speech (rather than sings). Some might call it slam poetry, though if you’re a fan of Grand Corps Malade, Sleaford Mods are not for you! ;-). This album has had many awards from the British press (The Guardian, Mojo, NME, and more) but does not have enough coverage in France to my liking. You should tune in to this British ‘working class’ band (in the noble sense of the term) before they hit the Grammy Awards or just fade away!
PINK FLOYD – Meddle (Parlophone Rcds)
My favourite Floyd album, reissued and remastered! The only one I like, in fact… I’m not going to debate on the remastering, which is actually great, though different from the original. The sleeve, also very elegant, is different in colour and has this unusual grain. But that’s besides the point! If you’re not into Pink Floyd and don’t own this album, then run to your nearest record shop to buy it, pour yourself a glass of alcohol or a soft drink (whatever your poison is) and go directly to the B-side. Then just let yourself get carried away by the superb ‘Echoes’ and its 23 minute-long sonic deluge…