Friday, July 3, 2009

Let's get Dizzee


I love Dizzee Rascal. Rather a lot, in fact. And this summer, he's suddenly become Britain's first black male superstar, with his human frailties in check – and a great new summer single "to boot". Read me gushing about him in today's Guardian column here.

Friday, June 26, 2009

Boss Hogging


How on earth can Bruce Springsteen, that stacked-'n'-thrusting chunk of myth-making man-beef, be an indiepop hero? He is, you know. I explain why in today's Guardian, which you can magically read here.

Friday, June 19, 2009

Perry Coma


Sorry, that's the worst headline ever, but it makes me laugh like a person with no brain. Anyway – I've written about Katy Perry suing Katie Perry, an Australian fashion designer, in today's Guardian, where I whinge about how important brand names have become to pop stars – even when they don't mean that much. Read more here.

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Woman on Wire


More reviews by your correspondent, this time in Wire. Moebius and Plank's Rastakraut Pasta (ah, they could name a record, those Krautrockers) and Gavin Bryars' The Sinking Of The Titanic (1990s version, pop-spotters) are dissected for your pleasure.

Friday, June 12, 2009

Capital Gains


My utterly huge review of The London Collection, London In The Raw and Primitive London is in this month's very lovely issue of The Word magazine – as is my case for the greatness of The Adult Net (in a piece called The Bands Only I Like), and reviews of albums by Grizzly Bear, Patrick Wolf and Sparrow and the Workshop.

The beach is back


Why, hello – that's me on the left looking a bit moody at Broad Haven Beach in Pembrokeshire. Why? Because I did a 10k amble down there for this week's series of Guardian walking guides, and my walk just happens to be in today's paper. It also includes a full-page poster of this delightful picture, on which you can draw glasses, a moustache or whatever you fancy. Lovely.

Friday, June 5, 2009

Wii Can Work It Out


Elsewhere in today's Film and Music Weekly – in my column, in fact – I rave about the Fab Four's fantastic-looking Rock Band game, and how it's true to the spirit of rock and roll. Oh yes, it really is. Read more here.