In mid-November, right at the point where the busyness level at work changed gear from simply hectic to full-on pre-Christmas panic, I started to feel a bit under the weather. Not Covid under the weather, but unusually fatigued and retreating to bed at 6 in the evening under the weather. I couldn't fathom it and soldiered on feeling grotty for four weeks until one evening when I removed my shirt and it all became clear. A vivid rash had appeared across my chest, which by the following morning snuck under my armpit and around onto my back - shingles. With the rash came searing pain to add to the fatigue. My doctor prescribed a course of 5 huge tablets a day on top of the regular painkillers I was consuming every four hours just to obtain some level of comfort. The long and the short of it is that I've been off work now for by far the longest period since catching mumps from a record shop customer in 1980! I'm well on the mend though and only mention all this to explain the tumbleweed that's been blowing around the corridors of this blog for some time. I return with a brief look at some of the music that has kept me going throughout 2021. Links to further information/listening in red.
Laura Cannell & Kate Ellis - These Feral Lands
A monthly EP project, which picked up where the 2020 album of the same name left off. A total of 48 tracks written, recorded and released across the past 12 months, featuring words and music inspired by feral animal sounds, ancient stories and personal folklore. I'm already dreading the empty space where an EP should be come the end of January.
The second LP of avant-mutant-disco from Glasgow's AMOR (this time made in conjunction with Norway's LEMUR) appeared way back in January. Since then Richard Youngs has released his usual steady stream of solo records throughout the year. I've managed to pick up up about half a dozen of them, but I'm sure I've missed many more.
In February Kungens Män put out a limited edition box set ('Innanför Boxen') containing four LPs previously only available digitally plus 'Den Nya Skivan', which helpfully translates as 'The New Record'. Providing we're all still here to tell the tale, the band are due back for some UK dates in April. Go see them, they will change your life.
Richard Dawson & Circle - Henki
As many of my oft-postponed concerts of the past 18 months finally started taking place this year, I found myself picking and choosing what to actually attend, passing on several and masking up for just a precious few. One of the essential shows was by the phenomenal Richard Dawson. There really is no-one like him on stage or on record and his recent collaboration with the Finnish group Circle sits easily amongst the best things I've heard in 2021.
Modern Nature - Island of Noise
With every successive release, Jack Cooper sheds a little more of his previous musical skins and now 'Island of Noise' finds almost all traces of Mazes and Ultimate Painting erased. A completely analogue project, 'Island of Noise' was record onto 2" tape, is available only on vinyl and is housed within a box with an accompanying booklet all of which were manufactured using recycled and sustainable materials. Admirable though these details are, they'd mean little if the music itself wasn't so rich and rewarding.
An absolutely majestic debut duo album from Christina and Alex, who also play in a trio with steel guitarist Noel Dashwood. 'Hunter' is only the first of two lockdown projects from Alden & Patterson to arrive, the second, their first child, is due in February.
National Information Society - Descension (Out of Our Constrictions)
This brief overview of standout records released over the past twelve months is not in any order of personal preference, though if I had decided to reveal its contents in a TOTP chart countdown format, 'Descension (Out of Our Constrictions)' would unquestionably be my No.1 album. Recorded live, it's a single, hypnotic, 75 minute piece, spread across four sides of vinyl. Genre defying.
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I'll leave you with Beak's wonderfully sinister festive offering from back in 2017, 'Merry Xmas (Face the Future)'. Compliments of the season everyone - here's to better times ahead.
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12 comments:
Thanks Swede. Not heard of Alden & Patterson before but will definitely be adding that to my list. God Jul!
So sorry to hear of your illness - It's a really horrid one I know but glad you're now on the mend.
As for the list, as you would expect I've not heard of many of them but it's been an education over the last few years visiting your blogs and I look forward to listening to your picks over the festive season.
Glad you're on the mend Swede. Have a good Christmas. Good to see AMOR in your list.
Ernie. If you like it, be sure to check out the three Alden, Patterson & Dashwood albums that are also available on Bandcamp.
Alyson. If you were to check out just one of my selections, I'd suggest the Alden & Patterson album. It's a thing of beauty.
Thanks Adam. I had to double check the release date of the AMOR album - it seems such a long time ago!
Welcome back and so glad you're feeling better. So sorry to read of how poorly you've been, it sounds as if you had a particularly nasty bout (I've also had it, and didn't realise at first either - it's such a strange and horrible virus).
Lots to check out in your list... Oh so much music, so little time!
Thanks C. I actually had shingles once before, when I was 28, but although painful I was able to shake it off fairly quickly back then. The doctor warned me that now I'm in my dotage, the symptoms this time round could be nastier and longer lasting. He wasn't wrong.
Sorry to hear that you have been in the wars Swede.Glad you are on the mend.Hope you have a good Christmas
Thanks CC. Have a great one.
Merry xmas Swede, just bought Alden & Patterson's Hunter on your recommendation.
I neglected to include Christmas wishes in my comment above - so, just to say, hope you have an easy, peaceful, healthy time of it. Roll on a (hopefully) better new year.
I remember when Gramps had shingles. Boy, was he miserable. I’m at the age now when my doctor is pushing the shingles vaccine, but that shot is no picnic either. They give it to you on a Friday because you will be in bed sick for at least a few days. I’m guessing you will tell me to get it as quickly as possible. At any rate, I hope you are shaking this thing. Happy Christmas to you and take it as easy as possible.
Ramone666: Excellent!
C: Thank you!
Brian: Ironically, my cousin who lives in New York was actually walking to her local medical practice to receive a shingles shot last winter when she slipped on the icy sidewalk and broke her leg. The shingles vaccine isn't generally available to UK citizens until we turn 70, but judging from my current predicament (I had a bit of a relapse after returning to work just before Christmas) I would certainly recommend you get it if offered. I hope you and the family are having a good festive period.
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