Benjamin Curtis R.I.P.

Some very sad news to start 2014, with the announcement of Benjamin Curtis's death at the age of just 35. Curtis was a member of Tripping Daisy and Secret Machines, before forming School of Seven Bells with twin sisters Claudia & Alejandra Deheza in 2007. Benjamin was diagnosed with T-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma in February 2013 and passed away on December 29th. School of Seven Bells released three albums of quality indie pop, often infused with an indefinable melancholia. Here are two fine examples.

Gerry Anderson R.I.P.

The products of Gerry Anderson's incredible imagination lit up my childhood, all the way from Fireball XL5 in 1963 to Space 1999 in the mid-1970s. These weekly sneak-previews of the future (as I was convinced they were) captivated me at a time when I had no more serious concerns in life than what style of  hover-scooter I'd require when I grew up and whether or not caps with flip-down communication devices would be available in my size.

Thank you, Mr Anderson, for the countless hours of pleasure. F.A.B., S.I.G., P.W.O.R.