James Blake

The DJ who played this on 6 Music the other day had a visceral negative reaction at the end of play. I began loudly swearing at the radio.

I had a visceral reaction during it. It took my breath away.

If you find this challenging, then fine. But kindly do one whilst I enjoy it.

James Blake - If The Car Beside You Moves Ahead

Soulwax 6 Music Christmas Mix

Yes, we are very much post the event -- and I hope it was a good 'un, BTW -- but if you have any capacity left and a smidgen of Christmas cheer that doesn't quite want to budge yet, then check out this mix by Soulwax.

A roaring ride that will help keep the sharp teeth of reality from biting for just another 20 minutes.

Then I guess it is back to a partial return to the 'real world'.

What is this so-called real world I keep hearing so much about anyway?

In Praise of.. Maxime Dangles (Pt 1)

If I was asked what I currently could not live without, I would have to say:

1. Camomile tea
2. Columbo
3. Maxime Dangles

And as Pop Cultureddd has never been a 'lifestyle' blog I will not bother with extolling the tea, and it is also probably not the appropriate time nor place to evangelise about a 1970's TV detective with whom I am deeply fixated.

So I will stick to Maxime Dangles. I first heard this French producer a few months back on 6 Music whilst pottering around my house. Hearing this stopped me in my tracks. I very quickly sought out more information, more music and was spending my pennies to bring the Résilience LP into my world as soon as possible.

You've not heard the last of this blogs love-in with this artist.

Radiohead

Pretending I don't hate everything

For those of you who don't know, I wrote my undergraduate dissertation on Radiohead and the release of the album In Rainbows. While some might believe that makes me a seasoned expert, it doesn't. It makes me bitter. Full of regret. Wishing I'd have thought better. I hated myself long before the end of the project. And hated Radiohead fans. And most of all, I hated Radiohead. In the delirium of it all I bought a t-shirt and mug to wear and use almost constantly during my all-nighters to get the burden complete. Once the monstrous beast had been defeated there was some reprieve. And then I had to go see them live again! Bastards! I'd bought the tickets an eternity before the project began and then about 3 weeks after my needlessly in-depth encounter I was due to see them live in Manchester.

The above picture was my posing in between mumbling expletives about Thom Yorke.

I did enjoy it. There is no doubt. However, it was unfortunately timed during my much needed Radiohead detox.

The news that their new album is nearly finished and will be released later this year has dragged up some odd feelings. Thanks 6 Music!

Readers, please don't let me study it this time!

Radiohead - Weird Fishes / Arpeggi from Stephen Blacker on Vimeo.