The final PlayPauseStop :(

And so sadly PlayPauseStop, the free magazine from Manchester University's Indie society sadly folded along with the society itself. Without it I wouldn't be writing for the likes of God Is In The TV Zine and (hopefully, after an email from the editor) The Fly or just have the confidence to get reviewing and put my writing up there to be either lauded or ridiculed. Reviewing should be just all about the records of course but I defy you to show me a single music writer who doesn't try to leave a bit of themselves in a review. Anyway, PPS was ruddy excellent for the few issues it was around for; sure we all had different tastes thus making some of the articles pretty contradictory but overall the standard of writing really was excellent and I'll definitely miss it, I feel writing for the far more image conscious and right on student newspaper will not bring with it similar enjoyment next year; we can but hope...anyway, a couple of my articles made it in to the final issue; no Singles Monkey sadly, although he is back on Audioscribbler...

Click on the articles to read them. They include: a biographical piece on the quite fantabulous Manchester band Air Cav, a live review from way back in March when The Music returned to save us all, and finally a gushing icon article on ex-Suede man Brett Anderson, which I have to admit I'm really quite proud of. Do have a read! and Play Pause Stop? R.I.P.

Older stuff...part 2

December saw the debut of a certain Singles Monkey at Play Pause Stop. Delightfully, during a meeting last week, one of PPS's more "colourful" writers took a great exception to the Singles Monkey which has delighted me no end. The Singles Monkey is only ever meant to be an embellished release listings. Yes, I do listen to every song I mention, normally on their Myspace, and this allows me to give a good FIRST IMPRESSION of the song. However, the main goal is to get a few cheap laughs and for it not to be taken seriously. Rather wonderfully the person in question let this rather simple point fly way over his head providing me with great joy.
















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A band who I often prattle on about, not just because I'm on good terms with a couple of them, well partly admittedly, but I was a fan before I was a friend I promise, Fear Of Music were published in December's PlayPauseStop with a profile of the band. Hopefully their album (recorded last SUMMER) will be out by the end of this year...a band who don't believe in rushing things...

www.myspace.com/fearofmusic

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A rather rushed live review of 65 Days Of Static also made it into this edition. Not my best, but my god it really WAS that good; and the good news is, they're back next month. I'll be there and that's a stone cold fact.

www.65daysofstatic.co.uk

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And finally, a little piece on my favourite album of the year from 2007. Pleasingly everyone on the staff had a different album in mind for their choice of the year which showed what a diverse bunch we are at PPS. Some folk who know me may be surprised at my choice.


During this brief lull in updating I'd like to thank everyone whose read this page and has uploaded the first two podcasts. The first one in particular was a big success, reaching over 90 downloads. The latest one's lagging behind a bit on about 40 but it's still a hell of a lot more than I thought, so I'd like to thank all those downloading. I'd love it if folk started contributing comments and emails on this site, I know there's people who read this so come on, make yourself known, it'd be nice to hear from you whether you have nice OR nasty things to say. Anyway, new podcast on Wednesday and with Youth Movies new album sent me way today as well as an Angry Teenager to catch up on there should be plenty of action on here over the next few days!

Older stuff...part 1

The post I stuck up about 10 minutes ago made me realise it's been a few days since I last put up a full review for your browsing pleasure. So I thought until the next lot (should be appearing in dribs and drabs over the next 3-4 days) I'd stick up one or two bits and bobs I did pre-christmas.

All of these come from the Society magazine Play Pause Stop, which strangely isn't publishing a March edition, so sorry about that. It will be back in April however. Anyway, here's some of the stuff I wrote for the first two editions of it.

Article discussing the relative merits and negatives of Radiohead's decision to release In Rainbows online for an unfixed price:
























Of course since the furore has died down it's become clear that this wasn't really such a revolutionary new move- proven by the fact the album made number one on physical sales anyway; I hope you'll find it an interesting read however.

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A short 200 word review on ex-Mclusky man Andy Falkous' new band Future Of The Left- an absolute tour de force if ever there was.

Jacob Golden/Coheed & Cambria live reviews on PlayPauseStop

February's PlayPauseStop magazine also features a couple of my live reviews: the excellent Jacob Golden who played Manchester's Night & Day whilst Coheed & Cambria were busy headlining the Kerrang! Tour 2008, both very different gigs- but both excellent in their own way.




DOWNLOAD

Jacob Golden - Hold Your Hair Back


Coheed & Cambria - Welcome Home

PlayPauseStop Magazine- The Singles Monkey

The Singles Monkey has become a monthly feature of Manchester Uni Indie Society's PlayPauseStop magazine (available from all Manchester independent record stores and online at http://www.playpausestop.co.uk). Another young publication but one which is getting better by the issue.