Hello kids, This is about my fourth attempt to post in the last few weeks - I think something is up at missprint towers. Hopefully this will make it through. POP RECORD I am currently half way through my first listen of TLP - many will be angered by my glib approach - typing and listening, therefore not paying full attention to either. First thoughts - it's good. Certainly the first B&S record that I've wanted to dance to from the start, but my bedroom is just one big pile of pants and ants (how does anyone manage to get ants in February?) so I'm not going to risk it. Also, I feel a bit poorly and have to preserve my energy for Sheffield on Thursday. What's everyone's problem (unnecessarily aggressive tone, but there we go) with Funny Little Frog? I have seen so many articles questioning why it was released as a single. Answer: Because it's the best thing they've done since Jonathan David. Although I don't rate the B sides - I like smut as much as the next sinisterine, but I just can't giggle from behind my hand while listening to Meat And Potatoes. I prefered the subtler sexual references about thrush, S&M and seeing other people. I don't get the video either - it's just strictly come indie dancing, although the inclusion of LLPJ from the Botanic Gardens lit up my miserable January day and reminded me of happier times. I think the best thing about all the new material though, without a doubt, is that Trevor The Horne hasn't ruined it with his "My First Casio" production that managed to eek every last bit of life and soul out of DCW. ROCKING ROUND BLIGHTY Well, in a positive content fest, I move from one Scottish band topic to another. Some good old fashioned reporting back. A week or so ago, I toddled off to Manchester for my sixth viewing of B&S. I went on my own (because I smell) and ate my sandwiches at Oxford Road station. It is generally agreed that a colder day has never been recorded. The venue was, rather marvelously, about 200m from the station and what a lovely little place it was. You could see the band and hear them perfectly, and the toilets were alright too. As I grow older, this becomes more and more important. I missed Brakes on purpose, just so I didn't have to look like a loner for too long. Beans skulked around behind me, monitoring the wares at the Banchory merchadise stall. Some nice kids then told me they recognised me and so I hung out with them, smack bang in the middle of the venue. Why does Struan wear that hat? I thought this episode ended after the Dog On Wheels video. He also had a big coat on for "I Fought In A War" I won't do a set list, you can pick them up anywhere (but not at Poundland - I just checked) The highlights of the main set were "Your Cover's Blown" which was the best thing I've ever heard them do live, and the new rocking version of Dog On Wheels. Loneliness... was also very welcome. The lowlights were the hushed reverence of the crowd. You could hear a pin drop between songs - it just seemed like most people didn't want to be there. Also, the little bicker between Struan and Stevie as the latter blocked the formers view of the audience for Fox In The Snow. The song was stopped and a short argument ensued before it was agreed not to air dirty laundry in public. The final low point was to become a high point. The laptop packed up and stopped them doing Electronic Renaissance - my second favourite B&S song However... Come the encore, they had fixed it. Struan ran into the audience to sing and stopped right next to me. He asked whether we knew the words. After a few lines of me appearing to be the only person who did, he came over and told me to sing into the microphone, so we sang the rest of it together! Whether it could actually be heard, I have no idea but it was a toppermost moment! I think I might also have accidentally brushed his manhood. ANY OTHER BUSINESS I have written quite a lot, but it is my first post in yonks so maybe I can be forgiven? It is nice to see that people are still meeting up. Maybe one day I will make it down to the smoke for a picnic. I don't think I've been to one for about five years. I will try my best to wear an upside down badge at Sheffield. Do the kids still do that? I have become obsessed recently with Jilted John. I realise I am about 28 years too late (bar the rather wonderful performance at Ipswich as the B&S interlude in 2001), but his album is the greatest documentation of teenage angst ever created. An entire song about breeding fancy mice to overcome the despair of acne! It's funny because it's true! I love you all, Chris Jones. ___________________________________________________________ Win a BlackBerry device from O2 with Yahoo!. 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