Category Archives: Eclectic Mainline

Matters relating to Albert Freeman’s Eclectic Mainline show.

My favourite music of 2012

“Bit late with this list aren’t you, Albert?”

Let me answer that question, as I’m sure you are wondering why, in January 2014, I’m writing about my favourite music of 2012, over a year after everybody else.  For one thing, I find it impossible to judge a year’s music before the year has ended.  “Best albums of the year” lists being published in November is just plain silly.

Secondly, when a year ends there is still a lot of its music that I haven’t heard.  I’m never going to hear all a year’s music of course (I’m still finding my favourite albums of 1973) but waiting a year has meant several albums are in my 2012 list that I hadn’t heard a year ago.

The lists below are in purely alphabetical order.

My Favourite Albums of 2012

Actress – R.I.P.
The Cinematic Orchestra – In Motion #1
First Aid Kit – The Lion’s Road
Godspeed You! Black Emperor – Allelujah! Don’t Bend! Ascend!
Flying Lotus – Until The Quiet Comes
Daughn Gibson – All Hell
Goat – World Music
Grizzly Bear – Shields
Julia Holter – Ekstasis
Squarepusher – Ufabulum
Tame Impala – Lonerism
Sharon van Etten – Tramp

My Favourite EPs and singles of 2012

Burial + Four Tet – Nova
Clark – Fantasm Planes EP
Four Tet & Burial – Nova
King Creosote – I Learned From The Gaels EP
Magnetic Fields – Andrew in Drag
Those Darlins – Screws Get Loose
Why? – Sod In The Seed EP

My favourite gig of 2012

Midlake at the Brudenel Social Club

Spotify playlist of some of my favourites from 2012

Eclectic Mainline 2013 review – part 2

Following on from last week’s programme, my first show of 2014 completes my two-part review of 2013.  You can listen back to the whole programme via the wonders of Mixcloud:

You will also find the full programme on the BCB Listen Again service.

Last.fm doesn’t seem to be going away, but neither does it seem particularly vital in 2014. But for what it’s worth, I’ve shared my my top 10 Last.fm artist for 2013 on Google+.

Here is the track list from tonight’s programme:

The Knife – ‘Full Of Fire’ (LP – Shaking The Habitual) (Rabid) (video)
Jeffrey Lewis and The Rain – ‘WWPRD’ (WWPRD EP) (Rough Trade)
Machinedrum – ‘Eyesdontlie’ (LP – Vapor City) (Ninja Tune) (video)
Steve Mason – ‘Come To Me’ (LP – Monkey Minds In The Devil’s Time) (Double Six)
Mogwai – ‘Special N’ (LP – Les Revenants) (Rock Action)
No Age – ‘C’mon Stimmung’ (LP – An Object) (Sub Pop) (SoundCloud)
Oneohtrix Point Never – ‘Zebra’ (LP – R Plus Seven) (Warp) (SoundCloud)
Phosphorescent – ‘Song For Zula’ (LP – Muchacho) (Dead Oceans) (SoundCloud)
Mark Pritchard – ‘Ghosts’ (EP – Ghosts) (Warp) http://youtu.be/IaUX1u1s4FQ
Raffertie – ‘One Track Mind’ (LP – Sleep Of Reason) (Ninja Tune)
These New Puritans – ‘V (Island Song)’ (LP – Field of Reeds) (infectious) (video)
Kurt Vile – ‘Never Run Away’ (LP – Wakin On A Pretty Daze) (Matador) (video)

There is one tune I forgot to include, one of my favourite singles of 2013, this by The Uncluded:

Eclectic Mainline 2013 review – part 1

This week’s programme was going to be full of festive cheer, what with it being on 25th December. But then when I started to plan next week’s look back at 2013 and I realised I had far too much good music from the past 12 months for one showt. So no Christmas tunes this week. Anyway, if you really want festive tunes, you could do no better than listen to Phil Cope’s Christmas mix, recorded live during the WIN Christmas special a couple of weeks ago.

You can listen back to my programme in full courtesy of the wonders of Mixcloud:

You will also find the full programme on the BCB Listen Again service. Here is the track list:

Bleached – ‘Dreaming Without You’ (LP – Ride Your Heart) (Dead Oceans)
Boards of Canada – ‘New Seeds’ (LP – Tomorrow’s Harvest) (Warp)
Bill Callahan – ‘Javalin Unlanding’ (LP – Dream River) (Drag City)
The Cairo Gang – ‘Tiny Rebels’ (LP – Tiny Rebels) (Emtpy Cellar) (Soundcloud)
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds – ‘Jubilee Street’ (LP – Push The Sky Away) (self-released) (video)
Deerhunter – ‘Neon Junkyard’ (LP – Monomania) (4AD)
Nils Frahm – ‘Says’ (LP – Spaces) (Erased Tapes) (Soundcloud)
Fuck Buttons – ‘The Red Wing’ (LP – Slow Focus) (ATP) (video)
Daughn Gibson – ‘You Don’t Fade’ (LP – Me Moan) (Sub Pop) (Soundcloud)
Kink Gong – ‘Baozoo Khen’ (LP – Voices) (Discrepant)

There is one song I would like to have played in this show, but not having a radio edit of it, I couldn’t. It’s GMF, by John Grant. One of the highlights of 2013 was seeing him have the gaul to sing this in a busy shopping centre when he did an instore performance at Jumbo Records.

Eclectic Mainline 18th December 2013

This was the last new music programme of 2013, as next week I’ll be looking back at some of 2013’s highlights. New music in this week’s programme included Blank Realm:

…Mogwai:

…and Magik Markers:

You will find the full programme on the BCB Listen Again service. Here is the track list:

Vampire Weekend – ‘Worship You’ (LP – Modern Vampires Of The City) (XL)
Cate Le Bon – ‘I Can’t Help You’ (single and LP – Mug Museum) (Turnstile)
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds – ‘God Is In The House’ (LP – Live From KCRW) (self-released)
Blank Realm – ‘Back To The Flood’ (LP – Grassed Inn) (Fire)
Papillon – ‘Un Radeau Dans Une Tombe’ (LP – Papillon) (Discrepant)
The Amazing Snakeheads – ‘Flatlining’ (single) (Domino)
Mary Schneider – ‘Hungarian Dance Yodel’ (LP – Yodelling The Classics) (Koch)
Mogwai – ‘The Lord Is Out Of Control’ (LP – Rave Tapes) (Rock Action)
Adrian Crowley & James Yorkston – ‘Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Your Grievances’ (LP – My Yoke Is Heavy: The Songs Of Daniel Johnston) (Chemikal Underground)
Daughter – ‘Amsterdam’ (single) (4AD)
Shearwater – ‘Novacane’ (split single with Low) (Sub Pop)
Kurt Vile – ‘KV Crimes’ (LP – Wakin On A Pretty Daze) (Matador)
Magik Markers – ‘Bonfire’ (LP – Surrender To The Fantasy) (Drag City)

Eclectic Mainline – 11th December 2013

New music in this week’s programme from Kagoule:

…Nils Frahm:

…and Jaakko Eino Kalevi:

You will find the full programme on the BCB Listen Again service. Here is the track list:

Maria Taylor – ‘Folk Song Melody’ (LP – Something About Knowing) (Saddle Creek)
DJ Rashad – ‘Show U How (feat. Spinn)’ (LP – Double Cup) (Hyperdub)
Magik Markers – ‘Mirrorless’ (LP – Surrender To The Fantasy) (Drag City)
Kagoule – ‘Adjust The Way’ (single) (Hate Hate Hate)
Nils Frahm – ‘Says’ (LP – Spaces) (Erased Tapes)
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds – ‘Wide Lovely Eyes’ (LP – Live From KCRW) (self-released)
Orchestra of Spheres – ‘2,000,000 Years’ (single and LP – Vibration Animal Sex Brain Music) (Fire)
Mogwai – ‘Drunk and Crazy’ (Earth Division EP) (Rock Action)
Les Colettes – ‘Pearl’ (EP – Les Colettes) (self-released)
Giggs – ‘Mr Kool’ (single) (XL)
Jaakko Eino Kaveli – ‘No End’ (Dreamzone EP) (Weird World)

Eclectic Mainline 4th December 2013

New music in tonight’s programme included this by Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks:

This by Eagulls:

This by F.S. Blumm:

And this by I Break Horses:

Autechre – ‘newbound’ (EP – L-Event) (Warp)
Maria Taylor – ‘Up All Night’ (LP – Something About Knowing) (Saddle Creak)
Metronomy – ‘I’m Aquarius’ (single) (Because)
Kito – ‘Bongololo’ (Various Artists LP – Angola Soundtrack 2) (Analog Africa)
Eagulls – ‘Tough Luck’ (double A-side single with Opaque) (Partisan)
F.S. Blumm – ‘Speed Of Time’ (LP – Up Up and Astray) (Pingipung)
Run The Jewels – ‘Banana Clipper’ feat. Big Boi (single) (Big Dada)
Magik Markers – ‘Crebs’ (LP – Surrender To The Fantasy) (Drag City)
‘Soft Interlude’ (LP – Witchfinder General OST) (De Wolfe)
I Break Horses – ‘Faith’ (single) (Bella Union)
Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks – ‘Lariat’ (single and LP – Wig Out At Jagbags) (Domino)
Sergio Sorrentino & Machinefabriek – ‘Rettile / Slakkegang’ (LP – Vignettes) (Frattonove)
Nick Drake – ‘Time Has Told Me’ (LP – Made To Love Magic / CD box set – Tuck Box) (Island)
Marika Hackman – ‘Cinnamon’ (Sugar Blind EP) (Dirty Hit)
Boards Of Canada – ‘Kid For Today’ (EP – In A Beautiful Place Out In The Country) (Warp)

You will find the full programme on the BCB Listen Again service. Here is the track list:

Eclectic Mainline 27th November 2013

New tunes in tonight’s programme included this by Staer:

This by Pye Corner Audio, who play a Golden Cabinet gig in Shipley on 7th December:

And this by Mi Mye, who I recently saw at a Youth Anthems gig in Leeds:

You will find the full programme on the BCB Listen Again service. Here is the track list:

King Krule – ‘Lizard State’ (single and LP – 6 Feet Beneath a The Moon) (XL)
Sumie – ‘Show Talked Windows’ (LP – Sumie) (Bella Union)
Kwes – ‘Bashful’ (single and LP – 36) (Warp)
Las Kellies – ‘Two Types’ (single and LP – Total Exposure) (Fire)
Samantha Crain – ‘Somewhere All The Time’ (single) (Full Time Hobby)
Staer – ‘Daughters I’ (LP – Daughters) (Horse Arm)
Warpaint – ‘Love Is To Die’ (single) (Rough Trade)
Cisco – ‘Divua Diami’ (Various Artists LP – Angola Soundtrack 2) (Analog Africa)
Pye Corner Audio – ‘The Black Mill Video Tape’ (LP – Sleep Games) (Ghost Box)
Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks – ‘Lariat’ (single and LP – Wig Out At Jagbags) (Domino)
Grizzly Bear – ‘Sleeping Ute (Nicolas Jaar remix)’ (LP – Shields (Expanded)) (Warp)
Mi Mye – ‘Sometimes Life’s Cool’ (LP – Sometimes Life’s Cool) (Philophobia)
Queens Of The Stone Age – ‘The Vampyre Of The Time & Memory’ (single and LP – …Like Clockwork) (Matador)
Clas Tuuth – ‘Rain’ (EP – 002) (NeedNo2Water)

Eclectic Mainline 20th November 2013

If a single lands in my post pile by a band called September Girls, that single is pretty likely to get played in my programme. That’s how malleable I am. Any band named after a Big Star song is alright by me.

It was also a delight to find a new compilation on Analog Africa awaiting my attention. This week’s programme included this by Quim Manuel O Espírito Santo from Angolia Soundtrack 2:

Also in this week’s programme was this new single by Young Fathers:

You will find the full programme on the BCB Listen Again service. Here is the track list:

September Girls – ‘Heartbeats’ (single) (Fortuna Pop!)
F.S. Blumm – ‘Goldblein’ (LP – Up Up And Astray) (Pingipung)
Young Fathers – ‘Low’ (single) (Big Dada)
Autechre – ‘tac Lacora’ (EP – L-Event) (Warp)
Lyla Fox – ‘Easy’ (single) (Sub Pop)
Mathew Sawyer – ‘Death Is Like A Dream We’ll Have’ (LP – Sleep Dreamt A Brother) (Fire)
Quim Manuel O Espírito Santo – ‘Senhor Doutor’ (Various Artists LP – Angolia Soundtrack 2) (Analog Africa)
Femme – ‘Fever Boy’ (single) (Tape)
Sergio Sorrentino & Machinefabriek – ‘Nebbia Fitta / Dichte Mist’ (LP – Vignettes) (Frattonove)
Ballet School – ‘Ghost’ (Boys Again EP) (Bella Union)
Tom Brosseau – ‘Cradle Your Device’ (single) (Tin Angel)
Ulrich Troyer – ‘Shake Your Knobs’ (LP – Songs For William 2) (4Bit)
Hospitality – ‘Rockets and Jets’ (single) (Fire)
Future Of The Left – ‘Donny Of The Decks’ (LP – How To Stop Your Brain In An Accident) (Prescription)
Tetuzi Akiyama/Tom Carter/Christian Kiefer – ‘Grandmother’s Body’ (LP – The Darkened Mirror) (Monotype)
Keel Her – ‘Don’t Look At Me’ (single) (Critical Heights)

You will find the full programme on the BCB Listen Again service. Here is the track list:

Eclectic Mainline 13th November 2013

New music in this week’s programme included Clas Tuuth:

And The Gentle Good:

Not in the programme, but available for a free download, and worthy of your attention, is this Afriquoi remix of ‘Nouhoume Maiga’ by Vieux Farka Touré:

You will find the full programme on the BCB Listen Again service. Here is the track list:

Clas Tuuth – ‘Legion’ (EP – 002) (NeedNo2Water)
Dum Dum Girls – ‘Lost Boys and Girls Club’ (single) (Sub Pop)
Money – ‘Who’s Going To Love You Now’ (single and LP – The Shadow Of Heaven) (Bella Union)
Garden City Movement – ‘Move On’ (single) (BLDG5)
Blank Realm – ‘Falling Down The Stairs’ (single and LP – Grassed Inn) (Fire)
Bonobo – ‘Get Thy Bearings’ (single) (Warp)
Beaty Heart – ‘Lekka Freakout’ (single) (Nusic Sounds)
Bleached – ‘Dreaming Without You’ (LP – Ride Your Heart) (Dead Oceans)
Omar Souleyman – ‘Yagbuni’ (LP – Wenu Wenu) (Ribbon)
Future Of The Left – ‘Singing Of The Bonesaws’ (LP – How To Stop Your Brain In An Accident) (Prescription)
Elephant – ‘Shapeshifter’ (single) (Memphis Industries)
American Werewolf Academy – ‘This Thing’ (LP – Out Of Place All The Time) (Damnably)
Midlake – ‘Aurora Gone’ (LP – Antiphon) (Bella Union)
The Gentle Good – ‘Brwydr An Lùshan’ (LP – Y Bardd Anfarwol) (Bubble Wrap)

Eclectic Mainline 6th November 2013

Tunes in this week’s show included this from Daughn Gibson’s Me Moan album:

I also played another two tunes from Clark’s Feast/Beast remix album, including this remix of ‘Mr Bad News’ by Milanese:

And finally, this by Kid606, the longest-titled track I’ve played all year:

You will find the full programme on the BCB Listen Again service. Here is the track list:

Nathan Fake – ‘Fentiger (Clark remix)’ (Clark remix LP – Feast/Beast) (Warp)
The National – ‘Graceless’ (single and LP – Trouble Will Find Me) (4AD)
Cate Le Bon – ‘I Can’t Help You’ (LP – Mug Museum) (Turnstile)
Daughn Gibson – ‘You Don’t Fade’ (LP – Me Moan) (Sub Pop)
Oneohtrix Point Never – ‘Chrome Country’ (LP – R Plus Seven) (Warp)
Delorean – ‘Dominion’ (single) (Matador)
Emptyset – ‘Limit’ (LP – Recur) (Raster Noton)
Mark Pritchard – ‘Fabulous Fred’ (EP – Make a Livin’) (Warp)
Scott & Charlene’s Wedding – ‘Jackie Boy’ (single and LP – Any Port in a Storm) (Fire)
Machinedrum – ‘Center Your Love’ (LP – Vapor City) (Ninja Tune)
Milanese – ‘Mr Bad News (Clark remix)’ (Clark remix LP – Feast/Beast) (Warp)
Bear vs Manero – ‘Fluoride Frustration Face’ (The Bifacial EP) (self-released)
Clara Hill – ‘Lost Winter’ (single) (Tapete)
Kid606 – ‘If I am only allowed one song on this album with cut up female vocals then this song is it’ (LP – Happiness) (Tigerbeat6)