The hardest working band in Britain, aka The Wave Pictures, have been firm favourites on this website for pretty much ever. Its great loving a band like this because new material, in one form or another, is never far away. And by this I mean quality releases like Long Black Cars (an album proper) and frontman David Tattersall's second solo album Little Martha, both released in 2012, not put out for the sake of it (in a Ryan Adams kind of way), but for the love of it. 2013 sees them still going strong with a new album, an ingenious "dad rock" video and a substantial UK tour (see below for details). Here, David Tattersall takes time out to talk about his oft-surprising record collection. The new album, City Forgiveness comes out October 21st on the ever reliable Moshi Moshi label.
Under-rated Record
Freschard - Boom Biddy Boom
This album is a masterpiece and since it seems to have slipped out without any reviews, no record-label backing, nothing, i guess it's safe to call it ''under-rated''. I hope that Freschard doesn't remain under-rated because I really love what she is doing. I really like her music.
Favourite Country Album
Buck Owens - The Very Best Of Buck Owens Volume One
This has been one of the records that I have played the most in the last year or so. So many great songs: Under Your Spell Again; Excuse Me (I Think I've Got A Heartache); Act Naturally. And i love the ''Bakersfield Sound'': driving, dry, no frills, twangy guitars. It's glorious, unpretentious, funny, silly, intelligent music.
Favourite Alt-Country Album
The Flying Burrito Brothers - Gilded Palace of Sin
I think this is probably Gram Parson's best work. He's got that mix of being simultaneously down-to-earth and melodramatic that great country music has, that you hear in Johnny Cash and Buck Owens and all the rest. This record has a pleasing crisp sound to it, too. And very good songs, like Sin City. I like his voice, too.
Favourite Jazz Album
Gerry Mulligan Meets Johnny Hodges
This is such a pleasing record to listen to. I'm sure everyone could like this! It's very easy on the ear compared to the east coast stuff from the same period that everyone knows. And they solo beautifully: no one is in a hurry on this record.
Over-rated Record
My Bloody Valentine - Loveless
This does nothing for me whatsoever. It's just lift music. Vague sounds. No songs. No soul. I don't understand it at all.
Record of Sin
Dr. Dre - 2001
I really love this! I don't really feel embarrassed. Perhaps I ought to feel embarrassed! Some of the lyrics are not very nice. But it makes me very happy to listen to this and dance around and sing along. It's only got about 4 good songs, but those songs are very good indeed. The Watcher! Still Dre! Just the best grooves in the world!
Joyful Record
Songs Ohia - Axxess and Ace
This record just has so much heart. It's kind of sad music I suppose but it moves me and lifts my spirits. I suppose it just lifts my spirits that someone made something like this once. Great music. Always perks me up.
Record From My Youth
Rory Gallagher - Rory Gallagher
I used to listen to Rory Gallagher all the time when I was younger. I even had a picture of him taped to my guitar amplifier. I learnt a lot about playing the guitar from him. This record is up there with Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere for having just great, raw, no-effects guitar playing. I still like it a lot.
Surprising Record
Veneno - Veneno
Someone described this to me as ''Spain's Marquee Moon''. I'm not sure that quite describes it. It is a cocaine fuelled fusion of flamenco and rock. It's a bit proggy. It's very bouncy. It isn't like anything that I have ever heard. I go back to it every now and then and it sounds completely different to me every time. It is very odd. I'm not sure it's any good. But I like it!
Record That Reminds Me Of...teenage years
Dirty Three - Whatever You Love You Are
This record reminds me of listening to John Peel when I was a teenager. I remember the churning violins of the first track, Some Summers They Drop Like Flies, coming out of the radio. It was dark and intense and slow and very live sounding. It sounded very real. We went to see them at the arts centre in Leicester. We were very little. They were extraordinary. Almost scary. A great band!
