Don't Know Any Better

The story of Manchester's Puressence is one of hard luck, label bullshit, and always living in the shadows of bigger, more popular, more mediocre bands. They soldier on, though, and released their fantastic fourth record Don't Forget To Remember late last year. It is well worth your time. The latest single is "Don't Know Any Better" and it will be released 5/19 in the UK. Here's what you're in for:

CD
1. Don't Know Any Better
2. Bright Eyes (Pete Mitchell Radio 2 Session)
3. Sold Unseen (Pete Mitchell Radio 2 Session)

Autographed 7"
1. Don't Know Any Better
2. You've Already Said Goodbye

DVD
1. Don't Know Any Better - Directed & filmed by Paul Banks
2. Moonbeam video taken from Manchester Academy footage including Kevin & Jimmy interview
3. Exclusive live & studio recording footage
4. Special guest star appearances interviewing the band & telling the Puressence story

Watch the "Don't Forget To Remember" video:

The Seldom Seen Kid

Elbow's new album The Seldom Seen Kid will be out in the US on 4/22, about a month after its release in the UK. I'm so glad we don't have to wait several months for the US release like we have in the past. Naturally, I've already heard the album and it's very, very good. Guy Garvey still has a way with words that'll have you swooning. I might even go so far as to say that some of their best songs are here. It's a really fine album. But what else would one expect?

Vinyl CD copies of the album carry a sticker which addresses the loudness wars with the message: "To preserve the excitement, emotion and dynamics of the original performance this record is intentionally quieter than some. For full enjoyment simply turn me up!" and includes a link to Turn Me Up. I hope more bands catch on and start doing this.

The first single from The Seldom Seen Kid is "Grounds For Divorce" (limited edition, numbered, CD, double 7-inch, exclusive b-sides on each. Of course I bought all three. I just wish that the 7-inches came with a code so I could download the b-sides. Why aren't all of the labels doing that?). Here's the video:

Let It Whip

I'm a bit late to this one, but what can you do? My good friend James has been frothing at the mouth about Manchester band (don't all good things come from Manchester?) The Whip for months but somehow I'd neglected to listen until I heard their full length, X Marks Destination, last week. I've played it a few times and I'm really enjoying it. "Trash," the first track on (and single from) the album is just OK but things get a lot better as the record plays. "Sirens," "Blackout," and "Sister Siam" are particularly great. I have a strong feeling I'll be buying as much of their stuff as I can get my hands on. My poor, poor credit card.

Tasty: The Whip - Sister Siam

Manchester Music Landmark Disappears

Mosaics by Mark Kennedy that have adorned the side of Afflecks Palace (a famous indoor market in Manchester) have been taken down. One of the mosaics (see photo on the left, taken by me in 2002) features Manchester music legends Morrissey, Ian Curtis, Bernard Sumner, Bez, Liam Gallagher, Noel Gallagher, and Tony Wilson, among others. The building has been sold and the mosaics belong to the former owner. I hope they find another home!

FAC51 Coming to the States

The Hacienda, the legendary club that the lads from New Order built (and the namesake of this very blog), is coming to the US. Well, kinda.

Commemorating the 25th anniversary of the club, The Hacienda World Tour features a revolving line-up of DJs and, one assumes, the spirit of the original club (since they're obviously not "building" the club in every city of the tour).

The US date of the tour is March 25th as part of the Winter Music Conference in Miami. Peter Hook, Three, Bobby Langley, Nick Warren, and "special guests" are slated to spin. I think I'd rather hit up the date in Manchester, where the line-up is 808 State, Shaun Ryder, Mike Pickering, Graeme Park, Peter Hook, and A Guy Called Gerald.

Either way, some surplus cash would be really nice right about now.

Here's some classic 808 State for ya.