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[Trollheart]

OK. Well it seems the world of music journals is taking it up a notch. Not only are our usual contributors firing on all cylinders, but there are some welcome returns and even a new journal or two! So let's get straight to it, and we start with the new rising star of journal land...

Big Ears, whose journal http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...s-journal.html joins our resident hard rock expert, Unknown Soldier, in the seventies, for reviews of Mountain's “Nantucket sleighride” and Yes's seminal “Fragile”, then comes bang up to date with a review of Rush's latest, “Clockwork angels”. Interestingly (and conspiracy theorists, hold your fire!) both Big Ears and US review the same album, almost at the same time. Spooky, eh?

Chrysalis is back, where in his journal http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...s-journal.html you'll find an interesting review of avant-garde jazz artiste Joe McPhee's “Nation time”. ALSO from the seventies. Hmmm. The plot thickens, no?

And there's a very welcome return for Janszoon, back from his travels across Europe, and putting in some serious time in his journals! First, in the ever-popular and eclectic http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...e-all-die.html there's a review of Kraftwerk's “Radio-activity”, accompanied by Jansz's usual excellent and evocative prose, then he reflects on his life as a delivery driver in http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...ime-place.html, with a great piece on the freedom of the road, accompanied only by your radio.

This brings us to http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...r-players.html, which is Plankton's new journal. Not certain what happened to “The Chum Bucket”, but I'm sure we'll see its return at some point. In this one, Plankton looks at underappreciated axemen, kicking off with Steve Stevens. I've suggested a title I think is better for this journal --- “Unslung Heroes” --- but whether or not he changes it is up to him. Good writeup and some fine videos from the man who has worked with such greats as Billy Idol, Ric Ocasek and the late Robert Palmer and Michael Jackson. Looking forward to more on this!

And so we come back, inevitably, to me. So what's been happening at http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...d-journal.html then? Well, we have another of the “Albums that changed my life”, in The The's “Infected”, another step into the dark world of random metal in “The Meat Grinder”, more Simpsons parodies and three more “Bad apples” to check out. Meanwhile, over at http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...i-reviews.html we have reviews of albums from The Gaslight Anthem, Desert Sin and Joss Stone.

Normally, that leaves Unknown Soldier to bring up the rear (price of having a name that begins with one of the last letter of the alphabet, dude!) but this time he's not last. However, in his http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...y-history.html he's moved on to 1971, with reviews of albums from Budgie, that Mountain album that Big Ears reviewed (coincidence, people! Coincidence!) and once again, Deep Purple. Step back in time and enjoy some of the best music from the best decade rock ever produced.

And finally, ensuring US will for once not be the last entry on this update, Zero is back with us, where at his journal http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...nal-sound.html you'll find some more of the music he's been enjoying lately. And why not indeed?

So that's it for another week. I'll be back with more updates next Sunday. Till then, enjoy your Halloween and don't forget to check out the journals above (especially mine: check mine out now!) And if you would like to start one yourself but are worried about taking that first step, here's http://www.musicbanter.com/album-rev...c-journal.html. Go on! You know you want to! Toodles!

[Plankton]

Originally Posted by Trollheart

I've suggested a title I think is better for this journal --- “Unslung Heroes” --- but whether or not he changes it is up to him.

Done, and done.

...btw, thanks.

[Trollheart]

Originally Posted by Plankton

Done, and done.

...btw, thanks.

No, thank YOU for taking my suggestion.

[Trollheart]

And so we begin a new month, and with it we see the rise of some new journals. We also sadly see the demise, if directed and expected, of one major journal, but more about that later. We go, as ever, slaves to the alphabet, and so begin with

For Tomorrow, a new member who has already taken the plunge and begun their own journal, http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...c-journal.html where you'll find a feature on indie band The Veils, with more surely to come soon. Good start!

That brings us to Janszoon, and the sad but epic end to his http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...e-all-die.html --- hey, we all knew that big ball o' rock was going to impact at some point didn't we? All life is extinguished on the planet we call home, but not before Jansz lets us in on some truly spectacular music and draws a scene of devastation and doom with his amazing prose, leaving just the smallest sliver of hope, from which perhaps something new may arise. Check it out now before the end...

Someone who's been around a good while but has only now decided to test the waters of journal-land is Mankycaant, who intends with the strangely but interestingly titled http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...er-abroad.html to present a true picture of the passion they have for music, and says, in their own words, it won't be “just a collection of youtube videos”. We look forward to what you have to tell us.

Before we move on to me, a word for Tore, whose http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...m-reviews.html has been getting some attention recently, even though the last time he updated was last year. Can we tempt you back?

And so inevitably we arrive back at my doorstep, where in http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...d-journal.html I've decided to try and concentrate for the next two months on reviews mostly of albums from this year, before 2013 is upon us. To that end, reviews should be coming thick and fast from today. As of now, new updates for the week just gone include reviews of albums by The Deadstation and Crystal Eyes, a special “Variations on a theme” for Halloween, “A Marriage Made in...” returns with the unlikely pairing of Tom Jones and the Art of Noise (!), and another glimpse into Eurovision Hell. Over at http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...i-reviews.html we have a review of the one and only album released by Dali's Dilemma and a strange little ambient electronic music affair by the enigmatic Dreamfire. Want to learn more? Step this way...

Still single-handedly writing the history of hard rock and heavy metal, Unknown Soldier is into 1971, where in his http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...y-history.html you can find reviews of albums by Alice Cooper and Stray. He's also very responsive to suggestions, and has already amended his format at the behest of members, so comment and tell him what you think, and if you can see any way to improve his journal (hard to see how though).

That's it for this week, sportsfans! The more awake or eagle-eyed or nitpicky among you will notice that it's now Monday as I post the supposed Sunday update. All I can say about that is yah boo sucks to you! I was tired, okay? Point taken: I'll try to ensure Sunday's update goes up on Sunday. Just need to finish work on this army of clones I'm building and then, ah, um, forget you heard that. Nothing for you to worry about. Rumours? What rumours? Yeah, good album. Look, I have to run okay?

Toodles!

[Paedantic Basterd]

The 2012 Music Banter Secret Santa Event

Is back for another year of gifty goodness. Signups are now underway!

• http://www.musicbanter.com/general-m...nta-event.html

[Trollheart]

... And we are back! With another music journals weekly update! This week, we're, well, to be honest, we're not doing a lot. Apart from my and Unknown Soldier's journals, little if anything else has been updated. So here's what we got:

New journal owner Mankycaant has added to http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...er-abroad.html with something of a disseration on why people like certain music, or why they feel they have to, ie this band is said to be so good I had better like them. The point is illustrated with the examples of Pink Floyd's “Dark side of the moon” and, er, “Burn piano island burn” by The Blood Brothers. You'd be amazed.

Pedestrian is making a lightning visit taking time off from her studies to grace us with her artistic talents in http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...sswalking.html, where you just have to check out “Autotune the Unicorn”. Seriously.

Which rather quickly brings us around to me. Now, these next few weeks as we lead on up to the festive season, I've decided to try and cram in as many 2012 album reviews as I can, so over at http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...d-journal.html you'll find reviews of new albums by Deacon Blue, Tygers of Pan-Tang, Steve Harris, Imagine Dragons, Hostsonaten and Jadis, with still time to throw in another round of “What's in a name”, while in http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...i-reviews.html we're looking at the latest from Susanna Hoffs and Freedom Call. Lots more new albums coming up next week, and in the coming weeks too. So much to do...

That takes us, inevitably, back to the seventies where Unknown Soldier's http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...y-history.html is still retracing the history of hard rock and heavy metal, and this week he's looking at albums from Flower Travellin' Band --- you remember he did one a few weeks back? This is another one --- and Uriah Heep. So something for everyone.

That's it, then, for this week. Little thin on the ground, perhaps, but hopefully the quality makes up for the lack of quantity. We'll all hope some of the others get their, er, act together soon --- come on people! We can't be carrying this section on our own! Little help?

Toodles!

[Trollheart]

Well, Sunday has rolled around again and we're heading inexorably and unavoidably towards the festive season: just thought I'd throw that in to bug you all! Only --- let's see --- thirty-six shopping days left to Christmas! Ho ho bloody ho!

Anyway, that's all apropos of nothing, so now that I've depressed as many of you as I can, let's move on and see what's happening in the world of music journals this week.

Big Ears is back with a review of the debut album from psychedelic/space/prog/heavy rockers (take your pick) Captain Beyond, which also featured as the album of choice in our Prog Rock Album Club, which you can find (and join, if you so desire) in the Prog Rock subforum of the Metal subforum. So it's a sub-subforum. Oh, you know what I mean! Anyhoo, his journal is here http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...s-journal.html, and always worth a read.

Glad to see a new journal from Janszoon, now that the wonderful “25 albums you must hear before the moon crashes into the Earth and we all die” is finished. This time he's looking at a very lonely figure, and some very lonely albums, in http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...sible-man.html, with already a review of the legendary and tragic Bud Powell's “Time waits”. Expecting great things from this new journal, from the man who also brought you “Time and place”. Is there no end to his talents?

A newer poster, but saying some very intelligent things, and concentrating more on the actual writing than posting videos, Mankycaant's journal, with the eclectic title http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...er-abroad.html has some deep ruminations on why bands continue making music if they don't enjoy it, and thereby turn out substandard albums? He looks at the examples of Green Day and Weezer, and his thoughts and conclusions are interesting to say the least. Don't expect YouTubes by the barrel-load, but do expect insightful, thought-provoking writing if you head his way. Which you should. Now.

Pedestrian, also a phenomenal writer, chooses at the moment to concentrate on yet another of her many talents, and displays more of her artwork for Autotune the Unicorn, in her journal http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...sswalking.html. While you're there, check out her poetry and her TV script: you'll be amazed. And moved.

Over at http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...d-journal.html as I may have mentioned I'm trying to squeeze as many current album reviews in as I can before the year catches up on me, but I'm finding it a bit of a strain meeting my targets, as they say. In other words, my abilities are not living up to my intentions. Last week, I reviewed eight albums, spread across the two journals. This week, it's only six. Only! I'll probably trim it down to four in the coming week, as I want to also upload some other stuff, especially a few larger items I've been working on recently. For now though, you can find reviews of the new albums by ZZ Top, Mystery, Marillion, The Script and Big Big Train, as well as the second outing for “No! It can't end like this!”, featuring one of my favourite recent songs from Mostly Autumn, “Tearing at the faerytale”.

Not a lot happening in http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...i-reviews.html, with just the one review, the new one from Barenaked Ladies. Again, being more realistic in the amount of albums I try to review a week will result in there being more entries in this journal, as it certainly is not living up to its name at the moment!

Someone who you can always guarantee is working hard on his journal is Unknown Soldier, who is currently reaching the end of 1971 in http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...y-history.html, with albums by Black Sabbath (“Master of reality”, which was posted just an hour after I uploaded last week's update, so it should really have been in it but our timelines crossed), the incomparable “Led Zeppelin IV”, as well as something called “Can't get through” by a band called Hairy Chapter? Hey, you know, check it out. Not content with all that, he's also got reviews of live albums by Free and Humble Pie, as well as a fistful of titles that, as he says himself, didn't make the cut. Man, this guy is busy!

A last word then for Urban Hatemonger, who only seldom graces us with his wisdom, but when he does it's always worth it. Check out his journal http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...nal-stuff.html for the strange tale of the man who thinks he's an Egyptian pharaoh! I kid you not!

That's it then for this week. There'll be another update next Sunday. Now, I advise you to leave swiftly, as the hounds have been released...

[Trollheart]

Late again with the update! Ah, who reads these things, anyway? Well, I'm hoping YOU do, otherwise I'm sitting here talking to myself, and the people around me are starting to look at me funny....

Anyway, later than expected but what can you do but get on with it? This week's journal update features some surprising returns, some long-absent updaters and, well, that's it really.

A is for Antonio, whose journal http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...ng-ground.html has been dormant for a long time, but sprang back to life recently and though not regularly updated has had some interesting stuff. His latest is a review of BIG K.R.I.T's album “4eva and a day”, but really the album review, good though it is, is less important than the spotlight Antonio shines on the lesser-seen aspects of hip-hop, essentially that it doesn't all have to be gangstas and biyatches: they have their vulnerable side too, and while I can't really see any hip-hop artiste or rapper breaking out the acoustic guitar and singing “My sweet lord” anytime soon, it's nevertheless an interesting and revealing look into the other side of this often-maligned (by me, for one!) genre. Go have a read.

B is our old friend Big Ears, and in his journal http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...s-journal.html he's making up for lost time as he reviews albums by Heaven and Hell (their only one, due to the untimely death of Ronnie James Dio), the Groundhogs (so big that he has to do two reviews on their greatest hits!), an obscure album from 1970 from the kings of the three-chord-boogie, Status Quo, Mr Big's 2010 album AND the latest from Big Big Train, which I also reviewed last week and which is the subject of our latest discussion in the Prog Rock Album Club. Hell guys: between you and US I'm in danger of losing my crown as the hardest worked-on journal! Mutter, mutter, they'll all pay soon, you'll see... think they can challenge ME, do they....?

M then is for Mankycaant, but he sure can! I know, I know! You really need to check out his reflective musings on music right here http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...er-abroad.html, but don't expect an easy ride! When this guy vents about something, he vents! In his latest piece he's making the case for the comment that “music today is rubbish and previous decades were much better” being a load of Tottenham, a steaming pile of Hotspur. Hey, you want to disagree with him, be my guest! I'm not that brave!

And we're delighted to welcome back Plankton, who is finally, after too long away, dipping once again into http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...um-bucket.html, sharing with us the tales of his youth, his history with music and the role it played in his life. Always more than worth a read, and hopefully we'll see more regular updates in future.

Now, some guy called Trollheart won't leave me alone till I plug his bloody journal. Look, it's godawful, okay, but sure I think the guy isn't playing with a full deck, y'know? Just head to http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...d-journal.html and get him off my back, huh? I'll owe ya one!

Seriously, now that I've become a bit more sensible about how many albums I review, things a going a lot more smoothly. We've settled in at four a week, which is spread over the two journals. So this week just gone I've got a review of “On the thirteenth day”, the new, dare I say it, magnum opus (ahem!) from Magnum, as well as School of Seven Bells' third album, and first without Claudia Dehaza, “Ghostory”. But that's not all! There's also “Run for cover!” featuring Rod Stewart's take on the Tom Waits song “Downtown train”, and Suzanne Vega is featured in “More than words”.

Just the two albums in http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...i-reviews.html, with “Focus X”, the new one from the never-ageing Dutch prog giants, and Nanci Griffith's new one, “Intersection”.

And so we come to Unknown Soldier, who works so hard that were we to hook him and Big Ears up to the national grid, you could probably say goodbye to your electricity bills for about a year! In his http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...y-history.html he's finished up 1971 with reviews of albums by Wishbone Ash, The Groundhogs (looks like he's been talking to Big Ears, huh?) and the Pink Fairies, and is just about to move on to 1972. Can't wait!

And that, albeit a day late, is it for another week. Seriously, if there were awards for most hard work gone into journal then Unknown Soldier would definitely win the prize, with the large-lobed one not far behind! This is how to do it, guys! Any of you think you can do better, put your music where your mouth is and start your own journal. It's a lot of hard work but a hell of a lot of fun, and talk about job satisfaction ... Eh? what do you mean, we dont get paid? This is an outrage! Get my agent on the phone! What? Gone to the Seychelles? With MY money? Well, we'll just see about that, now won't we?
Excuse me, I have a phone call to make. Ah-hoy-hoy? Hitmen-R-Us? Yes, it's “Mister T”. No, not THAT one, you idiot! Yes, excellent. I have a job for you...

[Trollheart]

Before we begin, a minute's silence. Or applause, if you prefer.

Everybody was shocked to learn this week of the untimely death of one of our most polarising posters, the enigmatic Howard the Duck, also known round these parts I believe as Il Duce. Patrick was a regular fixture here, though it would appear he didn't post as often or as prolificly (or indeed, in the same disciplined manner) as others, myself included, and I didn't know him well at all, but he seems to have touched everyone's lives, and we're all the poorer for his sudden and unexpected departure. We can only hope that if there is an afterlife, he's found there people who are interested in the music he likes, or at least people who aren't, so he can annoy them by flaming and trolling their threads! We wish him godspeed to the next life, and perhaps one day we'll meet again, although as we never actually met I don't know if that's possible.

Anyway, when you get a moment raise a glass to the Duck, and remember him fondly. Some members have already added avatars/links/sigs/videos in remembrance of him, which I think is really nice. Let's remember his family and the woman he nearly married, who I'm sure are going through hell right now, particularly at this festive time. Let's wish them the strength to get through this ordeal, and one day perhaps they can think of the man we knew as Howard without pain.

I'd like to have said he was my friend, but sure I hardly knew him. Certainly some others here knew him better than their fellow members, and those people are hurting too, so think of them in your prayers, thoughts, drinking, lighting candles or playing music, or whatever you do to remember Howard.

And to those who didn't know him at all, never read his mad posts or saw his avatar, friends, you missed a true original. We'll not see his like again.

Howard the Duck, RIP.

And so, on to the journals, where coincidentally the first in line is also one of Howard's best friends, so my condolences go out to Mankycaant, who despite the tragedy has found time to update his journal http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...er-abroad.html with an interesting article about EPs. Hang on in there, buddy! It'll get better...

Pedestrian drops in (with a brand new avatar!) to post some more of her art from Autotune the Unicorn, although for some odd reason it's under the "Freetalk" heading, which I thought was her writing. Still, I'm sure she knows what she's doing, unless all that studying is taking its toll! You can make your own mind up here http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...sswalking.html and admire her work.

That brings us, already, to me. Now I've been trying to review four new albums a week both here http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...d-journal.html and in my other journal, but this was a busy week, so I only got three done. Still, you can check out reviews of albums by Red Sand, The Calm Blue Sea and The Winter Tree, as well as getting in on the festive fun with our first two selections from "25 of the worst Christmas albums --- ever!" which will run right up to the Big Day itself, an album a day.

Nothing in http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...i-reviews.html this week. I had intended to feature "Wolfsbane saves the world", by, er, Wolfsbane, but time caught up on me. Never fear though: I'll add it into the reviews for the coming week. Yeah, I knew you were concerned...

And after his heroics last week, as he moves into 1972 Unknown Soldier has just the one review this week, from a band called Hardstuff. Quite. You'll find it in the usual place, here http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...y-history.html.

And that's it for this week. Don't forget to... what? Sorry, I thought you said...? Really? I find that hard to... well I never!

Yes folks, the Angry Man of Music Banter (I'm sure he's already won the award for Angriest Member hands down) makes it into the update this week! After a long time away, http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...nal-stuff.html is back! The return of Urban Hatemonger brings us an in-depth comparison of two of the Britpop bands of the 90s, one of which was huge and polarising, the other faded away. One hell of an interesting read, as is pretty much anything Urban writes. When he writes. Which is not often enough.

And that really is it for this week. Twenty-two shopping days left, so get your skates on, but not before you peruse all those wonderful journals (and mine!) --- I'll be back next week with the latest updates, and who knows? maybe even some more from Urban. Hey, Christmas is a time for miracles, after all...

Toodles!

[Paedantic Basterd]

The 2012 Music Banter Secret Santa Event

Is closing in two days with the pairs going out. Now's your last chance to sneak in there.

http://www.musicbanter.com/general-m...ml#post1249284