This band could be your life - 2:54

In the first of an irregular series: meet 2:54.

Two sisters: drone rock, shoegaze, Mazzy Star, a bit metal, a bit stoner, named after a moment in a Melvins track....all good.

Below are songs 'Creeping' and 'On A Wire'

Creeping by 2:54


On A Wire by 2:54

Album Review: Papercuts

Oh you really are being spoiled today, music fans! Today sees the release of Papercuts' Fading Parade on Sub Pop (I even spelled it right this time), and if you want to read a review of it you know where to go.........

....onwards to The Line Of Best Fit, pop pickers! You won't be sorry. Probably.

Album Review: Forest

Chilly Swedish trio Forest released their self-titled debut on Service Records earlier this month, so if you'd like to know what I think of their electronic soundscapes, and receive a lecture on Swedish art history into the bargain, head over to The Line Of Best Fit to find out more.

"Come closer and see / see into the trees..."

OFF! : First Four EPs

Kind of a hardcore supergroup featuring the original and best Black Flag frontman Keith Morris (yeah, you heard right Henry Rollins), plus members of Red Kross, Burning Brides and Rocket From The Crypt, First Four EPs is over before you know it.

If brevity be the soul of wit, it's also the modus operandi of these chaps as the longest track weighs in at a massive 1min 33secs. There are no surprises to be found here, it's a big old punk rock punch to the face, with Morris sounding like an angry teenager (or the angry kid he was in Black Flag and Circle Jerks) rather than the 51-year-old man he actually is. It is a touch embarrassing for the young pups in bands these days to realise that a group with the combined age of about 160 is producing music this energetic and thrilling, but that's just how it is with these guys - anger is an energy, as some fella said once. Chris Martin, right?

It's a total blast.


Upsidedown by OFF

Destroyer: Kaputt

There's so much that should be absolutely hated on Dan Bejar's, aka Destroyer,new album Kaputt. The soft-rock, blue eyed soul, jazz-lite, smooth sounds are the sort of thing that made the 1980s the musical decade that taste largely forgot......yet somehow this album is utterly charming and a fantastic listen.

Jam-packed with synths, sax solos, little electro sounds, and "chicka-chicka" guitar work worthy of Nile Rodgers, it's an engaging listen from the get-go. However, the acceptable side of the '80s is also there, and you can hear snippets of New Order, Roxy Music, Talk Talk, Depeche Mode, and the ambient sounds of the likes of Tangerine Dream.

I'm slightly disgusted with myself for enjoying Kaputt so much.....but I don't care - embrace it!

Have a taste of 'Chinatown' below:


Destroyer - Chinatown by mouxlaloulouda

Mogwai: Hardcore Will Never Die, But You Will.

Mogwai have been part of my musical life since I left school, and I still remember the moment in 1996 when I got my hands on the 'Tuner/Lower', and then 'Summer' 7-inches within a few months of each other. I never expected them to still be around 15-odd years later, still producing fantastic music.

With Hardcore Will Never Die, But You Will the noise-rock veterans prove they've still got some tricks up their sleeve. 'White Noise' is probably the prettiest the 'Gwai have ever sounded at the start of a record, 'Mexican Grand Prix' sounds like an angry Stereolab, and the riffs of 'Rano Pano' are a visceral treat.

What else? 'Letters To The Metro' is lovely, 'Too Raging To Cheers' threatens to explode - but its controlled aggression is excellent. 'You're Lionel Richie' builds to the crescendo that perfectly fits the album's close, proving that these lads still have what it takes to blow your socks off.

There's also a bonus CD containing 'The Singing Mountain', a 23min beautiful orchestral epic created for a Douglas Gordon (he of Zidane: A 21st Century Portrait fame) film. It's really quite something, showcasing the influence that Barry Burns has in the band.

All in all, a beast of a record and easily their best since 2003's Happy Songs for Happy People.

Album Review: Sean Rowe

Ramblin' man Sean Rowe releases his new album, Magic, on Monday. Want to know what I think about it? Of course you do, that's why you should head over to The Line of Best Fit to find out more!

Here!Click on this!


(Spoiler alert: this review contains unkind words.)

Album Review: Asobi Seksu

New York City dream-poppers Asobi Seksu released new record Fluorescence yesterday. Was it a cynical stab at the Valentines market, or did its shoegazey ways charm me regardless?

Leap over to The Line of Best Fit to find out more.....

Later this week we'll be taking a look at Mogwai's Hardcore Will Never Die, But You Will and Destroyer's Kaputt. Both reviews will probably be found here, which is good news as we've been short on album ponderings of late!

Oh, it's building nicely for a top-notch-album filled year....

100 Not Out!

That's right blogging fans, 78s Don't Wobble has reached its 100th post! I'm surprised as much as you are!

Thanks to everyone that's kept on reading even when I've been less than prolific with posts, I've had a ball.....and here's to 100 more! Keep an eye out next week for a review of Asobi Seksu's latest record Fluorescence, but in the meantime Top Six Sunday is going to take you through my favourite moments from R.E.M's Tourfilm. Enjoy!

Begin the Begin




Get Up




Pop Song 89




King of Birds




Fall on Me




It's the End of the World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine)

Album Review: Treefight for Sunlight

Over at The Line of Best Fit you can find out what I think about the debut release from Danish sun-poppers Treefight for Sunlight. Does it make me happy?

Read on!

(HINT: it does).

Mogwai: Mexican Grand Prix

For the insanely brilliant, motorik 'Mexican Grand Prix', post-rock ear abusers Mogwai filmed a video set all across sunny Glasgow - see if you can spot yourself!

Top Six Sunday: Blues

To celebrate the return of Fleet Foxes with new record Helplessness Blues, here's six corking tunes with blue(s) in the title:

Neil Young: Revolution Blues - this seething track from 'On the Beach' displays Young's disillusionment with Laurel Canyon perfectly, channeling the spirit of Charles Manson:



Galaxie 500: Blue Thunder - this version is actually by Dean Wareham and Britta Phillips, but that's okay:



Fugazi: Blueprint - the godfathers of hardcore showing off one of their gems:



Laura Marling: Blues Run the Game - a gorgeous cover of Jackson C Frank's song:



Ryan Adams: Rescue Blues - remember that time Ryan Adams was good? If not, let this remind you. A song sung at the top of my lungs along with my old mate Barry on many a quiet evening in Waterstone's when we should have been working:



American Analog Set: Blue Chaise - AmAnSet are one of my favourite bands, and it's quite annoying they're not more prolific. This one is truly blue, and takes a while to get going...but it's worth it:

Gruff Rhys - Sensations in the Dark

A welcome return to form for the mumbling Welshman, the sunniest track you'll hear all February, apart from some of the tracks found on the Treefight for Sunlight record (more of which next week, review fans!), this is from forthcoming new album Hotel Shampoo:

New music from Low - Try to Sleep

From new album C'Mon, listen to just how good this is.......from the finest purveyors of close harmonies this side of your local barbershop, I give you 'Try to Sleep':




Oooh, makes me feel warm 'n' fuzzy....