...also playing this week

Thought I should also plug the other albums I bought/listened to this week.
The Flaming Lips new one is pretty good. Typically noisy really, with a few cheesy bits in it but very enjoyable nonetheless.
Elvis Costello - My Flame Burns Blue with the Metropole Orkest is simply one of the best 'big band' albums I have heard in years. Rather bizarrely I found this in the classical section while looking for another album he has coming out at the end of the month with Allan Toussaint. Well, it has got strings on it... The band swings superbly on it working their way through Mingus, Strayhorn and some inspired choices of Elvis' own back catalogue. All rejigged and conducted by Vince Mendoza. I might even check out some of his wife's stuff at this rate...
Scott Walker. The new one.
Hmmm.
Where to start?
Now, I like weird as much as the next Zappa/Tom Waits/Beefheart etc. fan. But this one...
Well, I've managed to get through 2 and a half tracks with out someone asking me to turn it off or, in fact, just turning it off myself.
Actually, half way through track three it started jumping and I wasn't sure whether it was intentional or not.
I'm sure in time I will come to appreciate what a work of genius it surely is. Just like 'Black Rider' or 'Burnt Weeny Sandwich.'

Regina Spektor

I know my brother has this niggle about how singers with quite original sounding voices seem to go in to the studio and all come out sounding the same. Well, I have been meaning to draw attention to Regina Spektor for quite some time. I heard her late one night on radio. Probably on the way back from a gig. I tracked down the album. It's delightfully bonkers. Kind of like what Tori Amos promised early on but never quite delivered. Anyway, went to the website today and there is a video on there. What's happened? While not quite as dull as Dido, it's a little... what can you say? Overproduced?
Ignore this blip and get Mary Ann Meets the Gravediggers ASAP.
BTW - Could 'dull as Dido' be one of those New - Old Sayings Private Eye sometimes have?

Laughing Len Film

Check it out. Leonard Cohen film -I'm Your Man. Theatrical release? Great.
Is it me or does Bono sound a bit camp in the trailer? He's such a magpie he probably spent too much time hanging out with Antony and Rufus!