the Long Blondes: "Couples"

This album is my early contender for album of the year; lead single 'century' kicks off in grandiose style an album full of lyrical quirks and anthemic chants.

"you were driving off in a taxi,
leaning out the window,
and shouting your number back at me"

I even love the classic brit quotes that kickstart the later tracks, theres a real wit in this band thats is so clearly lacking in all the indie bands out there. Kate Jacksons delivery shows how performative her rock persona is, she lives it on stage for that track, not necessarily living the role herself in order to prove the realness of this creation, a la whinehouse and doherty, instead giving different voices amongst the guilt-ridden, lonely and jelaous characters within the stories on "couples".

"your friends a genius,
she even made up the spare room bed for us"

Each song tells of a couple of sorts, but the long blondes clearly view any cosy romance with an ironicly squinted eye:

"we moved to the country,
my husband and i,
he drives,
it works out cheaper"

"I liked the Boys" is an amazingly punchy short track, making next track "Here comes the serious bit" the most raucous shout along, with a hook that screams out almost as a warning, as right around the bend is the centrepiece of the album, track 6 "Round the Hairpin". This track beats out a tatto that fits with Dorians lyrics but becomes spun in a whole new direction.

The next three tracks are perhaps my favourites on the album, while "round the hairpin" is the masterpiece here it isnt what im mostly in the mood for, that being namechecking models, scathing put downs and the sound of high heels walking off over the littered bodies of these fickle couples. I'l leave you to discover these tracks yourself.

The Long Blondes, finally got some dorian action and some 'century' quotes and also got my hands on the album "couples", its not all as trancey as 'century' and three tracks in feels like an homage to somone to drive you home, ill keep going before i form an opinion.

The Long Blondes, with a better hype campaign than Madonna:








wheres dorian? oh to be his plus one

Lancaster library

Who knew that my local library actualy offered gigs, not only gigs but gigs featuring my faves, The Long Blondes and Bat For Lashes? It doesnt surprise my lancaster is aways doin odd stuff but i cant believe nobody filmed me shouting at Dorian during Summersonic but somebody filmed this etire gig in my free net sanctuary.

Another weekend without makeup

The Long Blondes, Someone To Drive You Home

The Long Blondes became a favourite of mine around December last year and finally this week i will see them play live at SummerSonic; even though their practically from my hometown, heralding as they do from Sheffield. This is actually the first time Ive bothered to look up their videos on youtube. I'd seen pictures and loved how their 50's style compliments the lyrics.

The first video below is for 'Weekend Without Makeup' their first single with Roughtrade, after being renowned as the best unsigned band in Britain. I love how the kissing lesbains casually infiltrate the discotheque and just the general fierce persona of vocalist Kate Jackson.

The lyrics are mostly written by guitarist Dorian Cox, and i like the queer elements that creep in from having a woman sing songs written by a man, who is in reality engaging in relations with Emma the second guitarist. Kate sings "19 your only 19 for gods sake, you dont need a boyfriend" she says in an interview it would be threatening to have a guy sing it? I think it would be eqaully amazing but here's her take on it...

When i played it for my friend, she picked up on this lesbian vibe, 'id take u out , id even cut my hair for you', but i just love it in the queer complexities and catchyness of it all. speaking of which another good song is this one which makes brilliant use of an opening caption. I cannot wait to jump around with these femme fatales.