Vinny Peculiar's Journal

Journal type stuff from Vinny Peculiar aka Alan Wilkes; the Tony Hancock of Pop, UNCUT MAGAZINE.

Monday, January 07, 2008

Independents Day

There there my dear…it’s been a mixed up muddled up shook up weekend on the reviews front. Part of me wants to ignore them but of course that’s never possible and they are, after all, for better or worse, some kind of barometer. On Saturday the Independent loved the new album, four stars and some decent name dropping comparisons [Luke Haines and Stephen Merrit are two of my very favourite artists]. The very next day in the Independent on Sunday review is much the polar opposite. I suppose its only peoples opinions…and whilst I might bemoan the cheap jibes, allusions to Morrisseys failing associates and the grim finale at least these both reviews have engendered some kind of reaction. And I’d rather have that than bland indifference any day. Here they are.
Saturday 5th Jan 08 – The Independent


Sunday 6th Jan 08

The Independent on Sunday

Reviewed by Simmy Richman
If Morrissey hates it when friends become successful, might we assume that he rather enjoys it when known associates don't? Two years away from the high point that was 'The Rise and Fall of Vinny Peculiar' (which featured two ex-members of the Smiths), any kind of breakthrough is looking less likely for this psychiatric nurse turned "song-writing maverick". 'Goodbye My Angry Friend' kicks off with a track entitled "Vinny Peculiar Is Dead" and gets steadily less charming from there. Song titles such as"Kiss Me (I'm a Social Worker)" and "Song for the Dead" probably tell you everything you need to know. Grim.

Should you wish to make your mind up you can buy a copy of the new album via this site [for just £7.00 including postage], via download at several sites including iTunes and in shops from 4.2.08 [the release date put back a few weeks for reasons best known to the nice Pronoia people].

Friday, January 04, 2008

radio daze

Craig’s just been round and taken away a few songs/ideas we’re thinking of collaborating on. We want to write for musical theatre so if you know of any impending projects do let me know. We’ve done something to this effect with The Salford Lads Club Ghost Camp venture which I’ve mentioned here previously. Ghost Camp [prelude] is available as a bonus track on the forthcoming download single Lazy Bohemians.

Earlier on today I went out and bought a Daily Mirror and located the decent if somewhat misguided review of the new album- clearly Gavin the journalist has misread the press release and it’s a case of whoops wrong Vinny. That said it was a good review. I’ve also had sight of a new Q MAGAZINE review, again decent enough despite a sly dig at my silly stage name. I really don’t have an opinion as to whether in fact the name is rubbish or genius. It just is for now and it’s what I’ve got used to living with. It was the same for Prefab Sprout apparently, silly name certainly, but the genius of Paddy is such that he could have called his band The Shits and still crafted some of the finest songs of his generation. I like to think that my Paddy moment is yet to come. I’m currently listening to the new Radiohead album IN RAINBOWS. There’s some great stuff on their site, brilliant live footage. I love the cerebral fusion of the band. I love them so much I find it impossible to describe as you can tell but they are my favourite band all over again. Not since OK Computer have I felt such a rush of something real.
,
, Back on the selfish promotion front at least there’s more coming back regarding press than I had somewhat pessimistically anticipated – [see previous post]. Last nights 6 Music radio session with Rob Hughes was also a delight. I played Kiss Me I’m a Social Worker in a slightly fidgety acoustic glam rock style. I think it just about worked. If you want to check it out there’s a listen again feature. Later into the show Rob and I talked up 1977 in his parallel universe using a copy of SOUNDS for reference. We talked about PUNK ROCK; it’s impact and it’s endurance. I am not a massive fan of punk rock the music…I loved the energy and anti establishmentarianism, the politics of independent labels, individual freedom, DIY expression... but I think the whole explosive scene changing epoch defining rhetoric is wildly exaggerated. Or perhaps I'm just fed up with everyone banging on about it. Blimey...I'm having a cynical day here at the office. After the show Rob and I have a few beers across the road from the BBC in a great little pub I should know the name of but don’t. VP