OCCUPIED COUNTRY

Death and the Maiden.....

So how come the Decemberists haven't blipped on the Occupied Country radar until this week? Their new album is a dark delight. Hop along to Spotify and have a listen it's almost (heh) a concept album of Seventies' pretension. I say 'almost' but thinking about it and listening to it I would say it's definitely a concept album with a theme of knavish roguery, infanticide and other nefarious doings. It's downloading from Amazon as I type so Spotify can't be killing music can it?

Another cracking new album to join The Felice Brothers, Elbow, Bon Iver and The Fleet Foxes from the past couple of years (if that) that are up there with the best. In fact there's probably at least a couple more that will come to me later, but my brain won't work like it used to and instead of what I want to remember I usually end up with entirely unrelated nonsense that has no place in the unfolding scenario.

A few of us trooped off to see Tinariwen and Tunng grace the same stage last Friday night. A great show marred by noisy, drunken feckers and an absolutely packed to the point of 'can you see the fire escape?' panic. Being the age I am I needed a pee and began my tortuous attempt to reach the exit and toilet before I needed to go no more. It took ages and after my visit I simply couldn't get back to where the rest of the gang were. In fact I could barely get through the doors and contented myself stood just outside with a glass of something alcoholic and an ear attuned to the sounds within, a sound that just works even though it shouldn't. Recommended.

And just when music was beginning to cheer me up again, I hear an advert on the TV for 'May You Never, John Martyn's Greatest Hits.' That didn't take long did it? And the, on top of that Spandau Ballet announce they're reforming because they 'miss the touring and playing together.' Oh...and the money I would've thought.

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Dearest and Youngest's Darlin' have gone to the Pictures (as we still say 'round these parts) to see 'Marley and Me', a film that, in my view, holds all the attraction of a ghastly, incurable disease. I would sincerely rather chew my own kneecap off than waste money on twee Anistonised crap like that. Life's too short.

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So, what a week it's been what with St Jade dying in a blaze of Red Top inspired hypocrisy of the highest order and her widower being allowed to attend the funeral instead of being banged up like any other similar miscreant. I suppose it's not Mr and Mrs Tweed's fault though, after all if they didn't sell the press wouldn't be interested. Panem et circenses. Bread and circuses.

And then United go and lose two on the trot – Liverpool and Fulham – and the title race is wide open again. Well, as 'wide open' as a two horse race can be, but at least there's a bit of tension in the air over at OT. Squeaky bum time as somebody once said. And City somehow contrive to snatch a very dodgy win over Aalborg and progress to their first European quarter final since Martin Luther nailed his Theses to the door of that church in Wiitenburg (or so it seems). And big Joe Royle returning to Boundary Park. Oldham's most successful manager ever who, when he left, left them in the Premiership and now returns as they attempt to get back into the Championship via the playoffs. You should never go back Joe, it will end in tears.

Bread and circuses.