Who knows what a B Side is?

Not sure if this is me getting older post or am I right. But people really just do not listen to music at all now.

Back in the day you went to a shop and purchased the album you wanted. Took it home and had a good listen. When I was getting into music I was such a fan I would be outside Our Price on a Monday morning at 9am to buy my hit of the latest music. I am not saying that the kids have it easy but there is a change. I think you would struggle to get people even to buy an album online on the day of release. I went in all weather to buy music January to December. Buying magazines, radios shows like John Peel and friends all recommending music to me. 

Music fans tend to have respect for each other, I see it in pubs when out. There is no real way of telling a fan but you can tell a non fan. Today talking to a work mate they said that they are fed up with music now as it is all boring. I asked him what was the last album he got. Arctic Monkeys. I see why he is board, I did recommend some music for him to reply he can't be arsed looking into it. 

I had a chat with my niece the other day. She likes music. But after the chat it seem to me she is more into having an i pod. She does not own any music in a physical format. And at 19 has never been to a gig. Not even a pop band when 15 or something. By the time I was 19 I had much experience of live music. From festivals to the small basement gig all the way to a mosh pit to Pantera at the Barrowlands. I remember being at all day gigs in Sleazys where you had no idea who was playing. Ticket price was a few quid to some bloke with a beard, no ticket or stamp just respect. 

Even the way we buy tickets and go to gigs have changed. Just because you have a phone with O2 you can get priority ticket sales and the sponsorship of gig venues is just crazy. VIP tickets seem to be very popular as well. To be fair bands do book those venues and sell the tickets so this may well be one area I am out of touch on. But is it not just wrong? Band plays the O2 Academy, I have been a few times. And it is shit. Why not the QMU or Barrowlands. Is it just money or are the fans wanting to be in the cool trendy sponsored brand place? Football in the 70s had to change to make more money, in came the sponsors. It really changed football forever.

Also the tickets for gigs have turned into digital tickets or print at home crap. Ok I get it, handy to print at home and all but you still get charged the same price as them printing the ticket and sending it out, WHY? Also I do like to have a small memento of a gig and a ticket is a great way of doing so. My collection is vast and it is something kids just will never have. Well that does show up why people video gigs I suppose, future reference and also to show mates they have been.

I think music has not changed but the fans have changed. Being cool is more important than being into music. I saw a dad buy his kid £150 headphones for playing music on his i phone the other day. If at 15 I had that choice of a set of headphones at that price I would have chosen a £10 set and spent £140 on music. Is that not what everyone would do?  

Even when listening to music, a phone is just not the best way. But ok, I will let it pass. But even then the ease of access means you can listen to anything whenever you want. But still people decide not to listen to music. Playing music while driving or doing the hoovering is not listening to it. I really do not think anyone will get the Velvet Underground or Jimi Hendrix as they load the washing machine quite as well as sitting back in a comfy seat and just enjoying the music. Don't get me wrong I listen to music at those times as well but many people do not even do that.

This is more of a rant and at least I have this to say as I am a music fan, it shows my passion. I really feel the guts of why music is here has been kicked to death. Sit down for fuck sake put on Vol 4 by Sabbath and relax and get it.

Anneke Van Giersbergen, Drive

Anneke Van Giersbergen, Drive (Agua Recordings)

Last year this great singer put out one great album in Everything is Changing. So good it made my list for the albums of 2012.

I was also lucky to catch her live and I have to say it is an even better show. Her voice is so great and during the concert Anneke did say the next album may be a little rockier.

Thankfully I think that has not happened, she does not need any big rock sound but just her song writing and voice. I can see why she said that as the album starts with "We Live On" all out big band sound to get the album going. Not so much guitars but melodic passages of noise. The drums seem to take quite a bit of the attention here and that is what I love about the opener. As ever Anneke delivers a fantastic vocal performance.

"Treat Me Like A Lady" Nice little guitar riff in a twin Lizzy style but not too over powering. Anneke has a great way of singing her lines making you believe the song. The song title does show what this song is about and one thing I have noticed in her work is a real air of honesty. Not so much in politics or religion but just in her general life.

Title track "Drive" is like a great dance floor filler. Loud and catchy, big bass lines and vocals that make you want to go into a bar playing it to hear more. "Mother Said" has another highlight and much like her last album a tribute to a family member. Very simply done and touching, Anneke and a piano, it is all that she needs to be honest but the band help make that ballad feel (It does not need it).

The album does change a little "Forgive Me" is faster and does feel rushed. I think it is to help flow into the latter half of the album "You Will Never Change" takes us right back to where we want. More catchy vocals and great music. Easy to sing along and enjoy on the bus, just close the eyes and dream.

A kind of alt rocker is next "Mental Jungle" it keeps you wondering what is happening next. With a background in the metal world and also singing for Devin Townsend the title of the song is well placed. With some male vocals that split the song much like a very popular Italian band (I think the band in question would be worried).

Positives in "Shooting For The Stars" help to close the album. Anneke sings "There is know way I am  going to make it, unless I am I am wide awake..." and awake she is. The production is crystal clear on this album with this song the proof of that. There has been no snoozing in the studio at all in this album. Closer "The Best Is Yet To Come" may have a cheesy title but so what. It makes good use of my headphones making as much of the last few minutes they can. Much like the alt rock track a bit back, you really have no idea where it is going.

For someone who used to be in a metal band I think it is time the rest of the worlds press take a look at her music. But as we all know pigeonholes are what the press need to write a review. How about my way of pigeonholing music? Good or bad.

8/10

Twitter: @29xthefun