Decoding Static

Review : Polly Scattergood, Polly Scattergood

Posted on 15/12/200902/03/2019 by Andy

Polly Scattergood’s eponymous debut album has been a constant this year. On the surface there is a beautiful voice, tinkling piano, violins and guitars. What appears to be a simple and pleasurable album of ten songs soon entrances you and reveals it bruises to you. In my interview with Polly, she mentions Gregory Crewdson’s photographs, […]

Spiked : What do you see?

Posted on 07/12/200903/03/2019 by Andy

This is the first in a series of three, entitled ‘What do you see?’, which was published by Spiked Magazine, issue 14, 2004, now sadly defunct. The series included the one concerning AIDS and pharmaceutical companies. They both evolved from the clash of the articles and the adverts on the newspapers pages. Posted: 2 March […]

Review : Eye Contact/Skeleton Apple, Lofty Heights

Posted on 03/12/200902/03/2019 by Andy

Gregory from Lofty Heights got in touch as he was after people to write some words about their debut single, Eye Contact/Skeleton Apples and I was very happy to oblige. Eye Contact begins and I am reminded straight away of The Beach Boys, this remembrance is most prominent during the refrain (you don’t have to make eye contact if […]

What do you see? World AIDS Day

Posted on 01/12/200902/03/2019 by Andy

This was originally published in Spiked Magazine, issue 14, 2004, now sadly defunct, as one of three pieces entitled ‘What do you see?’. I think the content of it is as relevant today as then, though I haven’t looked into the present situation concerning drugs and the pharmaceutical industry. Whilst I hope it has changed, […]

Review : Ladies And Gentlemen We Are Floating In Space, Spiritualized

Posted on 26/11/200902/03/2019 by Andy

The clunk of the tape player and the immortal words ‘ladies and gentleman we are floating in space’. The blissful music drifts across and the lyrics wash over me. For the past twelve years I have thought of the opening song as a love song for the shattered heart and perhaps it is (All I […]

Review : Thomas Wogan is Dead, Dave Hughes

Posted on 20/11/200902/03/2019 by Andy

I have been meaning to review Thomas Wogan is Dead by Dave ever since he gave me a handmade copy some time ago, it has been that long I can’t even remember when! Thomas Wogan is Dead has now been published by Tabella and has glossy covers, silky paper and extra pages at the beginning, […]

Interview : A C Tillyer

Posted on 25/10/200903/03/2019 by Andy

Welcome A C Tillyer to Decoding Static. A C Tillyer is the author of An A-Z of Possible Worlds. You mention in the introductory leaflet and map that you were inspired to write about the times we follow the herd. Why did you choose the herd perspective rather than the perspective of an individual watching […]

Review : An A-Z of Possible Worlds, A C Tillyer

Posted on 22/10/200902/03/2019 by Andy

Welcome to the second leg of A.C. Tillyer’s blog tour for her intelligent and thought provoking An A-Z of Possible Worlds. Open the box and enter Orwellian worlds, outer space, expertly planned towns and a bog and explore the crowds and the societies that inhabit them. Drift off into your own thoughts and interpretations as you […]

Autoplay

Posted on 07/05/200928/02/2019 by Andy

I feel like a man who doesn’t sleep,more like weeps in dreams.Strange scenes litter my mind,my eyes ache.Leaving my head heavy,like scrambled radio waves. I catch a news flash,I can’t quite rememberwhat is important.The needle is stuck,repeat, repeat.Another listen? I named my first blog Decoding Static, as well as my twitter account, because that is […]

Review : Polly Scattergood Gig

Posted on 16/04/200925/03/2019 by Andy

Pennies in our pockets Who is the weather girl with the pretty little pearl or two? The anger released as Polly Scattergood sings must be fun and healing. The openness of Polly’s lyrics is what drew me to her songs, the emotions she emits as she tells her stories moves us into her world and […]