Song of the Week #12 ~ Victoria Wood

"A Better Day" – Victoria Wood, Victoria Wood Live (1997)

My Song of the Week this week is another one by Victoria Wood! Performed live in 1997, "A Better Day" (also referred to as "Andrea") is one of Victoria's more serious songs, and is poignant yet inspiring and hopeful. You can watch the full live show here.

Song of the Week #11 ~ The Bad Shepherds

"White Riot" – The Bad Shepherds, By Hook Or By Crook (2010)

Founded in 2007 by comedian Adrian Edmondson, The Bad Shepherds are one of the most unique bands I've come across. They cover 70s and 80s punk songs using folk instruments. While they might initially appear to be a novelty, the brilliance of their music speaks for itself and proves that The Bad Shepherds are a band who can and should be taken seriously. Although mandolin and fiddle are not instruments that I would've previously considered capable of taking on a punk classic such as The Clash's "White Riot", it actually really does work and I loved this version instantly. Some of my other favourites on the album are "Making Plans For Nigel" and "Friday Night, Saturday Morning". Definitely a great band to check out if you haven't already!

Song of the Week #9 ~ Victoria Wood

"Bum To The World" – Victoria Wood, Live In Your Own Home (1994)

"Your food is being sprayed with germs, spat on and reheated."

This week's Song of the Week is "Bum To The World" by the wonderfully talented Victoria Wood from her 1994 live show, Live In Your Own Home, which can be found in full here. I love Victoria's songs because they're always extremely funny and very well written (with brilliant rhymes); comic poetry sung to upbeat, catchy tunes. Some of the verses in this song remind me a little of Mrs Lovett's songs in Sweeney Todd, although I'm not sure exactly why. If you liked this one, check out any of Victoria's other songs. In particular, I would recommend "Andrea (A Better Day)", "It Would Never Have Worked" and "The Ballad of Barry and Freda", which was my Song of the Week back in December.

BLONDIE: POLLINATOR

POLLINATOR: Blondie release track list and album art ahead of 11th studio album.

The album art and track list for Blondie's 11th studio album, Pollinator, have recently been revealed, and today marks the release of the album's first single, titled "Fun".

Pollinator is set for release on May 5th 2017.

Produced by John Congleton, the band's new record is notable for it's many collaborations with a range of artists including Sia, Charli XCX and Johnny Marr. The track list is as follows:

1. Doom or Destiny
2. Long Time
3. Already Naked
4. Fun
5. My Monster
6. Best Day Ever
7. Gravity
8. When I Gave Up On You
9. Love Level
10. Too Much
11. Fragments

Check out the new single below, or stream it on Spotify. Pollinator will be released on May 5th and is available for pre-order right now via blondie.net. It comes in various exciting formats; a vinyl LP (ordinary black or limited edition red), a box set of 7" singles, cassette, CD, or mp3 download.