EOIN BUTLER's guide to downloads, singles and free audiostreams
MOGWAI
San Pedro Sub Pop *****
Mogwai, eh? Two great films and then . . . nothing. Well, even if you haven’t been paying close attention to their recent recorded output, the great thing about Mogwai is that you can always pick up exactly where you left off. A decade from now, they’ll be an institution. For the moment, they’re just five Scottish blokes who do blistering instrumental rock very well indeed.
LADY GAGA
Hair Interscope ***
The latest from Gaga's (surely imminent?) Born This Wayalbum combines the bombast of Jim Steinman, the wardrobe of Elton John and an attitude that might have come straight off the tiles at Studio 54. It's an understated affair then.
ANE BRUN
Do You Remember
Balloon Ranger Recordings ****
Do You Rememberis the first single from Brun's forthcoming album It All Starts With One. The Norwegian singer-songwriter plays a solo show in Whelan's on November 12th.
SNOOP DOGG ft. CHARLIE SHEEN
Winning *
This track is so bad, drugs could sue it for slander.
LYKKE LI
Sadness is a Blessing
Atlantic ***
"Sadness is my boyfriend/ Sadness I'm your girl." It's as if Lykke Li realises Kristin Wiig will one day lampoon her mercilessly on Saturday Night Liveand has decided to beat the comedienne to the punch. This is some top-notch flailing right here.
BOB DYLAN
Brownsville Girl
Columbia *****
The great man turns 70 on Tuesday. This is one of his lesser-known masterpieces. Co-written a quarter of a century ago with playwright and actor Sam Shepard, Brownsville Girlis an epic Western set to music, with more quotable lines ("The only thing we knew for sure about Henry Porter is that his name wasn't Henry Porter") per verse than most songwriters manage in a lifetime. Happy birthday, sir!
