Essential Really Normal Stuff

You got here by clicking on Sheryl Crowe - and this is as close to the mainstream as I dare to go. Yes, unless you have not noticed, modern music is really shite. I would rather puke blood than have to sit through another of those reality pop shows.... but the good news is - it's not all bad news - some stuff that is being classed as modern is not all that bad (but I will offend many by classing this stuff as NORMAL - no doubt I will be having a visit from some very pissed off Welshmen).

I must confess to knowing slightly less than zero about modern music (and just about any musical form as well) - so here I have decided to list any recent bands that I rate and just leave it at that;

• Sheryl Crowe - this very talented girl managed to recover from the utter humiliation of being one of Michael Jacksons backing dancers! Now many would have let such a bad start ruin it for them, but not Sheryl. Her music is full of superb writing, brilliant musicianship and she is the only modern artist that I have always been comfortable with (though I thought the writing was on the wall when she did a Bond Theme) - Stand Out Track: Steve McQueen.

•  The Manic Street Preachers - angry, thoughtful welshmen. Their music is slightly heavy - Mr Bradfield is a bit of a reluctant guitar hero. I respect them because they toured in Cuba (which no self respecting American band would ever do) and have made some of the best music of the 90's - Stand Out Track - If You Tolerate This Then Your Children Will Be Next (who the hell writes songs about the Spanish Civil War except these nutters?) .

•  Stereophonics - Also Welsh. Well worth a listen - let's leave it at that because I do not pay enough attention to know anything else about them - Standout Track - Mr Writer (contains the superb lyric why don't you tell it like it really is - laid back, brilliantly paced and dark - far too good for the singles chart in this country).

•  Madonna - Pretty last in the 1980's, but once she hooked up with William Orbit (who produced the Harry Enfield Loadsa Money Track!) she made a really good album - Ray of Light. Also - she is a little bit fanciable (for a mum) - Stand Out Track - The Power of Goodbye (ambient pop track - William Orbit saved the day here).

• Paul Weller - OK so I hear you saying that he has been around for years - but his latest stuff is what I am interested in. On his work from the 1990's and beyond you will find all of the stuff that I like; classic synths (you can find evidence of Moogs and Mellotrons all over the shop) and influences drawn from all over the place - Stand Out Track - Wildwood - a sort of year zero for Paul Weller - this opened up the Wildwood album and was a statement of just how much he had changed since the Style Council years. Play it loud - Andy Hewitt and I do!

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