Bitch Magnet – Bitch Magnet - December 2011 December 4th, 2011

The Ohio trio Bitch Magnet, named with knowing naughtiness back in a lamentably lost PC world, recorded from 1988 to 1990, and in that two year period plied hardcore punk with a whole new palette of post-rock possibilities. Here’s everything you need on three discs, in advance of two belated British dates next week. Escape…

Derek Bailey, John Butcher & Gino Robair – Scrutables - December 2011 December 4th, 2011

Six years since his death, instant composition’s original zen master has been busy in absence as usual, with a reissue of his superb 1983 solo Concert In Miwaukee, some newfound 1972 recordings of the Iskra 1903 trio, and this previously unheard late period gem, scratched out in Stockwell in 2000. The Yorkshire yogi plays electric…

Carpet Remnant World, Leicester Square Theatre, review ★★★★ - November 2011 The Telegraph - By Dominic Cavendish - November 28th, 2011

So, Stewart Lee is to be the guest editor of Radio 4’s Today programme on New Year’s Eve. This announcement will doubtless put an angry spring in the step of those who enjoy running around declaring that the BBC is in the deathly grip of the liberal left. Lee, reviled for his part in bringing…

Stewart Lee: Carpet Remnant World ★★★★★ - November 2011 The Metro - By Sharon Lougher - November 28th, 2011

FOR the first time in his life, Stewart Lee has run out of things to say. This former provoker of rightwing Christians and frequent presider over ‘corduroy Nurembergs’ now spends his humdrum days either driving between gigs, on a relentless touring schedule spurred by his TV rebirth, or reluctantly watching vintage Scooby Doo episodes as…

Carpet Remnant World - November 2011 The Independent - By Julian Hall - November 28th, 2011

For a man who likes to pull the rug from underneath his audience slowly but surely, and at least twice in a routine, Carpet Remnant World seems like an apt title. Lee warns us there’s no weaving theme, however, and he protests too much that all he has done this year is “drive on motorways”…

Matthew Sweet – Modern Art - November 2011 November 27th, 2011

Nearly thirty years back Matthew Sweet formed the short-lived Commuity Trolls with REM’s Michael Stipe. Two decades ago his third album, Girlfriend, set a rarely bettered benchmark for jangly guitar power-pop craftsmanship. Sweet’s striven in its shadow since, to slowly diminishing returns, like some latter-day Brian Wilson, pursuing phantom pop perfection in a sandpit full…