Aural pleasures cont.

Album of the Day is The Best Of Altered Images. I'd heard a few tracks over the course of my few decades on the planet, but only got round to buying some after a long car journey with my friend Mark. Wearying of his serial-killer-related compilation (I'll discuss that later in the series), I chanced upon Altered Images and rammed it into the slot, expecting soothing jangly guitar indie.

That's what I got, with added Scottishness, joy (not adjectives often found together) and Claire Grogan's weird voice. Apparently, her role in the wonderful Gregory's Girl and subsequent pop career made her every indie boy's fantasy.

The most famous track is probably the insanely catchy Happy Birthday, but I particularly love the unhinged Dead Pop Stars and Insects, which is just bizarre but compelling.

Ploughing my lonely furrow

Today is very student-centred. I've reluctantly put aside my PGCE essay (it's 1000 words too long anyway) to read some project drafts and do some marking, seeing as I'm on holiday (ahem - still in the office). Bear this in mind when you students leave posts today - I may be marking your essay!

Cynical Ben presumably has the day off, seeing as he's approaching 20 posts today. He too is motivated by football, books and teasing me, so I'm sure you'll all get on together beautifully. As to the soundtrack for my day, I'm listening to a compilation of weird covers Mark did for me. Ozzy and Frank Zappa doing 'Stayin' Alive' is quite odd, whereas Altered Images' version of 'Jeepster' is lovely.