For Ed

Ed reminded me in the comments that I've not gone on about my music collection for quite some time. So in his honour, I'll get back to it.

As far as I remember, the next band in my alphabetical trawl is Bon Iver (yes, we're only up to B, after all this time - and I've been missing out the odd tracks here and there).

You probably know Bon Iver - spectral neo-country folk-rock from somewhere in the US. Not hugely innovative, but they've got a way with production and structure. I like the muted and melancholic sound they make. Today the rain's coming down and it's dark and gloomy - Bon Iver (particularly For Emma, Forever Ago - a name which reminds me of The Field Mice) really suit my mood.

Live, they're not so wonderful. Because the music is so dependent on pinpoint harmonies, the live performance becomes a test of their craft - you wouldn't expect anything unexpected, so to speak, whereas I like a band that has some fun on stage.

Here's 'Team', which I love for the bass line, and 'Stacks' because it's so beautifully melancholy (which basically does it for me most of the time - wait until we get on to The Paradise Motel in about 3 years).

We're all going on a summer holiday

Well, that's it, comrades, until Monday afternoon at the earliest. I'll take my iPod to All Tomorrow's Parties in case there's wireless access, but it seems unlikely. I'm particularly looking forward to Teenage Fanclub, Bon Iver and The Breeders, but I'm sure others will be brilliant too. I'll be the one in cherry red Doctor Martens, a Green Lantern t-shirt and bad hair, in case that floats your boat. What book shall I take as a prop? I was wondering about On Deconstruction but I've read it several times now, so perhaps a Moomins volume might be more fitting.

Now I'm off to see In the Loop again to top up my epithet levels.