R.I.P. Poly Styrene (Marianne Elliott-Said)

1957-2011

Vampire Weekend

I’m not a Goth. Or an Emo. I’m not into vampire fiction, and I’m not a teenager (even though I frequently act like one- it’s not an endearing trait). So I’d never heard Bat For Lashes and Beck’s collaboration Let’s Get Lost (which apparently appeared on the soundtrack of Twilight: Eclipse) until this morning, when I caught it on Shaun Keaveny’s breakfast radio show. But it is utterly fantastic; sparse, beautiful, full of yearning, not a note out of place. Funny how music can utterly transport you, even when you’re munching on a bowl of Shreddies. Thanks Shaun.

No, it’s seriously good. And the reason it was being played is that it’s being released on 7 inch vinyl as part of Record Store Day. Which is tomorrow. Please give generously.

Apollo Screed

For anyone who enjoyed this post of last year (there may well be someone; hope springs eternal), I draw your attention to the excellent Being Neil Armstrong, presented by the author of Moon Dust, Andrew Smith. It's on the BBC iPlayer until next week, so take a look.