Magic Ship: Maiden Voyage

Climb on Board the Magic Ship - Destination Americana!

I was delighted to receive Magic Ships' debut CD ‘Love Tel Motel’ last week - regular readers will already know them as fellow blogger Axe Victims' band. Over on his site, we’ve seen this project go from a twinkle (or maybe a ‘twang’) in Axes’ eye, through to final fruition with the album release and accompanying gig to launch it last weekend. The regular blog updates certainly added to the whole appeal for me, and gave a great insight into the labour of love that goes into getting a project like this off the ground… Over the months I’ve heard the demos, read about the rehearsals and recording sessions, viewed various potential designs for the artwork, and been privy to all the trials and tribulations the guys have been through on the way. So to see the final product drop through the letterbox was rather satisfying even for me… imagine how Axe and his (magic) shipmates must be feeling??!

Ok, so I’ve already appreciated all the hard work and effort that went into getting the CD off the ground, but how does the finished article fair? Pretty damn well actually! And it’s just about lived in the CD player ever since I got it!

It’s obvious from the outset that these guys know their stuff, they are experienced musicians with an in-depth knowledge of music. As they storm through this blistering, riff laden, 10 track album there are nods to everyone from the Stones and the Faces to the Byrds and Neil Young. From the Black Crows to Oasis and even the Fratellis. Vocally, Axe evokes comparisons with Mark Lanegan, Joe Cocker and Leon Russell.

But don’t go thinking this is some pseudo sound-a-like album, Magic Ship are much smarter than that. There is a restrained light touch on all the influences… a dash of Lynyrd Skynyrd, a drop of Tom Petty, a sprinkling of Primal Scream… What comes out is 100% Magic Ship.

So if you’re looking for a bona fide rocker to see you through the (long?! hot?!) summer, Magic Ship could be just the band for you – Gawd bless ‘er, and all who sail in her!

All the links you need:

Magic Ships' Official Website
Axe Victims' Blog
Buy Love Tel Motel from Stone Island Records

Piley

Reflectoporn: The Return

Of all the posts I've done over the past few months, there is one that I am always getting asked about... The one about people exposing themselves on e-Bay! (‘That eBay Thang').

It sparked dozens of e-mails, and I'm still getting them! mostly asking "what the hell am I supposed to be looking at in the table and chairs picture"!! If you too are still struggling on that one, I draw my learned friends attention to the top left hand corner of the photo...

The other question I keep getting asked is how I knew about it in the first place... I think people are implying that the only way I could know is because I participate!! Rest assured, it was just something I read about, it sparked my imagination and initiated quite a bit of investigation. I can often be found trawling the kitchenware on eBay, searching for toasters (looking for that elusive pop-up!). It is strangely addictive, and once you've spotted a fatboy with a camera in one hand, you're hooked!

So, by popular demand, here are a few more pictures from my collection. A few classics here, and as a special treat for my bloggin' buddy Axe Victim, I've included this guitar related one... although as a confirmed music lover rather than player, I'm not completely sure what part of a guitar it is... Axe??!

This Kettle picture is thought to be the instigation of the Reflectoporn phenomenon. That may or may not be true, but it was certainly the first to be spotted (how many have gone completely undetected?).

If on you travels through the land of eBay you happen to stumble on one of these pictures, be sure to drop me a line, but for now enjoy these - they are all 'clickable', and will enlarge for your viewin' pleasure!

Piley