Robert
@robertd1.bsky.social
(failing) writer; @loudandquiet @thequietus @clash
My first literary love was Bret Easton Ellis and I've loved all the adaptations of his works - even the spectacularly crap ones. So very excited for The Shards series
Wrote about Ceremony, a band that I love and admire, and their new album, which whips ass.
Album Of The Week: Ceremony 'Tell Me Your Dream'
When you see Ceremony live, they take you on a ride. At this point, Ceremony are a punk institution, but the word “institution” implies a certain level of stasis. Ceremony keep changing. When the band...
stereogum.com
As much a meditation on the modernist movement, in particular artist David Jones, as a look at one of the most original records in recent years. My review of MPTL Microplastics 'Sod in Heaven' finds a deep, disturbing and poetic excavation of the chemical age. open.substack.com/pub/urblinds...
MPTL Microplastics - Sod in Heaven
The void loop ((((((((O)))))))) in the chemical age
open.substack.com
Enjoyed the Doloriad in the penumbra of COVID times, so let's see what this is about.
We are part of an upcoming Debuts event at Bàrd Books in East London on 16th September. Henry from Ortac will be there in place of John Gay, with notes and answers provided by John. The Bedevilments is a darkly funny and surprisingly touching tale of sex, dependence and anonymity. Out next month.
As much a meditation on the modernist movement, in particular artist David Jones, as a look at one of the most original records in recent years. My review of MPTL Microplastics 'Sod in Heaven' finds a deep, disturbing and poetic excavation of the chemical age. open.substack.com/pub/urblinds...
MPTL Microplastics - Sod in Heaven
The void loop ((((((((O)))))))) in the chemical age
open.substack.com
A long-read about London as a theme in 20th century Belgian 'strange fiction'. Told through the lens of author Jean Ray & the first English translation of novel The Last Canterbury Tales by @wakefieldpress.bsky.social. Takes in Machen, Symbolism, WW1, & dreams. open.substack.com/pub/urblinds...
The London of the Imagination
The strange occurrence of Jean Ray and The Last Canterbury Tales
open.substack.com
I muted the first word of my entire social media existence stretching back over twenty years. I am finally middle-aged.
Gustave Van de Woestijne | The Liquor Drinkers (with self-portrait), 1922, oil on canvas, 109.5 x 99 cm., / 43.1 x 38.9 in., Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp
Germany in WW1 after executing the ill-fated Schlieffen Plan.
killiemesoftly.bsky.social@killiemesoftly.bsky.social · 4d agoTerrifying, but nowhere near as horrifying as having two different species carry out a pincer attack on someone during a “difficult” moment.
Translator Of Original ‘Minions’ Epic Poem Slams ‘Sexless, Bloodless’ Film Adaptation
Translator Of Original ‘Minions’ Epic Poem Slams ‘Sexless, Bloodless’ Film Adaptation
PHILADELPHIA—In a 4,500-word essay published in Harper’s Magazine, Emily Wilson, known for her popular translation of the Minions epic poem, blasted the latest film Thursday as a “sexless, bloodless” ...
theonion.com
Now, I don't want it solved necessarily, but the 1934 theft of 'The Just Judges' panel from Jan Van Eyck's Adoration of The Mystic Lamb is mine. The most glorious, angelic polyptych of all time is without one of its wings for nearly 100 years and once you start investigating, it never ends
G. Willow Wilson@gwillow.me · 6d agoWhat's your personal great white whale of an unsolved mystery? The thing you desperately hope is solved before you die because you need to know the answer? Mine is the Isabella Stewart Gardener Museum heist. Where the hell are the Rembrandts. I need the full story
Oostende is the dark beautiful centre of the world. You feel the dead dreams swarming the city when the sun goes down.
A long-read about London as a theme in 20th century Belgian 'strange fiction'. Told through the lens of author Jean Ray & the first English translation of novel The Last Canterbury Tales by @wakefieldpress.bsky.social. Takes in Machen, Symbolism, WW1, & dreams. open.substack.com/pub/urblinds...
The London of the Imagination
The strange occurrence of Jean Ray and The Last Canterbury Tales
open.substack.com
Pretty much everything (I mean everything) from Preservation Act I & II and Muswell Hillbillies makes me cry when I listen to it, which isn't my usual reaction to music. Everything else, I can give or take. So this list was not my favourite, but I think I'm just a broken Kinks fan
The Guardian@theguardian.com · 6d agoDedicated followers of passion: the Kinks’ 40 greatest songs – ranked!
I've been listening to MPTL Microplastics debut with my recently acquired lyrics sheet. They really are the real deal. This is not a drill. I repeat not a drill
Robert@robertd1.bsky.social · 2w agoListening as god intended. In a suburban carpark on a hot Saturday morning
This goddamn pigeon has some goddamned nerve sauntering around like that
The Brussels Times@brusselstimes.com · last wk.The defendant admitted he was there to sell drugs. but said he had been acting on someone else’s instructions.
As a long term disbeliever in The Strokes (they have maybe 5-6 good songs over the entire discography imo), I'm happy to see a growing acceptance that maybe they suck.
As always, a descent into the very best left-field music out there by the absolute best surveying the depths of the ocean floor! Check it out!
Cal Cashin@calcash.in · last wk.Compiling and organising my notes and reviews from this year, and it's time for a belated mid-year thread on my favourite 20 albums of the year so far. Recommendations not welcome, but encouraged, begged for, pleaded for.
I've never been happier for anything to get a win like I am for lrb. I've said it so many times, but they are on the run of a lifetime. SUBSCRIBE
London Review of Books@lrb.co.uk · last wk.Tell me about a complicated magazine. Try the 𝘓𝘰𝘯𝘥𝘰𝘯 𝘙𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸 𝘰𝘧 𝘉𝘰𝘰𝘬𝘴 for three months, in print and online, for just £6. subscription.lrb.co.uk/offers/social
MACCA GOES WEIRD! Join me on BBC 6Music’s The Freakzone Playlist at midnight, 6th August. I’ve selected plenty of Paul McCartney’s stranger things. Giddy for this to air. Reposts appreciated. Tune in, Paul! @reaktionbooks.bsky.social @stuartmaconie.bsky.social #6Music #PaulMcCartney
It's a cool album, but I don't think has the intrigue anymore. Makes me realise how smart Bowie was with how he took on new personas. A lot of the heft of art is in its ending. Once you've had that catharsis (which I think Brat was), it's hard to follow with the same intensity.
The Quietus@thequietus.com · last wk.'Where actual guitar bands are desperately over-using studio tech to de-rockify themselves for the mass market, Music, Fashion Film goes super-simple. It serves the purity and brevity of The Strokes debut, even heading into Ramones territory.' Charli XCX - Music, Fashion, Film buff.ly/BAlWIl7
Finally finished. Re-read gave distinct feeling that CoL49 is about the coming Apranet (precursor to the internet). WASTE as a secret system of mail and counterculture mixed with its capacity to funnel paranoia and conspiracy. I can't unread that reading. The dates just about match (1966)
Robert@robertd1.bsky.social · 3w agoFound time for Tom P. while in Swiss hinterlands. On 3rd reading (albeit 20 years after second reading), I've never equated the way Pynchon constructs the mystery of Trystero via the complex network of incestuous European royal families and court politics with the corporate European conspiracy of GR
I went onto Instagram for the first time in years (and even then I used it v.infrequently for a website I did, not personal communication) and EVERY post there has like 1.3m likes. It's some absolutely crap list of 'hidden gems in literature' that had Hemingway in it and it has 400k likes.