Just when I thought “Lisztomania” was getting to the “overplayed to the point of banality” stage, this comes along and changes all of that. So, is it wrong that I think this version not only builds on the original, but could even improve on it? Whatever. If it is, I don’t want to be right.

Quite simply, beautiful.

Ps. So, did you miss me? I’m back. I think. We’ll see.

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Kids + Lisztomania = Awesomeness

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Sooo… here’s the new design. What do you guys think? Any suggestions/criticisms/yo momma jokes welcome.

Sound off in the comments!

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What the? What’s going on around here?

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So, recently I’ve been thinking about changing up the look of things here at Burgo’s Music Blog. I’m a bit hesitant to do so for a few reasons though:

- One is, quite simply, the old adage of  “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”. The blog has had this current theme for probably around a year and a half, if not more, and it’s become a large part of the blog identity.

- Secondly, it is a unique theme that definitely helps it stand out amongst the numerous other music blogs out there.

- Third, it is pretty hip looking

However, I have to admit that, unfortunately, the theme itself is not the best when it comes to being search engine friendly. Now, most of my visitors are recurrent, direct traffic, so to be honest this blog isn’t all that reliant on search engines. But it is something I really should be thinking about, if I’m looking to expand the blog.

So, anyway, I’d like to open it up to you, the readers… what would you think about me changing the theme on your friendly neighbourhood music blog? Voice your opinion in the poll below!

Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.

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Thinking about changing the look of Burgo’s Music Blog…

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… I know, I know, it’s been a while since I posted here with any regularity, and for that, I apologise. To be honest, I’m not 100% sure why that is. Part of it, I know, is that work has been ridiculously busy the last few months, and as such my mind hasn’t really been in the right mindset to post all that often.
Another reason could also be the dreaded “twitter bug”. After close on two years using Twitter (follow me here, by the way, if you’re into that sort of thing), it’s become clear to me that it’s having a noticeable effect on my posting habits. For example, where I would have thrown up a quick post in the past discussing a song I’d just come across, nowadays it’s far easier to just twitter about it… which is a problem when you should be blogging.

Anyway, this is just a post to let you know that I’m going to try get the posting back on track. There’s a few bands I’ve meant to mention lately, and over the next week I’ll try to put some short posts up about them. It’s not really fair to the bands that they only get short posts from me, but at this stage I think it’s more important that I get the posts out there before they fade into the background.

Anyway… I’m back.

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Where’s Burgo been?

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To everyone who has emailed me in the last week to tell me about your band/client/new release/gig, sorry for the lack of replies. I’ve been away the last few days at the 2009 SMX Conference in Sydney, and haven’t had a chance to check personal emails. It will be a few days before I get a chance to get round to it, as work resposibilities come first… but I just wanted to let you know that, as soon as I can, I’ll get round to your email.

Scout’s honour. Seriously.

Thanks for your patience.

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To everyone who has emailed me…

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Regretably, this will be a quick post today, as it never rains, but it pours, you know? Anyway, hat-tip to Richard at Makakmedia for bringing this to my attention: today, January 12, marks the beginning of a year long celebration of the 50th anniversary of global music icon: MOTOWN.

Read more about the event here… but I thought I would pay simple tribute with this… two of my favourite clips, of possibly two of my favourite Motown artists… the incomparable Stevie Wonder, and Marvin Gaye.

Stevie Wonder – Superstition

Marvin Gaye – What’s Going On/What’s Happening Brother

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Motown 50 – 50 Great Years

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One of the most effortlessly cool bands I know, Motel Motel (originally featured on this blog here, and also a band that made it onto my “Best of 2008” post) have released a Youtube video wishing you all a happy holiday. And, true to form… it’s pretty damn cool.

I’ll hopefully have a chance to post again before Christmas, but if not… this will do. Happy Holidays everyone. Be lucky.

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Motel Motel, “Spanish Harlem”… Happy Holidays everyone!

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So today I was surfing the ‘Tube, and I decided to relive the joy that is “The Damnwells” by surfing some of their videos. First, I watched this video, uploaded way back in 2006, promoting the album “Air Stereo”.

… and I was filled with this sense of wonder. I mean, no matter how many times I hear these songs, it hits me like the first time. Watching that EPK, you can just tell… these guys were special. These guys could change the world.
Ok, now remember… that clip was uploaded over two years ago. And the brilliant “Bastards of the Beat” was released 3 years before that, even.

Next, I watched the “Golden Days” trailer, which was uploaded to the ‘Tube at the beginning of 2007. I originally wrote about the Golden Days DVD back here, but for those of you who haven’t kept up with it, the documentary basically details the Damnwells’ struggles; particularly following the period of their parting ways with Epic Records. Watch it below… and again, remember this is a 2007 release.

Killer, yeah? But then, finally, I came across this video… which is an in-store performance from the Damnwells at the Virgin record store in Tempe, AZ for promotion of the “Golden Days” documentary (which was playing at the Phoenix film festival that weekend).

Now, I realise that this took place in 2007, even though it was uploaded to Youtube only this year.
But, the dismal attendance in that video struck something within me. It simply killed me that, here was without a doubt my FAVOURITE band… and they are still struggling to get the recognition they deserve.

In some ways, it’s too late now. As I detailed in a past post, the Damnwells has changed from its original incarnation. But, even though the faces may have changed, that dream is still alive. And it needs some help.

So… why have I just rambled on for a page? Simply this… watching that last clip today spurred me into action. I can’t sit here and wonder, “Why are more people not killing themselves to see these guys? Why aren’t they one of the biggest bands in the world?“.
Asking these questions isn’t doing enough. And, as much as I’d like to think this blog is helping spread the word, it can’t dedicate every post to the Damnwells. This blog is far too eclectic for that, and I don’t want to change that.

So, I decided to go out and do something about it. I’ve owned the domain “Thedamnwellsmusic.com” for quite some time now, but haven’t got anything up and running. That last clip was enough to change that. Today, I finally started uploading the skeleton to what I hope will become a definitive “Damnwells Music Site“. While there’s pretty much nothing there yet (ok, plain old nothing… except for some pretty pictures), I’m linking there now to spread the word. If anyone wants to get involved in contributing to the site, drop a comment, send me an email… get in touch.
Honestly, this is an open call to any of the Damnwells’ fans. If you want to push this site, let me know (and Gilly, I’m looking at you here!). Whether it’s photos, news, facts and figures… heck, even if you want to lend a hand with the design – as you can see, I’ve tried my best, but I’m no design guru – then get in touch. Do it.

Anyway. That’s enough out of this out of me. Hope to hear from you all soon. Because I know you’re out there.

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The Damnwells. Still the world’s most underappreciated band.

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1. Another “Best Albums of the Decade” (2000 – 2009) List…

… and Burgo’s Blog is no different. Yes, I’m putting together a “Best of 2008″ post, which is why things are a bit quiet around here. I promise, an update is coming soon.

(Oh yes, and as an aside… remember how in this post about William Fitzsimmons I said that I was sure I had posted about him before, but for some reason I couldn’t find it? Turns out that the reason I had his name in my head is that someone actually told me about him ages ago, but I didn’t get around to posting about it. So, credit where credit is due: Thanks Mom for turning me on to his tunes. Sorry I didn’t credit you earlier. Now stop with that smug smile every time I see you on Skype.)

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Oh geez. It’s December. Here come the inevitable “Best of 2008″ posts…

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Richey Edwards... "4 Real"

While this happened a few days ago, it’s only just been brought to my attention.

13 years on from his disappearance, Richey Edwards of Manic Street Preachers has been declared dead. While it’s really just a legal status at this point, I’m still finding this incredibly depressing. Part of me has always lived in the hope that Richey really did just drop off the radar, and was living the quiet life somewhere, far away from the attention with which he seemed unable to deal.
Richey was a rock star of the highest order, and is deeply missed by Preachers fans.

In rememberance, I’ve included the Preachers’ “Australia” video below. The fourth single release from the 1996 album Everything Must Go, Nicky Wire wrote the song as a way of dealing with all the emotions surrounding Richey’s disappearance in 1995.

Listen. Love. Support.
Remember.

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Richey Edwards of Manic Street Preachers declared dead

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