Anish Kapoor’s “Flashback”

This is a quick reminder that sculptor, Anish Kapoor’s, “Flashback” exhibition at the Manchester Art Gallery will close on Monday June 5.

So if you are interested in “dark”, thought-provoking sculptures then get to the Manchester Art Gallery on Mosley Street, just off Piccadilly Gardens.

Kapoor describes his work (1981): “I don’t wish to make sculpture about form – it doesn’t really interest me. I wish to make sculpture about belief or about passion, about experience that is outside of material concern.”

Ponytail: Do Whatever You Want All The Time

Ponytail is an indie pop band from Maryland, America, consisting of Molly Siegel - vocals, Ken Seeno - guitar, Jeremy Hyman - drums and Dustin Wong - guitar.

They were named "Best Live Band" by Baltimore City Paper in September 2007 and "Best Band" in September 2008 and now they return with the aptly named, "Do Whatever You Want All The Time".

Ponytail's chaotic and impulsive style gives the impression that they're not worried what the mainstream music media think. They seem to play just for the love of music so their work leaves them more open to criticism.

This naked exposure is refreshing especially compared with bands trying to stand on the shoulders of giants. It's liberating to hear a band expressing themselves, freed from the shackles of trying to sound familiar.

Some bands have to rely on sounding a certain way, because they don't have the bravery or the musical ability to branch out on a limb but Ponytail grow their music like drug-taking, love-making hippies who grow their hair long.

Having said that, I hope that if I ever get a chance to see Ponytail perform live they don't turn out to be extremely serious "artistic types".

None of the tracks are less than four minutes long but they are so vibrant and generally played at a high-tempo that they seem to go by as quickly as a magic moment.


Do Whatever You Want All The Time begins with "Easy Peasy" which includes some rhythmic wind instruments echoing like sea breezes blowing through driftwood.

Soon enough we're introduced to arguably the star of the band and the album, Molly Siegel. She is the lead singer of Ponytail and, although reminiscent of Karen O from the New York band, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, her voice is awesome in its own right.

The second track on the album, is predictably named "Flabbermouse" - not sure why it is, although Molly Siegel's voice is quite squeaky. It's a track with everlasting energy, created by Justin Wong's guitar and maybe should be called "Duracellmouse" instead.

"Honey Touches" comes in with a powerful but friendly enough drum beat, a bit like Nellie the elephant. Again, Siegel's voice keeps the momentum going and then some big guitar riffs remind us of the band's instrumental skill. Nearly half-way through the album and there are no signs of this small but mighty band showing signs of weakness.

When "Beyondersville// Flight of Fancy" plays, I'm left wondering where Molly Sigel went. For the first few minutes of the song, Siegel's voice isn't heard, just a melodically beeping pair of keyboards. While the track is an inoffensive segway, I think I'll have to say it is a flight of fancy and maybe Ponytail should stick to their strengths. However, it displays Ponytail's continuing desire to experiment.

The album continues with "Tush", which mixes sexy feminine yells and rip-roaring guitar riffs. I'm almost lost for words as I hear a fountain of sounds, including what sounds like electro-keyboards, a wind instrument and Jeremy Hyman's drum but I'm no expert.

"Music Tunes" is the last track on the album and it leaves us with a crescendo of high-pitched notes on an acoustic guitar which is artificially sped up until you start to think, "Are they having a laugh?"
The 'song' settles down soon enough though and we're again able to bask in the lovely sound of the boyish but cute Molly Siegel.

The album will be released by Popfrenzy on April 12.


Label: Popfrenzy

Released: Tuesday 12 April 2011

Warm Ghost - Uncut Diamond

Warm Ghost is made up of Paul Duncan: songwriter and singer and Oliver Chapoy: composer and all round facilitator.

You could say, 'like band name, like music'. Warm Ghost is a 'synth pop' DJ duo from New York, yet their tracks lack the cold, mechanical nature which other 'hip' DJ partnerships, such as 'Crystal Castles' could be accused of. It is also eerie and mysterious, sometimes even as frightening as a spectre.

The first track on the EP, 'Open The Wormhole In Your Heart' is accompanied with an 'arty', extremely revealing video (not included with the EP), which shows naked flesh writhing around on a lubricated surface. Maybe that's where the 'uncut' comes from. If I was to make a metaphor to describe the feeling at the heart of this track, I would say it's a bud in a forest, sprouting, growing a stem and leaves and growing and growing until its leaves reach the sunlight or it's like waking up to a brand new day, feeling optimistic and ready to attack the rest of your life. Paul Duncan's celestial, god-like singing gives this image - a fantastic way to start a day and an EP then.

'Without A Dancer' continues with the otherworldly and upbeat feel of The Wormhole In Your Heart and we are introduced to a warm, eccentric chorus of keyboarderie. It sounds like we're being invaded by little, friendly ET's who just want to contribute to the Uncut Diamond EP. Aside from the little green men, the track is extremely chilled out, the slow introductory beat mimics a slow heart beat and will comatose anyone who listens to it - you've been warned. I like the simplicity of Without A Dancer; we hear the same line, 'without a dancer, my love, it wanders and crawls', repeatedly, in a morose tone and we know what the track is about immediately.

'Claws Overhead' continues the synthy sound and we're treated to more extravagant vocals. Paul Duncan, the man who writes the songs, says that he is inspired by The Cure, Depeche Mode and OMD, however, this third track has the essence of The Shins, the main similarity coming between the two enigmatic voices. It is also very '80's pop' and it benefits from the uplifting torrent of the music of that care-free decade. It's almost impossible to gauge what Paul Duncan is singing in Claws Overhead and I'm left wondering if the EP would benefit from the vocals being more forthright. You could say that it is the mysterious nature of the vocals that gives the song its appeal. Maybe I'm just going deaf but lowering the volume of the synths and boosting the vocal, I believe, could make this track even more kind to the ears.

Paul Duncan has a history of song writing; this isn't just some futuristic sounding chords played on a digital keyboard. In fact, the more you listen to Uncut Diamond, the more it seems that these songs are almost all about the lyrics. The synths are just there to create an atmosphere.

I will allow you all to discover the three remaining tracks, the eponymously named 'Uncut Diamond', 'Resignation Rights' and 'Let My Angst Unfold In The Water Like A Hounds Tongue' for yourselves. I will hint that the 80's sound does continue and the tracks might become even more hypnotic. The EP will be available to buy from Partisan Records on February 15^th 2011.