A new letter every fortnight. Or whenever I feel the need to gripe/enthuse about something (probably music related, possibly not).

The music world is looking good at the moment; Radiohead were on top form in Oxford last month (I might write a review of that, if I get around to it…), Reading Festival is just around the corner, and The Strokes are leading a new revival in cool. Add to that a proliferation of bands on the verge of greatness (chart troublers Turin Brakes and The Beta Band to name but two), and the summer music scene - usually a quiet time - is sounding surprisingly, well, noisy.

Another thing to look forward to is the Factory Records-based film 24 Hour Party People. It's nice to see the cultural significance of our popular music heritage being recognised, particularly when the story is as multi-layered as that of Tony Wilson and the Hacienda club. Let's just hope that (music aside) it's any good: given the fact that New Order have just announced a comeback (Woohoo!), comparison with the real thing is going to be remarkably easy. Ralf Little looks nothing like Peter Hook, surely…

Till next time...

Having become increasingly dissatisfied with the state of radio at the moment (Toploader again? And Robbie Williams, what a surprise!), soundtracks seem like an ideal place to locate new and exciting music. Where else could you hear Teenage Fanclub covering Personality Crisis, the latest Dust Brothers release or exclusive Elliot Smith tracks? Certainly not on Parochial FM, that's for sure.

And it's not just films: Channel 4's Teachers seems to be sponsored by Belle and Sebastian, while the new Paul Whitehouse sitcom is impeccably accompanied by everyone from Marvin Gaye to House of Pain. The only problem is I'm so busy trying to work out what the music is that I miss half the dialogue. Never mind, that's what videos are for.

And as if that wasn't enough, soundtracks don't feel the need to patronise you between the records, or set up meaningless quizzes and taunt harmless B-list celebrities, as radio DJs seem to think is part of their job description. You get proper variety - everything from classical score to hip-hop on one CD - and in many cases a more palpable love of music shines through than from the cynical playlist decisions of most radio stations.

Anyway, rant over. I'm off to watch Gregory's Girl and listen to some 80s jazz. P.S. Anyone know where I can find the Pixies track from the end of Fight Club? 

So, the Popstars (sorry, Hear'Say) are undoubtedly going to be Number One next Sunday, Westlife have had a massive hit with a cover of a Billy Joel record, and I can't find the last Snow Patrol single anywhere. The charts are so clogged up with pre-packaged teeny pop that they've increasingly become a farce, and the only people who seem fit to change this vicious cycle are Fred Durst and his merry band of nu-metallers. God help us all. What is the world coming to?

The truth is, nothing's changed. It may seem like the manufactured pop puppets are everywhere - and indeed they are - but it has always been this way. From the beginning of time (whenever that was), the prehistoric equivalents of N'Sync (everyone from The Monkees to Gina G) have ruled the earth, trampling on the little indie bands like the trivialities they are.

Nevertheless, the charts do tend to go in cycles - just look at the explosion of Britpop in 1995. Contrary to my better instincts then, perhaps the rise of nu-metal is a good thing. After all, one more Papa Roach in the charts is one less a1, and that's got to be worth celebrating.

Maybe, just maybe, it's important there's so much rubbish music around - it gives the artists, and also the fans, something to react against. People only rebel if they have something to react against: Wouldn't it be far more boring if the world was full of Eminems and we looked forward to the next one like we do the "new" SClub7?

I'll be listening next Sunday, beating my radio with a baseball bat if Hear'Say are Number One, while secretly being relieved my own favourites aren't at the top spot. After all, if they were, what would I have to rebel against?

Hello!

Welcome to the first edition of Hobgoblin under this particular guise (the first of many, I should think. Having the attention span of a goldfish, I'm rather inclined to change things on a regular basis). I should probably say at this point that I'm faintly amused by the idea of anyone actually bothering to read any of the content of this site, so "ta", and I hope I haven't rambled too much.

Apologies in advance for the few (ahem, many) incomplete/non-existent bits and pieces on this site. I am working on it, honest. Between listening to the new Lowgold record, looking after small children (hooray for Gap Years!) and watching reruns of ER, it will get done. I promise.

Sarah

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