I only put this in the Music thread as if I didn't, the mods would move it, but what on earth to make of the news that One Direction have made history as the first UK pop group to debut at no. 1 on America's Billboard album chart?

Has the music world really gone that mad?

Well, apparently so

I know. I'm in shock.


But it sums up the corrupt charts quite perfectly

Like the jonas brothers, jls and all that mass produced musically void b/s, sell sex to little girls and make millions.

South Park had it on the money.

It's been out a while but I'm really enjoying the latest long player from Little Dragon, lo fi Swedish pop with a hint of Prince and a wasabi kick.

Really liking Cast's new album, Troubled Times.

Power ain't lost it.

I've been having a bit of a change of direction this week. On channel one we have Dodgy's new album, very laid back, very pastoral, very much like the 'tracks that weren't the hits' from their early albums. On channel two - The Real McKenzies. Canadian/Scot folk punk iin the vein of Flogging Molly or The Pogues. Loud, drunk, skirling, I'm not sure if I like it or not.

Expecting the new King Hammond album any day now too....

Quantity does not mean quality.

That sounds a bit like Partrdige.

"I evolve, but I don't.....revolve"

Sonisphere cancelled?

Mmm a metal festival with Queen, Faith No More and Kiss headlining was always gonna be in trouble. There just isn't the bands or fans to support two metal/rock festivals.

Queen with some fame show reject, flogging a dead horse and p**sing on the legacy of the last ever Queen show in '86, Faith No More, good by hardly a must see and really a good second on the bill rather than a headliner, Kiss, flogging a dead horse with make up on, they missed a trick not getting Motley Crue as second on the bill to copy the US tour.

I wonder if any of the bands booked will pop up at other UK festivals over this summer.

I can see Refused going to Reading/Leeds and headlining the Lock Up Stage but other than that I don't think so, Reading/Leeds is pretty full on the main stage, Download is a month earlier but may pick up a few of the smaller bands to fill out the bill.

If Mastodon, Refused, Glassjaw or Faith No More were to be added I'd seriously contemplate buying a weekend ticket for R & L.

I was in a bar last night and The Decemberists came on. I forgot how amazing they are.

Reaquainted myself with Boys Night Out today. I tend to forget about these guys and I can never work out why. All your All Time Low and You Me at Six guff could learn from these guys!

Just listening to the new Orbital album - fantastic and will get better with more listens. Seeing them on Thursday in Manchester too. Looking forward to it even more now

www.specializedcharityalbum.co.uk/ Got this today. 40 remakes of tracks by The Specials in aid of the Teenage Charity Trust. Yes, there are the predictable straight ska covers, but the vast majority take the original and do something new with it - house version of Skinhead Moonstomp or a punk take on Too Much, Too Young, or perhaps a slightly jazzy version of Dawning Of A New Era? I've not finished it yet, I've been too busy hitting the replay button on a few of the tracks, but it's all good so far. All on there, and a project worth supporting.

www.specializedcharityalbum.co.uk/ Got this today. 40 remakes of tracks by The Specials in aid of the Teenage Charity Trust. Yes, there are the predictable straight ska covers, but the vast majority take the original and do something new with it - house version of Skinhead Moonstomp or a punk take on Too Much, Too Young, or perhaps a slightly jazzy version of Dawning Of A New Era? I've not finished it yet, I've been too busy hitting the replay button on a few of the tracks, but it's all good so far. All on there, and a project worth supporting.

The new Killing Joke album Mmx11, gawd almighty its a corker, to go with The Stranglers new album Giants. Two top albums released in the last month, life in the old codgers still.....Gawd bless em......

You won't catch me disagreeing with this. Though the latest E.P. Long Live The King is a bit of a let down. May I suggest you try Tarkio or further back Happy Cactus for previous bands of lead singer Colin Meloy.

Having a bit of a 'Twilight Singers' weekend

'Burying Davy' is excellent though.

IMO the Decemberists went off the boil after [iThe Crane Wife[/i. Hated [iHazards, [/iand [iThe King Is Dead[/i didn't really excite in the same way as their earlier records - too MOR Americana for me.

Download confirm Refused as playing.

Discovered a band called Letlive. Complete guilty pleasure.

I liked Hazards, it was something he's always wanted to do so he did it. Yes it wasn't 'mainstream' a la Picaresque but he wasn't trying to so anything other than what he wanted to. I have to agree with you on The King Is Dead though, there was something missing there.
What is your take on the 'Always The Bridesmaid' series of songs? They were released in 2008 and in my opinion they are very good and traditional decemberists in my eyes. Valerie Plame being my personal favourite.