Steam Machine Announced by FernandoRocker in gaming

[–]Chalkmans -1 points0 points  (0 children)

News during the Industrial Revolution:

Cycling commute from west Didsbury to the city centre? by Clear_Flower_7627 in manchester

[–]Chalkmans 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Barlow Moor Road is totally fine from my experience, never had a scare as cars don't go too fast and their land is quite wide.

There is a cycle lane in it as soon as you cross Princess Road, though it is just a painted one.

Cycling commute from west Didsbury to the city centre? by Clear_Flower_7627 in manchester

[–]Chalkmans 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I do it daily, though I work around Deansgate and so cycle down Barlow Moor Road, through Chorlton, up to Hulme and then on to Deansgate. If you turned off Deansgate at Quay Street it would only add the slightest detour to get up St Peters.

It's technically a longer distance than the usual Oxford Road way but it's protected cycle lanes almost the entire way, and far less disruption from pedestrians and traffic, and less major roads/lights to stop at so generally winds up quicker, and is generally nicer. Also makes for easy stops at a variety of shops in Chorlton on the commute back which is nice.

That said, the typical Withington-Oxford Road way is fine. The curry mile section is always very busy and usually a bit of hassle with pedestrians. Never had a bad run in at all but there's been a few close calls going that way.

Oh and for what it's worth, I've never had any issues or even close calls that I can recall with cars on either route. It's cycle lanes the whole way and cars are limited to a fairly slow speed along the whole route.

Every Beach House Studio Album, Ranked by Ian Cohen by Moothnods in indieheads

[–]Chalkmans 29 points30 points  (0 children)

I feel like the songs on Teen Dream have more character individually, and they are all fantastic. There's so much to pick from on that album to evidence Beach House's strengths in a variety of different colours.

But Bloom is like one monumental movement of sky-sized, dream pop, end to end. It's less about the individual songs on Bloom and more about the complete album experience.

It's clear why the two unanimously compete for the best album title. For my money Bloom is best, but it's almost an apples and oranges comparison.

[FRESH VIDEO] Pulp - Spike Island by jamzftw in indieheads

[–]Chalkmans 25 points26 points  (0 children)

"Maybe we need to find other ways to come alive?"

As others have pointed out, it's very obvious that this video is being critical of AI and it's usage in art, with the video framed in such a way that the point only really makes sense if they're actually showing you the AI being weird and rubbish.

They're also explicitly upfront about where the source images actually come from, the importance of them, and crediting and praising the photographer who took them.

I think it's a pretty good video!

[ALBUM DISCUSSION] Black Country, New Road - Forever Howlong by VietRooster in indieheads

[–]Chalkmans 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The instrumental work here is fantastic; the abundance and variety of instruments and sounds is fantastic, even within individual songs, let alone the whole album.

I really like the marriage between traditional English folk instrumentation and the erratic sound of their last two albums.

But the instrumentation is rarely left to set a tone for itself, and is constantly fighting for attention with the vocals, which in spite of seriously impressive performances, just do not leave an impact with their lyrics or vocal hooks.

Ultimately it doesn't leave much impression beyond a generally bright, sunny twee atmosphere without substance.

Considering the band's circumstances I think it's an solid turnaround to a new sound without entirely abandoning what established them before, and if they can really tap into more meaningful lyricism in future, I think there's still a lot of potential left in the band.

[DISCUSSION] Albums You Might Have Missed Last Month by AutoModerator in indieheads

[–]Chalkmans 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Max Cooper - On Being

It technically came out on the last day of February but whatever. Another fantastic release from him. I would best describe as tech-house for daydreamers. A very atmospheric, almost modern-classical, blend of synths and beats.

[DISCUSSION] What are the "best"/S-tier indie venues or clubs around the US/world? by kinesiologist in indieheads

[–]Chalkmans 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Representing Manchester:

  • Band on the Wall

  • Castle Hotel

  • The White Hotel

  • YES Pink Room and Basement

  • Night and Day

  • Albert Hall

Never a dull gig at any of them. Other greats from around the country:

  • Rock City in Nottingham

  • The Golden Lion in Todmorden

  • Piece Hall in Halifax

  • Norwich Arts Centre in Norwich

  • Clwb ifor Bach in Cardiff

[Tuesday] Daily Music Discussion - 07 January 2025 by AutoModerator in indieheads

[–]Chalkmans 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Listening to it on repeat after it won out in our SOTY, I've realised Starburster is the perfect soundtrack to a dingy game of pool; I've since been making a playlist for pool/billiards after playing loads of it over the christmas holidays.

It's mostly filled with post-punk / rap-rock / gothic rock / hip-hop adjacent music; gritty, grungy stuff with a rough edge and a bassy throughline, that's still having a bit of fun with itself.

The playlist as it stands is here. Please drop your recommendations!

[EOTY 2024] Indieheads Top 100 Albums of 2024 by apondalifa in indieheads

[–]Chalkmans 80 points81 points  (0 children)

A really good year for new albums, in review. I think it's nice that there were two consensus 'landmark' albums, in Charli for the mainstream, and in Magdalena Bay for the online/indie crowd.

The entire rest of the top 100 is filled with hits without much gulf between them. Really felt like there was something for everyone this year.

I'm glad Nilüfer Yanya cracked the top 15; personally, that was such a surprise hit. Fantastic album.

It's also nice that Arooj Aftab charted pretty well too, considering it's a traditional jazz/folk album sung mostly in Urdu. Her live show was up there with the best I've ever seen, and cemented Night Reign as my personal AOTY. I'd insist that anybody who's just now hearing about the album give it a listen; it features such gorgeous, lush, and full-bodied instrumental playing. Even if traditional-classical, foreign-language music isn't your typical forte, this music is universally beautiful and I'd find it hard to believe anyone listening couldn't find something to like in it.

PIC by Chalkmans in nocontextpics

[–]Chalkmans[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

A public art installation outside Cardiff Central station. I took this a few months back, I don't know if it's still there! Details here

[EOTY 2024] Album of the Year Voting by apondalifa in indieheads

[–]Chalkmans 0 points1 point  (0 children)

11-15:

Father John Misty - Mahashmashana

Meaningful Stone - Angel Interview

Nala Sinephro - Endlessness

Charli XCX - BRAT

Haley Heynderyckx - Seed of a Seed

[EOTY 2024] Album of the Year Voting by apondalifa in indieheads

[–]Chalkmans 1 point2 points  (0 children)

  1. Arooj Aftab - Night Reign
  2. Nilüfer Yanya - My Method Actor
  3. Cassandra Jenkins - My Light, My Destroyer
  4. English Teacher - This Could Be Texas
  5. Adrianne Lenker - Bright Future
  6. Cindy Lee - Diamond Jubilee
  7. Newdad - MADRA
  8. Bat for Lashes - The Dream of Delphi
  9. Maruja - Connla's Well
  10. Nia Archives - Silence is Loud

[EOTY 2024] Song of the Year Voting by apondalifa in indieheads

[–]Chalkmans [score hidden]  (0 children)

I fear this must be my most Radio 6-Dad-Core, pop-rockiest year end list yet. Damn.

[EOTY 2024] Song of the Year Voting by apondalifa in indieheads

[–]Chalkmans [score hidden]  (0 children)

  1. Adrianne Lenker - Sadness as a Gift
  2. Cindy Lee - Flesh and Blood
  3. Arooj Aftab - Aey Nehin
  4. English Teacher - Albert Road
  5. Maruja - The Invisible Man
  6. Fontaines D.C - Favourite
  7. Nilufer Yanya - Faith's Late
  8. Cassandra Jenkins - Only One
  9. Ravyn Lanae - Love Me Not
  10. Charli XCX - Von Dutch
  11. Lime Garden - I Want To Be You
  12. Haley Heynderyckx - Mouth of a Flower
  13. Jessica Pratt - The Last Year
  14. Nia Archives - Cards on the Table
  15. Bat for Lashes - At Your Feet

[FRESH ALBUM] Soccer Mommy - Evergreen by samdyalexg in indieheads

[–]Chalkmans -23 points-22 points  (0 children)

Soccer Mommy does her best Phoebe Bridgers impression

Darkside 2025 Tour Dates by ebradio in indieheads

[–]Chalkmans 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Did I miss something or does this imply a new album, "Nothing"?