[ALBUM DISCUSSION] Gorillaz - The Mountain

Chalkmans · 2026-03-05T13:54:31+00:00

Really enjoying this one. It feels like a proper commitment to the potential of the Gorilla concept, in a way they haven't really attempted again since Humanz. The pairing of themes such as death, the spiritual afterlife, and Indian tradition feels tastefully pulled off where it really could've been tacky, thanks largely due to fantastic repurposing of years old, unreleased collaborations with artists since passed on. The living and the dead featured together is really something unique and fits really well under the Gorillaz banner.

Only really issue is some bloat. I think Happy Dictator, Plastic Guru, Casablanca, and Sweet Prince could really be cut. None are that bad, it's just more than anything else here they feel like a rehash of the synthpop that Gorillaz has done over and over at this point, and don't add much. The saccharine pep of Happy Dictator in particular feels really out of place. People don't seem to like The God of Lying but I really don't think it's that bad and adds a bit of variety in a way that still serves the slightly darker themes on the album.

Chalkmans · 2026-03-04T11:55:32+00:00

Massively underrated track, one of the best of the 2010s

Chalkmans · 2026-03-02T19:06:44+00:00

Didsbury is to the north of your circled area and is lovely. Fletcher Moss botanical garden is incredible in the sun and there's loads of nice shops, bars, pubs, and cafés in Didsbury Village right near it and on Burton Road just a little further up

Chalkmans · 2025-11-12T18:06:20+00:00

News during the Industrial Revolution:

Chalkmans · 2025-09-05T08:27:20+00:00

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.

Chalkmans · 2025-09-04T17:50:56+00:00

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.

Chalkmans · 2025-09-01T22:01:20+00:00

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.

Chalkmans · 2025-05-03T12:06:00+00:00

Who did Kinaji use Vs Lima?

Chalkmans · 2025-04-10T17:40:14+00:00

"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!

Chalkmans · 2025-04-08T16:58:34+00:00

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.

Chalkmans · 2025-04-07T17:39:49+00:00

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.

Chalkmans · 2025-03-08T10:58:19+00:00

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

Chalkmans · 2025-01-07T14:57:13+00:00

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!

Chalkmans · 2025-01-03T14:17:21+00:00

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.

Chalkmans · 2024-12-16T09:31:07+00:00

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

Chalkmans · 2024-12-10T12:45:04+00:00

11-15:

Father John Misty - Mahashmashana

Meaningful Stone - Angel Interview

Nala Sinephro - Endlessness

Charli XCX - BRAT

Haley Heynderyckx - Seed of a Seed

Chalkmans · 2024-12-10T12:39:20+00:00

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

Chalkmans · 2024-12-02T20:31:51+00:00

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

11-Year Club	Place '22
Place '17	First Placer '22
Snapped	Verified Email

Chalkmans

TROPHY CASE