Well in fairness to Carry Grant, his post was in reponse to the "vote for best Irish album of 2007" thread, so it's not unreasonable for him to discuss the Irish music scene... doesn't mean he has to be a condescending prick about it though.

Anyhow - just havin' a listen on MySpace to Apparat... nice tunes. Cheers for the heads up Binokular!

My original point was that if the Irish music scene is represented by what's on the 'Best of 2007' list on this website (and naturally it's a reflection of tastes) then, as far as I'M concerned, there's nothing exciting happening. I'm not down on Irish music per se - it just doesn't excite me right now. What makes me laugh is the notion that as soon as someone expresses a negative opinion about Irish bands in general you're shouted down as if it's a treasonable offence. But so be it - that's how 2007 has been for me.
Thanks for listening.

*pats starbelgrade on the head

Theres a difference between genuine criticism and unbalanced whiny pointless negativity.

I'm not exactly enamoured with the "Irish Scene" but no point being "down" on it, theres one or two interesting bands, there's a lot of OKish ones that are fine but a bit mediocre and a few that really are utter pants.

So what?

There's nothing exciting happening? Why adopt such a defeatist attitude? If you feel that strongly about it, start a record label or something, which is probably what the "scene" needs most right now - A label with a clear aesthic moulded by a strong willed visionary.

Think about other "scenes" past and present. When I say words like Motown, Bpitch Control, Warp, Kompakt, DFA, Morr, Estuary English, Stax, Factory, [insert your fave label here], for people who identify these labels, it immediately conjures up a specific sound. These labels have been as important in creating a "movement" under their guiding hand as individual bands.

Being negative isn't a treasonable offence, it's just that we've all heard the same lazy line trotted out too many times. It's no better and interesting to read than people who believe Glen Hansard/Damien Rice are the Messiahs second coming.

And someone should definitely sign Hoovers & Sledgehammers.

Also - I heard two excellent tunes last night by an Irish band called "Poster Boy A"... dunno if they're signed or not, or anything about them - they've no web page as far as I can see, but one of the tunes reminded me of a cross between Sigur Ros and Brian Eno's "Passengers" album ( the one with U2 on it).. the other tune was kinda Bloc Party drums with a very My Bloody Valentine's distortion melody over it. If anyone has any info on em, let me know purlease!

The F*ckin Joyridin...........

this has been the best year for Irish music that I can remember. People who complain about the standard of local music are
A: grumpy and never happy so what's the point in trying to convince them
B: to lazy to get off their arses and look for the good shizz

*waves to*
two amazing EPs from Fight Like Apes
A fantastic debut from Super Extra Bonus Party
the invention and fun behind Youre Only Massive
a beautiful record from Adrian Crowley
ditto from Cathy Davey
some of the best gigs this year and a great record from Delorentos
the excellence of Grand Pocket Orchestra
several brilliant live performances from Ham Sandwich
one of the best songs this year 'You Are Welcome In My House' by Betamax Format
the genius of The Vinny Club
several other really promising bands; Bats, Adebisi Shank, Terrordactyl, The Parks
The continuing excellence of Queen Kong
The out there progressive noise-making amazingness of Ed Devane
Stagger Lee. Awesome.
A live environment where 'small' bands can sell out or pack or decently fill venues. That didn't used to happen, you know.
The dedication behind fostering such a live environment - hello Hard Working Class Heroes Festival


In conclusion: get off your hole, get out, find out, listen. Or shut up.

If you feel it's crap - as I think it has been in 2007, then why not be 'down' on it? The difference between criticism and 'whiny pointelss negativiy' is how you read it. Nowhere have I said that 'We're all screwed so let's just pack it in eh'? 2007 has been disappointing. My original post reflects this disappointment. I'm disappointed that we seem to wallow in mediocrity. And if we've heard 'the same lazy line being trotted out too many times', you'll find that's from people who don't share your world view. Again I say, here's to 2008 - the glass is still half-full.

Stagger Lee are not awsome, or anything of the kind.

FLA are a fad,

Ham Sandwich..am i the only person in Dublin who doesnt like this crowd? first saw them 3.5 years ago at the noise party..crap then, crap now.

Delorentos great band, really like them.

Walter Mitty and the Realists..class....

HWCH is deadly, didnt and dont generally like the tripod complex......

Is it possible that you're not looking hard enough? Perhaps the non-mainstream/'mediocre' music that you're looking for in Irish music is indeed out there but it's not the kind of thing that people are putting on end-of-year top 5 lists. You never answered my question about what non-Irish new music you're currently into - maybe people could give you recommendations for local bands to investigate if they knew which direction your tastes were in.

Because life's too short.

i'll have to have a look out for ed devane/vinny club/you're only massive..
- Una i wish you posted here more.

best year for irish music in ages.

this comment is only too true... one of the most perfect albums this year has produced...

...unfortunately the irish don't seem to take to their own genuinely talented alternative singer/songwriters... we've more of a problem here with the audience than the f**kin' talent...

I'll stab ya, ye c**t, me knife isn't blunt!