Notebook Letters 11

The Gutter Twins' album Saturnalia is a brooding masterpiece of intelligent, atmospheric rock. It's always good to hear a Greg Dulli album, not to mention the return of the incomparable Mark Lanegan. I can't wait to hear him reprise his partnership with Isobel Campbell in May. The Doc

The best albums that flopped I own are Little Man Tate, Mutya Buena, Pharrell, All Saints' last album and both Amerie. They're all cheap in Fopp. Gav N

The Void; Teletext page 827; 11th of March, 2008; 3/7.

Poor snoop dogg, getting upset with Oprah Winfrey. She's right. He's a misogynistic pig who should listen and learn. As for lily allen, she's losing whatever little cred she has by continuing to front her chatshow. It's cringeworthy. Croydon Ian

I see that noel gallagher has taken up hunting as a hobby. It proves that oscar wilde had great foresight when he called it: "The unspeakable in pursuit of the inedible." Disco Stu

The Void; Teletext page 827; 11th of March, 2008; 4/7.

I was recently watching Asia and Yes on DVD. Although he's a master of his craft, is there a more unlikely-looking guitar hero than Steve Howe? Steve Oldhippy

Bad lyrics? Grank Funk Raliroad were suspect. "Walk like a man/ You can call me a man"? But, for sheer tripe, Bohemian Rhapsody does take some beating. As for the best, the lyrics of Regina Spektor are always interesting. She knocks the socks off uncle phil's efforts! Edgar Broughton Fan Club

The Void; Teletext page 827; 11th of March, 2008; 5/7.

Unike Weir, I think Leona Lewis's single is an excellent choice for Sport Relief. Every time Footprints In The Sand comes on the radio, I run a mile just to get away from it. dj gordy

My end of the world song would be Lovely Day by Bill Withers. I'd crank the volume to the max, because I'd be standing outside, laughing. The British public, bless their tiny minds, deserve a cheery send off. Siegfried Hahn

The Void; Teletext page 827; 11th of March, 2008; 6/7.

If there was a scientific formula for writing the perfect pop song, Alpabeat have it. Fascination may not be my normal cup of tea, but I'm unable to hear it without smiling from ear to ear. Fantastic stuff. Dante Banks

Why should Neil Diamond and The Bee Gees be viewed as Guilty Pleasures? They deserve more respect, especially when the work is performed by less talented musicians like that coffee shop bore KT Tunstall. Vince McRaincoat

The Void; Teletext page 827; 12th of March, 2008; 1/7.

One of the best albums that flopped was Madness' 199 comeback, Wonderful. It's filled with cracking tunes, each song as good as, if not better than, anything the band released in the '80s. I hope their next album doesn't suffer the same fate. Matt Barson

Decisions, decisions. Which of the standard-to-deluxe versions of NIN's new album should I buy? As for great lyrics, I vote for Too Handsome To Be Homeless by Babybird. Adie Melk

The Void; Teletext page 827; 12th of March, 2008; 2/7.

Duffy for the Mercury Prize?Please, no. She's got such a divine voice, but such plodding, muddling songs. Imagine how her Rockferry would have been lifted by an acutely chosen cover or two. But, like Adele, she's fallen for the "No covers= cred" myth. Nova Pilbeam

It's good to see Max and Igor Cavalera from Sepultura back together with their new band Cavalera Conspiracy. After hearing the new single, I can't wait to hear their album. Jim Quagmire

The Void; Teletext page 827; 12th of March, 2008; 3/7.

How on earth did Teddy Picker win Best Video for Arctic Monkeys at NME Awards? I guess that filming a band recording and walking into a pub contributes to groundbreaking and unique film-making. Don't make me laugh. Sultry Saxon

If you're going to slate Radiohead, don't cop out by saying it's about their image. I don't like them because their music bores me. It's emperor's new clothes for their fanbase. See, it's not that hard. Tyler Durden

The Void; Teletext page 827; 12th of March, 2008; 4/7.

The reason The Spice Girls' Hits album was given a limited release in the US was because their record label knew it wouldn't sell. There are still over 30, 000 copies of it in The States, not including online stores.

Their tour sold on nostalgia. You only have to look at how badly the Headlines single sold for proof of that. The only outstanding thing Spice did was to have mediocre songs penned for them by hired management. Big deal. Bowers Fold

The Void; Teletext page 827; 12th of March, 2008; 5/7.

With acts like The Verve, the prodigy, Stereophonics, Ian Brown and Shed Sheven on the bill, V Festival is looking more like V98 than V08 all over again. Muse and the prodigy are on at the same time. That's a tough decision but, as I've seen Muse four times before, it'll have to be the prodigy. Pat Palloon

Unfashionable views? Be Here Now is Oasis' best album, The Second Coming is better than The Stone Roses' debut album and Kula Shaker are amazing. Barrie Black

The Void; Teletext page 827; 12th of March, 2008; 6/7.

* Mice enjoy being massaged.

* Americans pronounce gifs as "jifs".

* Jane Austen was paid an advance of £110 for Pride And Prejudice.

* An adult is made up of around 7, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000 (7 million atoms).

* the house of lords has a rifle range.

* A storm is described as a "bomb" if pressure falls by 24mb in a 24-hour period.

* prince charles did not use the London Underground between 1979 and 2013.

* Owls have smart bones in their necks.

* Male birds become more attractive to females when they go grey.

* Formica, the mainstay of 1950s kitchen furniture, was so called because it was developed as a replacement for mica- an insulating material for car engines.

10 things we didn't know last week; Ceefax page 129; 1st of February, 2013.

Bip and Gruff's neon world

By John Earls

When Boom Bip decided to make an album with Gruff Rhys, the results were bound to be special.

But nobidy could have predicted they'd end up making a concept album under the name of Neon Neon about the rise and fall of '80s car designer John DeLorean, least of all the pair themselves.

"We had a completely different idea for the album at first," says Bip. "But the pull of John's life became too great."

1/6.

Gruff had already guested on Bip's 2005 album Blue Eyed In The Red Room.

"When I began crafting these bright, bold, 80s-style songs, I immediately thought of Gruff," says Bip.

"Gruff was keen straight away. I flew to London and our first thought was to make an album about how, in the '80s, everyone was obsessed about the year 2000. We started out writing as if looking ahead to the 21st century."

2/6.

One of the most futuristic creations in the '80s was DeLorean's DMC-12 car.

"Unlike Gruff, I love cars. But we only really knew the DMC-12 from Back To The Future.

"The design of it, all its stainless steel, was something we kept coming back to. And the more we read about John DeLorean's life, the more Gruff and I felt it was this great classical tragedy, perfect material for songs."

3/6.

Bip, real name Bryan Hollon, is ambivalent about DeLorean's life.

"I admire his vision and drive. But the way he treated people to pursue his ideas was lousy.

"As a cautionary tale, it was great. Gruff was filling pages of his notebook with lyrics within days. Songs were changing every hour, the more we uncovered."

4/6.

Despite Stainless Style's concept, Bip insists the music came first.

"Not all the songs changed. I Lust U and Sweat Shop stayed constant all the way through.

"We chose guests on the record from people we knew, rather than ones who epitomised DeLorean. The only people we chased were Yo Majesty. We've never met them, but they e-mailed us the perfect rap straight away."

5/6.

Having written about DeLorean, Griff and Bip are set to team up again.

"I don't think we'll call ourselves Neon Neon next time. That's a name that fits in with the '80s sound of the record.

"It's likely the next record will be another concept. We've deciding between a few influental figures now. Once you get started on these guys, the music writes itself."

6/6.

Teletrext page 826; 12th of March, 2008.

* Cockroaches groom themselves to improve their sense of smell.

* Hartlepool United has players called Hartley and Poole.

* Students can be awarded a £9, 000 bursary for being related to a grocer or travelling salesman.

* It took education secretary michael gove seven attempts to pass his driving test.

* mp drink more French wine than any other variety.

* Housing in the borough of Elmbridge in Surrey is worth more than all the property in Glasgow.

* Senior managers at Lego have to sit social media exams.

* Kasabian's tour bus always contains a variety pack of Walkers crisps.

* Wines with animals on the label are known as "critter wines" in the US.

* Female hawksbill turtles can store sperm for 75 days.

10 things we didn't know last week; Ceefax page 129; 8th of February, 2013.

I was prepared to give george lamb the benefit of the doubt on 6 Music. But, within his first few days, he'd got the names of several guests wrong (Charlotte Hatherway?) and cut a phone onterview off mid-flow with another because they were "wooden".

Lesley Douglas claims lamb was brought in to appeal to women. The omplication is that female listeners want "personality" over music. Isn't that a little insulting? Weedlepop

The Void; Teletext page 827; 13th of March, 2008; 1/7.

Am I the only Mighty Boosh fan who wants them to release their songs? They're better than most chart rubbish. Old Gregg and Electro Boy would be surefire No 1s. I can't wait to see what songs they come up with for their film. satanic Pole Dancer

Unfashionable views? I give you New Model Army and Marillion. Both aged with a hardcore following and utterly ace. But who needs talent when you've got fashion? Mal Reynolds

The Void; Teletext page 827; 13th of March, 2008; 2/7.

My end of the world song would be Leonard Cohen's Closing Time. With "The Johnny Walker wisdom running high," of course. mondo ray

Shane's right. Bedtime Stories isn't Madonna's weakest album. Confessions is. Her music has declined since Ray of Light. She doesn't work with innovative collaborators any time. Stuart Price and timbaland make generic music. She should work with Patrick Leonard and Stephen Bray again. Lestat

The Void; Teletext page 827; 13th of March, 2008; 3/7.

The return of The Kooks? Whoopee, another bunch of wannabes from the Brit School. These sort of acts are responsible for the dilution of any form of what was once alternative music. What's worse is how they're specifically marketed towards girls: despicably corporate. Croydon Ian

I agree with Voiders citing Bohemian Rhapsody as the worst lyrics ever. The whole thing stinks worse than my socks. Best lyrics? hotel california. Matt M

The Void; Teletext page 827; 13th of March, 2008; 4/7.

On the topic of underrated Madonna albums, American Life didn't deserve the panning it received. Although I'm a fan, it's possibly the only album of Madonna's I can play the whole way through. Nothing Fails is her classic that got away.

I agree with Shane that Music is one of Madonna's worst albums. Ironically, it spawned two of her greatest songs, Don't Tell Me and Music, but the rest is rubbish. Ralph Wiggum

The Void; Teletext page 827; 13th of March, 2008; 5/7.

To correct Nova, Adele's album does have a cover version of Bob Dylan's Make You Feel My Love. Although I'm not a Dylan fan, it's a great song. But I prefer bryan ferry's version on his Dylanesque album. Tony Tudor

Here's an unfashionable view. Ocean Colour Scene are underrated, and get a hard time from critics. It's a shame their One From The Modern album flopped. Bradders

The Void; Teletext page 827; 13th of March, 2008; 6/7.

How can Rage Against The Machine be in the frame to headline Reading/ leeds? They were one-hit wonders. Also, why does Morrissey buy his shirts from Harry Hill's tailor? Huge comedy collars are out of fashion. Lee Galactus

Rock star lookalikes? The old manager of the rspb's Discover Centre in Ribble was the spitting image of Ian Broudie. He even wore sunglasses like those of Mr Lightning Seeds. Sleepy Sealion

The Void; Teletext page 827; 29th of January, 2008; 1/8.

My taxi driver the other night looked like Shane MacGowan. Fortunately, he was punctual, as it was a rainy night. Also, after Tom Chaplin and Charlie Chaplin, will it be Ronan Keating and Buster Keaton? All a bit Jacques Tati. And I've got the first 25 Fall albums, which to get next? Bronzeduck

What are Voiders' favourite box sets? Mine are the Nuggets '60s psychedelic series, and phil spector's back to mono one. Carlos Bell

The Void; Teletext page 827; 29th of January, 2008; 2/8.

Earls's interview with the Mars Volta was a hoot. Aren't they wibbly-bibbly certifiable nutjobs? Also, to answer Simon The Big Gay's query about which Joni Mitchell album to get, I vote for Hissing of Summer Lawns, poetic poise nestled in a glistening summers sheen.

As for my favourite intro, there are so many. The Flamin' Groovies' Shake Some Action, I Want You Back by The Jackson 5, Bjork's Bachelorette. That'll do. Nova Pilbeam

The Void; Teletext page 827; 29th of January, 2008; 3/8.

Has anyone thought to do a cover of a Mark Ronson cover? I'm A Realist

Best Joni Mitchell albums after Blue? Start with Hejira and Hissing of Summer Lawns, as they both hang together so well. Then go to Court & Spark for the fourth piece of the puzzle. Along with Blue, these are my favourite four by Joni, but any of her '70s albums are worth having. The new Mojo has a Suggested Listening feature which is worth having. Stuart The Big Hetero

The Void; Teletext page 827; 29th of January, 2008; 4/8.

Indie does still offer an alternative, despite what Pierre says. It's just not the factory-farmed sludge the media and musical ignorami call "indie". There are bands out there who still believe it's better to explore the terrain than follow the well-worn path. Brian Miles

To expand from Blue, try Ladies of The Canyon or For The Roses. For jazzier developments, go from Court & Spark through Summer Lawns to Hejira. Like Tom Waits, it's hard to go wrong. Lori

The Void; Teletext page 827; 29th of January, 2008; 5/8.

I want to get my hands on the debut album by Johnny Flynn & The Suss*x Wit and Glasvegas. When will they be released? Daisy

Alex James was hilariously out of his depth on Question Time. Along his clunkers was resorting to the cliché "There's nothing to fear but fear itself," agreeing with tory education policy and calling the woman on the panel "darlin'". I wonder what ultra-PC Damon Albarn made of that? Disco Stu

The Void; Teletext page 827; 29th of July, 2008; 6/8.