This podcast is a little bit random, I have to say.  There are songs which follow on from the like folk/hate covers posts which have appeared over the course of the last week or so on the site, a couple are related to the fact that Mrs. Toad is once more away in God Bless America shooting illegal aliens, chewing gum, whistling Dixie, or whatever the fuck it is they do over there, while most of the first half is related to the fact that my friend Andrew is coming to visit this weekend.

They do sort of relate to one another, the songs, at least.  Or there’s a bit of overlap anyway.  I never keep much track of it, but this is at least the second version of Blues Run the Game we’ve had on the podcasts, and I have no idea if I’ve ever actually repeated a song on these things.  I wouldn’t be surprised if I had, because I’m bloody disorganised when it comes to this kind of thing.

Anyhow, no scary metal bastards making your ears bleed this week, just a lot of lovely folky stuff and a couple of scratchy indie bands.  Oh, and Jack White.  I’d say that he was an egomaniacal dick, but he’s massive and would probably kick my arse, so I won’t.  Recent stuttering aside, though, he’s produced some cracking tunes, whatever you think of the guy.

Toadcast #92 – The Pantscast

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01. Soul Asylum – New World (04.17)
02. The Tragically Hip – Pigeon Camera (10.29)
03. Beck – Guess I’m Doing Fine (14.47)
04. The White Stripes – I Just Don’t Know What to Do With Myself (24.46)
05. Elbow – Fugitive Motel (29.57)
06. Billy Bragg – Wishing the Days Away (Alternative Version) (34.53)
07. Tortoise & Bonnie Prince Billy – Thunder Road (43.15)
08. Christopher Bell – Pretty Thing (53.53)
09. Nick Drake – Blues Run the Game (55.33)
10. Fairport Convention – Crazy Man Michael (60.52)

Well it’s a pretty thin week in live music in Auld Reekie this week, which is excellent news for the health of both my liver and my marriage, probably in that order. To make matters worse (or better, depending on whether or not you’re my ears, my liver or my penis) Caribou cancelled their Cabaret Voltaire slot on Wednesday, which means I’m fishing about a bit to find anything to suggest this week.

Grammatics are playing Henry’s on Wednesday, but I’ve had a listen on their MySpace page and I’m not that keen. Support band Copy Haho seem decent though, so it might be worth popping along for a quick sniff.

Other than that, there’s Late of the Pier at Cabaret Voltaire on Thursday, which I won’t be attending because I am through in Glasgow to see Band of Horses. Besides, I’m not all that convinced by them, frankly.

There’s only one group I really want to tip you off about this week then, and that’s also on the Thursday I’m not going to be around. Definitely one worth checking out though:

Thursday 21st February: Bricolage at The Voodoo Rooms.
Apparently something of a Franz Ferdinand favourite, for all that really matters, these chaps purvey a very 80s indie-rock sound that all you people who caught indie the first time around should probably approve of. I’m a bit frustrated I won’t be able to catch them actually, because they sound dead good.
Bricolage – Lucinda Said

Saturday 23rd February: Fairport Convention at the Queen’s Hall.
The chance to see one of the original bands to drag folk into the 20th Century is one I feel slightly ambivalent about. Yes, it might be great, but what I really want to see is Liege & Lief era Fairport with the mighty Dave Swarbrick and the beguiling Sandy Denny, and we all know that ain’t gonna happen, so I won’t be shelling out for this. It’s an interesting one though.
Fairport Convention – Crazy Man Michael Like all the best folk music, this is fucking brutal. I could barely even explain the story to Mrs. Toad without welling up just a little.)
Fairport Convention – Meet on the Ledge

And because Caribou bastarding well cancelled (drummer broke his wrist, I think) I’m going to post a couple of their tracks too, just to tease myself.
Caribou – After Hours
Caribou – Melody Day