Some interesting correspondence on the blog over the past week or so, not least on the subject of Brian Eno, after I posed a mildly provocative question about his recent work here.

John The Baptist’s response was valuable, not least because the list of Roxy, Cluster and Talking Heads rather confirmed my prejudices. I must admit I haven’t been taken with the last few Eno solo albums, though I certainly shouldn’t have overlooked the collaborations with Robert Wyatt.

But what intrigues me about him is how most of his production work since, well, Talking Heads as far as I can remember, tends towards stadium rock; U2, James and now Coldplay. Perhaps he finds it amusing to sneak experimental creative strategies into the making of massive albums, or perhaps he just genuinely enjoys these kinds of bands (not least when their aesthetic sensibilities are so evidently flattered by having Eno in the control room). But it’s strange for someone so legendarily forward-thinking that he hasn’t got involved with any – or at least none I can think of right now – new leftfield artists for maybe two decades.

Thanks, too, to Askil for drawing attention to the Three Lobed Recordings series involving Howlin Rain, which looks excellent. I haven’t, I’m afraid, found out what Thrill Jockey have planned with the Boredoms in the future, Kris. Must check that out.

Anyway, before I head off to see The Raconteurs tonight (review tomorrow morning, with a decent prevailing wind), here’s our playlist for the last couple of days. I’ll write sometime about the new Will Oldham thing next week, all being well.

1 Wooden Shjips – Vol. 1 (Holy Mountain)

15 Howlin Rain – Wild Life (Three Lobed)