John Peel, The Cribs, The gym

Reading the John Peel autobiography at the gym currently. It makes me smile, laugh silently and sometimes just want to cry that he is gone. I hope that he isn't looking down and cursing how the BBC is now destroying bands, I do hope he approves of Huw Stephens and Steve Lamacq who I see as our best replacements if such a thing could exist.
As a side note, is it good or bad to play The Cribs at the gym, you can hurt yourself but isn't that the point? (LOL!)
Secondary point listening to Mens Needs... I still find myself at the rawness and honesty of the changes that the Jarmans confess to in that album, I may be seeing meaning where there is none but then again I may just be listening.
If the rumoured wedding did happen I just hope Gary is happy now, they give so much pleasure to us who are we to not wish some back.

The National Middle East June 21st

Even when I am having one of the worst months ever, The National start to play and I feel exhaulted.
So many good tracks but does it say bad things about my mind set when Secret Meeting pulses through causing frustration, despair and beautiful exhaltation at the same time. 'I have a secret meeting in the basement of my brain.' Matt puts his whole self into the performance singing so much with his eyes shut in concentration, the other guys create a tapestry of sound which allows these sounds to fitrate through your whole self until you feel what the whole song is about - the awfulness, the salvation.
Other people can write about the songs sung enough to say I remember in vivid detail why the show two years ago at TTs enhanced an amazing album and made The National one of the few bands I will read a mailing list from.
I loath and hate the people jumping on the bandwagon but if it gives these guys the money and recognition they deserve it is a necessary evil.
Guys - may you have everything you deserve and Lammo yet again I remember why you have never steered me wrong with your musical direction.