JAY REATARD

R.I.P

After a week to reflect on the sad, sad news of Jay Reatard's untimely death at the age of 29, the subsequent fallout from it has become all the more depressing.

In an age of instant messaging and internet anonymity the leak of spurious details, unsavoury diatribes and unfounded rumour has reached fever pitch. We would prefer to remember the Memphis garage rocker for the countless great albums he made as a member of Lost Sounds , The Reatards and especially 2006's Blood Visions.

But adrift in this sea of uncertain information, i've witnessed a muted reaction to Jay's death. The lack of ownership and personal feeling in music seem's to have dissapeared in recent years, as a consequence of the ease of access to media content. 'Die-hard' fan's no longer need to trawl the shelves for the lastest '7' and so it's possible to admire new band's without owning a record or seeing a show. Cast against a backdrop of murky forum debates and conflicting reports. It's harder to believe and harder to react.

However flood's of tributes from Jay's friends and contemporaries are enough to make us realise what a tragic loss to music this really is:

“We want to express our condolences to the friends and family of Jay Reatard, on his sudden passing today.” The Pixies

"Jay was as full of life as anyone we've ever met, and responsible for so many memorable moments as a person and artist. We’re honored to have known and worked with him, and we will miss him terribly." Matador Records

“Jay was what few people have the capacity to be. He created an undeniably classic album that contained so much pain transferred to tape in such an explosive way that it made you feel different after hearing it. He was transgressive and honest. His flaws were something he focused on and overdubbed and distorted until they made you forget who he really was-- a person with feelings and a good heart. He loved music and worked hard from a young age to pursue it. He was a self-made and unmade man. I am truly sickened to see him go." Bradford Cox.

Here's a video to one of Jay's last singles 'It Ain't Gonna Save Me' from the album 'Watch me Fall'.