December 31, 2012

"What’s on my mind?"

The end of the year has come and in many ways 2012 has been an awesome year. Old friends, new friends. Old job, new job. Waving goodbye to past distortions and instead adding new exciting and refreshing things in my life.

Musically 2012 has been one of the best years ever. I have discovered so many new artists, groups, records and songs. I have seen a number of simply wonderful concerts and festivals.

This band and this song pretty much summarize how I feel about the music year 2012. A new discovery. A damn good one too.

Echo Lake – Last song of the year is found on the record “Wild peace” released in 2012.

December 30, 2012

"It's four in the morning, the end of December
I'm writing you now just to see if you're better."

Cannot sleep. Insomnia. Or wait a minute… I know exactly why I cannot sleep.

Oh my, oh my...

Leonard Cohen – Famous blue raincoat is found on the record “Songs of love and hate” released in 1971.

December 29, 2012

"All around me
I keep moving, everybody changes
If I’ll have to leave tonight
Will it ever be the same again?"

I wish I was “down under” today far away from the winter landscapes of the northern hemisphere. Since I am not my comfort is some “down under” music.

Gipsy And The Cat – Bloom is found on the record “The late blue” released in 2012.

December 28, 2012

"We do believe it ends right here
The orchestration and the dream is clear
Shuttle departs and they're all there
Everyone's cracking up but we don't care."

I for sure have had my part of American radio. Like TV the radio broadcasts are cut by commercial breaks way to often and many of the hosts are a little too “enthusiastic”.
   
But there are number of great things that featured in American radio too. One feature that I like a lot is the “twofer” phenomenon, two songs played in a row that do have something in common.

Inspired by this my “twofer” consists of Jason Lytle as the common denominator. Solo yesterday, in a group today.

Grandaddy – Laughing stock is found on the record “Under the western freeway” released in 1997.

December 27, 2012

"He was found face down on a desert floor
And from the looks of him he couldn't take anymore
If he was dead or alive I just wasn't sure
And wow all of the sudden he uttered these words

Said he ended up living a simple life
And he ain't never did manage to find him a wife
He said he travelled alone and he tried to do right
And it was then that he asked me about that light."

Well there is still time to squeeze in yet another 2012 song and I am very happy to discover that Jason Lytle, once upon a time the mastermind behind the wonderful band Grandaddy, has released new material.

This is for sure a release that will follow me into 2013.

Jason Lytle - Your final setting sun is found on the record "Dept. Of Disappearance" released in 2012.

December 26, 2012

"Christmas is the time
To Have you friends and family near
Smoking dope, eating turkey,
And drinkin' beer."

So... The Christmas weekend is soon over. I do hope that you had a way better holiday than these guys...

On the other hand, it is one wicked (Christmas) song.

I do not know the record and release year of Bubbles And The Shitrockers - Dear Santa go fuck yourself!

December 25, 2012

"They watched the TV
And deeply, she thought about the needing
Of the heavens to deliver this way
And it happened on Christmas Day
Christmas Day
Christmas Day."

Well I cannot possibly find a better day than today to play this song. A sort-of modern version of what happened some 2000 years ago.

Squeeze - Christmas Day is found on the single "Christmas Day" released in 1979.

December 24, 2012

"What's December without Christmas Eve?"

Merry Christmas everyone. Enjoy the precious time you spend with family and friends today but do not forget to get in contact with the people you know may be all alone today.

Owl City - Peppermint winter is found on the single "Peppermint winter" released in 2010.

December 23, 2012

"I'm driving home for Christmas
Oh, I can't wait to see those faces."

A couple of weeks ago I found myself in the middle of a discussion about the worst Christmas song ever. Back then I did not vote for this song simply because the song slipped out of mind. And to be perfectly honest, even if I had remembered it back then most likely it would not have been the number one song of my Christmas hate song anyway.

As much as I dislike this song I still find it appropriate today when heading north to spend some lovely time with my family and friends during Christmas. So what the heck… It is Christmas after all.

Chris Rea – Driving home for Christmas is found on the record “New light from old windows” released in 1988.

December 22, 2012

"Nothing left for me to do, but feed on memories of you
Can't stop staring at pictures of me and you
All the things we never spoke of
All the things we should have done
If you leave me now, you're leaving me
Like a bullet on the run
On the run."

Nostalgia is a bitch. Sometimes wonderful, sometimes the worst thing you’ll ever experience.

Wild At Heart – Darling is found on the single “Darling” released in 2012.

December 21, 2012

"You can last
Take the past
Shut your eyes
Realize."

One last Friday blowout before Christmas and New Year’s celebration, prepare for a rocking Christmas everyone.

Yeah Yeah Yeahs – Heads will roll is found on the record “It’s blitz!” released in 2010.

December 20, 2012

"What do you want from me
It's not how it used to be
You've taken my life away
Ruining everything."

From (Bishop) Morocco to Monaco (sounds like the title of a cooking book right). In reality the Mediterranean Sea separates the two. Musically, well there is a rather long distance between the bands if you ask me.

Anyway, like Bishop Morocco I found this song disharmonic and out of tune but in a completely different way than “Old boys”. This song disharmonically combines a upbeat, catchy melody with some very sad lyrics.

Monaco – What do you want from me? is found on the record “Music for pleasure” released in 1997.

December 19, 2012

"What is the opposite of two?  A lonely me, a lonely you."

In my ears this song is disharmonic, out of tune and just wrong in some weird way. But as it has been said, opposites attract. When mixing all this in the musical pot it all of sudden make sense and the end result is nothing but fantastic.

In the wee weeks of what is left of 2012 one more candidate to the “song of year” is presented.

Bishop Morocco – Old boys is found on the EP “Old boys” released in 2012. The quote above is taken from the American author Richard Wilbur.

December 18, 2012

"God I feel like hell tonight."

A couple of years ago I found a t-shirt with the text “If you’re not evil how come you look like hell?” To this day it is the best t-shirt text I have ever seen; unfortunately the t-shirt was not available in my size.

A rather strange side-effect of this story is that I always begin to smile when I hear the opening line of this sad and beautiful song. My childish mind cannot help thinking about that t-shirt…

Sheryl Crow – Strong enough is found on the record “Tuesday night music club” released in 1993.

December 17, 2012

"We're all waiting to die."

Oh that well-known feeling. Whenever I am back home following a trip abroad the only thing I want to do is head out there somewhere in the world again.

This song may contain some very dark lyrics but at the same time it fit perfectly as a “pick-me-up” song today.

Toxie – Newgate is found on the single “Newgate” released in 2012.

December 16, 2012

"Well, I don't wanna see you with another guy,
But the fact is that I may.
That's what all the friends I do not like as much as you say."

There are still a few bands out there that I have not seen live before that I really want to see on stage. Of obvious reasons I will never able to see The Ramones or Johnny Cash live in other cases I believe it is a curse.

When The Vaccines were playing live in a town near me a few weeks ago I missed their concert. Again. Despite the fact that I even had a ticket. Again.

Well, well… There is always a next time…

The Vaccines – If you wanna is found on the record “Well what did you expect from The Vaccines” released in 2011.

December 15, 2012

"While you're sleeping, silver coins upon your eyes
Spend ‘em on your dreams and never compromise
But if you never wake I'll bet she’ll be there to take
All the things you wanted by mistake."

I have never ever heard of a family haircut before this song crossed my path but a peculiar thought has been occupying my mind since then. What if I should try to convince my family…

Or maybe not!

Agent Ribbons – Family haircut is found on the EP “Let them talk” released in 2012.

December 14, 2012

"So come away, won't you come away
We could go to,
Deptford, Catford, Watford, Digberth, Mansfield
Ah anywhere in Albion."

Heading north in London today. Heading south in London today. Heading east in London today. Heading west in London today.

It feels like I have covered each and every corner of London today in search for Christmas gifts, a perfect Fish’n’Chips and of course a number of perfectly served Christmas real ales.

Babyshambles – Albion is found on the record “Down in Albion” released in 2005.

December 13, 2012

"Lord, I was born a traveling man."

Well I may not have been born a traveling man myself but I certainly try my best to catch up these days making as many trips as I possibly can.

This year has taken me to a few places where I have been before (New York, London) and many places where I have not been before (Oslo, Cape Town, Boston, Vienna, Leuven, Maputo and Bratislava).

And I am not done yet; I will try my best to squeeze in yet another trip or maybe even two this year.

Still Flyin’ – Travelin’ man is found on the record “On a bedroom wall” released in 2012.

December 12, 2012

“Oh twelve reasons why
Twelve reasons why I wrote this love song.”

I do not know if you have noticed that fact that today’s date is 12-12-12. Most like this means exactly nothing, this will end up being a day pretty much the same as any other day.

But you’ll never know… It is also twelve to days to Christmas Eve… Magic is in the air.

You may even find 12 reasons why…

My Life Store – 12 reasons why is found on the record “The golden mile” released in 1997.

December 11, 2012

"I know you're hiding in this spark
Will you stay with me until they're gone?
We're so close."

There are still a few days left of 2012 and I still find out about new acts this fantastic music year. The latest band to add to the list of new discoveries 2012 is Letting Up Despite Great Faults, yet another song that I like a lot.

Letting Up Despite Great Faults – Visions is found on the record “Untogether” released in 2012.

December 10, 2012

"When the tears come streaming down your face
When you lose something you can't replace
When you love someone but it goes to waste
Could it be worse?"

I tried. I really tried to fix you.

But I failed…

Coldplay – Fix you is found on the record “X&Y” released in 2005.

December 9, 2012

"The strange world, yeah you wear it like a cloud
 It's beautiful the system but its tragedy to found."

Just recently I came across a brand new Sunday song. And a damn good one too, so here it is.

Crocodiles – Sunday is found on the record “Endless flowers” released in 2012.

December 8, 2012

"I was the bad scene
I was the bad gene
I was the bad dream."

Forming and being in a band together with your brother is not always easy. Noel and Liam Gallagher of Oasis is one example, the Reid brothers, William and Jim, of Jesus And Mary Chain is another.

When the band finally split up following years of turbulence and tension Jim Reid said “After each tour we wanted to kill each other, and after the final tour we tried.”

Looking back at it now you can sort of feel the tension between the brothers in this song…

Jesus And Mary Chain – Degenerate is found on the record “Munki” released in 1998.

December 7, 2012

"Look at us- but don't look at us in disgust
because you know the reality and it's time to adjust."

“Speak about the devil” is a saying that I like and a saying that I use quite often. The “devil” in this case is of course Asian Dub Foundation; I just cannot avoid this amazing song following the recent discovery of Spoek Mathambo.

Asian Dub Foundation – Black White is found on the record “Rafi’s revenge” released in 1998.

December 6, 2012

"Talk about it, let them talk."

For a moment I was convinced I was listening to a new Asian Dub Foundation single. It turned out I was not but it also turned out that I discovered an artist that I, until now had been unaware of.

Cool stuff.

Spoek Mathambo – Let them talk is found on the record “Father creeper” released in 2012.

December 5, 2012

"If I go crazy then will you still call me Superman
If I'm alive and well, will you be there holding my hand
I'll keep you by my side with my superhuman might
kryptonite."

There are many things that two (or more) people may end up arguing about. Yesterday I all of sudden found myself in the middle of a strange and stupid Superman argument. And “no” I will not get back to that discussion right now.

Anyway one good thing came out of this argument, a reminder of this since long forgotten song.

3 Doors Down – Kryptonite is found on the record “The better life” released in 2000.

December 4, 2012

"If you want my body, and you think I'm sexy, c'mon honey tell me so!
If you really need me, just reach out and touch me, c'mon sugar let me know!"

This is a statement I have made before; I will likely make it again. If you are considering making a cover version of an existing song you shall fulfil at least one of the following two “requirements”.

1, Record a version that is distinctly different compared to the original version.
2, Record a version that is distinctly better compared to the original version.

In this case one may argue if requirement 1 is fulfilled, requirement 2 for sure is.

Revolting Cocks – Do ya’ think I’m sexy is found on the record “Linger fickin’ good” released in 1993. The original version was recorded by Rod Stewart in 1978.

December 3, 2012

"I’ll never know what might have been
If I wouldn’t have let myself fall again."

A “Monday” group this time. This is my opinion another strong candidate to the 2012 song of the year award. I just love the instrumental part starting at the 2.09 time mark.

Montag – New found land is found on the record “Phases'” released in 2012.

December 2, 2012

"I waited by your bedside,
And didn't close my eyes all night.
I named you like a prayer."

Heading to a concert is such a perfect way to end what has been a very nice weekend. Tonight live on stage, Dry The River.

Dry The River – New ceremony is found on the record “Shallow bed” released in 2012.

December 1, 2012

"Johnnys always running around
Trying to find certainty
He needs all the world to confirm
That he aint lonely
Mary counts the walls
Says she should be used to it."

For years this song that has confounded me. I have heard every now and then for as long as I can remember without knowing the artist, the group or the name of the song.

Earlier today the answer to this musical riddle was revealed to me. In some ways it feels good to know. In some ways I feel like I just lost a long-time friend…

Robert Palmer – Johnny and Mary is found on the record “Clues” released in 1980.

November 30, 2012

"You know you could be a rock n' roll star
No matter who you are
It's all the same
`Cause you're a real dead end."

Let me get back to the nice Friday tradition of revealing a song filled to the brim with energy. This is another example of those songs which set me in perfect weekend mood.

Backyard Babies – Look at you is found on the record “Total 13” released in 1998.

November 29, 2012

"She has punished the Earth, she has turn down the heat
She has taken away every morsel stone
Where she walks cry-crying alone
Crying for
Prosepina, Prosepina, come home to momma, come home to momma."

One of my favourite record titles ever is the 2009 record “I know you’re married but I’ve got feelings too” made by Martha Wainwright. It was actually the record name that opened my ears to her music.

Tonight I have the chance to catch Martha Wainwright live but the combination of previous engagements and a rather expensive ticket price results in listening to her latest record instead of heading to the show.

Martha Wainwright – Proserpina is found on the record “Come home to mama” released in 2012.

November 28, 2012

"The fate of Kurt Cobain
Junk coursing through his veins
And young Virginia Woolf
Death came and hung her coat."

In some ways I do admire writing a verse which includes both Kurt Cobain and Virginia Woolf. In some ways it is somehow too obvious.

But as always, what matters in the end is the fact that this is a really good song.

Laura Veirs – Rapture is found on the record “Carbon glacier” released in 2004.

November 27, 2012

"Relationships are like glass.  Sometimes it's better to leave them broken than try to hurt yourself putting it back together."

According to many (but not all) of my friends I listen to strange, weird and most often dark and depressive music. In my opinion… Well it is music that is perfectly “normal” to me.

There are times though when even I believe that the music I listen to is “far out”. One such example is the Danish band Sleep Party People, sometimes their music even makes me wonder what I am listening to.

Nevertheless when I get a chance to catch them live tonight I will of course take that chance. Maybe the concert will twist my brain. Maybe the concert will be one of the concerts I have ever seen.

Sleep Party People – Gazing at the moon is found on the record “We were drifitng on a sad song” released in 2012. The quote above is taken from a restroom wall in London. Author unknown…

November 26, 2012

"Sometimes the things you say
Sometimes so out of place
This time it's up to you
This time you have to choose."

Monday, late November. I am so tired today, tired of the outside darkness, the days hardly lighten up at the moment.

Tired of so many other things too… A consequence of choices made.

Seapony – Prove to me is found on the record “Falling” released in 2012.

November 25, 2012

"There is a stutter in my lungs
And a chatter in my breathing
I'm engaged to be married to the method of my leaving
I'm rarely found in situations that cause me to deliver
Tonight I'll stay awake and write you
To keep me from the shivers."

A couple of years ago I went to a Willard Grant Conspiracy show. Willard Grant himself was in a terrible mood which reflected the concert and the songs that he decided to play live that evening.

In one way it felt uncomfortable to watch them live when something was obviously wrong on the stage. On the other hand; I wonder that I would have heard them play a fantastic version of the monumental “From a distant shore” that night if Willard Grant had been in an exceptional mood.

Willard Grant Conspiracy – From a distant shore is found on the record “Let it roll” released in 2006.

November 24, 2012

"One flesh one bone
One true religion
One race one hope
One real decision."

This day 21 years ago Farrokh Bulsara, better known as Freddie Mercury, passed away.

It is sometimes unbelievable how fast time flies…

Queen – One vision is found on the record “A kind of magic” released in 1986.

November 23, 2012

"I’ll gone up to the sky
And I’ll go up the land."

When heading to the Great Lake Swimmers concert last Sunday the opening act turned out to be a new experience to me, the band “Dusted”.

It is certainly not every day that found myself listening to a band that consist of one guitarist and one drummer be the end result was quite good and now a few days later I tend to like their music even more.

Give Dusted a spin or even better two, three, four spins. You may very well come to the same conclusion as I.

Dusted – There somehow is found on the record “Total dust” released in 2012.

November 22, 2012

"Take me to a place where I’ll need this
Take me on the honest trial
Speak to me words we can’t erase
Take me there, it’s only us."

Yo La Tengo is finally back with new material, as always the perfect combination of beautiful and weird noises that somehow always seem to work together.

A really good taster of what the 2013 music year will have to offer.

Yo La Tengo – Before we run will be found on the forthcoming record “Fade” scheduled to be released in 2013.

November 21, 2012

"Stevie Wonder sees crack babies becoming enemies of their own families."

Radio is still this wonderful thing that keeps reminding me of songs I have forgotten about. Yesterday this one…

Fugees – Fu-Gee-La is found on the record “The Score” released in 1996.

November 20, 2012

"It is madness
says reason
It is what it is
says love
It is unhappiness
says caution
It is nothing but pain
says fear
It has no future
says insight
It is what it is
says love
It is ridiculous
says pride
It is foolish
says caution
It is impossible
says experience
It is what it is
says love."

The forth concert in five days, hectic days right now. Tonight a quite different show is awaiting when Mono play live. Instrumental music spanning from minimalistic parts that is almost hard to hear to shoegazing walls of sound. Of course I love it.

Mono – Legend is found on the record “For my parents” released in 2012. The quote above is taken from the poem “What it is” by Erich Fried.

November 19, 2012

"If I could do it again
I'd make more mistakes
I'd not be so scared of falling

If I could do it again,
I'd climb more trees
I'd pick and I'd eat more wild blackberries."

For years my days have started listening to this song simply because I use it as my wake-up alarm. For years I have wanted to see this song being performed live. Today it may happen.

Bloc Party – Waiting for the 7.18 is found on the record “A weekend in the city” released in 2007.

November 18, 2012

"I took it for love

or at least something beautiful."

So… Here we go again, back to the weird and wonderful world of live performances. Tonight I am excited because I will get my first chance to see Great Lake Swimmers live following years as a fan of their music.

I try very hard to lower my expectations in order to avoid disappointment… At the same time I really don’t think it is possible that Great Lake Swimmers will disappoint me.

Great Lake Swimmers – Moving pictures, silent films is found on the record “Great Lake Swimmers” released in 2003.

November 17, 2012

"Men who seem to be blind
Are throwing shadows here
As a man, with stars in his eyes
What does he care if the future's bright."

Today is a day when it is possible to stop for a breather, to stay home and listening to music instead of heading to a live show.

Let me take this moment to reveal another concert memory. A couple of years I went to a show in Los Angeles, at the moment I cannot even remember the main act. What I do remember is that The Fresh & Onlys was opening up the evening.

At the beginning of the show I had my doubts following an incident when the bass player of The Fresh & Onlys had a huge sip of whisky from a badly hidden bottle inside of his jacket and then fell to ground of the stage. “How will this end up?” was the question I asked myself.

I am happy to say that just seconds later I did not have to worry because when on his feet again he and the rest of the band did perform a great show. I am also happy to hear that The Fresh & Onlys have just released new material. If the forthcoming tour makes a stop in Sweden I will doubtless be there in the audience.

The Fresh & Onlys – Presence of mind is found on the record “Long slow dance” released in 2012.

November 16, 2012

"Losing the dream
face to face sleeping
losing the dream
open mouth breathing."

Back home again, tired but very happy following one of the better trips I have ever made. Mozambique was great, so was Madagascar. And... South Africa is likely the most beautiful country I have ever visited.

Speaking about beautiful! From the airport to a show because I cannot possible miss Mark Kozelek playing live tonight. Hopefully he will include a Red House Painters song or two, likely he will include a Sun Kil Moon song or two.

Red House Painters – Down colorful hill is found on the record “Down colorful hill” released in 1992.

November 15, 2012

"Love never dies a natural death. It dies because we don't know how to replenish its source. It dies of blindness and errors and betrayals. It dies of illness and wounds; it dies of weariness, of withering, of tarnishing."

I was not even aware that Orbital still existed as a group until I discovered that they are about to play live again. It would be quite interesting to show up at their show though I will instead make a quick stop in London sipping real ales together with a friend who happens to live there for few months.

Orbital – The box is found on the record “In sides” released in 1996. The quote above is taken from the French-Cuban author Anaïs Nin.

November 14, 2012

"It's not my words that you should follow, it's your insides
You're just an inside
Adjust your insides
You're just an inside."

The last few days I have presented a few bands that I for sure have some mixed emotions about. The band playing live tonight in the capital of Sweden is yet another example of such artists and bands.

There are moments when I cannot understand their music at all. There are also moments when I see Animal Collective as geniuses. This is an example of the latter.

Animal Collective – Peacebone is found on the record “Strawberry jam” released in 2007.

November 13, 2012

"I walk with others in me, yearning to get out
Claw at my skin and gnash their teeth and shout
One of them wants only to be someone you'd admire
One would as soon just throw you on the fire."

Nowadays Joshua Tillman performs under his alter ego Father John Misty and I guess it will be a pretty good show when they play live in Stockholm tonight.

Personally I cannot help thinking that Joshua Tillman should have continued his awesome drumming in Fleet Foxes…

Fleet Foxes – Someone you’d admire is found on the record “Helplessness blues” released in 2011.

November 12, 2012

"You're aching, you're breaking
And I can see the pain in your eyes
Says everybody's changing
And I don't know why."

Most likely I would not have shown up at the Keane concert that will happen tonight. Still I will have to admit that I like this silly little tune.

Keane – Everybody’s changing is found on the record “Hopes and fears” released in 2004.

November 11, 2012

"People to use, lovers to break
Handful of pills, no life to take
River too cold, oven too hot
Bridge a one hundred and fifty foot drop."

From I Break Horses to another artist that made a terrific show at Way Out West this summer. Tonight live on stage, Mark Lanegan.

Though Mark Lanegan made a did great at Way Out West 2012 I must also mention his show, collaborating with Greg Dulli of Afghan Whigs under the name of The Gutter Twins at Way Out West 2008.

The show itself was really, really good but image I left the concert with was that Mark Lanegan hardly moved at all during the two and half hour that The Gutter Twins performed. I do not know how he do such thing; I wouldn’t be able to copy it.

The Gutter Twins – Front Street is found on the record “Saturnalia” released in 2008.

November 10, 2012

"Some people think it's holding on that makes one strong. Sometimes it's letting go."

It is a mystery to me why I have not mentioned I Break Horses in this blog yet. I Break Horses am really on the best groups I have discovered in recent years and their concert at Way Out West earlier this year was almost unbelievable good.

Though I am currently perfectly happy experiencing the Kruger National Park in South Africa there is a little part of me that want to be at the I Break Horses concert tonight.

I Break Horses – Empty bottles is found on the record “Hearts” released in 2011. The quote above is taken from the American singer Sylvia Robinson.

November 9, 2012

"Oh why is your hate so addicting and I
Well I wonder where you've been
I don't see you often."

The concert week in Stockholm continues. I guess that I a lot of people will head to the Band Of Horses concert tonight and I would not mind being there myself. At the same time, the ticket price at 425 Swedish kronas (about £40 or $60) is a lot of money even if I like Band Of Horses a lot.

If in Stockholm, I would have instead chosen to pay 120 Swedish kronas to catch Wild Nothing live. I am convinced it would have easily been worth each and every krona. I am as convinced that Wild Nothing will end up as more expensive shows at bigger arenas in the near future.

Wild Nothing – Shadow is found on the record “Nocturne” released in 2012.

November 8, 2012

"Never thought you'd go so far but now you're really gone
and it's been so long I never really think about it."

I must say that the concert year have been phenomenal so far. I have had the opportunity to catch so many great concerts. One example is when I saw the DIIV concert at Brooklyn Sweden a couple of months ago.

Ok, it may not have been the best concert of the year but this song in particular is a strong candidate to the single best live song of the year.

If you missed the Brooklyn Sweden concert you will get another chance tonight. Take it.

DIIV – Doused is found on the record “Oshin” released in 2012.

November 7, 2012

"It can't be gone, we're still right here
It took so long, can't say we heard it all
Limbs parallel, we stood so long we fell
Tear a moment from the days that carry us on forever."

Today marks the start of an amazing couple of weeks filled to the brim with concerts that I would love to see. I will miss some of them; on the other hand I am hardly in the situation to complain since I am visiting as amazing places like South Africa, Mozambique and Madagascar at the moment. Still…

Kicking off the concert weeks is Beach House. As How To Dress Well I got some mixed emotions when it comes to Beach House. In my opinion it is a band that always releases great singles but when it comes to a full-length album they have a hard time to convince me.

Live… Well it is basically the same. Some songs are quite boring, others are fantastic. Nevertheless towards the end of tonight’s Beach House concert it will be worth experiencing some boring songs when “10 mile stereo” explodes.

Beach House – 10 mile stereo is found on the record “Teen dream” released in 2010.

November 6, 2012

"I wish I could see your face."

Every now and then I have given examples of bands or artists that I do have some mixed emotions about. Today I am heading in the direction again…

How To Dress Well is a band that I listen to a lot some days. Other days… Well I just cannot stand the falsetto voices.

How To Dress Well – Cold nites is found on the record “Total loss” released in 2012.

November 5, 2012

"Hey, how ya keeping?
I guess it's been a while

I heard,
You've been sleeping,
That always made you smile."

I played this song to someone that once upon a time was a very dear person in my life.

She cried. That was when I realized that things were about to change. Forever.

Maps – Turning the mind is found on the record “Turning the mind” released in 2009.

November 4, 2012

"Here come the dreams of you and me
Here come the dreams."

My favourite music business twins are back with new material. As always, great stuff.

Tegan And Sara – Closer is found on the forthcoming record “Heartthrob” scheduled to be released in 2013.

November 3, 2012

"But I won’t be sad and blue
When I keep what I hold true
A photograph of you."

A preview of something that I believe will be huge in 2013 because how can you possible resist the music of Sulk especially if you, like me, was part of the Manchester era of music in the early nineties.

Sulk – A photograph of you is found on the “Back in bloom” single released in 2012.

November 2, 2012

"When its discreet then your never complete,
Can you keep the secrets well?
Fifth in the traps and you know that you’ll lapse,
Can you keep the secrets well?
Can you keep them for yourself?"

Wearing surgical masks and costumes while performing live may seem like a strange idea. On the other hand, if you name your band “Clinic” you do have a very good reason…

Clinic – Circle of fifths is found on the record “Winchester cathedral” released in 2004.

November 1, 2012

"You accuse me of clowning
Playing out my leisure
I was thinking I would always stand up
You just wanted pleasure."

Yesterday I fell asleep in a dark and rainy Northern Europe. Today I woke up in the sunny and warm South African Cape Town. The beauty of travelling, in just a few hours’ time you are able to completely change what is surrounding you.

Zulu Winter – Silver tongue is found on the record “Language” released in 2012.

October 31, 2012

 "Rip away the tears
Drink a hope to happy years
And you may find
A lifetime’s passed you by."

Off to South Africa today…

South African music? Well in my case it is limited to knowing that Dave Matthews was born in South Africa. That’s it.

Dave Matthews Band – What would you say is found on the record “Under the table and dreaming” released in 1994.

October 30, 2012

"So we must love while these moments are still called today
Take part in the pain of this passion play
Stretched our youth as we must, until we are ashes to dust
Until time makes history of us."

Earlier today somebody told me a story about someone who I thought was out of my life forever. Now… I am not that sure anymore. And what is even more uncertain is if this is good news or not.

Indigo Girls – History of us is found on the record “Indigo girls” released in 1989.

October 29, 2012

"I was a young man
I was a coward
I was a blind man
I was addicted."

Growing up listening a lot to goth rock I nowadays find it hard to discover new bands. A few years ago I got high hopes when I started to listen to The Dragons but since the debut album I have not heard anything new from them. To tell the truth I am not even aware if they still exist as a band.

Dragons – Here are the roses is found on the record “Here are the roses” released in 2007.

October 28, 2012

"They believe in evil by popular demand
A twisted kind of worship
Hit with your own hand
I believe in choices
Making your own mind
No everybody makes their own alright."

When I first heard the opening guitar riff of this song I was convinced I was listening to the new Mazzy Star single. After 35 seconds I knew I wasn’t, still a really nice song.

Here We Go Magic – Miracle of Mary is found on the record “A different ship” released in 2012.

October 27, 2012

"Yet again, we're the only ones
No surprise, this is often how it's done
Lately it's about all I can take
I will move and mend and mold this break."

Saturday night and yet again I am considering the forth concert night. Four concert nights in a row is there really an excuse for that? Especially since I have so many other things that I need to take care of right now.

Maybe. Maybe not. A Grizzly Bear concert is tempting but then again…

Grizzly Bear – Yet again is found on the record “Shields” released in 2012.

October 26, 2012

"I don’t have those dreams that you wanna see.
Dreams die."

I hardly ever remember what I dream about at night when waking up. Most of the time I think this is rather nice but sometimes it would be nice to remember.

At the moment it would be especially nice to remember since it seems that I have run out of most daytime dreams.

The Luyas – Fifty fifty is found on the record “Animator” released in 2012.

October 25, 2012

"In the sunless days of war
I was a young pilot strewing death
I see tears and frightened eyes
Put them to sleep till I was out of breath."

A couple of years ago I and a friend headed to The Troubadour in Los Angeles to witness a Raveonettes show. Afterwards we both agreed that “Apparitions” was the peak of the show.

Tonight history repeats itself with one exception; we are not in Los Angeles anymore.

The Raveonettes – Apparitions is found on the record “Raven in the grave” released in 2011.

October 24, 2012

"Remember, I know where you live
and I know you're on your own
I may forget I don't forgive
I'm always home." 

I still consider “Troublegum” as one of the best albums of the nineties. I still consider Therapy? as one of the best live bands I have ever seen.

Still I cannot decide whether it is good idea or not buying a ticket to their show tonight.

Therapy? – Turn is found on the record “Troublegum” released in 1994.

October 23, 2012

"When love is smothered out in fear
Gonna hate until the cold
The day we wake up feeling clear."

I was not that impressed by Dum Dum Girls when I caught them live at Brooklyn Sweden a couple of weeks ago. Poor sound quality did of course not help but besides that I recall their show as rather boring.

When listening to this song I am glad that I gave Dum Dum Girls another chance, it is actually pretty good.

Dum Dum Girls – Lord knows is found on the EP “End of daze” released in 2012.

October 22, 2012

"Am I alive or thoughts that drift away?
Does summer come for everyone?
Can humans do as prophets say?
And if I die before I learn to speak
Can money pay for all the days I lived awake
But half asleep?"

Facts about this song:

1, It was featured in the Jim Carrey movie “Cable guy”.
2, The chorus is sampled from the BB King song “How blue can you get”.
3, When covered by The Copyrights the song was retitled “Locked Outside a Motel Without Shoes, a Wallet or a Phone”.
4, This is the longest song title I am aware of.

Primitive Radio Gods – Standing outside a broken phone booth with money in my hand is found on the record “Rocket” released in 1996.

October 21, 2012

"When all of this is gone
And I move on
Could you have been the one
To make me strong."

The 2012 music year keep bringing surprises. Here is yet another new discovery that has crossed my path.

On the other hand I am not surprised at all that I like a band called “Quite arrows”. I am bound to find such band sooner or later. I simply got it in my genes and there is no way I can escape it.

Quite Arrows – Dare the night is found on the record “Continents were made to sink” released 2012.

October 20, 2012

"It's so lonely in this place
So cold I don't believe
And as no-one knows my name
It's easy to pretend
It's easy to believe."

This is what happened to me the first time I heard and saw this video… Goose bumps, a feeling of pure joy, horror-stricken and tear filled eyes.

This is nothing but breathtaking.

B. Fleischmann & Ms John Soda – Here she comes is found on the album “Blue skied an’ clear” released in 2002. The original version was recorded by Slowdive in 1993.

October 19, 2012

"Nicotine, Valium, Vicodin, Marijuana, Ecstasy and Alcohol

C-c-c-c-c-cocaine
C-c-c-c-c-cocaine
C-c-cocaine."

Besides alcohol I have never ever used any drugs. At all.

But at the end of a day like today I, for a few seconds, consider to use chemicals to escape reality.

I would, of course, never do so when it comes to… well facing the reality of it.

Queens Of The Stone Age – Feel good hit of the summer is found on the record “Rated R” released in 2000.

October 18, 2012

"Aurora borealis
The icy sky at night
Paddles cut the water
In a long and hurried flight
From the white man
to the fields of green
And the homeland
we've never seen."

For the first time in years I heard this song on the radio earlier today. All of a sudden I realized that it is song that probably should be played on the radio each and every day.

Neil Young – Pocahontas is found on the record “Rust never sleeps” released in 1979.