January 31, 2012

"I can't use what I can't abuse
And I can't stop when it comes to you
You burned me out but I'm back at your door
Like Joan of Arc coming back for more."

Well, well, well, what do you know? Apparently Garbage is working on new material. A record will be released later this year combined with live shows at several festivals this summer.

While waiting for the new album let us head back to the very first single released by Garbage and let us hope that the new album is as good as this song.

Garbage - Vow is found on the record "Garbage" released in 1995.

January 30, 2012

"But if I don't get your letter soon
All kinds of problems in your room
So out with confessions and on with life
your pretty face is the kind I like."

Maybe the world is running out of band names when you have to name your band "Pete and the pirates". But never mind the band name, the important thing is the music and the song itself.

Pete and the pirates may fail in the subject band name but they pass with honours when it comes to the music and the song.

Pete And The Pirates - Cold black Kitty is found on the record "One thousand pictures" released in 2011.

January 29, 2012

"It is 1999
The human race has to face it
They are confronted with the truth
It's secret -- mysterious
A surgeon said it in the news
The human race is dying
But the result is no disease
Searching for you
Metal heart -- metal heart"

Every now and then I enjoy listening to a song that all of a sudden takes an unexpected path. Like this one. Accept is certainly not a band that I listen to a lot but I do like the way they smoothly include Beethoven's "Für Elise" in this song.

Accept - Metal heart is found on the record "Metal heart" released in 1985.

January 28, 2012

"Leaving with a broken heart
I love you even still
But if I can't change your mind
Then no one will."

Stubborn people. They can add a lot of value to my life, going on when I give up.

Stubborn people. They can also drive me nuts, going on when I give up.

Sugar - If I can't change your mind is found on the record "Copper blue" released in 1992.

January 27, 2012

"And we wait for love in the shape of us
Until the wait is over under halcyon skies
Until the wait is over for an innocent life."

The Maccabees is a band that has caused me some mixed emotions in the past. Every now and then they have released a really nice rock song, in between some songs that are... Well let me just say not as good.

Maybe 2012 is the year of The Maccabees? This single is a strong candidate to the title "song of the year" despite the fact that we are only in January yet. I cannot wait to dig in to their brand new album.

The Maccabees - Ayla is found on the record "Given to the wild" released in 2012.

January 26, 2012

"A traffic jam when you're already late
A 'No smoking' sign on your cigarette break
It's like ten thousand spoons when all you need is a knife
It's meeting the man of my dreams...and then meeting his beautiful wife." 

Being a "lyricaholic" myself; I cannot believe that so many people do not care about the lyrics when listening to music. Lyrics are of course not everything in a song but to exclude and to not pay attention to the written words are beyond what I can understand.

If you are one of those people, start with this song. Listen to the lyrics, in my opinion very clever lyrics, and then I do hope that you understand my fascination of lyrics.

Alanis Morissette - Ironic is found on the record "Jagged little pill" released in 1995.

January 25, 2012

"I forgot fools run
Between half the time I'm sudden
It's ok it's over
Innocent
I long for the other
I will forget older after
Don't be scared it's over now, I swear"

It is said that "less is more" and maybe it is even true. This song starts with "less", just a piano and voice. But then "more" kicks in and drums, keyboards and horns are added.

So maybe the answer is "less and more". In harmony.

Washed Out - A dedication is found on the record "Within and without" released in 2011.

January 24, 2012

"Two to the left and two to the right
Wave your arms in the air like you’re ready to fly
Then bend one knee and give me a whirl
Now come on, you guys, while I’m your girl
For a little bit more I’ll be your queen
Are you ready to dance 1313."

As mentioned a few days ago The Big Pink is back with new material. One of the songs on their new album is named "1313" which helped me remember this piece of gold from another band who made a song called "1313".

Neon Judgement - 1313 is found on the record "Blood & thunder" released in 1989.

January 23, 2012

"Workin' for the man ev'ry night and day."

Following an endless vacation, well four and a half months that is, I am back working starting today. It feels good after all to be up and running again.

Creedence Clearwater Revival - Proud Mary is found on the record "Bayou country" released in 1969.

January 22, 2012

"Forgive the lovers, but don't forget their names
And let the spirit remain!
 
Stay gold!"

The music year 2012 has started in a most promising way. The news of a just released album from The Big Pink certainly helps.

The Big Pink - Stay gold is found on the record "Future this" released in 2012.

January 21, 2012

"It's looking like a limb torn off
Or altogether just taken apart
We're reeling through an endless fall
We are the ever-living ghost of what once was."

The opening guitar riff of this song is one of my favourite sounds ever. I can listen to it over and over again, and then a few times more.

The rest of the song is a warm salty tear that slowly slides down one's chin. At the same time the song is an open wound bound to never heal.

By pure coincidence this was the very last song I listen to before my (former) wife told me she wanted a divorce.

Hell...

Band Of Horses - No one's gonna love you is found on the record "Cease to begin" released in 2007.

January 20, 2012

"We're on a ride to nowhere
Come on inside
Takin' that ride to nowhere
We'll take that ride."

It is Friday. Time for some "feel good" music. And even though we might be on our way to pretty much nowhere it still feels pretty damn good.

Talking Heads - Road to nowhere is found on the record "Little creatures" released in 1985.

January 19, 2012

"Oh, girls can be so mean when they get together
oh, girls don't know who to be when they get together."

Some songs are just pure energy. 

This is a song that makes the adrenaline pump in my body. It sure helps that my body is filled with thoughts of a mean girl I know when listen to this song. But again, it is a song that is filled with energy.

You Say Party! We Say Die! - Like I give care is found on the record "Lose all time" released in "2007".

January 18, 2012

"You’re thick skin, but you know
it’s beyond the control
shadows gleaming through our eyes
we’re living the past, dear
we’re free from those dark years
we’ll see daylight through the blinds!"

Well it seems I do not have to worry anymore, 2012 will also be a year where I discover new music, new artists and new groups.

Memoryhouse - The kids were wrong is found on the forthcoming record "The slideshow effect" to be released later in 2012.

January 17, 2012

"Sur le Gange ou l’Amazone,
Chez les blacks, chez les sikhs,
Chez les jaunes,
Voyage, voyage
Dans tout le royaume.
Sur les dunes du Sahara,
Des îles Fidji au Fujiyama,
Voyage, voyage,
Ne t’arrêtes pas."

At the moment it seems to be a lot of people from France in Sweden or at least a lot of people talking French. One of many good things about it is that it made me think of this song.

Desireless - Voyage, voyage is found on the record "Francois" released in 1989.

January 16, 2012

"This is our decision to live fast and die young.
We've got the vision, now let's have some fun.

Yeah it's overwhelming, but what else can we do?
Get jobs in offices and wake up
for the morning commute?"

Sometimes when I watch a movie I am carried away by the music played. It could be the main theme in the movie or the whole selection of songs in the movie or a certain song at a certain point of time in the movie.

The latter one is the story about this song which is featured in the opening scene of the movie "21". This is such a great song combined with one of the main characters cycling to school, it works perfectly.

And by the way, the movie is pretty good too.

MGMT - Time to pretend is found on the record "Oracular spectacular" released in 2007.

January 15, 2012

 

"Everybody trying to tell me that you didn't mean me no good.
I've been trying, Lord, let me tell you, Let me tell you I really did the best I could.
I've been working from seven to eleven every night, I said It kinda makes my life a drag.
Lord, that ain't right...
Since I've Been Loving You, I'm about to lose my worried mind.

Said I've been crying, my tears they fell like rain,
Don't you hear, Don't you hear them falling,
Don't you hear, Don't you hear them falling."

 
A little trip in the music time machine today. I find it hard to believe that this song was made 1970. The song is 42 years old. But still as strong as ever.

Led Zeppelin - Since I've been loving you is found on the record "Led Zeppelin III" released in 1970.

Led Zeppelin 

January 14, 2012

"Life and death are given a different meaning
in grizzly kingdom above the treeline where the permafrost’s growing deeper
I could never climb those mountains, I could never be
sleeping safely under the same stars as timothy
Into the wilderness away from the loneliness."

It is something special with what I call beautiful music. Not that much noise instead harmonies and music that most often is a bit mellow. Add a female voice to this music and I am almost always a big fan of the song, the ground and the music.

This is an example of what I mean. A group that I discovered recently, a group that I am convinced of that I will listen a lot too in the forthcoming weeks.

Burning Hearts - Into the wilderness is found on the record "Into the wilderness" released in 2011.

January 13, 2012

"Thirteen's my lucky number,
To you it means stay inside.
Black cat done crossed my path,
No reason to run and hide.
You're looking through a cracked mirror.
No one really knows the reason why.
Your enemies are gettin' nearer.
Gonna hang down your head and cry...."

According to beliefs in ancient times Friday the 13th is a day filled to the brim with bad luck so you better look out today.

On the other hand recent studies show that less accidents happen on the Friday 13th dates of the year due to people pay extra attention. Maybe we should construct  a new calander filled with Friday 13th dates.

Social Distortion - Bad luck is found on the record "Somewhere between heaven and hell" released in 1992.

January 12, 2012

"A friend in needs a friend indeed,
A friend who'll tease is better,
Our thoughts compressed,
Which makes us blessed,
And makes for stormy weather."

 
I caught some rumours about a new Placebo Festival European tour this summer. In my opinion there Placebo has not released any strong material in quite some time. But as a festival booking they would work perfect certainly a band that I would see if they played at festival that I am visiting.

And once upon a time they did release excellent singles too, like this one.

Placebo - Pure Morning is found on the record "Without you I am nothing" released in 1998.

January 11, 2012

"They are not like us..."

Back in Sweden following a great long weekend in New York This was the sixth time I went to "the big apple". I will come back to the city that never sleeps at least six more times.

Speaking about comebacks. After six long years The Walkabouts finally released a new record last year. As always a strong album containing so many beautiful songs. And a few scary ones too...

The Walkabouts - They are not like us is found on the record "Travels in the dustland" released in 2011.

January 10, 2012

"1-2-3-4

Chewin' at a rhythm on my bubble gum
The sun is out, I want some
It's not hard, not far to reach
We can hitch a ride to Rockaway Beach ."

Another thing that I connect with New York is the simply wonderful group The Ramones. During this trip I have payed a visit at the corner of 53rd and 3rd. I walked by the place where CBGB once upon a time existed at 315 Bowery and Bleecker Street.

I went to the corner of East 2nd Street and Bowery  to visit the Joey Ramone Place. Damn... I even took the A-Train to visit Rockaway Beach.

The Ramones - Rockaway Beach is found on the record "Rocket to Russia" released in 1977.

January 9, 2012

"The revolution starts now
When you rise above your fear
And tear the walls around you down
The revolution starts here
Where you work and where you play
Where you lay your money down
What you do and what you say
The revolution starts now
Yeah the revolution starts now."

Tonight. On stage at a wine bar in New York. Steve Earle live.

Now how cool is that. Supercool! I think it is time to follow the words of Steve Earle and start a revolution here and now.

Steve Earle - The revolution starts now is found on the record "Revolution starts now" released in 2004.

January 8, 2012

"Imagine no possessions
I wonder if you can
No need for greed or hunger
A brotherhood of man
Imagine all the people
Sharing all the world..."

And as always when I am in New York I just have to spend an hour or two or several in Central Park. Among the many things I will see there, Strawberry Fields and the John Lennon memorial is included.

Imagine. Just imagine.

John Lennon - Imagine is found on the record "Imagine" released in 1971.

January 7, 2012

"Split me wide open, and cut me in two
There's nothing that I could ever hide from you
Oh you always knew me, you're the only one who knew me."

Off to Brooklyn today. I just have to visit the Brooklyn Brewery even if I have been there several times before. And you never know; I might run into The Bravery too.

The Bravery - Split me wide open is found on the record "The sun and the moon" released in 2007.

January 6, 2012

"Start spreading the news, I'm leaving today
I want to be a part of it - New York, New York
These vagabond shoes, are are longing to stray
 Right through the very heart of it - New York, New York."

Off to New York today. It sure is good to head back to The Big Apple.

Frank Sinatra - New York is found on the record "Trilogy: Past Present Future" released in 1980.

January 5, 2012

"And I can do this alone,
But we can do this so much better,
Together, together, together."

I have always seen Patrick Wolf as a silly artist, almost a joke. His previous material has certainly not been my cup of tea so to speak. But I may have to reconsider Patrick Wolf from now on. Listen to the song I do believe that you see what I mean.

Patrick Wolf - Together is found on the record "Lupercalia" released in 2011.

January 4, 2012

"Woohoohoohoo Camouflage,
 things are never quite the way they seem."

If I could have a super-power; I would select to become invisible at will. Imagine to have that power.

Stan Ridgeway - Camouflage is found on the record "The big heat" released in 1986.

January 3, 2012

"Why do you think 

we should suffer in silence?
When a heart is broken 

there's nothing to break."

Do not even try to make me explain this one. I just like this song. A lot.

Robbie Williams - Tripping is found on the record "Intensive care" released in 2005.

January 2, 2012

"No longin’ for the moonlight
No longin’ for the sun
No longer will I curse the bad I’ve done
If there’s a time when the feeling’s gone
I wanna feel it."

A new day, a new year. It is time to start a life and better life right? Well go slow, do not change everything immediately because that will end up in a situation where you soon will be back where you started. The future starts slow, but it has indeed started.

The Kills - Future starts slow is found on the record "Blood pressures" released in 2011.

January 1, 2012

"All is quiet on New Year's Day
A world in white gets underway
I want to be with you
Be with you night and day
Nothing changes on New Year's Day."

Well I just had to. Don't you agree?

U2 - New Year's Day is found on the record "War" released in 1983.