February 29, 2012

“I will wait for you
Growing love but like water
Time will always slip through
I will wait for you
But please come soon.”

Well technically the Leap Day is February 24 but to me February 29 is symbolizing the Leap Year. Every fourth year you receive an extra day that may allow you to take care of the things in life you never seems to find time for otherwise.

So here is my advice, use this time as your personal time. Take good care of yourself, do one or several of those things that you never seem to find time to do other days. This is your day and your day only. Use the time wisely.

Me… I will use this day to get rid of something that has occupied my mind way too long. It will hurt and it will feel awkward but I just have to do it in order to continue forward.

Maria Taylor – Leap year is found on the record “11:11” released in 2005.

February 28, 2012

”And I am trying to forget you
and I know that I will.
In a thousand years
or maybe a week.”

It took me quite some time to figure out the lyrics in this song, in the end I do believe it is a song about a suicide. Fortunately no one close to me has committed suicide, as a relative it has got to be one of the toughest things to handle.

Porcupine Tree – Way out of here is found on the record ”Fear of a blank planet” released in 2007.

February 27, 2012

”The light of the day gives me no relief
because I see you in everything.
You´ve frozen my thoughts, you´ve frozen me out
I´m in the same place that you left me, baby.”

A few years ago I saw this scribble on a park bench; it read “No more skool”. Simply splendid stuff.

The School of Seven Bells is a band that for sure did their homework in the subject of creating shoegazing music. This is also splendid stuff.

School Of Seven Bells – The night is found on the record “Ghostory” released in 2012.

February 26, 2012

“Pauline thought that love was simple, turn it on and turn it off.
Jean-Marie was complicated, like some French filmmaker´s plot.
Gina was the perfect lady always had stockings straight.
Jack was a rich punk rocket silver spoon and a paper plate.”

Some songs are impossible to resist. This song was introduced to me a few years ago; I have loved it since. Press play to find out why. 

The Nails – 88 lines about 44 women is found on the record ”Mood swing” released in 1984.

February 25, 2012

“Waiting for a roar
Looking at the mutating skyline
The city is my church
It wraps me in the sparkling twilight.”

M83 is a group that I have discovered recently though they have been around for a few years. Discovering a band late is somewhat a good thing because there is a lot of music and records to dig into.

Tonight M83 play live in Stockholm. I wish I would be there in the audience. But this is the disadvantage about discovering a band late; the concert was sold out way before I heard M83 for the first time.

M83- Midnight city is found on the record “Hurry up we´re dreaming” released in 2011.

February 24, 2012

“Obsession rules me - I'm yours from the start.”

October 2000. I was driving Highway 210 towards Pasadena, California listening to a Los Angeles-based rock’n’roll radio station. All of the sudden the radio station played this song and it totally blew me away. It was one of those perfect moments in life, driving in sunny California with this song extremely loud in the speakers of the car.

I was indeed very lucky that afternoon, this moment unintentionally made me drive a lot faster than the 65 mph speed limit at the highway. But then again it was one of those perfect moments so no police officer was within sight.

Faith No More – From out of nowhere is found on the record “The real thing” released in 1989.

February 23, 2012

“To think I might not see those eyes
Makes it so hard not to cry
And as we say our long goodbyes
I nearly do

Light up, light up
As if you have a choice
Even if you cannot hear my voice
I´ll be right beside you, dear.”

To me this is a song about a couple who love each other so much but for some reason they have no choice but to break up no matter how much it really hurts to say goodbye

Still, in the future days, months and years to come there will always be a place in my heart for you. I will think of you. Always. Forever.

I know that feeling far too well…

Snow Patrol plays live tonight in Stockholm tonight. Likely this will be the magic moment of the concert.


Snow Patrol –Run is found on the record “Final straw” released in 2003.

February 22, 2012

"Oh my god, oh my god
It's a wonderful surprise
I'm in love, I'm in love
And I cannot get enough
Ooh la la, ooh la la
Don't ever want this to be over."

 This is in my opinion a bad song. It is even an awful song. It is a song that makes me turn off the radio whenever I hear it.

Nevertheless it is a song that sticks in my mind like a bubble gum on my favourite pair of jeans. Music does such strange things to one´s mind.

Beware you have been warned!

The Moniker – Oh my God! is found on the record “Oh my God!” released in 2011.

February 21, 2012

“No need to talk about
I rather walk around.
It takes your breath away
Take you so far away.”

Imperial Teen is a band that has been around for about 15 years. They scored sort of a hit back in 1996 when releasing their first single “You´re one”, a song about Kurt Cobain by the way. But since then it´s been rather quiet and the career of Imperial Teen never really took off.

Maybe 2012 marks the time for the major Imperial Teen breakthrough, this is a song that at least I like a lot. Hopefully the just released record shows the same quality too.

Imperial Teen –Runaway is found on the record “Feel the sound” released in 2012.

February 20, 2012

"It's just another manic Monday
I wish it was Sunday
'Cause that's my funday
An I-don't-have-to-run day
It's just another manic Monday."

 

As you may recall from the movie “Groundhog day” Bill Murray finds himself living the same day over and over again. Mondays sometimes feel that way to me, what happened to weekend?

This song handles the same issue but strangely enough listening to this nice little pop tune cheer me up and within minutes I do enjoy the beginning of the week after all.

The Bangles –Manic Monday is found on the record “Different light” released in 1986.

February 19, 2012

"We spent some time together crying
Spent some time just trying to let each other go
I held your hand so very tightly
And told you what I would be dreaming of

There’s nothing like you and I
So why do I even try?
There’s nothing like you and I."

I do not watch a lot of TV but from time to time I get stuck watching some meaningless soap opera. The latest TV-series that I have become addicted to is the American college TV-series “Greek”. Recently when I was watching Greek this song ended the episode (Season 1, episode 15 “Freshman Daze”).

And all of a sudden my world stopped. This song combined with what was shown on TV; oh so many things went through my head. This is one of those songs that come a little too close, one of those songs that make something to break inside of me.

The Perishers – There’s nothing like you and I is found on the record “Let there be morning” released in 2003.

February 18, 2012

"When I was just nine years old
I swear that I dreamt
your face on a football field and a kiss that I kept
under my vest
apart from everything, with the heart in my chest."

A dear friend of mine recently predicted that the year 2012 will belong to The Shins. Their forthcoming album will, according to my friend, be the record of the year.

I guess we will have to wait and see about that but the first single of the album sure is promising.

The Shins – Simple song is found on the record “Port of Morrow” released in 2012.

February 17, 2012

"Ein kleiner Mensch stirbt nur zum Schein
wollte ganze alleine sein
das kleine Herz stand still für Stunden
so hat man es für tot befunden
es wird verscharrt in nassem Sand
mit einer Spieluhr in der Hand."

The first and only time I have seen Rammstein live (so far) was quite an experience. Among all the things that happened during the show they unintentionally set the stage on fire. I guess that will not happen tonight when they play live in Stockholm but I am convinced that the audience will catch an extraordinary show.

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

Rammstein – Spieluhr is found on the record “Mutter” released in 2001.

February 16, 2012

"Sometimes when I think of her name, when it´s only a game
and I need you
Listen to the words that you say it´s getting harder to stay
when I see you."

According to the legend this song was Vince Clarke´s “farewell gift” to Depeche Mode when he decided to leave the group. Depeche Mode however turned down the offer and instead decided to record “See you” written by Martin Gore as their first song following Vince Clarke´s departure.

No matter how much I like this song I must say that Depeche Mode made a wise decision. I do believe that Depeche Mode´s career, when looking back now 30 years later, would have looked quite different and likely not as successful as if they would have recorded “Only you”.

This little story may also explain why there is a “her” in the lyrics even though the song eventually ended up being recorded with Alison Moyet´s voice.

Yazoo – Only you is found on the record “Upstairs at Eric’s” released in 1982.

February 15, 2012

"I want you, when sober."

I’ve been waiting so long for this song and this album, something brand new from The Twilight Sad. As always, a wall of sound that fills every inch of the room. A wall of sound that brings a big smile to my face.

The Twilight Sad – Another bed is found on the record “No one can ever know” released in 2012.

February 14, 2012

"The way you love me every day
Is Valentine's Day."

Irrespective of I am been in a relationship or if I have been single I have never ever “celebrated” Valentine´s day.

This is just a commercial stunt that leaves a feeling nausea in my body.

But I do have one Valentine´s day tradition; I always listen to this song a number of times.

Steve Earle – Valentine´s day is found the record “I feel alright” released in 1996.

February 13, 2012

"With piranha teeths

I been dreaming of you

And the taste of your love so sweet

Honest its true."

Back in 2008 I caught the band The Gutter Twins live on a stage in Gothenburg. Until the show I had not spent a lot of time listening to The Gutter Twins but in my mind I was convinced that a band that consisted of Greg Dulli from The Afghan Whigs and Mark Lanegan Screaming Trees (among other bands) would be able to do a bad performance.

I was right; it was an amazing live performance. But even more amazing was the fact that Mark Lanegan hardly moved at all during the two and a half hour that The Gutter Twins spent on stage.

I am not sure if The Gutter Twins exists as a band anymore but I am glad to find out that Mark Lanegan has just released brand new material.

Mark Lanegan Band - The gravedigger's song is found on the record “Blues Funeral” released in 2012.

February 12, 2012

"If I had only known
It was my last night by your side
I'd pray a miracle would stop the dawn
And when you'd smile at me
I would look into your eyes
And make sure you know my love
For you goes on and on
If I had only known
If I had only known
The love I would've shown
If I had only known."

I have never been a huge fan of Sundays.

It is day when I tend to sleep too long following a great Saturday night party. It is a day that tends to be a little too close to the next work week. It is a day when every couple seems to be out there being ridiculously in love holding hands, kissing and being a major pain for every person that is single nearby them.

If I had only known…

Reba McIntyre – If I had only known is found on the record “For my broken heart” released in 1991.

February 11, 2012

"Silence will be true
My second night with you
Said I’d trace my faith
Where I’d stand in time."

Tonight, live in Stockholm, S.C.U.M. I cannot explain why but I got a feeling that this will be one of the better concerts in 2012.

S.C.U.M - Faith unfolds is found on the record "Again into eyes" released in 2011.

February 10, 2012

"Everyone around love them, love them
Put it in your hands
Take it take it
There's no time to cry
Happy happy
Put it in your heart
Where tomorrow shines
Gold and silver shine."

Friday! I do believe it is time for some happy “feel good” music again. This is a song that always leaves me with a warm bubbling feeling inside.

REM - Shiny happy people is found on the record “Out of time” released in 1991.

February 9, 2012

"Hello darkness, my old friend
I've come to talk with you again
Because a vision softly creeping
Left its seeds while I was sleeping
And the vision that was planted in my brain
Still remains
Within the sound of silence."

A couple of years ago I went to the movies to see "Watchmen", seldom have 2 hours and 40 minutes passed so quickly. In particular I was spellbound by two scenes.

One of them is the scene where it is explained how the character “Doctor Manhattan” became Doctor Manhattan. The other one is the funeral of the character “The Comedian”.

The latter one is accompanied by this song that which in itself is a fantastic song. But when used in this scene... Absolutely breathtaking.

Simon & Garfunkel - The sound of silence is found on the record “Sounds of silence” released in 1966.

February 8, 2012

"I've been waiting
I've been waiting for this moment all my life
But it's not quite right."

It is rumored that some bands select really lousy bands as their opening act in order to make they sound better.

I have no idea if that was the intention when I went to a Kaiser Chiefs concert a few years ago. Do not get me wrong here I bet Kaiser Chiefs are nice guys and after all they did perform a good show.

The only issue this night was that the opening act Silversun Pickups did perform an amazing show including this song as one of many highlight, leaving Kaiser Chiefs look like a band that was far behind their opening act.

Silversun Pickups - Lazy eye is found on the record “Carnavas” released in 2006.

February 7, 2012

"Our memory still returning
We packed ours bags for Niagara Falls
To feel the water rushing
I'll follow you down, I dreamt this love
Our memory still returning
We packed our bags for Niagara Falls."

It is time to reveal yet another of my hidden treasures of the year 2011. Just listen and enjoy and you will understand exactly what I mean.


Ohbijou – Niagara is found on the record “Metal meets” released in 2011.

February 6, 2012

"Let's play a game that you never tried
You be the girl and I'll be the guy
Let's pretend everything has changed
And then would you love me any different."

I recently read an article about airplay in Swedish radio. I found it a bit surprising that Robyn was the most played artist in Swedish radio lately. On the other hand it may not be too surprising given the fact that she released three records in 2010.

I got to admit that I am not a huge fan of Robyn but I do also have to admit that I like this song a lot.

Robyn – Who´s that girl is found on the record “Robyn” released in 2005.

February 5, 2012

"Sunday comes alone again
A perfect day for a quiet friend."

Earlier this week I received the news that the Sonic Youth front man Thurston Moore will play live at one the festivals in Sweden this summer. Most likely it will be a great concert but I cannot help thinking that I would be even better if Sonic Youth would be there on stage.

On the other side that may not be likely in the near future following the divorce between Thurston Moore and the Sonic Youth front woman Kim Gordon.

Sonic Youth – Sunday is found on the record “A thousand leaves” released in 1998.

February 4, 2012

"And yes, I might have lied to you,
You wouldn’t benefit from knowing the truth.
I was frightened but I held fast,
I need you now at long last."

If you ask me, First Aid Kit released one of the best songs of 2011 (The lion´s roar). Tonight they play live in Stockholm and for the first time I will catch them live. I am looking forward to hear the talented Söderberg sisters on stage. To prepare for the concert I am listening to their latest release over and over again.

A sad song disguised behind some happy tunes. Tricky, tricky...

First Aid Kit - Emmylou is found on the record "The lion's roar" released in 2012.

February 3, 2012

"And you can tell Jane, if she writes,
That I'm drunk off all these stars and all these crazy Hollywood nights.
And that's a total deceit, but she should've married me.
And tell her I spent every night of my youth on the floor,
Bleeding out from all these wounds.
I would've gotten her a ride out of that town she despised.
You tell that to Janey, if she writes."

The lyrics in this song have occupied my mind so many times. It is a song about the girls who have left earlier in life for various reasons. There is a touch of bitterness and regret in the song that it did no work out better. And it seems that one try to show that everything is great even though it may not be true.

At the same time the singer wishes all the women in the song well now and in the future, being grateful for at least trying.

In the end I do believe that this song captures love in a nutshell.

Gaslight Anthem - Here's looking at you, Kid is found on the record "The '59 Sound" released in 2008.

February 2, 2012

"I stand in the distance
I view from afar
Should I offer some assistance
Should it matter who you are."

Someone once said that Kylie Minogue is a genius scoring a major hit with the lyrics "I should be so lucky, lucky, lucky, lucky".

In my opinion that song is really bad on the other hand without that song I doubt that I had discovered and heard this one.

Kylie Minogue - Confide in me is found on the record "Kylie Minogue" released in 1994.

February 1, 2012

"Long run .. where I go."

I guess you have heard the expression "love at first sight". It may not have happened to me but I do believe it can happen.

How about "love at first hearing"? Well that is something that has happened to me several times. This song is one of them. A wall of sound paired with distorted voices. Simply wonderful.

Wooden Shijps - Lazy bones is found on the record "West" released in 2011.