March 31, 2012

"Slowly counting down the days
Till I finally know your name
The way your hand feels round my waist
The way you laugh, the way your kisses taste
I missed you but I haven't met you
Oh but I want to."

Sometimes plans change. Tonight I was going to a concert with The Civil Wars but because of an, to me, unknown reason the show has been moved to December.

Anyway I will to some extent continue as planned mainly because this is such a clever song. This song is about missing someone a lot but the song is seen from an unusual perspective compared to "normal" miss-you-a-lot-following-a-break-up theme.

The perspective in this song is instead about missing the big love in your life, the one that you yet have not met.

To whom in may concern; I miss really miss you...

The Civil Wars – To whom it may concern is found on the record “Barton Hollow” released in 2011.

March 30, 2012

"Here's a way to take you down
another statement of our times
here's a way to let it roll
and it's a way to lose control
it's not a way to draw the line
it's just a way to say goodbye."

This is one of the most powerful songs that I am aware of. A song that slaps your face, kicks your rears, and then shakes each and every cell of your body.

A minor earthquake hidden behind a masque of music so to speak.

The Soundtrack Of Our Lives – Instant repeater ’99 is found on the record “Welcome to the infant freebase” released in 1996.

March 29, 2012

"It’d be best to be with someone else
Cause you have landed us under
It’s best to be with someone else
Because I have decided it’s over."

So we have reached the end of March 2012 but I am still not done with 2011. This is yet another group that I discovered last year. And what a fantastic band name, this is a perfect match with the music they release, warm but also slightly scary music.

Warm Ghost – Claws overhead is found on the record “Uncut diamonds” released in 2011.

March 28, 2012

"I feel great, but it's getting real late
So I'll drive you home and you'll slide up real close
I'm so glad we met, and I like you so much
And I'm also glad that I got all those friends."

Could this be the cutest song ever? If not the cutest, it has to be placed fairly high on the imaginary Top 10 list of cutest songs ever.

Sparks – Popularity is found on the record “In outer space” released in 1983.

March 27, 2012

"Don't be afraid

don't be afraid.
Everything will change while you're asleep."

There are really no words that can possibly describe how much I love this song. Could it be that the best song of 2012 is already released? The answer may very well be “yes”.

And the music video… so simple yet a perfect match to this song.

Lower Dens – Brains is found on the forthcoming album “Nootropics” scheduled to be released in May 2012.

March 26, 2012

"Oh, kiss me beneath the milky twilight
Lead me out on the moonlit floor
Lift your open hand
Strike up the band and make the fireflies dance"

There a few songs that I believe are silly and full of nonsense. I may be harsh but I would even consider calling them “trifle songs”.

Yet they are songs that I for some reason cannot help that I like. This is one of them.

Sixpence None The Richer – Kiss me is found on the record “Sixpence none the richer” released in 1997.

March 25, 2012

"I got a little change in my pocket going jingle lingle ling
want to call you on the telephone baby I give you a ring
but each time we talk I get the same old thing
always no huggin no kissin until I get a wedding ring
my honey my baby don't put my love upon no shelf
she said don't give no lines and keep your hands to yourself."

It may not be fair to say that The Georgia Satellites was a one hit wonder after all they scored a big hit with their version of the song “Hipp, hippy shake”. But this is really the one song I associate with The Georgia Satellites.

But then again, one hit wonder or not, this is a great song.

The Georgia Satellites – Keep your hands to yourself is found on the record “Georgia Satellites” released in 1986.

March 24, 2012

"I'm gonna move on."

And if you liked the Vampire Weekend song yesterday my guess is that you will enjoy this one too.

Fair Oh´s – Eden rock is found on the forthcoming record “Everything is dancing” scheduled to be released in June 2012.

March 23, 2012

"So go, I know you would not stay
It wasn't true, but anyway
Racist dreams you should not have"

Why break a winning formula? It is Friday; it is time for some feel good music again to kick off the weekend in the best possible way.

Vampire Weekend – M79 is found on the record “Vampire Weekend” released in 2008.

March 22, 2012

"Somethings changed
run to your house
undo the chains
...I woke up wanting you
did your heart succeed
the way you want it to
in love, do you remember
when the day came
quite suddenly."

It is time to let another wall of sound fill every inch of your mind. Someone once described Tamaryn’s music as “dreamscape whispers”. In some ways it is correct but you need to add quite few “dreamscape shouts” too.

Noisy yet unobtrusive music, this is nothing but pure excellence.

Tamaryn – Dawning is found on the record “The waves” released in 2010.

March 21, 2012

"Don't cry
Don't raise your eye
It's only teenage wasteland."

This song is often mistakenly called “Teenage wasteland” which may not be too surprising when listening to it. The correct title is however “Baba O´Reilly”.

No matter what you decide call the song I do believe that you agree with me when I say that this is one of the classic songs that are out there in the music world.

The Who – Baba O´Reilly is found on the record “Who´s next” released in 1971.

March 20, 2012

"This was their last night on the continent
The production was shutting down
Drinks and good eyes were at all ground
The wine tasted like sunshine in the basement."

A few years ago during a show, Kurt Wagner the singer of Lambchop stopped between two songs and said “of all the places where I have been to playing live, this is stage and this building in front of this audience is my favorite spot in the world.”

Tonight Kurt Wagner/Lambchop is back at the “scene of the crime”, Södra Teatern in Stockholm. It will of course be one of my favorite live events of the year when I summarize 2012.

Lambchop – Gone tomorrow  is found on the record “Mr. M” released in 2012.

March 19, 2012

"Tell me why
I don’t like Mondays
I wanna shoo-oo-woo-woo-woo-oot the whole day down"

“Monday, it is always Monday” is an expression that my father used ever so often when I grew up. Now, a little older, I see what he meant.

In my case it is a matter of getting out of the bed on a Monday morning, the bed always seem to feel so much nicer and cozier on a Monday morning in comparison with the days of the rest of the week.

But when I finally get out of bed, well then the Monday morning is not that bad after all.

Boomtown Rats – I don’t like Mondays is found on the record “The fine art of surfacing” released in 1979.

March 18, 2012

"Gloomy Sunday
with shadows I spend it all
my heart and I
have decided to end it all."

It is time to take another trip in the music time machine going back to the year 1941 when Billie Holiday recorded this song for the first time.

Back then this song was banned by BBC as being detrimental to wartime morale; one may find it hard to believe that the ban was not lifted until 2002.

Billie Holiday – Gloomy Sunday is found on the record “Billie Holiday Vol. 3” released in 1954.

March 17, 2012

"What comes after this

momentary bliss

the consequence 

of what you do to me."

Beach House is finally back with new material. Enough said.

Beach House - Myth is found on the forthcoming album "Bloom" scheduled to be released in May 2012.

March 16 , 2012

"Texas is an outrage when your husband is dead
Texas is an outrage when they pick up his head
Texas is the reason that the president´s dead
you gotta suck, suck, Jackie suck."

This is another perfect Friday song, a 1 minute and 58 seconds explosion that kicks off the weekend. Though I got to admit that the lyrics are a bit disturbing…

The Misfits – Bullet is found on the record “Static age” released in 1997.

March 15, 2012

"Let’s start over my love, let’s start over my love
With what remains, with what remains."

I have never been a huge fan of Anna Ternheim though it is music that I am supposed to love given that I like the dark and mellow kind of music. That is until just recently because I am a big fan of her latest album.

This is one of many reasons why I have changed my mind.

Anna Ternheim - What remains is found on the record "The night visitor" released in 2011.

March 14, 2012

"Three important rules for breaking up
Don't put off breaking up when you know you want to
Prolonging the situation only makes it worse
Tell him honestly, simply, kindly but firmly."

For the first time in years I heard this song on the radio earlier today. All of a sudden I remembered (again) what a fantastic song this is.

Nada Surf – Popular is found on the record “High/Low” released in 1996.

March 13, 2012

”Jag kan inte skilja på om jag vill vinna dig
Jag kan inte skilja på om jag vill va med dig
Jag kan inte skilja på om jag vill bli av med dig
Jag kan inte skilja på om jag vill skada dig

Men du om nån borde förstå att man inte gör så här mot mig.”

 

I do not like it when some describes an artist as a “singer/songwriter” I mean, are not all artists a singer/songwriter no matter what music they create and no matter how their music sounds. At the same time I do have a hard time to find a better word describing this music…

Lately my favorite Swedish singer/songwriter has been Melissa Horn. This is one of many good examples of her beautiful music and clever lyrics. And I guess it is fair to say that it is “singer/songwriter” music.

Melissa Horn – Jag kan inte skilja på is found on the record “Säg ingenting till mig” released in 2009.

March 12, 2012

"Il pleut
et je pleure couleurs."

There are certain personalities that dominate the stage when playing live. Dave Gahan in Depeche Mode is one obvious example, during a Depeche Mode concert it is only Dave Gahan that you pay notice of.

Another example is the charismatic singer Els Pynoo of the Belgian band Vive La Fete. Yes there are four other people on stage when Vive La Fete paly live but frankly, Els Pynoo will catch your full attention.

If you ever get a chance to catch Vive La Fete live, do so. You will not regret that decision.

Vive La Fete – Il pleut is found on the record “Jour de Chance” released in 2007.

March 11, 2012

"All you zombies hide your faces
All you people in the street
All you sittin’ in high places
The pieces gonna fall on you.”

People wake up!

It is time to put down your foot and say “no” when you see or hear something that is wrong or unfair instead of shrugging your shoulders thinking to yourself “I do not care”.

The Hooters – All you zombies (this version) is found on the record “Nervous night” released in 1985.

March 10, 2012

"I will run till there's nowhere left to run
I will love till there's no one left to love."

 

A year ago today I went to The Troubadour in West Hollywood, Los Angeles to witness a show with The Dears. A year later I still refer to this show as one of the best I have ever seen.

The Dears – Stick with me kid is found on the record “Degeneration Street” released in 2011.

March 9, 2012

"And all the stars in the sky
and all the flowers in the fields
and all the flowers in the earth
Could never take you from my heart."

 

The first time I heard The Drums I was utterly joyed by simple, straightforward surfer rock. But as some time passed I soon got tired of their music. It is not bad at all; it is just uninteresting music and songs that sounds the same all the time. But in small doses, well that still works for me.

Tonight The Drums plays live in Stockholm. To be honest… I couldn´t care less.

The Drums – Forever and ever, Amen is found on the record “The Drums” released in 2010

March 8, 2012

"Your heart is colder than the winter of 81."

Let us make a trip to Norway today, a country that most people in my experience do not associate with music. But maybe it is time to open up your eyes for Norwegian music; there are a number gold nugget there if you just dig a little deeper into the music business.

Philco Fiction – Finally is found on the record “Take it personal” released in 2011.

March 7, 2012

“You never are just what you seem
To fight my sleep I must know I dream

I had a bad dream.”

Music can be so many things, happy and jolly, dark and gloomy, catchy and inspiring. But music can also be scary, even horrifying.

This is a song about the worst nightmare you would ever imagine. Be afraid, be very afraid.

Magik Markers – Bad dream/Hartford´s beat suite is found on the record “Boss” released in 2007.

March 6, 2012

"Things are getting strange, I´m starting to worry
This could be a case for Mulder and Scully."

Do you remember the TV-series “The X-files”? If so you should not have any problem to identify the main characters in this song. Otherwise you will have to perform a little detective work…

And by the way. A number of strange things happened to me the last weekend. I will tell you all about it one of these days...

Catatonia – Mulder and Scully is found on the record “International velvet” released in 1998.

March 5, 2012

"I know your name
I know the people out there feel the same
I know you're gone
I hope you've got some friends to come along."

And now something that kicks off the new week.  A rocking song that contains one of my favourite guitar solos of all times. But be aware, behind the massive guitars hides some sad yet thoughtful lyrics about the struggle and wish to find “the right one”.

Dinosaur Jr  – Out there is found on the record “Where you been” released in 1993.

March 4, 2012

"I hear we had a good time. I hear I was a right laugh.
I really loved you a lot last night. I could've hugged you to death last night."

I spent last night together with a bunch of friends. And I’ll admit I did have a few beers, but not too many, ending up in the perfect “buzzed” state.

Just like in this song. I would have liked me a lot last night…

Arab Strap – I would have liked me a lot last night is found on the record “Philophobia” released in 1998.

March 3, 2012

“Oh, oh-oh I got a love that keeps me waiting
I'm a lonely boy.”

A couple of weeks ago it was revealed that The Black Keys will be playing live at the Way Out West festival this summer. Yet another reason to head to Gothenburg in the beginning of August.


The Black Keys – Lonely boy is found on the record “El Camino” released in 2011.

March 2, 2012

"But it don´t make no difference
´cos I ain´t gonna be, easy, easy
the only time I´m gonna be easy´s when I´m
Killed by death."

Some days are bad. Some days are shitty.

Some days require a “pick-me-up-song”. Some days require Motorhead.

Motorhead – Killed by death is found on the record “No remorse” released in 1984.

March 1, 2012

"Looking like a train wreck
Wearing too much makeup
The burden that you carry
Is more than one soul could ever bear."

Maybe I should save this one for a rainy day. On the other hand, tonight live in Stockholm The Jayhawks.

The Jayhawks – Save it for a rainy day is found on the record “Rainy day music” released in 2003.