April 30, 2012

"Dig through the ditches,
And burn through the witches
I slam in the back of my
Dragula."

While bonfires and fireworks light up the sky of Sweden tonight I choose to listen to another artist that was born in Massachusetts.

Though I believe it is fair to say that the music made Rob Zombie is something that lights up the world in the very same way as bonfires and fireworks.

Rob Zombie – Dragula is found on the record "Hellbilly deluxe" released in 1998.

April 29, 2012

"I'm not a coward,
I've just never been tested
I'd like to think that if I was,
I would pass
Look at the tested and think there but for the grace go I
Might be a coward,
I'm afraid of what I might find out."

Keep it coming, the music that origins in Boston/Massachusetts.

The Mighty Mighty Bosstones "The impression that I get" is found on the record "Let's face it" released in 1997.

April 28, 2012

"Fabienne: Whose motorcycle is this?
Butch: It's a chopper, baby.
Fabienne: Whose chopper is this?
Butch: It's Zed's.
Fabienne: Who's Zed?
Butch: Zed's dead, baby. Zed's dead."

This is a song that you may know from the "Pulp Fiction" movie/soundtrack. What you may not know is that Dick Dale was born and raised in Boston.

Dick Dale – Miserlou is found on the record "Pulp Fiction" movie soundtrack released in 1994. The quote above is taken from the movie "Pulp Fiction" spoken by the characters "Fabienne" played by Maria de Medeiros and "Butch" played by Bruce Willis.

April 27, 2012

"So many people have come and gone
Their faces fade as the years go by
Yet I still recall as I wander on
As clear as the sun in the summer sky."

Off to Boston today, my first time in there. I bet it will be end up being an experience that is more than a feeling…

Boston – More than a feeling is found on the record "Boston" released in 1976.

April 26, 2012

"She said that it'll be much better now
and that she was sorry for what she'd done
and that I might want to stick around.
But as time passed on regrets would turn into the perfect little pet
for us to cuddle with and share through all our days."

A perfect band name for this time of the year. And it is a close to perfect song as well.

Last Days Of April - Playerin is found on the record "Ascend to the stars" released in 2002.

April 25, 2012

"Heart beat stops."

Trailer Trash Tracys is a band that has been there in my mind for quite some time. I have heard songs on the radio every now and then but I never dug deeper into their music, until last weekend that is.

From now on I have fully realised what a wonderful band Trailer Trash Tracys are. Another band that I need to add to the list of my favourites.

Trailer Trash Tracys – Candy girl is found on the record "Ester" released in 2012.

April 24, 2012

"Serpents in my mind, looking for your cries
Everything changes
I don't want life to this time."

Sharon Van Etten is another artist that I have discovered recently. She is great on her own but with the help of some friends, among them the Aaron and Bryce Dessner of The National, it gets even better. Listen to “Serpents” and you will know what I mean.

Sharon Van Etten – Serpents is found on the record “Tramp” released in 2012.

April 23, 2012

"Can't contain the nervousness that creeps into the loins of us. 

Our fate concieved of block by block and word for word we walk the talk, 

hapless, every single one of us, we favour this in the ways that we waver.

Lollipop, Lollipop."

Did I hear anyone ask for some upbeat carefree Monday music? Well you got it right here.

Hidden Cameras - Lollipop is found on the record "Awoo" released in 2006.

April 22, 2012

"Music go up and merry go round

living out here in a Freeman town."

Haight-Ashbury is one district in San Francisco, California. Freeman is a small town in Wisconsin. I have no idea if the two places have something in common besides (coincidently?) forming the data of this song.

Haight Ashbury – Freeman town is found on the record “Here in the golden rays” released in 2010.

April 21, 2012

"Don't be afraid to be weak
Don't be too proud to be strong
Just look into your heart my friend
That will be the return to yourself."

It is time to turn everything upside down. It is time to tell a story from the end to the beginning. And it may even be time to return to innocence.

Enigma – Return to innocence is found on the record “The cross of changes” released in 1993.

April 20, 2012

"Life keeps slipping away
fighting in a war with damnation
poised, keep cutting away
i'm looking in through to salvation."

I have a confession. I am a big fan of Beavis & Butt-Head. In one of the Beavis & Butt-Head episodes ("Tornado", season 3 episode 6) these two masterminds claim that this is the best video ever. Of course I have to agree with Beavis & Butt-Head.

And beyond watching a music video that has everything, listening to this song is a near perfect kick-off of the weekend.

Ministry – Just one fix is found on the record "Psalm 69" released in 1992.

April 19, 2012

"Everybody's talking how I, can't, can't be your love
But I want, want, want to be your love
Want to be your love, for real."

Tonight live in Stockholm, Rachel Yamagata. The last and only time I have seen her live before was at an extremely crowded venue. It seemed to me that about 100 people were in a room designed for 30 people. Despite feeling claustrophobic, it was a really good concert.

Tonight a much bigger venue, maybe even too big, my feeling is that I may feel a bit lonely.

Rachel Yamagata - Be be your love is found on the record "Happenstance" released in 2004.

April 18, 2012

"Take a step out into the daylight
I don't wanna fight for it all
Have to get it where we fall."

Amazing things still happen. Like a show with Blood Red Shoes where you do not have to pay an entrance fee. Of course I am there. Of course I would have been there even if I did have to pay an entrance fee.

Blood Red Shoes - Cold is found on the record "In time to voices" released in 2012.

April 17, 2012

"Kleines Schulmädchen
komm doch einmal her

komm doch einmal her

ich bin der Rektor

und ich will von dir

und ich will von dir

ein klein wenig Spaß

ein klein wenig Spaß."

Is this the dirtiest song ever? At the moment I cannot think of another winner of that list.

Die Doraus Und Die Marinas - Kleines stubenmädchen is released as a single in 1982.

April 16, 2012

"Sometimes I dream that I had aimed my life in different ways
But there was nothin' to show me a way to get me outta this place."

This may not be a track that you would like to play if your manager is nearby. Still it feels terrific to play it on a Monday.

Drive-By Truckers – This fucking job is found on the record “The big to-do” released in 2010.

April 15, 2012

"Maybe I didn't hold you
All those lonely, lonely times
And I guess I never told you
I'm so happy that you're mine
If I make you feel second best
Girl, I'm sorry I was blind

You were always on my mind
You were always on my mind."

If you are to cover another artist’s song you need to fulfil at least one out of two criteria. You need to release a better version or you need to release different version. Or, as in this case, you may of course fulfil both criteria.

This song contains such simple lyrics, yet brilliant such, actually one of my favourite lyrics of all times. This version is also nothing but brilliant, hiding an incredibly sad song behind upbeat music. Different and better than the original hence an awesome cover.

Pet Shop Boys – Always on mind is found on the record “Introspective” released in 1988. The original version was recorded by Brenda Lee in 1972.

April 14, 2012

"Jesus Christ girl
What are people gonna think
When I show up to one of several funerals
I've attended for grandpa this week
With you, with me."

Beware, because this one sneaks up on you. I was not too impressed when I first heard this tune but after listening to it a number of times I will have to admit that I have changed my mind.

The brain behind Father John Misty, J Tillman, has certainly made music that is a lot more interesting than what he did as one of the members of the band Fleet Foxes.

Father John Misty – Hollywood Forever Cemetery Sings is found on the record “Fear fun” released in 2012.

April 13, 2012

"Are teenage dreams so hard to beat
Everytime she walks down the street
Another girl in the neighbourhood
Wish she was mine, she looks so good

I wanna hold her wanna hold her tight
Get teenage kicks right through the night"

Listen to this song and you will be protected against the supposed Friday 13th bad luck. I promise.

The Undertones – Teenage kicks is found on the record “The Undertones” released in 1979.

April 12, 2012

""Baby," he says, "Now that you're older I feel our love has died.
Once upon a time you never criticised me.
Oh, I much preferred you as a child."

And I reply, "Everything you said to me was a lie.
I know your kind, you just want a daughter without a wife.
You don't need a girlfriend you need a life.""

Some call their music "shoegazing". Others call their music "Britpop".

No matter what you decide calling their music I think that you agree that this is really good tune. And that is what really matters in the end.

Lush – The childcatcher is found on the record “Lovelife” released in 1996 though this version is found on the compilation "All virgos are mad".

April 11, 2012

"Now the sun's gone to hell
And the moon's riding high
Let me bid you farewell
Every man has to die
But it's written in the starlight
And every line on your palm
We're fools to make war
On our brothers in arms."

Many years ago I watched an episode of Miami Vice on TV, if I remember correctly the episode is called "Lorraine". This episode is about a former police man who is obsessed with a criminal who disappeared without a trace about 20 years ago.

Towards the end of the episode, when it is revealed what happened to the disappeared criminal, this song is played.

Another of those moments when moving pictures and music works in perfect harmony.

Dire Straits – Brothers in arms is found on the record "Brothers in arms" released in 1985.

April 10, 2012

"First there's lights out, then there's lock up
Masterpieces serving maximum sentences
It's their own fault for being timeless
There's a price to pay, and a consequence
All the galleries and museums
They will stay there forever and a day."

Regina Spektor. What can I say about Regina Spektor? Some of her songs are wonderful, some are… not that wonderful.

Somehow this song personalise what I feel about the music Regina Spektor make; I like some parts of the song, I dislike other parts.

Regina Spektor – All the rowboats is found on the record “What we saw from the cheap seats” scheduled to be released in May 2012.

April 9, 2012

"I want you to move to California for yourself,
I want you to find whatever your heart needs,
I want you to move to California for yourself, but not for me."

I miss California. Each and every day I am not there...

Delta Spirit - California is found on the record "Delta spirit" released in 2012.

April 8, 2012

"I know a guy who's tough but sweet
He's so fine, he can't be beat
He's got everything that I desire
Sets the summer sun on fire."

Have you finished your Easter egg yet? Or can I tempt you with some more candy?

Bow Wow Wow – I want candy is found on the record “I want candy” released in 1982. The original version was recorded by The Strangeloves in 1965.

April 7, 2012

"You would never let me go

you would never take me back."

Tonight live in Stockholm, The Mary Onettes. It would be interesting to catch them live once again but I will be far away from Stockholm celebrating Easter together with family and friends.

After all a rather easy decision to make.

The Mary Onettes – Love's taking strange ways is found on the ep "Love forever" released in 2012.

April 6, 2012

"I saw the crescent
you saw the whole of the moon!"

Today is the Good Friday and there is a full moon night. It seems more likely to me that some black magic may happen tonight rather than yesterday…

The Waterboys – The whole of the moon is found on the record “This is the sea” released in 1985.

April 5, 2012

"Must be the season of the witch."

According to the legend this day marks the day when the witches (in Sweden) took a ride at their brooms to the island “Blåkulla” to celebrate their day and to perform tons and tons of black magic. In deed the season of the witch, beware.

Donovan – Season of the witch is found on the record “Sunshine superman” released in 1966.

April 4, 2012

"I get ground down to one dimension
Aerodynamically complete
My heart is smoothed down past perfection
No shadow left to follow me."

Parts & Labor is a band that has been around for quite some time, about ten years actually. Still it is not until now that I have discovered them, in order words I have a quite extensive back catalogue to dig into.

Parts & Labor – Fake names is found on the record “Constant future” released in 2011.

April 3, 2012

"Don't marry her, fuck me."

Back in 1995 I witnessed a show with Beautiful South at a festival in Sweden. The show itself was pretty good but the one Beautiful South memory that is stuck in my memory is the bands cricket game at a beach connected to the festival area when done playing live. That is not a sight you will see every day.

But it gets even better. The festival management interrupted the game only to confiscate the beer (it was Guinness) Beautiful South were drinking during the improvised game only to replace it with the beer brand (a light lager) sponsoring the festival. That is definitely not a sight you will see every day.

Beautiful South – Don’t marry her is found on the record “Blue is the colour” released in 1996.

April 2, 2012

"My life closed twice before its close;
It yet remains to see
If immortality unveil
A third event to me

So huge, so hopeless to conceive
As these that twice befell.
Parting is all we know of heaven,
And all we need of hell."

Today I am going back to the fact that music may mean so many things to me, everything from making me really happy to making me disappointed.

When I first got the news that Vincent Clarke (Depeche Mode, Yazoo, The Assembly and Erasure) and Martin L. Gore (Depeche Mode) were teaming up to make a record together I was convinced it was going to be a match made in heaven.

The end result is something different though boring and uninteresting techno. Such a disappointment.

VCMG – Single blip is found on the record “Ssss” released in 2012. The quote above is the poem "Parting" by Emily Dickinson

April 1, 2012

"Oh what a shame that your pockets did bleed on St. Valentine's
And you sat in a chair
Thinking "boy i'm such a prince!"
Well, life's a train that goes from February on
Day by day
But it's making a stop on April first."

April fool’s today. Was anyone able to delude you?

Rufus Wainwright – April fool’s is found on the record “Rufus Wainwright” released in 1998.