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.