"Open your eyes
Despite what seems
Longevity
That's a righteous part of me."
There are moments when I have a hard time deciding whether I should visit a concert or not; I am undergoing such moment today. I grew up listening to synthesiser music and goth rock, I used to listen to that kind of music all of the time for about ten years.
Still… When I have my first chance to catch the goth band Fields Of Nephilim live tonight I am in doubt. It may be a beautiful moment down the old nostalgic memory lane but it may also end up being a brutal wake-up when realizing I am watching a band that should have stopped many years ago when their career peaked.
Fields Of The Nephilim – Moonchild is found on the record “The nephilim” released in 1988.
"And the ones that I make pay Are never the ones who deserve it And the ones who deserve it they'll never understand it Yes, I know I am going to hell in a purple basket At least I will be in another world, while you're pissing on my casket."
Well I just have to continue the path from Stroke via Strokes to Julian Casablancas don’t I? This is one of those songs that always put me in a really good mood.
Julian Casablancas – Out of the blue is found on the record “Phrazes for the young” released in 2009.
"Still, there is a time when moments can be sweet And it feels like someone's smiling down on me Sometimes it feels like I'm all alone Most of the time, actually, I am alone."
And speaking about Strokes, it was a surprise to me when I heard their brand new single on the radio the other day. Somewhere in my mind I had made the conclusion that Strokes called it the quits as a band a few years ago when the singer Julian Casablancas decided to release records under his own name.
To tell the truth I have never been a huge fan of Strokes. Despite this fact I am still glad I was wrong about the end of the Strokes, the new single is a proof as good as any that the band is in good shape.
Strokes – One way trigger is found on the record “Comedown machine” released in 2013.
"I wish I had a gun So I could get wasted Sometimes you win And sometimes you lose Sometimes there's nowhere left you can run to."
Stroke was a band that to my best knowledge just released one record. If, however, you find this record in your favourite record store I can unquestionably recommend buying it.
In so many ways it was too bad that Stroke kind of disappeared in the shadows of Strokes… Stroke – I wish I had is found on the record “First in, last out” released in 1999.
"Nobody knows what the future holds on Said it’s bad enough just getting old Live my life in self-defense You know I love the past, ’cause I hate suspense..."
I have seen oh so many concerts the last few years and something that is remarkable is that very few, if any, have been bad or disappointing experiences.
Most of them have been really good, some even extraordinary like an evening spent together with Vampire Weekend a few years ago, what a show it was.
I am really glad to find out that Vampire Weekend is about to release a new full length album, this probably means that world tour follows. I will be there when it happens.
Vampire Weekend – Diane Young is found on the forthcoming album “Modern vampires” scheduled to be released in 2013.
"Fate Up against your will Through the thick and thin He will wait until You give yourself to him."
The first time I ever heard (a version of this) song was when I discovered the cover version made by Nouvelle Vague. The song works pretty good in their sort of bossanova cover version but it was not until I heard the original version that I discovered the true greatness of the song. Echo & The Bunnymen – The killing moon is found on the record “Ocean rain” released in 1984.
"Stick with me, oh you're my best friend All of my life, you've always been."
Tonight, live on stage a new experience to me but a show I am really looking forward to. Something tells me that The Walkmen will end fairly high on 2013 concert of the year top list. The Walkmen – Heaven is found on the record “Heaven” released in 2012.
When listening and appreciating certain lyrics one characteristic that often occur in the lyrics I like is playing with words, words that may have different meanings depending on the circumstances.
One artist that often writes this kind of clever lyrics in Swedish is Lars Winnerbäck. This song is a great example especially right now when spring is on verge of full bloom.
Lars Winnerbäck – Varning för ras is found on the record ”Med solen i ögonen” released in 1998.
"If one is lucky, a solitary fantasy can totally transform one million realities."
Some songs are simply irresistible. In some ways I find this song rather trivial and meaningless but at the same time I really find the song irresistible.
It may have something to do that I myself feel so lucky right now…
Dana Bouy – So lucky is found on the record ”Summer bodies” released in 2012. The quote above is taken from the American author and poet Maya Angelou.
"In the silence of your room In the darkness of your dreams You must only think of me There can be no in between When your pride is on the floor I'll make you beg for more."
There are a number of examples of music videos I do not understand, the music and the video is not working together at all.
Then there are other examples when the music video itself may be really interesting in some way even though it may not work perfectly with the song.
There are of course a number of songs that I certainly enjoy listening to but the video is something that I cannot stand.
Then there are examples when the music video and the song is a perfect match. This is a very good example of the latter category. Indeed a perfect match. Shakespears Sister – Stay is found on the record ”Hormonally yours” released in 1992.
Besides Deptford Goth this is the other record that I have been spinning a number of times lately. The two records have a lot in common with their rather dark, sad and low-voiced melodies though Vacationer is the “rockier” of the two.
Simply my cup of tea!
Vacationer – Having it all is found on the record “Gone” released in 2013.
"Tonight make it magnificent Tonight Make me tonight Your hair is beautiful Oh tonight Atomic."
Sometimes you need something that starts the week with a blast, giving you tons of energy from the very first minute of the working week.
The answer may be strong coffee. The answer may be Blondie. The answer, as today, may be the combination of the two. Blondie – Atomic is found on the record ”Eat to the beat” released in 1979.
"You're one in seven But you're closer than me Been left wide open Shows we're nearer than before."
About seven-eight years ago when I one night was working as a DJ a guy walked up to the DJ booth and asked me to play this song for him and his fiancé. Their wedding were just weeks away and that evening during his bachelor party he all of sudden had a need to play this song for his pals participating in the bachelor party to make them understand true love.
Unfortunately I was not able to fulfil his request that evening simply because I was not aware of the band or the song. But I stole his request making this song “mine”, a song I listen to ever so often when questions and thoughts about true love are occupying my mind.
Works each and every time… Engineers – One in seven is found on the record “Engineers” released in 2005.
"I'm wasted, losing time I'm a foolish, fragile spine I want all that is not mine I want him but we're not right."
Tonight I am heading to yet another concert this time featuring Daughter live on stage. I have not heard the band up till now but based on the band description I read it seems that this is something I will immediately fall in love with.
One spectacular evening to look forward to is my assumption.
Daughter – Smother is found on the record “If you leave” released in 2013.
"Even when you know Hits you hard, Leaves slow, comes back fast When you can't take you don't swallow your pain Been around once It'll be around again."
When I first heard the band name ”Deptford Goth” my thought was ”come on, get real”. A band name that includes the word “Goth” in 2013 seemed silly, even ridiculous, to me.
Looking beyond the band name my point of view is that this is far from silly or ridiculous. This is indeed a most pleasant musical experience that has been the only thing I have listening to lately.
Highly recommended!
Deptford Goth – Feel real is found on the record ”Life after Defo” released in 2013.
"Første gang vi mødtes var til en af disse fester Hos en ven fra skolen og en helvedes masse gæster Du skinnede som en perle forgyldt med guld Drak en sjus her og der og du blev vist lidt fuld."
Have you ever heard of Danish rap music before?
If not, dig in to the material of the Danish pioneers Rockers By Choice for something refreshing that still is interesting some twenty-five years following the release. Rockers By Choice – Engel is found on the record “Opråb! Til det danske folk” released in 1989.
"One day she’ll hang on to your arms Chasing the night all the way ’til the dawn But it’s not tonight, no not tonight."
A couple of years ago I went to a Noah And The Whale concert without basically knowing anything at all about the band. Two hours later I was able to congratulate myself for making such a good call heading to the venue, Noah And The Whale offered a splendid show, one of those bands that seems to love being on stage playing live.
Today I got the news that Noah And The Whale are about to release a new record. I certainly do hope that this means that they soon will make a stop in a town near me too. Noah And The Whale – There will come a time is found on the record “Heart of nowhere” scheduled to be released in 2013.
"Blue jeans sitting on the beach, Her dog's talking to me, but she's out of reach."
Having a coffee break together with new colleagues does reveal some things that I may have expected of them. It also reveals some things that I may not have expected like hearing one of them describing a live performance with Genesis as the best thing he ever saw.
I am not able to judge myself since I have not seen Genesis live but somewhere in my head I kind of doubt that I would agree. On the other hand, the discussion reminded me of this great song and as great music video.
Maybe…
Genesis – I can’t dance is found on the record “We can't dance” released in 1991.
"Looking back at '91 Reflecting on those things we could have Said and done The dancing lights across a crowd Remind us of another town That's dead and gone It's just dead and gone."
There are many people that I have discussed music together with that have claimed that And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead is the best live act in the world. I wouldn’t know because until today I have not had the opportunity to judge myself…
What I already do know is that they most likely have the best group name ever, don’t you agree? If not… What is your favourite group name?
...And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead – The summer of '91 is found on the record “Worlds apart” released in 2005.
"You will not see me fall, nor see me struggle to stand To be acknowledged by some touch from his gnarled hands You see the cage, it called, I said ‘come on in’ I will not open myself up this way again."
What do you get if you combine the last two days, alternative country and a band that change the style of music they record every now and then? Well… there are many answers to that question, one may be Phosphorescent.
I first discovered Phosphorescent when they released the alternative country album “To Willie”. Since then a few more records have been released where the style of music have varied. The brand new one takes a "rockier” turn and why not, at least to me it is appealing.
Phosphorescent – Song for Zula is found on the record “Muchacho” released in 2013.
"Late in the night, been working every day to keep you satisfied It just ain't right to hear you say to me, you would let love slide."
Speaking about alternative country… this is a music style I discovered rather late but when I did I have been a huge fan. One artist that fits perfectly in this category of music is Emmylou Harris and the material that she has released lately for instance the phenomenal album “Hard bargain”.
This time Emmylou Harris has teamed up with Rodney Crowell and the end result is yet another damn good record. Give it a spin. Or two. Or many.
Emmylou Harris & Rodney Crowell – Hanging up my heart is found on the record ”Old yellow moon” released in 2013.
"I kind of bump around and I wonder What I'm feeling like and what I do I take a look around and I'm underwhelmed With my big bad self."
Some artists and groups seem to be able to take on any genre of music and get away with by releasing a decent or even great album. One of them is Supersuckers, a band that have changed the pace, direction and mood a number of times during their career.
When having to decide I will have to point out their “alternative country” style record as the best release. At least so far, who knows what plans Supersuckers may have for the future?
Supersuckers – Must've been high is found on the record “Must've been high” released in 1997.
"We are a vision of extraordinary contorsion An athletic form of home distortion And the trial it shows, we loose again The fleshy existance you keep to yourself, Insecure."
Good news #1. British Sea Power is back with new material.
Good news #2. British Sea Power have the good taste to follow-up their superb latest release “Valhalla dancehall” with another strong and catchy single that for sure fulfill my expectations.
British Sea Power – Machineries of joy is found on the record ”Machineries of joy” released in 2013.
"Here comes the future And who knows where it could lead Here comes the future And who knows where we're gonna be."
I am kicking off a new and in some ways a different career today. It is of course very exciting but also, to be honest, a bit scary. The main feeling though is that I feel really happy about this new opportunity.
The future starts now.
Cranes – Future song is found on the record “Future songs” released in 2001.
"So you drop all your defenses and you drop all your fears And you trust me completely I`m perfect In every way 'Cause I make you feel so strong and so powerful inside You feel so lucky But your ego obscures reality And you never bother to wonder why Things are going so well You want to know why? 'Cause I`m a liar Yeah I`m a liar."
April’s fools… Have you been a liar today?
Rollins Band – Liar is found on the record “Weight” released in 1994.
