September 30, 2013

"I've walked these streets
in the mad house asylum
they can be
where a wild eyed misfit prophet
on a traffic island stopped
and he raved of saving me."

I have not heard this one in years, and for some kind of strange reason it feels like an end-of-September song. Just do not ask me why.

Natalie Merchant – Carnival is found on the record “Tigerlily” released in 1995.

September 29, 2013

"You count your friends on your hands
Now look again, they're not your friends
Hold your breath, everyone left
No surprise, you're living a lie."

For the third time in a rather short period of time I am struggling with the question of heading to a concert or not. MGMT is a band that I listen to on and off, a band that sure has released a bunch of great songs.

Talking against this is a ridiculously priced entrance fee and the fact that I have heard that MGMT is a rather bad live act. Ah… the decisions one has to make in life…

MGMT – Your life is a lie is found on the record “MGMT” released in 2013.

September 28, 2013

"I swear to god
I heard the earth inhale
Moments before
It spat its rain down on me
I swear to god
In this light and on this evening
London's become
The most beautiful thing I've seen."

I am not even close to understand the lyrics of this song I will not even try since I expect it will end in task impossible to solve.

What is important though is that I will catch Editors live for the first time tonight. And if they include this track in the setlist tonight I would be grateful. I may not understand the lyrics but I do understand that this is an awesome track.

Editors – In this light and on this evening is found on the record “In this light and on this evening” released in 2009.

September 27, 2013

"Feel you as the state of mine…"

Following years of silence, nearly fifteen of them, Sebadoh is back with new material. Indeed an unexpected but pleasant surprise.

Sebadoh – State of mine is found on the record “Defend yourself” released in 2013.

September 26, 2013

"You do what you do
You say what you say
You try to be everything to everyone
You know all the right people
You play all the right games
You always try to be
Everything to everyone."

Someone spoke about Santa Monica yesterday which made me think of the song of the same name made by Everclear. It is a great song but in my humble opinion this is the best one Everclear has released so far.

Everclear – Everything to everyone is found on the record “So much for the afterglow” released in 1997.

September 25, 2013

"What do you want from me
you push me away
and now you're pulling me back
yeah you threw us away
and now you're calling me back.”

So it has happened again. I hear a song on the radio that I have not heard before. The song immediately finds its way into my mind and sticks there. It is of course a bittersweet, nostalgic tune about broken hearts and love no more.

I am not even surprised…

Scout Niblett - Second chance dream is found on the record "It's up to Emma" released in 2013.

September 24, 2013

"Every time she's near me
She gives me any reason to be alive
Try to get right
Yeah, she looks right through me
She says you're not cool
You're just like me
You're a stupid man."

Again I am facing the question “Should I stay or should I go?” I have never seen Lloyd Cole live before but I have heard so many good things about his live appearances. On the other hand it is pretty steep entrance fee and I do not get paid until tomorrow…

Lloyd Cole – She’s a girl and I’m man is found on the record “Don’t get weird on me babe” released in 1991.

September 23, 2013

"If you're looking for a way out
I won't stand in your way
If you're looking for a way out
Don't stop at the tears that I'm crying
They'll only make you wanna stay
Don't kiss me again cos I'm trying
To keep you from running away."

I have a few friends that adore Tindersticks. I have never been a huge fan despite the fact that they make music that should be exactly my cup of tea when writing lyrics about broken hearts and love no more.

Maybe I will have to give them one more chance, the latest single from Tindersticks is pure gold.

Tindersticks - If you're looking for a way out is found on the forthcoming record "Across six leap years" scheduled to be released in 2013.

September 22, 2013

"Shout
Shout
Let it all out
These are the things I can do without
Come on
I'm talking to you
Come on."

But how about a band or an artist that origins from Bath, UK? Well after some digging and searching on the internet I did find a few alternatives. My choice ended up being this band; after all I listened to this song thousands of times the months following its release date.

Tears For Fears – Shout is found in the record “Songs from the big chair” released in 1985.

September 21, 2013

"When you send me a pulse
Feel a wave of new love
Through me
I'm dressed in white noise
You know just what I want
So please."

I am fulfilling a long-time dream today when I spoil myself with trip to Bath which of course will include a couple of hours in thermal spa, a visit to one of the restaurants the town has to offer and of course a real ale or two. This is really a trip I have intended to do for such a long time, sometimes dreams do happen.

Music from Bath then…? That turned out to be a tricky question but I did at least find out that this record was recorded in Bath. Always something!

Goldfrapp – Strict machine is found on the record “Black cherry” released in 2003.

September 20, 2013

"Smoke
Lingers 'round your fingers
Train
Heave on - to Euston
Do you think you've made
The right decision this time?
Oh..."

For the fourth time this year I am heading to the UK. For the third time this year I am heading to London.

It is something about London that I will always love. On the other there is something about London that I will always hate.

But in the end love is stronger than hate...

The Smiths - London is found on the record "The world won't listen" released in 1987

September 19, 2013

”You'd better just come down
What will make you feel better
What will make you feel glad
Did you decide that all by yourself
There's no time for moderation.”

I was very tired this morning and lying in a bed that was as nice and cozy as ever did not help. "Sleeper" would have easily defined me.

Sleeper - She's a good girl is found on the record "Pleased to meet you" released in 1997.

September 18, 2013

 

”And maybe we are sinners
But love, it ain't no crime
I'll get you through the checkpoints
I'll drive us through the night.”

Someone dear to me introduced me to this song a few days ago. I guess she is getting to know be pretty well by now, of course I couldn’t resist this beautiful little tune.

Say Lou Lou – Julian is found on the single “Julian” released in 2013.

September 17, 2013

 

“Wynona's got herself a big brown beaver and she shows it off to all her friends.
One day, you know, that beaver tried to leave her, so she caged him up with cyclone fence.
Along came Lou with the old baboon and said "I recognize that smell, Smells like seven layers, that beaver eatin' Taco Bell!".”

 

Primus is a band that I have been fascinated by over the years. There are moments, like in this song, when they are close to perfection when it comes to the musical experience.

There are other times when I just simply do not understand their music at all, times when I find myself looking for the “Off” button sooner rather than later.

Primus – Wynona’s big brown beaver is found on the record “Tales from the punchbowl” released in 1995.

September 16, 2013

 

“But it was not your fault but mine
And it was your heart on the line
I really fucked it up this time
Didn't I, my dear?
Didn't I, my...”

From Laura Marling to her ex-boyfriend Marcus Mumford and his “sons”.

The first time I heard this song it had the same effect on me as when I am watching some impressive fireworks. As much as you like what you are watching you end wanting more and more and more.

I got that exact feeling when I heard this song; I wanted more and more and more.

Mumford & Sons – Little lion man is found on the record “Sigh no more” released in 2009.

September 15, 2013

 

”See the thing is we are so alone
There's nothing we can share
You can get me on the telephone but you won't keep me there
No, no, no, you won't keep me there.”

Every now and then I end up struggling with myself whether I should head to a concert or not. Tonight I am facing that decision again. There are certain songs recorded by Laura Marling that I like but listening to her a longer time is also a bit boring. Not that much differ comparing song for song.

Maybe I should go after all. Maybe not.

Laura Marling – Master hunter is found on the record “Once I was an eagle” released in 2013.

September 14, 2013

 

”And she would throw
A feather boa in the road
If she thought
That it would set the scene
Unfittingly dipped
Into your companions
Enlighten them to make you see.”

And speaking about The Last Shadow Puppets there is no way that I continue without highlighting this song, the one song that made me discover the band.

The Last Shadow Puppets – The age of understatement is found on the record “The age of understatement” released in 2008.

September 13, 2013

 

”Don't build me up, make up your mind
Then keep the faith, I'll keep the faith
I like your style, you make me smile.”

When I first heard this song I recognized the singer and his voice but I could not recall where and when I had heard him before.

Thanks to internet the answer is around the corner. Miles Kane turned out to be the singer of the band
The Last Shadow Puppets, a band that I have listened to numerous times.

Without the band, on his own, Miles Kane continue to deliver material that I enjoy a lot.

Miles Kane – Don’t forget who you are is found on the record “Don’t forget who you are” released in 2013.

September 12, 2013

 

“I hurt myself today
To see if I still feel
I focus on the pain
The only thing that's real.”

And when speaking about Nine Inch Nails songs that I do like it is hard to avoid this song made even better in this cover version. Moreover, today it is exactly ten years since “the man in black” passed away.

That hurts…

Johnny Cash – Hurt is found on the record “American IV: The man comes around” released in 2002. The original version was recorded by Nine Inch Nails 1994.

September 11, 2013

"I don't believe it
I had to see it
I came back haunted
I came back haunted.”

Given the fact that I listened almost only to synthesizer and gothic music for about ten years some may think it is strange that I have never been a huge fan of Nine Inch Nails. It is something that is hard to explain for me too, Nine Inch Nails is one of those bands that I was “supposed” to like during that era.

Still to this day I hardly ever listen to Nine Inch Nails but there are certain songs that I must admit that I like. This is one example.

 

Nine Inch Nails - Came back haunted is found on the record "Hesitation marks" released in 2013.

September 10, 2013

“Video killed the radio star.
Video killed the radio star.
In my mind and in my car, we can't rewind we've gone to far.
Pictures came and broke your heart
Put down the blame on VCR!!!”

And speaking of MTV, I guess you know which the first song played at MTV was?

Yes you are of course right, it is this one.

The Buggles - Video killed the radio star is found on the record "The act of plastic" released in 1980.

September 9, 2013

" I want to be your sledgehammer
Why don't you call my name
Oh let me be your sledgehammer
This will be my testimony
Show me round your fruit cakes
'Cause I will be your honey bee
Open up your fruit cakes
Where the fruit is as sweet as can be"

During a game of Trivial Pursuit Saturday evening a rather interest question showed up. The question was simply, which is the most played video in the history of MTV?

I asked the question but at the same time I started to think about the answer myself. Michael Jackson, Madonna and Nirvana were among the artists/groups I though was the correct answer.

I was wrong however, to my huge surprise this was the number 1 song.

Peter Gabriel – Sledgehammer is found on the record “So” released in 1986.

September 8, 2013

“From a late night train
The little towns go rolling by
And people in the station
Going home
It's over now
I know it's over
But I love you so.”

It is time to return to my favorite subjects when it comes to lyrics, namely broken hearts and love no more. It is also time to return to one of my other favorite themes when listening to music, namely the quest of finding the saddest song ever.

This is a song that fulfills everything I can ask for in both categories. Breath-taking!

The Blue Nile - From a late night train is found on the record "Hats" released in 1989.

September 7, 2013

“What was I thinking?
Step out of your trailer
And into this dark!
It's warm and it's breathing,
And it's our season.”

It has come to my attention that Okkervil River has released a new single and a new record. This must of course be highlighted in this blog.

Okkevil River - It was my season is found on the record "The silver gymnasium" released in 2013.

September 6, 2013

“Do you want to ride
See yourself going by
Other side of the sky
Well I got a silver machine.”

It is a beautiful Friday afternoon, the only thing missing is some rock’n’roll music!

Hawkwind – Silver machine is found on the single “Silver machine” released in 1972.