These guys have been around for a couple of years now but this, the first song by them I heard, is still my favourite. The stylish, monochrome video suits the song which is cool and retro.
/RjK
Monthly Archives: April 2011
29th April
Madonna – Holiday
London was gripped by royal wedding fever today. I wasn’t too enthusiastic about it. However, I ended up at street party in Kennington and despite my cynicism it was really fun – like a raucous outdoor wedding reception. They played this, along with some other classic cheesy tunes. It’s a favourite party anthem of mine.
Oh 80’s Madonna – where did it all go wrong?
28th April
Jamiroquai – Space Cowboy
See yesterday’s post. I thought I would complete the trip down memory lane.
27th April
REM – Nightswimming
I could comfortably posted another track from Rhythm of the saints (see yesterday) today. But I resolved at the start of the year not to post 2 tracks by the same artist until I had exhausted every one I liked. So my neurosis got the better of me as there are some many great bands still on my list.
Reading the interview with Michael Stipe a couple of weeks ago reminded me of REM. They are an amazing band. Their sheer production is staggering, with their latest album being number 15! Nightswimming was my favourite song on the first album I ever bought – Automatic for the people. I bought on cassette along with Return of the space cowboy by Jamiroquai. It is the first song I can remember really loving and playing it over and over on my walkman.
Paul Simon – Spirit Voices
I revisited Rhythm of the saints over the weekend and have been unable to stop listening to it subsequently. I was remiss to neglect it and Graceland when considering my favourite back to back albums recently.
What was odd was that I was able to recite the songs word for word despite the fact I can’t ever remember consciously listening to the album. It must have been a big hit with my dad and while I can’t remember when or where I listened to it (repeatedly, it would seem) I clearly heard it. Is it strange that some of my most vivid memories from my early childhood are musical?
I really struggled to settle on one song (in the end this just shaded it over Born at the right time). It is soft and dreamlike – full of rich images and eclectic sounds from around the globe.
And all of these spirit voices
Sing rainwater, sea water
River water, holy water
Wrap this child in mercy – heal her
Heaven’s only daughter
Aside
Massive Attack – Unfinished Sympathy
Wow. I heard this for the first time in a long time over the weekend and it still made the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end. How can it be more than 20 years old? Also, how did only make number 13 in the charts (back then they even meant something)?
Additionally, I really like this video. The way she is just keeps walking along through the hustle and bustle compliments the otherworldliness of the song. Plus I am a real sucker for scenes from urban America.
Aside
The Police – So Lonely
This is another classic 80’s video (Hello Sting’s glasses and mullet, along with all the other style around him, not to mention – what are those things they are talking into?) But more than that I really like the song.
Sting has become something of a pretentious caricature recently but revisiting the police I can’t argue with the fact that they made some great tunes.
23rd April
Ash – Kung Fu
I heard a live recording of this played on 6music this week and nostalgia washed over me. 1977 was a massive album in my early days of secondary school. Northern Irish lads riding the britpop wave and making great music, it was all quite exciting. On reflection Two Door Cinema Club remind me a little of them.
I don’t know if they have done anything as good since (although Free All Angels wasn’t bad) but listening to this track, or Goldfinger or Oh Yeah returns me to a simpler time.
Aside
Errol Dunkley – You’re gonna need me
This has an old fashioned simplicity which I really like. Also, I thought it was about time I posted some reggae.
Aside
Sam and Dave – Soul man
I’m a soul man. Or so I would certainly like to think.
I think the test of a great song, certainly a great soul tune, is that it makes you want to move. Well, this makes me want to MOVE. I can’t see how it wouldn’t. Those horns and that base. Yikes!
I was brought up on a side street. I learned how to love before I could eat…I’m a soul man