I remember the first time I heard The college dropout. It was an exhilarating experience.
It is hard to imagine now that Kanye West is pretty much ubiquitous but back then he was an unknown entity. I wasn’t even sure how to pronounce his name!
The album has stood the test of time pretty well, but this is still the highlight for me, full of poise, indignance and wit.
/RjK
If I ever find myself at a jukebox this is the first song I look for. It is irrepressibly upbeat and fun. Exactly my idea of a party anthem.
The uber-kitsch video here, if anything, adds to the effect….
/RjK
Just a quick post on Strava, an app I have found myself using more and more often recently.
In 2015 I ran the San Francisco marathon which was the first time I had tried a race of the 26 miles variety. I had been carried along on a wave of active classmates and clement weather (as an Irishman this is still a rare treat even after 18 months in the Bay Area) to be bitten by the runners bug.
I somewhat foolhardily signed up to run the marathon and as I researched training schedules I was feeling rather daunted! Thankfully one of my running buddies recommended Strava as a way to keep track and stay disciplined. Initially I was a little skeptical but the more I used the App the more I wanted to use it.
It’s “Activity Feed” which allows me to see what my training partners were doing (helpful for #Motivation):
Strava Activity Feed #Motivation
The simple mechanism to record, save and upload my runs allowed them to see what I was doing was a great way to keep on track and share my progress (Yes – I eventually finished the Marathon!):
SF Marathon Strava Style
Feeling nervous on the starting line:
Running Across the Golden Gate Bridge:
Feeling a lot of relief at the finish line:
#Relief
For me this song IS the 80’s. The intro is spectacular.
Also, Paul Weller is something of a hero of mine. The man is relentless in making good music, all the while displaying impeccable style.
/RjK
This feels apt today as I got rather damp on my way home from work this evening.
These guys were on a “best of SXSW” compilation that I picked up whilst in Austin for the festival. I don’t know much about them apart from that they are from Seattle – I think it rains there too sometimes.
This guy was tipped as one the BBC’s “Sounds of 2011.” The list for 2010 was something of a treasure trove.
I certainly enjoyed this track, airy and hypnotic, it has fueled my commute so far this week.
BBC website: “Twenty first century kaleidoscopic funk”
/RjK
Taken from the impressively titled 4th dimensional rocketships going up album. Some equally impressive nostalgic imagery in the song.
/RjK
The supremes might be my favourite Motown band, which is pretty high praise. I struggled to decide between this and Where did our love go? but in the end this just edged it.
/RjK
I seem to have a weakness for Scandinavian pop which began with Bjork and hasn’t really stopped since. Relentlessly upbeat, perhaps my most hummed and whistled song of 2010.