Sigur Rós – Samskeyti
Sigur Rós are Icelandic chill out heroes. As usual, I was striving for something soothing for Sunday night and this did the trick. It is taken from their splendid, if esoterically named () album.
London has been somewhat arctic over the past week and especially the last 24 hours. I walked home last night through the first big snow storm of the winter. Somehow, not having to get up and brave it on my way to work the next morning made it a lot more tolerable.
RjK
Youth Lagoon – Posters
I have had quite a cultural week, which is more of a rarity for me than I would like. I went to a fabulous exhibit in the Royal Academy yesterday. It was a collection of work by David Hockney and it took my breath away in it’s scale and boldness. A good friend once told me that he felt that doing things which stimulate you intellectually is good for your soul. I couldn’t have agreed with him more last night.
Youth Lagoon are favourites I discovered last year. They make music that sounds languid and somewhat washed out but very enjoyable. Also, the cover of their album (featured as the background for this video) is pretty dope.
RjK
Paula Cole* – Where have all the cowboys gone? (GPF)
Where is my lonely ranger? Where have all the cowboys gone?…
RjK
I first came across this guy, who hails from Zimbabwe via Caribou, the mathematician, musician and man of many aliases. He has a side-project called Daphni and he sampled this song on one of those tracks. It has a fresh sound and an insistent air which makes it very compelling.
RjK
*Artist #380
Van Morrison – Rave on John Donne/Rave on part two (live at the Grand Opera House, Belfast)
I could write extensively about Van Morrison and the impact his music has had upon my taste in music and life, but I will try to spare you the tedium. Long story short, I am something of a fan.
The reason for posting this is that my father is fortunate enough to be going to see Van the man play in Belfast on Friday night. I am fairly jealous.
Van is a remarkable live artist, possessing a rare ability to lead a band. Typically I find myself to be underwhelmed by live albums, feeling unsatisfying when comparing them to studio versions. This is why it is so strange that Van has made 3 live albums that beguile me (It’s too late to stop now, Live at the Grand Opera House Belfast and A night in San Francisco). I can only think of a couple of other live albums that I would even bother to give another listen yet I return to these three over and over. And over.
This is taken from Live at the Grand Opera House, Belfast, an LP that takes pride of place in my record collection. It is the best bits of several shows recorded in 1983. This particular song has taken on an almost mythical status in my life. I love the dreamy, meandering opening and then how the song suddenly shifts gears with the intorduction of saxophone (I am a sucker for some horns). From there it builds and builds to a crescendo with Morrison crying, exhorting with a tangible sense of urgency. All the while his band backs him immaculately giving the song a texture that I find irresistible.
Is it real? What you sang about in your song. I said come back baby. Can we talk it over one more time? Tonight…
RjK
This is taken from Kanye’s third album, Graduation. It has a very catchy hook but the main reason for me posting it is that it contains what might be my favourite hip hop lyric:
I’m like the fly Malcolm X, buy any jeans necessary…
Which is high praise considering how rich a genre it is for vibrant language. It works on several levels. Also, an enjoyable video here.
RjK
Cherokee* – Take care of you
Just back from a cultural evening hearing Alain de Botton speak about his new book Religion for atheists. The talk was stimulating without being over intelluectualised, a very unusual (for me anyway) and enjoyable Monday night.
Cherokee soothed me through the usual jarring beginning to the week that is Monday morning. It has been said that there is a lack of chilled out electronica featured in the blog. That is mostly because I find a lot of it to be a little bland for my taste. But there is the rare occasion (like the song highlighted by my father) that moves me. It is usually a case of the right song at the correct time. Monday morning is usually that time, and this is no exception.
RjK
*Artist #379
My Bloody Valentine* – Lose my breath (Matt Graham guest post)
My Bloody Valentine are well known for their brilliant yet divisive second album Loveless and the fact that the live performances of that album were so loud it was painful.
The first album that they made, Isn’t Anything, is less well known but well worth a listen. The track that I listen to most off that album is called Lose My Breath. I first became aware of this track through the Destiny’s Child cover, and I’ve been thankful to Beyonce et al ever since.
The contrast between the ominous guitar and drone at the beginning of the track and the soft female vocal is quite intriguing and the chorus (just the word oooo), is simply beautiful.
MG
Brooks and Jerry* – I got what it takes
This is a perfect, upbeat northern soul stomper. It is impish and infectious, and puts a smile on my face every time I hear it. What more could you ask from a song on a Saturday night?
RjK
*Artist #377
Janet Jackson* – All for you (GPF)
*Artist #376