Tag Archive for 2000’s

15th November

D’Angelo – Untitled (how does if feel)

I am aware this is somewhat cheesy (please forgive the rather naff album cover, the music video is even worse). Somehow I really like it though, it is smooth and mellow and the vocal, while at times bordering on the self-indulgent, is pretty great. It hit the spot and soothed me today when I needed something to help me return to an even keel.

I came across D’Angelo while trying to work out if there was any music that had been made since Disco was invented that was worthy of the name soul. I found that, in general, the answer was a resounding no (where did it all go wrong?) but I just about made an exception for this.

I would love to hear other suggestions of some fresh, modern soul? I am always happy to be proved wrong when good music is involved.

RjK

11th November

Paul Weller – Headstart for happiness (live)

After posting The Jam and The Style Council, I thought I would post some of Paul Weller’s solo work to complete the trilogy. I would say I am in a minority of his fans that really likes all three (most people could forget The Style Council). For me, he can do no wrong.

This is taken from a live, acoustic album called Days of speed which I love. There are several other tracks from his solo career that are equally great but the simplicity and energy here makes this the song for me.

RjK

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My Morning Jacket – Wordless Chorus

I wanted a change of pace from the past few days and on my walk home tonight this popped onto my MP3 player. I was reminded of what a great song it is. Uplifting, with a great riff and strong vocals and a slightly off-kilter sound. Perfect.

RjK

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Finley Quaye – Your love gets sweeter

This is such a simple, charming song. Perfect for a grey Sunday evening. It is taken from Maverick a strike, which was a favourite from my schooldays.

RjK

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Common featuring Joy Denalane – Go!

This is taken from one of my favourite hip hop albums of recent years, Common’s Be. This is a remix of the most prominent single off the album and features the German singer Joy Denalane. The song is smooth and funky.

Common is rapper who has made a lot of music I like. He tends to have something clever and interesting to say (even if that isn’t all that obvious here) on records which are full of great beats.

RjK

29th October

Low – Silver Rider

I spent a very enjoyable evening in my brother’s company last night at RMA Sandurst. As such, I wanted to post a song containing a clever pun. Alas I had already posted Elvis Costello, The Jam and Bjork ruling out Oliver’s Army, The Eton Rifles and Army of me and I couldn’t come up with anything else. Feel free to help me out.

I will have to make do with this in stead. I have been very much enjoying it all week after stumbling across it whilst surfing on youtube. I knew nothing about the band, but I love the track – slow-burning and quiet yet compelling.

Nobody dreamed you’d save the world…

RjK

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Dr.Dre/Grease – You’re the one that I want in the next episode

Rory’s comment (thanks for that) yesterday inspired me to remember this. Typically, I find myself underwhelmed by mash ups. They tend to take two songs I like and turn it into one that I don’t. But once in a while a DJ strikes gold. This is probably my favourite example of that phenomenon. It is clever and funky, and the two songs actually fit together remarkably well.

RjK

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Amerie – One thing

This perhaps isn’t typical of the blog and indeed my usual taste. It is however, a stomping dancefloor classic with a typically insane (and as such pretty pleasing) video to match here.

It is probably more of a weekend tune, but the reason I am posting it today is that I came across this fascinating cover version of it by Peter and Kerry, who featured on the blog earlier in the year. It is great how two versions of a song can be so starkly different yet satisfying at the same time. One technicolour and relentless, the other reflective and subtle. I am sure you can tell which is which!

RjK

5th October

Grouper – Heavy water / I’d rather be sleeping (Matty Graham guest post)

My name is Matt and I know Rob from my extremely productive and relatively short time working for Tesco. Since then we have regularly shared our taste in music, with our recommendations usually falling on deaf ears, with an occasional exception.

This song is one of those rare exceptions and is by a woman called Liz Harris, who releases music under the name Grouper. It comes from one of my favourite albums, with the cheery name Dragging a Dead Deer Up a Hill which, according to Wikipedia, was described as “devastatingly beautiful” by one enthusiastic reviewer. I don’t know if I concur with that assessment but this track is quiet and simple and one of the most soothing I know.

I was initially sceptical when Rob told me that listening to one track over and over again is a valid way to spend my time, but since discovering this I’ve come round to his way of thinking.

Finally, one of comments on the youtube video leads me to believe that it has been played on a Skins, and to save face I must add that that wasn’t where I heard it first. Unless Skins is cool, in which case I did hear it there.

The Decemberists – Calamity Song (Sam Dawson guest post)


I picked up The album The King Is Dead from a friend before I left to travel in Southern Africa for three months. On arriving I found myself stranded in Cape Town watching thousands of pounds leak away in oil through a cracked gasket on my 4×4. This song is a tale of disaster, making the best of it and remembering to have a sense of humour even during the dark days. It’s upbeat and uplifting; lyrically it’s clever; and the refrain sticks to the inside of your head. I spent two weeks running past manicured lawns in Constantia with this tune in my ears and will forever associate it with the feeling of impending doom and the challenge of relaxing in the arms of the angels.

/SD