I thought I would get caught up with a couple of tracks that came on my iPod while in transit over the past couple of days that I hadn’t thought about for a while.
Lucky Soul are from London but I first heard them while drunkenly riding in the back of a taxi around Chicago. It’s strange how global music has become. They make great pop tunes, that have a great retro sounds. Apologies for the video here, I couldn’t track down anything better.
/RjK
Radiohead – There There
I was listening to a radio show over the weekend as I endeavoured to catch up on the research I had missed over the last few weeks while moving from London to Dublin. The DJ (Lamin Fofana on WFMU) was talking about Hail to the thief, the album this is taken from. This caused me to give it a listen and I quite enjoyed it, although I don’t ever think I will be a Radiohead devotee. This was the stand out track in my eyes.
I hope you all had a good weekend.
RjK
This brings me back! I know I posted Blur only a few weeks ago but I went to see the Damien Hirst retrospective in the Tate Modern today and I was reminded that he directed this video. Both the video and song are lively and fun, typical of both Blur and Hirst’s impish work.
The retrospective was engaging if lacking the subtlety of some of the other exhibitions I have been to recently (Lucien Freud etc.). Lots of visually arresting pieces, but perhaps a little light on substance. I had to admire the guy’s talent for business though, he was selling prints (limited edition of only 50) in the gift shop for £20k a piece!
RjK
Radiohead* – Lotus Flower
Radiohead are a band I feel like I should be into more than I am. I have just never really been able to get it. Maybe they are a bit too bleak for me. The fact that they are the 437th artist I have posted on here probably says it all.
I do like this though and their downbeat, mellow sound is probaby right for this morning. I have felt better! The Spanish beer went down easily last night. It is taken from their latest record, The King of Limbs.
Barcelona has been very fun. I got to see Lionel Messi score four goals in Pep Guardiola´s final home game. The Nou Camp is very impressive. And I am in one piece so far which is a bonus!
RjK
*Artist #437
Catatonia* – Road Rage
It’s been a while since I have felt so utterly beat on a Friday night, it has been a long week. It is however nice to be back home in my parent’s house. I am back in Ireland for the weekend to attend the European Cup semi final tomorrow. Hopefully Ulster can do it and make the final. It will be my first trip to the Aviva stadium and I am pretty excited. It strangely feels a little like Christmas Eve!
This is a real blast from the past, a big hit from my school days. Catatonia, whose other big hit was a classic 90’s reference – Mulder and Scully. Remember the X-files? Now that takes me back.
This is taken from the time when Welsh bands ruled the world with these guys, Stereophonics, Manic Street Preachers and Super Furry Animals in the vanguard.
Cerys Matthews, the impish lead singer now presents an eclectic Sunday morning show on 6music. How does anyone else feel about singers with strong accents? I think I kind of like the rolled R’s here.
Cause you and I know it’s all over the front page. You give me road rage racing through the best days…
RjK
*Artist #430
Today has been Damon Albarn day on 6music. My ears have been full of Blur and madcap collaborations. I have to give it up for DA, that guy’s got some skills.
This is a favourite from The Great Escape, which was released at the pinnacle of the Blur vs Oasis Britpop hysteria. Heady days. It is only since I began to work that I have become familiar with the phenomenon of the charmless man, much to my disappointment. It is certainly a realisation I could have lived without!
I met him in a crowded room, where people go to drink away their gloom. He sat me down and so began the story of a charmless man…
/RjK
Field Music* – A new town
Sunderland band Field Music aren’t one I know much about. I heard them recently and really enjoyed this. It is nice and relaxed and has a killer bass. It reminds me a little of My Morning Jacket, which is a very good thing.
RjK
*Artist #394
Shoegaze is a sub genre of rock from the early 90’s, in which vocals play second fiddle to melodies which were made on heavily distorted or effected guitars. The name partially comes from the fact that when performed live the guitarists in the bands spent all their time looking at the floor so that they could mess around with the different effects that they were using. The music produced by shoegaze bands was seen as being self-indulgent by many, which to be fair is understandable and it is not a style of music that everyone will like.
Another name used by some of its detractors was the scene which celebrates itself, as the bands who made up the scene were friendly with each other and would often go to each others gigs. I’m not too sure why that was seen as a bad thing, but I guess the music journalists at the time, wanted something else to write about besides the music, hence the relish with which the Oasis vs Blur saga was reported on.When grunge and britpop increased in popularity, these became the de facto styles that all rock bands had to play and so shoegaze music was quickly ignored.Two of the most famous bands which were of the shoe gaze genre are My Bloody Valentine, who I have guest posted before, and Ride whose album Nowhere, and the track Vapour Trail especially, is highly regarded.
Having mentioned both of those bands, the song that I have chosen is from the album Souvlaki by the band Slowdive, and the track is called Souvlaki Space Station, which I see as an archetypal shoegaze track, i.e. guitars with heavy effects and difficult to hear vocals which contribute to the melody rather than stand out from it.
/MG
*Artist #393
Doves – Snowden
This is a favourite from Manchester heroes Doves. It is taken from Some Cities, which I listened to endlessly while I was at university. I love the sound – expansive and soaring.
I had the good fortune to see these guys live a few times and have never been disappointed. If you get the chance I would highly recommend it. The put on a great show both visually and sonically.
RjK
Richard Ashcroft* – Music is power
I just spent a very enjoyable and contrasting evening. It started with a cocktail in the very swanky Savoy Hotel with my sister, who was in town celebrating her birthday. I finished it with a very convivial evening in the slightly gritty surrounds of Brixton, having an excellent dinner at French and Grace in the ever enjoyable Brixton Village.
I heard this playing in a bar this week and was reminded how good it is. Richard Ashcroft is a beast! I will have to get round to posting some of The Verve before long.
RjK
*Artist #371