Tag Archive for Indie

Mazzy Star – Cry, Cry

Fade Into You, from Californian band Mazzy Star (which I posted earlier in the year), has been one of my most listened to tracks of 2013 so far.

This track is taken from Among My Swan which was released a couple of years later but also sounds great. A nice, mellow way to start to the week.

Mazzy Star:

Mazzy Star/RjK

Daughter* – Human

A nice mellow track from London band Daughter to ease us into the week. It’s certainly what I need after a fun and busy weekend.

It is taken from their recently released debut album If you leave.

Daughter:

Daughter/RjK

*Artist #692

Pulp – Common People

I am aware that a few of my recent posts have been a little obscure and/or esoteric. I guess I have just been bitten by the live music bug and this has in turn lead me to expand my musical horizons anew.

I haven’t, howvever, forgotten about my musical roots. This track is one of the most indelible of my school days. On reflection I am surprised that I hadn’t posted it already. It’s hard to beat Britpop heroes Pulp and their brand of highbrow pop.

I want to live like common people. I want to do whatever common people do. I want to sleep with common people, I want to sleep with common people like you…

Pulp:

Pulp/RjK

Foxygen* – San Francisco | (NAT)

I have to give it up to fellow bloggers Far from Cyan for this discovery. The track is so fresh and infectious. It has been playing on a loop in my head for the past week or two.

Foxygen are a Californian duo who make 60’s influenced indie pop. They sound like they were meant for a different era. This is taken from their recently released We Are the 21st Century Ambassadors of Peace and Magic album which was released on the JAGAJGUWAR label.

The fact that the song is ostensibly about my favourite city in the world does it no harm but there is more to it than that. I love the retro, somewhat irreverent sound.

I left my love in San Francisco. 

That’s okay, I was bored anyway…

Foxygen:

Foxygen

Foxygen

/RjK

*Artist #611

Mazzy Star* – Fade Into You

I have been meaning to feature this track, from Californian band Mazzy Star, for ages. It’s the song I have listened to most so far in 2013. And it’s not even that close. When I come to think about it I’m not sure how I haven’t managed to post it sooner.

I have to confess that I hadn’t heard until coming across it in a “Best of the 90’s” mix on Spotify at the end of December. I guess its 1994 release (on So Tonight  That I Might See) was just before my time.

I have subsequently been completely hooked by it’s wistful, languid style. The lyrics and dreamy, aching delivery have been playing over and over in my mind. It’s been a while since I have been so stuck on a song for such a long period of time.

Mazzy Star:

Mazzy Star

/RjK

*Artist #610

Blur – Under the Westway

While gorging myself on 90’s music over recent weeks Blur were that a band I came back to over and over.

During the heyday of Britpop the big question was – Blur or Oasis? I have to confess at the time I came down on the side of Oasis and their more substantial sound.

However, as time’s gone by I can’t help but admire Blur’s evolution. They have gone from the cheeky scallywags who made the pop classic Girls and Boys to opera writing, cheese-making middle-aged purveyors of high culture.

This track was one of my favourites of 2012 and I really like the more mature, almost wistful sound.

Blur – Under the Westway:

Under the Westway

/RjK

Doves – There goes the fear

Having spent the weekend with two old school friends there are two reasons to post this classic track from favourites Doves. Firstly, it was a track I listened to endlessly during those days. Secondly, the fear is very much something I am feeling today…

It is taken from their excellent 2002 album The Last Broadcast. My final point about Doves is that they are one of the best live bands I know. If you ever get the chance to see them, I strongly recommend you take it.

/RjK