Seal* – Crazy
This is one of the very earliest songs I can remember with my father playing it on cassette on summer holidays and journeys to and from primary school.
RjK
*Artist #486
Tag Archive for Pop
12th July 2012
Orange Juice* – Rip it up (NAT)
This is not strictly speaking a new band (although to my surprise I haven’t posted OJ before). It just felt appropriate to post something orange today. The 12th of July will forever make me think of home, regardless of far from it I am (and despite how banal things in Ardoyne may appear this evening).
This track is one of my very favourites from the 80’s, probably in my top 5 which is very rarefied air. Orange Juice are one in a long line of richly-talented Glasgow bands and they brought the fantastic Edwyn Collins (who I posted last year) to prominence. Pretty special video here too.
RjK
*Artist #483
11th July 2012
The Temper Trap* – Fader
This is a little light but full of energy and quite fun. It came on my MP3 player this morning on my way to work and it has been stuck in my head all day.
The Temper Trap are and Australian indie band who make radio-friendly (should that now be Youtube-friendly?) tunes.
Talk don’t change a thing…
/RjK
*Artist #482
Arcade Fire* – The Suburbs
I am by no means an Arcade Fire devotee, but I like them enough to be surprised that I hadn’t gotten around to posting them until today.
I am a little late on this track too as it was released a couple of years ago now, but it stuck with me. The track has a wistful air and a sense of longing that I can relate to when I think about growing up in a small town. I have been listening to it recently because I am feeling nostalgic as I pack up my life in London and get ready to move to Dublin next week. One adventure ends, another begins…
/RjK
*Artist #481
6th July 2012
Damien Marley* – The Master Has Come Back (GPF)
This song popped into my head when I saw a poster advertising a concert at the O2 arena to celebrate 50 years of Jamaican independence, which Damian Marley is headlining. Somehow is seems strange that Britain still had an empire only 50 years ago. I know it to be true but it feels like it should have been much longer ago.
Interesting fact about Damian Marley – his mother was Miss World in 1976. He clearly has some pretty solid genes!
This track is a solid party tune. High energy and full of rhythm, it makes me want to move. What more could you want for a Friday night?
Have a great weekend!
RjK
*Artist #479
5th July 2012
Kotki Dwa* – Poison (NAT)
These guys were something of a recent discovery for me via The Guardian, even though they seem to have been about for a while. Their name is derived from a Polish lullaby, which is as good a way to name a band as any.
This track is taken from their recently released Staytcations album. It’s perhaps a little light but it’s certainly energetic and fun. The organ and guitar riff work together to excellent, infectious effect.
Wow! There’s a light show over your house…
RjK
*Artist #478
4th July 2012
Lauryn Hill – Doo-Wop (That thing)
There have been some details of Lauryn’s chaotic personal life on the internet and in the press recently along with the tantalising prospect of some new material from her.
This made me revisit the spectacular 1998 album The miseducation of… to which I am still eagerly awaiting for a follow up (other than a misguided live album). This was one of the stand out tracks. It is classic, late-90’s r’n’b.
Happy independence day to all my American friends out there.
RjK
2nd July 2012
Alabama Shakes* – Hold On
This was another track I first heard while trawling some ‘best of 2012 so far…’ lists. I may be a little late on it as it has a very radio friendly sound so I suspect it has been receiving lots of air play already. Still an excellent, feel good song though.
It has a classic, old fashioned rock sound. It reminds me of Kings of Leon and Yuck (good band, terrible name), who I posted last year.
RjK
*Artist #476
30th June 2012
Peter, Bjorn and John* – Let’s call it off (Girl Talk remix)
I stumbled across this today on Youtube and it’s relentless energy is a perfect reflection of both my week and feelings today as London was bathed in sunshine.
Look out for a guest post from resident dancehead Dom tomorrow. I’ll check back in on Monday, also look out for my best of 2012 so far list. I am just applying the finishing touches.
RjK
*Artist #474
24th June 2012
Youssou N’Dour featuring Neneh Cherry* – 7 Seconds
As I’ve mentioned before, one of the bigger surprises for me in the 18 months I have spent blogging is how the affection I have for world music has risen.
This track, along with Paul Simon’s Graceland, are the earliest memories I have of world music. It features three languages; Wolof (a Senegalese language), French and English and whilst it perhaps seems a little lightweight now it certainly had a lasting impact on me.
RjK
*Artist #468