Kansas* – Dust in the wind
This track is for my buddy Pam who gave me the local’s inside track on a good place for a pint of Guinness and lunch before the game. Farmer Brown’s on Bath Avenue for lunch and then The Bath for the pint(s). I had forgotten how good Guinness tastes in Dublin.
A good video here, it fits the song really well.
This is joyous!
I have had a very pleasant few days at home and the weather has even been clement, a rare treat. So it feels right to post something upbeat. It doesn’t get much better and more upbeat than Stevie! What a great tune, if you ever need a spring put in your step I advice you to listen to this. The classic 60’s video here is but an added bonus.
For once I can say this is mine you can’t take it. As long as I know I have love I can make it. For once in my life I have someone who needs me…
/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
Talking Heads – This must be the place (Naive Melody)
Sometimes you can’t fight the cosmos. I was speaking to a buddy about the music that he had been listening to over the Christmas break and he highlighted this. Seperately, I had also been listening to Talking Heads and made a note to post them early in January.
This is such a simple, warm song. Classic David Byrne vocals and a very fitting video here. Both great. I particularly like the Chief with the portable keyboard.
RjK
Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti – Round and Round
This was one of my favourite tunes of last year. I first listened to it because of the intriguing band name but there is something more to it than that. It has a really pleasing retro sound, like a dreamy forgotten favourite from the 70’s.
The utterly random video here is also pretty enjoyable. John Travolta? Check. Aerobics? Check. Naturally. Hipster enough for you? It strangely works well with the song though.
RjK
The Style Council – Shout to the top
The Style Council are widely derided but they get a bad rap in my eyes. They were certainly a departure from The Jam him I respect people who like to keep changing things up, and this tune in particular is great. A pretty special video here too, pleasingly cheesy.
/RjK
Womack and Womack – Teardrops
This duo have some amazing musical lineage, with the two Womacks in question being Linda, the daughter of Sam Cooke and Cecil, the brother of Bobby Womack. Not a bad duo of relatives that! An added bonus is the classic 80’s style on display in the video.
I was particularly reminded of this recently when I heard blog favourites Peter and Kerry do a stripped down, acoustic version of it.
And the music don’t feel like it did when I felt it with you…
/RjK
Posting The Stone Roses last week got me to thinking again about Britpop and inspired me to post some more.
For me, this is one of the finest examples of the genre. Catchy and energetic, it is typical of Blur who served as a lighter contrast to the more moody and energetic music coming out of the north at the same time. The opening line is an all time great.
Streets like a jungle so call the police…
I was reminded of how awesome the video is when I saw it on TV recently, it works with the song perfectly. Also, Damon Albarn looks impossible young and impish in it.
RjK
Simple Minds – Alive and kicking
It has been too long since I posted a true 80’s classic. Great song, even better video. Waterfall? Check. Cliff overlooking a lake? Check. Island in middle of said lake? Check. Forest? Check. Also, just take in the STYLE on display. Yikes. What more could I want?
RjK
Daft Punk – Around the world
Given that it is Bastille Day today I thought I would post something gallic. To be honest I am surprised I haven’t posted these guys already.
They were the soundtrack to the year I spent in California culminating in seeing them play live at the greek theater in Berkeley. It was one of the most fun evenings I have ever spent.
I was torn whether to post this or High Life, but in the I went for this beacuse of the video. It is one of my favourite of all time, if not my favourite. Very high praise indeed. It is crazy but somehow I can’t take my eyes off it.
Around the world, around the would, around the world…