I saw the RX Bandits when they were in the UK a few months ago. Awesome gig, was just a bit annoyed I couldn't get any earplugs and forgot mine. Musically they are one of the most solid and talented (technically) bands I've ever seen (ok behind Radiohead!). Just a lot of fun, whilst they didn't play this I still think it's one of my favourite tracks off Mandala.
"Hong Kong" by Gorillaz. Lets be honest I missed Gorillaz first time out. But everytime I listen to tracks at the moment I find them amazing and spell-binding. Really quite-mainstream but I feel like giving it a mention!
Just a short one... If the music isn't quite right the video is stunning - the opening is from Project Excelsior the highest parachute jump, and a whole other set of world records. The track is "Dayvan Cowboy" by Boards of Canada.
Ok its comedy, but get behind that and its brilliant...
Its the Brett Domino Trio from Leeds doing Justin Timberlake with mini-instruments. Quite frankly its amazing. I'm not a big Timberlake fan, or one at all... But hearing this adaptation makes me smile, especially the keytar, the theramin, or the rapping...
One more that's on a fairly endless loop. My enthusiasm for Scandinavian house knows no bounds... The track is by a band called "Hird" called "Getting Closer" off the album "Moving On" - I wish this stuff was more available in the UK! The band is most listen able to, and this track just screams chill out. But that doesn't mean that it isn't simply marvellous; kind of like floating in a very warm ocean especially with the smooth floating bass-line.
I haven't done one of these for a little while so I've decided to redress the balance. Whilst I'm biased as this is a bit of a selection of my music I love this track. Its called "Seis Por Ocho" by a band called Nuspirit Helsinki. I got into Nujazz a few years ago when I went to a random gig of a local band playing something similar and got hooked. I pretty much then forgot about it until a few years ago as I couldn't find any. Then I myseteriously came across Nuspirit on a compilation album - I suspect it was possibly "Honest" or maybe even this track. Funky and jazzy in just the right amounts to want to get you to try and nod and move at once.
I thoroughly admit to being a Streetlight Manifesto fan. Its just fun music, and they've just released a new project, recording a set of covers. This track is the last from the album (that I'm about to order). Its a cover of "Such Great Heights" by "The Postal Service". I'm still blown away by the brass opening replacing the synth. Awesome tune, can't wait to own the album!
The first of a new crop. This is by a band called Mumford & Sons who I'm probably about 6 months late on. But still, they're ace, and so is the song. It's called "Little Lion Man" off "Sigh No More". Very poignant lyrics I'm finding myself singing along, and agreeing with. It makes me want to learn to play guitar properly. Cautionary warning over lyrics... and apologies for the slightly small size...
"The sky is often used as a metaphor I suppose that's because it's so big and expansive When a long stranded cloud sits just above the horizon Leaving a strip of clear blue beneath it It becomes the panorama And you turn your head 360 degrees And the same line follows you round If the land is sufficiently flat Really nothing can be compared to it" - Acrobat - Maximo Park
So yeah I listen to some random stuff sometimes but these guys are amazing, they are called the Hypnotic Brass Ensemble and the track is called "War". Eight of them are sons of Phil Cohran of the Sun Ra Arkestra and their playing is tight and amazing and I'm thinking that I need to get out and see them next time they're in the UK. Just a feel-good, gets you moving tune - plenty of groove!
Ok so I haven't posted much recently. I'm in a bit of writers block at the moment, fashionable I know! So I'm in the middle of pseudo-break where I'm working on some stuff but its very half formed, self description I know..., so until its sorted here is a bit more music.
I'm doing some odd playing at the moment and I've been trying to arrange "Zoot Suit Riot" by the Cherry Poppin' Daddies (which you can find the video of here...). But this track is "Hi and Lo" off Skaboy JFK which is kind of resonating right now! It's a live version as there isn't a main video, but enjoy!
An odd one this, its used (in this case) as the introduction to Part VI of this series. Its originally by Neil Young and is "After the Gold Rush", (first verse here). Somehow it always touches me and is something that I can't help but listen to on loop...
This song is "Effington" by Ben Folds off "Way to Normal". I have to admit it isn't the video I wanted to post (I was looking for "Cologne", but most of the stuff on youtube isn't great quality so this it is). Its a close second I'm liking it at the moment, just a song that screams out at you, granted its with the old double entendre but you know sometimes I'm not sure that that is any bad thing, and I'm a real sucker for his piano playing...
Hot on the heels, as it were. A track I've been listening to a lot recently, an awful lot in fact. Its also not in English which adds to the fun. 'Inní mér syngur vitleysingur' ('Within me a lunatic sings') from the Sigur Ros album 'Með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust' ('With a Buzz in Our Ears We Play Endlessly'). I simply adore the song, I think its just beautiful. That was before I took a bit of time to look up the lyrics I was going to put the translation but decided against it (its HERE if you were wondering...) - but like I've said with many of this series there lyrics that touched me and I wish that I could have written something similar as its a really great expression!
On a note though supposedly vitleysingur is lunatic but something a little more gentle, more silly rather than lunatic. But wonderful song.
I've wondered about posting this for a bit. But something has kind of clicked with it - its called "I just Don't Think I'll Ever Get Over You" by Colin Hay, off the Garden State soundtrack (there'll be another one off it soon...). I think its kind of self-obvious in its meaning. I like the song very, much. I've talked in the past about how I'm amazed by the power of music; this one doubly so just because I kind of feel it at the moment...
A special song this one. Hypnotic, brilliant, for me one of the whole packages. Not just the song itself but the setting, especially in this video. I saw Radiohead live last year and they played Everything in its Right Place as part of the set. Live it is thrilling, doubly so with the light show - seeing the scrolling text in the bars was rather mesmerising. The use of electronics (Kaoss pads and delay pedals modifying the sampled vocals) I find fascinating, just for the whole atmosphere it creates!
The tram crash on the way home was less pleasurable, a minor derailment that brought down a couple of poles and very nearly hit Cafe Nero - I remember looking round to see a sign embedded in the door and thinking best not go out that way. But in a way added to the experience, thankfully everyone was fine - but it certainly made a talking point of the gig. This live footage is from Reading this year...
I simply adore this track. Its called "A Century of Elvis" by Belle and Sebastian (it uses the backing of "A Century of Fakers" and is on the "Lazy Line Painter Jane" EP), its just such a simple tune with a great story. Its just a wonderful narration of a great story; I considered putting the lyrics here but it has a lovely little twist that gets to me every time.
Another from 31 Songs that Changed my Life . This time is the funk influenced Brooklyn by Youngblood Brass Band. From the very first time I heard it its a track that just makes me want to get up and dance; so funky and the sounds in the sousaphone solo are phenomenal!
This is the first time that I've included one of the tunes from 31 Songs that Changed my Life in Earworms. The tune is Tamacun by Rodrigo Y Gabriela (this performance is from Later with Jools Holland in 2006). Somehow seeing it performed live tops the record, not just because the tempo is up, but seeing performers so into the music for me is part of the joy of watching a performance. Its something that just makes me wish I was better at guitar!
I couldn't get very far into this little idea without mentioning this track. Its one that I've listened to over and over - especially travelling as the whole album has such a chilled out vibe - plus Trevor Lawrence's sax playing sounds so good! anyway the track is T Plays It Cool from the Trouble Man soundtrack by Marvin Gaye. I'll be the first to admit that I've never seen the film, and that I only heard the track through a mix CD in the Another Late Night series by Fila Brazilia (Some details... although the allmusic review makes very interesting reading!)
