Pump Up The Volume

Today is my 1000th hit party. Hooray! Somebody from Leandro, California was the lucky boy/girl, and will receive the prize of my eternal gratitude. Well done.

Today a few more little slices of musical heaven from the halls of 'Volume' magazine. I think that issue 1 was rather like a promo copy and issue 2 was more like they had envisaged the product when writing their proposals/ treatments. First up today is:

1. The Blue Aeroplanes - Aeroplane Blues (mp3)

This is an alternative mix from the 'Beatsongs' album of 1991. I'll have more about The Blue Aeroplanes in a future post, but they have got to be one of the most underrated bands ever. Live they were just awesome.

2. Blur - Oily Water (mp3)

Taken from 'Modern Life is Rubbish' which has to be my favourite Blur album. Just shows you how different they were from the 'baggy brigade' brush with which they were generously tarred.

3. The Sugarcubes - Hetero Scum (mp3)

I havn't got enough Sugarcubes. Mental note - must get some more.

4. Pulp - She's Dead (mp3)

Released on Fire records just before they hit paydirt this was from the 'Separations' album which was a commercial failure. Little did they know what was just around the corner.

Buy The Blue Aeroplanes 'Swagger' or 'Beatsongs' here and/or Blur with 'Modern Life is Rubbish' at only £5.97 here. You wont regret these purchases.

Buy The Sugarcubes here

Buy Pulp or Jarvis Cocker here - £7.49 for 'Different Class' is a bargain

The volume goes up to seventeen

In the early to mid-nineties, those of a certain age may well remember a music magazine called 'Volume' which had about 200 pages in each issue and was the size of a CD case. I remember its format and content seeming to be much more radical than the mainstream music press. Although, I only ever bought the first 4 or 5 it went all the way upto issue 17 with each magazine featuring a CD of all the artists appearing in that issue. Inside each issue was a mixture of interviews, discographies and factual information. There were variety of artists, some new some well established, featured from a range of genres icluding hip-hop, electronic, ambient, indie etc. Many of the acts were a little dodgy but there were some nuggets inbetween. So here we are from Volume One:

1. Throwing Muses - Red Shoes (mp3)

2. The Popguns - Going Under (mp3)

3. New Order - Confusion: DMC Remix (mp3)

4. The Wolfgang Press - Sucker (mp3)

Buy them (in the order you see above) here here here and here

When the routine bites hard

Last post on the 'B' Sides of the 90's today. I have to say that this collection isn't the finest set of songs that have ever been produced and is indicative of some of the things that I've said in earlier posts. I don't think I will be attempting something so foolhardy again- at least not from single culled after 1990.

However, that said, I do actually like my two offerings for your perusal. First up is Pavement with a track from the 'Watery, Domestic' ep from 1992. Recorded after the 'Slanted and Enchanted' album from the same year the ep was a bit of a watershed for the band with Gary Young leaving shortly afterwards. Despite all the (wrong in my opinion) comparisons with The Fall I think Pavement were one of the better indie offerings at the time.

Pavement - Frontwards (mp3)

The second track is a bit of a cheat. In 1995 there was a re-release of 'Love Will Tear Us Apart' and although this is not entirely in the spirit of the post it will do for me. It needs no other introduction.

Joy Division - These Days (mp3)

Buy Pavement here and buy Joy Division here

No way baby lets go

Two more 'B' sides from the 1990's today. Seen lots of posting about The Wonderstuff recently. Two good albums and then mostly shite, but when they were good they were very good. This one is from the 1994 re-release of 'Unbearable':

The Wonderstuff - Hit by a Car (mp3)

Primal Scream are one of those bands whom you either love or hate. There seems to be no middle ground. I fall very definitely on the love side of the equation.

The self titled 'Primal Scream 'album from 1985 had a track on it called 'I'm losing more than I'll ever have'. The band had obviously decided on a new sound, so that when they teamed up with Andrew Weatherall before the Screamadelica album they decided to remix the album track into a new single. This deconstruction was to become 'Loaded'. The track I have for you today is a remix of the album track in a rather less radical way. It appears as a 'B' side on the 'Loaded' CD single.

Primal Scream - I'm losing more than I'll ever have (mp3)

Buy Primal Scream here and the Stuffies here

Going Blank Again

Oh dear! Suddenly I've found myself not having posted for 3 days. This week seems to have flown by. Anyhow, I want to start a couple of blog entries under the umbrella title of 'b'sides since 1990. And today I want to share a couple of my favourite tracks from the early part of this period. I say 'b' sides in the loosest sense of the word, of course, because the CD revolution seemed to have disposed of the flip side in favour of either:

(a) Some ridulous set of remixes by people I've never heard of bearing stupid names like 'DJ Spongebob' or 'Hell Boy' etc. (They also have equally ridiculous names like the 'upside down, inside out mix' or 'Osram lightbulb mix').

(b) 'Live' versions at some dingy club in backwatersville.

(c) An 'EP' featuring maybe one good track and then two fillers that give the word 'filler' a bad name.

The first track is from The Manics 1994 release of She is Suffering. Taken from the album The Holy Bible you might argue that this was the last great Manics album. While I can't say I care for the live version of Suedes The Drowners that pads out the single (see (b) above) - I do like this track:

Manic Street Preachers - Love Torn Us Under (mp3)

The second item is from shoegazing favourites Ride. With one or exceptions I think a lot of the early 90's 'wall of sound' stuff has weathered very poorly. But Ride, My Bloody Valentine and to a lesser extent Chapterhouse all produced some worthy songs. Especially the ones where the vocals were not put so far back in the mix to be unintelligible. The 'b' side is from the 1992 single 'Leave Them All Behind'.

Ride - Grasshopper (mp3)

Buy Manics stuff here and read about the upcoming tour here

Buy Ride here

God, that's so gay!

"Give me a sweet"
"no"
"why not? You gay!"

"I'm not coming out tonight"
"that's gay that is"

"Let me have a go on your Nintendo DS"
"not now"
"oh don't be gay!"

I hear this crap at school on a daily basis, and its time to speak up. The kids (not all of them of course - no tar brushing here) repeat this kind of thing without ever thinking about what they're saying (at least I like to think they are, but perhaps I'm just being naive and they are not simply embarressed but deeply engrained homophobes). Of course, they will be the first to cry 'rascist' or 'sexist', and will go around with all the appearance of demanding respect, but the gay world is not even close to being allocated an equal respect. For heavens sake, a number of my students even expressed an inability to watch 'Brokeback Mountain' because they were apparently afraid it would change their sexuality. The slightest hint of any kind of male (or female) contact on celluloid has them in paroxysm's of concern. And it has definitely got worse over the last few years. I know I'm not being paranoid here. Anyhow, rant over, this one is for you if you think these kids are right.

Senseless Things - Homophobic Asshole (mp3)

Get the Senseless Things here

Whatever Happened to Leon Trotsky?

The last time I saw The Stranglers was November 1st 1986 at Gloucester Leisure Centre - over twenty years ago. Bloody hell I must be getting old. I've always really liked The Stranglers, even when it was really unhip to do so. In the years 1977-1980 to be a real punk-rocker you mustn't have liked the old art school, middle class punk wannabies. They were tainted with their links to pub-rock and psychedelia in a way that their punk contemporaries never were. I suppose they were just too old. I think what I really liked about their music though (other than the Dave Greenfield organ bits) was their intellectualism. Sure I also enjoyed the angry young man songs of The Ruts, SLF and The Sex Pistols; but I thought The Stranglers were different and what was wrong with that? Perhaps by the time of 'Golden Brown' and 'Strangle Little Girl' my affection for the group was waning somewhat, but I will always hold the first three albums with a great degree of affection.

1. The Stranglers - Something Better Change (mp3)

2. The Stranglers - Hanging Around (mp3)

Buy their output here

Nobody Would Know You Were Dead

Anybody in the know would of course realise that this was a portion of a lyric in a Vibrators song from which Stiff Little Fingers realised their name.

"If it wasn't for your stiff little fingers, nobody would know you were dead."

Shamefully, I managed to miss Jake Burns' 48th birthday yesterday so I will try and rescue this lack of apprecation with my blog entry for today.

During my informative teenage years I, like many others, would have my ear glued to the radio during the evening, listening to the dour tones of John Peel. So when Peelie played 'Suspect Device' to death in a bid to win over the new punk generation I was very appreciative of this brash Belfast sound. These were protest songs with a difference. The songs were a million miles away from the visions of Ulster I was used to. Mainland Britain was used to being bombarded by stereotypes written by likes of the 'Daily Mail' and the 'Daily Express'. Musically, SLF were furious but accomplished in their musical style. It was perfect for the time and 'Inflammable Material' still remains in my list of greatest debut albums ever. So the two tracks chosen from this album are 'Suspect Device' itself (though the single version rather than that found on the album), and their cover of the Bob Marley classic 'Johnny Was'. Incidentally, I also like the fact that Bruce Foxton, was until recently, a member of the band. There are probably many people (judging by the strength of feeling diplayed in the blogging world recently) who feel he should of stayed there.

1. Stiff Little Fingers - Suspect Device (mp3)

2. Stiff Little Fingers - Johnny Was (mp3)

Buy Inflammable Material for the bargain price of only £7.49 here and visit the SLF website where there is a list of all the tour dates for March here

Springtime Promises

I was over at the ghost of electricity today looking at Davy's post about Heidi Berry. Firstly it got me thinking about spring which is patently only just around the corner (at least according to the wonderful bulbs now appearing in my local woodlands and hedgerows) and secondly about the whole 4AD and This Mortal Coil thing. The 4AD experience provided me with some purely wonderful listening experiences - Pixies, Cocteau Twins, Frazier Chorus and Throwing Muses amonst many others. For those who dont know, This Mortal Coil was an umbrella term for the myriad of artists belonging to the 4AD stable. Although very patchy, when the collective worked well it worked very well. Not least in my two chosen tracks for today. The first is is 'You and Your Sister' featuring the rather lovely voices of Tanya Donelly (Breeders, Belly, Throwing Muses) and Kim deal (The Pixies). Just a wonderful track. The second is the Heidi Berry collaboration with 'Til I Gain Control Again'. Mmmmmmm.

1. This Mortal Coil - You and your sister (mp3)

2. This Mortal Coil - 'Til I gain control again (mp3)

Buy This Mortal Coil here

Aaaarggghhh!

At the weekend got back from a nice week relaxing in the sunny southern climes of Dorset. The whole family enjoyed the experience, and it was doubly nice to be away from the PC and do a spot of reading. This was all with one exception. The first monday Mrs Vicar and I were forced to drive over 100 miles back home because we had been burgled. (Believe me 100 miles in old Land Rover Defender seems like an age). Now this made me very angry. Not because of the physical damage of them getting in, or indeed what they stole (which turned out to be very little - the incompetent louts), but the fact that my kids had lost a days holiday with us sorting out the mess left behind. I find it hard to believe that some people are just so callous. Its infuriating. So today I've got two very angry songs. Not directed at anything in particular - just angry because thats how I feel.

1. Alanis Morissette - You Oughta Know (mp3)

2. Siouxsie and the Banshees - Helter Skelter (mp3)

Buy their stuff here and here

I thought I saw Lauren Bacall

The last post for my driving theme and my last post for the next week because Mrs Vicar, the kids and I are off to Dorset for some r & r.

For tracks numbers 9 and 10 we're back to the early eighties with a couple of fine contributions by The Clash and Talking Heads. The 'Combat Rock' album saw The Clash in a state of near collapse. Mick Jones was clearly unhappy with how the band direction was going and Topper Headon had his well publiced drug addiction to deal with. The album continued the themes displayed on 'Sandanista' and although many perceive it to be a watered down, commercial effort they were still a cut above most of their contemporaries. Meanwhile, the 'Speaking in Tongues' album by Talking Heads is a classic through and through. The album saw Bryne, Harrison, Weymouth and Frantz at the top of their form. Great for parties, 'slippery people' makes any car mix stand out.

1. The Clash - Car Jamming (mp3)

2. Talking Heads - Slippery People (mp3)

Get your Clash stuff here and Talking Heads stuff here

Rock and Roll

The creation of musical DNA is a thing of mystery. With some folks the DNA remains focused on a particular strand. Meaning that there are those who appear to like only one or two genres - r & b and rap for instance. On the other hand, there are others who have a right old mixture of tastes floating about their soul. I would, of course, count myself in this bracket.

When my own DNA was formed, a small part of it contained hard driving, old fashioned rock and roll. It doesn't surface that often, but I do occasionally have a penchant for the likes of Led Zeppelin or Nirvana. The Foo Fighters and Bruce Springsteen are two other favourites and therefore my focus for todays entry. They also work very well on the car stereo.

1. Foo Fighters - All My Life (mp3)

I can visualise myself in a 'Wayne's World - esque' moment with this one. I know very sad.

2. Bruce Springsteen - Thunder Road (mp3)

Written because of the Robert Mitchum film of the same name, I can't honestly say that this is one my favourite Springsteen songs, but it is a fine record. Nick Hornby wrote in '31 songs' that he loves the 'elegiac' nature of the lyrics, despite the energy and references to roaring engines and burned out Chevrolets. I agree with this sentiment completely.

Buy Foo Fighters stuff and Springsteen stuff

I Speed Into The Darkness

At the end of the first verse of 'Where's Captain Kirk?', Spizz fires the question 'is this the start of my insanity?'. YES I hear you all cry, because Spizz was clearly a little unhinged. To be fair though, Spizz Energi are still going strong despite the limited output over the years. Check out the website here. It does, however, make a lovely driving song on those days when you have had a shit day and you need to skidaddle home in a hurry (although on my journey home I would have to play it about 15 times over).

Spizz Energi - Where's Captain Kirk? (mp3)

For my second song today I'm deeply indebted to Crash from Pretending Life Is Like A Song. I have to admit I was largely unaware of Rob Dougan despite his success with singles like 'Clubbed to Death' and the associated work on The Matrix and Matrix Reloaded. His voice is just superb and I looking forward to listening to the rest of the album when I get hold of it.

Rob Dougan - I'm not driving any more (mp3)

Invest in Rob Dougan here and Spizz here

Liverpool to Hull



The M62 has been mentioned in various songs over the years. The Justified Ancients of Mu Mu, The Human League and It's Immaterial have all had stabs at describing its myriad of charms. And a wealth of charms it must have despite my complete lack of knowledge of most of its length; otherwise why else would it have been the source of so much creative energy.

Roads, of course, have always been inspirational. Think of Highway 61, Route 66, the M6 ('Helen Wheels' - Wings) or even the A1 ('Separated by Motorways' - The Long Blondes). But the M62 seems to have a particular fondness. Maybe it's that feeling of togetherness that the motorway brings when uniting the eastern and western coasts of northern England. Whatever the cause I have two more songs for your perusal:

1. Doves - M62 Song (mp3)

Obviously.

2. Thomas Dolby - The Ability to Swing (mp3)

This is an album track from 'Aliens Ate My Buick' and is great as a going out in the summer arrangement.

Doves can be bought from here and Thomas Dolby from here

Drivetime

Last year I watched the Top Gear survey to find out the best driving songs of all time.Well, 'disappointed' was one way of describing my reaction to the results, 'abject misery' is another way. And I suppose a third way is to say that I was resigned to the fact that the majority of the listening public have what can only be described as 'modest' ambitions to broaden their tastes. The eventual selection (not that I can remember the exact detail) was a cliche ridden list that reflects most catalogues of this type. We are talking the likes of Golden Earring with 'Radar Love', Steppenwolf and 'Born to be wild', Mr Mister and 'Broken Wings' - well you get the idea I'm sure.

Anyhow I thought it would be a nice idea to come up with an alternative list and so put my mind to the solution. It was not as easy a process, however, as I first thought it would be. There was a friend of mine who always thought he had the perfect tracks for a flawless mix tape for the car. Now the art of the mix tape is another subject altogether, and a topic for a future blog entry, but his choices did reveal a central conundrum i.e. should the songs be good to drive to, or good songs about driving? I dont think there is a straightforward answer, so therefore I have decided that my next few blog entries will be my selection for the first 10 driving songs on a car tape/CD/MP3 playlist etc. Note that they will not be in any particular order, and nor will they be a complete pick. They will, however, be a mixture of both driving songs and tracks to drive to. So here goes:

1. The Smiths - There is a light that never goes out (mp3)

A strange choice for a driving selection you might think - and you're probably right. Meeting your demise by a 'double decker bus' or 'ten tonne truck' is plainly rather gratuitous, but the implied romance of the song is heartwarming. The fact that it has been covered so many times gives further credence to its greatness.

2. Eurythmics - This is the House (mp3)

This was a favourite of the friend I mentioned before and I concede that it is rather good on a car mix. I think it was the twangy bass played by Andy Brown that does it for me. It was released by Eurythmics in 1982 but didn't do very well - a fact I fail to understand. If anybody out there has the 12" version that they could convert to mp3 and let me have I would be eternally grateful.

Buy The Smiths or Eurythmics or preferably both here and here

X-Rated

After sneaking in at the last minute on contrast podcast this week (thankyou Tim) I thought I should explore the theme of explicitness in music and film just a little bit more. My contribution was from the Super Furry Animals with 'The Man Don't Give A Fuck' - I thought I was being quite outrageous at the time, but after I listened to this weeks entries I quickly realised the SFA were in fact quite tame. However, undeterred I thought I'd give you my runners up. Firstly we have The Police with 'Be My Girl - Sally', a track from the Outlandos D'Amour album that I remember thinking was incredibly risque in 1978. Why Andy Summers was writing about blow-up dolls is intriguing. And secondly a track from the criminally under-rated The The with 'Out of the Blue (Into The Fire)'. Any song that has a lyric "She was lying on her back with her lips parted, squealing like a stuffed pig" has got to be up for the possibilities of censorship.

Putting my sensible hat on just for a second, the notion of censorship in film (or music for that matter) is always a topic that stirs emotions in my students. You can circle the issue forever and come up with reasonable arguments on both sides for either reducing or increasing censorship, but nobody ever seems to be influenced enough to change their minds. Its a debate that will run and run.

The Police - Be My Girl - Sally (mp3)

The The - Out of the Blue (Into the Fire) (mp3)


But The Police here and The The here

Love equals happiness

Last post for happy week before its time to move on, and two more entries to cheer you up. Firstly a little bit of Motown via Marvin Gaye and secondly Rickie Lee Jones. The link is of course love and I cant really ignore the fact that most love songs are by their very nature also happy songs. Gaye released 'How sweet it is' in 1964 despite his early determination to avoid R & B and concentrate on the 'Sinatra' style. I cant say I've ever been a great fan of either Marvin Gaye or Motown in general but I enjoy the classics and this song is lovely.

Rickie Lee Jones hit big in 1979 when this single was released and the self titled album was a joy to listen to. (For years this song was my test track whenever I bought a new piece of hi-fi). Previously she had only been famous for being on the cover of the 'Foreign Affairs' album by Tom Waits whom she was dating at the time. Although her output was patchy afterwards I always admired the fact that both musically and politically she was always leftfield.

Marvin Gaye - How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You) (mp3)

Rickie Lee Jones - Chuck E.'s In Love (mp3)

Buy Marvin Gaye and Rickie Lee Jones please

I think I might be happy if I wasn't out with them

I think I've thunk too much this week and missed my chance of stardom on contrast podcast. I should have guessed that 'x-rated' would prove very popular. The early bird catches the worm and all that. Still, at least I have this forum to vent my spleen on the world. So back to happy week for all, and first up today is:

Stevie wonder - Sir Duke (mp3)

A song in remembrance, of course, of Duke Ellington but I like its upbeat tempo and I cant think of many more opportunities to get Stevie Wonder in my blog.

The other is:

The Housemartins - Happy Hour (mp3)

I dont think the song has that much of a feel good lyric, but hey it has 'happy' in the title. And they come from Hull. And Everything But The Girl come from Hull so they must be good.

Getting to the end of happy week now. Brmmm brmmm its driving week soon

Buy Housemartins and Stevie Wonder whenever possible

Just take your seat and hold on tight

First up - a plug for the Contrast Podcast, a fine compendium of songs this week under the banner of actor/celebrities, that yours truly appears on. A minor effort (on my part of course compared to the others) in the scheme of things, but I'm sure it will get better. This week is 'X-rated' and I've already got my thinking cap on.

Back to happy week and a couple of little gems to listen to. First up is:

The Beatles - Here comes the sun (mp3)

I have to say I've resisted putting The Beatles up on the site before now but this is just pure happiness perfection. I also have to say it wasn't me that suggested it but my environmentally concerned car sharing colleague. Many thanks uncle.

Secondly:

The Lightning Seeds - The Life of Riley (mp3)

A song about childbirth (not Ian Broudie himself but his son/daughter - I can't remember which) and positive to the last. But my main thoughts about this song revolve around 'Match of the Day' on a saturday night after a few beers. I think it was for the 'match action' bit at the beginning of the programme. Days of bliss!

Dip into The lightning Seeds back catalogue or expand your Beatles collection as you see fit


By the way saw '2001: A Space Odyssey' again at the weekend after a gap of lots of years. I quite forgot how magisterial it was, and how technically advanced. Kubrick truly was a god amongst directors.

I rise as the morning comes

Three weeks into January and its monday morning. Its cold and dark when you leave the house, dark when you arrive home later that day. The new years resolutions have all been well and truly tested throughout the past weekend. The next holiday seems ages away and the festivities of Christmas are fast fading into the past. Yes its 'blue monday' folks and I have the perfect antidote. First up are The Boo Radleys with 'Wake up Boo'. I know the lyrics are a bit suspect but the music is so jolly you have to feel bright and breezy. A shame that the band failed to last their dalliance with Britpop. And secondly we have Bill Withers and 'Lovely Day'. A bit predictable perhaps but I really don't care, Bill is in!

1. The Boo Radleys - Wake Up Boo! (mp3)

2. Bill Withers - Lovely Day (mp3)

Buy stuff by The Boo Radleys
Buy a little soul music with Bill Withers

I choose my final scene today

The final day of my miserable week and the last two choices to muse over. It has been an enjoyable but exhausting process and is going to have to have some sort of antidote. Thus, you've guessed it - next week is happy week with songs to make you feel that the day is glorious and the world is your playground. But first we have to end the misery on a high. So without further ado I present Elbow with 'Switching Off'. I have seen this band three times now with very mixed results - the first two times they were great but the last time (in Birmingham) they were a complete shambles. Nevermind, a temporary dip in quality I hope. The second offering comes from Sweeney's Men with 'Dreams For Me'. A masterful song from the masters of Irish protest misery, and Terry Woods trying his level best to make me feel downbeat and woeful (a tactic that has often worked in the past I am ashamed to admit). But enough of this - listen to the tracks, rush off to the shops to buy the albums, listen and weep if you have to - but be prepared for joy and happiness on 'blue monday'.

1. Elbow - Switching Off (mp3)

2. Sweeney's Men - Dreams For Me (mp3)

Please buy Elbow here
Please buy Sweeney's Men here

You were always so lost in the dark

Oh my god I dont think I can take much more of this. I've become morose and grouchy as the week has progressed and all down to selecting songs that will rip you apart.And you dont get any more gut wrenching than The Cure and Nick Drake. The 'Disintegration' album has always been a favourite, and with the possible exception of 'Faith' probably their best work (you can see the link I'm sure). In addition to 'Pictures of You' I also have a song by Nick Drake. I remember the first time I listened to Drake (1989 after a friend introduced me to her back catalogue) and I was bowled over by the achingly beautiful songs. I couldn't play any Nick Drake for several years after a personal tragedy but have since rediscovered that I can listen to 'River Man' without breaking down completely.

1. The Cure - Pictures of You (mp3)

2. Nick Drake - River Man (mp3)

Please buy The Cure here and also be blown away by purchasing the great Nick Drake here

Kiss me out of desire - not consolation

There are many different types of heartbreak of course. My first heartbreak was one of two that I can recall. Either it was a pet greenfly disappearing mysteriously (and tragically) out of my matchbox, or it was failing to hold hands with Carol Hillier at country dancing in the infants. I'm unsure to this day which came first, but both seemed to be the end of the world at the time. Whether out of a sense of loss or frustration the feelings of grief and regret are often overwhelming. Obviously this is the reason why so many records are written in this state of misery.

So two more to tug at the heartstrings, hope you enjoy them.

1. Jeff Buckley - Last Goodbye (mp3)

2. Jane Weaver - Once You'd Given Me Up (mp3)


Buy Jeff and Jane here and here, because you know you want to after you dry your eyes

Separate from the rest, where I like you the best

Its heartbreak time on 'The World Won't Listen'. Another theme you lucky reader. Great songs to feel miserable by. I've shed a few tears over these thats for sure.

First up is New Order with 'Love Vigilantes', track one on 'Low Life' probably the finest of their albums. When thinking of favourite New Order songs it nearly always is the first on my list.

Second is 'Between the Bars' by Elliott Smith. Such a talent and such a waste, this appeared on the 'Either/Or' album. They say that the geatest sad songs occur in a state of abject despair. Poor Elliott must have been in perpetual misery for he produced some of the very finest.

New Order - Love Vigilantes (mp3)

Elliott Smith - Between the Bars (mp3)

As a bonus you fortunate person I've included the Hungry Lucy version of 'Love Vigilantes' for you to compare.

Hungry Lucy - Love Vigilantes (mp3)

Buy Elliott here , New Order here and Hungry Lucy here

For A Minute There, I Lost Myself

Last day of the track number 6 extraveganza. And we leave on a high. One from one of the very best albums of all time, the other from the darlings of the modern music press.

1. Radiohead - Karma Police (mp3)

Oh my God! This was just fantastic. It still makes me come out with all the superlatives when I listen to it. I've got just one piece of clothing that I'm too sentimental to get rid of - a Radiohead t-shirt from the 'Pablo Honey' tour showing a baby with scarey red eyes - priceless.

2. Arctic Monkeys - Still Take You Home (mp3)

I have to say I was sceptical when I first heard about the 'Arctic Monkeys' but I've been proven wrong. Whether they will stand the test of time with the problem second album remains to be seen. Until then they are there to be enjoyed.


Buy these two sublime acts here and here

Now I know how Joan of Arc Felt

I've missed a day - poo! Got to set myself some lines as punishment - 'must try harder', 'must try harder'.

Back to the task inhand and two from the eighties today.

1. Echo & the Bunnymen - The Killing Moon (mp3)

Going off to college. Let off the leash. All night sitting listening to records, drinking coffee, toasties, a whip round for the beer. 'Ocean Rain'. Those were the days.

2. The Smiths - Bigmouth Strikes Again (mp3)

Roll forward in time two years to 1986. Dissertation time, so time to roll up the sleeves. Pah! Lets listen to records, drink coffee, 'The Queen is Dead', toasties ................................. you get the idea.


Buy Smiths here
Buy The Bunnymen here

The Hardcore and the Gentle

Two from the early 90's in our continued odyssey of greatest tracks coming in at number 6:

1. Bjork - Big Time Sensuality (mp3)

I think there is a common theme in my appreciation of women artists - i.e. the fact that most of then are completely bonkers. Bjork is, of course, no exception and fully deserves the reputation foisted on her by most of the music press. Along with 'Human Behaviour' and 'Violently Happy' this album struck a real chord as I was about to begin teaching. Happy days indeed.

2. Suede - The Drowners (mp3)

The buzz and hype surrounding the release of 'The Drowners' and 'Metal Mickey' was huge in the early 90's. It was inevitable that Suede were never going to live upto the virtual deification status given them by the NME, but the tracks still have a resonance lost to many of the songs of this time.

Old but distinguished

Two rather old school favourites for today in the track number 6 stakes, but brilliant nonetheless.

1. Fairport Convention - I'll Keep It With Mine (mp3)

I remember the first time I listened to this was at my sisters in Norfolk back in the early eighties. The album this comes from is 'What We Did On Our Holidays' in 1969. The guitar playing of Richard Thompson and voice of Sandy Denny combined to superb effect in this beautiful and haunting song.

2. John Martyn - Dreams By The Sea (mp3)

People are usually very nostalgic about programmes they watched when they grew up. In the true spirit of companionship, I in turn was very nostalgic about 'The Old Grey Whistle Test' remembering the fantastic songs played live in the BBC studio with Bob Harris to guide us. Then over the Xmas period BBC4 was kind enough to air the 'Best of.... Whistle Test' for the early 70's, selected by Bob himself. Great I thought as I eagerly sat down to watch my recorded episodes, but what a load of bollocks! If this was the best then the rest must have been awful. With one exception ........ John Martyn playing this song fantastically. A mate of mine went to see him in the 80's and he was totally pissed (fell off the stage I recall) - I think you had to catch him on a good day. One drink inflicted leg amputation later I must see him before the guitar gets hung up forever.

And the Winner is ......track number 6!

I know it is a familiar chestnut to do the very best track number one of an album or even track number 1 of side 2; but in the digital world of CD how about track number 6? In an effort to get my posting up and running on a more regular basis I am unashamedly going to do a post a day (all this week you lucky few people out there) for my favourite tracks sixth in the running order.

The only problem today is that I'm at work (boo hoo) and not able to access my collection until later. I will edit this in due course but until then we have do with my rather dim memory. So without further ado the first two on my list are:


1. The Jesus and Mary Chain - April Skies (mp3)
Of course track number 6 on the Darklands album. The Reid bothers go all melodic.




2. Massive Attack - Unfinished Sympathy (mp3)


Massive Attack in their pomp. Not only one of the very best number 6's in existence this regularly makes appearance in best single of the nineties or even best of all time. Stunning.

Songs and Images of a Lifetime - 1967

Van Morrison - Brown Eyed Girl (mp3)

Quite a tough choice with a wealth of great tracks this year (Aretha Franklin and Respect in particular). But overall he just shades it with this fantastic record by one of the greats. This is one of those tracks where I wonder whether to listen to, but when I do I'm always amazed by its utter brilliance.


'Cool Hand Luke' - director: Stuart Rosenberg

With Bonnie and Clyde also in the frame, this may seem like a strange choice, but I've always loved Newman as an actor and this film seems to sum up what he was about. I love the loner, anti-hero figure in most cinema and here Newman plays it to a tee. He makes an excellent job of portraying Luke descending from a good guy eager to please, to a world-weary bad guy fed up and demoralised. The tagline 'What we have here is a failure to communicate' is probably the first one I ever remembered. The egg eating scene is legendary and the support given by George Kennedy as 'Dragline' is superb throughout.

Buy your Van Morrison right here

I like A Nice Cup Of Coffee In The Morning ……

I like tea more than coffee. There I’ve said it. It’s true. For an everyday drink that is refreshing you cannot beat starting the day with a nice cup of tea. (A mix of breakfast and earl grey with milk is just about perfect). But there is something about coffee that is really appealing. For a start I love the bewildering array of choice that you have just to begin the process. You can have Turkish, Cappuccino, Espresso, Latte, Mocha or Americano; and that’s before you start selecting the origin of the beans – Guatemala, Africa, Java, Hawaii ……… the list is almost endless. The actual process of grinding the beans and then producing the coffee is an art form. It becomes a comforting process in which the full ranges of auditory, olfactory and kinaesthetic senses are used. I love preparing, making (and of course tasting) coffee. It is the perfect way to end a meal and the ideal mid morning perk-me-up. If only I enjoyed drinking it as much as tea.


Blur – Coffee & TV
Squeeze – Black Coffee in Bed


Buy coffee here
Buy Squeeze here
Buy Blur here

Theres Nothing on the TV, Nothing on the Radio

Went to Wales Rally GB at the weekend, and apart from getting wet and muddy had a great time. As usual the event was dominated by the Scandinavian drivers and they took the majority of the top places. Now this got me thinking. Scandinavians have often been vilified for their lack of musical talent (Norwegians at Eurovision springs to mind), so what is around at the moment that is Scandinavian and good? After all, at all other levels of art the Nordic countries have produced the goods. Strindberg, Bergman, Ibsen, Hallstrom ......... the list is considerable with artists, writers, composers and filmmakers, but popular music? All right there was ABBA but they have never floated my boat. More recently of course, Gwen Stafani and Roxette - woooh! There is, however, a very positive side and my choices for today reflect this. There is no doubt (no pun intended) that there is thriving musical scene, in Sweden in particular, and long may it continue.


MP3's

Shout out Louds - The Comeback
The Hives - Main Offender
Razorlight - America (alright a bit dodgy but ....)


Buy Shout Out Louds here
Buy Razorlight here
Buy The Hives here

Favourite Artists (No. 3) - Fluke

Back in the early 1990's I sold my flat with the grand intention of swanning off to Australia. There I would drink copious amounts of beer, sunbathe and hopefully meet the girl of my dreams. In the end I moved 2 miles down the road into a rented house and met the girl of my dreams here in England. It was at this house that my housemate introduced me to Fluke (Jon Fluger, Mike Tournier, Mike Bryant). At the time his sister was going out with one of the guys in the band (which one I am unsure - I think it was one of the Mikes) and they had only one album released - 'The Techno Rose of Blighty'. In a country that had gone mad for all things 'baggy' or 'Acieeed' they seemed to take a very mature slant on techno. Certainly Alan McGee at Creation records was suitably impressed to give them a chance alongside all of his other indie acts. I also remember listening to Annie Nightingale who one evening said that 'Techno Rose .....' was an album that she returned to on repeated occasions because of its brilliance.

After a gap of a couple of years and a mini live album ('Out - In essence') they went on to release 'Six Wheels On My Wagon' which was their stab at the mainstream. The album had far more of a 'House' feel with some appropriate floor filling tracks in the early part of the album. Later still came 'Oto' and 'Risotto', both which realised some measure of critical acclaim. 'Risotto' especially, was well received by the music press and saw the release of their two most well known singles in 'Atom Bomb' and 'Absurd'. The band also saw a successful link into computer games with their part in the soundtrack to 'Wipeout 2097'. The group came to an effective end at the turn of the millenium with the departure of Tournier although they lived on with DJ appearances and 'Best of..' albums. There was even a comeback album in 'Puppy' but this could not live up to the early work.

Tracks (mp3)

Fluke - philly (Jamorphous mix)
Fluke - Electric Guitar (Humbucker)
World of Twist - She's A Rainbow (Fluke: Right Foot Yellow Mix)

Such a Shame

Two items of shame that I'd like to share with you:

Shame Number One: The Death of Robert Altman

Although I could never say that Altman was top of my lists of the greatest directors, he was always in there somewhere. A true maverick, Altman was one of the original 'Hollywood Renaissance' filmmakers, along with Francis Ford Coppola, Martin Scorsese and company. But amongst them all he was the one able to draw a stella all-star cast. I first watched M*A*S*H after having consumed many episodes of the TV series, immediately I loved its sense of authenticity (something that the TV series never really had). Later, of course, there were others I've seen - Nashville, Short Cuts, The Player, Gosford Park and others that I have disgracefully missed. As soon as my current Woody Allen fixation is satisfied I'll be instructing my DVD club to send me plenty of Altman.


Shame Number Two: The Lack of Knowledge About Ken Loach

I talked to my year 13 students on Monday and said that I had seen 'The Wind That Shakes the Barley' over the weekend. Shamefully, nobody had heard of the film and even more shameful had they heard of Ken Loach. I was gobsmacked by this lack of knowledge of the most important English director of the last 40 years. I mean the film itself had won the Palme d'Or at Cannes and he had won a fellowship of BAFTA the previous year. Nobody has made more humanistic films about the lot of the working class in Britain. This emptyheadiness by these students has got to change. I'm going to have a Ken Loach season at school and they will have their eyes opened.


Mp3 track of the day:

PJ Harvey - Shame (Peel Session)

Girls, Girls, Girls

The five best songs with girls names in the song title. I would have had 'Charlotte Sometimes' but that was in an earlier post so discounted for the rules of this particular conundrum. The Beatles alone seemed to have quite a few but I've only allowed myself one. So anyway ......

Jimi Hendrix - The Wind cries Mary
Elvis Costello - Alison
The Beatles - Michelle
The Ramones - Sheena is a Punk Rocker
10cc - I'm Mandy, Fly Me

And just for the record five more that definitely would not have made the list .......

Chris de Burgh - Patricia the Stripper
Barry Manilow - Mandy
The Knack - My Sharona
Neil Diamond - Sweet Caroline
Marillion - Kayleigh

Songs and Images of a Lifetime - 1966

The Beach Boys - God Only Knows (mp3)

In music terms probably the easiest choice I'll have to make. I know in many ways this is cop out and that this song features in many 'top this' and 'top that' lists but ultimately 'God Only Knows' is just a classic pop tune. Featuring sublime vocal harmonies, and a technical ability that other bands and songwriters could only marvel at before going back to the drawing board to try and catch up. Sublime.


The Good, The Bad & The Ugly - Dir. Sergio Leone

I have always been a great fan of the western genre, and I grew up watching John Wayne and Henry Fonda movies on a sunday afternoon. When I first watched this film I was entranced. It seemed so different to the other westerns I had been reared on and I couldn't get enough of the spaghetti variety. Most Leone fans would argue that Once Upon a Time in the West was his best effort, but I disagree. The Good, The Bad & The Ugly is a better balanced and better acted film altogether.

Buy Beach Boys here

Favourite Artists (No.2) - The Beloved

I was recently reading Dylan Jones rather interesting account of his re-discovery of his record collection in 'iPod, Therefore I Am'. In it Jones insists there are very few albums that have more than three or four tracks worth keeping on an mp3 player. Although not exactly revolutionary, it is a point well made and one I largely agree with. There are exceptions however, and 'Happiness' by The Beloved is a case in point.

The band began life in the early to mid-eighties and were a favourite of John Peel, performing a session for him in early 1985. There are obvious comparisons to be made to New Order, and this probably explains my early fondness for their efforts; but despite the indie sound they never featured too highly in my listening habits. That is until 1990 and the release of 'Happiness'. For a couple of years this was my saturday night record and an anthem for the time. I still cannot understand why it never makes these lists of 'best albums' that make the rounds of the music press. The band (by this time only Marsh and Waddington) had adopted the dance flavours of the time, and the poppy sound was an instant hit.

After 'Happiness' and the accompanying mix album 'Blissed out', Jon Marsh and Steve Waddington parted company. Marsh and his wife Helena then continued to DJ, write songs and release a couple of further albums but with only patchy success. So the story of The Beloved is only a brief one, but when their star shone it burned very brightly.

Tracks to savour:

This Means War (mp3)
The Sun Rising (mp3)
A Hundred Words (mp3)

Songs and Images of a Lifetime - 1965

Hmmm, a difficult decision with the choice of music, and an easy one with the film. I think that this is going to get harder and harder as I go on.


Bob Dylan - Like a Rolling Stone (mp3)

I know this is two in a row for the folk meister. I also know this was the year of 'I Can't Get No Satisfaction'. I further know that this was the year of one of my favourite fab four records in 'Girl'. But this record is simply too huge to miss out. The speculation of who the song is about fuels the mythology that surrounds it. Rolling Stone magazine ranks it as the finest single ever produced, and although I'm not in agreement I can see why they, and many others, rate it so highly. Fantastic.

'Repulsion' - Dir. Roman Polanski

Not my favourite Polanski film, but this effort stands out in a rather bland year for cinema. I have also got to have at least one film starring Catherine Deneuve.


Buy Bob Dylan here

Everybody Move to Prove the Groove

When I was 17 I went on an economics fieldtrip (yes they did exist) to Sheffield. It seemed like going to a musical Mecca with the well documented rise of the Sheffield synth sound in full swing. I had been an avid follower of The Human League for a couple of years and now disastrously they had just split. My thoughts at the time were that the split would herald the end of this revolution that was going to destroy rock. In fact, of course, it led to the birth of both Heaven 17 and the new Human League and rather than destroy rock and pop the synth sound embraced them wholeheartedly. Both Caberet Voltaire and Comsat Angels were already in place, and then came ABC later that year with 'Tears are not Enough'. It was an extraordinary time for this smallish city and I just loved the place. Looking back now it was all so short lived and of course Sheffeld has since produced other great bands - Pulp and Arctic Monkeys for starters anybody - but the late seventies / early eighties was just inspirational.

Tracks

ABC - Poison Arrow (mp3)
Human League - Crow and a Baby (mp3)
Comsat Angels - It's History (mp3)
Heaven 17 - (We Dont Need This) Fascist Groove Thang (mp3)
Caberet Voltaire - Don't Argue (mp3)

Buy ABC right here
Buy Human League here
Come on buy Comsat Angels here
Buy Caberet Voltaire here
Buy Heaven 17 here

A Week in Politics ........

I share a lift into work most mornings with a friend of mine. We tend to talk about a range of topics and this morning it was politics. 'Why buy British?' was the central point at issue, and we threw around a number of points in our journey in what turned out to be quite a stimulating discussion about socialism. Anyway, to cut a 30 minute discussion short, we also started to think about politics in the media. Or in other words politics in music and film. So here are my top five political films and five of my favourite political songs (there are lots in this catagory but these five came to mind immediatly).

Films

1. Battleship Potemkin (1925) Dir. Sergei Eisenstein
2. Bob Roberts (1992) Dir. Tim Robbins
3. Reds (1981) Dir. Warren Beatty
4. All The Presidents Men (1976) Dir. Alan J. Pakula
5. Salvador (1986) Dir. Oliver Stone

Music

1. Gang of Four - At Home He's A Tourist (mp3)
2. U2 - Sunday, Bloody Sunday (mp3)
3. Paul Hardcastle - 19 (mp3)
4. Stiff Little Fingers - Alternative Ulster (mp3)
5. The Jam - A Town Called Malice (mp3)

Buy Gang of Four here
Buy U2 here
Buy Paul Hardcastle here
Buy SLF here
Buy The Jam here

Favourite Artists (No. 1 of ???) - Kate Bush

I remember a poster my brother had on his bedroom wall of a rather buxom Kate looking the viewer directly in the eye. I still think of it even now. Heaven knows what I must have been thinking at the time as a testosterone fueled 14 year old. I also remember having The Man with the Child in his Eyes as my number one single of the year at a time when anything not 'New Wave' was frowned upon by all my friends. Yes, she's as mad as a badger but what a talent. Here are my top ten tracks:

1. The Man with the Child in his Eyes
2. Cloudbusting (mp3)
3. This Womans Work
4. Running Up That Hill
5. Wuthering Heights
6. There goes a Tenner
7. Wow
8. Night of the Swallow (MP3)
9. Breathing
10. The Big Sky

Go ahead and buy Kate here

Back to Basics

Watched 'Double Indemnity' again yesterday and this confirmed what I had always suspected. Namely, what a great film and what a shame they cannot do these any more. Double Indemnity works on a number of levels for me:

1. That studios today just cannot seem to risk any kind of budget on a character driven narrative, free from the bells and whistles of CGI.
2. What fantastic femme fatale Barbara Stanwyck makes.
3. You cannot get away with saying 'baby' to the object of your affections. (It just makes them want to shoot you).
4. That Billy Wilder should rightly be regarded as one of the directing greats.

Musical choices for today are:

The Cure - A Forest (mp3)
The Cure - Charlotte Sometimes (mp3)

You can go right ahead and buy more of The Cure here

Songs and Images of a lifetime - 1964

Well the start of something that will last much longer than I would really like it to. The top songs and films of each year of my humble existence. I hope you like some of the choices. I'm sure I will have great fun thinking up excuses to think of these than do my job properly.


Bob Dylan - The Times they are a-changin' (MP3)

I always think that 1964 was a great year for music (Baby Love, Hard Day's Night, I Get Around - just for starters) but this takes the biscuit. I just loved the album when I started listening to Dylan in the late 70's, and this seemed to sum up the mood of a generation with Vietnam just around the corner.


Buy Bob Dylan Here


Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (Dir. Stanley Kubrick)

My favourite director has always been Kubrick. No list can start without an immediate reference to the master.

Thunder and Lightning

Woke up this morning to the sounds of a violent electrical storm. Got me in mind to think of my favourite storm related songs:

1. Thunder Road - Bruce Springsteen
2. Concerto for a Rainy day - ELO
3. Wild is the Wind - David Bowie
4. Here Comes the Rain Again - Eurythmics

I'm sure there is plenty more. Still, gave me inspiration for humming practice on the way to work ...............