Song title: Feel So Close
Artist: Calvin Harris
Year: 2011
Why I like this song:
Some songs make you get up and dance - and then there are some that do it in such a manner that it is near impossible to resist. And this song belongs in the latter category.
It may be repetitive and annoying but it sure makes me get out of my seat so it must be doing something right.
It must be that bass line...
Original video located here. Accessed 25th July 2011
Song title: New Race
Artist: Radio Birdman
Year: 1977
Why I like this song:
Lately I've been listening to Radio Birdman.
Along with the Saints, Radio Birdman were Australia's premiere punk band. Legendary in reputation and respected by many bands that came after. An intimidating prospect to be sure but I will give it a shot...
I already knew this song, along with Aloha Steve and Danno, and pretty much identified it as early punk with it's volatile nature and ferocity. And as it turned out, it was a mission statement: It's is gleeful in it's fury and sounds like it could collapse any minute.
Honestly? This leaves a lot of more recent punk songs for dead. Can't beat the classics.
Song title: Your Racist Friend
Artist: Bodyjar
Originally Done By: They Might Be Giants
Year: 1999
Why I like this song:
Having been acquainted with punk rock in my teens I have heard plenty of covers done in the punk rock style, given them a punch - intentional or not - the original lacked.
And this is the case here: This is by no means a slight on the originial but listening to this, one gets the feeling Bodyjar gave the song the bite it needed.
Original video located here. Accessed 18th November 2021
Song title: Everything's Fine
Artist: The Saints
Year: 1978
Why I like this song:
I heard the Saints debut album, (I'm) Stranded, so why not explore their discography further?
Thing this, everything that followed (I'm) Stranded was going in odd directions, not least the incorporation of horns.
Still, I did like this song of their third album, Prehistoric Sounds. Granted I already knew it from Ed Kuepper's version of it but this seems more ragged. And pretty damn good at it too.